Reviews
Duct Tape Forever (2002)
If You Hated It, You're Not a Fan of the Show. Period.
I don't normally write these, but I just watched the movie again last night and came here today, only to find a disgustingly negative review of the movie. Everyone is entitled to their opinion - hence my being able to write this - but I honestly don't understand how someone who is a self-proclaimed fan of the show can be that negative of the big screen debut.
I'm happy to say that I actually saw this in the theater. My parents and I, being huge fans of the show, drove from upstate New York into Canada to the nearest theater playing (about a 2 hour drive). I wasn't disappointed at all.
The script was exactly what I expected - all the usual Red Green-isms and Harold-isms, a few good lines from the supporting characters, and a healthy dose of heart mixed in. The physical comedy was... well, physical comedy! You either like it or you don't.
Granted, the plot was a little forced, but I didn't see the movie to see plot. I saw the movie to see my beloved Red Green characters on the big screen making me laugh. Upon repeated watching, I still laugh hard.
On a side note, my wife, who was only superficially familiar with show, loves the movie to no end. So it does extend to those not familiar with the show, even if it's in a small way.
Sure, it has it's problems, but it beats the pants off of most comedies being pumped out by Hollywood these days.
X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)
For the Fans, by a Fan
This movie has been getting a lot flack, mostly centered around the director, Brett Ratner. I'll admit when I first heard that he was taking over the project, I thought it was all over. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
X3 is not better or worse than the previous movies - it's different. It has a different feel and a different purpose. Whereas the first two movies were created to appeal to both fans and people unfamiliar with the X-Men comics, X3 was created specifically for the fans by a self-admitted fanboy. There were many references to the comics, both subtle and blatant, as well as a big nod to an internet joke concerning the X-Men. As a long-time fan of the comics, this movie was just pure fun from the get-go.
I will admit that the pacing was very rushed. If the running time had been expanded and/or certain plot points had been simplified, I think this movie would have flowed very nicely. However, it wasn't so rushed that it made the story incomprehensible - at least, not if you were paying attention. I also think that there were too many new characters introduced, and as much as I liked seeing them, they should have remained in the background rather than in the foreground and underdeveloped.
I'm giving this film an 8 out 10 because it did what it was supposed to do - it gave us an all-out war and it served as a final hurrah for the franchise (although I don't think I necessarily believe that Fox will end it here if it makes enough money). Fans of just the first two movies will probably be disappointed, but fans of the X-Men in any incarnation will more-than-likely be delighted.