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Reviews
The Wanted (2009)
Infotainment that is almost a self-parody
Terrible, just terrible! The premise itself is interesting and certainly could have worked had the producers not gone for some 'edgy' production values that are clearly staged for maximum dramatic effect and consequently make the whole thing look contrived.
You'll know what I mean from the moment we are shown the 'briefing room' with a huge ECHO-OPS logo (the production company) on the wall befitting some arch-villain's secret headquarters, suitably backlit by strategic placement of spotlights etc.
The quality of investigative journalism itself is shallow to say the least. Little analysis is given to the particular backstory for each episode presented (I have only seen the first 2 episodes to date) and instead the viewer is shown images such as the aftermath of the Twin Towers or Embassy bombings (to remind us that terrorists are bad) and some testimony of minor third parties such as bombing victim or former intelligence bit-player (to tell us that terrorists are bad, in case we didn't get the message from the videoclips).
Rather than examining facts, the show instead relies on tugging at emotions. This may certainly work for an American audience where the events of 9-11 are now firmly embedded in the national psyche, but not so much for non-Americans who can watch this with a degree of detachment.
Then we are shown dramatic (and illegal since they supposedly exceeded local speed restrictions) chase sequences that achieved nothing except provide some action, as well as questionable tradecraft. If you are surveilling a target that is trying to draw out anyone following (by erratic and overly fast driving etc) you *don't* continue with the op but withdraw to try again at another time. I won't comment on interference of other agencies' operations either...
I could go on, but I won't. In short it is a worthy concept let down by execution, production values, and lack of credible journalism.
Dollhouse (2009)
Alias meets Joe 90?
Relatively decent start to what will hopefully turn out to be a riveting show, but lacking that special 'something' to really engage the viewer from the outset. Perhaps Joss is playing his cards close to his chest until he knows what the future holds for his latest creation.
Personally, I feel that just because the start may be a little lackluster in no way means the rest of the series must also be (remember Babylon 5 anyone?) and there are certainly many questions posed by the pilot that will no doubt be fuel for hours of future entertainment.
On a side note, did anyone else feel that the set for the Dollhouse was a slightly reworked Wolfram and Hart one from Angel?
The X Files: I Want to Believe (2008)
A long TV episode
Well, I managed to avoid any pre-movie spoilers and went in without any prior knowledge as to what this was going to be all about.
Boy, do I now wish I checked IMDb first! Don't get me wrong, I'm an X-phile from waaaay back. Watched all the TV episodes (even the later series) and fairly much loved it all. However, I was really hoping for more Alien Conspiracy of Earth-Shattering Proportions and was not expecting just a 'mundane' episode stretched to movie length.
That came as a disappointment.
I guess the film was enjoyable enough on its own merit, but (given my hopes) the whole experience was tainted.
See it to complete your X-Files experience, but it's a far cry from one of the better 'episodes'.
The Dark Knight (2008)
Dark? As dark as high noon on a summer's day
Well, maybe not.
I won't bore you with any of the plot details, believe me when I say The Dark Knight will do this for you. Tedious, that's one way of describing this film. As well as insipid, dull, uninspiring, boring, and yawn inspiring.
I seriously can't believe the ridiculously high scores given here. Did we even see the same movie? I'm starting to think not.
The one I saw was achingly long, had A-Team level violence (you know, explosions and a lot of shooting but never any blood), and a hero who disguised himself by adopting a stupid 'I'm disguising my voice so you'll not recognise my lantern jaw' voice.
Heath Ledger was okay. As in OK. As in not great. I half suspect that the only reason people are gushing over him is because he's dead.
Anyway, this film has a LOT of flaws and certainly isn't anywhere near the masterpiece it is touted as being.
I'll give it a 6/10 for some solid cinematography, -1 for being so damn boring and another -1 for failing to live up to any of the hype.
Eragon (2006)
Allegory for these dark and troubling times, or just a bad movie?
This movie set a new standard in bad. In fact the word 'bad', with a mere three letters, cannot encapsulate how God-awful this film truly is. When I tell you I'd rather sit through Ultraviolet or Aeon Flux again, that should give you some measure of what I mean by 'bad'.
Anyway, I never read the book (which by all accounts has no bearing on the film anyway), so here's my take on the plot...
The legitimate ruler of a Kingdom is facing a political and military crisis. Neighbouring (rogue) states conspire against his rule, fomenting trouble. Naturally, to preserve freedom, some sacrifices must be made and the rule of law must prevail.
Enter the main character, a young idealist who gets caught up in the intrigue when a Weapon of Mass Destruction, stolen from the King's armoury falls into his possession. Abetted by a grizzled traitor, they seek to deliver the WMD to one of the neighbouring states where the terrorists have their haven.
The King, quite naturally, sends his troops to the distant land to wage his War on Terror and to locate the missing WMD and, well, stuff happens.
But none of it is remotely interesting so I won't bore you with the details. My only advice is, when faced with the possibility of seeing this film, your best bet would be to feign death convincingly.