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Reviews
Kyaputen Hârokku (2013)
A movie to quench an action craving...but, not one to fill a void for good stories
WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD
Every once and a while, I like to take a survey of films and television shows of a certain genre. I've done superheroes, vampires, vampire slayers and spies. My current survey is Anime, as it was the one genre of which I hadn't done much watching. I'm currently making my way through Death Note, K and Blue Exorcist. I've actually purchased Akira and frequently watch it on a regular basis. I've seen select episodes of Attack on Titan, Kill la Kill, Sword Art Online, Black Butler and some others. I've finished watching Akame ga Kill, as well. Full Metal Alchemist and its following series are on deck. And, this weekend, I came across this one while looking for something shorter than a series. Glad to discover this one, as I have very little experience with 3D Anime, as well.
As a Harlock virgin, I knew nothing about the menga (another entertainment genre I've not dabbled in) or the following anime, so the universe was shiny and new for me. And I enjoyed the presentation, for the most part. Despite needing to go back a few times to keep up with the subtitles if I looked away from my screen, as I enjoy foreign films and shows in their original language, I followed the story pretty well. Due to my slight understanding of Japanese culture, I was able to overlook most of what my fellow reviewers may complain about (i.e. the dramatics (over-the-top-weapons), the focus on the childish romance and the need to maintain balance by closing the circle.) For the con side of coin, the story needed some serious work. It needed to be clearer on who we were to follow: Yama or Harlock. Also, it needed to be clearer in what the endgame was, to present an origin story to "Captain Harlock" or if it was a resistance plot. Granted, it could be both but we needed clarity. Also, the antagonist wasn't real enough or constructed well enough to make the hero work for his title. Besides Isora being competently built as a character, he still was relatively flat. It is a must that we feel for both the hero and the villain. Both Yama and Harlock failed to earn their mantle as hero, despite each of them being built competently and Yama being the most dimensional character in the film, which isn't saying much. The others aren't built at all they seem to exist so that the dialogue doesn't sound monotone. We must care for these characters, the must make us empathize, but none of the characters made me do that, so the core of the film was hollow.
On the positive side, the production value was excellent. Despite the re-use of some of the action cuts, the animation was top notch for my first outing. I enjoyed the Gothic cathedral design of the Legion ships and their technology, all the details, from the arch above the bridge to the insignia on the front of their ships spoke to their power and philosophy. My favorite ship, however, is not a surprise. I loved
LOVED
the design of the Arcadia!! It also spoke to volumes as to Harlock's mission and the attitude of his crew. I enjoyed its submarine-like design with its steam-punk flair, down to the old-school ship's wheel. It was rich in history and yet it still fit in the space theme. Its use of black smoke to conceal its arrival opposed the light used by the Legion ships. This juxtaposition highlights the conflict at the center of the universe. The music was well composed and the artistic value was well done. I enjoyed that the female characters were mostly not simply eye candy as most anime pieces tend to present women as. Granted they were not well utilized, but hardly anyone was anyways.
As part of my survey of the anime genre, this was a good choice to study. But, due to the core being hollow, I can't say that the film was "well-done." If I needed to watch on a rainy afternoon, this one'll work as it takes you away from your living room and into a new world for a time. Just don't expect to remember it years later as the impression will most likely be fleeting.
Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith (2005)
Too Panicked
"The chosen one, the boy may be..."
Yoda's fears when he first allows Anakin Skywalker to become a Jedi slowly and painfully are revealed in the classic epic of a galaxy far, far away come to a close in Revenge of the Sith, the third part of the Star Wars Prequel Trilogy. The film picks up where "Clones" closes, with the Clone War in full swing in the galaxy and the hunt for their leader, Darth Tyrannus, continues. Ewan McGregor, Nataile Portman, Hayden Christensen, Christopher Lee, Jimmy Smits, Ian McDirmid and Samuel L. Jackson star.
Lose ends are tied in Revenge of the Sith, but tied too quickly and too hard. If "Sith" was a car ride I would have whiplash so bad, I would have to take Aleve for the rest of my life to control the pain. In each plot and subplot, I was engaged fully and then disengaged as soon as the editor was done with the scene. There was not enough time allotted to fully conclude each plot line smoothly and beautifully. It was very clunky; the writing, aside from Anakin's Character, was terrible. I needed to brush my teeth twice after seeing the midnight showing. In fact, Anakin's Character sketch and the beauty of his seduction to the Dark Side and Mr. Christensen's beautiful performance as lover and villain, humanizes the Darth Vader I know and have now come to respect. For this, I give an ounce of leniency toward the writing.
The acting, however, was top notch; but seeing as they couldn't work with much, they did rather well with the material they had. Bravo to them!!
The special effects, although extraordinary, were not enough to redeem the film. I was fed candy, too much candy, leaving me doubled over in nausea as I tried so hard to find the energy to expel yet another load. Lucas, although cinematic ally brilliant, has not come to grips this careful thought: Just because one can, does not mean they should. Story is king, if there is no story, the film dies.
Just a thought...
Noah's Ark (1999)
Terrible Use of the Bible Story
If you are going to make a movie from any book, be sure that the characters are consistant with that book. This movie not only defied the Biblical story that has been told for thousands upon thousands of years to children one way or another, but it clearly took liberties that no adaptation would probably ever try. At least the Lord of the Rings is close enough to the books that people understand the story more if they read the books than this "Noah's Ark" tried to.
Zig Zag (1999)
Cliche down to its core
I found that this was the most hilarious film due to the over clicheness of the plot and the characterization. The summary presented on the cover of the movie proved to foresee the obviousness of the poor writing and the ending being one of the cliche. I could actually sense the next step in the plot.
The actors did well with their subject matter, but what can you do with the subject matter being a told tale?
If you are going to mush your brain, see this one. Otherwise spend more to rent a good one!!
Rob Roy (1995)
Honor is Above All
The portrait of honor is portrayed well by Liam Neeson. Tim Roth does well counteracting Neeson as Cunningham. When I saw it the first time I thought, Neeson is the man. But then I saw it again and thought that it was brilliant in painting the picture of honor in the Scottish society. The colors blended well and the people did too. Jessica Lange as Mary, the dutiful but colorful wife, was terrific. The whole movie overall captures the Scottish Honor and holds it for all