I normally don't speak badly about Disney, but....God...
Chicken Little
Directed by Mark Dindal
Starring Zach Braff as Chicken Little, Joan Cusack as The Ugly Duckling,
Gary Marshall as Buck Cluck, and Steve Zahn as Runt of The Litter
Once upon a time, in the early 2000's, Disney and Pixar were close to going their separate ways. Disney was abandoning traditional, hand-drawn animation, and was moving into producing their films in CGI animation like Pixar. The first film to come out of this time, was Chicken Little, and my God is it awful.
Taking place years after Chicken Little (Braff) has declared the sky is falling, he is now labeled a loser and a lunatic by the town, and his father (Marshall) shows nothing but resentment. Desperate for his peers' and father's approval, Chicken Little joins the school baseball team. He manages to score the winning home run, and is labeled a local hero. But when he discovers he was right about the sky, he must risk his newfound fame, and his father's approval, in order to save the world.
Somehow I believe, in an alternate universe, that bare-bone story could have worked, if the film took a different direction. But no, it takes about five other different directions, and the result is one mess of a film. This universe of anthropomorphic animals, and the jokes that are crafted from it, are not well developed. To add to that, all the pop culture gags and references come out of nowhere, and just aren't funny. If this film is in a universe dominated by personified by animals, how are they watching Raiders of The Lost Ark or Star Wars? How do they know who Barbara Streisand is?
What's probably less forgiving, is this is film is kind of mean-spirited. The father and how he treats Chicken Little is hard to watch, and makes him a very unlikeable character. A lot of the side characters are very mean-spirited and unlikeable too. On the other side of the coin, Chicken Little's misfit friends, are very annoying, Steve Zahn in particular as Runt of The Litter. His character's sole purpose in this film is to burst out pop culture jokes that miss their mark every turn.
I'm surprised at the famous names they got for this film in addition to the ones already mentioned, such as Patrick Stewart, Don Knotts, Adam West, and Wallace Shawn. To be fair, their roles are small, and they work with what they're given. Zach Braff as Chicken Little is fine. It's not a stellar performance, but it's not problematic either. Joan Cusack as The Ugly Ducking is "okay". Gary Marshall as Chicken Little's father, Buck Cluck, is just not like-able at all.
From a time where computer-animated, comedy films like Shrek were popular, I see Chicken Little as the old guy (Disney) trying to fit in with the "cooler" younger crowd, and it is hard too watch. Thank goodness Disney stuck with Pixar and with what they do best, in films like Tangled, The Princess & The Frog, and to an extent Wreck-It Ralph.
This film is a mess, riddled with annoying pop-culture references that don't belong in it, or in Disney in general. I mean for God's sake, the trailer was a Napoleon Dynamite homage and the DVD cover is a Men In Black homage! I would not recommend it to any Disney fan, animation fan, or even a parent looking to entertain their children for two hours. I remember when I was kid I watched it quite a lot. Rest assured if I could, I would travel back in time, and slap myself for it...
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Friday, August 23, 2013
Film Review- "Kick Ass 2"
Kick Ass 2
Directed by Jeff Wadlow
Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Dave Lizewski/Kick Ass, Chloe-Grace Mortez as Mindy McCready/Hit-Girl, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Chris D'Amico/The Mother Fucker, and Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars & Stripes
The general public seems to love the original Kick Ass while I'm just okay with it. The general public doesn't seem to like Kick Ass 2, while I find it better than the original? Am I insane? Maybe, but so is this film.
After the events of the first film, many citizens have become inspired by Kick Ass and decided to become heroes themselves. Dave is drawn back into the world of superheroes, starts training with Hit Girl, and joins a group of heroes called Justice Forever. Meanwhile, Mindy struggles to live a normal life and fit in at high school while leaving Hit-Girl behind, and a vengeful Chris D'Amico becomes the super-villain The Mother Fucker, and forms a league of super-villains to take down Kick Ass and other heroes.
As I've said before, the original Kick Ass is not for the faint of heart. Kick Ass 2 is DEFINITELY not for the faint of heart. While Kick Ass had its problems with an uneven tone, Kick Ass 2 knows what type of film it wants to be. The gloves come off, and it goes for the cringe-worthy, the gore, and the outrageous 110%. There is one scene involving some grotesque toilet humor, which I never go for, but it's just one scene. The action is once again, completely over-the-top and amazing. The jokes are dark and at time uncomfortable, but hilarious. The story is good. It goes to new heights and builds off what the first film set-up.
I got to say, while the Kick Ass character was a big problem for me in the first film, I found him in this film to have improved greatly. The character has matured. He has motivation. Aaron Taylor-Johnson gives a much more compelling performance this time around (Here's hoping he does a good job with Quicksilver, should he choose to be in The Avengers 2). Christopher Mintz-Plasse is better this time around, but I'm still just not a fan.
Chloe-Grace Mortez is again great as Hit-Girl. Jim Carrey gives a subtle but brilliant as Colonel Stars & Stripes. Clark Duke is given more to do in this film as Dave's buddy Marty and the new superhero Battle-Guy, and he works well with the more material he's given.
The rest of the cast is a mixed bag. The Justice Forever crew is to Kick Ass 2 what the Oozma Kappa fraternity is to Monsters University. While one or two of the characters are fun and interesting, the rest just aren't. The Mother Fucker's gang of villains (I can't type their name in good conscience) are insane. John Leguizamo, Morris Chestnut, and Garret M. Brown, as Javier, Marcus, and Dave's Dad all give limited but well-crafted performances.
While we're on the subject of limited performances, I wasn't very pleased with what they did with Lyndsy Fonseca as Dave's girlfriend Katie. Without giving anything away, they really push her aside in the film, and not in a pleasing way at all, considering all that went on with her in the first film. I get the actress is on a television show now, so she might not have been available as much, but it could have been done so much more satisfying to the character and the audience.
Kick Ass 2 knows what type of film it wants to be, and it goes for it. I found it improved in so many areas where Kick Ass came off as a weak film. If you enjoyed the first film in any way, definitely see this sequel.
Directed by Jeff Wadlow
Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Dave Lizewski/Kick Ass, Chloe-Grace Mortez as Mindy McCready/Hit-Girl, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Chris D'Amico/The Mother Fucker, and Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars & Stripes
The general public seems to love the original Kick Ass while I'm just okay with it. The general public doesn't seem to like Kick Ass 2, while I find it better than the original? Am I insane? Maybe, but so is this film.
After the events of the first film, many citizens have become inspired by Kick Ass and decided to become heroes themselves. Dave is drawn back into the world of superheroes, starts training with Hit Girl, and joins a group of heroes called Justice Forever. Meanwhile, Mindy struggles to live a normal life and fit in at high school while leaving Hit-Girl behind, and a vengeful Chris D'Amico becomes the super-villain The Mother Fucker, and forms a league of super-villains to take down Kick Ass and other heroes.
As I've said before, the original Kick Ass is not for the faint of heart. Kick Ass 2 is DEFINITELY not for the faint of heart. While Kick Ass had its problems with an uneven tone, Kick Ass 2 knows what type of film it wants to be. The gloves come off, and it goes for the cringe-worthy, the gore, and the outrageous 110%. There is one scene involving some grotesque toilet humor, which I never go for, but it's just one scene. The action is once again, completely over-the-top and amazing. The jokes are dark and at time uncomfortable, but hilarious. The story is good. It goes to new heights and builds off what the first film set-up.
I got to say, while the Kick Ass character was a big problem for me in the first film, I found him in this film to have improved greatly. The character has matured. He has motivation. Aaron Taylor-Johnson gives a much more compelling performance this time around (Here's hoping he does a good job with Quicksilver, should he choose to be in The Avengers 2). Christopher Mintz-Plasse is better this time around, but I'm still just not a fan.
Chloe-Grace Mortez is again great as Hit-Girl. Jim Carrey gives a subtle but brilliant as Colonel Stars & Stripes. Clark Duke is given more to do in this film as Dave's buddy Marty and the new superhero Battle-Guy, and he works well with the more material he's given.
The rest of the cast is a mixed bag. The Justice Forever crew is to Kick Ass 2 what the Oozma Kappa fraternity is to Monsters University. While one or two of the characters are fun and interesting, the rest just aren't. The Mother Fucker's gang of villains (I can't type their name in good conscience) are insane. John Leguizamo, Morris Chestnut, and Garret M. Brown, as Javier, Marcus, and Dave's Dad all give limited but well-crafted performances.
While we're on the subject of limited performances, I wasn't very pleased with what they did with Lyndsy Fonseca as Dave's girlfriend Katie. Without giving anything away, they really push her aside in the film, and not in a pleasing way at all, considering all that went on with her in the first film. I get the actress is on a television show now, so she might not have been available as much, but it could have been done so much more satisfying to the character and the audience.
Kick Ass 2 knows what type of film it wants to be, and it goes for it. I found it improved in so many areas where Kick Ass came off as a weak film. If you enjoyed the first film in any way, definitely see this sequel.
Film Review Throwback- "Kick Ass"
Kick-Ass
Directed By Matthew Vaughn
Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Dave Lizewski/Kick-Ass, Chloe-Grace Mortez as Mindy McCready/Hit-Girl, Nicholas Cage as Damon McCready/Nicholas Cage,
and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Chris D'Amico/Red Mist
Three years later, the sequel's out, and I still don't know how I feel about this film. I don't love it, but I don't hate it. My feelings towards Kick-Ass always seem to flip-flop, but here's my review.
Dave Lizewski (Taylor-Johnson), an average high school student, asks the question "Why has no one ever tried to become a superhero?" With nothing else to do apparently, he decides to become the superhero Kick-Ass. Dave soon finds himself in over his head when he comes across a father/son superhero team, Big Daddy and Hit-Girl (Cage and Mortez), and their fight to bring down crime lord Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong).
The fish out of water story of Kick Ass is fine. It's not incredibly original, but it's harmless. The original comic, which I haven't read, I've heard is pretty dark and cynical. The film is dark and cynical as well. It's not for the faint of heart I can tell you. But on the whole, I find the film to be slightly uneven in tone. At times it seems from scene to scene, the film goes from over-the-top, gore and cringeworthy, to subtle and light-hearted. Kick-Ass is clearly meant to be a gritty, superhero-film parody (Parody might not be the best word), but there are times where it goes to this place where it's trying to be just another superhero film. That being said, there is plenty to enjoy. The action is ridiculous and superb. There's enough jokes to laugh at. The dramatic, intense scenes are compelling.
My biggest problem with the film, is sadly Kick Ass. He's just not that interesting of a character. Aaron-Taylor Johnson, from his performance to his constant narration, annoys me. That and he has no real motivation to do what he does, until the third act of the film. I don't think I'm spoiling this for anyone, but only when in the third act, when Big Daddy dies and he feels compelled to help Hit-Girl finish their fight, does he have any sort of reason to do what he's doing. He says in the beginning "I didn't become a superhero to like revenge a parent's death or anything", he literally just became a superhero because he wanted to. I know this is a riff on superhero films, but giving Kick Ass that almost cliche' superhero motivation would have probably made him a more interesting character!
My second biggest problem, is Red Mist. Another character that's not very interesting. His motivation to become a superhero are not worthwhile, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse I don't enjoy as an actor. He's really just a plot device for Mark Strong's character, who on the other hand, gave a good performance in this film.
Do I even need to say how awesome Nic Cage and Chloe-Grace Mortez are in this film as Big Daddy and Hit Girl? They're over-the-top, they're well written, they're performances draw you in from the beginning. They are the best parts of this film.
So, Kick Ass is an uneven film, but would I ever tell someone to not watch it? Absolutely not. There is plenty to enjoy this film, despite its uneven tone and its unfavorable casting choices.
Kick-Ass 2 on the other hand...
Directed By Matthew Vaughn
Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Dave Lizewski/Kick-Ass, Chloe-Grace Mortez as Mindy McCready/Hit-Girl, Nicholas Cage as Damon McCready/Nicholas Cage,
and Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Chris D'Amico/Red Mist
Three years later, the sequel's out, and I still don't know how I feel about this film. I don't love it, but I don't hate it. My feelings towards Kick-Ass always seem to flip-flop, but here's my review.
Dave Lizewski (Taylor-Johnson), an average high school student, asks the question "Why has no one ever tried to become a superhero?" With nothing else to do apparently, he decides to become the superhero Kick-Ass. Dave soon finds himself in over his head when he comes across a father/son superhero team, Big Daddy and Hit-Girl (Cage and Mortez), and their fight to bring down crime lord Frank D'Amico (Mark Strong).
The fish out of water story of Kick Ass is fine. It's not incredibly original, but it's harmless. The original comic, which I haven't read, I've heard is pretty dark and cynical. The film is dark and cynical as well. It's not for the faint of heart I can tell you. But on the whole, I find the film to be slightly uneven in tone. At times it seems from scene to scene, the film goes from over-the-top, gore and cringeworthy, to subtle and light-hearted. Kick-Ass is clearly meant to be a gritty, superhero-film parody (Parody might not be the best word), but there are times where it goes to this place where it's trying to be just another superhero film. That being said, there is plenty to enjoy. The action is ridiculous and superb. There's enough jokes to laugh at. The dramatic, intense scenes are compelling.
My biggest problem with the film, is sadly Kick Ass. He's just not that interesting of a character. Aaron-Taylor Johnson, from his performance to his constant narration, annoys me. That and he has no real motivation to do what he does, until the third act of the film. I don't think I'm spoiling this for anyone, but only when in the third act, when Big Daddy dies and he feels compelled to help Hit-Girl finish their fight, does he have any sort of reason to do what he's doing. He says in the beginning "I didn't become a superhero to like revenge a parent's death or anything", he literally just became a superhero because he wanted to. I know this is a riff on superhero films, but giving Kick Ass that almost cliche' superhero motivation would have probably made him a more interesting character!
My second biggest problem, is Red Mist. Another character that's not very interesting. His motivation to become a superhero are not worthwhile, and Christopher Mintz-Plasse I don't enjoy as an actor. He's really just a plot device for Mark Strong's character, who on the other hand, gave a good performance in this film.
Do I even need to say how awesome Nic Cage and Chloe-Grace Mortez are in this film as Big Daddy and Hit Girl? They're over-the-top, they're well written, they're performances draw you in from the beginning. They are the best parts of this film.
So, Kick Ass is an uneven film, but would I ever tell someone to not watch it? Absolutely not. There is plenty to enjoy this film, despite its uneven tone and its unfavorable casting choices.
Kick-Ass 2 on the other hand...
Thursday, August 8, 2013
Film Review- "Man of Steel"
Man of Steel
Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Kal-El, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Michael Shannon as Zod, and Russell Crow as Jor-El
I know this movie came out awhile ago, but frankly when I saw it back in June, I was struggling to decide wether or not I really enjoyed it. Well after letting it sit for a few months, I can honestly say that Man of Steel is the best Superman film to date.
Given the dated cheesiness of the original Christopher Reeves films and the....I don't even know-ness of Superman Returns, I realize that might not be saying too much. Well anyway, as you can imagine, the film chronicles the life of The Last Son of Krypton. As a baby, Kal-El arrives on Earth, is adopted by the Kent's, and takes the name Clark Kent (Cavill). As he grows into a young man, he travels the world, trying to find his place among humans. Meanwhile, Lois Lane (Adams) is trying to track down and identify him, and a threat from Krypton remerges in the form of General Zod (Shannon).
While much of the typical Superman origin story is what makes this film, they do bring some new aspects to it. Namely Clark's early days as a nomad/wandering hero, the element of a new Krypton on Earth, and the government's unease with Superman. They're interesting plot points and do breathe some new life into the script. The script on a whole however, has some problems.
Our time on Krypton and the first act is rushed and underdeveloped. Some viewers, myself included, might not fully understand the Krypton backstory until Jor-El explains it to Clark in Act Two. The same can be said for Zod's mission and what he's after. That, and there are some moments, story-wise and visually, that are just too silly. These moments hark back to the Christopher Reeve days of Superman, and just don't fit in with this gritty, more realistic version of Superman Snyder has crafted.
The performances in the film are fantastic. Henry Cavill is the perfect Superman. Amy Adams is the perfect Lois Lane. Michael Shannon is the ultimate villain as Zod. Russell Crowe shines as Jor-El. Kevin Costner is, decent, as John Kent (I'm sorry but it just always seems to me like Kevin Costner doesn't care). Even the supporting cast like Henry Lennix and Christopher Meloni are great additions.
The visuals are great. Hans Zimmer's score is great. I can't deny this is a well-made film. I can't ignore the fact that at times Snyder goes for style over substance though, and with the upcoming sequel (Where Superman teams up with BATMAN!!!), they need to fix that problem. On a whole though, Man of Steel is another enjoyable superhero film. It may not have the power of The Dark Knight or The Avengers, but it will certainly stay fresh in viewer's minds for a few years to come.
Directed by Zack Snyder
Starring Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Kal-El, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Michael Shannon as Zod, and Russell Crow as Jor-El
I know this movie came out awhile ago, but frankly when I saw it back in June, I was struggling to decide wether or not I really enjoyed it. Well after letting it sit for a few months, I can honestly say that Man of Steel is the best Superman film to date.
Given the dated cheesiness of the original Christopher Reeves films and the....I don't even know-ness of Superman Returns, I realize that might not be saying too much. Well anyway, as you can imagine, the film chronicles the life of The Last Son of Krypton. As a baby, Kal-El arrives on Earth, is adopted by the Kent's, and takes the name Clark Kent (Cavill). As he grows into a young man, he travels the world, trying to find his place among humans. Meanwhile, Lois Lane (Adams) is trying to track down and identify him, and a threat from Krypton remerges in the form of General Zod (Shannon).
While much of the typical Superman origin story is what makes this film, they do bring some new aspects to it. Namely Clark's early days as a nomad/wandering hero, the element of a new Krypton on Earth, and the government's unease with Superman. They're interesting plot points and do breathe some new life into the script. The script on a whole however, has some problems.
Our time on Krypton and the first act is rushed and underdeveloped. Some viewers, myself included, might not fully understand the Krypton backstory until Jor-El explains it to Clark in Act Two. The same can be said for Zod's mission and what he's after. That, and there are some moments, story-wise and visually, that are just too silly. These moments hark back to the Christopher Reeve days of Superman, and just don't fit in with this gritty, more realistic version of Superman Snyder has crafted.
The performances in the film are fantastic. Henry Cavill is the perfect Superman. Amy Adams is the perfect Lois Lane. Michael Shannon is the ultimate villain as Zod. Russell Crowe shines as Jor-El. Kevin Costner is, decent, as John Kent (I'm sorry but it just always seems to me like Kevin Costner doesn't care). Even the supporting cast like Henry Lennix and Christopher Meloni are great additions.
The visuals are great. Hans Zimmer's score is great. I can't deny this is a well-made film. I can't ignore the fact that at times Snyder goes for style over substance though, and with the upcoming sequel (Where Superman teams up with BATMAN!!!), they need to fix that problem. On a whole though, Man of Steel is another enjoyable superhero film. It may not have the power of The Dark Knight or The Avengers, but it will certainly stay fresh in viewer's minds for a few years to come.
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