This Means War: Blu Ray Review

This Means War: Blu Ray Review

Rating: M
Released by 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Tom Hardy, Chris Pine, Til Schweiger


It's Spy vs Spy in this film - and it's one aimed squarely at the date market as we head into Valentine's week.
FDR (Pine) and Tuck (Hardy) are long term mates and compadres at the CIA - they're the kind of guys who have each other's back when the going gets tough and the bullets are flying.

But Tuck longs for a bit of female company, having split with his wife and family; FDR though is the complete opposite - a self assured womaniser who's never short of the ladies and always happier for a one night stand than anything more long term.

Meanwhile, Lauren (Reese Witherspoon) is working as a consumer tester and also is looking for a little bit of love after the fact her ex's got engaged.

So, when Tuck signs up to a dating service, he ends up on a date with Lauren and it goes quite well; but when FDR spots her in a nearby video store, he too picks her up. Suddenly, it's spy vs spy in the game of love, something which is further complicated by the fact an undercover mission involving Tuck and FDR left the brother of a terrorist (Schweiger) dead - and he wants revenge.

The thing is with this film is that it's not based in any kind of reality and is just simply a piece of unashamed blockbuster crowd pleasing entertainment.It's good to see Tom Hardy playing something softer than the hard man and both he and Pine have a good rapport as this spy versus spy tale of one up-man ship progresses.
Reese Witherspoon is in audience pandering ditz mode as Lauren, the girl torn between 2 guys; she rolls out that apple pie perky grin to devastating effect here.

Granted the vengeful terrorist storyline is a bit wasted and it's almost as if McG forgot this was part of the story given the randomness with which it pops up from time to time.

McG throws out some over-the-top set pieces with huge explosions and implausible set ups/aftermaths but it's exactly what you'd expect in a film where logic rarely plays a part; on a side note, a few of the action sequences blur by so quickly you can barely keep up.

Sure it's corny, cheesy and totally goofy but This Means War is an unashamedly silly guilty pleasure of a flick which will work as a treat for date night - but not if you're out for something aimed at taxing the grey matter.


Extras: Alternate endings plus extra scenes from after the ending; deleted scenes, gag reels 

Rating

Underworld: Awakening Blu Ray Review

Underworld: Awakening Blu Ray Review

Released by Sony Home Entertainment
Rating: M

Kate Beckinsale returns to the franchise as Selene with this latest outing in the Underworld series in 3D.

Following on from the events of the second Underworld film, (and ignoring a little Underworld: Rise of the Lycans) the human race has discovered the Lycan and Vampire races and decided, in true philanthropic fashion, to wipe them out.

Along with the love of her life, Michael, Selene is trying to escape "The Purge" and on the eve of getting out, she's knocked out and parted for him. The real kicker is she wakes up in a lab, thinking it's the next day - but it actually turns out to be 12 years later.

As if that wasn't bad enough, she's freed from the lab by something called "Subject 2". Believing that to be Michael, she tries to track him down as she's connected and able to see through Subject 2's eyes.

Only the surprises don't end there - and Selene finds herself with a new reason to fight to survive.

And there's a lot of things to fight against - both Lycan - and worse.

I've been a fan of the Underworld series - and not just because of Kate Beckinsale in a tight leather catsuit. It's been a good mix of action and story with a mythology being set up which feels natural and quite cool.

So I'm really disappointed to say that Underworld Awakening feels like such a massive blow on that front; it's great to have Kate back but the relative plot that there is in this film feels like it's been jettisoned by those in charge to lead as another set up for an action sequence/ shoot everything in sight. Granted, I kind of knew that was what to expect in this film but there's so much overkill of these scenes that it outweighs anything else. That's not to say though that some of the action sequences aren't impressive - Beckinsale oozes cool calm iciness as Selene as she gives it her all - and some of the fight sequences really do work, giving a sense of adrenaline and some overall goriness.

Too much of the film seems like a set up for these scenes; granted, you don't go to an action fantasy film for reams of exposition and high end dialogue but a lot of this makes it feel as if a video game were being played out in front of your eyes - it would easily translate to a computer setting - the get out of the building alive sequence would be followed by a chase sequence; it's very formulaic and as a result, bitterly disappointing.

The film ends on the possibility of another showing up soon - and given the box office success of this latest, it seems inevitable. However, while I'll be back for another outing, I'll be desperately hoping some more effort's been put into the story and not just catering for a good solid action boy's night out.


Extras: An impressive bunch - commentary, blooper reel, music video, 5 behind the scenes featurettes, and 3 short films

Rating:

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.

Rating:

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.

Rating:

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


Rating: 

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.


Rating: