If you're pressed for time, I'll cut to the chase: For everything that No Escape does well, it manages to do five things wrong. After watching the trailer, I never really understood what genre this film was supposed to fall in whether action or drama. After watching the movie, I'm still not quite sure. The film manages to stumble between both like a drunk bar customer after last call. Neither is done exceptionally well. I found the action sequences to have quite a bit of unnecessary slow-mo that proved to be more annoying than cool. There are some intense moments where you might be gripping your seat like I was as the actors stumble forward in pure silence, but it never seems to deviate from what I found it to be: A film that knows it has an R-rating, but can't seem to fully embrace it. There is blood and violence, yes, but quick cutaways never expose the full carnage. I think this takes away some power from the magnitude of the situation the cast find themselves in. I've never seen Owen Wilson in such a role where he's having to be 95% serious. I blame him for not making me a believer. I couldn't manage to connect with him on any level, neither as a father or out-of-towner that finds himself in such a crazy situation where his life is in danger. When I can't connect, I found myself shutting down from a film that could otherwise be quality. Before you tell me I didn't give the man a chance, I have had nothing but great things to say about Amy Shumer's role in Trainwreck. It was unfortunate that Wilson couldn't duplicate Shumer's efforts. The acting as a whole stifled the more drama-filled moments. On second thought, maybe it was a combination of the acting and a few cases of wrong-place-wrong-time. This movie follows the story of a family of four that moves to China so the father can start a new career. Unfortunately for them, they are caught in the middle of a riot where they become a prime target. I wanted to feel sorry for them. I really did. However, the acting kept me somewhat at bay. The kids were overly annoying and Wilson's wife Annie (Lake Bell) was never someone I could bring myself to care about. Two final things that turned me off: 1. The antagonist. Just sadistic without really a justifiable motive. If your aim is to kill Americans to protect your family, why do you feel the urge to rape or perform over-the-top killings? Just saying...2. I'm not a fan of movies where the protagonists are pretty helpless from start to finish. I know the movie is called No Escape but seriously? This is probably why I have such a hard time watching horror films. A main character doesn't have to start out empowered, but I would hope that, by the end of the movie, he's gained a leg-up in power, survival, etc.
No Escape is probably not worth your time in theaters. I give it a 32.
What happened to the good old days when animated movies used to be mindless forms of entertainment? Maybe it's not the movies. Maybe it's me. As I've gotten older, I'm noticing these beautifully-rendered movies are coming equipped with some great messages, messages that pack a powerful punch. Despicable Me is no exception to that rule as it enforces the power of love and makes us question the importance of what we truly value in our lives. I know, we're talking about a kids movie here, not an Oscar-nominee. Kids movies are supposed to be filled with highly-imaginative characters and insane fun. This movie not only harbors both, but doesn't ruin the aforementioned message in the process. After a short, fun scene in Egypt, you're quickly introduced to Gru, powerful supervillain bent on performing the greatest heist of all time. It doesn't take long to realize how big of a bad guy he really is. He's a jerk, but he's a fun kind of jerk a la the first Iron Man. He's aided in his conquests by the old and clever Dr. Nefario, but primarily by his little minions. There's so much going on with the minions even when there's only a handful on screen at a time. I've watched this movie multiple times now and still manage to find new things happening in the background that freshly entertain me. Despite their hilarious heroics, little Agnes steals the show. Agnes is one of three sisters who live in what appears to be an orphanage. Not giving away too much, Gru decides to adopt them in his efforts to complete his grand heist. Seeing the interactions between a hermit and three vibrants kids had me cracking up and anxious to see what kind of craziness would ensue next. Agnes is the type of you kid you always want around because they're so cute, but you have to watch with three eyes because they're so unpredictable. It's the story of two worlds when it comes to animated movies. Because you have artists capturing the perfect shots at the perfect time, it should be easy to do an animated movie well. Unfortunately, there are some cases where these movies focus too much on trying to get a little kid to laugh and not so much on quality which would actually appease an entire audience, old and young. Despicable Me never falls victim to that mistake. In fact, it goes in quite the opposite direction doing almost everything right. It's the kind of movie I'll be watching for years to come still loving it like it was the first time. I give it a 98.
Sony seems to have had a tough go of it recently with their struggling cash cow Spider-Man not performing as well as they had hoped. However, after the release of their upcoming movie schedule, it appears they are trying to make a comeback. Check out the article here: Sony Release Dates. At first glance, it looks to be an interesting mix of sequels and new titles. Being the big kid that I am, I'm most excited for The Lamb, an animated tale which releases in 2017. It follows the story of a lamb "who will change the world". I can dig it.
You ever start looking at a clip on Youtube and you get a weird feeling in your stomach about thirty seconds in? You know something unsettling is about to happen, but you can't make yourself look away. The Gift would be that unsettling clip of the day.
The story follows married couple Simon (Jason Bateman) and Robyn (Rebecca Hall) who are moving from Chicago to an area of SoCal that's close to Simon's old stomping grounds. The happy couple is starting a new chapter in their lives as Simon is beginning a big career move. Their new chapter includes leaving behind an old one filled with some skeletons you come to find out about later. On a routine shopping trip, they run into Gordon "Gordo" Moseley (Joel Edgerton), an old friend of Simon's. What starts as a chance encounter turns into something much worse, something darker...
From the first time you meet Gordo, you know something isn't quite right, even if you haven't viewed the trailer. He has a strange look in his eyes that gives you chills. Edgerton did a great job of capturing a true weirdo without going over the top. Think of that creepy person in the bar who, every time you glance their way, is looking right back at you. Bateman and Hall were not to be outdone as their acting is just as captivating. I've never seen Bateman in such a role, but was impressed at his range. Hall's character beautifully portrays a woman caught in the middle of something she doesn't quite understand. Together, they are the perfect storm.
For those of you looking for suspense, this film will keep you engaged throughout. Not only that, but I have a great respect for a movie that keeps you thinking long after it's over. How would things have turned out differently if this character had just done that? Who's really to blame? What really happened? This movie will keep you guessing to the end and, just when you think you can't be twisted around anymore, a little cherry is added to finish you off.
The Gift was a pleasant surprise to top off the summer. I give it a well-deserved 94.
