Film Review: Flight

Flight   4/10
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Starring: Denzel Washington, Nadine Velazquez, Don Cheadle
Plot: a flight is saved by a pilot and an investigation unveils the truth.

Robert Zemeckis has produced some ‘classics’ during his career; Forest Gump and Cast Away are among them. Reviewers have classed these as Zemeckis’ career highlights – I would, however, completely disagree. Zemeckis’ ten year development of motion-capture has created the likes of The Polar Express, Beowulf and A Christmas Carol. Both The Polar Express and A Christmas Carol are visually stunning, well-paced and thrilling. Flight is Zemeckis’ return to live-action, which is a transition that fails.

Flight is a film which, as many are, marketed to the wrong audience. The ‘main event’ seems to be the crash sequence at the beginning of the film; people flying, screaming children and utter carnage ensue within a ten minute sequence, which is utterly compelling – Zemeckis at his best. As soon as the gigantic sequence finishes (a particular moment in which the plane flips upside down is phenomenally done), the film steadily declines.

Unfortunately, Flight becomes a terribly slow drama; a particular sequence in which Denzel Washington is pacing his hotel room goes on for far too long, and the dialogue scenes are tiresome throughout. Any scene which involves the talented and mostly funny John Goodman is ruined by an overly heavy script that is neither fun nor compelling. Washington’s performance is on this occasion uninspiring; the drunk scenes are convincing yet lack of emotion and the persistent staring isn’t enough to revive the performance. Kelly Reilly is the stand-out of the entire film; whilst her performance isn’t award-worthy, her addictions and antics add at least a little more to this film.

In Conclusion: Flight is 40 minutes too long; its script is dull and its finale uninteresting. A phenomenally realistic opening sequence shows just how Zemeckis entertains his audience – by thrilling! Let’s just hope Zemeckis returns to motion-capture as soon as possible.

Film Review: Les Miserables

Les Miserables    7/10
Director: Tom Hooper
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway
Plot: It’s the 19^th century, and Jean Valjean breaks his parole. However, he is being hunted by his enemy, policeman Javert.

Tom Hooper creates a film that’s dark, grand and comical. Hooper has loosened his belt significantly since The King’s Speech – a far more structured and tight production. Les Miserables is, despite its length, chaotic due to its many story lines; but somehow flows elegantly to its grand finale thanks to its cast.

The different stories that unravel are all captivating; Hugh Jackman’s rags to riches tale, Russell Crowe’s hunt and Anne Hathaway’s desperation, are all terribly grim at times; yet the stunning musical numbers are uplifting, punchy and powerful. Hooper’s decision to record vocals live is pulled off terrifically; Hathaway’s rawness is captured during a montage of having her teeth removed and hair shaven.

The talent of the cast cannot be questioned; highlights include the phenomenal Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen; Cohen has grown significantly from his gross-out comedy, and here merges himself with Carter in classy humour. The tale between Amanda Seyfried and Eddie Redmayne is endearing, and one of the highlights of the picture; Seyfried’s high-pitched voice is a beautiful contrast to the deep, grand voice of Jackman.

In Conclusion: Les Miserables isn’t smothered in glitter and neither is it completely grim. Non-musical fans may be put off by its running time, but its multiple storylines and diverse musical numbers are bound to convert many.