Brilliant ... a term used by many in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. And indeed the movie was. The plot was strong, the score was wonderful and the distribution of inklings of passing time were ... well, brilliant. In the first two movies the mediocre acting of the child stars Emma Watson (Hermione), Rupert Grint (Ron) and Daniel Radcliffe (Harry) was covered by the superb grace of Alan Rickman (Prof. Snape), Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) and the late Richard Harris (Dumbledore). In this movie however, the kids stand on their own.
We (Amy and I) enjoyed this movie on the IMAX big screen ... twice. Our first trip to the theatre was to the midnight opening day showing. Our experience was, let's see how can I put it ... forced. Between the ramblings of college age 'girls' trumpeting the drama in their most recently read Jane Austen novel, to the 13-16 year old 'kids' screaming and clapping at every twist and turn ... I think we saw a movie ... I am still not quite sure.
Our second trip to the IMAX was much more pleasant ... and quiet.
Back to the quality and on to the insinuated spoilers. This movie has been called DARK in just about every review I have read. I did not think this movie was dark however I do believe that in relation to the first two productions ... this one was far 'less light'. Angry dogs, death and grief are included in this adventure ... as is light, hope and divinity.
Time. And time again. We the audience, are taken on a masterful retelling of the climax ... via time travel. In this well directed segment there is a major perspective change and we experience time as two main characters do (arguably) the first time ... or at least a singular time.
And finally, the most stunning portion of this movie ... a CGI creature called a hippogriff. Buckbeak the hippogriff was nearly flawless. As a CGI creature ... it was amazing. Fluid, realistic, dynamic and full of emotion. Stunning.
Well then, you have the facts. This movie is well worth seeing. And if you have the chance, see it in the IMAX.
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, or LXG, brings together seven literary "heroes" of the 19th Century to defend the English Empire from a terrorist bent on starting a world war. The movie turns out to be a solid effort with some twists and turns. If you like a fun action movie and don't mind corny puns, then go ahead and see this movie.
Warning: Contains spoilers!
The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen is based on a series of graphic novels by Alan Moore and Kevin O'Neill.
LXG joins together seven characters derived from other literary works set in and around the late 19th century. This group is brought together by a British Secret Service agent named M. The main character is H. Rider Haggard's Allan Quartermain, played by Sean Connery. Quartermain is known as a sharp hunter who discovered King Solomon's Mines. The next member is Jules Verne's Captain Nemo, played by Naseerudin Shah. Nemo is known as the ruthless captain of the Nautilus. Next appeared Bram Stoker's Wilhelmina Harker, played by Peta Wilson. Harker was attacked by Stoker's Dracula and now is a vampire herself. Next character is based on H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man, played by Tony Curran. The actual character name is Rodney Skinner, who stole the formula before the original Invisible Man died. The next character is Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr. Henry Jeckyll, played by Jason Flemyng. Of course, he turns into the monstrous Mr. Hyde when he consumes his secret formula. The next character is America's contribution, which is Detective Tom Sawyer, played by Shane West. Where most other characters have one ability or quality that stands out, Sawyer seems to be an understudy to Quartermain. Finally, the last character we meet is Oscar Wilde's Dorian Gray, played by Stuart Townsend. Gray sold his soul to the Devil for everlasting youth in exchange a picture of Gray grows older. Now that the characters are introduced, we can get on with the story!
LXG was formed to save the British Empire and indeed the world from a war that pitted each nation against each other: a world war. The villian, named the Fantom, is a gun dealer who would profit from a world war. The seven travel to Venice, Italy via the Nautilus to save a meeting of Europe's leaders, who have convened to discuss peace.
In completing the mission in Venice, LXG finds that one of it's members, Dorian Gray has turned against them and joined with M, who is actually Sherlock Holmes' arch-villian Professor James Moriarty. Just a sidenote, how could they put Professor Moriarty in the movie and not have Holmes in it himself?
The rest of the LXG hunts down Gray and Moriarty in their lair in Mongolia. Moriarty and Gray both get their due but in the process, Quartermain meets an untimely end.
The story itself was interesting but not necessarily executed correctly. The ction scenes weren't of Matrix quality, but they were solid. The characters are developed by showing their weaknesses, for example, the Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde compulsion and Quartermain's inability to get over his son's death.
The main problem I saw was the dialogue. The first hour of the movie was who could make the most/worst puns of the movie. By the way, Connery's character did with his "The Fantom?...How operatic" line.
I give the movie two stars of four, but would be two and a half without the corny dialogue. This movie would be a good one to wait for on cable.
Charlie’s Angles 2 has the subtitle ‘Full Throttle’ … I beg to differ. CA2 is NOT a fast paced movie … certainly not full throttle, anyway. However, it does boast several high intensity action sequences that are over the edge, unbelievable and a whole lot of fun.
CA2 opens with an action scene that really sets the pace for the whole movie. The scene is incredibly unbelievable but very well done … and damn cool. It involves the threesome and their rescued U.S. marshal dodging two rockets by driving off of a bridge/dam and then skydiving into a falling helicopter that is unfolding and starting up. Seeing this scene as one sequence instead of broken up over the theatrical trailer for CA2 was amazing. The rest of the movie has more excellent stunt, CGI and wire work. My only complaint about most of the action scenes is they use a semi-bullet-time slow down FAR to often. It makes a few of the scenes very choppy.
OK, now onto the humor and sex aspect of the movie. For those who have watched the first CA movie, you are in for more of the same provocative wardrobe and sexual innuendos. For those who haven’t watched CA1, be prepared for a lot of skimpy outfits and sexual references. As for the humor in the movie … Bernie Mac is good but not as funny as Bill Murray was in the first Angles movie.
And last we should talk about Demi Moore. Her performance COMPLETELY upstages the performances of the current three Angles. Demi plays a revenge seeking ex-Angel who plots to steal and sell two important rings from the U.S. government. This role is perfect for, what is said to be, a Demi comeback. Welcome back, Demi.
My opinion about this movie is a bit split. I was a little bored with what was happening sometimes and very involved in other scenes. The plot and flow of the movie is, at best, mediocre. The action and the acting however, make this movie spectacular. If you are an action junky … go see this movie. If you need a little substance and character development in a movie … stay home.