Review: Fury (2014)

As someone living in a first world country in the 21st century, I am lucky to not know the ravages of war first hand. Films like this are the closest I hope I get to knowing what it is like. David Ayer has constructed a rough, down and dirty war flick. It's darn gritty, with some interesting, if cliched, characters. 

For a film set around tank warfare, it's a little different to what I'm used to seeing. Sure, we're following a gang of troops, but they fight predominantly in the tank. The film builds nicely, with some exciting and tense tank battle scenes. Holding this crew together is Brad Pitt's likeable leader. He's supported well by LaBeouf, Lerman, Pena and Bernthal. Bernthal is actually barely understandable in this flick, but I'll put it down to the character being a bit of a lug head. 

Based on a true story of a heroic feat achieved by this particular tank crew, the film is enjoyable, and doesn't shy away from showing some harsh realities of war. It's no Saving Private Ryan, but, it has plenty of action to keep you interested with moments of humanity and heart. 

Rating:

3.5 out of 5.

Review: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 (2014)

I've seen the first two films only once each. Both in the cinema, and both were quite enjoyable. They aren't great films, but they serve the purpose of providing some good entertainment with solid action and a hero we can admire. Jennifer Lawrence is the hero, and she is the glue that holds this series together. 

Although this book series is hugely popular, I've never read them and may never get around to it. The films have proved to be very successful, with the first two earning over $1.5b combined. This film will do gangbusters as well, and therefore, so will the fourth and final instalment. It's unfortunate then that the 3rd film is a complete cash grab. Oh yes, I just said that. This film should have been the final instalment, even if it ran for 3 hours. What the audience has been delivered here is just over 2 hours of set up. 

It starts out slow, then begins to build up with some action. Just as you think it is getting its legs, it falls flatline again. Sure, the story is a key element here, I won't deny it that, but fucking hell, this film completely squanders any sort of excitement that the first two were built on. The entire film flows like watching a heart monitor that has some tiny blips at very long intervals.

To its credit, it does have some excellent production value and Jennifer Lawrence is again great. She is supported well by some strong actors. I still felt that Hemsworth is just there hanging out. He gets a little more to do here, but, he's there to provide some minor love interest in all.

I definitely try to rate films in a series individually, but this film really does feel like a part of whole, and so I feel the film itself is ultimately disappointing. Yes, I know, it says part 1, but fucking hell, give the audience some credit. I don't feel like this inspires me to come back for part 2, even though it will probably be the film this one should have been. 

Rating:

2.5 out of 5.

Review: Interstellar (2014)

Christopher Nolan is one of those Director's that I really look forward to seeing a new film from. He's capable of creating spectacle on screen that is candy for your senses and often has stories that challenge my mind or at the very least immerse me into the world created. He's a master of his craft, and really, has yet to make a feature that isn't worth your time. 

Interstellar continues to see the Director and his screenwriting partner and brother Jonathan Nolan engage the viewer, this time with some highly scientific concepts and the fate of humanity. Set in what could possibly be the near future, the Earth as we know it has become a land where growing food is a difficult task. Technology has taken a back seat to the human race simply trying to feed itself. We've stopped 'wasting' money on things we don't need. NASA, now a secret organisation, is on a mission to find another planet for us to continue our existence on.

Matthew McConaughey continues his fine selection of roles with another excellent turn as Cooper. He's a former NASA pilot that is now a farmer growing corn (the only crop that we are still able to grow). He is chosen to lead a small team on a mission to explore the other side of a blackhole, to investigate the possibility of inhabiting one of a selection of newly discovered planets beyond our galaxy.

Nolan takes us on an often thrilling and tense ride through space and other worlds. The representation of space travel is impressive, and the visuals are absolutely amazing. This kind of film deserves to be seen on the biggest screen you can find. If that happens to be an IMAX screen, then lucky you. Nolan has, as per his last few films, filmed a large portion of the film using the IMAX camera system. A cinema with a great sound system is a must too. There is so much intensity in the sound mix and the score, you can feel it in your bones. Another ripper of a score from the master that is Hans Zimmer.

My wife and I discussed the film afterwards, and it was clear that it requires at least another viewing to truly appreciate what was happening and why. There's a lot of exposition taking place, so the concentration levels have to be set to high. But, that's a Nolan trademark as well, so it was to be expected. At 169 mins though, don't go in tired.

One of the key things that sometimes is lacking in Nolan's films is any sort of real emotion that draws me in deeper. I often feel like I am enjoying the spectacle and the story, but don't quite engage with the character's as I'd like to. Difficult to explain, as there is always some sort of emotion, but it feels like there is sometimes a coldness to his films. In saying that, this is quite different in Interstellar. The film seems to encompass a more sentimental nature than his previous films.

I wouldn't consider Interstellar a masterpiece on first viewing. It has some elements that will urk viewers, but these are minor in the grand scheme. It is a feature that I look forward to seeing again, and I will hopefully love more in time. This is usually the trend of experiences I have with Nolan's films. Initially almost always impressive, and very rewatchable. With each rewatch, I feel the love growing. 

I enjoy science fiction films, and love a visual spectacle on the big screen. With this sci fi opus, Christopher Nolan once again shows his films are definitely worth getting excited about. 

Rating:

4 out of 5.