Skyfall

Ladies and gentlemen...James Bond is back and truly better than ever! It has been a long four years since the lackluster "Quantum of Solace" was released, but after MGM's financial crisis was overcome, Academy Award winning director Sam Mendez (American Beauty) began his work on the British icon's newest outing. There are many reasons why "Skyfall" succeeds as a great Bond film, and I want to elaborate on the most important without slipping into crazy, fanboy banter...but I'm not making any promises.

As the always enjoyable M (Judi Dench) points out, our enemies are no longer countries and no longer have names, instead they are in the shadows waiting to strike. These words illustrate the newest threat that 007 (Daniel Craig) must deal with--cyberterrorism. How can you fight a villain who can hack a computer or blow up a building with the touch of a button? This is what Bond must do when a list containing the identities of all undercover agents is stolen and slowly released to the public (resulting in many deaths and compromised missions). But as always, Bond will find a way, and he does it with all the cars, women, and shaken martinis that makes him the suave agent we know today.

Not many films are able to immediately establish itself in the first few minutes of the film. With that being said, "Skyfall" has achieved the impossible in that it sets the tone and quality of the film in the very first shot, the first second, of the film! I can't be anymore specific for it would rob you of this experience, but starting with this beautiful first second of the two and a half hour film, "Skyfall" is loaded with elements that make it a classic Bond film. There are old characters reintroduced, classic assets that 007 takes advantage of, and incredible music that takes you back to the very first films of the series.

But the brilliant thing is that, even though the film tries (and succeeds) at being very nostalgic, it also succeeds in moving the series forward in new directions. "Skyfall" will be remembered as a Bond film that gives the franchise a darker feel. There is more intensity, more thrill, and a shockingly more threatening villain (more on him later) than the series has seen in a long time. The film praises the old but also promotes the new, and the mix is quite satisfying.

Now on to the two leads. When Daniel Craig stepped into Bond's shoes in 2006's "Casino Royale," he made quite the impression. Not only did he have just as much charm as the best Bonds of the past, but he brought such great intensity and coldness to the icon, not being afraid to kill his targets and do anything necessary to succeed. Now, in his third go around, Craig has fully embraced this character and given a fantastic performance. He is everything the world expects James Bond to be and more, making him the best actor to play the character yet.

But Bond would be nothing without the dastardly enemies he faces. And there has never been a Bond villain quite like Silva, played by the brilliant Javier Bardem. Bardem won an Academy Award for playing another creepy villain in "No Country For Old Men" so it only makes sense that he'd end up in a Bond film eventually. Staying in line with the film's goal in using what works and building on it, Silva has the same evil plans and same cruel nature that most other Bond villains have. But it's what Bardem brings to his character that makes him stand out, and that is the creepiness factor. Not only is Silva creepy, unpredictable, and makes eerie sensual advances on Bond, but he is downright insane. And it is interesting to watch his slow dive into greater insanity as the film progresses. "Skyfall" most greatly benefits from the two outstanding performances given by its two leading men.

The last thing that I must praise is the visual beauty of "Skyfall" in both special effects and location. First off, the opening credits to the film were so well done and visually stunning, especially alongside Adele's enchanting theme song (also named "Skyfall"). And after the credits there are several beautiful scenes shot in cities such as Istanbul and Shanghai, and the peaceful (for a moment) hills of Scotland  And the chase scenes, stunts, and wonderfully choreographed fights have never looked better. Oh, and there is a classic Hollywood explosion that just made me so happy to see...just saying.  

2012 marks the 50th anniversary of James Bond, and there could be no better present for the fans than "Skyfall." This film has everything, a great hero, a menacing villain, beautiful music, humor and wit, great action, and a plot that is more thrilling than most films we see. Most franchises will be lucky if their third movie is still decent at all, but after twenty three James Bond films, Sam Mendez has possibly given us the best Bond yet. I give it four stars out of four.

"Skyfall" has a running time of two hours and twenty three minutes and is rated PG-13 for intense violent sequences throughout, some sexuality, language and smoking.

Wreck It Ralph

Here are two things that I love a lot: animated movies and video games. To me, animated movies have the great gift of telling incredible, friendly, and deeply compelling stories for all ages that many live action films just can't pull off. So when I saw the first trailer for "Wreck It Ralph" I got really excited. In the trailer I saw a super fun story arc based around vintage arcade games such as Pac Man, Sonic The Hedgehog, and Turbo Time. Not only was the story based around video games, but the characters are  video game icons who have actual lives inside their games. With Disney at the helm, I was sure that this would be a hit, and I wasn't wrong.

Wreck It Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) has been doing the same thing in his game for years. He breaks a building only to be thrown off the roof when Fix It Felix Jr. (Jack McBrayer) comes and saves the day. So after years and years of being laughed at and hated on...Ralph decides that he doesn't want to be the bad guy anymore. But when he decides to run away from his game to finally be  a good guy, everything goes crazy as the other characters go on a wild goose chase to find him across the different video games of the arcade. And if they can't find him in time, then the whole game will be shut down.

The greatest asset to "Wreck It Ralph" is the superb creativity that the writers and directors poured into this film, starting with a clever setting. Here is how the movie works, the different video game characters come out and play their roles (almost like putting on a show) for each kid that plays the game. Then at night, when the arcade closes they all head to Game Central Station (located in the electric socket) where they can interact with the different characters; it's almost like "Toy Story" with video games.

Then there are the different games that the characters wonder though that bring vastly unique environments along with them. This was one of my favorite parts about the movie, the digital set design of these games. The majority of the film takes places in a game called Sugar Rush (think of a racing game inside the board game).

It is in this game that the film's cleverness really comes out, primarily in the inhabitants. For example, the spectators of the races are large groups of jolly ranchers and jaw breakers, the "police force" is made up of walking doughnuts, and the centerpiece of the "game map" is a mountain of bottled diet coke that erupts every time a mento drops into it.

But the animation is also a shining point for "Wreck It Ralph." A smaller portion of the film takes place in a game called Hero's Duty (a futuristic take on the popular "Call of Duty" franchise).There is a moment in this part of the movie where thousands of robotic bugs are swarming through the air and attack the weapon-laden soldiers as the fire back in defense. The angles go back and forth, zoom in and out, and go all around the action. It was done so well that it at times could pass for a live action CGI sequence. Plus there is an awesome character that is basically a carbon copy of Jane Lynch, wisecracks, crazy metaphors, and all...oh yeah and the character is voiced by none other than Jane Lynch.

I also loved how they animated the characters in Ralph's game to move in quick, clunky, robotic movements to resemble the movements of old 8-bit characters such as Dig-Dug and Mario.
I was so impressed with everything about "Wreck It Ralph," it exceeded my expectations. And make no mistake this movie is for everyone. If you aren't a video game player (which is a strong possibility) this will still be very entertaining for you, it won't be confusing and there won't be tons of jokes that totally fly over your head. "Wreck It Ralph" is for kids, adults, gamers, and non-gamers, and it is the best animated film to grace the silver screen in the last couple years (and as a bonus, there is a beautiful short film preceding it). I give it four stars out of four.

"Wreck It Ralph" has a running time of 92 minutes and is rated PG for some rude humor and mild action/violence.

Taken 2

Four years ago, the action/thriller "Taken" became a worldwide hit and showed that world that Liam Neeson can be a death dealing action star, the same as Matt Damon did with the "Bourne" series. So naturally, as Hollywood always does when lots of money can be made, a sequel to "Taken" was created with a catchy, original title..."Taken 2."

Now I know what you're thinking, "Is the girl just going to get taken again?" Well, you'll have to see for yourself, and it will be worth seeing too. "Taken 2" is not just the same-old plot recycled from the last film (although there is lots of similar elements obviously) and it will be sure to entertain and action or Liam Neeson fans.

Bryan Mills (Neeson) killed a lot of people to get his daughter back in the first movie, and the relatives of those people are not very happy. The film opens with the family members of these men attending a funeral as Murad Krasniqi (Rade Serbedzija) vows for vengeance upon Mills and his family.

Krasniqi and his brothers/sons get their shot at Mills while he is traveling in Istanbul with his daughter (Maggie Grace) and ex-wife (Famke Janssen). What started as a birthday surprise for his daughter quickly turns into another nightmare as Mills has to once again use his "certain set of skills" to save both his daughter and her mother from the wrath of those who seek to make him suffer.

The plot, much like the first film, is a simple one. All is well until someone is taken resulting in a killing spree/rescue mission with lots of guns and fists. I can say this, this pattern is just as entertaining as it was four years ago. Suspense is still a plenty and entertainment is not lost in the sequel. The good thing about the plot is that the film makers didn't want to make the exact same film over again. Instead they said, "What did we not work with in the first film that we can work with in this one?"

For example, instead of having the daughter just happen to be taken again, it's the family of baddies from the first film out for revenge. Instead of just making the film about a man saving his daughter, let's create a stronger emotional dynamic between the husband, ex-wife, and daughter. Also, let's see what would happen if the dad gets taken and the daughter has to try to find him (with his help of course). All of these plot elements help give the film a plot of it's own, even though the very base of the story line is the same.

And the action is in an even greater supply this time around. Car chases, gun fights, and slick hand-to-hand combat fill the movie with adrenaline in a very Jason Bourne-esque way (and that's a good thing). But the cinematography in "Taken 2" has improved in terms of action sequences. In the first film the filming was very clean-cut and had a flow to it. But I believe to make action scenes real and gritty, a different style is needed. In this new film the shots and camera angles are quick, choppy, and up close to the actors (again very Jason Bourne-esque) and it definitely improved the action style from the first film. And whoever is Liam Neeson's fight choreographer is incredible, because watching him beat down guy after guy is just incredibly satisfying.

Will you see similarities between "Taken" and "Taken 2"? Yes, several in fact. But there is more than just old ideas being brought into this new film, and enough of it to continue to keep the viewer interested. Add that to everything that made the first film such a great action movie and what more can you ask for? Liam Neeson has once again provided a great piece of action movie eye-candy that will be sure to please. I give it three stars out of four.

"Taken 2" has a running time of 90 minutes and is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action and some sensuality.

The Bourne Legacy

"The Bourne Legacy" is probably one of the most appropriate titles to a film in recent history, especially when you consider the true legacy that the "Bourne" films have created. First, the original trilogy is one of the best known spy-thrillers around. In addition to this, the films have successfully done what 99% of trilogies fail to do...create sequels that are both critically and financially more successful than the predecessors.

After "The Bourne Ultimatum" was released in back in 2007, many thought that the series would end after a third very entertaining finale. Yet, five years later the series is back on the silver screen, with a couple of very obvious changes.

So how does "The Bourne Legacy" fit into the universe created by Matt Damon's famous character? Does newcomer Jeremy Renner succeed in filling in for Damon and does the film overall live up to its name? These are all questions people will be asking and I am happy to answer them for you.

It's very easy to guess around what the plot revolves from the title and, well, it's pretty straightforward. The film is indeed about Jason Bourne's legacy and more specifically, how his actions are effecting the rest of the special ops forces. Now we know about Treadstone and Operation Blackbriar from the previous films but there is yet another black-ops division that we have not been introduced to...until now.

Aaron Cross (Renner) is an agent in a program called Operation Outcome. The point of this group is kept a mystery for the majority of the film but one thing becomes clear very quickly and it won't be good for Cross. Thanks to Jason Bourne's exposing of top secret government information, the CIA brings in Eric Byer (Edward Norton) to help find a solution to the problem. His answer is simple, wipe out the program completely which includes burning files, ceasing operations, and of course, killing all the agents like Aaron Cross.

With the entire CIA on the hunt, Cross finds an ally in Dr. Marta Shearing (Rachel Weisz) who he believes can answer some questions about Operation Outcome that have been kept a secret from him. Together they depart on a dangerous trip across countries where they can trust no one and have only one goal in mind...to survive.

Right off the bat you know that you are watching a "Bourne" film from the music, the shooting style, and the familiar faces from past films. I really appreciated how the filmmakers made sure to remind the viewers that this is a continuation of a previous story rather than a total reboot of a franchise. I also liked how this film takes place at the same time as "The Bourne Ultimatum" adding even more to the feeling that we are still in Jason Bourne's world.

But this feeling also has a down side to it which is the sad reality that Matt Damon's title character is nowhere to be found in this new installment. Granted, people knew from the first trailer that Matt Damon would not be returning to the series but there is still some disappointment to be felt when the film is finished. Part of the problem was that I did not feel the same emotional connection with Aaron Cross as I did with Jason Bourne. Bourne was a man who had completely lost his memory, had no idea why everyone was trying to kill him, and had his girlfriend shot just when we thought there would be a happy ending. Cross on the other hand just comes across as another secret agent who is good at kicking butt.

Now with the said, Jeremy Renner does a great job in this role. Earlier this summer, Renner proved that he was capable of dishing out some damage as Hawkeye in "The Avengers" and he brings that same action-movie charisma to "The Bourne Legacy." One moment he is ruthless and deadly, and the next he is friendly and easy-going. There are many sides to Cross that Jeremy Renner shows and overall, he gave it his best effort to carry this big franchise on his shoulders.

On the other side of the plot, Edward Norton does a great job as the villain hunting Cross down. As a character that is calm and collected, yet not afraid to lay down the law, he pulls off quite the menacing antagonist.

Of course, no "Bourne"is complete without the series' signature action. My favorite is the close quarters hand-to-hand combat that is once again shot beautifully, with the cameras practically inside the action, and made me gasp in excitement with every take down. And don't forget about the chase scenes! Like every other film in the series, "Legacy" features a big chase sequence through highways and alley, on foot and on wheels, and the whole thing features some great stunt work.

Looking back on "The Bourne Legacy," it includes all of the same elements of all the other films. It has the same music, many of the same actors, the same great fight and chase scenes, and the same twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. The only thing that is truly different is the lead actor, and I am ok with that. Renner does a good enough job of capturing the audience into this new tale, and with the filmmakers making you feel right at home in this familiar universe, I think it's safe to say the the legacy of Jason Bourne will live on (but please let Jason Bourne and Aaron Cross team up for a sequel)! I give it three stars out of four.

"The Bourne Legacy has a running time of 135 minutes and is rated PG-13 for violence and action sequences.

The Dark Knight Rises

   When someone asks me what is most important in a movie, there is only one answer I give. It is not the CGI or the action, the amount of laughs or the amount of tears, instead it is the story. A film can have no heart and soul without a captivating, intriguing, and well-written story. Take the Transformers franchise as an example: three films with great, explosive action and remarkable CGI… but no story that really makes it shine. This is why the Transformers films, along with countless others, will never reach the status of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.

   
   Nolan has given us an unforgettable story. A story about a man who is burdened with a responsibility that at times is terrible to bear. It is a story about a man who has put others above himself in a city that many said was beyond redeeming. And most of all it is a story of a man who is willing to be what his city needs him to be, whether it’s a hero whom is adored or a menace who is hunted. The story of Batman is unlike many others.

   
   And not only has Nolan given us one great story but three, in the form of three movies that remarkably keep outdoing their predecessors. In this epic conclusion to the Dark Knight’s story, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) has been sitting in his mansion for eight years after taking the blame for Harvey Dent’s crimes and murders. But a new threat has come to the city of Gotham who is the biggest threat to the city yet. Bane (Tom Hardy), a masked, muscle-bound mercenary who is out for blood will test the Batman’s strength and conscience like never before, and with the entire police force eager to put the Dark Knight behind bars, Wayne will not have the help that he usually does.

   
   My plot outline is shorter than usual in respect to the director, Christopher Nolan, who is one of the few directors that is still secretive about his films. He does not release an onslaught of movie clips and is careful to not reveal that many plot points. This adds such great suspense to every one of his movies and it is one of the reasons that Nolan’s films are some of my favorites.

   In “The Dark Knight Rises” you don’t know what’s going to happen next, and the twists and turns will keep you engaged throughout the film (which is pretty long).

   
   Something that has always made this Batman trilogy stand out is the A-List cast and the stellar performances. No one will ever forget the outstanding Health Ledger in his turn as the Joker who became the first actor to win an Oscar for a role in a comic book movie.

   
   Christian Bale has once again thrown himself into the role of Bruce Wayne. Bale has successfully played two characters in one, a millionaire playboy and an aggressive super-hero. I cannot imagine anyone surpassing Bale’s Wayne.

   
   And Tom Hardy’s Bane carries the film on his ripped shoulders for most of the film with his abundant screen time, and he is by far the most evil villain for Batman to face. He considers everyone expendable and yet, the film develops his character into someone that people can relate too and sympathize with…maybe.

  
  But it is Anne Hathaway who is the major scene-stealer as the delightful Selina Kyle. I was not looking forward to another Catwoman on the silver screen but Hathaway blew away my low expectations and was one of my favorite characters in this film.

   
   Action lovers be prepared. There is plenty of high octane action sequences in this nearly three hour movies and it all ends with a chill inducing showdown between the Gotham police and Bane’s mercenaries that will leave an impression with all the movie goers.

  
    But forget the action scenes and the outstanding performances, the heart of “The Dark Knight Rises” is, you guessed it, the story. For three films Nolan has created an incredible trilogy that in the end manages to come full circle with the first movie in a way that is truly genius. And the end…the end is spectacular. When someone asks me what my favorite film is, my usual answer is “The Dark Knight.” From now on, my answer will simply be “The Dark Knight Trilogy.” I give this film four stars out of four.

   
   “The Dark Knight rises has a running time of 164 minutes and is rated PG-1 3 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sensuality and language.

            

The Amazing Spider-Man

The perks of traveling abroad: eating delicious food, observing the different cultures, and sometimes getting to see movies before they are released in the U.S. Well, turns out that on my trip to Vienna I found that "The Amazing Spider-Man" had already been released...SCORE! So I strolled down to the nearest English cinema in anticipation of the latest blockbuster that Marvel Studios has to offer, and all my expectations were blown away. 

In this reboot of the famous super-hero, we are taken to the early years of Peter Parker who is watching his father and mother leave him forever. Why they are leaving and where they are going he does not know, and unfortunately a plane crash seems to lock those answers away forever. Flash forward to an older Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) who is now in high school. An average day for Peter consists of getting bullied by Flash Thompson and falling for his crush Gwen Stacy (Emma Stone), but he is still trying to unravel the mystery of his father. 

Soon enough, he discovers a briefcase in the basement of his Aunt and Uncle's home in which he finds documents that lead him to OSCORP, the company where his father previously worked alongside Dr. Curtis Connors (Rhys Ifans). Together the two men planned to create a compound that would "cure the world of weakness." For Dr. Connors, he would use this serum to regrow his arm which he lost years ago. But when Peter comes into contact with Dr. Connors and gives him the right formula, Dr. Connors takes it upon himself to perform human trials and...the side effects are quite monstrous. 

You know the rest: boy gets bitten by spider, is given amazing super powers, and has to save New York from a mad scientist that looks like a mini Godzilla. It sounds awesome, and it is awesome. 

In a time where movie reboots are quite common, "The Amazing Spider-Man" really sticks out. Similar to last year's "X-Men: First Class," this film manages to recreate a previously seen universe in an exciting new way, resulting in a final product that ends up being better than its predecessors. And there were several things that helped contribute to this. 

The big factor is the outstanding performances by the cast, especially Andrew Garfield. Some, including myself thought Garfield had some big shoes to fill after Toby Maguire's original trilogy. However, after seeing this new film, not only does Garfield step up to the plate with confidence, but he nails the role in a way that Maguire never did. Two things stood out in his acting. First, he brings the sarcastic wit of Spidey that was nowhere to be found in the original series. This film represents a more classic Spider-Man that people are used to if they read the comics. But more importantly, Garfield has emotion and he brings it out where the audience can feel it and connect with it. He pulls off some of the key, emotionally charged scenes in the movie will true talent. 

And the leading man is not the only one who makes this film shine. Emma Stone brings her usual charm and talent to the role of Gwen Stacy, showing that Mary Jane isn't the only girl that can steal the web-head's heart. And Rhys Ifans, even though I thought that the Lizard as a villain could never be taken seriously on screen, gives us a cunning, frightening, and evil antagonist that put my skepticism to rest. 

Another element that "The Amazing Spider-Man" boasts is some entertaining action and beautiful CGI. Action lovers will be pleased to know that there is plenty of punches, kicks, and webs shot out in this remake. In fact, the action in this movie puts the original trilogy to shame. Not only is the choreography brilliant, but the camera work (combined with CGI) creates such a fluent picture that is so crisp and clear, that every action scene was like a piece of art. A noteworthy effect was when the camera would sometimes switch to first person when Spider-Man was swinging or climbing around. It looks real and it looks really cool, especially when you first see the iconic costume. 

But Spider-Man is never just about the action. It is a story of romance, self-sacrifice, and most importantly, responsibility. The best super-hero films are the ones with heart, and "The Amazing Spider-Man" has plenty of it. It is the heart and soul of the film that made me want to tear up when Uncle Ben dies, it's the heart and soul that made me cheer for Spider-Man, and it's the heart and should that made me love this movie so much more than the previous installments. I give it three and a half stars out of four.

" The Amazing Spider-Man" has a running time of two hours and seventeen minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence.

Monsters University - Teaser Trailer (HD)