As mentioned in my previous post, I now work for a cinema. This means I can now see films for free (with a guest, so call me).
Here are the films I have seen since starting my new vocation - reviews in popcorn sized pieces. Experiences have been varied, but at least I don't feel ripped off by ticket prices.
Any comments, questions or disagreements, please let me know.
The Amazing Spiderman 2
Everyone's friendly neighborhood spiderman (Andrew Garfield) is back with a box-office vengeance, pitted against Jamie Foxx's Electro with a shocking climax and impressive CGI. The film itself is entertaining, with solid action sequences, and a likable love story between Garfield and Emma Stone as Gwen Stacey. Dane Dehaan is the standout star, charismatic and far more goblin-like than Willem Defoe. The film's frustrating problem is the sheer number of subplots - it feels like three separate films edited messily together. Naturally, many of these distractions are leading towards two sequels and two spin-off movies (no less). Shame - if the writers focused on one story, this could have been a classic.
5/10
Divergent
Described incorrectly by cinema-goers as 'that Hunger Games rip-off' (the only similarity is its intended audience demographic), Divergent explores an apparent utopian future society with some interesting concepts, but falls flat in every aspect. Tris (Shailene Woodley) has come of age, and so has to decide which faction of society she is to fit into. This process is incompatible with her unique psychology and control over her fears, and trouble ensues.
Her love story with Four (a far too old Theo James) is totally unbelievable, and the film's overall message is confused. As almost the entire film depicts her faction 'training', the plot never really goes anywhere, with very little development, and a central conflict that occurs too late - by the time Tris steps up to be some kind of hero, we have stopped caring.
2/10
300: Rise of an Empire
A film that cleverly takes place before, during, and after its predecessor, the second 300 movie is an attractive and interesting effort by relative unknown director Noam Murro. The repetitive action sequences mostly consists of slashing open stomachs and flying blood into the audience's 3D glasses, but the story is stronger than Zach Snyder's 300, delving much more into politics, neighbouring nations, and a wonderfully ferocious Artemisia from Eva Green.
6/10
The Raid 2
The sequel to one of the greatest action movies of all time had enormous shoes to fill, but it blasts out of the screen and grabs the viewer by the throat. The plot is sparse, with many twists and turns, delving into Internal Affairs, gangsters and secret agent territories. The action is top notch, with staggering martial arts breaking bones in an amateur porn ring, a muddy prison yard, and even the back seat of a car. If anything, the film's main issue is that it teeters on the edge of self-parody - villain Bejo feels like something out of an Austin Powers movie, while Hammer Girl and Baseball Bat Boy (named after their weapons of choice) are like characters cut from the Kick-Ass series. An impressive piece of action film, well worth a watch.
9/10
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