Sunday, August 16, 2009
Movie Reviews: DISTRICT 9
IN THEATERS
DISTRICT 9
Aliens become refugees in ....South Africa.... where they are kept isolated from any human contact. While being contained in the refuge being ignored of their welfare, their weapons become the sole interest of Multi-National United (MNU). But only one man , Wikus van der Merwe (Sharlto Copley), can activate these weapons. He becomes hunted for and only one place can give him refuge, District 9.
Cast: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, David James, Vanessa Haywood, Mandla Gaduka
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Opened ..August 14, 2009..
Runtime: 1 hr. 53 min.
Rated R for bloody violence and pervasive language
Genres: Psychological Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Adventure, Science Fiction
Review:
District 9 is an intriguing and totally engrossing sci-fi romp that, like the best of genre, has so much more simmering under its façade. Rookie director Neill Blomkamp makes an incredibly impressive debut here especially considering the paltry, by ..Hollywood.. standards, 30 million budget. Blomkamp delivers a massively entertaining and visually impressive film that can challenge any big budget summer blockbuster. Blomkamp uses a faux documentary style for the better part of the film making the film seem as if it were cut together from various interviews and live news feeds. It works in creating a sense of reality that’s lacking from a lot of science fiction films. As mentioned this is a message movie but it doesn’t jam it down your throat and can be enjoyed on multiple levels. On the acting front feature newbie Sharlto Copley is pretty much front and center and he does an impressive job throughout. Copley’s character traverses a multitude of emotional states that vary from impish office drone to determined hero. The rest of the human characters are pretty much types and never particularly fleshed out but they serve their purpose so it’s hardly a stain on the film. The effects are pretty much the costars here and they don’t disappoint. The “prawns” are fully realized creations that are mostly believable with only occasional hiccups. Still they are so effective that by the end of the film you can’t help but connect with “Christopher Johnson” and his son’s plight. The final battle is beautifully staged and feels like a fantastic mash up of Black Hawk Down and Transformers that feels fresh and original. Fresh and original a great way to describe this film overall and while some of the conceits will feel familiar to experienced genre fans but Blomkamp melds them so effortlessly and impressively you’d be hard pressed not to enjoy the accomplishment.
A
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Movie Reviews: FUNNY PEOPLE
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Movie Reviews: FUNNY PEOPLE
IN THEATERS
FUNNY PEOPLE
Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann star in the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience... and what he does with a second chance. Director Judd Apatow addresses a question that hasn't before been touched with such trademark bluntness: If you had the chance to start all over again, would you be the same jerk you always were?
Cast: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann
Opened ..July 31, 2009..
Run time: 2 hr. 16 min.
Rated R for some sexuality, language and crude sexual humor
Director: Judd Apatow
Genres: Comedy Drama
Review:
Judd Apatow’s third directorial effort is very much like his previous works, filled with rauchy humor mixed with bromance and sentimentality. Apatow take a more slightly more serious tone here dealing with issues of mortality and regret about the choices you’ve made. It’s an intriguing mix and fairly engaging but it occasionally veers terribly close to Lifetime territory. Luckily the sharp comedic dialogue keeps the film entertaining even during its most A Christmas Carol moment. Apatow does occasionally find some authentically poignant moments mainly through some superb work by Sandler. I’ve never been a big fan of Sandler’s movies for the most part but he has shown dramatics chops as shown in Punch Drunk Love. Here, he again benefits from using restraint and he creates a wonderfully layered character that isn’t likeable for the duration of the movie but the audience does feel his loneliness and regret written all over his face. He also delivers plenty of funny lines with such ease that it makes me wonder why he’d stuck to his man child persona for so long. Working as a capable foil Seth Rogan delivers an equally impressive performance as Ira. Rogan gives his character a wide eyed innocence and palpable likeability sans any cynicism. It’s one of Rogan’s better performances in his career thus far and he really outshines everyone else when he’s onscreen. Jason Schwartzman is good fun as Rogan’s working actor roommate. Johan Hill is surprisingly underwhelming here as his lines feel forced when compared to the rest of the cast. Leslie Mann, who’s mostly relegated to the 2nd half of the film, is fun but her character isn’t sufficiently fleshed out enough to allow any depth in regards to her and George Simmons previous relationship. Eric Bana is incredibly funny as Mann’s philandering husband and he unleashes his natural Aussie accent with great effect. There are also cameos aplenty from the comedy and rap world which vary in terms of effect. Some bring some great laughs whiles other feel more like a visual pat on the back. Celebrity cameos are the only case of over indulgence here though. Apatow’s previously films have all been a tad overlong and Funny People is no different. Clocking in at nearly 2 and a half hours it’s a film that starts to test your endurance. Once the action moves to Laura’s home it bogs down and kind of just meanders aimlessly. While it’s not a huge drawback but it does kind of make you wonder what finale Apatow has in mind if any and strangely the ending comes rather abruptly. Regardless of it’s flaws Funny People is an interesting funny and fairly engaging film that shows a bit of maturation on Apatow as a film maker.
B
Movie Reviews: FUNNY PEOPLE
IN THEATERS
FUNNY PEOPLE
Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen and Leslie Mann star in the story of a famous comedian who has a near-death experience... and what he does with a second chance. Director Judd Apatow addresses a question that hasn't before been touched with such trademark bluntness: If you had the chance to start all over again, would you be the same jerk you always were?
Cast: Adam Sandler, Seth Rogen, Leslie Mann
Opened ..July 31, 2009..
Run time: 2 hr. 16 min.
Rated R for some sexuality, language and crude sexual humor
Director: Judd Apatow
Genres: Comedy Drama
Review:
Judd Apatow’s third directorial effort is very much like his previous works, filled with rauchy humor mixed with bromance and sentimentality. Apatow take a more slightly more serious tone here dealing with issues of mortality and regret about the choices you’ve made. It’s an intriguing mix and fairly engaging but it occasionally veers terribly close to Lifetime territory. Luckily the sharp comedic dialogue keeps the film entertaining even during its most A Christmas Carol moment. Apatow does occasionally find some authentically poignant moments mainly through some superb work by Sandler. I’ve never been a big fan of Sandler’s movies for the most part but he has shown dramatics chops as shown in Punch Drunk Love. Here, he again benefits from using restraint and he creates a wonderfully layered character that isn’t likeable for the duration of the movie but the audience does feel his loneliness and regret written all over his face. He also delivers plenty of funny lines with such ease that it makes me wonder why he’d stuck to his man child persona for so long. Working as a capable foil Seth Rogan delivers an equally impressive performance as Ira. Rogan gives his character a wide eyed innocence and palpable likeability sans any cynicism. It’s one of Rogan’s better performances in his career thus far and he really outshines everyone else when he’s onscreen. Jason Schwartzman is good fun as Rogan’s working actor roommate. Johan Hill is surprisingly underwhelming here as his lines feel forced when compared to the rest of the cast. Leslie Mann, who’s mostly relegated to the 2nd half of the film, is fun but her character isn’t sufficiently fleshed out enough to allow any depth in regards to her and George Simmons previous relationship. Eric Bana is incredibly funny as Mann’s philandering husband and he unleashes his natural Aussie accent with great effect. There are also cameos aplenty from the comedy and rap world which vary in terms of effect. Some bring some great laughs whiles other feel more like a visual pat on the back. Celebrity cameos are the only case of over indulgence here though. Apatow’s previously films have all been a tad overlong and Funny People is no different. Clocking in at nearly 2 and a half hours it’s a film that starts to test your endurance. Once the action moves to Laura’s home it bogs down and kind of just meanders aimlessly. While it’s not a huge drawback but it does kind of make you wonder what finale Apatow has in mind if any and strangely the ending comes rather abruptly. Regardless of it’s flaws Funny People is an interesting funny and fairly engaging film that shows a bit of maturation on Apatow as a film maker.
B
Movie Reviews: HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Movie Reviews: HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
IN THEATERS
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information.
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman
Director: David Yates
Opened ..July 15, 2009..
Runtime: 2 hr. 33 min.
Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality
Genres: Children's Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure, Fantasy, Children's/Family
Review:
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince continues the maturation process that started in earnest in The Order of the ....Phoenix..... David Yates crafts an elegant and pensive film that doesn’t shoot for big trills and focuses more the characters and the evolution from children to adulthood. Hormones rage at Hogwarts and the scenes dealing with the trios budding feeling are mostly handled well and delicately. That being said it’s hard to watch this entry into the series and not feel like it’s all set up for the final 2 entries; The Death Hallows is being split into 2 to be released over the next two years. The plot is fairly straight forward if you’ve been following the series and none of the twist or turns are thoroughly shocking or surprising, mainly because they are telegraphed in a fairly obvious manner. Yates still manages to make the events here engaging and manages to put some beautiful imagery on screen. Hogwarts, much like the previous entry, doesn’t carry that fancy and wonder it possessed in the early films. Instead Yates bathes this film in grey and sepia tones throughout, rarely showing any sunlight. The actors also bring more gravitas to the proceeding. Daniel Radcliff brings more confidence to Harry while still maintaining that wide eyed innocence of the early films. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have both grown into their roles and can now add more subtle character work than before. Grint in particular shows fairly good comedic timing. Michael Gambon as Dumbledore continues to be appropriately fatherly and sagely but is strangely one note in this particularly important entry for his character arch. Alan Rickman once again delivers strong character work in limited screen time. Newcomer to the series Jim Broadbent shines and he uses his vast talent to make his character the most memorable of this entry. Helena Bonham Carter is devilish fun as Bellatrix Lestrange but she gets painfully little screen time to truly shine. As the events in the film come to an end you are left pining for the finale and Yates makes no secret of the fact that this entry is mostly set up as he ends this tales with a sense of meandering melancholy and unresolved issues.
B+
Movie Reviews: HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
IN THEATERS
HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF BLOOD PRINCE
Voldemort is tightening his grip on both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that dangers may even lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. Together they work to find the key to unlock Voldemort’s defenses and, to this end, Dumbledore recruits his old friend and colleague, the well-connected and unsuspecting bon vivant Professor Horace Slughorn, whom he believes holds crucial information.
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, Robbie Coltrane, Michael Gambon, Alan Rickman
Director: David Yates
Opened ..July 15, 2009..
Runtime: 2 hr. 33 min.
Rated PG for scary images, some violence, language and mild sensuality
Genres: Children's Fantasy, Fantasy Adventure, Fantasy, Children's/Family
Review:
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince continues the maturation process that started in earnest in The Order of the ....Phoenix..... David Yates crafts an elegant and pensive film that doesn’t shoot for big trills and focuses more the characters and the evolution from children to adulthood. Hormones rage at Hogwarts and the scenes dealing with the trios budding feeling are mostly handled well and delicately. That being said it’s hard to watch this entry into the series and not feel like it’s all set up for the final 2 entries; The Death Hallows is being split into 2 to be released over the next two years. The plot is fairly straight forward if you’ve been following the series and none of the twist or turns are thoroughly shocking or surprising, mainly because they are telegraphed in a fairly obvious manner. Yates still manages to make the events here engaging and manages to put some beautiful imagery on screen. Hogwarts, much like the previous entry, doesn’t carry that fancy and wonder it possessed in the early films. Instead Yates bathes this film in grey and sepia tones throughout, rarely showing any sunlight. The actors also bring more gravitas to the proceeding. Daniel Radcliff brings more confidence to Harry while still maintaining that wide eyed innocence of the early films. Rupert Grint and Emma Watson have both grown into their roles and can now add more subtle character work than before. Grint in particular shows fairly good comedic timing. Michael Gambon as Dumbledore continues to be appropriately fatherly and sagely but is strangely one note in this particularly important entry for his character arch. Alan Rickman once again delivers strong character work in limited screen time. Newcomer to the series Jim Broadbent shines and he uses his vast talent to make his character the most memorable of this entry. Helena Bonham Carter is devilish fun as Bellatrix Lestrange but she gets painfully little screen time to truly shine. As the events in the film come to an end you are left pining for the finale and Yates makes no secret of the fact that this entry is mostly set up as he ends this tales with a sense of meandering melancholy and unresolved issues.
B+
Movie Reviews: BRUNO
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Movie Reviews: BRUNO
IN THEATERS
BRUNO
Bruno, who has no known surname, is a homosexual Austrian fashionista claiming to be a reporter from an Austrian television station. Sacha Baron Cohen who plays Bruno interviews unsuspecting guests about topics such as fashion, entertainment , celebrities and homosexuality, with an emphasis on the latter as each interview progresses.
Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten
Director: Larry Charles
Opened July 10, 2009
Runtime: 1 hr. 28 min.
Rated R for pervasive strong and crude sexual content, graphic nudity and language
Genres: Satire, Mockumentary, Comedy
Review:
Sacha Baron Cohen has pretty much set the bar incredibly high in terms of shocking audiences if he ever decides to do another mockumentary style film. Bruno is shocking and filled with so many cringe inducing moments that it makes 2006’s Borat look tame by comparison. The opening scene, showing us what Bruno and his pigmy boy toy do in their bedroom, pretty much set s up your going to be in for and if you’re offended by that, you should probably just get up and leave. During its short runtime you’ll see singing penises, a modified stationary bicycle and other visual assault that’s make you fairly uncomfortable and laugh like mad. It’s an interesting tight rope to walk and along the way Cohen manages to destroy as many imaginary lines of what’s considered good taste along the way. As to whether or not Cohen succeeds in exposing gay bigotry or does more harm than good is really up to the eye of the beholder. He plays up the biggest gay stereotypes with his character gets some very strong responses from the unwitting public but it’s really hard to determine if it’s because he exposing the issue or because his character is so outrageous that it’d be nearly impossible to not illicit a major response to him. Regardless of whether he achieves what he intended is, again, up to the viewer but you have to respect Cohen’s willingness to throw himself out there and even put himself in truly dangerous situation at times. It’s all fairly entertaining and hilarious but there are a few dead spots, mainly due to the fact that we have a more formal structure to this mockumentary. Cohen and director Larry Charles give this film a strong narrative structure than Borat meaning that there more sections of the film that just deal with telling the story. It gives Bruno a more traditional feel but the segments are hit or miss. As a whole there are plenty more high points than low points and if you didn’t walk out in the beginning, you’d have gone through a strange trip through celebrity, swinger’s parties and a drunken redneck riot. A strange trip indeed but a pretty damn funny one too.
B
Movie Reviews: BRUNO
IN THEATERS
BRUNO
Bruno, who has no known surname, is a homosexual Austrian fashionista claiming to be a reporter from an Austrian television station. Sacha Baron Cohen who plays Bruno interviews unsuspecting guests about topics such as fashion, entertainment , celebrities and homosexuality, with an emphasis on the latter as each interview progresses.
Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen, Gustaf Hammarsten
Director: Larry Charles
Opened July 10, 2009
Runtime: 1 hr. 28 min.
Rated R for pervasive strong and crude sexual content, graphic nudity and language
Genres: Satire, Mockumentary, Comedy
Review:
Sacha Baron Cohen has pretty much set the bar incredibly high in terms of shocking audiences if he ever decides to do another mockumentary style film. Bruno is shocking and filled with so many cringe inducing moments that it makes 2006’s Borat look tame by comparison. The opening scene, showing us what Bruno and his pigmy boy toy do in their bedroom, pretty much set s up your going to be in for and if you’re offended by that, you should probably just get up and leave. During its short runtime you’ll see singing penises, a modified stationary bicycle and other visual assault that’s make you fairly uncomfortable and laugh like mad. It’s an interesting tight rope to walk and along the way Cohen manages to destroy as many imaginary lines of what’s considered good taste along the way. As to whether or not Cohen succeeds in exposing gay bigotry or does more harm than good is really up to the eye of the beholder. He plays up the biggest gay stereotypes with his character gets some very strong responses from the unwitting public but it’s really hard to determine if it’s because he exposing the issue or because his character is so outrageous that it’d be nearly impossible to not illicit a major response to him. Regardless of whether he achieves what he intended is, again, up to the viewer but you have to respect Cohen’s willingness to throw himself out there and even put himself in truly dangerous situation at times. It’s all fairly entertaining and hilarious but there are a few dead spots, mainly due to the fact that we have a more formal structure to this mockumentary. Cohen and director Larry Charles give this film a strong narrative structure than Borat meaning that there more sections of the film that just deal with telling the story. It gives Bruno a more traditional feel but the segments are hit or miss. As a whole there are plenty more high points than low points and if you didn’t walk out in the beginning, you’d have gone through a strange trip through celebrity, swinger’s parties and a drunken redneck riot. A strange trip indeed but a pretty damn funny one too.
B
Movie Reviews: PUBLIC ENEMIES
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Movie Reviews: PUBLIC ENEMIES
IN THEATERS
PUBLIC ENEMIES
No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone—from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang—later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi)—thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.’’ However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts.
Cast: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Giovanni Ribisi
Director: Michael Mann
Opened ..July 1, 2009..
Runtime: 2 hr. 23 min.
Rated R for gangster violence and some language
Genres: Period Film, Crime Drama, Gangster Film, Crime
Review:
Michael Mann’s Public Enemies is a well polished and measured film that sizzles but never quite boils over. Mann shooting again in HD, which is surprisingly effective considering the subject matter, effectively places the audience into an authentic 1930’s surrounding. His style allows for a sense of immediacy that fits the films subject matter. It gives the film a pop that most big budget action films lack and anyone who’s seen a Michael Mann film knows he’s a thinking man’s crime drama auteur. The action sequences are jarring and never gratuitous; the shootout in the woods is especially effective, allowing the audience to feel the sensation of the collected carnage unleashed by Tommy gun fire. Needless to say Mann knows how to set the table and here he uses his cast wonderfully to populate this meticulously recreated era. Johnny Depp is on center stage here and he’s through effective in a restrained performance as he chooses to avoid the more cartoonish aspects of Dillinger’s persona. Instead, he brings a natural charisma and bravado to the character that standout through fairly subtle movements, it’s definitely a less is more approach that works well for the film. Christian Bale character is as stoic and stiff as an over starched shirt and the script doesn’t allow for much else to do. That being said Bale does take a few opportunities to give his character a bit more depth through some small but noticeable facial expressions during that film’s latter segments. Marion Cotillard does fine work as Dillinger’s love interest even if her accent wavers as much as Depp’s Fedoras. Billy Crudup turns in a scene stealing take as J. Edgar Hoover complete with old time accent and accelerated speech. While the overall production and cast are top notch there is a very apparent detachment from the characters and story. While Mann tries valiantly to put the audience in the room with these characters, something he does very effectively, we feel very little if any connection to these characters. As the film closes the emotional punches don’t hit as hard as they should. Considering Mann’s studious and meticulously process this effect might be quite intentional, simply giving the audience a glimpse at what happened during these last few years of Dillinger’s intriguing life.
B-
Movie Reviews: PUBLIC ENEMIES
IN THEATERS
PUBLIC ENEMIES
No one could stop Dillinger and his gang. No jail could hold him. His charm and audacious jailbreaks endeared him to almost everyone—from his girlfriend Billie Frechette (Cotillard) to an American public who had no sympathy for the banks that had plunged the country into the Depression. But while the adventures of Dillinger’s gang—later including the sociopathic Baby Face Nelson (Stephen Graham) and Alvin Karpis (Giovanni Ribisi)—thrilled many, Hoover (Billy Crudup) hit on the idea of exploiting the outlaw’s capture as a way to elevate his Bureau of Investigation into the national police force that became the FBI. He made Dillinger America’s first Public Enemy Number One and sent in Purvis, the dashing “Clark Gable of the FBI.’’ However, Dillinger and his gang outwitted and outgunned Purvis’ men in wild chases and shootouts.
Cast: Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, Marion Cotillard, Channing Tatum, Giovanni Ribisi
Director: Michael Mann
Opened ..July 1, 2009..
Runtime: 2 hr. 23 min.
Rated R for gangster violence and some language
Genres: Period Film, Crime Drama, Gangster Film, Crime
Review:
Michael Mann’s Public Enemies is a well polished and measured film that sizzles but never quite boils over. Mann shooting again in HD, which is surprisingly effective considering the subject matter, effectively places the audience into an authentic 1930’s surrounding. His style allows for a sense of immediacy that fits the films subject matter. It gives the film a pop that most big budget action films lack and anyone who’s seen a Michael Mann film knows he’s a thinking man’s crime drama auteur. The action sequences are jarring and never gratuitous; the shootout in the woods is especially effective, allowing the audience to feel the sensation of the collected carnage unleashed by Tommy gun fire. Needless to say Mann knows how to set the table and here he uses his cast wonderfully to populate this meticulously recreated era. Johnny Depp is on center stage here and he’s through effective in a restrained performance as he chooses to avoid the more cartoonish aspects of Dillinger’s persona. Instead, he brings a natural charisma and bravado to the character that standout through fairly subtle movements, it’s definitely a less is more approach that works well for the film. Christian Bale character is as stoic and stiff as an over starched shirt and the script doesn’t allow for much else to do. That being said Bale does take a few opportunities to give his character a bit more depth through some small but noticeable facial expressions during that film’s latter segments. Marion Cotillard does fine work as Dillinger’s love interest even if her accent wavers as much as Depp’s Fedoras. Billy Crudup turns in a scene stealing take as J. Edgar Hoover complete with old time accent and accelerated speech. While the overall production and cast are top notch there is a very apparent detachment from the characters and story. While Mann tries valiantly to put the audience in the room with these characters, something he does very effectively, we feel very little if any connection to these characters. As the film closes the emotional punches don’t hit as hard as they should. Considering Mann’s studious and meticulously process this effect might be quite intentional, simply giving the audience a glimpse at what happened during these last few years of Dillinger’s intriguing life.
B-
Movie Reviews: TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Movie Reviews: TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
IN THEATERS
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
The battle for Earth has ended but the battle for the universe has just begun. After returning to Cybertron, Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and has decided to return to Earth with force. The Autobots believing that peace was possible finds out that Megatron's dead body has been stolen from the US Military by Skorpinox and revives him using his own spark. Now Megatron is back seeking revenge and with Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements on the way, the Autobots with reinforcements of their own, may have more to deal with then meets the eye.
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn
Director: Michael Bay
Opens today June 24, 2009
Runtime: 2 hr. 30 min.
Rated PG-13 for brief drug material, intense seq. of sci-fi violence, intense seq. of sci-fi action, crude and sexual material and language
Genres: Sci-Fi Action, Action, Science Fiction
Review:
A simple way to gauge how much you’ll enjoy Transformers: The Revenge of the Fallen is to ask yourself a few simple questions. First off, did you enjoy the first movie? Secondly, do you know what to expect from a Michael Bay film? If you answered yes to both you’ll probably enjoy this sequel for what it is, mindless popcorn fun which never attempts to evoke more than visceral sensory thrills. For the most part Bay successes in doing this giving the audience more Autobot Decepticon battles and massive set pieces which you can’t help but marvel at. Bay lenses this film with his usual hyper kinetic style and delivers an endless array of money shots after slow motion money shots. It can get a tad taxing with the films overlong run time and while the battles are cool to look at they rarely carry any emotional weight to them mainly due to an even more thread bare script than the first film. Some major drawbacks to the script are way too many bad sexual or crude jokes which feel forced throughout, if you thought the first film’s urinating gag was bad you’ll find plenty to dislike here. Also there are plenty of new transformer characters brought into the fold, some with great effect like Soundwave, Sideswipe and Arcee. Other like the Autobot twins Mudflap and Skids near Jar Jar Binks level of grating-ness. The script is a jumbled mess that contains way too may cringe inducing lines and the overall plot isn’t terribly clear with some conceits making more sense (The Fallen, The Matrix of Leadership, Space Bridges and Energon) if you’ve been a lifelong fan of the original animated series otherwise it’s all just mindless jargon. Character wise neither human or robot characters fare very well in terms of depth. Whatever the character was in the first film they are pretty much the same thing here. Shia LaBeouf delivers a few interesting character moments but mostly he’s pretty much doing what he did at the end of the first film, running away from Robots and explosions. Megan Fox suffers an equal fate and she not strong enough an actress to make something special with such little non screaming running time. Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson return from the first installment but they could have easily been replaced by anyone or no one as they aren’t asked to do more than shoot and scream orders. Faring a little better are other returning supporting players John Turturro Kevin Dunn and Julie White, the latter returning as Sam’s parents. All three are good fun and bring some needed comic relief. Newcomer to the franchise Ramon Rodriguez, as Sam’s college roommate, is also goofy fun in his supporting role. These actors weren’t asked to do much and they don’t for the most part, something that becomes fairly apparent when there’s a lull in the action. That being said when the film closes and you’ve witness a final battle that rivals Bay’s own Bad Boys 2 ( his other nth level opus of destruction) in sheer size and length you’ll either find yourself utterly entertained or mostly empty or maybe even both.
C+
Movie Reviews: TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
IN THEATERS
TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN
The battle for Earth has ended but the battle for the universe has just begun. After returning to Cybertron, Starscream assumes command of the Decepticons, and has decided to return to Earth with force. The Autobots believing that peace was possible finds out that Megatron's dead body has been stolen from the US Military by Skorpinox and revives him using his own spark. Now Megatron is back seeking revenge and with Starscream and more Decepticon reinforcements on the way, the Autobots with reinforcements of their own, may have more to deal with then meets the eye.
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Dunn
Director: Michael Bay
Opens today June 24, 2009
Runtime: 2 hr. 30 min.
Rated PG-13 for brief drug material, intense seq. of sci-fi violence, intense seq. of sci-fi action, crude and sexual material and language
Genres: Sci-Fi Action, Action, Science Fiction
Review:
A simple way to gauge how much you’ll enjoy Transformers: The Revenge of the Fallen is to ask yourself a few simple questions. First off, did you enjoy the first movie? Secondly, do you know what to expect from a Michael Bay film? If you answered yes to both you’ll probably enjoy this sequel for what it is, mindless popcorn fun which never attempts to evoke more than visceral sensory thrills. For the most part Bay successes in doing this giving the audience more Autobot Decepticon battles and massive set pieces which you can’t help but marvel at. Bay lenses this film with his usual hyper kinetic style and delivers an endless array of money shots after slow motion money shots. It can get a tad taxing with the films overlong run time and while the battles are cool to look at they rarely carry any emotional weight to them mainly due to an even more thread bare script than the first film. Some major drawbacks to the script are way too many bad sexual or crude jokes which feel forced throughout, if you thought the first film’s urinating gag was bad you’ll find plenty to dislike here. Also there are plenty of new transformer characters brought into the fold, some with great effect like Soundwave, Sideswipe and Arcee. Other like the Autobot twins Mudflap and Skids near Jar Jar Binks level of grating-ness. The script is a jumbled mess that contains way too may cringe inducing lines and the overall plot isn’t terribly clear with some conceits making more sense (The Fallen, The Matrix of Leadership, Space Bridges and Energon) if you’ve been a lifelong fan of the original animated series otherwise it’s all just mindless jargon. Character wise neither human or robot characters fare very well in terms of depth. Whatever the character was in the first film they are pretty much the same thing here. Shia LaBeouf delivers a few interesting character moments but mostly he’s pretty much doing what he did at the end of the first film, running away from Robots and explosions. Megan Fox suffers an equal fate and she not strong enough an actress to make something special with such little non screaming running time. Josh Duhamel and Tyrese Gibson return from the first installment but they could have easily been replaced by anyone or no one as they aren’t asked to do more than shoot and scream orders. Faring a little better are other returning supporting players John Turturro Kevin Dunn and Julie White, the latter returning as Sam’s parents. All three are good fun and bring some needed comic relief. Newcomer to the franchise Ramon Rodriguez, as Sam’s college roommate, is also goofy fun in his supporting role. These actors weren’t asked to do much and they don’t for the most part, something that becomes fairly apparent when there’s a lull in the action. That being said when the film closes and you’ve witness a final battle that rivals Bay’s own Bad Boys 2 ( his other nth level opus of destruction) in sheer size and length you’ll either find yourself utterly entertained or mostly empty or maybe even both.
C+
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