johnny_sway Reviews

X2: X-Men United (2003)

What Comic Book movies are supposed to be

[10/10 · 4 May 2003]

This is one sequel that so far surpasses its original that the concept is mind blowing. There are so many characters in this film that it's an absolute delight to watch. I didn't grow up reading the X-Men comics but was familiar enough with the characters (mostly by name) that I was in awe of who all showed up.

The special effects are obviously crucial in a film of this sort & X2 does not disappoint. This may be the finest comic book-to-film ever! While I was hoping the film Iceman would have been (in appearance) more like the comic book/cartoon version, it was still really good. The characters of Nightcrawler, Mystique & Colossus have the best special effects & Rebecca Romijn-Stamos is fantastic in this film.

All of the major characters, Hugh Jackman (of course), Alan Cummings, Famke Janssen (especially), Brian Cox, Kelly Hu, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Anna Paquin & even Halle Berry - who was god-awful in the first film - turned in fantastic performances in this film.

If I could make one complaint about this movie ... it ended too soon. I could have watched another hour of film and not been disappointed. It has an ending I certainly did not expect, but it does remain true - I think - to what happens to specific characters in the comics.

A great, great movie - worth seeing more than once!

24 (2001–2010)

Tick Tock

[9 April 2003]

Easily one of the most original series of television, 24 is also a show meant for those with long attention spans & memories for detail.

Marking the revival of matinee star Kiefer Sutherland, 24 is the tale of a special agent in the Counter Terrorist Unit of LA & his relationship with the President. Throughout 2 seasons, the relationship has shifted from "protector" to "the man". Fortunately, Kiefer's Jack Bauer commands the respect & presence necessary for the show to survive. He has a great span of emotions & unlike most series' the good guy does not always do the right thing or ride off into the sunset.

Equally strong in this series is fine actor Dennis Haysbert, who portrays the President, David Palmer. While surrounded by shifty characters, he is steadfast morally & the only character to equal Jack. He is a man of honor who believes his word is his bond & his actions are what he will be remembered by. Haysbert's best work!!

Rounding out the cast are talented supporting actors, among them Xander Berkley & Sarah Wynter. Furthering the panic, Jack's young daughter Kim often finds herself in high-octane situations that require her father or the powers that be @ CTU to help her out of trouble. While her presence in the premiere season's "Day One" was very strong, the second season's "Day Two" was a bit more farfetched, throwing Kim -- fleshed out by Elisha Cuthbert -- into more soap opera calibre circumstances.

All in all, though, 24 is absolutely one of the most riveting shows of all time.

Leap of Faith (1992)

Underlying Messages

[2 April 2003]

Any movie that focuses on religion is bound to be a controversy. If it's a parody of faith, even moreso. At a time when real life televangelists were dropping like flies, this film about a con man posing as a revival preacher surely sparked a few heated debates.

Unfortunately, if people were too offended to give it a fair look, they missed a film that was essentially a true gem. On the surface, it was glitzy & tongue-in-cheek. All the while, the messages of what faith can be comes creeping up on you quietly. Steve Martin turns in what may be his best performance ever, playing the part as only he could & then lending a very human touch. To give him even more edge, his foil is expertly portrayed by Liam Neeson, who seemed to really fit the mold of small town sheriff. Lucas Haas, Lolita Davidovich & especially the small town locals all create a perfect ensemble, while the traveling band seems like any group of traveling carnival players.

In the end, the only real message of this movie is that faith, belief & even miracles exist within the person not the truth of the establishment. One of my absolute favorite movies ever!

Basic (2003)

Bloated, but not all bad

[30 March 2003]

I dislike reviews that bring out only the negative in a film, so, those I immediately cast aside. Regardless of how bad a given film can be, there should always be something redeeming about it.

Basic boasts some major talent, even beyond the headliners. Connie Nielsen, who is always amazing to watch ... Brian Van Holt, Timothy Daly, one of today's most underused actors ... as well as Taye Diggs and Harry Connick, Jr.

I think The Usual Suspects was the film that awakened the concept of doping the audience. And, it certainly did. Basic, like many others, tries to do the same thing, to keep people guessing & then, in the end, tell them they never knew anything the entire time. And, that may be true, because at the end, I had very little clue as to what I had just watched.

If you want to see impressive performances by very good actors, Basic will not disappoint. Travolta is good, and in my opinion, quite low key. Samuel L. Jackson is very good in the final segment of this Rashomon-esque mystery. But, the real credit goes to Connie Nielsen, a woman among men, who turns in a fantastic performance full of action, intelligence & versatility.