Clash of the Titans

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1980's, Adventure, Burgess Meredith, Claire Bloom, Clash of the Titans, Desmond Davis, Fantasy, Harry Hamlin, Judi Bowker, Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith, Ray Harryhausen, Ursula Andress

Taking basis from Greek mythology and past fantasy/swords and sandals, Clash of the Titans is one entertaining film. Not without flaws, but glowing with a sense of adventure that can’t be denied or not enjoyed.

In Ancient Greece, King Acrisius is angered when he discovers that his daughter Danaë  had a child that was fathered by the all powerful God Zeus(Laurence Olivier). he imprisons his daughter and her son Perseus in a box and has them thrown into the sea to die . The powerful God Zeus is infuriated by this and orders the destruction of the King’s realm. Danaë and Perseus are spared and wash up on another island. Years later, Perseus( now played by Harry Hamlin) is an athletic young man who is good at horse riding and adventure. And it’s adventure that awaits him as the unpredictability of those on Mount Olympus transports him to the city of Joppa . This is done by Thetis(Maggie Smith) who is angered by the fact that Zeus has persecuted her rebellious som Calibos. Her offspring destroyed the group of legendary flying horses (leaving only the iconic Pegasus) and for his wickedness was transformed into a hideous beast. Calibos was betrothed to the beautiful Princess Andromeda(Judi Bowker) but now has fled to the swamp. Andromeda is under a curse that makes her unable to marry unless her suitor solves a magical riddle. Into this melee comes Perseus, who immediately falls in love with Andromeda. After figuring the riddle out and subduing, Perseus asks for Andromeda’s hand in marriage. In retaliation for the treatment of her now deformed son and also stinging with anger when Andromeda’s mother dares speak ill of her , Thetis decrees that Andromeda shall die at the hands of the beastly Kraken in thirty days. Realising the severity of what is happening, Perseus sets out to discover a way to save his beloved from an untimely death. Aided by some of the Gods, an elderly but comic sidekick Ammon(Burgess Meredith) , winged horse Pegasus and a golden replica of the Owl Bubo , it’s a whole new adventure for Perseus. This entails encounters with wicked, vicious two-headed dogs, the Gorgon Medusa and the legendary Kraken. It’s one hell of an adventure for Perseus as he does battle with this assortment of creatures to fulfil his destiny and save Andromeda.

Desmond Davis is on directors duties and does a commendable job of laying on the challenges for Perseus and letting it flow. Some missteps are there it has be said , but it’s definitely very watchable as a fantasy film . Events looks amazing as do the sets that transport you to Ancient Greece in all its glory. A shot of pace might have benefited the middle section that does honestly drag things out a bit. But Clash of the Titans recovers in the finale as a glorious throwback to the old school adventure movies that where popular in decades gone by. And I frankly love it for that. Clash of the Titans is an imperfect film, but the nostalgia and feeling of adventure truly sweeps me as well as the audience along. Clash of the Titans is all about the work from special effects and stop motion wizard Ray Harryhausen. This was to be his last hurrah before retirement and he doesn’t disappoint with the array of creatures he crafts for the big screen for Perseus to face . The best among these are Medusa and the Kraken . The scaly and slithering Medusa is a terrifying creation that is part of one of the finest sequences here. Suspense abounds as Perseus attempts to slay Medusa while avoiding being turned to stone by the beast. And the last part with the Kraken is high on adventure and tension as Perseus swoops into the rescue. Both creatures on display make the movie that something special. It’s Harryhausen who is running the show here and whenever his touch is felt, it’s something to behold .The pace may get leaden in areas and the story is not exactly what you’d call the most cohesive, but as sheer entertainment it scores very high points. And the rousing score is another excellent addition to this action packed movie. 

Clash of the Titans isn’t exactly what you’d call an actors movie, but the cast is pretty good. Harry Hamlin is hardly the most expressive star out there, but he is nonetheless suitable and physically impressive in the part of the heroic Perseus. Judi Bowker is also hardly winning any awards but her stunning beauty makes it convincing that a man would risk life and limb for her. Burgess Meredith clearly has fun as the loyal best friend of our main hero, with a mischievous glint in his eyes. Laurence Olivier, with his Shakespearean training and sense of indomitable majesty is ideally cast as Zeus. Intimidating yet charismatic, it’s a blast seeing Olivier bring his theatrical talents to the screen in this fantasy yarn. The always excellent Maggie Smith has a ball as the vengeance seeking and silver tongued Thetis, whose meddling sets in motion a lot of events. Smith brings with her a sense of commanding power and playfulness, which she lends well to the film at hand. Sadly, Claire Bloom and Ursula Andress as goddesses are relegated to the sidelines as and don’t particularly register as a result. 

So while not quite up there in the echelon of fantasy films of yesteryear, Clash of the Titans is very close and boasts an immense amount of charm and nostalgia. Plus it’s a fine showcase for the Ray Harryhausen and a great final flourish for him. 

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World

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2000's, Adventure, James D’Arcy, Lee Ingleby, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Max Pirkis, Paul Bettany, Peter Weir, Russell Crowe

A sensational adventure drama with a great attention to detail, fine direction and two sterling central performances, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is hugely entertaining while still holding inside a depth that you wouldn’t expect.

It’s 1805 and the Napoleonic Wars are in full swing. The experienced and charming Jack Aubrey( Russell Crowe)is captain of the HMS Surprise. At the orders of the British Admiralty he is taking his ship off the North coast of Brazil to intercept a French ship by the name of the Acheron. It’s feared that if the Acheron continues its journey , the wars will spread further and last longer . Aubrey and his crew are surprised when fog rolls in and the Acheron ambushes them, severely damaging the Surprise. It’s a much bigger ship that is more heavily armed and stronger than the Surprise. The crew have to fix the ship while at sea, which poses a challenge for them. For Aubrey, the mission becomes personal as he begins to push the crew harder and starts to display questionable tactics and a foolhardy attitude while in pursuit of the Acheron . He has the crew attempt to track the much bigger and elusive ship against the seemingly insurmountable odds. This puts him at sixes and sevens with everyone, most prominently the ship’s surgeon/ naturalist and confidante Stephen Maturin( Paul Bettany) who argues that his good friend is risking the lives of the crew and not following the code of conduct by which he usually governs by. The journey around South America and the Pacific Ocean to find the continues as much in the way of bad luck befalls those present aboard the and Aubrey’s single mindedness elevates. Once the Acheron comes into view again, but with the crew paranoid and the Captain’s ways beginning to challenge those in his care, it’s not going to be plain sailing for anyone involved

The talented Peter Weir is on fine fettle directing this adventure on the high seas thats both thrilling and engaging. He combines the epic scope of an adventure film with the sense of intimacy you think of with drama. While the whole exercise is beautifully mounted, it’s the little moments that really matter here. And we do bear witness to a compelling literal and figurative journey of morality and leadership, beautifully brought to life by Peter Weir. Master and Commander was filmed on two replica shops, one that was actually used on the sea while filming. Both add a further authenticity to events and truly place us at the heart of this journey. Plus, they truly convince as a living vessel of cramped conditions, doubts and thundering action. Once again, Weir and his exceptional crew of production designers really went for painstakingly true to the time period details that are sublimely realised . There’s a revealing side that displays the frictions, rivalries and bloodshed( though most of it is discreetly shot). As most of the film takes place in the ship, it becomes alive with all the emotions running through it from the characters. When one thinks of Master and Commander, there are two main action sequences in it, which might surprise many. But the sequences are stunningly orchestrated and full of danger, while not sugarcoating the often brutal reality of war and how damn unpredictable it can be. The opening out of the blue attack hits hard and unexpectedly while the ingenious final battle is a full on thrusting sequence of action and tactical one upmanship.A few parts in the middle sag but is largely a very involving movie, particularly pertaining to the characters and visuals . The sound editing which is thunderous and immersive and the cinematography that gets across the conditions aboard a ship and the natural beauty of the sea both received deserved Oscar wins. The sound design in particular is truly marvellous; every crack and shot of a canon rings with energy and fire The scenes in the are breathtakingly beautiful and a feast for the eyes so all lovers of stunning imagery should take note during these sequences, and the cinematography from Russell Boyd is gorgeous. The score from Iva Davies, Christopher Gordon and Richard Tognetti is an adventurous one that really suits the story and has the same amount of energy and drama that is depicted on screen.

Russel Crowe heads the cast of the seafaring adventure with an absolutely entertaining performance. The dashing leadership, cheeky grin and then the realisation and sense of shock that comes with making big, life threatening decisions are all there and embodied by Crowe. It’s a full blooded portrayal of a rash but dedicated man serving his country and running into a questionable quagmire of which some is his own making. A delightfully subdued, dependable and cynical performance from Paul Bettany as the surgeon/naturalist Stephen is also of note for how effectively he slips into the part. Maturin is the more practical, rational one of the two but also boasts a deep sense of questioning curiosity that can’t be harnessed. Bettany brilliantly conveys all of these parts and really makes the character his own. It helps that Crowe and Bettany work so well together and boast a great chalk and cheese chemistry that lends an extra string to its bow. The friendship between the characters is one of the best parts of Master and Commander it has to be said. James D’Arcy makes for a stalwart supporting character playing the loyal first lieutenant, while Lee Ingleby is sensational as the tragic Midshipman who is unliked by the rest for his lack of nerve and suffers deeply because of his treatment. Young and spirited Max Pirkis stands out as the pint sized midshipman who loses an arm early on, but has enough tenacity to overcome this obstacle. Pirkis has a maturity that belies his young years and he more than holds his own against most experienced costars. The overall cast of the film is of a good standard, but it’s Crowe and Bettany that you’ll remember the most.

A surprisingly human adventure with questions of morality and order in at as well as spectacle, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a fine achievement in filmmaking.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

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2000's, Adventure, Bill Nighy, Chow Yun-Fat, Disney, Fantasy, Geoffrey Rush, Gore Verbinski, Jack Davenport, Johnny Depp, Jonathan Pryce, Keira Knightley, Keith Richards, Kevin McNally, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook, Naomie Harris, Orlando Bloom, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, Stellan Skarsgård, Tom Hollander

The concluding part to the original trilogy of fantasy/adventure films( though two other sequels would inevitably follow), Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is rousing but at times a very mixed bag. It’s very fun and has sublime action, it just gets a tad sidetracked with wrapping up many plot points. Still, it boasts quite an entertaining spectacle from Disney and I love it for that and how epic it feels.

The very existence of pirates is under attack from the evil and power mad Lord Cutler Beckett( Tom Hollander) . He has begun executing anyone associated with piracy, in the hope it’ll bring out the prominent members of pirate world out into full view for him. As his power grows, mainly due to him having control over the fearsome Davy Jones( Bill Nighy) after coming into possession of his cut out heart, pirates must form unlikely alliances to survive. In Singapore, Elizabeth Swann(Keira Knightley), the resurrected Barbossa(Geoffrey Rush) , Will Turner(Orlando Bloom), Tia Dalma(Naomie Harris) and others loyal to Jack Sparrow(Johnny Depp), arrive to meet with the famed yet shifty pirate lord named Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat). He possesses a navigational chart to the Locker, but being a crafty pirate he isn’t just going to give it over that easily. After their meeting is ambushed by The East India Trading Company and Navy, Sao Feng sends his crew along with the rescue group for Jack as he is prone to going with whoever benefits him and going whichever way the wind blows. The group need Jack in order to have someone who is part of the Pirate Brethren and can make a decision regarding the next course of action against Beckett and the fleet he owns. Each has a motive for wanting Jack’s return, particularly Elizabeth who feels guilty for her part in his imprisonment and Will who has plans that are personal to him . Will saw Elizabeth kissing Jack before his demise and didn’t understand that is was her distracting him. This is put a wedge between the lovebirds that both hope to overcome. Along the way, backstabbing occurs as loyalties shift and people attempt to survive the oncoming fight for their very lives. Journeying from Singapore to literally off the edge of the world, the real tag crew finally find Jack in Davy Jones Locker.  After much tribulation in an attempt to return to the normal world , now with a reluctant Jack, things seem to be on an even keel . But it’s not going to be plain sailing for them all, far from it. Elizabeth discovers her father Governor Swann( Jonathan Pryce) was murdered by and this ignites more action inside of her, we witness how she’s more than happy to go against the grain now and take charge in fierce fashion when it gets personal. Will wants to rescue his cursed father Bootstrap Bill(Stellan Skarsgård) from damned life on the Flying Dutchman . The only catch is that he must stab the heart but then become the captain of the vessel. This would mean he would be parted from his beloved Elizabeth and only every ten years for one day would he be allowed to see her is still mourning the goddess Calypso, who he loved and when she didn’t return to him, he became the monster he is at present . We learn that Calypso was bound to human form and that form is the ever enigmatic Tia Dalma , who has an axe to grind with the Brethren . Will has to align himself with the slimy Beckett to enable some of his plan to work while Elizabeth ends up with more responsibility than ever. Upon reaching where they need to be , opinions are raised about the future. It’s up to the to fight back against its enemies and though many present have differing motives and ideals, uneasy but needed unions are made as the time for fighting grows closer. Soon battle lines are drawn and it’s a battle that no one is going to forget.

Gore Verbinski still knows how to create a swashbuckler and succeeds in the stakes of action, adventure and fantasy. He has the right gusto to keep things spinning, even if the multitude of plot points is a chore. From doing my research, I saw that At World’s End was filmed back to back with its predecessor and you get the feeling more effort was lavished on Dead Man’s Chest than here . Which isn’t to say that the film is bad, it just can lack focus with all the varying strands it has to contend with and exposition runs heavily throughout. In the last two movies, I have mentioned the run times being a bit long. But here it really does feel overlong and sometimes needs an injection of something to get it going. It’s not hard to feel a bit confused with all the subterfuge at play and the plot points that need tying up getting drawn out. These areas tie the movie up in knots that derail some of the good that it has to offer. Mercifully, when the action and spectacle hit in At World’s Enf, they knock it out of the park in powerful fashion. The last hour or so is an onslaught of breathless action between ships in a stormy sea as the final battle takes place in grandiose style, following a rallying speech from the now fully fledged pirate Elizabeth . Water soaks, sails break and swords clash as the fight for freedom. And it’s pretty spectacularly mounted and executing from near every angle. It’s what the audience has been waiting for and it doesn’t disappoint. Earlier standout moments include the rousing rendition of a call to arms from those about to be put to death, the trippy purgatory of Davy Jones Locker , the rag tag crew slipping a boat over to escape the land of the dead and an extended battle in Singapore on wooden bridges over waterways. And that’s not forgetting the visual front of sweeping camerawork that captures many a cinematic moment, like the as two faction walk towards the other with equal intensity in their eyes that feels like a tribute to an old Western in the best possible way. The sets are gorgeously rendered and we have Hans Zimmer on music duties once more; crafting a suitably epic score that continues to build as the action explodes.

Johnny Depp headlines this end to the original trilogy with usual blend of outrageous comedy styling and moments of occasional seriousness. Jack is wily and up to his usual tricks but we see that he can loyal in his own roundabout way. Knockabout humour and action go hand in hand for Depp in his finely energetic performance that once more makes it mark as memorable. Orlando Bloom has come a longboard way  from the start and it’s great to see him play the ruthless and cunning yet still charming Will. Gone are the overly saintly antics of the first chapters of the character, and we have Bloom playing Will as someone who engages in piracy with efficiency and verve but still has shreds of integrity and selflessness to him. Keira Knightley impresses once more as Elizabeth becomes a fully fledged pirate once she realises that she has nothing left to lose following the murder of her father . She’s vengeful, spirited and knows how to cut anyone down with either words or sword. Knightley is a winner once more in how she’s portrayed Elizabeth throughout the trilogy; her emergence from well brought up lady to skilled, respected pirate is one hell of a journey thanks to the delightful young actress. And who else could look so fetching in pirate garb and command such deep respect from those around her like Knightley? Say what you will about some of the plotting in the trilogy, but the development of Will and Elizabeth has been a shining factor and hugely positive in the course of the three movies. Geoffrey Rush is back and as wickedly entertaining as ever, playing Barbossa with a glint in his eyes and spitting out amusing one liners whenever the occasion calls for it. Stellan Skarsgård, who I’ve aways found to be a really underrated actor, wrings out the sadness from his part of doomed father and damned man. There’s something in his eyes that just really evokes a feeling of pity. Nighy makes for both a terrifying prospect and a tormented man, ably supporting Naomie Harris as the enigmatic long lost love. Once we become privy to the knowledge of the history between these two, their story takes on more pathos that is thankfully a good plot thread that interests. Tom Hollander continues to grease it up as the skippering Beckett, a little man with big ideas who is quite the loathsome cockroach that many characters wish to kill. A wasted opportunity comes in the form of Chow Yun-Fat. He’s a commanding actor and has an elegance to him, but its not put to good enough use here which is most unfortunate. More successful is the stalwart Kevin McNally as the noble friend to all and the one who is the most approachable amid all the larger than life characters. They aren’t the favourite characters of everyone, Pintel and Ragetti(Lee Arenberg and Mackenzie Crook) that is, and but their buffoonery and blunders of quite entertaining when I see them. Some of it wears thin but they are clearly having a blast. Jack Davenport appears again as the Commodore who switches loyalties, and he successfully plays someone who grows a spine a little too late. Jonathan Pryce is sadly sidelined for his part, though the unexpected death of his character certainly sets in motion something within Elizabeth. Watch out for the much publicised cameo by Keith Richards as Jack’s pirate father( with added tongue in cheek humour as Depp based the part he plays on Richards himself)

So if it goes on too long and feels just a bit too convoluted, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End can at least be praised for its acting, action and pure sense of escapism. After all, it’s a fun filled time for most of it that can prove worthy of your patience and viewership. And it caps off the trilogy in style so I can’t begrudge it that.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest

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2000's, Adventure, Bill Nighy, Disney, Fantasy, Gore Verbinski, Jack Davenport, Johnny Depp, Jonathan Pryce, Keira Knightley, Kevin McNally, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook, Naomie Harris, Orlando Bloom, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest, Stellan Skarsgård, Tom Hollander

The sequel to the highly successful first film, Pirates of the Caribbean ups the ante and continues on a darker but still entertaining path. My heart may belong to The Curse of the Black Pearl because of nostalgia, but this Disney swashbuckler is definitely a very close second with glorious set pieces and pure escapism galore.

Jack Sparrow(Johnny Depp) is on the run from the Navy after his escape in the last movie. But the Navy is the least of his worries when he is given an ominous piece of news by Bootstrap Bill(Stellan Skarsgård), who is Will Turner’s damned father. Jack owes a debt to the infamous Davy Jones(Bill Nighy); the chilling captain of the Flying Dutchman who has a lot of mystical forces on his side. If he doesn’t pay his debt and become a member of the doomed crew, he’ll be dragged to Davy Jones Locker by the beast known as the Kraken. Meanwhile, lovebirds Elizabeth Swann and Will Turner are set to marry buy on the blessed day, their nuptials are interrupted by the East India Trading Company and they are arrested for helping Jack escape. A warrant is also issued for Commodore Norrington( Jack Davenport), though he is now far from the Navy and a very different person now. The East India Trading Company is headed by the arrogant and conniving Lord Cutler Beckett(Tom Hollander) . This contemptible  weasel tries to strike a deal with Will. If Will can retrieve the magic compass that Jack owns that points to what the use desires, Beckett will pardon him and Elizabeth. The compass would lead to the whereabouts of the Dead Man’s Chest; the heart of Davy Jones that if anyone owns can rule the sea and make others fall under command. Along the way, Will meets his father and after bonding attempts to save him from eternal damnation. Elizabeth is freed by her father(Jonathan Pryce) and she begins to join the hunt for the Dead Man’s Chest after striking something of a bargain with for information on the whereabouts of her man and what he’s seeking. This is also so she can be reunited with her beloved Will and insure his safety. But this time, something begins to creep up on Elizabeth. A frisson with Jack leads to complex emotions becoming known, which troubles Elizabeth. In between loyalties shifting, an islands of cannibals that captures the main crew at one point, an encounter with swamp dwelling clairvoyant Tia Dalma(Naomie Harris)and meeting with the fearsome Jones, it’s going to be anything but plain sailing for the characters. Soon everyone has their sights on the Dead Man’s Chest for their own personal reasons. Just who will emerge with it?

Gore Verbinski is directing again with great flair for skullduggery and action of the highest order . He isn’t afraid to raise the seriousness as well, while still retaining some of the knockabout charm the audience knows and loves. Dead Man’s Chest feels darker than it’s predecessor The stakes are higher here and it shows in feelings of being epic. There’s quite a bit of brutality and darkness in this film(particularly some of the opening shots of prisoners and their fates), but nothing too grisly as it knows just went to push things and when to leave it up to the viewer’s imagination. As I’ve mentioned, is my favourite of the series, yet Dead Man’s Chest is a very enjoyable sequel with plenty to thrill an audience and that’s why I do hold it in high regard. The length of the film is a smidgeon too long but the sheer amount of action and adventure more than makes up for the long running time. The action set pieces come thick and fast, especially in the last half of Dead Man’s Chest. Of particular note is the extended fight for the eponymous chest as all manner of people get their hands on it and lose it in elaborate fashion, Combining humour with breathless action when we see Jack, Will and on a severed wheel from water mill duelling for their lives as it careens through jungle , it’s one hell of a ride on my book. The visuals are of high quality too, crafting many a fine moment of magic. Particularly deserving of the praise is the computer generated design of Davy Jones, who is an amalgamation of sea creatures, most notably having a squid face of innumerable tentacles. The effects make him come to life in very creepy fashion and seem so real, as if he could leap out of the screen in full villainous form. Hans Zimmer takes over score duties and builds on the already impressive atmosphere and then sum. His score thunders along with an epic sweep that pulls you in and is more than a match for the stunning visuals on show.

A game cast is on hand to flesh out this fantasy adventure. Johnny Depp is at head of it as the one and only Jack Sparrow. Depp embodies the sneaky and shifting loyalties of someone used to playing the game. Sparrow is a flawed character as he’s more than happy to sell his friends down the river with a cheeky grin on his face, but Depp evinces the hidden decency that catches up with him. Only Depp can play Jack Sparrow this way and make it truly work, which is one of the highest compliments I can give him. Orlando Bloom is definitely stepping it up as Will, finally throwing off the shackles of being a holier than thou hero. He’s definitely still got some honour, but it’s fun to see him embrace pirate instinct and action, feeling more dynamic than ever before. Keira Knightley excels once more as the ever evolving Elizabeth, who really shows off her flinty and cunning side on this adventure. Knightley, clearly relishing the chance to partake in more action,  possesses the right balance of determination and confusion when her romantic inclinations begin to go in a way she never imagined. The whole triangle is played out excellently as both have things Elizabeth wants, adding further fuel to the fire in the process. A combination of great animation effects and a fine actor in the form of Bill Nighy craft a ruthless character in Davey Jones. Created via motion capture and then with the computer generated design overplayed onto the face of Nighy, Jones is a chilling villain with Bill Nighy lending a great deal of presence and impact to it. The effects are very convincing and worthy of praise but it’s the inhabiting of the part that makes it so impressive on the part of Bill Nighy. His distinctive eyes are noticeable through the CGI and the voice he adopts has a real spine-tingling quality; while a certain pathos and glimmers of someone who isn’t all that bad emerges from this. We are also introduced to the mysterious voodoo priestess Tia Dalma, who provides much in the way of intrigue surrounding her knowledge of Davy Jones. Naomie Harris plays the part with an enigmatic grace and knowing playfulness that is most intriguing as the part is a peach. Jack Davenport reappears as the now dissolute and fallen from grace Commodore, who ruined his image and promise by chasing Sparrow. Stellan Skarsgård makes for a welcome addition to the party as the tragic Bootstrap Bill. Hidden behind layers of crustacean make up, his melancholy delivery is surprisingly touching in the long run. Villainy of the human kind is found within Tom Hollander and his portrayal of a ruthless chairman for the East India Trading Company. Constantly belittling others and acting superior, you really start to despise the character. Which in my book shows how good an actor Hollander is to elicit such strong feelings. Lee Arenberg and Mackenzie Crook provide more knockabout humour as the idiotic pirate duo never far from a scrape, while the stalwart abilities of Kevin McNally are on show as the ever faithful Gibbs. Jonathan Pryce, though only in a supporting part, works his talents to make sure that his character isn’t merely throwaway.  

With plenty of action, darkness and an upping of stakes, Dead Man’s Chest makes for a compelling sequel of fantasy and adventure on the high seas.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

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2000's, Adventure, Disney, Fantasy, Geoffrey Rush, Gore Verbinski, Jack Davenport, Johnny Depp, Jonathan Pryce, Keira Knightley, Kevin McNally, Lee Arenberg, Mackenzie Crook, Orlando Bloom, Pirates of the Caribbean, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

A swashbuckling fantasy adventure inspired by of all things a famous ride at Disneyland, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is rousing, high spirited fun full of action and derring do. I’m sure many were doubtful about a film based on a theme park and how it would go were very surprised by how effective and throughly entertaining it turned out to be.

It’s the 18th Century in the Caribbean and in Port Royal, things are about to get very interesting. The arrival of the infamous Jack Sparrow( Johnny Depp), he of the keen wits, outrageous antics and swagger, is picked up on by the admiralty after he arrives in port minus a ship. Meanwhile, the beautiful Elizabeth Swann( Keira Knightley) is being prepped for marriage to the newly promoted strait-laced Commodore Norrington(Jack Davenport). But this is not as simple as it seems as Elizabeth is chafing at society and there is someone else who carries a flame for her. That someone is dashing blacksmith Will Turner( Orlando Bloom), who admires her from afar but doesn’t act on it because of how rigid society is. Elizabeth helped rescue Will as a boy when he was found floating in the sea when she was making the journey to Port Royal as a little girl. She took the necklace that was around his neck as it identified him as being related to pirates. Years later she has the necklace and is still intrigued by pirates. However society and her protective father Governor Swann( Jonathan Pryce)have subdued these ideas of a life on the high seas. The gold piece soon brings danger to Port Royal when a menacing ship by the name of The Black Pearl attacks. The vicious pirates aboard kidnap Elizabeth, though through her pirate knowledge she manages to stay alive. She is taken to the cursed ship and here she meets the wily Captain Barbossa( Geoffrey Rush) and she gives a false name(Will’s last name) that intrigues the crew. Barbossa is in search of  the last piece of gold from a cursed treasure chest, which currently hangs around the neck of Elizabeth. The curse renders anyone who touches it to become one of the living dead, which Barbossa and his crew are. Only by the spilling of blood from one of pirate lineage can break the curse, which the crew mistakenly believe is Elizabeth. Though Commodore Norrington wants to go about things in the proper way befitting his training, the determined Will has other plans to get Elizabeth back. Will can’t stand pirates, as he is unaware of his own historical link with the sea faring scoundrels, but decides to implore Jack Sparrow for help. Springing Jack from jail and still distrustful, he begins to work with the rapscallion that is Jack. After all, The Black Pearl was Jack’s ship before Barbossa proposed a mutiny against him, thus leaving the crafty cursed pirate as captain. Elizabeth emerges as a stronger person along the way, with much in the way of being resourceful and surviving among buccaneers. Jack Sparrow and Will still have a bit of animosity but work some of it out in their quest to rescue Will’s beloved from the hands of Barbossa . Jack always has something up his sleeve that allows for many turns and twists in what is an epic journey. Much adventure, double crossing and events across the high seas follow for the characters in this adventure.

Gore Verbinski fashions a rollicking adventure yarn with a flair for humour and a really good time of excitement for almost everyone. He clearly knows what he’s doing and provides us with a film that is thoroughly sweeping and action packed. There’s something delightfully old fashioned about The Curse of the Black Pearl, which is mixed with a contemporary and irreverent sense of humour. The two aspects melding make the film very appealing to a pretty wide audience with old school feeling of swashbuckling and off the wall humour and modern cinema techniques proving rather good bedfellows. Pirates become fun and the genre of the swashbuckler is resurrected in style. As I said earlier, I’m sure many expected The Curse of the Black pearl to fail because of its origins. These naysayers were obviously thrown for a loop when it turned out to be a rip-roaring fantasy adventure that both critics, audiences and this reviewer loved. You’d have to be Scrooge to not find something to tickle your funny bone or make you feel swept along on a great voyage in The Curse of the Black Pearl. Set pieces and action are what allows the film to flow on a well tuned ocean of entertainment and swordplay. The effects are rather excellent too, especially when it comes to the undead crew. They are rendered gloriously creepy in the moonlight and make many a good sequence, particularly the first reveal of them to a startled Elizabeth. One little flaw is that the film is a bit overlong and could have used some trimming. Though you can forgive it as the ride is a fantastically enjoyable and enthralling voyage into a time of swashbuckling action and spectacle. The score from Klaus Badelt is a splendid accompaniment to the events on screen, while mixed with a slightly jaunty air that permeates through with brio.

One of the biggest things that stands out in The Curse of the Black Pearl is obviously the cast, headed by a wonderfully creative and attention grabbing Johnny Depp. Portraying the flamboyant and witty Jack Sparrow who always seems to be able to get out of a scrape, Depp is obviously having a ball putting all manner of eccentric traits into the part with superb comic timing and suitable panache. From the drunken walk, ability to confuse those in his way with riddle like language and a daring glint in his eye, Jack Sparrow comes alive thanks to the reliable and unique talents of Johnny Depp. He’s the definitive scene stealer in this adventure and make no mistake about it. The Curse of the Black Pearl would not be the same without him. Then we have Orlando Bloom as the main hero of the piece. Bloom, while not being the finest actor around, has the right physicality and noble presence to compensate for some niggles in his range. Plus he makes for an attractive partner for Keira Knightley as the two characters begin to find themselves acting on their feelings after keeping them under wraps. It’s Keira Knightley, who was rocketed to stardom with her performance here, that really goes through the biggest journey over the course of the movie. Knightley moves from well-mannered but curious lady of upper society/damsel in distress to a strong fighter and smart player of the pirate game. While being a striking presence and mature in demeanour with a tall figure, alert eyes and enviable cheekbones, it’s the spirited energy of a woman not wanting to be apart of a stifling status quo that Keira Knightley brings which sells the part of Elizabeth successfully here. On stellar form as well is the reliable Geoffrey Rush, who is delightfully tongue in cheek yet bristling with a creepy menace. His scenes with Depp are delightful as sworn enemies sparring with both swords and wits. Jack Davenport nails the duty bound honour of a man married to his job and enjoying being the bus, but not quite succeeding on the romance department. Jonathan Pryce has the right elder statesman presence as Elizabeth’s elderly father whose biggest concern is the fate of his daughter in all of this. Kevin McNally embodies the person with the most sense of loyalty, first mate Gibbs. He’s both a hoot and a source of calm among all the chaos around him. The devious pairing of Lee Arenberg and Mackenzie Crook as two of the cursed pirates by the names of Pintel and Ragetti, who are prone to all sorts of trouble is also a source of humour, particularly Ragetti. He has an eye that never seems to stay in place and is found often popping out at the most inappropriate times, causing much in the way of slapstick that both actors play too. 

Rip-roaring, gloriously riotous and a whole barrel of delightful action, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is the definition of a fun time at the movies. For adventure and thrills, look no further.

The Lost World: Jurassic Park

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1990's, Adventure, Arliss Howard, Jeff Goldblum, Julianne Moore, Pete Postlethwaite, Peter Stormare, Richard Attenborough, Richard Schiff, Steven Spielberg, The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Vanessa Lee Chester, Vince Vaughn

As the sequel to the gargantuan blockbuster and game changer Jurassic Park, The Lost World: Jurassic Park has big footsteps to follow. And while it’s impossible to compare to the classic that was the first movie as the magic has worn off quite a bit, The Lost World still has moments of awe and thrills to keep you entertained in this adventure.

Following the events of the first film, survivor and chaos theorist Dr Ian Malcolm( Jeff Goldblum) has been written off as a lunatic after he spoke about the devastation and horror of the botched attempt at opening the park. Interestingly, the sarcastic Ian is summoned by the billionaire John Hammond(Richard Attenborough) , the man behind the original park. It transpires that there was a second island where the dinosaurs where bred by the InGen company, that was abandoned following a hurricane. The species of prehistoric creatures where set into the wild and have been living there ever since, despite originally being programmed to not live long due to a build in deficiency. There are no cages or fences on this island so the genetically modified dinosaurs roam free. Hammond is in a pickle as the company he owns is under scrutiny and his leadership is being undermined by his own nephew Peter Ludlow(Arliss Howard), a most weaselly and greedy upstart who has a flagrant disregard for the feelings of others  . After a young girl was savaged by some dinosaurs on the island after her family docked there , an investigation was launched into the area . Hammond wants Ian to travel to the island and with a crew document the creatures in order to rally some public support and stop the evil takeover planned by .  For wishes to make money off the dinosaurs on the island. After discovering that his girlfriend, the impulsive palaeontologist Dr Sarah Harding( Julianne Moore) is on the island, he decides to go even though he isn’t thrilled with the idea. Joining him are the photographer and part time environmentalist Nick Van Owen(Vince Vaughn) and equipment specialist and engineer Eddie Carr(Richard Schiff) . Once they meet up with the promising Sarah, they discover that Ian’s estranged daughter Kelly( Vanessa Lee Chester) hid away in the travel so she could tag along. This doesn’t bode well for Ian who is often at loggerheads with Kelly as they argue over how much he is away from any parental responsibility. Such disagreements are put on hold however once Ian realises that they aren’t the only humans on the island. Around this time another team soon follow with the hunter Roland Tembo(Pete Postlethwaite) at the helm and with a desire to capture a Tyrannosaurus. He is alongside the slimy Ludlow, whose plan is then revealed as one that involves taking the remaining dinosaurs and creating something of a zoo in San Diego.  Attempts by Malcolm and his group to help the dinosaurs are thwarted and with the other group with mercenary intent in mind, it inadvertently causes chaos as the prehistoric beasts begin a vicious attack against the humans. Now it’s another fight for survival against the creatures, from T-Rex to velociraptors. Everyone on the island is at risk as the rival groups have to band together in an escalating battle to make it out alive.

The shadow of Jurassic Park is still over this movie( I mean how could it not be?) and the movie somewhat stumbles as it reaches for impossible heights. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve discovered that The Lost World is rather underrated and I’ve began to reassess it. Admittedly it’s still flawed and doesn’t quite have that snap of its influential largely down to a long winded plot and how it moves a bit slower than it should, but it doesn’t mean that the film isn’t at least thrilling and watchable in large stretches once the action kicks into high gear. The Lost World has always been the entry of the series that I’ve been in two different mindsets on and I still am in both. It just seems that now I view it with a more positive outlook than before while still seeing that it’s definitely not as magical as it could be. Steven Spielberg is once again on directing duties and shows his immense skill in many a set piece.  The Lost World feels quite a bit darker and there is more than a bit of grisly savagery that’s surprising yet jaw dropping( watch out for a ripped apart death scene, onslaught on a hunter who soon regrets his treatment of the Compys.) And not forgetting the intelligent and stealthy raptors sneaking up on people in the long grass in a sensational sequence and a waterfall stained with blood after the giant T-Rex has snacked on a terrified victim. This is backed up by some moody cinematography set mainly at night and impressive camerawork that puts us at the heart of adventure.

Spielberg displays a fantastic knack for entertaining an audience and making sure that no nail is left not bitten. Case in point is the scene in which the two big T-Rex come looking for their infant. Although Sarah helped nurse it following its brutal treatment, the dinosaurs don’t take to anyone messing with their offspring. Attacking the trailer that houses, it leaves the terrified trio on a precipice quite literally as the trailer is forced halfway off a cliff. Sarah falls inside the trailer and her plunge is stopped by a sheet of glass. The only thing is that once she comes around the glass begins to splinter slowly underneath her. It’s heart-stopping stuff as she attempts to remain still and not allow the glass to break any quicker, which would result in her death. You’re seriously holding your breath as the scene plays out and it’s the main set piece of that sticks in my memory from The Lost World. Other sequences like the attempted capture of dinosaurs by the evil company that resemble a wild safari are stunningly action packed, but the glass scene is where it’s at for me as I’m a sucker for suspense. When it comes to the effects, the film does deliver the goods. And though some of the novelty and magic has worn off , it’s a thrill to see many return as well as some newer ones. There’s the diminutive but vicious Compys, that stun prey before devouring it, huge Stegosaurus that Sarah photographs and it’s a thrill to see the velociraptors back and as cunning as ever. The effects are still of a high standard and further enhance the adventure aspect of this sequel. John Williams aids events with a thundering score, with a heavy percussive feel that fits the jungle setting and the rising tension with rattling drums. The music bristles with excitement and menace, both things that Williams truly excels at providing us with.

While the characters aren’t quite as compelling as before and are sometimes rendered as not the sharpest in terms of brains, the handsomely assembled cast still does very good acting with what they have to work with. Jeff Goldblum, who is always a fun actor to watch, plays the sarcasm and cynicism extremely well. Goldblum balances both humour and a feeling of seen it all weariness that suits the film down to the ground. Julianne Moore, who many readers will know is one of my favourite actresses, has some great moments as the main female in the film . Her character isn’t exactly written with much in the way of depth, but the always talented Moore imbues her with wits, impulsive curiosity, terror and fun that’s nice to watch. Vince Vaughn has a sense of action and humour to him as an activist not afraid of a fight. Pete Postlethwaite is one of the big standouts here, essaying the role of game hunter who is seemingly singled minded but has his own set of scruples that make him more complex. The part could have just been one dimensional but the gifted Postlethwaite infuses it with a certain level of depth, gravitas and experience. Arliss Howard is a slithering presence as the nasty Peter Ludlow; a smug, self satisfied man with no compassion or sense of decency in his body. Howard plays this villain for all its worth, backed up by the scene-stealing Peter Stormare as a vicious hunter who is bad to the bone. Vanessa Lee Chester is saddled with the typical role of kid in danger and isn’t required for much else. She even gets the films most eye-rolling moment that just feels so out of place. Richard Schiff is nicely understated as a courageous member of the team who puts his life on the line. Richard Attenborough, though appearing briefly, is still effective at showing how John Hammond has changed from eccentric billionaire with grand ideas to a man making amends for what he’s done. As previously mentioned, the characters can come off as holier than thou but most of the acting rises above that.

So it’s not rivalling it’s predecessor on the epic front and it isn’t a masterpiece, but The Lost World: Jurassic Park has grown on me a bit. I can accept it’s flaws in the development department, as there are quite a lot of moments that do stand out in this sequel that treads familiar ground. Though it does this it still knows how to push many of the right exciting buttons for the audience and keep you entertained.

Conan the Destroyer

Tags

1980's, Action, Adventure, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Conan the Destroyer, Fantasy, Grace Jones, Mako, Olivia d’Abo, Richard Fleischer, Sarah Douglas, Tracey Walter, Wilt Chamberlain

With Conan the Barbarian being a success, it was inevitable that a sequel would follow. And while Conan the Destroyer has its good moments, it doesn’t quite compare with its predecessor.

The warrior that is Conan(Arnold Schwarzenegger) is still alive and mourning the death of his lover Valeria. He is now joined by clumsy Malak(Tracey Walter), a thief who can’t help but get himself in trouble because of his magpie like love of jewels. He comes across the mysterious Queen Taramis(Sarah Douglas)who offers him a deal. She will using her magical powers being back the love of his life on one condition. Conan must escort her niece, the naive and virginal Princess Jehnna(Olivia d’Abo) , to retrieve a magical gem that will lead the way to the horn of an ancient God. Jehnna must do this as it is her destiny and Queen Taramis insists on it. What no one realises is that the ruthless and sly Taramis is in fact plotting to sacrifice Jehnna in order to use the power of the horn for nefarious purposes. She assigns her trusted Captain of the guard Bombaata(Wilt Chamberlain) to join the quest, but kill Conan once the jewel is obtained. So Conan, Malak and the rest of the venturing group begin their journey to find the fabled jewel. Along the way, Conan frees a fighter called Zula; who he finds being tormented and forced to scrap in chains with brutal villagers. As thanks for setting her free, the feral Zula joins Conan’s quest and proves to be a vital ally. The quest is perilous and fraught with danger, especially when Conan uncovers the deceit at the heart of it. Now it’s a battle to stop the evil power of Taramis from taking over.

In the directors seat this time is Richard Fleischer, who at least manages to make this film watchable and reasonably entertaining. Although the tonal shifts are all over the place, Fleischer is at his best with the action scenes and danger, which does help in the long run. While no one would consider the first Conan movie high art, it at least had some form of grit to it. I’m fine with incorporating humour into films but it feels a bit much in Conan the Destroyer. It starts pretty well with humour and action benefiting each other. Then things go south as idiotic occurrences happen and mount up. The first film had some humour but it was controlled and it felt a little more brutal than your average fantasy outing. It wasn’t deadbeat drama throughout, but it at least had some sense of stakes being high. Conan the Destroyer seems to forget this and just chuck things at us in ridiculously rapid speed. Yes I did say that the first film was overstretched with its runtime, but this sequel is too quick and rushed. And events feel a bit watered down and not as brutal as before, which does hamper events in this movie as it feels a bit too light and humorous. I believe behind the scenes there was a conscious decision to tone down the gore in order to increase box office takings, I think they still could have been successful even with more bloodshed and brutality on show.  Now things aren’t all bad in Conan the Destroyer, there are actually moments of greatness to be discovered. I’ll admit sometimes the goofy atmosphere is fun and once again the set pieces are rather fantastic. One in a hall of mirrors is very well executed, thanks to sterling production design and action present. This movie is most enjoyable when it’s serving up action and fantasy, instead of trying to make the film more child friendly.The score doesn’t let the audience down, providing boundless adventure and majesty to the film courtesy of Basil Poledouris. It’s again a highlight for how it immerses us in this fantasy world. 

Arnold Schwarzenegger is once again an imposing presence as the titular fighter on another quest. He gets the and when the humour lands , he succeeds while still casting a long shadow of skill in the fighting department. Though it is very strange to hear Schwarzenegger talk as much as he does. Previously, he only speaks a number of lines which adds to his impact as we are more focused on his actions. Though this is a niggle, Schwarzenegger is still an amazing Conan and delivers the goods you want. Grace Jones, of striking bone structure, agile yet rippling physique and high top fade hairstyle, acts as a great asset to Conan and the movie. Her very stare projects a menace and aggression of a warrior, complete with the fact that she’s always on the prowl. Jones lends her unique look, wild abandon and electric being to Conan the Destroyer and lights up the screen every time she’s on it. Wilt Chamberlain, who was a basketball player of immense height, has the physical goods to deliver a slippery turn as the wavering Captain who you just know is going to stab you in the back if you’re not careful. Tracey Walter is passable enough as Conan’s latest sidekick, though his clumsy antics get a bit repetitive as the film continues. More effective is Mako, returning as the wise and all seeing wizard who balances seriousness with some levity. However Olivia d’Abo is pretty grating and irritating as the innocent princess, mainly because she’s so naive and the character is pretty bland to begin with. This isn’t helped by her delivery of lines which is stilted and without resonance. I get that she’s supposed to be sheltered and immature, but she mainly comes off as a pain. Sarah Douglas does villain shtick very well while being darkly seductive at the same time. 

Conan the Destroyer has bright spots to it and has a fun, goofy quality, it just feels rather redundant and watered down when it could have been better

Conan the Barbarian

Tags

1980's, Action, Adventure, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Conan the Barbarian, Fantasy, Gerry Lopez, James Earl Jones, John Milius, Mako, Max Von Sydow, Sandahl Bergman

Based on the character in pulp comics and featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger in an early role that put him on the map just before he hit superstardom , Conan the Barbarian is nothing if not a dazzling, testosterone filled action-adventure fantasy that has its share of problems but is still riotously entertaining and a fun ride to experience.

In Ancient times, a young boy by the name of Conan is the son of a blacksmith and a loving mother. Unfortunately, brutality strikes when the followers of the evil cult leader Thulsa Doom( James Earl Jones) attack his village. His father is wounded and then mauled to death by dogs, while Doom himself hypnotises Conan’s mother before beheading her in front of her terrified son. Doom then takes a powerful sword owned by Conan’s father before leaving the carnage in his wake. The children of the village are spared and sold into slavery, being charged with pushing a giant wheel in back breaking fashion. Over the years of pushing the wheel, Conan( now played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a muscle bound mountain of a man with incredible strength. He becomes a gladiator of immense renown and is taught many things by his master. Later he is set free into the wild, which is where he starts trying to track down Thulsa Doom, where he discovers an ancient sword, a strange prophecy and encounters three important people in his quest . Firstly he meets thief and archer Subotai(Gerry Lopez) , then he encounters beautiful and lethal bandit Valeria(Sandahl Bergman). Lastly there is Akiro the Wizard(Mako), who provides the narration for the film. Valeria and Subotai are soon faithful friends and in the case of Valeria, a romantic interest who assist Conan on his journey, while Akiro instils wisdom and prophecy. The trio of wonderers hear of a jewel that they decide to steal, mainly because the snake symbol is something that Conan believes will lead him to his nemesis. They are then summoned by the old King Osric( Max Von Sydow), who knows they stole the jewel but doesn’t wish to imprison them, he actually wants their help. His daughter has fell under the influence of Thulsa Doom and he wants Conan and his friends to retrieve her for a good reward. They decide to accept this offer as Conan continues on his path of vengeance hoping to meet Doom and enact brutality upon him as retribution for what he did to his family.

John Milius and his work here are the definition of macho and it’s perfectly suited to this kind of film. He’s the well appointed director of Conan the Barbarian and he keeps events ticking over, even when it gets a bit laboured and indulgent towards the end. got what you want from a swords and sorcery; lots of violent action( standout being the opening raid on Conan’s childhood village), unusual fantasy, well muscled heroes and buxom ladies, alongside traps, tricks and magic. And it’s unapologetic and upfront about it too which is rather refreshing in that way, especially as the violence isn’t sugarcoated . The action set pieces are staged with verve and efficiency, making them very memorable as Conan fights his way across a desolate land. Now at two hours, Conan the Barbarian does feel a bit longwinded in the grand scheme of things and that is a flaw. But for the majority, the adventure, excitement and brutality of the movie is done to a high standard. You don’t need to invest intellect into the story as it’s pretty much what you’d expect. Though that, in my book at least, is not something that should be seen as a fault. Sometimes it’s great to go into a movie that takes you to another place and doesn’t require you to think about it deeply. And I for one don’t mind when a movie does that when it does it as well as Conan the Barbarian. Sure it’s not going to stimulate your mind in a sense of depth, but who can begrudge this swords and sorcery concoction that simply wants to thrill? Saying this however, it feels more rough and gritty than some fantasy and that does make it stand out a bit from the crowd. It’s not Shakespeare by any stretch of the imagination, but nor is it trying to be. So sit back and lap it up the best way you can with enjoyment in mind and thrills by the minute . The largely practical effects are decent for their time, though looking through modern eyes they look rather dated. Still at least the film isn’t overblown when it comes to effects, instead when they are used in scenes of the spirits healing but also attempting to snatch our hero away and a fireside vision by a seductive but lethal witch, they are impactful. And the look of Conan the Barbarian is one of its strongest aspects with the vast open spaces, mountainous terrain and creepy atmosphere of the opulent Snake Cult rendered with great detail. Things feel epic here and this contributes well in keeping the whole highly charged atmosphere alive. One of the finest elements of Conan the Barbarian is the stupendous score from Basil Poledouris. With thundering drums aplenty and a sweeping scope that benefits the action, it’s one score you won’t forget in a hurry.

Arnold Schwarzenegger heads proceedings as the eponymous warrior out for revenge and makes quite an impression. Physically, he is a hulking being that is intimidating and strong from the moment we see him and the fact he doesn’t speak a lot adds to this feeling of immense presence. Schwarzenegger isn’t known for being the finest actor out there, but his work here is an example of fantastic casting as he exudes strength, intense vengeance and physicality throughout. I can’t imagine anyone else filling the role of Conan quite as effectively as Schwarzenegger. Embodying an eerily menacing villainy, James Earl Jones is the ideal counterpart to our hero. He’s got such a chilling presence( mainly through that iconic voice)throughout that comes from his seeming calmness that belies inner psychopathic tendencies. Gerry Lopez provides some comic relief and sense of friendship as the skilled thief Subotai . He works well against with Schwarzenegger; the two of them being opposites physically but in terms of mindset definitely on the ball and understanding of each other. Ferocity and athleticism is provided by Sandahl Bergman with added doses of sex appeal to boot . Though not what you’d call the most versatile or nuanced performer, Bergman nonetheless contributes a physical charm and action to that can’t be denied . Mako and his off the wall appeal that is twinned with his impressive narration adds a layer of epic awesomeness to Conan the Barbarian. The only person who feels wasted is the great Max Von Sydow as the elderly king. Someone of his calibre should at least have been given more to work with, even if his role is small.  Most of the acting isn’t what you’d call award worthy, but not is it trying to be. The cast is called upon to play these characters in a certain way and they each do what the film demands handsomely.

So aside from some flaws along the way, Conan the Barbarian still stands out as a fantastic spectacle of action and fantasy that is enjoyably full of action set pieces and sweeping spectacle.

Stardust

Tags

2000's, Adventure, Charlie Cox, Claire Danes, Fantasy, Ian McKellen, Jason Flemyng, Mark Heap, Mark Strong, Matthew Vaughn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Peter O’Toole, Ricky Gervais, Robert De Niro, Sienna Miller, Stardust

Based on the novel by Neil Gaiman, Stardust is a lavish fantasy of tongue in cheek humour, surprising darkness and a feeling of adventure that can’t be denied. Boasting a game cast and some dazzling scenery/visuals, it’s hard not to be swept up in this movie. 

A rural England town known as Wall is bordered by a giant wall that divides it from the magical kingdom of Stormhold. No one is supposed to go through the portal in the wall and it’s guarded by a man who refuses entry, though one man did and met a beautiful woman who he had a passionate romance with. Nine months later, his son is brought to his doorstep with no sign of the mother. The boy grows up into Tristan Thorn(Charlie Cox), a good-hearted but clumsy man who has a big crush on local beauty Victoria( Sienna Miller). The problem is his love for her is unrequited and Victoria is a selfish and vain woman who enjoys stringing others along. Tristan remains undaunted in his attempts to woo her and this is where things get interesting. In the Kingdom of Stormhold, the old King( Peter O’Toole) is dying and he hasn’t appointed a successor out of his sons. Usually, it’s the last man standing who takes the crown but the King decides to freshen things up a bit. He decrees that the first of his three remaining sons who retrieves his ruby will be crowned. The King throws it into the sky where it hits a falling star. The star is seen by Tristan and Victoria, and the capricious Victoria asks Tristan to retrieve the star to prove his devotion before a deadline. If he succeeds in retrieving the star, Victoria will accept his hand in marriage. Bowled over by her, Tristan naturally accepts the challenge. Little does Tristan realise how far reaching and eventful his quest will be. The biggest surpise is once he passes The Wall, he discovers that the star has taken the form of Yvaine( Claire Danes). She might be a radiant beauty but her personality is feisty and she immediately clashes with Tristan. Both begin to warm up to the other as forces of greed and desperation chase them. The remaining and power hungry princes Septimus( Mark Strong), Tertius( Mark Heap) and Primus( Jason Flemyng)are in hot pursuit, followed by an amusing Greek chorus of deceased siblings. Most evil and menacing of all are witch Lamia(Michelle Pfeiffer) and her siblings, who are fixated on gaining eternal youth of which the star can provide. Lamia in particular is a ruthless being of great power and cunning, who is not to be tricked with once she sets her sights on something. Tristan is thrust into a dangerous adventure to save and get back to The Wall before Victoria’s deadline. But in between dodging death and mischief, Tristan starts to see that maybe Victoria isn’t the girl for him as he develops feelings for Yvaine along the way. 

Matthew Vaughn is on hand for entertaining and dazzling direction, with oodles of style and adventure. He’s a director who knows how to keep a story spinning and very exciting, most evidenced once the breathtaking fantasy elements begin. The script is very successful at placing us in the fantasy adventure of the piece while retaining a certain sense of off the wall sheen. Stardust boats a sense of infectious craziness and off kilter magic that marks it out as something different in the fantasy genre. For while it’s very amusing and playfully silly, these are balanced with some rather creepy and sinister moments that are not quite what you expect but add to the overall appeal of Stardust. It is for my money, a film that will appeal across the generations of viewers that see it. With its humour, romance, darkness and thrills, it’s a true delight of a film that transports you into a zany world for two hours. Oh the humour scale, there are a lot of knowing winks to the audience and some fairly naughty jokes that grown ups watching can appreciate. The locations are breathtaking with mountains, hills and that romantic feeling of a hero’s journey on full display for the viewer. The magic is rendered with fun and panache in the effects department, ensuring a film that’s lovely to look and have a good time with. The only flaw I can find is that there is often so much going on that you can lose focus on the events happening. I mean I like when there are various parts to a story, but there are moments when Stardust overdoes it a bit. I’m grateful however that this is the only niggle I have because the rest of this fantasy make up for it. When the three stories gel, Stardust really hits great heights of intrigue and fantastical fun. The score from Ilan Eshkeri matches the heart, romance and adventure of the film and is pretty beautiful/magical in parts too. And Take That provide the irresistibly catchy “Rule the World” to Stardust, which is hard to get out of your head once your eyes have heard it.

A sensational cast is on hand and all up for a fantastic time. In the lead, Charlie Cox is ideally suited for the main hero thrust into the biggest adventure his life has experienced. Cox is fresh faced, personable and full of charm which goes a long way in playing the hero of our narrative and endearing him to us. Claire Danes has an ethereal glow that aids her in playing the personified star Yvaine, while infusing her with a temperamental personality that softens beautifully once her and Tristan get to know each other . Yvaine be the character everyone is after but she is dar from a simpering victim which is fully embodied by a radiant and bristling Danes. The pair have a very entertaining chemistry that sizzles and enthrals. Standing out and having an obvious ball is Michelle Pfeiffer, who longtime readers know is one of my favourite actresses. She’s relishing playing the lead witch hellbent on getting her youth back and doing it in despicably, delicious fashion. Pfeiffer hits the evil and seductive notes wonderfully, while embracing an eye rolling layer of comedy. It’s a great performance from Michelle Pfeiffer who proves to be a dastardly adversary for our hero but one who’s having a full on blast and savouring this opportunity to play bad to the bone. Robert De Niro has some great comic moments as a space pirate, which finds him playing against his usual image of macho and forceful tough guy. Jason Flemyng and Mark Heap are two of the greedy brothers after the star, though it’s the reliable Mark Strong, on sneering form, who stands out the most as the ruthless brother desperate to be king. I’m not the biggest fan of Ricky Gervais but he’s passable enough as a wheeler dealer. Sienna Miller is effective in her small role as the girl who knows the power of her looks and how to use them to her advantage, which inevitable sets the story in focus. Peter O’Toole contributes an entertaining cameo as the king who sets in motion the quest everyone ends up on before he dies. And on narration duties is Ian McKellen, whose iconic and distinctive voice is richly used. 

So while it is occasionally overstuffed with too many ideas and story, Stardust remains a delightfully different fantasy film with quite a bit going for it. 

Raiders of the Lost Ark

Tags

1980's, Action, Adventure, Alfred Molina, Denholm Elliott, Harrison Ford, John Rhys-Davies, Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Ronald Lacey, Steven Spielberg

Action/ adventure was given a new lease of life in Steven Spielberg’s Raiders of the Lost Ark ; a rollicking, entertaining tribute to old adventure serials with a classic turn by Harrison Ford and all the right ingredients for an energetic blockbuster. Raiders of the Lost Ark is truly one of those iconic films that never gets boring no matter how many times you’ve seen it. Trust me, this movie is simply irresistible.

The year is 1936 and rugged Indiana Jones(Harrison Ford), often refereed to as Dr. Jones or Indy, is an archaeologist/adventurer with a dry sense of humour, skill with a whip, fear of snakes and ability to think quickly on his feet. He works as a college professor when he’s not facing immense danger around the globe. We first meet him in the jungles of South America where he procures an artefact, faces down danger and meets his slimy rival René Belloq( Paul Freeman), who always seems to be one step ahead of him. Back at the university he teaches at, his friend Marcus Brody(Denholm Elliott) a museum creator approaches Jones with two American agents. As Indy has knowledge of ancient relics and cultures the U.S government wants his help in dealing with the growing power of the Nazis. It’s come to their attention that the Nazis are fixed on discovering the burial place of The Ark of Covenant; an ancient and innumerable chest that according to the Bible held the two stone tablets bearing The Ten Commandments. Also housed in it is immeasurable power that the Nazis wish to harness to further advance their cause. Jones worked with Abner Ravenwood, his old mentor and had a relationship with his daughter Marion(Karen Allen). Travelling to Nepal, he meets the tough talking Marion once more and learns her father is dead. She is now in possession of a headpiece that when used properly shows the whereabouts of the Ark. She isn’t too pleased to see Indy as he romanced her and then disappeared, which leaves him with a hell of a punch across the face on their reconnection. The fact that Marion has the key to discovering the Ark puts her in the firing line for trouble. This in turns leads the Nazis to her door, headed by the very creepy and sadistic Gestapo agent Arnold Toht(Ronald Lacey). Escaping and discovering the Nazi’s, along with Belloq are digging in Cairo, Indiana and Marion head there intent on stopping them. With aid from loyal digger Sallah( John Rhys-Davies), it’s up to Indy and Marion to stop the Ark falling into Nazi hands and being wielded as a devastating weapon on the world. 

Steven Spielberg directs this action adventure classic with panache, wit and a rip-roaring sense of entertainment and it ranks as one of his best films. You can clearly see the love and feeling of breathless action he infused Raiders with to make it so rightfully iconic. His infectious enthusiasm to recreate 30’s adventure serials transfers to the audience who are swept along with Indiana Jones in his quest to retrieve the eponymous artefact from the clutches of evil. Raiders of the Lost Ark bristles with excitement right from the celebrated opening and continues on with breathless action that also houses great characters and many instances that have become synonymous with pop culture. You’ve got that opening with Indy retrieving a golden idol from a cave that’s laced with booby traps( including one menacing boulder), a journey into the resting place of the Ark which is littered with snakes, Indy hilariously shooting a show off swordsman in a nonchalant manner, a scintillating truck chase sequence that puts the A in action and the unveiling of the Ark itself. It’s hard to just talk about one moment but I’ll do my best. The cinematography has a warm glow of yesteryear and just adds further to this exciting and escapist adventure that never leaves you. The visual effects still hold up and make the finale a sight to behold in both wonderment and shock. And one of the finest and most fondly remembered parts of this movie has to be the score from the maestro that is John Williams. I’ve long been a fan of his work and his score here is one of the reasons why. I mean you only need to hear a few notes of the now famous theme to feel chills on your neck and know you’re listening to greatness that embodies adventure, danger and just that giddy feeling of something magic at work.

Essaying the role of Indiana Jones is the incomparable Harrison Ford. He’s got the humour down, the intrepid feeling of adventure, plus charm and smarts to burn. Ford is compelling and it’s pretty damn impossible to imagine anyone else playing the part because he makes it his own with star quality, wit and a certain level of old school, heroic cool. It’s hard not to warm to Indiana Jones with Harrison Ford in such fine form and creating one of the most recognisable heroes of the silver screen. Aiding him is the beautiful but strong presence of Karen Allen. She portrays Marion as feisty and not afraid to rough and tumble; thankfully she has more to do that just a be a love interest. Not that her chemistry with Ford isn’t impressive( it’s extremely good), but it’s great to see that she serves a purpose here and can take charge when needed. A slimy turn from Paul Freeman makes Belloq a cultured yet rotten to the core adversary for Indy, while is creepiness personified as the Nazi agent with the most unnerving demeanour. Humour and a certain lovable nature comes courtesy of John Rhys-Davies, making the most out of his supporting role as loyal friend. The refined Denholm Elliott also stands out in a small role with his well spoken air and sense of a gentleman. Watch out for a young Alfred Molina in the opening scene as a treacherous tour guide who meets a grisly end after showing his true, deceitful colours. 

With compelling action, imagination, fine acting and a masterful director at the helm, Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of the most rip-roaring pieces of adventure entertainment you’re likely to see and trust me, you’ll never tire of it.