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Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Aladdin (2019) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
Don't let us down Guy Ritchie
Along with Beauty & The Beast and The Lion King, Aladdin is one of Disney’s most-loved animated films. With Disney’s penchant for remaking their classic cartoons over the last few years, it was always going to be the case that Aladdin was going to be on the cards.
Director Bill Condon’s Beauty & The Beast was an enchanting ride that just fell short of living up to its predecessor and The Jungle Book director Jon Favreau has been tasked with bringing The Lion King back to life in live-action. We’ll find out how he gets on in July.
After Dumbo’s less than stellar performance with both critics and audiences in March, dark clouds were circling around the House of Mouse’s live-action arm. Hoping to inject a shot of hope to this ambitious release schedule was Guy Ritchie’s remake of Aladdin. Things didn’t look good from the marketing with poor CGI and seemingly wooden acting, so what does the finished film end up like?
Young Aladdin (Mena Massoud) embarks on a magical adventure after finding a lamp that releases a wisecracking genie (Will Smith). In his efforts to impress the wonderful Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott), Aladdin embarks on a battle between good and evil against the wicked Jafar (Marwan Kenzari).
To look at, this live-action remake is absolutely packed full of colour and excitement, helped in part by Guy Ritchie’s frenetic filming style. Like Tim Burton before him, I was concerned about Ritchie’s appointment as director of this universally adored film, but unlike Burton, Ritchie gets it absolutely spot on. There are some absolutely stunning shot choices dotted throughout and the action is filmed with typical aplomb by a film-maker who has proven himself to be adept in this area.
The music, with original songs and updates of old classics is superb. Will Smith’s take on Friend Like Me is lip-smackingly good and will have you wanting to dance around the aisles, while A Whole New World really takes flight in this new, CGI-enhanced environment. Brand-new song, Speechless, written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and sang by Naomi Scott is Let It Go levels of awesome with Scott singing it exquisitely.
Will Smith’s take on Friend Like Me is lip-smackingly good
The special effects are on the whole very good and not as jarring as those in Dumbo. It’s unfortunate then that there are instances in which the green-screen is all too obvious and the CGI all too artificial. This is a shame, as the rest of the picture is extraordinarily well-filmed and feels, for want of a better word, incredibly opulent, dripping in gold hues. Again, Disney tests the limits of CGI and these limits are becoming more and more obvious as film-makers pursue more extravagant sequences.
Elsewhere, the cast is both a highlight and a hindrance. Mena Massoud plays the titular character with a cocky charm that makes this Aladdin very likeable indeed, while Naomi Scott is so much better than the trailers made her look. The film however belongs to Will Smith. He’s a brave man taking on a role that has become synonymous with Robin Williams but he brings depth, charisma and some of that old-fashioned Will Smith charm to the role – it’s the best we’ve seen him in years, even if he is doused in blue CGI for the majority of the film’s runtime.
Unfortunately, this modern reimagining hasn’t got everything right. Marwan Kenzari is severely miscast as Jafar. Bringing absolutely no menace to the role whatsoever, he proves to be a disappointing antagonist and the film’s only major black mark. The clunky CGI can be forgiven but this unfortunate characterisation can’t. Jafar is one of Disney’s best villains and for him to fall flat here is unacceptable.
Nevertheless, poor marketing aside, Aladdin is an absolute blast from start to finish. Well-paced, nicely acted (for the most part) and packed full of stunning music, this live-action remake has proven that Dumbo may have just been a disappointing sidestep in Disney’s ambitious live-action schedule.
That’s two out of the three. Don’t let us down Jon Favreau!
https://moviemetropolis.net/2019/05/22/aladdin-review-dont-let-us-down-guy-ritchie/
Director Bill Condon’s Beauty & The Beast was an enchanting ride that just fell short of living up to its predecessor and The Jungle Book director Jon Favreau has been tasked with bringing The Lion King back to life in live-action. We’ll find out how he gets on in July.
After Dumbo’s less than stellar performance with both critics and audiences in March, dark clouds were circling around the House of Mouse’s live-action arm. Hoping to inject a shot of hope to this ambitious release schedule was Guy Ritchie’s remake of Aladdin. Things didn’t look good from the marketing with poor CGI and seemingly wooden acting, so what does the finished film end up like?
Young Aladdin (Mena Massoud) embarks on a magical adventure after finding a lamp that releases a wisecracking genie (Will Smith). In his efforts to impress the wonderful Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott), Aladdin embarks on a battle between good and evil against the wicked Jafar (Marwan Kenzari).
To look at, this live-action remake is absolutely packed full of colour and excitement, helped in part by Guy Ritchie’s frenetic filming style. Like Tim Burton before him, I was concerned about Ritchie’s appointment as director of this universally adored film, but unlike Burton, Ritchie gets it absolutely spot on. There are some absolutely stunning shot choices dotted throughout and the action is filmed with typical aplomb by a film-maker who has proven himself to be adept in this area.
The music, with original songs and updates of old classics is superb. Will Smith’s take on Friend Like Me is lip-smackingly good and will have you wanting to dance around the aisles, while A Whole New World really takes flight in this new, CGI-enhanced environment. Brand-new song, Speechless, written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and sang by Naomi Scott is Let It Go levels of awesome with Scott singing it exquisitely.
Will Smith’s take on Friend Like Me is lip-smackingly good
The special effects are on the whole very good and not as jarring as those in Dumbo. It’s unfortunate then that there are instances in which the green-screen is all too obvious and the CGI all too artificial. This is a shame, as the rest of the picture is extraordinarily well-filmed and feels, for want of a better word, incredibly opulent, dripping in gold hues. Again, Disney tests the limits of CGI and these limits are becoming more and more obvious as film-makers pursue more extravagant sequences.
Elsewhere, the cast is both a highlight and a hindrance. Mena Massoud plays the titular character with a cocky charm that makes this Aladdin very likeable indeed, while Naomi Scott is so much better than the trailers made her look. The film however belongs to Will Smith. He’s a brave man taking on a role that has become synonymous with Robin Williams but he brings depth, charisma and some of that old-fashioned Will Smith charm to the role – it’s the best we’ve seen him in years, even if he is doused in blue CGI for the majority of the film’s runtime.
Unfortunately, this modern reimagining hasn’t got everything right. Marwan Kenzari is severely miscast as Jafar. Bringing absolutely no menace to the role whatsoever, he proves to be a disappointing antagonist and the film’s only major black mark. The clunky CGI can be forgiven but this unfortunate characterisation can’t. Jafar is one of Disney’s best villains and for him to fall flat here is unacceptable.
Nevertheless, poor marketing aside, Aladdin is an absolute blast from start to finish. Well-paced, nicely acted (for the most part) and packed full of stunning music, this live-action remake has proven that Dumbo may have just been a disappointing sidestep in Disney’s ambitious live-action schedule.
That’s two out of the three. Don’t let us down Jon Favreau!
https://moviemetropolis.net/2019/05/22/aladdin-review-dont-let-us-down-guy-ritchie/
Fred (860 KP) rated Alita: Battle Angel (2019) in Movies
May 10, 2019
Love it
Based on the manga "Gunnm", Alita: Battle Angel tells the story of a female cyborg. It takes place against a beautiful cyberpunk world called Iron City. It truly is a sight to see. But the true sight is Alita herself. She's beautifully animated & played excellently by Rosa Salazar. Chirstoph Walz was Christoph Walz. Actually, everyone was pretty good. The effects are phenomenal. The story is good as well, although there was no need for the love-story at all. It didn't move the story at all. I do hope there is a sequel made. Seeing this also makes me hopeful for a live-action version of Bubblegum Crisis in the future.
Clare Parrott (294 KP) rated Blind Faith (Sin Brothers, #3) in Books
Feb 13, 2018
Wow...That was fabulous. Sexy Nate finally catches up with Audrey after she left him five years ago. When their eyes meet across a ballroom it starts a rollercoaster ride of murder, weird cults and sexy nights, Nate will do anything to protect Audrey and his brothers as the series continues in the search for Jory and the kill switch codes so they can all live free without the threat of the Comander and Audreys evil mother Dr Maddison.
Its a fantastic read with never a dull moment, its action packed and super hot. Only problem I do have is the next in the series isn't out for 11 months! How will I manage without the Grey/Dean brothers.
Its a fantastic read with never a dull moment, its action packed and super hot. Only problem I do have is the next in the series isn't out for 11 months! How will I manage without the Grey/Dean brothers.
365Flicks (235 KP) rated The Mandalorian in TV
Nov 18, 2019
Direction (3 more)
Epic feeling
It’s Star Wars dude
Mandalorian
Easily the best Star Wars Live action project since Return of the Jedi
I Am sooooo happy to be reporting back positive on this TV show. Since Disney bought Lucasfilm they have missed more often than hit. But so far the Mandalorian is a smash hit.
It feels grand, epic and it captures the very essence of A New Hope the darkness of Empire Strikes Back and everything we love about our favourite Space Western. The blend of CGI and practical is effortless the music of this show is as much a character as the titular Mandalorian.
I love this show, long may this continue and Disney don’t screw it up!!!
It feels grand, epic and it captures the very essence of A New Hope the darkness of Empire Strikes Back and everything we love about our favourite Space Western. The blend of CGI and practical is effortless the music of this show is as much a character as the titular Mandalorian.
I love this show, long may this continue and Disney don’t screw it up!!!
There's little-to-no doubt that Margot Robbie's take on Harley Quinn was the best thing about 2016's Suicide Squad (and was also the first live-action portrayal of that character).
However, is she strong enough to headline a movie on her own?
Especially one also starring Ewan McGregor (clearly having a ball as) the villainous Black Mask?
I'm undecided.
It probably didn't help (also) that I'm more used to seeing Renee Montaya and Black Canary as portrayed in TVs (various) Arrowverse shows (Arrow, The Flash, legends of Tomorrow, etc) rather than as here, and that the film - while name-dropping both - has no place for either Batman or The Joker.
However, is she strong enough to headline a movie on her own?
Especially one also starring Ewan McGregor (clearly having a ball as) the villainous Black Mask?
I'm undecided.
It probably didn't help (also) that I'm more used to seeing Renee Montaya and Black Canary as portrayed in TVs (various) Arrowverse shows (Arrow, The Flash, legends of Tomorrow, etc) rather than as here, and that the film - while name-dropping both - has no place for either Batman or The Joker.
Lee KM Pallatina (951 KP) rated Sky High (2005) in Movies
May 2, 2020
Disney's school for gifted yougsters
Disney's sky high is a story about a pre-hero teen who is set to attend a school for future hero's & maybe some villains.
a brilliant coming of age story that centres on pride and ambition told in a way only Disney can.
Plenty of fun and live action Disney style sfx make this a great family movie.
Story:Will is the son of The Commander and Jetstream - the world's greatest superheroes, who is struggling with his awkward secret...he hasn't developed any powers, on top of that he is about to begin attending a school for hero's - Sky High.
Making friends and enemies, thing's are about to go bad!
a brilliant coming of age story that centres on pride and ambition told in a way only Disney can.
Plenty of fun and live action Disney style sfx make this a great family movie.
Story:Will is the son of The Commander and Jetstream - the world's greatest superheroes, who is struggling with his awkward secret...he hasn't developed any powers, on top of that he is about to begin attending a school for hero's - Sky High.
Making friends and enemies, thing's are about to go bad!
Supergods: Our World in the Age of the Superhero
8.0
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In 1938 Action Comics #1 introduced the world to Superman. In a matter of years, the skies of our...
Super Bike Challenge
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Feel the thrill of racing like never before in this action-packed, heart-thumping bike racing game. ...
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The Last Witch Hunter (2015)
6.2
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The modern world holds many secrets, the most astounding being that witches still live among us....