Don't let the visuals fool you, "Tangled" has much more in common with the classic Disney hand-drawn musicals than it does with modern computer animated fare. Like "The Princess and the Frog," before it, Disney continues its animated renaissance with this funny and heart-felt princess tale. The musical elements of the film weren't totally stellar (with the notable exception of "I See the Light"), but were good enough to maintain the atmosphere and keep the story moving. The animation was often incredible while the comedy and drama were nearly spot-on. This a worthy addition to the Disney library.
"Secretariat" offers everything that an old-fashion, feel-good sports movie should and not an inch more. It starts with some well-crafted racing scenes, throws in some solid performances, strikes a few emotional chords, delves into a couple of cliches, ties it all together with a rousing score, and calls it a day. If that's all you're looking for, you'll enjoy it. But if you're expecting something more substantial (a la "Seabiscuit"), you're going to be disappointed.
It doesn't make sense. "Despicable Me" is one of the most critically and publicly acclaimed animated movies of the year. How is this possible? Especially in a year where it is placed in direct contrast with the likes of "Toy Story 3" and "How to Train Your Dragon"! There hasn't been an animated movie that's fallen this flat in quite some time. The thing is filled to the brim with cheap sight gags and juvenile bathroom humor. It tries to tie it all together by pulling at your heart strings towards the end but it's too little, too late. In the end, there's very limited enjoyment. If any of the aforementioned qualities sound appealing to you, by all means see it. But your money is better spent elsewhere.
There hasn't been a movie with a concept this ambitious in a long time. Probably ever. With "Inception", Christopher Nolan throws you into a complex labyrinth of dreams and dreams within dreams that's a lot of fun to get lost in. The cast is great and the smart, layered script holds it's mind-blowing charm throughout, providing one "wow" moment after the next. Not to mention some thrilling action scenes. If there's any gripe to be had with this movie it's that its emotional core which, while very well acted, isn't quite as relatable or compelling as it attempts to be. Even with that, this is one of the best movies of the year by a mile and has to be seen Bryce ***1/2 Chase **** Landon ***1/2 Logan ***1/2 BANGERANG SCORE: ***1/2
Raunchy comedies like these are just not funny. Sure, Steve Carrell is a good actor, especially in movies like "Dan in Real Life" and on TV like his role in "The Office". It has now gotten to a point where he's being cast in the same role over and over again. His characters are all tactless bumbling idiots with a severe lack of self-awareness. It has worked in the past, but doesn't work here. The script for this film is horribly written and the humor is very stale and filled to the brim with sexual content. Stay away from this one. Definitly not worth your time
The question of whether or not the wizards at Pixar could crank out a third great "Toy Story" movie has been answered with authority. Of course they can - they're Pixar. "Toy Story 3" is one of the best movies the studio has ever produced and is an extremely satisfying conclusion to the trilogy. It's funny, looks great and has a heart the size of a bowling ball. A few of the plot elements may be similar to the second installment but the way the movie wraps up these character's story is perfect. This is a fantastic film that just may be the best in the series. Bryce ***1/2 Chase ***1/2 Landon ***1/2 Logan ***1/2 BANGERANG SCORE: ***1/2
It may not be high praise, but "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time" is, by far, the greatest video game adaptation ever made. Given the pathetic history of movies in that category it only has to be a decent movie to clinch that title. Let's start with the pros. The visuals effects and production design are incredible to watch, the action sequences are surprisingly stellar, and Jake Gyllenhaal does a good job in the title role. On the flip side, the supporting characters are dull (and lazily named) and the story is way over the top. If you can look past that and focus on how the movie looks, you'll have a good time with this one. For me though, it falls somewhere in between.
Let's just get this out of the way: the original "Iron Man" is a great film. One of the best superhero movies ever made. Riding the heels of a movie like that certainly raises expectations and "Iron Man 2" fails to meet them. While the special effects are as exceptional this time around as they were in the first film, it's the story and especially the dialogue that fall short. The snappy exchanges between Stark and the crew really made the first movie stand out from your typical superhero flick. The actors here do the best they can with what is ultimately an uninspired and overstuffed script. The overall ride is still fairly enjoyable thanks to Downey and co. but it's still a missed opportunity that falls short of a recommendation from us. Bryce **1/2 Landon ** BANGERANG SCORE: **
First off, we have to emphasize that "How to Train Your Dragon" is the most visually impressive animated movie we have ever seen - and it's not even close. From the amazing flight sequences to the incredibly detailed textures displayed in every frame, this thing was made for the big screen and needs to be experienced in the theatre. The visuals may draw you in, but it's the story that makes this one truly special. It tells a familiar tale of friendship with an uncommon amount of craft and heart. The script may go a little too childish at times and a little too adult at times but the overall picture is outstanding. So see it. See it on the biggest screen you can find. This is likely the best film Dreamworks has ever produced.
The year 2009 is in the books. That of course means that it's time for your friendly, neighborhood critics at Movie Bangerang to reveal what we thought were the year's best films. Instead of individually listing our favorites, we decided to combine our lists. It should also be noted that we will continue to see movies released last year as time goes on, so the list is subject to change. We have decided, in our wisdom, to narrow it to five. Enjoy!
5. Avatar
It may not have been a perfect movie, but there's no denying it - "Avatar" is a thrilling and ambitious ride and is visually the most incredible movie out there. This is a film that will be remembered for years to come and one that has earned a spot on our list of the best of the year.
4. The Princess and the Frog
While we have been getting nothing but non-musical computer-animated movies from Disney for quite some time, directors Ron Clements and Jon Musker brought back the old Disney feel with "The Princess and the Frog" and took us all back to the glory years. Hopefully this level of excellence will continue in their future efforts.
3. (500) Days of Summer
A quirky, hiliarious, and insightful romantic comedy that never ceases to entertain. Director Marc Webb uses a variety of storytelling techniques to drive this original and unforgettable film.
2. Star Trek This is probably the most surprisingly good movie to come along in some time. "Star Trek" is so brilliant and memorable in every way from the interesting characters to the awesome action scenes. It's simply unbelievable that they were able to make a movie watchable and exciting to fans and non-fans alike. This is a great sci-fi film.
1. Up One of the most beautiful sequences in recent movie history sets the stage for a story that resonates with viewers young and old. "Up" is one of, if not the funniest, best-looking, and most complete films Pixar has ever created. It also happens to be the best film of the year.
Right from the get-go, this is a film that separates itself from the pack. It establishes its quirky mojo right out of the gate and engages the audience the whole way. This is a very real and relatable romantic comedy told in a very unconventional and hugely entertaining way. From split-screens to musical numbers to dramatic reenactments, the movie keeps you hooked wondering not only what's going to happen next, but how the filmmakers are going to present it. To boot, the whole story is told out of order! Some of the dirty humor definitely could have been cut back a bit. It feels a little out of place. Regardless, this is a funny and fascinating film that definitely deserves a look.
Where does "My Sister's Keeper" suffer? What was wrong with it? Some questions with answers that may or may not surprise a few. I have never read the book, so I don't know how well they compare. But I've seen the movie, and I'll tell you. Nothing was redeemable about it. Every character is annoying, it's oddly predictable, it's over-the-top sappy, and it is unbearlingly long. I could name a couple of more, but I think the point is clearly made.
In many ways, "Sherlock Holmes" is a breath of fresh air in a never-ending procession of bland cookie-cutter action and suspense thrillers. It dares to be different - maybe a little too different at times. Director Guy Ritchie really puts his mark on this one with dizzying camera work, a pounding score, and a blazing pace that jumps quickly from scene to scene, really impairing your ability to enjoy the great characters and sharp dialogue. The performances by the two leads, Robert Downey Jr. (quickly becoming one of my favorite actors) and Jude Law, were great. If not for Ritchie's heavy handed directing, this would've been much more enjoyable.
The kings of the animated craft have done it again. "Up" is the best film Pixar has released in years and quite possibly the best they've ever made. That's no small praise given the studio's track record. There's something timeless and unquestionably profound about this tale of a seemingly bitter old man embarking on an incredible adventure in the twilight of his life. Some of the adventures he finds himself in are a little too wacky for my taste, but there's an underlying human story woven throughout the film that's as real and compelling as any you'll ever seen. Like all great movies, this one sticks with you long after the credits roll and makes you look at life in a new light. It's funny, it's touching, it looks great, and it's going to be just as relevant 50 years from now as it is today. What more could you ask for? This is a great film.
Expectations were high leading up to "Invictus" and deservedly so. The source material is compelling, the previews were nothing short of rousing, and Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, and Matt Damon are some of the most talented men in the business. Unfortunately the finished product couldn't quite cash the check written by the aforementioned promise. The performances by the two leads are top notch but the movie suffers from an unfocused narrative that can't quite decide if it wants to be an in-depth biopic or a run-of-the-mill sports story. Freeman and Damon's performances may warrant a viewing despite these shortcomings but the overall package is a bit of a let down by Eastwood's lofty standards.
There's nothing like a good old fashion crime thriller to sooth the soul. "State of Play" is just what the doctor ordered. Sure it's not the deepest or most ambitious who-done-it you're likely to see, but it just seems to hit all the right notes we've come to expect from the genre: high tension, great performances and a plot with a few solid head-spinning twists. This thing will keep you guessing until the end. This is a thoroughly enjoyable flick that is definitely worth a look.
It's been a quite a while since Disney released a full-length, hand drawn feature film. There's a reason they stopped. The last few offerings from the studio were less than compelling and seemed to decrease in quality with each release (see: Home on the Range). Because of that downward trend, there was plenty of doubt to go around about this one, Disney's supposed return to form. Thankfully, those doubts were unfounded - Disney is back. While "The Princess and the Frog" may not be on the short list of the greatest Disney animated films ever, it belongs in the same category. It's got the look, the feel, and the humor we've all come to expect from the brand. The only thing I felt was lacking was a collection of memorable musical numbers. The songs were servicable, but nothing people are going to be humming afterwards. That being said, props to Disney for showing the world it's still got the magic! I hope this is the first of many.
The first thing that needs to be established is that the first "Transformers" movie was actually pretty good. Sure it had all the staples of a standard, obnoxious teen movie, but watching those giant robots transform and battle each other via spectacular special effects was just plain cool. The Shia LeBouf as the high school kid trying to help these extraterrestrial super weapons save the planet worked as well. But the magic has faded to say the least. "Revenge of the Fallen" is one of the worst movies in years. From the sexual innuendo that middle-school age kids crave to a sense of humor only a ten-year-old could fully appreciate, the second Transformers film is underwhelming at best - offensive, stupid, and excruciatingly long at worst. Bryce * Landon * BANGERANG SCORE: *
"Avatar" is one of the most amazing looking movies ever made. It's that simple. The obvious amount of time and talent that went into crafting this living, breathing sci-fi world is nothing short of mind-blowing. The digitally rendered images blend seemlessly with the live action elements of the film to create an unparalleled level of believability. In short, the look of the thing is worth the price of admission alone. What's frustrating about the film is that director James Cameron didn't burn as much time or resources on the story and characters. The narrative feels very familiar and much of the dialouge, especially from the villians, feels like it was ripped from a video game. Certainly a movie of this magnitude deserved more! Complaints aside, this one is definitely worth a look.
