Day 111: Men In Black II

Men In Black II
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Will Smith & Tommy Lee Jones
Rated: PG-13
Length: 88 Min.
Released: July 3, 2002
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Kay and Jay reunite to provide our best, last and only line of defense against a sinister seductress who levels the toughest challenge yet to the MIBs untarnished mission statement: protecting the earth from the scum of the universe. It’s been four years since the alien-seeking agents averted an intergalactic disaster of epic proportions. And now it’s a race against the clock as Jay must convince Kay-who not only has absolutely no memory of his time spent with the Men In Black, but is also the only living person left with the expertise to save the galaxy-to reunite with the MIB before the earth submits to ultimate destruction.

My Thoughts:
I was anticipating this movie so much when it came out. I went in with such hight hopes that it would deliver just like the first one. As it turns out, it has everything the first film had…and that’s it’s problem. This movie had such great potential but just couldn’t deliver an original idea. It literally had all the same jokes, plot points and so on. It was really sad.

The comedic chemistry between Jones and Smith also had some issues. They just didn’t have it in this one. I think part of the reason is because the mentor/mentee dynamic was all out of wack through most of the film. It just wasn’t the same witty humor from the last one. First Jay is “in charge” as Kay has no memory for half the film and then when he gets it back there is this strange power struggle issue about who’s in charge. It made for a couple half way good jokes, but most of the jokes didn’t work as well because of that strange dynamic.

Oh, and don’t get me started on the villain. She had potential, but that was all. It wasn’t the perfect blend of “The Bug” in the first film.

Another thing I hate is when a trailer uses all the best material from the movie…especially jokes!!! If you haven’t seen the trailer yet…don’t. Yes, I know I put a link up for those who just “have to” watch it. However, I have a feeling the movie will be FAR better without the jokes being ruined by the trailer.

Just about the only thing it this that was a real “treat” to watch was Frank the dog. Sure, his jokes seemed a bit juvenile at times, but with that adorable dog dropping those lines and taking on the role of an “agent” it totally worked. It was a lot of fun to see him get a more prominent role.

Still, it was an entertaining movie. Not as good as the other one, but still okay. There is a third film being worked on right now that will be in 3D and released in 2012. Rumor has it the plot will deal with time travel. Seeing as how I’m a sucker for time travel plots I can’t help but be a little excited. Lets hope they learned from MIB II and give us something more original. This one is getting 3 stars out of 5.

Day 110: Men In Black

Men In Black
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones & Will Smith
Rated: PG-13
Length: 98 min.
Released: July 2, 1997
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Men in Black follows the exploits of agents Kay and Jay, members of a top-secret organization established to monitor and police alien activity on Earth. The two Men in Black find themselves in the middle of the deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies. In order to prevent worlds from colliding, the MiB must track down the terrorist and prevent the destruction of Earth. It’s just another typical day for the Men in Black.

My Thoughts:
When I saw this movie in the theaters I had no idea what it was about. Come to think of it…this was the first movie I ever went to see in the theaters without knowing a thing about it. I don’t do that very often. I was glad I did with this one. It turned out to be my favorite movie all year. I saw it three times in the theater that year, and had it on VHS and watched it over and over. To this day I can still quote most of the movie.

This movie just works on so many levels. It’s highly entertaining, great special effects, action, story/plot and the actors were cast perfectly. Jones and Smith have perfect comedic chemistry. Their mentor/protege  relationship is so much fun to watch. But all of that wouldn’t work nearly as well without a great villain…which they have. The villain in this film is the perfect blend of creepy, discussing, intimidating and hilarious. The whole film has a great balance of action, menace and  comedy, but the best example of that is seen when watching “The Bug.”

This film has also aged well too. Now over a decade old, it’s still a highly entertaining action comedy. You can probably guess I’m giving this one 5 stars out of 5. More accurately I’d like to call it a 5 star popcorn flick. It’s just such a fun movie to watch. Tomorrow is Men In Black II…

P.S. On a side note, who could forget the hit song and music video of Will Smith’s Men In Black song!!! LOL It’s such a classic 90s hit!!!

Day 76: The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury

The Chronicles of Riddick: Dark Fury
Directed by: Peter Chung
Starring: Vin Diesel, Rhiana Griffith & Keith David
Rated: Not Rated
Length: 35 min.
Released: June 15, 2004
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
After escaping from a desert planet, Escaped convict Richard B. Riddick and his two companions, Jack and Imam are captured by a crew of bounty hunters of the vessel “Kublah-Khan” commanded by a imperial woman named Antonia Chillingsworth and her chief henchman Junner. Riddick discovers Chillingsworth has her own museum on-board and she collects the galaxy’s most-wanted criminals and instead of delivering them to penal colonies and claiming the bounty, Chillingsworth turns them into living statues and Riddick has become the latest addition to her collection.

My Thoughts:
If you read my “rules’ for this blog you may be asking, “Why is he reviewing this one?  It’s not a feature film.” But I did note that I would make a few exceptions if they dealt directly with a movie series…and this qualifies.

Anyway…

To say this was a strange story would be an understatement. It makes for an interesting transition piece between the two major films, and it provides a unique back story for the next film…but it’s just weird.

The animation is okay, and it’s great that all the actors loaned their voices for this…but it’s just weird. I had a hard time buying it because it was so far out there…even for a sci-fi film. The battle sequences were cool, but as a story…like I said, weird.

I’m giving this one 2.5 stars out of 5.

Day 75: Pitch Black: Unrated Director’s Cut

Pitch Black: Unrated Director’s Cut
Directed by: David Twohy
Starring: Vin Diesel, Radha Mitchell, Cole Hauser & Keith David
Rated: NR (Theatrical R)
Length: 112 min.
Released: February 18, 2000
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
The space transport vessel “Hunter-Gratzner” carrying 40 people on-board crashes on a desert planet when the ship is struck in a meteor storm. There are only 10 survivors, among them are pilot Carolyn Fry (Who has assumed command after the ship’s captain is killed), bounty hunter William J. Johns, religious man Abu “Imam” al-Walid, Antiques dealer Paris P. Ogilvie, runaway teenage girl Jack, settlers John ‘Zeke’ Ezekiel and his lover Sharon ‘Shazza’ Montgomery and Richard B. Riddick, a dangerous escaped convict. Marooned, the 10 survivors finds the barren and hot desert-scape has sunlight from three suns. Not only they find food and water, and worry about Riddick, the survivors finds themselves being hunted by the planet’s flesh eating alien inhabits, when the planet is engulfed in darkness, which happens every 22 years, as they come out on to the surface to hunt and eat all signs of life. Fry and the survivors finds Riddick is their best chance of survival, as Riddick has surgically-enhanced silver eyes that allow him to see in the dark as they set out to find a way of escaping from the planet and getting to a escape shuttle, before they all get eaten by the creatures on the surface.

My Thoughts:
I’m not a huge Vin Diesel fan, but this one was really good. Going into it the first time I had my doubts about this being any good at all. I got dragged into it because, like I said before, I’m a scary/monster movie fan and I’m a sci-fi fan as well. This one fits the criteria of both.

To my surprise I really enjoyed it! It was a solid sci-fi story without going to far over the top. The acting wasn’t horrible and and neither were the special effects. It wasn’t the greatest movie ever…but it was a surprisingly fun and entertaining ride.

One of the coolest things about this film visually is how they use  light and changing the hue to adjust the tone of the movie. If you weren’t watching it with that in mind you may not even notice it. Since the creatures are allergic to light it makes for an interesting oportunity to use light in this picture in a very clear and direct way. For example, there are two different suns. One is blue and the other is a red/orange. Also, Riddick sees everything with a purplish tone, the creatures see in a grayish black/white hue and even in the dark (once the suns go down) they use various different colored light like white, red, even green and blue to change the feel of the scene. It’s really kind of cool to how they do it.

Other than that I don’t have much else to say really. I know I’m not “selling” this one very well, but I don’t want to give too much of it away. It was better for me knowing less about it when I went into it. If you think it looks dumb I would say just give it a shot. This was such a unique idea for a movie and I had a lot more fun that I thought I would. I’m giving it 4 stars out of 5.

Day 68: Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer
Directed by: Tim Story
Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans,Michael Chiklis & Julian McMahon
Rated: PG-13
Length: 92 min.
Released: June 15, 2007
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
With Von Doom back in his homeland of Latveria the fantastic four have new troubles when Galactus has decided that Earth is his next target. When his henchman, The Silver Surfer, is sent to Earth he discovers that he’s getting more than he bargained for when he encounters the Fantastic Four. But that’s not all when Dr. Doom decides that after two years in the homeland he is ready to return.

My Thoughts:
Right off the bat I have to say it’s better than the first one. The Silver Surfer is done so well. I wouldn’t have chosen “Morpheus” to do the voice, but what are you going to do. My favorite sequence has got to be when the Human Torch is chasing the Silver Surfer. It’s high paced action with excellent special effects and highly entertaining.

The acting is better (most of the time) and the return of Von Doom makes for a better villain this time around. It’s all better than the first one, but it’s still not perfect. This one may have aged better than the other one, but it still lacks something that other super Hero films like Iron Man and the Dark Knight succeeded in…chemistry. You can have a good concept, script and so on…but if th casting is all wrong it just won’t be as good as it could be. I’m giving this one 3.5 stars out of 5.

Day 67: The Fantastic Four: Extended Edition

The Fantastic Four: Extended Edition
Directed by: Tim Story
Starring: Ioan Gruffudd, Jessica Alba, Chris Evans, Michael Chiklis & Julian McMahon
Rated: NR (Theatrical PG-13)
Length: 125 min
Theatrical Release: July 8, 2005
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Reed Richards is a brilliant scientist who along with friend, muscle-man Ben Grimm seeks funding for a experimental space mission to study cosmic radiation, from rich and powerful businessman Victor Von Doom. Agreeing, Victor sets up a space station in orbit around Earth for Richards to begin his experiment. Joined by cocky Johnny Storm and his sexy sister, Reed’s ex girlfriend Susan who is Victor’s girlfriend, Reed and Ben arrive on the space station to begin the experimental space mission, which goes wrong, when they exposed to a cosmic radiation which alters their D.N.A. Returning to Earth, they find the cosmic radiation has given them superhuman powers. But the disaster of the space mission has caused Victor to go bankrupt and he vows vengeance on Reed, where he bids for world domination and sets out to get unleash hell by using his powers by controlling electricity that are slowly turning his skin into metal. With Victor out for vengeance and world domination, Reed, Ben, Susan and Johnny combine their super-powers and become a team of super heroes known as “The Fantastic Four” and are the only ones who can defeat Victor Von Doom and foil his evil plans.

My Thoughts:
After the explosive success of the first Spider-Man movie the next comic book heroes to get a shot at the big screen were the fantastic four. To be honest, I didn’t know a whole lot about these four before I saw this movie for the first time. On first impression I thought, “It’s no Spider-Man…but it was entertaining.” I had fun watching it and I did enjoy it.

Now, 5 years later, after watching the “extended” edition I find myself saying that I “enjoy” it…I guess, because I except it for what it is. It’s a flash in the pan action movie with some slightly okay special effects based on some very memorable Marvel comic book characters. I hate to bring it up, but Iron Man and The Dark Knight have really ruined most super hero based movies for me.

The acting is…okay? It fits the film, I’ll put it that way. The extra scenes in this edition add a bit more understanding to the characters dynamics too, but it still doesn’t make the film extraordinary or (pardon the pun) “fantastic.”

A strange little tidbit into Marvel movies to come, Chris Evans (The Human Torch) will also be the lead role in the new Captain America film dawning the red, white and blue outfit and holding that famous shield of his. I’m not a fan of that pick. He’s got a lot of arrogance that makes him perfect for Torch…and wrong for the most patriotic super hero in marvel history.

All of that said, I will still say that I had fun watching this one. To me that’s the most important part. It wasn’t stellar, but I was entertained. 3 stars out of 5.

Day 64: The Punisher: War Zone

The Punisher: War Zone
Directed by: Lexi Alexander
Starring: Ray Stevenson & Dominic West
Rated: R
Length: 103 min.
Released: December 5, 2008
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Infamous vigilante, anti-hero Frank Castle (Ray Stevenson) is six years into his vengeance driven zeal as the Punisher when he brutally assaults a “beat the rap” party for notorious mob boss Gaitano Cesare. During the course of the massacre, he hideously disfigures overeager gangster Billy Russoti (Dominic West) and murders a mafia lackey who turns out to be an undercover FBI agent.

My Thoughts:
This is one brutal, over the top, action/violence festival for a solid 103 min. Sure there are a couple moments where it “slows down.” But, for the most part it’s just gratuitous violence over and over again. If you are into that thing…this is your movie.

To be honest, it just didn’t measure up to the first one. Both in creative “revenge” and/or “vengeance” and especially in plot and story line. Yes, the villain is kind of cool…but also kind of annoying. Ray Stevenson just didn’t have the same smart wit that Tomas Jane had in the first one.

All in all it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, and I thought it was going to be really really bad…I mean REALLY bad. Thought it wasn’t as bad as I thought…it still wasn’t very good. It lacked everything that worked so well in the first one and just replaced it with grotesque violence. I’m giving this one 2 stars out of 5.

Day 63: The Punisher (Extended Cut)

The Punisher (Extended Cut)
Directed by: Jonathan Hensleigh
Starring: Thomas Jane & John Travolta
Rated: R
Length: 140 min.
Released: April 16, 2004
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
Frank Castle is a man who has seen too much death. On his final assignment, Castle plays his undercover role perfectly, but the operation spins out of control and a young man, Bobby Saint, is inadvertently killed. Inflamed by the death of their son, the Saints are willing to risk their newfound legitimacy on a wholesale mission of blood-vengeance. Castle’s worst nightmare is about to come true, as Howard Saint and his lieutenants unleash hell at the Castle family reunion. But Castle, to his everlasting torment, survives. Until this moment, he has spent his entire life adhering strictly to the law. However, experience has taught him that the law cannot adequately penalize the people who murdered his family. Drawing upon all he has learned in twenty years, Castle sets in motion a plan to punish the murderers.

My Thoughts:
I don’t have a lot of time for this one, but I still wanted to write a brief review on it. It’s the classic vigilante/revenge story, and one of the best screen adaptations of a Marvel comic. Thomas Jane is perfect as The Punisher. Travolta does a fantastic job as the criminal mastermind at odds with the Punisher…it’s just a great, action packed, smart, sarcastic, randomly humorous movie. One of my favorite Marvel based movies by far.

4 stars out of 5.

Day 56: Wanted

Wanted
Directed by: Timur Bekmambetov
Starring: James McAvoy, Morgan Freeman & Angelina Jolie
Rated: R
Length: 110 min.
Released: June 27, 2008
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
The anxious, clumsy and abused office clerk Wesley Allan Gibson has a hell and boring routine life: his obese boss humiliates him all the time and his girlfriend betrays him with his colleague and best friend during working period. When he meets the sexy Fox, Wesley is informed that his father was a professional killer that belonged to an ancient organization called Fraternity and killed by the skilled and powerful Cross, a hit-man that has betrayed the Fraternity. Wesley learns that his anxiety actually is a manifestation of his latent abilities and he joins the society under the command of Sloan. Trained by Fox, he changes his personality and attitude, being prepared to face the dangerous Cross and find a hidden secret.

My Thoughts:
I’m not feeling very good today so this is going to be very short.

Not a 100% accurate adaptation from the graphic novel, but it still works well. The more I watch it the more I seem to like it. It’s been said that this is the antithesis of Peter Parker and Spider-man. What would it be like if instead of “with great power comes great responsibility” is was “with great power comes confidence and the chance to be a B.A. assassin.”

Special effects are great…

Not really a big Jolie fan but she does okay in this. Freeman is great and McAvoy does a great job making the transition from wuss to warrior. I’m giving it 4 stars out of 5.

Day 54: Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (Original Uncut Version)

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (Original Uncut Version)
Directed by: Curt Geda
Starring: Will Friedle, Kevin Conroy & Mark Hamill
Rated: PG-13
Length: 77 min.
Released:  April 23, 2002
Trailer

IMDB.com Synopsis:
In latter-21st-century Gotham City, The Jokerz, a street gang enamored of the city’s infamous Clown Prince Of Crime, is breaking into a high-tech engineering plant to steal a powerful generator, a crime stopped by the new Batman (Terry McGuiness) and which puzzles Terry and his mentor, the elderly original Batman Bruce Wayne. The reason for this and other “geek junk” thefts is a mystery even to The Jokerz gang, who are now working for someone claiming to be the original Joker himself. When he makes an appearence at a charity function attended by Bruce Wayne (cover to steal another generator), the Joker taunts Wayne, and later sends his minions to attack Terry McGuiness while he attacks the Batcave. But the original Joker died forty years earlier, and why does this new Joker want high-tech items? When a shaken Barbara Gordon explains the fate of the original Joker, Terry begins to piece the twin mysteries together, culminating in a confrontation with the Joker that literally threatens the very existence of Gotham City.

My Thoughts:
Right away, I have to suggest that you watch the original, uncut, PG-13 version and not the “other” one. Most of the time the “uncut” versions of movies don’t add much, but this one really is an exception to that rule. A lot of key sequences added to this version help the plot make more sense…and the Joker is far more menacing. The other version is such a let down…and confusing at times. That version isn’t worth wasting your time.

I also feel I must make sure everyone knows that this is a full length feature film, not episodes of the TV show. It deals heavily with two TV shows, but it is not just a couple episodes of the show slapped together and then called a movie.

With that said…

For all the fans of the original Batman the Animated Series that aired through the 90s this “new” series that came out was a bit controversial. Some loved it…others hated it. To be honest I love them both. I still prefer the original, but Beyond has it’s place and I can appreciate the update.

No matter the side you fall on this movie has a lot to offer. If you are in the camp of those that hated it I would suggest watching the uncut version and giving this movie a fair shot. To my surprise (and enjoyment), a major chunk of it is actually done in the format of the old animated series. It goes back into the original series and really delivers by tying up some loose ends and bringing some closure to the series. If you are like me you were disappointed that the original animated series just kind of…ended. For me, this film is worth watching just for the “history” portion alone. Also, for all the critics of the new outfit and gadgets batman has…the Joker has a line or two sharing you criticism. It’s actually kind of funny.

Then for all the Batman Beyond fans out there…it’s just sweet getting to see the new Batman take on this classic villain. I mean, the “joker gang” is a nice throw back in the series, but compared to the real deal they are all light weights. It’s nice to have such an excellent villain come back for one last run.

All the original cast is back from the original series, including Kevin Conroy as Bruce Wayne and of course, Mark Hamill comes back as the Joker…which is just awesome (and boy is the Joker messed up in this movie. Seriously…just…insane. You can really tell why it’s PG-13). Then the new Batman is voiced by Will Friedle know most notably for his role as Eric Matthews in the hit ABC TV show Boy Meets World. I had seen Batman Beyond dozens of times over and never realized that it was him up until this last year. He does a great job.

With all of that said…as a fan of both Batman the Animated Series and Batman Beyond…this one gets 5 stars out of 5.