Film of 2012 #58
The sequel to Jumanji that does not refer to Jumanji or the characters and is simply a new game with a different theme to the Jungle antics of Jumanji. This time it is an adventure in Space and the kids playing the game have to survive meteor showers and alien invasions while learning something about themselves. The kids are played by Jonah Bobo and Josh Hutcherson with Dax Shepard playing the Astronaut and Kirsten Stewart as Lisa, the boys older sister. There is a brief performance from Tim Robbins as the father and the rest of the characters are voices including Frank Oz and it is directed by Jon Favereau.
This is a family film with a message and it is set in a world where literally anything can and does happen. It is a bit of fluff that is enjoyable and if you like Jumanji then it is worth a watch, it is definitely in the same vain as Jumanji. The performances as few of them as they are, surpass the expectations especially the kids, they have a little to do and what they do is done very well. They are not infuriating like some child actors can be. The grown up roles with Dax Sheperd and Kirsten Stewart are fine, really there is not that much for them to do.
Overall there is not actually that much happening in this film bit it is enjoyable enough to keep you interested and to see the valuable lesson that they learn. Well worth a 3 star watch and if you are in to family films then worth trying to see it.
Film of 2012 #40
This comedy from Shane Black was sort of below my radar, I was aware of it but not much about it. When I heard it was a comedy and the rough outline it intrigued me enough to give it a go and it was most enjoyable. It is a very styalised film with Robert Downey Jnr as the Narrator and speaking directly to you very aware that it is a film you are watching and there are scenes where the tape is rewound. There is a definite style within the film that could be a bit off putting for some people. I have to say that it is an enjoyable film with Robert Downey Jnr in his days before Iron Man showing a bit of the skill that we would see in later films. Val Kilmer as gay Perry an actor that was always a bit meh to me as I was never really sure if he was any good or not and I had not seen him in anything I really liked him in. He plays the gay private eye very well and then the female lead is Michelle Monaghan someone who has been around for a while but never really expoloded in to being but she played the part of Harmony very well.
The story is told in a sort of Noir style with the narrator telling the story and leading the audience and there is a hint that the narrator in this case might not be fully trustworthy. There are what appear to be plot holes but I think that this is all part of the telling and the fun of the film. However it could jar with you if not expecting something as strange as this. I think that it adds to the charm of the film and it actually makes me want to explore some real Noir films as I am not aware of actually seeing these films. I have seen several parodies done and it all leads me to want to see and learn more.
Overall this film is a bit different to anything I have seen recently and I would recommend that everybody sees it, a solid 3 star recommend, let me know if you have seen it and if you liked it or not.
Film of 2012 #25
Some Spoilers
The ridiculous Jason Statham sequel centring around Jason Statham as the driver an ex-special forces operative who in the first film works a as getaway driver and in this film starts as a chauffeur to a rich family. It follows his journey to get the son of the family back and to stop the nefarious scheme of the central bad guy. This film I think has its roots in the Mission Impossible world but it is centred around the Driver, I also think that it is a comedy because some of the things were ridiculous and actually made me laugh out loud, such as how he escapes when there is a bomb attached to his car.
So you have the central bad guy and his sexy side kick played by machine pistol wielding, underwear wearing Kate Nauta who is in it for the fun as she says kidnapping a young boy and infecting him with a virus so that they take out his father who is some sort of politician in Narcotics control. The hilarity continues as you have the fight on the aeroplane that is ridiculous and funny and from there it sums up the whole plot and action scenes, this film is about the stunts, the fights and the comedic moments that to me work well together to create and enjoyable romp.
This film falls clearly in the guilty pleasure category and watching this film has made me want to rediscover the first one and to see the third one as you know what you will get with them, I am going to be bad and give this a 3 star recommend and would love to hear if anyone else really enjoys this film.
