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Tag Archives: Michael Madsen

Species

14 Friday Oct 2016

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 41 Comments

Tags

1990's, Alfred Molina, Ben Kingsley, Forest Whitaker, Horror, Marg Helgenberger, Michael Madsen, Michelle Williams, Natasha Henstridge, Roger Donaldson, Science Fiction, Species, Thriller

Film Title

Species

Director

Roger Donaldson

Starring

  • Natasha Henstridge as Sil
  • Ben Kingsley as Xavier Fitch
  • Michael Madsen as Press Lennox
  • Alfred Molina as Dr. Stephen Arden
  • Forest Whitaker as Dan Smithson
  • Marg Helgenberger as Dr. Laura Baker
  • Michelle Williams as Young Sil

Scientists tampering with what they really shouldn’t and the horrifying product of this are given a sexy edge in Species; a sci-fi/horror-thriller. If you are looking for logic, look elsewhere as this film is all about the entertainment factor and that is where it delivers the goods.

After sending a telescope into space many years prior to search for extraterrestrial life, a highly secret government science lab gains the knowledge and means of how to splice human and alien DNA. species-posterThe project, headed up by Xavier Fitch, is put into effect and sets about using these newly gained information for a genetic engineering program. The program is a success with the production of Sil; who appears to look like a young girl, but whose genetic make up christen her as a hybrid who grows from a baby into a young girl in a matter of days. When it becomes known to Fitch that she exhibits potentially dangerous parts to her, he decides to shut down the operation. He has cyanide gas pumped into her chamber in order to kill her, but Sil has developed agility and super strength and escapes from her confines. Worried that this experiment will be exposed, Fitch assembles a team that will track her down. The team features assassin Press Lennox, British anthropologist Dr. Stephen Arden, molecular biologist Dr. Laura Baker and empath Dan Smithson. By the time the rag-tag team has been briefed and begin searching for her, she has already matured into a beautiful woman who enters Los Angeles. Quickly absorbing things from the world around her, Sil sets out on a mission to mate and reproduce. species-silThe hitch is that as she is a predator when she feels threatened she attacks, leaving a host of dead bodies in her wake as she seeks out the perfect mate. The team follow her, but find it difficult keeping up with the spawn as her growing mind and alien abilities provide no shortage of confusion. If Sil does successfully conceive and give birth, it would produce a whole new kind of species that the world would not be able to handle. The mission to stop this is now on as the team discover the motives of the creature.

Roger Donaldson takes what is basically a clichéd and slightly silly plot and has a ball with it. He creates a fun ride that is scary and sexy in that order. His glossy filming style and handling of pace is also in evidence throughout Species. I enjoyed how Donaldson opened the film with not giving us a lot of information as Sil escapes. Something about it really stuck with me as enigmatic and a little atmospheric, as I do enjoy a cold open in a film that leaves you wanting to know more.I have to praise the practical effects that made Sil look so good and especially when the beast side emerges. The CGI used is however a bit underwhelming, and they should have really stuck with the ace practical effects and artistry instead. species-castThe script of Species is one that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence and is probably the weakest are of the movie. It tries to be both entertaining and intellectual, but is lacking in the latter part. When you hear the characters discussing either the genetic make up or scientific parts of Sil, it just rings more than a little hollow as it never provides much of an insight to her or the other characters. I think it is best to enjoy Species as what it is, a sort of B-movie given the Hollywood treatment and fun that doesn’t require much in the way of straining the brain. And on the horror front, Species hits bulls eye with some pretty icky and gruesome deaths arising from Sil and her insatiable desire. Though with the other positive elements to be found in the picture, the weak script can be sort of forgiven as the film hurtles along with thrills and horror. The exceptional score from Christopher Young has an unusual but necessary vibe to it; switching quickly from eccentric sounds to quickening thrills in a matter of minutes.

Despite the shortcomings of the script, a highly capable set of actors give life and personality to their parts. natasha-henstridge-speciesIn what was her debut role, former model Natasha Henstridge plays the pretty predator who is half human and half alien. While Henstridge is physically ideal for the part with a gorgeous face and shapely body(that is displayed prominently), she also demonstrates considerable acting skill as Sil uses her instincts that she acquires at an alarming rate. Her reactions to the world are interesting to watch, as she soaks up what makes humans tick and then through primal desire, takes deadly control. She doesn’t know why she is the way she is, but slowly her vicious, cunning and savage need takes hold and her seductive smile is just the start of mayhem. Ben Kingsley is pretty good as the scientist concerned about the implications of his creation and pretty selfish in his motivations too. I enjoyed the presence of Michael Madsen as the wise ass man of action, whose sarcastic attitude and skill with a gun make him pretty forceful in hunting down Sil. You can tell that Madsen is having a good time in this part. Alfred Molina was pretty solid as the snarky guy in the team, while the sensitive vibe of the reliably good Forest Whitaker strikes more emotion into his part than was probably scripted. Marg Helgenberger does very well as the only female in the group who is the most curious member to be sure. And look out for a young Michelle Williams playing Sil when she looks like a girl before her transformation. All of the actors present rise above the flaws in writing to keep you watching as the carnage unfolds.

So the CGI can be dated, the script a bit scatter shot and the whole exercise more than a little sleazy, but Species still dazzles in a tongue-in-cheek way and with a glossy and sexy surface to it, among the gory horror and thrills.

Kill Bill Vol 2

15 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 33 Comments

Tags

2000's, Action, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine, Kill Bill Vol 2, Martial Arts, Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino, Revenge Drama, Uma Thurman

Film Title

Kill Bill Vol 2

Director

Quentin Tarantino

Starring

  • Uma Thurman as The Bride/Beatrix Kiddo
  • David Carradine as Bill
  • Daryl Hannah as Elle Driver
  • Michael Madsen as Budd
  • Gordon Liu as Pai Mei

Following on from the events of Vol 1, Kill Bill Vol 2 makes for cool, stylish viewing. Whereas the first volume was focused more on action, this volume zeroes in on the dramatic and emotional undercurrent of The Bride’s journey to avenge her near death experience. It all proves for a satisfying conclusion to this revenge saga.

Kill Bill Vol 2 The BrideHaving battled her way through old adversaries who turned her wedding day into a massacre, The Bride now has three people left on her kill list. These consist of Budd, Elle Driver and last but not least Bill. Along the way, she encounters someone she never thought she would see again that could change the course of her revenge filled journey. But in Tarantino’s trademark non-linear way of telling us the story, we are given bits of knowledge about some unanswered questions. We see The Bride attempting to live another life by marrying someone only to have it snatched from her, her tutelage under the cruel but rewarding Martial Arts expert Pai Mei and finally find out her real name, Beatrix Kiddo. Through flashbacks, visual references to a multitude of genres and some searing performances, Tarantino keeps us entertained whilst delivering some drama to the tale, which he pulls off very well indeed.

I’ve heard many say that Vol 1 is the better of the two and I am inclined to agree. But I still enjoyed Vol 2 because of the way Tarantino injects some poignancy into The Bride’s journey and glimpses her relentless pursuit for those who betrayed her. It may not have as much action as the first installment, but Vol 2 is equally as thrilling and absorbing as its predecessor. There still is some amazing action sequences, including a fierce duel with the one-eyed Elle in a desert trailer, that make for great viewing, especially in regards to the choreography of the fight. Other highlights are The Bride’s eventual emergence as a warrior under the teaching of Pai Mei and how it benefits her and a black and white flashback that reveals the strange relationship between The Bride and Bill. As with most of Tarantino’s movies,the kinetic and flashy editing is marvellous and complemented by another genre busting soundtrack.

The cast fill out Tarantino’s eclectic characters with impressive results. Returning as the revenge seeking Bride, Uma Thurman delivers another intense performance as we watch her relentless search for payback. Thurman also manages to deliver poignant work in the way she shows how much The Bride has lost in the past and how all of her pain has now transformed into uncontrollable rage that can’t be measured. Whether clawing her way through dirt after being buried alive or dueling with her enemies with a lethal Samurai sword, The Bride is one woman who will never give up and will kill anyone in her path. David Carradine is great as the eponymous Bill, whose betrayal has set in motion this chain of blood soaked carnage. His scenes with Thurman are extremely impressive, their showdown of wills and confessions makes for dramatic viewing to say the least. Daryl Hannah is on villainous form as the vindictive assassin Elle, her duel with The Bride provides an action filled highlight to the picture. Michael Madsen plays another of The Bride’s targets Budd, who is more than prepared for her arrival and finds an interesting way of trying to kill her.

By giving us an emotional undercurrent to the story, Tarantino succeeds in balancing brutal violence and revelations with aplomb. Vol 2 proves dramatic, startling and compulsive viewing.

Kill Bill Vol 1

09 Sunday Feb 2014

Posted by vinnieh in Movie Reviews

≈ 31 Comments

Tags

2000's, Action, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine, Kill Bill Vol 1, Lucy Liu, Martial Arts, Michael Madsen, Quentin Tarantino, Revenge Drama, Uma Thurman, Vivica A. Fox

Film Title

Kill Bill Vol 1

Director

Quentin Tarantino

Starring

  • Uma Thurman as The Bride/Black Mamba
  • David Carradine as Bill
  • Lucy Liu as O-Ren Ishii/Cottonmouth
  • Daryl Hannah as Elle Driver/ California Mountain Snake
  • Vivica A. Fox as Vernita Green/ Copperhead
  • Michael Madsen as Budd/Sidewinder

Quentin Tarantino’s fourth movie is an action packed, blood soaked revenge tale told with stylish panache and various references to other genres. From samurai movies to anime and western, Tarantino fashions all of these into this wildly entertaining action with a breakneck pace and a seriously kick ass heroine.

Kill Bill Vol 1 The BrideLeft for dead on her wedding day, a woman, known only as “The Bride” eventually awakens from a four-year coma after a mosquito bites her. In non-linear fashion, we are informed of her origins and what led to her near death experience. She was once a member of The Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, an elite group of skilled assassins under the charge of the eponymous Bill. She went by the codename Black Mamba whilst working for the squad. The Bride, who was also pregnant was attacked by the other members on her wedding day and Bill put a bullet in her head. After waking from her coma and realising her baby is now gone, The Bride’s rage begins to manifest and she swears a brutal revenge. Escaping hospital, she quickly makes a list of the members of the assassination squad who she intends to kill one by one for their part in her brutal attack. Vol 1 deals with The Bride tracking down two of the members on the list, the fierce Vernita Green and the powerful O-Ren Ishii. And so begins a wildly entertaining revenge saga that is daring, über stylish and full of bloody violence and action. As the proverb at the beginning of the film states “Revenge is a dish best served cold”. Or in Tarantino’s case, cold and covered with lashings of blood.

Tarantino should be praised for the way he manages to incorporate so many disparate influences into a seriously entertaining though brutal film. From utilising music from classic westerns and featuring a startling anime sequence, he definitely knows how to keep you watching. The kinetic editing is superb in capturing The Bride’s one-woman mission to annihilate those who have caused her great pain. Special notice must go to the fighting choreography which really is something to behold. The biggest highlight is The Bride’s blood soaked duel with the Crazy 88, hitmen for O-Ren. Cutting between colour and black and white gives the scene a thrilling and daring quality that is hard to not appreciate. Some may complain that the film is an example of style over substance, but if that is the case you have to admit that the style is certainly entertaining nonetheless. As is the case with most of Tarantino’s movies, the soundtrack is an eclectic listen, this time featuring music from Spaghetti Westerns, old samurai movies and thrillers.

The cast of the Kill Bill Vol 1 all deliver memorable work. Heading the cast with a searing performance is Uma Thurman as The Bride. She encompasses the pain that gives way to unleashing her inner rage and physical strength on those who betrayed her with fearless ability. The Bride is one seriously kick ass character who you really don’t want to mess with. Although his face isn’t seen, David Carradine manages to make Bill a menacing character just with the sound of his voice. He is cloaked in enigmas as the story unfolds and The Bride makes it her priority to kill everyone before reaching the traitorous Bill. Out of the other members of the assassination team, which includes Vivica A. Fox and Michael Madsen, Lucy Liu and Daryl Hannah make the biggest impacts. Lucy Liu embodies the fierce violence within O-Ren which stems for a childhood in which she witnessed her family’s murder. Her duel with The Bride is a visually spectacular highlight as they fight with katanas in the snow. Daryl Hannah makes quite an entrance as the one-eyed Elle Driver. Strutting into hospital dressed in white while whistling a chilling song and planning The Bride’s death, she is most certainly an interesting creation from Tarantino.

Ultra violent, daring and stylish, Kill Bill Vol 1 isn’t for the faint of heart. But it will appeal to those who get the various genre references and who want to witness the excellent and hypnotic work from Quentin Tarantino.

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