Displaying Review 1 - 5 of 7 in total

• A bad egg hatched — for Eragon
  Written by AgnusWood on 15.08.2010

  The author, Christopher Paolini, was practically a teenager when he published the first volume, and his main influences are Star Wars, Dune and The Lord of the Rings, which is so evident in Eragon, and therefore not necessarily good.

  Despite its apparent author has talent early on Eragon reality, the way it was presented in this film version, can be many things, less resourceful. Your main hero, a peasant boy who suddenly has to deal with a dragon to save the oppressed in their world is a sympathetic figure, but that does not show anything unique or exceptional features of interest. The villain (John Malkovich) has an extremely limited number of scenes and it seems that neither exists. His army is simply a copy of Tolkien's orcs worsened. The mythology of the world is very shallow and in no time their people and their beliefs are presented with minimal depth. Even the elves and dwarves mentioned at one point or turn their faces.

  With such superficiality, it is difficult to find positives. The cast seems lost, because the film visibly jump entire sections of the journey of Eragon and the goals of the characters are not always clear. Blame the adaptation probably, but it is a serious mistake. I just could not get any sympathy by the dragon and Eragon, although the film has been struggling to make them a strong team, with the use of humor (in good taste, but unfortunately without much grace). The dragon, indeed, is quite arrogant with the character of Jeremy Irons (half moved on the scene, but without creating at least constraints), which is never well justified by history.

  There are several other problems with the script. The movie is too short for many events, yet the little that we are shown has great qualities. The final battle, for example, was not well prepared or presented. When we realize, she is about to happen and the viewer is not knowing exactly why in detail. Why, then, should we care? Who exactly is that people inside the cave but a bunch of refugees? His story is not presented in a decent, only superficially mentioned, almost robotic, like a boring obligation that the script has to fulfill, without any real emotion. These examples extend to other characters, Arya, Eragon's cousin, etc.. That never become interesting.

  Like any movie that has strong support as a point of special effects, the technical aspect should be reviewed. The main special effect - the dragon - is fairly well produced, although at no point is entirely convincing. The great final battle, on the other hand, even a huge mess in visual terms, it has some beautiful moments, specifically when it involves a battle between dragons on high. The flying scenes are always beautiful, especially the locations chosen are full of green and mountains. There is the impression that the world is enormous, but at least it is varied enough to not be as dull and uninteresting as the journey of Eragon. Overall, then, can say that beyond the technical aspects, and much, artistic aspects, which is definitely not a good trait.

  The movie was not exactly a box office success, then still the question is whether the second volume (the movie ends suddenly) will be brought to cinemas or not. I honestly do not lack, unless it is much better handled. The cast here is young and could not show real talent, for all events began on a hit. Regardless of whether a copy or homage to Tolkien, mythology presented here is unsatisfactory and will not bring any benefits to those who watch the movie. Not even quality entertainment, as the movie version of Eragon is simply dull, bureaucratic direction and absolutely banal dialogue. Unfortunately, although this is not news, it is quite unnecessary!

• Indiana Strikes Back! — for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
  Written by AgnusWood on 28.08.2010

  After nearly two decades apparently retired, the world's most famous archaeologist returns in good shape for the big screen. The "Crystal Skull" might not be a classic, but maintains the same carascterísticas the series and a bit more of action than has already been seen in other films.

  After escaping from a small Russian battalion and an atomic explosion (Oh my God!), Jones finds himself pressured by the U.S. military not to go on his expeditions arqueológcas being fired by the university where he taught. At this time, finds the young Mutt, tough and smart young man, who tells him The story of the disappearance of an old friend of Jones, Prof. Oxley, while he sought the kingdom of El Dorado. The crystal skull that appears later and talk more dea threatens to spoil the story.

  The important thing to know is that this is the "Indiana" most ambitious and Luke Spielbeg: Mess with sticks conspratórias legends (like Area 51) and has as main focus of the roadmap, extraterrestrial civilizations! The biggest asset of the adventure is to gather as many cliches and become a history worthy of the archaeologist. And also to break the taboo that all sequences are made in the last couple of times waste: a new adventure of Dr. Jones maintains the level of the series, although some things have been lost.

  The only really significant flaw in this movie was the loss of a certain "magic" that you saw in "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "Last Crusade." It is difficult to express what was best in that loss, but if I could characterize it as something concrete, would use the example of the unforgettable friend of Jones, Sallah. The absence of this character does not destroy the plot, but leaves a bitter taste in the mouth, but being a charismatic character in the series. In this film lacks a certain innocence, where the archaeologist often awkward now looks like a determined man, unable to commit the slightest slip. Although not as blatant as in "The Temple of Doom" Indiana is more like a hero who is an archaeologist again. But again, this change was subtle.

  The best feature of the series that has been faithfully portrayed in this room were long ... Lies! Now we all know that Indiana Jones could be anything, but without a sequence clearly untrue it's not Indiana Jones! And this time the "dynamic duo" Lucas / Spielberg picked up heavy: Indiana escapes on a rocket base 51 of military testing, survives a nuclear blast hiding in a refrigerator (!!!), have a jeep plunged into a ravine but this falls into a tree, which leans slightly and puts the Jeep into the waters of a river and finally to fall three times in a huge waterfall!

  The performances were very convincing, but the whole merit lies with Cate Blanchett as the dreaded Russian agent Irina Spalko. No doubt she is the villain more mark the series, unlike other films where the villains almost always get through "erased". Another performance that deserves mention is the promising young Shia LaBeouf as Mutt fearless. They say that Spielberg has become a sort of mentor to the boy, and that is depositing all the chips in future professional goals. Oh, and finally, Harrison Ford brought a performance as good as the other films in the series, although I must repeat that he acted more like a "superhero" than as an archaeologist itself.

  It is exciting to see a character gone for 18 years back in such great style. Anyway, it's a movie worthy of the series and a continuation excepecional since any result today is much lower than the original films (Star Wars say so!). So maybe we have an Indiana Jones 5 or 6? I hope so!!

• The essence of Indiana. — for Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
  Written by AgnusWood on 03.09.2010

  From the original trilogy, it is said that this is the movie by Steven Spielberg and George Lucas, and if so, is not without reason. After a somber "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" where the protagonist was more of a role of a hero than an archaeologist, it seems that Lucas and Spielberg again found inspiration to make what can be considered the true sequel to "Raiders of the Ark Lost, "it repeats its main elements: Indy contestants are Nazis, the object of pursuit is a religious artifact and the characters reappear Sallah (John Rhys-Davies) and Dr. Marcus Brody (Elliott Denholm).

  In this third episode there is some news. Besides the presence of the father of Indy, we learn that his mother died of a disease and most unusual, we know his real name, Henry Jones Junior, and that 'Indian' was the name of a family dog. (In fact, 'Indiana' was a pet dog of George Lucas).

  "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" has a start reminiscent of the first film, with a kind of short film which depicts a young Indiana trying to prevent the theft of the cross of Coronado. After much running (which includes scenes in a busy train), Indy manages to stay with the object, but soon faces the disappointment of the police in doing so give the cross to thieves. At the end of this scene, his father comes back without giving too much importance to his discovery, preferring to stay focused on job entries at your table. Hence, a cut very well done Indy appears as an adult, a new confrontation by the cross in a storm that befalls the ship and this time, finally, achieving the object, then return to his post as professor of archeology.

  Still recalling the first movie, the screenplay by Jeffrey Boam argument based on George Lucas and Menno Meyjes based on characters created by George Lucas and Philip Kaufman shows Indy in class, while, at the end of the class is sought by businessman Walter Donovan (Julian Glover) to seek the Holy Grail, the chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper. Then he discovers that his father was captured by Nazis in the search for the Holy Grail, and Walter invites you to take the research design that was led by his father.

  Donovan has to Indy the first clue that leads him to Venice where he also guards the secret of the Holy Grail, trying to prevent you from moving forward in the search. When Indy finally rescues his father from the Nazis opened the search for two by the cup, adventure that will go through several interesting places and involve them in many situations and dangerous people (the scene where Indy comes face to face with none other than Adolf Hitler is hilarious).

  The appearance of Indiana's father, Henry Jones (Sean Connery) has just expanding the universe of the protagonist. The chemistry between Ford and Connery as father and son is perfect rendering excellent comedy routines. Another good balcony was the introduction of the movie where we are introduced to Indiana Jones in the skin of juvenile jurisdiction River Phoenix. This mini home movie showing how he won the whip, the hat and the fear of snakes.

  "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade is fun, busy and has a great technical part. The direction agile and inspired Steven Spielberg to help mount Michael Kahn to give rhythm to the film's 127 minutes. Moreover, the photograph of Douglas Slocombe and the impressive art direction by Fred Hole, Stephen Scott, Peter Howitt, Elliot Scott makes the film a feast for the eyes. The action scenes and the final in a temple carved into the rock complete this great movie that marked the end of the 80s.

• A different Indiana. — for Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
  Written by AgnusWood on 10.09.2010

  "The Temple of Doom" Indiana Jones shows a very different: it takes a somber look and turns its protagonist into a small super-hero! That was not even remotely, a change for the better.

  Without doubt, this is the movie more "shifted" series. Already we see the differences in initial claims, instead of the famous credits "shy", we are presented with an explosion of colors and a triumphal dance show! The story actually takes place before the events of "Raiders of the Lost Ark". The traditional filminho original has been maintained, which this time consists of a fun mess in a bar in the city of Shanghai. But plot which we are accustomed has changed radically. For example, the University does not appear that Jones teaches nor its unforgettable friends Sallah and Marcus, and this time, Indiana does not fight against the Nazis, but against the dark sorcerer. That is, a full story "to" in the style taken by the other films.

  Following this line of reasoning, the script was very little original: after fleeing to Shanghai, the famous archaeologist will stop at an Indian village. Upon discovering that a sacred stone was stolen from the village and all local children have been abducted, Indiana accepted the job "of finding the person responsible for such misfortunes" (forgive me this cliche). They begin the first (and largest) sin movie: the plot loses the adventurous spirit and discoverer of Indy. The locations are summed up, basically, to an obscure "kingdom" in the middle of the Indian jungle. That's it. Indiana Jones does not venture or traverses different countries in search of legendary treasure! No: everything happens in that limited scenario.

  The script also just taking a risky premise: Satanic rituals. Despite having built a good story around this theme, the movie earned a very somber mood, with very detailed scenes of macabre rituals involving and even child slavery! So many viewers, particularly fans of the series (in which category I include myself) end up not liking the plot. But others, including fans, they can simply enjoy this "new Indian" and make good use of the rest of the movie. That is, accept or reject the theme "The Temple of Doom" is the taste of each.

  Harrison Ford is still very well in the role of Indy. Unfortunately, also the fault of the screenplay, Indiana lost the human aspect that was being portrayed as more a superhero than as an archaeologist. Ford reincarnate a character in a more imposing, more determined and ultimately more heroic. This is NOT Indiana Jones: the Indy we all know and love can be bold and adventurous, but also makes mistakes and has fears and regrets as every human being. The good thing is that some rescue scenes that feature: the amazing string of cars on the rails underground, Jones disrupts all deviations, taking the car that is even more dangerous paths. And a scene that captures the hilarious side of the character is that he faced two imposing swordsmen. Trying to repeat "the fight faster in history" (performed by him in "Raiders of the Lost Ark"), he searches for his gun, full of confidence, until he realized that he had lost. And yes, there are disgusting creatures, such as cockroaches and beetles will be the terror of adventurers. Neither meal in the palace, the trio will be free of them, complete with frozen brains of monkeys, snakes and beetles.

  An actor who deserves attention is the little Jonathan Ke Quan, the skin of Short Round, faithful companion of adventures of Jones since they met. Agonized his way almost hyperactive, and his filial relationship with the archaeologist make it the most charismatic character in the movie. The film's villain, the sorcerer Mola Ram, was supposed to be one of the most striking of the series. He had a peculiar grandeur, knowing face the image of Jones, unlike the villains of other films, which were always somewhat "erased" (Irina Spalko, the "Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" is the only exception to this rule ). Unfortunately, he did not get that done for fault, once again, the screenplay: he appeared very sharp on the plot and did not receive the importance it deserved, becoming a character devalued almost neutral! Already the character Willie Scott brings nothing positive to the film, but adds nothing negative. In the first moments of the film it is very irritating, even to being unwanted. But as the story progresses, she will "mature" and ends the film satisfactorily.

  So far the conclusion about the movie is quite negative. Thankfully, despite the many mistakes made, the film manages to almost the last minute, to redeem himself and redeem the "Indian way of being." This happens more or less in the last forty minutes of story: the story back to gain agility and Indy finally manages to make the viewer vibrate with emotion. The best scenes of the film can tell, are exactly in this part: the fight between Jones and a brute under a rock crusher, the sequence of cars already mentioned, the flooding of the cave and so on. Obviously, these final minutes can not repair all the damage done during the rest of the movie, but at least succeed in making "The Temple of Doom" worthy of Indiana Jones.

  "The Temple" because it lost the "spirit" of the series, can be described as the weakest of Indiana Jones. But even with all its faults, is a very entertaining movie with action scenes that come to exceed those of other films. Anyway, like or hate this Indiana depends on the viewer.

• The beginning of a myth. — for Raiders of the Lost Ark
  Written by AgnusWood on 21.09.2010

  In addition to signing as Indy's most famous archaeologist in the world, simply redefined the genre of adventure, crowned himself as one of the greatest films of all time.

  The screenplay is one of the strongest points of the film: it follows a simple premise, but it presents a complex world of fantastic discoveries and historical legends. In the plot, Indiana Jones is ordered by the U.S. government to find the legendary Ark of the Covenant Bible mysterious object that symbolized the union of Yahweh with the Jewish people. But Indy is also forced to fight against the Nazis, who are also after the artifact. This whole fight is due to a legend that says anyone who could hold the ark gain unlimited power. And following this reasoning is that the script creates the world of Indiana Jones, the famous archaeologist crosses several continents, is in contact with different cultures, and explore legends have always intrigued mankind. It is an irresistible world that in its simplicity, can hold the viewer into the narrative with maximum efficiency.

  But the biggest asset of the script was giving the movie (and series) its own personality. The plot gained characteristic features (the "play" with the logo of Paramount, the original short film, the Nazis as Indy's enemies ...) and got, finally, a peculiar essence. The film overflows with adventure and suspense, and the viewer has the sensation of being inside the plot. And above all, "Raiders" is charismatic: Who does not sympathize for their roles can watch or indifferent, the scene where Indy escapes from the giant rock?

  And of course the performances helped make "Raiders of the Lost Ark" a classic. The highlight is, of course, with Harrison Ford in the role of Indy. Summarize its performance in a few words is difficult: it simply was the perfect choice for the archaeologist! Ford could give Indiana a strong and determined personality but at the same time, the character has fears (especially snakes), fears and also makes mistakes. Anyway, Indy is a human being like all of us! This is the strongest point of the character (although violated in "The Temple of Doom") the viewer can identify with the protagonist, which does not occur with other heroes of so many other movies (which are, shall we say, "perfect "too).

  Also deserves special mention John Rhys-Davies as Sallah unforgettable. Embodying the best friend of Indy, John gave the character a joyful spirit, good-natured, and above all, loyal. It is captivating the incredible loyalty that Sallah is with Indiana, even if it leads to dangerous moments. Moreover, Sallah is astute and influential, and has saved many confusions in the Indy film (the persecution and suffering that Indy fights are memorable in Cairo). And finally, I should mention Karen Allen, who plays the romantic couple with Indy in the skin of Marion. She is undoubtedly the best "partner" of the archaeologist in the entire series, so much so that Spielberg met (and married) the two in "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." She has a personality as adventurous (and perhaps more fearless) as Indy's own, scoring a strong presence in the plot.

  Of course, Indy, like any good adventurer, has enemies. In general, he fights against the Nazis (the plot takes place in full WW2), which seek the legendary power of the ark. Indeed, the villains themselves "are Dr. Rene Belloq (French archaeologist searches for Nazi ally), Major tohtis (mysterious soldier who seek to eliminate Indy at all costs) and Colonel Dietrich (who runs the operations Nazis in general) . To summarize my opinion on the three characters, I can say that everyone was very nice, but not as sharp as they should be. This is a negative aspect of the film: the villains are not as impressive or frightening, and often are overshadowed by the image of Indy and his companions. Although fundamental to the script, they do not stand out, not very intimidating. However, this is not something that "ruins the movie." Conversely, for many viewers this detail will be almost imperceptible.

  Another aspect (again) positive for the film is the incredible fact that the situations are portrayed. For example, when Indy falls into the cave where the Ark is kept, he finds himself surrounded by thousands of snakes. Right now, we feel all the fear of the character because we know that everything is real. The snakes are not products or computerized robotic dolls. Are even snakes! All this makes the performances more convincing and rises, thus the emotion of each scene in the movie.

  Although the movie is packed with classic images (the so famous "stone" or the hilarious "fight fastest in history," for example), the climax of the whole plot concentrated near the end where the Ark is opened by the Nazis. Obviously I will not comment on anything that scene, which would ruin all his grace. Just say it was one of the most beautifully shot sequences in the entire career of Spielberg or Lucas. Moreover, this scene marks another "unique feature" of the series: the movies always invoke the old saying "careful what you wish for because you might end up getting." And the plot finally reveals a little surprise in his conclusion (which, of course, also will not reveal). It is a scene that inspires mystery, and is a bit bleak. Despite this final somewhat "gothic" to contrast somewhat with the charm and charisma of the film, was a good conclusion to the story.

  Finally, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" is a milestone in cinema. Despite a few small flaws in the script (how to explain the fact that Indy has traveled thousands of miles of ocean on top of a German submarine without any unforeseen?), The first archaeologist's adventure is captivating and his genius is almost indisputable. It is an exceptional beginning for one of the best series ever seen, making an immortal character Indiana Jones movie.