michael staley (moviefan1725)

I've always been a supporter of director Stephen Sommers. The guy has never made anything you'd call high art. His movies are pure popcorn fun. They always moved as quick as a shot, and were fun to watch. Deep Rising was fun little monster flick, the first two Mummy movies, even manager to out-Indy Indiana Jones a couple of times, and Van Helsing was a visually impressive adventure. WIth this movie, Sommers once again delivers on the visuals and the action. The movie hardly ever stops moving to catch its breath. There are a couple of great action sequences, one involving "acclerator suits", and a climatic full scale battle that is the equivalent of a Star Wars space battle, except underwater. The movie also delivers on the babes. Both Sienna Miller and Rachel Nichols look absolutely DELICIOUS in skin tight leather. So anytime either one of them is on the screen, the eye candy delivers. But this movie fails, and fails BIG TIME, when it comes to the writing. The "script" is absolutely dreadful. There is not ONE believable character in this movie. The story is weak, and the dialogue is unforgiveable. The characters couldn't be more cliched if they tried. What's worse, the two main "heroes", Channing Tatum and Marlon Wayans, are such terrible actors, that even the most gifted writer in Hollywood could save them. Even Dennis Quaid, one of the most underappreciated actors in Hollywood history, is stiff as a board. The villains, played by Christopher Eccleston and Joseph Gordon-Levitt chew so much scenery I thought they'd be arrested for overacting. So when you can't get involved with characters, either the heroes or the villains, all you are left with is the action. Fortunately that delivers. It's a big, fast, empty headed way to kill two hours. But hey...it will give your surround sound system a workout.

No real surprises here in this fairly cookie cutter romantic comedy starring eternal girl next door Sandra Bullock, and vastly underappreciated Ryan Reynolds. It's the romantic equivalent of a buddy cop movie...the two leads hate each other, then they come to respect each other, and by the end they are friends, or in this case, in love. What sells the movie for me is the easygoing, and genuine chemistry between the two leads, and the amazingly beautiful Alaskan backdrops that surround the bulk of the movie. Bullock is one of the most likeable actresses in the last decade, so the bitchy aspect of her character lasts only so long, and she falls comfortably into the type of role that made her a star. Reynolds is a tremendously talented actor, and he's actually given a wide range of emotions to play here, and he sells them all. He's quick witted and sarcastic, but also conveys real emotion in a couple of great scenes with his father, played by Craig T. Nelson. They are supported by a solid group of familiar actors including Mary Steenburgen and Betty White. The GORGEOUS Malin Ackerman also has some welcome screen time as Reynolds' old girlfriend.
I'm sucker for movies with wilderness backgrounds. Be it summer camp, or the woods, or the lake, I see these places and I can only think how I'd love to be there. Alaska is one of the places I've always dreamed of visiting. The scenery here is nothing short of spectacular. From cloud shrouded mountains, to placid lakes, to tree lined streets with huge houses, the movie plays like a travel brochure. The simplicity of life up there makes it very inviting to move there permanently.
So again, nothing earth shatteringly original here. A simple movie that you will be able to guess the ending to before the opening credits are over. But it's a pleasant enough ride, with two actors that are as easily watchable as their surroundings.

The measuring stick that all action movies are judged against. Is there one single movie in this genre that has been copied more? 20 years later, this movie has lost none of its thrill. Even its countless clones have done nothing to lessen the impact of the film that made Bruce Willis not only a star, but still one of the most dependable action movies stars of today.

The rare sequel that surpasses the original. James Cameron ups the ante from the original Alien in almost every way. The fear, the claustrophobia, the action, are all brought up to a level that has never been matched in any subsequent Alien movie. Often duplicated, never equalled. The movie is rich with original characters that you come to love quickly. Sigourney Weaver became the template for all future tough chicks in movies. Motivated by her fear of the past, and her desire to face those fears drive her. Michael Biehn is in full on tough guy mode, and solidified himself as one of the most dependable everyman tough guys in movies. Bill Paxton has an iconic role as Pvt. Hudson, a space marine who is equal parts loud mouth tough guy, and loud mouth fraidy cat. Lance Henrickson became a staple in the Alien franchise after this, playing the robot Bishop, who represents another fear that Weaver's Ripley must overcome. Carrie Henn is an adorable little girl that proves more capable of taking care of herself, even without the aide of the Marines sent to rescue her. The movie is chock full of suspensul action scenes, and expands on the alien creature from the first movie. Not just in terms of having a planet full of the creatures, as opposed to one in the first movie, but in terms of the creature's life cycle. Instead of the warrior aliens, we are introduced to the amazing Alien Queen, and her final throwdown with Ripley is one of the great fight scenes of all time. This masterpiece was further enhanced after its initial release with an extended edition that showcased several key scenes both before, and after the aliens wreak havok. Storylines are extended, and characters are further fleshed out, making the movie even better than it was to begin with. Another feat I didn't think possible. There have been several movies with the alien since this film's release in 1986, but none can match the perfection of this. One of the great movies of all time.