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Marqees (17 KP) rated xXx: Return of Xander Cage (2017) in Movies
Feb 14, 2018
Look if your looking for an Oscar-quality plot with great acting and cinematography this movie is not for you. This is a movie that plays to its strengths blowing stuff up, beautiful women and people doing dope things. It is a generic take over the world plot and I can't tell if Vin Diesel is phoning his return to XXX in but all things considered it wasn't that bad. High points were with Donnie Yen, Tony Jaa, and Micheal Bisping I want another flick with these 3 guys as a team of mercenaries it sells itself. If you like over the top action this film is for you.
Gareth von Kallenbach (965 KP) rated Fast & Furious (2009) in Movies
Aug 14, 2019
igh adrenaline films have always been a signature of the summer movie season and with a bevy of blockbusters lines up for the summer months, Universal has the opening salvo with the very impressive “Fast and Furious”.
Although the fourth film in the series, the film is in many ways is the first true sequel to the 2001 original as it reunites Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.
The film opens with a spectacular high speed heist where Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), and his crew attempt to steal petroleum tankers. The amazing pacing and driving and stunt sequences is easily the best opening sequences in the series and had the audience at my press screening on the edge of their seats.
With the heat on Dominic, he decides to split up the group so they do not get busted when the authorities catch up to him. Unfortunately this means slipping away from his longtime love Letty (Michelle Rodriguez).
At the same time, F.B.I. agent Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), is under the gun from his superiors to bring down a drug trafficker who has eluded all efforts to indentify much less capture but is known for his reputation for ruthlessness. With lead after lead coming up empty for his task force, O’Conner pursues a name that may just shed some light on the true identify of his target.
When events unfold that force Dominic to return to Los Angeles on a mission of revenge, his path crosses O’Conner and the two men renew the rivalry that has existed between them which hits the high gear when both men find themselves in an illegal street race.
The winner of the race gets to join the driving team of the drug trafficker that O’Conner is seeking, and with Dominic having his own motivations, the intense race through the packed streets is easily one of the most intense racing sequences ever captured.
In time the two men find themselves working with one another to bring down a common foe, but old issues still remaining between the duty driven O’Conner and the outlaw Dominick, especially regarding Dominick’s sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), who had a relationship with O’Conner before he revealed himself to be an undercover agent in the first film.
What follows is a pedal to the metal adventure that sets a breakneck pace and lets up only enough from the audience to briefly catch their breath.
Walker and Diesel make a dynamic team and unlike the previous films in the series, “Fast and Furious” has a plot that does not drag and holds the attention of the audience and serves as little more than filler between action sequences.
Director Justin Lin (Who helmed the last film in the series Tokyo Drift), balances the two leads with the awesome array of racing machines in the film without ever losing fact that this is a character driven story.
With a great cast and amazing driving sequences the film was a very pleasant surprise and has me looking forward to the next chapter in the series. Not only is this a strong comeback for Walker and Diesel but is easily the best film in the series and should delight the fans.
Although the fourth film in the series, the film is in many ways is the first true sequel to the 2001 original as it reunites Vin Diesel and Paul Walker.
The film opens with a spectacular high speed heist where Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel), and his crew attempt to steal petroleum tankers. The amazing pacing and driving and stunt sequences is easily the best opening sequences in the series and had the audience at my press screening on the edge of their seats.
With the heat on Dominic, he decides to split up the group so they do not get busted when the authorities catch up to him. Unfortunately this means slipping away from his longtime love Letty (Michelle Rodriguez).
At the same time, F.B.I. agent Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), is under the gun from his superiors to bring down a drug trafficker who has eluded all efforts to indentify much less capture but is known for his reputation for ruthlessness. With lead after lead coming up empty for his task force, O’Conner pursues a name that may just shed some light on the true identify of his target.
When events unfold that force Dominic to return to Los Angeles on a mission of revenge, his path crosses O’Conner and the two men renew the rivalry that has existed between them which hits the high gear when both men find themselves in an illegal street race.
The winner of the race gets to join the driving team of the drug trafficker that O’Conner is seeking, and with Dominic having his own motivations, the intense race through the packed streets is easily one of the most intense racing sequences ever captured.
In time the two men find themselves working with one another to bring down a common foe, but old issues still remaining between the duty driven O’Conner and the outlaw Dominick, especially regarding Dominick’s sister Mia (Jordana Brewster), who had a relationship with O’Conner before he revealed himself to be an undercover agent in the first film.
What follows is a pedal to the metal adventure that sets a breakneck pace and lets up only enough from the audience to briefly catch their breath.
Walker and Diesel make a dynamic team and unlike the previous films in the series, “Fast and Furious” has a plot that does not drag and holds the attention of the audience and serves as little more than filler between action sequences.
Director Justin Lin (Who helmed the last film in the series Tokyo Drift), balances the two leads with the awesome array of racing machines in the film without ever losing fact that this is a character driven story.
With a great cast and amazing driving sequences the film was a very pleasant surprise and has me looking forward to the next chapter in the series. Not only is this a strong comeback for Walker and Diesel but is easily the best film in the series and should delight the fans.
RəX Regent (349 KP) rated Fast & Furious (2009) in Movies
Feb 25, 2019
Back on track
The best way to describe Fast & Furious would be as a guilty pleasure. There's nothing to lend weight to this film as a great work, an Oscar contender or a movie worthy of critical acclaim, but there something about this, as there was with the first, The Fast And The Furious, back in 2001.
Rob Cohen has never been known for subtlety and his 2001 film was far from it, but even even though he had nothing to do with this, his stamp is well and truly on it. Fast & Furious is the fourth in this surprising successful franchise, and besides the fact that I liked the original in spite of the fact that I'm NOT a motor-head, I've avoided the intervening sequels, 2 fast, 2 Furious and Tokyo Drift, for one simple reason, besides the fact that just didn't fancy them.
No Vin Diesel. I'm not suggesting that Vin is the greatest actor in the Hollywood, nor should be treading the boards of the Royal Shakespeare Company anytime soon, but his blockhead with a heart of gold persona works for me. He's likable and suits this role down to a tee, as does his dimwitted surfer dude sidekick, Paul Walker.
Walker offers nothing significant to the film except for his relationship with Diesel. The pairing is enjoyable but little more, but isn't that the point of adrenalin films like this? This is about cars, women, cops and robbers, and great fun to boot. The tone of this movie is on par with Cohen's original and though I can't justifiably compare this to the sequels which I have never seen, I don't want too either. This is the sequel that 2 Fast should have been and I only hope that now they're back on track, that Fast & Furious 5 could be another romp worthy of a watch.
It's nice to see a franchise go off track and find its feet again after so many years and it is a testament to the original cast who, though only have a limited range, have clearly breathed life back into the franchise.
Rob Cohen has never been known for subtlety and his 2001 film was far from it, but even even though he had nothing to do with this, his stamp is well and truly on it. Fast & Furious is the fourth in this surprising successful franchise, and besides the fact that I liked the original in spite of the fact that I'm NOT a motor-head, I've avoided the intervening sequels, 2 fast, 2 Furious and Tokyo Drift, for one simple reason, besides the fact that just didn't fancy them.
No Vin Diesel. I'm not suggesting that Vin is the greatest actor in the Hollywood, nor should be treading the boards of the Royal Shakespeare Company anytime soon, but his blockhead with a heart of gold persona works for me. He's likable and suits this role down to a tee, as does his dimwitted surfer dude sidekick, Paul Walker.
Walker offers nothing significant to the film except for his relationship with Diesel. The pairing is enjoyable but little more, but isn't that the point of adrenalin films like this? This is about cars, women, cops and robbers, and great fun to boot. The tone of this movie is on par with Cohen's original and though I can't justifiably compare this to the sequels which I have never seen, I don't want too either. This is the sequel that 2 Fast should have been and I only hope that now they're back on track, that Fast & Furious 5 could be another romp worthy of a watch.
It's nice to see a franchise go off track and find its feet again after so many years and it is a testament to the original cast who, though only have a limited range, have clearly breathed life back into the franchise.
Gareth von Kallenbach (965 KP) rated Fast & Furious 6 (2013) in Movies
Aug 7, 2019
Paul Walker and Vin Diesel are back in “Fast & Furious 6” the latest chapter in the hugely popular “Fast & Furious” series. This time out the renegade crew is enticed from their comfortable and no-extradition lifestyles with the promise of full pardons by Agent Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson). Hobbs is willing to meet the team’s high demands due to the international threat posed by a team of drivers who are headed by a former military specialist named Owen Shaw (Luke Evans).
A rough first encounter and pursuit through London not only proves just how dangerous and skilled Shaw and his crew are, but brings Dominic (Vin Diesel), face to face with Letty (Michelle Rodriquez), who was thought to have been killed years ago. Battling conflicting emotions with finding Letty not only alive but also on the team he’s trying to bring down, Dominic must get the crew into shape to discover where Shaw will strike next. Thankfully Brian( Paul Walker) is able to use his skills from his law enforcement days in order to get a much needed lead despite the peril it costs him to do so. In a race against time, the crew must risk it all to thwart Shaw who is the most skilled and dangerous foe they have encountered to date. What follows is an action-packed, adrenaline-fueled all out romp that is a solid action film.
The movie requires you to take great leaps of logic and faith even for a film of this type and while it does not work as well as the previous two entries, Director Justin Lin knows his audience and delivers what they want. There is plenty of racing and action and the film does use plenty of actual stunts rather than CGI and the Fast & Furious crew throw themselves into the highly physical roles. The cast works well with one another and seem to be having a good time being back with one another, which is a good thing as the jaw-dropping after credits scene promises that the series still has enough gas in the tank to thrill audiences.
A rough first encounter and pursuit through London not only proves just how dangerous and skilled Shaw and his crew are, but brings Dominic (Vin Diesel), face to face with Letty (Michelle Rodriquez), who was thought to have been killed years ago. Battling conflicting emotions with finding Letty not only alive but also on the team he’s trying to bring down, Dominic must get the crew into shape to discover where Shaw will strike next. Thankfully Brian( Paul Walker) is able to use his skills from his law enforcement days in order to get a much needed lead despite the peril it costs him to do so. In a race against time, the crew must risk it all to thwart Shaw who is the most skilled and dangerous foe they have encountered to date. What follows is an action-packed, adrenaline-fueled all out romp that is a solid action film.
The movie requires you to take great leaps of logic and faith even for a film of this type and while it does not work as well as the previous two entries, Director Justin Lin knows his audience and delivers what they want. There is plenty of racing and action and the film does use plenty of actual stunts rather than CGI and the Fast & Furious crew throw themselves into the highly physical roles. The cast works well with one another and seem to be having a good time being back with one another, which is a good thing as the jaw-dropping after credits scene promises that the series still has enough gas in the tank to thrill audiences.
Gareth von Kallenbach (965 KP) rated The Last Witch Hunter (2015) in Movies
Jun 19, 2019
Over 800 years ago, a group of warriors and Clergy set off on a journey to destroy a witch and her minions in her lair. The witch had unleashed a plague upon the human race and she was determined to wipe them from the face of the planet.
During the battle, the witch is defeated but with her dying breath, she curses the one who vanquished her to a life of eternity, destined to be alone and never know peace.
Flash forward to modern day New York, and we find that man is now an elite Witch Hunter named Kaulder (Vin Diesel), who toils his trade working for a group who along with Witches maintain the peace. The Witches promise not to practice their craft against humans and in turn they are left alone. But when one does not follow the rules or is a threat to humanity, Kaulder and his ability to heal from injury via his immortality is dispatched to dispense justice.
When his Dolan (Michael Caine) is found dead the day after he retires, Koulder and his new Dolan (Elijah Wood), set out to find the Witch who is responsible which in turn leads to a discovery that his former Dolan is not dead but deeply cursed. In a race against time, Koulder must find the Witch who issues the curse and make an uneasy alliance with a witch named Chloe (Rose Leslie) to get to the bottom of a mystery darker and more deadly than they could have ever imagined.
One would think with the presence of Diesel and the interesting premise of the film, “The Last Witch Hunter”, would be more than it is. The film sadly plods along and has no real tension or surprises and at times, plays out more like a direct to DVD release or something one would find on cable late at night. I think the presence of Diesel is what got the film a theatrical release but one would hope with such a fine supporting cast it would have been better.
That is not to say the film is bad, as it was better than I thought it would be, but sadly as it went along, it simply failed to deliver on the potential of the premise.
In many ways I see this like “Hansel and Gretel” in that it will likely play better to the foreign market but after the total box office, DVD, and Pay Per View are factored in, do not be shocked if a second outing for the characters arrives someday as Diesel has shown a fondness for franchise characters.
For now the film is a decent distraction and offers entertainment as long as you set your expectations accordingly.
http://sknr.net/2015/10/23/the-last-witch-hunter/
During the battle, the witch is defeated but with her dying breath, she curses the one who vanquished her to a life of eternity, destined to be alone and never know peace.
Flash forward to modern day New York, and we find that man is now an elite Witch Hunter named Kaulder (Vin Diesel), who toils his trade working for a group who along with Witches maintain the peace. The Witches promise not to practice their craft against humans and in turn they are left alone. But when one does not follow the rules or is a threat to humanity, Kaulder and his ability to heal from injury via his immortality is dispatched to dispense justice.
When his Dolan (Michael Caine) is found dead the day after he retires, Koulder and his new Dolan (Elijah Wood), set out to find the Witch who is responsible which in turn leads to a discovery that his former Dolan is not dead but deeply cursed. In a race against time, Koulder must find the Witch who issues the curse and make an uneasy alliance with a witch named Chloe (Rose Leslie) to get to the bottom of a mystery darker and more deadly than they could have ever imagined.
One would think with the presence of Diesel and the interesting premise of the film, “The Last Witch Hunter”, would be more than it is. The film sadly plods along and has no real tension or surprises and at times, plays out more like a direct to DVD release or something one would find on cable late at night. I think the presence of Diesel is what got the film a theatrical release but one would hope with such a fine supporting cast it would have been better.
That is not to say the film is bad, as it was better than I thought it would be, but sadly as it went along, it simply failed to deliver on the potential of the premise.
In many ways I see this like “Hansel and Gretel” in that it will likely play better to the foreign market but after the total box office, DVD, and Pay Per View are factored in, do not be shocked if a second outing for the characters arrives someday as Diesel has shown a fondness for franchise characters.
For now the film is a decent distraction and offers entertainment as long as you set your expectations accordingly.
http://sknr.net/2015/10/23/the-last-witch-hunter/
Jesters_folly (230 KP) rated Fast & Furious 9 (2021) in Movies
Jul 10, 2021
Contains spoilers, click to show
Spoilers
In the 9th instalment of the the 'Fast and Furious' franchise we have; backstory, fun with magnets, brothers who have never been mentioned before, the return of dead characters, plenty of set up for spin offs, doggy English accents and cars in space.
Fast and Furious 9 is a big film, with a lot going on, it acts as Dom's back story, continuation of the franchise and (possibly) a set up for some spinoffs. The latter is not a surprise as Vin Diesel has already said that, including F9 there are only 3 more films left, but that there will be more spin offs, like Hobbs and Shaw (There is a rumoured 'Cipher ' spin off in the works as well as Hobbs and Shaw 2).
A large part of Fast 9 is Dom's back story. We get to see the incident where Dom kills a man, as mentioned in Fast 1 and the impact this has on his biological family. We also get flash backs/more story to 'Tokyo Drift' which they tie into the main franchise a bit more.
Fast 9 seems to bring the cars back to the franchise, although the 7 & 8 did have cars they seemed to be loosing there way in favour of the action but 9 has both cars and action.
There are a lot of call backs to the other films with almost every past family member returning in a original scene, we even almost get to see the return of Brian, however this does make Hobbs' absents more obvious.
There were a couple of points that niggled at me a bit, the being that, in the flashbacks, young Dom and young Jakob were played by different actors (because it would be hard for Vin Diesel and John Cena to play their younger selves) but the actors (especially young Dom) didn't feel right. This isn't a criticism of the actors but there was just something that didn't quite Jell between the present and past characters.
Over all Fast and furious 9 is a good addition to an increasingly over blown film franchise although you do have to suspend reality a few times and you can see why the main franchise is coming to an end soon otherwise the 'Family' would probably end up colonising Mars or slipping into another reality.
In the 9th instalment of the the 'Fast and Furious' franchise we have; backstory, fun with magnets, brothers who have never been mentioned before, the return of dead characters, plenty of set up for spin offs, doggy English accents and cars in space.
Fast and Furious 9 is a big film, with a lot going on, it acts as Dom's back story, continuation of the franchise and (possibly) a set up for some spinoffs. The latter is not a surprise as Vin Diesel has already said that, including F9 there are only 3 more films left, but that there will be more spin offs, like Hobbs and Shaw (There is a rumoured 'Cipher ' spin off in the works as well as Hobbs and Shaw 2).
A large part of Fast 9 is Dom's back story. We get to see the incident where Dom kills a man, as mentioned in Fast 1 and the impact this has on his biological family. We also get flash backs/more story to 'Tokyo Drift' which they tie into the main franchise a bit more.
Fast 9 seems to bring the cars back to the franchise, although the 7 & 8 did have cars they seemed to be loosing there way in favour of the action but 9 has both cars and action.
There are a lot of call backs to the other films with almost every past family member returning in a original scene, we even almost get to see the return of Brian, however this does make Hobbs' absents more obvious.
There were a couple of points that niggled at me a bit, the being that, in the flashbacks, young Dom and young Jakob were played by different actors (because it would be hard for Vin Diesel and John Cena to play their younger selves) but the actors (especially young Dom) didn't feel right. This isn't a criticism of the actors but there was just something that didn't quite Jell between the present and past characters.
Over all Fast and furious 9 is a good addition to an increasingly over blown film franchise although you do have to suspend reality a few times and you can see why the main franchise is coming to an end soon otherwise the 'Family' would probably end up colonising Mars or slipping into another reality.
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Fast and the Furious (2001) in Movies
Mar 30, 2018 (Updated Mar 30, 2018)
Original Fast & Furious movie is a very different kettle of fish, a modest little genre movie rather than a swaggering juggernaut of a blockbuster. Undercover cop on a mission finds himself falling in love with a suspect (I refer to the manly bromance between Paul Walker and Vin Diesel, but Walker has a thing with Jordana Brewster too, of course). Which way will he jump when the chips hit the fan?
Much grittier and more credible than the films made after the series entered its blockbuster incarnation; even the laws of physics are mostly respected. All the chasing about and scenes with people dismantling carburettors are the backdrop to a man confronting the dangerous glamour of a life of crime and having an existential crisis as a result. When all the stunts and action kick off the film becomes rather less interesting, even if it is more recognisable as what we now know as F&F. Smartly written, nicely performed; it's clear that no-one involved envisaged this as the Launchpad for a multi-billion dollar franchise, but it's the elements and themes established here that give the series much of its warmth and charm.
Much grittier and more credible than the films made after the series entered its blockbuster incarnation; even the laws of physics are mostly respected. All the chasing about and scenes with people dismantling carburettors are the backdrop to a man confronting the dangerous glamour of a life of crime and having an existential crisis as a result. When all the stunts and action kick off the film becomes rather less interesting, even if it is more recognisable as what we now know as F&F. Smartly written, nicely performed; it's clear that no-one involved envisaged this as the Launchpad for a multi-billion dollar franchise, but it's the elements and themes established here that give the series much of its warmth and charm.
David McK (3180 KP) rated Saving Private Ryan (1998) in Movies
Jan 9, 2022
First, let me start with an admission: I'd never actually seen this film before, even if it is (now) nearly 25 years old!
Oh, I was aware of it all right - I even remember seeing the posters in the cinemas when it first came out - but it just never really appealed to me all that much.
War movies rarely do.
I was also aware of the reputation it held, in particular because of brutality of the opening D-Day Normandy landing scenes (which still pack a punch today).
In case you've been living under a rock? The story follows a group of eight soldiers, led by Tom Hanks Captain Tom Miller (and including an early breakout role for Vin Diesel - who actually has hair!), who have been detailed to find and return home an American Paratrooper (the Private Ryan of the title, played by Matt Damon) who has been dropped somewhere in Europe after that paratrooper's three brothers are all killed during those landings. Cue them traipsing across war-torn lands, with the occasional musing on whether it is worth potentially losing eight men to rescue one, and with the drama largely provided by the fact that you never quite know who is going to survive or get bumped off next!
Oh, I was aware of it all right - I even remember seeing the posters in the cinemas when it first came out - but it just never really appealed to me all that much.
War movies rarely do.
I was also aware of the reputation it held, in particular because of brutality of the opening D-Day Normandy landing scenes (which still pack a punch today).
In case you've been living under a rock? The story follows a group of eight soldiers, led by Tom Hanks Captain Tom Miller (and including an early breakout role for Vin Diesel - who actually has hair!), who have been detailed to find and return home an American Paratrooper (the Private Ryan of the title, played by Matt Damon) who has been dropped somewhere in Europe after that paratrooper's three brothers are all killed during those landings. Cue them traipsing across war-torn lands, with the occasional musing on whether it is worth potentially losing eight men to rescue one, and with the drama largely provided by the fact that you never quite know who is going to survive or get bumped off next!
JT (287 KP) rated Riddick (2013) in Movies
Mar 10, 2020
When are directors ever going to learn from their own mistakes. I mean you would think it was a no brainer really. Your first film is a hit, the sequel dies on its arse and the third instalment is a chance to right the wrongs and win back the fans – yet you’re not able to capitalise.
Riddick (Vin Diesel) has been left for dead… again, which is becoming something of a habit. This time stranded on a planet with practically no chance of survival. The opening twenty minutes almost plays out like an episode of Bear Grylls, as Riddick fends off an attack from a pack of rabid Alien like dingos, finds water and fixes a broken leg as only he can (causing some wincing from the audience).
This part is slow, although it still proves that Vin Diesel is worth the entrance fee if he’s able to hold the attention on his own for this long. All this messing about tries to set up the film on some kind of narrative, cutting back to how Riddick ended up in this predicament in the first place. Vin Diesel’s character has his Fuyran backstory elaborated further and how he was betrayed and left for dead on the rock we find him on which, incidentally, he thought was his home planet of Fuyra but as he puts it “not Fuyra!”
After the one man show the film moves into overdrive as two teams of bounty hunters descend to take Riddick’s head back in a box. This begins about forty-five minutes of awful one liners and total blatant sexism. The characters are mismatched and none that you really care about. When you suddenly get immersed in the action you get a sense of deja vu taking you back to Predator and Aliens, as the team of crack shots get picked off one by one.
The action is alright but it’s nothing special. The overall shooting of the film isn’t enhanced by the fact it’s all done in front of a green screen.
There are plenty of plot holes and Twohy has to result in pinching a sub plot from Pitch Black as the character Johns (senior in this case) becomes an all too familiar figure. Fans of the original will know what I’m talking about. This does little to enhance the film and is just a glorified way to salvage something that really hasn’t been good from the outset. What made Pitch Black so revering was the fact that we knew nothing about Riddick, he was just there for the ride.
In this we know far too much about him, and personally I didn’t really want to. I liked him how he was, a dark entity with issues and whether or not he was the type of person that you could trust? Perhaps the biggest shock and something of an annoyance was the blatant sexism on show for poor Katee Sackhoff. Clearly a sexy on screen presence she spends most of her time fending off advances from Jordi Mollà’s Santana.
The final act is almost a par with the end of Pitch Black as Riddick and the remaining crew fend off a mass attack from those scorpion like atrocities that we met at the start. Riddick is a step down not up for the franchise and it’s a bit of a misguided mess with a poor script and sexist dialogue. If they even attempt to think of returning for a fourth then they’re going to have to re-shine their eyeballs so they can see more clearly.
Riddick (Vin Diesel) has been left for dead… again, which is becoming something of a habit. This time stranded on a planet with practically no chance of survival. The opening twenty minutes almost plays out like an episode of Bear Grylls, as Riddick fends off an attack from a pack of rabid Alien like dingos, finds water and fixes a broken leg as only he can (causing some wincing from the audience).
This part is slow, although it still proves that Vin Diesel is worth the entrance fee if he’s able to hold the attention on his own for this long. All this messing about tries to set up the film on some kind of narrative, cutting back to how Riddick ended up in this predicament in the first place. Vin Diesel’s character has his Fuyran backstory elaborated further and how he was betrayed and left for dead on the rock we find him on which, incidentally, he thought was his home planet of Fuyra but as he puts it “not Fuyra!”
After the one man show the film moves into overdrive as two teams of bounty hunters descend to take Riddick’s head back in a box. This begins about forty-five minutes of awful one liners and total blatant sexism. The characters are mismatched and none that you really care about. When you suddenly get immersed in the action you get a sense of deja vu taking you back to Predator and Aliens, as the team of crack shots get picked off one by one.
The action is alright but it’s nothing special. The overall shooting of the film isn’t enhanced by the fact it’s all done in front of a green screen.
There are plenty of plot holes and Twohy has to result in pinching a sub plot from Pitch Black as the character Johns (senior in this case) becomes an all too familiar figure. Fans of the original will know what I’m talking about. This does little to enhance the film and is just a glorified way to salvage something that really hasn’t been good from the outset. What made Pitch Black so revering was the fact that we knew nothing about Riddick, he was just there for the ride.
In this we know far too much about him, and personally I didn’t really want to. I liked him how he was, a dark entity with issues and whether or not he was the type of person that you could trust? Perhaps the biggest shock and something of an annoyance was the blatant sexism on show for poor Katee Sackhoff. Clearly a sexy on screen presence she spends most of her time fending off advances from Jordi Mollà’s Santana.
The final act is almost a par with the end of Pitch Black as Riddick and the remaining crew fend off a mass attack from those scorpion like atrocities that we met at the start. Riddick is a step down not up for the franchise and it’s a bit of a misguided mess with a poor script and sexist dialogue. If they even attempt to think of returning for a fourth then they’re going to have to re-shine their eyeballs so they can see more clearly.
LeftSideCut (3778 KP) rated Furious 7 (2015) in Movies
Jun 12, 2021
With each passing film in this franchise, I find myself asking more and more "how did it get to this point?" We're certainly a long way from this franchise's humble (?) beginnings. There were multiple points during Furious 7 where I was audibly laughing at how ridiculous some of the action scenes are. Do you like films about street racing? Well fuck you, this film is about sky diving cars out of cargo planes, and then through multiple sky scrapers. Do you like films that accurately portray the mechanics of how vehicles work? Well fuck off, here's Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson flexing his muscles to crack open an arm cast he has on before shooting down a helicopter with a massive gatling gun he wrenched off a military drone. Do you like happy-go-lucky underdog characters that work their way to the top by showing off their drifting skills? Well shut the fuck up, here's Vin Diesel and Jason Statham smacking the shit out of eachother with metal sticks on top of a collapsing building. This series has gone completely off the rails, and I love it.
On a serious note, this film deals with the death of Paul Walker, and pays tribute to him in a very well done and tasteful manner. Massive props for that. Did I she's a tear during a Fast & Furious movie? Yes, yes I did.
On a serious note, this film deals with the death of Paul Walker, and pays tribute to him in a very well done and tasteful manner. Massive props for that. Did I she's a tear during a Fast & Furious movie? Yes, yes I did.
