ROBOCOP

"Dead or alive...you're coming with me"



          I have to admit I didn't watch the original RoboCop films, so no room for comparisons here. But then again movies are meant to be entertainments on their own, so here goes. Overall it is quite good, but the shaky cameras let down the experience, which otherwise would make it a solid piece of entertainment.

          So, the annoying fact here is that most of the action sequences rely on hand held cameras, and they are so shaky, most of the time I don't know what's happening. I see gunfires, and cops, and gunfires, and cops. Seriously, it is rather unbearable. Not that the whole action sequences are bad, the final act is decent, and when RoboCop is on his bike and scanning the area using CCTVs & constructing virtual settings, it looked awesome, but every other action sequences are seriously let down by the shaky cams.

          Otherwise, everything else was good. I was sceptical about the casts initially, but they turned out okay, especially for Gary Oldman and Michael Keaton, who were just brilliant. The general plot line is good, and the conflicting idea of "man against machine" is properly raised, along with the social & ethical issues that goes with it. There is a touch of drama with the emotional responses of Alex Murphy and his family members. Apparently they tried with the humour...tried, though. And also I find the sound effects rather brilliant and enjoyable, especially with the sound of RoboCop's movements.

          It seriously would have been a decent and solid entertainment, if not for the rather disappointing shaky cameras. The director could have done better, but everything else is good enough and certainly worth the price of admission.

VERDICT:

Good: Excellent sound effects, Decent plot, Great casts

Bad: Shaky cameras

SCORE: 6.5

I, FRANKENSTEIN

So that's why the title is as it is...



          Initially it felt like a weird title to me, but in the end, it makes sense. Still doesn't make a good title though. Anyway, talking about the movie, it has some entertaining bits and pieces, but overall lacks the quality of a fantasy action movie. For starters, the CGI was bad, there is a lack of depth in the plot, and pretty much elicits no emotional response from audiences. However, I was amazed by the fight choreography.

          Truthfully, the general plot line is quite likeable, and I understand pretty much where they're headed and why. However, they missed out on the details which were supposed to carry upon the main plot line, instead allowed the main plot to carry itself. The result was not so good, as it causes lack of characterization, whereby audiences won't be able to understand the characters, much less feel for them. Furthermore, the things that happen sometimes seem unreasonable, and especially the responses from the characters. Who would be told of a war between gargoyles and demons, and simply said, "okay"??

          Two sides of an argument with the fight sequences. I have to admit I was amazed by the awesome fight choreography. Clearly they put in lots of effort there. What they did not, was with the CGI, which simply is terrible. Though I have to say the idea of the death of gargoyles (by shining and then ascending to the sky/heaven) and of the demons (burst into flames and descending to the ground/hell) is pretty interesting. But they didn't put quality there in the CGI.

          Lack of drama, lack of humour, lack of characterization, and this is just another one of those films, though gladly with some enjoyable fight sequences. Being a January film, it is completely tolerable, and apparently, perfectly watch-able, for those who gets bored in their homes.

VERDICT:

Good: Awesome fight choreography

Bad: Lack in characterization, No humour & drama, Terrible CGI

SCORE: 5.0 

Looking Forward: February 2014

February kicks in with some more action packed films to get some time off the stresses of work & studies...



The Lego Movie (Feb 7-USA, Feb 14-UK, Feb 6-Singapore)

          An animation film based on the toys of "Lego". The trailers easily show some fun action packed animation, with a seemingly ordinary, misguided & confused builder as the main character, believed to be the one to save the world from evil. Rather cliche, but we can't expect too much from an animation film whose objective is to simply make people laugh and give a good time in the theatre. In fact, it has an ensemble voice cast with the likes of Morgan Freeman & Liam Neeson. So it certainly has some potential to be the family entertainment for the month.

Trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPnY2NjSjrg (Teaser)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj4GeCk5SBk (Main Trailer)


RoboCop (Feb 12-USA, Feb 7-UK, Jan 30-Singapore)

          A reboot of the story of the famous half-man half-machine Alex Murphy A.K.A. RoboCop. My initial reactions for this is a bit mixed. I didn't watch the original films, but I know about the films. What had me excited for this is the trailers which displayed some exciting action sequences, as well as the awesome supporting casts which includes Gary Oldman, Samuel L. Jackson, and Michael Keaton. However, I wasn't a fan of the character, and I can't hod back the feeling that I have never heard of the actor playing the main character, so I'm a bit held back initially. And as far as reboots go, some have gone to be better than the original, yet some had fallen to deep oblivion. We shall see which way will this one go.

Trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuVphAuRo7Q (Trailer #1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DvaP9egBtU (Trailer #2)


Non-Stop (Feb 28-USA, Feb 28-UK, Feb 27-Singapore)

          An action film starring Liam Neeson with an intriguing plot set in a plane in motion: A winning formula of a great action movie. First off, Liam Neeson is such a wonderful actor with his own style and a deep distinctive voice that makes him the modern action hero. He is in his own league, and this movie would already be worth the watch thanks to him alone. Next, the plot seems intriguing and puzzling, based on the trailers which at one point show that the account number given by the villain, is Neeson's characters' number, which would make him a suspect. And then, it is set 40,000 feet above, in a plane in motion. How much more interesting can it get?? The way I see it, it'll be one of the best upcoming action films, and one that is definitely not to miss.

Trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiHDJ19A3dk (Trailer #1)


Other Movies:

The Monuments Men (February 7)

-A comedy-drama starring some well-known actors including Matt Damon, George Clooney & Cate Blanchett...
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTBSKrW4K-E)

Winter's Tale (February 14)
-A supernatural drama, based on a novel, and starring Colin Farrell, Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, etc...
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBSj1MKwx6A)

3 Days to Kill (February 21)
-Yet another awesome looking action film starring Kevin Costner...
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yswZKfnmf7c)

Pompeii (February 21)
- An action film based on the historic events in the city of Pompeii, starring several rising stars, including one Kit Harington...
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stuvEOcti1Y)

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT

"You're not just an animus anymore...you're operational now"

          Fun and action is what it is. Awesome when it needs to be, but otherwise ignores the aspects where quality is demanded by audiences in the modern world. No humour, no drama, no character development & classic plot, only redeemed by visually impressive, fast-paced action sequences, and a likeable action hero in Jack Ryan (Chris Pine).

          Kenneth Branagh did excellent with the directing, though not the same could be said with his acting (he portrayed the villain). The action sequences are the strong points of this film, with some fast paced hand to hand combats, and more importantly, some visually stunning chase sequences, be it in bikes or in cars. They are just simply entertaining and delightful to watch.

          However, in a recent trend of plot twists & turns, Shadow Recruit neglects the idea and follows with the classic, simple plot of good versus bad. Only external conflicts arise, and not a substantial conflict from the internal circle of the hero. This makes it less suspenseful and a bit too predictable. Perhaps, when the slogan says "Trust No One", you kind of expected something more than straightforward.

          Supposedly being an origin story, the film only touches a bit of Jack's past, and immediately jumps into the action. The first 15 minutes show nothing except his mere background, while having no significant impact to the rest of the film. Lacking the character development, it doesn't show us the transformation of Jack's character into the agent he is. Lack of humour, and lack of drama, and the film is just uninteresting outside of the action.

         The film did right where it had to, in the midst of the action, but lacks quality everywhere else, making it just another film that is fun to watch, especially in this lifeless month, without leaving a significant mark for the franchise. It really could do better as a reboot.

VERDICT:

Good: Impressive visuals, Awesome fast-paced action sequences

Bad: Simple plot, Lack of character development, Lack of humour & drama

SCORE: 6.0

Best of 2013 - Top 10 & Recap

This page is as a general recap list of the best films of 2013 listed for the past three weeks, along with a general list of the Top 10 films of the year.

Animation: Frozen

Action: Fast & Furious 6

Science-Fiction - Humans: The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

Science-Fiction - Beyond: Star Trek Into Darkness

Superhero: Man of Steel

Others: Rush


Top 10 of 2013:

10. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
9. Iron Man 3
8. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
7. Rush
6. Thor: The Dark World
5. Frozen
4. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
3. Man of Steel
2. Fast & Furious 6
1. Star Trek Into Darkness

Now, 2014 is here and a long year is ahead of us, and certainly with lots and lots of potentially exciting movies to look forward to, so stay tuned as I will reveal the potentially great blockbuster movies as the year goes...
2013 has been a great year for films, now its time for some more fun and action with the upcoming films of 2014...

Best of 2013 - Others

This category is for other genre of movies like comedy & drama, which I rarely seek upon (though it does not eliminate my views and respect for those kind of films).

Anyway, this category will cover a very narrow scope, as they are limited to those I have watched, and I have to be blunt, it is literally a very small number. So just bear with me while I try to pick the best of the films I have watched which were outside of the 5 main categories before this one. An apology in advance for not being able to cover these kind of films properly.


Nominees:
-Gravity
-Prisoners
-Rush

          As stated previously, I did not watch a lot of these kind of films, but as I recall, with the lack of blockbuster films in the months of September & October, along with the excellent reviews of the films above, I decided to watch those three above, with all displaying some great qualities, each in their own unique way.
          Gravity is the film that shook the minds and hearts of movie makers and audiences alike, with Alfonso Cuaron making this spectacle of a visual treat, like none other before. Prisoners is the film that delivers the thrill and suspense of a complex plot line, with confusion and twists being the centre of attraction of a well made plot. While Rush is a rare film that amazingly depicts an excellent rivalry of the past, in some style, supported with some excellent cast, visuals & drama.



Winner: Rush

          Gravity may be the film that shook the world and set minds anew, and also earns the biggest bucks of the three, but as an overall film, Rush is in my favour. Prisoners was never in the game as it lacked in proper pace and a satisfying ending. Although Gravity was one to remember for the ages, it just loses out to the overall quality and exciting movie experience that is Rush, experiencing the old rivalry of two great individuals, properly exploring opposite characters that attract yet clashes, with some of the best emotional conflicts and excellent visuals that brings a great movie to watch.

(imo)

Best of 2013 - Superhero

Yep, in case you're wondering where the superheroes were, here they are. This category needs no introduction, so lets just get on with it.


Nominees:
-Iron Man 3
-Man of Steel
-Thor: The Dark World

          There are only four superhero movies this year, yet they are all awesome, as you can see with these Marvel and DC superhero films which have been coming year after year after year. The Wolverine didn't make the list of nominee because of the overall blockbuster experience. On its own, it is a great movie, but didn't deliver as much fun and awe as the three nominees above.
          On the nominees side, however, Iron Man 3 delivers one of the finest overall blockbuster experience, with some great action sequences, along with the visual effects. Man of Steel is a great re-introduction of the character of Superman, while also opening a great big door for the world of DC to join in and compete in the big screens. Thor: The Dark World is an improvement over its predecessor, while bringing some of the most fun and laughs you can ever find in these kind of films.



Winner: Man of Steel

          Sorry Marvel, DC wins this time. Although as the other films, Marvel movies never disappoint and are always a joy to watch, Man of Steel just have that extra quality and a massively positive outcome for the universe. The overall quality of the film is excellent, with brilliant action sequences and visuals, while the strong characters and cast bring for a wonderful new Superman film, which outcome is probably the strongest aspect of it all, teasing other DC characters, and opening great big doors (or gates, we should say) for the DC cinematic universe to come into the mix.

(imo)

Best of 2013 - Science-Fiction (Beyond)

So, this will be the other side of the previous science-fiction category, in which the world itself would not feel like the one we live in now, whereby other races and creatures existed, probably alongside humans as well.


Nominees:
-Pacific Rim
-Star Trek Into Darkness
-The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

          As can be seen from the list of nominees, the movies are those which has creatures/races not of our world. Other films like this may include Riddick & After Earth. Oblivion is a tricky one though, as it centres mainly on humans, but the existence of an alien creature itself placed it here. And while Oblivion and After Earth have similar elements in them, AE is supposedly a rather big disappointment with very low quality both in plot and in characters. Oblivion, on the other hand, is strong on those aspects, but barely made it due to the brilliance and scale of the visuals of the films listed as the nominees.
          Pacific Rim is one that feels like a true science-fiction film with massive battle sequences between giant robots and humongous aliens. Into Darkness has the proper mix of story, drama, humour, and action as well, and a great twist of one menacingly terrifying villain. Meanwhile, The Desolation of Smaug is a vast improvement over An Unexpected Journey in nearly every way, is much more action packed, and delivers great visuals for a wonderful return to Middle-Earth. Plus, it has a more menacingly terrifying villain in the form of a dragon, and which is coincidentally voiced by the same person as the menacingly terrifying villain in STID. What a job this person has (*Benedict Cumberbatch).



Winner: Star Trek Into Darkness

          Pacific Rim was never in the game due to its rather simple plot and drama, but The Hobbit was just unlucky to lose out to Star Trek, which has the better of the overall quality. The Hobbit delivers what it ought to do with excellent visuals and fun action pack sequences, but is let down by minor flaws. Star Trek doesn't have those, delivering an excellent movie experience that seemed flawless for both fans and newcomers.

(imo)