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Reviews
The Lion King (2019)
Improved music and storyline
My thoughts on the 2019 version of the Lion King:
The music has even more depth to it and the songs really deliver in this iteration. Except for maybe the 'spirit' song and the version of Can You feel the Love Tonight (must be Beoncé).
About the plot, I was really pleased with getting a little bit more background on Scar and Sarabi. Having Shenzi as an additional antagonist added a sense of tension and darkness which made the movie even more compelling.
Arguably the best scene was the Lion Sleeps Tonight-beatbox-scene. Together with the giant nod to Beauty and the Beast, Rafiki's stick, and the added lines in Hakuna Matata, these really added a sense of humor that surpasses the original.
And last but not least, the visuals. Breathtaking. I really liked the added nature and insect shots. These shots make me want to watch this instead of the original.
The only downsides for me were the Beoncé songs and the fact that the photorealistic animals showed more subtle emotion. But that doesn't take away from the fact that this is a solid iteration and in some aspects even more likable than the original.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
DOS, Peter Jackson continues to surprise his audience
After having read Tolkien's books twice, seeing the LOTR trilogy countless times and even watching AUJ a couple of times, I was still very surprised with what Peter Jackson did to this second installment. But don't get to excited about the 8/10, because part of my surprise isn't meant to be positive.
Let me start by saying that I entered the cinema with completely different expectations than I did more than a decade ago when The Two Towers came out. I remember being very excited en completely dragged into the plot in no-time back then. Yesterday, none of this excitement was there. This may partly be due me growing up, but mainly because of the expectations set by 'An Unexpected Journey'. With the weird (mainly slow) pacing and many deviations from Tolkiens story in AUJ, I was hoping Peter Jackson wouldn't screw up in this part.
First of all, the scratches in my 3D-glasses and the color-filters (I was blinking all the time) kept me from emerging into the plot for the gross of the film. But I will look beyond that when I discuss the story.
The opening scene with Peter eating a carrot (did you spot him?) made it very clear that this second part would be HIS interpretation and, again, quite different from the book. Furthermore, the flashback in the opening scene served as a fine introduction, adding cause to Thorin's quest and paying us a nice re-visit to Bree.
A lot has been said about some scenes from the book not getting enough screen-time and too much focus being on the ring or Gandalf's quest. I personally think some of the adaptations serve as a good set-up for the LOTR films. We see that the ring is affecting Bilbo as well and actually showing Sauron in it's weak form adds great suspense to the film.
For the implementation of Legolas and Tauriel, I hold a different opinion. I think it's great to add a strong female character, since AUJ missed out on this part completely. Evangeline Lilly is very well casted and a convincing elf. Still, the romance felt kind of forced into the plot. Legolas, however, should have been left out of this part. Apart from the fact that he isn't in the original story, this plot doesn't need another hero and his scenes feel forced to resemble the ones in LOTR. Moreover, he looks very different from the Legolas we come to learn and love. His age, eyes, and character are completely out of tone.
About the dwarfs, this part ignores the character development in the first scenes of AUJ (in Bilbo's house). The gross is just wandering along and adds nothing to the story. I understand that 13 different characters are a pain to develop, but then why spending all this time on doing so in the first place? I think they definitely deserved more attention and development in this part.
Beside these remarks, the movie looks absolutely stunning and the scores and decors are wonderful. I even left the cinema excited for the final part.
In summary: The Desolation of Smaug continues to deliver and doesn't fail to meet the expectations set by the first installment. Although there are even more deviations from the original story than in AUJ, most of these changes are beneficial to the suspense of the film. The only problem with the Hobbit films, in my opinion, is that Peter Jackson tried too hard to add LOTR features to the story. Although I like to see some for the sake of continuity between the two trilogies, and some are even funny, most of the times it feels forced and out of place.
So for movie standards a 9/10, but since Peter Jackson tried to measure it with LOTR, a 8/10 for LOTR standards.
American High School (2009)
An high school movie
This movie makes two points very clear from the beginning: 1. This is a high school movie like American Pie(1999), but not nearly as good as, for example, College(2008). 2. It has no further purpose than to entertain, in which it barely succeeds.
What makes this movie worth watching it? Well, I'd have to admit I had a laugh or two. And the ladies aren't that bad in this movie. Furthermore, the acting isn't as bad as the plot. But still I would only recommend this movie if you're in for a bad flick, something that makes you appreciate the better ones in this genre (like the American Pie series) even more.
My judgement: Plot 1/10 Acting 5/10 Camera/editing/music 3/10
So my final score would be 3/10.
Fast & Furious (2009)
Highly entertaining
For the people who don't like the F&F series: Don't go watch it, because everything that makes you don't like this movie is in it. But on the other side, for all of you who are a fans of the series: this is a must see, because everything that makes you like this movie is in it. Fast cars, trusted characters and needless to say, a lot of action. The plot isn't the strongest aspect of this film, neither is the level of acting. But I get the feeling the creators of the movie didn't want it to be strong, compelling, innovating or confronting. 'Just sit back and enjoy the ride'. And if you let the movie take control of you, it will be a crazy one.
Me, being a fan of the series, liked this movie a lot. Therefore I give it a 7/10. But don't go look for a good story or great acting work.
Quantum of Solace (2008)
QoS, just as Another way to Die: It's still Bond, but not that good
Let me start by telling you that, after watching this film for the second time, I still feel like there's something missing and I still don't get the story straight. You really should have seen Casino Royale before you watch this one, if not you won't be able to make any sense of it at all.
Secondly I spent a lot of time thinking Why? during this film. Why is Bond being chased by the cars in the kick-off scene? Why is he chased by the airplanes in the, I must say, wonderful action scene in the third part of the film. Why is there so much likeness between this film and the Bourne trilogy? Why did Marc Forster decided to put the gun barrel-scene at the very end of the movie? As if this film isn't controversial enough. Why did the few attempts of humor (Every penny of it) felt like they were only put in this film to please the audience with some random Bond-jokes?
Daniel Craig and Dame Judi Drench make a wonderful appearance once again. But on the other hand, the villain of this movie (Dominic Greene) just didn't feel that evil. But I can't say that the 'missing feeling' comes from the fact that the characters weren't that interesting.
I do understand that QoS doesn't need a full two-hour plot, and that there doesn't need to be a casino visit in every Bond film. As well as the famous lines "My name is Bond, James Bond" and "Shaken, not stirred" can be skipped every ones in a while. But for heavens sake, please bring back the charming, humorous and intelligent Bond that Craig proved to be capable of being in CR. Maybe it had to be this way to make this plot to a good ending. As Bond would say: "The bitch is dead" please stop the vengeance part and get back to how things used to be. Make a fresh start with a whole new story and I'm sure QoS will get it's respect in time.
Verdict: Action 7 (A lot of pointless action, and very short shots) Plot 6 (Complicated, confusing, not all that interesting) Acting 8 (Wonderful)
I give QoS 7/10 stars and I am going to watch it again to see if it deserves more credits then it gets now. I advise you to do the same.
Peace