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TomStrange
Reviews
Spider-Man (2002)
A terrific film with only a few MINOR problems.
A very engrossing and entertaining film with as much to offer long time spidey fans as it offers to action movie fans. What makes it great is the story of one Peter Parker who is well known to many comic book fans but may or may not be known to action movie fans. This was a task long in the making and very much worth the wait. I remember being very disappointed with the late seventies television attempt at presenting the story of Spiderman(even though I had only recently become acquainted with the character at the time).
Please be advised that I intend to make direct references to the movie concerning plot and if you have not seen this movie do not read any further.
I will start with what I consider to be a problem in the way Peter stands by while his Uncle's murderer falls to his death. In the comic book this guy lives and is left for the police to find but for the movie Peter gets to watch him die. He obviously has the power to prevent his death and yet does not. Where is the great power/ great responsibility in this? If he had captured him instead or saved his life I would not even mention this but this scene is tragicly flawed.
My next problem with the story is the obvious way that Peter announces his transformation to his entire high school. He beats the crap out of the school bully in an "I have been genetically altered" manner. I guess people believe that public high school students are really stupid. There was a real opportunity to be clever here but alas chance missed.
I think the entire idea of having spikes protrude from Peter's fingers(like fine hair)is incredibly moronic. This is supposed to explain how Spiderman wallcrawls? How are they on glass? metal forks?
QUIT TRYING TO EXPLAIN WHAT DOES NOT NEED EXPLANATION!
All of this talk about the Green Goblin's costume and nobody thinks to throw some purple paint on the suit? It's not that difficult to at least try to recognize a color scheme. I am sure the Hulk would have approved. Speaking of suits, was I the only one who was not certain if Osborn/Green Goblin was really killed as seen? I thought at first that he wasn't. I believe that this is a flaw in the scene and should not have been done in this manner.
I did very much like the "Wizard of OZ" approach to the arrival of the Green Goblin. Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst did a fantastic job with the characters. The enhanced Spider man costume with silver still looks silly. One of the best scenes in the movie is when Peter and MJ have a talk about the future in the backyard. There are very few times during the movie where anyone is comfortable using the nickname "MJ".
My chief complaint about the late 70's Spiderman concerned the webshooters. No complaints now;)
3000 Miles to Graceland (2001)
Hollywood sucks!
I have seen more intelligence in a roll of used toilet paper. This movie really stinks. I was ready to defend it for the premise and I watched a debacle that would entertain drying paint. Kevin Costner has proved that he is not as deep of a character as he pretends to be. The story ruins this movie's sense of granduer!
What a waste of space!
:)
McBain (1991)
works as a late night movie!
This movie is pretty cheesy, but I do give it credit for at least trying to provide some characterization for it's principles. There are some great moments in the film and the dialogue has some great moments as well.
The aerial assault sequence is perhaps the best part of the movie.
I guess I really like the idea of what lengths a veteran will go for a fellow veteran. Sure it's not all that well done, but the premise is not at all bad.
Tom
Planet of the Apes (2001)
I have seen monkey fights at the Zoo that are more entertaining!
This movie is BAD. The actors, the sets, the costumes, the everything is terrific, except the lack of a story. Spelled C-l-i-c-h-e can you not grasp the concept? I really wanted to reserve judgement on what I THOUGHT would be a better movie than what I was presented with. The problem is the Apes. Word to the Production, the Apes become TOO HUMAN and that is only ONE of MANY flaws. Damn Boring ridiculous plot! exceptionally boring! if you want that level of reality than for goodness sake have a F****** Story to tell!
Tom:)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
It's not exactly the book and isn't that wonderful!
If you want to see a great adaptation of a book into a movie than the Fellowship is your movie. If you would rather quibble, grouse, and whine about how scenes were ruined by not being true to the book than stay in your hobbit hole and don't come out again.
It is a visually STUNNING movie, that provides all of the right elements of the book. It stays true to details without overdoing it.
There is also a nice balance between the special effects and the actors themselves. Sir Ian's performance as Gandalf makes the movie. Gandalf HAS to be effectively portrayed or the movie would just not be as good as it is.
Peter Jackson delivers middle earth as promised. A rich and vibrant world where evil is on the verge of annihilating good and only a hobbit can do what all of the great ones cannot. Bear the one ring of power.
Mystery Men (1999)
Daring to be heroic, if you could just give one second
How can you explain superheroes in an epic manner without the benefit of reality?
What was done in Mystery Men was not an easy achievement and will be absolutley overlooked as being great by anyone but those who have "Collected" comic books. This is not a send up of comic book characters(there are better send ups), this is not a serious introspection of the nature of the Super-hero vs. the Super-villain as told by the available vehicle of the projected movie.
Mystery Men succeeds in presenting a character driven story that is in the middle of a tongue in cheek appraisal of human nature. No Really!
I believe that a comedy should be a Comedy first and Drama second. We laugh because we cry, we cry because we laugh. We are never happy, when we are alone.
There are several direct themes employed in this movie and passion is chief among them.
The magic of the Super-Hero is the ability to be larger than life without the benefit of sound. Tell me how to sell a major movie production the absence of sound. The trade is action and the more seen makes for the better scene.
So a Hero must speak despite heroic action and speak without heroic action.
Tom
Excalibur (1981)
The story of Arthur begins well
...and is finished with the blood of men. Boorman's view of a tragic tale of lust and deception and magic and steel is presented without a message. The message is that which you see in the story.
Stand Back, Be Silent, Be Still, and remember.
For it is the doom of men that they forget.
The merlin steals the movie and it doesn't get any better until the end.