The Smurfs: Movie Review
The Smurfs
Rating: 6/10
Cast:Neil Patrick
Harris, Sofia Vergara, Hank Azaria, The Smurfs, Gargamel
Director: Raja
Gosnell
The Smurfs are somewhat of an institution - so the idea of seeing
them redone for a big screen release is one that may give some fans of Peyo's
original cartoons a bit of a nervous shudder.
Small creatures of blue with
white pointy hats, they live in an enchanted forest away from human contact -
but always with the threat of evil wizard Gargamel (a brilliant Hank Azaria)
trying to track them down.
So one day, after a series of mishaps when
Clumsy Smurf accidentally reveals the location of their perfect village to
Gargamel, a handful of them are forced to flee through a portal to New York -
and into the life of uptight father to be Patrick (Neil Patrick
Harris).
And while Patrick's pregnant other half Grace (Jayma Mays) is
happy to embrace them, Patrick isn't too pleased to welcome Smurfette, Poppa
Smurf, Clumsy et al into his life.
Things get even more complicated when
Gargamel heads through the portal too trying to track them down...
Will
they ever be able to return home? Will they be able to fight off the wizard? And
will Patrick avoid being fired from his job by Cruella de Vil like boss Odile
(Modern Family's Sofia Vergara.)
The Smurfs is a lot of family fun - and
much more bearable than you'd believe of a computer animated film about small
blue people.
There's a cartoony feel to it in places - but not one which
makes it feel childish and silly; it's more of a joyous self knowing
celebration. Katy Perry's Smurfette even reveals at one point, that she kissed a
Smurf and she liked it.
There's a playfulness to the script and while
Gargamel veers dangerously close to pantomime territory, thanks to Azaria's
great acting and some clever laugh out loud oneliners, he's more fun than
complete caricature.
Sure, there's a schmaltzy message for Patrick's
father to be and some extremely gratuitous product placement, but The Smurfs is
a solid family outing and proffers up a lot more fun than you'd ever expect from
a group of blue people.
Thursday, 6 October 2011
Friday, 30 September 2011
Game Review: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
Game Review: Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
Released by THQ
Platform: PS3
A video game starring the awesome character Mark Strong is never something to be sniffed at.
And so it is with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine.
Strong stars as Captain Titus, leader of the elite fighting force, The Ultramarines. He and his troops are called in to help fight off the menace of a marauding Ork force - and pretty soon, the troops (and by extension, you) are engaged in a battle of brutal force.
I'd like to give you more of a plot here but to be honest, while there's a simple one at play, there's little else to the game except fighting off hordes of slavering, slobbering orks - who either shoot or hack at you.
Essentially though, this third person shooter will rise or fall on whether you enjoy this kind of gameplay; sure, there's plenty of fun to be had from simply massacring everything around you with either a gun or an array of chainsaws but there are some frustrations too.
That initial rush of killing joy soon begins to wear off as you realise that's predominantly what the game has on offer and the fact you are unable to deviate from the route mapped out for Titus and explore the world, means in some ways you are trapped.
Conversely though, that's outweighed by the fact there are some nifty weapons (combat knife, bolt pistols) on show and you need to use smarts to progress through levels rather than just killing everything in sight.
Strong adds a degree of credibility to the game with his voice over and some of the cut scenes are almost cinematic in scope - but at the end of the day, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is fun to play if you're willing to leave your brain off and simply go on a spree of violence.
Rating: 7/10
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine
Released by THQ
Platform: PS3
A video game starring the awesome character Mark Strong is never something to be sniffed at.
And so it is with Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine.
Strong stars as Captain Titus, leader of the elite fighting force, The Ultramarines. He and his troops are called in to help fight off the menace of a marauding Ork force - and pretty soon, the troops (and by extension, you) are engaged in a battle of brutal force.
I'd like to give you more of a plot here but to be honest, while there's a simple one at play, there's little else to the game except fighting off hordes of slavering, slobbering orks - who either shoot or hack at you.
Essentially though, this third person shooter will rise or fall on whether you enjoy this kind of gameplay; sure, there's plenty of fun to be had from simply massacring everything around you with either a gun or an array of chainsaws but there are some frustrations too.
That initial rush of killing joy soon begins to wear off as you realise that's predominantly what the game has on offer and the fact you are unable to deviate from the route mapped out for Titus and explore the world, means in some ways you are trapped.
Conversely though, that's outweighed by the fact there are some nifty weapons (combat knife, bolt pistols) on show and you need to use smarts to progress through levels rather than just killing everything in sight.
Strong adds a degree of credibility to the game with his voice over and some of the cut scenes are almost cinematic in scope - but at the end of the day, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine is fun to play if you're willing to leave your brain off and simply go on a spree of violence.
Rating: 7/10
Thursday, 29 September 2011
The Lion King 3D: Movie Review
The Lion King 3D: Movie Review
The Lion King
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane
So, a limited big screen 3D release of Disney's award winning tale is unleashed.
And I'm not entirely sure why it's getting either a bit of 3D treatment or a limited release ahead of its Blu ray debut - but best to put that marketing cynicism to one side I think.
It's the African based tale of Lion cub Simba (played by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick) who will become the Lion King of Pride Rock after the natural death of his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones).
However, jealousy rears its ugly head when Mufasa's duplicitous brother Scar (Jeremy Irons) moves against him, bitter at Simba succeeding him as king.
So when Simba's framed for his father's death, he's forced to flee Pride Rock for good.
But when hyenas ravage Simba's homeland and a former friend Nala inadvertently finds him, he decides to return home and claim what's rightfully his.
It's hard to knock the majesty of the Lion King up on the big screen (particularly for those who've not seen it before - and there will be young kids who've not, as well as a few adults) and it's hard to stay cynical at the reasoning for the release when Tim Rice's brilliant songs rear their musical heads.
Nearly 20 years on, this still has charm, even if the animation is showing its age a little; it's primarily to do with the story though - covered as it is with shades of Biblical overtones, Shakespeare and the humour within.
There's certainly plenty on this emotional ride - as well as scares for the younger end of the audience - to keep the whole family engaged but I'd question the use of the 3D as it adds nothing to the original experience and seems useless.
At the end of the day, The Lion King 3D needs only to shout about its story to get bums on seats - it doesn't need bells or whistles because thanks to a fantastic ensemble, a variety of toe tapping medleys and a great story, it remains a roaringly good piece of entertainment.
Hakuna Matata indeed.
The Lion King
Rating: 8/10
Cast: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane
So, a limited big screen 3D release of Disney's award winning tale is unleashed.
And I'm not entirely sure why it's getting either a bit of 3D treatment or a limited release ahead of its Blu ray debut - but best to put that marketing cynicism to one side I think.
It's the African based tale of Lion cub Simba (played by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick) who will become the Lion King of Pride Rock after the natural death of his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones).
However, jealousy rears its ugly head when Mufasa's duplicitous brother Scar (Jeremy Irons) moves against him, bitter at Simba succeeding him as king.
So when Simba's framed for his father's death, he's forced to flee Pride Rock for good.
But when hyenas ravage Simba's homeland and a former friend Nala inadvertently finds him, he decides to return home and claim what's rightfully his.
It's hard to knock the majesty of the Lion King up on the big screen (particularly for those who've not seen it before - and there will be young kids who've not, as well as a few adults) and it's hard to stay cynical at the reasoning for the release when Tim Rice's brilliant songs rear their musical heads.
Nearly 20 years on, this still has charm, even if the animation is showing its age a little; it's primarily to do with the story though - covered as it is with shades of Biblical overtones, Shakespeare and the humour within.
There's certainly plenty on this emotional ride - as well as scares for the younger end of the audience - to keep the whole family engaged but I'd question the use of the 3D as it adds nothing to the original experience and seems useless.
At the end of the day, The Lion King 3D needs only to shout about its story to get bums on seats - it doesn't need bells or whistles because thanks to a fantastic ensemble, a variety of toe tapping medleys and a great story, it remains a roaringly good piece of entertainment.
Hakuna Matata indeed.
Zookeeper: Movie Review
Zookeeper: Movie Review
Zookeeper
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb, An array of vocal talents for talking animals
Director: Frank Coraci
Kevin James continues to mine his everyman shtick in this latest, a comedy about a zookeeper.
James is Griffin, who, at the start of the film has his proposal rejected by Leslie Bibb's Stephanie (the love of his life).
Cue five years later, Griffin's now head zookeeper and relatively content with his lot in life. Until at his brother's engagement do (at the zoo, naturally) his ex shows up and Griffin realises what he may have lost.
So determined to better himself, Griffin decides it's time to leave the zoo - and take a high earning job elsewhere to ensure he's not seen as a failure.
And that's the moment, the animals plot to keep him - and break their code of silence to reveal to him, and he alone, that they can talk&.
What to say about Zookeeper?
If you like pratfalls, talking animals, a creepy Asian zookeeper (step forward Ken Jeong), flat set pieces which lack fizz and sparkle, occasional laugh out loud moments and an array of stars (Stallone, Cher to name but two) talking as animals, then stop reading right here and pre-book your ticket for Zookeeper.
Granted the younger end of the audience is likely to enjoy this and there's a nice message about staying true to yourself and believing in yourself, but Zookeeper is pretty much your standard middle of the road fare.
James trades well on his everyman role once again but this time around, there's little for him to work with here - there's certainly no sophistication on display in the script but some of the younger end of the audience will love it in places (particularly the whole friendship he has with a gorilla, and a talking monkey too).
At the end of the day, if you want to see Kevin James being given advice on getting women from a group of animated animals who're prone to putting him in a succession of embarrassing situations, believe the kids will have a good time and you're prepared to leave your brain at the door, then Zookeeper is the one for your hard earned cash.
Zookeeper
Rating: 4/10
Cast: Kevin James, Rosario Dawson, Leslie Bibb, An array of vocal talents for talking animals
Director: Frank Coraci
Kevin James continues to mine his everyman shtick in this latest, a comedy about a zookeeper.
James is Griffin, who, at the start of the film has his proposal rejected by Leslie Bibb's Stephanie (the love of his life).
Cue five years later, Griffin's now head zookeeper and relatively content with his lot in life. Until at his brother's engagement do (at the zoo, naturally) his ex shows up and Griffin realises what he may have lost.
So determined to better himself, Griffin decides it's time to leave the zoo - and take a high earning job elsewhere to ensure he's not seen as a failure.
And that's the moment, the animals plot to keep him - and break their code of silence to reveal to him, and he alone, that they can talk&.
What to say about Zookeeper?
If you like pratfalls, talking animals, a creepy Asian zookeeper (step forward Ken Jeong), flat set pieces which lack fizz and sparkle, occasional laugh out loud moments and an array of stars (Stallone, Cher to name but two) talking as animals, then stop reading right here and pre-book your ticket for Zookeeper.
Granted the younger end of the audience is likely to enjoy this and there's a nice message about staying true to yourself and believing in yourself, but Zookeeper is pretty much your standard middle of the road fare.
James trades well on his everyman role once again but this time around, there's little for him to work with here - there's certainly no sophistication on display in the script but some of the younger end of the audience will love it in places (particularly the whole friendship he has with a gorilla, and a talking monkey too).
At the end of the day, if you want to see Kevin James being given advice on getting women from a group of animated animals who're prone to putting him in a succession of embarrassing situations, believe the kids will have a good time and you're prepared to leave your brain at the door, then Zookeeper is the one for your hard earned cash.
Dr Who: Paradise Towers: DVD Review
Dr Who: Paradise Towers: DVD Review
Dr Who - Paradise Towers
Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow
This four part serial from 1987 is not one of Who's finest hours.
When Sylvester McCoy's 7th Doctor takes Bonnie Langford's Mel to Paradise Towers to relax, the pair finds themselves in a world that's fallen into ruin.
Overrun by gangs and with a series of sinister goings on, the Doctor realises he must save the day - once again and overthrow a vicious evil lurking deep within Paradise Towers.
This adventure is a difficult watch - even for fans of the show.
McCoy spends a lot of the story gurning and Richard Briers is barely much better as the fascistic Chief Caretaker of the block; it's a serial which verges on tedious rather than entertaining.
Extras: Thankfully, these are a slightly higher quality bunch (almost as if those behind the release knew how weak it was) with a doco looking back at the making of the serial; a vignette on how McCoy was cast as the Doc and an interesting three hander where Sophie Aldred, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton reflect on their time as Who companions.
Rating: 4/10
Dr Who - Paradise Towers
Rating: PG
Released by BBC and Roadshow
This four part serial from 1987 is not one of Who's finest hours.
When Sylvester McCoy's 7th Doctor takes Bonnie Langford's Mel to Paradise Towers to relax, the pair finds themselves in a world that's fallen into ruin.
Overrun by gangs and with a series of sinister goings on, the Doctor realises he must save the day - once again and overthrow a vicious evil lurking deep within Paradise Towers.
This adventure is a difficult watch - even for fans of the show.
McCoy spends a lot of the story gurning and Richard Briers is barely much better as the fascistic Chief Caretaker of the block; it's a serial which verges on tedious rather than entertaining.
Extras: Thankfully, these are a slightly higher quality bunch (almost as if those behind the release knew how weak it was) with a doco looking back at the making of the serial; a vignette on how McCoy was cast as the Doc and an interesting three hander where Sophie Aldred, Janet Fielding and Sarah Sutton reflect on their time as Who companions.
Rating: 4/10
Wednesday, 28 September 2011
Grand Designs S8: DVD Review
Grand Designs S8: DVD Review
Grand Designs Series 8
Rating: G
Released by Roadshow
Kevin McCloud continues his quest to follow self builds in this latest batch of Grand designs.
Basically, the series doesn't veer too much from its successful formula with McCloud usually a bit suspect of the work done within the constraints of the English weather. But with eight episodes and a variety of houses under scrutiny, there's plenty of inspiration to marvel at.
You'd have to wonder if the show's producers are running out of volunteers but it's clear within the likes of a Scandinavian style house in Cornwall and loft hidden in a field, there's plenty of ingenuity around. Inspiring and watchable, this latest series is a clear example of it's not broke, then don't fix it - except with homes and projects that need a bit of extreme DIY.
Rating: 7/10
Grand Designs Series 8
Rating: G
Released by Roadshow
Kevin McCloud continues his quest to follow self builds in this latest batch of Grand designs.
Basically, the series doesn't veer too much from its successful formula with McCloud usually a bit suspect of the work done within the constraints of the English weather. But with eight episodes and a variety of houses under scrutiny, there's plenty of inspiration to marvel at.
You'd have to wonder if the show's producers are running out of volunteers but it's clear within the likes of a Scandinavian style house in Cornwall and loft hidden in a field, there's plenty of ingenuity around. Inspiring and watchable, this latest series is a clear example of it's not broke, then don't fix it - except with homes and projects that need a bit of extreme DIY.
Rating: 7/10
Tuesday, 27 September 2011
The Big Lebowski: Blu Ray Review
The Big Lebowski: Blu Ray Review
The Big Lebowski
Released by Universal Home Ent
Rating: R16
Thirteen years after its initial release, this Blu Ray release of The Coen Brothers' seminal film remains an essential watch.
Jeff Bridges stars as "The Dude" who finds himself slap bang in the middle of a kidnapping after a case of mistaken identity. Things become further complicated when one of the Dude's friends plots to keep the cash for himself.
Quirky and appealing still after all this time, The Big Lebowski is the epitome of a cult film; panned on its initial release, it's become part of the hallowed world of the film lover.
A great collection of extras including docos really adds to the appeal of this set and give it the feel of an ultimate release for one of the most iconic films of the past 20 years.
Extras: Docos, making of, behind the scenes of the dream sequence
Rating: 8/10
The Big Lebowski
Released by Universal Home Ent
Rating: R16
Thirteen years after its initial release, this Blu Ray release of The Coen Brothers' seminal film remains an essential watch.
Jeff Bridges stars as "The Dude" who finds himself slap bang in the middle of a kidnapping after a case of mistaken identity. Things become further complicated when one of the Dude's friends plots to keep the cash for himself.
Quirky and appealing still after all this time, The Big Lebowski is the epitome of a cult film; panned on its initial release, it's become part of the hallowed world of the film lover.
A great collection of extras including docos really adds to the appeal of this set and give it the feel of an ultimate release for one of the most iconic films of the past 20 years.
Extras: Docos, making of, behind the scenes of the dream sequence
Rating: 8/10
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