GoldenEye

Tags

007, 1990's, Alan Cumming, Desmond Llewelyn, Famke Janssen, GoldenEye, Gottfried John, Izabella Scorupco, James Bond, Joe Don Baker, Judi Dench, Martin Campbell, Pierce Brosnan, Robbie Coltrane, Samantha Bond, Sean Bean, Spy

Film Title

GoldenEye

Director

Martin Campbell

Starring

• Pierce Brosnan as James Bond
• Sean Bean as Alec Trevelyan
• Izabella Scorupco as Natalya Simonova
• Famke Janssen as Xenia Onatopp
• Joe Don Baker as Jack Wade
• Gottfried John as General Ourumov
• Alan Cumming as Boris Grishenko
• Robbie Coltrane as Valentin Zukovsky
• Judi Dench as M
• Desmond Llewelyn as Q
• Samantha Bond as Moneypenny

After Licence to Kill, the Bond series and producers had many legalities to sort out and these protracted battles extended for years. In 1995, the Bond franchise finally returned after years in the cinematic wilderness with a new man as 007, Pierce Brosnan. The film was GoldenEye and what a return for Bond it was to be. With pulse-pounding action, an interesting plot, eclectic characters and just about everything coming together amazingly, GoldenEye announced that the Bond series was here to stay.

The film begins in 1986 with 007 and Alec Trevelyan (006) infiltrating an illegal Soviet nuclear weapons facility. As they plant explosives, Alec is captured and killed by the corrupt General Ourumov, Bond in typically exciting fashion manages to escape before the place is blown up. Nine years later, Bond is in Monte Carlo investigating a link to the Janus group, a major underground crime syndicate. His first contact with the nefarious group is the sultry but sadistic Xenia Onatopp, a former Soviet fighter pilot and femme fatale who derives sexual pleasure from murdering people with her strong thighs. Onatopp manages to hijack a prominent helicopter and flies it to a Russian bunker called Severnaya, which doubles as a computer station and weapons division. With Bond’s old nemesis General Ourumov, she massacres the staff and arms a device known as the GoldenEye, a satellite with the power of EMP which destroys the bunker. Unbeknownst to them, someone did survive the blast, Natalya Simonova, a talented computer programmer who manages to flee as her name is marked and her life is in danger. There was another survivor in the form of the arrogant computer geek Boris Grishenko, but he is in league with the Janus group and left before the devastation took place. Meanwhile, having been informed of the destruction of Severnaya, the new M sends Bond on the trail of the Janus syndicate and instructs him to discover what they plan to do with the GoldenEye. Travelling to Russia, Bond teams with Natalya, who comes in very handy in matters of computers and technology. After being put in touch with an old adversary Valentin Zukovsky, he is lead to the head of the Janus syndicate. To Bond’s dismay, the head is revealed to be his old friend Alec Trevelyan, who faked his death all those years ago and now wants revenge against the United Kingdom for an incident involving his parents years ago. Pitted against a former friend and globe-trotting from the snows of Russia to the heat of Cuba, Bond must do battle with him and his other associates in order to avert financial and economic destruction to the United Kingdom of the highest order.

Bringing the series back to life is the talented Martin Campbell. He balances the espionage thrills with superb action and allows the script to incorporate some interesting themes. The main one is the subject of change, since Bond last had an outing the world around him has changed. The film highlights this by the using the fall of the Soviet Union as a backdrop( one scene takes place in a graveyard of broken down monuments of Soviet times) and casting the role of M as a woman. The question of whether or not Bond is relevant in a modern era is also brought up in a very interesting fashion ( although of course we know the answer is a resounding yes). Pitting Bond against an old friend who has turned is another successful attribute of GoldenEye’s arsenal of goods, as we watch the friendship disintegrate into hate and hurt as Bond and Alec come to violent blows. Explosive action abounds with the highlights being a chase through the streets of St. Petersburg in which Bond uses an army tank, a flame engulfed train ride and a brutal fight between Bond and his treacherous old friend. Eric Serra provides the often discussed score to GoldenEye, which has divided opinion on its merit since the release of it. I stand in the middle ground, I believe that there are some excellent pieces of music here and that some are wholly out-of-place in the world of 007. The theme sung by Tina Turner is a highlight of the music, with her soulful and sultry vocals belting out the song with gusto. It provides the perfect complement to the title sequence which features women clad in revealing lingerie dancing and destroying Soviet statues.

Stepping into the role of James Bond, Pierce Brosnan is fantastic in his first outing. Combing urbane charm with a streak of menace and ruthlessness, he really brings the character alive and ensures that Bond is a character that will stay in the minds of millions. Sean Bean makes for an interesting nemesis due to Alec’s history with Bond and he successfully plays him with understated skill. The dynamic between the two gives GoldenEye that extra feeling of danger as we watch the inner conflict Bond must face in knowing that he has to kill a former friend. Izabella Scorupco brings cynicism and determination to the role of resourceful Natalya Simonova, while letting the audience glimpse a touching vulnerability beneath the steely surface. Famke Janssen clearly has a blast playing the sadistic Xenia Onatopp, who is looking to put the literal squeeze on Bond for her own twisted and perverse satisfaction. Combing outrageous zeal, extreme sexual aggression and unnerving glee, she makes for a highly charged and unforgettable Bond girl gone bad. Joe Don Baker, returning to the world of Bond after his portrayal of Whitaker in The Living Daylights, is far more successful here as the amusing CIA contact Jack Wade, while Gottfried John gives physical presence and unusual menace to the role of the increasingly corrupt General Ourumov. Alan Cumming embodies the rat like tendencies of the geek Boris and Robbie Coltrane makes for a reluctant but very helpful ally for Bond in the guise of Valentin Zukovsky. In her first performance as M, Judi Dench is a marvel. Not only can she handle herself with great authority but she can put Bond in his place to( Case in point when she refers to him as a “Sexist, misogynist dinosaur”). Series stalwart Desmond Llewelyn is once again on hand for the usual banter in his gadgets lab, while Samantha Bond is great as the witty new Moneypenny, who can match Bond in terms of innuendos.

With a talented cast and excellent direction, GoldenEye proudly takes its place as one of my favourite Bond movies.

X-Men: The Last Stand

Tags

2000's, Aaron Stanford, Action, Anna Paquin, Ben Foster, Brett Ratner, Daniel Cudmore, Ellen Page, Famke Janssen, Fantasy, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Rebecca Romijn, Shawn Ashmore, Vinnie Jones, X-Men: The Last Stand

Film Title

X-Men: The Last Stand

Director

Brett Ratner

Starring

• Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine
• Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe/Storm
• Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto
• Patrick Stewart as Professor X
• Famke Janssen as Jean Grey/Phoenix
• Anna Paquin as Marie/Rogue
• Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy/Beast
• James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops
• Rebecca Romijn as Mystique
• Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake/Iceman
• Aaron Stanford as John Allerdyce/Pyro
• Ellen Page as Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat
• Vinnie Jones as Cain Marko/Juggernaut
• Daniel Cudmore as Peter Rasputin/Colossus
• Ben Foster as Warren Worthington III/Angel

Taking over the reins of directing from Bryan Singer, Brett Ratner directs this third entry in the X-Men series. X-Men: The Last Stand is by the weakest in the series, though it still delivers in some departments. It may focus too much on the action side of the film rather than the deep themes of Singer’s ventures, but many members of the cast more than make up for this quibble in this flawed but still watchable entry into the series.

When a pharmaceutical company called Worthington Labs announces it has developed a cure for mutants that will permanently erase their powers, anarchy and much discussion ensues.  Professor X still speaks of tolerance between mutants and humans, but there are many who disagree. Magneto on the other hand takes it upon himself to wage a war against humans after hearing of the cure. He raises an army of renegade mutants to assist him in his quest. The X-Men become involved in this ultimate power struggle, but find that a former ally has awakened. Jean Grey, who sacrificed her life  for the team in the last movie, has risen from her watery grave, but not as she once was. Professor X informs Wolverine and Storm that he visited Jean as a child and saw the immense power she had and how it could be used for evil. He formed boundaries for Jean to suppress this, thereby creating a split personality known as ‘The Phoenix’, which has now almost completely taken over Jean. With anger rising and the threat of war brewing, the X-Men, including new recruits Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat and Peter Rasputin/Colossus, attempt to stop this impending war before tragedy strikes as Jean joins forces with Magneto’s army. With the battle lines drawn, who will prosper and who will perish as war draws closer?

Whilst the first two movies balanced action with the deep dramatic themes, The Last Stand stumbles on this front by focusing on the action too much. Yes, the plot revolving around the cure is interesting in the beginning, but it soon becomes just another strand of the story. Ratner tries his best, but can’t quite keep the multiple storylines all ticking over with the skill of Bryan Singer. Some of the action scenes are very good by the way, but not backed up enough in terms of plot development.

On the more positive side, many of the cast members turn in great performances. Hugh Jackman still rocks as Wolverine, we also get to see him grapple with his personal feelings as he comes to realise that Jean, the woman he has always loved, is no longer the same. Halle Berry turns in her best performance of the series as we witness Storm’s anger at the supposed cure, her fierce and protective side emerges as a result of this and she most certainly kicks ass when she needs to. Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart are suitably stately as the former allies, who still respect one another despite their differences on the subject of mutant acceptance. Famke Janssen is terrifyingly good as the resurrected Jean, her many instances of her personality and powers switching is exceptionally done. Anna Paquin is unfortunately not given a big role and is only really there as one of the only mutants who wants to remove their power. Kelsey Grammer is great as Hank/Beast, a former student of Professor X who resembles a blue creature ,is super strong  and also has a place within the political realm of mutants. Grammer adds some much-needed humour into the narrative with his role. On the woefully underused side are James Marsden and Rebecca Romijn as Cyclops and Mystique; Cyclops only functions to meet an ambiguous fate at the hands of Jean and Mystique is only used as a mutant who sacrifices her powers and pays the consequences for her actions. Shawn Ashmore and Aaron Stanford continue to impress as opposing forces Iceman and Pyro who used to be good friends. Their battle with each other adds a personal quality to the story. Ellen Page is suitably spunky and quick-witted as Kitty, who has the ability to phase through objects. Vinnie Jones contributes his usual tough guy act as the hulking Juggernaut. Daniel Cudmore plays the super strong metal man Colossus who comes in pretty handy in combat and Ben Foster is great as Angel, a young man who has a giant wingspan and whose father created the cure.

Many of the effects are very well done and the score is evocative as well as thrilling. All of this adds up to a flawed but still watchable experience.

X2: X-Men United

Tags

2000's, Aaron Stanford, Action, Alan Cumming, Anna Paquin, Brian Cox, Bryan Singer, Famke Janssen, Fantasy, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Kelly Hu, Patrick Stewart, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Shawn Ashmore, X2: X-Men United

Film Title

X2: X-Men United

Director

Bryan Singer

Starring

• Patrick Stewart as Professor X
• Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine
• Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto
• Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe/Storm
• Famke Janssen as Jean Grey
• James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops
• Anna Paquin as Marie/Rogue
• Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Mystique
• Brian Cox as Colonel William Stryker
• Alan Cumming as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler
• Aaron Stanford as John Allerdyce/Pyro
• Shawn Ashmore as Bobby Drake/Iceman
• Kelly Hu as Lady Deathstrike

Following on from the groundwork of the first movie, X2: X-Men United is to many including me, a better film than the first. We get more action, character development and an exciting storyline. The first one is a great movie, but for me X2 is a film I hold in higher regard because of its breathless action, special effects and high calibre cast.

After an attempt on the president’s life by a mutant, the prejudice between humans and mutants continues to grow. Professor X initially wonders whether his old friend and now adversary Magneto had anything to do with it. Meanwhile, Wolverine is trying to piece together the pieces of his past but finding it increasingly hard to find answers. Professor X and Cyclops visit Magneto in his prison to find out what he knows, while Jean Grey and Storm track down the mutant who made an attempt on the president’s life. Wolverine is left to watch over the students whilst all of this is going on. The intelligent Professor X soon discovers that it wasn’t Magneto who orchestrated the attack, but the mysterious and sadistic Colonel Stryker, who later captures the Professor and Cyclops and holds the key to Wolverine’s past. Stryker plans to use him to locate the powerful Cerebro, which will enable him to find every mutant in the world and kill them. He sends his forces to Xavier’s academy where they capture several students, many of the others including Rogue, her new boyfriend Bobby/Iceman and John/Pyro manage to escape with Wolverine. After discovering the mutant who attempted to kill the president, his name is Nightcrawler and he can teleport, Storm and Jean realise he was brainwashed to do it by Stryker. The X-Men reluctantly team up with Magneto and his partner the shapeshifter Mystique to bring down Stryker’s plan of mutant extermination.

Whereas in the first movie, Bryan Singer established the characters, certain ones were not given enough screen time. He more than makes up for this with X2, by expanding character arcs and introducing new characters. One thing that is enjoyable about the film is the way it manages to keep our interest by cross-cutting between the different factions of the team as they discover Stryker’s nefarious plan. This clearly shows the breathless scope of Singer’s film as he manages to balance this character development with stunning set pieces and revelations. The script is excellent again, this time focusing on the theme of mutant acceptance into the world and how Professor X peacefully yet forcefully tries to push this idea. It is also interesting to watch Magneto and his band of mutants join forces with the X-Men, as the goals for both are different but in this time of uncertainty they are very much united in bringing the sadistic Stryker down.

The cast of the film is high calibre to say the least. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen both shine as the strong adversary’s with wit and intelligence. Hugh Jackman continues his role of Wolverine with charm and aggression.  Halle Berry is given a lot more to do as Storm and nails the role with a determination and sexy kick ass attitude. Famke Janssen grows in power as Jean, making her a character you really don’t want to mess with. Unfortunately, James Marsden is given little to do as Cyclops in this movie. On the other hand, Anna Paquin continues to impress as Rogue, portraying her angst and frustration as she begins a relationship but can’t physically connect. Brian Cox is a splendidly evil villain in this and is relishes the despicable nature of his character with glee. Rebecca Romijn-Stamos continues to slink across the screen with a sexy yet dangerous appeal as Mystique. Alan Cumming manages to elicit sympathy for the character of Nightcrawler, showing how he isn’t as bad as people have made him out to be and how he is a god-fearing person. New to the X-Men universe are Aaron Stanford as the fire controlling Pyro and Shawn Ashmore as the Iceman. The two are excellently cast, with Iceman’s revelation to his parents that he is a mutant a particularly moving moment and Pyro considering defecting Magneto’s band of mutants an interesting choice.  Rounding out the cast is Kelly Hu, who provides silent but lethal menace as the claw wielding Lady Deathstrike. Her battle with Wolverine is an action-packed set piece that barely pauses for breath.

Directed with precision by Bryan Singer, X2 emerges as an action-packed follow-up to X-Men that more than capably stands on its own two feet as a great movie.

X-Men

Tags

2000's, Action, Anna Paquin, Bruce Davison, Bryan Singer, Famke Janssen, Fantasy, Halle Berry, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, Ray Park, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Tyler Mane, X-Men

Film Title

X-Men

Director

Bryan Singer

Starring

• Patrick Stewart as Professor X
• Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine
• Ian McKellen as Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto
• Famke Janssen as Jean Grey
• James Marsden as Scott Summers/Cyclops
• Halle Berry as Ororo Munroe/Storm
• Anna Paquin as Marie/Rogue
• Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Mystique
• Tyler Mane as Sabretooth
• Bruce Davison as Senator Kelly
• Ray Park as Toad

Based on the iconic comics and boasting some stunning effects, X-Men is often considered the film that helped reboot the superhero film genre in 2000 after a number of underwhelming efforts in the 90’s. Strong on both characters and action, X-Men is that rare thing: an action movie with an intelligent and interesting subtext of intolerance.

In the not too distant future, many humans have evolved into mutants, who possess unique powers. In a world of prejudice and fear, many of these mutants have been met with hostility by others. The film begins at a summit in which political figures are discussing the possibility of a “Mutant Registration Act” which would make all mutant declare their powers publicly. The leader of this is Senator Kelly, who has a deep fear of mutants. Present at the summit are Professor Charles Xavier, a highly powerful telepathic mutant and his old friend and now enemy, Magneto, who has the power to control electromagnetic fields to dangerous effects. Although enemies, they still have a certain amount of respect for one another. They discuss the idea of mutant co-existing with humans, but Magneto warns of the danger and hints at how he will take his plans into action.  Meanwhile, a young girl known as Rogue has run away from home after discovering she has the power to drain others of their energy, thus rendering physical contact almost impossible. Along the way she meets Logan, also known as Wolverine, who has rapid healing power and has claws that emerge from his knuckles when he is angry. After giving her a ride, they are attacked by one of Magneto’s henchman Sabretooth. Lucky for them, they are rescued by Storm and Cyclops. Taken to Xavier’s school for the gifted, they are provided with a safe haven from the prejudice of the outside world. Professor X watches over the school and attempts to educate the children who come there that they are gifted rather than evil or sick as the outside world has branded them. Other mutants include Jean Gray, a doctor with telekinesis; Cyclops who emits a strong force from his eyes and Storm, who can manipulate the weather.  Professor X is worried about what Magneto will do because of his attitude towards humans; X believes in living harmoniously with humans whereas Magneto believes mutants have a greater power. Joining the X-Men team, Wolverine and Rogue along with the others attempt to find out what Magneto plans to do before the power struggle swings into motion. Magneto is not alone, however and is aided by a group of dangerous mutants. This includes Mystique, a highly skilled shapeshifter; Sabretooth; blessed with menacing strength and senses, and Toad, who is a menacing and slimy presence.

The first thing to notice about Bryan Singer’s movie is the screenplay. It excellently balances some excellent fight scenes with the presence of mutants becoming a metaphor for people suffering prejudice because they are deemed different by society. This makes the film relatable as well as immensely enjoyable. Many of the effects are stunning to witness, especially when it comes to showcasing each of the characters powers. Unusually for an action/fantasy, the characters are expanded and we get a genuine idea of what they go through as the narrative progresses. The music also adds to the action-packed atmosphere that pervades X-Men. One flaw could be that the pacing goes a little off in the later half of the film, but for the main part, X-Men certainly delivers the action/fantasy goods with more intelligence than most.

The cast assembled is what you could call top draw, with the actors carefully embodying these characters. Hugh Jackman is the standout as the aggressive, laconic and highly charismatic Wolverine, he really gets some great one-liners and his father-daughter relationship with the troubled Rogue manages to show a softer side. Patrick Stewart is exceptional as the wise and very powerful Professor X, who has some excellent some opposite Ian McKellen. Ian McKellen plays Magneto with a villainous glee that masks a past of suffering at the hands of others. The sexy Famke Janssen provides appeal as the telekinetic Jean, who takes a shine to Wolverine. James Marsden is a sullen presence as the second in command Cyclops, who clashes with Wolverine at various times. Halle Berry manages to ooze a quiet intensity as the weather controlling Storm, she may not be given much to do but Halle Berry manages to make Storm memorable. Anna Paquin delves into the alienation of Rogue that makes her a relatable character to audience as we feel her pain at not being able to come into physical contact with anyone without endangering them. Fleshing out the villains are Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as the slinky Mystique, Tyler Mane as the vicious Sabretooth and Ray Park as the creepy Toad. And not forgetting Bruce Davison as the powerful senator, hell-bent on exposing mutants who comes to see what it is really like after an incident with Magneto.

Bryan Singer stunningly combines interesting characters, an allegory on prejudice and some amazing effects to fashion the outstanding X-Men.