Month: June 2014

Movies

Film Review: How To Train Your Dragon 2

How To Train Your Dragon 2 isn’t just another animated movie. From the jump, it sets out to be bigger and bolder than its predecessor and achieves on every level. From the director and writer of the original film and “Lilo & Stitch,” Dean Deblois has crafted once again a film that knows no ages and requires only an imagination. HTTYD2 is an exhilarating ride that spans new territories physically and emotionally.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 takes place five years after the Viking village of Berk has made peace with the dragons, dragons now live amongst the villagers as working animals and companions, and even take part in racing sport. Hiccup goes on adventures with his dragon, Toothless, as they discover and map unexplored lands and territories. Having come of age, he is being pressed by his father, Stoick the Vast, to succeed him as chieftain, although Hiccup remains unsure if he is ready for this responsibility.

The Good
If ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ was a raging inferno of emotion, the sequel is more like a warm, cozy campfire and it totally works to its advantage. While the initial film introduces us to its world, this puts a magnifying glass on an already beautiful creation and lets us explore its inner workings and in it’s subplots, this story flourishes to an appealing experience: one of hardship, yet truth. Struggle, then light.

As much as it is billed for children, HTTYD2 is at its core also majorly geared towards adults. Suited for all and tailored to tug emotions this movie isn’t afraid to explore the darker areas of life. Death, betrayal and suspense are all present here and while at times it may feel you walked into the wrong movie, HTTYD2 makes good on where it’s bringing you. And thats the most impressive element to this film, it has a place it wants to bring you. It not once lingers in the space of uncertainty, but every element is carefully crafted to guide you in a masterful way.

From the wonderfully arranged music to the spectacular cinematography, HTTYD2 oozes genuine emotions and authentic motives. Not only does this film teach great life lessons of overcoming fears, but in light of some events that take place in the film, HTTYD2 also teaches a much larger lesson: growing in to who your are. Like most of us, Hiccup truly perceives he knows himself, he knows who is and why he isn’t like the others. What this movie pries out of us so well is that life is about growing, not thinking we’ve arrived. If Hiccup had a closed mind to what his future held he would have missed the true fulfillment of learning who he is. Watching HTTYD2 is no different. Keep your mind open to possibilities. It may just surprise you the depth that comes from this animated film.

The Bad
………..

The Verdict
How to Train Your Dragon 2 reiterates that honesty and sincerity still work, and even more-so, time and time again they defeat the odds. It also reminds us to be true to ourselves, and although there are fears and repercussions to achieve such great heights, this movie teaches that they are worth it every time.

Go see How to Train Your Dragon 2 not only to experience a great movie, but to feel a breeze of righteous storytelling with flavors of a personal journey of growth.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 – 9.5/10

MPAA RATING: PG for adventure action and some mild rude humor

Movies

Film Review: Edge of Tomorrow

When Tom Cruise shows up in a Sci-Fi atmosphere, you’d be wise to bet summer blockbuster movie season is upon us. Although Edge of Tomorrow stays faithful to the usual big budget Hollywood film checklist, it surprisingly brings along some welcomed twists and turns that make this film an entertaining, easily watched two hours. Loosely based on the novel by Hiroshi Sakurazaka titled “All you need is kill”, Director Doug Liman from”The Bourne Identity” fame delivers a summer blockbuster movie yes, but an intelligent one that keeps the audience at bay and is worth your time and attention.

Tom Cruise plays “Williams Cage” an officer that finds himself caught in a time loop in a war with an alien race. His skills increase as he faces the same brutal combat scenarios, and his union with a Special Forces warrior (Emily Blunt) gets him closer and closer to defeating the enemy.

The Good
Edge of Tomorrow opens with a Tom Cruise you haven’t seen too often. He’s a nervous, weak and an uncourageous soldier by his own admission. Cruise is better than he’s been in a while here, never overreaching and damping down his usual all-intensity, all-the-time skit. This angle really plays well for the film initially and dances in unison with Emily Blunt’s strong, near invincible super soldier portrayal of Rita. Strong supporting roles by Bill Paxton and Brendan Gleeson also come in handy doing some light lifting but well delivered scenes that really round out a strong acted movie.

It must be said that Edge of Tomorrow has a significant “Groundhog Dog” esqe feel. There’s something immensely fun about seeing a character replaying the same day over and over again. And just like Groundhog day, the main character not only relives the same day and actions, he learns and grows from them. This is one of Edge of Tomorrow’s biggest strength and surprises. Cruise has some touching moments that you may not expect, but there only made possible by his growth through repetitive experiences. It gives the film substance you don’t really see too often in a blockbuster tent pole.

The Bad
“World Building” is such a huge role for sic fi films, the who, what, where when and why’s are essential to completing a unique experience. Unfortunately Edge of Tomorrow really comes up short here. Although conceptually the film still holds up, it certainly left many questions unanswered. Maybe thats looking too deep for a summer blockbuster, but those classic sci-fi films of past work in length to make you feel engulfed in thier world. Edge of Tomorrow didn’t quite reach that level for me. Does it keep the film from being enjoyable? No, but still, I wanted a little more detail and backstory and unfortunately Edge of Tomorrow gave me a dear in the headlights look in that department.

The Verdict
All in all, its hard to fault Edge of Tomorrow, especially fit smack dab in the middle of the loaded summer of big films. The script is intelligently written and that alone is a commendable achievement. A story where spoon-feeding the audience isn’t a priority sat really well with me. This could’ve gotten monotonous really quick, but Edge of Tomorrow possesses enough variation and offers enough thrills to keep the audiences hooked and entertained. One of the more clever sci-fi actioners I’ve seen in awhile.

Groundhog Day reimagined with sci-fi twist? Count me in. Again and again.

Edge of Tomorrow – 7.5/10

MPAA rating: PG-13 (for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and brief suggestive material)