REVIEW: Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Wanted

Shaun of the Dead
"The best zombie-spoof-slasher-action-romantic-comedy of all time. No, really. I'm dead serious.... get it?"

Directed by Edgar Wright; Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Kate Ashfield


I've heard a good deal of praise aimed towards Shaun, he and his pack of dreary friends. And now I've finally gotten the sweet opportunity to watch the film myself, and I must say it is instantly one of my favorite comedies of all time. This comedy, my friends, is dead on. (Alright, I'll stop it with the dead jokes).

The movie follows pathetic loser Shaun, who has a dead-end job, a dead-beat roommate and a dead-beautiful girlfriend who dumps him. It seems life is falling apart for Shaun, that is until he decided to make things right, too bad the undead have been rising from their graves with the sole, rabid intent of eating your brains out. Happy hunting.


Where this movie succeeds as a spoof of the Zombie movies and of everything else is a combination of wit, class and dire respect for the genre. And of course, it's funny. No, really, it's drop-dead hilarious. Several scenes had left me laughing like crazy, a rare feat for most comedies these days. But the simple concept of the Everyman loser getting together his life amidst a zombie outbreak adds a new dimension into zombie films that whether or not was intentional, actually adds a whole new breath of fresh air into zombie movies.

One of the great things about this movie is that while it is a spoof, it does not, unlike many others, ignore the rest of the factors. In fact, the story and screenplay are amazing, production values are admirable and as an added factor, it actually makes a pretty solid zombie-horror movie in its own, only of course it's also a comedy... and a romance film.


This movie is born to be an instant cult favorite, and Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright were born to make a new legacy of classic comedies in line with British legends Monty Python. Of course, this one is more grounded, albeit still silly, and increasingly violent. The amount of blood here is outrageous. It's perfectly dead-right for the whole ambiance of the film. After all, if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing.

I cannot wait now for them to finish their Blood and Ice-Cream trilogy, this is a classic in the making and I cannot heap enough praise on this new style of comedic genius. If you don't watch this movie now, well you could just go drop dead.


9.0 out of 10


Hot Fuzz
"Blood? Check. Ice Cream? Check. Bring on the Fuzz."

Directed by Edgar Wright; Starring Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Timothy Dalton



Shaun was amazing, but I was not prepared for the encore performance that is Hot Fuzz.

The story follows Nicholas Angel, the best cop in London. In fact, he's so good, he's making everybody else look bad. So they send him off to a little village called Sanford which is so peaceful, it drives him insane. That is until dark little secrets begin popping out.

This movie ups the ante set by Shaun of the Dead and raises it to spectacular and ridiculous new levels. From violence to sheer silliness, this movie isn't afraid to go all out with explosions, bullets and laugh-out-loud moments.


I didn't think they could make a better film than Shaun, and maybe they didn't. While Shaun had a lot of subtlety to it, this movie abandons that to the more action-spoof it undertakes. Even the cut-fast pacing and editing keeps this movie pumped with adrenaline and I suppose it would be up to the viewer to decide which of the two current Blood and Ice Cream movies are more to their liking. Of course they could be pretty equal too.

The plot here is outrageous, the wit better than ever and the comedic gut is rumbling for the entire film. From the no-holds bar fights to the sly banter, this British comedy sets new standards for the Action genre as Shaun did with the Horror. It seems to me that Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg are doing right to genres what American films such as Disaster Movie, Superhero Movie, Epic Move and Meet the Spartans are doing wrong. The clear difference is that these British ones seem to actually care about the genre, and instead of cannibalizing it for all its worth, these movies actually enhance the experience. This is spoof done right, and while the days of Airplane! are long over and while the spoofs are in a free fall in the Land of the Free, it is a comforting thought that somewhere in the world, someone is doing it right.


As I said, this movie is considerably more fast paced than its predecessor, and it helps the movie's quick comedic homeruns as well. The performances here are also top-notched, and while Simon Pegg and Nick Frost had already shown great on-screen comedic aptitude in Shaun, I sincerely believe that they shine even more in this movie, simply because there are scenes here so fun and so bombastic you can't help but lose yourself.

It may be a big mistake for me to praise this movie so much right after praising its predecessor right before, because now I am quickly running out of praises for the dynamic duo. So I suppose there's nothing much else but for you to go out there and get yourself copies of both movies. It is a modern comedic experience that you simply must not miss. What are you waiting for? GO!

Yarp!


9.5 out of 10


Wanted
"High adrenaline, little else"

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov; Starring James McAvoy, Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman


Funny how things work out. This movie was easily among those I anticipated for in the summer. And while the trailers did not convince me outright that it would be a great movie, it did give me the notion that it would at least be entertaining. It is a shame that that is exactly what I got for seeing this movie.

The movie is based on Mark Millar and J.G. Jones' graphic novel of the same name, yet of considerably not the same look. In fact, its barely recognizable. The graphic novel consists of an Eminem lookalike and a Fox-suit donning black vixen. Instead we get McAvoy and Jolie, not that it's my complaint, mind you. The fact that it strays so far from its source doesn't bother me much, since it at least does so with gusto and a brilliant sense of imagination, something many other movies going the same route fail to do.


Let's start off with the good, this movie as I said is highly enjoyable. No, as in incredibly fast paced and a must-see for any adrenaline junkie out there. You think you've seen bullet-time? Well no you haven't not unless you watch this movie. The action sequences here are so out there they are a cross between jaw-dropping and laugh-out-silly, which I am not sure is a bad or good thing. Nonetheless it achieves the honor to be called a true summer blockbuster, filled with so much action and blood that it riddles the brain numb. If you're into that sort of stuff, which I'm sure most of you are, then this movie is a no-brainer.

Now for my problems, this movie just never gets off its butt. The story itself proves to have o much potential to be epic, and the screenplay actually shows a lot of promise in so many areas, but in the end it all comes up irrelevant as this movie seems more content with answering every hurdle with a barrage of bullets and "F*CK!!"s. It is frustrating, mostly because its already done more than enough a handful of scenes to convince me of its worth as an action movie, but it does little else to convince me of its worth as a film. While not falling into the traps of comic book movie-suckiness, it does fail to elevate the genre into new heights as several movies this season has already been attempting. And Timur's (easier to say than his last name) first foray into the American Film industry is not going to convince me of his worth just yet, but it at least shows his potential, if only he gets his priorities straight.


It's just as well I suppose, after the success of both Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk, we finally wipe the slate of expectations clean for the next batch. all good and all, but I really don't think any comic-book movie, no matter how much it sucks, will take away the excitement I have now for Hellboy 2 and a little something called The Dark Knight.

Still if you love slow-motion headshots, jumping cars and the naked ass of Angelina Jolie, you should watch this. And if you don't, then there's no helping your homosexual butt, not unless you're a girl of course, in which case, "Sorry Ma'am".


6.5 out of 10

REVIEW: Hulk, Get Smart + Movie Schedules!!!

The Incredible Hulk
"HULK SMASH! HULK SMASH GOOD!"

Directed by Louis Leterrier Starring Edward Norton, Liv Tyler and William Hurt


Coming right at the heels of fellow Marvel hero Iron Man, the Hulk smashes into place, hoping in earnest to both make lots of greens and wash out the bad aftertaste left behind by the giant's previous outing.

It comes two-folds I suppose... with both the good and the bad news. The bad news is that it doesn't quit soar to the same standards as his iron-clad buddy, in fact it lacks much of what made Iron Man so stupendous. On the other hand, it beat himself up handily, well his Ang Lee version at least, and if put into the right perspective, the Hulk still manages up a solid, entertaining and, most importantly, an action-packed array of sequences (Take that, Ang Lee!)


You see, the main reason it doesn't soar the same heights as Iron Man lies in two huge factors- Robert Downey as Stark and the Hulk's pacing. The first one isn't its fault, but Robert Downey just beats Edward Norton handily. Not that Norton does not give in a good performance, in fact he gives in as good a performance as Bruce Banner as is possible, giving a good balance between torn fugitive, brilliant scientist and distraught lover. But Downey's turn as Stark is just much more fun to watch, and in a way it also lies down to the fact that Stark is a much more interesting AND irresistible character than Banner.


Also, while Iron Man's pacing was sleek, fast and smart, Hulk comes across as a forced melodrama and action bonanza every scene. This is not completely a bad thing, in fact it's for this reason that this movie rises above the normal superhero movie. But, it also is its worst factor, because I just can't shake off the feeling that the pacing of this movie is not only strange but also nagging.

Still, if one were to stop comparing it to its Summer brother, it still is one superior Superhero movie, and definitely a superior summer blockbuster. The cast is tremendously talented and well suit for their roles. The fanboys will be screaming from all the hidden easter eggs scattered all throughout. The action sequences are amazing and exactly what we were looking for the first time around. The story and film itself is not afraid to embrace itself in its entirety. Plus, the effects here are just amazing. While I was fairly impressed with the first Hulk, this version does not only wear darker shade for green or forgo the silly purple shorts, but it's also much darker in its look and realism. The vein and muscle details are just amazing.


What does this mean? It means Marvel just gave out its second hit in a row. If we keep this up we might actually have too much good superhero movies, which for years now I have never imagined possible. And I must admit, I'm as excited about this prospect as I am of the thought that I will one day rule the world (no... really, I will).


8 out of 10


Get Smart
"Get Smart gets it right. Get it? Get Smart- gets rig.. ah forget it."

Directed by Peter Segal Starring Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Jhonson and Alan Arkin



This movie is a convoluted mess, utterly lost in its pacing and has a certain lack of dynamics in its angles. It is also incredibly funny, joyously light-hearted and undeniably entertaining. Oh how I hate this kind of movies, they never make writing reviews easy. Can't I just completely love or completely hate a movie again?

Well, there's little else to say about the bad stuff than what I just summarized in the previous paragraph. This movie is no masterpiece, and the fact is that it even has some jokes fall flat. It has a case of mistake identity that can't seem to decide whether its a mix of action and comedy, pure action or pure comedy. In turn it doesn't quite live up to the maximum effect of either on some parts that had sadly a lot of potential. On the other hand, it does give us what it set out to do in the first place.

This movie is highly entertaining, at least in most parts. Steve Carell remains a comedic natural and while Anne Hathaway may no longer be as stunning as when I first saw her, she is nonetheless adequate for her role. The movie follows the shenanigans of Agent Maxwell and his partner Agent 99. And the shenanigans can be quite a treat too, none of which could have been nearly half as entertaining had it not been for Steve.

With those points aside, what else can I really say about the movie? It does a pretty good job of being entertaining, avoids being sucky unlike some movies nowadays. For movies in general, thats mission accomplished and sadly something of a rarity. But in a summer season as volatile as this, it serves more as a refreshing snack before moving on to the next main course.



7 out of 10

MOVIE SCHEDULES
Due to requests and complaints on the fact that I did not add the release dates on some of the movies I presented in my Summer Movie entry, I have decided to do so here. Yes, Bra, I'm looking at you. Hehe. Anyway...

Wanted
June 27



















Hancock
July 3


















Journey to the Center of the Earth
July 9


















The Dark Knight
July 17


















Mama Mia!
July 18


















The Mummy: Tomb of the Emperor Dragon
July 30


















You Don't Mess with the Zohan
August 6



















Wall-E
August 13


















X-Files: I Want to Believe
August 13
















Star Wars: The Clone Wars
August 20


















My Sassy Girl
August 20
















Disaster Movie
August 27


















Babylon A.D.
September 3



















Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
September 10

REVIEW: Kung Fu Panda, Prince Caspian and Assasin's Creed!!!

Kung Fu Panda
'Still no Pixar, still pretty awesome'


Dreamworks has always given off pretty entertaining animation features, but never have they ever come close to the ingenuity, originality or beauty of Pixar's masterpieces. This movie doesn't change that, but it does represent the best of Dreamwork's so far, and while not revolutionary is nonetheless a step in the right direction.


Let me just say that I have absolutely nothing bad to say against this film except that it just isn't better than it is. You see, the animation is amazing, the graphics mixed with a tinge of Asian colors and style, really burst in the big screen. This is the way to go as since Dreamworks can never compete against Pixar in terms of detail, it should make it up with unique graphical styles to augment its shape-oriented style as it does here.


Then there's the movie as a whole, which is highly entertaining while maintaining clean look. Its not ridden with too much forced jokes which spelled the doom of the Shrek franchise, and like fellow Dreamworks success Over The Hedge, it gives of a jolly good time while delivering a good, albeit predictable, story.


We follow Po, a noodle maker, who suddenly finds himself the chosen Dragon Warrior above the other Ferocious Five, which leaves them pretty peeved. Which brings us to the great ensemble voice cast they have here. Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu and Seth Rogen are here, and they deliver their lines in perfect harmonious unity. In other words, the hilarity from these pair ups are pretty cool.


If there's anything wrong with this good clean movie, is that it goes out too short and ends too fast. Still it can't be denied that this movie really goes all the way with style, entertainment, humor and talent.

8.5 out of 10



Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian
'Better than the first, which still doesn't say much'


I was never much of a fan of the first movie. While I thought it wasn't a disaster fantasy film and actually held up pretty solidly, it paled in comparison to the likes of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Still I was pretty willing to give the sequel the benefit of the doubt, which it took advantage of.

Let's just start off by saying this movie is darker, grittier and runs with a sense of a year's worth of experience and overall the movie is better off with it.It is also clear via the movie's lengthy finale that it observed a lot of the things that made LOTR so successful and tried it out, whether they effectively got it or not is a completely different matter.


You see, one of the biggest up's of this film is the fact that since all the kids have had years worth of experience as the kings and queens of Narnia, they don't have to stumble around now not knowing what to do. Rather they go around their second trip wiht a sense of experience that actually appeals to the new action pacing. That doesn't mean there are still some inexplicable and frustrating scenes of downright silliness but all in all, the children's second trip is more tightly woven than their last. This isn't a child's trip, this is war for Narnia and it shows.

The scenes are dark and despite the lack of actual blood save for the occasional cut lip, quite a number of people and err, Narnians, die in this movie. The main fact that this movie is now more accessible to adults really adds to an appeal the first movie never had.


But that's about where the good parts end. While the fantasy land and action are very well done, they stretch to a staggering 2 plus hours. This may not seem like much, but with the limited story stretched out so thin in a platform such as this, it feels like ages before the movie ends and its efforts for the better are quickly forgotten. Don't forget either that the actors are still nowhere near that good and the addition of a "pretty-face-and-nothing-else" Caspian does little to fix that fact.

And of course for all their pump up on action and fantasy ala LOTR, Adamson's sense of camera shots and mastership of the CGI is nothing compared to Jackson's and while pleasing at some points, you can't help but feel that it brims at the edge of awesomeness before receding back. This movie is mediocre and just like its predecessors, just manages not to mess things up. The only difference is that it does so with more style than the first.

6.5 out of 10

Assassin's Creed
'Ubisoft slays cool, slays good, slays way too much'

I've been eagerly anticipating this game for quite a while now, and if you've seen even but a glimpse of the gameplay you'll instantly know why. This game is just kick-ass.

You play Altair, a member of a secret group of assassins that lived and killed during the Holy Crusades of King Richard and Saladin. Tasked with the death of several prominent figures on both sides of the war, you travel from city to city climbing the highest rooftops with ease and raining death down on your pathetic foes. If you aren't sold yet, then you must be an idiot of enormous boredom issues.

First of all, let's start with the obvious stuff. This game is one of the most unique I've seen for quite some time. It's a mix between Hitman and Grand Theft Auto set in the medieval ages, but it's the interactions that rise is above the rest, literally. You see, the moment you drive Altair into a house, city wall, steel gate or even brick tower he will start climbing with unbelievable ease, flexibility and just plain coolness. You never get tired leaping across rooftops, swinging on construction cranes, climbing towers, jump-killing patrolling archers or just nose diving from the an aerie peak. And all of this is done with such fluidity that that alone would merit the game with a lot of praise.


This of course wouldn't work at all if the city looked like crap. I then thank all the gods that it isn't. In fact, it's drop dead gorgeous. The city, the landscape, the animation, texture wise it doesn't quite reach the levels of lets say Call of Duty 4 or Crysis, but it makes up in detail. And by detail, I mean GLORIOUS detail. A look at these screenshots alone should convince you because honestly I cannot put the amount of detail into words.

Then comes the storyline, which is nowhere near what I expected as it actually follows Desmond, a modern day assassin as he is captured and drilled for his ancestor's memories. Not going too much into detail, the narrative and storyline is actually highly interesting and had it not been for drawn out cinematics and an abrupt and very frustrating ending, it would have been a huge plus. Instead its a factor that brings in the first flaws and that's in the pacing.

You see, the largest and most destructive flaw of the game is that it is basically a one-trick pony. You have to admit that that one trick is so amazing it spans the rest of the game easily enough on its own, but the fact that the game repeats the same process, same gameplay and same repetitive and predictable actions mission after mission after mission really lets down the excitement during the latter half. It does not destroy the experience, but it comes real close.

If anything, this game comes pretty close to becoming one of the revolutionary ones, instead it becomes a solid and unique gaming experience brought down by few major flaws. I only hope they address issue in the inevitable sequel because an experience this good should not be given this kind of format when we know it deserves a lot more.

7 out of 10

REVIEW: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skulls

Directed by Steven Spielberg
Starring Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, Cate Blanchett and Shia LaBeouf



Oh , Indie, how we've missed you.

Look, there have been some pretty bashing reviews, people out there attacking this Indiana Jones straight to the very core, but I belong to the positive side and there I will gladly stay. This movie deserves to belong on the shelf along with the other three. Is it the best in the series? Hell no! But it does belong with the others. And seeing the track record of reviving old, rotting series so far, that's about as good as you could possible expect.


I'm 18 years old, that means I did not grow up watching the movies in that glorious old theater. But I did grow up as a child watching the original films on VHS again, and again. So I know the first films, I loved the first film, and so I went into the theater ready with a flaming cocktail if the film dared let me down. But it isn't perfect, it's actually far from it. But what makes this film works is how it triumphs despite it.

So let's start with the bad first. For one thing, when Spielberg promised a film nearly devoid of C.G.I. I was thrilled, I dearly hoped for the original fell of the originals. But the truth is far from it. Rather, it is loaded with so much effects, it tones down many of the scenes. And some are just plain laughable and not in the good way (The monkey scene anybody?). And what it does to the finale is simply disappointing, which leads us to my other big gripe about the film... the ending.



You see, the ending just wasn't Indy. He barely does anything, and the entire thing shakes, explodes and goes crazy with him basically just there to watch everything occur. It does not destroy the film, rather it simply is a weak final act, which is I guess forgivable seeing that so many scenes aside from it were just magic.

And finally, I have my biggest problem with it, the screenplay. It's not bad, but it does go wrong at some pretty big places. For one thing, the plot is roughly patched together, and the adventure itself plays little to serve as the movie's point of interest, that honor belongs to the characters (of whose interactions are both amazing and way too few in between). I do not care about the far fetched plot, it does not seem all that more unbelievable than Nazi's looking for the power of God or the occult prying beating hearts out of you body. Rather it's how little heart it actually adds into the mix.


But thankfully, the good parts of this film answers all these problems and quite a lot more. For one, let's talk about what really made us all come back to watch this movie. Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones. The man has been under the radar lately, but the moment he puts that hat back on you know he's back. There is just no one else who can do that role but him, and he comes back to take on the role just exactly the way we all remember, and for that he shines. From that smug look to that "I've been there before" tone, it's just pure nostalgia with every line, every joke and every reference to good old days. He does not do as much stunts as he did before, but come on the man's 65 you can't expect him to. But what he does is more than enough and every time he pulls through, you begin to remember just why you fell in love with him in the first place.

Also, while the ending fell flat, that does not mean the other scenes do. Say what you want about Spielberg, but in my opinion he is unparalleled in creating intense action scenes that keeps the heart pounding and adds in a chortle or even a jolt of laughter here and there. Besides, the man has never made a bad movie yet, at least not for me. And so it is clearly his style and his movie at every scene, and he steers it magnificently. Both the motorbike scene and the truck chase are entertaining beyond measure, just how Indiana scenes are supposed to feel. And when the action is absent, that good hold Indiana sense of humor and heart of gold is always present to keep you glued.



Adding to that is the return of Marion, who we all know is the only one Indie was meant to be with. From the first time she shows up, you know every single scene involving the two will sizzle with pure chemistry. Added into the mix is Mutt Williams or as we all would rather call him I'm sure, Henry Jones III. I'm at a lost for Shia as the heir to the hat. He does an effective job here, he channels a good interaction with both mom and pops and holds his own on the action scene. In fact, at some points you can actually see the old shine from his old man in him, you can actually believe he is Indiana's son, which is the most important part. What does trouble me is that the character is raw, and even if that problem was absent there's no changing the fact that there is no way he or anyone else can replace Harrison in the role he was born to play. I would love a sequel, yes please. But I would rather leave the series here all and out if the sequel would rather toy the idea of son replaces father as the ending here seems to suggest.

I'm sure I can't go anywhere without mentioning the other supports, non of which can ever match the magic of either Marcus Brody or Henry Jones Sr. both of whom are lovingly mentioned. If anything, it's Indie's show with his family. Cate Blanchett as the villain was not as good as I hoped her to be. While nonetheless holding her own against the new Jones boys, she does appear awkward as a villain at some points and perhaps mostly of all she falters in her final scene, which I believe fell flat.


But come on, I did not come into this movie thinking it was going to top the series, but it did work out magnificently in the end. It gives out some memorable scenes that are worthy of the series and if I were to rank it, I'd give it the position of 3rd in the series. Don't take that badly, seeing as how the series itself has been magnificent. And while it might not match fully the magic f the best of Indiana, it does prove itself worthy to stand beside it in the winner's podium. Now if you'll excuse me, I'll go watch the original films a full five times each before sinking into a state of self-imposed nostalgic depression while waiting for the DVD release of the series' fourth. Thank you, Indiana, and welcome back.

8 out of 10