(film review) - Transformers: Dark of the Moon

I'm actually still amped after watching the final instalment of The Transformers films. I am soo amped that, I woke up the following morning making the sound from the cartoon series when it used to go from one scene to another. Der da derr da deeeerrr di. I think the only thing that keeps Transformers alive is, well, ummm, the die hard fans of the cartoons, the wanting to know who will be in the films, who would change into what and how much of a badass Megatron will be this time around. I'll explain.

The acting is wooden. Or not to be THAT harsh, the "main lady's" acting is wooden. Always!!! The storyline isn't always terrible (as I've come across some TERRIBLE Storylines) but they are passable. However and probably from being a fan, so this might be a slightly bias review, but seeing transformers change from vehicle to robot and vice-versa is soo incredibly sexy! So with that said, add some great special effects, something sinister in the plot (no matter how predictable) and a little comedy and Transformers just doesn't fail to leave you thinking, "I liked that". You kind of put aside the weak acting from the "leading girl" and the storyline because the brilliant fighting scenes and the jokes in between captivate you more.

In this third and final instalment, Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) is looking for work and having a really tough time, in turn, taking it out on his girlfriend, Carly Spencer (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley). Not only is his parents doubting his credibility and ability to keep a gorgeous woman and to also get a job, he is really trying to fit in, be a normal person and just, matter. Have a normal life, despite saving humanity from extinction by the evil Decepticons, twice.

Things start going mental when Sam gets stalked and harassed by a crazy employee, attacked by a Decepticon, Lazerbeak and then learns of the Decepticons plan to retrieve an ancient artifact located somewhere on the dark side of the moon since the 1960's.

Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen) and his gang, Ironhide, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Sideswipe and a few others do whatever they can to stop the bad guys from winning the war that once was on Cybertron, now on earth.

The film is a little longer than normal and at times, felt that the film was actually much longer, but chunks of scenes made shorter or cut right out of the final product. There is a scene on the motoway/highway/freeway which involve Sam and Bumblebee that was amazing to watch. Also a lot of slow-motion bits to emphasize great detail in the characters and the action. There are plenty of great fighting scenes as well, which accompanied with the comedic remarks, comments and gestures, makes this a must see.

In 3D, hmmm....a little necessary, but whatever, you will like the film.

(film review) - Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides

And JUST when you thought there wasn't going to be another 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film, Jack Sparrow comes back unpredictably, swashbuckling in a drunken disorderly mess, speaking in a riddling bag of nonsense that makes you think, 'Is he not going to sober up and actually start walking half normal/civil?' But it is very clear that the character Jack Sparrow, played exceptionally well by Johnny Depp, is a very different Pirate to follow and understand.

On Stranger Tides is basically a tale of a king, pirates and more pirates, searching for a "mythological" place called 'The Fountain of Youth' hinted at the end of the third film. All having their own reasons as to why they embark on this journey to seek the fountain, you would have thought it was for extended life, but for some, it is a grudge to settle.

Captain Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) once captain of the Black Pearl, now a privateer in service to the British Navy after having lost Jack's ship, the Black Pearl, as well as his leg wants to settle an old score, whilst ruthless Blackbeard (Ian McShane), who possesses supernatural powers and practices voodoo magic wants the Fountain's power to circumvent his predestined fatal encounter with a one-legged man.
King George II (Richard Griffiths) wants Jack to guide an expedition to the Fountain of Youth before the Spanish locate it. However, things go wrong when Angelica (Penélope Cruz), Jack's former lover is caught by Jack for impersonating him and then after a escape, a sword fight and a spot of swimming, Jack wakes up aboard Blackbeards ship, Queen Anne's Revenge where he is then forced to lead Blackbeard to the Fountain.

This is no easy quest as there are a few things you need first before you can prolong your life. 1. is two silver chalices once belonging to Juan Ponce de León. 2. Water from the 'Fountain of Youth'. And last but not least, 3. A Mermaid's Tear. And to capture Ariel, the Little Mermaid is a task in itself.

This film is out NOW and should you be a fan of Johnny Depp, Ian McShane or a fan of the movies, you will like this. There is enough drunken antics from Jack Sparrow to keep you entertained and enough smart lines here and there to also make you chuckle.

Go and watch.

(film review) - X-Men: First Class

Does anyone know the story of the X-Men? Like, the REAL story? The originating story? And NO, NO and NO once again, I do NOT and repeat, DO NOT mean 2000's Film of the X-Men which somehow had Wolverine as a main character. I mean that garbage was watchable and at times, corny and yes, at the time it came out, 11 years ago, was actually 'the hotness', but now? And compared to First Class? Do me a favour, tell me that, THAT film is better than First Class and you can, DO ONE!!! I'm not saying that this film is excellent and such a masterful piece of work that the X-Men debut in 2000 doesn't come close at all, but...I'm going to be really honest...ummm, it actually doesn't. I'll explain.

Whether or not this film follows closely to the roots of the Real Story of the first ever X-Men is somewhat irrelevant. I watched the fabulous cartoon, back in the day. Die Hard fans will be fuming. Some will may even demand their money back. But then in saying that, they knew who the characters were before they went to see it so they could only just chill and except that the film was a brilliant watch from start to finish. Whether this is to do with a better director, better screen play or possibly 10 years of enhanced special effects, this film comes out on top out of ALL the X-Men movies. And along with my opinion, stands side by side Wolverine: Origins. No Matter how you feel about Wade Wilson.

Anyway. My knowledge of the first ever X-Men may not be the same as everyone else's, but I know that, Beast, Cyclops, Angel, Jean Grey & Iceman ARE the First class. So, what is this? Well to be fair, this film isn't really about the 'X-Men' you see on screen. I mean, really? Think about it. Yes it's called First Class but to call it 'Charles and Erik' is not a very good idea. So with that said, this film is about, Charles and Erik. Two friends who can't see eye to eye for their own 'political' or 'non-political' reasons.

The film starts off with small Erik Lensherr being separated from his parents at the Nazi German concentration camp and expressing his anguish and pain, Erik is seen bending metal with his mind by scientist Dr. Schmidt. Elsewhere Charles Xavier, a telepath, meets homeless Raven a shape-shifter and after being soo delighted he found someone like him, he invited her to stay with him and his family. Things really start getting heated when Dr. Schmidt does something soo unspeakable that leads to a crushed office room and two killed guards and then a very hell bent older Erik (Magneto)(Michael Fassbender) on a personal vendetta to track down and find Dr. Schmidt. At some point, he crosses paths with Charles and then after a struggle they eventually become friends while they both teach each other about their powers and the responsibilities as "evolved" humans.

Without going into too much detail because, it isn't really necessary, all you need to know is, the First Class kids get slapped up. They learn how to harness and use their powers to their advantage. Magneto becomes the "bad Guy" he is known to be in the Marvel Universe.

You need to watch this if you are or aren't a X-Men fan.