Change Your Image
dreamscape03
Reviews
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Frenetic CGI battles and disjointed storytelling
I watched The Phantom Menace with impossibly high expectations only to be let down worse than I ever anticipated. It was with renewed hope that I walked in to the theatre to watch the B-movie titled, Attack of the Clones. A little over 2 hours later I walked out dazed and confused. I had little idea what had just happened other than a mass of quick cuts and needlessly busy battle scenes.
When the action did slow down enough to give us the story, it ranged from the good (visiting the cloners and meeting Jengo Fett) to the silly and unnecessary (Obi Wan's inexplicable relationship with the diner owner) to the painfully awful (the entire love sequence between Anakin and Padme).
While I will admit that I got excited and cheered Yoda's battle with Dooku, after seeing it once I feel it shouldn't have happened. It showed a side of Yoda that does not befit his character and it made him no more adept with the force than any other. After 800 years of practice and time spent as the definitive Jedi master, Yoda should have bested Dooku in the battle of the force. It could have been close, it could have been difficult, but there was no need for the indulgent silliness of seeing Yoda bounce around like a rubber ball.
I am a proud fan of the Star Wars movies, but I have to say that after watching and re-watching the newer trilogy, this is easily my least favourite of the 6. Episode 1 had Darth Maul, Episode 3 was actually fairly well done despite the undignified "NNNNNOOOOOOO!!!" that tarnished Darth Vader's cool, but Episode 2 was just minimal story and epilepsy-inducing splashes of CGI over-indulgence.
Primer (2004)
a tad confusing but well done
There are times when the plot is difficult to follow, but this leads to some interesting post-viewing discussion. Although lauded for being done on such a tight budget (I've heard under $15000 US), I must say that had it been done in typical Hollywood style, it probably would have suffered for it. A movie like Primer could easily be lessened by over-reliance on special effects. The minimalist approach necessitated by the small budget kept some of the mystery that the characters were feeling intact.
It's not perfect, at times the dialogue is forced, but you do come to identify with the characters and the idea is nothing if not creative. The end sequence seemed a bit much, but in a universe of limitless possibilities who knows what would happen? Give it a shot, if nothing else you'll have something to talk about when you're done!
Hong men jue e zhe (1985)
Better than bad, it's good!
I honestly don't know if this movie was intentionally this bad, but my gut tells me it wasn't. As an action flick it's really quite horrible but once you watch it you'll be rolling on the floor with your sides splitting from laughter! It's hilarious! Some of the worst stunts and effects EVER, not to mention a ridiculous plot. A must rent for anyone looking to poke fun at one of the few genuinely serious movies that can be so bad it's good.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)
Simply breathtaking
Whether you're of a religious bent or not, this movie is one to watch for its sheer beauty. The animation is so flawless that it appears the way you *wish* real life looked. For the first time in an animated movie, everything is in motion, just the way the real world works. There are no static background characters and every piece of clothing and hair sways with each and every movement and gust of wind.