Reaches expectation...

RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION

SCORE: 6.0 / 10

                Awesome 3D effects, smart directing, and unique style of action covers up for all the setbacks produced by this movie. Resident Evil: Retribution is the 5^th movie in the series, yet it still has all the flaws from its predecessors. However, due to my lower expectation of this movie, based on my judgment of previous movies of the series, I can seem to accept its similar flaws, and appreciate some achievements it made through this movie.

                The positives I saw in this movie, among them include the amazing 3D effects put to good use. Excellent directing also give a great dimension for the movie, and its style of action is unique as always, with many slow-motion effects, which apparently seems cool for this movie. And I also find that the opening and ending sequence is pretty cool, with the backward scene of the opening sequence (pretty unique as I have never seen such scenes in other movies elsewhere).

                However, the flaws carry on from its predecessors, where the actions all seem too similar. No sense of humour, no sense of adventure. And also the storyline is not so good, and it is much too predictable. It lacks characterization and drama too. I thought Leon was an important character (at least it was in the video games) however it was not characterized as such in the movie. I didn’t know that was Leon until near the end of the movie, and he didn’t even seem like such an important character throughout. The drama lacks the feeling, especially when there are so many deaths, yet I am unable to feel such drama.

                Another thing I like about this movie is that it serves as a transition movie quite well. The producer planned one other sequel as the series finale, and I see this movie is quite a good transition, especially with the ending sequence seen as such. I honestly appreciate the big picture of the series’ story, although the plot in every single movie all seems too predictable and casual. However the big picture of the story is good, and by watching this movie it seems a good transition, from escaping capture, until knowing that they are to protect humanities last stand. By that amazing ending sequence, we can expect the final movie to be about those heroes in the group battling the zombies and the Red Queen for the survival of the remaining humans.

                Hence, I can’t say that this is a very good movie, but it sure is very interesting, and I would very much like to see a final movie to conclude the series. Therefore I do hope that this movie will earn lots of revenue, and the producers will want to create the final movie.

Money Worth Spendable...

The Expendables 2
Score: 8.0 / 10

                ‘The Expendables 2’ is a much better than its predecessor. It is much more fun, and energetic, and not boring at all. This is maybe the opposite to ‘The Bourne Legacy’, which I came to watch with high expectations. While in this case, since I knew the previous movie isn’t that good, I didn’t expect much from this one. I just love the cast, don’t you? Turns out, it stands out in several aspects, and turn out to be such an entertaining movie after all.

                The story is, well, straightforward, and well perhaps is as what had been expected, similar to its predecessor. And the action is simply “boom boom”, shoot-and-kill type of thing. Not the type of action we go look in an action movie. But again, this is perhaps as we had expected judging by ‘The Expendables’.

  

                Besides, there are several aspects that stands out, and is perhaps beyond expectation. Firstly, the characters are cool, in a way. They have their own unique charisma, which makes them look great in a way. During the fight, it’s not the action itself that is cool, but how these characters do it, which makes it look cool. And the humor, definitely makes the movie much more energetic and fun to watch. I lost count how many funny scenes there are in the movie. Definitely makes is not boring at all.

                Then again, there is no doubt that these actors are basically legend. But what I like again with this movie, is the number of references to great movies that these actors once made their legends on. One most memorable to me is the scene which include Schwarzenegger’s “I’ll be Back” (reference to The Terminator movies) and Willis’ “Yippee-Ki-Yay” (reference to The Die Hard series). There are several others including Chuck Norris’ movie about the cobra thing. Perhaps I also lost track of these scenes.

                Of all I said, this is not a movie you go to looking for a dramatic story, etc. But I can tell you that this movie is spectacularly entertaining & fun. The story and action maybe lacking in quality, however, with the number of humorous scenes, fun explosive action, and references to what these great actors once achieved, this is one to watch before summer ends, and the start of a shortage of blockbuster movies.

Quote:

Stallone: That belongs in a museum…

Schwarzenegger: We all do…