Birth of the Adventure Film

Raiders of the Lost Ark holds as one of the most iconic
films of the last 35 years.

It takes a great movie to become so ingrained within our society that it replaces our previously held notions, but Indiana Jones and the Raider of the Lost Ark does this in an enthousiastic and entertaining fashion. Starring Harrison Ford as the title character Indiana Jones a professor and archeologist, director Steven Spielberg sheds the previously held idea that archeology is a humdrum activity. While this is done with much tongue in cheek, after all it would be ridiculous to believe that a lone man must face an army of Nazis all for the sake of ancient relics which happen to possess supernatural power, the message still holds some truth, even things we traditionally see as boring may not be as dull as they seem.

The Nazis depicted embody that of classic villain

            In itself Indiana Jones and the Raider of the Lost Ark is the story of Professor Jones an archeologist who is sent by the U.S. government to investigate a mysterious artifact known as the Ark of the Covenant. Afraid that Nazis will harness this power for evil Indy must stop them and return the artifact to the proper authorities.

Jones (Ford) holds his love interest Marion (Karen Allen)

            As an action adventure movie Raiders of the Lost Ark does little to develop story but as this comes naturally with the genre this is acceptable. Instead the film goes for a more convential  tale albeit with newly formed smart action hero using classic villains and other traditionally used elements.  But for the most part the film appeals as a light hearted action flick and at this it succeeds quite well.

            Mechanically the film does good, boasting finely choreographed action sequences, points of witty dialogue and a fantastic musical score. Yet as the film is over thirty some of the special effects seem dated but the all in all the movie holds up. Moreover, this film serves as proof of Harrison Fords star power before a long list of poor decisions.

            As one of the most iconic films of the last 35 years, Raiders of the Lost Ark become a modern classic and a notable benchmark for films of this type, even redefining the genre.

Not Just Another Coming of Age Story

Will Wheaton (left) Jerry O' Connell (front)
River Phoenix (back) Corey Feldman (right) 

            The coming of age story is a common if not clichéd affair. They have been done so frequently and to such similar effect that stories begin to overlap and differences appear only through superficial subtleties. That being said Rob Reiner’s movie “Stand by Me”, based off of Stephen King’s novella “The Body”, unshackles itself from the traditional coming of age story by diversifying themes. Instead of focusing on the journey of boys proving their manhood through sexual conquest, this movie goes in a different direction instead showing the growth of the boys through a new found sense of mortality.

At times the movie breaks from its childishness and
becomes truly touching

If you have not seen “Stand by Me” the plot is basic in essence. In a fictional town of Castlerock Oregon, four young boys are primed to enter middle school, as this will mark their separation due to varying schooling levels, the boys make the most of their last summer together. When one hears that a dead body lies beyond the train tracks the group is instantly inspired to seek it out expecting local fame as their reward for finding it. The movie follows the two days that the boys journey along the tracks to find the body. This was done nicely as it reflected their young sense of scale.

A young Kiefer Sutherland struts his stuff

The story is told through as one big flashback from character Gordie Lachance (played by Richard Dreyfuss with the younger Gordie being played by Will Wheaton) who narrates his youth adventure. This style gives the situations context and really helps include the viewer connect to the story and characters.

             What really makes the movie succeed is the authenticity of the kids. Though it is a movie, the cast of Wheaton, Phoenix, O’Connell and Feldman are all truly believable in their roles. Though the movie may not relate as well to youth as it used to this movie is definitely worth a watch. “Stand by Me” proves itself to be a classic as well as a stepping stone for many young actors who future it helped shape.      

Old Dog

Eastwood sits on the porch pounding back beers

         Before Clint Eastwood was talking to empty chairs for the sake of the Republican Party, he was renowned for his accomplishments in cinema. For decades and decades Clint held the role of onscreen tough guy, playing the part of  many nameless cowboys in a long list of Spaghetti Westerns along with his well-recognised character Dirty Harry which inspired its own series. Yet as the years went on and Clint aged out of his traditional role, it seemed like he was being squeezed out of the silver screen scene. Despite this, Clint has retained his prominence, even re-establishing himself as an onscreen tough guy.

Ahney Her acts as a social catalyst
and introduces Walt to her family

In 2008 Eastwood returned to the industry with film Gran Torino. Set in a lower class Detroit neighbourhood heavy with gang violence, Eastwood plays the role of recently widowed Korean War vet and all around bigot who has a hard time dealing with age. Things are then suddenly changed when Eastwood protects a Hmong boy from gangsters and gains favor with the Hmong family. Soon Clint becomes closely entangled with the affairs of this family and comes to learn more about the family and shed some of his ignorance. However a pressing problem arises in the looming threat of gangsters. Less able than he once was and out gunned Clint must defend the neighbours that he has come to love.

Walt takes Thao (played by Bee Vang) under his
wing to teach him how to be American

Despite his age (which while filming was a staggering 78), Clint does a convincing job in his role of Walt. The traces of his former self are still apparent particularly as the character Walt closely mirrors Eastwood in essence. As for the rest of the cast they do their part but as they don’t share nearly as much screen time or dialogue they are often of little consequence.

What makes the story interesting is that while the movie dwells in this urban gangland setting there is little explicit violence. Unlike films of the past such as Dirty Harry and Death Wish violence isn’t used as a tool to resolve conflict. This marks an evolution in action films and depicts a different if not optimistic America.

If you have not seen Gran Torino it offers decent entertainment through Eastwood’s incessant bigotry and racial slurs as well as interesting character development. It is a good ride, just watch out for the end as Eastwood singing in the credits is enough to make you wish you were deaf.

 

The Confidence Man

DiCaprio plays the lead a boyish Frank Abagnale Jr.

Based on a true story, Catch Me If You Can is the Hollywood rendition of the events surrounding Frank Abagnale, notorious check forger. The film features an all-star cast which includes Leonardio DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Amy Adams, Christopher Walken and Jennifer Garner along with many others.

Learning the tricks of the trade from his father, Frank has the basics of the confidence game down well he still in high school (even going as far as pretending to be a supply teacher much to the chagrin of his mother). Together he lives, him and his parents, enjoying the upper middle class lifestyle that is until the IRS catches onto his father. Soon much of their money is seized which leads to the divorce of his two parents. In the heat of the moment Frank takes off, unable to cope with his parents’ divorce, forced to fend for himself. To make ends meet, he does what he knows best and cons people out of their money. As time passes Frank’s con grow bigger and grander. Eventually he comes to pretending to be a pilot taking Pan Am for millions.

Tom Hanks (in the role of a bank fraud agent)
examines a check

All the while he must contend with Carl Hanratty, an FBI bank fraud agent (played by Tom Hanks) who is determined to arrest Frank. Most of the movie passes this way in a state of cat and mouse.

A lot can be said about this movie but all you need to know is that it’s worth a watch. The acting is superb with Dicaprio and Hanks at the Helm along with many now bigger names who were just starting out.

Amy Adams smiles broadly in the role of a nurse

Mechanically the movie works well as veteran director Spielberg knows what he is doing but the main point that really makes this movie excel is the simple storytelling. Through its development Catch Me If You Can really demonstrates the coming of age story well, proving that eventually you need to settle down.

If you have not seen it already I would highly recommend it. Catch Me If You Can proves itself to be a movie worthy of multiple re-watchings.               

Pleasant Past The Paradox

Lead man Joesph Gordon-Levitt

         In a year barren of sci-fi thrillers, Looper comes as a breath of fresh air. Originally opening the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, Looper was well received by critics and audiences alike. Set in the year 2074 time travel has been invented then promptly outlawed. Spurred by organised crime, a group of assassins have emerged, they are known as loopers. These loopers travel back in time to complete hits, hiding the bodies in the past. Then once their contract is set to expire, the looper is sent back to kill themselves, this is called closing the loop.

        The story follows Joe (played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt) a looper who is sent to close his own loop, but when it comes down to the wire he is unable to kill himself. Fearing the fact that his employers will come back and kill him themselves (consequently killing the older version of himself), Levitt seeks the older version of himself (played by Bruce Willis) to finish the job. Meanwhile Willis has his own agenda and seeks out to change his own future by killing and up and coming mobster who will be known as The Rainmaker to stop the hit from ever being called.

Bruce Willis plays the role of Joe's older self

As the story progresses more and more characters get added to the mix which further convolutes the plot and eventually the motive of Levitt is changed as he instead seeks out to protect the son of his lover (played by Emily Blunt) who happens to be a young version of the Rainmaker.

The movie deals with the concept of time travel in an elegant way this is particularly impressive as the intricacies of time travel are often muddled on film. However I must complain that nearing the climax of the film the resolution is paradoxical as if anything is changed characters won’t have the motives that warranted their respective actions. It is unfortunate that this is the case as it draws you out of the movie.

Looper was smart as a film (if not paradox free, but time travel can be tricky like that) and aestically looked pretty nice. The development of the setting in the future was well produced with many little cultural phenomena that made it seem realistic. Furthermore, the acting was great with Levitt and Willis acting their parts well. One minor complaint would have to be the some of the cosmetic choices. If you don’t know I mean let me direct you to the picture of Levitt as well as the transition from Levitt to Willis which was clunky to say the least.

A clumsy makeup choice costs film

If you are looking for a good character-based time travel film Looper is a good choice. Despite its flaws Looper made a good show of what the sci-fi genre can pull off.

Escape From District 9

Sharlto Copely tries to get a Prawn to sign some forms

In 2009, the release of District 9 was met with little opposition, being praised by fans and critics alike. This was particularly impressive considering it was first feature-length film of director Neill Blomkamp who had a modest budget that had to be contended with. Yet still very little is said about District 9 despite its unlikely success.

                Set in modern day Johannesburg, the film is a blatant allegory of Apartheid present in the South Africa only decades before. When an alien ship crashes in the early 1980s, the local government of Johannesburg is quickly forced to take action. But creating homes for these new found visitors proves to be troublesome and the government chooses instead to create an impromptu ghetto with no intensions of improvement. Impoverished, sick and unwanted, the aliens are shunned by the human population referring to them in the derogatory term prawns (due to their appearance.)

A piece of the prawns futuristic technologies

One of the films Apartheid signs

 However, the brunt of the story follows clueless civil servant Wikus van de Merwe (played by Sharlto Copley), who through a twist of fate becomes infected a starts to become a prawn. Searching for a cure, Wikus comes to see the prawns in a more sympathetic light all the while learning the details of how the government attempts to exploit the extraterrestrials and their futuristic technologies.

The movie sets itself up in the form of a part mockumentry style, where those close to Wikus reveal valuable information and perspective to the story.  This makes the movie seem all the more realistic well revealing information in a seemingly unartifial way. Despite the fantastical circumstances of the film because of its setup it still seems plausible.        

District 9 is a good film with heavy themes. The seldom used style of mockumentry proves useful and refreshing, separating it from countless other action flicks. From this film Neill Blomkamp proves that sci-fi can be done in a refined way.             

 

A Comedy Classic

Left (Robert Hays) Center (Julia Hagerty) Right (Auto-pilot,
dubbed Otto)

For those who don’t already know, Airplane! was a satirical film releases in 1980 that parodied disaster movies. During its time the movie has proved to be very influential and many of the jokes are ingrained in popular culture still today. Unlike most comedies, Airplane! forwent an engaging story, instead using it as a framework from which they could pop off rapid fire jokes. Most of which are misinterpretations of colloquialisms, which though it may not seem funny are met with such dedication from the cast you can’t help but chuckle. Also the use of slapstick is frequent throughout which adds to the variety. Because of the quick pacing, if one joke doesn’t get to you another gag comes quickly enough so you’re not left waiting.  

To cheer up a sick girl a stewardess
plays guitar, accidently knocking off her iv bag

As is, the story consists of the threat of a plane crash after the pilot and half the crew are incapacitated by food poisoning and now ex war pilot, Ted Striker (played by Robert Hays) must overcome his war memories and land the plane. Of course what kind of film would it be without a love interest, this comes in the form of Julia Hagerty as a stewardess who had previously been with Ted but split due to his mild PTS.

Leslie Nielson plays the role of Dr. Barry Rumack

In itself the story isn’t that important what really matters is the writing which delivers. All the cast seems enthusiastic, but in particular Leslie Nielson stands out as Dr. Barry Rumack who is extremely funny.

If you haven’t already seen Airplane!  I would highly recommend it. It’s crazy. It’s random and the absurdity of the jokes are truly funny. Airplane! stands as one of if the funniest movies I have ever seen.

Diamond in The Rough

Dijmon Hounsou shares a tender moment with
his on screen son played by Kagiso Kuypers

            Fueled by human rights issues, Edward Zwick’s 2006 film Blood Diamond aims to reveal the seedy underground realm of diamond trading. Set in the pre-Kimberly process era, the movie depicts the horrific consequences of the diamond trade, including slavery, child soldiers, and the actions of the rebel army the Revolutionary United Front, not to mention the terrible conditions they are forced to live in.

            The story follows the character Solomon Vandy (played by Djimon Hounsou) who is captured by the R.U.F. where he is forced to search in riverbeds for diamonds. Risking everything, Solomon smuggles a diamond and hides it away so that he may find it later. In a twist of fate, Solomon regains his freedom and seeks out to recover his diamond and reunite with his family (including his son who was abducted by the R.U.F. as well). Along the way, his path gets intertwined with various characters including a diamond smuggler, Danny Archer, (played by Leonardio Dicaprio) and an American journalist, Maddy Bowen, (played by Jennifer Connelly) along with several others, all of whom have vested interest in the diamond.

Dicaprio plays the Zimbabwean diamond smuggler

            The cast is well rounded with particularly good efforts done by Hounsou and Dicaprio, who play an emotionally torn father and a convincing diamond smuggler respectively (though it takes some time to get use to Dicaprio as a white African.)

            Along the way you see some nice shots of Africa but the majority of the movie’s appeal comes from its story and characters. The motivations of the characters are all different and dynamic this fleshes out the characters and makes them all the more interesting. Near the end of the film the question of who’s to blame becomes more and more ambiguous making the viewer realise the moral grey areas that are ever present.

Jennifer Connelly in the role of an American journalist

            However, the central focus of the film is as a platform to demystify the brutal trade of diamond mining in Africa. If you have not yet seen Blood Diamond I would highly recommend it. Besides exposing the secrets of the trade, Blood Diamond crafts a great story. With its great characters and great actors Blood Diamond won’t disappoint.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner



Jim Sturgess in the role of MIT whiz kid Ben Cambell 

           As most people know, school can be extremely expensive and for character Ben Cambell (from film adaptation of the book Bringing Down The House, 21) this reality can be unforgiving. Coming from a modest household, Whiz kid MIT student Ben Cambell must overcome the herculean task of amassing $300,000, the admission cost of Harvard Medical School. Realising Ben’s potential, professor Micky Rosa (played by Kevin Spacey) invites Ben to join the glamorous underground world of card counting where he and a group of MIT students visit Vegas on weekends to win money.

Kevin Spacey as prof. Micky Rosa

            Though this movie was not exceedingly deep, it was an enjoyable watch none the less. The cast did a good job; in particular Kevin Spacey usual to form, was excellent in the role of Professor Rosa. All characters are believable (after all this is based on a true story) and lines seem organic. However, some of the characters seem to be overlooked when they would have benefited from more development.

Cast left to right: Jacob Pitts, Kevin Spacey, Kate Bosworth,
Liza Lapira and Aaron Yoo

            Overall the movie looks good, with some excellent cinematography showcasing the bright lights of Vegas. Great shots of the Vegas nightlife show the best of the Strip which does good to differentiate the glamour from the humdrum atmosphere of student ghettos in Boston. Sometimes effects are used which don’t look quite so good, but these are few and far between so it is excusable.

            The story was told in a good voice with Ben narrating some of the more key aspects of his life. As a character Ben is likeable and approachable which fits the story well. The story is full of twists and turns but in the end it is predictable. A non-linear storytelling style is used near the end which is used to limited effect. Yet, despite this the story was engaging enough with character Ben inspiring admiration.

            As a movie 21 played it pretty close to the mold but all in all it did a reasonably good job. It’s nothing special but it’s entertaining enough. If you’re into the casino style movies this would be a good choice. If you’re looking for a casual film this would be a good pick.  

Enter The Matrix

                Within the last 15 years no movie has been more influential than The Matrix. Its intensive action sequences and undertones of deeper thinking have inspired dozens of movies to follow in suit. Despite, the fact that the years have not be kind to this film I would be remised if I did not give my two cents on it.  

The Matrix's revolutionary effect; bullet time

                If it is not already obvious, I think very highly of The Matrix. The movie crafts a thought provoking story with eye popping action with a particular empathises on martial arts using modern technologies and an urban backdrop to reaffirm the cyberpunk ideas expressed throughout. As well, to match the technologies shown in the film, special effects are used to consistent effect.  It must be recognised that while now the special effects look somewhere between tacky and unbearable, at the time the special effects were state of the art, after all the film was released in 1999.

Laurence Fishburne's character Morpheous
often spouts off words of wisdom

                Yet don’t be fooled, while this movie does contain explosive action sequences, buried beneath are profound allusions and implications. This film deals with some heavy hitting thoughts on topics such as, fate vs. freewill, epistemology and others. Moreover, the movie makes many allusions to religion with the most notable being Christianity. The story remains memorable with the story unfolding predictable with the most part of the problems being mechanical.  



(Left) Carrie-Anne Moss
(Right) Keanu Reeves 

While the acting is mostly wooden with Keanu Reeves as Neo and Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity being the main culprits their poor performances add humor. Dialogue is often clichéd but it is in the best way possible. It is through this that the movies melodrama is held in check. If you haven’t already, go see The Matrix. While this movie has its pitfalls, it adds enough to keep the make sure that The Matrix will always remain a modern classic.

 

Movie Magic



(Left) Michael Cain, (Center) Scarlett Johansson, (Right) Hugh Jackman

                            Christopher Nolan is well known in the movie world for his unique storytelling and pleasing cinematography. Within a decade and a half of his commercial career, Nolan boasts earnings of $3.5 billion worldwide, with his latest The Dark Knight Rises earning over a billion at the box office on its own. Critically acclaimed and well received by fans, Nolan continues to astound audiences around the world. But with even tales of espionage, vigilantism and various mental illnesses, I am always brought back to his 2006 film The Prestige.

(Left)Christian Bale, (Right) Rebecca Hall

                For those who do not know, The Prestige tells the story of two passionate rival street magicians who through great tragedy become locked in a constant series one-ups-man ship eventually leading to more and more dire repercussions. The film is led by Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as Alfred Borden and Robert Angier respectively. As well, the cast features some of Nolan’s usual favorites like Michael Cain, along with some unusual newcomers, namely musician David Bowie who plays the role of Nikola Tesla. All in all, the acting was great, with particularly memorable performances by Jackman, Bale and Cain who embody the passions of these men very well. Moreover, Rebecca Hall does an outstanding job in the role of Bale’s wife tormented by his deception.

The crisp clean cinematography of The Prestige

However, where this movie excels most is in its story. Be warned, this story is non-linear, so often times the plot can seem overwhelming, especially since the movie is set up so Bale is reading Jackman’s character’s journal of Jackman’s character attempting to decipher Bales own journal which speaks of events that have already happened. This however is so common amongst thrillers that it is negligible. Also this style of storytelling fits well with the plot as it adds an air of mystique.

If you have not already seen this film I would highly recommend it. It looks great, sharp and clean with excellent cinematography. The characters are well realised and fully shaped. The story is fascinating, dealing with a variety of themes and focusing on the unique struggles of each character, blending the Hollywood cliché of good and evil. Full of twists and turns, this movie will keep you guessing. This is definitely one Nolan’s best.      

Best Bond Ever?

Daniel Craig reprises his role as 007

Bond is back again after four long years and many are singing his praise with some even believing Skyfall to be the best Bond ever. Well I agree that it’s great to see Daniel Craig return as James Bond, I must respectful disagree with this grand statement. Though it is evident that the team behind Bond has put a lot of effort into this reimagining, this character by no means matches the Bond of the early 1960s. As a sign of times, Bond has been redeveloped from the mysterious, macho and frankly two-dimensional character to a more grounded character struggling with the difficulties of age to better fit the population. This however goes completely against what James Bond stands for as an everlasting icon of the suave and sophisticated Brit.

Javier Bardem steps up as the new Bond villain

Don’t get me wrong I liked Skyfall, it just didn’t seem to fit as a Bond film. The attempt to reshape the character seemed alien to the franchise.

 As for the general plot, it was alright if not a bit generic. Javier Bardem played the role of the villain; an ex-agent for MI6 bent on revenge, whose plot was to reveal the records of undercover agents. He played the role alright, but not well enough to really stand out. M played by Judi Dench has a heavy role in this installation yet her segments were often unmemorable.

The modern Bond; sleek and stylish

But what really makes Skyfall shine is its sleek and cool aesthetics perfectly embodied by Daniel Craig as James Bond. The action sequences continue to be exciting and well-choreographed. Furthermore, the visuals in the movie are stunning with certain shots causing your jaw to drop. Well some of the plot leaves something to be desired the film does what it must; shows an attractive movie that’s enjoyable to watch. Is it the best Bond? No, but it’s a step up from most and this film will dazzle and excite. Just be glad that they worked out the kinks and you’re not stuck watching Quantum of Solace.    

Tarantino Unchained

Director Quentin Tarantino's cameo as
an employee for the LeQuint Dickey Mining Co.

                You either love him or hate him; Tarantino once again proves to be one of the most divisive directors in the business. That being said you probably already know if you’ll like the new Tarantino flick Django Unchained. Much like his other movies, Django is heavily stylized implementing intense violence with long drawn out tension. Putting a twist on the spaghetti western genre, Tarantino tells the tale of a man freed from slavery who tries to find and rescue his wife from a similar predicament, all the while seeking vengeance on those who have wronged him.

Christoph Waltz as Dr. King Shultz (left) and Jamie Fox as Django (right)

      Jamie Foxx plays the lead Django with little success, but the movie thrives none the less. Foxx excluded, the acting involved is superb with Christoph Waltz (in the role of Dr. King Shultz, the lovable bounty hunter who acts as a mentor to Django) winning a well-earned Academy Award™ for best supporting actor. As well, DiCaprio plays his role well as the treacherous slave owner, Calvin Candie owner of the fabled Candyland cotton plantation.

Leonardo DiCaprio as Calvin Candie;

owner of the cotton plantation Candyland

 

The atmosphere of the film remains casual for the most part. It is clear that it doesn’t take itself too seriously and that makes it all the better. Comic relief evenly spread throughout the film to relieve tension at key points. In addition, some liberty is given and various cameos are seen throughout including director Tarantino as an employee for a mining company.

However some common complaints with the film are its pacing. Though it is Tarantino’s style, at times the film is tedious and the viewer is often left wondering why something has dragged on so long particularly as the running time approaches three hours. At times, it seemed like the movie might have warranted an ending at that point. As well, some may find the violence graphic and unnecessary while the profane language is unnecessary, particularly the use of the derogatory term n*gger. However this I believe is excusable considering its historical context.

 Django Unchained proves itself an apt movie. Well it has its downfalls it more than makes up for it. Despite its inconsistency if you are willing to sit through some dry spells you will be rewarded with some truly excellent scenes. Though Django Unchained is no masterpiece, it is a more than adequate film which I can wholeheartedly recommend if you’ve got the stomach for it.        

 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey; Unexpectedly Bad

Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins

After nearly a decade of waiting, the much anticipated prequel to the critical acclaimed The Lord of the Rings Trilogy was released in the winter of last year. Yet despite the incredible hype this film has received, will this film hold true to the devoted fans that patiently waited for the much delayed release. I am sad to say no.

 

Although this film boasts the same director as the original trilogy, the film has a hard time connecting to the previous films despite the closeness of the story. It is understandable that they tried to redevelop the overall atmosphere and ascetics but it is inexcusable that this film’s graphics fall below the standard set nearly 10 years prior. Plagued throughout the film is bad CGI lazily placed throughout which often takes away from the movie as a whole.

CGI in all its Gruesomeness

 Even with that aside the film didn’t hold the same weight as its predecessors. Instead of the feeling of a great epic, like in the originals, you were left waiting for the plot to progress while in the meantime they rolled yet another pointless flashback highlighting some trivial fact the audience cared little about. As well, the movie made a determined point of inserting cameos of the characters from the previous movies even when though they added very little. In fact, the whole first twenty minutes could have been cut and there would have been no ill will.

Cameo by Elijah Wood (Back) and Ian Holm (Front)

The film ran at a leisurely pace, clocking in at nearly three hours, and yet as the end credits rolled it felt as if little had actually happened. Though there had been several action sequences there was only slight plot development. Then even when the plot did develop it held little weight, with many of the characters so insubstantial that the viewer need not know their name. Even the main character Bilbo (played by Martin Freeman) garnished little sympathy from the viewers.


All in all, this film failed to reach its lofty expectations. Despite the amount time and resources put into this film, it is nowhere near the calibre that the previous films maintained. Well this movie does not fail completely, as it is still a rather enjoyable experience, I must warn you to lower your expectations. It is unfortunate that director Peter Jackson allowed this to happen to his much beloved franchise, but he of all people knows that to have had a better looking movie 10 years ago is cinema sin.