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ALEXIS2132's Rating |
My Rating |
| 1 |
 ''I do not know what strength is in my blood, but I swear to you I will not let the White City fall, nor our people fail.''''Our people, our people. I would have would have followed you, my brother... my captain... my king.''''Be at peace, Son of Gondor.''In a small village in the Shire a young Hobbit named Frodo has been entrusted with an ancient Ring. Now he must embark on an Epic quest to the Cracks of Doom in order to destroy it. Viggo Mortensen: Aragorn/Strider Elijah Wood: Frodo Ian Mckellan: Gandalf The fellowship is the heaven version and pinnacle milestone of film like Two Towers & Return Of the King which I feel are all one compact vision. Fellowship has one of the best prologues I have ever seen in in my life. The part where Boromir is dying and Aragorn is comforting him is one of the most emotional and tear inducing scenes for me. The WETA effects, camera work, editing, sound and Orchestra work by Hoeard Shore are all dripping perfection. For this piece of work Howard Shore has created and drawn out a truly beautiful soundtrack to accompany the movie visually. In truth, you can listen to the CD alone and experience the movie, just close your eyes. Howard brings all of the epic moments from the movie to life through the art of music. To tell the story of LOTR, the cast of the movie was required to do much more than just act but had to tell an epic story of human struggles and emotions, ranging from anger to joy to sadness which spanned over 10 years for the cast and crew. The acting in this movie is beautiful, and nearly flawless. The characters are fleshed out and believable, the relationships are hypnotising, and it is as if the audience experiences everything and is part of the ensuing adventure. The casting drew together a small group of seasoned veterans, including Lee, McKellan, and Holm, giving the movie a solid backbone of experience and life. The other characters are also played out beautifully, especially that of Sean Bean's. The relationship between he and Mortensen make the story of the movie all the more real. Sean Astin and Boyd also deliver sound performances, but the most unique aspect of the movie is the relationship between Astin and Wood. Seeing the making and the Extended Version, it is much easier to understand, but Astin forged a friendship with Wood during filming, and this was able to make the close bond of the two in Fellowship even more real and powerful. In conclusion and in essence, Fellowship & LOTR can be credited as many things, because it does something incredibly challenging and does it exceedingly without flaw.
Peter Jackson had to adapt from a series of books, he had to capture Tolkiens unique view of writing material, he had to deliver a vivid and real world full of gritty earthy fantasy, and it required its cast to deliver brilliant performances full of emotion, relationships, and conflicts. Watch Theatrical or Extended Versions both are perfection. Masterpiece. 
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| 2 |
 ''So much death. What can men do against such reckless hate?''
''Ride out with me. Ride out and meet them.''
''For death and glory.''
''For Rohan. For your people.''
''The Horn of Helm Hammerhand will sound in the deep, one last time!''Frodo and Sam continue on to Mordor in their mission to destroy the One Ring. Whilst their former companions make new allies and launch an assault on Isengard. Christopher Lee: Saruman the White Brad Dourif: Grima Wormtongue The Two Towers is like Fellowship a triumph that any Tolkien fan, adventure/fantasy or war enthusiast should see. Acting wise Elijah Wood as Frodo is simply phenomenal, captures the pain that the little soul must be expriencing.
Ian McKellen as Gandalf is excellent again as the newly formed White Wizard, even though he has a much smaller role than before.
Viggo Mortenson as Aragorn was another good choice and you could really experience what he must be going through. John Rys-Davies was really good, his jokes with Legolas refreshing.
Sean Astin fit the description of good old Sam well and also acted out the character perfectly.
Bernard Hill as Theoden, Brad Dourif as Grima, Miranda Otto as Eowyn, Karl Urban as Eomer, David Wenham as Faramir and Liv Tyler as Arwen were all excellent also in their performances. Gollum was really perfect and multi layered. Andy Serkis deserves recognition and praise as well as awards, for the perfect distorted muffled warped voice for Gollum, and an applause to the design team who made the motion capture suit. Love the Extended Version where Christopher Lee & Brad Dourif are given more screen time they deserve. Director Peter Jackson did another excellent job in this movie along with Howard Shore. One scene they needed to include in the normal version was the one in the extended edition of the flashback between Faramir, Boromir and Denethor. That scene was really essential to explaining the relationship of Faramir, and his father and brother. The Battle of Helms Deep was so energized you couldn't tell what was CGI mostly. The battle of Isengard was also well done and when the ents broke the dam and Isengard was flooded. The cinematography was beautiful and just jaw-dropping gorgeous. Makes me really want to be in New Zealand. Rohan, and Edoras especially were beautiful. Howard Shore's score was again perfection, a character in itself. The Rohan theme song fit the beautiful scenery perfectly. That scene between Theoden and Aragorn, where the King loses hope and Aragorn gives him the speech, that spark is one of courage and depth to me and another fave part of mine. What with new additional characters and characters with separate paths and Stories The Two Towers was a hard one for Jackson but still turns out to be what we all expect. A Masterpiece. 
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| 3 |
 ''The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be. Take the Dimholt Road.''
[In Elvish] ''I give hope to men. I keep none for myself.'' The former Fellowship of the Ring prepare for the final battle for Middle Earth, while Frodo & Sam approach Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. Viggo Mortensen: Aragorn Return of the King asserts itself as the final and best of the Rings Trilogy. I recall seeing it at the cinema and despite my disappointment at Saruman being cut from the theatrical version and others, including certain Witch King scenes plus The Mouth Of Sauron at the Black Gate which I loved in the book. Despite these missing the film had me glued for it's three hour duration from start to finish. Be it the the amazing conversation between Elrond and Aragorn where he gives him the sword. Although in the book his sword is remade and given to him in Fellowship nevertheless I admit this scene is great cinema and really sells the pure adrenaline and emotion of Aragorn's beginning transformation into a King through his impending fight against Evil, against Sauron. Like Two Towers we are treated to separated characters, on one side it flicks to Sam, Frodo and Smeagol as they approach Mordor and Mount Doom then back to Aragorn, Gimli and Legolas trekking towards the Paths of the Dead and preparing for battle. But King really is faceted because then we also have all these other pivotal characters Gandalf and Pippin at the White City in all it's magnificence with the maddened Denethor. Theoden and Eomer preparing to help Gondor from the descending armies of darkness. The secretive Eowyn with Merry going to fight even thought they are not permitted too. Return Of the King gives so much detail and luscious fantasy and story before we even come to the battle scenes its a great film. Chuck in the battle at the White City, the final climactic onslaught at the Black Gate and the powerful scene where Sam carries Frodo up Mount Doom showing the powerful bond of friendship and vigor, bravery and compassion, then what you have is not only a film which is great but one that is the definition of what can only be described as close to perfection. Much to my satisfaction the Extended Version of Return of the King capitalizes on the already perfect theatrical version and dressing it with details sadly missing previously. What we then have are the scenes with Saruman, the Witch King parts and the Mouth of Sauron back in which I mentioned were missing. Also more material from the book to do with Faramir and Pippin, Sam and Frodo's mishaps in Mordor and their disguises as Orcs and Aragorn looking finally into the Palantir to make himself known and seen to Sauron is particularly captivating and effective. For me a film can never be too long or too short, and rarely when you get a film as incredible as King do you want it to end. I know I didn't, it's magical and mesmerising, be it a moving scene with Ian Mckellan and Billy Boyd preparing for fighting at Minas Tirith or Elijah Wood and Sean Astin struggling with the Ring's evil resonance, this film is pardon the pun very precious. A true masterpiece from Peter Jackson and his crew and cast fulfill his vision, Howard Shore utilizes the Score and adds to the beauty that is Return of the King. 
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| 4 |
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
''Darth Vader: I've been waiting for you, Obi-Wan. We meet again, at last. The circle is now complete. When I left you, I was but the learner; now *I* am the master.
Obi-Wan: Only a master of evil, Darth.''
[lightsabers clash]
Two droids, C3PO and R2-D2, acquire valuable data from a princess in the form of a Hologram message, then proceed by escaping in a pod to a mysterious planet called Tattooine.
After getting captured by Jawas they come to be in possession of Luke Skywalker. And thus they proceed to meet Obi-wan, Han Solo and Chewbacca.
A quest to save a princess from an evil Empire, it's minion Sith Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin aboard the menacing Death Star.
Mark Hamill: Luke Skywalker. What happened to him after Star Wars? He plays Luke with a bratty innocence to begin with, later with moldings of a hero.
Harrison Ford: Han Solo. The roguish, charismatic Solo played by Ford is another iconic and legendary role for Harrison. As soon as he's on screen he adds life and humour with his witty, yet sometimes sarcastic one liners. The one that all the boys wanted to be.
Carrie Fisher: Princess Leia Organa. The most memorable role i know of for Fisher and also iconic.
Peter Cushing: Grand Moff Tarkin. Supposedly didn't fart in this film but was wearing slippers due to boots being uncomfortable. A veteran actor who was a fine addition.
Alec Guinness: Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi. He plays Obi-Wan brilliantly, although Alec did think like most of the other cast that this was a flop. How they were wrong. Annoyingly popular, Alec's other roles to me still define him. This just stuck in people's minds more due to the big franchise that blew up in the public.
Anthony Daniels: C-3PO. The Camp droid.
Kenny Baker: R2-D2. The droid resembling a bin. Plus cute functioning beeping noises to communicate.
Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca. The walking carpet, the huge chewy.
David Prowse: Darth Vader. The guy who was in the suit. Farmer prowse. ''Aye Want those plans! ooo Arrr''
James Earl Jones: Darth Vader (voice). There couldn't really be any questioning Jame's voice which gelled the whole Darth Vader into iconic villain along with the appearance for me.
Phil Brown: Uncle Owen.
Shelagh Fraser: Aunt Beru
Jack Purvis: Chief Jawa
Alex McCrindle: General Dodonna
Eddie Byrne: General Willard
This film was such a phenomenon mainly due to the fact there was nothing quite like it. It has adventure, imagination, escapism, vibrant characters, a plot that flows.
John Williams can do no wrong with the now iconic score, George Lucas certainly struck gold with this!
There's so many memorable scenes in this that they all blur together. Loved the Greedo/Han Solo shooting part and how that all later escalated into who shot first. Loved Obi-Wan's wiseness, Han Solo's comic relief, Leia's stand off attitude & Luke's rookie like freshness.
The droids were funny characters, Darth Vader certainly a presence straight from his first appearance he looks a menace. Black, foreboding and insanely tall.
It's got a heart and a human quality, that the new prequels lack, as well as striking visuals and that for me is where it counts. If you can capture a child or anyone's imagination and inspire them then,you have hit the nail on the head with the film.
Star Wars without a doubt is that film.
Mouth watering to know Empire Strikes Back would soon follow...
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| 5 |
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
Yoda: Ready are you? What know you of ready? For eight hundred years have I trained Jedi. My own counsel will I keep on who is to be trained. A Jedi must have the deepest commitment, the most serious mind. This
one a long time have I watched. All his life has he looked away... to the future, to the horizon. Never his mind on where he was. Hmm? What he was doing. Hmph. Adventure. Heh. Excitement. Heh. A Jedi craves not these things. You are reckless.
While Luke takes advanced Jedi training from Yoda, his friends are relentlessly pursued by Darth Vader as part of his plan to capture Luke.
Mark Hamill: Luke Skywalker. Mark fully embraces his role and warms to it, the whole movie sees him transition into a hero yet not quite a ready one.
Harrison Ford: Han Solo. He's funny and charismatic again emulating that magic formula. ''Nerf Herder!'' or ''Scruffy looking'', lines and script that cracks me up. He gets the best ones.
Carrie Fisher: Princess Leia. Carrie does well. Solo and Leia's relationship evolving is heart-felt.
Leia: ''I love you'' Solo: ''I know''
Magic.
Billy Dee Williams: Lando Calrissian. He's a fine addition, remember seeing him in Batman also later as Harvey Dent. His character is very similar to the roguish Han Solo.
Anthony Daniels: C-3PO. The camp droid back with his chum R2.
David Prowse: Darth Vader. Brilliant gestures. Plus the guy that does the swordplay amazing. The final revelation is still chilling. Dampened by the new prequels but still quite an impact.
Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca. Like the part where he's got 3PO on his back. Odd!
Kenny Baker: R2-D2. Beep beep!
Frank Oz: Yoda (voice). Yoda is the best thing since sliced bread in SW. In Empire he's got a quality that's human and fun yet wise and subtle. Much ore emotionally charged and realistic than the cold depiction in the new Prequels although Sith was on an up side.
Alec Guinness: Ben 'Obi-Wan' Kenobi. Brilliant to have him back in his apparent force carnation.
Jeremy Bulloch: Boba Fett. Iconic yet he only has 2 or 3 lines. The whole look is a fan favourite.
The darkest of the Trilogy and the most emotional. Really ups the pace and goes all out after A New Hope. Irvin Kershner, a director who skillfully pulled off Luca's vision with bold strokes.
My fave scenes include Yoda's teaching, the fancy asteroid chase, Vader speaking with the Emperor(On the New Special Ed one) & the Darth Vader/Luke Showdown resulting in that haunting revelation of family ancestry.
The empire tune is legendary and again John Williams has surpassed himself with an orchestral masterpiece.
The ending is clever yet so cruel making everyone wait. Was lucky i was born when i was so i didn't have too. Makes you hungry for Jedi as the credits roll.
A stunning benchmark,classic in every sense, the Darkest Star Wars (until Sith), The Empire really does Strike Back!
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| 6 |
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away...
Luke: Soon I'll be dead, and you with me.
The Emperor: [laughing] Perhaps you refer to the emminent attack of your rebel fleet? Yes, I assure you, we are quite safe from your friends here.
Luke: Your overconfidence is your weakness.
The Emperor: Your faith in your friends is yours.
After rescuing Han Solo from the palace of Jabba the Hutt, the Rebels attempt to destroy the Second Death Star, while Luke Skywalker tries to bring his father back to the Light Side of the Force.
Mark Hamill: Luke Skywalker. I noticed Luke's face is different looking in this one. I hear rumors that he had some kind of car accident in real life.
Harrison Ford: Han Solo
Carrie Fisher: Princess Leia
Billy Dee Williams: Lando Calrissian
Anthony Daniels: C-3PO
Peter Mayhew: Chewbacca
Sebastian Shaw: Anakin Skywalker
Ian McDiarmid: The Emperor
Frank Oz: Performing Yoda (voice)
James Earl Jones: Voice of
Darth Vader (voice).
David Prowse: Darth Vader
Alec Guinness: Ben 'Obi-Wan' Kenobi
The most underrated Star Wars. Yet it's got class despite having a different director again resulting in a slightly different style but only slight.
Starts of back on Tattooine as the friends have hatched a plan to rescue Han from Jabba the Hutt. Pulls you in right from the start.
Seeing this is part of most people's childhood i was strangely surprised that critics zoned in on the Ewoks. I mean there cute and cuddly and you need something to contrast the Dark menacing Vader and The emperor. To me they do the job. For some odd reason they do make me think of George Lucas.
My fave Ewok and yes i have a fave: Wicket.
I love the scenes with Vader, Emperor and Luke. The whole triangle seducing thing they have going. With the Emperor's secret desire to have a fresh new apprentice to replace Vader.
Was interesting to see Vader's attitude change from Empire, as his ambitions seem thwarted he's resumed his puppet like dedication to his master Sidious.
My favourite part being when Vader finds out about Luke thinking of his sister and he snaps that whole part makes me shudder how the music,fighting and raw emotion blend together.
Loved the hover craft chase scene on Endor, that rocked. Maybe some dated effects but it's stil not bad at all and so fast you barely have time to notice.
Alot of the scenes are mirrored with the recently concluded Revenge Of The Sith. One thing the Prequels did was to reboot interest in Jedi especially Sith.
Wraps everything up nicely, ties loose ends and any plot fluctuation's.
A fitting conclusion to one of the biggest franchises to date.
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| 7 |
Daultay Dofine: This scheme of yours has failed, Lord Sidious. The blockades is finished. We dare not go against the Jedi.
Darth Sidious: Viceroy, I don't want this stunted slime in my sight again.
As imminent conflict brews between the powerful Trade Federation and the peaceful planet of Naboo, Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi travel to Naboo to warn the Queen of the galactic fallout which is to follow.
Eventually, Naboo is invaded forcing the Jedi's to evacuate the planet with the Queen and her court. They travel to the desert planet of Tatooine where they meet a slave boy called Anakin Skywalker who is evidently one with the Force.
They enlist his help in fighting the war, while the Jedi's confront one of the Dark Sith behind the invasion, Darth Maul, while his master Darth Sidious continues to lead the invasion as a " mysterious phantom" pulling the strings behind the scenes.
Liam Neeson: Qui-Gon Jinn
Ewan McGregor: Obi-Wan Kenobi
Natalie Portman: Queen Padmé Amidala
Jake Lloyd: Anakin Skywalker
Pernilla August: Shmi Skywalker
Frank Oz: Yoda (voice)
Ian McDiarmid: Senator Palpatine
Oliver Ford Davies: Gov. Sio Bibble
Ray Park: Darth Maul
Truth be told, it was all but impossible to go into this movie without HUGE expectations. Like countless other Star Wars devotees around me, I sat in my cinema seat with a full house expecting nothing less than cinematic magic.
As the lights went down and the first notes of John Williams' triumphant score began to play, the entire audience erupted into a cheer of ecstatic elation. This was it! We had waited ages for this film, but now it was finally happening!
Few could've foreseen the crushing disappointment that awaited us. The trouble began long before the infamous Mr. Binks reared his CGI head on to the screen. From the outset, it was clear that film-making technology had advanced since the days of the original trilogy- unfortunately for us, Mr. Lucas' gift of storytelling appeared to have atrophied.
The laundry list of mistakes in this film has been lamented countless times across the Internet, in homes, and film classes all around the world- wooden dialog, poorly developed 2D characters, bad casting (much love to Samuel L, but he makes a far better Shaft than a Jedi), and those god-awful medicholorians.
The music, effects, fight scene's especially the climactic end climax battle is breathtaking choreography used. Liam Neeson in my mind was exceptional as the fatherly mentor yet with some un-Jedi like tendencies.
But in the end, the downfall of Episode I (and indeed, the entire prequel trilogy Clones & Sith) stems from the director's infatuation with his own digital technology.
In the documentary "From Star Wars to Jedi," Mr. Lucas stated that, "A special effect without a story is a very boring thing."
As I left the cinema that day in 1999, trying desperately to convince myself that I had loved the movie, I was reminded of those words which proved remarkably true, this was a film that dazzled the eyes but did nothing to stir the soul.
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| 8 |
Palpatine: You don't need guidance, Anakin. In time, you will learn to trust your feelings. Then, you will be invincible. I have said it many times, you are the most gifted Jedi I have ever met.
Anakin: Thank you, Your Excellency.
Palpatine: I see you becoming the greatest of all the Jedi, Anakin. Even more powerful than Master Yoda.
Set 10 years after the events in "The Phantom Menace". After an assassination attempt on the life of Senator Padme Amidala, Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan learner Anakin Skywalker are sent to investigate.
After tracking down the assassin, she is silenced before any information can be derived.
The two Jedi are then sent on two different missions, Anakin is sent to Naboo with Padme and Obi-Wan to find the elusive Bounty Hunter.
Little does he know, he is investigating some of the biggest altering events of the Star Wars saga/universe, as Obi-Wan finds out that there is a connection between the assassination attempts and a separatists movement led by a former Jedi against the Republic. The Galactic Republic finds itself at the brink of a civil war while Anakin begins to have a burning forbidden romance with Padme and feelings like anger, hate evolve from the loss of a loved one, thus beginning his descent into the dark...
Ewan McGregor: Obi-Wan Kenobi
Natalie Portman: Senator Padmé Amidala
Hayden Christensen: Anakin Skywalker
Christopher Lee: Count Dooku / Darth Tyranus
Samuel L. Jackson: Mace Windu
Frank Oz: Yoda (voice)
Ian McDiarmid: Supreme Chancellor Palpatine
Temuera Morrison: Jango Fett
Daniel Logan: Boba Fett
Again as with the first Prequel Criticisms that have been raised with the new films is that there is far too much reliance on CGI scenes and characters and that is certainly true of Episode 2.
At times, McGregor is the only real thing you see on screen although things do improve for the obligatory trip to Tunisia (I mean, Tattooine). But the magic you felt when you saw Chewbacca for the first time is replaced with bile-inducing hatred when Jar Jar Binks makes a (thankfully brief) reappearance. Other things clash with what has gone before in the earlier films.
Anakin comes across as less a Jedi and more a psychotic stroppy teenager while Obi-Wan feels like a slightly neurotic mess with more issues than Greenpeace or Oxfam. Not the fault of the actors but more as a result for some really shoddy dialogue which, if we're honest, has never been George Lucas' strong point. There are only so many times you can hear someone say "I've got a bad feeling about this" without wanting to slap the screenwriter.
What Lucas does do well is action-packed set pieces and here is where Episode 2 steps up to and on the plate and delivers. Aside from the typically climatic battle scenes at the end, the undoubted highlight is the battle between countless CGI baddies and hundreds of light-sabre-wielding Jedi Knights.
Even though you finally get to see Yoda kick some ass, there is much to disappoint too. Principal among these is Christopher Lee's villainous Count Dooku, who isn't quite as evil or easily to categorize as Darth Maul visually from Episode 1 but he has more sophisticated dialogue and poise.
Personally, I also find George's obsession with cramming the film with shots of earlier characters (including Boba Fett, Uncle Owen and C3-PO) very annoying - this is supposed to be Star Wars, not Days Of Our Lives in space. And on that subject, the romance between Anakin and Amidala feels a little out of place, it's unrealistic yet being romantic i didn't mind much. Could have been edited or chopped down possibly.
Also to be noted that it slows the whole thing down and juggles with the already complex plot so that the viewer feel disorientated and somewhat annoyed that there is so little 'Star Wars' going on.
So is the film any good? As Master Yoda himself might say, ''a good film fancy visuals do not make''. Echoes of Menace problem. The answer is yes and no or somewhere in between.
It looks the part and during the jaw-dropping Jedi battle, you do feel that this is a worthy addition to the series. But only during that scene and a few others - the rest of the time, you're shaking your head with light disappointment. If ever a film series has become a victim of its own success then the three prequels are(Sith not so much).
Due to massive expectation (heavily dampened after Episode 1), this film was bound to disappoint but even on it's own,obviously this has not a patch on the earlier three films. However there is a noticeable change and a human emotion element does come into play unlike with Menace.
It's entertaining in a mindless way but because you will almost certainly have experience of a Star Wars movie, you'll find yourself wishing the Millennium Falcon would drift into the picture, Han and Leia at the helm. Although you already knew, it's best to stick with the first three human, humour filled films.
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| 9 |
''Is it possible to learn this power?''
''Not from a Jedi.''
After three years of fighting in the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker concludes his journey towards the Dark Side of the Force, putting his friendship with Obi-Wan Kenobi and his marriage at risk.
Hayden Christensen: Anakin/Vader
Ewan McGregor: Obi-Wan Kenobi
Well here it is, the third and final Prequel that connects them to the Original Episodes.
One could argue that nostalgia has tainted the perception of older Star Wars fans or that twenty plus years of built up expectations make it impossible to deliver a follow-up film that is as widely accepted and loved as the original trilogy films.
The fact remains, however, that while Revenge of the Sith is a stunning film visually, it's hard to say that any negative criticism levied against it is just the result of OT fan-boy bias.
Lucas did have his work cut out for him in creating this final installment of his beloved series. Certain events obviously were set into motion in Episodes I and II that builds up to the juicy results in Episode III.
As such, it's hard to judge Sith solely on its own given that the basis of its story was more or less laid down in the first two prequel films. Midi-chlorians? Immaculate conception? Jar-Jar Binks? How did these ideas pass through into fun old Star Wars?
What it really all boils down to is that Sith suffers some of the same setbacks that its prequel predecessors did: loads of style, not enough human emotion. Take for instance the character of General Grievous. Conceptually, this was a cool character. General Grievous: a half-droid, half-alien military mastermind who dabbles in lightsaber combat. But he's not in it long enough or fleshed out as much as wanted. Although those have watched the Clone Wars cartoons may argue they do that job. Would of liked Gary Oldman to voice him but oh well, didn't happen. His character has more dialogue than that of Darth Maul at least.
Anakin's abrupt turn to the Dark Side is a side to the story that is important but also Obi-Wan's is pivotal too, hence Lucas cleverly dogdes back and forth between character's to keep us interested.
I might be in the minority, but I felt like the dialogue and acting in Sith was not quite so deplorable as a lot of critics would have you believe, except maybe for the acting Hayden does in the last scene, the dialogue wasn't totally convincing.
The swordplay between Ewan and Hayden flawless though.
Ian McDiarmid steals the show as the deliciously manipulative evil Darth Sidious.
I'm sure we've all been wondering when the wise and noble Jedi were going to pick up on the fact that their nemesis was right under their noses, and the scenes involving Sidious/Palpatine are pretty darkly satisfying.
Ewan McGregor delivers a more emotionally attached performance than he was able to pull off in Attack of the Clones. That isn't intended to be a criticism of Mr. McGregor, but a nod to the fact that he was given more of an opportunity to actually act with material in Sith.
On the not so impressive side, Hayden Christensen's Anakin has a manner that shows he's young and in need of developing his acting if he is to progress, but I found him plausible mostly.
His interaction with Natalie Portman in particular seems to retain it's romantic resonance from EPISODE:II.
Revenge of the Sith is an entertaining, if conceptually overloaded, film. It is the best prequel film.
The darkest film since Empire.
Also cleverly mirrors scenes with Jedi and ends up evolving and changing near the end that transition from prequel to the originals. When i saw the premiere it was greeted with nothing short of applause as it began and when it finished the same applause echoed round the cinema.
Sith has five light sabre battles, more action than the first two combined and gives us everything we Star Wars fans want.
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| 10 |
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| 11 |
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| 12 |
''FBI agent: Have you been followed at all during the last few days? Any suspicious phone calls? Any kind of surveillance at all? Anything?
John McClane: Well, now that you mention it, I have, sort of, been feeling this burning sensation between my toes.
Bruce Willis as John McClane in the third instalment, back to business in a role he's become iconic in. Sarcastic, rugid and charmingly witty.
Samuel L Jackson as Zeus, a brilliant new surprise partner. Typical Jackson in a role that has humour and good dialogue.
Jeremy Irons as Simon the head-ache suffering mercenary villain. He does justice to his role without becoming a clone of Alan Rickman from the first film.
Watched again the previous week and thought it time to write up a review.
Over the top action, laugh out loud humour. This is a film that makes you feel good no matter how many times you watch.
Some of the scenes are so outrageous like McClane popping out of a large pipe, like some demented champagne cork to Jackson & Willis swinging to a boat and falling a certain height unscathed.
Always amuses me when you get an action film how much the characters sustain serious amounts of physical damage to each other and proceed to carry on.
On seeing again, yes you notice the flaws, yes it's not perfect, an improvement on the 2nd perhaps, but ultimately its fun. Just looking at Bruce's lip curling grin and Jackson's hearty laugh is enough to prove that.
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| 13 |
Some good humor and action scenes. Far fetched stuff but Bruce Willis is back to business with this.
A notable scene with him against a harrier jet is crazy, awesome though.
Definately was a pleasure to watch and glad they made another to the Die Hard series. Wrong place at the wrong time! Hell no !
Maggie Q and Timothy Oliphaunt are sophisticated villians in this as the technological hacker terrorists.
Cliff Curtis was a pleasure to watch as usual too, plays a very good part as a Police/Agent.
Good scenario and intelligent sound and effects.Thrilling through and through! Action packed thrill ride!
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| 14 |
Morpheus: I imagine that right now, you're feeling a bit like Alice. Hmm? Tumbling down the rabbit hole?
Neo: You could say that.
Morpheus: I see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he is expecting to wake up. Ironically, that's not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, Neo?
Neo: No.
Morpheus: Why not?
Neo: Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life.
Morpheus: I know *exactly* what you mean. Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about?
Neo: The Matrix.
Morpheus: Do you want to know what it is?
Neo: Yes.
Morpheus: The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work... when you go to church... when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Morpheus: That you are a slave, Neo. Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind.
Spoon boy: Do not try and bend the spoon. That's impossible. Instead... only try to realize the truth.
Neo: What truth?
Spoon boy: There is no spoon.
Neo: There is no spoon?
Spoon boy: Then you'll see, that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.
Agent Smith: I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species and I realized that you're not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment but you humans do not. You move to an area and you multiply and multiply until every natural resource is consumed and the only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. Do you know what it is? A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet. You're a plague and we are the cure.
Keanu Reeves: Neo. The one, this is Keanu's most iconic role, still think it would of been good if Will Smith had done it, as he auditioned for the role also at the time. Keanu displays the ordinary working man who's a computer hacker in his social time. His movements and interaction with other characters is truly above par.
Laurence Fishburne: Morpheus. Playing the tutor, the guide, Neo's teacher and friend. Yoda like sternness and a level of seriousness befitting of his character.
Carrie-Anne Moss: Trinity. This along with Memento was Carrie's best career choices hands down.
Hugo Weaving: Agent Smith. A cold calculating alien entity who is an agent/guardian of the program. Hugo is perfect for the job, he's got some killer lines and such exquisite facial expressions and mannerisms. Another iconic role and fine performance from an exceptional actor. Rings, and this, incredible. The recent V for Vendetta also by The Wachowski Brothers, shows what a versatile actor Weaving is.
A computer hacker and by day office worker, Mr Thomas Anderson learns from mysterious rebels about the true nature of his reality and his role in the war against the controllers and boundaries of it.
Who would of thought that in 1999 something this revolutionary would come along?
Forget Phantom Menace this blows it away, conceptually and ideas wise.
The choreography is remarkable yet to be noted that the stunt work has been used to similar effect for years in Chinese and Japanese Cinema. The whole bullet time was phenomenal and the boundaries of a universe that can be broken fascinates me.
It's got a vibrant soundtrack, a greeny yet at times blue tone to the whole film which really does set the whole matrix feel . Immerses your senses, a good question on what is real and what reality really means. How it defines us and what we perceive. Throws everything in the air and i know it's obviously fantasy sci/fi but what if? What if everyone was stuck in a dream, a virtual dream, a worldly program.
Ahead of it's time, the best and Only Matrix (Except Reloaded) worth watching.
Gives birth and life to the whole genre.
A dystopia masterpiece with a flair of raw power. The matrix has you, it has us all.
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Agent Thompson: You.
Agent Smith: Yes, me.
[turns Thompson into another Smith]
Agent Smith: Me... me... me...
Agent Smith Clone: Me too.
Merovingian: I love French wine, like I the French language. I have sampled every language, French is my favorite. Fantastic language. Especially to curse with. Nom de dieu de putain de bordel de merde de saloperie de connard d'enculé de ta mère. It's like wiping your arse with silk. I love it.
Keanu Reeves: Neo
Laurence Fishburne: Morpheus
Carrie-Anne Moss: Trinity
Hugo Weaving: Smith
Neo and the rebel leaders estimate that they have 72 hours until 250,000 probes discover Zion and destroy it and its inhabitants. During this time, Neo must decide and determine how he can save Trinity from a dark fate in his dreams.
Did The Matrix need a sequel? The answer is yes and no. A mixture of the two. Reloaded feels like it's been solely made to bring in the money and fill the coffers. On the other hand it's an action packed effect laden, shooting, fight fest thrill ride.
The first half of the film was dull and yet as soon as they reach Zion a level of boredom still proceeded to make its way into the audience's mind. Serious talking and lifeless acting in areas. The plot and story could of been improved here.
The stand out for me was the latter half of the film, a fight with thousands of reincarnated Smith's, stopping the disapproving Merovingian's henchman's bullets before having a weapon extravaganza battle, two albino like-twins with phasing abilities sparked my interest, a car-chase that was top notch, with a killer beat and music. One of the best car chases I've seen.
The ending was abit of a letdown, although technically it wasn't. More money making to prolong the series and Hollywood's constant to desire to disclose franchises with the magic three AKA The Trilogy.
Definitely superior to the depressing follow up Revolutions but not as fresh or as unique as the original Matrix which still stands alone in it's greatness.
A good effort with some new ideas into the Matrix Universe. Recommended you get the 10 Disc set with Extras for fans.
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Agent Smith: Mr. Anderson. Welcome back, we missed you.
[Agent Smith pauses and looks around at the multitude of clones he has created]
Agent Smith: Like what I've done with the place?
Neo: It ends tonight.
Agent Smith: I know it does, I've seen it. That's why the rest of me is just going to enjoy the show because we already know that I'm the one that beats you.
Agent Smith: Why, Mr. Anderson? Why do you do it? Why get up? Why keep fighting? Do you believe you're fighting for something? For more that your survival? Can you tell me what it is? Do you even know? Is it freedom? Or truth? Perhaps peace? Yes? No? Could it be for love? Illusions, Mr. Anderson. Vagaries of perception. The temporary constructs of a feeble human intellect trying desperately to justify an existence that is without meaning or purpose. And all of them as artificial as the Matrix itself, although only a human mind could invent something as insipid as love. You must be able to see it, Mr. Anderson. You must know it by now. You can't win. It's pointless to keep fighting. Why, Mr. Anderson? Why? Why do you persist?
Neo: Because I choose to.
The human city of Zion defends itself against the massive invasion of the machines/Sentinels as Neo fights to end the war while also opposing the rogue Agent Smith.
The third film in the trilogy, the magic three. Yet of the three films, 'Revolutions' is definitely the least imaginative and the least interesting. It's best scenes that define it are two note worthy ones and the climactic battle between Neo & Smith will appeal to myself and other action enthusiasts but may leave normal audiences flagging with repetition.
Neo and Trinity seem to disappear for hours upon hours in the duration of the movie, and we're left with Morpheus, Niobe and all the others defending Zion. This leads to a special effects filled noisy as hell sequence that never inspires excitement. It has an epic feel to it, yet it never fulfills its full potential.
Revolutions has not aged particularly well, what was once an average movie is now a plain terrible one. Its well made, but the script and cast seem tired. When watched with the rest of the series the faults are all the more clearer.
After three movies and about six hours of viewing we find out that Neo dies, Trinity dies, Zion will survive in its deplorable state (if at least temporarily), and the Matrix will continue to thrive on human batteries.
I guess the lesson is: Life is not fair. Revolutions is death related.
Reloaded was life.
Matrix was birth.
Just fast forward the middle, watch the beginning and the end fight scene, that's the best segments of the movie.
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Enjoyed the first film, a bit different from the book though but was expected. Daniel Radcliffe so young in this film its funny watching the later films for the age difference :)
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Thought it was v. good slightly darker in tone than its predecessor. One of my favourite books in the series.
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Keeps getting better and better, really like cuarons tone to the film. Gary Oldman as Black is inspired casting :)
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Darkest one yet, but from now on all the books/films are getting darker than there predessors. Really liked the latest one but it does feel the same as all the others in all respects, plot wise anyway.
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This was the best HP film of the series so far. Alot more detail than The Goblet of Fire, similarities with the book which was cool. Fine english actors and i love Gary Oldman. Made me laugh too, not just dark but funny which i think is a key point. Thought Dolores Umbridge was sickly and disbicable, liked the little kitten plates especially that lil white kitten going out the pink cat flap.
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Worth finding and watching!
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What ur joking slow down!
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