Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010, David Yates)

The Harry Potter films are a difficult bunch of movies to review as it becomes impossible not to constantly compare them to their superior source material. The Deathly Hallows Part 1 becomes even harder to analyse as a stand-alone piece of work as it is very much an extended advertisement for part two, albeit a very good one. So how do I go about reviewing such a film? Pretend I have never read the books and accept it for what is; essentially a teaser for next summer’s final instalment.

The opening is excellent, as soon as the Warner Brothers logo materialises on screen you can tell this instalment is more serious than the previous films and the darker tone continues throughout the frenetic first act. The bad guys have taken over and the good guys will suffer...and suffer they do. If you take your kids along to this one expecting to see a group of innocent adolescents getting to grips with their new wands then you’re going to be in for a shock. Hallows is a far more atmospheric, tense and even frightening experience then any that came before it. After Lord Voldemorts giant snake pounces at the screen, causing many a jump in the audience, a middle-aged man sitting next to me whispered to his mate, “and this is supposed to be a 12?!”

In fairness it’s not really that dark and grizzly but compared to the earlier instalments in the saga it is a fairly large shift in tone. A shift though that the series always needed. It may have come a bit late but after being at the helm for the last three Potter films director David Yates has started to find his feet with the series and has produced the best offering of the lot. It is a shame that all the films couldn’t have been approached with such gusto, the first three felt a little safe.  Now that Warner Brothers have a guaranteed audience and one that has aged with the passing of the films, they are willing to take an edgier approach it seems.

Many critics have noted the film drags in the middle, with one reviewer exclaiming, “it crawls along slower than an arthritic house-elf”. It moves slightly more abruptly than a pint-sized creature with dodgy joints but I must agree it does drag in places. However, this has to be expected from a narrative that is very different compared to the previous films that sees Harry, Ron and Hermione on the run, and only the briefest glimpses of Hogwarts. This road-movie portion of the film is lifted by the brilliant on screen chemistry shared by Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, both of whom have blossomed into fine actors. Even Radcliffe manages to appear slightly less wooden, yet still pales in comparison and is destined to be type-cast for the rest of his career (ala Keanue Reeves).

If you’re not a massive Harry Potter fan, maybe the previous films didn’t do it for you and you’re undecided whether to check it out, give this one a chance, if only for the brilliantly animated sequence where the significance of the Deathly Hallows is explained or to see landmarks such as the Severn Bridge and The Forest of Dean in all their beauty on the big screen.

A word of warning though, I know I promised not to mention the books but please at least make sure to swot up on past events in the Potterverse via repeat viewings of previous films or through friends, otherwise you may be left wondering what the hell is going on. The film really does take no prisoners, the first and third acts rattle along faster than a Quidditch player chasing a snitch and if you’re not up to speed on events then you could get left behind.

The Harry Potter films have consistently provided a good time, featuring the best of the British acting alumni, but The Deathly Hallows Part 1 goes one step further and brings genuine emotion, fear and foreboding to the story. Yes it ends just as things are about to get even tastier but it’s a perfect hook into the second instalment and it executes its purpose brilliantly. Is it the best film of the year...probably not, but it is the best in the series.

4/5

The Girlfriends view:

It was a really good film, best in the series but it was a shame there was no Hogwarts and it felt very different. Even though Harry is still shit his acting has improved and the others are great, Ron especially. It's scary for a 12A and I wouldn't take kids but I would recommend it overall. However, would be slightly confusing if you haven’t refreshed your memory on the back story. 

Preview: Q1 2011 Part 2

5) The Fighter (David O. Russell) – Released: 04/02/11

Who’s in it?

Christian Bale, Mark Wahlberg, Amy Adams

What’s it about?

Boxer "Irish" Micky Ward's (Wahlberg) unlikely road to the world light welterweight title. His Rocky-like rise was shepherded by half-brother Dicky (Bale), a boxer-turned-trainer who rebounded in life after nearly being KO'd by drugs and crime.

Why should you see it?

Christian Bale takes on another challenging role requiring him to lose a huge amount of weight to get into character. Though not quite as extreme as his preparation for The Machinist, his role as Dicky gives him another chance to show why he is considered one of modern cinemas greatest actors and may well see him get his long over-due first Academy Award nomination for best supporting male. It’s testament to Bale that he could have played both roles convincingly but Wahlberg does look great as “The Fighter”. Plus who doesn’t love a good boxing drama?

Trailer

4) Tron Legacy (Joseph Kosinski) – Released: 17/12/10

Who’s in it?

Jeff Bridges, Garrett Hedlund, Michael Sheen, Olivia Wilde

What’s it about?

Sam Flynn (Hedlund), the tech-savvy 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn (Bridges), looks into his father's disappearance and finds himself pulled into the same world of fierce programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for 20 years. Along with Kevin's loyal confidant, father and son embark on a life-and-death journey across a visually-stunning cyber universe that has become far more advanced and exceedingly dangerous. Sequel to/re-imagining of Tron (1982).

Why should you see it?

It will be visually stunning, this year’s Avatar in terms of spectacle. It will also sound incredible; French electronic duo Daft Punk have recorded the soundtrack for the film. On top of this it is great to see Bridges returning nearly 30 years after the original to keep continuity and add a much needed level of authenticity to a movie that will be a little distant from reality for some.  Destined to be the Christmas family blockbuster that Disney are hoping for and don’t be surprised to see all the franchise tie-ins you would expect with such a release, including the possibility of a ride at a Disney park in the not too distant future.

Trailer

3) Morning Glory (Roger Michell) – Released: 21/01/11

Who’s in it?

Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Jeff Goldblum

What’s it about?

An upstart television producer accepts the challenge of reviving a struggling morning show program with warring co-hosts. Think Anchorman with slightly more maturity.  

Why should you see it?

Watch the trailer and you’ll agree; Harrison Ford was made for this role. It’s directed by the man behind Notting Hill and Changing Lanes and written by the writer of The Devil Wears Prada. It has an excellent cast and it just looks like a lot of fun. McAdams will probably get an Oscar nod for her role as Becky but don’t expect her to win; you have to be a woman on the edge of a breakdown, struggling for survival and shed an abundance of tears to land the Best Actress award these days.

Trailer

2) The Beaver (Jodie Foster) – Released: 11/02/11

Who’s in it?

Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, Anton Yelchin

What’s it about?

Dark comedy about a troubled husband and toy company executive (Gibson) who adopts a beaver hand-puppet as his sole means of communicating with his wife (Foster) and two sons (Yelchin, Riley Thomas Stewart).

Why should you see it?

I’ll start at the beginning; the script by Kyle Killen topped the 2008 Blacklist, a list of the very best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood, and by all accounts is pretty damn good. It got picked up by production company Anonymous Content (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Babel) and marks the first real opportunity for Jodie Foster to show if she has what it takes as a director. As well as featuring Foster and Gibson who have both been missing from the big screen for far too long, it stars Anton Yelchin who after Terminator Salvation and Star Trek has proven himself quite a talent. It wrapped filming in November 2009 but has been in limbo due to Gibson’s recent public controversy.

The Beaver currently has a tentative UK release date of February 2011. If Gibson has pulled this role off (which he is fully capable of doing) it could go a long way to brushing some of his past misdemeanours under the carpet.

Trailer N/A

1) 127 Hours (Danny Boyle) – Released: 05/01/11

Who’s in it?

James Franco, Kate Mara, Amber Tamblyn

What’s it about?

The true story of mountain climber Aron Ralston's (Franco) remarkable adventure to save himself after a fallen boulder crushes his arm and traps him in an isolated Utah canyon. Over the next five days Ralston examines his life and survives the elements to finally discover he has the courage and the wherewithal to extricate himself by any means necessary.

Why should you see it?

Danny Boyle has long been one of my favourite directors, 28 Days Later and Slumdog Millionaire are two of my all time favourite films. I think it’s safe to say that 127 Hours will be joining them; the trailer alone packs more emotion than the majority of films I have watched this past year. The main thrust of the story isn’t what interests me, anyone who follows the news will know how Ralston escaped, its how Boyle deals with the moments of isolation in which Ralston reflects on his life that I’m excited about. There are brief glimpses in the trailer of the artistry that has gone into making this film and even though it is predominately centred around one man who’s story is well documented, I have absolutely no doubt it will be entirely gripping and engaging.

I have mentioned possible Academy Award nominees a few times in this preview but if you had to put your money where your mouth is I think you could do a lot worse than banking on James Franco to take home the Best Actor Award next March. His portrayal of Ralston has been gaining rave reviews in the US, as has the film in general. 127 Hours looks set to kick of 2011 in style and is my number one most anticipated film of the next three months, go see it!

Trailer

Preview: Q1 2011 Part 1

Top Ten for DEC/JAN/FEB

10) Megamind (Tom McGrath) – Released: 03/12/10

Who’s in it?

Will Ferrell, Brad Pitt, Jonah Hill, Tina Fey

What’s it about?

After super-villain Megamind (Ferrell) kills his good-guy nemesis, Metro Man (Pitt), he becomes bored since there is no one left to fight. He creates a new foe, Titan (Hill), who, instead of using his powers for good, sets out to destroy the world, positioning Megamind to save the day for the first time in his life.

Why should you see it?

Megamind just manages to creep into the top ten this quarter. Dreamworks always provide an interesting take on archetypal narratives and this story of villain versus hero should prove no different. It probably won’t be on par with the Shrek or Madagascar films but it will be visually stunning and will no doubt be full of hilarious adult references as well as slap-stick humour.

Trailer 

9) The Tourist (Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck) – Released: 10/12/10

Who’s in it?

Angelina Jolie, Johnny Depp, Timothy Dalton

What’s it about?

Revolves around Frank (Depp); an American tourist visiting Italy to mend a broken heart. Elise (Jolie) is an extraordinary woman who deliberately crosses his path. Murder and a mistaken identity later and you have a seemingly predictable thriller that is elevated from obscurity by an A-List cast.  

Why should you see it?

Slips into the top ten because I happen to be quite an admirer of Jolie’s work, despite her public persona and because I am intrigued to see if there is any on screen chemistry between what appears to be an unlikely coupling with Depp. Is worth checking out too as Depp is finally starting to age, proving he is human after all.

Trailer

8) True Grit (Coen Brothers) – Released: 14/01/11

Who’s in it?

Matt Damon, Josh Brolin, Jeff Bridges

What’s it about?

A tough U.S. Marshal (Bridges) helps a stubborn young woman track down her father's murderer. Joined by Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Damon) the unlikely trio find danger and surprises on the journey, and each has his or her "grit" tested.

Why should you see it?

Returning to their routes, the Coen Brothers (Burn After Reading, No Country for Old Men) will be looking to add another Oscar to the trophy cabinet and fully expect True Grit to be nominated at the very least for Best Picture. Released in what was once the dumping ground known for rubbish pictures known as the month of January, True Grit is positioned for awards season and it will likely take home a fair few. It won’t be to everyone’s tastes but will be one of 2011’s "must-see’s".

Trailer

7) Little Fockers (Paul Weitz) – Released: 22/12/10

Who’s in it?

Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Owen Wilson, Jessica Alba

What’s it about?

When Greg (Stiller) and Pam's entire clan-including Pam's lovelorn ex, Kevin (Wilson)-descends for the twins' birthday party, Greg must prove to the skeptical Jack (DeNiro) that he's fully capable as the man of the house. Will Greg pass Jack's final test and become the family's next patriarch...or will the circle of trust be broken for good?

Why should you see it?

As far as comedies of the last ten years go Meet the Parents is right up there as one of the best. Meet the Fockers raised the bar again and this year Little Fockers looks set to do the same. The trailer looks great, the whole cast are back (plus the addition of Jessica Alba) and the ball pit scene looks set to be a classic.

Trailer

6) Monsters (Gareth Edwards) – Released: 03/12/10

Who’s in it?

Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able, Kevon Kane

What’s it about?

Six years after Earth has suffered an alien invasion a cynical journalist agrees to escort a shaken American tourist through an infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border.

Why should you see it?

Monsters is the wild card. Made with a crew of only two people and shot entirely on location with consumer level kit, this film is a world apart in terms of budget and production size compared to the rest of the top ten. My ultimate reaction to the film could go either way. However, early rumblings suggest Gareth Edwards has crafted a wonderful sci-fi movie. Comparisons to Cloverfield and District 9 have been made though Monsters focuses more on the people than the creatures. If you’re looking for a mass alien invasion and an overload of action this may not be for you but if thought provoking, clever filmmaking is your cup of tea hopefully Monsters will live up to its billing.

Trailer

The top 5, featuring a Jodie Foster directed film about a semi-aquatic rodent and an 80's classic with a make-over, will be revealed soon.

Review: Jackass 3D

Jackass 3D (2010, Jeff Tremaine)

After a four year hiatus the boys are back and firmly abiding by the mantra: if it’s not broke don’t fix it. Jackass 3D follows the familiar pattern of its predecessors; elaborate opening sequence re-introducing us to the gang and then straight into the first madcap stunt and it doesn’t let up until the closing credits. Knoxville and company are clearly weathered by age and injuries abound but you’d be a fool if you think this has matured them. If you didn’t have a stomach for their puke inducing antics before than I’d advise you to steer clear of this jaunt as the boys delve into their back catalogue and re-vamp some of their vilest stuns, making them even more repulsive.

A perfect example is delivered by Steve-O; now two years sober after various stints in and out of rehab battling both drug and drink addictions. Despite being visibly less enthusiastic this time around he appears determined to prove he can perform the stunts without the aid of alcohol. He gets his chance during the films closing feat. In a re-imagining of ‘Poo Cocktail’ first attempted by Knoxville, Steve-O is strapped into a portable loo, filled up to his ankles with dog sh*t and launched over one hundred feet into the air via bungee cords. Yes, it is as disgusting as the image you have in your head. Actually it’s probably worse – considering the added dimension the 3D production provides, elevating each scene to a whole other level.

The 3D delivers throughout the rest of the film also, the crew clearly devised stunts that would visually benefit from the 3D stereoscopic cinematography. For instance during the ‘Beehive Tether Ball’ a swarm of angry bees seem to fill the cinema and later when Knoxville fires an unidentified object towards us we instinctively duck before smiling as the 3D reveals this object to be a dildo, extremely close to our face. As well as the abundance of vomit inducing and painful, cringe generating moments there are the more classic, prank orientated sequences. Knoxville reprises his old man costume for an extremely inappropriate day out with his granddaughter, Bam Margera’s parents gullibility is again pushed to the extreme when Chris Pontius in full gorilla costume rampages through their hotel room and Bam himself isn’t spared the tricks when he falls into a pit of snakes and blubs like a little girl.

The film marks the 10^th anniversary of the franchise that has to date spawned three TV shows, three films, and some unsuspecting lunatics into multi-millionaires; co-creator Johnny Knoxville is worth a reported $45 million! Jackass 3D wont convince any nonbelievers and this outing won’t live long in the memory as a ground breaking piece of cinema but for an enjoyable, albeit insane ninety minutes it is worth making the effort to catch...if you have the stomach for it.

3.5/5

Review: Saw 3D

Saw 3D (2010, Kevin Greutert)

The seventh film in a series that many feel shouldn’t have made it past a trilogy, Saw 3D left me with mixed emotions. The Saw series by many accounts started to lose its way after the third film and departure of original writers James Wan and Leigh Whannell. The last instalments made an honourable attempt to try and tie up any lose ends and provide some closure. However it seems that the lure of the guaranteed profit that seasonal Halloween audiences provide, coupled with the opportunity to create Jigsaw’s traps in eye-popping 3D was far too tempting for Twisted Pictures to resist.

Unfortunately the film gets off to a shaky start and doesn’t really recover until the final few minutes. It opens with a completely pointless sequence; an original and entertaining trap that involves three people caught in a love triangle having to make a decision about where their loyalties lie in order to avoid being sliced in two by a circular saw. No doubt it delivers all the blood drenched, gut spilling gore we have come to expect from a Saw trap, complete with 3D intestines flying over head. But it fails to serve the story in any way whatsoever and isn’t mentioned once thereafter by any of the characters we meet later in the film. Which is strange considering it was on display in full of view of the public, there were two survivors and the films main story focuses on a Jigsaw ‘survivors’ self-help group.

It’s a cardinal sin of screenwriting, as a writer no matter how great you think a scene is if it doesn’t serve the story it doesn’t get included. The script lacks in other areas to; the dialogue, particularly that delivered by Detective Gibson, sounds forced and wooden (it’s not helped by the acting to be honest). There are also some glaring continuity errors involving certain characters wounds magically disappearing between scenes and some of the special effects are so over the top that they lose their impact by displaying too much. This may sound like an oxymoron but often in horror less is more. I also have a gripe with the blood, it’s just not that colour!

The films main problem though lies with the characters, none of them are likeable. I don’t think I’m going to be giving away too much by saying the series’ main character and biggest draw; Jigsaw, is dead. If you’ve seen any of the last few Saw films you know that Jigsaw died some time ago. Ever since then the writers have been picking certain characters from the previous films to fill in as his ‘apprentices’ and continue his legacy. The problem is it is difficult to root for anyone in this film, whether it be the victims stuck in the traps, their captors or the hapless detectives, they are all nondescript and one dimensional. The original films worked because despite his flawed moral logic, Jigsaw believed he had legitimate reasons for ‘playing games’ with his victims. This, in some sort of perverse way, permitted us an audience to vicariously share in his torture of the victims, guilt free because they ‘deserved it’.

My trouble with Saw 3D is not its lack of originality or excessive violence (in fact I’d argue this it its appeal...you know what you’re getting), my main problem is that the essence of the originals has gone through a Jigsaw trap itself and has come out unrecognisable. The series is now a gratuitous cash cow that after this enjoyable, but mindless, last hurrah must surely come to an end.

2.5/5

The Girlfriend’s View:

"Like usual the traps were good and there was a story behind it but they are definitely clutching at straws now. Despite being enjoyable it felt slightly pointless, it felt as if they are just trying to churn another film out. It didn’t flow well from the previous entries and the final conclusion is ridiculous. There was far too much blood and guts for my liking, although when someone gets sliced in two I would expect more than a few ‘sausages’ to spill out of them!"

Review: The Social Network

The Social Network (2010, David Fincher)

I’ve been bleating on about starting a film blog for a good number of years now but never got around to it. It got to the point where I had seen so many films since I first decided I wanted to write them (or about them in this case) that I just didn’t know where to start. Then last week I saw The Social Network. What better film to review for the opening of a blog then a movie that’s story is unequivocally linked to the phenomena of online interaction?! On top of that the story of a young man’s propelled journey from ambiguity to the kind of success most of us can only dream about is hugely inspiring.

Fincher, whose previous credits include a triple threat with Brad Pitt (Se7en, Fight Club, Benjamin Button) takes on the task of turning Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg’s rise to fame, fortune and failed friendships into the sort of edge of the seat thriller you expect from such a director.  When you consider the source material on paper it may not seem like a recipe for success. However, the expertly crafted screenplay, generous flexibility with the truth and completely convincing performances from all the cast (including Justin Timberlake as Sean Parker, the brains behind Napster) all come together to provide a fast paced and highly entertaining two hours at the movies.

Meaningful relationships and the difficulty that comes with finding them is where the heart of The Social Network lies. Whether it be the socially awkward Zuckerberg, the paranoid Parker or the psychotic girlfriend of Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin it’s obvious these kids have some serious issues.

Told predominately in flashback as the rise of Facebook is recounted through two separate law suits, the film takes time to develop all the characters involved ensuring it becomes a study of human nature over business ethics.  The underlying message is no matter how many friends you appear to have, how much success you have gained, true happiness comes from really being accepted by others. As the story moves from University campuses to the heart of Los Angeles Zuckerberg and co. are working hard and partying harder as they expand Facebook from their bachelor pad. Yet as one scene; in which Zuckerberg takes a phone call outside whilst watching his friends party through the patio doors, so skilfully displays - he is still left on the outside looking in, despite his vast achievements.

The legal issues that aid the exposition and drive of the film eventually subside as the main focus shifts to Zuckerberg and his troubled relationships. Ultimately The Social Network isn’t interested in the courtroom catfights and boardroom battles but the wars that turn best friends into enemies. We may not all become the world’s youngest billionaire, but we can all relate to that.

4.5/5

The Girlfriends View:

"Really, really good. Interesting and different, not same old, same old. Main character was really well acted...almost autistic. Every young person can relate to it as it's about Facebook and it is interesting to find out about it from the 'other side'."