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Reviews
Full Frontal (2002)
Self-indulgent nonsense
I looked forward to watching this film - Duchovny, Hyde-Pierce and Brad Pitt are amongst my favourite actors. I knew the film was going to be a little wierd, but then, I like weird. And I knew it was an arty lo-budget affair. But none of this was to prepare me for the nonsense that followed.
To make a good film you need a good plot, and good characters. However the characters in this film have absolutely no character. There's nothing in the film that keeps you watching, it's more like highlights from 'Big Brother'. Only duller.
From one monotonous conversation to the next, 'Full Frontal' is nothing more than an exercise in self-indulgence. A way for the director to say "I got these big stars to perform for free".
And to further my disappointment more, Julia Roberts is in this film. An actress I've always been irritated by.
Don't bother watching this film, you'll never see those 2 hours again.
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Has it's weaknesses. But i'm a fan, I don't care.
As a Star Trek fan, my opinion of this film is a little biased. So read into it what you will.
There is an interesting premise to this film, the Romulans cloned Captain Picard 25 years previously and planned on abducting him and replacing him with their 'spy'. However a change of government and the plan was abandonded. The clone was sent to the dilithium mines of Romulus' twin planet, the Reman homeworld. (Romulus and Remus... geddit?)
However the clone, named Shinzon, has assasinated the Romulan senate, and with the help of a big scary ship, he is out to do something to Picard, and ultimately, destroy Earth.
Now, read that last paragraph closely. Haven't we seen that sort of plot a million times before? Not just in the Trek universe, but in Sci-Fi/Action movies in General. For me, the fact that Shinzon was out to destroy earth is a pretty weak element of the film.
If Earth is at risk in a Star Trek film or episode, that should mean it's the central plot element of the film. (re. First Contact) Not in this one though. It's like "OH MY GOD, SHINZON IS OUT TO GET PICARD!!! oh and by the way he's after earth aswell". It's more of an afterthought. They should have left that part out and just have it be all about Shinzon's jealousy/egomania. His hatred for the Federation isn't really intense enough.
Now onto Shinzon himself, or rather, actor Tom Hardy. What a pathetic performance. In no way does Hardy have the presence or acting ability to play a convincing Trek villain. One only has to look to Kahn, The Borg Queen, Gul Madred or Dr Tolian Soran to see how it should be done.
Hardy gives a wooden performance, and is practically carried by Patrick Stewart in their scenes.
Despite all this, the cast is strong and recognisable, and although 'Captain Picard' and 'Data' will never be as recognisable as 'Captain Kirk' and 'Spock', it doesn't really matter. In terms of acting ability though, you have to favour Picard and Data over their predecessors.
The highlight for me, is the musical score. What an awesome soundtrack! How can anyone not be taken in by the opening piece of music as the camera sweeps round the planets during the opening credits?!
So yeah I liked this film, but I'm a fan, and I care about the characters. And yes, i did cry. So although it's the weakest Next Generation film, I don't care.
Star Trek: Insurrection (1998)
Beautifully shot, wonderful cast
As a fan, my opinions may be biased, so read into them what you will.
Star Trek: Insurrection is a beautifully shot film, and a complete contrast to it's darker predecessor, First Contact. (Not that that film wasn't great)
Jonathan Frakes, who also directed First Contact, shows his versatility here as he creates a moving film worthy of the good Star Trek name. From the opening credits, which paint a picture of the ideallistic Ba'ku homeworld, to the chemistry between Picard and Anij, Frakes does a wonderful job.
The script is well written, and is probably the most accessible film to non-fans. It has the right blend of action, comedy and romance to satisfy all, and even the most ardent Trek hater would be hard pushed to criticise this one.
The plot is genuinly intriguing, the moral dilemma concerning the relocation of a few hundred people to benefit a million more is something many cultures here on Earth have been faced with.
The supporting cast is strong, which is something a Trek film really needs. (Unfortunately this trend was not continued with Star Trek: Nemesis, whose supporting cast is woeful to say the least)
There are good performances all round, and the regular Trek crew are as entertaining as ever. From Worf's "gorch" to Riker's "Android's Bottom", there are delightful scenes to satisfy the hardcore Trekkies.
Top notch film, can't think of any flaws. 9 out of 10 for me.
Star Trek: First Contact (1996)
top drawer movie
We finally get to see Zefram Cochrane! And he says the words 'Star Trek'! And the Borg are in it!
Yes, this really is a film for the fans. It's a bit like the episode of Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, "How It All Began". Here we get to see the birth of the Star Trek universe - the first ever Warp flight. Older fans of the original series may have felt some things are best left to the imagination, but for newer fans, this film is a gem.
Director Jonathan Frakes does a great job here, some truly engaging action scenes, in particular, the floatilla of Starships battling the Borg cube. Frakes' masterpiece however, was yet to come. (Star Trek: Insurrection).
The original script for this film had Picard helping Cochrane on Earth, and Riker up in Space fighting the Borg, and it's just aswell this was changed. Picard gets to be the action hero, which is only fair. It's his ship, after all.
A top drawer movie, worthy of the Trek name. 8 out of 10.
Star Trek: Generations (1994)
the film they had to make
After the success of the TV series, 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', and after the endless debates of who was the better Captain, Kirk or Picard, this is the film that Rick Berman and co. had to make.
Two generations collide, and not just two generations of Captains. Two generations of Star Trek fans come together in this film. Fans of the original series who didn't like The Next Generation had to see it, because Kirk was in it. And fans of the Next Generation who didn't like the original series had to see it, because Picard was in it. For fans of both, like myself, it was a dream come true.
So Data gets emotions, and Troi crashes the ship (not her fault, granted) and Picard and Kirk go horseriding. It really is a film for the fans. Non-fans needent bother with this one, they wouldn't understand. The most accessible Trek film was yet to come. (Insurrection).
All in all it's a good film, but it's really one for the fans. And as a fan, i thouroughly enjoyed it.
Bound (1996)
get through the first 20 mins and you'll be hooked
Bound is one of those movies that is slow to get going. The first part of the film is disjointed, and doesn't appear to be going anywhere, I didn't feel the lesbian thing was realistic enough for a start.
The plot itself is slow to get off the ground, and I felt my interest waning a great deal. The turning point for me was the scene between Corky and Violet where they iron out the details of their plan. Admittedly, a scene like this is a cheap and easy way to advance a plot, but I've always felt the Wachowski's were better directors than they were writers, and the direction of this scene saves it.
After this, it's non-stop intrigue all the way. My criticisms would be that the dialogue was cheesy at times, and Jennifer Tilly's husky voice gets annoying after a while (do you think she always talks like that? You can't imagine her speaking like that to a bank clerk, for instance)
But all things considered, this is a good film. Not a great one, but not a poor one either. Just don't get distracted before it starts getting good!
3 stars out of 5 from me.