Wednesday 25 July 2012

The Dark Knight Rises

Marginal spoiler alert!


Of the three must-see movies I had on my list for 2012, The Dark Knight Rises had me the most excited. Once the tickets were booked, it was all I could think about! 
Finally the 8:30pm screening came around. The trailers had been and gone (no Superman trailer, unfortunately) - then, in sweet unison, the screen expanded and the lights came down - this was it!
Two hours, forty-five minutes later (I would've happily sat there longer), we were transported back to reality. Applause and cheers filled the theatre - a great time was had by all!

The Dark Knight Rises begins eight years after the events of The Dark Knight. It sees Gotham at peace, having bought in to the story that Harvey Dent was in fact killed by the Batman. As a hunted vigilante, Batman is no longer wanted, nor needed - it seems the police department are handling the criminal element of Gotham just fine.
The city has yet to learn from it's mistakes however. Like many cities the world over, no time or thought has been given to the equality of it's people. The rich are getting richer, with minimal regard given to those on the breadline.
What writers Christopher and Jonathan Nolan, and David S. Goyer have done here (as they did with the previous two films), is to comment on the state of our world at present - giving Batman real-world issues to deal with (fronted by some of the most villainous characters ever). 
We've seen Gotham at threat from both terrorist and economic attack in the past and these same threats spill over in to The Dark Knight Rises. These themes wouldn't look out of place on the 6 o'clock news - and consequently, much of the audience are already invested in the film before they've sat down in the theatre. 


New villain Bane takes centre-stage this time. Those familiar with the comics will know he's not to be trifled with. Those unfamiliar with the comics will, in short shrift, learn the same! Tom Hardy fills the role of Bane, a mercenary with muscles in his spit - with a plan to finish what Ra's Al Ghul started in Batman Begins.
The Dark Knight Rises harks back to Batman Begins more so than The Dark Knight in fact. As is the case with many a trilogy, the protagonist is often inclined to look back at their beginnings in order to see the distance they've travelled. This is a true trilogy in that regard (not in name only, like many a superhero franchise). There was already evidence of Nolans plans for a linear story throughout, when he picked up immediately after Batman Begins with the sequel. Despite the gap in years with this new film, story threads continue, with the likes of Harvey Dents death etc (not a single mention of the Joker, disappointingly).
Everyone else is present and correct of course, from Christian Bale as Bruce Wayne/Batman to Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon. There are new faces too, with the likes of Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle/Catwoman and Joseph Gordon-Levitt as police officer, Blake. All the actors are pitch-perfect in their roles - and despite the expanded cast (there's many a co-star to boot), each character is given an arc, each playing a pivotal role in proceedings.


Nolans approach to the Batman trilogy was to ground his character and supporting cast in reality, asking the question, how would things play out if Batman were real?
Nolan and his team follow this mandate with The Dark Knight Rises and for fans of the comic, there'll be the odd disappointment.
Despite it's comic book beginnings, Nolan isn't prepared to break his own rules, such as life after death (a main staple of the comic-book world), and nor should he.
The (heightened) reality Nolan has created here is the secret to the success of these films. The result has meant a broader audience beyond mere fans of the comic-book - a devoted audience willing to accompany this particular incarnation of Batman through to conclusion.

As is the case with many a Hollywood sequel, there's always the emphasis on bigger and better. Many a sequel goes bigger, but always at the expense of a quality story. Nolans sequel is truly epic, in both story and scale - playing like a western from the 60's.
The Dark Knight Rises never stops moving and is rich with detail. Whether it's one of numerous action sequences or a quieter character moment, each piece builds upon the last to create something truly grandiose.

The Dark Knight Rises proves to be a fitting end to Bruce Wayne's legacy as Batman (or is that Batman's legacy as Bruce Wayne?) - guaranteed there'll be tears and applause at any screening you attend!

It's been said that this is Nolan's last Batman film (I for one would be happy to see him make more). There'll undoubtedly be other Batman films, irrespective of Nolan's involvement. Whether they'll come close to his original and thrilling take on the character remains to be seen?!

5/5

Poster image #1 courtesy: www.empireonline.com
The teaser - and the best use of the Batman logo for this particular campaign.

Poster image #2 courtesy: www.comicbookmovie.com
This is a fan-made poster (my favourite I think). Be sure and check out the artist at: www.ryanluckoo.deviantart.com

Poster image #3 courtesy: www.empireonline.com
By the time this poster was released, I felt the Batman logo had been somewhat over-used. This was one of the few posters to surprise me however - take a closer look at the lipstick mark!

Saturday 21 July 2012

Ted


Finally, 2012 delivers a full-blown comedy to shout about!
It's been a dry year for comedy so far, with two notable exceptions; The Muppets and The Five-year Engagement.
Interestingly Ted shares a great deal with both films. There's the turbulent relationship between boy and girl (a four-year courtship) - and the bizarre, yet touching bromance of boy and fuzzy friend (Ted even boasts a musical number)!
Admittedly, these were the selling points of The Five-year Engagement and The Muppets, respectively - and the demographic they were squarely aimed at lapped them up.
Ted combines these elements, but with a greater focus on laughs (something many comedies have been sorely missing of late)!

Ted is aimed at another audience altogether - particularly any male born in the late 70's/early 80's! Those with a questionable interest in popular culture and a fondness for nostalgia. Not unlike creator Seth MacFarlane, or Ted's hetero life-mate John Bennett, played by Mark Wahlberg.
Fans of Family Guy will be familiar with MacFarlane and his particular brand of comedy (foul-mouthed in the extreme)! Ted shares similar traits to Family Guy, both in it's profanity-driven script and in it's use of cut-aways as punchline to many a joke. Referencing all manner of media, particularly that of the 80's and 90's, it's a fabulous technique that MacFarlane has made his own.

During the Christmas of 1985, a young John Bennett makes a wish that his newly acquired teddy bear (Ted) be real - and miracle of miracles, his wish comes true! Cut to present day and John (Wahlberg) and Ted are still living together, but have yet to shed their adolescent mannerisms.

Having already earnt his comic stripes with the likes of I Heart Huckabees and The Other Guys, Wahlberg proves a smart choice for John. His timing and delivery is spot on - especially with some of the more outrageous dialogue. He exudes charm as the romantic lead (a no-brainer for the ladies)! He's also the very best at displaying adolescent heartache and panic - sympathising with this man is certainly no reach for the audience.
As a main staple of That 70's Show and Family Guy, Mila Kunis could be considered a veteran of comedy. Obviously her age and looks would contradict that statement! She is delightful and gorgeous as Johns romantic interest, Lori (a no-brainer for the guys)!


Seth MacFarlane plays Ted, using motion capture techniques - similar to that of Gollum and the aliens of Avatar. In order to create a fluidity to the piece, where by all three actors could improvise and react accordingly, MacFarlane was on set riffing with his co-stars, using specially designed equipment. Witnessing this seamless effect, it's still hard to fully comprehend how it was achieved (was MacFarlane sitting cross-legged the whole time, or were his movements miniaturised)? 
The fact that it keeps the audience guessing is what makes it a great effect. The creation of Ted is one of the best visual effects of this year (or any) - who would have thought this of a comedy, by a first-time feature director?!


Ted is a hilarious film and a significant achievement. There is a story of course. Some nonsense about men having to grow up and put childish things away! But who needs that when you can, 'kick back, drink some beers and smoke some weed!'


4/5


Poster image courtesy: www.screenrant.com

Saturday 14 July 2012

The Amazing Spider-man


As readers of my blog will know, anything comic-related will more often than not get the thumbs up from me! The Amazing Spider-man is no exception!
I'm a big fan of the previous Spider-man films and believe the first two to be amongst the very best comic-book adaptations. The third film didn't quite live up to expectation, but as is the case with many a comic-book property, should a further feature be given the green light, there'll always be a rich history to mine from.

For a while, there was talk of a forth and fifth Spider-man movie, to follow Sam Raimis trilogy - to be made back-to-back. James Vanderbilt was attached to write this opus - and interestingly he receives a story and screenplay credit here (along with Alvin Sargent and Steve Cloves).
What was originally conceived as a sequel is undoubtedly what we're getting here. What we also get is a somewhat redundant re-telling of the Spider-man origin!

For whatever reason, the studio behind Spider-man decided to return Peter Parker to high-school and consequently, retell the story of his transformation in to Spider-man. Skewing younger, they recast their principle characters with the likes of Andrew Garfield (as Peter) and Emma Stone (as Gwen Stacy). They even went with a new director in the appropriately named, Marc Webb!
Along with his superhero origin, we also get a glimpse at Peters early childhood. We're introduced to his parents and learn of their mysterious disappearance.
Dr Curt Connors, who we first saw lecture Peter in Spider-man 2, is given a meatier part to play here. Rhys Ifans fills the role this time and he holds many answers for Peter - concerning both the disappearance of his parents and that of his new-found arachnid abilities.

Along with a great supporting cast and crew, this team have made a very fine film!
Andrew Garfield is superb as Peter, approaching the duel roles of adolescent and hero very differently to that of Toby Maguire. Garfields approach is that of a Modern-age character, grounded in reality - a world away from Maguires Golden-age incarnation. It's a wise decision and it pays off magnificently.
Emma Stone is charming as Gwen and it's refreshing to see her character take centre-stage, this time.
Consequently Gwen's dad, Captain Stacy, is given an integral part to play also. Denis Leary balances the act of disapproving dad and responsible police Captain amicably.
The roles of Aunt May and Uncle Ben are filled by Sally Field and Martin Sheen. Two luminaries of the silver-screen, who portray their respective characters with warmth and humility - and do so effortlessly!
The visual effects are very impressive also. No doubt advances have been made since the previous films, however the success of that trilogy would've resulted in a clearer understanding of what was required to create such imagery - not to mention the box office returns, which would've made any such advances possible. Suffice it to say, Spider-man looks suitably elegant, as he swings through his home town of New York!

Yet despite their best efforts, we're only really given half of the 'untold story' here. No doubt the sequel will take steps to deliver on this promise. It certainly feels like the beginnings of a larger story - one can only hope!
The Amazing Spider-man is a good film I would happily recommend - particularly to those that missed the original!

4/5

Poster image courtesy: www.empireonline.com

Tuesday 10 July 2012

The Cabin in the Woods


Initially due for release in 2010, The Cabin in the Woods finally gets a release in Melbourne - all be it, an exclusive run at the Nova cinema in Carlton(seemingly one of the few cinemas willing to give lesser films a shot at a theatrical run)?!
The Cabin in the Woods is no indie/art-house film however, and would in fact be ripe for a general release. It's been made by two genre giants in Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard. It's a horror/comedy(with meta infused DNA). And it stars current god of thunder, Chris Hemsworth. All the ingredients are there for profitable box office returns - and what's more, it delivers!!
The reason for the films long trip to 'theatre' is a consequence of MGM's bankruptcy problems in 2010. Many films suffered, including the new Bond and Hobbit productions, which have all since recovered. Lionsgate were the ones to throw 'Cabin' the proverbial rope and they're currently distributing the movie(on these shores at least).

The film tells the age-old story of five promiscuous teenagers, who venture to a secluded getaway one weekend(the cabin from the title). All the clichés are present and correct, but not without reason. Like 'Scream' before it, 'Cabin' plays on the expectations of it's audience. While some characters follow one another blindly into the clutches of evil, others are more astute - fluent in their genre surroundings.
We soon discover we're not the only voyeurs on this journey. A team of every-man scientists are hard at work, recording and monitoring each cabin resident, as they set about enjoying their weekend away.
It's quite unusual witnessing these scientists go about their daily routine, while they in turn study the teenagers in the cabin. It works magnificently - adding yet another dynamic to the horror genre.
It's a simple yet effective technique which comes as no surprise, when you consider the talent both in front and behind the camera.

The cast are all very convincing(as teenagers in their twenties), with Hemsworth the most recognizable. The stand-out performances however, must fall to the two lead scientists. Bradley Whitford and Richard Jenkins are absolutely superb in the roles of Hadley and Sitterson, respectively. They joke and jibe with one another, treating the most outrageous scenarios of their day-to-day with casual abandon.
Having recently broken box office records with The Avengers, Joss Whedon was already widely known as the creator behind television shows; Buffy, Angel and Firefly(not forgetting Firefly's big brother, Serenity).
Interestingly Drew Goddard worked alongside Whedon on both Buffy and Angel, before graduating to Alias and Lost. Formerly a writer and producer on these shows, Goddard made the move to features, writing Cloverfield. The Cabin in the Woods is his first film as both co-writer and director.

To say any more about the film would be to spoil it, however those familiar with these creators will have a good idea what to expect. Never sure which direction their ride will take you, you'll be shocked, surprised and giddy with laughter by the time the end credits roll. The Cabin in the Woods is a wholly original take on the horror genre. It's endlessly entertaining, witty and engaging - leaving the audience to ponder on previous cabin occupants?!

4/5

Poster image courtesy: www.mondoarchive.com