Fun and action all the way...
Premise
The movie follows Percy Jackson and friends as they venture to the Sea of Monsters to retrieve the Golden Fleece, an enchanted healing cloak, to save their camp after it is attacked by old foe Luke Castellan.
Review
Much like its predecessor, 'Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters' is highly entertaining, with lots of fast paced action, as well as tons of humour. The plot is straightforward and simple, and seems to appeal to younger audiences. The movie also presents a modernized take on some Greek mythology.
The action sequences in this movie are entertaining, though not epic in scale. The fight scenes involve fast jumping, running, and swords clashing which is still cool to look at. Percy's ability to manipulate water is only seen once, perhaps because either the situation did not allow him to, or the opponents were not as formidable.
The plot is very much straightforward and simple. Even the flashback scene in the movie doesn't cause any confusion or surprising revelations. There are tons of humour, albeit most are just cheesy dialogues that are more annoying than funny.
The modernized take on Greek myths are always interesting to look at. Who'd have thought that the Chariots of Damnation would appear in the form of a New York City cab?? However, there is an extensive use of CGI, which were not that bad, especially since the creatures in the movie are highly imaginative and wonderful.
Verdict:
Good: Fast paced action, Modernized take of Greek myths
Bad: Cheesy dialogues
SCORE: 6.0
For this post, I combined two months period because these months have less numbers of big movies coming out, but below are some to look out for...
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 (Sept 27-USA, Oct 25-UK, Oct 10-Singapore)
Another animation movie by Sony Animation, but this one looks promising. Its predecessor did amazingly well, both critically and commercially. It was a very creative movie that places food in the context of natural weather and disasters. This sequel is, in my opinion, impressively creative, to have the foods representing live animals and creatures alive today. With another decent script and excellent visuals, this may be the animation movie to watch this fall.
Links for trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNiVB_d_z4k (Trailer #1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw6dECrl-BE (Trailer #2)
Gravity (Oct 4-USA, Nov 8-UK, Oct 10-Singapore)
Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, and Alfonso Cuaron. These three names alone are enough to drag me to the cinema. The film itself is a big budget movie, set in the outer space. From the trailers, it looks visually stunning. However I do have to point out my initial concerns. Other than being hit by debris and getting lost in space, I could not see the details of the plot. There are only two names in the cast, and from the trailers alone, I cannot see how this can go on as a full movie. I'm blind with this one, yet I'm highly intrigued by what this thriller has to show.
Links for trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0ijEEivCbg ("Detached")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y7Hg5mxMPE ("Drifting")
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alq4CHqEL6A ("I've got you")
Escape Plan (Oct 18-USA, Nov 22-UK, Oct 17-Singapore)
Whenever you see Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the same picture, you know something big is about to happen. Here I am with this perception, and looking forward to this movie, which is about escaping a maximum security prison codenamed 'The Tomb', which is of Stallone's character's own design. So this should be interesting to watch.
Links for trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI4EjV_x_PQ
Other Movies:
Riddick (September 6)
-The third movie of the 'Riddick' series, and Vin Diesel looks badass in this one!
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH3O-CeZckE)
Prisoners (September 20)
-Hugh Jackman is in rage again as a dad who's daughter is missing in this upcoming crime thriller...
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kWeHtI63jc)
Rush (September 20)
-A biographical action film about the famous rivalry in the Formula 1 between James Hunt and Niki Lauda...
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA3XN54J8nY)
Fantastic movie portraying yet another post-apocalyptic Earth...
Premise
In the year 2154, the world is divided. The rich and powerful live in Elysium, a utopian space station, while everyone else lives on Earth. The movie addresses social and political issues visible in our world, though not as extreme. The story follows Max Da Costa (Matt Damon) finding himself in a condition where he needs to get to Elysium, while also handed with the opportunity to save everyone else.
Review
The movie overall is a great experience, though in many ways reminds me of 'Oblivion'. Both are set in the future, and are presented in visually stunning worlds. Both movies emphasise more on drama and revolves around the main character's story. 'Elysium' on the most is quite predictable, but delivers us more action packed sequences.
This movie brilliantly displays the social issues of the world, where the poor are badly trying to get to the rich, in this case, the people of Earth forcing their hand in as many ways as possible to get to Elysium. The story and characterization provides a good background for audiences to go along knowing exactly what is going on and what is at stake.
The action sequences are a joy to watch, and keeps things in the heat. Matt Damon is such a great actor, and he owned this role. However, the one other guy who deserve praise is Sharlto Copley, portraying the psychopathic villain that Damon's character must battle. And the thing about psychopaths, they are always scary, because they have no mercy and play by no rules, and Copley brilliantly conveys the character.
The movie is supported by a decent soundtrack as well. However, at some points the camera tend to be shaking, which although didn't disrupt the flow of the movie, still felt unpleasant. There is unfortunately no humour at all. Although they emphasise on drama, humour can always be slipped in at any time to keep it lively, but not in this one.
Verdict:
Good: Excellent plot displaying current social issues, Decent action sequences, Brilliant cast, Good soundtrack
Bad: Shaky cameras, No humour
SCORE: 8.5
For superhero and science fiction movie fans, SDCC is the place to be, or at least, hear from...
San Diego Comic-Con 2013
This year, SDCC delivered some big and jaw-dropping news, as well as panels and cast of the most anticipated movies in the coming year. For panels and press conferences, you can always find them in YouTube. For the news and updates, you can find them everywhere, but I will highlight some of the biggest ones below.
The Avengers: Age of Ultron
Marvel never fail to bring a big news to this place. Last year, they announced the official title of the 'Thor' and 'Captain America' sequel, named 'Thor: The Dark World' and 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' respectively. This year though, they revealed the title of their iconic highly successful Avengers, namely 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron'.
We can't hide the fact that below the title, we can see 'Summer 2015', so yes it is still 2 years away. This is actually a smart move by Marvel, as this causes fans to build up anticipation for two long years. Although in between now and then, we are able to shower ourselves with 3 more marvel movies (in the Marvel Cinematic Universe).
Concerning the movie, Joss Whedon stated that Ultron have always been his first choice as the main villain for this sequel, and that even in the comics, Ultron have always been an adversary for the Avengers. However, in the comics, Ultron was a creation of Hank Pym (a.k.a. Ant-Man, whose movie will come out in November 2015), so we can probably guess, and Whedon has also stated, that the origin story of the character will be different. Rumour even has it that our very own Tony Stark will be the creator.
Nevertheless, there is obviously much tension building up, and this is definitely a big, if not the biggest, thing to look forward to come 2015.
Interesting Link: http://www.vulture.com/2013/07/what-we-know-about-the-avengers-age-of-ultron.html
Superman vs Batman?
Zack Snyder, who directed the Man of Steel movie that was just released back in June, didn't take long to tease the upcoming sequel, and my, was it a big and surprising one. All around the hall, and maybe even the world, jaws dropped as Snyder announced the most surprising news of all: Batman will appear in the Man of Steel sequel.
Not only that, but Snyder himself stated that Superman and Batman will be facing off against each other. Now would be a good time to take a breath, but, some news this is. Two of the world's most biggest superheroes fighting each other, I mean, can it get any bigger than this?? Well, it can, if they next bring up the Justice League movie to match Marvel's The Avengers. That's probably the reason they decide to immediately do a crossover. But still, Superman vs Batman, it's just got to be every comic book fan's dream.
This will still act as the 'Man of Steel' sequel, with Snyder, Nolan, Cavill, Adams all returning. Although they may need a new Batman as Bale stated that he would not reprise the role. This implies that 'The Dark Knight Trilogy' is to be left alone, and I think it's better like that, while 'Man of Steel' is the start of what is to be the DC Cinematic Universe.
This 'Superman vs Batman' is slated for a summer 2015 release. Now, that year just can't get any better with both 'The Avengers' and 'Man of Steel' sequels coming out now, can it??
