Transformers: Dark Of The Moon (2011)

Breathtaking - 4.5/5

So I saw this film yesterday called Transformers: Dark Of The Moon and, as you are most probably aware, this is the third film under the Transformers franchise from director Michael Bay. Unfortunately for me it is the first film I've seen in the cinema this year! However, as I'm moving house and trying to save money, I still think I can call myself a movie buff. Anyway, on with the review...

The Transformers trilogy began with Transformers back in 2007 and my main problem with the film was that at times it was hard to see what was actually happening during the battle scenes between the Autobots and the Decepticons. Michael Bay managed to rectify this mistake with Transformers: Revenge Of The Fallen in which we saw an increase in slow motion fight scenes and well thought out action. Despite this the second film was criticised by many (not including me as I thought it was better than the first. Just saying). Transformers: Dark Of The Moon improved even further on the action sequences. The film was truly stunning and you could tell an immense amount of imagination went in to creating the stunning sequences. I was lucky enough to see the film in 3D, which I would strongly advise you to do when you go to see this film, and it added a lot to the film. The fight scenes towards the end left me thinking 'HOW DO THEY DO IT'. It was truly breathtaking.

Whilst I was blown away with the visual effects on display, the plot certainly lacked substance in places and continuity proved a problem. The film was very poorly edited and in places felt rushed. I can't imagine how long the whole film was before they cut anything but even though we saw two and a half hours of film it still felt liked it skipped over large and important parts of the story. The scenes would sometimes skip ahead without really explaining what had happened and the problem wasn't just a one off but could be found all the way through. I think they rushed to get this movie to the big screen.

Although it doesn't sound it the aforementioned problems do really take a back seat when compared with everything that was right about this film. Bay managed to bring us the combination of a genuinely funny script with truly amazing and expansive action sequences that we have come to expect from the Transformers films. Whilst the story may not have been the greatest ever it didn't seem to matter when watching Optimus Prime

My Cinematic Alphabet: In Depth - B

So we move on to look at those films that didn't make it to my 'B' position on My Cinematic Alphabet but are still worthy of a mention. Remember that this is a regular feature and be sure to keep checking it out. Thanks y'all!

B

The Butterfly Effect

I know not everyone is a fan of this film and it has taken some stick over the years but for me it was moving and touching. I haven't bothered watching any of the sequels because they look rubbish and because I wanted to remember this film in a good light. I thought the story was brilliant and the way it was brought to the screen was fantastic. I'm sure it will be a controversial pick but I think it deserves a mention.

The Beach

Again I don't think this film was the most popular, but after reading the book I thought the movie did justice to the Alex Garland novel. I found the film moving and poignant and I thought it was one of those films that makes you just want to get up and go somewhere. Leonardo DiCaprio was brilliant and he portrayed a character, who at times was extremely disturbed, effectively.

Back To The Future

The first Robert Zemeckis film to show up on My Cinemtic Alphabet: In Depth so far but by no means the last. Most of my favourite films of all time have come from him and I appart from the Coen Brothers he has to be my favourite modern director. Every time I see this film I am whisked away to my childhood and I think any film that can do that well deserves merit.

Babel

This film has got to be one of the most beautiful cinematic experiences I've ever had. The cinematography shown was sublime and the story was truly moving. Possibly Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett's best performances for me. If you haven't seen this one you are seriously missing out.

Beowulf

Told you there was more Zemeckis to come. I think this has to be one of my favourite animated films. The action and fight scenes are so enjoyably brutal and a whole host of stars lend their voice talents including Ray Winstone and John Malkovich. Check this one out.

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My Cinematic Alphabet: In Depth - A

Leonard Nimoy To Voice Setinel Prime

Leornard Nimoy has become the latest addition to the cast of the third Transformers installment. Nimoy will star as Sentinel Prime in the new film 'Transformers: Dark Of The Moon', a character who is a mentor to Optimus Prime. The film marks another project for Nimoy who is keeping busy these days with recent projects such as the latest 'Star Trek' film. Nimoy has experience of this particular franchise after voicing Galvatron in a 1986 cartoon version of the story.

Empire has reported that director Michael Bay was original sceptical about asking Nimoy to play the part due to Nimoy's retired status. He is reported to have said “I was too scared to ask him,”. Luckily for the viewers however he plucked up the courage and the former Spock was only too glad to join in on the project. Nimoy is the latest in a line of big names that will feature in the third film including returning Shia LaBeouf and new faces such as John Malkovich. Nimoy will add experience to the cast and will help bring a cult following to the cinemas that may make up for the damage the last film did to the franchise. I'm personally looking forward to it.

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Transformers: Dark Of The Moon Preview
Star Trek Review

Preview: Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Set to come out in July 2011, the third installment of the Transformers franchise looks set to make a big impact. The trailer is full on and we can see by watching it that the film will certainly not be lacking in special effects. In my opinion they look to dwarf those displayed in the first two films, which were themselves stunning. This film needs a storyline to go along with all the action however and it will be interesting to see how they run it, although by the looks of the trailer it seems they are aiming to latch on to the success of Battle: Los Angeles by portraying an invasion type scene taking place on earth. This may not be the best way to go but the trailer still looks stunning.

Die hard fans of the trilogy will however miss the talents of Megan Fox. In fact I'm sure just about any male viewer will too. I'm not entirely sure who will replace her as Shia LaBeouf's piece of stuff so if anyone knows leave a comment.

I think I am sticking my neck out a bit here when I admit I enjoyed Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. However, it seems it wasn't the most popular film ever released, so I'm sure director Michael Bay will be keen to remedy the mistakes made in the second installment. The trailer for this one added to by the fact that John Malkovich will feature has ensured that I will be going to see it, but it will be interesting to see if it falls by the wayside. Here's hoping it doesn't.

Beowulf (2007)

Best action animation ever - 5/5

So I saw this film a while back called 'Beowulf'. I had previously read the description and was like, yeah this sounds pretty sweet. The DVD cover also drew me in, and did not in any way lead me to believe it was an animation. So, after about five seconds into the film I was disappointed. I thought there was no way an animation could do justice to the age old epic poem that is 'Beowulf'. Boy I was wrong.
I have literally never seen an animation like it. It contained arguably more gore than your average horror! I suppose you can get away with more when animation is involved. However, the action still took my breath away. After the first scene of fighting between the fearsome Beowulf and his men and the genuinely gruesome monster Grendel I was gobsmacked. How could they create an animation like this? It was utterly fantastic. Add to all this an A-list cast including the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Ray Winstone and John Malkovich, whose role I actually didn't enjoy, and you can see why I found this flick so encapsulating.
The ending was possibly one of the greatest scenes I have ever laid my eyes on, and no, I'm not joking. Hugely cinematic scenes were created to great effect. If you haven't seen this film, just try to imagine a naked Beowulf leaping, sword outstretched, at a dragon, plunging the sword deep into the dragon's neck and sliding down the length of it and then half severing his own arm to enable him to pierce the heart of the dragon. Pretty cool right?
Now I'm not sure just how accurate to historical fact this film really is, but that is the beauty of the original poem. It was very much an embellishment of possible truths of the time. In my opinion the film captured this magic, the sort of magic that only comes from mis-truths and from overestimating the facts. The film certainly captured the excitment surrounding myths and legends of the time and it could not have been done better.
Would I recom..GO AND SEE IT!!!