Over the years, ive said some scathing things about the Twilight films. The final chapter of the “saga” is the best of the lot, although that’s not really saying much. And that’s only because the film doesn’t revolve arounf the incessant whining of a girl who cant choose between a vampire and a werewolf.
We pick up where we left off, with Bellas eyes turning red. What should follow is the ramifications of this decision, with Edward trying to come to terms with his feelings about his now immortal bride. Instead, cue the cheesy line that we’ve come to expect from these films, “we’re the same temperature now”, and everybody is immediately happy with the decision, including Jacob.
For those that have read the books, you will know about Jacob and Renesmee, and its almost as creepy as you would expect. In fact, the acting is at an all time high for this period, with Kristen Stewart channelling blind rage at Taylor Lautner to great effect. This part of the film is the most believeable, with Stewart seeming genuinely furios that Jacob could have feelings for her newborn child.
Sadly, the acting doesn’t stay at this level for too long, as we are again subject to wooden performances and grimacing from the majority of the cast.
Michael Sheen is the sole example of a consistent performer, with his performances capturing the malevolent and sadistic nature of Aro, while always looking out for number one. This is perfectly encapsulated towards the end of the film, with Aro escaping the future that Alice has shown him.
In the end, you need to try not to think about the story too much, and just be glad that the film, and the franchise along with it, has come to an end. If you do want to think about what has happened, you may come to the conclusion that nothing actually happened, just some posturing between vampires and werewolves.
Lets just be grateful that this is all over now, and we can be safe in the knowledge that there shouldn’t be any more of them.
Friday, 28 December 2012
Skyfall
Daniel Craig is cementing his place as the greatest Bond in recent memory. Admittedly, recent memory only stretching as far as Brosnan’s incarnation for many, while the majority of Bond fans will not remember the glory days of Connery and Moore.
Skyfall, a great film in its own right, also acts as a homage to the previous 50 years of the action packed franchise. Fans of the series who can remember back as far as Goldfinger will recognise the iconic Aston Martin DB5 that features in this film. It goes some way to show how long Bond has been been around, in that there didn’t seem to be too much recognition for the car in the screening I was at.
Daniel Craig plays Bond with the cool detachment that we have come to know and love from the character. Craig himself described Bonds journey in this film as from a broken man and rebuilding himself. That’s not entirely true, as the rebuilding period is glossed over and he goes from being a broken man, to the Bond of old without any real struggle.
Javier Bardem plays the villain with enthusiasm. It seems apparent that he enjoys playing the revenge crazed Silva, as he immerses himself in the character. He effortlessly captures the mental state of a man who attempted suicide, only to melt away a portion of his face.
This film clearly shows that some things really do get better with age
Skyfall, a great film in its own right, also acts as a homage to the previous 50 years of the action packed franchise. Fans of the series who can remember back as far as Goldfinger will recognise the iconic Aston Martin DB5 that features in this film. It goes some way to show how long Bond has been been around, in that there didn’t seem to be too much recognition for the car in the screening I was at.
Daniel Craig plays Bond with the cool detachment that we have come to know and love from the character. Craig himself described Bonds journey in this film as from a broken man and rebuilding himself. That’s not entirely true, as the rebuilding period is glossed over and he goes from being a broken man, to the Bond of old without any real struggle.
Javier Bardem plays the villain with enthusiasm. It seems apparent that he enjoys playing the revenge crazed Silva, as he immerses himself in the character. He effortlessly captures the mental state of a man who attempted suicide, only to melt away a portion of his face.
This film clearly shows that some things really do get better with age
The Amazing Spiderman
This incarnation of the Marvel Comic features a different type of character for Peter Parker. Although Tobey Maguire wasn’t necessarily a bad Spidey, Andrew Garfield blows him out of the water. In addition to the fact that he is a tremendous actor, and undoubtedly one of the industries rising stars, the script captures the cockiness of the teenage Parker, and this is the beginning of what sets The Amazing Spiderman above Sam Raimi’s Spiderman.
Garfield is terrific as Peter Parker and his alter ego, exuding confidence and cockiness in abundance, there are plenty of laughs to be had at the attitude he brings to the character, which is a welcome change compared to Maguire’s wet lettuce version of the character.
Emma Stone, as always, is brilliant as Gwen Stacey, who again is a pleasant change to Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jan, who was always a damsel in distress, with Stone adding some gumption to the female character, and coming to Spiderman’s aid a couple of times.
Interestingly, it is the 29 year old Garfield who is more believable as a 17 year old, compared to the 24 year old Stone. This has nothing to do with their respective acting, as they are both superb, but more to do with the fact that Garfield still looks like a teenager, while Stone appears more mature.
The casting in this film is superb, with Rhys Ifans putting in another great performance in his career as Dr Curtis Connors. He is utterly convincing as the scientist, with his turn as The Lizard showing the mental decline of the doctor.
The film is befitting of the title, as it truly is the Amazing Spiderman.
Garfield is terrific as Peter Parker and his alter ego, exuding confidence and cockiness in abundance, there are plenty of laughs to be had at the attitude he brings to the character, which is a welcome change compared to Maguire’s wet lettuce version of the character.
Emma Stone, as always, is brilliant as Gwen Stacey, who again is a pleasant change to Kirsten Dunst’s Mary Jan, who was always a damsel in distress, with Stone adding some gumption to the female character, and coming to Spiderman’s aid a couple of times.
Interestingly, it is the 29 year old Garfield who is more believable as a 17 year old, compared to the 24 year old Stone. This has nothing to do with their respective acting, as they are both superb, but more to do with the fact that Garfield still looks like a teenager, while Stone appears more mature.
The casting in this film is superb, with Rhys Ifans putting in another great performance in his career as Dr Curtis Connors. He is utterly convincing as the scientist, with his turn as The Lizard showing the mental decline of the doctor.
The film is befitting of the title, as it truly is the Amazing Spiderman.
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