Mirror Mirror (2012)

It's been over two weeks since I saw Mirror Mirror but nonetheless I wanted to air my opinion on my blog. However, with A Level work, posting on here isn't my priority and instead I've been adding to a 'what was good/what was bad' post instead of a conventional review. Finally I've finished and, after this little introduction, here's what I thought of Mirror Mirror.

What was good:

You could not cast a more perfect prince for Snow White than Armie Hammer. He’s tall, charming, handsome and features all the mannerisms of a prince. Hammer continues to prove that he is going on to become a tremendous actor and I think his performance as Prince Alcott really deserves a lot of praise. When he needs to be charming; he's charming. When he needs to be a hero; he's a hero. When he needs to be a puppy; he's a puppy. (And when he needs to be topless; he's topless!)

Mirror Mirror is a film for more than one performance though, Julia Roberts is equally fantastic. Her evil queen is really evil but had a pantomime-y comedy to her which makes the film very pleasant to watch as a family film. Nathan Lane is hilarious too, which isn't surprising. There's a definite side kick humour just in his voice and movements, always seeming weak but coming out on top.

'And the award for best costume department goes to...' Visually, Mirror Mirror is stunning. I can't quite think of a film, out in the last few years, that features costume with such refined detail and sheer beauty that the gowns in Mirror Mirror have. I mean, look at the picture of Lily Collins with a swan on her head and Julia Robert's gown. The first is completely bizarre, but both are gorgeous! The colours are vibrant and bold, keeping to the fairytale charm and fitting in to the fairytale family genre.

Alan Menken producing ANY film score will always work for me. I adore everything the man creates (being a huge Disney fan) and it always fits together with a film perfectly. Mirror Mirror isn't Disney, but there is something about it which reminded me of the always happy ending, disney flicks. It's very sweet.

What was ok:

Being both quite good and sometimes flat, are the seven dwarfs. I like the basis of each of their nontraditional names, habits and appearances but their jokes are the same throughout, never really lifting up. Their introduction to the film as the bandits is very comical and their fresh personalities do make for a family viewing as it's very hard to not laugh at some of their jokes.
Up until the last quarter, the dwarfs serve their purpose in the film as the funny bunch who help Snow. But once she's found her rhythm in getting back her throne they kind of just deflate.

The random song and dance at the end. Even though it adds to the spontaneity of the film, I don't think it fitted in. But it's really catchy (I know, I've listened to it more than once since I saw it) and is a nice little fun add on to the end.

What was not as good:

The weak link for Mirror Mirror is, sadly, Snow White herself. Lily Collins lets Snow be very pretty and sweet, but that's about it. She's not anywhere near as likable or compelling as Prince Alcott or the Queen and Snow's scenes, with the exception of the last 15 minutes, lack excitement. With what she's been given, Collins does gives Snow a good try in the more nontraditional, fight scenes and it's not that the character is unlikable. But when Roberts and Hammer make the Queen and Prince really quirky, fun and pleasing, the Princess needs to be more than that to shine. Collins will have her outbreak soon I'm sure, but Mirror Mirror doesn't allow her to stand out.


Despite my little criticism of dissatisfaction at the end, I enjoyed Mirror Mirror a lot. I found it fun, cheesy in places, cute and everything a Grimm fairytale tale needs to be in a film. After finding the trailer amusing in a bad way, I'm glad the film went on to surprise me because deep down, I kind of knew it wasn't going to be rubbish. There are a few places I could pick out that didn't work, but overall it's worth a watch.

However I am excited to see how Snow White and the Huntsman will compete later this year.

Mirror, Mirror 3.5/5

Mirror Mirror trailer

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Wrath of the Titans (2012)- review

Running Time: 99 mins
Directed By: Jonathan Liebesman
Starring: Sam Worthington, Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes, Rosamund Pike, Bill Nighy, Danny Huston, Toby Kebbell, Edgar Ramirez
Screenplay: Dan Mazeau, David Johnson, Steven Knight
UK Release Date: 30th March 2012

Quick Plot: With the war between gods and Titans continuing, Perseus the son of Zeus, must join with other half Gods to free his father and save the gods from the prison of Tartarus.

Review: With the amount of money it made, it was no surprise that a sequel to Clash of the Titans was knocked up. Obviously, the Clash makers wanted the same result and have secured this by introducing a few new cast members, adding curly hair to Perseus, oh, and producing some out of this world, glorious CGI and 3D.

Set a few years after Sam Worthington's legendary defeat of the Kraken, Perseus declines his father's offer to live with the Gods and remains on earth as a human. With his wife killed off before Wrath begins, Perseus struggles as a fisherman and a single father, refusing to pray for help from his relatives. Neeson's Zeus quickly enters asking for help from his son as the God's immortality is at risk. Confusion arises within the first ten minutes over the array of different accents. Perseus Australian, his boy British and everyone else either British and/or American. The confusion is forgotten soon after with a small Perseus vs. fire breathing demon battle, which sets the pace of the film; bewilderment, among a blend of careless dialogue followed by extreme CGI Titan fights.

Killing off the delightful and forever charming Gemma Arterton in the first, consequently brings Rosamund Pike as the female focus for Wrath, to create an appealing, attractive likeness to the male implied genre. Pike, like Arterton in Clash of the Titans, does all she can with the material she's been given, but she's not used to her best ability causing her performance to lack engagement. Having a small soft spot for aussie Sam Worthington, I will watch him in any film, but his passion for Wrath of the Titans isn't nearly as exciting as his enthusiasm must have been for Avatar, causing Perseus second time round to feel a lot like the first time. Clearly, Toby Kebbell is used to add a bit of comedy and like the rest of the cast, delivers the fun he can but his appearance and the use of jokes feels like Agenor was created with Russell Brand in mind.

Yet with the mess of the script and the absence of anything exciting, the effects are completely exhilarating. Many people were disappointed with both the film and 3D conversion in the first film, but this time round the 3D is something to enjoy. With fire, Cyclops’ and spears being thrown right into your face; Wrath of the Titans is worth the 3D. Personally, it’s one of the best 3D film’s I’ve ever seen.

Though visually and technologically the film is and will be a financial success, there is nothing mentally engaging.

2/5

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March viewings

March was a poor attempt at cinema viewings for me. But I saw quite a range of films on TV and DVD for the first time.

We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011) 5/5
The Raven (2012) 3/5
Son Of Rambow (2007) 4/5
Chalet Girl (2011) 3/5
Warrior 4.5/5
American Beauty (1999) 5/5
Tyrannosaur (2011) 4/5
Battle Royale (2000) 4/5
The Hunger Games (2012) 4/5
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) 3.5/5
Geek Charming (2011) 3/5
The Ides Of March (2011) 3/5
The Prince and the Showgirl (1957) 3/5
Le Donk & Scor-zay-zee (2009) 4/5
Forever Young (1992) 2/5

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The Hunger Games (2012)

Running Time: 142 minutes 
Directed By: Gary Ross

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Woody Harrelson, Stanley Tucci, Donald Sutherland, Toby Jones, Wes Bentley,

Screenplay: Gary Ross, Billy Ray and Suzanne Collins

UK Release Date: 23rd March 2012 - UK

Quick Plot: Set in post apocalyptic America, the Capitol select one boy and one girl from each of the12 District's of Panem for the annual Hunger Games televised event. District 12's Katniss Everdeen volunteers herself in place of her younger sister to compete against the twenty three other tributes in a death batlle where there can only be one winner.

Review: One of 2012’s most anticipated teen fantasy films is finally here and to put it simply- it’s fantastic. Hollywood is use to the teen book turn film by now, however The Hunger Games has everything in line making it unbelievably breathtaking while bringing a fresh flare for dystopian fiction.

Having a huge, devoted fan base, Gary Ross’ The Hunger Games has picked up anticipation from the moment the film was announced. With the high expectations, the film could very easily wallow in disappointment and shatter the delicate fan base, except the cast, the glorious cinematography and the script don’t let it fall.

Away from the fact it’s based on a book, The Hunger Games works as a film alone. There’s no need for prior research to understand the ruin and dismay that the population of Panem have to face. The first thirty minutes are executed perfectly by a ray of fantastic cuts from the gloomy, grey and bleak District 12 to the eccentric, colourful and bizarre Capitol. Katniss wakes to the cries of her younger sister in a nightmare, then sets out early to get good ‘game’ along with her best friend Gale. District 12’s poverty is enlightened when Lawrence rips a hand sized piece of bread and smells it; making it known this is a rare occasion. Katniss’ warmth from the fresh bread is short lived as it’s soon followed by the reaping. An almost unrecognisable bright pink Elizabeth Banks walks out as the white faced Effie Trinket, clearly revealing she does not belong in the district, and begins the annual introduction to the history of the games.

Ever growing with her talent, Jennifer Lawrence is faultless as our protagonist Katniss Everdeen. Becoming the heroic teen role model would have been a task and a half, yet Lawrence makes it look effortless. The film is unable to capture Katniss’ inner voice like the novel, but from Lawrence’s natural strength she completely glides her way to be Miss Everdeen physically and mentally. Katniss isn’t a push over instead she’s independent and will do all it takes to protect her family since her motherly instinct kicked in after her father’s death. Heck, she volunteers herself to save her sister from a death match where the odds are not at all in her favour to win- that is something special. She has attitude but a soft side, which helps make the film frightfully believable. Rising star Josh Hutcherson is the boy from tribute from District 12, Peeta Mellark Hutcherson, though unnaturally blonde, gratifyingly captures Peeta’s first appearances as uncomfortable and weaker opposed to Katniss. As the story continues, Hutcherson displays how the character grows, keeping to his vulnerability but portraying Peeta’s confidence that he finds in the games.

Though the games are the centre of attention, there is a deep insight to how important the build up to the games for the Capitol and the ways they are glorified as entertainment. Here we meet the stylist for District 12 Cinna (Lenny Kravitz), who brings warmth to Katniss’ as a friend and is one of the only people who she can bring herself not to snap at. These scenes before the games are beautiful and it is as if the book has been brought directly onto the screen. The grand opening where Katniss has to make her impression picks up pace while leaving the small feeling of worry over what lies ahead.

The screenwriters could have taken a risk and had the film following only Katniss on her journey from volunteering to be in the games, but thankfully the Capitol and gamemaker’s have a huge involvement. Their brutal toying and manipulation of the game matched with the commentary by Caesar (another perfect casting with Stanley Tucci) means that all areas of the game are witnessed like a televised event. It’s all a bit too familiar to events we watch on television now, which is the chilling part.

Gary Ross doesn’t just stop with having a perfect cast and brilliantly adapted screenplay, everything in the editing suite is at the highest standard. The soundtrack is haunting, captivating and enhances the rush of the games and the dystopian theme back in District 12. With the use of a handheld camera, quick cuts through the violence and close ups on the deaths, tributes and severe concentration on little features creates irrational, invasive tension. Though it shouldn’t be compared, these techniques correlate to the book’s precision of detail. Keeping it to a 12A has its drawbacks for an audience, but with the swift editing and camera work the deaths and violence are quick to leave a lot more to imaginations. Despite the cuts, the film remains horrifically and brilliantly brutal.

The Hunger Games never once lets you stop for air and keeps on going till the credits. Jennifer Lawrence gives another exceptional performance boosted by a fabulous cast and editing team. Gary Ross has certainly created the teen sci fi fantasy that will define 2012.
4/5

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Ramble: My adoration for The Hunger Games novel and why I can't wait to see the girl who was on fire

Something a little different for my blog, I'm going to talk about a pretty important movie event this year, The Hunger Games.

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The Raven (2012) a non-reviewy review

I saw The Raven last weekend and I'm still unsure if I liked it or not.
I'm sure it was definitely the better choice for a film than seeing John Carter I imagine, but I still feel a little...unsatisfied.

From James McTeigue, the director of V For Vendetta, The Raven certainly has the same feel to the 2005 adapted comic book thriller. The dark, ghastly atmosphere of 1800 Baltimore is quite daunting in places and though it would have been pleasant to have seen some of the surroundings and the scenery of the town, it's easily a believable setting.

Like most people, I adore John Cusack. Sad to say that I wouldn't class his act as Edgar Allan Poe in a list of his greats, but he adds something to the character that many wouldn't be able to. Out of them all, it's Luke Evans who comes out having gained something from The Raven. Though The Three Musketeers didn't do well critically, Luke Evans gained a name over in the US and continues to with The Raven. There's a charm and extreme likability to him that makes all of his performances entertaining, while always being quite adorable.

There is an obvious similarity between The Raven and Guy Ritchie's recent portrayal in the Sherlock Holmes films from the quite manic protagonist, dark crimes and Alice Eve's Emily to Rachel McAdams Irene Adler. Emily was too weak and the fact she holds the damsel in distress act for the majority of the film is really quite poor given that Alice Eve could do with a strong, femme fatale-esque role instead of always playing the pretty face. Though the femme fatale wouldn't quite work with her and Poe being completely in love, something stronger for Eve would have been ideal.

It's definitely an interesting look at the last few days of Edgar Allan Poe's life and from the small detail I found out from my cousin about Poe's last remaining words 'Fields and Reynolds', it makes for an interesting and much more exciting idea of what could have happened to Poe. Better than just thinking that Poe went mad and died I guess.

For Luke Evans and my adoration for Cusack films, I think I quite enjoyed The Raven.
If I were to make this into a more structured review, I'd give it 3/5.

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February viewings

I'm really slacking in cinema viewings, but I've seen some films on DVD/TV for the first time that deserve a mention.

War Horse (2012) 4/5
The Sum Of All Fears (2002) 2/5
Salt (2010) 2/5
Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) 4/5
Sanctum (2011) 3/5
The Vow (2012) 3/5
Melody Time (1948) 2.5/5
The Artist (2011) 4.5/5
The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949) 2/5
Troll Hunter (2010) 4/5
Drive (2011) 4.5/5
The Guard (2011) 4/5
Submarine (2010) 5/5
How To Marry A Millionaire (1953) 3/5
Sea Of Love (1989) 3.5/5

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