X Men: The Last Stand, the third film in the franchise, is altogether different from it's predecessors. It's also more shocking, despatching established characters from the offset so you're left with the feeling that anyone could be next.

 

The action is fast and furious and well handled: stand out sequences including a glimpse into the Danger Room, Magneto's attack on a government prison convoy, the final showdown. .  .

However, this seems all to be at the expense of characterisation, which is a great shame (it being the strong point of the earlier films). New characters are introduced so swiftly I was left not knowing their name or with no good idea of their powers. I spent most of the film trying to work out if one of Magneto's new Goth mutants was a man or woman (I'm still not clear on this!)

 

High points: Amazing action sequences, shocking twists, The Phoenix kicking ass, fanboy nods, Wolverine in general

 

Low points: Not much character development. Not as good as the previous two films.

 

X Men: The Last Stand (7/10)  Exciting action sequences at the expense of characterisation

Tom Cruise stars in the thrid installment of the Mission Impossible franchise, this time directed by J J Abrams, and with Philip Seymour Hoffman as the villain.

 

Where the first Mission Impossible film had a terribly confusing plot, and the second film no plot at all (mainly just a homage to Tom Cruise's hair), this film provides a nice balance between the two, with an exciting plot that is just complicated enough.

 

The influence of J J Abrams is everywhere- especially noticeable if you are an Alias fan- from the style itself (and the elusive 'Rabbits Foot'- the device they are searching for) to the blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance of Alias favourite Weisz at the beginning. Plus Tom Cruise has clearly been visiting Sydney's Wig Shop! Also watch out for spy movie homage- such as the scene on the bridge from True Lies.

 

There are some obvious twists, but overall it's a very exciting, enjoyable couple of hours. Philip Seymour Hoffman is especially effective as a villain, as chilling and realistic as they come.

 

Highlights: Scene where they break into the Vatican, Tom's many disguises which include Monk's garb and 'dress like a Czech'. Any scene featuring Mission Impossible theme.

Low points: Maybe the romantic scenes, but they're not that bad.

 

Mission Impossible 3  8/10  Best so far of the franchise

 

Stars James Franco (or Harry from Spiderman) and Rufus Sewell, among others, it's a tale of tragic love between Tristan (a Briton) and Isolde (Irish princess-type) in the Dark Ages.

 

Action sequences are pretty good, enjoyed some head severing and general skewering. Tristan is a bit wet though, you can't understand Isolde's infatuation with him (unless it's his fabulous hair) and honestly, she'd be better off with Rufus Sewell's king. Rufus Sewell is easily the best thing in the film, making you sympathise very much with him and not the star-crossed lovers.

 

High points: Good fighting scenes. Good hair.

Low points: Drippy romance.

 

A word of caution- if you've seen the trailer, you've virtually seen the film.

 

And the supposedly tragic ending had me laughing and branded a "soulless beast".

 

Dragged to see this without wanting to, this was Harrison Ford's latest effort.

 

Harrison plays a man whose family are kidnapped by evil Englishman Paul Bettany and held until Harrison robs the bank he is employed by for him. Obviously, however, he does not go along with his plans and decides to take matters into his own hands.

 

You know you're off to a bad start when Harrison Ford is playing the same character he has played in almost every film for the last 10 years, and when you spend your time wishing his family were being more poorly treated in the film.

 

Highlights: A Jesus song, and some very poor threatening behaviour from Paul Bettany involving knee breaking (or not).

Low points: The rest. Some shocking dialogue.

 

 

Been very lazy lately and not updated.

 

So, since (eek- November!) have watched:

 

Corpse Bride (good)

The Libertine (poor)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (great!)

The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe (also great)

King Kong (good but slightly worthy)

Just like Heaven (nice but not that fab)

Match Point (good if a little peculiar)

March of the Penguins (Penguins! Yeah!)

Brokeback Mountain (excellent, the best film I have seen all year!!)

Hidden (French, good but odd. Nasty rooster decapitation scene)

Derailed (odd but not that good. Nasty Jennifer Aniston rape scene)

 

 

Lord Of War stars the ever dependable Nicholas Cage and the ever attractive Jared Leto as two brothers who turn to arms dealing as a way of making money. As drugs and the feds begin to close in, will the brothers choose money or morals and their families?

 

This film is very enjoyable, if a little worthy.  It's nice to actually have an intellectual action film, and the opening sequence, although shocking, is fantastic.

 

Lord Of War (6/10) Intellectual action film

 

On the other hand, The Legend of Zorro is an action film with absolutely no intellect whatsoever. Antonio Banderas returns as Zorro, with Catherine Zeta Jones as his now estranged wife, who leaves him for Rufus Sewell's evil Count. They are joined in this film by their irritating child son.

 

This is nowhere near as good as the Mask of Zorro.  There are nice touches throughout, like scenes of horses rearing in a classic romantic fashion, and any scene where Zorro draws a big 'Z' on something. But the plot is confusing, and the 'failed marriage' aspect is depressing, as is Zorro wallowing in his own misery. And don't even get me started on the son, who's in it far too much.

 

The Legend of Zorro (4/10) Predictable, forgettable, but enjoyable hogwash all the same

Only have time for hasty reviews today I'm afraid.

 

Serenity was written and directed by Joss Whedon of Buffy and Angel fame, and based on his short lived TV series Firefly.

I haven't actually ever seen Firefly (its not made it to terrestrial TV yet) but having seen this film  I now really want to. It's a great film, scary in places, with the humour of Buffy and Angel. Not having seen the series doesn't cause a problem, though it does make one of the characters in the film (who we named Angora, but that wasn't actually her name), who apparently is terribly important in the series, appear completely redundant. Also it's really nice to see a fantasy/sci fi film like this in the cinema, particularly as terrestrial TV is so devoid of decent scifi shows at the moment.

 

Serenity (8/10) Go see it!

 

 

Also recently I've watched Domino.

Plot: Keira Knightley is a model turned bounty hunter who ends up with a reality series and in some trouble involving the Mob. It's very stylish, and Keira is very un-Keira like. It's also quite funny in parts, but there are some very gruesome bits (shut your eyes for the bit with the arm!)

 

Domino (5/10) A triumph of style over substance.