Plot Summary:
In the future, the Capitol selects two tributes from each district to a fight to the death on live television. On District 12, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) volunteers to take her younger sister's place in the deathmatch. She and her male counterpart, Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), will face bigger, stronger representatives from other districts that have trained for this their whole lives. Based on the books by Suzanne Collins.
The Positives:
I'll start with my review saying I have never read the original source material for this. I planned to before seeing the movie, but I never got around to it due to schoolwork and similar things. However, seeing this movie makes me want to read the books right away! I loved the concept, the characters, and the events taken place in this film. It's a world I've never been to before, but I want to explore more of.
What really strengthens this film is the casting and the performances. Jennifer Lawrence is great as Katniss Everdeen. She plays a role similar to her role in Winter's Bone, but it is given a lot more personality and emotion which makes her character more interesting. Josh Hutcherson may have finally found his breakout role as Peeta, he really delivers here. It shows how hard he has worked over the years, and finally gets a huge breakout role like this. I see him and Lawrence getting more roles because of this film, and they truly deserve to. The supporting cast is colorful and wonderful in their respective performances: In particular, I really enjoyed Woody Harrelson and Elizabeth Banks's performances here.
I was also satisfied with the direction style they went with for this film. This is Gary Ross's first film in nine years, and it is a pleasure to see him return to directing. His choices of set design and cinematography were perfect for this film. While some people complain about the shaky-cam, I quite enjoyed it. I felt it made the film look more brutal and realistic at times. The set design was created really beautifully here. For a budget of less than $100 million, they made the sets look great and different from any other film I've seen.
The writing here was excellent too. They really developed the main characters for the most part. It made me care for them and want them to succeed in the end. I also enjoyed the story and its continual suspense. It really kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the film. I also loved how for a 2 and a half hour film, they made it so fast-paced. I can say it is one of the fastest 2 and a half hours I've been in a theater for.
The Negatives:
I mentioned that I really loved the concept and the story. However, I felt at times, the story went for a more predictable route. Since it is about a fight to the death, it is somewhat obvious who lives and who dies throughout. I wish they went for a less predictable route, but the film is still enjoyable.
Also, I mentioned that I loved how they developed the main characters. I wish they developed the side characters a little more. There are many characters that could have added on to this already intense story, but for some reason they chose not to develop these characters. Hopefully, these characters are developed in the next movies.
Conclusion:
The Hunger Games is a solid start to hopefully the next big franchise. One that offers a unique concept, strong characters, and suspenseful action scenes. A very well done film that fans of the book and people who have never read the book can equally enjoy.
Rating: 8.5 out of 10
Friday, March 23, 2012
Friday, March 16, 2012
21 Jump Street Review
Plot Summary:
In high school, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) was an unpopular dork and Jenko (Channing Tatum) was a popular jock. Seven years later, they reunite at the police academy becoming friends by helping each other succeed at their weaknesses. After a failed arrest, the two are assigned to an undercover unit disguising themselves as high school students to stop a drug ring giving synthetic drugs to high school students. Based on the 80's TV show of the same name.
The Positives:
21 Jump Street is one of many 80's TV show reboots that Hollywood has been releasing lately. Most people were expecting this to be a disappointment, some being fearful that the jokes were spoiled in the trailers or the thought of another 80's reboot failure. Fear not, this film is different from any recent 80's reboot. This film has a smart, hilarious script and a whole lot of heart. Imagine the bromantic humor of Superbad, the action sequences of Bad Boys, and the clever satirical moments of Scream combined into one movie. That movie is 21 Jump Street.
One thing that really makes this film work is the pairing of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. On paper, it sounds like a weird and terrible pairing. However, on screen, this pairing is truly believable as best friends. The way they compliment and poke fun at each other seems very natural and it feels like they are lifelong friends. While Hill is expected to be very funny, Tatum shocks us all with not only a funny performance, but one that is good too. I was never a fan of Tatum in his other films, but here he makes his performance work. Maybe comedy is Channing Tatum's strong suit. Only time will tell with that statement. The rest of the performances are very good as well, in particular, Ice Cube's moments as the police captain are very hilarious.
The direction here is very well done too. Fresh off of the animated comedy Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller I thought would never be the kind of directors to do a film like this. I was proven dead wrong here. They use the same style that made Cloudy work so well. They blend fast editing with stupid humor and heartfelt moments. I hope to see these guys doing more live action work after this film.
The script here is far more clever and hilarious than I ever expected it to be. The one-liners and gross-out moments are placed perfectly in the film. However, it's the satirical moments that make this film really work. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum's characters were opposites in high school, when they go undercover they get to live their opposites in high school. What an unpredictable and smart idea. Also, they make fun of standard cop and film cliches throughout the film. It's these small things that make 21 Jump Street work as both a stand alone comedy and a brilliant parody.
The Negatives:
One issue I had with this film was the pacing at the beginning of the film. While the film is laugh out loud funny the entire film, the first 10-15 minutes were a little slow compared to the rest of the film. Then again, these minutes were meant to introduce the characters and set up the story. I guess it didn't matter that it was slow, but I wish this sequence had a little more humor.
Another issue I had was the limitation of a certain character. Ice Cube's character steals each scene he is in. However, I felt there could have been more scenes with him in it. His character really impressed me here and I wish I could've seen more of him in this film.
Conclusion:
21 Jump Street is not your average 80's reboot. It is a clever, hilarious and heartwarming parody that deserves a franchise after this film. In my book, it'll easily go down as one of the biggest surprises of 2012.
Rating: 9 out of 10
In high school, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) was an unpopular dork and Jenko (Channing Tatum) was a popular jock. Seven years later, they reunite at the police academy becoming friends by helping each other succeed at their weaknesses. After a failed arrest, the two are assigned to an undercover unit disguising themselves as high school students to stop a drug ring giving synthetic drugs to high school students. Based on the 80's TV show of the same name.
The Positives:
21 Jump Street is one of many 80's TV show reboots that Hollywood has been releasing lately. Most people were expecting this to be a disappointment, some being fearful that the jokes were spoiled in the trailers or the thought of another 80's reboot failure. Fear not, this film is different from any recent 80's reboot. This film has a smart, hilarious script and a whole lot of heart. Imagine the bromantic humor of Superbad, the action sequences of Bad Boys, and the clever satirical moments of Scream combined into one movie. That movie is 21 Jump Street.
One thing that really makes this film work is the pairing of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. On paper, it sounds like a weird and terrible pairing. However, on screen, this pairing is truly believable as best friends. The way they compliment and poke fun at each other seems very natural and it feels like they are lifelong friends. While Hill is expected to be very funny, Tatum shocks us all with not only a funny performance, but one that is good too. I was never a fan of Tatum in his other films, but here he makes his performance work. Maybe comedy is Channing Tatum's strong suit. Only time will tell with that statement. The rest of the performances are very good as well, in particular, Ice Cube's moments as the police captain are very hilarious.
The direction here is very well done too. Fresh off of the animated comedy Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller I thought would never be the kind of directors to do a film like this. I was proven dead wrong here. They use the same style that made Cloudy work so well. They blend fast editing with stupid humor and heartfelt moments. I hope to see these guys doing more live action work after this film.
The script here is far more clever and hilarious than I ever expected it to be. The one-liners and gross-out moments are placed perfectly in the film. However, it's the satirical moments that make this film really work. Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum's characters were opposites in high school, when they go undercover they get to live their opposites in high school. What an unpredictable and smart idea. Also, they make fun of standard cop and film cliches throughout the film. It's these small things that make 21 Jump Street work as both a stand alone comedy and a brilliant parody.
The Negatives:
One issue I had with this film was the pacing at the beginning of the film. While the film is laugh out loud funny the entire film, the first 10-15 minutes were a little slow compared to the rest of the film. Then again, these minutes were meant to introduce the characters and set up the story. I guess it didn't matter that it was slow, but I wish this sequence had a little more humor.
Another issue I had was the limitation of a certain character. Ice Cube's character steals each scene he is in. However, I felt there could have been more scenes with him in it. His character really impressed me here and I wish I could've seen more of him in this film.
Conclusion:
21 Jump Street is not your average 80's reboot. It is a clever, hilarious and heartwarming parody that deserves a franchise after this film. In my book, it'll easily go down as one of the biggest surprises of 2012.
Rating: 9 out of 10
Saturday, March 10, 2012
John Carter Review
Plot Summary:
Former Confederate Army captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) is mysteriously transported to Mars, known to the inhabitants as Barsoom. While there, he learns that the planet is dying from the loss of atmosphere and water. Only an alliance between its inhabitants will save the planet, Carter sets out to accomplish that.
The Positives:
One thing I really enjoyed about this film was the special effects. Andrew Stanton, who normally works on Pixar films, creates the world of Barsoom beautifully. The creatures, the landscape, and the buildings all look so realistic and original comparable to other alien films. It is obvious here that Stanton knows how to make great visuals.
Another thing I enjoyed here was the action sequences. While most of the action sequences are similar to other film's scenes, they made them look intriguing and cool. The film for the most part works as an entertaining blockbuster when it has these great action moments.
The Negatives:
Personally I was very disappointed with John Carter, I expected a lot better from the people behind it. Unlike Brad Bird, another Pixar alumni's, recent change into live action, Stanton has no style of its own to differentiate his film from other films of its genre. Also unlike Bird, he does not direct his actors very well and it shows. The performances here are all pretty terrible, both the lead and supporting. Taylor Kitsch's leading performance wanted to put me to sleep, it's simply boring and felt like he was reading his lines.
The script is a huge mess as well. The dialogue here is very cliche and unfunny during "humorous" scenes. It is filled with a lot of plot holes as well, which can confuse the audience. Also, the pacing here is not the greatest. When there are no action scenes, it feels slow and very boring. The film uses boring and uninteresting characters to make the slow scenes even more boring.
While I did enjoy the visuals of the film, at times it reminded me of a certain film I was not fond of. The film is somewhat reminiscent of the Star Wars prequels. The visuals, the music, and even some of the creatures just reminded me of that series. This film is nothing special either, so it is closer to the prequels than the original films.
Conclusion:
I really wanted to like John Carter, but the terrible script, robotic acting, and the slow pacing make this film not work as it should. As an entertaining action film, it's nothing new but still worth renting. I just hope after this film Andrew Stanton sticks to Pixar films and decides to find a creative style of his own.
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
Former Confederate Army captain John Carter (Taylor Kitsch) is mysteriously transported to Mars, known to the inhabitants as Barsoom. While there, he learns that the planet is dying from the loss of atmosphere and water. Only an alliance between its inhabitants will save the planet, Carter sets out to accomplish that.
The Positives:
One thing I really enjoyed about this film was the special effects. Andrew Stanton, who normally works on Pixar films, creates the world of Barsoom beautifully. The creatures, the landscape, and the buildings all look so realistic and original comparable to other alien films. It is obvious here that Stanton knows how to make great visuals.
Another thing I enjoyed here was the action sequences. While most of the action sequences are similar to other film's scenes, they made them look intriguing and cool. The film for the most part works as an entertaining blockbuster when it has these great action moments.
The Negatives:
Personally I was very disappointed with John Carter, I expected a lot better from the people behind it. Unlike Brad Bird, another Pixar alumni's, recent change into live action, Stanton has no style of its own to differentiate his film from other films of its genre. Also unlike Bird, he does not direct his actors very well and it shows. The performances here are all pretty terrible, both the lead and supporting. Taylor Kitsch's leading performance wanted to put me to sleep, it's simply boring and felt like he was reading his lines.
The script is a huge mess as well. The dialogue here is very cliche and unfunny during "humorous" scenes. It is filled with a lot of plot holes as well, which can confuse the audience. Also, the pacing here is not the greatest. When there are no action scenes, it feels slow and very boring. The film uses boring and uninteresting characters to make the slow scenes even more boring.
While I did enjoy the visuals of the film, at times it reminded me of a certain film I was not fond of. The film is somewhat reminiscent of the Star Wars prequels. The visuals, the music, and even some of the creatures just reminded me of that series. This film is nothing special either, so it is closer to the prequels than the original films.
Conclusion:
I really wanted to like John Carter, but the terrible script, robotic acting, and the slow pacing make this film not work as it should. As an entertaining action film, it's nothing new but still worth renting. I just hope after this film Andrew Stanton sticks to Pixar films and decides to find a creative style of his own.
Rating: 4.5 out of 10
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