Post by Fickle81 on Nov 19, 2006 9:22:07 GMT -5
Minor spolers:
Well I FINALLY got my hands on a copy of this much antisapated film (the one that had the authorization warning text I mentioned here. The ones that complained about it are complete crybabies as it's so transparent that you barely even notice it) after getting completely fucked over the previous two times I tried to get it (third time was most definatly a charm here). Needless to say due to being screwed twice in trying to get it,which delayed me seeing it which only increased my already high desire to see it,it had some lofty expectations to live up to due to all the extremely positive word of mouth.
So did it live up to my expectations? Yes and no.
Theres no doubt that the movie is gorgeous visually and incorporates a fresh take on fairy tale elements within its great story. The intermixing between CG and actors in makeup was also very well done and the creature designs themselves were awsome (so much so that I craved more than what I got,but more on that in a second). The movie also had a pretty sadistic villian that helped communicate some of the dire urgency of the plot itself (the first person he kills with a bottle made my jaw drop). Add to that mix very credible acting,a couple of jump moments (mainly having to do with the "insect fairies"),and a twisted yet ambiguous ending and you've got yourself quite a movie concoction to say the least.
Unfortunatly though,it's not as perfect as some of the critics and fans made it out to be. For starters,eventhough this is personal preference,I didn't feel there was enough of the fairy tale end of it to satisfy. I wanted more nifty looking creatures thrown into the mix than what I got and the fairy tale end of it almost disappears completely for a good chunk of the second act to focus on the war part of the plot that I didn't care about as much as the fairy tale part. Which leads me to my next problem...1 VERY dumb move on the part of the main character that was done for the sole purpose of forcing the plot to go a certain direction (she was warned SEVERAL times not to do what she did,even right before doing it,but did it anyway). Then there was another dumb move by a certain character who had the chance to kill the main villian,but didn't. Finally,I don't quite feel the main villian got his just deserts in the end.
All and all though,I feel pretty much the same way about this film as I do about The Descent...both films had a ton of praise behind them and both films definatly had the potential to be amazing,but due to some inexcuseable flaws,both films just don't quite reach their high potential...but still,both films are definatly quite good dispite this. It should be said that this is the best Del Toro movie I've seen so far,but that doesn't mean much seeing as how I had only seen Blade 2 and Hellboy before this.
4/5
V For Vendetta is still my favorite movie of the year (unless you count Brick,but thats technically a 2005 film). Theres now only 1 movie left that has the potential to dethrone it,and thats The Fountain.
Well I FINALLY got my hands on a copy of this much antisapated film (the one that had the authorization warning text I mentioned here. The ones that complained about it are complete crybabies as it's so transparent that you barely even notice it) after getting completely fucked over the previous two times I tried to get it (third time was most definatly a charm here). Needless to say due to being screwed twice in trying to get it,which delayed me seeing it which only increased my already high desire to see it,it had some lofty expectations to live up to due to all the extremely positive word of mouth.
So did it live up to my expectations? Yes and no.
Theres no doubt that the movie is gorgeous visually and incorporates a fresh take on fairy tale elements within its great story. The intermixing between CG and actors in makeup was also very well done and the creature designs themselves were awsome (so much so that I craved more than what I got,but more on that in a second). The movie also had a pretty sadistic villian that helped communicate some of the dire urgency of the plot itself (the first person he kills with a bottle made my jaw drop). Add to that mix very credible acting,a couple of jump moments (mainly having to do with the "insect fairies"),and a twisted yet ambiguous ending and you've got yourself quite a movie concoction to say the least.
Unfortunatly though,it's not as perfect as some of the critics and fans made it out to be. For starters,eventhough this is personal preference,I didn't feel there was enough of the fairy tale end of it to satisfy. I wanted more nifty looking creatures thrown into the mix than what I got and the fairy tale end of it almost disappears completely for a good chunk of the second act to focus on the war part of the plot that I didn't care about as much as the fairy tale part. Which leads me to my next problem...1 VERY dumb move on the part of the main character that was done for the sole purpose of forcing the plot to go a certain direction (she was warned SEVERAL times not to do what she did,even right before doing it,but did it anyway). Then there was another dumb move by a certain character who had the chance to kill the main villian,but didn't. Finally,I don't quite feel the main villian got his just deserts in the end.
All and all though,I feel pretty much the same way about this film as I do about The Descent...both films had a ton of praise behind them and both films definatly had the potential to be amazing,but due to some inexcuseable flaws,both films just don't quite reach their high potential...but still,both films are definatly quite good dispite this. It should be said that this is the best Del Toro movie I've seen so far,but that doesn't mean much seeing as how I had only seen Blade 2 and Hellboy before this.
4/5
V For Vendetta is still my favorite movie of the year (unless you count Brick,but thats technically a 2005 film). Theres now only 1 movie left that has the potential to dethrone it,and thats The Fountain.