Reviews

I was at the World premiere in London and I was apprehensive about watching a film adaptation of a book as some of them work and others don't. This one definitely does. From the first minutes of the film, you know that you're in for a thrilling adventure. Alex Rider, played superbly by Alex Pettyfer, is very believable as a school kid thrown into the deep end by Bill Nighy who hams it up brilliantly as spymaster Alan Blunt. Alex Rider is a deadly weapon on two legs as you'll see as the film progresses. Marvellous Micky Rourke, plays the evil villain who keeps a very unusual and deadly pet and looks as if he's just stepped off the set of a Revlon ad (you'll see!!). There's lots of action, some love interest, but that's not overplayed and although some of the evil characters look as if they've been loaned out from Cirque Du Soleil, including Micky Rourke, they play their parts as they should be, comically but with a twist of evil thrown in. It all works very well but Alex Pettyfer is a revelation. He plays the part coolly, calmly and with a great deal of conviction. I think Sean Connery would be proud of him. The film throws in a few James Bondesque clichés and there is one scene in the film which will remind you of a particular person from Goldfinger !! All in all highly enjoyable, my 11 year old niece and 14 year old nephew and their friends really enjoyed it and I think you will too.

You know when you've watched a so called comedy. You sit down in your seat in the cinema full of expectation and then about two hours later you come away feeling deflated having laughed once or twice throughout the film.

Well hold on to your hats for a rip roaring, side splitting, belly crunching, roller coaster of laughs. Wilson and Vaughn are the new Laurel and Hardy, they really make you laugh. the banter and chemistry between these guys are spot on. They deliver the laughs with utmost precision and when you least expect it they deliver again.

There are some romantic interludes, but that doesn't detract from the overall package. Isla fisher is a revelation as one of the senator's daughter's and Jane Seymour shows off her as yet untapped comedic talents.

All in all a great comedy, I'll be buying it on DVD to watch it time and again when in need of a good laugh.

Go and see this film, you will not be disappointed.

I saw this film at the World Premiere in London. It has an incredible all star British cast including Ewan McGregor, John Cleese, Ricky Gervais, Jim Broadbent, the list goes on. It's a simple story of a smaller than average pigeon who decides to join the Homing Pigeon Service. The animation is first rate and the characterisations are excellent. Smaller children may be a little scared of the scenes with the hawks, but this is only a minor foible. It's a thoroughly British story though and there are only English accents and voices. I hope our American cousins aren't put off by this, after all we Brits watch a lot of American movies, be they cartoon, CGI or live action. It's fun and it has a real feel good factor about it and tells a wartime story about animals being the heroes for a change, which is nice. Go and see it, you won't be disappointed.

I've read some previous comments on this film and if you're used to action films with blood and guts and violence...then you'll be disappointed. However, if you're after a love story with lavish sets and fabulous voices and acting, then this is the one for you.

If you've never been able to get to the theatre to see the stage version of Phantom then this film offers you the same and much more.

Firstly there's the singing. All characters sing the songs using their own voices except Minnie Driver. There is a great tonal quality to all of them and the male leads deliver their songs with great expression and feeling. Emmy Rossum who plays Christine has a great gift in a having a beautiful voice.

Gerard Butler sings and acts very well. If you closed your eyes, you could almost think you were listening to Michael Ball or Michael Crawford. He brings a real power to the personality of the Phantom, he's mesmerising and menacing at the same time and shows a real tenderness and love towards Christine.

Minnie Driver is wonderfully comedic as Carlotta and so to is Simon Callow as one of the owners of the opera. Patrick Wilson's character Raoul is a bit weak and wimpy, rather like a love struck teenager, but Raoul's strength grows through the film, exactly as it is in the stage production.

There is choreography, it's not in your face Bob Fosse type, but it's done in a way that will enthrall and entertain you without shouting out "Here I am look at me!!".

Don't compare it to Spiderman or Terminator, It's a musical, not in the same vein as Rodgers and Hammerstein, some of the words the characters say to each other are sung, that's part of the way it's written.

Go into the cinema with an open mind, marvel at the opening sequence and at the end you should come out with a smile on your face. I don't work for a studio or the director or producer or anybody in the entertainment industry. I enjoy seeing good, enjoyable, well directed films with excellent production values and this is one of them.

I saw this film at the European Premiere in London with my nephew (13) and his friend (13). Frank Coraci made a speech before the film started saying that he wanted to make a fun film that all the family could enjoy and you know what, that's exactly what he's done.

OK, the film doesn't follow the book page by page, but to be quite honest, if you've got Jackie Chan in the film, I think he'd look a bit ridiculous wearing a beret and sound ridiculous trying to speak in a French accent.

The idea of the film is an adventure i.e companions trying to travel around the world in eighty days. The film brings in elements of action, adventure and romance plus a good deal of laughs and a feel good factor.

You might groan at some of the dialogue and the hammy acting, but that's part of the films essence, after all you're not watching a Shakespeare play, you're watching a family film.

Another great part of the film are the cameo performances. They may not be long on screen, but you'll find yourself laughing and saying "that's whatsisname, they were really good".

My nephew and his friend really enjoyed the film, I enjoyed the film. We all came out smiling and saying that was fun. You need to go into the cinema, sit down, relax, enjoy and don't take it seriously. Don't take the book in with you and start comparing. If you do - leave immediately.

Jackie Chan and Steve Coogan are both great, they blend together very well and you can see they're enjoying it. There are site gags and one liners aplenty, so don't miss them and don't miss this film.