Review: Transformers - Age of Extinction (2014)

This is the kind of film I have to rate based on how much I enjoyed it, but not for it's quality of character development, acting or story. It's Michael Bay at his most bombastic!

Yep, it's loud, obscene, gratuitous, ridiculous....but hell, I had a really great time at the cinema with this.

I'm a Michael Bay fan. I have been ever since Bad Boys graced the screen, and I haven't looked back. He makes the kind of movies that feed my need for popcorn cinema at its most extreme. Sure, there is The Avengers and Iron Man style of popcorn cinema, and then there is Bayhem.

He's got plenty of haters out there, but, box office shows, plenty of people flock to see his 'onslaught to the senses' films.

I had ear to ear grins while watching this movie. At nearly 3 hours, it is a bit of a stretch, but, Bay is no slouch in the action dept, and he delivers in spades. There's laughs to be had along the way, and some truly awe inspiring effects shots.

Leave your critic hat at the door for this one. Yes, you could tear it to shreds as a critic would, but, let go, and have some fun. Bay certainly is.

Rating:

4 out of 5.

Review: Before Midnight (2013)

I thought the first two were very good. They captured the joy of discovery and falling in love. The conversations were quite natural, and the performances very real.

This film, I think, it is better than the first two. I enjoyed the ensemble scenes at the start, with the conversations between the main characters and others being enjoyable to listen to. Once away from that, the feelings and emotion between the two came across a lot stronger for me in this one. They truly did seem like a couple that is a bit on edge with each other. It was not all lovey dovey, like the first two.

One thing I also loved about this film, was the extended single shot dialogue scene at the start in the car. When you watch it, take note of how long each scene is...barely any cuts there. Amazing to see two actors just completely embodying their characters that way.

Beautiful to see these characters and actors grow with each over nearly 20 years. Well done!

Rating:

4 out of 5.

Review: Oldboy (2013)

I saw the original film a few months ago. I quite liked it. It was dark, and well made. Spent time to show you the real angst of the characters, especially the one imprisoned.

This Spike Lee remake takes the story, changes it up a bit, and then tries to execute it too quickly. I just didn't feel the time spent with Brolin in the apartment prison was long enough.

His relationship with Olsen's character seemed too forced. The fight scene in the apartment complex with all the goons seemed like a very crappy version of The Raid. The copycat style just didn't work for this. If you're going to do a remake, then take the story and completely immerse it into a new world. But, instead, we've got dumplings as the food again, and some asian influences? Why bother with that? Is it a nod to the original?

Brolin himself is decent enough, but I think the torment was better displayed in the original. The villain himself seems almost comic like in this. I don't know if Sharlto was right for it. Olsen is fine herself...she's got great boobs!

I just think that overall, this is a bit of a half hearted rehash. The effort is just not there, to take something that is considered a cult classic, and do it justice. For a great example, see Infernal Affairs, and then the remake of it The Departed. That's how you do it!

In the end, I thought, on it's own, if the original didn't exist, this would be a good film - i did enjoy it. But, because it is essentially nothing new, and lazy, it is disappointing.

Rating:

2.5 out of 5.

Review: 22 Jump Street (2014)

Well, get ready for a laugh riot....because, this film delivers it in spades. Hill and Tatum bring some more comedy gold.

The story is the same as last time, but, surprisingly, this movie takes the piss out of that - bigger budget, same story...hahaha...hell, it even goes to the point of taking the piss out of future sequels.

There's no point in going into story here - if you've seen the first, you know what it'll be about. The jokes aren't a repeat though, it feels quite fresh. It gets off to a bit of a shaky start, but, there's a point for me that it picked up and never looked back. My face hurt when coming out of this film.

Basically, if you want to laugh your ass off, then get to it! I'd say it is on par with the first.

Rating:

4 out of 5.

Review: The Thin Red Line (1998)

This is my first Terrence Malick film. I've heard about how great he is, but also heard how terrible some people think he is. Well, based on one film, I certainly wouldn't say he is terrible, but, he has a style that is different. It won't be for everyone. Not saying I love the style, but, I do appreciate it.

The film is set in the south pacific, at somepoint during WW2. It starts out like a dream almost. But, slowly we're brought into this world of soldiers, and the film starts to take shape as we follow these soldiers into a brutal battle.

For me, the distinguishing qualities in this film to others is the long glances that Malick uses on his characters. He doesn't seem to be afraid to capture a scene, to let the audience soak it in and think about what you're seeing. The other distinguishing element about this film is the voiceover. It's like we're being told a story, or we're getting an insight into the characters minds. Their fears, their thoughts of this war, life, love and so on. Sometimes I think I got so swept up in watching what was going on, I forgot to listen.

The battle/fight scenes are quite well done, as you would expect of war films. You're caught right in the middle, as soldiers are blown apart by bombs and gunfire around you. Malick again does well to show us this horror, but he juxtaposes this physical violence with the trauma on the soldiers mental state. It's not all blood and guts, but a large character portrait on the toll these soldiers take. I thought it was also interesting to see the Japanese soldiers suffering as well. The 'badguys' are not faceless. They hurt and agonise just like the 'goodguys'.

A twitter/letterboxd friend used the word poetic when describing Malicks films. I have to say, I can see what he meant. There is this seemingly poem like way the film is structured and presented. I certainly admired this movie, and hope to revisit it again one day. It stands up there with some other great war films I've seen, like Apocalypse Now, Platoon and Saving Private Ryan.

Rating: 

4 out of 5.

X-Men: Days of Future Past - Additional Thoughts

I rewatched this a week after seeing it for the first time. Mainly because I had mixed feelings on the first viewing. I now know why - what bugged me was the lack of action sequences. I know, a picky bug bear. This x-men film is like a superhero drama, which studies at a character level the consequences of our actions, and how we as humanity can learn to live and tolerate each other - regardless of differences.

This is all great, but, the exciting action set pieces aren't there to balance it out. Sure, there's the amazing kitchen scene and the finale is pretty good. However, it is mainly backed up by a lot of talking. Again, I don't mind this, but for me, a tent pole X-Men film needs to bring it, and this just falls short.

It still a very very good movie, and it does well to incorporate story threads from all films, but, it is behind First Class and X2 as far as excitment is concerned. Perhaps, after a few more viewings, I may change my mind, but for now, this is how i feel about it.

See also my original review from a week before here: http://toomuchtowatch.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/review-x-men-days-of-future-past.html