Archive for November 2013
Rise of the Guardians (2012) reviewed by Emily Johnson
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Cast: Chris Pine, Alec
Baldwin, Jude Law, Isla Fischer, and Hugh Jackman
Director: Peter Ramsey
Synopsis: Chris Pine stars
in this lively animated tale based off the book The Guardians of Childhood by William Joyce. In this adaptation,
Jack Frost joins Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, the Sandman, and the tooth
fairy to defeat the bogeyman that threatens to destroy the imagination of
children everywhere. Along the way, Jack questions his identity and finds his
purpose as a guardian of children.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3/5 reels
Review:
Peter Ramsey unites classic characters in this fun-filled movie. Jack,
North, Tooth, Sandman, and Bunny bring to life the characters that have filled
legends and stories for the past century.
This film was a great family movie that kept you entertained while
maintaining clean humor and fun plot twists. Ramsey did an excellent job of
including one-liners that kept the adult audience laughing, but at their
wittiness instead of their crudeness that is often found in other movies.
This all-star cast did an excellent job providing the voices for their
characters. Although there were several points in the film where Alec Baldwin
slipped out of his Russian accent for the voice of “North,” I think it may be
in part to the writing of the script itself and not the fault of the actor. The
accented voice of Hugh Jackman also adds a great element to the character of
“Bunny” who is often referred to as a kangaroo because of his Austalian accent.
Although the film had it’s great moments, the majority of the time the
plot was predictable and the script was dry. There were few moments in the
storyline that you weren’t expecting as you followed the arch. I feel this is
almost to be expected of a film geared toward children, but nonetheless I was
left disappointed. The script writing also left something to be desired,
several times I felt that the writers could have added powerful dialogue
between the characters, but instead most of the film is single sentence
replies.
Despite some of its shortcomings, Rise
of the Guardians is a great family film that will put a smile on your face.
By Emily Johnson
Man of Steel (2013) reviewed by Brian Alvarez
Man of Steel (2013)
Cast: Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Michael Shannon
Director: Zack Snyder
Synopsis: A young boy learns that he has super powers and is not
of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and
what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must come out to save the
world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.
Rating: 5/5 Reels
Review:
The
film Man of Steel is a great portrayal
of Superman in the real world. In comparison to Superman Returns (2006), this version of Superman in my point of
view is well done.
The set construction along with the costume designs
were all great. It’s a timeless movie, a story for everybody and
really exciting to watch. It’s about the potential for everyone to do good.
Chris Nolan and David Goyer developed a story of a
realistic Superman that exists in the real world. To take a character and
modernize him to fit this world was brilliant. Basically they let the audience
participate in the experience that makes up Superman; they made him relatable
and grounded him.
Working on set with a single camera is a difficult
task to complete—long hours and character development. They basically landed
Superman in America in an era of 2012-2013 to make it feel as real as possible to
again help a contemporary audience relate to a super hero.
Another area of development is the costume, they did
not stick with the traditional costume, and they removed the underwear from the
original. By removing the underwear from the costume they made Superman fit to
this era and made him more relatable to the audience of this time, and not only for him but for the rest of the cast. Every cast member from the story has the same skin suit but with more armor or other features. The "S" stands for more than what most people think. It's the most popular symbol on this planet other than the cross. The significance of this symbol in Krypton means hope.
The message that Superman’s father leaves to the
audience is to lead to the front, be a hope, and don’t hide what you are. The action
of this film has been more amplified and much more of a fight than a drama
film. I would take it as The Incredible Hulk meets Superman Returns; most of his films don’t
use that much action or violence.
By: Brian Alvarez
Step Up Revolution (2012) reviewed by Youmi Song
Step Up
Revolution (2012)
Cast: Kathryn McCormick, Ryan Guzman
Director: Scott Speer
Synopsis: Kathryn McCormick stars as Emily, who is a daughter of wealthy father, and
she wants to become a professional dancer. She soon falls in love with Sean
(Ryan Guzman), a young man who leads a dance crew in elaborate, cutting-edge
flash mob, called “The Mob.” When a wealthy business man threatens to develop
The Mob’s historic neighborhood, The Mob turns their performance art into
protest art, and risk losing their dreams to fight for a greater cause.
Reviewer’s Rating: 3/5 Reels
Review:
Step Up Revolution is a fourth movie of the Step Up series. As already showed in previous movies, this movie
captivates the audience through the brilliant dances and performances. In
particular, Step Up Revolution makes
the audience admire the movie because of more developed mob dance scene and
well-organized performances. Moreover, the filming techniques and presentation
of the film in 3D really adds to the movie. It improves the perception of
spaces, objects, and curves. Drops of perspiration and water and each movement
are very well presented in 3D. In the
movie, five performances are shown, and they are all fresh. The dance
performances make the audience excited the next performance.
The film’s main
background moves to Miami which has a hot sun and beach. This background helps the
flash Mob to dance which reminds the audience of music videos and shows. Also, Miami
seaside setting helps to beautifully describe Sean and Emily’s romance.
From Step Up
first to fourth, the film’s stories are similar, so these make the audience predict
the development of the story. Thus, when the actors do not dance, tension is
decreasing. However, as the title of the film, Step Up “Revolution,” says the story points out the problems of
society. Even though the audience can assume the story, meaningful and coherent
content make them to sympathize the story.
The director,
Scott Speer, shows the voice of vulnerable people in society by showing people
who live in slums and wealthy hotels concurrently. Moreover, by describing
romance between the two main characters, Sean and Emily, who are from different
environments, the film tells the audience that people can connect each other
through what they like. Also, through a young perspective, the film says to the
story more freely.
Step Up Revolution is not that long of a movie with 99 minutes
running time. Even though the development of the story remains an inconvenience,
this movie is enough to capture the audience’ mind with spectacular
performances and powerful messages. Also, this movie does not allow the
audience a chance to be bored, but it makes the audience excited.
Despite the predictable
plots, this movie is worth it to watch especially for those who want to feel
passionate dances and performances.
By Youmi Song
Before Midnight (2013) reviewed by Joshua Ibanez
Before Midnight
(2013)
