Dazzling, delightful, magical. It's nice to escape to and believe in a fairy tale world, even if just for a couple of hours.
DVD: http://tinyurl.com/y73z62q
A different breed of heroes, but the makeup is similar to "Top Gun" or "G.I. Jane."
The picture is framed with stereotyped roles, cliched lines and requisite scenes, but it works as a whole. An inspiring remembrance to the sacrifices in the lives of the U.S. Coast Guards, those who risk their lives at sea so "Others may live." Heartpounding suspense, hearty laughter and emotional tears. The rescue scenes are nail-biting. The special effects realistically illustrate the volatility of the vast sea. Both Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher play their respective roles, as the wise weathered mentor and young brass, real well. They connect and establish instant rapport from the onset. The ending could go either way, but this one actually fits. Not necessarily happily-ever-after or dramatically-angst-filled, it's truly a fitting end for the lifelong journey of a legend.
Count me in as one of those who's Disappointed (with a capital 'D')... I was expecting an exhilarating adventure in the high seas. I remember how surprisingly refreshing the first one was. Colorful characters in a real frolicking fun, I was charmed and captivated. So I had extremely high expectations for the sequel. I wanted to be *escape* to that world again.
It's still a feast to the eyes; the special effects, sets, costume and makeup are grandiosely commendable. And Depp still gave the same flippantly flamboyant, irreverently eccentric, drunkenly hysterical performance as the now-iconic Captain Jack Sparrow. Instead of an enjoyable cinematic experience in epic proportion, it's one big bore overall. Basking in rich imagery and being enhanted in choppy action sequences doesn't make it up. The plot's convoluted. Its undue reliance on the mechanics of the impressive-looking fantasy sea creatures made it cumbersome after a while. Some parts were laugh-outloud funny, but some scenes were just plain tedious. They could have cut 30 minutes and it would have no impact to the story.
Hysterically funny physical comedy and moving piece of high drama. The jokes are crude, excessive and tiresome. But somehow the flick clicks (pardon the pub). The first act is preditably entertaining. But when the story takes a dramatic turn, it surprisingly packs an emotional wallop. The underlying message is loud and clear. It takes the audience along for the heartrending journey of a lost soul. It becomes one of those stories that makes us question ourselves, "Would you do it if you could?"
DVD: http://tinyurl.com/y8e5she
Fashionably fun, frothy, fabulous. Light, glossy, entertaining, like a fashion magazine, it boasts fine acting from key and supporting roles. Merryl Streep plays the glitzy, pitch-forked diva to perfection; sharp yet understated. Anne Hatheway gives an endearing performance as an aspiring, bright-eyed new grad. Stanley Tucci and Emily Blunt steal the scenes and hit all the right notes. Nothing exceptional, but it's a chic gateway to the glamorous world of high couture. Makes me want to hop on a plane to New York & Paris!
DVD: http://tinyurl.com/ya3wdxs
