1. Guardians of the Galaxy 5/5
Not ashamed to say it, I absolutely love this film. I think its the best Marvel film so far and I even think it beats Avengers, its really that amazing. The lead up to this film from rumours to the first trailer, everyone was saying that this was going to be Marvel studios' big risk. Having smashed the US and UK box office, that risk paid off, ten times over. Unlike the other Marvel superhero films, GotG is different, not only is there only one human in the film (technically) but its the most sci-fi and set entirely (except the first scene) in space, meaning, not on Earth. It is also set apart from all the other films, which is refreshing, apart from the orb bit that sort of connects to the others, but I don't want to give anything to those who like surprises. Peter Quill (the always likeable Chris Pratt) is abducted as a child and raised an thief, basically. Apart stealing an orb on what he thinks is your average job, he meets and gets arrested with Gamorrah, an assassin daughter of Thanos (look him up, he's s big player in the Marvel universe), Groot a planet like alien and Rocket, the result of an illegal genetic experiment, thugs for hire. In prison they meet Drax the Destroyer, a maniac. That rounds up the gang. Outside of this, Ronan the Accuser wants to blow a planet. There reasons behind it but if I explain anymore of the plot, it might take the fun out of watching the film. The film is directed by James Gunn and he's made the most entertaining film I could have hoped for. I should mention the soundtrack as it is very different. Songs from 70's and 80's feature and they are perfectly out of place it works so well. The soundtrack also plays a part of Peter Quill's character as the tape he listens to was gift from his mother who died at the start of the film. To summarise, the film is better than anything I expected, its a true sci-fi movie that just happens to be part of the Marvel universe. 5/5
I discussed a theory with my brother in law as to why GotG has been so successful and why everyone loves it and agreed with this. The story is about a team, a group, all with back stories and they are all very different. The team are given equal screen and story time and they even all progress, with hope for the future. As a team they can play off each other and actual dialogue is exchanged. There is not a wasted moment in the film. This also explains why Avengers was so successful too, it wasn't just all your favourite superheroes hanging out, it was a team working together, playing off of each other with great results. More GotG please!
2. Mood Indigo
First thing to say about this film, the trailer, though delightful is misleading. The film is about weathly inventor of weird things, Colin who falls in love with equally weird and wonderful Chloe. But not too soon after love and marriage, Chloe is taken ill after a lilly starts to grow in her lung. Based on the novel, Froth on a Daydream by Boris Vian, Michel Gondry co-wrote the script and directed this. I expected the film to be similar to his previous whimsy, visually pleasing and slightly depressing with a small consolation at the end. All his films play out this way (except Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, which has, I think, I slightly happier end). But Mood Indigo is a film of two halves. The first half plays out this way but the announcement of Chole's disease will result in death, the film takes a nosedive into utter despair. Its not just Colin who suffer, all the characters do and suddenly the whimsy animatronics that surround his home and the film become tacky and out of place in such a depressing storyline turn. I was really upset by this sorrowful end. What can I say? It just got worse. The first part being so fun and promising and even funny but then nothing. I really hope Gondry's next film is back to the old forumla. 2/5
3. Divergent
Based on the novel of the same name by Veronica Roth, this film plays out pretty much how honest trailers says. Having read the book and finally seen the film, I can safely say that it feels like Roth read The Hunger Games and thought 'I can do that'. Then changed the setting and added confusing 'faction' names just to annoy her reader and got it published. The book read like she was looking for a movie deal. The film, is actually slightly better but if I hadn't read the book, I would have been very confused. Tris is a teenager who lives a in 'dystopian' society where the people are divided into 'factions'. Groups that are identified by one characteristic; Erudite the intelligent, Candor the honest, Amity the peaceful, Dauntless the brave and Abnegation the selfless. When teenagers are 16 years old, they have to choose which faction they want to be in. First they take a test which tells them which to pick but at the ceremony they can pick whatever they want. Tris discovers she is divergent, meaning she has more than one characteristic. She leaves Abnegation to join Dauntless where she finds out that there is sinister plot afoot. Same old same old. Its a pity the concept is kind of a rip off as the cast aren't terrible but Shailene Woodley who plays Tris is not a strong lead. But its great to see Kate Winslet play a villain. 3/5
Twins are always a fascinating, especially to those who aren't. I thought this film was going to be about sisters, one bitchy and outgoing, the other meek and sensitive. The film starts of stereotypical and after a very dramatic moment, the story becomes about loss and identity - a much better concept. Laurel is the meek twin who stayed at home, Aubrey is the twin that left and got her own life. After they celebrating their birthdays, Aubrey is killed in a car crash. Laurel survives but everything (even she does for a bit) thinks she's her sister after she got her hair cut. Hurt by the lack of impact she had on everyone (no one speaks at the funeral, not even her Dad who she cared for all these years), she leaves and starts living Aubrey's life but half as herself. Its difficult to explain but she goes through an identity crisis as well as mourning her sister. Its a surprisingly emotional film and its really well done. Zoe Kazan, who plays the twins is also brilliant and perfect in the dual roles. 4/5
I hate to admit this but this stereotypical film about three single guys or rather one guy whos marriage just ended and two really single guys isn't that bad. All the characters develop smoothly and gradually and don't just suddenly stop being a***holes because even though I agreed with them on some things, they are a***holes. The female characters in the film are also well done, they aren't needy, they don't even pursue the guys in a horrible awkward way, the guys come to them because, shock moment, they get along. In other films like this, the girls are always so bland and are only like because they are so pretty, the female characters have personalities and lives away from the scenes with the guys. Some plot elements are predictable and annoying but I suppose they are in there to fill out the film. These films are perfect. 3/5
6. Snowpiercer
As many other have been, I have been waiting months for this film. There has been so much controversy surrounding this film, that it was too long or too violent or just not good at all, the buzz has just made me want to see it more and more. A science fiction furturistic film that warns us about the environment and over crowding, the Snowpiercer is a train with 1001 carriages. After trying to battle global warming, there was back lash causing the entire planet to be covered in snow and ice. The last survivors live aboard the train, but as with things there is class system. The passengers in the front carriages live a life of luxury while the tail carriage live in literal squalor. The great but horrific speech from Chris Evans' character near the end sums it up. Based on the graphic novel by Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette, the film was co-production between US and South Korean directed by Bong Joon-ho. The film doesn't quite follow the novel but in a way its better. The film follows all the passengers in the tail as they revolt and make their way to the front to confront the mysterious inventor of the train, Wilford. The film is brutal and bleak but the characters (and cast) are great and even though I thought the ending was just plain awful, the film, the story, is brilliant. 3/5
#Snowpiercer #theprettyone #ThatAwkwardMoment #moodindigo #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy #Divergent