LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes: PS3 Review

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes: PS3 Review

Released by Travellers Tales
Platform: PS3

It's a big year for the Bat - what with The Dark Knight Rises movie review waiting in the wings as the trilogy wraps up, there seems to be so much hype and expectation on what the series can deliver.

So it is with Travellers Tales - the expectation on them to continue the phenomenally popular LEGO series is high as well. After the relative success of the Harry Potter game and the relative creative lacklustre Pirates of the Caribbean, it was almost as if the whole LEGO gaming (smash bricks, collect studs, watch silent cut-scenes, laugh and repeat) was starting to reach saturation point.

Thankfully though, the minds behind the bricks went away and have come back with LEGO Batman 2, which to be frank is quite possibly the best LEGO game yet (though I have high hopes for the series with the launch of the Lord of The Rings game later this year).

In this radical reboot of the series, the characters now talk during scenes, the world has been opened up to be one massive sandbox to play in and the gaming has been upped a level.

When Bruce Wayne grabs the Man of the Year award, his accolade sends Joker into a rampage which sees most the baddies of the Bat world escape from Arkham. But Joker's not alone on his quest as this time, he's joined by Lex Luthor who gives him a brick destroying device which could signal the end of the world for everyone. So once again, it's upto Batman and Robin to try and save the day.....along with a little help from a certain Superman.

What to say about LEGO Batman 2?

It's initially overwhelming, to be honest, as the scope of the world of Gotham becomes apparent - quite hard to track down exactly what you're supposed to do and what needs to be achieved. 

Thankfully, the use of arrows here and there and a few hints make it obvious in the open world, before it settles into some more familiar level missions. But these aren't the familiar missions you've come to expect - sure, you have to grab bricks, collect studs etc but there's more emphasis on a running story and a co-operative play as well which adds a level of fun and achievement to the end of each section.

Graphically, it's impressive as the sandbox scope of the world becomes apparent - Traveller's Tales really have upped the ante for these games and I can't wait to see what they do next.

The biggest boon though is the talking cut scenes which blend the trademark LEGO cartoonery feel with a more cinematic story with ambitious scope - plus they give it character. When Superman appears, Robin's giddily excited but Batman's a little jealous and sulky - it gives the story a bit of a smirking feel and a humour which was starting to be missed from the previous games.

Sure, there are occasional bumps in the game with characters getting stuck in scenery and some times difficult to navigate but there's little else to complain about. Plenty of suit changes for Batman and Robin mean the obstacles can be defeated with a bit of thought and planning - it's good to see the strategy thrown back into the series and gives it the feel that this latest LEGO game is for adults too - as opposed to the last stretches of the series which have become a little too babyish.

There's hours of gameplay in this - and the promise of more DC characters show up as the game progresses - but LEGO Batman 2 is simply the best LEGO Game yet. It's got heaps of charm, offers plenty of depth and engagement and restores your faith that the LEGO franchise certainly has a hell of a future ahead of it.

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The Vow: Blu Ray Review

The Vow: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Sony Home Entertainment

Take a pinch of current hottie Channing Tatum, swirl in a couple of cups of Rachel McAdams and add a generic romantic drama, cook for 100 minutes et voila, The Vow.

Inspired by true events, this is the story of Paige and Leo (McAdams and Tatum),a young married couple who're happy and content.

One day, when the pair's hit by a truck in a snowstorm, their lives are changed forever.

Paige wakes up in hospital with no memory of the last five years and consequently no idea who Leo is or how they came together. Upon being discharged from the hospital, Leo's told to give it time but as events begin to unfold, it becomes clear to him that he's losing Paige...will the course of true love overcome amnesia?

Generically bland, reasonably acted and relatively unsensational, The Vow does exactly what you'd expect and with a pair of leads that make it watchable enough fare. Throw in a stern looking Sam Neill and Jessica Lange as Paige's parents and the core cast give it their all.

Tatum and McAdams work well together and have a good chemistry in among the weepy story as it plays out; you know exactly what's coming with this film and it's clearly targeted at romantics everywhere. But I have to admit- whether I'm hard hearted or not, I failed to really care about this couple and whether they made it back together as the formulaic plot unfolded.

It's pleasantly enough made but the overall result of The Vow is the kind of film you know exactly what you're going to get - it's bland enough to pass a rainy afternoon but you'll be hoping for amnesia the moment it's finished.

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My Week With Marilyn: Blu Ray Review

My Week With Marilyn: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Roadshow Home Entertainment

So, the cult of Marilyn gets another outing - this time with Oscar noms for Michelle Williams and Kenneth Branagh.

Based on a book by Colin Clark, written about an affair Colin had with Marilyn while she was working on The Prince and The Showgirl, this biographical piece stars Redmayne as Clark in 1950s Britain.

Despite his naivete Clark longs to break into the world of films and showbiz and pulling a few strings (and due to an annoying persistence) he lands a job as a third assistant director on The Prince and The Showgirl which is being directed by Laurence Olivier (Branagh) and stars Marilyn Monroe (Williams).

Marilyn's used to the showbiz life and brings with her all the glamour of the era as she graces the set with her presence; but despite everyone being enamoured with her persona, she proves to be hopeless on set and sends Olivier into a directing tailspin as she fluffs lines, doesn't show when she should and sets the pic behind schedule.

However, Clark, despite romancing one of the set's staff Lucy (Watson), ends up in a whirlwind romance with Monroe when her new husband playwright Arthur Miller leaves her side to write back in America.

Despite Clark being warned she'll break his heart, he carries on - and the tension off the set becomes as bad as the tension on the set.


My Week with Marilyn is as light and frothy as one of those swanky coffees you buy in an upmarket bistro - it's all froth and little substance; in some ways, it's redolent of Me and Orson Welles in places at the start as we watch Clark in awe of a truly brilliant Branagh as Laurence Olivier. The sparkling script, witty repartie and biting sarcasm from Olivier is very, very funny and Branagh does a brilliant job of delivering it to maximum comic effect. It's easy to see why he was nominated for an Oscar for this snide performance.

Michelle Williams' turn as Marilyn also garnered her a statue nod. Don't get me wrong, she's good in the role as she skirts around Marilyn's addictions, and scattiness but there's never really a defining moment which makes you think she's nailed it. When she asks Colin if she should turn it on and "be that person" for a crowd, there's an inkling that she's nailed the posturing and moments. Sure, she manages to ooze some of Monroe's sex appeal and it's a good portrayal, but it's never a great portrayal.

Equally the story itself isn't particularly riveting and enduring- while there's a great performance from Dame Judi Dench as an actress who's sympathetic to Marilyn's fluffing of lines and problems on set, when the film flicks from the on set antics to the love "affair" between Marilyn and Colin, the film stumbles and loses some of the energy and joie de vive it previously had as it saunters lacksadaisically toward the end.

Ultimately My Week With Marilyn is a great film to grab the girls together for and for them to wallow in its slight casualness.


Extras: Untold story piece, audio commentary


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Gone: Blu Ray Review

Gone: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by Universal Home Entertainment

Amanda Seyfried stars in this thriller as Jill, a woman who was once kidnapped and left in a hole in the middle of the woods in Portland.

She managed to escape her would be killer but the police didn't believe her story.

Living in fear that the kidnapper will come back to finish what he started, her worst nightmares come real when her sister's kidnapped - and once again, Jill tries to convince the police that something's amiss.

However, when they refuse to believe her latest story, and with the clock running out, Jill takes matters into her own hands.

Gone bills itself as a suspense thriller but to be honest, neither of those ingredients is found within a story that's riddled with plot holes and moments which don't make any sense.

Granted, the idea that Jill's made it all up is a nice twist but it's so clear she's not imagining it all that you end up shouting at the screen in frustration. Plus characters are so undercooked that they appear at the beginning and then just disappear halfway through (Wes Bentley's detective simply goes awol) making the whole film feel a little neither here nor there.

While the director makes good use of the Portland settings and landscapes, the rest of the film just doesn't hang together as it predictably plays out its final yarn.

Seyfried's convincing as Jill but she can't quite carry the film away from feeling a little like a Taken rip off and while there are a few creepy moments here and there, Gone is instantly forgettable the moment it ends.

Rating:

Sione's 2 : DVD Review

Sione's 2 : Unfinished Business:  DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by South Pacific Pictures

Cast: Oscar Kightley, Robbie Magasiva, Pua Magasiva, Shimpal Lelisi, Iaheto Ah Hi, David Fane


Five years after Sione's Wedding hit the cinemas and swept to box office glory, there's a sequel (potentially the first in New Zealand cinema history).


When it ended last time, the gang of Michael, Albert, Stanley and Sefa had all found women and contentment to take to Sione's Wedding and it looked as if they were all back on track.

Now, the boys are back and reunited in a quest from their minister to find errant friend Bolo (David Fane) who's needed back in their group after an unexpected turn of events.


But as the group tries to find one Samoan in Auckland, it soon becomes clear that they're not as sorted as they thought they were.


Does lightning strike in the same place twice? 


That's what the makers of Sione's 2 will be hoping when it comes to the box office but it has to be said on the basis of this film, they may be somewhat disappointed.


The Duckrockers' latest outing is an unfortunately flat, uneven and at times, unfunny affair. And before you claim it's a case of critic's tall poppy syndrome after the success of the first, it's really not like that it all.


The problem is that there just aren't enough laughs to carry the film as we follow the guys' quest to once again grow up; jokes reference living in the suburbs of Auckland's North Shore as opposed to sticking to the inner city. The one highlight is a showdown between the Duckrockers and Albert's workmates, who call themselves The Adjusters (they're in insurance) on K Road at night which is very, very funny.


Ultimately Sione's 2 is a disappointment and some of the twists and turns may leave some of the audience feeling they've been a little robbed. Granted the original fans may flock to see this - but there's a real feeling this film, despite all the best efforts of all involved, may not reach the successes of the first - and that's a real shame. 


Extras: Behind the scenes commentary with the stars, trailer and music videos.


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Rev: Series One: DVD Review

Rev: Series One: DVD Review

Rating: M
Released by the BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment

The much underrated Tom Hollander stars in this gentle BBC comedy as a vicar Adam promoted from a sleepy rural parish to the inner city of East London.

With no experience of serious issues, Adam is soon on a collision course with the people who daily frequent his church - a drunk, scheming MPs and lost souls.

Over 6 half hour episodes, Rev really does shine a light on how comedy can be done.

It's gentle, well acted, likeable intelligent fare with Hollander really giving his all to this weary conflicted vicar who gives his all to his parish - sometimes at the expense of his wife (Olivia Coleman). But he's never anything less than amiable and identifiable - even if you're not a religious person. It's not always laugh out loud funny but it is always easy on the eye, easy on the funny bone and a pleasant watch.

Believable, funny and extremely enjoyable Rev is a different kind of comedy; one with a slightly religious bent but one which never forgets at heart that it's a comedy at the end of the day - and a damn funny one at that. (I know, now I have to say seven hail Marys).

Extras: The making of, sketches, outtakes, commentaries, doco

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The Sarah Jane Adventures: Season 5: DVD Review

The Sarah Jane Adventures: Season 5: DVD Review

Rating: PG

Released by the BBC and Roadshow Home Entertainment

It's inevitable that this latest The Sarah Jane Adventures: DVD will be tinged with a degree of sadness, releasing as it has after the sad unexpected death of its main actor, Elisabeth Sladen.

Collecting together three two part stories, it's a wonderful tribute to a show and a star which was so loved; in the latest, the gang are involved in alien trouble after finding a foundling baby, divided by a curse and in the case of one of them, being erased from time completely.

It's a half series which was filmed before her death and works so well as children's drama, by dealing with darker adult themes in a never anything less than serious approach.

Sad then that these should be the last episodes - but also, brilliant they were made in the first place.

Extras: A tribute piece to Elisabeth Sladen, which is heartfelt and tearful - a great respectful send off.

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