Thor Movie Review

Releases: 28^th April 2011
Rating: M –  Contains Violence
Duration: 116 minutes 
Genre:  Action

Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman and Stellan Skarsgard

Director: Kenneth Branagh (Previous)

The Premise>> Exiled to Earth after his arrogance fans the flames of an ancient conflict, The Mighty Thor (Hemsworth) of Asgard discovers the meaning of humility when a powerful old foe dispatches a destructive force to crush humanity. Only when the banished prince has defeated an opponent capable of crushing him in battle will he learn what it takes to be a true leader.

The Review>> To be completely upfront with you I need to tell you that I used to collect comics when I was younger. So i am a bit of a superhero fan boy. In fact my wedding ring is a superman ring. So when they announced the Thor movie I was certainly pretty excited. The first teaser trailer didn’t really bring the noise, but once the full trailer came out it was starting to look like a lot of fun.

So off to the preview screening I went with medium level expectations and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The special effects were awesome and for once the 3D was actually worthwhile. You might have noticed that most reviewers are quite dubious about 3D releases on everything these days. In fact there are films that I have specifically gone to see in 2D just to focus more on the film and not the 3D conversion.

Then of course the storyline is not too bad, so often with these superhero films there is such a focus on special effects that the plot gets buried below. Here there is a lovely blend of home world back story and the interaction with earth. Chris Hemsworth actually does am awesome job as Thor, with a Shakespearean English accent and refined posture and style. In fact you forget very quickly that if is actually an Australian and even did a stint on Home and Away before heading off to Hollywood.

I read an interview with Natalie Portman which said that she was very thankful for the lack of intensity in the role and filming of Thor after the extreme nature of Black Swan. She even commented that it may have even helped to stave off a complete emotional breakdown. Of course I have to say that she is fast becoming one of my favourite actors, because even in the cheesiest of films she is able to bring a coolness that helps to add some credibility.

The Conclusion>> So overall, Thor is a brilliant action film with a touch of romance and a decent storyline.

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>>

Do stay past the credits for a little more action…

Fast Five Movie Review

Releases: 21^st April 2011
Rating: M – Contains Violence and Offensive Language
Duration: 130 minutes 
Genre:  Action

Starring: Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Paul Walker and Jordana Brewster

Director: Justin Lin (fast and Furious 4, Tokyo Drift)

The Premise>> Former cop Brian O’Conner partners with ex-con Dom Toretto on the opposite side of the law. Since Brian and Mia Toretto broke Dom out of custody, they’ve blown across many borders to elude authorities. Now backed into a corner in Rio de Janeiro, they must pull one last job in order to gain their freedom. As they assemble their elite team of top racers, the unlikely allies know their only shot of getting out for good means confronting the corrupt businessman who wants them dead. But he’s not the only one on their tail. Hard-nosed federal agent Luke Hobbs never misses his target. When he is assigned to track down Dom and Brian, he and his strike team launch an all-out assault to capture them. But as his men tear through Brazil, Hobbs learns he can’t separate the good guys from the bad. Now, he must rely on his instincts to corner his prey… before someone else runs them down first.

The Review>> I was so dubious as i sat waiting for this film to begin. After all this is one of those film franchises that has really wavered at times. The first was great, the second was rubbish, Tokyo drift please don’t talk to me about Tokyo drift. Then of course the original cast reformed for the fourth and there was a decent return to form.

So when i found out that they were bringing cast members together from each part of the series and then adding in the rock, i have say that i had a feeling of love and have, excitement and dread.

Can I just say that i thoroughly enjoyed this film, it had an awesome blend of high octane action with a fun level of cheese. Although not on the same level as the original Blues Brothers movie, this film smashes a massive amount of vehicles in some of the most original car chases that you will see.

Then of course there is something that has been coming for a long time, a fight scene between the rock and Vin Diesel. There two action stars really are the modern day Arnie and Stallone, although I do feel that both are better actors than the Governator and Rambo.

  

The Conclusion>> All that aside, this is actually an enjoyable film if you are willing to check your mind at the door. Lots of action and heaps of fun but not a lot of substance.

Arthur Movie Review

Releases: 21^st April 2011
Rating: PG – Contains Violence and Course language
Duration: 110 minutes 
Genre:  Comedy

Starring: Russell brand, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Garner, Luis Guzman, Nick Nolte and Greta Gerwig

Director: Jason Winer (Modern Family)

The Premise>> Irresponsible charmer Arthur Bach (Russell Brand) has always relied on two things to get by: his limitless fortune and the good sense of lifelong nanny Hobson (Helen Mirren) to keep him out of trouble. Now he faces his biggest challenge – choosing between an arranged marriage that will ensure his lavish lifestyle or an uncertain future with the one thing money can’t buy, Naomi (Greta Gerwig), the only woman he has ever loved. With Naomi’s inspiration and some unconventional help from Hobson, Arthur will take the most expensive risk of his life and finally learn what it means to become a man, in this re-imagining of the classic romantic comedy Arthur.

The Review>> This was one of those movies that you knew could either be a good bit of fun or a complete waste of time. The original film it is based on is quite possibly the quintessential Dudley Moore movie. It was a role that he owned, and it was going to be hard to imagine anyone else inhabiting it. Of course from the first moment that Brand slanked onto the screen there was this feeling that this role might have actually been his all along.

There are plenty of simple laughs and even a bit of a nice moral to the whole story about family and friends being more important than possessions.

 Although like Charlie sheen and his previous tv show there is this uncomfortable and yet funny portrayal of the consultant drinker. In some ways there is this element of glorifying the misuse of alcohol. However here as the film progresses the balance is restored.

The Conclusion>> Overall a nice comedic escape for a couple of hours.

Some extra bits to know about the film and to look out for>>

This film marks the second time, in only two years, that a character previously played by John Gielgud has been re-written as a woman and cast with Helen Mirren. Gielgud had previously played Prospero in Prospero’s Books (1991), while Mirren played Prospera in Julie Taymor’s The Tempest (2010).

This remake has been made and released practically exactly thirty years after the original Arthur (1981).

While sulking in his Batmobile after Hobson gives him an aspirin and vitamin, Arthur played by Russell Brand, scrolls through his phone to look for Naomi’s number and we briefly see Katy Perry, Brand’s wife in real life, listed as a contact.