Friday, July 23, 2004
SPIDERMAN 2
Featuring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina
Brief Synopsis: A bad accident turns a nice doctor into one a wee bit power hungry. This obviously has bad consequences for New York where the webbed one has to come and save the day (not to mention make money and deal with girl issues).
Comments: The film disappointed me. There were several scenes to the film that I liked; the lift conversation was a definite highlight together with the train fight. The development of the relationships between the characters such as Peter Parker, Mary Jane and Harry Osbourne was also a plus point (plus the fact that none of them are stunning supermodels!) as was the humble Dr Otto Octavius (obviously before he turned into the nasty one). Those arms were pretty scary as well – in the cartoons, I always thought they were a bit wussy and couldn’t really compete with proper superpowers but the scene in the surgery made me rethink that whole idea!
So why did I not enjoy it? As my brother pointed out, it was heavily laden with cheese! There were a lot of conversations that were so clichéd I desperately wanted them to be over with. This in turn made the flow of the film very jerky for me as it stumbled along from one scene to the next. Too much sentimental talk which whilst good for youngsters new to the genre was irritating for an old hack like me.
And can someone explain why the arms turned the good doctor into a power crazed maniac? And why doesn’t Peter Parker explain what happened with the Green Goblin to his mate, ‘arry, instead of letting his pal hate him forevermore?
Thing to learn from this film: Taking public transport has some quirky risks.
Rating: 5/10
Featuring: Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, James Franco, Alfred Molina
Brief Synopsis: A bad accident turns a nice doctor into one a wee bit power hungry. This obviously has bad consequences for New York where the webbed one has to come and save the day (not to mention make money and deal with girl issues).
Comments: The film disappointed me. There were several scenes to the film that I liked; the lift conversation was a definite highlight together with the train fight. The development of the relationships between the characters such as Peter Parker, Mary Jane and Harry Osbourne was also a plus point (plus the fact that none of them are stunning supermodels!) as was the humble Dr Otto Octavius (obviously before he turned into the nasty one). Those arms were pretty scary as well – in the cartoons, I always thought they were a bit wussy and couldn’t really compete with proper superpowers but the scene in the surgery made me rethink that whole idea!
So why did I not enjoy it? As my brother pointed out, it was heavily laden with cheese! There were a lot of conversations that were so clichéd I desperately wanted them to be over with. This in turn made the flow of the film very jerky for me as it stumbled along from one scene to the next. Too much sentimental talk which whilst good for youngsters new to the genre was irritating for an old hack like me.
And can someone explain why the arms turned the good doctor into a power crazed maniac? And why doesn’t Peter Parker explain what happened with the Green Goblin to his mate, ‘arry, instead of letting his pal hate him forevermore?
Thing to learn from this film: Taking public transport has some quirky risks.
Rating: 5/10
Monday, July 19, 2004
HARRY POTTER: THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN
Featuring: Danny Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, David Thewlis, Gary Oldman
Brief Synopsis: A murderer from the unescapable prison gets free and is on his way to pay Harry a very special visit.
Comments: I admit I spent the whole time of the film trying to recall what the book was like and how it progressed so it was a far from neutral viewpoint. However the film was pleasant in itself without being sterlingly brillant. Indeed my wife and uncle Ken watched it with no background of the Potter films or books and they said it was enjoyable. Again the leading 3 teenagers are superb, obviously very settled in their characters (although with hints of teenage angst - Hermione's hair, a speck of romance - but can't wait for spots) although I think they are starting to look older than the characters in the film (13yrs old). Gary Oldman is worth waiting for (as usual) and he looks suitable psychotic in the wanted posters. Cameo from Jennifer Saunders as the fat lady. Everyone does alright although Draco Malfoy does get irritating as he veers from arrogant to sh*t scared in every scene he's in. Does OK with an ending that doesn't tie up all the twists either. After all, it is a franchise!
Thing to learn from this film: A bit stuck here - don't ride on a broomstick when it is pouring with rain?
Rating: 6/10
Featuring: Danny Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, David Thewlis, Gary Oldman
Brief Synopsis: A murderer from the unescapable prison gets free and is on his way to pay Harry a very special visit.
Comments: I admit I spent the whole time of the film trying to recall what the book was like and how it progressed so it was a far from neutral viewpoint. However the film was pleasant in itself without being sterlingly brillant. Indeed my wife and uncle Ken watched it with no background of the Potter films or books and they said it was enjoyable. Again the leading 3 teenagers are superb, obviously very settled in their characters (although with hints of teenage angst - Hermione's hair, a speck of romance - but can't wait for spots) although I think they are starting to look older than the characters in the film (13yrs old). Gary Oldman is worth waiting for (as usual) and he looks suitable psychotic in the wanted posters. Cameo from Jennifer Saunders as the fat lady. Everyone does alright although Draco Malfoy does get irritating as he veers from arrogant to sh*t scared in every scene he's in. Does OK with an ending that doesn't tie up all the twists either. After all, it is a franchise!
Thing to learn from this film: A bit stuck here - don't ride on a broomstick when it is pouring with rain?
Rating: 6/10
