Quick Review: Pirates Part 2

Another example of a sequel that lifts the first. I really liked the first movie, and wondered how they could possibly extend it… but here (like Matrix, Shrek, Spiderman) is an example of how the filmmakers stayed true to the original yet extended it to include richer/darker/more meaningful themes.

It was also interesting to see the fine line between horror and thriller… and this stayed true to the latter… though always flirting close to the line.

Unlike what most reviewers have been saying; I didn’t find the movie all about Johnny Depp. The vast array of characters all captured the imagination; and it was particularly good to see a ‘growth’ in the relationship dynamic between the on-screen characters played played by Kiera Knightly and Orlando Bloom.

Also… while we all knew that Matrix had a “part three” it was interesting how this movie publicity has underplayed the triquel idea… so that the people with me had no idea that there was another movie coming. In effect, the final ending reminded me of Back to the Future Part II (in the 80s)… which ended with yet another “To be continued…” and making the audience beg for more.

In all, I really liked the movie… yes it was chaotic at parts… too much action and too many characters. But within its genre, and excellent adventure.

(ps. it was helped all the more that we saw the morning show where the tickets were cheaper!)

Quick Review: Pink Panther

Terrible!

They not only changed the previous character (Clouseau) by making him more self-aware, but it doesn’t even live up to Mr. Bean (which I also couldn’t bear to watch). The movie had one-two humorous bits (like parking the small car). But mostly the humour was either too overdone, or just plain boring.

ps. The remix track of the Pink Panther theme is really cool.

Top Ten CG Animation Movies

This list is made on the basis of which CG (Computer Graphics) movies I enjoy watching. As you can see, I’m a big pixar fan!

1. Incredibles

What a mind-blowing growing-up of the animation genre!

2. Finding Nemo

Exquisite and heart-warming, it was a tough decision to drop this to no.2.

3. Monsters Inc.

I tend to forget how good Monsters Inc. really is. But when I watch it, I find it easily making to the top-three.

4. Ice Age

I was recently re-watching Ice Age and I got a shock that I had actually forgotten to put it on this list. That error has since been rectified! One of my favourite non Pixar films, it easily makes it into the top-ten best.

5. Up

I just saw it, and I would say this is the most ’serious of all the Pixar (and CG animation movies) out there. I saw it with near-teens and I felt bad for them, they probably expected a movie with more laughs. But I don’t know how themes of death and old-age will gel with them, but I loved the movie. Will explain sometime why it’s not the best.

5. Wall-e

I said in this post, that Wall-e is the fourth best pixar film, but I don’t think it’s the fourth best animation film. As a story and ‘human’ element (as ironic as that sounds)… Ice Age above is better. But that’s not to say that Wall-e is not a good film. It’s excellent, heart-warming, touching and brilliant. Just not the best.

6. A Bug’s Life

Another Pixar classic, for a long time was one of my favourite animated movies.

7. Ratatouille

It’s easy to give a movie, recently seen, a high rating, but I’ve had some time to think about it, and in comparison to the list below, Ratatouille is excellent. But in comparison to the list above, Ratatouille is just not as good as the greats. I think that’s mainly because of it’s weak lead up to the climax (all the rats cooking). Otherwise a visual and heart-warming treat.

8. Shrek and Shrek 2

Evidently, I’m a Pixar fan. But, both Shrek movies were really good. I enjoyed Shrek 2 better because it felt more mature; they toned it down when I expected them to crank up the volume from the first one. But don’t get me started on Shrek Three which was simply terrible!

9. Cars

This top ten list was made when a friend asked me about my views of Cars. I really enjoyed Cars, but I couldn’t put it above the other Pixar classics. Grudgingly I put it above Toy Stories… but that is simply because I would love to watch Cars again.

10. Toy Story 1 & 2

I saw Toy Story 1 in the movie-theatre. And I thoroughly enjoyed watching it then. Later, in comparison to other Pixar movies, I remembered thinking it was outdated. But when I recently saw Toy Story, I saw that the quality of animation was not bad, but I was also surprised by how engaging (and memorable) the story/characters actually were. In fact, Toy Story 1-2 are such good movies that if a better animation movie comes along, I think they would still remain in my top ten, while Shark Tale might disappear out.

— the also rans–

11. Kung Fu Panda

A movie just marginally better than Shark Tale and Monster House, it is shocking that that Anime Awards chose it as the best Animation Feature (and a host of other awards) above Wall-e. A simple disgrace to affirming excellence. Anyway, that rant apart, Kung Fu Panda was fun. Though I still say that while as an overal movie Kung Fu Panda was better than Shark Tale, in something things Shark Tale was funnier.

12. Monster House

An excellent movie, about children and fear. But it is spoiled a tad by an over-the-top ending that makes it a little too cartoony. Otherwise and excellent, excellent movie.

13. Shark Tale
I started liking this movie the more I watched it. Favourite character Martin Scorsese.

14. When I saw Over the Hedge I enjoyed its energy and commentary on suburban (human) life. Due to its fun element, it was actually more consistent of a film than Happy Feet, hence gets the vote above it, however, it still doesn’t replace Shark Tale which remains a number above.

15. Surf’s Up

Interestingly, this movie is a better movie and a better penguin movie than Happy Feet, which eventually looked too grandiose. Surf’s Up is a simple, but watchable tale.

16. I just saw Happy Feet and I must say I liked it. In fact, as a concept it’s one of the best animation films, but because of its mixed presentation and message it ranks as an if-only film… ie. if only they had done this or that and it would have been better. I found the music good, but not entirely accessible to a common non-western viewer like me. Plus, the ‘relationship’ between parents and child, and mumble and that other girl penguin, seemed like cliches, and not fully developed.

17. Bolt
Finally, with Bolt, Disney 3D animation gets it right (remember the atrocious Meet the Robinsons?). And this movie is fun and touching at parts. But the more I see it, I know it’s more a coming of age for Disney Animation, and not so much a great 3D computer animation movie as its predecessors. It’s a nice movie. Fun. Exciting. Certainly worth a watch. But just too simplistic at times. It keeps reminding you that you’re watching a cartoon. What’s with the hamster in the ball, please!

(Qualification… the reason Wallace and Gromitt, Chicken Run and Miracle Worker don’t feature, because I have classified them as a separate animation (not CG animation) category.)

Introduction

Inspired by my movie-writing past, watching Pirates of the Carribean 2 yesterday, and the latest best-of list that I conjured up, I thought I needed to document my tryst with the movies.

This site therefore hopes to be a fun views and reviews of movies I like or issues related to cinema/entertainment in general.

I still don’t know the exact scope, but I certainly know the first real entry I will be making… my top 10 CG movies list.

So on to that…