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UltraJoe
Reviews
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)
Story interesting, Mos Def not
I was more than a little surprised at the differences between this version of the story and both the book and the BBC TV series that preceded it. Still, it worked quite well. I especially liked the extra relationship items between Arthur and Trillian. While it definitely wouldn't have worked with the characters in previous incarnations, there was something about Zooey Deschanel that just made it work.
Almost all the actors were a perfect fit. The sole exception was Mos Def as Ford Prefect. While he started out quite well in the role, later on, as his character was overshadowed by the others, he came off as an unnecessary add-on. To make matters worse, after that time he sounded like a drunk or drugged-out guy, saying things that were so difficult to understand at times (due to slurred speech, not due to obtuse humor) that I had to wonder why he was allowed on the set. While I may not be able to think of a better actor off-hand, I'd dare say ANY actor would've been better throughout the whole movie than Def.
Fantastic Four (2005)
Fantastic!
I've been a big fan of the F4 for years. They were a group of the few Marvel heroes that didn't suffer from terminal angst. Their translation to the big screen was a pleasant surprise. I have to admit, I had to force myself not to compare it to the low-budget rights-holding version with Hyde-White, even though I enjoyed that one, too.
The special effects were outstanding. You believed that every character could be real. I was a little surprised that Sue Storm couldn't turn her clothes invisible, although I must admit I would've missed having the results of that limitation in the movie. I was very concerned about the Thing costume, that it wouldn't look right. In fact, I didn't like how it looked in any of the previews, trailers, or early commercials. I have to admit, though, it worked perfectly, and Chiklis made an excellent Ben Grimm/Thing. (My sole complaint about the costume, though, is that it should've made him look bigger all around; it turned out making his hands huge and out of proportion.) ALL the actors, in fact, did a great job with their characters, although I have to admit, I never would've chosen a smooth-voiced Doctor Doom.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)
Depp beats Wilder!
I must admit, I've never read Dahl's book. I only have Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, starring Gene Wilder, to compare this movie against. I have to say, though, that this version is superb! Johnny Depp is an amazing character actor ... one could never imagine his Willy Wonka having anything whatsoever to do with Captain Jack Sparrow or Edward Scissorhands.
The story is wonderful, showing, as always, how the impossible can somehow be possible. While it's obvious who wins the contest, the actual tension over Charlie finding a golden ticket was credible. The back-story of Willy's relationship with his father, and his having to deal with Charlie's close-knit family, was an added treat.
Valiant (2005)
Fair overall
I have to admit, Valiant isn't quite up to par with the Pixar films in terms of animation and story. The water animation is pitiful compared to what you'd find in, for example, The Incredibles. The animation overall is on par with Shrek and Robots, but still makes one yearn for Pixar.
I should take the movie on its own merits, though. The story was quite entertaining, although predictable. Ewan McGregor seems to have the perfect voice for a gutsy underdog -- er, underbird -- type of character, similar in concept to Rodney in Robots. John Cleese's voice was a welcome addition.
All in all, the movie is definitely worth seeing.
The Mighty Orbots (1984)
The first, and best, US-made Giant Robot
Combining super-heroics with the giant robot craze of the 80's, mixed in with a style that mimics Japanese Anime (and why not, since most of the animators were, indeed, from Japan), "Mighty Orbots" was a wonder to behold. The stories were solid for a half-hour "kids' show," and the animation was clean from day 1.
The 5 Orbots each had their own unique talents, which became part of the talents of the fused giant robot known as Mighty Orbots. (OK, the name isn't sensational, but that's about the only campy bit.) Tor was the "strong-bot" of the team; he formed the main torso of Mighty Orbots, with MO's head rising out of his body to replace Tor's head. Bort was a shape-changer; he was one of MO's leg. Bo, the confident female weather-wizard Orbot, became one of MO's arms, while shy Boo, whose talents were more ephemeral as well, became the other arm. Crunch was the "fat bot" who was always eating; he was MO's other leg, as well as the primary energy source for the giant robot. Finally, Ono (or "Oh No!," as she was always fond of saying) served as the "key" to activate MO, while seated in the command craft with the Orbots Commander (who was secretly Rob Simmons, builder of the Orbots); the craft entered MO's torso and became the command center.
Oh, how I wish these episodes were available on DVD, and that we could see some new ones.
Hulk (2003)
Excellent, when taken on its own merits
This, to me, was a movie exploring characters, not the bang-up action that some may want. As far as Marvel movies go, it probably strides the farthest away from the original tale, but, when taken on its own, it works well.
The movie isn't all "Hulk Smash!" which is a good thing in my opinion. We see rage personified in Bruce Banner's alter-ego, along with the temptation to finally be free of the heavy control over one's emotions. The special effects were great (although there were some times when it was fairly obvious the Hulk was CG), but the movie wasn't about special effects. It was used to tell a story rather effectively.
Star Trek: Nemesis (2002)
Surprisingly superb!
After seeing the trailer, my first thought was: "Oh, NO! Not another 'destroy/demolish/seriously damage the Enterprise' bit!!" I am so SICK of that in the Trek movies, I swore to avoid any future Trek movies that have it.
Thankfully, I didn't stick to my own rule this time.
Nemesis, as others have stated, feels "right." It feels more like a stock TNG episode than any other script has, although the language at the start seemed out of place. (Then again, getting the Perfect Couple together would've seemed out of place in the series anyhow.) The pace keeps you interested, even if you know some of the plot.
I'm not too sure about the end, with the "replacement character" (to avoid any spoilers). I'm not convinced this one would be a suitable replacement for the one we've "known" for so long.
I keep my rating 1 star short of 10 simply for the Enterprise damage. Give the ship a break already!