Sleight of Film

Today’s quick review: Treasure Planet. When Jim Hawkins (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), a restless young man with dreams of adventure, chances upon a map to the fabled Treasure Planet, home to Captain Flint’s pirate treasure, his friend Doctor Doppler (David Hyde Pierce) hires Captain Amelia (Emma Thompson) and a crew of sailors to find the treasure. But Long John Silver (Brian Murray), the ship’s cook, has plans for the treasure himself.

Treasure Planet is an animated science fiction adventure from Disney. Based on the novel Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson, Treasure Planet offers a sci-fi twist on the classic pirate story. Treasure Planet has a colorful setting to go with its unique premise, as well as decent production values, the various comedic trappings of a Disney family film, and a combination of traditional and CGI animation to bring its sci-fi world to life.

Treasure Planet is packed with imaginative but implausible science fiction. The sci-fi setting is just a thin but stylish veneer over the original Age of Exploration setting: classically-designed ship cruise the Ethereum on solar sails, journeying from planet to planet and braving the dangers of space. The sci-fi elements have little in the way of speculative value or depth, but they do make for a gorgeous and creative backdrop for the story.

How much you enjoy Treasure Planet will depend heavily on how much you like its art style. The art is not Disney’s best work, with peculiar faces and weak alien designs, but the space visuals are suitably impressive and the action is strong. Beyond its art, Treasure Planet has serviceable writing, mixed comedic elements, and just enough plot to complete its character arcs, without stopping for much world-building along the way.

These factors combine to make Treasure Planet a decent, family-oriented watch that falls a little short of its potential. If the art style happens to catch you the right way, Treasure Planet can be a unique, enjoyable experience. But temper your expectations accordingly: the film’s creative sci-fi setting is only a backdrop, not the full-fledged world it might have been. For a more comedy-oriented adaptation of Treasure Island, check out Muppet Treasure Island.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for an imaginative science fiction setting and otherwise decent execution.

Today’s quick review: Cutthroat Island. After her father is killed by his brother Dawg (Frank Langella), the infamous pirate Morgan Adams (Geena Davis) sets out to collect the three pieces of her father’s treasure map. To read the map, she’ll need the help of William Shaw (Matthew Modine), a charming thief. But with both Dawg and the army hot on her heels, Morgan will have her work cut out for her making it to Cutthroat Island and its fortune in Spanish gold.

Cutthroat Island is a pirate adventure movie set in colonial Jamaica in 1688. Featuring a decent plot, a good amount of action, and an involved soundtrack, Cutthroat Island nonetheless falls short of its potential. The movie has its sights set in the right place, but rather than the dashing adventure it was meant to be, it only manages to be a bland, passable pirate tale without much to set it apart.

Cutthroat Island suffers from minor but pervasive problems with its execution. The dialogue is mediocre at best, a product of poor writing and flat delivery. There is little that is outright cringeworthy, but there are enough weak lines that any immersion is quickly broken. Though plentiful and exciting, its action comes across as clumsy in key places, particularly when main characters are involved.

Neither Geena Davis nor Matthew Modine are charismatic enough to pull off their swashbuckling roles with sincerity. Their performances never quite click, and what should be two strong leads to tie the movie together are simply subpar. The rest of the cast has similar problems, never quite achieving the seamless performances necessary for fiction. None of the film’s problems are glaring, but taken together, they hamper what could have been a fun popcorn adventure.

Watch Cutthroat Island only if you are looking for a pirate film and are willing to brave mediocre writing and acting to get one. Between its plot and its action, Cutthroat Island has enough going on to be watchable, but it is badly outclassed by other, similar movies. For a much more polished pirate movie with a fantasy twist, check out Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. For a comedy adventure with romantic elements, check out The Princess Bride.

5.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 5.5 for decent adventure components held back by poor execution.

Today’s quick review: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. When his old enemy Salazar (Javier Bardem) escapes his prison with his ghostly crew, a washed-up Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) must locate Poseidon’s Trident to defeat him. Joining in his endeavor are Henry Turner (Brenton Thwaites), a young man who seeks the Trident to break his father’s curse, and Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), an astronomer with a map to the Trident left to her by her father.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales is a fantasy action adventure movie and the fifth movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Set five years after On Stranger Tides and nearly two decades after At World’s End, Dead Men Tell No Tales finds Jack Sparrow on a Caribbean island with no ship, no crew, and only a slim hope of surviving Salazar’s revenge: a mythical trident that cannot be found.

Dead Men Tell No Tales continues the usual Pirates of the Caribbean blend of off-kilter humor, pirate fantasy-driven plot, and inventive action sequences. The movie picks up plot threads from the third and fourth films and sees the return of several familiar faces. At the same time, the film throws plenty of new elements into the mix, including the Trident, bits of Jack’s past, and two young, new protagonists.

As far as quality goes, Dead Men Tell No Tales is solid but not outstanding. The film’s creative pirate fantasy and unique sense of daring are something that only the Pirates of the Caribbean series can provide, and for spectacle and entertainment alone, it is a good watch. But the writing is not as sharp as previous entries in the series, the new elements feel like remixes of old concepts, and the plot is not as elaborate as it could have been.

Still, Dead Men Tell No Tales makes for an entertaining watch that advances the series’ canon. Watch Dead Men Tell No Tales if you enjoyed the other Pirates of the Caribbean movies and are in the mood for a well-polished adventure. Though a few weaknesses keep it from joining the ranks of the best movies in the series, Dead Men Tell No Tales has enough quality and novelty to be worth checking out.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for great action, good humor, and decent writing.

Today’s quick review: Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. After a short adventure in England, Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds himself aboard Captain Blackbeard’s (Ian McShane) ship, bound for the mythical Fountain of Youth. The only friendly face in sight is Angelica (Penelope Cruz), an old flame with a grudge. But Blackbeard is not the only one seeking the Fountain, and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), now a British privateer, is not far behind.

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides is a fantasy action adventure movie and the fourth entry in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. Continuing the series’ tradition of colorful characters and piratical legends, On Stranger Tides tells a self-contained story involving mermaids, magic, and the Fountain of Youth once sought by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon.

On Stranger Tides marks a return to roots for the Pirates of the Caribbean series. With few ties to the previous trilogy, On Stranger Tides tells a self-contained story of its own. The stakes are scaled back to a more manageable level, the series’ humor returns to the fore, and Jack Sparrow becomes a more likable protagonist. These changes help On Stranger Tides stand on its own and make it a suitable jumping-on point for new viewers.

On Stranger Tides has a few weaknesses compared to its predecessors, but its strengths are enough to make it a very solid watch. It lacks the sheer spectacle of the second and third films, but makes up for it with good action of its own and a somewhat more coherent plot. It does not have quite as strong a story as the first film, but the story it tells still feels fresh and worthwhile. In general, On Strange Tides has strong but not iconic execution.

Watch Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides when you are in the mood for a pirate adventure with comedy, action, and a dose of fantasy. Though it has a different flavor than the first three films, On Stranger Tides makes good on the promise of the series and has good entertainment value. Those who were heavily invested in the original trilogy may want to leave it be, as the changes between the fillms can be disorienting.

6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid action and comedy.

Today’s quick review: Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End. With the reluctant aid of the Flying Dutchman and Captain Davy Jones (Bill Nighy), Lord Beckett (Tom Hollander) has all but cleared the seas of pirates. To stop him, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley) and William Turner (Orlando Bloom) lead a desperate voyage to the end of the world to rescue Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) and assemble the Brethren Court.

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End is a fantasy action adventure movie and the third film in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. The conclusion of the original trilogy, At World’s End ties off the plot threads begun in Dead Man’s Chest and wraps up William and Elizabeth’s story arc. The third movie features higher stakes, a more serious tone, and farther-afield fantasy, as well as many of the series’ most colorful characters.

At World’s End is a step down from the first two films in terms of tone and plot. The higher stakes befit the end of the trilogy, but they sap the movie of some of its humor, rendering it dramatic and occasionally absurd, but rarely charming. The new fantasy elements are abstract, bordering on the surreal, while the plot has enough twists and double crosses that it can be very difficult to follow.

For all of these faults, At World’s End still has most of the polish of the earlier films. The cast is as strong as ever, albeit thrust into a more perilous situation than usual. Hans Zimmer returns to compose the film’s excellent soundtrack, while the series retains its impressive visual effects and sense of excess. At World’s End also makes a few worthy additions to the canon, such as the fractious pirates’ one governing body: the Brethren Court.

Watch Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End if you enjoyed the first two films and are interested in seeing how the trilogy ends. Though it does not live up to the standards of the first two films, At World’s End remains a solid watch with strong action and an interesting setting. For those who aren’t interested in the plot, On Stranger Tides, the fourth film in the series, has few ties to the other three and can be watched without seeing the third.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for good action and solid overall quality, but with a weaker plot and a more serious tone than its predecessors.

Today’s quick review: Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest. When Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) comes to collect Jack Sparrow’s (Johnny Depp) debt, Jack seeks out the legendary captain’s heart to use as leverage. Caught up in his quest are his old associates William Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), strongarmed into looking for Jack by Cutler Beckett (Tom Hollander) of the East India Trading Company.

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest is a pirate-based fantasy action adventure movie and the second entry in the Pirates of the Caribbean series. Featuring sharp comedy, a colorful world based on pirate lore, and an elaborate plot that pits self-interest against self-interest, Dead Man’s Chest continues the franchise’s tradition of quality. The sequel takes more risks than its predecessor, resulting in a more dynamic but stranger experience.

Dead Man’s Chest has much the same formula as the first film. The complicated plot revolves around Davy Jones’ heart rather than The Black Pearl’s curse. The movie embraces its fantasy elements more, leading to more impressive but less realistic scenarios. The humor takes on a self-aware aspect, with frequent callbacks and self-deprecation. Hans Zimmer expands upon Klaus Badelt’s impressive soundtrack from the first film, adding powerful new tracks for Davy Jones.

Where Dead Man’s Chest really ups the ante is its action sequences. The inventive action of the first film breaks out into full-blown chaos in the second, with elaborate choreography, improbable stunts, and massive set pieces. Interspersed with all the sword fighting, chases, and ship-to-ship combat are expertly-timed comedic beats and a hefty dose of slapstick, yielding action that is as exhilirating as it is entertaining.

Dead Man’s Chest also continues the stories of Jack Sparrow, Elizabeth Swann, and William Turner. William and Elizabeth are drawn deeper into the pirate’s life to rid themselves of the power-hungry Beckett, while Jack must sink to new depths to shirk his debt to Davy Jones. The acting continues to be solid, while the tone veers a touch darker as the trio of leads are forced into morally ambiguous situations.

The second film makes a few tradeoffs compared to the first. Where The Curse of the Black Pearl was a self-contained, relatively grounded pirate story with a dash of fantasy, Dead Man’s Chest throws itself into fantasy, comedy, and adventure, providing bigger spectacle at the cost of familiarity and realism. Dead Man’s Chest also leaves several important plot threads dangling, leading directly into its sequel rather than wrapping up neatly.

The result is a strong but imperfect sequel. Dead Man’s Chest is well worth checking out if you enjoyed the first film. Its plot, action, comedy, and all-around quality are enough to guarantee a good time. But don’t expect quite as tidy a package as The Curse of the Black Pearl, and be prepared to dive into the third movie if you want to see how the story ends.

7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for entertaining action and comedy hurt somewhat by its excesses.

Today’s quick review: Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. When Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), the pirate captain of the cursed ship The Black Pearl, kidnaps Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), William Turner (Orlando Bloom) launches a desperate attempt to rescue her. To save Elizabeth, he enlists the help of Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp), an untrustworthy pirate who seeks the Pearl for his own reasons.

Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl is a fantasy action adventure movie set in the British-ruled Caribbean. Featuring a skilled cast, a colorful setting, an adventurous soundtrack, a good sense of humor, and plenty of swashbuckling action, Pirates of the Caribbean is a movie that succeeds from concept to execution. Quirky and entertaining, Pirates of the Caribbean showcases the best the pirate genre has to offer.

Pirates of the Caribbean is a movie with all-around solid execution. The action is always interesting, from its inventive swordplay to its sprawling ship-to-ship combat. The writing excels at setting up complicated situations, while the dialogue is dynamic and memorable. The setting has just the right amount of magic to it, with curses and legends that give the world character without leaving the historical setting behind.

The cast of Pirates of the Caribbean deserves special mention. The characters maintain a delicate balance of competing interests and morals. Johnny Depp stars as Captain Jack Sparrow, an erratic but crafty pirate whose self-interest knows no bounds. His counterpart is Captain Barbossa, played by Geoffrey Rush, a suitably menacing figure and a much more level character than Jack.

Wrapped up in their conflict are William Turner and Elizabeth Swann, a pair of childhood friends who hold the key to The Black Pearl’s curse. Keira Knightley plays a plucky, adventurous Elizabeth, who quickly finds herself in hot water. Orlando Bloom plays the idealistic, heroic William, whose naivety and sense of fair play put him at a severe disadvantage. The intricate dance of loyalties between these characters makes for a rich and satisfying plot.

Watch Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl when you are in the mood for an entertaining movie with a good balance of plot, humor, and action. Its particular blend of characters, plot elements, and action is unique to the Pirates of the Caribbean series, and the quality is high enough for the film to hold broad appeal. Skip it if you are looking for a straightforward plot or conventional heroes.

8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for a creative premise, very solid execution, and enduring quality.

“If you must blink, do it now.” —Kubo

Today’s quick review: Kubo and the Two Strings. Kubo (Art Parkinson), a young storyteller, lives with his injured mother in a small village, hiding from his grandfather, the Moon King (Ralph Fiennes). When his grandfather finds him at last, Kubo’s only hope is a legendary set of armor that his father once sought. His allies on his quest are Monkey (Charlize Theron), a lucky charm come to life, and Beetle (Matthew McConaughey), a cursed samurai with no memory.

Kubo and the Two Strings is an animated family fantasy film inspired by Japanese culture. Kubo and the Two Strings features gorgeous animation, pleasing action, capable writing, a dash of humor, and a soundtrack that successfully blends traditional Japanese music with modern influences. The story overflows with creativity, and while the world has an arbitrary, storybook quality to it, the plot and characters are rich enough that the world never feels hollow.

Kubo and the Two Strings is a mixed media animated film, using a combination of stop-motion animation, puppetry, and CGI to create its unique aesthetic. The art design has a similar style to one of Laika Entertainment’s other films, Coraline, but even critics of the style will be pleased by the gorgeous animation and crisp camerawork. The movie goes all out with its action sequences, and its skilled animation and creative use of magic make them visual treats.

Watch Kubo and the Two Strings when you are in the mood for a creative and well-written work of art. Though both its art and its storytelling are imperfect, they are remarkable achievements nonetheless, with enough quality and character to secure Kubo and the Two Strings its own niche. Skip it if you are looking for more typical animation or a story with fewer abstract, fantastic elements.

7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for strong writing and gorgeous animation.

Today’s quick review: RED. When the CIA targets Frank Moses (Bruce Willis), one of its retired operatives, for elimination, he embarks on a cross-country roadtrip to find out why. With Sarah Ross (Mary-Louise Parker), an adventure-seeking pension worker, in tow, he calls on his old allies and enemies for help. But William Cooper (Karl Urban), the resourceful CIA hitman assigned to kill him, might just have what it takes to get the job done.

RED is an action comedy with an exemplary cast and a fun tone. Bruce Willis stars as Frank Moses, a methodical hitman with a legendary track record. His years of missions for the CIA have left him with an extensive network of contacts, and he’ll need all their skills to survive the CIA’s onslaught. Mixing plentiful action with colorful characters, charming writing, and an elaborate implied history, RED makes for a thoroughly entertaining watch.

RED’s cast is its single biggest draw. Among Frank’s many contacts from his long career are Joe (Morgan Freeman), an octagenarian retiree; Marvin (John Malkovich), a paranoid ex-spy; Ivan (Brian Cox), a Russian operative; and Victoria (Helen Mirren), an elegant British assassin. Next to these noted actors, Karl Urban holds his own as William Cooper, a consummate killer, while Mary-Louise Parker gives the movie some heart as the funny, charming Sarah Ross.

Beyond its cast, RED has good action, great tone, and a decent plot. Though not mind-blowing, the action is plentiful and well-delivered. The story unfolds well enough, but it only really shines when it gives way to the movie’s varied action sequences, where Frank and his allies demonstrate why they were the best in the business. The writing has a couple of nice touches, including a fairly credible romance and a steady stream of good humor.

Watch RED when you are in the mood for a light, enjoyable action film with a surprising amount of charm. RED makes great use of its talented cast, and for those who enjoy its tone and premise, it will be well worth catching. For a more serious action movie with similar world-building, check out John Wick.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for a great cast and good comedy.

Today’s quick review: Enemy at the Gates. During the Battle of Stalingrad, Vassili Zaitsev (Jude Law), a Russian farmboy, impresses Soviet political officer Danilov (Joseph Fiennes) with his sharpshooting. Danilov secures Vassili a position as a sniper and sets about turning him into a hero to inspire the troops. But Vassili’s success as a sniper causes the Nazis to send Major Konig (Ed Harris), a crafty sniper, to Stalingrad to beat Vassili at his own game.

Enemy at the Gates is a war drama set during one of the bloodiest battles in history. Offering powerful dramatic performances and tense sniper action, Enemy at the Gates depicts the grim nature of World War II, the harsh impositions of life in the Soviet Union, and the perseverance needed to make it through both. The mixture of character drama and combat lets Enemy at the Gates capture both sides of the war, personal and military, in a single, cohesive tale.

Enemy at the Gates features a fairly impressive cast. Joseph Fiennes and Jude Law have an instant chemistry, forming a fast friendship in spite of their differences in rank. Rachel Weisz plays the charming and determined Tania Chernova, a loyal Russian who catches the eye of both Danilov and Vassili. For his part, Ed Harris plays Major Konig as a calm, relentless sniper whose craft and experience make him a true nemesis for Vassili.

Watch Enemy at the Gates when you are in the mood for a tense war drama with a competent romantic subplot. The film’s elaborate sniper duels give it an edge over other war movies, turning its action sequences into battles of wits. Skip it if you are looking for a light watch or prefer more straightforward action.

7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for strong characters and tense sniper action.