Reviews
Transformers
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Michael Bay |
| Written by: | Roberto Orci, Alex Kurtzman |
| Starring: | Shia LaBeouf, Megan Fox, Josh Duhamel, Rachel Taylor, Tyrese Gibson, Jon Voight, Anthony Anderson, John Turturro |
| Released: | June 28, 2007 |
| Grade: | B |
Transformers has been hyped up as perhaps the biggest movie of the 2007 American summer. My own interest in the film comes from the fact that it’s NOT a sequel. It’s a brand new series with fresh characters. That alone makes it more attractive that the recent of Spider-Man, Pirates Of The Caribbean and Fantastic Four.
The Transformers started out as a cartoon series. It premiered in 1984 and ran for approximately four years. I never saw it myself but it developed a cult-like status with some fans. I’m guessing that a large percentage of these loyal supporters will be checking out this film (some more than once) on the day of its release. Having now been introduced to the Transformers world, I must say that I like the concept.
The central human character in this film is Sam Witwicky (played by rising star Shia LaBeouf). He has in his possession a pair of eye glasses which were once owned by his great grandfather. He doesn’t know it yet but these glasses hold the key to man’s survival.
Earth is soon attacked by a group of robots with far-superior technology. They are known as Decepticons and they are looking for a strange-looking cube which is thought to have landed on Earth thousands of years ago. This cube will give them much power and they are prepared to kill for it. When they learn that information as to the cube’s location can be found on Sam’s great grandfather’s glasses, you’ll know who they start looking for…
Thankfully for Sam, there are another group of peaceful transformers known as Autobots. They too have arrived on Earth and are trying to stop the Decepticons from getting their hands on the cube. What follows is an all out war on the Earth’s surface. If the Decepticons are victorious, it’s the end of life as we know it.
As a Hollywood blockbuster, Transformers does everything by the textbook. I was surprised to see the film include such a young cast. It’s as if the marketers of the film have aimed this film solely at a teen audience. There’s one scene where an Australian code breaker working at the Pentagon (played by 22-year-old Rachael Taylor) illegally downloads top-secret code so that her computer nerd friend can take a look at it. On a believability scale, this scene scores 0%. I’m not sure which is more concerning – the fact that there’s no data security at the Pentagon or that they’re hiring policy is based on looks over ability.
I was also disappointed by the lack of humour in the film. There were a few one-liners to chuckle over but nothing particularly memorable. I’ve already alluded to the film’s lack of originality and this is further evident when you hear some of the clichéd dialogue. There’s one scene late in the film where Sam and his girlfriend have a “moment” just before he goes off to save the day. Despite the fact they are being attacked from all possible angles, they still find a 30 seconds to stand there and express their love for one another. Now I know this is only a movie but I make reference to this scene to again reiterate just how much this film goes “by the book”. It may be an adventure story but the script itself isn’t very adventurous.
On a plus side, the story is easy follow and the action looks great on the big screen. I’m not the biggest fan of director Michael Bay (Armageddon, Bad Boys 2, Pearl Harbour) but in this instance, he’s made a good looking movie. With the help of a talented visual effects crew, he has brought the transformers to life.
If you’ve seen the trailers, the ads and the posters for Transformers, you should already have a fair idea of whether this film is for you. Some will like it and others will not. I’m sitting on the fence.
Blades Of Glory
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Josh Gordon, Will Speck |
| Written by: | Jeff Cox, Craig Cox, John Altschuler, Dave Krinsky |
| Starring: | Will Ferrell, Jon Heder, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Jenna Fischer, Craig T. Nelson |
| Released: | June 21, 2007 |
| Grade: | A- |
Chazz Michael Michaels (Ferrell) and Jimmy MacElroy (Heder) are two of the world’s best male figure skaters. They’ve each taken their share of gold medals and they both have a strong fan base. That’s about where the similarities end.
Michaels is a man’s man. When off the ice, all he wants to do is drink alcohol and sleep with women. His popularity and success has seen both these needs fulfilled. MacElroy on the other hand, is a pretty boy who has never had a girlfriend. He prides himself on his appearance and skates with elegance.
After tying for first at a major event, Michaels and MacElroy become involved in a scuffle on the winner’s podium. It is all seen by the stunned crowd and the large audience watching on television. For bringing their sport into such disrepute, the skating commission bans them from their division for life.
We then pan a few years into the future. Both are struggling to make a living and you’ll chuckle when you see where they have ended up. Michaels and MacElroy discover a loophole which will allow for their return to the sport. Whilst they were banned from individual skating, they can still compete in pairs skating. Reluctantly, the two agree to team up and become the first male-male pair in figure skating history.
Their partnership does not go down well with the current pairs champions – Stranz and Fairchild Van Waldenberg (Arnett and Poehler). They have no intention of being beaten “by a couple of freaks” and plan on sabotaging the Michaels and MacElroy comeback to ensure their own successful reign continues.
Will Ferrell and Jon Heder are two actors who I find are very “hit and miss”. They’ve made some hilarious films but they’ve also made some stinkers. I hated their last efforts – Ferrell in Taladega Nights and Heder in The Benchwarmers. This is the first time they’ve come together as a team and the result is a fantastic.
Ferrell gets the most laughs with his crude, politically incorrect comments. I don’t know how he kept a straight face when first delivering the dialogue. It’s also a good role for Heder who is trying to break away from his Napoleon Dynamite stereotype.
Credit must go to the four writers of the film who have created an insanely silly storyline and a crazy group of characters. I had my doubts going in but they were dispelled by the funny opening which profiles both Chazz Michael Michaels and Jimmy MacElroy. It put me in just the right mood to enjoy the hour and half worth of entertainment which followed.
This is one comedy that I think you need to see.
Ocean's Thirteen
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Steven Soderbergh |
| Written by: | Brian Koppelman, David Levien |
| Starring: | Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Al Pacino, Don Cheadle, Ellen Barkin, Ellliott Gould, Casey Affleck, Scott Caan |
| Released: | June 14, 2007 |
| Grade: | B- |
In Ocean’s Eleven, they robbed a casino in Las Vegas and stole close to $200m. In Ocean’s Twelve, they went to Europe and stole a famous work of art. Their back again for Ocean’s Thirteen but this time their motive isn’t robbery.
Willie Bank (Pacino) prides himself on having the best hotels and casinos in Vegas. Every hotel he owns has received a Five Diamond Award, a prize which signifies the best of the best. Bank may be successful but he’s not a nice guy. He’ll do anything if it can get him more wealth and power.
A member of Ocean gang, Reuben (Gould), went into business with Bank to build a new luxury casino in Vegas. It should come as no surprise that Bank screwed him over and took full control of the project. It was a massive financial blow to Reuben and he suffered a heart-attack not long after.
Reuben’s friends have come to the rescue and want to get even with Willie Bank. Their plan is to manipulate every game in the casino on opening night so that the players win big. They’ve found a way to rig the pokies, blackjack, roulette and craps. By ensuring that the high rollers in attendance, Danny Ocean (Clooney) and his team intend to take the casino for all its worth.
It’s an elaborate plan and it takes a long time to get ready. Most of the film is spent explaining all the nitty-gritty details. It’s interesting without being exciting. I know it’s only supposed to be a fun movie but I had trouble believing it all. Ocean’s crew have an uncanny way of getting whatever information they need in a short period of time. They can crack any security system and seem to have many influential contacts.
My biggest problem with the film was its lack of humour. There are only a handful of really funny scenes. From memory, stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon were much funnier in the first two movies. I’d have much rather have seen more creative improvisation from these stars as opposed to the long-winded scenes explaining how the casino games would be rigged.
Director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic) has returned and gives the film a great look. There’s no doubting that he’s one of the best directors in the business. I particularly love the way he zooms his camera in and out. He’s got style and the film’s tone give him the perfect opportunity to use it. The soundtrack is ideal and the colourful setting makes it great to watch on a big screen.
I’ve a hunch that this will be the last in the Ocean’s series. It’s been an enjoyable ride but it’s time that Soderbergh and his talented cast move on to something with a little more originality. As I’ve said of so many other sequels of late, the original was better.
Shrek The Third
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Chris Miller |
| Written by: | Jeffrey Price, Peter S. Seaman, Jon Zack |
| Starring: | Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Julie Andrews, John Cleese, Rupert Everett, Eric Idle, Justin Timberlake |
| Released: | June 7, 2007 |
| Grade: | B+ |
In the land of Far Far Away, King Harold has died. The natural heir to the throne is his son-in-law, Shrek. This is not good news for Shrek who has no desire to become king. He hates the endless royal engagements and protocols. He’d rather spend his life living in a small shack in the swamp with his wife, Fiona.
Before he passed away, King Harold mentioned that there is another natural heir to the throne. His name is Arthur and Shrek thinks that he will be the answer to his problems. With his partners in crime, Donkey and Puss In Boots, Shrek sets sail on a journey to find Arthur and to convince him to become the new king.
Whilst Shrek is away, Far Far Away is invaded by Prince Charming and his group of cronies. Still bitter over losing Princess Fiona to Shrek, Charming thinks that he should be the next king. He seizes control of the palace and sends out his henchman to ensure that Shrek never returns.
The Shrek series has been popular since it first kicked off in 2001. There are jokes for the kids and jokes for the adults. I love the way in which the film takes famous fairy tales characters and puts them together in new scenarios.
Shrek The Third continues in a similar vein to the first two movies. It’s not as good as the first movie but there’s still a lot to like about it. The adult humour comes through once again and there were plenty of scenes that left a smile on my face. Whilst the writers deserve much of the credit, Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Antonio Banderas do a great job delivering their dialogue.
Just in time for the June school holidays, Shrek The Third will undoubtedly be another box-office smash that and should satisfy most of those who see it.
Hostel: Part 2
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Eli Roth |
| Written by: | Eli Roth |
| Starring: | Lauren German, Roger Bart, Heather Matarazzo, Bijou Phillips, Vera Jordanova, Jay Hernandez |
| Released: | June 7, 2007 |
| Grade: | C |
Released early in 2006, Hostel didn’t set the box-office alight but it made significant noise in the film community. It was touted as one of the most gruesome films ever made and on that count, it delivered.
If you didn’t see it, it was the story of a group of backpackers who end up a Slovakian hostel. It turned out that the hostel was a front for a crazy enterprise in which wealthy business paid large sums of money to kill people. The backpackers were drugged, tied up and then killed in horrific fashion. I think the picture of the chainsaw on the poster said enough.
Hostel: Part 2 is more of the same. It’s a textbook sequel – offering nothing new with a storyline very similar to the original. This time around, the victims are three girls – Beth (Graham), Whitney (Phillips) and Lorna (Matarazzo). They were originally travelling to the Czech Republic but have gone to Slovakia on the advice of a female model. The fact that the model has been stalking them should be enough to rouse anyone’s suspicious but it appears that Beth, Whitney and Lorna are none the wiser.
If you’re seeing this film for its horror, you’ve got a while to wait. It’s not until the 45 minute mark where we get to see inside the abandoned buildings and its maze of torture chambers. The first half is spent entirely on filler and unnecessary introductions. It offers nothing and has only been included so that the film can be stretched into 93 minutes.
Once the “action” begins, you’ll need to brace yourself for some shocking images. The Motion Picture Association of America said it described the film as containing “sadistic scenes of torture and bloody violence”. I’ve become desensitised to movie violence but a couple of scenes in Hostel: Part 2 did leave a lump in my throat. As was the case with the Saw series, the envelope keeps getting pushed further.
I’d recommend the film for horror buffs if not for a pathetically weak ending. It feels rushed and provides so suspense. It’s as if they needed to remove the entire first half of the film and expand the second half. I also didn’t believe the events that unfolded in the finale and found that way too many questions were left unanswered.
With clichéd ridden dialogue delivered by actors who have no sense of spontaneity, Hostel: Part 2 is a waste.
Bridge To Terabithia
- Details
- Written by Matthew Toomey
| Directed by: | Gabor Csupo |
| Written by: | Jeff Stockwell, David Paterson |
| Starring: | Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Zooey Deschanel, Robert Patrick, Bailee Madison |
| Released: | June 14, 2007 |
| Grade: | A |
Jesse (Hutcherson) two passions are running and drawing. He goes jogging every day with the hope of being the best at his school. When not outdoors, he retreats to his room and draws some imaginative pictures in his scrap book.
Jesse has always been a quiet kid and these interests allow him to keep to himself. It’s as if he’s trying not to be noticed by others. He avoids his gossiping sisters at home and the bullies in the school playground.
Things change when a girl named Leslie (Robb) moves into the house next door. They share the same class at school and have similar personalities. They quickly become best friends and spend all of their spare time in each other’s company.
Exploring a nearby forest, Jesse and Leslie discover an old, rundown tree house. It becomes their special place. Every afternoon after school, they go the tree house and create their own mystical adventures. They fight an array of strange creatures in a world they call Terabithia.
Let me say straight out that these two kids are great. Jesse and Leslie are honest characters who have been played brilliantly by Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb. Their actions, both mature and immature, will perhaps bring back memories of your own childhood friendships. The fun times they share together allow them to forget life’s bigger problems.
Their spirit won me over and it’s why Bridge To Terabithia is such an achievement. It may be a fantasy-type movie but it’s real and believable. Both kids and adults will relate. The film goes down an unexpected path in the final half-hour but I won’t reveal it so as not to spoil the movie. I didn’t see it coming and it gives the film a real emotional impact.
Director Gabor Csupo has done a terrific job in blending the fantasy with the reality. He doesn’t overdo the action sequences and this gives him time to develop the characters and the story. Some of the film’s most interesting scenes are not spent in the forest but rather at Jesse’s home and school. This rich screenplay is based on a 1977 novel written by Katherine Paterson. It’s interesting to note that Paterson’s son, David, helped adapt it for the big screen.
Bridge To Terabithia is an awesome family movie. It provides a memorable movie-going experience for children and adults alike. I didn’t expect much when walking into the cinema but I had much to tell on walking out.