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Short Reviews #26 

Apocalypto (2006)

It’s easy to give Mel Gibson as a person shit. He’s done more than a few things to offend just about anybody with a strong religious belief. But I have to say as a filmmaker, he’s proven himself as half-way decent. Braveheart is a flawed film but it does rouse a momentum and The Passion of the Christ managed to avoid preaching to the masses and instead delivered a solid exploration into human empathy. With his new film Apocalypto he’s made a film which almost strips away Hollywood sensibilities and goes for the primeval nature of survival. Sure, it may not be historically accurate but the last third of this film is entirely gripping and literally had me on the edge of my seat. Visually, the film is a real treat. The mixture of HD and film cinematography by Aussie Dean Semler is simply stunning and a must on a big screen. The costumes and make-up are also breathtaking. The film is rather brutal at times which have some critics calling Gibson a “cinema sadist” and he doesn’t shy away from showing graphic beheadings and one person getting their head eaten by a Jaguar. Yes, it’s pretty nasty stuff and watching this film, I couldn’t help feel like some of the imagery was some sort of therapeutic release for Gibson’s nightmares. After all, he wrote, produced, funded and directed the picture. But at the same time, I felt like Gibson was really coming into his own as a filmmaker. Keep an open mind with this one and you’re bound to find something quite extraordinary here.

Spiderman 3 (2007)

Yes it is a rather crap entry into the series and being such a big fan of what Raimi did with the first two Spiderman films, I held enough faith in his abilities to believe he could pull off a great trilogy. But unfortunately, I, like so many others, was disappointed with the film. And it wasn’t because of the dance scene, or the fact that Peter Park goes all emo (hilarious!), but Raimi crams simply too many villains into the mix and relies far too much on CGI set pieces. He only JUST succeeds in keeping the core relationships together which is what I believe elevates these films from all the other superhero movies. And I understand the pressure the filmmakers would have been under – you’ve made two uber successful and profitable films so the only possible option is to amp up the visual effects, apply more villains and action set pieces and have everything be taken to extremes with the characters. But the ‘formula’ isn’t set in stone and the film is a perfect example of this. The always great Bruce Campbell milks his cameo and when I look back on the film and think “That was the best part!”, isn’t a good sign for the rest of the picture. But it’s not all terrible for those who enjoyed the first two. Everyone else, definitely look elsewhere for your Hollywood entertainment (but I didn’t say the third Pirates of the Caribbean movie!)

300 (2006)

Well I finally got around to seeing this one and my suspicions were confirmed. Ridiculously overacted, visually like a video game (what’s with the CGI blood?) and pretty much every 15 year old boys wet dream. And I’ll say it again – I love my action flicks. I just need two small things (1) Original action sequences and (2) a storyline or protagonist I can identify with. Gerald Butler was actually quite good in the role as King Leonidas and without him, I probably would have given this a lesser rating. He gives the film a soul it so badly needed but even after the initial battle, I got severely bored and didn’t care who was killed, etc… Regardless of my thoughts, how this made the top 250 films at IMDB is beyond me and clearly I have no idea what films are good or not. Well, that or the hardcore Internet fans of the film have bumped the film in there. At least I’m not alone though. You only need to check the boards to see some protest on the topic. Bottom line, if you just want a action video game come to life that still feels like a action video game, then 300 is for you.

Lost: Season 3 finale (TV) (2007)

Just when I thought the series was starting to feel the weight of holding back substantial answers, the season finale comes back and bites me square on the ass! Easily the best season finales of the show and perhaps one of the best of any TV show. The finale doesn’t reveal everything but it has more than a few “Hell yeah!” moments and left me itching for the next season. It’s comforting to know the show has three more (shortened, 16 episode) seasons left because the producers can now plan everything out from start to finish. Sure, it can be frustrating watching each weeks episode only to end on a cliff-hanger that almost makes you want to watch the entire series on DVD instead, the season 3 finale brings some closure and you’ll come away feeling excited, intrigued and best of all – satisfied.

Life On Mars (2006)

The ABC have just started to screen this hit British series which is kinda a cross between Back to the Future and the 70’s cop show The Sweeney. I watched the first episode, was hooked and since then, borrowed a mate’s season one DVDs and am slowly working my way through. I’m about half way through and so far, so good. It’s slickly made, contains some of the best 70’s music, absolutely hilarious at times and has highly memorable characters. Sometimes it dips into the obvious and cliché but for the most part, it’s extremely entertaining. I haven’t seen John Simm in much besides Human Traffics and a cameo in Spaced, but he’s perfect as the honorable, tough cop sent back to 1973 after getting hit by a car. Even more perfect is Philip Glenister as Simm’s hard nosed, no nonsense boss Gene Hunt. So convincing in the role, he would sit proudly on The Sweeney set. The second season has just begun in the UK. Fingers crossed the ABC will screen it not long after season 1.