The Wolverine (2013)

After all those years, Wolverine still manages to stay sharp.

Some time after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand, Logan is living a life of solitude in the forest just outside the small town of Yukon, still living with the guilt of killing Jean Grey. He is soon visited by a mysterious Japanese girl named Yukio who has been looking for him for a year upon orders of his master, Yashida, who also happens to be a friend of Logan after saving him during the Nagasaki atomic bombing. Logan is informed that Yashida is dying and he wants to personally see Logan to say his goodbyes. Logan reluctantly agrees but soon finds out that saying goodbye is the least of his problems.

The film is based on the 1982 Wolverine arc by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, which is very popular and is considered as being one of the best arcs in X-Men. Despite not reading the comic, it's quite an honor to see the movie based on the comic even though changes and revisions have been made. The film itself is laid out like a comic book. The arcs are very noticeable and distinct from one another. We start off with Logan in Yukon where he lives a life of of recluse and having friends with a grizzly bear. It transitions to the next arc by the arrival of Yukio and their travel to Japan. The moment he arrives in Japan is another arc where we see him meet his old friend and finds out the real reason why he was called in Japan. The transition to the next arc would be his involvement with Yashida's granddaughter kidnapping and eventually the romance between them. The second half of the film mostly focuses on his growing love for Mariko, Yashida's granddaughter, but at the same time, being haunted by the ghost of Jean Grey. Jean Grey appears throughout the entire film but the real purpose of her appearances is given further meaning when Logan starts loving another woman. The last arc would have to be saving the day as typical of any superhero movie. 

One thing to look out for in this film is the vulnerability of Logan. We see him get tired, get hurt and get wounded, a side where we are not used to seeing or even imagining when we think of the Wolverine. This plot twist gives more meaning and depth to the character that Hugh Jackman has been playing for more than a decade now. The constant visits of Jean Grey in Logan's dream are a debatable topic since some like it while some don't. Personally, I find it very effective in giving more character depth not only for Logan but also the Wolverine in him. Her constant visits remind Logan of who he really is and the guilt she brings to him only makes him stronger despite being troubled at first. In this film, Logan has two women he loves; one is a ghost who torments him with guilt while the other is very much alive and is willing to help him move on. Both characters are very essential to the character development of Logan. The character Mariko is the key to changing Logan. She is the reason why Logan should continue living. The juxtaposition is always seen with Jean Grey's ghost visiting Logan. Through Jean, the point of transformation for Logan is clear and perfectly understandable.

The film is not as perfect as it sounds though. It does have a few things that are off about it. The third and final act of the film is weak. After so much character development and great build up towards the end, it surprisingly fails to give the awesome ending you want. The first two acts would tease so much about different things especially with regards to the other characters such as Viper and Harada, Mariko's childhood sweetheart, that you will expect something significant from them by the end. The twist is fine. I didn't see it coming but it is not that much of a shock. Other than this, one concern is how watching it will make confuse you on where you should put out all your emotions. The movie can be about Logan and his emotional battles or it can be about Logan's battle against the other villains. You can choose but either way, something feels off about it. 

In terms of production design and location, Japan is a great choice of setting for the movie. It gives off the feeling of new yet traditional and old. It is actually parallel to the character of Wolverine who lives in the modern world despite living for decades already without aging. The film really shows the two faces of Japan. From a busy and modern city where the young and hip are to the country side where peaceful and traditional Japanese people are. I'm pretty sure it even promotes Japanese tourism at some point since the cultures and traditions of the Japanese are also introduced to the audience. 

In conclusion, The Wolverine is one of the best films of the year. Great action, great story, and great characters. It may have flaws of its own but one would always over-look them if the film is entertaining, which it is. A piece of advice, there is a scene in the middle of the credits which serves as a great teaser for the upcoming film X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Rating: 4/5

Tuhog (2013)

All the emotions in this film would definitely pierce through your heart.

Tuhog, a Filipino word for skewer, as a whole, is comprised of three individual stories of three different people, whom by chance are literally connected with one another due to a freak accident which causes a pole to impale through them, much to the difficulty of the doctors. The doctors can only save two of them since there are only two available operating rooms in the hospital. The movie then goes through a series of flashbacks showing the story of each characters and how they ended up in their unfortunate situation. 

The first character is Tonio (Leo Martinez). He is an old retired man who dreams of becoming a baker. His family is skeptic about this dream of his because he does not know anything about baking and business. However, Tonio is determined to fulfill his dream despite the negativity.

Fiesta (Eugene Domingo) is a bus conductor whose life has always been about taking care of his demented father which resulted to her grumpiness and feisty attitude which drives away men around her. One day, she meets the new bus driver, Nato (Jake Cuenca) whom she eventually learns to love and vice versa. When everything seems to be going well, Fiesta soon finds out Nato's secret which ruins their relationship.

Lasty, Caloy (Enchong Dee) is a college student who is having a hard time keeping a long distance relationship work with his girlfriend Angel (Empress). Both promised to preserve their virginity to one another until they meet again but the distance between them proves to be quite a challenge for both parties to remain faithful to one another. 

Skylight Films, the sort-of indie version of Star Cinema, decides to release an indie type film through mainstream means. This thought alone would already draw skepticism; would it go for the full indie film or would it have a hint of commercialism here and there? How about both? Nevertheless, Tuhog manages to capture the audience's heart in this emotion and theme driven film that shows a deeper side of man, the side which shows man in search for meaning and purpose in his life. 

The most memorable story out of the three would have to be that of Eugene Domingo or the story of Fiesta primarily because of the depth of the story plus the acting skill of Eugene Domingo. Though memorable, it is far from flawless. There were plot holes in the decisions the characters made that hoped to have gone unnoticed with the help of acting delivery but it did not help. An example would have to be the Fiesta suddenly deciding to share her life story to Nato. If she was as hardcore as the premise established her to be, she would not have easily shared to anyone such personal information especially if they barely knew each other. Another example would have to be the sudden love affair between Nato and Fiesta which seemed to have come out of nowhere. Though we see it coming, there was not a proper build-up about it. However, if I'm gonna be all romantic, I would just like to believe that this can be a good example of how love can be very unpredictable.

In terms of story that everyone can probably relate to, it would have to be Leo Martinez or Tonio. It showed the typical Filipino family and their values which are constantly challenged such as being family-oriented, having a sense of gratitude and even patriarchy. Leo Martinez is able to give life to his character and he is able to send a serious message across the audience despite using comedy as a medium. Though Eugene's story is more memorable, Martinez' story is my personal favorite. One scene that definitely struck me was when he was doing a monologue about his life when all he did was to support his children's dreams yet they couldn't even support him now for his single plea. This part is ageless since it can cater to sons and daughters, wives, husbands and especially the elderly.

Enchong or Caloy's story on the other hand is the lightest of the three. It uses a very young approach and more comedic than the rest. This part is definitely funny and entertaining but I can't help but feel that this is where it becomes commercial. Technically speaking, this is another love story starring high profile actors in order to bring in audience. Probably even the reason why they showed this part last. A typical love story which happens to have more sex jokes which eventually receives a rating of R-13 and then voila! You have an indie film. 

Overall it was a good film. I was satisfied except for the end where I felt like I was cheated to a happy ending. Before getting impaled by the pole, each of the characters were in the worst stage of their dilemmas and the moment they got out the hospital, all their problems just miraculously came to a resolution. I understand that they just came from a near death experience and all problems can be forgotten but it felt too abrupt. Other than that, the narration by the end could have been taken out since it became too preachy already. It should have left the viewers to think on their own rather than feeding them the point of the movie. One last random and unimportant thing, I don't like how I felt like it was indirectly telling the audience to be kind to kid beggars on the streets. Watch it and you'll know what I'm talking about.

Rating: 3/5

Turbo (2013)

Starts off fast but soon runs out of fuel. Still an enjoyable ride though.

Theo, a garden snail, always dreamed of living the fast life and racing in the Indy 500. However, his brother, friends, and Mother Nature herself seems to disagree. After one freak accident, he finds himself living the fast paced life he always dreamed of. After leaving the garden he never considered his home, he and his brother find themselves under the care of the socially-awkward fast-food worker, Tito. Just like Theo, Tito dreams of something bigger than being a simple Mexican selling Tacos to tourists. Risking all the money Tito and his friends have, they decide to go to Indianapolis and enter Turbo in the Indy 500 in hopes for achieving their dreams.

After Despicable Me 2 and Monsters University, Dreamworks enters the competition with Turbo. It did not disappoint but it did have some troubles in terms of keeping the creativity alive until the end. Needless to say, it still possesses what an underdog story requires and good enough to keep little children entertained.

The premise of the film is quite interesting and it brings something new to that small dreamer with big dreams concept. It reminds me of Pixar's Ratatouille but does not come close though. There are lots of similarities such as the tiny dreamer being an animal, the big dream of being a racer and being a chef, the challenges the main characters had to face such as the unbelieving and not supportive family, the company and love they receive from a human and finally, just like any animated film, the happy ever after they get when they reach their dreams. What lacked in Turbo that Ratatouille had was the craziness. Turbo started off great and was on the run but soon finds itself slowing down and ventured into familiar and predictable territory. 

Another aspect wherein it might have failed is the lack of conflict. When Turbo was still Theo, in other words: slow, he had so much conflict in his life that you would sympathize and feel sorry for him. You would want to help this little guy achieve his dreams of racing in the Indy 500. However, the moment his life is sped up, most if not all seems to fall into their rightful places. There are problems he would encounter but they would all be given a solution easily. Just like the name, there is a feeling of hastiness leading towards the climax. It somehow feels rushed that you would be surprised that you are already in the climax of the film without having felt the build-up before it. In relation to the climax and build-up, I had some concerns with regards to the establishment of the characters' plan of action in order to achieve their dreams. Theo dreams of racing while Tito dreams of making his brother's restaurant known. Each of them has a clear goal in mind but the problem they face is how will they achieve their individual dreams by working together. I'm more than confident that the answer is clear even to the youngest viewer in the audience. Question is, why did it take so long for the movie to give us the obvious answer? This is for Theo to race in order to bring fame to Tito's brother's restaurant. 

In another aspect of the film, I really like the different characters in the movie. They were very entertaining especially the racing snails. The voice cast were perfect and they managed to bring lots of laughter and variety to the movie. Each were memorable in their own distinct way. Turbo also manages to set the bar high for animated films in terms of animation and editing. The environment was great and it was visually stunning. I personally like the part where Theo was looking at the passing cars on the highway, the use of time lapse was very pleasing to the eyes and also a great juxtaposition to the slow moving snail that's observing them.

Overall, Turbo is a fun film filled with hope and dreams that encourages children to never give up their dreams no matter how small they are and how big their dream is. It manages to entertain and gives a few good laughs from the audience without the need of innuendos for the adults. I just have to say that this film is really more focused for the children's entertainment. The faults and shortcomings noticed by the adults would most definitely not interest the children. 

Rating: 3/5

The Lone Ranger (2013)

Another Disney disappointment.

In the 1930s, an elderly Tonto tells a young boy the story of John Reid and how this man of the law turned into the Lone Ranger. John Reid, together with his brother and other rangers are in pursuit of the notorious Butch Cavendish but find themselves ambushed and left for dead. Tonto, a Comanche, reluctantly helps John Reid with the insistence of a white horse that is said to be a spirit. John Reid is brought back to life by the white spirit horse and together with Tonto, they must bring Butch Cavendish to justice. But as they go on their journey, they soon find out that they have more enemies to face aside from Cavendish himself.

I would like to believe that the short summary I wrote here sounds very exciting and would make me want to see the movie. That's my way of making me feel better whenever I think about this movie.

Straight to the point, what makes this movie a failure is its bland and draggy script. To think this is an action only makes it worse. It had a lot of nerves to run for more than two hours but cannot even keep up to its promise of keeping the audience entertained and alive. 30 minutes into the film, I felt obligated to finish it just for my money's worth. The film did not have that emotional drive for the audience to relate to. I felt like there was an invisible wall between me and the screen when I was watching it. Very ironic since the two main characters had to go through a lot of hell in their lives yet you would feel no sympathy for them at all. You are very much aware that this is only a movie and none of this is real. That's probably the main reason why it felt so long and draggy. Another reason would have to be in relation to the main character himself, the Lone Ranger. It took more than an hour for him to realize that the mask means something to him. The character development was so slow that by the time he finally accepts the title of the Lone Ranger, everyone watching it would only say "Finally!" It would always come to a point wherein I would start looking for something that it missed or something that is supposed to be there but is taking too long to be revealed. As a result, during the climax of the movie, some of them felt cliche and predictable. As I mentioned, you already know what will happen, you just need to have the patience to wait for it.

However, not all is worth despising. Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp made a good team. Their humor would most often give a few laughs and giggles whenever the movie would start to go downhill. The fact that they can keep the audience awake is already worth praising. Johnny Depp portrays the role of the Comanche Indians quite well. It was impressive since he actually learned how to speak the Comanche language. Just can't help but feel that somehow, a little Jack Sparrow made his way into this movie. Armie Hammer on the other hand did a commendable job with his acting skills. It could have been better but good try nonetheless. 

I did find one aspect of this movie witty and worth noting. The story is told by an elderly Tonto so obviously the entire movie is a flashback sequence. However, once in a while, it would shift back to the present where we see the elderly Tonto still telling the story to the little boy and the little boy asking questions at the same time. It's like the movie is snapping its fingers at the viewers and keeping them all awake. It's its way of telling the audience that this is only a story being told by some American Indian to a boy at a fair in San Francisco. I find their approach of using the 'unreliable narrator' a smart move. It gives more variety and an explanation to all the plot holes in the film. By the end, you would be as confused as the little boy if the entire story was real or not. But just as Tonto replied, "Up to you."

Rating: 2/5

Before Midnight (2013)

I would have loved to see their wedding day.

It was summer of '94 when Jesse and Celine first met on a train for Vienna. On that fateful day, they knew it was love they had but eventually, they had to take different paths as soon as the sun rose. After a failed tryst, nine years have passed and Jesse was in France for a book tour and there they meet again. Before sunset, Jesse had to decide if he was to stay with Celine or catch that plane back to the United States. Finally after nine years, Jesse is at the airport bidding his son from his ex-wife goodbye going to the US. Here we learn that he did stay with Celine before sunset nine years ago and to everyone's surprise, they are now parents to twin daughters and are on a vacation in Greece.

Just like the previous films, the movie mainly comprises of Jesse and Celine walking around in some place, this time Greece, and talking about their life and views on all the things this world has to offer. What makes it different though is that first of all, before they go on with their one on one conversation, they now have other people with them to join their conversation. Just like married couple do. Talking to other couples and exchanging notes and ideas on how they live their married life. Just like the movie Before Sunset, this film offers quite a development of its characters. The trilogy runs on a concept that all of the films take place in real time with real people. So given this fact, indeed, nine years have passed since Before Sunset and no human being would not change after nine years. Especially after getting married. So what this film shows is the life that couples go through once they are married. 

As established, Jesse and Celine are no longer just a couple, they are now husband and wife and parents to twin daughters. Just like any couple do, especially the married ones, they would fight over things such as jobs, fidelity, hierarchy, sex and a whole lot more. Their type of conversation is now different from what it was compared to the first time they met on the train and the time they met again in France. One of the most memorable conversations they had was probably the one in the beginning of the film. After bickering about Celine's plan of changing her job, they proceeded to talk about a friend of theirs and his love life. I find it really funny since never did they talk about any other couple in the first two films. One can say that this comes naturally at the point where people are already married and talking about other people's relationships can be a good and interesting subject matter. 

The film, as expected, is still philosophical and psychological as ever. There were lots of things they talked about and one conversation was entirely devoted to the evolution of love. The conversation in that scene was very interesting since they had prepared a conversation between a young couple, a middle-aged couple, and an old couple. The exchanges of ideas were very insightful yet still natural. The topic of feminism and masculinism (yes there is such word), just like the previous films, were also brought up, but this time with more information and perspectives coming from different generations and experiences.

By the time Jesse and Celine are now given the chance to be alone and talk with one another, they give us a brief background of what happened during the nine years they had together after their reunion in France. They bicker a bit but soon patch things up but it is clear that there is an ominous air between them. They end up going to this hotel since a friend of theirs encouraged them to stay the night there and be alone together. Sexy time happens but let me tell you now that it doesn't push through (no pun intended) since they end up fighting. 

I won't spoil the rest but basically, what this movie tells us is that life is not always a fairy tale. There will always be ups and downs and it can never be avoided. What's always important is that by the end of the day, you patch things up and understand one another. 

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy's acting is worth praising as always. I love how they give life to the entire movie. The way they deliver their lines, they make it so natural it looks like it was filmed spontaneously with the actors improvising their lines. Never has endless talking been so dramatic and exciting at the same time. I don't think any other film could imitate this film, and if they do, I wish them luck. The film just like its predecessors again is shot in continuous takes whenever they have a sweet conversation. You don't need to have a sharp eye to notice that when the two of them were fighting in the hotel room, the shots are now different. From a once continuous shot, it now makes use of cuts and is focused on who is speaking. I find this simple trick genius in order to show the speaker's anger and make the audience feel it.

Once again, Richard Linklater's did not fail in giving us the realistic romance we all want. He is back with this masterpiece to produce a trilogy of classic pieces of romantic films. Right here, right now, I want to say that I am pretty confident that this trilogy would definitely be remembered forever as one of the most romantic films ever made.

Rating: 5/5 

Before Sunset (2004)

Time goes by so fast.

Nine years after Jesse and Celine met on the train in Vienna, they meet again in France during Jesse's book tour in the area. They stroll around France and catch up before Jesse will leave again for a plane back to America.

After a failed tryst in the past, two people cross paths once again but this time, with a nine year gap between the two of them. The movie is very exciting and nerve-wracking. You wouldn't know what happened and you would only understand as the movie progresses. A romantic film that keeps you at the edge of your seat is something worth noting.

The movie, just like its predecessor, is Jesse and Celine walking through the streets of France, catching up with all the things they missed with one another. Director Richard Linklater makes use of long takes just like the predecessor. Such skills are really remarkable for both the director and the actors themselves. Imagine having to deliver numerous lines for 7 minutes straight without interruption and mistakes while walking through the streets of Paris. But of course, it probably helped since Hawke and Delphy helped in writing the screenplay this time so they know what to say and how to say it.

If the first film did not have character development, Before Sunset offers a lot of it. The movie aims to take place on real time. Nine years have passed since Before Sunrise was released so it seems proper that nine years passed as well in the world of Jesse and Celine. Each of their character's development is very well-crafted and well-written. Their conversations are more mature and the way they see ideas and philosophies are more profound compared to their younger selves.

With nine years of difference between the two of them, the conversation and screenplay would be difficult I imagine but the product from this movie was a success. The way they talk to one another first is that of a friend meeting another friend after not seeing each other after a long time. They catch up on small and trivial things such as their jobs, hobbies, and whatever easy things they can talk about. As the movie goes on, the conversation gets deeper and more revealing. The emotion that was bottled up for nine years are slowly revealed and they start to say what they really feel after that encounter in the train nine years ago.

Aside from love and reunion, the film talks about the irony of life. In the nine years that the two of them were apart, they managed to get the things that they needed. They were able to build a name for themselves, they have a stable job, so on and so forth, yet they did not have each other. Having those things were always never enough, none of them mattered when the other one was not with them.

The film ends in a very hopeful note. That much I can tell you.

Rating: 5/5 

Before Sunrise (1995)

If only it was this easy to meet a girl.

In the summer of 1994, Jesse Wallace, an American, is on a train going to Vienna to catch a cheap flight back to the United States. It is in this train where he meets the beautiful Celine, a French girl on her way back to France. They talk for a while and when the train stops at Vienna, Jesse boldly asks Celine if she would accompany him for a while before he leaves for the US. The rest of the movie was on the shoulder of Celine's decision if she would go or not. Thankfully, she chose the former.

I am not really a fan of romantic films and if given the choice between a horror or romantic film, I would choose the former. So the fact that I enjoyed this movie and giving it a positive review means it's beyond good. What makes this movie very interesting and romantic is the fact that it doesn't try hard to please you. There are no dramatic deaths or crying or slapping each other in the face. The film basically revolves around a man and a woman, strolling on the streets of Venice from mid-afternoon until dawn, talking about their life and perspectives about different things, and it definitely works!

Watching the movie feels like more than like you're spying on a couple, rather it feels like as if you're watching a documentary on how a couple goes on their first date. How they act with each other, what they talk about and the simple and little things they do when the other is not watching. The movie is very realistic and honest. It doesn't rush things the way blockbuster films do.

Ironically, these couple are not even extraordinary. Moreover, as much as Vienna is beautiful, the movie made it look so mundane. What kept this movie alive is their conversation. The script. As you read this, you might be thinking of your other half or even glancing at a couple across your table and wondering what they might be talking about. What make the two beyond ordinary is the things they talk about, the insights and opinions of many different things. They would agree on some but they would mostly disagree with one another but it's still romantic. Their philosophical conversation brings color to the mundane world they live in.

Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy are superb actors in this film. The way they deliver their lines and how smoothly it all goes deserve an applause. This type of movie would fail miserably if the actors are not capable. The characters they portray are very lovable and memorable. Each has a distinct personality of their own and makes sure that one does not overpower the other. Instead of character development, there is The movie has great characterization. The movie does not offer character development since it would be difficult to develop a character in the span of less than a day. So what this movie does is it gives the audience a chance to get to know the character more. There is character depth. The characters are 3-dimensional and not some paper thin character you see in some movies.

Before Sunrise is a film not only about love, but about the human person and the world he lives in. It's a movie about hope, dreams, living the moment and the uncertainty of the future.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pacific Rim (2013)

This would make a good video game. As a matter of fact, this should have been a video game instead.

In the near future, specifically near 2013, an alien force emerging from the bottom of the Pacific Ocean attacked the Earth resulting in millions of people killed. These monsters are called Kaijus which literally translates as 'monsters' in Japanese. In an attempt to turn the tide against the invaders, the human race decided to settle all their differences and unite and build monstrous robots of their own called Jaegers, which is a German word for 'hunter'. The Jaegers prove effective but only during the first part of the war. The kaijus eventually learned how to properly combat the Jaegers and not only that, they have been appearing more often than usual to the disadvantage of the Jaegers. A former pilot of a Jaeger is called back to duty in hopes of finally ridding the world from the kaijus.

The concept for the film is definitely an interesting one. The idea of monsters coming from another dimension and using the bottom of the ocean as the gate to earth is new to me. What makes it more interesting is the reason why these monsters are invading earth in the first place. It makes you wonder who really are the rightful inhabitants of this planet. Guillermo del Toro and writer Travis Beacham made a great film in paper I presume but the final product was less than great but more than okay.

I'll start off with the good things in the movie.

As I have mentioned, the concept for this movie is really interesting. Other than that, the themes present are also worth praising. This is a great and exaggerated example that when humanity is losing against nature, then that will be the only time that everyone will be united for a cause. In this case, when we are on the brink of extinction against monsters who aim to colonize the earth, only then will we start cooperating with one another. This is further shown in the concept of having two people to pilot a Jeager instead of one because of neurological strain. One person would not be able to handle and control a Jaeger unless he/she has another person to share the strain with. Only then will controlling the robot be successful. The movie talks about trust, bond, and connection we have with one another. Sacrifice and love is also present but not entirely the romantic kind of love, rather, the love you give a person out of respect and admiration.

Being a sci-fi film, the success of the movie would also rely on the effectiveness of CGI and editing. Proud to say that the movie did not disappoint. I really love the design for both the Jaegers and the Kaijus. The Jaegers, or the robots, seem to have a character of their own. It's a given they have their own nationality depending on the country that built them but other than that, the way they move and fight in battle is very enticing and jaw-dropping. The pilots and the robot are synchronized and sometimes, you would even forget that there are human beings controlling it. The kaijus on the other hand are my favorite. Guillermo del Toro himself said he didn't want to make the monsters look post-modern. He wanted them to be different and unique. I like how each monster has a characteristic of their own and how each of them is inspired by an animal such as sharks and gorillas. The film is very pleasing to the eyes its grandeur would never go unnoticed. Of course, there were a few mishaps as well. One that really bugged me off is the fact that ajority of the fight between the Jaegers and the Kaijus are during the dark and when it's raining. I don't know if they really did it on purpose with the idea that monsters come out at night but it did not work with me. It made the kaijus more menacing in a way but you would not be able to fully appreciate its design unless they're well lighted. There were also instances where the scenes can be very messy and chaotic. But I guess you couldn't blame them since it's a monster and a robot fighting after all.

Since I started talking already about the bad parts, might as well continue.

One major disappointment in this film is it prioritized action over characterization. If you've been reading a few of my reviews before this, you would know how specific I am with the characterization. This is not the movie to watch when you're looking for character depth and development. Even in 3D, the characters are nothing but cardboard cut outs given lines and asked to deliver them. What really irks me off is the fact that it teases you at the early part of the film about the characters. It gives you hope that you would have that connection with the character but it leaves you hanging until the end. On the bright side, it has some memorable characters, but the bad news is that these memorable characters don't even have the lead roles. Charlie Day, Ron Perlman, and Burn Gorman who serves as the comic relief of the movie outshine the lead characters. 

The acting was mediocre. They're good at crying though but the deliveries of some lines were off and felt stiff. However, Idris Elba, who played the commanding officer, was really good. I wouldn't want him for a commanding officer if ever the world really came to this. He knows his character and he is able to act it well. He doesn't need to tell you who he is. You just know that he is the guy who you wouldn't want to mess with. 

Overall, the movie is great in terms of visual appeal and action sequences but fails miserably in the characterization department. The movie can be a bit draggy in some parts but it would eventually know how to wake you up when you end up dozing off.

Rating: 3/5

Monsters University (2013)

Needs more schooling.

Mike Wazowski and James P. Sullivan are the best of friends and partners for life. But of course that wasn't always the case. Flashback to when they were younger, college to be exact. When Mike and Sulley first saw each other, the only mutual understanding between them is to hate one another. Hence, their college life began. Flash further back, it focuses on Mike and how he always wanted to be the best scarer ever. Things don't go smoothly for him in Monsters University as he has to prove himself to everyone that he is capable of being a scarer.

There was so much excitement the moment this movie was first announced. The 2001 film Monsters Inc. Is one of Pixar's most prized jewels and I bet they thought that an additional jewel wouldn't hurt. Well... let's just say it stumbled a lot and got a few bruises on the way. However, I would choose Monsters University any day compared to the last film Pixar released which is the 2012 film Brave. Ironically enough, both films currently have a 78% rating in Rotten Tomatoes.

When Pixar officially announced Monsters University, I figured it carried two burdens on its shoulders. The first one would have to be its audience. Yes, this is an animated film intended to be watched by children. How about the children at heart though? One particular sector in the demographics that will absolutely be watching Monsters Univ. are the young adults or specifically college students. The children who watched Monsters Inc. back in 2001 will surely not miss out on a prequel of a movie that was part of their childhood. So pleasing the children and the young adults is a difficult task that Pixar definitely must have considered. The second burden that I thought of primarily concerns the plot itself. In the trailers, it is established that Mike and Sulley were not on good terms before they became the best of friends. Thing is, even before watching this movie, majority, if not all, of the entire human population might have watched Monsters Inc. already and know that they are friends. So the question that a viewer has on his mind when about the watch the film is that "How are you gonna tell the story and how are you gonna make me stay and watch?" Because technically speaking, the entire movie is spoiled to us already because of the first film. The latter of the problems I mentioned should have been carefully thought of because as I was watching the movie, I found myself checking for the time. Definitely not a good sign when you're watching a movie.

So was it a bad film? No it wasn't but Pixar could have definitely have done better. I appreciate how the movie makes the viewers, especially the old ones, nauseous of the first film and makes them go "Oh look! It's..." during the movie. I also like how they put certain twists and unexpected situations that negates the first film but explains it in the latter part of the film. It offers great historical background on the characters of Mike and Sulley. You get to know more about the two of them and why they act like they do in Monsters Inc. 

Moreover, certain themes and subject are also present in the movie such as the idea of false hope versus chasing your dreams despite all odds. Would you fight and pursue or give up and find something better? This is probably one of those rare films that tell you to give up something which you're not good at. Majority of the films keep on telling you to just keep on believing in yourself no matter what the people around you say. Idealism vs. Realism.

One of the things I look for in animated films is the character development. There must always be a character development or else there would not be an emotional hook to the audience. Monsters University manages to execute great character development not only in the two protagonists but also in the supporting characters. It deserves a round of applause since it's quite rare for the supporting characters to also undergo development. Now with regards to the emotional hook I mentioned, I find it weird that despite the character development in the film, it lacked the emotional drive present in the previous works of Pixar. It didn't have a single scene where it made me go "Awwwwwwww..." (hope you read this the way I wanted it to sound)

In conclusion, the movie despite some shortcomings is still great and manages to bring out laughs and enjoyment from the audience. Just needed a better way to keep the viewers interested not only in certain parts of the film but as a whole.

Rating: 3/5

P.S.

Before Monsters University started, a Pixar short "The Blue Umbrella" was really cute and entertaining. As a matter of fact, 6 minutes of it gave me more feels than the movie I came for.

White House Down (2013)

Not even close to Die Hard but good try.

U.S. Capitol Police officer John Cale (Channing Tatum) dreams of being part of the Secret Service to protect President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). However, he doesn't get the job for not meeting the standards of what it takes to be a Secret Service agent. On that same day, he takes out his daughter Emily, who is a big nerd for politics, on a tour of the White House in hopes of building a better father and daughter relationship and to not let her down because of the bad news about his job interview. A typical day which could have ended normally is disrupted by a group of mercenaries who seize the white house and kill all of the Secret Service agents. It is now up to John Cale to save his daughter and the president before the attackers get what they want.

A somehow similar film was also released just recently which is Olympus Has Fallen, which I haven't watched yet, but they obviously have the same premise: the White House under attack. What makes a concept like this cool yet in the danger of being unrealistic is the fact that a highly secured place such as the White House can be breached. But I guess since Die Hard, almost everybody can now be fooled that terrorists can pretty much do anything they want and how they want it done. Let me repeat and clarify, this may not have been as good as Bruce Willis' Die Hard but that doesn't mean it was bad. White House Down has a share of its own strengths and weaknesses. But being the person that I am, I really prefer focusing on the weaknesses since it's easier to write a review that way :)

One of the questions that popped into my head during the first part of the movie, but eventually didn't bother with anymore, was whether the movie was an action-comedy film. I saw the trailer for this movie a long time ago and there were already a few punchlines in it but I didn't expect the entire film to be drowned in it. An occasional punchline here and there is acceptable. I understand that these punchlines serves as a comic relief to ease the tension and relax the audience so they won't feel burdened with the heavy action scenes but this film had one too many. Bad part is that some of them are not even funny. It tries hard to make the audience laugh, some of it works but some miserably fails.

The plot is actually interesting. On the surface, you see a man trying to save his daughter and the president from invaders. But if you actually analyze the plot and dig deeper, you would see that it is a character-driven plot with slight touches of politics. The protagonist and the antagonist have their own reasons for their actions and decisions. These reasons make the characters alive and would eventually get the entire movie running. Technically speaking, it has great potential for pulling off a great character development but sadly, it fell short. Character development was present but barely noticeable. In addition to critiques with regards to the plot, the build up was dull and half-baked. It didn't give you the feeling of excitement. Most often it was even cliche and predictable. All you need to do is just wait for the characters to do what you have already thought.

On the bright side though, I really liked the chemistry between Channing Tatum and Jamie Foxx. Although I wasn't really convinced in the beginning, they grew on me as the film progressed. Despite the fact that not all jokes are funny, the humor of Tatum and Foxx rarely fails. Watching the two of them together is already amusing. More than that, they complete one another and is a perfect couple. No this isn't a gay film but what I mean is that because one of them is a president while the other is a police officer, they have their own strengths and weaknesses which might get them killed if they're by themselves but unstoppable when together. However, the duo's likability is not present with the other characters. I really don't like the antagonist of the movie. Some say that when you hate the villain, then that character is the perfect villain. I beg to disagree. Though not really related to the movie, for the sake of debate, let me give a few villains that are loved: Hugo Weaving's Agent Smith from The Matrix, Heath Ledger's Joker from The Dark Knight and of course, Ralph Fiennes' Voldemort from...well I'm sure you know. Case closed. The villains of White House Down were a complete letdown. One is a common thief; another is out for revenge, and finally, a mastermind who is morally challenged. Each of the villains has a specific purpose of their own and are only connected to one another by a thread that can easily be broken. 

On the technical side of things, I appreciate the use of CGI but there was a heavy use of it throughout the movie. It was also a bit questionable in terms of looking realistic. They looked too fake at times. But being a Roland Emmerich film, I guess it isn't much of a surprise anymore. So I'll let this one slide but one thing I won't is its lighting. I wasn't even halfway in the movie and I was already complaining a lot with the lights already. There were scenes wherein they were too dark that you can barely see the faces of the characters anymore. I don't know if they did that on purpose but I didn't like it. 

White House Down is a good movie if you wanna see what the White House looks like before and after it's bombed and seized. Expect a few laughs and giggles but remember, not all laughs are good, some laughs are for the sake of ridicule and insult.

Rating: 2/5

Despicable Me 2: Humorous and Stylish

Cute and entertaining for children and adults alike.

In continuation with the first movie, ex-villain Gru (Steve Carell) is now a full-time father to his adoptive daughters Margo, Agnes, and Edith. He is an overly protective father and makes sure that his daughters get the best of things they deserve. He also stopped with his evil schemes and started using his inventions for more creative and harmless ways. Meanwhile, a secret laboratory in the Arctic which contains a biological weapon (no this isn't a zombie flick) is mysteriously stolen. This causes the Anti-Villain League (AVL) to respond and decides that they should get someone who knows how a villain thinks. What a surprise, they choose Gru. Initially refusing, he agrees to take on the job and is partnered with the eccentric AVL agent Lucy (Kristen Wiig).

This movie is actually one of the films I have been waiting for since last year. The first movie was great and it made me so excited yet also doubtful when I first saw the minion teasers. True enough, the movie did not fail. It may not have able to surpass its predecessor but its original and creative in its own way.

One reason why I was also doubtful about this movie before watching it was in regards to what direction are they taking the characters for the sequel. The first film ended with the villain turning into a good guy. That's almost the perfect ending and can make do without a sequel already. So the greatest challenge that this film had was how are they going to develop the characters even further and in what way will they make it work. This time, they chose to bring out the romantic element while still incorporating family values. 

What I really loved about this film is that it really kept me in a good mood from beginning until the end. The punch lines and slapstick were funny and was able to keep the audience, especially the children, entertained. BUT, not all is well. As the movie progresses, there are a few scenes where it can be a little dull and draggy. The sudden jokes and humor of the minions that come out of nowhere will just snap you back into the comedy film that it is. Speaking of minions, though they are cute, I felt that the movie was all about them. The minions have too much airtime that it's worrisome that the main characters might be overshadowed and left forgotten by the viewers the moment the movie ends. In relation to this, another problem that I have with the minions' humor is that they can get a little bit old and recycled as the movie goes on. They might have different scenarios and gags but some of them feel like one joke split into two and placed in both ends of the movie. I also noticed how some of the jokes also want to make the adults laugh. Not exactly innuendos but something that would make the adults laugh in a different way of understanding than that of the children's. 

In terms of the plot of the film, I really like looking at the bigger picture but once you start concentrating on the different parts and segments of the story can be a bit troublesome. If my memory serves me right, the movie can somehow be divided into three parts, each showing different characteristics of Gru. One is being an overly protective father, one being a hopeless romantic, and another one for being the hero. Gru being a hopeless romantic was given more importance in this film. It's basically where the entire movie revolves on as the rest follow. 

The characters in the movie suffered a bit from mediocre character development. Only Gru and Agent Lucy's development was highlighted. The children who used to serve a great role in the first film seemed to have been demoted to a lower position of character importance while the minions on the other hand was uplifted. On the bright side, the I like the additional characters in the film and how each and every one of them has his/her own remarkable traits that can be remembered. 

If there's one thing that I really loved in this movie is its animation and editing. I definitely love the new environments they designed for the film such as the mall and the huge mansion of the villain. There are so much more to see actually; from Gru's gadgets and lair to underwater hideouts and even exploding volcanoes. I loved how they paid great attention to details and managed to capture the beauty of how an animated film should look like. They were able to pull it off and show the viewers that Pixar isn't the only one capable of doing such animated movies.

In conclusion, the film was great and it offered some good laughs. Though it lacks the emotional drive that the first film had, it was good enough for a sequel. If you're looking for some laughs, then this movie might be for you but if you're looking for one of those animated films that are emotionally driven yet still funny, then this might not cut your list. 

Rating: 3/5