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Tuesday, June 22, 2010

"Jonah Hex"


Incorrigible - non-existent character development with a story that's barely there. Now, I'm a fan of putting slices of a storyline together, but the execution is dicey (or a lot left on the cutting flor). Not to mention loud, LOUD. There's SO much meaningless firepower. If you expect this to be a unique sci-fi western, beware! It's western (with a sliver of supernatural element). It's a shame that it wastes talents such as Josh Brolin and John Malkovich. If you're going in and hoping to see a lot of Megan Fox, don't bother. She has minor scenes and her "acting" leaves much to be desired. That said, I came with such low expectations that I ended up enjoying it mildly.  

Sunday, June 13, 2010

"The A-Team"


Preposterously outrageous, "A-Team" is A-AWEsome! Big, bold, bawdy death-defying stunts that stun.

To those in the audience who are not familiar with the TV series from the 1980s, the movie opens with Mexico, providing about the background of the band formation of the fearless foursome. Liam Neeson as Hannibal is the brain of the operations; Bradley Cooper as 'Face' is easy-on-the-eyes all-around go-to guy; Quinton Jackson as Barracus is the big brawn with a teddy-bear heart and a flying-phobe; and Sharlto Copley (virtually unknown prior to last year's "District 9") is the insanely frenzied super-pilot. The buddy-chemistry cranks up the scenes; I was bowled over with laughter.

8 years and 80 missions later, they go to Baghdad on a black ops mission to recover millions in money plates. Predictably, they're setup by a conspiracy - without anyone in authority who could vouch for said mission, and subsequently find themselves court-marshalled and imprisoned. Chaos ensues. There's the army (Gerald McRaney), CIA (Patrick Wilson), mercenaries (Brian Bloom), Arab figure, Face's former flame (Jessica Biel). Who double-crosses who? Who's friend and who's foe? Who dunnit?

None will argue that the plot is muddled, the "strategies" are flawed, or that such actions are implausible to execute. Never fear - the plans of distraction, diversion and division launch the fireworks and that's all it matters. Commandeering a flying tank while shooting out drones in the sky? Sniper-shooting a building window and breaking into a room at hundreds of feet in the air? Skidding down a skyscraper among shards of glass? No big deal.

This is one of those "mission impossible" movies that thrives on the thrill of the skills in pulling off such impossible missions on accelerated speed, and dodging dramatic crashes and blasts. It propels 'cool' to the next level. No brain power required - enjoy the ride!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

"Prince of Persia: Sands of Time"

A popcorn epic blockbuster fits for a prince (or princess). PoP has Jerry Bruckheimer's signature all over it. BIG FUN! For me it's "Pirates of the Carribean" part 1 all over again, only without Johnny Depp in it.

Jack Gyllenhaal more than makes up for it! Rogue and buff but agile and versatile, he looks and acts the part of a dashing prince, romantic hero, Dastan. As Dastan, he dexterously climbs up castle walls, leaps through rooftops, squeezes into tight spaces, gallops on horses through the desert, bungee-jumps, sword-fights with the best of them, not to mention outwits and outcharms the rest. He is the quintessential "good guy" and a parkour master to boot (for those of you who are not familiar with parkour, I'd suggest watching "District B:13" starring real-life parkour founders).

As a street kid, he was adopted by the King of Persia, who was impressed by his good heart and bravery. After deftly devising a strategy to conquer Alamut, a staggered village-city suspected for harboring a "weapon of mass destruction" (a jab at the previous administration), the king ends up dead and he's accused for the murder and going after the crown.

On the run for his life from his royal brothers and the Persian army and trying to clear his name, he and Princess Tamina (Gemma Arteton), the ruler of the conquered city and protector of the magical dagger, reluctantly end up on the rides of their lives together. Anybody who possesses the dagger has the potential to rule the world because it could reverse time if the jewel atop the dagger is pressed.

Honestly, I was surprised that the movie was an adaptation of a video game. The story works because all the elements are there. Fantasy. Action. Adventure. Humor. Romance. It's a "logical" fantasy with a sense of realism in a sublime set pieces and complemented with spectacular special effects. A heroic, dashing prince with a beautiful heroine, spirited princess working together for the greater good. A villain with a familiar face and familial ties to the prince (Ben Kingsley), along with snake-equipped dark forces. A sarcastic, shady sheik (Alfred Molina) in the business of ostrich racing as a sidekick with his knife-thrower sidekick. The chemistry between Gyllenhaal and Arteton is incredible that the romantic banters look so believable. The way they challenge each other, fight with one another, and join forces together come out as natural as their mutual attraction.

Exhilaratingly entertaining, PoP earns a fan who will be one of the first in line for (hopefully) the next installments of a trilogy!

Posted via email from The MovieMaven