When announced I questioned whether we needed a third instalment or whether this would finally be the big mis-step of Pixar. Amazingly, yet again they have found a good story with a solid emotional core which further develops the few remaining cast of toys (Andy has grown up and many are already gone) that are so loved.
The visual flair, inventiveness, wit and charm with which this is done continually impresses but even with all this, even Pixar haven't convinced me 3D is anything other than gimmick.
Not liking cartoons is not a good enough reason to avoid this. Go see it. It is one of the best films of the year.
Sunday 15 August 2010
The A-Team
I love it when a plan comes together. Always have done, always will. The original TV show was Saturday staple for me, often followed by a session in the garage trying to turn my bike into a tank.
With that sort of heritage, there is much to go wrong. But for me this film hits all the right notes. Primarily, BA, Hannibal, Face and Murdoch. The balance of the group is just as I remeber and what made the original so enduring.
Certainly the stunts are rediculous. Certainly the plot, misguided good guys chase escaped good good guys and are conned into catching patently bad good guys, is ropey. You can't always hear what's being said. But if you want a rediculous action spectacle starring a bunch of loonies all of that is missing the point.
It isn't classic but it is fun.
With that sort of heritage, there is much to go wrong. But for me this film hits all the right notes. Primarily, BA, Hannibal, Face and Murdoch. The balance of the group is just as I remeber and what made the original so enduring.
Certainly the stunts are rediculous. Certainly the plot, misguided good guys chase escaped good good guys and are conned into catching patently bad good guys, is ropey. You can't always hear what's being said. But if you want a rediculous action spectacle starring a bunch of loonies all of that is missing the point.
It isn't classic but it is fun.
Monday 2 August 2010
Inception
Chris Nolan, director of the new Batman franchise and Memento brings us a big budget action blockbuster with a plot. Leonardo Di Caprio is Cobb, an expert in entering people's dreams to steal secrets. Employed to instead insert an idea (Inception) by Saito (Ken Watanabe) he assembles a team that can help him do this. The result is something like a cross of James Bond and Blade Runner.
As layers of subconscious are traversed in the dreamworld, the dream worlds become more expansive but the subconscious more aggressive in it's self defense. The vision is cinematic, the action compelling and crucially purposeful, an integral part of the plotting, while the plot pulls you along, keeping you guessing right to the end where you're headed.
I'd have much less reason to complain about Hollywood if they made films like this more often.
As layers of subconscious are traversed in the dreamworld, the dream worlds become more expansive but the subconscious more aggressive in it's self defense. The vision is cinematic, the action compelling and crucially purposeful, an integral part of the plotting, while the plot pulls you along, keeping you guessing right to the end where you're headed.
I'd have much less reason to complain about Hollywood if they made films like this more often.
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