Month: September 2018

Today’s quick review: Phantom Boy. Leo (Marcus D’Angelo), a sick boy staying in a hospital for treatment, discovers that he has the power of astral projection. When a sinister criminal known as the Face (Vincent D’Onofrio) holds New York City hostage, Leo uses his power to help Alex (Jared Padalecki), an injured police detective, and Mary (Melissa Disney), an investigative journalist, track down the Face before he can complete his plan.

Phantom Boy is a French animated fantasy film that offers a light, child-friendly take on the crime genre. Leo, a selfless boy struggling with an illness, gains the power to leave his body and roam around the city as an intangible spirit. A chance meeting with Alex gives Leo the chance to fulfill his dream of becoming a detective, all while helping to save the city.

Phantom Boy’s most distinctive feature is its art style. Loose, simple characters, inconsistent perspective, and flat textures with visible strokes give the movie the look and feel of a child’s drawing. Phantom Boy also does a good job managing its tone. The heroes are bold and honest, the villains are menacing yet bumbling, and the level of danger is tuned for children without patronizing them.

Watch Phantom Boy if you are in the mood for something innocent and creative. Its simple writing, middling humor, and peculiar art style keep it from joining the ranks of family classics, but the movie has a unique style and a refreshing tone that make it worthwhile. For a kids’ movie with a similar spirit but more elaborate art and writing, check out The Adventures of Tintin.

6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for charming but insubstantial fantasy.

Today’s quick review: iBoy. After a gunshot wound leaves him with pieces of his cellphone lodged in his brain, Tom (Bill Milner), a London teenager, develops the ability to communicate with electronic devices. He uses his newfound power to track down the criminals who shot him in the head and raped his friend Lucy (Maisie Williams). But as his crusade expands, he takes risks that endanger himself and his loved ones.

iBoy is a science fiction movie that pits a teenager with mysterious powers against a dangerous local gang. iBoy explores what kind of havoc could be wrought by an individual with unfettered access to the world’s technology. However, its mediocre writing and tepid characters keep it from making the most of its premise. As such, it is outclassed by movies like Chronicle that handle similar concepts with more skill.

Where iBoy missteps the most noticeably is its plot. The skeleton of the plot is fine: Tom tests his powers on the thugs responsible for the crime before moving on to their gang superiors. But the story never decides whether Tom’s career as a vigilante is a personal quest for revenge or part of something larger. His behavior is too grandiose for a local conflict but never makes the leap to full-blown crime-fighting.

To its credit, the movie does make Tom’s power interesting. He begins to use his own internal computer for everything from cheating on exams to embarrassing his enemies at school. But the movie relies on convenient coincidences and unexplained hardware tricks to bail Tom out of dangerous situations, situations he lacks the foresight to avoid in the first place. Tom has his moments, but he simply is not a mastermind.

Beyond these flaws, iBoy is a decent but unexceptional watch. Neither Tom nor Lucy is a particularly likable character, but they avoid any of the major pitfalls that would actually make them annoying. The writing is competent enough, but there are missed opportunities where the movie could have gone smarter. Strangely enough, the movie also makes no attempt to draw any larger conclusions about morality, crime, or trauma from its events.

iBoy has enough weaknesses that most viewers are better off skipping it. Those curious enough to check it out will find a moderately interesting story that gets enough right to be watchable, if not impressive. For a darker, more enthralling take on a similar premise, check out Chronicle. For a more macabre story in a similar vein with higher stakes and more dramatic flaws, check out the live-action adaptation of Death Note.

6.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for a decent premise and mixed execution.

Today’s quick review: Robot. After ten years of work, Dr. Vaseegaran (Rajinikanth) has completed his life’s work: Chitti (Rajinikanth), an advanced humanoid robot. But in an attempt to perfect Chitti’s programming, Vaseegaran gives the robot human emotions, causing it to fall in love with Sana (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan), his neglected girlfriend.

Robot is an Indian science fiction action movie. Robot is the story of a love triangle that escalates out of control. The movie fuses several different strains of storytelling, including action, romance, musical, and comedy. Special effects-laden action sequences coexist with up-tempo dance numbers and jokes about Chitti’s literal-mindedness. The result is a unique, amusing movie that wears its heart on its sleeve.

Robot’s quality is mixed. The special effects are rough but put to good use in creative action scenes that make the most of Chitti’s superhuman abilities. The story is simple in principle but packed with details that help flesh it out. The musical numbers serve as light, well-choreographed interludes, while a steady stream of humor balances out the elements of drama.

Robot has odd pacing. At a low level, the movie proceeds rapidly, flitting quickly from shot to shot and jumping wholeheartedly into even the most insignificant tangents. But as a whole, Robot is a slow movie that clocks in at nearly three hours. The movie takes over an hour to set up its main conflict, and its long musical numbers slow it down even further. Most scenes are enjoyable but not essential.

Give Robot a shot if you are in the mood for an earnest, unusual variant on the sci-fi genre. Its length and cultural differences make it a heavy investment, but those willing to put in the effort will be treated to a special experience. Just steer clear if you prefer more guarded movies. Also skip it if you are looking for a tight plot, plausible speculation, or high art.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for creative action and an enjoyable tone.

Today’s quick review: The Imitation Game. In 1951, a robbery prompts an investigation into the personal life of Alan Turing (Benedict Cumberbatch), a respected mathematician. The investigation reveals not only the man’s homosexuality, a crime in Britain, but his pivotal work cracking the German Enigma cipher alongside Joan Clarke (Keira Knightley) and Britain’s finest minds during World War II.

The Imitation Game is a historical drama based on the life of Alan Turing. The Imitation Game depicts three periods in Turing’s life: his boyhood introduction to cryptography and love, his wartime code-cracking efforts, and the later investigation that upended his life. The movie also touches on Turing’s dream and his legacy: the Turing machine, the theoretical construct behind modern computers.

The Imitation Game is a well-written, well-acted drama. Benedict Cumberbatch makes for an able lead, portraying Turing as a brusque but brilliant man whose intellectual pursuits have isolated him from the world. The story captures the difficulty of beating Enigma without wading into technical details. The high stakes of the endeavor coupled with the skepticism of Turing’s superiors gives the movie a nice sense of tension.

Give The Imitation Game a shot when you are in the mood for a dramatic true story. The plot and characters are interesting enough to be worthwhile even for those who aren’t typically fans of biographies. The content of the movie will not appeal to everyone, but those with even a passing interest should give it a chance.

8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for capable drama.

Today’s quick review: Appleseed Ex Machina. The high-tech city of Olympus floats above a world still recovering from global war. On the verge of peace talks that will unite the world’s security satellites, an unknown enemy attacks the proceedings by hijacking the bodies of nearby cyborgs. Deunan Knute, a member of ESWAT, and Briareos, her cyborg partner, must locate the source of the attacks before more damage can be done.

Appleseed Ex Machina is a Japanese science fiction action movie based on the manga by Shirow Masamune. The sequel to the original Appleseed, Appleseed Ex Machina follows in its predecessor’s footsteps, offering plentiful action, anime-influenced CGI graphics, and a gorgeous world packed with advanced technology. The movie also adds a new member to the main cast: Tereus, a Bioroid clone of Briareos assigned to be Deunan’s new partner.

Appleseed Ex Machina has two main strengths: its action and its setting. The action consists of futuristic military combat that shows off all the power robotic armor and cybernetic enhancements might bring. The combat style trends a bit flashy, with excessive flips and improbable tactics, but it is fast-paced, varied, and makes good use of the setting’s military technology.

The setting reflects Shirow Masamune’s unique vision of the future. Ex Machina does not delve as deeply as the first film into the nature of Olympus, but the same themes of technological utopianism, cybernetic alteration, and social engineering are present. Although not a masterpiece, the plot unfolds well and includes a broad cross-section of the world of Appleseed.

Give Appleseed Ex Machina a shot if you are a fan of the action side of the sci-fi genre. The movie is a clean, satisfying execution of the genre that hits all the notes it needs to. Skip it if you prefer more grounded sci-fi. For a movie with similar ideas and the same creator, check out Ghost in the Shell. For another Japanese sci-fi action movie with a similar visual style, check out Vexille.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid sci-fi action and an interesting setting.

Today’s quick review: Ratchet & Clank. Ratchet (James Arnold Taylor), a mechanic who dreams of joining the Galactic Rangers, finally gets his chance when Clank (David Kaye), a defective battle robot, crashes near his home with news of an impending assault on the Rangers’ headquarters. Together, Ratchet and Clank set out to help the Rangers fight Drek (Paul Giamatti), who has been destroying planets for his own selfish purposes.

Ratchet & Clank is a CGI animated science fiction comedy based on the video game series. Ratchet & Clank is a loving parody of the sci-fi adventure genre. Its world is populated with killer robots, galactic superheroes, and comedic parallels of Earth culture. The movie offers a decent plot, a bevvy of gadgets, and a dash of self-aware humor. However, its middling writing and humor keep it from living up to its full potential.

Ratchet & Clank struggles with some of its basics. The movie does a good job at kid-friendly comedy and sly, nerdy references, but its bread-and-butter jokes are more amusing than outright funny. Although the plot is fine by kids’ movie standards, it rushes Clank’s origin and his partnership with Ratchet, robbing the story of an important stage of its development.

Still, its gadget-based action and consistently light tone make Ratchet & Clank an enjoyable watch for the right viewer. Give it a shot if you are a fan of science fiction adventure and don’t mind kid-movie writing. Skip it if you are looking for polished sci-fi or a rip-roaring comedy. For a similar kids’ movie, check out Treasure Planet. For a more mature spacefaring sci-fi movie, check out Harlock: Space Pirate.

5.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for light adventure and a few good jokes.

Today’s quick review: Robots. Rodney (Ewan McGregor), a young robot, leaves his small-town home for Robot City to pursue his dream of becoming an inventor. But when he arrives, he discovers that Bigweld (Mel Brooks), his childhood hero, has been forced out of his company by Ratchet (Greg Kinnear), a sinister businessman. With the help of his eccentric new friend Fender (Robin Williams), Rodney sets out to restore Bigweld to his former glory.

Robots is a CGI animated family comedy set in a world populated entirely by robots. Robots features an impressive voice cast, a colorful art style, and a wacky sense of humor. The movie manages to be a charming adventure that makes the most of its fanciful setting. However, its simple plot and moderately successful humor keep it from joining the ranks of the family classics.

Robots does a few things well. The comedy is as an amusing blend of robot gags, slapstick, and Robin Williams voices, although none of the jokes are smash hits. The rollicking action sequences are surprisingly exciting, even if they lack a bit of impact. The soundtrack puts in a remarkable amount of work, driving the bouncy tone of the movie and synchronizing tightly with the events onscreen.

There are a few areas where Robots suffers. The story is a paint-by-the-numbers tale about following your dreams, workmanlike but unsurprising. The film’s zany robot designs won’t appeal to everyone. Robots also doesn’t put in the work needed for truly satisfying humor or emotional payoff. As such, the characters, writing, and jokes all feel shallow, missing that extra bit of effort needed to earn a reaction from the viewer.

Watch Robots if you are in the mood for something light and silly. Robots does not have the quality needed to truly impress, but its decent action and sense of fun make it an entertaining watch nonetheless. Skip it if you are looking for an enduring family film or genuine science fiction. For a kids’ movie of similar caliber, check out Astro Boy.

6.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for good amounts of fun tempered by a mediocre plot and a lack of knockout jokes.

Today’s quick review: A.I. Artificial Intelligence. In a future with strict population controls, Monica (Frances O’Connor) adopts David (Haley Joel Osment), a child robot capable of love, to replace her ill son. But when her real son makes a miraculous recovery, Monica abandons David rather than having him decommissioned. Alone and confused, David befriends Gigolo Joe (Jude Law), a robotic prostitute, and embarks on a journey to become a real boy.

A.I. Artificial Intelligence is a science fiction drama directed by Steven Spielberg. A.I. Artificial Intelligence explores themes of love, humanity, and innocence through the eyes of David, a naive robot who dreams of being a real boy. The movie aims high in its philosophical questions and drama, but its bizarre plot and mismanaged tone keep it from achieving its goal.

A.I. can be an unsettling movie. The early part of the film revolves around David’s flawed psychology and his not-quite-human behavior. His presence puts a strain on Monica’s psyche, and a series of close calls are what ultimately cause her to abandon him. Eventually the plot straightens out into more of an adventure, but it never loses its sense of the uncanny, with unreliable characters, bitter ironies, and a few disturbing moments.

A.I. also has issues with its story. The movie divides neatly into three segments, each with its own tone and focus. The segments are poor fits for one another, and they let the movie abandon plot threads that have become difficult. The pacing is slower than it needs to be. The logic of the plot itself has a few thin spots, and much of the movie depends on David’s extreme naivety.

Otherwise, A.I. Artificial Intelligence is a fine movie. The scenes are presented well, the CGI holds up, and Jude Law makes for a cocky, amusing prostitute. The movie presents some interesting ideas about the future, such as mankind’s ambivalence towards robots or the human tendency to believe in branding. But so much of the movie is tied up in David himself that the movie’s strengths cannot shine on their own.

Give A.I. Artificial Intelligence a shot only if you are a fan of artistic science fiction. The movie misses its mark, but its level of craftsmanship is high enough that the curious may get something out of it. But be warned that the movie lives and dies with David: without a strong emotional investment from the viewer, A.I. just doesn’t click. Most viewers are better off watching something more conventional.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for lofty ideas and decent presentation held back by a strange plot and an off-putting tone.

Today’s quick review: Kill Command. Years in the future, advances in robotics have made human soldiers all but obsolete. To test their effectiveness against combat robots, Captain Bukes (Thure Lindhardt) and his Marines are sent on a two-day training mission on a remote island along with Mills (Vanessa Kirby), a robotics technician. But shortly after they arrive, the robots launch a deadly attack against them, turning the training exercise into a fight for survival.

Kill Command is a science fiction action movie that pits a team of Marines against an island of combat robots. Kill Command backs this simple premise with decent action, neat robot designs, and solid special effects. The movie avoids the trap of grating characters; its cast is expendable but not annoying. Kill Command also has one or two sci-fi treats, such as the use of cybernetic enhancements to track robots or interface with a rifle’s scope.

However, Kill Command has almost no plot. The movie takes nearly an hour to articulate its central mystery: the question of why the robots are attacking. The answer is dull and predictable when it comes. Kill Command also goes light on its philosophical speculation. The movie touches on the replacement of human soldiers with robotic ones and the consequences of adaptive AI, but these are plot devices more than anything.

Give Kill Command a shot if you are in the mood for mindless sci-fi action. Kill Command shows more polish than other movies of its caliber, making it a thin but serviceable sci-fi pick. Skip it if you are looking for moving drama or thoughtful speculation. For a movie with a similar premise and better execution, check out Predator. For a more insightful look at the interface between man and machine, check out Ghost in the Shell.

5.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for decent action and minimal plot.

Today’s quick review: The Iron Giant. When the Iron Giant (Vin Diesel), a massive, metal-eating robot from space, lands in a small town in Maine, Hogarth Hughes (Eli Marienthal), a local boy, is the first to discover it. Hogarth befriends the giant robot and teaches it about life on Earth. But to keep his new friend, he must hide him from Kent Mansley (Christopher McDonald), a government agent investigating strange reports in the area.

The Iron Giant is an animated science fiction adventure about a boy and his robot. The Iron Giant is a throwback to the science fiction of the mid-20th century. The movie features warm animation, good direction, and some charming moments. However, the movie’s simple plot and uniform tone make it hit-or-miss. For the right viewer, The Iron Giant is a heartwarming tale with good execution. For the wrong one, it can come across as a little flat.

The Iron Giant relies heavily on two key character dynamics: the friendship between Hogarth and the Giant, and Kent Mansley’s dogged search for proof of the Giant’s existence. These are both handled well, but they take up a lot of the movie without providing much variance. The moment-to-moment interactions between Hogarth and the Giant are sweet enough to make this a worthwhile tradeoff, but the movie does put its eggs in one basket.

Give The Iron Giant a shot if you are in the mood for an amusing, emotionally satisfying kids’ movie. Your enjoyment will depend strongly on how the movie’s tone catches you, but fans of family-friendly adventure should at least give it a shot. Skip it if you are looking for a wacky comedy or an elaborate plot. For a live-action science fiction film with a similar vibe, check out E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial.

8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a charming but simple story; your score may vary.