Wreck-It Ralph

Minor spoiler!

Firstly, I always try and find an official poster for the movie I'm reviewing - complete with credits etc.  I felt the above image best represented the film in question however - essentially a love letter to the world of gaming!

Not a gamer myself, I went in to this movie with some trepidation. I know my Sonic from my Mario, but that's about it. Undoubtedly there's many a character and technical reference in this film - as a non-fan however, you certainly don't feel left out.
Like Toy Story before it, the creators of Wreck-It Ralph have built a world from the ground up. It's an imaginary world of course, but one can't fault it's construct or it's inventiveness.

Wreck-It Ralph is one of many games at the local arcade. When the arcade closes for the day and the customers go home, the characters from each game intermingle - be it in each others games (Tapper's bar) or at the station-like electrical hub.
Ralph is the villain of his particular game, yet despite his effectiveness in the role he yearns to be a hero. This results in Ralph leaving his own game and entering Hero's Duty (a first-person shoot 'em up), on a quest to acquire a heros medallion. Unfortunately Ralphs quest takes him longer than imagined, leaving him stranded in a different game altogether. The arcade opens the following day with Ralph nowhere to be found!
Any game missing an integral player or component is regarded as faulty and is thus rendered unplayable. Fix-It Felix (the hero of Wreck-It Ralph) goes on a quest to find Ralph before their collective game is removed from the arcade altogether.

The game Ralph ultimately finds himself in is a racing game (Sugar Rush). There he meets kindred spirit, Vanellope von Schweetz - a glitch who wants to change her station in life, just as Ralph does. Borrowing from The Phantom Menace (not so bad after-all), the two enter a race in the hope of retrieving Ralphs medallion and freeing Vanellope from her current settings!

This film is crazy-good! From a creative perspective, no stone has been left unturned. The visuals are eye-popping, but what stays with you are the subtle shifts in tone - as we move from retro-pixelated kitsch to HD extravaganza!
The story follows suit, with the voice-cast enhancing the worlds their particular characters inhabit - Jack McBrayers Felix is innocence personified!
The writer/director behind all this is Rich Moore - a stalwart of both The Simpsons and Futurama. With that in mind it's not surprising there's so much to enjoy here - try not to blink too much!

4/5


Poster image courtesy: http://www.empireonline.com

Jack Reacher

Jack Reacher was not on my list of films to see in 2013. However, my interest was sparked upon hearing an interview with writer/director Christopher McQuarrie.
McQuarrie wrote the screenplay for The Usual Suspects in 1995 and has been a frequent collaborator of Suspects director, Bryan Singer.
Jack Reacher is McQuarries second feature as director after, The Way of the Gun (unseen).
From what I remember of the afore-mentioned interview, it was McQuarries interest in the 70's action-movie aesthetic which convinced me to give his new film a look. I'm a huge fan of this era of film, particularly the investigative drama/action of All the Presidents Men and Three Days of the Condor (to name a few).

Unfamiliar with the novels that inspired the movie, I went in to the theatre with only the insight I had garnered from McQuarries interview.
First and foremost Jack Reacher is set in the present day (despite nods to a 70's aesthetic). Reacher is ex-Military - a Police Detective who spends his civilian days off the grid and untraceable. When an ex-client of Reacher is implicated in a shooting, Reacher comes out of hiding. After some convincing from his current defence attorney, Reacher lends his specific talents to the case in the hope of exonerating the defendant once again.

Tom Cruise plays the titular hero and he does it well. Much has been said about his portrayal of the 6ft, 250lb detective - obviously he looks very different!
Despite his movie-star status, Cruise is more than capable of pulling off a role like this. I for one am a fan (Jerry Maguire being my favourite Cruise performance). Obviously he's copped a lot of flak for what he does privately (which has subsequently been made public). However, one can't deny the mans output, nor his box office returns. The worst thing you can say about any of his movies is they're always entertaining (except for Far and Away, maybe)!

Cruise is ably supported by Rosamund Pike (as defence attorney Helen Rodin) and Richard Jenkins (as Helens district attorney dad, Alex Rodin). The great Robert Duvall lends his talents in the later half of the movie as one of Reachers few allies, Cash.
Werner Herzog makes a surprise appearance as The Zec - the villain of the piece.
With a career spanning fifty years, Herzog has taken the path less travelled, directing both documentaries and fictional features alike. Born in Germany, Herzog has made a name for examining the more unusual, but always inherently human stories this world has to offer.
McQuarrie uses his world-weary features and intoxicating voice (often used to narrate his documentaries) to great effect here.

McQuarrie has constructed a great action/detective story with Jack Reacher. His talent as a writer gives the movie a formidable construct - inventive action scenes and quotable dialogue. What could have been a formulaic Hollywood actioner, is instead a movie of some integrity.
Speeding cars don't always make the turns they're supposed to - and men get exhausted when they fight. These subtle moments present a less imperfect world, more like our own - lending the film a greater sense of reality.

There is every opportunity for a sequel here - apparently the novels are bountiful!
In the meantime, this creative team have much to offer, both collectively and independently.
I for one am counting the days 'til McQuarries adaptation of The Wolverine!!

4/5


Poster image courtesy: http://www.empireonline.com

Sightseers

Sightseers is the last film I'll be reviewing of 2012 (despite seeing it in January of 2013).
Given a limited release from boxing day of last year, Sightseers is a bold statement from relative new-comer, Ben Wheatley.

Sightseers is Wheatleys third film as director and apparently sees him enter in to more humourous territory.
This is in no small part to his two leads, played by Alice Lowe and Steve Oram - luminaries of British, comedy television. Despite this and the involvement of Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz), it would be hard for me to recommend this film to any fan of horror/comedy, on the look-out for the next Severance or Slither.

Sightseers fits the horror/comedy mould, only this time we see everything from the perspective of the killers, rather than the victims. By participating in the horrendous acts of this couple, one effectively becomes accomplice (by association) - and the result is unsettling.

The film is very clever in this regard. To begin with, the couple evoke empathy from the audience. Tina (Lowe) lives with her over-bearing mother, while Chris (Oram) is fully invested in the heritage of Britain - a suggestion of a simple man with simple tastes.
They're soon faced with many an individual who challenge their particular beliefs - mainly those with bad manners! One finds themselves rooting for the couple in these instances.

Before long however, Chris and Tina are breaking their own rules - or are these the preconceived rules of the audience? Like I said, this time we're at the mercy of killers, who possibly didn't even have rules to begin with!

The film continues to be funny, although the shift in tone makes things difficult to decipher (I found myself giggling throughout, but heard very little laughter from the rest of the audience).
Slowly but surely we get under the skin of these two psychotics - and by the end of the film, any empathy we once had for them is long gone.

As unsettling as it is to watch, one can't fault the film itself. It's been beautifully photographed by Laurie Rose. The soundtrack is spot-on - the choice of pop music from the 80's effectively contrasting with the strange odyssey on screen.
The biggest triumph with Sightseers is the casting of Lowe and Oram. Some would argue that there's no right or wrong way to play psychotics, with no rhyme or reason for their behaviour.
As co-writers of the film, Lowe and Oram have fully inhabited the roles of Tina and Chris. Each character has a rich history behind their eyes, yet nothing is as important as the here and now. They don't play for laughs but they're inherently funny. By immersing themselves in character, the comedy and horror appears effortless as they go about their bloody trek across Britain.

Wheatleys second feature, Kill List has been on my own list for some time. I look forward to seeing his previous efforts and will be keeping a watchful eye on forth-coming projects from the man (apparently there's a few!).
Wheatley is obviously a director of some talent and Sightseers is a trip worth taking.
Like any caravan trip however, there's no getting away from the company you keep. Anyone willing to sit down in front of this film is in it for the long-haul!

3/5

Poster image courtesy: http://www.empireonline.com

Skyfall

Skyfall represents the 50th anniversary of James Bond (at the movies) and the team responsible for this new adventure have clearly set out to celebrate the occasion.

With Quantum of Solace following Bonds exploits immediately after Casino Royale, Skyfall instead focusses on a solo mission (with no mention of the dastardly threat that is Quantum). There is also a suggestion that much has happened since the end of Quantum and the beginning of Skyfall. This is only Daniel Craigs third outing as Bond, yet recurring knocks at his age and his physical prowess are scattered throughout.

There's been a four year gap between Quantum and Skyfall, due in no small part to MGM's bankruptcy problems. Despite the gap, more time has been given to the preparation of this particular entry - with some high-profile cast and crew joining the ranks of the James Bond alumni.

Most notable is director, Sam Mendes (American Beauty, Road to Perdition). Mendes collaborator Roger Deakins joins the crew as cinematographer - while Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem join the eclectic cast.

Mendes and his crew have included everything that's been integral to Bonds universe since Dr. No. There's the globe-trotting element for one. Deakins excels here, with many a beautiful and often contrasting vista. I've never really discussed cinematographers before, despite some stunning looking films (Prometheus springs to mind). The visuals in Skyfall are breath-taking however - and certainly one of the main attributes of the film.

Sam Mendes appears to approach his projects with a classical sense of film-making. With Skyfall, he returns Bond to his roots, both literally and figuratively. There is nostalgia seeping from every poor of this movie - with nods to previous incarnations of the character, vehicles and props and an overall sense of (60's) style.

The plot itself is just as engaging as one has come to expect from Bond - with a little more digging in to the characters past, specifically his upbringing. 

Bardem plays Silva - a more formidable foe than Quantums, Dominic Greene. Like the best Bond villains, he has a physical impairment! The inclusion of a couple of killer reptiles is also a welcome addition!

There are a few additions that don't quite work of course. The humour for one is a bit hit and miss. Interestingly the nods to a more light-hearted era fall flat - which leads us to the action beats in the movie. 

Gone is the gritty/close-quarters approach of Casino Royale (undoubtedly inspired by the Bourne series), replaced this time with a sense of sophistication. As thrilling as the action scenes are, it seems the film-makers are endeavouring to reinvigorate Bonds signature style, rather than replicate more modern techniques. Mendes compromises with this film and finds an appropriate middle-ground. If the emphasis is on a lighter tone for forth-coming adventures however, I fear we may lose a harder-edged Bond.

The lasting impression of Skyfall is that of a stand-alone adventure. The film-makers have successfully celebrated Bonds 50th anniversary with this film - and have thrown in an engaging story to boot. Ironically the ending of Skyfall represents that of new beginnings. Craig has apparently signed on for two more Bond adventures (the aforementioned knocks to his health and age somewhat premature then?). 

Here's hoping whoever's involved next time continues in this quest to encapsulate Bond, but with a tad more emphasis on the here and now!

4/5

Poster image courtesy: http://www.empireonline.com

Films of the year - 2012!

My review for Skyfall will be appearing shortly. In the meantime however, I give you my personal picks of 2012!

I have five excellent movies for you (all 5/5) and five terrible movies (all 1/5)!

First of all, the bad ones. I saw the following five films on DVD this year. Admittedly some of them are a couple of years old now, yet they still represent the worst of 2012 for me!
I figured it was high time I listed some movies I hadn't enjoyed, seeing as all the movies I've reviewed so far have been 3/5 and higher.
I offer up the following as a public service - avoid at all costs!

Piranha 3DD

Follows the formula of the first one too closely - and sets events in a pool rather than a large, expansive lake (how long does it take to get out of a pool, for christs sake)?! Neither gory nor titillating - not even the Hoff can save this one!

30 Days of Night: Dark Days

The best bits in this terrible sequel were the shots they pinched from the original. Melissa Georges character was recast, yet they endeavour to find a look-a-like for Hartnett at the end?! I don't know how closely this resembles the book, but I'd hazard a guess and say the book was better!

Hobo with a Shotgun

Another film which thinks it can get away with anything, while under the moniker of "Grindhouse". A total car-crash of a movie - nothing to see here!

In Time

Probably the most disappointing on this list - directed by Andrew Niccol (Gattaca). This had a crazy premise which should've worked in the hands of someone like Niccol. Unfortunately the execution was terrible, the running time too long and with plot-holes visible from space!

And Soon the Darkness

This film lost me from the very beginning. It is impossible to side with heroines in peril, when they cock-tease their way through a foreign country! The remainder of the film was filled with plot-twists and red herrings-a-plenty. Not bad for a laugh, but impossible to take seriously!

And now to my favourites - in order of release. No pictures this time, but feel free to click on each individual title for a review in full!

Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

A Separation

The Raid: Redemption

I hate how reviewers re-view their own material based on the popularity or criticism a product received upon and after release. 

I originally gave The Raid 4/5, so in a sense I'm becoming what I hate most! I'm making an exception this time due to the technical fault that accompanied my first viewing of The Raid.

Having recently seen the movie again on DVD, I had no alternative but to reassess my rating.
The audio was in sync this time - and those milliseconds of harmonious synchroneity made all the difference! A non-stop adrenaline-fuelled action extravaganza!

The Dark Knight Rises

Excision

I would have to pick Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows as my over-all favourite!
Considered a film of 2011 for most, it wasn't released in Australia until early January. Having seen it many times over on DVD, it never fails to entertain - nor deliver on crowd-pleasing spectacle!
I really hope they make a third entry to this series. As successful as the series has been so far, it seems to have been somewhat over-shadowed by other, less deserving franchises.
Guy Ritchie and his team really stepped up to the plate with Game of Shadows and delivered a movie in league with Nolans Batman trilogy - just sayin'!


2013 is looking to be just as an eventful year for movies as 2012 was - with perhaps more original material filing the blockbuster void this time around. Movies like Pacific Rim, Elysium and Gravity are sure to make a huge impact - here's to an exciting new year in film!