Reviews

Australia is a film that starts off mediocre at best. The story, one of an upper-class British woman who gets tangled up in the affair of an estate in Australia and the events that surround it, is at it's best tense, gripping and action packed. It is brought to life with stunning cinematography that places an emphasis on sheer scenic spectacle. Sweeping shots and dramatic angles immerse the viewer in the film like nothing else, and is easily this films strongest aspect. Once it settles into a rhythm it is a throughly gripping epic that will either have you on the edge of your seat our sinking fearfully into it. Unfortunately, the film is held back by a dreadful first third that has no sentiment of subtlety or pacing. Part of this is due to Nicole Kidman's performance as Lady Ashley, the aforementioned rich Englishwoman. It doesn't help that her character, one of a snobby, uptight and hysterical quasi-extrovert has been done do death, but it's exacerbated by Kidman's dreadful overacting and unnecessary melodrama. However, the problem with the first part is not just her powerfully bad acting, but partly to do with the director, who has tried to set the scene through a mesh of poorly- presented and hasty plot points. Once it settles down. When Lady Ashley's character develops her mental age and stops obscuring Hugh Jackman and Brandon Walters' respectively good and utterly compelling performances. When the movie sets on an entirely workable and consistent pace. Australia is very good, and definitely a worthwhile cinematic romp. It's not entirely innovative, but at the very least is very well produced and realised. One of the more worthwhile movies of this holiday season.

7 - Very Good

I would never believe any animation would surpass the magic of one of Walt Disney's earlier works. Animations that involved years of hard labour and revolutionised family entertainment. In all honesty, Princess Mononoke could hardly hold a candle to something such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. However, the lone fact that it even comes within a mile of that is justification for that failing.

For Princess Mononoke is truly a masterpiece, a masterpiece of story, subtlety, and movement that is only superseded by few other films from the studio. It has a dilemma in a way, for it is not very suitable for children, whilst adults will probably be put off by the slightly surreal tale. However, stereotypes such as that can't explain why it was so popular in the first place. The story that depicts the struggle between humankind and nature masks what is really a love story of prince Ashitaka and the Mononoke-Hime of the wolf tribe. The alternation between these two arcs is superbly pitched, and adds depth to the otherwise fairly simple tale.

Of course, despite how well paced and emotional the story is it's the animation people would be most interested in. In a generation where animated characters are typified by stiff, unconvincing movement, princess Mononoke is ultimately refreshing. Due in part to director Miyazaki's insistence on hand-drawn animation, and the obvious work that's been put into bringing every scene to life. It superbly captures the atmosphere of it's several locations, populating screens with noise and movement. The excellent use of animation and sound gives objects weight and realistic movements. The characters are expressive and filled with life. It truly is a sight to behold.

In terms of English voice talent, Princess Mononoke is typically short of it. Whilst the majority of the actors' performances are adequate. The worst of all is probably Ashitaka (Billy Caldup's) half-hearted performance. The Japanese voicing is a lot better, and yet the subtitles aren't well translated enough. One thing to try is to watch the movie in Japanese without subtitles, and thus see how much you can discern simply from watching the films alone. Princess Mononoke is a stunning animation in it's own right, and simply one of the best movies I'd ever watched. I'd recommend it, but be wary that it isn't the kind of film to sink well with everyone.

8/10 Exceptional

If you like knights, dragons, kings and the occasional monk chances are you'll like Dragonheart. But the story is fairly diverse from the usual food chain.

A knight played by Dennis Quaid teams up with a dragon, (voiced by the ever notable Sean Connery) a poetic monk, and a wild peasant girl name Kara, to fight corrupted young King Einon.

The result is is a standard yet engaging fantasy flick with above-average special effects and a great musical score. Although its far from a masterpiece, and the acting isn't always completely convincing, that doesn't mean it isn't worth watching.