They should have called it "Robin Longstride", or "Robin Hood: Almost", or "Robin Hood the Prequel". In fact Russel Crowe didn't even play Robert of Loxley, he played the guy pretending to be Robert of Loxley.
Now I don't know the story all that well. From what I know of this legendary tale is mostly from what I've seen in previous movies, but I don't remember any Robin or Robert Longstride. It actually got confusing because characters who thought he was Robert of Loxley are calling him Robin. Or maybe the British accent confused me into hearing Robert or Robin, I don't know.
Ridley Scott took this new Robin Hood in a different direction then I was used to by essentially setting up the Movie for a sequel (if it makes enough money). Scott tells the story before the legend begins. In fact, they fade out the film with a "And so the legend Begins".
What bothered me about the movie was that the Trailer for the film suggests that we are going to see the story of Robin Hood. The trailer shows shots of King John declaring Robin Hood an outlaw, and shots of the magistrate putting up a poster declaring Robin Hood an outlaw etc. But the film itself had very little to do with Robin being an outlaw.. Yet. I Think Russel Crowe shoots a total of 4 arrows in the movie on top of that.
Ok, so whatever the film took place before the legend of Robin Hood, I'll run with it. So then indicate that its a prequel instead of making us expect the actual tale. However, if Scott is attempting to properly tell the story, then doing it over 2 or 3 films is a good way to both make money and tell the story in detail.
The film introduces us to the principle characters. Cate Blanchett plays the lady Maid Marian, where she plays the strong willed noble woman who takes care of the people on her lands while her husband Robert Loxley is gone. There's King John played by Oscar Isaac who delivers a particularly douchebaggy and callous King. King John succeeds his much more nobler King Richard The Lionheart played by Danny Huston.
There's Robin's Merry Men, Little John played by Kevin Durand. Will Scarlet played by Scott Grimes (who you would know from the Band of Brothers HBO series) and Friar Tuck played by Mark Addy. William Hurt is also in the film as William Marshal, a nobleman who serves the Crown as a trusted adviser. Mark Strong also plays the badguy Godfrey who clearly doesn't believe in God.
I mention the cast because its a pretty good cast and everyone plays their role well. What I didn't like, which you already see in the trailer is Maid Marian going into battle like she knows what she's doing. This is a period piece, and like all period pieces they should try and stay true to the period. That being said, in no way would you EVER see a woman, especially of noble birth be allowed to go into battle, nor would she even try with her little amount of training (Although Marian did shoot a lit arrow at some thieves in the beginning). Poppers weren't even allowed to be anything more then foot soldiers let alone women allowed in the army to battle. Not to mention (Robin and Marian) kissing on the battlefield is just ridiculous. Maybe they should pay attention to the ENEMY at their backs before making out on beach soaked in blood. But that's just me.
Special mention to the film's set design and costumes, which looked pretty authentic. In fact most of that weapons and costumes looked flawless and would take a history major of the feudal period to be able to tell the difference.
Overall I'm still left with mixed feelings about the film. I liked some parts and but the battle scene at the end was just... unlikely. I wish I could explain why but I can't without essentially telling you the ending.
3/5 Xombie Heads
Saturday, May 15, 2010
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
IRON MAN 2 WAS ROCK SOLID
IRON MAN GETS AN UPGRADE! (literally)
Those of you who are weary of Comic Book Movies, will not be able to argue just how much fun this movie was. Iron Man 2, directed by Jon Favreau, delivered its high impact action and made you laugh at the same time. Favreau also plays Starks body guard and manages to add some additional comic relief that reminded me of Bruce Campbell in the Spidey Movies.
Robert Downey Jr. delivers Tony Stark with wit, narcissism and manages to throw in a touch of nobility. He really brings this character to life. The chemistry between Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts) and Downey is good enough for you to want to see them get together.
What can you say about Mickey Rourke, this guy is on fire right now! He manages to creep you out with his demonic eyes and pulls of the Russian accent like a commie pissed off at America.
Speaking of the Russian accent, where the fuck is the Black Widow's? I know Scarlett Johansson could pull it off, but her character's role in the film's story doesn't suit the accent so it's no surprise it was dropped from the movie. I gotta say she really did look like she kicks the shit out of those guards.
I have a lot of respect for Don Cheadle. Do I think he pulled off a better performance then Terrence Howard at being Rhodey? Not really.. I don't know why they made the casting change, but either way it didn't really matter. I thought Howard had better chemistry with Downey in the first film, but once Cheadle puts on the War Machine suit you forget about Howard very quickly!
Speaking of War Machine. OMFG was it awesome! The scene (unfortunately half spoiled by the trailer) in the park where Iron Man and War Machine square off against all of the other Drones was pretty cool. It was also rather brief. I could have done without seeing it in the Trailer, and slowing down a few moments during that scene could have made it cooler.
In Fact my only beef with this movie is seeing too damn much in the trailer! I mean what the fuck Hollywood? I don't need to see the plot in the trailers! For example is the Indy car racing scene where stark goes for a ride. We know that what happens to him cause you fucking show us! You could have put a still shot of the Iron Man 2 poster as the Trailer and I would have paid to see it!
Notable mentions go to John Slattery of Mad Men fame, who plays Howard Stark for a few moments in the film. He didn't do anything fantastic in this film, but he's got a great screen presence and is a fantastic actor who unfortunately flies under the radar.
Sam Rockwell is always good at every role he plays, and almost out shined Downey as the pure narcistic asshole.
In case you guys are wondering if they managed to squeeze Stan Lee in this movie, he gets a quick cameo as Larry King (which is kinda funny when you think about it). This is obviously a trend in every Marvel movie made these days.
Another trend you might have noticed is the at the end of the credits there is a little Easter Egg scene to get your appetite wet for something else. If your a fan of the comics and want a glympse of whats coming next, DO YOUR SELF A FAVOR AND STAY TILL THE END OF THE CREDITS! IT IS WORTH IT!!! It not a long scene, but its totally worth it.
4.5/5 Xombie Heads
Those of you who are weary of Comic Book Movies, will not be able to argue just how much fun this movie was. Iron Man 2, directed by Jon Favreau, delivered its high impact action and made you laugh at the same time. Favreau also plays Starks body guard and manages to add some additional comic relief that reminded me of Bruce Campbell in the Spidey Movies.
Robert Downey Jr. delivers Tony Stark with wit, narcissism and manages to throw in a touch of nobility. He really brings this character to life. The chemistry between Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper Potts) and Downey is good enough for you to want to see them get together.
What can you say about Mickey Rourke, this guy is on fire right now! He manages to creep you out with his demonic eyes and pulls of the Russian accent like a commie pissed off at America.
Speaking of the Russian accent, where the fuck is the Black Widow's? I know Scarlett Johansson could pull it off, but her character's role in the film's story doesn't suit the accent so it's no surprise it was dropped from the movie. I gotta say she really did look like she kicks the shit out of those guards.
I have a lot of respect for Don Cheadle. Do I think he pulled off a better performance then Terrence Howard at being Rhodey? Not really.. I don't know why they made the casting change, but either way it didn't really matter. I thought Howard had better chemistry with Downey in the first film, but once Cheadle puts on the War Machine suit you forget about Howard very quickly!
Speaking of War Machine. OMFG was it awesome! The scene (unfortunately half spoiled by the trailer) in the park where Iron Man and War Machine square off against all of the other Drones was pretty cool. It was also rather brief. I could have done without seeing it in the Trailer, and slowing down a few moments during that scene could have made it cooler.
In Fact my only beef with this movie is seeing too damn much in the trailer! I mean what the fuck Hollywood? I don't need to see the plot in the trailers! For example is the Indy car racing scene where stark goes for a ride. We know that what happens to him cause you fucking show us! You could have put a still shot of the Iron Man 2 poster as the Trailer and I would have paid to see it!
Notable mentions go to John Slattery of Mad Men fame, who plays Howard Stark for a few moments in the film. He didn't do anything fantastic in this film, but he's got a great screen presence and is a fantastic actor who unfortunately flies under the radar.
Sam Rockwell is always good at every role he plays, and almost out shined Downey as the pure narcistic asshole.
In case you guys are wondering if they managed to squeeze Stan Lee in this movie, he gets a quick cameo as Larry King (which is kinda funny when you think about it). This is obviously a trend in every Marvel movie made these days.
Another trend you might have noticed is the at the end of the credits there is a little Easter Egg scene to get your appetite wet for something else. If your a fan of the comics and want a glympse of whats coming next, DO YOUR SELF A FAVOR AND STAY TILL THE END OF THE CREDITS! IT IS WORTH IT!!! It not a long scene, but its totally worth it.
4.5/5 Xombie Heads
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The Losers? Not us! Well maybe...
Some of you might not know that The Losers movie is spawned from the Vertigo Graphic Novel series. I still read comics today, but I have to admit I haven't read this one yet. I've never even heard of Vertigo or The Losers until the movie came out. But regardless, it looks like i might start to read this comic.
Directed by Sylvain White, the movie itself was a pretty fun watch. Jeffrey Dean Morgan heads up the cast as the lead with Chris Evans and the SMEXXY Zoey Saldana of Avatar fame. Although my favorite character was Cougar played by Óscar Jaenada who really didn't say much, but let his sniper rifle do all the talking. Props to Chris Evans too as was the funniest part of that whole movie. He reminds me of Ryan Reynolds for some reason.
The movie is essentially about spec-ops team who get noble and go off mission to save a bunch of children from being obliterated by an air strike. They then become targets from their own commanders for saving the children I guess. It was kinda funny to see what happens to the children after they save them. What happens next I'm sure you can guess from the trailers.
All in all the movie had a combination of witt, high octane action, and some cool gun scenes. I'm not sure if I'd buy the DVD though.
Worth a Rental, and was worth the $5.75 on cheap night I paid to go see it. I predict it will still be better then the A-Team movie which seems to have the exact same Plot.
3.5 Zombie Heads on this one.
Directed by Sylvain White, the movie itself was a pretty fun watch. Jeffrey Dean Morgan heads up the cast as the lead with Chris Evans and the SMEXXY Zoey Saldana of Avatar fame. Although my favorite character was Cougar played by Óscar Jaenada who really didn't say much, but let his sniper rifle do all the talking. Props to Chris Evans too as was the funniest part of that whole movie. He reminds me of Ryan Reynolds for some reason.
The movie is essentially about spec-ops team who get noble and go off mission to save a bunch of children from being obliterated by an air strike. They then become targets from their own commanders for saving the children I guess. It was kinda funny to see what happens to the children after they save them. What happens next I'm sure you can guess from the trailers.
All in all the movie had a combination of witt, high octane action, and some cool gun scenes. I'm not sure if I'd buy the DVD though.
Worth a Rental, and was worth the $5.75 on cheap night I paid to go see it. I predict it will still be better then the A-Team movie which seems to have the exact same Plot.
3.5 Zombie Heads on this one.
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