I am a gamer, therefore I generally like video game movies, just purely for the nostalgia if for nothing else. I I will admit that I haven't really played any of the current gen RE games, but it seems like a stretch that this series really counts as video game movies. Despite the lack of sticking with the source material, I enjoyed the previous movies just for the zombie killing and Umbrella Corp. evilness. It does not extend to this film.
One thing you have to get right in a film like this is the fight choreography. The opening fight choreography is ABSOLUTELY terrible. Like Ben Affleck/ Jennifer Garner bad from the Daredevil movie. It does get better toward the end but overall its pretty terrible. Seeing as how people are only going to see this because of hot chick zombie killing action, you just have to get that right. The plot is generally pretty secondary in a movie like this, but there are a couple of head scratchers here. First , *spoilers* they depower Alice because I am guessing they wanted to get back to this being survival horror, which apparently they figured they couldn't do with her being kind of all powerful crazy. I don't really have a problem with them doing that, it just felt so out of place and contrived. Secondly, they tried to give us an antagonist with a face, rather than just the mindless zombies that you generally see. That’s also a fine idea, except that he was just as faceless and flavorless as the zombies. He had no real development, and didn't feel like he belonged in the plot at all. They tried to combine two story arcs when there really should have just been the one. Honestly, I am really stretching to analyze this movie, the truth is, its just not very good, even for what it is
Monday, September 27, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Retro Movie Review: Django 6/10!
This is a movie that many people have never heard of, but it is one of those that has often influenced directors throughout the years. Video games and manga/anime have been particularly influenced through out the years. Trigun, Cowboy Bebop, and Star Wars all have been influenced by this film. In fact the name of Jango Fett is a direct reference to Franco Nero's iconic character. The new animated movie "Rango" with Johnny Depp is almost certainly referencing this film as well. In fact, the new movie Machete even has a character named Django in it. With Rodriguez's general tributes to spaghetti westerns it seems pretty obvious that is a reference to this film.
Regardless of its influential nature, this is not a great a film. Even taking into account the time the film was made, the rating I am giving it is rather generous. This movie is a Spaghetti Western, and there are varying degrees of what a Spaghetti western is. Someone are just made in that style, some of are made in Italy with lots of Italian extras to take advantage of the cheap location. Some are actually made in total with Italian actors and not even done in English. This is one of the latter. There is a subtitled version available but most people are only going to see it in the dubbed version, which honestly, is pretty bad, even for a dub. This movie is famous for about three reasons. One, the name Django itself is just a good one, and it sticks in the head. Two, its probably the most violent movies of its time, and received the Italian equivalent of an NC-17 rating. And third, the images of Django dragging a coffin along behind him. Other than that this is not a fantastic film it is merely a decent one.
Regardless of its influential nature, this is not a great a film. Even taking into account the time the film was made, the rating I am giving it is rather generous. This movie is a Spaghetti Western, and there are varying degrees of what a Spaghetti western is. Someone are just made in that style, some of are made in Italy with lots of Italian extras to take advantage of the cheap location. Some are actually made in total with Italian actors and not even done in English. This is one of the latter. There is a subtitled version available but most people are only going to see it in the dubbed version, which honestly, is pretty bad, even for a dub. This movie is famous for about three reasons. One, the name Django itself is just a good one, and it sticks in the head. Two, its probably the most violent movies of its time, and received the Italian equivalent of an NC-17 rating. And third, the images of Django dragging a coffin along behind him. Other than that this is not a fantastic film it is merely a decent one.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Machete Movie Review 8.5/10!
First of all, I am giving this movie a high score not because this is my type of film, but because it is actually an incredibly well made film. However, that does not mean this movie is for everybody. Actually I wouldn't go so far as to say this movie is even for MOST people. This film most readily makes me think of a movie like "Black Dynamite," and indeed the two are very similar and have many things in common. This film though, has a similar film grain, and look and feel to a film like "Django," where the film and style quality of a movie like "Black Dynamite" more closely resembles a film like "Shaft." Actually there is even a small character named Django in this film, whose line makes a reference to the film as well. What is this film exactly? Is it a serious film? Is it a mocking film? Is it an exploitation film? Is if making fun of exploitation films? Basically all of the above. Robert Rodriguez unquestionably was trying to make a well made film. Sure, it was bloody, and cheesy, and unrealistic, but it was supposed to be. The attention to detail in accomplishing its retro-seventies campiness was quite spectacular actually. The music was excellent, and incredibly well timed with the scenes. The cinematography is excellent. Despite the style and graininess Rodriguez does have a very good talent for framing his scenes and using the minimum amount of technology for the maximum movie making effect.
The acting in this film is pretty darn good. Mostly its character
Guys, being put in roles for who they are and what not. For example, Lindsay Lohan plays a drugged up internet model Lolita. Not exactly a huge stretch to see her in that role. Robert De Niro and Don Johnson are both good in their roles, but their acting is really what gives them appeal in this film. The appeal is just seeing THOSE guys in these absurd roles. Everybody In this film is good in their own quirky little ways. Jeff Fahey plays a good evil jerk with his cold dead eyes. Cheech Marin, Michelle Rodriguez, Jessica Alba, and in particularly Danny Trejo all do their jobs well and contribute to making this oddball of a film work. As I said earlier, this movie isn't for everybody. It also isn't movie making of the quality of, say, an Inglorious Basterds, but it is very much done in that style. It takes that same spaghetti western style and runs with it, but turns it into a modern Mexican exploitation spoof so to speak. Some of the absurd things it says will actually hit pretty close to home in this day and age, but even with that, people should not take its message seriously. Its trying for shocks and laughs, not trying to pound home a political point. If you like the absurd violence and laughs of "Planet Terror" then this film is for you. If you don't like that type of film, then you should run from this film fleeing.
The acting in this film is pretty darn good. Mostly its character
Guys, being put in roles for who they are and what not. For example, Lindsay Lohan plays a drugged up internet model Lolita. Not exactly a huge stretch to see her in that role. Robert De Niro and Don Johnson are both good in their roles, but their acting is really what gives them appeal in this film. The appeal is just seeing THOSE guys in these absurd roles. Everybody In this film is good in their own quirky little ways. Jeff Fahey plays a good evil jerk with his cold dead eyes. Cheech Marin, Michelle Rodriguez, Jessica Alba, and in particularly Danny Trejo all do their jobs well and contribute to making this oddball of a film work. As I said earlier, this movie isn't for everybody. It also isn't movie making of the quality of, say, an Inglorious Basterds, but it is very much done in that style. It takes that same spaghetti western style and runs with it, but turns it into a modern Mexican exploitation spoof so to speak. Some of the absurd things it says will actually hit pretty close to home in this day and age, but even with that, people should not take its message seriously. Its trying for shocks and laughs, not trying to pound home a political point. If you like the absurd violence and laughs of "Planet Terror" then this film is for you. If you don't like that type of film, then you should run from this film fleeing.
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