Movie Reviews 101

Director: Gary Fleder

Writer: Sylvester Stallone (Screenplay) Chuck Logan (Novel)

Starring: Jason Statham, James Franco, Izabela Vidovic, Kate Bosworth, Marcus Hester, Clancy Brown, Winona Ryder, Omar Benson Miller, Rachelle Lefevre, Frank Grillo

 

Plot: When a bust goes wrong for DEA agent Phil Broker (Statham), he decides to move to a quieter lifestyle. Along with is daughter Maddy (Vidovic), But when a school bully pushes her too far, she fights back Phil gets called in to answer questions. Furious parents Cassie Bodine (Bosworth) and Jimmy Klum (Hester) approach him about the action and get the same treatment.

 

Looking for more of their own justice Cassie gets in contact with her brother Morgan ‘Gator’ Bodine (Franco) the local meth drug lord. When Morgan learns about Broker’s past, what starts as a simple set of mind games turns into a deadly battle to survive after Morgan sees a chance to make his business grow he reaches out to people from Broker’s past. Deadly Cyrus Hanks (Grillo) kidnaps Maddy, Phil uses all his skills to get her back and make the people pay for what they have done.

 

Verdict: No nonsenses action

 

Story: When you hear the outline of this story you will feel like you know what to expect in the end. One of the strong points for the story is that it lets it all brew up before finally unleashing it all at once. This could be a negative for some stories but for this one it works because of Broker character that is only about self-defence. The whole thing starts from something so very petty but the escalation takes it from a small feud and turns in to a war. In the end this is a simple story that gives action fans enough to enjoy. (8/10)

 

Actor Reviews

 

Jason Statham: Phil the DEA agent who wants a quiet simple life with his daughter. When his old life gets caught up on him he has to bring back his old ways to save his family. Good performance from Jason doing what he does best. (8/10)

 

James Franco: Morgan the small time meth drug lord wanting to make it big and once he finds a way he loses control of the situation. Good performance from Franco who steps into the crazy role ambitious role with ease. (8/10)

Izabela Vidovic: Maddy the daughter of Phil who has self-defence skills that lead her into trouble. Good performance from the young actress. (7/10)

 

Director Review: Gary Fleder – Good direction showing how to make a very good action thriller with a happy ending. (8/10)

 

Action: Plenty of action be it fights, gun battles or chases. (9/10)

Crime: Good elements of crime using a former DEA agent as lead. (8/10)

Thriller: Good thriller as it builds up nicely before unleashing it all. (9/10)

Settings: Good settings that offer a remote idea but don’t truly change the films overall feel. (8/10)
Special Effects: (/10)

Suggestion: This is one for the action junkies it will fill all the marks for them, but the casual non action fan will not enjoy this too much. (Action Junkies Watch)

 

Best Part: Most of Statham’s fights.

Worst Part: It all ends up being over reaction that starts it all.

Action Scene Of The Film: The attack on the Broker’s house.

Believability: People will go to measure to protect their family. (3/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: Yes it could.

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Awards: None

Oscar Chances: No

Box Office: $43,058,898

Budget: $22million

Runtime: 1 Hour 50 Minutes

Tagline: How far would you go to protect your home?

Trivia: originally developed screenplay for Rambo film series.

 

Overall: Good Old School Action

Rating 

Director: Tony Scott

Writer: Quentin Tarantino (Screenplay)

Starring: Christian Slater, Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hooper, Val Kilmer, Gary Oldman, Brad Pitt, Christopher Walken, Bronson Pinchot, Samuel L Jackson, Michael Rapaport

Plot: When Clarence (Slater) marries a hooker Alabama (Arquette) he steals cocaine from her pimp Drexl (Oldman) and tries to sell it in Hollywood, while the owners henchmen Vincenzo (Walken) start looking for the coke trying to reclaim it.

 

Verdict: Crime Thriller Romance

Story: With the name Tarantino on a film you know the dialogue will be unique as well as having plenty of twist, small characters that are influential for the story. We get what looks like a whirlwind romance that takes a dramatic twist into a crime story and a crime story with plenty of twists and turns. This is some of Tarantino’s early written work and you can see how he has now evolved into the man he is now. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Christian Slater – Clarence a comic book sales man who is obsessed with Elvis before meeting Alabama who will change his life forever. Christian career has gone the wrong way in recent years well the decade and this shows how good he can be. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Patricia Arquette – Alabama the fresh to the business hooker who falls in love with her third client. Good performance and you can see the love between the two. (8/10)

Actor Review: Dennis Hooper – Clifford Clarence’s father and former cop who has had problems but Clarence has always stayed by. Dennis as a good guy, wow something we don’t see much, he does well and ends up in one of the most memorable scenes in the film. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Gary Oldman – Drexl, Alabama’s pimp who happens to think he is black and has a very short temper. Good performance that you will remember but only a small role. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Christopher Walken – Vincenzo ruthless henchmen looking for the stolen drugs. Is only in one scene but it is the one scene everyone remembers. (8/10)

Director Review: Tony Scott – Good direction to turn the Tarantino story into a instant classic. (9/10)

 

Crime: With rookie drug dealer trying to keep one step ahead of the cops, gangsters and hit men. (9/10)

Thriller: Keeps you guessing and wondering who will turn up in the next scene. (9/10)

Believability: (0/10)

Chances of Tears: (0/10)

Settings: Each setting is chosen well to add from the bleak looking Detroit to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood. (8/10)

 

Suggestion: I will suggest watching this, but it is really just one for the adults. It’s story could appeal to both sexes as the romance works well the crime side of the film. (Watch)

 

Best Part: Walken, Hooper show why they are legends

Action Scene Of The Film: Final drug deal

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No

 

Overall: Tarantino’s early writing skills on display

Rating 

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Writer: Scott Milam (Screenplay) Charles Kaufman, Warren Leight (Original Screenplay)

Starring: Rebecca De Mornay, Jaime King, Patrick Flueger, Warren Kole, Deborah Ann Woll, Briana Evigan, Shawn Ashmore, Frank Grillo

 

Plot: When a family of criminals Ike (Flueger), Addley (Kole) Johnny (Matt O’Leary) of the run return home they find out it has new owners. They call the head of the family Mother (De Mornay) to help solve the problem. The new owners Beth Sohapi (King) & Daniel (Grillo) are hosting a party leading to the situation where the family has a group of hostage while they discover where the hidden money is. Beth has to help Ike get more money leaving the rest to battle to survive the ruthless family.

 

Verdict: A good modern horror remake, yes I did just say that

Story: Where do you start we have a great story here, we have the one on one hostage, group hostage and caring doctor trying to turn a miss guided person, all with the backdrop of an impending hurricane. The story work very well in the horror genre and builds great tension throughout with all the secrets coming out along the way. Add the good twist at the end you have a very underrated horror film here. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Rebecca De Mornay – As the all demanding Mother who has taught the family all they have ever known but only her beliefs. Rebecca is brilliant in this role her character needs to be in control and through the whole film she is due to the dominating performance. Star Performance Award, Scene Stealer Award (9/10)

Actor Review: Jaime King – Innocent wife who has to spend most of the film with crazed Ike collecting money from around town. Jaime does a good job here controlling the situation as best she can, puts up a good fight and creates a new victim role that could lead onto something bigger against the Mother. (8/10)

Actor Review: Patrick Flueger – Ike has to stay calm to make sure he gets the money for the family but his rage boils over during different scenarios. Patrick creates a very good character the older wiser brother of the family who can control the other brothers. Good work in the supporting villain role. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Shawn Ashmore – The calm doctor who helps the injured family member and tries to turn the younger sister by explaining how other things happen in life. An important character here because throughout the film we get teases that she might turn on the family. Good performance from Shawn here proving giving him a chance to do more than ice things is possible. (9/10)

 

Director Review: Darren Lynn Bousman – From Saw 2, 3, 4 and Repo! The genetic Opera I knew this guy had a ability to tell a great story and this only tells this more creating so many different scenarios and bring them all to one conclusion done to perfect. (9/10)

 

Horror: Getting trapped and some very horrific scenes with most of the bloodiest scenes of camera just leaving the aftermath. (8/10)

Thriller: Builds up in nearly every scene which always delivers a twist or outcome. (9/10)

Special Effects: Some good make up effects after violent scene. (8/10)

Believability: The hostage situation has happened in the past and all the friends with dark secrets are real, the dominant mother as well a very real scenario created. (9/10)

Chances of Tears: None (0/10)

Settings: The setting is created with the trapped hostage situation adds to the suspense along with the idea they don’t know how things are going with Beth doing everything to help rescue them. (9/10)

Oscar Chances: None

Chances of Sequel: It gets left open for a sequel, but failed to make any money for some reason. So looks unlikely.

Suggestion: A horror film that really seemed to go under the radar here. I have to suggest this to all the horror fans out there it really has a mix of everything you would want in a thrilling horror with plenty of human touches on human nature. (Watch)

 

Best Part: Twist ending makes it even better.

 

Overall: A brilliant horror film

 

Rating 90%

Director: John Lee Hancock

Writer: Kelly Marcel, Sue Smith (Screenplay)

Starring: Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks, Colin Farrell, Ruth Wilson, Paul Giamatti, Bradley Whitford, B.J. Novak, Jason Schwartzman

 

Plot: When Walt Disney’s (Hanks) daughters begged him to make a movie of their favourite book, P.L. Travers’ (Thompson) Mary Poppins, he made them a promise, one that he didn’t realize would take twenty years to keep. In this quest to obtain the rights, Walt comes up against a curmudgeonly, uncompromising writer who has absolutely no intention of letting her beloved magical nanny get mauled by the Hollywood machine. But as the book stops selling and money grows short, Travers reluctantly agrees to go to Los Angeles to hear Disney’s plans for the adaptation. For those two short weeks in 1961, Walt Disney pulls out all the stops. Armed with imaginative storyboards and chirpy songs from the talented Sherman Brothers Robert and Richard (Novak and Schwartzman), Walt launches an all-out onslaught on P.L. Travers, but the prickly author doesn’t budge. He soon begins to watch helplessly as Travers becomes increasingly immovable and the rights begin to move further away from his grasp. It is only when he reaches into his own childhood that Walt discovers the truth about the ghosts that haunt her, and together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.

 

Verdict: A delightful story behind a classic

Story: With Mary Poppins being a classic learning the back story to the author’s motivation for the tale and determination to have it done her way rather than Disney’s way. The conflict to make it personal to her works well and using the flashbacks to ultimately reach the point where we see where Mary came from and what was learnt from the characters in the film. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Emma Thompson – P.L Travers the stubborn author who wants her book done her way, with no exceptions, confrontational but hiding something that no one has got close enough to understand. Brilliant from Thompson, who clearly is the star of the show. (10/10)

 

Actor Review: Tom Hanks – Walt Disney trying to keep his promise to his daughters to make Mary Poppins who pulls out all the stock to make it happen. Good from Hanks who shows great charm towards Travers character. (8/10)

Actor Review: Colin Farrell – Travers Goff the father in the backstory to create the whole story. Great from Colin, who shines as the loving father with personal demons. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Paul Giamatti – Ralph the personal driver who builds a friendship with Mrs Travers who keeps a positive outlook on life even when it has tested him. Great supporting role performance from Giamatti. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Bradley Whitford – Don DaGradi the screenwriter that Mrs Travers has to work with and has constant conflict with ideas. Bradley does well in the role showing great supporting qualities. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: B.J. Novak – Robert one brother in the music composer who has to come up with the music to go with the words. Good supporting role who gets some good laughs. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Jason Schwartzman – Richard the other half of the brothers who compose the music. Good supporting role who gets the laughs too. (8/10)

Director Review: John Lee Hancock – Beautifully directed mixing together the past and present scenes to come to the final outcome. (8/10)

 

Comedy: Gentle comedy throughout. (7/10)

Drama: Great drama to show how the characters are affected. (9/10)

Believability: Based on the untold true story. (8/10)

Chances of Tears: Maybe a few for some. (3/10)

Settings: Great recreation of the two different time periods with Disney in the 60s and an Australian outback for the childhood scenes. (9/10)

 

Suggestion: I would suggest watching this as it will fulfil all the needs from film fans. (Watch)

 

Best Part: My favourite part is Ralph and Mrs Travers getting to know each other by building a castle out of leaves and sticks, very touching moment.

Funniest Scene: Mrs Travers first arrives in the hotel.

Oscar Chances: Nominated for 1 Oscar

Chances of Sequel: No

Tagline: Behind the beloved book is a story beyond words.

 

Overall: Brilliant Story That Shows Disney’s Magic

Rating 

Director: Andrew Niccol

Writer: Andrew Niccol (Screenplay) Stephenie Meyer (Novel)

Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger, Max Irons, William Hurt, Chandler Canterbury

 

Plot: When an unseen enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories, Melanie (Ronan) gets captured she gets infected with a Wanderer but Melanie fights for control over the new host who is desperate to take over her memories and find the last pockets of human resistance. We follow Melanie’s whirlwind romance with Jared (Irons) while she protects her kid brother Jamie (Canterbury).

 

Verdict: Twilight meets Battlefield Earth and as bad as it sounds

Story: These teeny romance films in a supernatural or futuristic world are really getting old. They make up the idea that a teenage girl’s love is stronger than anybody else’s. The idea on paper could work but the dreadful romance angles ruin any chance this film really has. (2/10)

 

Actor Review: Saoirse Ronan – Melanie who gets infected with a host called Wanda and spends most of the film talking to herself through the two personalities in her head. Poor performance and choice to be in such a poor idea of a film. (2/10)

 

Actor Review: Diane Kruger – Seeker who is trying to find the last pocket of humans creates Wanda but loses her and spends the film hunting her down. Diane is a much better actress than she shows her but it’s not her fault the character is written so poorly. (2/10)

Actor Review: Max Irons – Jared one of the unrealistic love interests of Melanie who is only on the screen to make all the teenage girls interested in this unrealistic love idea. His looks got him the role as his acting is terrible. (1/10)

 

Actor Review: William Hurt – Jeb uncle to Melanie who takes in Wanda and tries to build a safe place for humans. William Hurt has Oscars to his name but I guess they paid well for this as his acting is the only good performance for a poorly written character in the film. (4/10)

 

Actor Review: Chandler Canterbury – Jamie Melanie’s little brother who is the first to believe Melanie is still in there. Small role that saves his from full criticism. (5/10)

 

Director Review: Andrew Niccol – With a strong history in directing this is a new low for him. (4/10)

 

Romance: Unrealistic love triangle. (3/10)

Sci-Fi: Invaders with technology but we only seem to follow the humans. (2/10)

Special Effects: Some good special effects but not enough that was needed. (2/10)

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: The human resistance area is good but the rest comes off poorly. (5/10)

 

Suggestion: Don’t bother wasting time with this film. (Avoid)

 

Best Part: The credits

Worst Part: The film

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Similar Too: Twilight

 

Overall: Terrible

Rating 

Director: Gil Kenan

Writer: Caroline Thompson (Screenplay) Jeanne Duprau (The City Of Ember Novel)

Starring: Harry Treadaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Murray, Toby Jones, Saoirse Ronan, Martin Landau

 

Plot: When mankind is about to come to an end a group of scientist decide to create and populate a city deep underground. The city of Ember is to last for 200 years after which its inhabitants are to retrieve from a strong box instruction to return to the surface. Over time however, the message is lost and life in Ember is rapidly deteriorating. Their power supply is failing and food is being rationed. It’s left to two young adults Lina (Ronan) and Doon (Treadaway) to unearth the secret of Ember and to lead the way out.

 

Verdict: Adventure fantasy for kids, that adult might like

Story: One younger audience books adaptation that went slightly under the radar as it is about a much darker world. The sense of adventure goes through both of them but the overall city seems to be at a level of exception to what is going on. In the end it all comes off as a very enjoyable film with a nice simple to follow story. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Saoirse Ronan – Lina the young messenger who has to look after her little sister Poppy she uncovers a disturbing truth about Ember. Good early performance from Saoirse showing that she was a lead in the making. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Harry Treadaway – Doon a young man who wants to help fix the problems in Ember, but he also uncovers a disturbing truth about the city’s future. Good performance from the young man who should be getting a chance to show his more adult side soon. (8/10)

Actor Review: Tim Robbins – Loris Doon’s mysterious father who has a habit of inventing things. Good supporting role from Robbins who enters in a more information zone level character. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Bill Murray – Mayor Cole the leader of the city but he is looking for a quick getaway before the city collapses completely. Good performance that Bill looks like he has some fun with. (7/10)

 

Director Review: Gil Kenan – Good live action debut behind the camera following up the Monster House previously. (8/10)

 

Adventure: Good sense of adventure for the two young heroes. (8/10)

Family: Good film for the family with plenty of adventure aspects to keep everyone interested. (7/10)

Fantasy: Good fantasy word created to add more to the story. (7/10)

Special Effects: Generally good special effects with the larger animal creations but the final scene come off a little dated. (7/10)

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: Great underground world created and with it all falling apart really adds to the story. (9/10)

 

Suggestion: This is one to try with the family, it has everything for everyone so give it a go. (Try It)

 

Best Part: The giant mole is good

Worst Part: It doesn’t follow the book to well.

Action Scene Of The Film: Giant mole chase.

Kill Of The Film: Mayor

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: Due to poor Box Office it is unlikely

Tagline: Escape is the Only Option

 

Overall: Enjoy The Adventure

Rating 

Main Cast: Josh Holloway, Meghan Ory, John Billingsley, P.J. Byrne, Michael Rady, Marg Helgenberger

Big Name Guest Stars: Tomas Arana, Lance Reddick, Faye Kingslee, Zuleikha Robinson, Peter Coyote, Will Yun Lee, Alan Ruck

 

Plot: Welcome to Cyber Command where the first man given a microchip in his head Gabriel Vaughn (Holloway) has connection to every computer system in the world. Cyber Command in ran by Lillian Strand (Helgenberger) while the science in looked after by father son team Cassidy’s Dr Shenendoah (Billingsley) and Nelson (Byrne). Gabriel has a bodyguard Riley (Ory) who is handpicked by the President from their secret service unit. Riley ends up being more of a partner in the end help Gabriel and the team solve crimes from all over the world.

 

Season Highlights: It is fair to say not much happens to create a true underlining storyline. We have a few bits that carry over and that revolves around political secrets with each organisation keeping things close to home. We have a rogue agent with a chip in her head Mei Chen who works for money who gets involved with the teams business throughout the seasons. Most of the first season was building the loyalty between the team hopefully leading to big and better stories.

 

Verdict: Smart Simple Action Show

 

Season Story: Even though I felt that the show starts slow with its desperate attempt to create a long term storyline for Gabriel only to throw it out the door after three episodes. Once you get pasted them we have a series of enjoyable episodes that just build the teams characters to lead to more later in the show. (7/10)

 

Main Cast Reviews

 

Josh Holloway: Gabriel the solider with the chip in his brain, brilliant trained in combat, Gabriel is a man that saves the day week in week out. Josh does very well with the role and shows he can be the lead in a show. (9/10)

 

Meghan Ory: Riley the secret service agent reassigned to Cyber Command to work with Gabriel. Meghan does a good job in the role in an investigation style team. (8/10)

John Billingsley: Dr Shenendoah the creator of the chip who also keeps the chip and Gabriel safe after he returns from the field. Good performance from John who plays the almost mad scientist but not quiet mad very well. (8/10)

 

P.J. Byrne: Nelson who looks after the computer side of the operation and constantly looks up to his father and wants to emulate his work. Good from P.J. who steals most of the scenes he is in. (9/10)

 

Michael Rady: Jameson part of the team, a great shot but rarely says or gets involved in anything. Good performance but his character isn’t used very much.(6/10)

 

Marg Helgenberger: Lillian Leader of Cyber Command who has to try and keep Gabriel in check as well as using her contacts through the government to help her and the team. Good performance from Marg who steps away from CSI very well in this show. (8/10)

Special Guest Star Reviews

 

Tomas Arana: DNI Adam Weatherly one of the people within the government to whom Lillian has contact with. Good typical government role appearing in 10 of the 13 episodes.  (8/10)

 

Lance Reddick: DCI Jeffrey Tetazoo another one within the government who is against the danger Gabriel could possess. Good from Lance who seems to play the role very well. (8/10)

 

Faye Kingslee: Mei Chen after getting a chip placed in her mind she ends up working as an assassin for hire who has learnt more of the chip abilities that Gabriel. Good performance from Faye who adds some mystery to the chip. (8/10)

 

Zuleikha Robinson: Amelia, Gabriel’s wife who was dead, then wasn’t then died in three episodes. Can’t blame the actress for the poorly written character. (4/10)

 

Peter Coyote: Leland, Lillian father who is also involved with the government who can’t tell her secrets but leads her in the direction she needs to go, is one of the mysteries to be solved if the show returns. Good performance to create a character with plenty of mystery about him. (9/10)

 

Alan Ruck: Jonathan Cain a wheelchair bound man who plans to release the same virus he has on a city wide population. Good twisted villain created here, player perfectly by Ruck.  (9/10)

 

 

Action: Plenty of action throughout the show. (8/10)

Thriller: Always keep you guessing on what will happen next. (8/10)

Chemistry: Good chemistry between the characters. (9/10)

Settings: Each setting is very different, but all work well for that particular episode. (8/10)

Suggestion: I would say give the show a go, it is gentle and easy to watch and doesn’t have the issue of trying to catch up if you miss one. (Try)

 

Best Episode: Size Matters Episode 7

Worst Episode: Red X Episode 2

Best Guest Star: Alan Ruck

Funniest Moment: Nelson’s lines during a serious scene.

Surprise Of The Season: Final Twist.

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of New Season: It is in the air at the time I am writing this.

Cliff Hanger Scene: Has a final cliff hanger for a returning season.

What to Look Forward to Next Season: What is Leland’s role? Will Mei Chen return?

Similar Too: Person Of Interest

 

Overall: Cyber Man to The Rescue

Rating 

Director: Simon West

Writer: Christopher Bertonlini, William Goldman (Screenplay) Nelson Demille (Novel)

Starring: John Travolta, Madeleine Stowe, James Cromwell, Timothy Hutton, Leslie Stefanson, Daniel Von Bargen, James Woods, Clarence Williams III

 

Plot: When well-known and well respect General Joseph Campbell’s (Cromwell) daughter is found dead Paul Brenner (Travolta) and Sara Sunhill (Stowe) are called into investigate. Everything is not as it seems as the pair find themselves trapped in a world cover-ups.

 

Verdict: Cover-ups, that leads to conspiracies

Story: Mystery thrillers always need to keep you guessing to be remembered and this really does offer plenty of different options for you to think about throughout. It also shows how military can try to keep thinks in house to protect themselves from bad press. In the end the story looks like it is about to be complete when suddenly it opens more doors that it had closed. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: John Travolta – Warr. Off. Paul Brenner an undercover CID officer who gets called into solving this crime as he current case closes. A bad solider, but a great policeman which side will he end up siding for. Good from John gets to use small parts of his charm even through the more serious side of the story. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Madeleine Stowe – Warr. Off. Sara Sunhill a rape counsellor and former partner of Paul, who works on the case in her own way. Good performance from Madeleine but sometimes gets overshadowed by John. (7/10)

Actor Review: James Cromwell – Lt Gen Joseph Campbell a well-respected who could enter the world of politics but after his daughter’s death things may change. When you see Cromwell’s name on any film you expect to see an authority figure and he always nails it. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Timothy Hutton – Col William Kent head of the military police who picks Paul and Sara to uncover the truth. Good supporting role that doesn’t offer enough through the story even though he is important to conclusion. (6/10)

 

Actor Review: Leslie Stefanson – Capt. Elizabeth Campbell the victim and her haunting past has led to the outcome. Used mostly in flashbacks but plays the haunted character very well. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: James Woods – Col Robert Moore, Elizabeth’s mentor who even though knows more than he lets on what betray her trust. Good performance from Woods who is always good for s support role. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Clarence Williams III– Col George Fowler, General Campbell’s second hand man who will follow him to the grave. Good performance that shows loyalty at it’s very best. (8/10)

Director Review: Simon West – Good direction to create a mystery that just keeps you guessing. (8/10)

 

Crime: Haunting crime committed and solving it takes all of what Paul has. (9/10)

Thriller: Keeps you guessing from start to finish. (9/10)

Believability: Seems the overall story is not, but I the idea it could happen to a female soldier could be. (1/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Settings: The military base makes a great setting as everyone is against an outsider trying to solve a problem in the base. (9/10)

 

Suggestion: I think this is one to try, the subject matter could be hard for some people to watch. (Try It)

 

Best Part: The mystery.

Action Scene Of The Film: The boat gun battle.

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: No

 

Overall: Military Murder Mystery

Rating 

Director: Gavin Hood

Writer: Gavin Hood (Screenplay) Orson Scott Card (Novel)

Starring: Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Abigail Breslin, Ben Kingsley, Viola Davis

 

Plot: The Earth was ravaged by the Formics, an alien race seemingly determined to destroy humanity. Fifty years later, the people of Earth remain banded together to prevent their own annihilation from this technologically superior alien species. Ender (Butterfield) a quiet but brilliant boy may become the saviour of the human race. He is separated from his beloved sister Valentine (Breslin) and his terrifying brother and bought to battle school in orbit around Earth. He will be tested and honed into an empathetic killer who begins to despise what he does as he learns to fight in hopes of saving Earth and his family.

 

Verdict: Smart Stylish Action Thriller

Story: The alien invasion angle has been repeated plenty of times but this time the invasion happened we won and we know look at how to create the best defence against a future invasion. Looking for the best and brightest in a younger generation to make the most of an army the enemy would least expect works well as it tackle growing troubles faced by teenagers too. We see isolation, bullying and learning to stand up against those who treat you different. In the end we get a younger strategically version of Starship Troopers. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Asa Butterfield – Ender the third child of a family with one being too aggressive while the over is too compassionate. Ender’s rise through the ranks is incredible and his mind brilliant. Asa is great in this role and it would be fair to say a star is ready to breakout. (9/10)

 

Actor Review: Harrison Ford – Colonel Graff the man who recruits Ender, he wants to best and his methods are questionable but he gets results. Good performance by Harrison letting the younger actors be the stars without losing he presences. (8/10)

Actor Review: Hailee Steinfeld – Petra one of the other cadets who helps Ender learn more and becomes an important part of Ender’s final squad. A good performance from Hailee here proving True Grit wasn’t just a one hit show. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Abigail Breslin – Valentine, Ender’s sister who provides the moral compass for him. Only a small role but Abigail does a good job in it. (7/10)

 

Actor Review: Viola Davis – Gwen Anderson works alongside Graff but is more about making sure the children are mental ready for war and the after effects of battle. Good performance showing how important a human feeling is during the time of war. (8/10)

 

Actor Review: Ben Kingsley – Mazer the legendary pilot who won the war on Earth and now is used to motivate the cadets in training. Small performance but effective one. (8/10)

 

Director Review: Gavin Hood – Good direction that shows he knows how to keep the story flowing and keep the audience attention. (8/10)

 

Action: With most of the action being on simulators or achieve footage of a previous war what is used is good, but more would have been better. (7/10)

Adventure: The adventure young Ender goes on is great but again it is more about the training than the adventure. (6/10)

Sci-Fi: Great sci-fi created with an alien invasion and with future use weapons, technology and space travel. (10/10)

Special Effects: All special effects come off great. (9/10)

Believability: (0/10)

Chances of Tears: (0/10)

Settings: Each setting is created brilliantly and is important to each stage of Ender’s evolution. (9/10)

 

Suggestion: I pick to watch this; it is easy to watch but also has different moral questions being asked throughout. (Watch)

 

Best Part: Dragons vs Chameleons

Worst Part: The stereotypical bullies.

Oscar Chances: No

Chances of Sequel: Potentially.

 

Overall: Great War-games Like Space Adventure

Rating