The Dark Knight Rises Review
The Plot
8 Years after Batman took the blame for the crimes of ‘Two-face’ Harvey Dent, Bruce Wayne is a broken man, in reclusive retirement from costume clad crime fighting. The threat of a deadly new foe, the muscle-bound terrorist Bane, forces him to once again become the caped crusader and fight to save Gotham City. As always he has the support of loyal butler Alfred, gadget master Lucius Fox and Police Commissioner Gordon. The third and final instalment in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight saga also introduces idealistic young detective John Blake and Selina Kyle – Batman’s morally ambiguous adversary/ally Catwoman.
The Good
The Dark Knight Rises is a fitting end to Director Christopher Nolan’s remarkable Batman saga, which has given on of the oldest and most iconic comicbook heroes an astonishing rejuvenation. Once again the film broods with well-crafted dark tones, propelled by yet another magnificent soundtrack from genius composer Hans Zimmer.
The film’s opening aerial sequence is a breath-taking statement of intent that easily matches the brilliance of The Dark Knight’s daring bank heist opening. Nolan was determined to push practical effects to the limit to ensure that The Dark Knight Rises was consistently and satisfyingly spectacular. Adding the infamous flying bat-mobile ‘The Bat’ to Batman’s arsenal of new gadgets certainly helped him achieve that aim.
New villain Bane has a powerfully imposing presence thanks to Tom Hardy’s impressively sinister physical performance. Bane provides a brutally violent threat unlike anything Christian Bale’s Batman has faced in his previous adventures. Hardy’s hulking physique is complemented well by a mask clad vocal performance that sounds like a creepy cross between Sean Connery and Darth Vader.
In sharp contrast, Anne Hathaway’s smoldering performance as cat burglar Selina Kyle is far more pleasing on both the ears and eyes. Fan concerns about whether the young actress could handle the iconic role seem to have melted away the instant she emerged on screen in knife-edged heels and a skin tight catsuit.
Christian Bale puts in another solid performance as a world weary Bruce Wayne, while Joseph Gordon Levitt manages to keep his earnest young character likeable thanks to all his usual charms. His performance was always going to attract fan scrutiny amid rumors he might play a bigger role in any future Batman films. Thankfully he stands up pretty well to the inevitable attention.
As always Nolan’s supporting cast littered with the likes of Gary Oldman, Sire Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman ensures that whatever the plot or dialogue is it’s always handled with a certain air of class.
The Bad
Living up to the unprecedented burden of hype and expectation was an inevitably impossible task for the final chapter of Nolan’s Batman saga. The Dark Knight set such an intimidatingly high standard, thanks in large part to an instantly iconic performance by Heath Ledger as Batman’s maniacal nemesis The Joker. The tragic loss of the Oscar winning young actor robbed The Dark knight Rises of its most tantalizing prospect, the Joker’s return.
Even avoiding unhelpful companies to its acclaimed predecessor The Dark knight Rises does fall short of the unquestionable perfection fan optimistically expected. After an explosive start the film proceeds at a fairly casual pace, leading to a lengthy run time approaching three hours. By the time the film reaches it action packed conclusion audiences might be busy fighting fatigue.
While all the new characters and elements successful entertain and add value to Nolan’s rich Gotham universe, sadly it is Batman himself who becomes the weakest link. Watching Bruce Wayne wallow in self-pity and battle apathy is a little less exhilarating than seeing him battling a clown faced psychopath. Though to be fair by the end both Bruce and the audiences have remembered why they love the caped crusader.
The Ugly Truth
The Dark Knight Rises stands alongside and towers above most summer blockbusters. Christopher Nolan delivers a fitting final chapter that draws a satisfying close to Bruce Wayne’s epic struggle to save Gotham; whilst leaving the door open to new adventures and a next generation of Batman films. It can’t surpass The Dark Knight, but it equals as much as any realistic fans could have ever expected it would
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter 3D Review
The Plot:
Based on the novel by cult genre author Seth Grahame-Smith, the film blends real life history with supernatural fantasy, reimagining America’s 16th President Abraham Lincoln as a fearless vampire hunter. The unlikely tale incorporates his quest to rid America of undead monsters into his rise to political power and the bloody events of the American Civil War.
The Good:
The film’s odd fusion of fact and fantasy is at least fairly original. It also deserves some credit for ambitiously attempting to fit a love story, a history lesson and sombre political messages about freedom in amongst all the frantic monster hunting.
Newcomer Benjamin Walker undergoes a fairly effective transformation while playing Lincoln, taking Abraham from a bookish young shop clerk to the iconic bearded presidential image we’re all familiar with. He cuts a fairly interesting figure in a jaunty top hat and flowing overcoat, brandishing a silver Axe. He also manages to give Lincoln’s immortal words at least some modest measure of credibility amidst his frequent vampire decapitating escapades.
Watching young Abe violently dispatch the vampire villains should satisfy fans with an animated bloodlust, but it’s all too quick and glamorized to traumatise those of a more delicate sensibility.
The Bad:
Director Timur Bekmambetov deploys the trademark style of over the top frenzied CGI action showcased in his Russian blockbuster Night Watch and western debut effort Wanted. At best it will divide audience opinion. It flirts ill-advisedly with ridiculousness and seems better suited to computer games than a big budget summer blockbuster. One particular scene where Lincoln and a vampire do cartoonish super slow-motion battle while skipping across a stampeding herd of horses strains belief well past breaking point, relentlessly defying the laws of physics but lacking in joy.
Implausible action sequences and silly CGI really don’t help the fact that Abraham Lincoln is right from the start an unlikely action hero. It’s hard to reconcile the stale historical memory of a starch stiff American President with the super powered axe twirling monster killer presented here.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead is a wide eyed and beautiful young actress of evident presence and some promise. Sadly as Mary Todd Lincoln she’s left in a lacklustre film with little room to showcase her talents. Likewise, Rufus Sewell is a familiar face from television and films, but his lead vampire villain is absolutely lacking in substance, personality and menace. In general there’s little if anything to distinguish the vampires in this film from the tired CGI clichés you’ve seen in almost every other vampire flick for the past ten years.
The Ugly Truth:
With a more self-aware sense of humour and less sullen seriousness Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter might have been a better ride. Those with an overly abundant fondness for CGI blood splattered vampire killing may enjoy the hyper-stylized action, but overall the film is disappointingly generic despite its supposedly original premise. It may find a cult audience, particularly amongst fans of the book, but lacks the quality to make it widely appealing or memorable.
Jaws Re-Release Review
The Plot
When a gigantic Great White shark begins to menace the quiet waters of the small island community of Amity, a police chief, a marine scientist and a grizzled shark hunter set out to stop it.
The Good
Jaws is arguably the finest work of one of the greatest directors in the age of modern cinema, Steven Spielberg. It’s also the film that has single handily given generations of people around the world a terrified lifelong phobia of open water. It’s difficult to overstate the timeless power of this film to entertain and traumatise audiences.
Jaws owe much of its memorable magic to the menacing soundtrack of John Williams. It’s iconic, thrilling, effective and utterly unforgettable. The same is true of the entire film.
Roy Schneider does a great job of standing in for the audiences as Brody, the Police Chief who’s reluctant to go near the water even before the 25ft killing machine starts devouring people. Richard Dreyfuss is the enthusiastic marine biologist Hooper, there to remind us that a 3 ton Shark is bot terrifying and amazing. While Robert Shaw is perfect as Quint, the ill-tempered harpoon wielding sea captain with a personal grudge against the man-eating aquatic monsters.
The magnificent chemistry between our three heroes and the thrill of the hunt ensures that Jaws remains not only horrific but also one of the very best action adventure films ever made. Often imitated but never equalled, not even a string of worsening sequels could tarnish the legacy of this undisputed masterpiece.
Jaws has permeated almost every aspect of popular culture and boasts some of the most often quoted and best remembered lines in movie history. “You’re going to need a bigger boat!” remains the most eloquent expressions of feeling overwhelmed by a situation ever uttered on screen. It’s all testament to the fact that Jaws is so much more than just a ‘monster’ film reliant on a barely functioning animatronic shark.
The Bad
Among all those who have already re-watched Jaws endlessly on VHS, DVD and Christmas holiday TV; there will be some that question the value of paying for admission to see it once again. Hollywood is certainly guilty of cashing in on fans loyalty in recent years, with pointless big screen re-imaginings and re-releases for countless classic franchises. But if any film deserves to have a second bite at the big screen surely it’s Jaws. After all it’s the film that absolutely invented the concept of the ‘summer blockbuster’.
The Ugly Truth
Whether or not it’s entitled to another box office run or you think it’s worth seeing a film for the 100th time, the fact remains this represents a wonderful and welcome opportunity for generations of fans to re-live Jaws on the big screen or see it for the first time in the ultimate format. The only valid excuse not to go see Jaws in cinemas is if you’ve just booked an expensive summer beach holiday.
Prometheus Review
The Plot:
At the end of the 21st century, two enthusiastic scientists lead an expedition to a distant alien world, convinced it may hold the key to the mystery of life on earth. However what they find, along with the motives of their crewmates and the powerful corporation they work for, may not be what they expect.
The Good:
With Prometheus director Ridley Scott returns to his most successful cinematic territory, science fiction. He’s responsible for genre classics like Alien & Bladerunner, so it’s little surprise that Prometheus boasts strong future-noir visuals. He’s also had no trouble assembling a well-respected cast.
Michael Fassbender is simply outstanding as David, a morally ambiguous android with a penchant for Peter O’Toole impersonations. As in X-Men First Class and Shame, Fassbender commands the screen with an alarming degree of charisma. Co-star Noomi Rapace also displays a growing grasp of the English language in a performance much improved on her negligible presence in Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows.
Hard-core fans of the Alien franchise will at least be pleased to see it return to its roots in a prequel that partially answers lingering questions from the 1979 classic and at least echoes its iconic visuals.
The Bad:
In truth it would be almost impossible for any film to live up to the incredible levels of hype and fan expectation that have been carefully cultivated by the marketing campaign for Prometheus. Add to that the critical reverence for Scott’s past sci-fi efforts and it’s a recipe for inevitable disappointment.
Though Prometheus does show early signs of ambitious promise, it ultimately sacrifices intelligent storytelling and grand themes in favour of increasingly chaotic action sequences. Screenwriter Damon Lindelof previously wrote lacklustre blockbuster Cowboys & Aliens and contributed to the indecipherable confusion of TV series Lost. Sadly many of the same flaws are evident in Prometheus.
As the film progresses it’s hard to avoid noticing the growing list of obvious plot holes and an overall feeling of disappointing predictability. It doesn’t help that the film’s countless trailers and viral marketing materials actually managed to give away a surprising amount of the film’s end game.
Even a potentially good cast can’t make up for the film’s other deficiencies. Unfortunately with the exception of Fassbender’s exemplary performance as David, the rest of the crew of Prometheus are simple stereotypes lacking both personality and narrative substance.
Though the film boasts accomplished visual effects and effective 3D, that success is undermined by one very bad example of ‘old man make-up’ and a surprising lack of the terrifying creature effects that have memorably defined the franchise.
The Ugly Truth:
Prometheus will only leave you satisfied if you manage to avoid challenging it with unrealistic expectations of excellence. It’s a watchable sci-fi summer blockbuster at best, not the work of instant classic genius that optimistic critics and fans were hoping for. The film may be a little more rewarding for earnest fans of the franchise or Fassbender, but it lacks the fantastic fear of the terrifying original Alien.
Snow White and The Huntsman Review
The Plot:
A wicked Queen seizes power in an enchanted kingdom only to be warned by a magic mirror that the one threat to her rule is a beautiful young girl called Snow White. With the unlikely help of seven dwarves and rough edged Huntsman, Snow White must defeat monsters and evil minions on her quest to save the kingdom.
The Good:
Hot on the heels of family friendly Snow White adaptation Mirror Mirror, this darker big screen version boasts sumptuous and impressive visuals. First time director Rupert Sanders succeeds in bringing a world full of trolls, fairies and dark magic to life. Easily the film’s greatest asset, it’s beautiful and sinister by equal turns.
Beautiful and sinister are both adjectives equally applicable to Charlize Theron in her role as Ravenna the evil Queen obsessed with youth, beauty and power. She does well to add some fragility and emotional depth to the iconic fairy-tale villainess. It’s unusual to see a performer even try to make a maniacal tyrant seem vulnerable or almost sympathetic.
Hunky man mountain Chris Hemsworth, Twilight starlet Kristen Stewart and a host of accomplished supporting character actors like Bob Hoskins, Eddie Marsan & Ian McShane all round out a credible cast.
The Bad:
With a run time creeping over two hours there’s a disappointing lack of momentum for a film that’s supposed to be a thrilling adventures packed with desperate escapes and urgent quests. Audiences who have grown up with this classic fable will likely find much of the film’s lethargic exposition fairly redundant. Particularly some of the lengthy early stages of the film could have been pruned away to leave something more dynamic.
Kristen Stewart has an army of devoted fans, but she also has her eager critics. No doubt they will find ammunition to attack this performance, between her cut glass English accent and earnest speeches. Some will deride her for being too well groomed, others for being too sullen or grungy. You get the feeling she just can’t win. This isn’t a performance that will convert her doubters, but it will at least please her loyal Twilight fanbase.
Chris Hemsworth has his own enthusiastic fans, but unfortunately his mud-stained Huntsman is less readily likeable than his Marvel Superhero Thor and struggles with a drunken Scottish accent. Secondary romantic lead Sam Claflin also struggles to impose himself with limited screen time as Prince Charming figure William.
The casting of accomplished actors like Nick Frost and Bob Hoskins as the seven Dwarves with the aid of CGI is effective but may cause some people to question whether or not it’s right for Hollywood to squander such rare opportunities to cast performers whose stature actually fits these roles.
The Ugly Truth:
Snow White and the Huntsman has captivating visuals but likely asks too much of most audiences with its slow pacing and laboured exposition. Though the darker fantasy tone may initially appeal more to an adult audience, in truth it’s hard to avoid craving something a little more camp and fun as this sombre tale unfolds.