Film Review | Avengers: The Age of Ultron

Evolution. It’s what humanity was made to do…but what about our own creations? Are they meant to evolve? Are they meant ‘get better’? And if they do, are they supposed to surpass us? Is technology’s purpose to completely override humanity?

What if technology could think for itself? What if technology could walk? What if technology was on the verge of becoming humanity?

Welcome, to the Age of Ultron.

The Story

I’m not too sure how close to the comics Marvel Entertainment’s latest Avengers movie is, but from what I know and what I’ve read, it’s different. The whole idea of technology evolving and becoming its own “person” is an existentialist’s dream come true. Take the concept of, Her, and place it into the Marvel world and you’ve got yourself a recipe for and epic explosion!

You have the usual battle between good and evil, but this time it draws from biblical themes of sacrifice, grace and the crux of what it means to be a fallen human. True, it doesn’t exactly follow the play-by-play of the gospels and Genesis as Thor does, but it does echo several quotes from Exodus, Matthew and Revelations.

The story, as the early trailers have provided, do carry an abundance of poetic elements for the character of Ultron – with a running theme of puppetry. It was almost as if his craftiness with words made him more threatening than being made out of the same metal Captain America’s shield.

It was also great to see Jeremy Renner’s character, Clint Barton – a.k.a. Hawkeye, get a back story to give his character more meat. (Not to mention gain a few friends along the way - *cough-Quicksilver-cough-Scarlet-Witch-cough*.)

Overall, the story was packed with so many elements of past literature, along with element of the comic’s plotline, it’s one I literally have to see again just to wrap my head around.

The Cast (New Cast)

Step aside Downey Jr., Hemsworth, Ruffalo, Evans, Johansson, Renner and L. Jackson – it’s time for the newbies to shine. (Although, y’all did an amazing job reprising your roles, yes Robert, you all deserve standing ovations for your prowess.)

Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen are going to share the limelight for this review because they were pretty much joined at the hip playing the Maximoff twins. Now since Marvel are still possibly in negotiations with Sony for the rights to the word "mutants," Taylor-Johnson and Olsen have been given a different back story as to their linage and their powers - i.e. children of war and human excitements ('mutants' without using the word 'mutant'). They've become in-between characters who constantly need to make a choice to either be on the “good” side or the “bad” side – and sometimes, as this film clearly points out, it’s hard to tell who’s who. Taylor-Johnson and Olsen both carry and sustain their Eastern European accents very well and embody their characters completely. They’re both very convincing and they draw you in like a moth to a flame almost instantly.

James Spader’s debut as Ultron’s voice has you shivering from the moment he is brought to life. His poetic streams that are truncated by comic relief bring a delicate mixture of both light and dark to the film. The intricacy of his character is nothing without Spader’s passionate delivery of every line he utters. I am in awe.

Paul Bettany grabs your absolute attention, but I feel like if I praise him too much I would be giving too many spoilers. Yes, he is brilliant as Jarvis, but he is also brilliant as Jarvis’ alter ego. The way that Jarvis evolves in this film is so compelling that I’m still in shock with how his character has been developed in this film. Let’s leave it at that – great job Bettany!

Overall, for all you thinkers, see this movie twice – I will be! There’s so much in it to just take-in in one sitting. For all you Marvel fans, it will not disappoint. You will love every minute of it – I did! I do recommend watching all the other films before watching this one to tie some loose ends to jog the memory.

Star Rating: ★★★★★

Next on sL:  Pitch Perfect 2

BLOG | End of the Drought

The Rains Are 'Ere

Yes, yes the review-drought is OVER! Well, at least I hope it is. I've been to the cinemas THREE time in the last fortnight and let me tell you, it's been amazing! I've been so busy with reality that having a bit of time away - even for just a couple of hours - was a good dose to relax the system.

I've been so out of it! When I sat down to write up the last three reviews it was a little harder than I remember it being. So here's the deal guys, my writing will be seasonal. It'll come in segments, segments that follow the school year pattern. That means I'll probably see upcoming films as part of my leisure time with friends and family over the school term, but not necessarily write about them. 

I can still give you guys star ratings via Twitter and Facebook, but I won't give you details on the plot and the cast, or the overall cohesion of the film. Don't fret thought! I will write as much as I can - to keep my own sanity, as well as to keep you well informed.

It's another year and I'm running late; both my site's birthday and my 24th birthday have passed and I still haven't organised a competition for y'all! Don't worry, I have plans to make up for that - but they may have to wait until NEXT holidays. So sorry guys! I'm just in full-time teaching mode at the moment.

But:

For sticking by me and reading my content! 

Always,

sL xxx

Film Review | The DUFF

High school always comes with labels. But just as you’ve settled into your little niche, there seems to be new tag to bug you. Today, it’s: The “DUFF” – a.k.a. The Designated Ugly Fat Friend. Now ideally, you’d take that label literally, but apparently you don’t have to be fat or ugly – in the best way, it just means you “friended-up”, or in plain English, your friends are better looking than you. Although the label is a little hurtful, it’s also coded for, “the approachable one” or “the one with the in-tell on the hotties”.

The Story

Based on Kody Keplinger’s novel, The DUFF follows Bianca’s (Mae Whitman) journey through the five stages of self-acceptance with society’s latest label for teens today. Let’s face it, new label or old label, you still need the classics, which brings us to jock/hottie, Wesley (Robbie Amell) and mean girl, Madison (Bella Thorne) – the stereotypes that have lasted through the ages.

The DUFF is not this generation’s Mean Girls or John Tucker Must Die, in fact, it’s simply an addition to these films. It’s another film that takes this current generation’s normalities - like technology, reality TV, and (sadly – with a brush off) porn – and turns it into a funny relatable teen-film.

Yes, there’s nothing new, but it’s still freaking hilarious and worth watching regardless of age, race, gender or class. This is a film that everyone will enjoy.

The Cast

Mae Whiteman is brilliant in portraying a downcast DUFF. She is hilarious in her progression from and oblivious honour-roll student to full-blown DUFF ambassador. She made you laugh at awkward moments with her mum, teachers and friends, while also believed that she was both repulsed and in-love with her long-time neighbour and frenemy, Wesley (Robbie Amell).

Robbie Amell is just as equally hilarious in his portrayal of the classic jock. But like with changing, he’s a jock with a great eye for fashion without falling into the closet-gay-footballer category. Amell’s good looks helped him fit the bill, but I have to say his acting was just as good – nailing the his punch lines, as well as adding his own pectoral flair to his comedic charm.

Bella Thorn is hard to picture as the “mean girl” given her previous roles in Shake It Up and Blended, but I have to say, she is pretty good. She was mean, but in a funny way. There were times I couldn’t take her seriously, but that’s only because her whole premise as a “pre-famous-YouTube-sensation” is on point in reference to some of the personalities that we can find online today.

Overall, The DUFF is one you have to see. It’ll make you laugh, cringe and question whether or not you are a DUFF or have a DUFF. Either way, the moral of the story is, laugh and live life; enjoy the friends you have and throw away the labels, because tags come and go; there’s nothing ever ‘new’ that you can’t handle.

Star Rating: ★★★★

Next on sL: Avengers: The Age of Ultron

Film Review | Cinderella

Ella was a normal girl who grew up on the outskirts of a small kingdom. When fate dealt her several blows, she simply lived by two things that her mother taught her – courage and kindness. As fate’s twisted hands began to choke the life out of her, courage and kindness became harder to live by; fortunately, fate was not too unkind. With a small release, fate gave Ella (Lily James) a moment of peace as she her small world collides with that of an apprentice named Kit (Richard Madden). Regardless of her misfortunes, this was one moment in which magic had no role, but rather courage and kindness working hand-in-hand.

The Story

As enchanting as the moment it was brought to life with the words, “Once upon a time,” this latest adaptation by Disney is no different to their 1950 classic. Following the elements of their original animation and fairytale, we meet Ella, her evil stepmother (Cate Blanchett), her metaphorically ugly step-sisters (Sophie McShera and Holliday Grainger) and of course, her handsome prince.

The only change we see in this retelling is the uncanny meeting of Ella and her prince. Yes, they still meet at the ball, but that meeting was more like a first date. Without “pumpkins, lizards and things,” we see our beloved Cinderella runaway from her stepfamily for a little while, only to see her charm her soon-to-be prince charming out of killing a prized stag.  Taken aback by her courage to speak to the heir of the throne, the prince cheekily decides to conceal his identity and introduce himself as Kit.

Irrespective of their true initial meeting and their true identities, this new addition to the Disney classic does not fail to relay that true love really does exist regardless of the circumstances. It is as enchanting as it is breathtaking.

The Cast

Lily James is a stunning Cinderella. She is graceful and elegant, which makes it easy for anyone to mistake her for a princess by the time she walks into the ball. There’s a gentleness to her acting and a consistency to her delivery of every line she utters. Her chemistry with Richard Madden so tangible that you’ll have goose bumps the moment they reunite at the ball.

Richard Madden is as charming as he is endearing. There’s a sense of playfulness to his manner and he truly brings to life a character that we first meet with a yawn – I don’t mean he’s boring, in the Disney animation the first close-up we get of the prince is of him yawning. Madden is captivating and brilliantly supports James as they fall-in love on screen.

Cate Blanchette is devilishly fabulous in her portrayal of Lady Tremaine. Heartbroken and spiteful about how her second marriage panned out, Lady Tremaine is this year’s most realistically relatable villain. Cold to the core, Blanchette’s depiction is as nerve racking as the winter’s first icy kiss.

Overall, Cinderella is a brilliant adaptation of a beloved fairytale and animated classic. My hat comes off to Disney Pictures, along with Kenneth Branagh and Chris Weitz for their revival of one if the most retold tale of all time. I can’t wait to see the next few classics being retold in live-action.

Star Rating: ★★★★★

Next on sL: The Duff

Film Review | Insurgent

The internal system is broken. The shattered factions are spread-out like refugees amongst the remaining factions. Tris (Shailene Woodley), Four (Theo James), Caleb (Ansel Elgort) and Peter (Miles Teller) are in Amity trying to reboot and recuperate. But their stay is not long. Even the most patient people in their city begin to wear thin when their visitors' Dauntless instincts kick in. With Erudite elites flooding the speakers with lies and troops of Dauntless traitors continue to massacre Divergents, it’s not long until the truth must be set free.

The Story

Much like the first film, Insurgent follows the storyline of its paperback counterpart. Divergent saw us in Abnegation and Dauntless, Insurgent is set, firstly, in Amity, followed by Candor and eventually, The Factionless. We meet each faction’s head and see the way how they live and how unimportant they are to the faction system and this entire storyline.

In Amity, Tris and her band are hunted down, with a dual betrayal from two members. In Candor, some secrets spill out and Tris loses a friend. In the Factionless, more secrets are revealed. But at the end of the day, viewers are always sent back to Erudite anyway – oh, where THE BIGGEST SECRET is revealed. Now, I’m kind enough not to give spoilers, but for those of you who’ve read the book, you know exactly what it is and will either be overjoyed or overly disappointed – like me.

Overall, the story was pretty straightforward and the action was somewhat believable.

The Cast

Shailene Woodley, alright...I say this all the time about Miss Woodley, but I think I have to say it again (not that she really cares): she has no screen presence; there is nothing in this film that makes me believe her. Time and time again throughout the film her co-stars outshine her. In saying that, I do tip my hat off to Robert Schwentke, Brian Duffield, Akiva Goldsman, Mark Bomback and Woodley if having no screen presence was and is intentional in order for last two films to make sense for non-readers, but COME ON! You’re the lead of one of the most read post-apocolytic-world book series after The Hunger Games – give us something to believe, or at least like, or take you seriously as an actress.

Theo James at least is a less annoying Four than the character that was written into the series at about this time in the second book. I always felt that Four was somewhat emasculated by Tris after they finally told each other that they “loved” each other or whatever it was in the book. At least in this film, James kept his male bravado - regardless of his looks or muscular build, I mean they helped, but at least they were outshone by his acting. Four’s mummy-issues was dialled down a lot more than I remember reading, which is good and you really don’t see his daddy-issues here either. Again, my hat is tipped for Schwentke, Duffield, Goldsman and Bomback if they’re setting it up for the final films, because Four was not this dominant in the book and James was actually likable.

Miles Teller is handsdown the shining star of this film. Witty, funny and believable to the point of pity (that is, when Peter realises that Tris would spare his life if she got the chance), Teller outshone everyone, including Kate Winslet. I was more interested in his character than anyone else’s and wished Roth had given him a bigger role. Teller’s portrayal of a hated character was so on-point that Peter became my favourite character – and that says a lot because I hated him in the book. For his performance, I give Teller a standing ovation.

Kate Winslet, although she did not outshine Teller, did however steal the show for this film. Her strong screen-presence dominated the entire plot and overwhelmed all who were seated in the theatre. She was so domineering that I was on her side when the big reveal came out and was really angry about the turn of events for her character at the end. Roses all around for Miss Winslet.

Overall, like Divergent, if you liked the book, you’ll like the film. That’s all I can say. I hated the book, so I hated the film. It was really hard to say anything nice about this film, but I will say that I’m looking forward to the (unnecessary) two-part ending for Allegiant. No, not because (like the Twilight Saga) it’s about to end, but because this film has set up the finale. I’m actually curious about how the last book will be adapted considering how it was written.

Don’t know what I mean? rRead the last book. You seriously don’t even need to read the first two books now that the films have been released. You’re seriously not missing out on much.

Star Rating: ★★★

Next on sL: Cinderella