Film Review - Marvel Avengers Assemble (in 3D)

Having enjoyed all of the Marvel movies to date (especially Iron Man onwards), I was looking forward to this film, but not quite as much as a lot of others seemed to be. I've been far more excited about Prometheus, The Dark Knight Rises and Brave, but this has proven to be everything I hoped it could be and more.
Writer/director Joss Whedon has a proven track record when it comes to dealing with ensembles, big-named or not, and uses the same sharp wit seen in Firefly and Buffy here. He realises that this film has no one star, and it's the interactions that make the characters who they are.
Iron Man should be the obvious star, the ego-maniac with the sharp tongue, but he doesn't get to steal the limelight. Hawkeye and Black Widow get something to do here; the former is simply a flawless archer with a quiver of tricks, the latter a manipulator, an expert at extracting information under the guise of weakness. With Buffy-esque kick-ass skills to boot. Captain America is the grounding force, all sincerity and concern, a true soldier, lost in the future. Thor is the pretty-but-dim alien who feels responsibility for protecting Earth from his brother's machinations, whilst still feeling that sibling bond.
Which brings us to the Big Bad, Loki. After a (ahem) low-key presence in the Thor movie, the prospect of his return as the villain did not excite me. Yet Whedon has somehow managed to make Loki threatening. Not by beating anyone up, or smashing things, but by simpy lighting the blue touch paper of conversation and retreating to watch the fireworks with malicious glee.
One of my favourite moments in the film- blink and you'll miss it- is when a few of the heroes pause to rescue a group of people out of a bus before returning to the carnage. And it suddenly dawned on me what the superhero films since Superman II have been missing. The human victims. The people. It doesn't matter how bad the evil villain(s) is/are if we don't properly see the consequences. It's a nice touch that wasn't lost on me.
If there is a stand-out character, a star of the show, it's The Hulk. Apparently Joss Whedon was quoted as saying that his aim was for people to exit excited for the next Hulk movie. Given the previous two Hulk instalments have done the opposite, it's an unexpected delight to state that he's succeeded. The CGI may not have improved, but Hulk's impulse to "smash" certainly gets the film's two biggest laughs.
Avengers is not only an enjoyable action-fest, but also one of the funniest films I've seen in years, featuring moments I can't wait to share with people.
Incidentally, I saw this in IMAX 3D and have to say it didn't warrant either IMAX or 3D. Just see it, preferably in a packed cinema, as soon as you can. Obviously, you'll get more out of it if you've seen Iron Man, Thor and Captain America beforehand, but I wouldn't say it's essential. I'm off to rewatch them now.

Film Review - Wrath of the Titans (in 3D)

I'm a huge fan of the old Greek/Roman myths, and love to see them on-screen, in any guise. Even the Clash of the Titans remake, which was mostly terrible, did enough things right to get me into this sequel. Unfortunately, I should have heeded the first one's warning. Rather than concentrating on the story of Perseus's further adventures, we get lots of ramble and crowbarred-in back story involving a son and a new love interest. But there's giving a character depth and development, and then there's just wasting the audience's time. It's a fine line, but this definitely falls into the latter category.
For example, when Perseus is presented with the legendary labyrinth, it looks impressive and unachievable. A matter of minutes later, he's in the centre. But at least that means it's time for his legendary battle with the Minotaur, right? A matter of seconds later, it's all over. Seriously, what have I paid money to see here?
The final, climactic battle with the mighty [insert name of whatever the giant lava thing is called] is quite visually impressive. But it's too late, I've had far too many naps by this point to give a shit.
And the 3D is still crap.

Film Review - Titanic (in 3D)

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the real-life tragedy, I waited until this weekend to see one of my favourite movies back on the big screen, and it doesn't get much bigger than IMAX. And if any film deserves to be seen on the biggest of big screens, it's Titanic.
This is the film that reversed the fortunes of its inspiration. The Titanic was the largest ship ever built. Labelled as "unsinkable", it famously sank on its maiden voyage. Before it was even completed, the 1997 film "Titanic" had pretty much entered the history books as the biggest flop of all-time, having gone ridiculously over-budget, over-schedule, missed its summer release date and had a famously disgruntled cast and crew. It went on to become the highest-grossing film of all-time, winning rave reviews from even the sniffiest of critics, and 11 Oscars.
History has, however, been somewhat rewritten. Rather than remaining a beloved and acclaimed film, it has gone on to become one of the most mocked and derided films ever made. Many claim they never liked it to begin with, but plenty did, and there are times when I feel like one of the few people left who will stand by it. Yes, even the Celine Dion song.
If I'm going to invest three-plus hours in doing something, I'd rather go with it than cross my arms and sniff at it. Fortunately, the lengthy running time zooms by faster than most movies half its length.
It's by no means perfect. It does have some seriously dodgy dialogue, and for a film that was so lovingly, painstakingly researched to the nth degree, it features some glaring anachronisms, most notably the sinking of some famous works of art that hang in museums today.
But even taking such goofs into account, there is still a lot of bang for your buck. Even those "rooting for the iceberg" can't deny that the second half's scenes of devastation are spectacularly realised.
But, ultimately, the film is not a story about the Titanic, it's a love story that happens to be set aboard the Titanic. The historical detail is merely window-dressing, there to enhance the story- the romance between engaged socialite Rose and homeless vagabond Jack. If you're not invested in their story, then the film likely won't work for you. And the story of Jack and Rose captivates me every time.
Kate Winslet and the late Gloria Stuart both received Oscar nominations for their performances as Rose, young and old respectively. However, there are two other stand-out performances that deserved more credit in my eyes, and that's without mentioning Kathy Bates's terrific turn as "the unsinkable" Molly Brown.
First is Frances Fisher, who plays Rose's mother. What could have been a purely villainous role is entirely undone in one scene where we finally see things from her perspective. Selfish, certainly, but sympathetic and understandable. Fisher plays every moment- mostly without words- to perfection, in every scene.
But the other performance has to be that of Leonardo DiCaprio. An actor who has done his absolute best to make people forget this movie, it remains, hands-down, his best performance. He injects Jack with so much life and verve that his enthusiasm for life is infectious, and it's easy to see why Rose would prefer a "fruitless existence" with him to that with her mother and Cal. DiCaprio has gone on to become a rather samey actor, and it's interesting to look back at this star-making role to see why the world fell in love with him in a very different role.
The film does have its own equivalent of Jar Jar Binks, in the thankfully more attractive form of Billy Zane. His Cal is lumbered with the film's most facepalm-inducing lines, and all that's missing is a moustache to twirl. Each time he opens his mouth, you wish he'd just kept it closed.
However, the biggest elephant in the room this time around is that of the 3D. I've been very vocal in my criticism of 3D, but this is one of the increasing number of exceptions. There were a few moments that stood out because of the 3D, and for the most part it was a pretty faultless conversion, although after the first hour or so you don't really notice it anymore. Did it make it a better film? No. Did it make it a worse film? No. Either way, it's just a great excuse to see this big movie on a big screen, where it belongs. And 15 years later, none of the magic has been lost.

Film Review - We Bought A Zoo

Matt Damon nails yet another role, this one as a recently widowed father with a stroppy teenage son and adorably cute daughter- both surprisingly tolerable- and the family dynamic is nicely written. Even the oft wooden Scarlett Johansson convinces in arguably the most human role I've ever seen her attempt.
Once in a while, a film comes along that's unashamedly sentimental, and, try as you might, you are powerless to resist. This is one of those films.
So why was I willing to go along with it? Because, despite dealing (sensitively) with tragedy in various guises, it's the triumphs that evoke the tears.
That, and Sigur Ros. Let's face it, the song "Hoppípolla" would probably make you cry if you played over a shot of someone mowing a lawn. But I'd prefer to think it was the very sweet icing on an otherwise deliciously satisfying cake.

Film Review - The Cabin in the Woods

This film sees its co-writer and producer, Buffy creator Joss Whedon, finally reunited with the horror genre, alongside several of his TV alumni. What could possibly go wrong? Truthfully, I can't decide if this is absolute genius or absolute garbage. Upon reflection, I'd have to say it's an equal balance of both.
"You think you know the story. Think again", teases the trailer. At the time, I didn't know what they meant. Having seen the film, I know EXACTLY what they mean. Whatever you're expecting from this film, I absolutely guarantee you that this will not be it. You may jump, you may laugh, you may say "urgh", you may even guess what the background shenanigans are all about, but you will not expect what this film throws at you.
I entered the screening knowing very little, and almost recommend you do the same, should you choose to see it. But my biggest fault is that I didn't have a clue what the hell was going on, right up until the final act. It's designed that way, but I found it alienating. The jumps come as thick and fast as the jokes- but I never felt truly scared nor amused.
This film is admirably bodacious, irreverent, and ambitious. It will, without question, generate legions of fans in years to come, if not on immediate release. At this moment in time, I do not count myself amongst them- but that may change. I have to give them their fair dues for thinking so far out of the box.
I'm curious as to whether it'll work better second time around, or whether or not to even tell you what it's about, so you're not frowning at the screen as I was. Alfred Hitchcock said it best, an audience confused is not an audience entertained. Although make no mistake- the final act of this film redefines entertaining. This makes Drag Me To Hell look like an episode of Downton Abbey.
What I will say is be warned. Forget Buffy & Angel. This is very gory and features all sorts of horror staples. Literally.