Wall-E Review

For those that may have missed the previews or don't know: Wall-E is a small, domestic robot that was designed to clean up and sort litter and waste. He's been doing it for over seven hundred years, and has developed a very interestingly curious(and somewhat lonely) personality. It seems a great shame to give away much more than that, so I'll leave the summary there.

For those that have seen the previews, you already know that Wall-E features some awesomely realistic landscape visuals and cute robotic voice-acting. What you don't learn from the trailer is that the film is both charming, and genuinely dramatic; two things that are hard to find in a movie these days, and especially together. In fact, I won't lie to you: I was blown away by this story. Everything from the sheer amount of character portrayed in every robot's movements, to the dramatic plot points(which are surprisingly concrete and emotional for a kids' movie).

Wall-E is absolutely everything it's hyped up to be: a philosophical, uplifting, and charmingly memorable adventure. Never before has the phrase "An amazing movie that kids and adults alike can enjoy and appreciate" been so true. Miss out on this film and you are missing out on something real special.

Pros: Awesome visuals. Touching and philosophically insightful storyline. Genuine drama. Undeniably charming voice-acting and robot animations. Beautiful romantic elements. Emotional plot points. Satisfying character arcs and development.

Cons: Certain aspects of the ending are a little hard to believe.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Iron Man Review

Iron Man has got to be one of the most genuinely different super hero films I've ever seen. The reason for this is not better action or special effects - though they are some of the best I've ever seen - but rather, a sense of detail and development that has never so well captured the spirit of the series it's based on.

The main character is Tony Stark, a world-famous weapons manufacturer. At the inciting incident, he's captured during a presentation in a foreign country by terrorists using his own "Stark Industries" technology, in an attack during which all Stark's comrades are killed. His captors tell him they'll set him free if he builds them a Jericho missile. They give him all the materials he needs, and set him to work. But, though his captors don't know it, he's not building a missile. He's building a suit.

If you've seen the trailers, you get the basic idea. The suit is made up of a titanium alloid that protects Stark from the weapons of the world and has the technology that allows him to fight back. Having said that, the action can be very fast and satisfying, yet also quite smart and tactics-based. Think Gundam with a superhero twist.

But what really stood out to me was how detailed the storyline was. Many people have said that the pace grinds, but I would hardly say that. The supposed "slow" moments in the story have just as much momentum and sense of development as the other areas, which is really what the meaning behind the success of this film comes down to. Not to mention the fact that renowned actor Robert Downey has become to Tony Stark what Christopher Reeve was to Clark Kent at Superman's release in an amazing performance. It's an incredible thing when an actor is absolutely perfect for the job, and even more so when he does a next-to-perfect job as well.

Pros: Great action, character arcs, and storyline. Manages to capture the feel of a superhero show.

Cons: Okay, maybe it grinds at a couple parts, but it’s hardly worth mentioning.

Rating: 9 out of 10

Alvin and the Chipmunks Review

Alvin and the Chipmunks is neither entertaining or insightful. It is badly written, badly casted, and badly acted out. Kid's movies don't get much worse than this. Why has it sold so well since it's DVD release, even when review scores have been so low? Who knows. I guess some people find the presence of talking chipmunks more than enough compensation; namely parents who can't tell a good movie from a bad one, or simply don't give a care.

Pros: Talking chipmunks?

Cons: Shamelessly constructed out of terribly executed cliches. Really, super predictable. Not much of a point(except for the talking chipmunks).

Rating: 2 out of 10

Bee Movie Review

Bee Movie is witty, charming, and inviting. Unfortunately, these aren't the only things a good story requires, and a few structural problems make it rather hard to recommend.

Jerry Seinfeld voices the protagonist, Barry B. Benson; who just so happens to be a bee. Barry is experiencing what could be called an early-life crisis. After graduating from bee collage he discovers that the career he chooses will be permanent. In other words, bee jobs last for the rest of their lives. Barry fails to see the point in the making of honey, and puts off choosing a job. He contemplates the purpose of work, and finally decides he wants to see the outside of the hive before commiting himself to a life of labor.

This may sound like the beginnings of a solemn tale, but it's far from it. The characters are charming and jokes, big and small, are pretty constant throughout the story. What's more, some very interesting themes and ideas resonate, concerning work and duty. The same can't be said for most animated films out there.

At the same time, though, I couldn't help but notice just how slow the pace is. Though the story is ultimately somewhat meaningful, there's just barely(if truly) enough momentum and development to take you there. It was interesting at times, but again, I can't say I'd recommend it.

Pros: Funny. More meaningful message than alot of kid's movies.

Cons: Slow pace, shallow storyline.

Rating: 6 out of 10

Why Robin Hood Isn't A Classic

Definition of "Classic":
a. Belonging to the highest rank or class.

b. Serving as the established model or standard

c. Having lasting significance or worth; enduring

Here are some reasons why Robin Hood, though remarkable and influential in it's time, is not a classic, and Disney should stop pretending it is. These reasons are not opinions, but truths according to structural flaws. These flaws include:

1. Too Much "Fluff": Today's movie scriptwriters have learned to begin scenes as late as possible and end them as soon as possible. They've also learned to throw out any material that doesn't further the story. The reason for this is that they have only two hours to get their message across. "Fluff" is any meaningless line of dialogue or pointless action. In other words, it's screentime without story. Robin Hood is overflowing with examples of this. It's scenes come in early and exit much too late with too many details without exposition or movement. The result is that viewers, especially young kids, become bored and stop watching. Also, it's just bad storytelling.

2. Limp Protagonist: Every story must have conflict. Without conflict there can be no resolution, and the plot structure collapses. Furthermore, direct conflict only takes place because characters make choices that bring it about. Now, Robin Hood's fault is not in it's conflict, but rather in the essence of it's conflict. It's true that stories require action and reaction, but for some reason the main character, Robin, always seems to be on the reaction end. This is true not only for the Setup, but also the Confrontational and Resolution stages of the plot. Think about it. What happens if a character never makes a direct action to overthrow antagonism, but is always reacting instead? When the antagonist Prince John raises taxes and the town of Nottingham goes into depression, Robin does nothing about it. Instead, Prince John makes another action by ordering that Friar Tuck be hanged(in a crafty attempt to ambush Robin Hood), and Robin reacts by executing a jail break and freeing all the unjustly imprisoned inhabitants. Hmm. Why didn't he just save all those poor prisoners in the first place? The film provides no explanation. Though witty and charming, Robin is ultimately becomes a character we can't relate to or properly cheer for.

3. No Concrete Controlling Idea: A controlling idea is the inner message of the story. It's referred to as "controlling" because it directs the plot's events and characters in order to reflect a meaning. Though there are themes of unjust taxes and an oppression in Robin Hood, a controlling idea itself is strangely absent. Interesting, as this element is often the ultimate purpose of a film.

Robin Hood has a couple remarkably charming and influential moments. On the other hand, the flaws listed above would condemn most any of today's movies. Apparently it's because Disney has enough money that it can be released again and again, and deemed a classic: worthy of your repeated purchase.

I Am Legend Review

One of the first things I noticed was that the film's atmosphere is horrifyingly intense, and at times, depressing. However, just because it's not everyone's cup of tea doesn't mean I Am Legend shouldn't be recognized as a shining example of a zombie film done very well.

Please excuse a brief "spoiler": The film opens to a TV interview with a female scientist who has found the cure for cancer. But has she? After this brief sequence, we skip three years ahead and are shown a New York City completely devoid of human life. What happened here? It's not hard to guess, but maybe that's why it's such a fantastic hook.

As it turns out, there's only one true man left in New York, perhaps the world. Robert Neville, played by Will Smith, has been living off deer and canned food for years, working to create a cure for a deadly virus that has seized the entire planet. Hosts of the virus experience a massive increase in aggression and a decrease in intelligence. Basically very fast and powerful zombies, they are killed by exposure to sunlight but remain a huge threat at night, the only time they can be found and used as a test subject.

For some of the movie, I found the pace very much like No Country For Old Men; slow, detailed, and steady. The action sequences, however, really stand out, being somehow, amazingly, both physically and emotionally intense. Much of the quality of these scenes should be credited to Will Smith, who was amazingly sincere. Some scenes were so specifically emotional that if anyone besides Smith had acted it out I probably would've laughed instead of taken it seriously.

Zombie movies may have developed something of a bad name over the years, but I Am Legend has shown me there's still life in the sub-genre yet.

Pros: Immersive storyline communicates a deep meaning. Will Smith is genuinely convincing.

Cons: Kind of depressing. Some people may not appreciate the detailed slowness of the first act.

Rating: 8 out of 10

Prince Caspian Review

Prince Caspian has shown me a much darker, cooler side of Narnia, even if it is less deep in terms of storyline.

Much like the first film in the series, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian revolves around the four Pevensie siblings: Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter. However, it also introduces a new major character to the series: Caspian.

Caspian has been Prince in the world of Narnia for years, cousin and successor to King Miraz. However, one fateful night Miraz himself has a son, and soon after orders that Caspian be killed so that his child can succeed the throne instead. Warned just in time, Caspian makes a daring escape and is on the run from that moment on, from his own family and kin.

Just before his escape he is given a trumpet that, he is told, will summon the four kings and queens of old to aid him. That's where our heroes come in.

Let me just say that this second movie has a very, very different feel from the first. The Pevensies are like the Jason Bournes/James Bonds/Indiana Jones' of Narnia. Slick, cool and experienced, they rapidly dispatch of any extra-personal obstacles in their path. I swear, they're superhuman or something, (and I mean that in the best possible way). An action flick this is, down to it's bones.

For the most part, the film remains faithful to C.S. Lewis' book. Though it utilized some stylish character development, inner conflict, and a romantic subplot, I found that this didn't so much stray from the novel as expand on it. The result is an enhanced storyline fit for a moviegoing audience. When I left the theater, I felt an urge to turn back in and watch it over again.

Pros: Awe-inducing action from beginning to end, dark storyline, deep inner conflict, cool characters and development.

Cons: Kind of shallow storyline. Also, some people may not be expecting a fullblown action flick.

Final Score: 8 out of 10