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Reviews
Gyakuten saiban (2012)
It caters to the fans
I understand how many people who aren't familiar with the Ace Attorney franchise could watch this movie and be utterly confused and weirded out. However, if you have played the games (or just the first one), I think you will enjoy this film immensely, as I did.
Ace Attorney is a movie about a young lawyer named Phoenix Wright who, after the death of his mentor, must unravel a conspiracy that stretches back to a murder that took place over a decade ago. The characters are quirky, the story is insane, and the references to the franchise are in great abundance. It's not supposed to be realistic.
Here is why it is such a good adaption. The film took liberties with the story in order to condense it down into a 2 hour movie, but they did so effectively and kept the spirit of the games alive. Because of the differences in scenes and dialogue (while keeping the same core story), fans of the games can watch it and still be enthralled, despite knowing the outcome. And the movie is hilarious. As I said before, they make a ton of references to cases they do not showcase specifically in the film. Throwing confetti out of a garbage bag. The appearance of the Blue Badger. Everyone in the courtroom falling over from the sheer force produced in Phoenix's "Objection!" These iconic aspects of the game have been creatively implemented into the movie.
The acting is over-exagerrated, but to me at least, that made the film even funnier. Honestly, the casting, costumes, and make up effectively bring the characters to life. You recognize them instantly, and their weird mannerisms and personalities are amazingly written (save for maybe Maya, who seems a bit too serious in this movie compared to the game).
It's a fun ride from beginning to end for fans. If you haven't played the games, I don't know what to say. Buy yourself a DS and get to it.
Les Misérables (2012)
Beautiful, Heart-breaking, Amazing
Wow, just wow. I didn't expect much coming into this movie, though I am an avid lover of musicals. The French Revolution just didn't appeal that much to me, but two hours later when the credits were rolling down the screen and tears were rolling down my face, I realized how wrong I was.
Les Misérables is a movie based off a musical based off a book, and there's a reason this story has so many adaptations. It's a romantic tale with many thoroughly developed characters and story lines all woven together with music. Oh man, I've listened to the soundtrack a countless number of times already.
The actors are perfect in their imperfections. Since the songs were sung while filming rather than lip-syncing, they are able to convey more emotion, and emotion certainly is the one word that comes to mind when I think of this movie. Anne Hathaway's "I Dreamed a Dream" is especially heart-wrenching and gave Hathaway a deserved Oscar.
Just--it's good. It's really good. If you enjoy musicals or historical movies, you'll probably love this as much as I do. 9/10. Great stuff.
The Fight Within (2016)
Even if you're a Christian, don't go wasting your time on this.
If you are not a Christian, you will hate this.
If you are a Christian (like myself), you will still probably hate this.
"The Fight Within" is a Christian MMA movie. Yes, you read that right. Christian + MMA. My party consisted of the only people in the theater when I went to see this movie, and I just knew that this was going to be awful. So far, this is the only movie I have given a 1/10 stars, and here's why.
I enjoy movies with a religious message, but come on. The main character goes from "Gaaaaah, I hate God and I'm edgy" to "God is awesome and I'm going to forgive people but nevermind I'm going to beat this dude up" after two dates or so with this girl whose character is as flat as the Greeks' idea of the shape of the world.
2. The storyline tried to combine these different ideas that, quite simply, don't work together.
3. There was a five minute-long montage of the main character, his love interest, and all her random friends you never hear from again frolicking at a lake, and I just couldn't handle another second of it.
4. The worst part of the movie for me was the acting. I just couldn't believe the actors as their characters. The lines sounded recited rather than acted, but at least they tried.
Overall, maybe the worst movie I've ever seen. Yep, 1/10.