Movie Review: PUSS IN BOOTS

PUSS IN BOOTS

PG
2011


"That's a lot of heel for a guy, don't you think?"
-- Kitty Softpaws

Puss in Boots is a 2011 animated film directed by Chris Miller that serves as a spinoff for the titular character who gained fame in the Shrek franchise. The film begins with Puss (Antonio Banderas) learning of the existence of magic beans that will lead to an enchanted castle in the sky which houses a Golden Goose that lays golden eggs. Puss has spent his whole life looking for these beans, but after years of fruitless searching, he had given up the quest. Now, however, he is told that two ruffians named Jack (Billy Bob Thornton) and Jill (Amy Sedaris) are in possession of the beans. When Puss goes to steal them away, he runs into another cat attempting to do the same. After a brief scuffle, he learns that this cat is named Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek), and she is working with an egg named Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis), with whom Puss has a storied past. He reluctantly agrees to help them find Jack and Jill, and the trio sets out to find their fame and fortune.

The talk for a Puss in Boots spinoff film has been going pretty steadily since his first appearance in 2004's Shrek 2, so it was only a matter of time until Dreamworks actually took the time to make the film. By waiting until after finishing the Shrek franchise (supposedly), they had the opportunity to distance themselves from the Shrek character while still bringing the nostalgia of having one of that franchise's funnier characters grace the screen in his own light. I was a strong proponent of the idea of a spinoff for Puss, but when I first saw teaser trailers for the film, I started to wonder whether Dreamworks could pull it off. Having bled the Shrek franchise for all it was worth (the first two films both scored 89% approval ratings on Rottentomatoes.com, but the third and fourth scored 41% and 58%, respectively), I was just a tad bit concerned that they'd be able to renew that energy with this film.

Thankfully, Dreamworks was able to deliver a well-made film that's sure to satisfy audiences. To reference Rottentomatoes.com once again, their critical consensus for the film reads the following:

It isn't deep or groundbreaking, but what it lacks in profundity, Puss in Boots more than makes up for with an abundance of wit, visual sparkle, and effervescent charm.

I'd have to say those were my thoughts exactly. It wasn't bringing anything terribly new to the table, but it was intelligent enough to keep me interested throughout its entire run-time. One reason the Shrek franchise proved to be so successful was the fact that it catered to both children and adults, offering a wide range of humor types in order to keep all audiences involved with the story. Puss in Boots follows that same vein, bringing enough slapstick comedy to keep the kiddies occupied while the parents can lean back and enjoy the wit and clever wordplay.

The cast rounds out relatively nicely as well. Banderas brings the same A-game he brought to the character in his first three go-arounds, but it's the supporting cast that helps bring this film to a higher level than the last couple of Shrek flicks. Hayek and Galifianakis share a great rapport with Banderas throughout the film, and the inclusion of Thornton is a pleasant surprise. Oh, and for those of you paying very close attention, we actually get a small vocal performance from Guillermo del Toro. So keep those listening ears on high alert.

Overall, Puss in Boots is a fun film that's good for a chunk of laughs. It's not breaking any barriers or bringing anything terribly new, and at the end of the day, the story is still a tad predictable and easy to figure out. Still, the animation is top-notch and the laughs are plentiful, so just sit back, relax and enjoy this one. Don't try to out-think it; you'll find yourself hating it. Just enjoy it for what it is, and I'd bet you'll have yourself a good time.

Movie Review Summary
Grade: B
1.5 Thumbs Up

Movie Review: DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

DON'T BE AFRAID OF THE DARK

2011
R


"You know, they don't like bright lights."
-- Sally

Don't Be Afraid of the Dark is a 2011 horror film directed by Troy Nixey that serves as a remake of a 1973 TV-movie of the same name. When her mother sends Sally (Bailee Madison) to live with her father Alex (Guy Pearce) and his girlfriend Kim (Katie Holmes) at the Rhode Island mansion they're restoring, the tension is so thick that you could cut it with a knife. As Sally explores the mansion grounds one day, she stumbles upon a hidden basement of which her father had no knowledge. When they pry the basement open, Sally begins to hear voices calling her name from beneath a furnace. Curious, she begins to pry the steel gate open but is quickly stopped by the groundskeeper Mr. Harris (Jack Thompson), who is subsequently attacked by a group of goblin-like creatures. Terrified by the encounter, Sally begins to fear for her own safety inside the house. She starts to have her own encounters with the creatures, and they become increasingly more bold as time continues to pass. However, she cannot convince her father that the creatures exist, and she continually finds herself stuck in battles against them on her own. Soon, the creatures start to make their presence even more known, and ultimately, no one can deny their existence or their ultimate goal: to kidnap Sally.

I had mixed feelings going into this film. The main reason behind seeing the film in theaters was the hope that the audience reaction would be rather comical. I personally didn't think there'd be much in terms of quality cinema from Don't Be Afraid of the Dark, but I suppose you can't ever count out Guillermo del Toro completely, even if he's only producing a film. Unfortunately, I couldn't really get into this one at any point in the film.

I thought it started out relatively well with a sufficiently creepy opening sequence. The scene set the tone well, and from that point, we could have had a decent flick. Sadly, things spiraled from there, and a lot of it has to do with issues with screenplay and continuity. I can't quite get into specific instances - for starters, I'd rather not give anything away, but I also don't want to spend ages writing this post - but I can tell you that there were quite a few eye-rolling instances in terms of storyline and plot development. Quite a few horror clichés fell into place throughout the film, and there were even a couple laughable moments. Ultimately, however, there just wasn't any real explanation of any of the events in the film. As I walked out of the theater, I felt like I had more questions than answers, and that's never a good sign for a film.

The acting wasn't horrendous, but I wouldn't go out of my way to applaud the performers either. It felt a little like Pearce and Holmes were mailing in their performances, and if they actually read the script beforehand, I don't really blame them. They weren't going to have a ton with which to work, so I didn't really see any motivation for either of them to bring their A-game. I thought Madison was decent in the film's central role, and I've been quite the proponent of her acting ability since I first saw her 2009's Phoebe in Wonderland. I think she has a bright future ahead of her, but Don't Be Afraid of the Dark didn't necessarily give her the opportunity to showcase her talents.

However, the biggest problem with the film was easily the style of direction. Even though the film had the del Toro stamp, it didn't really feel like a del Toro film. Instead, it's Troy Nixey's first feature-length directorial effort, and you can see where the inexperience shines through. He doesn't really command the presence the camera gives, and with a film this dark, it should have had a very brooding quality about it. Instead, it all felt a little dull, and at moments, it was downright boring. I went to see the film with a friend who never leaves the theater for a bathroom break, but she was so off-put by the pace of the film that she managed to make it to the restroom and back without missing anything of importance. That's not a good sign for any film, but it's especially true for a film in the horror genre. If you're not throwing out cheap thrills, then you need to keep the viewer in constant suspense. Otherwise, you're going to lose your audience.

Ultimately, I can't begin to recommend you see this film. Definitely don't take the time to see it in theaters - wait to rent it if you're really dying to watch it. It's getting mixed review from critics right now, but this critic is definitely panning it just a tad. As much as I wish I could have loved it, it was just too confusing and too boring to be considered a quality film.

Movie Review Summary
Grade: D
1.5 Thumbs Down

DVD Challenge #18: THE ORPHANAGE

The Orphanage (El orfanato)
2007
R
Run-time: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Directed by: Juan Antonio Bayona
Starring: Belén Rueda, Fernando Cayo, Roger Príncep


Whenever I see Guillermo del Toro's name attached to a film, I have the immediate reaction that I should be expecting something, at the very least, above average. With directorial efforts like the Hellboy films and the brilliant Pan's Labyrinth, he's proven himself to be incredibly competent behind the camera. And although he takes his talents to the producer's chair for The Orphanage, you can still feel that del Toro "stamp" on the film, so to speak.

There are many ways to describe this film, but I think that the critical consensus offered on the online review aggregate Rottentomatoes.com offers the best concise breakdown: the film "is a breath of fresh air for critics and audiences alike, seamlessly blending in a poignant tale of loss with the scares and blood." In a day and age where remakes and reboots are the norm (especially in the horror camp), it's always nice to see something new and original hit the screens.

When it comes to horror films, I'm not really a fan of the "cheap thrills" - those moments meant to make you jump out of your seat. I feel like they really are cheap, giving you a sudden jolt that you won't remember two minutes later. No, the brand of horror I truly crave is the kind that can offer suspense that seeps into your subconscious. If a movie can get inside your head, I think it's all the more terrifying than a door slamming shut or a monster popping from behind a corner. And while The Orphanage does have a few "jump-out-of-your-seat" moments, it mostly delves into the suspense of the story to give its viewers their thrills and chills.

In order for a film to be successfully suspenseful, however, it needs to have an engaging storyline that allows the audience the opportunity to get lost in the story. With the horror and thriller genre, the only way to create legitimate terror through suspense is to hook the viewer from the opening scene and never let go of that hold. If a film can't do that, then it's lost its audience from the very start and is surely headed towards a drastic demise. It's for this very reason that we don't see all that many great horror films nowadays, but The Orphanage definitely teeters on the brink of greatness. We get a fantastic plot that's infused with a level of emotion not normally seen within this genre. It's this emotion that helps carry the film towards its rather beautiful conclusion, and it should be commended.

On the same hand, we're also getting a slew of great performances from the cast. Rueda is fantastic as our lead, and the young Príncep holds his own whenever he finds time on-screen. We also get a couple of rather good supporting performances, especially from the likes of Geraldine Chaplin who brings a legitimate cameo appearance to the film.

I'd also like to make a quick mention of the film's fantastic musical score, composed by Fernando Velázquez. It perfectly sets the mood for the film and holds the tone throughout. It's a beautifully written score, and here's a little snippet for your listening pleasure:

At the end of the day, however, it's the story and the emotion that truly carry The Orphanage to success. While I'm not quite ready to call the film "great," I do have to say that it's a very good movie that offers a different type of horror experience. If you're tired of cheap thrills and want a "breath of fresh air," then give The Orphanage a go. Be forewarned if you're not a fan of subtitles, however.


Previous DVD Challenge: SHAUN OF THE DEAD (2004)

Movie Review: HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

2008
PG-13


You can watch the trailer here

To be brutally honest, the only reason I even contemplated watching Hellboy II: The Golden Army was because I once had an obsession and desire to watch every movie ever nominated for an Academy Award (Hellboy II was nominated for Best Achievement in Makeup at the 2009 ceremony). However, I have a rule not to watch a sequel or remake without watching the original film, so I watched the first Hellboy film a few months ago. After thoroughly enjoying it, I figured I might as well give the second one, which was also helmed by Guillermo Del Toro, a chance as well.

We open on a young Hellboy/Red hearing the story of the Golden Army from his adoptive father. Fast-forward to present day, where Hellboy/Red (Ron Perlman) and company are still hard at work keeping humanity safe from behind the scenes. Red desires the spotlight, however, and it starts to cause problems - mainly, the public doesn't particularly like him or his kind. When Prince Nuada (Luke Goss) makes his appearance, we learn that he wants to re-establish the Golden Army in order to destroy mankind. Red and company take chase in an attempt to stop him.

The screenplay essentially provides your standard action flick. There's some scenes of dialogue in between the action sequences that are meant to dispel any confusion, but it's not as though the plot is terribly confusing. I mean, it's about a demon-like creature who loves Cuban cigars and Tecate beer and helps save the world. There's nothing complex about that at all. However, we do get a few moments of comedy that caused some laugh-out-loud fun. Keep an eye out for a drunken Barry Manilow duet...

Since most of the cast remains the same as the previous film, there's not much to say about the acting as everyone essentially holds serve with their performances in the first installment. Goss is good as our villain, but he could have been fleshed out a little more in order to be a little more sinister. But it works just fine for this movie's purposes.

Essentially, it's big, mindless fun. There's some pretty good special effects, and it definitely has that undeniable Guillermo Del Toro stamp. If you are a fan of the first Hellboy film, then I don't see why there'd be any reason for you to pass up the sequel, even if it's just to kick back and smile for two hours.

Movie Review Summary:
Grade: B-
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