us3 Reviews

The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008)

Sci-fi Sympathy Vote

[5/10 · 12 December 2008]

The main disappointment with this remake of the 1951 classic is that it lacks any kind of suspense. This is not to say it is boring, but there is no sense of "what is going to happen next"-ness. Derrickson structures the film well and his direction is admirable, and whilst the film jumps quickly into the action it never really lets loose, but keeps at a constant level of "oh" instead of "wow". Reeves is forgettable, Connelly is not bad, but one feels that she could have delivered all her lines to a wall and the same effect would remain. Jaden Smith is the most annoying addition ever. It seems that all the characters were implemented into the storyline in order to further the plot and present the audience with a (rather feeble) message at the end. So, we never relate to any of them. The lack of character identification stands out as this film's major problem. The film lacks any kind of humour (besides the brief (much needed) John Cleese scene). It also ends all to hastily with a whimper instead of a bang.

However, it is redeemed (partly) due to a few good scenes, which stand out as promise of what kind of suspense the film could have held (the polygraph test (seen in the trailer) and the few minutes afterwards are the best scenes in the film). There are many promising moments in the film, but it never fully realises them. Derrickson should up the ante next time.

See it out of curiosity, but not for entertainment.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (2007)

Pirates of the Carriboring: When will it end?

[6/10 · 25 May 2007]

You know when a film has the potential of being awesome, but it gets so caught up in its epic existence that it forgets that it's a movie. That's POTC 3 in a nutshell.

The film is not bad, but it really doesn't hold a candle to the first film, or even the second. It is extremely confusing and convoluted. At some points I wondered whether the scriptwriters even had a clue what was going on. The dialogue is self-referential garbage most of the time, playing up the first film's catch phrases etc. POTC 3 indulges itself so much in how great it thinks it is, that eventually one lands up getting bored. The mere scale of the film is enormous, so the plot and one-liners fall flat in the midst of some of the most amazing CGI sequences you will ever see.

See the film if only for the final 45 minute battle. It's an amazing achievement in special effects, highly entertaining and almost redeems the film for the first 2 dreary, empty hours of thinking "What the hell is going on?" The film is much more surreal than the first two and you often think to yourself, "Is this really happening?". Jack's schizophrenia is elaborated on to the point where it is way to obvious to be entertaining.

Ultimately, the characters seem less complex then we originally thought, and the plot is to complex to keep up with, as very little is explained.

168 minutes is long, and you do feel it, but do stay around for the last hour. It's spectacular, surreal and spellbinding.

All in all, POTC 3 is a satisfying film which eventually does messily manage to draw conclusions, even though you really don't know how the film arrived at them. It's not brilliant, it's no "Return Of the King" finisher (although no one thought it would), but at least it's satisfying enough, if a little forgettable. Just thank goodness they didn't mess it up as badly as "The Matrix Revolutions".

6/10

Moonlight Mile (2002)

An underrated masterpiece.

[8/10 · 15 January 2006]

"Moonlight Mile" is one of the most beautiful films ever to be made. Highlighted by phenomenal performances by Hoffman, Sarandon and Hunter, the film is truly inspiring, despite some overly-sentimental moments.

Brad Silberling has created an amazing piece of film. The story starts out quite shakily, but manages to quickly find its feet and, thus, saves itself from being another overly-indulgent, kitchy movie. Some might battle with "Moonlight Mile"'s pace, as the film takes its time in developing its characters. However, the film is character-driven and these developments are fundamental to the film's progression.

Holly Hunter's performance is Oscar worthy, even though her role is quite small. Judi Dench won an Oscar for her 8 minute performance in "Shakespeare in love" and I see no reason why Hunter should not have been nominated. Amongst a cast of film legends, Jake Gyllenhaal holds his ground. It is obvious that he has had less experience in the acting field, but his performance is still great. Gyllenhaal's climatic monologue near the end of the film will give you goosebumps. It is the best part of the film and in my opinion one of the best scenes in cinema history.

In a film about one of the most life-changing, traumatic experiences one can endure, subtlety rules. Little things drive the film and the characters in the film begin to appreciate the smaller things in life. And that's what makes the film so beautiful and so real. The subtlety of the comedy and romance is what makes the drama that much more bearable - which brings us back to the films central theme: coming to terms with loss and trying to move on from it. These beautiful little moments are what make the film.

One might have mistaken "Moonlight Mile" for a Cameron Crowe film as music plays a vital part. The film's music is as evocative as the action on screen and the film's epic moments are emphasised by the films perfectly fitted music.

This film has been overlooked and underrated, and should have received more credit. Silberling has crafted an outstanding piece of cinema, which is rich with emotion and evocatively inspiring. Some cynics may find the film too sentimental and will claim they predicted the entire movie, but if one is able to ignore the odd mushy moment (there's one or two), "Moonlight Mile" is a cinematic triumph. Treat yourself to this amazing film!

Troy (2004)

Good, but not good enough.

[7/10 · 14 May 2004]

I didn't expect much from Troy, and I'm glad that I set my expectations low. It was a good film, but nothing more. I can see it being overtaken by future films this year, quite easily (although it should achieve a Best Director nomination next year in the Oscars). The film was done justice, but it just didn't have the factor that so many other films had. It was a long film, with very little put into it.

I felt that Peterson could have done so much more with this epic concept. It was just battle after sex scene after battle after sex scene and a little bit of "honour" and "glory" sandwiched in between.

Nevertheless, I found Eric Bana's performance a stand-out from all the other characters. His portrayal of The Prince of Troy was dignified and greatly acted. I was hoping to be impressed by Orlando Bloom, but alas. The best scene with Bloom in was his cowardly solitary fight against Helen's "husband". Otherwise, he was exactly the same as in any other movie. I think that we will see a different side of Bloom, once he is given a more challenging and diverse role.

I did find the film entertaining, and I did feel sad at the end (the last 20 minutes were spectacular), but it just wasn't as good as it could have been. However, it is definetly worthwhile seeing! 7/10

Van Helsing (2004)

Hypnotic Entertainment

[9/10 · 9 May 2004]

This has to be one of the most entertaining films I have seen in a long time and I can't understand why it is being critically ripped to shreds. I was so engrossed in this film that I forgot about where I was and what I was doing. I was constantly captured by climax after thrilling climax!! The storyline was slightly vague, but it really didn't matter, as the stunning effects and fight sequences are a please to any movie-goer. This film was really created for pure escapism, a chance to exit reality, and it does this perfectly. It exceeded all expectations I had of the film (before I saw it, I thought that it was going to be distinctly average)and it has the hypnotic ability to grasp the audiences attention in practically every scene. It keeps at a constant mind-blowing pace throughout it's 2hr duration. This has been crafted to perfection. I am thoroughly impressed.