GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
* * * * *
Sky Movies // 2014 // DVD
"A group of intergalactic criminals are forced to work together to stop a fanatical warrior from taking control of the universe."
(ALL IMAGES SOURCED FROM www.imdb.com)
"Dance off, bro!"
Is there anything more satisfying than watching Chris Pratt open a superhero movie by dancing across the screen to Redbone's 'Come and Get Your Love'? Maybe a slow motion walk to 'Cherry Bomb'? Or Baby Groot bopping along to 'I Want You Back'? It's a tough call but in a film this good - with such an epic soundtrack on top of everything else - there's no need to choose. The whole thing is fantastic and deserves all the praise in the world. Roll on 2017 and Guardians 2...
22 JUMP STREET
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Netflix // 2014 // DVD
"After making their way through high school (twice), big changes are in store for officers Schmidt and Jenko when they go deep undercover at a local college."
Topping 21 Jump Street looked impossible: sequels are, more often than not, always worse than their predecessors. In my experience franchises can potentially pick up with a third film, but they falter with a second instalment that fails to meet the high expectations immediately set as the credits begin to roll on the first film. 22 Jump Street, therefore, is a rare breed: not only is it a successful sequel, but I'd argue it's achieved the unheard of and is actually better than the first.
I think the secret lies in the constant, satirical tongue-in-cheek reminder that it's exactly the same as before. The plot is the same - officers Jenko (Channing Tatum) and Schmidt (Jonah Hill) once again go undercover to infiltrate the dealers and find the suppliers of a new drug, Wyfy, that's sweeping across campuses and has killed a student. This time, however, the hapless cops are in college, testing both their skills and relationship once more as they attempt to get to the bottom of another narcotics conundrum. Too often sequels lose the charm of the first film but by openly acknowledging that everything is virtually identical, directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller somehow give the film a truly original twist. It's a success because it's the same, just with Cate Blanchett of a bigger budget.
It's funnier and wittier than the first, with just as many endlessly quotable one liners and laugh-till-you-cry scenes. However, the continuing exploration into the relationship between the two mismatched partners is much more nuanced and is the aspect where the film really excels. They came together, clashed and emerged stronger before, but last time the route of the friction was a lot more obvious: the reversal of the cool/nerd dynamic at high school was always going to create problems, and although it was enormous fun to watch it unfold, it was pretty textbook. By switching it up again here, and flipping the model back to jock/art nerd as they were in school themselves, it shows how much they've grown individually and the true value of their friendship. Again it's the same but different, and many tender moments are cloaked expertly in comedy. Jenko and Schmidt have genuinely matured, despite the fact that acting like college freshmen really isn't a push for them.
22 Jump Street is well worth a watch, just don't stop the film as the credits start: the sequence that follows is absolutely genius. Like covalent bonds and saying something cool.
CINDERELLA
* * * * *
2015 // In U.K. cinemas now
"When her father unexpectedly passes away, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and her daughters. Never one to give up hope, Ella's fortunes begin to change after meeting a dashing stranger."
Cinderella is more perfect than I ever could have imagined.
In the sixty-five years since the original Disney animation was released, generations have grown up knowing - and loving - this magical retelling of the story of Cinderella, delighting in tales of glass slippers, talking mice and a fairy godmother with a talent for turning a pumpkin into a carriage. The 1950 version is the quintessential princess story, helping to firmly establish the notion of Prince Charming, a happily ever after, and the value of a good pair of shoes. As it's so beloved the prospect of turning the classic film into a live-action remake was no mean feat, but director Kenneth Branagh has simultaneously managed to create a truly stunning new world while retaining all of the magic of the old one.
Branagh has done to Cinderella exactly as he did to Thor: he's expertly crafted a fantastical world so rich in detail that it's a true sight to behold, and he's grounded wonderful characters at the centre. While it may be visually stunning - the landscapes and sets are astonishing, and Sandy Powell's costumes are absolutely beautiful - the focus remains firmly on the cast throughout, adding complexity to the original tale. You could be forgiven for thinking this is just a film pandering to children interested in princesses and pretty dresses, but it's not: Cinderella (Lily James) is presented as intelligent and strong, choosing to react with kindness and courage in the face of abject cruelty; the Prince (Richard Madden) wrestles with reconciling the type of king his father (Derek Jacobi) believes he should be and who he really is; and the politics of a royal court and the notion of uniting kingdoms through marriage adds a positively historical slant on the whole affair. There's no bursting into song at any moment or twirling and simpering at the feet of a handsome prince. Yes, it may have all the glittering trappings of a traditional fairytale, aided by sweeping crane-shots of gardens, softly spoken dialogue from the heroine and a comically high fashion evil step-mother (Cate Blanchett), but Branagh and screenwriter Chris Weitz have given Cinderella the much needed depth it's always deserved.
Cinderella's just wonderful! There was so much potential for cheese and over-the-top dialogue but the film genuinely never crosses that line. Conversations between Cinderella and Prince Kit are sparky and heartwarming, not cringe-enducing or worthy of an eye-roll; and while the mice may be able to follow a conversation and enjoy eating their cheese at a makeshift table (an upturned cup) there's no awful annoying talking animals to contend with. The special effects are spectacular too, in particular the Fairy Godmother's (an excellent Helena Bonham Carter) iconic scene transforming the pumpkin, various animals and a plain pink dress into a gilded carriage, footmen, horses and a simply stunning sparkling blue gown. It's a remarkable moment, and like the rest of the film it hits every note perfectly and ticks every box going.
It's impossible not to be impressed. This Cinderella is sincere, sweet, and overwhelmingly magical: trust me, you'll float out of the cinema.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER
* * * * *
Sky Movies // 2014 // DVD
"As Steve Rogers struggles to embrace his role in the modern world, he teams up with another super soldier, the black widow, to battle a new threat from old history: an assassin known as the Winter Soldier."
Hi, I'm Emma, and I'm addicted to Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
I cannot stop watching this film! I think I've seen it so many times now I could probably quote the whole thing from start to finish. It's my go-to film for background noise, inspiration, anxiety-reducing and mood-improving, and it's now overtaken Avengers as my favourite ever Marvel film.
Recently, though, I've been appreciating Henry Jackman's score over anything else in the film (I've probably analysed most other aspects to death by now...), and I will happily turn the volume up and listen to the credits sequence over and over again and not become bored. Having looked into reviews this morning, it seems like I'm 100% in the minority with this. To say nearly all the reviews I've read of the score are negative and ridiculously scathing would be the understatement of the century! For a full disclaimer, I am musically illiterate so am in no place to comment on the technicalities and the intricacies of Jackman's score, but as far as being a total novice goes, I don't think it sounds half as bad as people are making out! It is definitely reminiscent of many a Hans Zimmer score and is admittedly pretty generic, but in contrast to popular opinion I still think it works. I actually like the "assault of electronics" and I'm also a fan of the musical themes associated with individual characters. It may not be as grandiose as the brilliant score in Captain America: The First Avenger, but I refuse to believe it's the awful mess I've been reading about today. It may be a controversial opinion - and perhaps if I had a finer tuned ear for music I'd think differently - but for now I'm content to enjoy score: judge me all you like!
HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2
* * * * *
Sky Movies // 2014 // DVD
"When Hiccup and Toothless discover an ice cave that is home to hundreds of new wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider, the two friends find themselves at the center of a battle to protect the peace."
Vikings. Dragons. Vikings riding Dragons... That's already a winning concept before you even know the plot! I saw this four times at the cinema last summer as I loved it so much, and now it's on Sky Movies I can just tell I'm going to be watching it over and over again once more!
This is a bit of a silly week for me to harp on about how rubbish sequels are, because like 22 Jump Street above I'm convinced that How to Train Your Dragon 2 is just as good if not better than the original. The animation is just flawless and jaw-droppingly stunning, from the landscape of a beautiful dragon Eden to shots of Hiccup and Toothless swooping and soaring in the clouds. The team at Dreamworks have well and truly outdone themselves here: it's a visual delight. Rather wonderfully too this sequel has its own story, and director Dean DeBlois successfully blends a brand new plot - five years after uniting dragons and Vikings, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Toothless discover a secret ice cave home to hundreds of wild dragons and the mysterious Dragon Rider (Cate Blanchett), and suddenly find themselves thrust into the centre of a war with the evil Drago Bludvist (Djimon Hounsou), a man determined to use dragons to rule the world - with the themes and ideas from the original. The resulting film is a highly enjoyable, funny, exciting adventure mixed with a tender family drama (and enhanced by hundreds of dragons) that feels like a suitable, relevant extension of the first film, and not an unnecessary money-spinner.
It's creative, endearing, and surprisingly emotional (I definitely cried at a certain scene every single time...), and for a film DeBlois has described as merely the middle movie in a trilogy, it really is exceptional.
What are your thoughts on sequels? Are you as sceptical about them as I am? Do let me know your thoughts - and film recommendations - in the comments below!
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