Change Your Image
Mackiatoe
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Lists
An error has ocurred. Please try againHaving grown up watching and loving his shows, ranking his series is a difficult task. Each are worthy of their own accolades, though some certainly stand out more than others.
I would have kept it to 50 films but I simply couldn't.
This is very much a matter of opinion, and it is constantly updated.
As a little extra, here are my highest rated directors of all time, in no particular order, with the number of their films on this list: Stanley Kubrick (3), Ridley Scott (3), Christopher Nolan (3), James Cameron (3), Steven Spielberg (3), Peter Jackson (3), Robert Zemeckis (2).
Reviews
Apocalypse Now (1979)
The ultimate cinematic experience.
As far as cinematic experiences go, this is hands-down the best.
Apocalypse Now is not conventional. Instead, it is a masterfully choreographed, mesmerising exploration of what evil and darkness truly are, being a soldier means, the terrible way in which the US fought the Vietnam war and a representation of what insanity "is". In some weird, almost sadistic way, it could even be seen as a set of short stories. But that's far too simple.
Apocalypse Now is built on incredibly strong foundations, not least because of its inspiration from Conrad's Heart Of Darkness. Its underlying story is rakishly simple: our protagonist has to go down a river and kill the antagonist. You cannot go wrong there; the motivation for our characters is dead set. And that means that there's plenty of space for Coppola to build up an authentic, worryingly realistic and terrifying world that is "Vietnam". Yet it's not an accurate representation, mainly because it's not supposed to be. Other Vietnam films do that job - instead, Apocalypse Now creates the atmosphere of the war and then sets a fictional, philosophical story within that. It is a stroke of genius.
I don't know how to begin dissecting this film, and I don't think I'll ever be able to summarise it entirely. All at once, it is a criticism of the Vietnam war, an attack on the way militaries work, an exploration of what madness and darkness truly mean and a story of the potent power of insanity. Conrad's themes which were aptly explored in his fantastic novel are blown up to incredible scale here and realised in overwhelming relevant and brilliant fashion.
And that's before you get onto its other, groundbreaking aspects. The cinematography, for instance, it astounding. Symbolism is used extensively to fantastic effect; just look at the scene where Kurtz talks to Willard about him being killed - it's groundbreaking in multiple ways. Then there's the use of lighting, one of the strongest visual metaphors in the film. In almost every scene, especially the show at Hau Phat and the Do Long bridge, it plays a pivotal role in creating atmosphere and conveying the message of the film. Sound too is incredible. The score is a mix of Kraftwerk-esque dark synth sounds, The End by The Doors and the all famous Ride of the Valkyries.
You don't so much watch Apocalypse Now as do you experience it, live it and breathe it. It lingers in your mind for days after, constantly bringing up questions as to what the hell you actually watched. It's one of those films that gives you goosebumps just thinking about it.
There can be no denying that this is one of the most profoundly disturbing and truly scary films of all time. I certainly rank it as the scariest film I've ever seen because of its potency, a potency that have left me thinking about Apocalypse Now for longer than I could ever have contemplated. All at once the most awe-inspiring of actions films, the most brutally realistic of war films and the darkest, most desecrating of psychological thrillers; the most intense cinematic experience I've yet come across.
Incredibles 2 (2018)
Proper popcorn fun, but don't expect too much
14 years is a long time between sequels, and unsurprisingly it's meant that the first Incredibles has - very rightly so - cemented its place as one of the all time animated greats. Living up to that is just never going to work.
Thankfully, The Incredibles 2 doesn't do that, coming across more as an episode in the Parr family story.
It's a lot less nuanced than the original, and the pacing felt needlessly jumpy at points. Fast paced is certainly the right phrase to use, though that certainly didn't stop it from being seriously good fun to watch.
In particular, it's the action scenes that stood out most. They're so fluid and dynamic, and are benefited by fantastic cinematography and sound work. They make up for the predictable story and some of the more forced elements of the film.
In saying that, both of the storylines were balanced well, and tied in well, even if the ending felt rushed. Bob's arc felt more like the comic relief to Helen's classic action hero-esque storyline, though both managed to tread carefully and avoid too many cliches. It's simple, and less interesting than the first one, but it doesn't stop every minute of the film being a lot of fun.
It also doesn't dwell too long on references to the original, a particular strong point in my book. This isn't a whistle-stop nostalgia tour as I had feared it might become. Particularly in the opening scene with the Underminer, the way they just jumped into the action sequence felt so refreshing - straight into the new, never stopping once to reference the old.
Less nuanced and less interesting than the titanic first film, but no less fun to watch. Not so much a sequel, but rather a new installment in The Incredibles story. Perhaps it's that laid back approach that makes it such good fun.
Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)
The Disney-fication of everything you love
George Lucas was heavily - and rightly - criticsed for his remark about "making films for kids" when he was describing the prequels. I never expected the creators of this latest Star Wars film to emobody that wholy. Star Wars: The Last Jedi is more slap-stick TV comedy than a proper fantasy space adventure, and it's quite sad to see what it's become.
Too much is going on, too many stories with too little development and too much plasticness.The film is hardly predictable, and indeed it's final third act is brilliant, but it can't esecape how simplified and thoroughly manufactured it feels.
Poe walks around and says stuff. He describes exactly what is happening and why its significant, almost as if the audience is too dumb to infer it themselves. Luke's character progression jumps about and stutters all over the place and feels so clunky that it's hard to believe that he's actually Luke Skywalker. Rey's story could have been so much more brilliant if they'd just given it more time. Fin serves little purpose here other than to have a B-plot that feels like a filler episode of Friends and has almost no significant whatsoever to the rest of the plot. Leia flies through space in a moment that had me almost as aghast as when Vader said "Noo!" in Revenge of the Sith.
The sad bit about all of this is that underneath, there is somewhat of a good film. Snoke's death and the subsequent fight were stunning, and really added a proper twist to the film; it's a similair case with the final battle between Luke and Kylo, especially when its revealed that Luke is just a projection - it felt like a satisfying conclusion to Kylo and Luke's stories in the film. Indeed much of the Jedi storyline and the Kylo Ren narrative are good, but other bits left me unsatisfied. I kept wishing that they just spent a bit more time working on Kylo and Rey's relationship, on Luke's return to the force, on Rey's training etc. It felt almost sidelined to make way for completely unnescarry elements and way, way too many shot of the Resistance cruiser being shelled by the First Order ships.
And even there, I just wish they could have expanded on it more, made the space battles a bit more exciting. So much of this film could have been cut - the pointless gags for one, amongst other things - and replaced with more important and significant matters. I feel like that could have made a big difference. It's too underdevloped and dull to be exciting enough for me. There are too many annoyances for it to be enjoyable. I found myself complaining more than I did watching the film.
My friend said something to me after seeing it that really summed it up, frankly: "It felt like a Marvel film". And what's special about any of the Marvel films? They're repeatable, insignificant popcorn entertainment, Great way to spend the afternoon and perhaps something to fun to watch at Christmas, but for goodness sake, this is a Star Wars film.
Disney has thoroughly transformed Star Wars into a franchise, and just like its other side project with Marvel, it's gradually turning a special, unique and beloved idea into a production line that can be used once a year to make a film and sell 300,000 tons worth of toys. What a catastrophic shame.
There's good here, but its so clogged up in dull, Disney-fied guff that the result is something more reminiscient of a Star Wars themed SNL special than an actual entry into the main story. Ugh.
Baby Driver (2017)
Slick, witty and immensely enjoyable
I left the movie theatre wanting to drive like Elgort, aka "Baby", drives in this film, listening to the music that he listens to while driving in this film. If that isn't what any great car movie makes you want to do, then it isn't good enough.
Baby Driver is the best automobile based movie flick in years, seamlessly combining stunning action with a great story and a stellar range of characters. Every part of this film was fun to watch, every character had their moment; the whole film was like a buzz.
Like many other films in Edgar Wright's excellent back catalogue, Baby Driver takes its influences from all sorts of places. At its core, it's a classic "one last job" action movie, mixed with a teenage romance and set against an urban crime back drop. It's like a GTA-themed rom- com, only with a GTA style soundtrack and none of the luvvy-duvvy stuff you'll find in a romance film (save for the single best use of Barry White I've ever seen in the diner shootout scene).
Speaking of the soundtrack, the song choices are inventive, smart and used impeccably well. Whether it's Baby's dancing, the songs used to characterise his affections for Debora, the way the gun shots are edited with the music or how they're used both by the characters and the film to make the action sequences more thrilling, it is nothing short of a stroke of genius. I had to stop myself from singing along to Radar Love, while the choice of 60s soul classics felt like a subtle nod to the musical choices of many-a Tarantino film, and it felt very appropriate in setting the "this is cool" vibe needed to complete the film.
I was particularly impressed with the style of characters. Baby is a really original idea, and the perfect excuse to fill the film with so many brilliant songs. Plus, his character development is well handled and well paced, and ultimately satisfying. Lilly James's Debora turned out to be far more interesting than I expected, much to the film's benefit, and plays an important role both as a possibility of escape for Baby and as the mandatory love interest, especially in the latter half of the film. Kevin Spacey's Doc was a perfect neutral character - the story kept you guessing who's side he was really on, and he was always enjoyable to watch, sporting some of the best lines and a black Mercedes S-Class which really suited his character. The rest of the criminals were also well written and well used, especially with how the antagonist of the film was essentially the lack of trust you could have in your fellow heisters, giving the plot plenty of freedom to make all of them equally dangerous to our antagonist.
The slick writing really shines in the quieter scenes, but its the action scenes that stand out most of all. I'm sure every other reviewer has said something along the same lines as this, but it is so refreshing to see a car chase film that doesn't rely on CGI. It's even better to see chases that are shot and executed so well. The editing was absolutely masterful and easily some of Wright's best. The speed and tension was conveyed with utter dexterity, and it's a delight to watch.
As a car enthusiast, the choice of vehicles in the film was particularly pleasing. Perhaps best of all was how each chase featured a different getaway car, which helped to characterise each scene far better. The Subaru in the first chase suited the narrow and confined spaces of the city centre, while the bigger, tougher looking Chevvy Avalanche reflected the grittier nature of the second chase. While it doesn't mean that any of the cars become characters in themselves, such as in the F&F movies, it makes the film feel very diverse and varied, something which I really liked.
The one criticism I have is a stupid one. Baby got an original iPod for his birthday when he was still just a kid. I didn't believe that for a second!
Save for that minor and completely subjective problem, Baby Driver is an outright success. Big screen thrills with an equally big heart, tasetful and beautifully filmed action and an outstanding soundtrack that is used to supreme effect. It's one hell of a good film for sure, easily one of (perhaps even THE) best Edgar Wright films ever and a new benchmark for car movies. I'm sure I'll be referring to it as one of my favourite films of the decade in years to come, and will no doubt be singing its praises in the meantime.
The Filthy Frank Show: Hair Cake (2015)
The Ultimate Anti-YouTube Video
Hair Cake is a modern masterpiece. Something so abhorrently disgusting to watch and ridiculous to even contemplate that, when it's executed as well as it is, simply leaves you amazed that something like this can even exist.
In a time when YouTube was (and still is) pushing harder and harder for safe, unchallenging content, Hair Cake stands as a bastion of originality and innovation. It pushes boundaries beyond the ridiculous and embraces its own stupidity for the sake of entertainment. It exists in a realm unique to itself; it has no contemporaries or rivals, and few other videos on the site come close to being considered comparable.
Hair Cake will not be remembered as a video that defined its genre or medium, but rather a video that stood outside of it. It's the spanner in the works for YouTube's dumbification direction; how do you deal with something this different? You could never put this on the 'Related Videos' tab of a ThatcherJoe video, let alone let it end up Trending.
And that's exactly what makes it so great. It's dark, underground, 'out- there', yet it harks back to the early days of YouTube, when the creator-driven nature of the site meant that many videos you'd encounter would simply be of people filming something stupid and putting it online for the hell of it.
It's warming to know that that spirit hasn't been crushed just yet. People are still willing to take the route of ridiculousness, regardless of the implications for how they're seen online. What's brilliant though is that Hair Cake has only heightened the reputation of its characters for managing to pull it off with such dexterity and brilliance. They have become cultural icons because of it, and turned Hair Cake almost into a cult film.
I stand by the claim that this is one of the best videos ever made and indeed the ultimate Anti-YouTube video, perhaps only bested by its sequel, Human Cake. Even then, Hair Cake's brilliance shines not because of what it actually shows, but what it stands for. Its the extremity for ridiculousness and disgust on the site - I dare someone to go one further than this - and at the same time the spearhead for great original content. I can't imagine anyone at YouTube would want this to have been made, making its success all the more satisfying. Embrace its stupidity and grossness, and realise that this is one of the best things the internet has ever produced.
Content Cop (2015)
A Stroke of Genius
When YouTube themselves seem indecisive about cultivating the kind of content they want on their website yet also seemingly promote utter rubbish whilst high quality videos get barely any attention at all, you need someone to deal with the tripe and bring some order. There are many channels and YouTube personalities that are working in this genre, but few are quite as clever or as particular as iDubbbz.
Content Cop is a masterstroke in the world of the YouTube Review genre in that it has consistently called out people's actions with masterful savagery and exceptional success every time. At the same time, it's packaged into an entertaining and well made show that benefits from the clever sketches and skits that iDubbbz does to expand the episodes and all held together with his charming and ever-so-slightly cynical personality.
Not only has he been able to critically breakdown people's videos in almost effortless manner, but iDubbbz has managed to pull off the act of actually predicting how his targets will respond, a talent few others possess.
That could be down to the fact that said targets are usually fairly incompetent, but that is part of this series' genius; the people he targets fall right into his trap and prove all the arguments he makes in his video in their responses (for the most part). It's a brilliant weapon.
There are hundreds of channels that, arguably, deserve to be called out for their rubbish, but Content Cop's are reserved for the ones that require special treatment. It's what you need when the site hosting all this doesn't seem to care about particular members of its own community other than how much revenue they can bring in.
Yet, Content Cop is also very clever in that it's never quite malicious or offensive. It has consistently been harsh and critical, but never to the extent that it just descends into personal insults. It has always been foremost a breakdown of the videos a channel makes or the way a person acts on the website, and by doing that, it gives the series a high moral platform, even if said morals are rather unconventional.
Few people are in such a position as iDubbbz is to make these criticisms of other channels, but he has certainly seized upon this and created a series that is both relevant and necessary whilst also being incredibly entertaining and well made. It's the peak of critical entertainment and stands as one of the most well designed, well made and well delivered series on YouTube of all time.
Rogue One (2016)
A great addition to the Star Wars Universe, if a little forgettable
I'm glad that I didn't get hyped up for this film, not because it wasn't a disappointment, but rather because it wasn't the strongest Star Wars film ever. In saying that, where it was good, it was very enjoyable, and certainly offers plenty for fans and average movie-goers alike.
The biggest issue with Rogue One is its messiness - too many characters too soon, a few too many plots and mixed morals. The classic 'good vs bad' basis is less prevalent here, which does offer some freshness, but its replacement isn't as good as it should be. The problem is that the Rebels vs Imperials story clashes with Jyn and her father's storyline and is further complicated by the internal disputes of the Empire and the Rebels. It has some direction, but the result is that the film is stinted by lack of flow; we jump between pockets of each story, and eventually it becomes too much to follow.
The other issue with the story (or stories in this case) is that we get so many characters in such a short amount of time that none get the proper introduction they deserve. I couldn't remember any of the names of the characters, save for the main ones and Original Trilogy ones. Few had very memorable backstories and character development was a little off, though Jyn, Cassian, Chirrut and Baze certainly had their fair share. Speaking of which, Chirrut and Baze were by far and away the best supporting characters, and I did at least feel something when they died at the end. The problem however is that I felt very little for the rest of them when they were killed. It at least wasn't predictable, just without heart.
Thankfully, however, most of the messiness is confined to the first half. Once Rogue One are assembled and away to Skarif, things get far more interesting. With everyone focused on one goal, more time can be spent on the excellent battle sequences that make up the majority of the memorable parts of Rogue One. They are very well coordinated and look absolutely beautiful, particularly with the rendering of the star ships at AT-ATs.
With clear influence here from previous Star Wars films and other war movies, the action is delectable and tense. Smooth shots following star fighters are balanced out with gritty, close-up ground combat sequences that flesh out the film well. Classic tropes such as in-cockpit shots, tense dialogues on starship bridges and old school dogfights were really great to see once more, and added a connection to other Star Wars films. We may not care about the characters as much as the film may want us too, but at least its visually impressive.
Other action sequences such as the fighting in Jedha and the attack on Edu were fun to watch, and the mix of melee combat and gun battles felt new and different, for Star Wars, at least. The clear lack of CGI in many of these sequences provided a welcome relief from what we've become used to from cinema in recent years.
Indeed, the way that Rogue One was filmed felt different, ditching the usual styles of the Lucas movies and Abrams' own style for something that felt more contemporary. In many ways, it was like seeing the Star Wars Universe in a new light.
Some discussion must be made to the inclusion of certain characters; Grand Moff Tarkin was a nice addition, but his CGI face felt out of place and did take you out a bit. Darth Vader's scenes were far better, especially in that ending sequence as he slashes down the Rebels while they try to get the plans onto the Tantive IV, certainly one of the best scenes of the film. The limited inclusion of Vader played to the films strength. Princess Leia's inclusion is something I'm still not quite decided on, though I'm glad she only came right in at the end. It certainly makes Rogue One a perfect prequel to the original trilogy.
Yet in saying that, it's great that Rogue One was just a 'Star Wars Story' - you can take it or leave it. There's no infringement on the other films and if anything, it does very well as an expansion to the Star Wars universe. We get to see some new planets and some other aspects of the Empire, perfect for fans like myself who love universe its set in as much as the films themselves.
Rogue One is, at heart, exactly that, an expansion. It certainly has its flaws in its muddled stories and over-saturation of characters, but its strong action sequences, gorgeous visuals and different style help to improve that. And here's the thing, it doesn't need to be as good as the original trilogy or The Force Awakens, which it will inevitably be compared to. It stands alone in the Star Wars canon, yet offers something for those who watch it, and at the end of the day, is an enjoyable film. By no means memorable, but it certainly does a good job.
Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005)
Classy, clever and executed fantastically
"Good Night and Good Luck" is, in short, a superb piece of historical film, both at once giving an excellent insight into the world of television making and a clever piece on the Red Scare, and the infamous Sen. Joseph McCarthy. Its close knit approach feels personal, while the cinematography is brilliant, and the acting is stellar.
Perhaps the films greatest strength is its pacing; the film is roughly cut into three sections, each concluding with a broadcast from Edward R Murrow, while in between, events play out without a hitch and a surprising amount of tension is built up throughout the story.
The connections between the characters are also superb; Murrow and Friendly serve as the focus point of the film, and their chemistry is strong and interesting. The CBS crew are a perfect addition to this, being far more than just background characters; they greatly expand the story and build on the personal feel of the film. You feel as though you aren't just viewing these characters, but are actually part of their team, something that is expanded upon by the cinematography.
The antagonists of the film are also well designed. While the story's structure doesn't quite permit a truly defined antagonist, the twists at the end with Hollenbeck's suicide and Payley's ultimatum for Murrow and Friendly reveal that the true enemy in this film are symbolic - they are the influence of corporate sponsors and the impact of the fear that McCarthyism helped to create. That really defines the films hard hitting message, and helps to portray the semi-victorious main characters as vulnerable. In short, it's a clever touch that really strengthens the film.
Then, there is the cinematography. Some might say that the deliberate use of black and white filming is pretentious, but its all about creating atmosphere and authenticity. Particularly in HD, it is a superb looking film. The camera movements and positioning all help to generate the personal feel, especially with how the vast majority of shots are from eye-level. The use of rooms and windows too with the visuals of the film are a neat idea, and help to separate the film from mainstream movies.
Flaws in this film are very few and far between, with the only I can think of being related to your opinion of the film as oppose to any genuine problems. It is such a well crafted piece of cinema.
To conclude, Good Night and Good Luck is essential viewing for anyone interested in this part of history, but also for anyone who wants a drama film that's a little more special than the average one. Excellent casting, very well written and gorgeously filmed, this is truly a gem of a film.
Intouchables (2011)
Switches from funny to serious with sublime ability; a brilliant film.
There are plenty of films that fit right into the stereotypical 'touching' film, but here, we see something different: a film that manages to be touching without being corny, and excels with its innate ability to charm the viewer.
I'm not going to pretend that there aren't some minor flaws with Les Intouchables. Perhaps the social divide issue could have been a little better integrated to prevent it becoming too guilt-tripping in nature, maybe the roll of Driss's family could have been improved as the said characters aren't explored enough to be worthwhile, and maybe the pacing could do with some tightening up here and there.
But beside this, what you have is a pretty remarkable film. The way it deals with disability is perhaps its greatest strength - not once are wen asked to feel sorry for Philippe. Rather, the issues of his life and the issues the people around him have to deal with are presented in a very down-to-earth and empathetic way. It ensures the theme of disability doesn't become too heavy without treating with the required respect. And, in many ways, it's the driver for Philippe's character development.
What really defined the film for me most was its superb ability to switch from outright comedy to dealing with far more serious matters. It shouldn't work, yet its handled with such expert care that it becomes one of the best aspects of the film. For instance when Driss first comes to work for Philippe, and how Driss is introduced to how to handle Philippe in one scene, before it switches to the scene with him pouring hot water on his legs. In any other film, it would seem absurd and almost wrong, but not here. The toning is spot on through out, and it ensures that the film's conclusion is satisfying and rewarding.
What's more, the excellent writing ensured that the vast majority of jokes can be understood in English, a rather rare ability for foreign language of films. It's by no means a comedy film, but it's that dash of humour that helps it to stay in control of its tone as mentioned previously.
For me, Les Intouchables is most certainly recommended viewing. For a film that deals with the often tricky issue of disability and includes aspect of social divide, it handles it with excellent care and doesn't drag even once. Its combination of light heartedness and serious reality are just sublime, and it makes it such a joy to watch. Charming, eye opening and well written, you really cannot go wrong with this film.
Who Killed Captain Alex? (2010)
Surprising and fun to watch.
It would be easy to dismiss Captain Alex as a cheap, homemade action film that was made for a laugh, but that simply isn't the case. Look past the low-budget problems it faces and what you have here is a fun, absurd and well-made action film that is well worth a watch.
While I don't want to seem too heavy handed it critiquing this film given its minuscule budget, there is one issue I feel I need to cover. That problem is the way the story plays out. This is not a criticism of the story itself, which is actually really good, especially with its twist at the end, but more a comment on the way it jumps about. Scene changes occur without warning, characters appear and leave without introductions, and there are some unusual cuts between scenes that do create confusion. Perhaps I'm being too unfair, but it does end up getting in the way of watching the film at times.
My other issue is that vast number of characters. The scale they managed to achieve is certainly very good, but it does feel convoluted in the middle where we are following three different story lines, plus a couple of other ones too. Ultimately, it results in some characters getting no attention at all and just sort of being there for no reason.
But - and this is a big but - ignoring these issues, what you have here is one of the most likable and enjoyable films I've ever found. I get the impression that the film is fully aware of its status as an amateur film. It knows that the problems it has will be laughed at, but takes it in its stride and adds to it with the brilliant, spontaneous dialogue that is often ridiculous and funny, as well as completely unexpected moments when people get shot just for the hell of it, and the bombing of Kampala scene, which genuinely had me on the floor laughing.
And boy, this is a film that is not afraid to kill its characters. It does so with no mercy or justification, seemingly only to add to the hilarity. This is particularly refreshing in a time when films tend to keep over-extending the death of a character so that someone else can come and save them. With Captain Alex, this feature ensures it is unpredictable, a big bonus.
The action is really at the heart of the film. The two main shoot- outs at the start and end of the movie are brilliant to watch, funny not just because they're so over-dramatic, but because they're so fast-paced. There's some really good camera work here that helps to differentiate these scenes from the rest of the film and make them fun to watch.
I was also mighty impressed with the CGI of this film. Sure, the quality was laughable, but the effort that went into it is evident in just how smooth and cohesive in some scenes. Particularly with the gun fights, the CGI fits in well, has been well animated and looks good overall. Even though the helicopter scenes may look cheap, they've clearly had a lot of thought put into them.
In fact, more than anything else, the standout feeling I had from this film was the sheer amount of effort put into it. I get the overwhelming impression that all the actors had real passion for this film, and they've clearly used every penny in their budget; for instance, the guns may all be fake, but the effort that has gone into them is brilliant. Also brilliant are the fight scenes, which look particularly good because they are all real - no stunt doubles or CGI fakes here. This huge amount of effort helps to overcome its flaws, and ensures this film is something memorable and great to watch. The creators clearly had a lot of fun filming and editing this film, and you simply cannot falter the scale of it or the production. What we have here is an instant amateur classic, that has a great story, hilarious action and a beautiful, charming cheap feel to it. An absolute must see.
Ant-Man (2015)
Has it's weak spots, but enjoyable nonetheless
I hadn't paid too much attention to Ant-Man during the run up to its release, mainly because I'm not a Marvel super fan, so I went into this film without too many expectations. But I have to say, I was fairly surprised at how the movie turned out.
There's a lot to like about Ant-Man; it's a witty, fairly fast paced and well designed film, with a predictable but good story, typical characters and plenty of charm. To say the least, it's no more than a simple blockbuster summer movie, but it fits that mold excellently. It's easy to watch and flows nicely from scene to scene.
Probably the best aspect of the film is its key prop - the suit. As far as superhero flicks go, the Ant-Man suit is a really fun idea that is used to its full potential. The transition sequence is done well and it's not over dramatised as I feared it might have been. Its also well described; the exposition used to explain how it works fitted into the film without a hitch.
Michael Douglas's character is probably the next best thing about Ant- Man. He really picks up his role as Hank Pym with ease, and much of the film revolves around his actions. He's also one of the more expanded characters, with clearly defined weaknesses, which were lacking from others. Although the scene where he gets shot is a bit hard to believe, he's the main component in driving the story.
One of other aspects of Ant-Man that I particularly liked were the ants themselves; Pym's control device helped to add a bit more to capabilities of Scott Lang - the 'Ant Man' himself - and they helped to provide a bit of comic relief, especially during the training montages in the middle of the film.
Lang's three friends - Luis, Kurt and Dave - also helped with the comedic aspect. Although a bit boring at the start of the film, their role in the heist ensured things didn't get too serious, which was important in keeping Ant-Man from verging into the wrong territory.
Paul Rudd, who played Scott Lang, was also good. He was a bit on the simply side, but he played the role of Ant Man rather well. He didn't have a proper fatal flaw (which I would have preferred), but the next best thing - the relationship with his daughter and ex-partner - was used to good effect. It gave him the emotional depth that he lacked in other parts of the film.
That said, there were plenty of weak spots. The biggest one for me was Hope van Dyne; she was way too one sided as a character to justify some of the emotional scenes in the film. This was particularly apparent when Pym explained how her mother died. When she broke out into tears, all I could think of was how cheesy this scene was.
This also relates to another negative point; the back story. A lot of it simply isn't explained enough, and when characters start getting emotional about past events, it just didn't carry the weight it needed to really make those scenes effective. Probably the best example of this is Darren Cross's relationship with Pym. It just wasn't fleshed out enough, and when he got angry at Pym while revealing the Yellow Jacket to the Hydra agents, it felt flat and stereotypical.
The first act of the story was also a bit stodgy; it was noticeably slower than the rest of the film and didn't engage me much. It was only when Lang found the suit that things started to pick up.
The final act too left me a bit confused as to what I thought of it. It was, without a doubt, very enjoyable and genuinely funny in many places. But it was so frantic and ridiculous that made it feel fairly silly; certainly good to watch, but a bit out of place.
Regardless, however, I did enjoy Ant-Man. I don't feel it's a film I'm going to remember for any reason, mainly because it's just big screen, pop-corn action, but as far as that role is concerned, it does it brilliantly. And as far as Marvel films go, it keeps its references to other MCU movies limited, meaning anyone can enjoy it without a problem. In short, it's a fun, get-what-you-pay-for summer superhero movie that does things a little bit differently.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Unconventional and Genuinely Insane
The Action genre has always been mixed, ranging from trashy profit- searching rubbish to thrilling, adrenaline fuelling epics (see Terminator 2 and Aliens).
Mad Max: Fury Road thankfully fits into the latter category, but it is fundamentally and wonderfully different. Out goes the usual CGI, explained back story and lack of enough good characters, and in comes a truly insane thrill ride, that somehow manages to make 2 hours of following a truck one of the most enjoyable things to watch in recent times.
Let's go over the one thing that I disliked about this film (and honestly, dislike is a fairly strong word in this case): The exposition. Or rather, lack of it. The extreme pace of the film results in details seemingly whistling by, meaning it can leave you wondering whats going on. But then again, the actual story foundations for the film are so small that really, it doesn't matter that everything isn't explained. So long as we know the names of the characters and where they're heading to next, nothing else really matters.
What it chooses to focus on is an excellent cast, lovely cinematography and wondrous, wondrous carnage. Practical effects take the lead role here, with amazing vehicles, well timed explosions and constant tension and thrill. The benefits of this are best seen with the big crashes and the huge fuel tanker explosion towards the end of the film; it ends up looking stunning. The Polecats really make the most of this, adding an extra layer of danger while cementing the realism that the film thrives off of.
I also particularly loved the sheer attention to detail; every car is different and exceptionally well designed. Sound work is equally amazing, with the soundtrack being entwined with vast array of engine noises, explosions and, in the case of the Doof Wagon (which I'm now calling one of the coolest things I've ever seen in a movie, ever), live rock music.
Performances from the cast are excellent. Tom Hardy's Max is very much the usual gritty, rock solid hero that Gibson portrayed all those years ago. Charlize Theron's Furiosa (isn't that just the best name you've ever heard?) really stands out for me, balancing out Hardy's character with a strong and bold performance. And for once, it's a female action hero who hasn't been raised or taught by other men - she's a real self empowered super lady. Nicholas Hoult's character is also a personal favorite, while the Brides and the Many Mothers created an ensemble of female characters that don't get wasted like they so often do in other action flicks. Everyone gives an enthusiastic performance, and it only adds to the quality of them film.
There's plenty more to praise here, but I'll highlight some of my personal favorite aspects from the film: The make-up and costume departments did an incredible job here, giving us a massive range of extras that really diversify the entire film. There are plenty of great names and phrases used in the film, including "Bloodbag", "Immortan Joe", "The Organic Mechanic" and "The Bullet Farmer". The film seemed to obey the laws of physics for the most part, and was especially good at ridding any infinite-ammo guns or strangely enough, unnecessary explosions.
In conclusion, I can't say anything that is inherently negative about Fury Road. It's fresh, bold and so well made that you can't help but be enthralled by its insanity. On the face of it, it's nothing more than a overly long car chase, and yet it isn't. It adds just enough complexity right where it's needed - the characters, vehicles and action. Combined with the great array of characters, sheer attention to detail and wonderful cinematography, it's actually unusually diverse, and its humane undertones only help to differ it from normal action films. And in that respect, it's one of the best films in recent history.
Fast & Furious 7 (2015)
The ending the series deserved, even if it was ridiculous
The FF series has been steadily getting more and more ridiculous since 2009's "Fast & Furious", and steadily better as well; its combination of impossible stunts, emotional moments and automotive underpinnings have kept things going nicely. These aren't films that are meant to be realistic or moving - they're simply the best for big screen entertainment that knows its boundaries (unlike many other films) and never fails to enjoy. Naturally, therefore, it seemed that the final instalment - for now, that is - would follow this pattern.
And, thank goodness, it did. The basic story is essentially the same; bad guy criminal is doing bad stuff, police/government get involved, Toretto & Co go in, and the usual car chases, shoot outs and explosions follow. As for the main plot item, it's a software superweapon known as 'Gods Eye', which is used as a deus-ex-machina whenever the plot needs to move on. Speaking of which, it's a very fast paced plot that doesn't bore even for a moment. Even if it is repetitive - which is to be expected - there's nothing inherently wrong with it. For me, it just about works, but the final battle was very long, some scenes didn't seem to want to end and I've never said this about a film before, but I felt it started off too quickly, without enough exposition. In some places too, it did drag, though not to a great extent.
The cast really stand out as the best part of the film.This time, we have Jason Statham playing the bad guy, who happens to be the brother of Owen Shaw, the antagonist for the previous two films. Statham's character is good; unashamedly based on British stereotypes and reassuringly gritty. He's not as sharp as Owen, but he still provides plenty of great moments, such as the coach hijack and the dinner scene in Abu Dhabi. The main cast give the same old performances, which you can't really fault, as the whole series is built around their 'family'. Their subplots, such as Brian learning to be a dad and Letty trying deal with her memory loss, keep things interesting when they aren't being chased or shot. Arguably the best addition is hacking genius Ramsey, played by Game Of Thrones's Nathalie Emmanuel. Unsurprisingly, she quickly becomes part of the team after she is rescued by them. She's the vulnerable side character that keeps the cast balanced, though she doesn't get the screen time she deserves.
But its here that things start to fall apart. There have been plenty of finales in previous F&F films that have been way too over the top to comprehend, and others that didn't do their film justice. This one doesn't fit into any of those types; it's bloated in some parts, but also brilliant in others. It takes too long to finish, but never gets boring or slows down. This problem is also found earlier in the film. The fighting scenes are often so fast-paced that you can't watch them properly, but they're still enjoyable. Some of the car chases are brilliant pieces of cinematography and others are totally unrealistic. It toys from one extreme to another with no middle ground; let me give and example. The Abu Dhabi Party Scene - Good Stuff:
> Roman being his usual self
> Letty getting into an awesome fight
> Well choreographed action, especially Deckard's entrance
And the bad stuff:
> Where was the chip being kept on the car? It seemed like it was in the centre console, so why waist time picking the car up? Seemed like plot convenience to give the other characters more time.
> Driving between buildings; what?
> The rest of the cast were completely forgotten about after Brian and Dom drove out of the building.
Maybe I'm being picky about films that are supposed to be simple. But I love how self aware its predecessors are, with a near perfect balance of action, emotion and comedy. This does do that, but its over shadowed by scenes and stunts that are just a bit too stupid. Maybe if they were a bit shorter they'd be better. Speaking of those scenes, here's a list of what I'm on about:
> The Abu Dhabi party
> The Automated Factory shoot out and get away - Kurt Russel's "Mr Nobody" died way too quickly here.
> Every scene with Gods Eye in it - it was used too many times and got uninteresting.
> Jakande's introduction - the dramatic effect went straight out of the window here due to stupid camera effects.
> The drone - where the hell was the US army, why didn't the drone just do its job and how did it do half the stuff it did?
> Dom's charger driving off after crashing into Owen's Aston Martin - How?
Hmmph. And yet it was enjoyable in some places. And well paced. And well choreographed. They certainly put the effort in, which is always a good thing. But it's just too much to be genuinely enjoyable. It lacks the characteristic, slightly ridiculous tone of the previous films not by trying too hard, but by trying to do too much. If anything, it's all for the final scenes, with Brian on the beach, the Dom/Brian medley and the parting of ways, made all the more somber and heartfelt by Paul's untimely passing. If anything, this is the fan pleasing finale that people wanted, and credit where credits due, some parts are brilliant. They showcase FF's ability to make an action film that knows it limits and balances everything out. You cannot beat them for entertainment value, as they are a cut above the rest. But here we see that ethos falling backwards and being masked by over doing everything. There's so much right with this film, but so much wrong as well.
6/10
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
Utter Perfection
To describe what 2001 is about, you have to look far beyond Sci-Fi. 2001 is a testament to humanity, realistic not in what is portrayed, but in it's message (man and his tools). It explores what humans are really all about, plus our greatest problem - and triumph. To see it as just another Sci-Fi film is not really how it's meant to leave you feeling. It leaves you with questions, aside from "What the hell did I just watch?". 2001 is quite possibly the most human film of all time, questioning our purpose, extraterrestrial life and our accomplishments. And then of course there's how the film looks; few films compare to how visually stunning it is. Plus, there are some of the best scenes in movie history, with "Open the pod bay doors" easily being my favourite. I could go into so much detail with just what the film 'is', but that's up to the viewer to decide.
To summarise, 2001 is near enough the perfect film. A film with purpose, emotion, power and gorgeous visuals. There is no other way to put it, it is perfection.
10/10
Crackanory (2013)
Pleasantly Amusing
I recall the time about 6 years ago when CBBC tried to restart the original Jackanory series. While good, it wasn't for the audience of the channel at the time, and as far I know it only had the one series. So when I saw an advert for Crackanory on Dave, I was interested to see if the same format could work in a setting of 'story time for adults'.
And, hey presto, it really wasn't that bad. The series was obviously comedic, but it wasn't laugh out loud funny. That said, it was enjoyable to watch. The first episode, involving a man addicted to Twitter and a crazed toy inventor were good and imaginative. Though at some points it became rather slow, I never got so bored that I stopped watching. Both stories had a prospect of a funny ending, which both delivered. On top of that, there is a sense that each story has it's own moral, aimed at adults of course. This really works well, achieving it's aim of reviving the fun of a good bed time story.
I have to say though, it's not as good as I thought it would be. It's not quite funny enough to be a fantastic show, but the idea of it is there. If they can improve on that, then this show would be really good. And of course this is only the first episode. Plenty more comedians and celebrities are billed to be hosting the show, which I personally can't wait for. For that reason, it gets 8/10; not as funny as I hoped, but very enjoyable to watch overall.
Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)
Thrillingly, Witty and one Hell of a Ride.
Being a big of fan of Star Trek, and seeing what Abrams had done in the 2009 film, I had high hopes for this. I half expected it to be not as good as the first one, as most sequels tend to be.
I was wrong.
You can watch the trailers all you like, scan through every single picture on IMDb of it, but until you watch it you cannot prepare yourself for just how good a film this is.
The film builds very well from the start, and has a very convincing and realistic (in Sci-Fi terms) storyline. Characters don't get much of an introduction, so you'll need to see the 2009 film to find out more, but this doesn't affect viewing pleasure in any way. What's more is that it thoroughly respects the world of Star Trek with plenty of things that Trekkies will pick up on. Yet, it is also a film that non-Trekkies can watch and thoroughly enjoy, just like the previous film. It doesn't diverge at any point either. But it also has some seriously good action scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat - they are some of the best I have ever seen. Some areas of the story were a tad predictable, but certainly nothing bad. It's explosive, clever and fun.
Characters developed well from the star as well. Kirk remains bold & arrogant, while Spock retains his logical and clean attitude. Some characters could have had more a part in this - Chekov didn't get as much attention as I would have hoped, ans I would have liked to see more from the Klingons as well. Scotty really adds to witty side to this. While most the characters have the 'one liners', Scotty makes the film witty, but doesn't turn it into a comedy. He comes in at all the right moments to make this film a lot of fun to watch. However the real star of the show was Cumberbatch. He is a truly fantastic villain who really drives the story and provides a fantastic enemy.
Visuals are very good as usual, and it would seem that the lens flare has been turned down just slightly. Whether you like them or not, it gives the film a real uniqueness. Like with the last film, everything in Into Darkness reflects the original, while having a modernised look. It respects the original series of Star Trek while bringing it up to date with modern technology.
The only thing that I can really say is negative about the film (if I had to be honest) is that I found some of the action scenes too fast paced to make sense of them. The 2009 film had a similar problem, but it is far outweighed by the rest of the film.
If you think you know what is going to happen from watch the trailers, forget it. This is a seriously good film that is fast paced, action packed. Abrams has achieved a fantastic balance action and story to make Into Darkness one of, if not, the best Star Trek film to date. It has something for everyone, Trekkies and non Trekkies alike. Best film of 2013? I have little doubt of that. Best Star Trek film ever? I would certainly say so. Best Sci-Fi film ever? Not quite, that place is taken by other films. But boy is it up there. Don't hesitate to see this in cinemas - you will regret it.
9/10
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Bitterly Disappointed
As a massive fan of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the works of Tolkein, I had high expectations for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. However, I was not prepared for what I saw.
I know Peter Jackson changed some things in the original 3 Lord of the Rings films compared with the book, but this makes it seem as if the book didn't exist (The Hobbit, that is). To put it briefly, this film ruins the original plot, adds entire new scenes NEVER even mentioned in the book, introduces characters at the wrong time, looks unrealistic at times, has annoying scenes, unlikeable characters and is at many point rather cheesy. I cannot believe what Jackson has done.
Sure, it's amusing at times, and has the usual stunning scenes of Middle Earth (aka New Zealand). Plus, for die-hard fans, we saw a lot more of Rivendell than in the LotR trilogy, and most of the acting was brilliant, certainly on level with LotR. However, that is sadly where it ends.
I recently read The Hobbit, as I was encouraged by some of my friends to do so before seeing the film. I'm glad I did, as the events in this are completely mixed up. Granted, some scenes were just like the events in the book, but new scenes that were never mentioned in the book are added; in many places the order is changed, and at one point in Rivendell, an entire new scene is added, with none other than Galadriel and Saruman in it! This scene was really annoying for me in fact, as it turned the film into a full blown prequel to Lord of the Rings. Keep in mind, when Tolkein first wrote the book, he never had much intention of writing a sequel, and so never added anything that would set up the next story. This does, and it really, really annoys me. It felt unnecessary and pointless - their is no mention of 'dakrness stirring' in the book. What I must just say now (before I annoy too many people) is that a lot of the extra content was made up from the appendices of The Lord of the Rings book. While much of it developed The Hobbit, it turns the whole story into something else...
The only thing I genuinely liked were a few of the characters. Ian McKellen did his usual and very good job of playing Gandalf - you really can't go wrong with him. Martin Freeman (even though he was blunt at times) played Bilbo very well, and his style of acting suits the Bilbo in the book (if you get what I mean) very well. Hugo Weaving played Elrond very well once again, and is probably portrayed the most accurately from the book (he doesn't say much in the book, and doesn't play a major role in the film either). The Dwarfs all felt plausible when compared to the book, however Thorin annoyed me. He was by far the most unlikeable character in the film - he's made to look as if he has 'been though so much', 'lost everything', 'oh no! we must all have sympathy for him'. Do you know what? It get so boring after a while. His expressions felt fake, he showed little emotion and despite being the leader of the Dwarfs, he shows just about no change. Then there is the matter of the large number of characters added in, which I simply need not go into.
What really disappointed me was that I never felt anything in the film. In LotR, I felt my heart beat go up and got goosebumps in many scenes. In this I felt none. There's just nothing to it. Sure, comparing anything to the amzingness of LotR is a bit unfair, but this is in the same line as it - and it never moved me. Never. This really ruined the experience of the film.
Well, I think I'll conclude my review now. In short, this film takes the book and turns it into a typical, Hollywood-ised flick with annoying characters and a story that does not match the book. And after watching it, I felt ripped off. This is Peter Jackson directing it, not Micahel Bay. But it certainly did not feel like a Peter Jackson film. If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings, then yes, you should see it, just for the hell of it. But don't expect anything from it. I would be happy if it was on a similar level to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but it wasn't. And I really, really wanted to love this film. What worries me is that Jackson is filming all 3 films back to back. If they're all like this, then I will not know what to say. Peter Jackson, you have disappointed me and ruined a classic book.
5/10
Blade Runner (1982)
More than just a Sci-Fi classic
It's hard to say just how much I love this film. After I first watched it, I found it a very confusing film that, to me, wasn't that good. But then, after thinking about it for a while, it all makes sense, and comes together. This is a film you having to watch twice - and films you have to watch twice are always good.
What Ridley Scott has created here is a believable, stunning and dark portrayal of the future. Keep in mind that the buildings in most of the film were not done with CGI, but were real models. For something that doesn't use CGI this is truly an achievement - and this was done in 1982.
The characters are, after a second viewing, easy to empathise with and develop incredibly well as the story goes on. While for some there isn't much character development, I would say that actually for the experience of the film it's not necessary. Most of these characters are replicants, by the way - they don't have much of a life anyway.
as for the story, this is where many give up. It's slow, basic, yet it works so well in the setting created. It gives the viewer time to think and work out everything, and for many (including me) you'll need that! Most Sci-Fi films of today's age are way to quick. They're certainly good, but few really have the power and emotion that this film delivers.
Talking of power and emotion, there is one big reason why this film is so good - it leaves you questioning. Films that literally have an affect on you (The Matrix or Inception are other good examples) are hard to pull off, but here it is done seemingly. You are blasted with subliminal messages throughout the film - don't worry, not bad ones. They are far, far more realistic, such us where the most common person is from (China, hint hint), who is advertising and how, who is living on the streets and who is booming, class gaps, wealth and so on. Ridley doesn't doesn't just produce an amazing film, he produces a stunning, realistic world that, in some parts of this world, doesn't actually seem hat far off. This film is more than just a story. It's incredible because in the space of 2 hours, we see a dark, grimy future and a retired cop, doing one last job, being put through a tough job in a huge city, that actually has a mental affect on you. What those affects are, is up to you - and that is another reason why this film is so good. It doesn't give opinions on itself, it generates individual ones. Compare the opinions of die-hard fans and they'll all come up with something different. In conclusion then, this is an incredible film that has really redefined it's genre, and redefined a whole sci-fi community with just how clever, realistic and powerful this film is. if you love sci-fi you have to watch this. Probably twice though.
10/10
Iron Sky (2012)
Lot's of fun if you can take the cheesiness
When I first heard about this film and saw the praise it had already received, I actually got quite excited to see it. However, it was just a little too good to be true. Lets face it: this film is rubbish. But it's actually really funny. Nothing make's sense but who cares when Nazi's from the moon are coming down in Panzer-Saucers and dropping giant Thermonuclear bombs in the form of rocks on earth!
Let's start with the good: Firstly, it's fun. It's a comedy, with a heap load of dark humour stupid scenes and funny one liners. It's over the top and clichéd but it's a real thriller, and it's hard not to enjoy. Further more, the CGI was done very nicely and there are plenty of nice action sequences (that actually look really good) for explosion-junkies to get their teeth into. Character development was rather mixed but gave all the necessary details to understand most of the film, and the story line was rather predictable but some bits you will NOT see coming.
And now onto the bad points: It's agonisingly cheesy and clichéd. The script feels copied, characters are over exaggerated versions of people form Nazi Germany and today (see if you can spot the version of Sarah Palin!). On top of that, most of it doesn't make sense. While there are many conspiracies about the Nazis fleeing to the moon/the arctic, that is the only real 'true' part of this story. There are some huge plot holes and some parts are not emphasised as much, so that when they re appear they don't make any sense. Oh and don't forgot the rather abrupt and incomplete ending.
In short then, this film is absolutely rubbish, but simply because of what it is, it's actually a lot of fun to watch. Certainly not on my top 10 films. I really wanted to love this film, but it just didn't meet expectation. Personally, don't pay a high price if you're buying this on DVD/the internet. Watch it on a movie streaming site like Netflix - it may be fun, but it's rubbish apart form that.
Star Trek (2009)
An instant classic that opens the doors for a whole new series
I first watched the new Star Trek film after it came out on DVD, having not bothered to go to the cinema. I regret it now. Hugely. This is an instant classic that is done with such high quality, I feel it needs to be ranked against some of the best Sci-Fi films of all time. After a while, I felt the need to turn up the volume - you have to watch this film loud! And make sure you have some really good speakers with plenty of bass. That way you'll get the full, awesome experience. This new film completely revolutionises's the entire Star Trek universe, by starting with a brand new story line. That will almost certainly annoy some die- hard Trekky's, but boy did it get off to a good start.
I'll start with what I loved this film. The biggest thing you'll notice, especially if you have seen previous Star Trek films/TV series's is that everything has been modernised, yet Abrams was able to do this without ruining the basics that made the original Star Trek so good. All the original characters are back, but everything is much more glitzy and futuristic. The Enterprise looks fantastic, and it is by far my favourite version of it. Another thing that I love (and that many other's loves) is the new warp scene - it looks and feels so much better than previous warps. There's no doubt this is the best looking Star Trek, and despite the use of CGI instead of models, it look incredible. And, once again, the story was great. Surprisingly I didn't find hugely predictable. It's not one you have to watch twice to understand it, but there are a good few twists to keep you going. What's really good though is that it feels original. It's not been turned into a stupid clichéd bit of sci-fi nonsense that seems to be rather popular these days. The story, while wiping all previous films, including the original series, and starting fresh, opens up the basis for what could really be an incredible reboot to the Star Trek series, and for plenty of films to come - 'Into Darkness' isn't far away at the time of writing, and I will definitely being seeing it.
However, I do feel the need to be critical - this is a review after all! I am being very brutal here, just so you know. One thing I felt a little annoyed with was the music in some areas. In some important scenes, it didn't quite add the feel that I felt the scene required, so they didn't seem quite as good. Also, there were some slightly cheesy/clichéd moments which are very easy to pass. If anything, they add a bit of comedy into the film. And lastly, I felt the use of light blinding the camera in a straight line across the screen (you'll know what I mean when you see it/have seen it) was a little overused. It works fine with shots from in space, but when on board ships and on planets it didn't feel necessary.
That said, this is a seriously, seriously good film. I for one can't get enough of it, so much so that I am starting to become a Trekky myself! If you need a really good sci-fi thriller, here's everything you'll ever want. Star Trek is amazing, and I wait for the second, and hopefully third films that come after this one.
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)
The Best of the Series
Anyone who says that At Worlds End is a stupid film is very correct. It's completely ridiculous in parts and poorly acted in others; it strains under the weight of its own idiotically high budget; certain scenes truly baffle the mind, and will certainly beg the question of how a trilogy about pirates ended up going to these places.
Here's the thing though: it doesn't pretend it doesn't know how ridiculous it is for even one minute. Rather, At Worlds End revels in its stupidity and blows it up to a scale that dazzles on the big screen. The story may be convoluted, but its a good, strong story nonetheless; Keira Knightley really isn't suited to her role in this film, but its brilliant to see how confidently she is used as Elizabeth Swan; the same goes for Orlando Bloom - he's there because he's there, and for no other reason; the villain, Cutler Beckett, is perhaps the best aspect of the film, and provides a solid antagonist to hinge the film around.
Furthermore, to deny this film of the accolades it deserves for is visuals because of its ridiculousness would be frankly criminal when you consider just what an incredibly well shot film this is, and how visually appealing it is. The CGI is gorgeous, and has aged absolutely seamlessly, certainly outdoing the more recent additions to the POTC series. The battle in the Maelstrom is a real standout, as well as the cinematography for the destruction of the HMS Endeavour.
Much of this odd and very subjective brilliance is down to its nature as a film. It's the ultimate incarnation of the Pirates Of The Caribbean film; a thoroughly Hollywood-ified version of the 18th century Caribbean that glosses over historical accuracies for the sake of entertainment. Only here, it goes further. Rather than trying to be overly serious, or indeed to take itself seriously in any way, it drops all pretences and just goes for it, with the logic seemingly being "if they're gonna criticise this film for the uniforms that the British Navy personnel are wearing and the plausibility of getting from Singapore to the Antarctic in a matter of days, we may as well go all out and a scene where the Black Pearls is carried by hallucinatory crabs over some salt flats whilst Johnny Depp eats peanuts.
This film is so stupid that it ends up being so brilliant. Its Hollywood trash with a proper high quality finish. Big screen entertainment that gives you a bit to mull over on without forcing you to think about what you're watching. It knows you think its stupid, and it carries that and runs with it. The most remarkable achievement though is how, amazingly, it doesn't end up being a huge, catastrophic mess, but rather one of the most entertaining, most visually appealing and most well executed big screen blockbusters ever made.
Avatar (2009)
Visually Stunning, but lacks elsewhere
When I first saw this film at relative's house back in 2009, I could only sum it up as "Wow. That was incredible". I've probably watched it 3 times now over the past few years, my views have changed. Let me try to show think:
On the visual side, it's like man going to the moon. The CGI is breathtaking, realistic and I can't even begin to imagine what it's like on 3D display. It is a milestone for CGI.
On the storside it's like a pack of mints. A nice taste at first, but after while you get bored of it. To be perfectly honest, the storyline is VERY basic-man meets people, man wants to be like people, man 'betrays' his own kind, massive battle, the end. The problem I have is that there is just nothing to it. A film like Inception has hundreds of other sidestories within it. I really couldn't find that many, or any that were good, in Avatar. It's just a too basic for my liking. Also, I didn'y feel any emotion. When I saw War Horse, I was on the edge of my seat, sweating. It was exhilarating and emotional. Avatar just didn't have that. Sure, the last attack scene is pretty awesome, but I just didn't feel any exhilaration or emotion. This is where it falls down. And I think that it's a really big shame that it does this, because if it cleared up these parts, it would be amazing.
In conclusion, it's great at first, and you will gawk at the CGI, but there is very little else to it, and this is what lets it down.
High School Musical 2 (2007)
What?
I don't even know where to start. I thought the first HSM movie was bad, but this is just beyond anything...
As I do with my reviews, I will split them into the 'Good' section and the 'Bad' section. Lets start with the good. Nothing. There is nothing good with this movie.
Now the bad.... 1)Cheesy. Everything about it is so 'Oh my god, it's summer, time to party!'. It's the best form of this stereotype that 16 year olds like to 'party' and 'sing and dance' and they're all totally cool because they've got the 'Wildcats'. Well, sorry but that just isn't the truth... 2)Characters are... well. I have no idea how to describe how bad the casting is. Zac, Vanessa, and whatever they're names are are terrible. 'Sharpay' as far as I know isn't even a name (correct me on this is necessary)!! 3)Storyline. It sucked. Sharpay is the typical stroppy, spoilt rich girl who is the 'baddie'. Troy and Gabriella are the 'goodies' who know that 'love keeps them together' (ohh, how romantic, NOT!). And of course, just like the last film, Troy is 'torn' between his basketball friends and his love life. And everything goes down hill and all seems like Troy is on his own, but no! Suddenly everybody is friends again, and they're all love each other. And that means, Singing! Half of it doesn't make sense, and the rest of it is appalling! 4)Music. Dear God help us all. Disney is famous for making films with catchy songs. Disney Channel is good at making catchy songs that are awful. Why do you need to sing about 'swinging a baseball bat'? Sorry, 'hey bat-a-bat, hey bat-a-bat, sway'. there's no need to just break into song. And it's hypercritical of itself-'HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL'. Should be called 'GOLD COURSE/SUMMER CAMP/POSH RESORT OWNED BY SOME RICH GIRLS 'DADDY' MUSICAL'.
I could go on. There is so much wrong with this film. If you like it, take a few moments to consider what you are watching, the music in it and the actors. This isn't a good film. It's appalling. It's a messed up rip-off of a musical about some pathetic love life all on a gold course full of cliché's. And it's not even in a High School!
Independence Day (1996)
Epic, Thrilling and Awesome Special Effects!
Wow. This is one of my favourite films of all time. Not because it's a moving, meaningful, heart warming or terrifying film. It's a full on thriller with epic destruction scenes and a classic '50's storyline.
I'll start with the bad. 1)It's a tad cheesy. Things that people say and some of the sequences are a bit clichéd, but it's easy to out aside. 2)The storyline is VERY predictable. Alien ships come along, BOOM, rebuild of forces and a big final battle. But hey, thats the storyline that's made some other great films, right?
And now the good. Lots of it in fact... 1)It's utterly, incredibly, EPIC. The suspense of watching the ships arriving over the cities is really awesome. The destruction scenes are amazing. Watching everything get blown up is actually pretty cool. Sometimes, I just feel the need to watch those scenes again just for how epic they are. 2)The special effects are amazing. It just looks real. I'd dare say that some of it comes onto levels of which Avatar is on. It's scarily realistic. And it's quite a marvel to, with just how big the ships are. It's in your face and incredible to watch. 3)The storyline is a thriller. Suspense, action and a bit of romance. It's the usual Roland Emmerich. Each of the characters don't even know each other until these aliens come and destroy everything. While it's predictable, it's fun. Man throws everything it's got at the aliens, and then one simple phrase (catch a cold) changes everything. It's not entirely believable, but then again, the entire story is made up so little mistakes don't really matter.
So, if you want an epic Sci-Fi thriller with amazing special effects, suspense and the best destruction scenes I have ever seen, this is the one for you. Don't take it seriously, it's not realistic. Most films aren't. This though, is already a classic, and will always be one of those 'great films'. It makes my top 10 films of all time easily!
2012 (2009)
Could be better, but not the worst film in the world
OK, before you watch this, forget any ideas of realism, accuracy or any of that. This film throws them away.
If you want an action packed thriller with incredible CGI, a pretty good storyline and some quite epic destruction scenes then this is for you.
I'll start with the problems. 1)It's really, really cheesy. There are some very bad jokes, impossible scenes of survival and much more. 2)The acting... isn't the best. There are a lot of repeated lines, you can't really emphasise with the characters and they're all quite bland.
Things that are good though: 1)It's absolutely epic. Watching Los Angeles fall into the sea while someone flies through falling buildings is pretty cool. It's also got some really, really good CGI. It's exactly what Roland Emmerich does. 2)The story is pretty good. A single father who comes in to save his wife, children and their step father and flies them to China with a Russian billionaire is unusual, but cool. Roland really tries to describe how in a situation like this, everyone becomes your family. 3)It's a thriller. If you just want to watch an action packed, end-of-the-world film then this is the one. There are no soppy love scenes, nothing is off topic, it focuses entirely on '2012'. Basically, it just works.
So, there is a lot to be improved. But, if you love films such as Independence Day and the Day After Tomorrow, well this another one you need to watch.