Film Review: The Visit

The Visit     8/10

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Starring: Olivia DeJonge, Ed Oxenbould, Deanna Dunagan
Plot: Two children visit their grandparents, yet not everything is quite what it seems.

**Major spoilers**

M. Night Shyamalan is probably the most famous hit-and-miss director on the Hollywood scene. With The Last Airbender and Lady In The Water being widely recognised as some of the worst films ever made, Night still receives the attention he deserves from his early hits such as Signs and The Sixth Sense. With many critical and financial misses in recent years, can Shyamalan resurrect his sinking career with The Visit?


Whether you're a fan of found footage or not, it's important to note that The Visit isn't your typical shakey-cam mess. Firstly, young actress Olivia DeJonge plays Becca; a budding young documentary director. As a result, the camerawork is far easier to follow than previous features in the genre. Funnily enough, it's probably the best use of this particular format since the first Paranormal Activity. Shyamalan has a keen eye for ensuring all the crucial action plays out on-screen, allowing audiences to feast their terrified little eyes on the whole picture - and boy does he succeed!

The Visit is a film that you'll talk about for months to come. Why, you may ask? It's far more memorable than other horror films in recent memory and that's because it isn't afraid to have a little laugh at itself. Viewers will be talking about scenes like the hide and seek encounter under the house, the cleaning of the oven, adult nappies and a terrifying bedroom finale. For those that haven't yet seen the film, you'll probably dwell on the 'adult nappies' for a moment - and rightly so - as Shyamalan has proved that you can gross out a modern-day audience without the need for SAW-esque gore. Likewise, the unveiling as to who the grandparents really are is also a nice surprise. You're almost led into believing that they're possessed or alien, when they've actually escaped from a psychiatric hospital (chilling stuff!)

As well as Shyamalan's innovative new stance on the overused found-footage genre, the casting is impeccable. Most notably is Deanna Dunagan as the children's supposed grandmother. In fact, Deanna is so chilling as the elderly character that she doesn't even need many lines. The most terrifying of moments are when she's stationery and staring into the camera. It's also important to take note of the two young leads, DeJonge and Oxenbould, who play Becca and Tyler respectively. Oxenbould as Tyler allows for some more lighter moments throughout the film, which work surprisingly well for such a chilling production. Likewise, the two work particularly well on-screen and seem a little more practical and clever than your typical scream-teens, something audiences seem to have numbed to.

In Conclusion: While It Follows became one of the most talked about horrors of 2014, The Visit steals the crown this year. Shyamalan handles the handheld genre as it was originally intended and with a terrific cast, unique scares and an interesting twist thrown in for good measure, Shyamalan is truly back.

Attraction Review: Studio Tour London, The Making of Harry Potter

Review: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter
Location: Leavesden Studios, Watford, London

The Harry Potter film series has in total grossed $7.7 billion worldwide, with all eight films ranking in the 35 highest grossing films of all time. All films have received critical acclaim, picked up various BAFTAs and received nine Oscar nominations throughout its 10 year run and  to celebrate or commemorate the end of the series, Warner Brothers  have opened the ‘Studio Tour London’ to put the exquisite sets, costumes, make up and effects on show to the public.

Warner Brothers have, successfully, brought to the public, a great Potter experience. The Studio Tour is a real winner with plenty of ‘wow factor’ with its original sets; on-location (or near enough). The initial feeling of stepping onto the stone floor of the Great Hall is, sorry for the cliché, truly magical. The long tables, cutlery, plates and house colours show the amount of detail put into every aspect of the making of the Potter films with every part of the Hall getting its unique wizarding stamp (there is so much to see!). At the end of the Hall it is fantastic seeing the mannequin’s, representing the teachers, wearing their original clothing along with the House Point Hourglass, which has never featured heavily in the films, which is a shame, because it’s a real statement as you walk towards Dumbledore’s reading stand.

As the tour progresses, you get to see many seasonal-themed Hogwarts items, including feasts from the Yule Ball from the Goblet of Fire. There are a number of walk-by sets included too (which only die-hards fans would remember) including the Hogwarts gates, Leaky Cauldron corridor and cauldron. The tour should also be praised for being so spacious, whilst smothering the surroundings with even the smallest of sets and props (the seven Horcruxes, especially the diadem, are fantastic in the flesh). Dumbledore’s office is another great set with; the high ceilings covered in paintings of previous Hogwarts headmasters, the memory cabinet, Pensieve and, if you look carefully, the sword of Gryffindor all look so real, expensive and, in a good way, old. As well as the sets, a number of items, which mainly featured in the action sequences, appear including the Gringotts cart, Hagrid’s motorbike, Knight Bus and Quidditch broomsticks. All of them are seen in-action on large screens, along with commentary from the cast and crew with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage. The famous Butter Beer also features on the tour which, disappointingly, doesn’t taste as one would hope however it’s an experience that had to be endured!

In conclusion: The Harry Potter Studio Tour London is something that every Potter fan must experience at some point in their lives, the feeling of stepping into the real Great Hall, knowing the famous actors and actresses have performed their magic there, as well as all the scenes that took place there is an unmissable treat. As well as the Great Hall, Diagon Alley is a feature not to be missed too, as you see all the different shops with their windows stacked high with magic-related items. Not only is this a trip for Potter fans but for film fans too, as the genius art behind film making in general is explored. You couldn’t possibly go wrong.

Film Review: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Dawn of the Planet of The Apes   10/10

Director: Matt Reeves

Starring: Andy Serkis, Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke

Plot: just go see it, you don't need plot details - the less you know, the better.

It’s really difficult to describe Dawn of Apes using just words. To put it lightly, it’s bloody massive; a cinematic spectacle that needs to be seen on the big screen without fail. Director Matt Reeves, the man behind Cloverfield, has created a movie unlike any other. Dawn has done for motion capture, what Jurassic Park did for animatronics... How can you prove this? Well, the apes in this – as you’ve probably seen from the trailers – are unbelievably realistic.

For a first viewing, it’s all a little too much to take in. The opening scene, which involves a mass hunting, is one of the many highlights. The sheer pace of these scenes, which have been flawlessly assembled together, will have your heart pumping fast and your palms sweating. Andy Serkis, who portrays Caesar, is incredible. Serkis has been snubbed from countless award ceremonies, with a divide between those that believe he deserves it, and those that do not. I for one, believe that Serkis deserves at least a nomination (Toby Kebbell as Koba is also menacing and gripping to watch). Watching behind the scenes footage, and the movie itself, there isn’t a single blip or loss of character in his acting. After all, Serkis is playing an ape… is that not an unbelievable undertaking that requires a hell of a lot of skill? 

Not to forget Gary Oldman, who seemed to take up most of the trailers, and pops in and out of the picture throughout. As you’d expect, his presence on-screen is felt. As he takes on the role as leader of the humans, you really feel the fear and the human side to him. Really though, it’s the speeches of encouragement before the battles that are his most impressive moments. Meanwhile, the rest of the cast aren’t particularly memorable. It’s not to take anything away from them, as it’s the special effects, electric pace and sheer amount of ape screen time that we notice most. There’s little time to dwell with mere humans! 

I’ve likened this to Jurassic Park already, and it can also be linked to Avatar. Where Dawn of Apes seems to succeed over these two though (yes, really), is in its resounding message. There’s something about this that will never feel old. Perhaps it’s the almost post-apocalyptic feel amongst the humans, or the conflicts that will always exist like this in the world, it just doesn’t feel like this movie will age – it’s effectively timeless.

Finally, it’s important to note that Dawn of Apes is a sequel. 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes had scale and it successfully reintroduced us Apes fans back into that universe. Looking back, it was merely that. Dawn opens up the universe and takes us to an entirely different part of it. Not for one moment do you doubt that this is actually happening, and it’s nice to see the setting taken almost entirely to a forest. If you think about it, how many live-action movies have you seen, mostly in a forest and predominantly consisting of animals, and enjoyed? Exactly.

In Conclusion: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes may well be one of the most intense, stunning and truly unbelievable cinematic experiences you’ll ever have. Thankfully, a lot has been held back and kept well away from the trailers, including the final thirty minutes, which is truly incredible. The technological advancements since the first movie have come on leaps and bounds - it’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

Film Review: Maleficent

Maleficent    7/10

Director: Robert Stromberg

Starring: Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Sharlto Copley

Plot: the untold story of Maleficent unfolds as a curse is put on an infant princess.

Maleficent is, as another critic has pointed out, magnificent. It’s magnificent in the sense that its world building is spot-on. Except the opening sequence which is a little shabby on the CGI front, the rest of the picture builds the world of Sleeping Beauty with absolute ease. Director Robert Stromberg has a real eye for detail and has successfully transformed the animated original into a visual feast. The battles are enormous in scale and the effects do, at times, really flourish.

Maleficent, however, suffers from some really serious flaws. To begin with, a film that markets itself as a dark retelling of an untold story feels a little under-baked at a painfully short 97 minutes. On a budget of $180 million, it feels as if the entire production has been pushed into a teeny, tiny box that doesn’t have nearly enough time to explore.

For starters, this really isn’t the dark retelling we’ve been promised. Yes, it does have its rather depressing and ominous moments, but it’s actually incredibly light-hearted, humorous but altogether silly for the most part. When you get Angelina Jolie on-board for a Disney production on this scale, it’s a missed opportunity to use her for anything other than her incredible acting abilities. Unfortunately, the script doesn't always let her do this; it’s overridden with clichés, cringe-worthy moments and random comments that really do not fit with the rest of the picture.

Another point of criticism for this is its pointless characters. Sam Riley as Diaval (Maleficent’s sidekick) is painfully unnecessary and takes up precious running time that we want to spend solely with Jolie. The three fairies also – Imelda Staunton, Juno Temple and Lesley Manville – are sweet and all, but err on the side of irritating all too often. It all feels a little wrong.

Finally, to the major lead that gives this film the worthy ‘MUST SEE’ stamp. Angelina Jolie, who has chosen film projects sparingly, finally takes on the villainous, leading role we've all been waiting for. As previously mentioned, she doesn’t portray the dark villain we all wanted to see for the entire film, but we do get hints of this, particularly in the birth scene. It’s possibly the highlight of the entire film; the doors bursting open, the wind blowing the chandelier and the dreaded curse placed on the young Aurora. Another excellent scene early on involves Maleficent being betrayed by someone dear to her. It shows off Jolie’s inner fire and strength as the Disney villain. She’s captivating and nothing less than perfect in this, and it’s definitely up there with her role in Changeling, which was incredible enough.

In Conclusion: Maleficent is confused with itself; the big battles we were teased in the trailer are mostly over within the first 30 minutes and the untold story of Maleficent completely twists and contradicts the original, in a manner that simply doesn’t work. However, Angelina Jolie is phenomenal here. She’ll take your breath away at times and you’ll want to see this again and again solely for her – Jolie was born to play this role.

Film Review: Transformers: Age of Extinction

Transformers: Age of Extinction

Director: Michael Bay
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Nicola Peltz, Stanley Tucci

Plot: Explosion. Rubble. Smash. Bang. Wallop.

When you utter the words “Michael Bay”, you’re likely to get one of three responses; a complete blank look of someone that knows nothing about blockbusters, a big sigh and horrid rant about every movie he has ever made, or a big fat smile of joy. I, for one, am the third. Michael Bay, in all his explosive glory, is one hell of a director.

Firstly, Bay has such a keen eye for adrenaline; he builds up action sequences like no other. Just as you think you’ve seen it all, a drop from the top of a giant skyscraper just tops it all off. Even with a running time of 165 minutes, dedicated fans will not be let down by the movie’s electric pace and insane special effects sequences. Not only that, there’s a whole array of new additions such as Dino Bots (which are underused but incredibly cool) and a lot more combat between the humans too!

Amongst the cast there’s Mark Wahlberg, who takes on the leading role as you’d expect; he’s blimen huge and deals with the action scenes perfectly. Wahlberg isn’t used like Shia Labeouf was in the first three either, he gets fully involved in the action (which isn’t just running). Nicola Peltz – fresh from the outstanding Bates Motel television series - plays Wahlberg’s daughter, and does a stellar job too. Peltz doesn’t play the damsel in distress all the time. Unlike previous females in the Transformers series, she has some really feisty moments. Stanley Tucci as Joshua is also brilliant; his role isn’t unique in any way, like Wahlberg and Peltz, but who in the world cares? His reaction to a giant ferry dropping out of the sky is a highlight (even if it is in the trailers…)

Finally, with this being the fourth Transformers film, Bay has pulled out all the stops, with action that will blow your mind. On entering to see this film, you should already know exactly what to expect… yes, the script is basic, the acting is average and it’s predictable. If, by the fourth film, you have yet to understand why millions go back to see these movies time after time, you are the one with the problem.

In Conclusion: Age of Extinction is one of, if not the, biggest funfest you’ll have at the cinema this year. It’s colossal in scale and it ramps itself up into a giant climactic finish. Honestly, it’ll leave you with clammy hands! If you don’t know what to expect from a Bay movie by now, go and watch something else and let the rest of us mad, Transformer loving, explosion-craving lunatics, to enjoy this extravaganza of a movie.

   BOOM

Film Review: How To Train Your Dragon 2

How To Train Your Dragon 2   7.5/10
Director: Dean Deblois
Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett
Plot: A new-found ice cave homes hundreds of new dragons, leading Hiccup and Toothless into a battle to protect the peace.

2010's How To Train Your Dragon seemed to take Dreamworks and cinemagoers by surprise. With an 8.2 IMDb rating, a 98% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating and $494 million at the worldwide box office, expectations for an animated sequel have rarely been so high.

Under the direction of Dean Deblois, who took the reins of the first film as well as Lilo & Stich, has created a sequel that's huge in scale. Firstly, the animation is flawless and miles ahead of recent releases. Just seeing Toothless fly up through the clouds is enough to convert both adults and children as fans. On that note, the humour is on-point and should appeal to all; it never feels desperate for a laugh and it doesn't talk down to its predominantly young audience. Likewise, the voice actors have been perfectly picked (both originals and newcomers)... The most noteworthy are Kristen Wiig as the frisky (yes, frisky) Ruffnut, as well as Cate Blanchett as Valka for the more emotional punches.

While there's emotion and humour, the action sequences are almost too good for an animation. You almost crave to see the final twenty minutes in live-action form. Although, it's an animation we've all come to see, and to generate battles on a Lord of the Rings scale in an animation is a true achievement.

The only criticism I have, which is difficult to pinpoint, is that it doesn't quite have that 'classic' feeling to it. Toy Story, Shrek, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles are all iconic, computer animated films which seem to have the edge on this series. Nevertheless, it doesn't take anything away from its unique idea and ambitious budget.

In Conclusion: masterfully animated, effortlessly voiced, surprisingly dramatic and stuffed to the brim with action. You'll rejoice with your old favourite's returning, and come to love a whole load of newcomers - both good and evil.

Bring on part three! 

Film Review: X-Men: Days of Future Past

X-Men: Days of Future Past    10/10
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence

Plot: Wolverine is sent back in time to prevent an event that threatens both humans and mutants.

It’s really quite remarkable that an X-Men film has yet to exceed the $500 million mark at the worldwide box office. While Marvel’s other antics such as Iron Man 3 zoom past the $1 billion mark, the likes of X-Men: First Class have underperformed somewhat. If Days of Future Past doesn’t surpass $500 million and contend with the $1 billion giants… it’ll be a shock.

It’s really quite simple to review this film because Bryan Singer has achieved everything so perfectly. To bring together the old and new cast, keep the story easy to follow and make it entertaining, is a fairly daunting and challenging feat. Thankfully, Singer doesn’t hold back as the action is mercilessly quick and the story zooms by at a lightning speed. It doesn’t feel rushed though, and each character has their own moment to shine (even if it’s only for a few minutes). Hugh Jackman, who is the nearest character to be classed as the ‘lead', actually feels a lot more crucial in this one. Film after film, Wolverine has been thrown into the mix and sometimes for little worth. Here though, he guides the film with ease and he's the proper leading man for the job.

The rest of the cast is equally impressive; James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender’s scenes are pure gold, as well as their counterparts, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique is given a far more prominent role here than in First Class. Her fight scenes and transformations never grow old, and whenever she’s not on-screen, you’re looking for an army general or government official to reveal themselves as her. Ellen Page and Halle Berry don't receive a huge amount of screen time but they’re fierce and every moment they have, they steal (Storm conjuring a… storm, never gets old). The surprising standouts though among the supporting cast and newcomers, are Evan Peters and Bingbing Fan (name of the year). Peters has a number of scene stealers as Quicksilver, with a slow-motion sequence unlike any other. Fan as Blink is just too cool to describe; you’ll be amazed as she throws teleportation doors left, right and centre – completely awesome.

In Conclusion: Days of Future Past is essentially flawless. It’s perfectly paced and it gives you just enough to whet your appetite for 2016. The entire cast is spot on and seeing each power play out on-screen is truly fantastic. It easily rivals and surpasses The Avengers by a long mile, as it doesn't slow and it doesn't hold back. Not only is this the best X-Men yet, it's a strong contender for the best superhero movie... ever (scratch that - it clearly is). 

Film Review: Godzilla

Godzilla   7.5/10

Director: Gareth Edwards
Starring: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Oslen, Bryan Cranston
Plot: Due to humanity’s scientific experiments, monsters now threaten to destroy the world.

I have a strong feeling that Godzilla is a grower (no pun or joke intended). Director Gareth Edwards, who takes on his first blockbuster, has crafted this big-budget monster ($160 million!) well. The trailers set this film up to be a 2012-type, non-stop action extravaganza, with hoards of people running for their lives and buildings destroyed every other minute. In reality, Godzilla is actually a lot more than that, which is why audiences may feel a little disappointed.

To get away with the negatives first… It’s difficult to judge a film on its own merit when you were promised something a little different. For a film that centres its marketing on destruction, there’s a whole lot more scientific riff-raff and family problems. There are a whole lot of scientists in the film which zip in and out with any real impact, and the Aaron-Taylor Johnson and Elizabeth Oslen family chemistry feels a little forced at times. There’s also some overshadowing of Godzilla, with Muto getting significantly more screen time in the main section of the film, which detracts from what audiences are really waiting for! The 3D is also fairly pointless. Edwards has expressed his distaste of using 3D equipment, and so the film received a post-conversion in production. It’s quite clear that nothing is really that 3D, but it doesn’t detract from the experience in any way.

Now, there is a lot to love about Godzilla too. The giant monster himself is a real experience to see on the big screen; his roar and sheer presence is (as cheesy as it sounds) spine-tingling. You’ll watch in awe as he smashes buildings down and confronts Muto in some really quite impressive stand-offs. The giant set pieces of waves ascending on towns are flawlessly assembled too. The most important scene to note though is the sky-dive; the music, tension and realness of the scene is incredible and is a worthy excuse to watch the whole film again just for that.

Aaron-Taylor Johnson's role – like a lot of the film – is severely undermined in the trailers. He’s the leading man and does so finely. Bryan Cranston’s screen time may disappoint Breaking Bad fans, as his role is more significant in the first thirty minutes than at any other time. In his first major role since his television success, he handles the more epic moments finely, yet he doesn’t know quite when to stop with the anger! Elizabeth Oslen, who has been painfully underused in films up to now, is the perfect love interest. She does seem to disappear for large sections of the film, but from the start you feel as if the love story will persist and it’s fairly interesting to see develop.

In Conclusion: Godzilla undoubtedly has its flaws, namely to do with its incorrect marketing. There’s a lot more here than just a plain monster movie, which is a brave move, but it might not be what audiences are looking for. Godzilla himself feels a little underused compared to the ‘Muto’ monster and there’s an array of characters you have little care for. In contrast though, there are some really impressive action sequences and classic monster movie moments (a lot of silent, when-will-the-monster-appear moments – classic!) and this certainly feels like a grower with repeat watches. 

Film Review: Pompeii

Pompeii     7/10

Director: Paul W.S. Anderson

Starring: Kit Harrington, Emily Browning, Kiefer Sunderland

Plot: A slave, Milo (Kit Harrington), must save his love, Cassia (Emily Browning), from Roman Senator Corvus and the erupting Mount Vesuvius.

2014 is certainly the year for disaster flicks; Noah has already faced the flood, Godzilla will be smashing up the Earth and Into The Storm will whirlwind its way onto screens this August. Pompeii, from the director of Resident Evil, faced poor box office returns back in February, taking only $84 million on its $100 budget (excluding marketing costs). The question on everyone’s minds is… is it an underrated flop? The short answer is yes, dependent on what you’re looking for.

Arguably, the majority of audiences will be seeing Pompeii for the destruction and utter carnage (and rightfully so…). Pompeii isn’t for those that want an accurate, historical interpretation of one of nature’s most devastating disasters. It’s camp and it’s utterly ridiculous but once that volcano erupts, it’s insanely fun and barely stops for a breath, and that’s where this film really succeeds, in it’s special effects. On a budget of $100 million, you’d expect fairly top-notch effects and thankfully, you get lots of it. The trailers merely tease the colossal amount of action in the final 30 minutes of this film, with a crumbling arena and giant tsunami thrown in for good measure. The wide shots of Pompeii and the tonnes of volcanic ash protruding through the air will leave you in awe (particularly in 3D).

There aren’t particularly any standouts amongst the cast as no one seems to be taking it too seriously. Kit Harrington, whose credits consist only of Game of Thrones and Silent Hill: Revelation, is fairly impressive as the lead. He shines in the action sequences, particularly those in the arena before the volcano erupts. Emily Browning takes the female lead role, the typical damsel in distress and love interest for Harrington’s character. Their chemistry isn’t entirely convincing and, at times, it feels a little forced. Nevertheless, the main event of the film consists of them running or galloping on a horse, and by that point you’re watching the destruction, not whether they look like a couple or not! The supporting cast are incredibly mediocre here also. Kiefer Sutherland is incredibly camp (embarrassingly so at times) and his British accent, like Carrie-Anne Moss’, are very shaky.

In Conclusion: the only real problem with this film is the build up; it feels a little tedious after a while and nothing really happens. Once the carnage finally gets down, you forget about the poor accents and chemistry, because your eyes will light up and ears flinch at the sound (which is superbly edited) of Mount Vesuvius erupting in a Lord of the Rings-esque finale – a hell of a fun ride.