Review: Brave

Release Date: June 21, 2012
Rating: PG
Genre: Animation, comedy, family & kids
Directed by: Brenda Chapman, Mark Andrews
Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Emma Thompson, Billy Connolly
What I rate It: B

Review:
Brave tells the story of a young princess named Merida, who wishes to change her fate, rather than follow in the path that has been created for her and marry a prince. Brave is the first Pixar film ever with a female main character. Merida is a wonderful main character, and young girls would definitely be able to relate to her. She's a wonderful role-model. One thing I did like, is that Merida is very unlike her princess predecessors in movies. She is a very real teenager -- she's adventurous, talented, independent, but she's also very rebellious and sometimes irresponsible. Overall, she's just a layered and realistic character with faults and quirks, which is a very good thing, and I'm glad Disney Pixar decided to portray her like that.

All the characters are voiced well, especially Billy Connolly as Merida's dad. The plot is incredibly fast paced, seeing as the movie is only about 90 minutes long. It's able to hold your interest with all its different subplots all throughout the movie, as well. The visuals in this movie, are without a doubt, absolutely stunning. Maybe the best in a Pixar film to date, and that's saying something. You can tell they definitely paid attention to detail, especially with Merida's bright red hair. Although I was expecting the film to go in a different, more mature direction than it did, I really loved the main plot with Merida and her mother. It was very realistic and heartwarming. Lovely.

My only gripe would be that at first, it has a really great -- even mature and a little dark -- vibe to it. You think this whole 'changing fate' thing is going to be really great, but when she actually does go to a witch and change her fate, the result is very kiddish, and the movie quickly changes its tone entirely. It switches from a great, even mature Pixar film, to a kid movie. Although, with that said, I still loved this movie and though it was adorable, even though I expected something else. But there are scenes in this movie that would scare children under the age of ten. I myself, was a little shocked with some things they showed, and I'm surprised none of the little kids in the theatre I was in started crying.


In short: Overall, despite its flaws, Brave is one of the best Pixar films yet. With stunning visuals, great characters and surprising depth, Brave is able to hold your interest and is well worth a trip to the movies!

Review: The Amazing Spider-Man

Release Date: July 2, 2012

Rating: M (PG-13)

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Sci Fi & Fantasy.

Directed by: Marc Webb

Screenplay by: Steve Ditko, Stan Lee, James Vanderbilt.

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone, Rhys Ifans & Dennis Leary.
What I rate It: A-

Review:

When you think 'superhero movie', the first name that comes to your head definitely isn't Marc Webb, who is best known for (500) Days of Summer, a quirky romantic comedy. Surprisingly, Webb knocks this one out of the park. The Amazing Spider-Man is just like the name suggests - amazing, even surpassing Sam Raimi's Spider-Man movies. Unlike the original, this Spider-Man is more complex. Andrew Garfield brings such depth to this character, so much personality that you root for him throughout the entire film, despite the mistakes the character makes. Garfield is a fantastic actor and he is absolutely brilliant in this film. The Amazing Spider-Man is undoubtedly perfectly casted. Like Garfield, all the actors bring so much to their roles, especially Emma Stone as Gwen Stacey. Even when the script falls short of amazing, you barely notice.

The romance between Gwen and Peter is incredibly endearing and wonderfully awkward, and doesn't take away from the action whatsoever. Majority of the effects are top notch, with only a few exceptions concerning the lizard. Like many reviews have said, this movie does revisit some of the originals main plot points, but this should be expected, though it doesn't feel as if you're watching the same movie over again at all.

Summary: In short, the film is a must-see for Spider-Man fans and non-fans alike. I believe there is something in this movie for everyone. With a brilliant, talented cast; a great script and fantastic directing The Amazing Spider-Man is a well-paced masterpiece with a whole lot of depth. It will make you laugh, cry and you will definitely leave the theatre satisfied.

Review: Snow White and the Huntsman

Release date: June 21st, 2012

Rating: M (PG13)

Genre: Drama, Action & Adventure, Romance, Fantasy

Directed by: Rupert Sanders

Screenplay by: Evan Daugherty

Starring: Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth.

What I rate it: C+

Review: After Tarsem Singde's quirky Snow White film, Mirror Mirror, starring Lily Collins, Armie Hammer, Julia Roberts and Nathan Lane, British director Rupert Sanders decided to take a darker, deeper spin on the fairytale in Snow White and The Huntsman. The beginning of the film was incredibly slow, but beautiful nonetheless. It took about 20 minutes to get to the explain everything and get to the present day. The films visuals were breathtaking -- from the dark forest to the 'Sanctuary' as they call it, everything was extremely beautiful and well done. The CGI was great, also. The acting was uneven, which might have been the result of the confused script. You can tell Kristen Stewart's acting has improved n this film, but still fails to meet the standard of the rest of the cast. At times she shines, but at other times, she is still as awkward as ever and isn't really conveying the emotion needed in the scene. Chris Hemsworth is good as the Huntsman (we never get to know his real name, but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be Eric). Charlize Theron is the one who steals the show as Ravenna, the evil queen. Theron's perfomance is brilliant and chilling. She remains sinister throughout the entire film, but still brings a more human side to the queen, and makes you sympathize for her.

 

The film really picks up the pace in the second half, when the dwarves show up. Toby Jones, Ian Mcshane and Nick Frost are just some of the talented actors who play them.  They bring a much needed light humor to the dark film. The film essentially leads up to one final battle at the end, but it is all over too soon and is resolved way too quickly, in my opinion.

Summary: While it's beautiful to look at it, the movie is oddly paced and filled with uneven acting and script lacking subtlety. Snow White and the Huntsman is a film that a whole lot of potential, but lacked a lot of key ingredients.  Worth seeing it? Yes, for the visuals, as they are stunning. But it's better to wait for the DVD.