Month: July 2016
Warcraft: The Begining Review
“The world famous MMORPG comes to the big screen with a tale of 2 warirng tribes and both’s attempt to safeguard their own people. Is this THE long awaited ‘good’ video game movie we have yet to bare witness to?…”
Shalom and <insert some fantastical world greeting here> my fellow moviegoers MMORPGamers. I am Matt Gives You His Review, going against my comfort zones of knowledge on this one as I give my (belated) review of the hotly anticipated video game movie of the most renowned MMORPG; ‘Warcraft: The Beginning’. Is this the movie video game that is actually good & puts the other video game movies to shame, or is this another in a growing list of duds in this genre of movies? Well choose your character and prepare to be immersed by the fantasy world around as we sign on to find out,,,
“On the homeworld of the orcs, a portal is opened by the powerful orc warlock Gul’dan (Daniel Wu) allowing a warband of orcs to go through in order to capture prisoners to bring the rest of the orc horde through. Such an orc is the chieftain of the Frostwolf Clan Durotan (Toby Kibbell), who begins to have doubts about their leader and the future of their kind. Elsewhere on the same world a brave commander of the alliance of men, Anduin Lothar (Travis Fimmel), is made aware of the orcs existence and with the help of the young mage apprentice Khadgar (Ben Schnetzer) and the reclusive guardian of the world Medivh (Ben Foster) the trio must find a way to stop this new threat terrorizing their world. A chance to find peace presents itself in the form an alliance between the Frostwolf Clan of orcs and the alliance of men, one that would stop Gul’dan’s evil plans for the world and save thousands on both sides. Will an alliance between men and orcs be established? What has Gul’dan have planned not only for the world but the horde as well? Will there ever be peace in this time of war and violence?…”
So like what’s been mentioned a few times already on here, the movie genre based on video games has not been a greatly profitable nor liked one. I can’t recall a single video game movie that has been any good, personally or consensually. So naturally there is that apprehension going into this movie with that knowledge of video game movies being quite terrible, not that a movie should be judged solely on the genre that it is and rather the movie itself individually. After seeing the movie myself however I am left still unconvinced that we have a good video game movie here and it’s not from a lack of trying by all those involved in the movie. Going in I knew absolutely nothing about Warcraft or WoW as it is called (my only knowledge maybe being of some of the different races in the game but that’s more to do with the genre, fantasy, than anything else) and was hoping the movie would immerse me & guide me through the world, its lore, history, races, characters etc, which would thusly because of that make me more interested in the franchise/universe itself (much like how movies such as Star Wars or Lord Of The Rings did with their movies). I sadly however left the movie with more questions than answers and was because of this left confused as to what I was watching on screen (they reference a lot of events prior which I guess you’re just supposed to know going in? and they just showoff these people, their creatures and expect you to know what all these things are?). I do feel going in for it to be wise as to know a little about the WoW universe beforehand and that if you are a fan of the series you will like this movie a lot more than the average Joe who comes across this movie. This isn’t the only flaws with this movie however.
The movie itself feels really condensed and edited which upon discussing this movie with fans of the WoW series they do confirm they do leave out a lot or merely gloss over certain things, which makes the movie feel jumbled plot wise with scenes coming off as pointless in the long run. Pacing the movie is quite the mess too and never flowing smoothly (they start hitting the story right away expecting you to follow along to then go in and out different paces throughout the movie. It’s very inconsistent). On that note and driving on with what I was talking about before the movie just throws around names and characters expecting you know them and become invested in, but sadly this never happens (there’s a scene where a main character’s son is killed which is supposed to be your big emotional moment, but I was left wondering “who is this guy, why does he matter, have I seen him before somewhere?”). The movie spends its time focusing on the noble orc chieftain Durotan played by Toby Kebbell but his character doesn’t really do anything throughout the movie and his character’s arc from start to finish is much to be desired (he really does come off as time wasted, a pointless character which is fast becoming a trend from what I’m noticing). The CGI is obvious as always here (though hardly ‘THE’ thing to get worked up about here), the movie despite not as coherently telling it’s story feels too long than what it should and the movie’s ending is just not satisfying in any shape or form.
So all that said this movie probably has nothing going for it you might think? Not completely true as there are some things I did find enjoyable or liked in the movie. Travis Fimmel’s Sir Anduin Lothar was by far the standout performance in the movie and was an easily likeable character. Ben Foster’s Medivh was an interesting role as well and I did enjoy anything to do with any type of magic in this movie (it was visually pleasing to watch every time it is used). While as stated it is blatantly obvious, visually the CGI is wonderful and they do make the world feel massive and epic. The designs on all the different races & creatures feels unique and doesn’t look like anything rehashed or copied from a different fantasy series (a thing that often happens between other movies of this genre). The action was decent as was the music and while I by no means would claim this movie great or grand by any means, I am still curious to see this series play out see where it goes to from here (here’s hoping next time around it is done better if they are given the chance to do more movies).
So long short of it, the movie is a disappointment and a box office one for the film studios that invested in this movie. I don’t know if this movie will get it’s planned for sequels after its rather lacklustre stint in cinemas but I guess we will see. But I have to rate this movie and I am not going to sugar-coat it, the movie for me from me is worth only a just shy off halfway 5.5 outta 10. For others I am sure will rate this movie higher and I’m not saying I would avoid this movie if I was to see it being played somewhere, I just don’t think it was anything people we’re hoping it to be. But I digress folks, what are your thoughts on this fantasy epic? Is there enough here for tis to be an enjoyable flick for you or are you with everyone else and think this movie is just not going to change the consensus of video game movies? Well be sure to let your thoughts on the matter be heard by any means necessary. This has been Matt, it has taken me far too long to get this one out but I thank you for your patience and hope you do stay tuned for more reviews soon…
The Legend Of Tarzan Review
“Its back to the jungle swinging as a now civilised Tarzan has to not only save the woman but the entire Congo as well. Well, judging by that 6 pack he sure has enough muscles to do it … not jealous, jus saying …”
Shalom and greetings fellow moviegoers. Me be Matt Gives You His Review (half hairy man & half avid reviewer) here today to give my review, whether I have to shout it from the treetops if I have to, of the latest jungle adventure from our favourite vine swinging hero in the loincloth: ‘The Legend Of Tarzan’. Is this an adventure well worth the exploits of the half man, half ape hero or is this a movie that had been better lost deep in the farthest part of the wild? Well let out your best animal call and strip to your underdaks as we swing in to find out,,,
“It is an uncertain time for the people and lands of the Congo as both the United Kingdom and Belgium seek to divide the country up in efforts to acquire the country’s vast supply of rich mineral deposits. An American envoy, George Washington Williams (Samuel L. Jackson), seeks the aide of the former ‘Man Of The Jungle’, now a Lord in London, Tarzan/Lord Greystoke (Alexander Skarsgård) due to the rising suspicion of the Belgians enslaving the Congolese populace. Returning to the jungle with his wife Jane (Margot Robbie) the trio attempt to discover what is going on in the Congo, only for Jane to be taken prisoner by the Belgians envoy, and his hired mercenaries, named Léon Rom (Christopher Waltz) who does so in an effort to lure Tarzan to tribal leader and sworn enemy Chief Mbonga (Djimon Hounsou) in exchange for rare diamonds which would help Belgium’s crippling bankruptcy. With George Williams helping him out and the animals of the wild as his allies its up to Tarzan to save his wife and expose the Belgians schemes for the Congo. Can Tarzan save his wife from the clutches & schemes of Léon Rom? Can the trio expose the Belgians plans for the Congo and its people? Is Tarzan even able to be Tarzan anymore?…”
So this movie sorta spurred out of nowhere really for me (it wasn’t like I was following the production for this or knew of its existence prior to a trailer) but it was one movie I was actually looking forward to see come out. So actually seeing the movie finally I left impressed. Not as blown away as I was hoping but nevertheless greatly admiring the finished project. Things I was most impressed was in fact Tarzan himself, or rather the guy playing him Alexander Skarsgård. While his accent at times gets a lil wobbly in parts I felt Alec was still damn decent in the role and yes, I like any man who saw this movie was damn envious of those abs & muscles he was sporting (but im not jealous. I’M NOT OK!!!). Margot Robbie was a welcome interpretation of Tarzan’s wife Jane and Christopher Waltz was more than passable as the moustache twirling villain in the movie. The biggest surprise and most liked addition I had for the movie was Samuel L. Muthaf***ing Jackson as essentially Tarzan’s sidekick in the movie. He had a lot of funny lines/deliveries in the movie and I still remain greatly impressed by just the work ethic and hustle this guy has after so many years & movies (for a guy nearly on the verge of 70 he sure ain’t slowing down anytime soon judging by all these movies his been doing lately huh. RESPECT!), Not to mention that the cinematography at times was breathtaking (the Congo looks massive, beautiful, mysterious and dangerous all at once) and the flashback sequences shedding a different take on Tarzan’s origin than what some people may be used to or yet know.
The movie is by no means without it’s faults though. The pacing at times is sluggish in areas and those very same flashbacks (which are cut in at different points in the movie which can be very jarring or out of place for audiences) also come off as a more promising movie we do not get to see which can be seen as a disappointment. The story for that matter is nothing special and rather lacklustre in consideration, though watchable enough at least In my view to keep ones attention throughout at least. There’s not much else really I can recall that I didn’t like about the movie aside from those few mentioned things, though personally for me there’s just this feeling about it I can’t quite define that just doesn’t scream ‘watch again asap!!!’ or ‘found awesome’. It sort of just happened I guess, but out of the lineup so far this year it’s probably just another what is fast becoming ‘The Year Of Disappointments’. But please don’t feel deterred by that last bit there, the movie is still damn visual pleasing to watch and Tarzan’s abs (or Margot Robbie’s infectious glow about her, take your pick) should keep your attention start to finish.
Was a tough one to recall and review (I am sad to say but as I write this it has nearly been a month since ive gotten this review out. I feel really slack and off my game for some reason, but am I hoping the lacklustre effort is on the turnaround now) but I still think the movie is solid. There have been worse movies, there have been better movies, which is why I think I’ll just give the movie the most average score off the top of my head with that being an 8 outta 10. So fellow vine swingers or adventurers, what are your thoughts on this lil adventure flick? One well worth the trek through the jungle or a story you’d much rather see devoured by the scary animals in the darkest part of the wild? Feel free to beat your jungle drums to let me know either way (just don’t wake your neighbours up doing it), or better yet comment below in the conveniently provided comment section. This has been Matt, thanking you for your patience on this one, bidding you so long and fareW-E-E-E-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-L-!-!-!…
Independence Day 2: Resurgence Review
“20 years ago we fought and won our lives, freedom & independence from invading aliens galaxies away. Now they’re back for the rematch and this time around they’re taking no prisoners. Well … at least we’ve got the use of their advanced technology, can do attitude & Mr Cool himself, Will Smith, to help save the day and win Earth for us right?… right?! …”
Greetings Earthlings and moviegoers alike. This is Matt Gives You His Review, blasting off where no critic has gone, or dared, before to save the planet with my review of the sequel to the B movie popcorn cult movie of 1996 (‘Independence Day’); ‘Independence Day 2: Resurgence’. Is this another blockbuster smash destined for many home viewing sessions or a CGI riddled flop that you swear only aliens themselves would make? Well get your best movie one liner ready and prepare global destruction out of this world as we find out,,,
“It has been 20 years after the events of the first movie (‘Independence Day’, duh!) and the world in this time of peace has united together, incorporating the use of the aliens left behind technology and forming a global defense program called ESD (Earth Space Defense). However doom fast approaches as the defeated aliens from the last time had sent a distress signal to their home world where a giant mothership is on its way to drill through to the Earth’s core, thusly destroying the Earth and all life as we know it on it. With time running out fast the people of Earth discover that the aliens are controlled by a queen and that if they destroy the queen the rest of the invading aliens will depart leaderless. Will the people of Earth prevail once again in stopping this alien invasion? What do the aliens want from our planet and what will they do when they find it? Is Will Smith REALLY not alive in this blockbuster sequel??? (Sorry, still dwelling on it) ,,,”
Ok, so a very brief plot summary there with myself trying and not to blurt out what happens completely and etc etc. If I had spent the time naming the majority of characters in the movie (and who plays them) we would still be here and I wouldn’t have even mentioned the aliens by this point yet (where perhaps we start to maybe see one of the problems of the movie?). ‘Independence Day 2’ is a popcorn B movie flick, much like its predecessor so one has to keep it in mind. Looking back years later and even one has to admit that the first movie was not a perfect or flawless, heck there’s probably more things wrong with it then good, but there is no denying that it is a ton of fun to watch and put on every once and a while (hence why it is in a sense a cult classic). This movie is very much like that one with its fair share of problems, some even repeated or amplified from the first movie, but overall still being a lot of fun or at least fun enough to have an enjoyable experience. Your more professional critic is going to have a field day ripping this movie apart (in that they already have if you have looked this movie up online) and they definitely do bring up some valid criticisms. The characters are cardboard cutout tropes weve seen a hundred times in other and better movies, the movie can tend to drag in its pacing, not to mention the initial alien invasion scene is so quick it only goes for about 10 mins tops. The movie can feel lacking emotional impact (I mean you should be rooting for the good guys to stop the aliens from winning yet you really … don’t) and the fact now the ships the humans use now fighting the aliens look so similar now to the alien ships you are often left wondering “Wait, which ships am I supposed to be rooting for again? They all look the same in this CGI destruction fest”. And then there’s the lack of return from a certain ‘fresh prince from Bel Air’, Mr Will Smith. Now this is more of a pet peeve on my part and I get the guy had prior filming commitments with the yet to be released ‘Suicide Squad’ movie (which still looks really good btw, but that’s way off topic here so ahem) but at least if they were going to kill/write him out of the sequel could they have at least made it more of a cooler death or an onscreen one at least. I don’t know, but to me his character’s death was more amateurishly handled than what the rest movie is like.
However, that all said and what not I still like this movie and had, like I said, great fun with the movie when I saw it. A lot of that was because I never took any of it seriously nor was I hoping for much before going which I think is the attitude people need to adopt going into the movie to have a good time with it. Obviously I enjoyed all the spaceship dog fights, the alien invasion scenes, just really anything to do with them in general as I did seeing the returning cast like Bill Pullman (LONE STAR!!! Hehe jokes, no the former President from the first movie), Brent Spiner (Dr Brakish Okun) and yes even Jeff Goldblum (returning as computer whiz David Levinson, though we REALLY could of done with less screentime from his character’s father played by Judd Hirsch. Oi Vey he was annoying here). I found the initial setup idea cool that in 20 years we made peace as a world and incorporated the alien technology in to our everyday lives and I like the improved technology here with the CGI (obvious looking sure but on par with anything else on the big screen nowadays. They coulda done a better job with the aliens though or maybe consider the animatronic puppets or something again). Despite how bland and cardboard cutout some of these new characters are some were interesting enough and likeable such as Liam Hemsworth’s character (US pilot Jake Morrison) & Jesse Usher’s character (Will Smith’s character’s son Dylan Dubrow-Hiller) and the comradery these two have was ok by me. There was even this African warlord who was pre cool played by Deobia Oparei and he has a coupla humorous moments with Nicholas Wright’s character in the movie. The movie is cheesy in a fun B movie way and I for one am all for the prospect of more sequels out of this franchise if it promises more fun like these movies have already given (yea, they sorta not subtly say they are planning on making a sequel at the end of the movie, jus a heads up in case that feels you with dread lolz).
So yes, I know probably I should be blasting this movie like most of the other movie critics have done so far and maybe me saying I had fun watching this movie is misleading you to watch a potentially s***house movie. All I can say is reiterate my philosophy when it comes to movies and it all comes back to one question; did I have fun watching the movie? I have seen worse movies this year alone, some were movies I was looking forward to and dying to see which ended up hurting more than any bad movie could, so yes I did enjoy this particular movie. So much so that I have not a second thought in giving this movie an 8 outta 10. Agree, disagree, what did you think of ‘Independence Day 2: Resurgence’? Cheesy & action packed enough to be fun or too bland & slow pacing to even be worth the watch through? Well whatever the opinion be sure to let me know anywhere/way you can below. This is Matt, thanks so much for considering this review and do come back for the next review, whenever that’ll be, soon. Now if you don’t mind, im jus making sure all them alien chappies took off back to thei- AHA! I see a few of them. There! You see?!…
… YEAH! THATS RIGHT, YOU BETTER RUN. (pansy ass freaks)
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