Tron: Legacy (PG) Dir: Joseph Kosinski, Starring: Jeff Bridges, Garret Hedlund, Olivia Wilde.
This has to be the best way to round off a great year of film. Since 3D came along, We've had the good (Avatar) and the bad (Clash of the Titans), and Tron: Legacy definitely fits into the good category.
The new imagining of Steven Lisberger's 1982 film is brilliantly captured using stunning special effects which rival those used in throughout Avatar, and a brilliant use of 3D technology which makes you feel like you're actually there on the Grid with the characters.
We start the film in 1989, where Kevin Flynn (Bridges) is telling his son about The Grid before he disappears into the night. However, it's not quite Bridges. Using the aging technology pioneered in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, they have created the young Bridges, to play himself, and his digital son, Clu. The level of this effect is brilliant, to a point where you have to remind yourself that he is just CG.
Snap forward several years, and we run into Sam Flynn (Garret Hedlund) weaving his way through cars on a Ducati Sport Classic 1000 to play a prank on Encom on the relase of their latest OS.
Sam promptly gets zapped into the Grid, and while being taken to be suited up in his strip-light armour, complete with disc on his back and thrown into the gladitorial games, we get a good look at the Grid, with it's luminescent architecture and reflective surfaces, it is similar to the city fly-by that was present in the opening credits, but on a much grander scale.
Entered unwillingly into the gladiator games which viewers of Tron will remember, the ring battle is a flurry of deja-vu, and the lightcycle event even more so, but with the latest effects they are flung away from the 80's offering. That is until he is saved by Quorra (Wilde) and taken off-Grid to where his father is hiding from Clu.
The lightcycle scene has to be one of the best throughout the film, with exquisite effects. The bikes weave ribbons of liquid-like light that destroys whatever touches it in an, again, fluidic explosion and scattering of derezzed pixels everywhere, a brilliant scene which is reflected towards the end of the film with the light-jet fight offering more luscious effects.
The other high point is, obviously, the soundtrack. Created and mixed by Daft Punk, who even cameo in Castor/Zuse's (Michael Sheens) club as the resident DJ's. This is a most fitting film for the pair whose electronic music is perfect for the beautifully luminous setting of the Grid.
The only downside is the story, which turns out to be very predictable, quite cheesy in places, and not as good overall as they could have made it. However, the score and the special effects are more than enough to keep your mind thoroughly blown.
Legacy reflects the original Tron in so many ways, trying to beat a giant airship to a destination, the light-train, and with Flynn's ability to control and re-write the Grid to his own desires. It also shows the level of graphics that are apparent both back in '82 and '10, with the differences being stark, but the effect no less brilliant. In 28 years we will probably look back on Legacy in the same way we look back on Tron, but instead of thinking 'Wow this is so fantastically 80's' we'll be thinking 'How teenies!' (Or whatever this decade's going to be called!)
I cannot urge people enough to go and see this film, just so you can immerse yourself in a 3D world that even puts Pandora to shame.
Monday, 20 December 2010
Thursday, 16 December 2010
Fast Five Trailer
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2122422297/
Another helping from the guys at Fast and Furious. Done to death yet? Maybe. But still, how much do you want to see this film?
Another helping from the guys at Fast and Furious. Done to death yet? Maybe. But still, how much do you want to see this film?
Saturday, 11 December 2010
Monsters (12A) * * *
Monsters (12A) Dir: Gareth Edwards, Starring Scoot McNairy, Whitney Able.
A probe, sent to investigate alien life in the solar system has crashed in Mexico. Pretty soon, the life forms have started to run amok across Central America. Andrew (McNairy) is a photographer working for a newspaper, getting photo's to detail the impact the 'creatures' have had around the 'Infected Zone'. Sam (Able) is the daughter of Andrews boss, and thus the pair are flung together as he is instructed to bring her back to America. After a series of unfortunate events, they are forced to travel across the Infected Zone together, and their feelings for each other grow, until they eventually get back to the safe, warm bosom of America.
This is a really good film, which instead of focusing on the US Military's fight against the aliens, follows the pair on their journey, and their developing relationship, with the backdrop of US planes and helicopters flying past every so often, or wreckage strewn about.
It's a great example of defamiliarization, showing people living their everyday lives, but with the constant reminder of the aliens behind giant walls and electric fences. It harks back to the good old days of cinema, where you don't see the monster, except for the odd blurred image, or glimpse through the mist or the dark, until the very end.
Edwards has made a very watchable film, but don't go thinking it will be anything like Skyline, or the latest offering of War of the Worlds. It's a lot subtler than that, and considering it was made with a shoestring budget, and the effects were all done by Edwards himself, and a two person cast, it's a good watch.
A probe, sent to investigate alien life in the solar system has crashed in Mexico. Pretty soon, the life forms have started to run amok across Central America. Andrew (McNairy) is a photographer working for a newspaper, getting photo's to detail the impact the 'creatures' have had around the 'Infected Zone'. Sam (Able) is the daughter of Andrews boss, and thus the pair are flung together as he is instructed to bring her back to America. After a series of unfortunate events, they are forced to travel across the Infected Zone together, and their feelings for each other grow, until they eventually get back to the safe, warm bosom of America.
This is a really good film, which instead of focusing on the US Military's fight against the aliens, follows the pair on their journey, and their developing relationship, with the backdrop of US planes and helicopters flying past every so often, or wreckage strewn about.
It's a great example of defamiliarization, showing people living their everyday lives, but with the constant reminder of the aliens behind giant walls and electric fences. It harks back to the good old days of cinema, where you don't see the monster, except for the odd blurred image, or glimpse through the mist or the dark, until the very end.
Edwards has made a very watchable film, but don't go thinking it will be anything like Skyline, or the latest offering of War of the Worlds. It's a lot subtler than that, and considering it was made with a shoestring budget, and the effects were all done by Edwards himself, and a two person cast, it's a good watch.
Friday, 10 December 2010
Tranformers: Dark of the Moon trailer
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi2861996057/
The inner geek in me has figuritively wet itself with excitement. Another helping of metallic brawling mayhem from Mr Bay.
The inner geek in me has figuritively wet itself with excitement. Another helping of metallic brawling mayhem from Mr Bay.
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Inception (15) * * * * * (DVD)
Inception (15) Dir: Christopher Nolan. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Ellen Page, Ken Watanabe, Cillian Murphey, Marion Cotillard.
Score: Hans Zimmer.
Imagine you can get inside other peoples dreams. Now imagine that you make a career out of going into peoples dreams to steal their ideas: extraction. You're the best at what you do, and then one day you get a job offer to do the exact opposite. You need to implant an idea instead of stealing one: Inception.
The film tracks Cobb (DiCaprio), an extracter who, wanted by the authorities in America and numero uno on an energy conglomerate's hitlist, is hired by company owner Saito (Watanabe) to try and implant an idea in business competitor Fischer's (Murphy) head, with the promise of a clean slate and returning to his children.
To do this he needs Ariadne (Page), a talented architect to create a number of dream levels that they all must navigate in order to implant the idea deep in Fischer's head to ensure he carries it out.
The only thing standing in their way is a highly militarized subconscious trying to kill them, and Cobb's dead wife (Cotillard), created by his subconscious to jeopordize everything he does.
This film is a brilliantly clever and emotive offering by Nolan, following his highly rated Batman Begins, and Dark Knight. Including one of DiCaprio's best performances, this will leave viewers wondering partly 'will the top stop spinning' and 'I hope that the top stops spinning.
One of the best films of the year by far, I highly recommend this to everyone.
Score: Hans Zimmer.
Imagine you can get inside other peoples dreams. Now imagine that you make a career out of going into peoples dreams to steal their ideas: extraction. You're the best at what you do, and then one day you get a job offer to do the exact opposite. You need to implant an idea instead of stealing one: Inception.
The film tracks Cobb (DiCaprio), an extracter who, wanted by the authorities in America and numero uno on an energy conglomerate's hitlist, is hired by company owner Saito (Watanabe) to try and implant an idea in business competitor Fischer's (Murphy) head, with the promise of a clean slate and returning to his children.
To do this he needs Ariadne (Page), a talented architect to create a number of dream levels that they all must navigate in order to implant the idea deep in Fischer's head to ensure he carries it out.
The only thing standing in their way is a highly militarized subconscious trying to kill them, and Cobb's dead wife (Cotillard), created by his subconscious to jeopordize everything he does.
This film is a brilliantly clever and emotive offering by Nolan, following his highly rated Batman Begins, and Dark Knight. Including one of DiCaprio's best performances, this will leave viewers wondering partly 'will the top stop spinning' and 'I hope that the top stops spinning.
One of the best films of the year by far, I highly recommend this to everyone.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Carole Nash Motorcycle Show 2010 (Inc Ramp'd Motocross Freestyle)
Carole Nash Motorcycle Show 2010 (Inc Ramp'd Motocross Freestyle) Nov 27-Dec 5.
As always, the Carole Nash Motorcycle Show at the NEC in Birmingham didn't fail to showcase the bikes, new, current and classic that are on offer to bikers, aswell as showcasing some of the best custom bikes from around the country. It also gives us a great opportunity to get our hands on gear with a decent discount, from gloves, jackets and lids, to spares, gadgets, and stands.
The show had all of the major manufacturers, Triumph, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Harley Davidson, Honda, Ducati, Mv Augusta, KTM and Victory, aswell as smaller names such as Hyosung and Sym.
The one off customs were fantastic this year, including a boat load of bikes customed by enthusiasts in the UK, and this Suzuki Hayabusa which was commissioned by Pepsi for an advertising campaignm featuring Beyonce, J-Lo, and David Beckham. The bike shown here was used by J-Lo in the advert.
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Hgs2h-mX4
The show also included some beautiful classic bikes, such as Royal Enfield, and Norton. On the Royal Enfield Stand, a bike lots of people will recognise from the latest Harry Potter film, complete with sidecar.
The wide range of bikes naturally included some of the fastest and most expensive bikes, from the 186mph Yamaha R1 (left) to the Suzuki Hayabusa (yes, that is me sat on the 'Busa).
The superbikes weren't all limited to the run of the mill, ride out of the dealer types either, with examples of the racing bikes which competed in championships this last year.
I really enjoyed this years show, and can't wait to see what 2011's will bring.
As always, the Carole Nash Motorcycle Show at the NEC in Birmingham didn't fail to showcase the bikes, new, current and classic that are on offer to bikers, aswell as showcasing some of the best custom bikes from around the country. It also gives us a great opportunity to get our hands on gear with a decent discount, from gloves, jackets and lids, to spares, gadgets, and stands.
The show had all of the major manufacturers, Triumph, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Harley Davidson, Honda, Ducati, Mv Augusta, KTM and Victory, aswell as smaller names such as Hyosung and Sym.
The one off customs were fantastic this year, including a boat load of bikes customed by enthusiasts in the UK, and this Suzuki Hayabusa which was commissioned by Pepsi for an advertising campaignm featuring Beyonce, J-Lo, and David Beckham. The bike shown here was used by J-Lo in the advert.
See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Hgs2h-mX4
The show also included some beautiful classic bikes, such as Royal Enfield, and Norton. On the Royal Enfield Stand, a bike lots of people will recognise from the latest Harry Potter film, complete with sidecar.
As you can see, the standard of the customisation this year is first class, with some truly beautiful machines graving the stands, from imposing streetfighters to chromed choppers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)