Films I Watched - November, 2003
Submitted by lbangs on Fri, 11/07/2003 - 12:48
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- 11/13 - Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets - Ah, this is much better. Potter’s second outing is an odd bird in two ways. It is a sequel that far excels its original, and it is a big-budget studio-backed merchandised blockbuster that is actually loads of fun to ride. The author has notched up the spooky elements, the plot seems more essential and less an excuse for setting matters up, and even the token Quidditch match scores some thrills and chills between the special effects that swallowed the first one alive. Chris Columbus is still a hack, but the improved story elements and excellent acting (although Branagh, who I usually love, really goes a bit overboard here) rolls over that speed bump. Sure, I’m dying to see how Alfonso Cuaron handles the helm, especially since his A Little Princess is a gem of the family film genre, but where the first installment really disappointed me, this adventure really reminded me of what fun blockbusters at their best can be.
- 11/12 - Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone - Or, as the original, better title, before it was dumbed down for us Americans, was, the Philosopher's Stone. This makes the second frustrating film in a row for me. Two major flaws hinder this adaptation. First, at least in this cinematic incarnation, J. K. Rowling's imagination works better at conception than execution. The school, the characters, the institutions - all the pieces of the puzzle - work much better than either the plot or the conclusion does. The complete puzzle is quite dim and disappointing compared to the bright pieces that went together to create it. The other weakness, to be blunt, is Chris Columbus, who has never been a good director, and whose boring, nearly somnambulant performance here drained all too much magic from the proceedings by making the fantastical seem lockstep ordinary. Despite all his aspirations to be Lucas and Spielberg combined, he has all the clichés of both and the spark of neither. In fact, his clumsy handling of CGI effects (that game sequence was godawful and drearily boring, where it should have been exciting) makes Lucas' own work with computer images seem nearly tasteful. Still, even with weaknesses, the glorious miracles children and some adults find in these novels are not lost altogether, and the truth is that the complete project is more of a slightly amusing mess rather than a complete failure. The running time is not an issue; for all his faults, Columbus can keep a beast moving forward without sinking. I've the sequel sitting on a chair, and while I'm not just jumping up and down to see it, I do hope it proves better than this initial episode. The potential is definitely here, somewhere...
- 11/6 - Die Another Day - Die Another Day is quite easily the most frustrating, aggravating Bond film to date. For the first hour and a half, this is the most interesting 007 film in years. Pierce Brosnan for the first time is completely comfortable and convincing in James Bond’s skin, echoing Sean Connery much stronger than he does Roger Moore. Additionally, the writers seem to have suddenly remembered the essence of the character and the series. This Bond is tortured and suffers bloody noses and visible bruises. Using terms directly out of the novels, side characters refer to him as, “an assassin,” and, “a blunt instrument.” Turns of narrative send 007 globetrotting across the world. The producers seem to toss aside the now petrified formula with twists that wiggle free of the fossilized restraints usually imposed on the story. The viewers even see Bond cleaning his gun! Then, around the ninety minutes mark, that damn silly invisible car appears. Every little problem spied in the first part of the film explodes into a major, jarring error. Fans suffer through a hideous surfing scene, horrible CGI effects, boring car chases without end, humorously out of place operatic touches and over-used slow motion, and a plot that seems to have dumped nearly every intriguing element of the opening to not only steal the highlights but also actual scenes from earlier films in the series! Suddenly, James Bond starts speaking only in sexual innuendo, sounding as much like a self-parody as Lucas has turned Yoda into as of late and embarrassing most everybody in the audience. After finally delivering most of the film true fans have been starving for, EON productions suddenly woke up, realized they weren’t delivering the typical product, and spent the rest of the running time shoving the awful crap that now is the modern Bond film down the poor viewers’ throats. As a result, I’m frankly torn as to whether to encourage the producers to develop the nice touches here or to feel offended at the powers that be very cynically tossing me a bone and asking me to move on.
Man, that's a great review of Die Another Day. Very similar to my own, albeit more articulate, and it sounds like the wheels came of for you worse than they did for me (although we note many of the same problems). I also only really remember actively disliking one of the action sequences (that damn CGI wave).
So where are you going to put this one on your Bond, Ranked and Reviewed list?
Drats, I knew you would ask me that!
I'm still trying to decide just where to plop it on that list, but your prediction on that list might just prove dead-on. I'm still working on how much weight to give to the great stuff and how much to the horrible junk.
Thanks for the compliment, though. After reading your review again, I realized we had to be pretty close on this one.
Shalom, y'all!
L. Bangs
hey lBangs, just thought id say, its me 'A Movie Fan' but ive changed my name to rushmore
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