Chappie Review

Story: In the near future, crime is patrolled by a mechanized police force. When one police droid, Chappie, is stolen and given new programming, he becomes the first robot with the ability to think and feel for himself.

Through out my years as a film geek there have been films I've loved, didn't mind and just plain hated. A few of my all time favourite movies would include Bond's 23rd outing, Skyfall, Spiderman 2 (from the Sam Raimi Trilogy) and Jumanji (one of Robin Williams best), now Chappie has been added to the list. 

As far as his films go in quality, for me, I never was a fan of his films. District 9 and Elysium I had issues with, but the latter I enjoyed a little more so. With his new film, Chappie, Neill has brought in some top notch talent, namely Sigourney Weaver, Hugh Jackman and Dev Patel. Not to mention his comrade in arms, Sharlto Copley and Elysium's Jose Pablo Cantillo. But the main reason I was really drawn to his new film is how much effort he put into bringing to life the main hero, Chappie. 

The film does draw inspiration from films such as A.I Artificial Intelligence. Sharlto plays Chappie, giving the best vocal performance since Andy Serkis made amazing performances as Gollum, King Kong, and Caesar. He plays the role with true heart, Sharlto pours everything into his vocal performance. It can be hard to make people feel for a machine when you have no facial expression. I loved his performance in this film, he was both the heart and humour of this film. 

I should also note that a south african group called Die Antwoord makes their acting debut in the film. And it is not overblown like what other critics or fans have said, like they only took the role to give themselves more exposure. That was not the case. They were extremely believable, I felt they were perfect in the film. 

As for its leads, Sigourney, Hugh and Dev are all terrific. Sigourney Weaver's role as the head of the high profile tech company may have a small role in the film but she knocks every scene she is in out of the part. She is just fabulous here, and I feel her performance is like the old saying less is more.  Dev Patel plays the creator of Chappie. He is believable as the scientist who seeks to create machines that truly think for themselves.  He shows that his character starts like someone who seeks the best for Chappie but comes to the realization that he is actually controlling Chappie (having made note to Chappie to not let anyone tell him what to do). His character has a good development as he goes from wanting to see what a self thinking A.I would be like to realizing that its a lot like raising a child, it takes a huge amount of work. 

Hugh Jackman does a great job at bringing his villainous Vincent. He's not one sided, just jealous. His dark side reveal was very surprising and I was impressed at how Hugh was able to craft such a devious and compelling villain who under the skin was something way more dark and sinister. 

What I see as the main theme of this movie is acceptance. I found that Chappie stands for all the different people in the world who feel like outsiders or outcasts. This is what really pulled my heartstrings in the movie. Chappie represents those who are different from everyone else wherever its the colour of your skin, your sexual preference or gender, Chappie stands for everyone who wants to be accepted in a world where some have trouble accepting new and different things. Thats where Hugh's character comes in, he stands for those who fear the unknown, who can't be bothered to understand. 

The film deals in other themes too of course, parenting, job harassment, and intelligent A.I but its main theme of acceptance is by far a strong theme, especially today where issues with race, gender and one's sexuality is still an issue. 

Chappie is a film that deals strongly with acceptance, it has a great cast, amazing visuals and exciting action set pieces and is one of my favourite science fiction films of the past 10 years. 

Rating: A-

Taken: The Franchise that came into being

A franchise like this is unique in a way that such things don't come around that often. Having been ignited by the first film in which Liam Neeson, a guy not known for action, hits the action button and goes through guys left and right to get his daughter back. Not only did this movie have a kick ass Liam Neeson and a thrill a minute storyline, but it had one of the best lines ever, one uttered by Liam at the start of the film.

"I Don't know who you are, or what you want, but if you don't let my daughter go, I will find you and I will kill You!"

Thus the film followed Liam as he went across Europe killing bad guys in his wake and causing all kinds of destruction. The movie has become a cult smash hit, even getting a rendition on Family Guy.

With the film's success, it led producers to hit the sequel button!

Four years later, Taken 2 came to theatres. The premise of the first film is used again, but this time its Liam and his wife who are taken and his daughter must save them. Neat twist, but producers felt Liam still needed to be the one doing all the saving so he guides his daughter through the first bit and eventually gets his daughter to safety and handles the rest himself. 

The plot, while not as original as the first, is a basic revenge tale brought about by the fathers whose sons he murdered in the first film. Another franchise, The Hangover, had issues of its own when doing a sequel. It lost the humour and feel of the original that made the first film such a hit. The action here is not dull but somewhat the same. 

Characters are slowly developed, Kim gets a boyfriend in this, one of many, and the two are a lot nicer to Liam, as the first film they were both a bit cold hearted. 

Three Years later, a third, and possibly final film, is added to the canon. The producers again did what Hangover did and completely changed what the franchise had been known for. While for Hangover it was a bad move as the franchise ended on a sour/cold note with no hangover, for Liam and the gang it was the perfect change. 

Acting as a soft remake of the classic film, The Fugitive staring Harrison Ford, the film follows Liam as he is framed for the murder of his wife, played once again by Famke Janssen. Two new players join the game, Dougary Scott as the step father Stuart (not seen since the first film played by Nikita's Xander Berkley) and Forest Whitaker (the chief police officer similar to the role that Tommy Lee played). 

Its not a remake but is a nice change of pace for the series. I enjoyed the movie, it had some minor issues (one particular action scene that seemed a little too far fetched and unnecessary) but Liam and Maggie play their roles that just hit all the right buttons, Maggie even more so as her character finally grows. She also has a hot boyfriend named Jimmy (played by hot surfer boy Jonny Weston) who is a 100% trust worthy, in Liam's eyes. 

The third chapter had its issues in the start but once it started to hit on the home run it got really epic, like final chapter epic. The twists were surprising and the final chase was full of emotion and one of the best action set pieces in the franchise. 

As I said at the start, this was a franchise held together by a british actor (who one would never have believed could make it as an action star) and he in the end got some help with the heavy lifting, namely Forest and Maggie as these two I felt really brought home a performance. I have been a big fan of this franchise but I do feel its time for Liam to retire this franchise and maybe give the action stuff a rest for a while (since Taken he's been in The Grey, Non-stop, Unknown, A Walk Among the Tombstones and is set for another action flick this spring, Run All Night) \

Overall Franchise Rating - B 

The Maze Runner Review

Story: Thomas is deposited in a community of boys after his memory is erased, soon learning they're all trapped in a maze that will require him to join forces with fellow "runners" for a shot at escape. 

First time movie directer Wes Ball directs this YA adaptation of the first book in the Maze Runner trilogy. Its a mix of science fiction and horror and deals with issues of adolescence,  survival, and growing up.

 The film starts as the book does with Thomas arriving in the Glade via cargo elevator. He is greeted by Gally (played wonderfully by Will Poulter from Narnia 3). Dylan O'Brien of Teen Wolf fame plays Thomas. He's perfect in role, he captures Thomas's frustration and unequivocal curiosity. Thomas Brodie-Sangster of Game of Thrones plays Newt, second leader to Alby (the first boy to have arrived in the Glade three years prior).

As adaptations go the film does change a fair amount. Certain characters deaths are changed, and others disappear (being left for the sequel, which is a sure thing now) What I love about Maze Runner is how it keeps all the story points to Thomas's character arc intact while changing things up bait. They cut out the telepathy he had with surprise girl Teresa, who is played by the british beauty Kaya Scodelario. Everything that was done was to straight line the story and ground it more in reality. One sequence though was a little unnecessary as it seemed a little arbitrary.

In short, this is one of the better YA adaptations and does not try to imitate The Hunger Games or Twilight (unlike Mortal Instruments and Divergent). The Maze Runner is its own beast, led by a talented cast and leading man, it has the potential to become an intriguing franchise, one you sure do not want to miss.

Rating: B+

A Walk Among the Tombstones Review

Matt Scudder (Liam Neeson) has a talk with TJ (Astro)

Story:  Private investigator Matthew Scudder is hired by a drug kingpin to find out who kidnapped and murdered his wife.

 Summer has ended but Liam Neeson is back, and he's back with one of his best films in a while. Liam Neeson plays a retired cop who does jobs for people and in return they give him gifts (namely money). 

 The film doesn't lead you on a guessing game on who the villains are, we learn who they are pretty quick, its more of how is the showdown going to go, will the bad guys walk away and who will wind up dead.

Tombstones is directed by Scott Frank, who directed the terrific indie thriller The Lookout with Joesph Gordon Levitt. He adapted the book by Lawrence Block to the screen, I have not read the book so I can't be sure if how true it is to it but he does a fantastic job in the direction department. The story runs at a good place, we get some excellent development on some very interesting characters, like TJ and the grave yard janitor who loves to feed his pigeons on the roof. Scott creates some amazing atmosphere and a very realistic setting, the most brilliant of all is setting the film in late 90s New York City, when the twin towers were still standing. 

As for the cast, Liam Neeson is spectacular in the role as retired detective Matt Scudder. He gives a more refrained performance here than in Non-stop which was more of a generic action thriller while this is a very real, hard hitting thriller. Dan Stevens though nearly steals the show from Liam as the drug kingpin Kenny Kristo. Dan was once on the show called Downton Abbey and since he left the show two years back he's changed. For this role he's lost weight, dyed his hair and put on a New York accent. He's terrific and beyond perfect in the role. Others who appear in the film are Astro as TJ (he stared in the hit show Person of Interest alongside Jim Caviezel in a similar role) and Sebastian Roche (Supernatural, The Originals) makes a terrific appearance as another drug smuggler who's daughter is taken by the villainous duo. The most interesting of the cast would have to be Ólafur Darri Ólafsson who plays the character of James Loogan, the grave yard janitor. We at first are led to believe that he is working with the bad guys but then realize he was pulled into it and had no means of escape, but one. His character was the perfect flawed bad guy who went down the wrong path, made some bad choices, and in the end he tried to redeem himself. 

Carlos Rafael Rivera, who's a first time composer on this film, crafts a very elegant score in the vein of Alexandre Desplat. The tune is very tense and tight and there's a good thematic rhythm to it. Its a very classic score, which I love, and at times Carlos adds a bit of a horror aspect to some of the tunes, which gives the film a more sinister feel. 

By far one of my favourite action films with Liam Neeson its not as original as The Lookout but it has some good humour to balance the realistic violence and scenarios and by far has the best setting for an action film. A Walk Among the Tombstones is a must see for any Liam Neeson fan and for those who love some gothic thrillers, this is for you. 

Rating: A  

How to Train Your Dragon 2

How to Train your Dragon 2 Review

Story: When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the centre of a battle to protect peace.

It's been 4 years since we last saw Hiccup and the gang. In the cinematic universe it has been 5 years. Hiccup and his friends have grown into teenagers. This is one of the best things about the film as the characters have grown up realistically, like in live action movies.

Hiccup is being prepped to taking over his father's duties, he avoids any talks by exploring the outer lands. He and Astrid continue to grow close and Hiccup and Toothless continue to develop their flying techniques.

As the rest of the gang do dragon races around the island, Hiccup and Astrid come across a dragon catcher, played by Game of thrones star (Kit Harrington). He plays the macho hunter who grabs the attention of Ruffnet (played by Kristen Wigg).

Hiccup tries to explain to his father how he wants to stop the impending war that Dragon controller Drago plans on beginning. His father knows that Drago is a mad man and can not be dealt with, war is inevitable.

Hiccup then meets a mysterious dragon rider who turns out to be his mother (played by Cate Blanchett). She and Kit are the best additions to the series. Cate adds an elegance and makes for a very strong female character among many male vikings. Kit gives a solid turn as the hunky viking dragon catcher. Djimon Hounsou comes in as Drago, he goes about the globe enslaving dragons to build his own dragon army.  Hiccup seeks to talk Drago from taking their dragons, his father tells Hiccup to keep the focus on his people and his mother is the same but hopes he would help her protect the dragons. In a way his parents are similar, both would rather care for their own than go out to try and stop madman Drago from doing what he wants. It goes to provide people with the sense of how deadly Drago is.

Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson and the rest of the original cast return. Their characters have grown since the first film. Butler seeks his son to take his spot and the others are starting to fall in love.  Jonah and Chris's characters fall for Kirsten Wigg's Ruffnut. It's done very realistically and its interesting development to these characters, they have now started to turn into teenagers.

I loved that they only added 3 new characters and kept continuing to develop the characters from the first film. For those unfamiliar with the first film theres a good recap of sorts, told by Hiccup and the beginning. I love his opening and closing monologues, connects it well with the first film and makes good use of some descent exposition.

As for the animation, its amazing what they were able to do in this one. The characters look more grown up and they also have a more real look to them, with cartoonish fantasy elements thrown in. What must be admired though is the sear detail that is put into the background design. The elemental effects are astounding. And if you are wondering if it makes good use of the 3D, its a solid YES!!!

The story is pushed in this sequel as cheeky romance is in the air and families are reunited. As for that tragic incident that occurs in the movie, it does come as little surprise, but it is a realistic turn. With sequels I always like to see things pushed further and new stuff thrown in. The new big dragons that can control other dragons are essentially ice breathers. Its a great effect and makes for some really exciting action scenes. What the director and writer (Dean Deblois) does excellent hear is go with a real heart. Emotion is felt, situations take real turns, but no worries, this is not like the Red Wedding, nothing that extreme.

A darker chapter but a necessary one, How to Train Your Dragon 2 adds new characters, further develops the previous characters and the animation and character design is pushed to realistically tackle the evolution of the film's characters making this film worthy of being known as The Empire Strikes back of this dragon trilogy.

Rating: A

First DVD Review

Pompeii -  06/29/2014

Let me start off that I am a huge fan of Paul W.S Anderson and when he teamed up with another favourite lead actor of mine, Kit Harrington, I just knew I had to see what they were going to come up with together.

The movie tells the tale of what happened when and during the volcano eruption in Pompeii. Now, the film is totally fictitious, most of the story is not based on actual fact. But, its just meant to be a disaster movie, and what an amazing spectacle it is.

Starting with its cast, Paul gets it half right. Among the cast are some greats, Jared Harris and Carrie Ann Moss. They were terrific in all their scenes, Jared steals all the ones he's in and it was great to see Carrie playing the motherly role again, this time for the better. Emily Brown plays their daughter and Jessica Lucas plays her hand servant, though Emily's character Cassia considers her as more of a friend than servant. Jessica doesn't have many scenes but she plays up the bit of girlfriend who nudges her shy friend into the arms of the hot guy, namely Kit Harrington. I'd say pretty much Kit looks amazingly fit in this. I won't go into detail but the girls are most defiantly swooning over him by now.  Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje  plays a gladiator that meets up with Kit's character Milo, the two eventually team up to, as they say, fight the power. Adewale is great in this, he gives an inner depth that isn't told in the script, but you can sense there is a history behind this guy.

The only downfall the film has, and no I do not hate 24, is Kiether Sutherland. He just didn't seem to be the right choice. I would have well to have liked to of had Michael Fassbender in the villain's high chair. It's not all bad though, Grimm fans rejoice, Captain Sean Renard appears. Sasha Roiz who has played the Captain in the tv series Grimm plays the secondary villain in the film but I would have loved to of just had him as the main bad guy. He plays his part with ease and sinister intent. His pleading for his life in the end though was a bit of a let down but I guess the best villains sometimes turn out to be the weakest in the end.

As for the rest of the movie Paul builds up the utter annihilation of Pompeii with great success and what a crazy outcome he gives us. In truth, Paul should have been the one to direct the end of days film 2012, cause he knows how to somewhat cast a movie and make for one of the best disaster movies, in my book anyway.

With top notch visuals, great build-up and an entertaining cast Pomepii is not one of the greats but it is one of the goods.

Rating: B+

Edge of Tomorrow Review

Story: An officer ( Tom Cruise) finds himself caught in a time loop in a war with an alien race. His skills increase as he faces the same brutal combat scenarios, and his union with a Special Forces warrior (Emily Blunt) gets him closer and closer to defeating the enemy.

Originally titled "All you Need is Kill" this science-fiction epic uses the groundhog day premise of a person reliving his day over and over again, except he has to die in order to restart the day. Director Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Mr. and Mrs. Smith) directs. I did have some concerns as he did direct the film Jumper, which I enjoyed but did agree it was not an amazing film. 

His direction in this is perfect. He had previously directed Naomi Watts and Sean Penn in Fair Game. Doug is able to combine the best elements of science fiction and the realistic grit of some of the best thrillers with the dire hope of a war film, all combined into one. 

The set design and the creation of the aliens is so superb. I loved the look of the aliens and the time controlling alien was also very interesting. The film is not just an action blockbuster, its much in the vein of the film Looper, also starring Emily Blunt. 

Now, you may not like Tom Cruise but man he is an awesome actor, I love him. I don't care what he does in his private life, I think he is a terrific actor and is making an amazing comeback. I do feel if he wants a bigger audience maybe he should try starring in either Marvel's Dr. Strange movie or star in a film with more famous actors. I love him though, he's terrific in this. He plays his character's arc with great believability. Emily Blunt was also a grand surprise. She was terrific and solidifies my statement that she needs, NEEDS to play the role of Lara Croft! 

Christophe Beck (Frozen, Paper Man) does a great job with the score. I never thought he would be able to do it but Chris does an amazing job with the score. He adds such a grande intensity to the film and drops in some excellent sombre moments. 

Edge of Tomorrow is a terrific sic-fi adventure, the repeat gimmick is done excellently well, with a splash of humour. It's disappointing that the box-office for the film was low, this is an excellent science fiction thriller along the lines of A.I and Minority Report. Tom and Emily bring their A game and so does Doug, its a fabulous action epic with such originality like I have never seen. Its funny, emotional, exciting, and purely character driven. 

Edge of Tomorrow is the summer blockbuster war epic that you have to see!

Rating: A+