Grendel wrote on May 10^th, 2009 at 10:34am:



Caps lock??

Ok Ill concede it may have been an accident but I have no recollection of it....but you've never flamed so it was never neccessary..

X-Men Origins; Wolverine.

I liked the character Logan/Wolverine from the X-Men series. So did a lot of other people... When they decided to film his origins then, it came as no surprise. The movie trailers all looked good. But somehow when I walked out of the cinema after seeing Wolverine, I felt flat. There was no elation, no joy, no urge to rush back and see it again. There lies my disappointment. This was a well cast, well made, but in the end, a workman-like piece of film-making. It should have been much more.

There has been some criticism of the quality of the special effects in the movie, but I think they held up really well. There was only one scene where I think they fell down a bit. Won’t tell you where, it should be obvious when you see it.

The story itself is pretty pedestrian fare for a “super-hero” plot and a bit clichéd in areas. It’s basically the typical good-brother, bad-brother plot. Throw in a touch of military intervention, a drop of romance, tragedy, and a last minute plot twist, and there you have it.

Sometimes the motivations of some of the characters seem a bit incongruous and one scene in particular I just couldn’t fathom it at all. Why would someone interfere and then fight someone who was so obviously on his side. What were the writers thinking? Or were they? Maybe it comes down to bad editing… but I doubt it. Maybe the director had too many special effects and just needed to use some on yet another fight.

I’m sure this will all appeal to teenage boys though. Seems to me like this was the target audience.

One scene I enjoyed that some critics have panned is in a boxing ring. This involves more character interaction than special effects and works well. It even harks back to the first time we saw Wolverine in the X-Men movie. Just be careful not to call anyone Bub.

One scene that disappointed from an originality point of view was the “Martha and Jonathan Kent” scene. If Superman was dead he’d be rolling in his grave.

There were nice touches of humour throughout and you have to wonder what didn’t make it to the screen. The movie could perhaps have used a bit more in character development and time to other characters after all it runs under 2 hours.

Hugh Jackman does well as Wolverine, as you’d expect, but something is missing. Liev Schreiber is great as his brother Victor and I think most people will come away with stronger memories of him than the lead character. Unfortunately the interaction between the two and their fights, (and there are a few), tend to lack variety and become a bit monotonous.

Some characters are wasted and fans of the comics will be disappointed in what happens to some or how they are treated in the movie.

Well I’m off to find Hugh Jackman’s personal trainer. Got to be the reason he gets so many good-looking leading ladies.


If I had to rate it, I'd give it 6.5 out of 10.

Quote:


Great review Grendel. I haven't seen this movie yet - but will see it shortly.  It's amazing how these "chick flicks" get to you.  I used to hate them, but after being forced to watch dozens over the past few years - now find them very entertaining and clever. Actors like Drew Barrymore,  Scarlett Johansson and Kate Hudson are excellent and so professional, they really lighten up any movie.

I've never been a fan of Star Trek or X-Men which so many males seem to be - so I doubt whether I'll ever see these movies - they both sound a little childish to be quite honest.   

Id like to see this movie, but I think it would be a bit depressing for women..


How many women would be going home to partners wondering and looking for signs that their man is just "not that into them"..? Its natural and many would...

I dont think you can lump all men into the same category by saying if HE is doing X and Y then he is just not that into you..there may be perfectly good explanation that dont have anything to do with the sterotypes set down in this movie..

We have to see a "Shes just not that into you " coming soon  I hope so.

Thanks for the reviews Grendal. I am looking forward to the Star Trek movie and the Wolverine movie, or at least my wife is looking forward to the Wolverine movie. Never really a Wolverine fan myself or Xmen fan really.

I was extremely happy to see that there will be a Deadpool movie coming out in the future, Deadpool also being part of the WeaponX  program. Deadpool is known as the Merc with a mouth because he never shuts up. Very cool and very ninja, except for the silent part.

And while I know that they are often quite clever, when it comes to romance comedies "I'm just not that into them" and avoid them and romance dramas like the pox. Having said that, I should say that the last one I watched, "Love Actually" I enjoyed immensly.

Grendel wrote on May 16^th, 2009 at 5:04pm:


I will watch anything Tom hanks is in just because he is in it..he is a great actor..even my son likes him in any  role he plays and he is a kid.

I used to think Nicholson was the best but Tom is probably that little bit better.

Twilight.

I used to watch “Moonlight”… it was a TV show and I really enjoyed it. It involved a romance between a woman (the beautiful Sophia Myles from “Tristan and Isolde”) and a vampire, (Australian actor Alex O’Loughlin). It also touched on the associated complications of falling in love with a vampire and visa versa. Don’t you just hate it when they ‘can’ shows you really like.

The last vampire movie I saw was “Interview with a Vampire” and I enjoyed it even though it had Tom Cruise in the lead. I always picture Lestat taller. I have to admit I put off seeing Twilight at the movies till now, because in the end I thought it was just going to be a movie for love struck or starved, teenage girls. I also have to admit I haven’t read the book or the books by Stephenie Meyer. Which in this case, could be a good or bad thing. I’d really be interested in the thoughts of anyone who has read the book/s.

In Twilight, we have a modern day romance starring new comers Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen (vampire).

(Isa)Bella has recently relocated from Phoenix, Arizona, to live with her father, (the local sheriff) in the small town of Forks, (a somewhat dark and dank small town),as her mother travels with her stepfather, across the states to Florida. She feels like an outsider at first at her new school, but soon finds friends and an undeniable attraction to Edward. Perhaps his initial reaction to her, peaks her curiosity and challenges her ego to… shall we say, overcome his reticence.

The interest and attraction only intensifies when Edward uses his “non-human” speed and strength to save her life. Soon she can not stay away from Edward and only finds his mysteriousness fueling this new obsession of hers. Edward is obviously drawn to her but is struggling with his attraction to her and what he sees as his need to keep a distance. Once Bella reveals to Edward that she knows he is a vampire and she is not afraid, he gives into his feelings and decides not to push her away anymore. And so the romantic… and not so romantic… complications begin. Will Edward’s family accept her. Will she be safe. Safe from Edward. From other vampires.

As far as the leads go, the casting of Kristen Stewart as Bella was brilliant, she's perfect, not only in telegraphing Bella's nervous, deep infatuation, but, in carrying the movie on her shoulders. She's a real star; when teenage boys begrudgingly take their dates to the movie they’ll be walking away as in love with Bella, as their girlfriends are with Edward.

Some special effects are a little bit wobbly, but the characters interplay more than makes up for any shortcomings. For anyone who has been in love I’m sure you will relate. For those who enjoy the movie, there’s all those sequels to look forward to. I will certainly go see the next one without hesitation.

If I had to rate it I'd give it 6.5 out of 10.