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August 16, 2008

Movie Review: Hellboy 2 – the Golden Army

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My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “Hellboy 2” at AMC Theater, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong.

I did not go watch Hellboy, the first episode in this franchise, at the cinema, but caught it on HBO. I did not find the first movie that interesting, so I did not put this sequel in my Must See Movies list.

Recently many of my friends gave it rave reviews after watching the latest episode in the franchise; as did RT, so it made me question my decision for not wanting to see this movie.

Tonight I was presently surprised by the movie. As with all sequels, it is always hard to balance the need to provide just enough background store for the audiences and keep the fans interested. Especially when the previous episode was four years ago. I think the director (screenplay and writer), Guillermo del Toro achieved that very well.

Another thing they did correctly, was to keep the main casts from the first episode, giving the movie a continuum that is much needed for sequels. Ron Perlman again played the adult Hellboy, Selma Blair played Liz Sherman, both Doug Jones and Brian Steele were chameleons of characters.

The special effect was done very well, it shows what four years of technology advancements in CG can do for a movie. The CG seamlessly integrated with the live action of the movie. There were many background characters and details in the sets and costumes, giving the audience much eye candy other than the story. There were one scene which reminded me of the bar in Star Wars (Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope).

The story had the feel of Fantastic Four the magic of Harry Potter the mystery of Indiana Jones and National Treasure. Overall a very enjoyable movie to bring the kids to.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere

August 2, 2008

Movie Review: The Mummy – Tomb of the Dragon Emperor

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My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “The Mummy – Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” at UA Cinema, Time Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Give it a miss even if you don’t have something else better to waste your time on.

I never like the movies that Brendan Fraser is in, with the latest version of The Mummy that further proves my feelings.

I always say how sequels needs to keep the ties between episodes, the worst thing a sequel does is to change the main characters in the story. This episode, they went and change the female lead character, Evelyn Carnahan O’Connell from Rachel Weisz to Maria Bello.

Although, they have movie industries big wigs like Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh.

The short but significant appearance of my friend’s, Michael Wong brother Russell Wong was a present surprise. Mainly because I did not read the credits before attending the movie.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere

July 20, 2008

Movie Review: The Dark Knight (2008)

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My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “The Dark Knight” at AMC Theatre, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong.

Another great movie! That’s two in a row, two weeks ago was Hancock and two weeks before that was Wanted. This is the best Batman movie I have seen thus far.

There was enough continuation from the last Batman movie, Batman Begins. Just the appropriate amount of draw from the plot of the previous movie in the sequel. Definitely, the best looking Batman outfit of them all.

The one thing I did not like about the movie, was the directory or set decoration to hide the city where they filmed Gotham City. In the past Gotham City has always been this make believe or futuristic city where a super hero like Batman would appear.

One of the best part of the movie, like in Batman (1989), was the character The Joker. In the 1989 version of Batman, The Joker was played by the amazing Jack Nicholson, this time it was played by the late, Heath Ledger of Brokeback Mountain fame.

Another thing this Batman movie tries to do, is to explain the origin of Harvey Dent (aka. Two-Face), this time played by Aaron Eckhart, this character first appeared in the 1989 version of Batman, played by Billy Dee Williams then again in Batman Forever by Tommy Lee Jones. As a result it is a good sequel to Batman Begins.

All I need to do is collect these Batman movies since 1989 and put them back in chronological order, I will have a complete picture of how each of the villains came about.

If you are a Batman fan, this is definitely a must see. If you are not, still go see it, you will not be disappointed.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere

July 6, 2008

Movie Review: Hancock

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My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “Hancock” at AMC Theater, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong.

Another very good movie by Will Smith. Further proofs that he is a super entertainer: actor, singer and stand-up comedian.

The last movie I watched with Smith was The Pursuit of Happiness, where you can read my review of in my blog, in which he played a totally different character from his typical roles. Like the the previous movie, in Hancock Smith played a down and out character (John Hancock) with super human power that no one likes.

I thought it was very clever of the writers to name the character “John Hancock”. Half way into the movie the plot made a sudden unexpected twist.

I did not recognize Charlize Theron until the end of the movie when I saw the credits, but I did find the actor very familiar through out the movie. She must have changed her look or matured over time, she no longer have the baby face that she had in past movies.

I am giving it a 4 penguin and you should give it a chance, I am sure you will find it entertaining.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere

June 27, 2008

Movie Review: Wanted (2008)

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My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “Wanted” at UA Cinema, Time Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

What an amazing movie!

If you do not watch any movie this year, you must see this one. Having said that, there are several coming up later this year on my Must See Movies list, that you should also watch out for: Dark Knight and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

This is an action packed movie filled with special effects and stunts. I strongly suggest you get to the theater on time and not miss a single second of this movie.

The plot of the movie is not complicated, but the writers Michael Brandt and Derek Haas must have done it intentionally so the audience will not be occupied with deciphering the plot, and miss the great special effects and stunts that integrates so well together. One can hardly tell when one starts and the other ends.

You must walk into the movie with an open mind and not question any of the events that happen in the movie. It is a movie that entertains and not a movie that depicts anything realistic. It is based on a comic book after all.

Of course, like any Angelina Jolie movies there is a token scene to show off her well toned nude body. The main character Wesley Gibson, played by James McAvoy is the only character in the movie with a full name, further adds to the comic book style of the movie.

If the plot was more complex and original I would have easily given it 5 penguins rating.

So just sit back and enjoy the 2 hours of entertainment that this movie brings.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere

June 14, 2008

Movie Review: Incredible Hulk, The (2008)

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My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “The Incredible Hulk” at UA Cinema, Time Square, Hong Kong.

Another sequel to the Incredible Hulk TV series remake, the original remake was Hulk in 2003. This time they change the actor playing Bruce Banner (Edward Norton).

Not sure if it was due to my expectations; or lack of, going into the movie, this was a pretty good movie. As many of you know, the story of The Incredible Hulk has been told many times over and over. The hero, Banner fights all odds to overcome the misguided impressions that people have of him when he is the Hulk. When all he wanted to do is to return normal and live a regular life.

As always with any Marvel comic there is a villain, this time played by Tim Roth. Where he started as the hated villain in The Musketeer, Invincible, Pulp Fiction and many more.

In the end, they did something no other movies had done, that is to tie two different Marvel movies together to give the audience a hint of what to come.

It is a definite entertaining one to watch. Take the kids, but watch out, you may have to deal with their nightmares afterwards.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere

May 24, 2008

Movie Review: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull

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My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” at Broadway Cinema, Cyberport, Hong Kong.

In two words, Simply disapointing. May be is it because I had high expectation going into the movie or I just love the Indiana Jones series of movies: “Raiders of the Lost Ark“, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade“.

It could also be because Harrison Ford is just too old for the character. They prepared us for more Indiana Jones movies to come by introducing the son of Indiana Jones, Mutt Williams (played by Shia LaBeouf).

There was rumors that this episode of the Indiana Jones series was delayed due to George Lucas not liking what the writers had came up with, so he re-wrote the entire movie. I think this is one of Lucas’ weakest creation, I wonder if the original version would have been better.

This version of the movie did not have enough, typical Indiana Jones action as one come to expect. The sword fight scene was very unbelievable and anticipated.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it if you can
	Waste your time elsewhere

February 15, 2008

Movie Review: Jumper

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My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “Jumper” at Time Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

This movie has the feel of the Bourne series. This is not surprising, since it is also directed by the same director, Doug Liman as the Bourne series: “The Bourne Identity“, “The Bourne Supremacy” and “The Bourne Ultimatum“.

You really need to walk into the movie with an open mind and just enjoy the movie as the director has present it. Most of all you should not be analyzing or questioning the possibility of what is portrayed. Fortunately, I did that, hence the 4 penguins, otherwise I might have given it a lower rating.

The acting was so so, I never liked the acting of Hayden Christensen and this movie is no exception.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it if you can
	Waste your time elsewhere

November 11, 2007

Movie Review: Shoot’em Up

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My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “Shoot ‘Em Up” at JP Theater, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

If you like blatant blood and gore you will like this movie. It reminds me of the typical movies Chow Yun Fat makes in the old days (in Hong Kong).

The story for the movie is typical and the dialogs is bad. They try to give it the Pulp Fiction style but failed miserably.

So, if you don’t have anything else better to do… I still suggest you not to waste your time with this movie.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it if you can
	Waste your time elsewhere

October 6, 2007

Movie Review: Resident Evil – Extinction

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My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “ Resident Evil – Extinction ” at UA Cinema, Windsor House, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

Again this is another 3rd-movie in a series. May be because of that I did not have much expectation for the movie. Nor did I see the 2nd movie in the series.

Even so, I did enjoy this movie. I may have enjoy it even more if I had some plot background from the 2nd movie. They did try to compensate by providing just enough background for non-fans of the series and for anyone who may have forgotten how the 2nd movie left the story.

The special effects in the movie were quite good and borderline believable, except may be for some of the abilities of the main character (“Alice” played by the beautiful “Milla Jovovich“).

In most movie series, “3” is always the magic number in which the playwrights and directors finishes the movie; the most famous exception being the “Star Wars” sequels. This is because after 3 movies of the same theme, the audiences are usually tired of the plot and will not return for a 4th or more sequel. The playwrights here did leave themselves a way to have a 4th sequel if necessary. I guess it will most likely depends on the worldwide box office performance of this latest sequel.

For fans of the Resident Evil franchise, the typical brutal zombies kills are littered throughout the movie. Ensuring the fans are satisfied. It is definitely not a movie that I would allow young children to watch. Although, some of the video games they play now a days have even more realistic and gruesome scenes.

There is also the expected plot of good against evil and good prevailing against all odds.

As long as you go into this movie with the expectations of realistic vivid kill scenes and general entertainment, you will enjoy this movie. But do not attempt to seek too deep of a plot. Otherwise you will be disappointed.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it if you can
	Waste your time elsewhere