RATING:*** (3 stars)
A few months after helping some survivors escape to Alaska, where there are rumors of a city untouched by the T-virus, Alice (Milla Jovovich) continues her vengeance against the Umbrella Corporation--the ones responsible for the biological weapon that turns people into zombies and has all but destroyed the human race in the process.
Resident Evil: Afterlife picks up pretty much right where Resident Evil: Extinction (2007) left off. The film starts then with a small army of Alices assaulting an Umbrella facility in Tokyo which also leads to her being injected with a kind of T-virus antibody that strips her of the strange psychic powers she had developed in the last film. This really pays off overall because it lets the film set the pace at a more traditional pacing for a zombie/action film instead of the incredibly fast-paced opening sequence that shows off said psychic powers. Eventually Alice finds Claire Redfield (Ali Larter), presumably the only survivor of the survivors she helped, alone in Alaska and having lost her memory. Together they make their way down to Los Angeles where they find some survivors who have been holed up in an abandoned prison--the main location for the story this time around.
The big buzz with RE:Afterlife has been that contrary to many 3D films this summer, this one was shot with the Fusion camera system pioneered by James Cameron in Avatar. And it really pays off. Just like in the sci-fi film, there is much less of random things jumping out of the screen and more of a feeling of immersion in the film--as if you were actually the person holding the camera and actually in the middle of the action. Another way to think of it would be to take the high quality of a Blu-Ray DVD and watch it on the big screen. It also works very well for the high-intensity action sequences peppered throughout the film, which seemed reminiscent of earlier Resident Evil films with a mix of the different but equally intense action sequences in The Matrix and Blade. Overall a solid addition to the series and one that shouldn't disappoint.
However, where this film really falls short is on the storytelling. Plenty of action to keep you glued to the seat and well-shot, but there is surprisingly little in terms of explaining the various homages to the video games that the movie crowd will not understand. This can really be broken down into two areas: characters and zombies. In terms of characters, the most notable is Chris Redfield, brother to Claire. We get a little of his backstory when he is first introduced, but we are given zero information on how the two of them were separated at the beginning of the crisis or why they happen to fight so surprising well together. There are two notable zombies in this film that are given absolutely no explanation at all. The first is one that appears to be able to burrow through the ground and whose entire face splits to reveal a huge mouth. The other is a GIANT zombie with a massive axe. No explanation, even suggestive by the characters, is given for how or why these two zombies exist. Really just boils down to a script that feels a little rushed in order to focus more on the action sequences (which are quite well done).
Most certainly a fun film, but not one to worry too much about seeing in the theater unless you either (A) really want to see it in 3D, or (B) do not have the convenience of watching films on Blu-Ray at home.
Trailer
13 September 2010
04 September 2010
Machete (2010)
RATING:*** (3 stars)
An ex-federale who is betrayed stops at nothing to hunt down the people who set him up and uncovers a web of dirty dealings.
Machete is an action movie targeted at a very specific segment of the action film crowd--particularly those who like over-the-top violence (the kind that is just as likely to make you laugh) a la Kill Bill (2003/2004) and Grindhouse (2007). In fact, some people might remember that Machete was originally one of the fake trailers shown during Grindhouse.
There really is not a whole lot to say about the film. Based on the above and the cast (Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Steven Seagal, Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Don Johnson, Cheech Marin) you already have a pretty fair idea of whether you are going to see the film or not. I can say with confidence that if you have plans to see Machete you will not be disappointed in either the amount of action or the sheer amount of hilarity present.
Trailer
An ex-federale who is betrayed stops at nothing to hunt down the people who set him up and uncovers a web of dirty dealings.
Machete is an action movie targeted at a very specific segment of the action film crowd--particularly those who like over-the-top violence (the kind that is just as likely to make you laugh) a la Kill Bill (2003/2004) and Grindhouse (2007). In fact, some people might remember that Machete was originally one of the fake trailers shown during Grindhouse.
There really is not a whole lot to say about the film. Based on the above and the cast (Danny Trejo, Robert De Niro, Steven Seagal, Jessica Alba, Michelle Rodriguez, Don Johnson, Cheech Marin) you already have a pretty fair idea of whether you are going to see the film or not. I can say with confidence that if you have plans to see Machete you will not be disappointed in either the amount of action or the sheer amount of hilarity present.
Trailer
27 August 2010
The Last Exorcism (2010)
RATING: ** (2 stars)
The Last Exorcism is a documentary-style film (NOT BASED ON ACTUAL EVENTS) following an evangelical minister who allows his last exorcism to be filmed.
The Last Exorcism is a kind of movie that appeals to a particular niche audience that unfortunately I am not a part of. Films in a similar vein would include The Blair Witch Project, meant to frighten and scare less from special effects or monsters but more from the way the film is shot and the way in which the actors convey their emotions of fear to the audience. As such, the entirety of the film is shot using the jerky, sometimes out of focus lens of a hand-held camera--for better or worse.
Where I believe the film really fails is in two parts. First, not remotely scary; as a horror movie, that is the modus operandi--scare the viewer. The only way The Last Exorcism will scare you is if you watch The Exorcist (1973) and are still frightened by the very concept of possession. Plenty of foreshadowing and misdirection which are great for the story, but at no point was I ever really scared. The other failure, in my opinion, is the ending--which is also probably the only way it could actually end. It doesn't answer any questions, and does far more to lead to a starting point for another film than it does to bring closure to this one.
Again, unless you are a fan of this particular niche of the horror genre, I would steer away from The Last Exorcism. And even then, you can probably wait until it hits DVD.
Trailer
The Last Exorcism is a documentary-style film (NOT BASED ON ACTUAL EVENTS) following an evangelical minister who allows his last exorcism to be filmed.
The Last Exorcism is a kind of movie that appeals to a particular niche audience that unfortunately I am not a part of. Films in a similar vein would include The Blair Witch Project, meant to frighten and scare less from special effects or monsters but more from the way the film is shot and the way in which the actors convey their emotions of fear to the audience. As such, the entirety of the film is shot using the jerky, sometimes out of focus lens of a hand-held camera--for better or worse.
Where I believe the film really fails is in two parts. First, not remotely scary; as a horror movie, that is the modus operandi--scare the viewer. The only way The Last Exorcism will scare you is if you watch The Exorcist (1973) and are still frightened by the very concept of possession. Plenty of foreshadowing and misdirection which are great for the story, but at no point was I ever really scared. The other failure, in my opinion, is the ending--which is also probably the only way it could actually end. It doesn't answer any questions, and does far more to lead to a starting point for another film than it does to bring closure to this one.
Again, unless you are a fan of this particular niche of the horror genre, I would steer away from The Last Exorcism. And even then, you can probably wait until it hits DVD.
Trailer
14 August 2010
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
RATING:**** (4 stars)
When Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) sees the woman of his dreams--literally--he does everything he can to win her heart. Then he finds out that by pursuing her he also has to defeat her seven evil exes. Hilarity ensues.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was made with a careful eye for story and a good knowledge of just who the target audience was. While I myself have not read the graphic novel, a good friend of mine who has (and saw the movie with me) said that they did a fantastic job of cutting out the fluff and excess and really making the story pop on-screen. So if you were looking for more from Scott's friends, check out the graphic novel (as you should for any film you enjoy based on a graphic novel). The PR for the film has been buzzing all year, with a serious emphasis on one particular demographic--gamers. These folks (and yes, I am one of them) are going to understand all the jokes, recognize all the little easter eggs and subtle winks to games of yore that are woven into this action/comedy.
While understandably some of those little nuggets are going to be lost on some people in the audience, it should not in any way detract from what is a fun romp through this over-the-top film about doing whatever you have to just to get the girl. If you don't catch this one at the theater, make sure you're first in line when it hits DVD because odds of finding a rental available anytime soon are not good.
Trailer
When Scott Pilgrim (Michael Cera) sees the woman of his dreams--literally--he does everything he can to win her heart. Then he finds out that by pursuing her he also has to defeat her seven evil exes. Hilarity ensues.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World was made with a careful eye for story and a good knowledge of just who the target audience was. While I myself have not read the graphic novel, a good friend of mine who has (and saw the movie with me) said that they did a fantastic job of cutting out the fluff and excess and really making the story pop on-screen. So if you were looking for more from Scott's friends, check out the graphic novel (as you should for any film you enjoy based on a graphic novel). The PR for the film has been buzzing all year, with a serious emphasis on one particular demographic--gamers. These folks (and yes, I am one of them) are going to understand all the jokes, recognize all the little easter eggs and subtle winks to games of yore that are woven into this action/comedy.
While understandably some of those little nuggets are going to be lost on some people in the audience, it should not in any way detract from what is a fun romp through this over-the-top film about doing whatever you have to just to get the girl. If you don't catch this one at the theater, make sure you're first in line when it hits DVD because odds of finding a rental available anytime soon are not good.
Trailer
07 August 2010
The Other Guys
RATING:*** (3 stars)
When New York City's two famous police action heroes die in the line of duty, it falls upon the rank-and-file, the other guys, to step up to the plate.
The latest film starring Will Ferrell is in a similar comedic vein, while at the same time paying homage to the fact that it is the little guys on the police force that are usually responsible for keeping us safe instead of the ones we here about all the time on TV. Also starring Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, and Steve Coogan, The Other Guys is sure to make you laugh more than once--particularly if you are old enough to have heard of a musical group from the 1990's that sang about waterfalls and scrubs.
Perhaps what really pulls down this film is the pacing. While there is no shortage of both smart and outrageous humor, the film has a number of spots where it just really seems to drag on and on. In the long run this is incredibly counter-productive because then you're waiting on the next big joke to bring you back into the action. In all honesty, some of the characters (notably Terry Hoitz) are very static and do not contribute all that much to either the story or the jokes to be particularly noteworthy.
The Other Guys is a fun summer comedy that will make you laugh at least a few times, but for some people it probably is not a film that you will choose to see in the theaters. Definitely one to look for in a couple months when it hits DVD.
Trailer
When New York City's two famous police action heroes die in the line of duty, it falls upon the rank-and-file, the other guys, to step up to the plate.
The latest film starring Will Ferrell is in a similar comedic vein, while at the same time paying homage to the fact that it is the little guys on the police force that are usually responsible for keeping us safe instead of the ones we here about all the time on TV. Also starring Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, and Steve Coogan, The Other Guys is sure to make you laugh more than once--particularly if you are old enough to have heard of a musical group from the 1990's that sang about waterfalls and scrubs.
Perhaps what really pulls down this film is the pacing. While there is no shortage of both smart and outrageous humor, the film has a number of spots where it just really seems to drag on and on. In the long run this is incredibly counter-productive because then you're waiting on the next big joke to bring you back into the action. In all honesty, some of the characters (notably Terry Hoitz) are very static and do not contribute all that much to either the story or the jokes to be particularly noteworthy.
The Other Guys is a fun summer comedy that will make you laugh at least a few times, but for some people it probably is not a film that you will choose to see in the theaters. Definitely one to look for in a couple months when it hits DVD.
Trailer
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