Sleight of Film

Today’s quick review: Training Day. Jake Hoyt (Ethan Hawke) is an LAPD cop who wants to transfer to Narcotics. To get the job, he must spend the day training under Alonzo Harris (Denzel Washington), a street-smart cop with a lax attitude toward the rules. But as effective as Alonzo’s methods are, they come with a cost, and Jake must decide just how far he is willing to go in his pursuit of justice.

Training Day is a crime drama that examines the fine line between pragmatism and corruption. The movie makes good use of its two impressive lead actors, throwing them into an unpredictable series of encounters as Jake follows Alonzo on his daily rounds. Their solid performances are backed by tight writing and intelligent progression, resulting in a well-crafted movie that spins a compelling tale from a few humble threads.

Though it poses as a standard cop movie, Training Day has an edge to it that sets it apart. Denzel Washington carries the movie with his forceful performance as Alonzo Harris, an amiable yet not entirely trustworthy mentor to Jake. Alonzo is a rarity in cinema: a dirty cop who actually seems to be doing some good. For his part, Ethan Hawke plays Jake Hoyt as a naive but capable rookie, willing to learn from Alonzo but skeptical of his methods.

Watch Training Day if you are in the mood for a well-crafted crime movie that captures the dynamism of life on the edge of the law. Its reliance on its characters and its subtle plot progression make Training Day a tougher watch than the usual action fare, but the extra attention is more than justified by its gripping storytelling and impressive performances.

7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for great characters and skillful writing.

Today’s quick review: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. On her deathbed, Daisy Fuller (Cate Blanchett) recounts to her daughter the life of Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt), a peculiar man and the love of her life. Born with the body of an old man, Benjamin ages in reverse, spending his youth in a retirement home and becoming more youthful and vigorous as he grows up. His chance encounters with Daisy over the years eventually blossom into a deep and abiding love.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a romantic drama with a fantasy twist. Spanning the better part of a century of American history, the movie follows Benjamin throughout his long and storied life, from his abandonment as a wrinkled infant at the end of World War I to his youthful senescence decades later. His journeys take him far, but his heart remains with Daisy, a childhood friend he always finds himself drawn back to.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is a coming-of-age story in reverse. Benjamin’s condition gives him a unique perspective on life, with the patience of an old man and the curiosity of a young one. The movie uses this concept to great thematic effect, showing the beautiful and tragic consequences of such an inverted life. The speculation is personal rather than scientific in nature; no attempt is made to explain Benjamin or his unique condition.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button makes for an odd sort of romance. The courtship between Benjamin and Daisy plays out over the course of decades as their ages tick toward one another. Their protracted love story has a sad, poetic quality to it that mirrors the joys and disappointments of life, but it lacks the escapism normally associated with romance.

Watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button when you are in the mood for a gentle, enchanting film tinged with sorrow. Sound execution and a unique premise make the movie well worth a watch, but its particular tone makes it a highly conditional one. Watch it only if you are in the right mood to appreciate bittersweet romance and biography with a dash of fantasy. Skip it if you are looking for an event-driven plot or an untroubled romance.

7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for solid execution of an intriguing concept; your score will be higher depending on your taste in drama.

“Mother, you’re alive!” —Kitana

Today’s quick review: Mortal Kombat: Annihilation. Despite his defeat in the Mortal Kombat tournament, Emperor Shao-Kahn (Brian Thompson) of Outworld breaks the rules of the tournament and opens a portal to Earth with the intent to conquer it. Liu Kang (Robin Shou), Rayden (James Remar), and the rest of Earth’s greatest defenders must seek the help of the Elder Gods to defeat Shao Kahn before the Earth falls under his control.

Mortal Kombat: Annihilation is an action movie based on the Mortal Kombat series of video games. The sequel to the first Mortal Kombat movie, Annihilation is a marked step down from its predecessor. Where the original was a cheesy but lovable adaptation of the popular fighting game franchise, Annihilation lacks the good sense and charm that made the first one enjoyable, replacing them instead with bad acting and a nonsensical plot.

The story borders on the incomprehensible. The crux of the plot involves the resurrection of Sindel (Musetta Vander), the long-dead queen of Outworld who Shao-Kahn somehow uses to generate a portal to Earth. Exactly how this is achieved or why it is necessary is never made clear. The rules of the Mortal Kombat tournament should prevent Shao Kahn from invading the Earth, but for poorly explained reasons, Shao Kahn is able to circumvent them.

The heroes’ journey takes the form of three separate subplots centered around Liu Kang, Rayden, and Sonya Blade (Sandra Hess), respectively. Rayden sends Liu Kang on a spirit quest to awaken new power as a warrior, while he himself pays a visit to the Elder Gods’ temple to seek advice. For her part, Sonya goes to seek the help of her old partner Jax (Lynn Williams), a capable fighter in his own right.

While these subplots sound plausible in theory, they quickly fall apart. Liu Kang’s spirit quest has little justification or reward, and the trials he has to complete are token at best. Sonya’s recruitment of Jax serves little plot purpose other than to bring another fighter into the final fight. Rayden continues to be an ineffectual mentor, offering useless advice, blaming the heroes for not following it, and generally not living up to his reputation as a thunder god.

The movie has a bad habit of introducing characters for no good reason, then either folding them into the heroes’ party or shunting them off to the side. Enemies appear from nowhere for a single fight, while allies seem to crawl out of the woodwork, aiding the heroes without ever explaining how they know what is going on. The constant juggling of the cast, the poor writing, and a couple of glaring plot holes rob the story of any drama it might have possessed.

The combat, ostensibly the main draw of the movie, is passable but not impressive. The cast is clearly made up of trained martial artists, but they are given very little to work with. The choreography relies on the same few tricks over and over again, the characters’ unique powers notwithstanding. Ultimately, lack of context does the combat in: the similar combat of the first film worked because it was part of an enjoyable story.

Acting was never the first movie’s strong suit, but the protagonists had good banter and the worst performances were not central to the plot. Annihilation does away with the banter, deprives its best characters of any good lines, and replaces all its actors except Robin Shou as Liu Kang and Talisa Soto as Kitana. The result is a story with no real characters to latch onto, just fighters going through the motions of their respective plotlines.

The production values of the movie are also disappointing. The sets are grey and uninteresting, missing even the basic mystique of the first film. The costumes look artificial at best, while the new crop of villains is a motley collection of bad makeup and weak character design. The movie uses CGI for a few of its key special effects, and the quality of the animation has aged horrendously.

Watch Mortal Kombat: Annihilation only if you have a perverse interest in bad acting, incomprehensible writing, and dated special effects. The film is a smorgasbord of bad decisions that all but eliminates the positive traits of the first film. Skip it if you are looking for a better action movie or a worthwhile adaptation of the games.

3.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 3.5 for all-around poor execution.

Today’s quick review: Tropic Thunder. To motivate the cast of his war movie, novice director Damien Cockburn (Steve Coogan) drops them in the Vietnamese jungle to act their scenes out for real. But when their fake squad runs into a real heroin operation, waning action star Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller), drug-addled comedian Jeff Portnoy (Jack Black), and distinguished method actor Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey, Jr.) quickly find themselves out of their depth.

Tropic Thunder is a ridiculous comedy that parodies war movies and the film industry as a whole. A movie about a movie, Tropic Thunder thrusts a crew of spoiled Hollywood caricatures into a dangerous situation where the line between truth and fiction becomes blurred. The film’s humor is irreverent and eclectic, taking shots at all corners of the film industry while telling its own unique story.

Much of the film’s comedy comes from its offbeat cast. Each actor starring in the fictional Tropic Thunder is having his own personal meltdown in the middle of the jungle, giving the real movie plenty of material to work with. Between the volatile situation the actors find themselves in and their own personal crises, the movie does a good job of setting up ridiculous situations for its talented cast to play out.

Tropic Thunder is less skilled at putting it all together. The individual gags are funny, but they require a disproportionate amount of setup to earn only a decent payoff. The film misses an opportunity to show some heart by taking character arcs tailor-made for emotional payoff and playing them for comedy alone. Tropic Thunder also dates itself with pop culture references that have turned stale less than a decade after the film’s release.

Still, Tropic Thunder is an entertaining watch with plenty of inspired jokes and quotable dialogue. Its particular brand of humor will not appeal to everyone, but a strong cast, fun cameos, and a unique premise make Tropic Thunder worthwhile for anyone in the mood for something light and raunchy. Skip it if you are looking for a refined or subtle parody.

7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for entertaining comedy, a great premise, and decent execution; your score may be higher if the humor catches you the right way.

“You want to get Capone? Here’s how you get him. He pulls a knife, you pull a gun. He sends one of your to the hospital, you send one of his to the morgue.” —Malone

Today’s quick review: The Untouchables. In 1930, notorious mob boss Al Capone (Robert De Niro) has Chicago wrapped around his finger. Treasury agent Eliot Ness (Kevin Costner), assigned to catch Capone, assembles a hand-picked team of loyal cops to bring Capone down: Malone (Sean Connery), a crafty beat cop, Oscar Wallace (Charles Martin Smith), a federal accountant, and George Stone (Andy Garcia), a talented rookie.

The Untouchables is a Prohibition-era crime drama based on the real exploits of Al Capone and Eliot Ness. The movie follows Ness in his seemingly impossible task of enforcing justice in a corrupt city. To do so, he must skirt the boundaries of the law, using only a small, trustworthy crew to avoid the leaks that have been plaguing the police department. But his actions place him at the top of Capone’s list and put his family and friends in danger.

The Untouchables has qualities that make it a very capable drama, including a strong cast, serious and compelling subject matter, and tight dialogue. The story is straightforward enough, just a brazen police investigation with a few major setbacks, but its plot twists and element of danger are enough to keep it interesting. The writing includes a few iconic lines and is enough to give the characters a life they would have otherwise lacked.

The cast is one of the film’s main draws, with no real misses and a couple of great performances. Kevin Costner plays a credible Eliot Ness, capturing the character’s zeal and honesty as well as his limitations and naivety. Robert De Niro is in usual form as Al Capone, a powerful and charismatic mobster. But the heart of the cast is Sean Connery as Malone, an experienced beat cop who guides Ness in his war on Capone.

Watch The Untouchables when you are in the mood for gangster movie with a down-to-earth story and solid execution. The Untouchables relies more on quality acting, writing, and direction than spectacle, and the result is a tidy crime drama with better-than-average characters. Those looking for more of an action movie should check out Gangster Squad, while those looking for a more puzzling plot should check out L.A. Confidential.

7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for solid acting and writing.

Today’s quick review: Kill Bill: Vol. 2. The Bride (Uma Thurman) continues her bloody quest for revenge, this time setting her sights on Budd (Michael Madsen), now working as a bouncer in Texas, Elle Driver (Daryl Hannah), Bill’s right-hand woman, and finally Bill (David Carradine) himself. But to get to Bill, the Bride must confront her past, including her training, her relationship with Bill, and the reason she left him.

Kill Bill: Vol. 2 is an action movie from director Quentin Tarantino and the second and final entry in the Kill Bill series. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 picks up where the first movie left off, as the Bride hunts down the assassins who beat her and left her for dead. Her mission is split between flashbacks to her past, her methodical progress in the present, and the violent martial arts combat needed to kill the Vipers.

Compared to the first film, Kill Bill: Vol. 2 sacrifices action and stylization for story and drama. The fight scenes, while still creative, are more limited; instead, extra time is spent on the Bride’s training and background. Likewise, the direction, while still sharp, lacks some of the playful nature of the first film. As the Bride nears the end of her journey, the story takes on a more serious tone, with focused storytelling to match.

David Carradine deserves special mention for his performance as Bill, a character he manages to make both subtly charismatic and quietly dangerous. His character alone is enough to justify the slight shift in tone and style; the man kept in the shadows for the first film does not disappoint. For her part, Uma Thurman continues to impress, a steely action heroine with a human side that shows more as she draws closer to Bill.

Watch Kill Bill: Vol. 2 if you enjoyed the first film. While not unwatchable on its own, the second installment’s main purpose is to tie up the story begun in the first. Kill Bill: Vol. 2 does a credible job at this, with good doses of violent action, intelligent direction, and superb character development. Skip it if you are sensitive to violence or disliked the first one. Watch with caution if you are expecting a carbon copy of the original.

8.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for action, style, and drama.

“The simple truth is not all of us become the men we hoped we might be.” —Captain Jack Aubrey

Today’s quick review: Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. In April 1805, the H.M.S. Surprise of the British Navy is dispatched to the northern coast of Brazil to intercept the Acheron, a French privateer on her way to the Pacific. Though his ship is outclassed, Captain Jack Aubrey (Russell Crowe) presses onward against the advice of his close friend Doctor Stephen Maturin (Paul Bettany), the ship’s surgeon.

Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World is a naval movie set during the Napoleonic Wars. Russell Crowe stars as Jack Aubrey, a skilled captain renowned for his good fortune and keen sense of duty. His constant companion is Stephen Maturin, played by Paul Bettany, a physician and naturalist whose democratic tendencies place him at odds with the customs of the Navy.

The duo join a wide cast of officers, midshipmen, and sailors in a protracted cat-and-mouse game with the French ship. Despite the large expanses of ocean between the Surprise and the Acheron, the skill of their captains and a bit of luck keep the two ships at each other’s heels. The plot has all the fickleness of life at sea, with unexpected losses, hard-won victories, and painful but necessary choices giving the movie a keen sense of realism.

Master and Commander’s main draw is its historical accuracy. The movie offers a frank look at life in the British Navy, from its grueling daily work to its unforgiving combat and its rigid hierarchy to its superstitions. The film is based on the Aubrey/Maturin series of novels by Patrick O’Brian, and it draws some of the best characters and incidents from the books into one standalone tale of the sea.

The execution of the film is as skilled as its source material deserves. The setting appears to be accurate down to the smallest detail. The writing has the same realism, thematic undertones, and nuggets of wit as the books, limited only by the changes in medium. The main characters are well-developed, albeit in subtle ways, but the surrounding cast of characters get short shrift due to their large numbers and the needs of the plot.

For all its quality, Master and Commander can be an odd watch for those not used to historical dramas. The story does not have traditional plot or character arcs in the usual Hollywood sense. Instead it feels like a slice of history, tidied up into a coherent story but largely presented as-is. Themes emerge, characters react to conflict, and the story reaches a resolution, but these developments are not nearly as neat as in most fiction.

Watch Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World if you are at all interested in what life was like in the British Navy. The movie is an uncommonly clear glimpse at an uncommonly engaging corner of history. Skip it if you are looking for a pure action film or a tidy drama; while there is plenty of action and plenty of drama to be had, the plot and setting require attention and patience to fully appreciate.

7.4 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for character, excitement, and authenticity.

“It’s mercy, compassion, and forgiveness I lack, not rationality.” —The Bride

Today’s quick review: Kill Bill: Vol. 1. Four years after she was beaten and left for dead on her wedding day, the Bride (Uma Thurman) wakes up from her coma. She sets out to take her revenge on those responsible, her former lover Bill (David Carradine) and the Deadly Viper Assassination Squad. Her first targets are O-Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu), now the leader of the Tokyo underworld, and Vernita Green (Vivica A. Fox), now a suburban housewife.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is a stylized revenge movie from director Quentin Tarantino. Blending Western and Japanese influences with Tarantino’s own inimitable style, Kill Bill: Vol. 1 provides gory, inventive action and a flavorful world to go with it. Its martial arts action sequences are ambitious in scope and buttressed by sharp writing and cinematography, making Kill Bill both a popcorn action flick and an unconventional work of art.

The plot of Kill Bill is a straightforward revenge story. The Bride has a fixed list of targets she must kill, each with a unique style or gimmick, and this provides the basis for the film’s various action sequences and side stories. The story is divided into chapters that let the it branch out when it needs to, while the simple nature of the plot is covered nicely by the mystery surrounding Bill, the nonlinear presentation, and the colorful characters.

The stylization of Kill Bill sets it apart from typical action movies, both visually and tonally. The movie plays with its visual presentation constantly, with creative camera shots, sequences in black and white, and even a scene done as anime. This experimentation keeps the movie feeling fresh throughout, with little twists around every corner and no fear of falling into too much of a rhythm.

At the same time, the movie world itself has a surreal quality to it. The dialogue is overblown and dramatic, the assassins come across as cool for both natural and artificial reasons, and the expertly picked soundtrack sets the mood perfectly. The smallest touches in the world speak volumes, from the sheriff with a dashboard full of sunglasses to the Bride disciplining a young yakuza member instead of killing him.

Kill Bill: Vol. 1 is not without its flaws. The bloody action makes the movie a non-starter for some viewers, while its dip into the seamier side of humanity may revolt even those who are fine with the violence. The story drags its feet in the middle, veering into exposition for chapters at a time. The action, while impressive, is not especially realistic. The stylization may also strike some viewers as odd or pointless.

Watch Kill Bill: Vol. 1 if you are a current or potential Tarantino fan and have not yet seen it. Its vision and polish make it an excellent watch for any action fan who doesn’t mind a bit of gore. Steer clear if you are at all sensitive to violence or you are looking for a stylish movie with more than simple action at its core.

[8.1 out of 10 on IMDB](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266697/. I give it an 8.0 for satisfying action, stylish direction, and iconic moments throughout.

Today’s quick review: Furious 7. When Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel), Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), and Agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) put a dangerous terrorist behind bars, his older brother, ex-government assassin Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham), declares war on them. With the help of Mr. Nobody (Kurt Russell), a government agent after Shaw, Dom and his crew travel across the world to steal God’s Eye, a program capable of tracking down their elusive enemy.

Furious 7 is an action movie that picks up where Fast & Furious 6 left off. Dom Toretto, Brian O’Conner, and their team have earned their pardons, only to become the targets of Deckard Shaw’s deadly vengeance. Furious 7 improves upon the series formula of fast cars, big stunts, and star power with faster cars, bigger stunts, and even more star power. The quintessential action movie, Furious 7 makes for a fun, breezy watch.

The action in Furious 7 is the same blend of car stunts and conventional action as the last two films, but with even more impressive showpieces. Though the film is short on proper street races, most of the action still centers around muscle cars, technical driving, and improbable applications of the two. The hand-to-hand combat and shootouts give the action some nice variety, while the larger stunts are enough to give the movie a sense of escalation.

Furious 7 keeps another series staple: an impressive ensemble cast led by Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, and Dwayne Johnson. Jason Statham joins the franchise as Deckard Shaw, shoring up the series’ roster of villains, while Kurt Russell comes aboard as Mr. Nobody, a government agent who offers to help Dom take down Shaw. The stars are supported by a solid cast of regulars and newcomers, including Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, Ronda Rousey, Tony Jaa, and Ludacris.

In terms of plot, Furious 7 has the usual mixture of elements: dangerous criminals, clandestine government work, and just enough of a personal side to keep the movie tied to its roots. The plot is not particularly tight, but it does a good job of keeping the action flowing. Subplots involving Dom and Brian give the story a touch of heart, but the large cast keeps anyone else from getting more than passing character development.

On the whole, Furious 7 occupies an odd niche. It is a late entry into a long-running franchise with an established formula, yet it manages to feel fresh and entertaining in spite of this. Its formula is not so much tired as honed, and the series’ rotating cast and constant innovation when it comes to spectacle make it a reliable choice for light action. This reliability comes at the cost of repetitive plots and long continuity, but the tradeoff is worhtwhile.

Watch Furious 7 when you are in the mood for top-notch popcorn action. The movie’s reliance on the previous films may make it a confusing watch for newcomers, but its action movie plot, appealing cast, and focus on spectacle make it an easy movie to get into. For any sort of detailed plot or realism, look elsewhere.

7.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for sheer enjoyability.

Today’s quick review: Bad Boys II. Marcus Burnett (Martin Lawrence) and Mike Lowrey (Will Smith) of the Miami Police Department are on the verge of the biggest bust of their careers, an enormous ecstasy shipment set to arrive in Miami. The only trouble is finding it: a series of bum leads throw them into danger with little to show for it. Their investigation is complicated by Syd (Gabrielle Union), Marcus’ sister, who is working undercover for the DEA.

Bad Boys II is an action movie from director Michael Bay. The sequel to the original Bad Boys, Bad Boys II takes the same action formula as its predecessor and delivers a much cleaner execution. Martin Lawrence and Will Smith return as Marcus and Mike, a pair of Miami cops who play fast and loose with the rules. Their banter provides the movie with a healthy dose of comedy and couples well with the film’s over-the-top action sequences.

Unlike its predecessor, Bad Boys II throws restraint out the window when it comes to action. Bad Boys slipped a few extra explosions into otherwise standard action sequences, but Bad Boys II indulges in sweeping camera shots, heavy ordnance, and destructive chase scenes. The film is generous with its action, and its action sequences are a natural fit with the tone of the movie in spite of their exaggerated nature.

The movie also refines the humor of the original, making better use of its two strong leads and the peculiar situations they find themselves in. After years of partnership with Mike, Marcus has finally had enough, deeming the stress and danger of their partnership not worth it. But their active investigation keeps him from walking away entirely, and the resulting tension gives the movie an excuse to crack jokes throughout.

With a strong leading duo, good comedy, and abundant action, Bad Boys II makes for an entertaining watch for any fan of the action genre. Its thrills and gags are cheap but well-executed, and the movie never takes itself too seriously. Bad Boys II is definitely worth a shot when you are in the mood for a bit of action, but skip it if you are looking for a realistic, deep, or subversive take on the genre.

6.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for being a solid and entertaining genre entry.