Post by nightfirewolf on Jul 16, 2010 22:23:37 GMT -5
So, we've all been seeing this movie advertised everywhere, right? Billboards, Myspace, Youtube, Cardboard cut outs, and maybe even cereal boxes. Well, the hype is well worth it in the story of an unlikely magical hero.
So, let's begin
Characters:
Nicolas Cage, I must say, is crazy enough to make the role he played work perfectly. His character shares that same spark of insanity that he has himself, as well as that charismatic charm he's brought out in a lot of his previous movies. I can't remember the name of the main character, but I remember the actor having a small role in "Knocked Up", which was a pretty funny movie. In this, he plays a nerdy physicist who happens to be the "Prime Merlinian", which basically makes him the Disney version of Neo in "The Matrix". He is trained by Balthazar, Nicolas Cage's character, to become a great sorcerer. It's the typical rise to power theme when it comes to him, as he basically goes from zero to ten towards the end of the movie. His only distraction is the love of Becky...Another actress who's name I don't know and am too lazy to look up. Forgive that. Anyway, she's basically a typical love interest with no character development, which, in the end, makes the movie better. I can't tell you how much I don't care for character study when romance is involved(RENT is a different story. lol). I don't want to get too attached to two characters who are going to be "together", I suppose. Personal opinion, which doesn't really matter, BUT, in all honesty, she's basically just a distraction, as well as motivation for Dave Stutler(Main character) As far as the villains go, you have Horvath(Alfred Molina) and Drake Stone(Toby Kebbell). Horvath, the main villain is very confident in his power and just simply -knows- things will go his way. They cast the perfect man for him. As for Drake...I found him a bit irritating..But I suppose that was the point of the character. He's basically used the little magic he's been taught to cash in as an illusionist, so he's basically a comic relief villain. Overall, 4/5
Music:
Once again, there was nothing memorable of it, but It wasn't necessary. You'll be more focused on the dialogue and action than the music. You'll know it's there, and that it enhances the current experience. Not good, not bad, just there. 3/5
Acting:
Umm...Minus the love interest, EPIIIIC!
Okay, not epic. I mean, it's still an action comedy, right? Everyone was overall good, except Becky...I dunno...Maybe it's my personal opinion, but I just felt she was so...Generic, uninteresting, boring, and just..There. Everyone else, as far as Action/Comedies go, was great. The man playing Dave was jittery, anxious, nervous, and so many things all at once, and overall funny just by being himself. Nicolas, as I said, was full of calmness and slight insanity, which, as I said, worked perfectly. Alfred, as I said, played Horvath very well, taking on the role of such a calm and confident villain. Drake, again, as far as comedic villains go was...Good....Annoyingly good. lol The emotion was almost dead on(Again, as far as Action/comedies go). The jokes were easy to get, even the more subtle ones. Overall, this gets a 4/5
Action/Special Effects:
This was all delivered perfectly. It wasn't centered around special effects, or even the action. Everything fell into place, when it came to it, basically. In short, THIS WAS NOT A SUMMER CASH IN! lol
Anyways, a loooot of magic is used in this. Lots, and lots, and lots...And some rather physical action as well, but not too much. The action was easy to follow and understand, and the effects were spectacular. You may not say "wow" out loud, but it'll be there in the back of your mind, keeping your interest all the way through. 5/5
I recommend this movie to..Well, anyone that wants magic, lighthearted humor, and a pretty decent plot, which I didn't go into on purpose. It's a movie that teaches that love drives us to do things we never thought we would do, or were capable of doing. That reason alone, I believe is enough for anyone to see and be inspired by this movie, as I have.
So, let's begin
Characters:
Nicolas Cage, I must say, is crazy enough to make the role he played work perfectly. His character shares that same spark of insanity that he has himself, as well as that charismatic charm he's brought out in a lot of his previous movies. I can't remember the name of the main character, but I remember the actor having a small role in "Knocked Up", which was a pretty funny movie. In this, he plays a nerdy physicist who happens to be the "Prime Merlinian", which basically makes him the Disney version of Neo in "The Matrix". He is trained by Balthazar, Nicolas Cage's character, to become a great sorcerer. It's the typical rise to power theme when it comes to him, as he basically goes from zero to ten towards the end of the movie. His only distraction is the love of Becky...Another actress who's name I don't know and am too lazy to look up. Forgive that. Anyway, she's basically a typical love interest with no character development, which, in the end, makes the movie better. I can't tell you how much I don't care for character study when romance is involved(RENT is a different story. lol). I don't want to get too attached to two characters who are going to be "together", I suppose. Personal opinion, which doesn't really matter, BUT, in all honesty, she's basically just a distraction, as well as motivation for Dave Stutler(Main character) As far as the villains go, you have Horvath(Alfred Molina) and Drake Stone(Toby Kebbell). Horvath, the main villain is very confident in his power and just simply -knows- things will go his way. They cast the perfect man for him. As for Drake...I found him a bit irritating..But I suppose that was the point of the character. He's basically used the little magic he's been taught to cash in as an illusionist, so he's basically a comic relief villain. Overall, 4/5
Music:
Once again, there was nothing memorable of it, but It wasn't necessary. You'll be more focused on the dialogue and action than the music. You'll know it's there, and that it enhances the current experience. Not good, not bad, just there. 3/5
Acting:
Umm...Minus the love interest, EPIIIIC!
Okay, not epic. I mean, it's still an action comedy, right? Everyone was overall good, except Becky...I dunno...Maybe it's my personal opinion, but I just felt she was so...Generic, uninteresting, boring, and just..There. Everyone else, as far as Action/Comedies go, was great. The man playing Dave was jittery, anxious, nervous, and so many things all at once, and overall funny just by being himself. Nicolas, as I said, was full of calmness and slight insanity, which, as I said, worked perfectly. Alfred, as I said, played Horvath very well, taking on the role of such a calm and confident villain. Drake, again, as far as comedic villains go was...Good....Annoyingly good. lol The emotion was almost dead on(Again, as far as Action/comedies go). The jokes were easy to get, even the more subtle ones. Overall, this gets a 4/5
Action/Special Effects:
This was all delivered perfectly. It wasn't centered around special effects, or even the action. Everything fell into place, when it came to it, basically. In short, THIS WAS NOT A SUMMER CASH IN! lol
Anyways, a loooot of magic is used in this. Lots, and lots, and lots...And some rather physical action as well, but not too much. The action was easy to follow and understand, and the effects were spectacular. You may not say "wow" out loud, but it'll be there in the back of your mind, keeping your interest all the way through. 5/5
I recommend this movie to..Well, anyone that wants magic, lighthearted humor, and a pretty decent plot, which I didn't go into on purpose. It's a movie that teaches that love drives us to do things we never thought we would do, or were capable of doing. That reason alone, I believe is enough for anyone to see and be inspired by this movie, as I have.