No Contest: Tron vs. Tron Legacy

Here is a double review: a parallel between the original 1982 Tron and the new, reheated Tron: Legacy. “Reheated” because it feels like nothing more: mostly the same story from an updated, 21st century angle.

When Tron came out, it was the state of the art, and it showed the world of computers as the young generation of the time knew it. Things have changed now, most of those terms are outdated now. Today, computers are “user-friendly” it’s all about social networking, cloud computing, mobile devices, etc.

Sam Flynn (Garrett Hedlund), rescued by Quorra (Olivia Wilde), will meet his father after a long separation

Would the new movie reflect that? You would think so. But the reality is quite different.    Read more »

Despicable Me: Why Am I Laughing so Hard?

Despicable Me starts strong with an ridiculous crime: somebody stole the great pyramid and replaced it with a giant inflatable replica. This scene does not just end with a punch line. It is funny all the way through: the dad that cannot come out of the bus door, the kid on a leash, the pyramid is a balloon, the mom who miscalculates her son’s landing point; a good opening scene to wet our appetite for laughs.

The cutest line in the movie, and one of the funniest moments: Agnes (Elsie Fisher), "It's so fluffy!"

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For a Better Transformers: Dark of the Moon

We are not part of the crowd of Michael Bay haters, but we have not been satisfied with the way he has handled the first two movies. The fact that they made an insane amount of money will not help the situation and get us better movies. Actually it will more likely be the reverse. Vindicated in the way he directed the previous installments, he will more likely either get cocky and shoot himself in the foot with the third one or just make another remake of the first (like the second movie).

Is the Transformers franchise just about giant talking robots, destruction and mayhem?

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen is a recycled Transformers, down to the Bumblebee’s speech impediment, the Decepticons’ quest, or the fight in the desert (which looks like the same desert by the way). Mostly identical “plots” with slightly different characters, on-the-nose dialogs and childish humor, wrapped in more or less the same order. Imagine characters delivering the same lines in both movies and you will have an idea.    Read more »

Trailers

The weekend brings a giant’s comeback: Avatar will be back in theaters soon; we have heard of it. It will be release as a Special Edition, in 3D again, this month in the US (August 27 to be exact) and a few other countries. If it works again, I think they will probably keep it showing for the holiday season. We have two Avatar trailers for you: the new re-release trailer, and the long theatrical trailer of the original release.

Avatar is back in theaters this month, with addtional footage and in select theaters. Watch the new trailer.

Enjoy the trailers.    Read more »

Comedic Storytelling: Despicable Me

Despicable Me is an animated family comedy that sets the tone as funny from the very first shot. The pyramid of Giza has been stolen and no one knows which of the world’s villains is responsible for this “despicable crime.” Gru, the world’s number one supervillain is being outsmarted by a younger opponent and he needs to pull a great heist to get back on top.

Gru (Steve Carell), the number one villain, or so he thought! He plans to steal the moon to get back on top.

This movie is a collection of very funny gags correctly ordered into a coherent story. It satisfies and you will want to see it again, especially if you have kids. They will probably drag you by your feet if you resist.    Read more »

Invincible Hero: Pale Rider

With Pale Rider, screenwriters Michael Butler and Dennis Shryack, and director Clint Eastwood attempt a tough trick: create a character that seemingly has no flaws, that no one can beat in a fair fight, has no weakness and no equal. A truly invincible protagonist focused on a single mission, carelessly flicking the dust from a fight off his sleeve, like it was nothing. They still managed to keep a constant sense of danger throughout the story.

Clint Eastwood, the Preacher showing off his skills with a gun for the first time

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Surprise Twist: Babe: Pig in the City

This scene takes place around the midpoint in the movie. Up to this moment, Babe, the little pig, has been described as “an inconsequential species with no other purpose than to be eaten by human”; the pig and his human, Mrs Hoggett, have been dragged here and there, pushed away, arrested, searched, judged, released, and overall not taken very seriously. The hero needs an event to turn the tide in his favor.

Later, set up by the chimps, Babe finds himself hunted by 2 ferocious guard dogs: a bull terrier and a doberman. And after a lengthy chase around the canal, the bull terrier finally rams Babe right into the water. He then jumps in after the pig, but his leash, caught in an old lawnmower gets hooked onto one of the bridge post.    Read more »