Movie Review: Hellboy 2

For those wondering if my preview of Hellboy 2 was any good, here is my review of the movie. But I must note that the film I saw was not the film you will see. Because I’ve been so crazy with several work projects, a potential interview with an elected politician, ad offers, and a new house I had to rely on a website that provides films for free. The trade-off is these bootleg films often lack the visual quality of seeing eye dogs, soundtracks queued up to characters either seen or forthcoming in the film by 5 minutes and other maladies.

Even so one thing was absolutely clear. Guillermo Del Toro has a very fertile imagination that would give most people nightmares. I on the other hand thought it was beautiful.

The visuals are the real appeal to this film. Unlike the very CGI “monsters from beyond” found in the first film, all the creatures are far more realistic in this film – if such a term can be used. The version I saw really did not do justice to the elemental in the film, nor most of the creatures. The rendering of the Golden Army was particularly bad, which is a shame since they still looked pretty good.

If you are looking for an improved plot in this 2nd film you will both be amused and disappointed. There are fewer plot holes or gaps in logic than the first film, but the constant foreshadowing (of a third film) detracts a lot. Plus there are a few moments when you just have to say “Why do that?” or “The solution is really simple here”.

Of course there is another love story in the film that is more a waste of time than anything else. It eats up time and slows the pace, but it also does give an interesting excuse for an American Idol-esque duet (not meant in a good way which is why it was funny).

There is more of a reality base in this film though. Hellboy has relationship problems, problems with authority, and moral crossroads. He is both very humane and very 16 throughout the film. Which at times works and is silly at others.

I can’t really comment on the sound either as portions were problematic in the version I saw. The acting was fine though. No Oscars out of this film but every character gets a moment to shine, more or less.

And it should be noted that this film is more about the other characters Hellboy calls his family than him really. Still seeing the world and the ‘other world’ through their eyes was refreshing since they all stem from Del Toro’s eyes.

The film in a nutshell is good. Not great, not fantastic. I felt it was better than the first, which is all you can really ask of a sequel. And, had I the time, spending the money to see this in a theater beats the experience of watching it on a flat screen any day.

So the film was basically what I was hoping for in the previews. So far this summer Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Hellboy 2, and WANTED have been worth the journey. I only hope that The Dark Knight will exceed my thoughts about the Joker (hype about Heath Ledger getting an Oscar aside) rather than turn into the abysmal failure that War, Inc. and Speed Racer were. But I’m not holding my breath on it.

Movie Review: Incredible Hulk

So is the Incredible Hulk worth seeing?

That was the question that faced me as I sought to do this review. I decided that I would try to see this movie under conditions that most match non-big city America.

I live in Binghamton, NY. To those that are from here, or around here, this is a big city; I think it’s a small town. And this is where I have live for the past 5 years (if you feel bad for me, you don’t feel bad enough) and where I decided to see the movie. Since I decided to see this movie on opening weekend I put no thought to what time I saw the movie at. There has never been a movie that I am aware of that has sold-out ever in this area.

Once I decided to see the movie I also went with taking a cab. Gas prices are high, and many are using cabs to travel in an attempt to save money. In fact several groups of people took a cab. This plan works best in groups because for me alone it cost $16 each way. The joy of being single and not driving I suppose.

So after I was ripped off by the cab company (the trip was not even close to being far enough to justify such a price – even with higher gas prices) I walked into the theater. The ticket cost me $9. So just showing up and getting in cost me $25, going home another $16. You can guess if I decided to buy popcorn, a soda, or anything else in the theater.

The trailers eventually started, after the god-awful commercials that I swear never to do business with since they were wasting my time advertising before the movie. The trailers were for Tropic Thunder, the next installment of the Mummy, Hancock, and Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The animated Clone Wars looked interesting, but missed the feel of most of the Star Wars movies. The entire crowd seemed to laugh a lot and enjoy Tropic Thunder- particularly the scenes with Robert Downey Jr. being a Black man. There was silence after the Hancock preview, and mere murmurs for The Mummy. Take that to mean what you will. [To add flavor I will tell you about Binghamton and the area. 3% Black, 1% Asian, 96% White. Average income $28,000. Average level of education – 11.75 grade. Favorite pastime- drinking. Number of children – average 2.75 by age 20.]

So the movie begins. Right off the back zero respect of concern is given to Ang Lee’s horrendous version of this movie. A new background, reminiscent of the television series, is created in flashback. Nothing is referred to the prior movie.

And then the movie moves. The pace is moderately fast. It covers a decent amount of ground quickly. After introducing Thunderbolt Ross, and Bruce Banner we slow slightly to see what Bruce (Ed Norton) is up to. By the time you are wondering what will be destroyed Bruce has his incident meter drop from 158 days to zero, and all his anger management training goes out the window.

The Hulk, who does speak 3 times, wastes little time in kicking ass. His size look and demeanor are all adult, violent and Hulkish. While no one obviously dies, you can imagine the years of traction that most will easily endure. When we finally get a full close-up view of the Hulk, his primal scream makes it clear that he is trouble on steroids and raging.

About this time is the first instance when you think that Emil Bronsky has a problem. He actually isn’t freaked out by the 15 foot tall, 1500 pound, green thing he just saw tossing forklifts around. He wants to take it on in another fight. That’s not normal, even in comic book land brains.

At this point I should mention that several scenes, though minor, found in the previews and trailers never occur in the movie. I have no doubt that the DVD will hold these scenes and clarify what happened and why they were cut. But the plot is not hurt by their omission.

At this point the plot also introduces several ideas that are the introduction or reinforcement of several Marvel characters and organizations. Requisitions for weapons introduce Stark Industries (see my Iron Man review), S.H.E.I.L.D., Nick Fury, the Super Soldier program (i.e. Captain America), and the Avengers. Smart move for a company planning multiple other movies all based in the same world. More on this soon.

With a decent amount of plot development and a bit of intrigue we progress to the next instance of the Hulk. Again we see why he is incredible, and what a bit of chemistry is capable of. It’s a good example of what the Hulk is capable of, where another movie can go, and what Ang Lee never understood.

Now I will jump towards the end of the movie. The Abomination is created; the Hulk goes after him and ultimately kicks his ass. Like you didn’t expect that. Though there is not the obvious increase in power for the Hulk. Unlike Ang Lee’s version this Hulk does not grow taller nor expand in size. But he does get far more ferocious and his power has more of an effect.

In the final scenes we get to see that the saga for Bruce Banner has not ended, though he seems to reach a new level with his inner monster. In addition we are prepared for a stage where multiple Marvel heroes will be all onscreen simultaneously. Expect to see a familiar face form this summer in a role that is now well known.

So do the visuals live up to expectations? Yes. The behemoth is green and rage is the emotion du jour. Coupled with a few primal screams that just tap you into his unending and unyielding anger and you feel his power. Lightning strikes beware this boy is bad.

Does the movie pay homage to it’s past? Yep. To Bill Bixby, Lou Ferrigno, the television series and its comic book base. This movie actually remembers why it was made and who its fans are.

The ultimate question though is whether it is worth the $32 dollars I spent in transportation and $9 for the ticket. In terms of the ticket, yes. The movie is definitely worthy of seeing on the big screen. As for the transportation, don’t take a taxi. If you have a wife and kids I can understand the potential cost savings. But if you are single like me take a car. If you don’t drive (which I don’t) go with a date, or friends. Anything but go alone as the cost is beyond prohibitive, even if you make a decent living.

If you have to choose between Iron Man and the Hulk as just one movie to see this summer, see Iron Man. But if you can see more than one, the Incredible Hulk is the next best choice.

Before you see Hulk or Batman

Ok, a dear friend just sent me this link and I've been laughing my a** off (I needed it after all the stress of late). This is funny. I have to give massive credit to the guys that created this.

Before I provide the link I will present just one of over 40 videos (that tell a couple of movie or comic book style stories) dedicated to Marvel and DC. If you don't laugh at this you are wound way too tight.



Oh hell, here is one more



Go see the rest here http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?p=r&user=ItsJustSomeRandomGuy&page=1

the approaching Sumer films of 2008

Ok, I need a break from the 100+ blogs I’ve set up for a client, and the house negotiations. So what am I going to do? Write more, on politics and of course entertainment.

Well one of the bigger things to focus on is the upcoming summer movie season. So far the movies of the year have been major letdowns. I mean there really has been nothing that stands out or was worthwhile. Superhero movie was a superflop. I’ve already forgotten Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Street Kings seems to not be silver screen kings or even a joker. Smart People equals a dumb movie, The Ruins was ruinous, 10,000 BC was before common sense, Never Back Down never stepped up, Jumper (as I had suspected) needed to go over a cliff, Semi-Pro was only semi-good, and Drillbit Taylor doesn’t deserve to be mentioned.

And that was most of the better films of the year to date.

Hollywood is really out of their minds. Obviously the only thing that can save this year has got to be hero movies; specifically comic book heroes or perhaps a few Kung Fu masters. So far one of the best movies of the year is the combination of Jet Li and Jackie Chan. I have yet to see this, but I will, so I will reserve my thoughts to this. No matter how good or bad the movie masses will see this film because of just those 2 international entertainment stars.

So what hope do we have left?

Iron Man. I’ve been hyping this a bit but I have no doubt it will live up to my expectations. The previews look great; the storyline is filled with drama and adventure (if they follow most of the Stane/Stark storyline). Robert Downey Jr. is a renowned actor as is Terrance Howard. It looks like there would need to be a lot of effort made to screw up the film.

The Incredible Hulk. Thank goodness they are redoing the story. Ang Lee really destroyed the story, and we can only hope this one is better. The Abomination is the central figure so lots of big destructive fights can be expected. Ed Norton is an extremely better actor. And the graphics of the CGI look superior as well. Even if it’s not a great film it should stand galaxies above the Ang Lee film.

Speed Racer. Likely a huge letdown. This is not really the film that fans of the original cartoon are looking for. Far too stylized and tripped out, it may make the post MTV generation feel warm and fuzzy, but the rest of us will just be ill. The actors don’t seem to be impressive, even though John Goodman and Susan Sarandon are huge names in the cast. Christina Ricci may get some teen boys going but that’s about it. I think the Wachowski brothers missed the mark this time.

Indiana Jones. He may be old but expect this to pack the crowds in. Harrison Ford is an entertainer that commands the big bucks, and has no need of money or more fame. Thus his presence lends credibility to the thought that this is not just another Hollywood sequel seeking quick cheap cash based on the series name. It won’t win Oscars, but it should fulfill its purpose of making you forget the travails of daily life for a couple of hours.

Hellboy 2. I want this to be a good film. Or at least as good as the first. But the odds are 50/50. Fans will find lots to dislike, and newcomers will enjoy the action. I need to see more to be sure.

Stepbrothers. Another Will Ferrell miss. But everything he does can’t be as good as Elf. Thus we had Ricky Bobby and now this film. But this time all the NASCAR fans will be at Speed Racer so I doubt the success.

Sex and the City. Or more aptly named sluts without lives. Sure to bring in women patrons in droves, it’s still a failure as a film. Just like the television show. I’d advise guys to just give their dates/wives the cash to see it and go play their Xbox in the meantime.

Get Smart. Another remake of a classic and funny television show from the past. Hopefully this will not be the atrocity that the Honeymooners remake was. But Hollywood execs are rife with greenlighting a film without ever paying attention to what made a show classic. Expect this to either be the equivalent of remakes like Charlie’s Angels (either film) and Dukes of Hazzard, or Star Trek (the better films). Remakes of television shows only go those 2 ways.

Batman the Dark Knight. I don't like Heath Ledger as the Joker. I think he misses the mark from what I have seen. Without doubt there will be a huge sympathy rush towards this film. That does not affect my thoughts on the previews I've seen. Every film series has its failure, and this will rank among the Batman's lesser appearances, no fault of Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Christian Bale.

Any film with Aston Kushner. Complete waste of time. He has no talent, and his films to date reflect this. Even his only successful role, on the 70’s Show, highlighted his inability to have any depth.

Such is the upcoming summer fare. A dearth of entertainment value. Most will fail miserably as they should. Several will test the concept that if you give people enough sand will they drink it like water. Perhaps one of these days we will have some Hollywood execs that actually believe in entertainment quality over the absolute bottom barrel cheapness of American Idol on film. But this is not that day or year.