Film Review - Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014)

At the Theater - "Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes" - (2014) - Set in the year 2026, a decade after the ape rebellion and subsequent simian flu outbreak that ravaged Earth's human populace, the genetically engineered and hyper-intelligent chimp, "Caesar" (Andy Serkis), now rules peacefully over two thousand apes in the forests of San Francisco.  Conflict arises as a small party of humans, seeking to repair a nearby hydro-electric dam that could restore power to their city-based community of survivors, stumbles into the apes' territory.   

Without hesitation, I will acknowledge that this particular Apes entry is far superior to it's 2011 predecessor, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes"- although not a bad film, Rise... was marred by James Franco's (This Is The End) milquetoast human lead (he's much better suited to comedic roles) and a climactic, Golden Gate Bridge staged, apes versus humans onslaught that was utterly ridiculous- apparently everyone in San Francisco owned a simian.

Dawn... is a far more substantial, spectacle-driven effort and features an exponentially larger scope; the production was allotted nearly twice the budget of the 2011 film and I believe it was utilized rather well.  The digital and motion-capture effects regarding the various apes and post-apocalyptic landscapes are thrillingly razor sharp, comfortably amongst the finest computerized effects ever put onscreen- I found myself fascinated with the level of detail on display whenever the film's simian characters were featured in close-ups.  Andy Serkis's (also "Gollum" in the Lord of The Rings/Hobbit films) performance as Caesar is awards-worthy, while many will undoubtedly remember Toby Kebbell's (RockNRolla) turn as the nefarious "Koba"- the multi-scarred, one-eyed bonobo, harboring designs on usurping Caeser as leader of the apes, is a scene-stealer. My pick for best overall effect of the film would be in those presenting the amiable orangutan "Maurice" (played by Karin Konoval).

Director Matt Reeves (Let Me In) keeps the film moving in a confident, aesthetically-pleasing manner.  Reeves is a decidedly talented filmmaker to keep track of, though he's restricted by the boundaries of a targeted PG-13 rating with this particular big-budgeted effort.  There are indeed a number of tense and violent scenes within, though none of them could be described as "bloody" or "gory". As far as a Director's personal trademark is concerned, I believe a super-cool tracking shot involving the hijacking of a tank will prove a standout.  For the most part, Reeves's direction wins out over a script treading familiar territory- the nature of which any seasoned film goer would surely recognize in rapid fashion.

I've often found myself wondering how dynamically different these summer tenpole films would be if filmmakers weren't caged in by the demands of avoiding an R-Rating.  I understand this isn't an MPAA issue as much as it's an audience issue- the masses simply don't stampede into theaters to view R-Rated films, no matter what the subject matter may be.  Those less sensitive souls should Google "chimp attack" to better understand why I digress here... the violence in these mega-budgeted Sci-Fi/Actioners is acceptable as entertainment, though highly unrealistic.  Remember, angry chimps appear to enjoy biting off fingers, toes and genitalia- there's also that whole pulling arms out of their sockets thing...

While the ape-driven drama is a highlight, there is remarkably little depth allotted to the film's non-ape characters- the human involvement here is rarely compelling and often appears as a pesky, obligatory plot device to help motor the narrative along to a promised conflict between the two diverse factions.  You'll enjoy the film while Caeser and company are onscreen- the humans, not so much...

Jason Clarke (Zero Dark Thirty) is merely serviceable as the central human protagonist here; this revamped franchise seemingly appears reliant on either casting weak leads or manipulating talented actors into giving listless performances.  Clarke's previous films have proven him talented, though I'm not so sure he's leading man material.  His everyman, "Malcolm", simply isn't given enough to do of a dynamic nature to stick in the memory past an hour of leaving the theater.

Gary Oldman (The Professional) is underutilized as the militaristic leader of the San Francisco based human survivors.  Much like most of the human characters in the film, his "Dreyfuss" is essentially a thinly-drawn rehash of a myriad of characters movie-goers have seen in stories of this ilk time and time again. The narrative only briefly touches upon a man whose motives are defined by the loss of loved ones- there's no good reason this particular character arc couldn't have been fleshed out a bit more.

 Keri Russell (August Rush) and Kodi Smit-McPhee (Let Me In) round out the notable (human) cast as Malcolm's wife and son, respectively.

A few plot-related issues:

1. Two supporting human characters, members of a small party seeking to repair the aforementioned dam (played by Jon Eyes and Enrique Murciano), bewilderingly vanish from the narrative near the final act and with nary an attempt at an explanation.  I was wondering if maybe their characters met a violent end that was cut from the film to secure the PG-13 or to further manipulate our sympathy with the apes... we may never know.

2. The apes are smart enough to operate fully automatic weapons, though I can't seem to recall one shot of any of the simians reloading their firearms... come to think of it, none of them carried extra ammo mags either...

3. A sequence where a female ape delivers a baby amongst masked nurses is laughably bad... deep in the forest...in an open treehouse... surrounded by wet, mud-covered, open-wounded monkeys... yet wearing nurse masks... C'mon, Man!

4.  I found it interesting/disheartening (and rather typical of liberal Hollywood) that the filmmakers chose to present a trio of firearm-reliant human characters as hateful, simpleton stereotypes- you know, the kind that deserve to die (lame). 

***End of nit-picking***

Reeves's sure-handed guidance sets the course towards an explosive climax that delivers the goods in spectacular fashion.  I chose to check this out in 2D as opposed to shelling out for the extra dimension and find myself second-guessing that decision.  The film is commendably lensed by Cinematographer Michael Seresin (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) while Michael Giacchino's original score is a welcomed affair that harkens back to the music featured in 1968's Planet of the Apes. 

Audiences will be treated to a third cinematic volume of this rebooted series in 2016- remember a few brief snippets of news that periodically popped up in the first movie concerning a missing Mars space probe named "Icarus"?  I'm fairly certain that particular vessel will be reintroduced in a future installment in some manner.   

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes would be my pick as the second strongest entry in this long-running franchise, behind only the 1968 original- although an obviously rather dated film, the narrative theme/underlying messages were far more powerful and timely, star Charlton Heston was a vastly superior human lead and the ending will remain iconic for generations to come.  Where Planet... was bound by the technology of the era, Dawn... is bound by current sensibilities; the effects are outstanding, though the lack of ferocity in the material hinders the experience.  I find it important to add that I felt similarly about Steven Spielberg's kid-friendly, dinosaurs run amok film, Jurassic Park (1993).

All things considered, Dawn... comes recommended as a spectacle experience- I believe the effects work coupled with a strong third act are enough to warrant a theatrical viewing.  Those seeking an experience of substantial dramatic weight will more than likely be disappointed.  It's a film that is somewhat reminiscent of Avatar- see it once then pick it apart later...

8.0 out of 10

Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kirk Acevedo, Nick Thurston, Terry Notary, Karin Konoval and Judy Greer
Run-Time: 130 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief strong language

Film Review - Under The Skin (2014)

On DVD and Blu Ray - "Under The Skin" - (2014) - Scarlett Johansson stars in this deliberately paced character study of an alien seductress that cruises the Scottish landscape in search of single men.  Luring the unfortunate souls back to her dilapidated, countryside lair, she... well, you're just going to have to watch it, now aren't you?

Our sentient being of unknown origin eventually begins to question her existence and purpose, while subsequently developing an interest in the human experience.  Yes, it sounds a bit like 1995's Species, though, I assure you the familiar premise is tackled in an original, albeit 100% weird fashion.  To those who have been (im)patiently waiting on Johansson to make a feature film debut appearance in all her nekkid glory: the wait is over.

Johansson is the only professional acting talent involved here, with the vast majority of the remaining cast comprised of non-actors. The 29-year-old actress puts in commendably brave work and appears dedicated to actively seeking out diverse roles and challenging projects.

I'll remember one particular interlude involving a disfigured fellow (Adam Pearson) for quite some time to come, while many will likely find a sequence involving an abandoned toddler left upon a beach before the rising tides as most disturbing. Potential viewers can expect strange sequences set in featureless voids and a black, oily abyss that... well, there I go again...

English director Jonathan Glazer's (Sexy Beast) Drama/Sci-Fi/Thriller is a tightly written and intelligent affair- those with patience, and a taste for the bizarre, should discover a highly rewarding experience.  Although cold to the touch, I realized about two-thirds of the way through the film's run-time that I was slack-jawed and mesmerized.  Yes, I've thrown the term "Kubrickian" around quite a bit in 2014, yet the pacing, captivating visual compositions and overall feel is once again undeniably reminiscent of the late, master auteur's style.  The proceedings are further accentuated by a tense, string-heavy score that would have made Bernard Herrmann proud...

No, it's not for all tastes, though one thing's for certain- Scarlett Johansson's fans (and oglers) will never look upon the actress the same again...

Highly Recommended

9.0 out of 10

Director: Jonathan Glazer
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy McWilliams, Linsey Taylor Mackay
Run-Time: 108 minutes
MPAA: Rated R for graphic nudity, sexual content, some violence and language

Film Review - How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

At the Theater - "How To Train Your Dragon 2" - (2014) - "Hiccup" the Viking and "Toothless" the Night Fury Dragon return in this outstanding sequel to Dreamworks Animation's 2010 film- it's a gorgeous and exciting high-flying achievement that somehow surpasses its most excellent predecessor.  This is great fun for the entire family, full of soaring spectacle, scenic environments, well-placed bits of humor and a host of finer, humanistic touches. I firmly believe that it belongs comfortably amongst the greatest animated films ever made.

This particular entry in the franchise finds Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and Toothless stumbling upon a massive dragon refuge maintained by a mysterious dragon rider.  A scarred warlord intent on corralling the world's remaining dragons to be used as tools to vanquish his enemies further complicates matters. 

Expect a healthy dose of genuine laughs mixed in with a few heart-tugging moments- I could hear the sniffles throughout the theater, from young and old alike, on two different occasions.  HTTYD2 is a commendably written affair- a few revelations and one tragedy make for a substantial animated foray.

Whenever legendary Cinematographer Roger Deakins is brought on board as a consultant for an animated film, take notice- the digitally rendered landscapes are THE most amazingly vibrant creations ever displayed in an animated feature.  This film is just plain awesome to behold on a large screen.

The only negative I could come up with is that a climactic showdown feels somewhat similar in nature to the original's denouement- that's nit-picking, though, as there's a wealth of finer details that set it apart. A battle between two massive, tusked "Bewilderbeasts" matches any other tentpole effect put onscreen in 2014 (thus far). 

Cate Blanchett (The Gift) lends her talents to the already impressive vocal cast as a new character whose nature I won't bother to spoil, while Djimon Hounsou (Gladiator) makes his first franchise appearance as the villainous "Drago Bludvist". 

If you haven't yet, check this out in a quality theater and in 3D- the extra dimensional presentation is very much worthwhile.  This is one film I'm definitely buying a 3D Blu Ray copy of on it's first day of release.

Highly Recommended, it's a Midnight Max Essential

9.5 out of 10

Director: Dean Deblois
Vocal Talent: Jay Baruchel, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, T.J. Miller, Kristen Wiig, Cate Blanchett, Djimon Hounsou and Kit Harington
Run-Time: 102 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor

Film Review: The Fault In Our Stars (2014)

At the Theater - "The Fault In Our Stars" - (2014) - This Drama/Comedy/Romance tale concerning the blossoming love affair between two young adults whose lives have been irrevocably interrupted by personal battles with cancer is sure to strike a few chords with those who've lost loved ones to the disease and will more than likely find even the most jaded viewers with a case of "watery eyes".  Director Josh Boone's (Stuck In Love) feature film adaptation of John Green's bestselling novel (of the same title) is powered by two excellent performances from its two leads; though secondary characters are thin and a couple of subplots are a bit underdeveloped, the chemistry between Shailene Woodley (Divergent) and Ansel Elgort (Carrie 2013) is undeniable strong.

I was surprised to find a few genuine laughs given the subject matter- the witty, natural exchanges between Woodley's highly intelligent, though understandably weary "Hazel" and Elgort's carefree but charismatic "Gus" are worthwhile throughout.  The immensely talented Woodley continues a stellar run here while more seasoned film lovers will find the twenty-year-old Elgort quite reminiscent of a young Jeff Bridges (circa 1974's Thunderbold and Lightfoot)- the similarity in their looks and mannerisms is uncanny. 

I was fine with a first kiss that occurred at the Anne Frank house, though I didn't care at all for the applause from several onlookers- it was indeed gaudy.  The character of "Isaac" (Nat Wolff), an annoying friend of Gus's battling impending blindness, seemed pulled from a lesser film while a subplot involving  a crusty, alcoholic writer (Willem Dafoe) is strangely mishandled.  I found myself wishing there had been a bit more for Laura Dern (Jurassic Park), portraying Hazel's mother, to do here- I had forgotten that she's actually a very good actress.  There are still many poignant and heartfelt sequences to counterbalance these deficiencies- the onscreen couple keeps matters elevated while the romance angle rarely hits a false note.  Expect a warmly captured movie that features a nice soundtrack- while it may be a tad overlong, the film doesn't necessarily overstay it's welcome.

Those who haven't read the book should understand that events do take a tragic turn rather late, though from a somewhat unexpected direction.  There's a surprising amount of honesty mixed in with the obligatory helping of melodrama- The Fault... intermittently brushes against greatness though never can quite secure it's grip on the distinction.  The film is still very much worthwhile for those interested and comes Highly Recommended. 

Yes, I had a few tears slide down my cheeks- I usually just act like I'm adjusting my hat when wiping away the evidence...

8.5 out of 10

Director: Josh Boone
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Nat Wolff, Lotte Verbeek and Willem Dafoe
Run-Time: 126 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and brief strong language

Film Review - Snowpiercer (2014)

Currently available via Video On Demand-

On VOD - "Snowpiercer" - (2014) - Set in the year 2031, Earth has fallen victim to a man-made disaster and is now completely covered in ice.  With the last remnants of humanity aboard a massive, rapidly moving, state-of-the-art train as it circles the planet in perpetual motion, the impoverished dregs and their decadent, elitist oppressors become locked in a deadly revolution.

Chris Evans (Captain America: The Winter Soldier) stars as the leader of the the grimy downtrodden who populate the tail end of the train- living in squalor, cowering to armed guards and fed cold, gelatinous protein bars, he unites the faction in an attempt to overtake the train.  It would be Evans who holds the film together in a haunted, though charismatic turn- he's cemented himself as a leading man and has presence to spare here.  A late film revelation gives the 33-year-old actor a little room to stretch his talents into darker territory and he triumphs.

Song Kang Ho (The Host 2006) co-stars as a drug-addicted, tech-savvy, mystery man who aides our group in their push forward, while Tilda Swinton (Michael Clayton) is the buck-toothed orator who acts as an emissary.

Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot), Octavia Spencer (The Help), and John Hurt (Hellboy) portray thin stock characters pulled from the dusty shelves of some post-apocalyptic, action movie warehouse and clumsily inserted into the narrative.  Even Ed Harris's (The Rock) involvement is a bit of a choke job.

A much-publicized battle of wills between Director Bong Joon-Ho (The Host 2006) and The Weinstein Company (the film's US distributor) led the movie-loving masses to believe that the South Korean auteur had secured his full cut of the film- it seems Harvey Weinstein wanted 20 minutes of this film cut for American audiences yet lost out after widespread internet outcry.  All things considered, and after watching the film, I still have a hard time believing that this 126 minute film is complete- it's undeniably ambitious and presented with an epic scope, yet brimming with poorly defined characters, marred by a choppily edited narrative and leaves so many avenues and ideas unexplored that it can't possibly be a finished product.  I've heard rumors of a 150+ minute cut but have no solid evidence of this and can only comment on what I paid to see.

What remains is an dark, lumbering, uneven mess with a highly problematic narrative- the experience threatens to collapse under it's own weight at nearly every turn.  The film starts off rather promising but becomes less and less interesting with each plot hole and overly-contrived/outlandish occurrence.  Remember how Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome was a disappointing shambles, continuously spinning it's wheels just when you thought it was about to take off?

The set designs are impressive and there are a few pleasant, albeit weird little moments strewn about, though the film's special effects are all over the map and Marco Beltrami's music is often overbearing.  Potential audiences can expect a handful of bloody skirmishes and shootouts, including one slow-mo-heavy showdown with a horde of axe-wielding bad guys.  Some of the environments that our crew of protagonists pass through for the first time are rather striking while one particular sequence involving a classroom of children is left-field crazy-cool... I wish there had been more inspiration of its nature.

This could have been something special with moderate attention to detail given to its script.  As is, Snowpiercer is a merely passable Sci-Fi venture at best; a topical foray in the genre that (disappointingly) wallows in dumb action movie territory.  Based on a French Graphic Novel ("Le Transperceneige" by Jacques Lob) and adapted for American audiences by a South Korean Director... I'm thinking maybe, just maybe something was lost in translation...

Worth a rental, though maybe not during the colder nights of the year...

7.0 out of 10

Director: Bong Joon Ho
Cast: Chris Evans, Song Kang Ho, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, John Hurt, Ed Harris, Ewan Bremner, Ah-sung Ko and Alison Pill
Run-Time: 126 minutes
MPAA: Rated R for violence, language and drug content

Film Review - The Raid 2 (2014)

On DVD and Blu Ray - "The Raid 2" - (2014) - Director Gareth Evans's sequel to 2012's *Indonesian martial arts actioner, "The Raid: Redemption" somehow miraculously surpasses the original- it's one of the finest sequels and outright greatest action flicks ever made.  Well deserving of the "epic" label, it's one-third prison flick, one-third crime epic and one-third action movie euphoria. Not for the faint of heart or squeamish, The Raid 2 is also one of the bloodiest films to ever grace its genre. 

Iko Uwais returns to star as "Rama", a former S.W.A.T. team member who goes deep undercover to infiltrate a Jakartan crime syndicate in an effort to protect his family.  This particular entry in the franchise clocks in at 150 minutes long and is a substantially more patient, labyrinthine and sure-handed affair- if the 2012 film was similar in nature to 1988's Die Hard, this particular venture bears elements reminiscent of Heat (1995), The Departed (2006) and Hard Boiled (1992).  The performances are fine across the board, and I simply cannot fathom why Uwais hasn't become a household name by now.  In comparison, Tony Jaa's cinematic forays have been sophomoric kid stuff...

Potential viewers can expect a mud-caked, shiv-infested, crimson-streaked prison yard brawl, a host of bone-crunching, mano-y-mano confrontations, a high-speed, multi-vehicle chase/gun battle sequence and a pretty young lady's gory, hammer-time rampage on a subway.  I'll remember a climactic, blood-soaked, one-on-one karambit knife fight (set in a Night Club's kitchen) for the remainder of my life- simply stated, it's tense, thrilling stuff and the best of it's type ever put to film. 

If there was one thing I would pick at, it would be a sequence where one aluminum baseball bat-wielding thug's hitting accuracy borders on absurd- outside of this hiccup, the narrative logic is decidedly sound.

Much like its franchise predecessor, the brutal confrontations are elaborately choreographed and exceptionally filmed- the stunt-heavy skirmishes are easy to follow and impressive in scope.  There is none of that wire-fu horseshit here and I had a difficult time spotting any CGI whatsoever.  The film's pulsating original score is first rate while the overall experience is punctuated with an ambiguous, albeit well-conceived conclusion.  If allowed, Director Gareth Evans (not to be confused with Godzilla 2014's Gareth Edwards) would surely leave quite an impression upon American audiences... then again, they may not be prepared for him.

The Raid 2 serves as a prime example of why American action cinema has completely lost its bite and intestinal fortitude.  August of 2014 brings the release of the exponentially larger budgeted, kid-friendly PG-13 rated Expendables 3... what a cowardly money grab that's turning out to be.

Highly Recommended- it's a Midnight Max Essential.

9.5 out of 10

*Subtitle Alert

Director: Gareth Huw Evans
Cast: Iko Uwais, Arifin Putra, Julie Estelle, Yayan Ruhian, Oka Antara, Tio Pakusadewo, Alex Abbad, Ryuhei Matsuda, Kenchi Endo and Kazuki Kitamura
Run-Time: 150 minutes
MPAA: Rated R for sequences of strong bloody violence throughout, sexuality and language

For what it's worth:

The Raid: Redemption - (2012) - 8.5 

Film Review - The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

On DVD and Blu Ray - "The Grand Budapest Hotel" - (2014) - Ralph Fiennes stars as "Monsieur Gustave H."- the "legendary", womanizing concierge of The Grand Budapest Hotel, who, along with faithful lobby boy "Zero" (Tony Revolori), becomes embroiled in the events surrounding a murdered countess (Tilda Swinton).  Throw in the theft of a priceless painting and the vengeful tactics of the would-be heir (Adrian Brody) to a massive family fortune and you'd end up with a quirky farce reminiscent of the kind of screwball comedies that were popular during the the 1930's and 1940's... all lovingly mixed in with a bit of Alfred Hitchcock's dark humor, for good measure. A truly wonderful performance from Fiennes anchors the experience nicely, while a surprisingly effective and heartfelt conclusion had me fighting back tears.

Although I've enjoyed some of Director Wes Anderson's (Moonrise Kingdom, Rushmore) films, the Houston, Texas native's distinct storytelling style isn't normally my cup of tea- the nostalgic tone and stagey approach works wonderfully here, though The Grand Budapest... is also his darkest and most violent offering, thus far.  I didn't expect severed heads and fingers in an Anderson film...

Fiennes (Skyfall) is at his most charismatic, displaying a surprising knack for comedic timing that I found most unexpected and appealing.  The English actor has been featured in comedic roles before, though never quite this zany and decidedly fine-tuned.

Guatemalan actor Tony Revolori (The Perfect Game) leaves his mark as "Zero Moustafa"; the young lobby boy who becomes Gustave's protege and most trusted friend.  Most of the film finds the young man at the star's side, willing and able to match Fiennes whenever necessary.

Saoirse Ronan (Byzantium) provides fine, if reticent, support as Zero's fiance, "Agatha"- a baker's daughter sporting a Mexico-shaped birthmark upon her cheek.  I believe Ronan and Olivia Wilde would tie for most alluring pair of eyes in Hollywood...

Of the supporting cast, most will remember Willem Dafoe's (Spider-Man 2002) turn as a cold-blooded assassin... complete with fangs.  His departure from the film elicited the heartiest belly laugh from myself. 

Expect a thoroughly charming affair of a bygone era told in retrospect, harkening back to a poverty-stricken landscape molded by an impending war- the subject matter is considerably different, though I found this film somewhat reminiscent of 1942's Ernst Lubitsch film, To Be Or Not To Be.  The film rockets along at breakneck speed, showcasing a number of elaborate, ornate set pieces, a host of cool cameos and a few delightfully innovative, budget-strapped chase sequences. A wild gun battle and a crowd-pleasing, cliffhanger-style climax should put a smile on most faces, though the film is capped off with a heart-breakingly poignant ending that will stick with you.

The Grand Budapest Hotel reeled me in early and held my attention throughout- I would consider it tied with “The Royal Tenenbaums” as my favorite film from Wes Anderson.  It's a fun throwback, of sorts, and comes Highly Recommended.

8.5 out of 10

Director: Wes Anderson

Cast: Ralph Fiennes, F. Murray Abraham, Mathieu Amalric, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Tilda Swinton, Jeff Goldblum, Harvey Keitel, Jude Law, Bill Murray, Edward Norton, Saoirse Ronan, Jason Schwartzman, Lea Seydoux, Tom Wilkinson, Owen Wilson, Bob Balaban, Fisher Stevens and Tony Revolori

Run-Time: 100 minutes

MPAA: Rated R for language, some sexual content and violence 

For what it's worth: The Films of Wes Anderson-

Bottle Rocket (1996) - 7.5
Rushmore (1998) - 8.0
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001) - 8.5
The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou (2004) - 4.0
The Darjeeling Limited (2007) - 6.5
The Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009) - NA- Haven't seen
Moonrise Kingdom (2012) - 8.0

Film Review - The Lego Movie (2014)

On DVD and Blu Ray - "The Lego Movie" - (2014) - I wasn't too keen on seeing this in theaters but recently relented with the positive feedback (and a bit of ribbing) from friends- what I found was a bizarre, but fun and unexpectedly ambitious animated venture that had me hooked for the entirety of its run-time.  I enjoyed the myriad of "cameos" throughout and found the animation sharp and impressive- it may take multiple viewings to catch all of the onscreen proceedings, though.

Chris Pratt stars as the unremarkable but amenable construction worker, "Emmet"- he's apparently the chosen one depicted in a prophecy that will save all of Lego Land from the tyrannical rule of Will Ferrell's "Lord Business"... hell, I didn't even mind Ferrell's involvement, and that's saying something.

One of my many celebrity crushes, Elizabeth Banks, "co-stars" here, lending her voice to the character "Wild-Style"- I imagine listening to her recite a dictionary would prove to be a thrill.  I'd also love to see the behind-the-scenes footage of Liam Neeson's "Good Cop/Bad Cop" routine...now that should be some hilarious stuff.

Too bad Warner Brothers couldn't intermingle any Marvel characters with all of their DC heroes and it was some kind of super cool to hear Billy Dee Williams "reprise" his role of "Lando Frickin' Calrissian"!

A late film revelation gives a few layers of added depth and substantial poignancy to the film- it was more than I bargained for.  Overall, The Lego Movie is a pleasant experience that provides ample spectacle, doesn't overstay it's welcome and has plenty of good, clean chuckles.

Recommended

8.5 out of 10

Director: Phil Lord & Christopher Miller
Vocal Talent: Chris Pratt, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Nick Offerman, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Liam Neeson and Morgan Freeman
Run-Time: 100 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG for mild action and rude humor

Film Review: Transformers: Age Of Extinction (2014)

At the Theater - "Transformers: Age Of Extinction" - (2014) - If bloated, obnoxious and dumber than a sack of hammers is your idea of a perfect summer movie-going experience, then this fourth entry in Director Michael Bay's Transformers franchise is your personal love letter.  Potential viewers should expect Bay's trademark penchants for pyrotechnics galore, overly dramatic usages of slow-motion, vehicle fetishism, leggy, vapid beauties (not a complaint), rapid-fire editing, adolescent humor and stilted dialogue- after explosion #938 I began to tune out and periodically check my watch, contemplating my post-movie meal...

There are admittedly some good qualities here: the digitally-rendered Transformers are as sharp and as vibrant as ever, the elaborate sequences of chaos/mayhem are commendably detailed, the set pieces and sound design are impressive, while Mark Wahlberg is a substantial improvement over Shia LaBeouf as the human face of the franchise- he's a far more believable main protagonist/action star and is able to keep matters afloat for substantial portions of the film.

I'm all for good, dumb fun, but the film's two hour and forty-five minute run-time, coupled with a ridiculously overstuffed plot, drowns out the experience about halfway through- one can't help but get the notion that a full third of a future film's plot-line has been violently shoe-horned into this one.  Screenwriter Ehren Kruger apparently hammered out the script for this film (his third in the franchise) though it's fairly obvious that Michael Bay's spontaneous ideas and predilection for excess once again mutated the narrative.  A number of unintentionally hilarious plot contradictions hint at two story-tellers clearly not on the same page.

This particular story takes place a mere five years after the events depicted in "Transformers: Dark of the Moon"- it appears saving the world just wasn't good enough as Kelsey Grammar's (Television's Frazier) rogue CIA Agent, "Harold Attinger", has teamed up with powerful, otherworldly forces in an effort to hunt down and terminate all Transformers, good and bad, with extreme prejudice.  Grammar supplies a solid main villain, while the scenery-chewing Titus Welliver (The Town) portrays his deadly serious field agent, "James Savoy".

Wahlberg's Texas based inventor, "Cade Yeager", marks the films most charismatic and resonant character- staving off financial ruin while struggling to raise his teenaged daughter (a generic Nicola Peltz), the buff gadgeteer (?) stumbles upon a bullet-riddled, rusty and dormant Optimus Prime.  

Jack Reynor (Delivery Man) is insufferable as the cocky boyfriend of Cade's daughter- no self-respecting father would put up with his antics and most will find themselves wanting to strangle the bastard in record fashion.

Stanley Tucci (Big Night) provides the most laughs as a corporate inventor with sketchy motives, while the shaggy-haired T.J. Miller (Cloverfield) portrays Cade's surf-boarding business partner- remember, the duo's base of operations is located in Texas...where surfing is notoriously awful.

Li Bingbing (1911),  portraying a Chinese industrialist, and Sophia Myles (Underworld),  as a globe-hopping geologist, are mere window-dressings- don't expect much depth from any of the female characters here...or in any Bay film, for that matter.

John Goodman (The Big Lebowski) and Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai) make their franchise debut, lending their vocal talents to the Autobots, "Hound" (Oshkosh Defense Medium Tactical Vehicle) and "Drift" (2013 Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse), respectively.  I could have sworn that Ray Winstone supplied the voice of the green, trench coated "Crosshairs" (2014 Chevrolet Corvette C7 Stingray), though I was mistaken- turns out it was voice artist John DiMaggio.

The intergalactic bounty hunter "Lockdown" (voiced by Mark Ryan) would mark my second favorite Transformer design in this franchise, behind "Shockwave's" super-cool aesthetic in 2011's Dark Of The Moon.

Fan favorite "Bumblebee" (modified '67 Camaro and a 2014 Chevrolet Camaro concept) is once again present while a few Dinobots make a final act appearance- you just haven't lived until you've witnessed Optimus Prime riding "Grimlock's" mechanized Tyrannosaurus Rex bareback and charging into battle.

A couple of issues to consider:

1. Optimus Prime can apparently fly here, so why would he task our merry band of humans with toting around a highly coveted weapon of mass destruction (while being chased by a myriad of villains) through the streets and across the rooftops of Beijing?  As he's capable, why not hoist the deadly MacGuffin into space?

2. Nasty, human-engineered Transformers have the ability to rapidly morph in a molecular, airborne fashion, without the pesky hindrance of gravity- why would these baddies waste their time climbing a skyscraper to reach a group of targeted humans?  Why not morph into floating particle mode to overtake them in an exponentially faster manner?

It's commendable that Bay dropped his affinity for Linkin Park, utilizing Imagine Dragons' "Battle Cry" throughout- that said, shouldn't a soundtrack laden with AC/DC tunes be a more natural fit given the subject matter?

The action is damned-near non-stop and is filmed well, though Bay's still woefully inadequate when faced with tonal shifts- he simply cannot grasp the art of subtlety and is seemingly growing less and less concerned with narrative coherency.  Transformers: Age Of Extinction is a sprawling, mindless, cheesy spectacle that should please teenaged boys with attention span issues- I'm not so sure it's made for any other demographic...


6.0 out of 10

Director: Michael Bay
Cast: Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammar, Nicola Peltz, Jack Reynor, Titus Welliver, Sophia Myles, Bingbing Li, and T.J. Miller
Vocal Talent: Peter Cullen, Frank Welker, John Goodman, Ken Watanabe, Robert Foxworth, John DiMaggio, Mark Ryan and Reno Wilson
Run-Time: 165 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, language and brief innuendo

For what it's worth: How I've felt about the previous Transformer films- 

Transformers (2007) - 8.0
Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen (2009) - 4.0
Transformers: Dark Of The Moon (2011) - 6.5

Film Review - Ernest & Celestine (2014)

On DVD and Blu Ray - “Ernest & Celestine” - (2014) - This refreshingly simplistic, French-Belgian produced animated tale of the unlikely bond between an artistically-inclined mouse (voiced by Mackenzie Foy) and a destitute, street-musician bear (voiced by Forest Whitaker) is a fun, endearing and heartwarming throwback- delightfully hand-drawn and beautifully water-colored, it’s a welcomed diversion from the massively-budgeted, digitally-rendered releases dominating the silver screens.

Based on a series of children’s books from Belgian author and illustrator Gabrielle Vincent, expect a whimsical, charming and slightly-offbeat tale of the friendship, loyalty, and love between two diverse, hard-luck dreamers.   The narrative unfolds onscreen like the pages of a classic story-book, with a number of sincerely touching moments and a few strange, yet magical diversions strewn about.  Clocking in right at 80 minutes, I wish it had been a good 10-15 minutes longer.

Highly Recommended- smaller children will surely enjoy it, though it should prove worthwhile for anyone with an appreciation for an occasional sweet-natured fable.

9.0 out of 10

Director: Stephane Aubier, Vincent Patar and Benjamin Renner
Featuring the Vocal Talents of: Forest Whitaker, Mackenzie Foy, Lauren Bacall, Paul Giamatti, William H. Macy, Megan Mullally, Nick Offerman and Jeffrey Wright
Run-Time: 80 minutes
MPAA: Rated PG for some scary moments