The casting and performances were good and the CGI was great ... I love the bears... but my enjoyment of it was influenced by the expectations I brought to it having just read the books. I don't understand the reason for many of the plot changes, nor do I understand why they did not choose to make a slightly longer movie in order to develop the story more completely. As it is, they cut so much that a lot of background had to be served straight rather than unfolded for the audience. Still, it is well worth seeing and if you haven't already read the book, that won't be a problem. I plan to see the movie again, and look forward to seeing the rest of the trilogy.
Reviews
9 Reviews
One Night with the King
(2006)
The tale had potential, but it was not realized.
23 November 2006
This story had all the elements that should make a movie attractive... action, intrigue, romance, a little suspense... but it was wasted on this film. The production was uneven, hopping from one seemingly unrelated scene to another, many of them making our leading lady appear at best adolescent and at worst delusional. The music was not well chosen for the action, and the directing was obvious (thunder crashes as Esther delivers what was supposed to be a dramatic line). The acting was mostly disappointing, with fine performances by John Rhys-Davies, Omar Sharif and a few others, but pretty amateur efforts from the rest of the cast. In all, the only thing I really enjoyed were the period costumes.
The Bridge of San Luis Rey
(2004)
I think there was a plot...
26 December 2005
Although the movie had an impressive cast and great costumes, it moved so slowly that I had trouble keeping my eyes open. Even the slow pacing wouldn't have been enough to discourage me completely if the plot had been compelling; but in this case it was nearly absent. Having read the summary on the back of the DVD case, I know what it was supposed to be about, but recall only a few references to it. I kept thinking that the sub-plot between the actress and her noble but alcoholic mother must tie into the main storyline somewhere but it did not do so during the half of the movie I watched before giving up.
I really can't recommend this except as a cure for insomnia.
I really can't recommend this except as a cure for insomnia.
Cutthroat Island
(1995)
Action, adventure and a lot of fun! Underrated in my opinion.
14 October 2005
I love pirate movies, and this one has all the swashbuckling action I enjoy, with humor and some really great one-liners! Geena Davis is the daughter of a pirate captain who has 2 brothers. Each has a piece of a map to a hidden treasure trove. One of the brothers is out to get the treasure for himself and kills her father in an attempt to seize his piece of the map. The story becomes a race between Geena and her uncle to get the rest of the map and find the treasure.
Ms Davis makes a good pirate and does her own stunts, which is impressive. Frank Langella plays the evil uncle with wicked flair, and Mathew Modine is appealingly larcenous. Overall this is good entertainment and I recommend it!
Ms Davis makes a good pirate and does her own stunts, which is impressive. Frank Langella plays the evil uncle with wicked flair, and Mathew Modine is appealingly larcenous. Overall this is good entertainment and I recommend it!
Not to be missed! (Possible Spoilers)
26 December 2003
Warning: Spoilers
This film recaptured much of the feeling that 'Fellowship' created, and that I felt was missing from 'Two Towers'. The spirit of the story, the emotional engagement with the characters, the feeling of being part of the struggle in Middle Earth were back; and the areas in which the film differed from the book did not detract from it. There was a lot of action (enough to keep my action/adventure junky husband interested) but it did not overwhelm the plot, and the encounter with Shelob was really fantastic! I was sorry that they had to cut so much of the ending ... what happened to Saruman, the struggle in the shire and the aftermath ... but I understand that they'd have had to make 4 movies to include it all. I'm really looking forward to getting some of that back in the extended version DVD. Overall an excellent movie and well worth 3 1/2 hours in uncomfortable seats!
Lots of very fast action!
19 July 2003
I like the plot and the odd group of fantastic characters it brings together, who are well played I think, by their human counterparts. The sets are bigger than life and quite marvelous ... it definitely has the feel of a comic book come to life. The action sequences are often too fast to follow however, which made them less engaging than they might have been, and a little overwhelming at times. It is still worth seeing, and perhaps they'll slow things down a bit in the sequel.
Great Entertainment!
12 July 2003
I've always been a sucker for a swashbuckling pirate tale, and have probably seen every one made. This one did not disappoint! Johnny Depp's Captain Jack was quirky and brilliant. Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley played off his madness perfectly. Of course the plot had all of the expected elements ... damsel in distress, unacceptable suitor, nasty pirate with a conscience, incompetent naval officers ... but the cast made it all seem fresh, and the pace kept me captivated until the end. This movie is fun!
An amazing achievement!
11 January 2003
Two towers weaves 4 separate tales, all of which come together at the end of the book. The difficulty of bringing this to the screen, and in only 3 hours time, had to be daunting, but Jackson managed it splendidly! The creation of Edoras and Hornburg were amazing, and the action carried me along so completely that the 3 hours seemed like a much shorter time. I admit that I was put off a bit by some of the changes made to the story. I can understand giving some of the key characters more exposure, but I don't understand such decisions as changing the outcome of the Ent Moot or Frodo's encounter with Faramir, who was a wiser and more noble character in the book. Still, it was a fantastic film. I have seen it twice and may see it again before it leaves town.
The Scorpion King
(2002)
Very entertaining, and a good debut for 'The Rock'
23 April 2002
The Scorpion King is pure entertainment, as were The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. It has plenty of action, good special effects, humor, and just a touch of romance ... a perfect escape from the tedium of real life. I was pleasantly surprised to find that The Rock has some talent to offer beyond his wrestling expertise. All in all worth seeing.
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