05.21.08
Posted in Film Review at 12:48 pm by Administrator
This is a spoiler free review.
Unlike so many fanboys tomorrow night I had no butterflies in my stomach walking into the NY Premiere of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. My history with the character stems mostly from catching all three films as they were endlessly repeated on HBO through out my childhood. I never took to Indy the same way I took to the Star Wars franchise so I took my seat with less than zero expectations. I never did had much affection for the character but something about this old dog showing me new tricks won me over in a big way.
It’s almost redundant to say that Spielberg brings his A game to the table since you hardly expect him to bring anything else. Yet with his recent hit or miss projects one wouldn’t be surprised if he yawned his way through Crystal Skull the same way he did when he directed the sequel to Jurassic Park, The Lost World. Instead what we get is a genuine excitement coming from in front of and behind the camera by all involved. Shia Lebeouf may seem calm and cool but you could tell that he’s as giddy as hell to be standing next to Harrison Ford. Speaking of Harrison I will say that in the first 30 minutes I was put off by some obvious “hide the face” stunt man work. There was just no way a man his age was pulling off some of those stunts. While it tries to excite the audience by showing some classic Indy moves it’s a disservice to a film that is trying to sell us on a much older Indiana Jones.
It wasn’t until about an hour into the movie that we get the first really truly exciting set piece, the jeep chase through the jungle. This is a scene that builds on itself in new and surprising ways and since it didn’t involve Indy doing anything extraordinary it felt more real to me. It also gives Mutt Williams (Shia Labeouf) a big chance to show his stuff as an action adventure sidekick. Karen Allen returns as Marion Ravenwood, a sassy and as lovely as she was in Raiders of the Lost Ark. She’s given a few good moments that put both a grin on her face and yours. Kate Blanchet phones in a rather boring clichéd villain in Irina Spalko. A Russian femme fatale who is seeking the Crystal Skull to give the Communists a new weapon in the cold war. Befitting of the battles of ideologies the power of the skull does fit into the political turmoil of the time. The score by John Williams is welcoming without any of the pandering we had felt watching Superman Returns. The music plays the same role it did in the previous films enhancing the sense of joy and excitement and isn’t abused to stir a sense of nostalgia from the audience.
Once the jeep chase revs you up the rest of the film just takes off leading to the big finale. Now this is where some are going to either love the film or hate it. I won’t give away any spoilers involving the Crystal Skulls but I will say that it really isn’t too different from the Ark of the Covenant or the Holy Grail. What we’ve got here is another ancient artifact that may or may not have mystical magic powers. The nature of this secret will be a source of controversy for many fans, as it seems to be mixing one genre inside of another. I personally felt that if you can buy God coming out of a box and killing all the Nazi’s than this really shouldn’t be too different.Kingdom of the Crystal Skull wins me over as an action adventure movie first and an Indiana Jones movie second. Breathe easy fanboys Crystal Skull was well worth the wait.
4/5
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05.13.08
Posted in Film Review at 5:04 pm by Administrator
I could post a review for this masterfully crafted summer popcorn family film but theirs another issue I prefer to address. If you want the long and short of it, Speed Racer rocks, go see it or be doomed to discover it on video and regret never seeing this crazy spectacle on the big screen along with so many other great movies that only get seen on home video. Remember watching Dark City, Donnie Darko, and Blade Runner on video and then wishing their was some way you could go back in time and enjoy them as they were meant to be seen? Well that is going to be Speed Racer in a few years. Not only is this a crowning achievement in visual style but its probably one of the most honest family films I’ve ever seen. To think that Alvin and the Chipmunks opened to huge business and not Speed Racer just makes my blood boil.
I must ask you America. What the fuck? What more did you want? Did this film seriously need singing chipmunks to get your attention? The Wachowski’s release another megaton bomb into cinemas only to receive the big fat yawn of familiies who decided that a good family film is just too much to bear. Instead you run to Cheaper by the Dozen and Surf’s Up. The dumber it looks the more you want to see it. Speed Racer is the stuff that every little boy dreams of (besides of course that cute girl next door). I practically turned into a ten year boy right there in my theater seat. Just when you think the Wachowski’s may be pandering to children with an over abundance of Spritle and Chim Chim scenes they manage to squeeze in some thrilling racing scenes and some awesome hand to hand combat from their matrix days.
While I find myself more and more disenfranchised with Iron Man (come on those action scenes were so weak) Speed Racer only grows stronger in my mind. Its a shame you didn’t see it but don’t worry you’ll catch up with the rest of us in a few years when Speed becomes a certifide cult classic.
4/5
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05.07.08
Posted in Film Review at 3:27 pm by Administrator
Chances are that at this point you don’t need anyone to tell you that Iron Man kicked all sorts of cinematic ass. You’ve probably seen it already and don’t need to be told that Robert Downey Jr. not only stole the show he was the show. As cool as the suit is we were all just waiting to once again see Downey do his thing so brilliantly. So why bother with a review at this point? Well I think Iron man, as good as it is, needs to be put in a sort of better context with all the hype set aside. Iron Man unfortunately has to live beside a wealth of already extraordinary comic book film adaptations. We’ve already had to suffer through the “good but could’ve been great”-ness of the first X-Men. Iron Man suffers from the same bland action that made Spiderman seek out bigger and better set pieces in its sequel.
Iron Man should’ve had far better action. Theirs really no excuse when films like X-Men 2 and Spiderman 2 manage to have the character actors and action scenes live peacefully side-by-side. I’m not on some crusade to put down a great movie, don’t get me wrong. Iron Man is in the perfect position for a superior sequel. I just can’t get my head around this whole Iron Monger silliness that plagues the films final act. Instead I wanted to see Iron Man going around the world stopping terrorists but instead we get a great character put on his top hat, twirl his mustache, and tell Iron Man “you’ll never catch me wahaha”. A climax that has no place when you consider what the first 90 minutes was building itself upon.
Iron Man does stand tall on its strengths very much how Hugh Jackman made X-Men far better than it deserved to be. John Favreau’s direction is confident as if he’s been making big budget comic book films his entire career. Gwyneth Paltrow is surprisingly tolerable despite the stupid name of Pepper Potts. Terrence Howard is not exactly convincing me that he’s going to be cool enough to suit up as War Machine in the sequel. Something about his high pitched soft toned voice isn’t selling me on his ability to be a super hero. Jeff Bridges is almost invisible as he sports a killer beard and bald head combo giving him a striking look to go along with his well balanced performance. (Until of course the films end)
Yet when Downey is completely alone with only robots to speak with he’s just as complete as when in a room filled with other actors. I believe the one thing to take away from Iron Man is that despite the past few marvel duds (Daredevil, Ghost Rider, Fantastic Four) we can still get a glimpse of that magic that made Spiderman and X-Men so good. The comic book film genre is not necessarily headed down a path of crumminess. If The Incredible Hulk can give Marvel a two for two hit record this summer then perhaps their is more water to squeeze from the comic book film genre.
3.5/5
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