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TheRedneck2004
Reviews
X2 (2003)
Greatest Comic Book Movie Ever
OK, I usually hate most sequels, and I usually hate most comic book movies. But I thought X-Men (2000) was pretty good, but X2 blows it out of the water.
I can try to write my typical long-winded reviews...but I can't. Let's just say everything about this movie is right. Go see it! And then see it again!
Shanghai Knights (2003)
Top notch
To be honest with you, I hate sequels to comedies. They're almost always rehashes.
But every so often, a diamond in the rough comes along. Shanghai Knights is a very fitting sequel. It has energy, unlike many other films the past few years, it has a very "Indiana Jones" style to it. Also different from other comedies: this movie has a plot. :O
The beginning is typical, someone steals something important to set things in motion. As a student of history I found all the little nods at history (Chaplin and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle being main supporting characters, the Chinese Boxers) to be fun, while not always correct. But, when you go see an action comedy, you don't expect historical accuracy, right?
Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson have what most duos don't: chemistry. They work well together, and they play off each other. Wilson's rambling tirades about the differences between America and Britain, and his constant bashing of England are hilarious. The action pieces are top notch, and as I already mentioned, I was pleasantly surprised to find an actual story.
It started off as an action/drama film with a few gags in it, then develops into humor where you're not just amused, you chuckle, then as the film progresses you start laughing out loud. It gets funnier as it goes along, as well as becomes more dramatic.
A great film, immensely entertaining. I give it an eight, simply because it's no Star Wars, LOTR, or Gettysburg, but it's definately better than most of the junk floating around these days, and will most likely find it's way to my small DVD collection (devoid of comedies for the most part, DVDs are expensive, so I only buy movies I really really like, mostly three hour dramas. ;)).
National Security (2003)
Bad 'film', great comedy
I'm not usually a fan of Martin Lawrence or these types of movies (although Nothing to Lose was great), but I find National Security really funny. Steven Zahn just has the face of a crazy cop, and it works great here, along with Martin Lawrence's cop reject character. The "What, cuz I'm black?" jokes are numerous, sometimes they don't work, but a lot of the time they're hilarious, due to timing, etc.
The bumblebee situation is one of the funniest moments in the movie, where an innocent bystander takes footage ala Rodney King. There is some great comedic timing, for example: In the courtoom, the lawyer says to the judge while Lawrence is on the stand: "Move to strike, your Honor." Lawrence immediately springs to the side, puts up his fists and says "You can kiss my ass!"
Not a great 'film', but a hilarious movie.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Lucas Hasn't Lost His Touch
First, don't listen to anything I say, especially not what critics say. There may be things wrong with this film, but so far, Ebert and the like haven't touched on it.
Anyways, after what many thought was a disappointment in The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones delivers with a punch. It "feels" like the original three Star Wars movies. Old time fans know what I mean. However, it has it's own identity. In a sense, you tell by the story/characters/settings that it's a sequel to TPM, but you also can tell it's the familiar galaxy far, far away. A great beginning bridge between trilogies.
Acting: Natalie Portman comes up short, her voice isn't as dull as in Episode 1, but she's still not that great. But everyone else in this movie, especially Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Chris Lee, etc. are so good at acting that you kind of ignore Portman in places. There is some cheesy dialogue, but if you detach yourself from the original trilogy for a moment, it's definately not as bad as moments from The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi.
CG: Lots of arguments about "overuse of CG", well, that's like saying theres an overabundance of models in the OT. Get over it, AOTC really raises the bar for Computer animation.
Jar Jar: Virtually none of him. I'm a Jar Jar hater, but I actually liked him in this movie.
Plot: More complex than the original 3, but it's really ingenious.
Final word: I loved this movie, and Star Wars is back!!!!!!
Ghostbusters (1984)
One of the greatest comedies of all time
Wow...this movie is an instant classic. It's not one of those that you have to view a couple of times to get into it. It immediately draws you in. The characters play off each other perfectly, the professionalism and seriousness of Egon contrasts starkly with Venkman's wit and boyish charm, and it works perfectly. The humor that results from these differences works perfectly. No character is the same.
Ghostbusters probably has the most cohesive cast of any movie I've ever seen, their chemistry pulls you into the movie.
I see no reason why anyone should dislike this film, it moves smoothly and doesn't drag, the humor is placed perfectly throughout the film and the timing is perfect. The only reason I didn't say this was THE greatest comedy of all time, is because honestly I can't recall any other good comedies, and I don't want to do them any injustice. ;)
This is a must-have for any movie-lover, whether you're into comedies or not.
Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002)
Much better than the second, as good or better than the first
What a riot. I've enjoyed all of the movies so far, but the second to a much lesser degree. I had mediocre expectations going into Goldmember, and laughed hysterically through the whole thing.
There are very few recycled jokes (and they even admit to recycling one of them during the movie, which itself is funny when you see it), and one that (I think) was done better than in The Spy Who Shagged Me. The new humor is great, I love all the Dutch jokes! Anyways, as a movie, this plot makes more sense than Spy, and the characters actually have more to do. Austin, again, isn't the funniest character in the movie. Dr. Evil, Scott, and Mini Me steal the show, with Goldmember runnerup. If you've watched the first two and always wanted Scott to actually DO something, or Mini Me to be an essential character, this is the movie for you. The fight between Fat Bastard and Austin in the Japanese...bath chamber?...is a classic.
The Pitfalls: The beginning seems a little forced to me, Spy still has the greatest opening credits, though Goldmember's is still enjoyable.
The ending is slightly anti-climactic, but then again, only slightly. I expected Scott to take matters into his own hands at the end, but then he just runs off. And Goldmembers' defeat is pretty quick. But still it's enjoyable.
Mixed Feelings: Foxy Cleopatra. Very spunky performance, but she doesn't really do anything. I mean, she's technically "there", but her role is less than the the other two women in the previous movies.
Greatest Moments: Dr. Evil's reaction to "the Mole" every time.
Mini Me vs. Austin Powers rematch.
Definately one of the funniest movies I've ever seen.
Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)
Mixed Bag--But overall enjoyable
Blah blah, I know people bash this film to hell, and it's not one of my favorites, either. But you have to understand "bashers" bash to bash. See the movie yourself to make your own opinion.
But since you're reading this, I might as well give you something to read, right? Well, the acting is subpar save for Liam Neeson's Qui-Gon and a few others. The plot is very unique in modern film, and it's a good one. Basically the acting kills this movie. If it had acting like the other 4 movies, it would've been accepted by those who don't attack the Prequels just for being new additions.
Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)
Lucas Hasn't Lost His Touch
First, don't listen to anything I say, especially not what critics say. There may be things wrong with this film, but so far, Ebert and the like haven't touched on it.
Anyways, after what many thought was a disappointment in The Phantom Menace (1999), Attack of the Clones delivers with a punch. It "feels" like the original three Star Wars movies. Old time fans know what I mean. However, it has it's own identity. In a sense, you tell by the story/characters/settings that it's a sequel to TPM, but you also can tell it's the familiar galaxy far, far away. A great beginning bridge between trilogies.
Acting: Natalie Portman comes up short, her voice isn't as dull as in Episode 1, but she's still not that great. But everyone else in this movie, especially Hayden Christensen, Ewan McGregor, Chris Lee, etc. are so good at acting that you kind of ignore Portman in places. There is some cheesy dialogue, but if you detach yourself from the original trilogy for a moment, it's definately not as bad as moments from The Empire Strikes Back or Return of the Jedi.
CG: Lots of arguments about "overuse of CG", well, that's like saying theres an overabundance of models in the OT. Get over it, AOTC really raises the bar for Computer animation.
Jar Jar: Virtually none of him. I'm a Jar Jar hater, but I actually liked him in this movie.
Plot: More complex than the original 3, but it's really ingenious.
Final word: I loved this movie, and Star Wars is back!!!!!!
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
Loved it
Some people have problems with this, but then again, some people have problems with anything other than Empire Strikes Back. This movie is a mixed bag, thuogh it IS enjoyable. As a film, the pacing is off (like every other SW movie, don't get scared), the acting in some spots is bad (mostly Carrie Fisher), but all in all a great movie. I give it a 9.
Great ending to the SW saga, very emotional.