Riddick (2013)

After being meekly bartered, this modestly budgeted and redundant series finale should be left alone in the dark once and for all!

Universal Pictures in association with Entertainment One, One Race Films and Radar Pictures present…

“Don’t know how many times I have been crossed off the list and left for dead. Guess when it first happened on the day that you were born you’re going to lose count. So this, this ain’t nothing new!” After being hunted down for years, then by avenging his race and becoming Lord Marshall of the Necromongers he is abandoned in a desolated planet. So, let’s see if there is something worth viewing for the “Chronicles of Riddick” film series finale!

Directed by David Twohy (The Perfect Getaway) who also wrote and directed its prequels. With after so many years of planning, a respectable series like this one should have been given more value in terms of content and story. I even thought that the sequel “The Chronicles of Riddick” was a sleeper hit considering that it gained more than a 100 million in the box-office. It was grander and more importantly has a story to tell and a purpose to serve its intended premise. But it seems that the think tank tandem of David and Vin has gone without remorse, empty and dry which left a huge fan base scratching their heads and without any idea where this franchise is going. By the way, who names an alien Richard? Riddick was actually fine!

Speaking of the devil, Vin Diesel (Man Apart) has been doing pretty well in the box-office with his “Fast and the Furious” films and with another tent-pole blockbuster offered by Marvel Studios looming in the horizon! Vin carries Riddick’s character with much conviction considering his is known as a anti-hero, a former soldier turned hunter and now being hunted for his crimes, although not being well-received in the industry he still made a huge following from fans around the globe. Vin even produced his films through One Race Productions which allows him more control on the project while collaborating with his Director. I had hope that they would be able to ante-up the plot considering that they have made a bigger production in terms of SFX / VFX courtesy of Method Studios which handled the creature animation and design, the digital terrain, weaponry effects and lighting plus with a measly pool of talent to only plummet in the box-office returns! Even Karl Urban (Dredd) returned as Lord Vaako only to be cast for a cameo role does not prove anything to make it more lucrative!

Known by many names “Leviathan”, “Khan” and “The Animal” Dave Bautista (The Man with the Iron Fists) a former Wrestler for the World Wrestling Federation, having the luxury to strike the iron while it is hot, Dave plays a bounty hunter named Diaz who works for Jordi Mollà (Bad Boys II) as Santana the leader of the pack who seem to have a penchant for violence and being a lunatic. Maybe it was a good deal that he gets more exposure with these types of films seeing that his next major project will be set for the next year’s most anticipated part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe “Guardians of the Galaxy”!

Sci-Fi fan favorite Katee Sackhoff (White Noise: The Light) is sharp shooting Dahl under the command of Boss Johns portrayed by Matthew Nable (Killer Elite) who has a deeper role to play against the best hunter of the cosmos plus given the acting he does a better job than the rest put together. The more technologically and tactically equipped of the two groups, Dahl plays her role the way she needs to be since being stucked with a dozen guys, she asserts her dominance be being the “point man” in this mission while she kicks the lights out of Santana as the film progresses. Not much acting to see here except for better screentime and dialogue!

So, as the main star said in his opening narrative this is not something new! Riddick only needed was a space cab to get off this too crowded alien infested rock but unfortunately more cannon fodder were interested to die for no cause. The premise was shallow, let alone for the first 20 minutes showing how a survivor conquers all odds just to get to the other side of the planet. While giving it an “Alien” and “Predator” scenario that lets them deal with creatures that actually infests water laden territories!

Director David and his main actor has been planning this last film 5 years ago, surprisingly Universal Pictures was able to give them the backbone to distribute their film in exchange for Vin Diesel’s cameo appearance for the “The Fast and the Furious 2: Tokyo Drift” but it seems with the given amount of time and to market another potential blockbuster for the character and its fan based audience, it was left dead cold in the murky potholes infested by these “mud demons”!

There are films that can still pull through with this abysmally set-up crew and cast and for that matter just to prove my point; Riddick’s Dingo-Dog had more character than any of those characters who were just sent to that planet to die since that was all part of the stringent and constricted screenplay!

At least the level of action and fan service gave way in the latter part. With all the hype and mediocre ticket sales for the combined effort of the foreign and international screenings, Riddick did give itself a huge favor in opening with not much competition for viewership! Overall, it was still watchable considering the one liners and the once again overused CGI without a viable storytelling, these films will really put you in the dark literally even if you were a member of the Alpha Furyan species! Do yourself a favor Riddick, just head home!

Prometheus (2012)

“We have the innate capacity and capability to reach for the stars but how high, how far would we go to fully grasp that dream and to what price? Vindicated yes! Deserving yes! But most certainly, we are not gods!”

2oth Century Fox in association with Dune Entertainment, Brandywine Entertainment and Scott Free Productions present…

Earth eons ago…

As the camera encompasses the whole scenery, we are given an introduction, the beginning of life in its infancy and delicate stages but the fact that there is beauty as it was developed from a typical single celled micro-organism, there is always the inevitable thing that follows…

From tranquil and serene music that turns into a sense of dread as the deconstruction of an alien’s DNA was obliterated, intended to be the sign for the premise. Now, why was the alien had human features? Let’s find out shall we?! They are called the “Engineers”, “The Pilot” or “Mala’kak”, standing more than 7 feet tall, these massive humanoids in steroids were responsible for the fundamental foundations of human life! They have given signs that they exist, across and around the world from ancient Egypt, Mayan and Mesopotamia among others. As man venture towards their maker this will only prove futile or rather would give meaning to our existence!

No conundrums here but as we gauge through our own preconception on why we are created, this will forever serve only as a theory or by part of scattered religion which does not even agree on the same beliefs. We are here for a reason and finding it, learning who we are does not defeat the purpose!

LIFE AND DEATH

In the beginning there was life…

BAFTA Nominee for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Noomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) leads a powerhouse cast as Archaeologist Dr. Elizabeth Shaw while Logan Marshall-Green (Across the Universe) Is “curious than cautious” Archaeologist Dr. Charlie Halloway, the lover of Shaw and co-head of the mission! They are Yin and Yang, both have the same purpose but was unfortunate they had a different approach in tapping the primordial origins of mankind!

Dr. Shaw’s Father was portrayed by Patrick Wilson (The Watchmen) in a brief shared scene, the curiosity of Elizabeth who has been adamant since she was of young age querying her father having to bear the loss of her mother, she hopes to find the solution of what it means to live and to die and where do we go from here?

As the film progresses you can see inch by inch how Elizabeth transforms from a meek scientist into a survivor! I was contemplating on how we see Ellen Ripley (from the original Alien series) amalgamating her essence with the young actress. Same scenarios were uncontested that shows how the “Alien” was born through genetics and from a mouth to mouth resuscitation (aka origins of the first kiss a pre-cursor to coitus)! As life ceases its last breath, the inevitable always follows: death…but not entirely!

THE FIRE = TECHNOLOGY EQUATION

Weyland Industries owned by billionaire Peter Weyland, he is played by Guy Pearce (Traitor) one of the shortlisted outstanding actors of today and fan favorite since his work in Memento. His demeanor for being self-righteous is matched only with his overtly egotistic claim to be “god like” which in time has given him sufficient resources to explore the origins of man from beyond the vast regions of space!

Academy Award Winner for Best Actress Charlize Theron (Aeon Flux) is Meredith Vickers; she oversees the operations to go smoothly as instructed by their employer! Intended to be the leading cast for Shaw who was currently connected in filming with “Mad Max” but was able to reunite with the project due to a delay with the former film. I believe she would have worked best to be the leading lady (no offense to Noomi) and yet sometimes things fall into place when someone who has a more familiar face can be found at the other side of the fence and left alone as she watches from the distance…

An origin that permeates since the dawn of time where fire more specifically known as technology was handed down by the Titan aptly named as Prometheus! So it was destined, that Mr. Weyland has found the fire thus empowering humanity with the needed “gifts” in order to usurp the “gods” from their throne.

THE QUEST FOR KNOWLEDGE AND PURPOSE

Humans are unbounded and undaunted by their own proclivities to amass possessions from both tangible and intangible prospects! Seeking more to fulfil their objectives, since man by nature are indeed conquerors of themselves and others! They explore new territorial space in this planet and when it is not enough, they set out to the infinite of space…the final frontier!

Golden Globe and BAFTA Nominee for Best Actor in a Leading Role Michael Fassbender (X-Men: First Class) is David an android specifically tasked to attend to the needs and wants of the employees while making sure the journey is secured as it reaches its destination after 2 years, 4 months, 18 days. 36 hours and 15 minutes (spot the mistake by the A.I.)!

He copies his screen idol in his gestures and looks from the film “Lawrence of Arabia” while passing time monitoring the ship and its crew! Michael has a gift and acumen to play diversified roles while he hits key specific targets! His role was a mere synthezoid that assimilates data but with a purpose that only his creator Weyland would ever know…

While Golden Globe Award Winner for Best Actor Idris Elba (Thor) is the pragmatist Captain Janek who seems lost his purpose other than flying the massive USCSS Prometheus. He had a shorter time to be seen since it was Noomi and Michael’s show. Nevertheless, his intentions are true and he did serve his misguided efforts and stir it back to where it needs it to be…

Directed and Produced by Academy Awards, BAFTA and Golden Globe Nominee for Best Director Sir Ridley Scott (Alien) after his medieval themed journeys the Director comes back to one of his baby projects, in a more contemporary set-up this time around! A breath of fresh air from the Director as it was essentially timed to bring back the franchise into its roots and for the fans to come back as well from horrendous off-shoot franchise of AVP which was mediocre all throughout its series!

Written by Jon Spaihts (The Darkest Hour) and developed from his original script by Damon Lindelof (Lost). The tandem has made the story relatable and transparent with the audience but did not give it enough “fire” to ante-up the script just to entice the audience from a clichéd story and not relying on CGI and VFX alone. Writers should be the purpose that drives and gives meaning to the story not just to express an idea or provide information which is imperative especially with this type of films which explores sensitive subjects and grey areas in humanity, science, religion and life!

On the other hand, the VFX was spectacular and surreal! Consolidated and made possible by the finest in the business including Moving Picture Company (MPC), WETA Digital, Fuel VFX, Rising Sun Pictures, Luma Pictures, Lola Visual Effects and Hammerhead Productions! While compliments go to Production Designer Arthur Max (Gladiator) in making the ambiance of space exploration and sets realistic inside and outside the gargantuan explorer ship!

Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski (Dark City) provides full coverage on breathtaking scenes as trademarked from his previous projects. Editing is from Pietro Scalia (Good Will Hunting) who has done it impeccably from sound, SFX, its timing and synchronization which emerged as a fantastic output (in a visual sense of course)!

The tension can be so daunting as it slowly escalates from discovery to disaster! Simultaneous intent at both ends from the outpost in LV-223 (a moon orbiting the planet Calpamos) to the ship keeps you at the edge of your seat! To add, there is nothing you can’t compromise with talent albeit the film making elements such as the screenplay, budget, co-stars and even the director can pretty much affect delivery! The film was truly remarkable in its own way, waiting to be discovered, self-supplying and aesthetically convincing but with a premise that always sends a message that someone or something is going to pop up anytime soon wherein the only good thing is, you don’t know when at the same time makes it also clichéd and readily anticipated!

Critics can say whatever they want, however they want that is why it’s called “personal opinion” or “point of view”! The visuals were no question sublime, the script yes, it was muddled and combining it with dumbfounded scientists but I did want to watch this because of the Director involved, second the continuity of a classic and lastly, for self-discovery! In the end some things are not meant to be explained or revealed even if it means the origins of life.

My selected description for the film came from the earlier speech of Mr. Weyland in his prime! He was a visionary, a pioneer, an industrialist and a businessman this is primarily because he was determined to seek out what was meant for us to be the rightful rulers of our own destiny. Mankind as he described is in a brink of the future and it is here now! We have the innate capacity and capability to reach for the stars but how high, how far would be go to fully grasp that dream and to what price? Vindicated yes! Deserving yes! But most certainly, we are not gods!

Prometheus took the chance and Dr. Shaw was indeed a genuine devotee until the end! So, tell me reader are you a sully sceptic or are you condemned to be faithful to your fate.

 

Avatar (2009)

“I’m the King of the world!” (oh, sorry wrong movie)

20th Century Fox in association with Lightstorm Entertainment, Dune Entertainment and Insidious Film Partners present…

15 years for this story to skyrocket on top of the earth, pretty impressive you could say and well worth the wait!

I will not make a review out of this film the traditional way; it seems that it would be appropriate to give it more of a different approach and impression! I could only tell that the film was very fascinating on how it was able to jumpstart something long forgotten and that is to our appreciation of life and the planet we live in.

This was only the concept I was able to give myself the interest to watch the film and believe that there could be more than just the hype.. Seeing that it has its share of mixed criticisms and reviews from the people who’ve seen it has given me the same insight. For some could compare and say that this was a rip off from animated greats of Ferngully, Princess Mononoke, At Play in the fields of our Lord, The Emerald Forest and the Award Winning Dances with Wolves!

James Cameron made it clear that his story was going to be made in the right time, when technology is available to be used. I couldn’t agree more, in fact it was the CGI combined with real screen shots of people that has given fluidity and clear scope of what James had imagined in his mind! Though, this over eagerness conceived by making films that raked millions (not to mention his Titanic), has become the target of insightful viewership and the impact of its enormous lip service!

He started shooting in Los Angeles and New Zealand in April 2007 which was very convenient since he was able to coordinate his visual effects with WETA Digital from owner Peter Jackson. Since the CGI was so massive and needs to be stored, allocated and reproduced continually, Microsoft helped in developing a cloud computing and Data Asset Management system to interconnect everyone, every studio involved around the project in a global scale to simultaneously commit to the project’s deadlines!

To be honest, the story was so pedestrian; it was just computer-generated actors I believe that became the main catalyst for its worldwide success in the box office! To put it in perspective, we as humans by nature don’t give a damn when it comes to sharing, we were made into territorial beings without any consideration for others which time and again been manifested in this planet and what makes it different when we set foot on another? We have ransacked every possible resource on Earth and we will need to look beyond our jurisdictions just to survive, just to compensate for our greed!

In this case, back story states that Earth is in peril and do need a certain mineral called Unobtanium in order for us to survive ergo we have to explore new worlds, I repeat explore new worlds and colonize it (history does repeat itself) and let alone a moon called Pandora to taste our expressive salutations…how do aliens say it? “We come in peace” (or go in pieces)!!!

The paraplegic former marine Jake Sully was portrayed by Sam Worthington (Clash of the Titans) together with Exobiologist and Head of the Avatar Program Dr. Grace Augustine from the veteran actress Sigourney Weaver (Alien) known for her sci-fi exploits in the film industry! They were the people responsible to go and retrieve intel on how the RDA Corporation administered by Parker Selfridge played by Giovanni Ribisi (Gone in 60 Seconds) can get the mineral supply they need, until one mission gone hay wired with Jake missing in action. Enter, Princess Neytiri the new talent to watch out for Zoe Saldana (Star Trek XI) finds and saves him from peril. Jake wanted to be part of their lore and freedom which gives more insight on what the lonely soldier really wants, to be able to walk again even if it’s not from his real body and so he was trained in their ways until they fell in love…

To cut it short, the deal was compromised and RDA military personnel lead by the warmongering Col. Miles Quaritch given life by Stephen Lang (Gang in Blue) attacks the home of the Omaticaya Clan (tribe of Neytiri), this is where the battle lines are drawn from both factions (I even saw it as Starcraft’s Terrans versus Warcraft’s Night Elves, what a riot!!!)

But the story also tells on how ironic that we are being given this type of treatment and yet we are still confounded to the spirit inside of us! I believe in that too, for many has given up on what we are and what we are capable of doing but still, we are bounded to our rights, to survive but not without any sacrifice or for that matter to respect and love not just the people we belong with but to the gifts that God bestowed upon us!

The film connotes heroism, courage, selflessness and to do what is right! That is enough for people to know and for James as well. It’s clichéd and overrated…true but you can never keep a good man down for even if he is awake or asleep, he will keep his dreams alive!

These will the first of a trilogy as stated by the Director seeing if it was successful then a green light will be given for the next films and will be made in a faster rate. On a lighter note, even though it garnered nominations and awards while also amassing a blockbuster result in cinema history worth $ 749 M in domestic sales and a whopping $2.7 B worldwide, it was beaten by Hurt Locker in the Best Picture category for the 2010 Academy Awards helmed by Kathryn Bigelow!

 

District 9 (2010)

Are we worse than aliens?

TriStar Pictures in association with WingNut Films, QED International, Key Creatives and Wintergreen Productions present…

There was so much speculation before the film was released, this was actually a concept of Alive in Joburg, a short film made by Director Neill Blomkamp and produced by its main star Sharlto Copley and prominent Director Peter Jackson.

It centred on fear of strangers, alienation and of course racism. Given the facts that metaphorically speaking all these factors come together to realize what is really going on in every culture and its diversity that sets apart our beliefs, unprecedented by our goal to survive, making it by far a human instinct which we live by on a day to day basis.

The year was 1982 in Johannesburg, a massive alien ship was seen hovering over the city, stranded and without any means of transport, the trapped aliens were considered quarantined, secluded in a place called District 9 to be analyzed and given shelters. But in a span of 20 years, the place went out of control leaving its residents in constant conflict with the community, forced to live in a slum without any compromise from the government and its warlord with minions taking advantage of the crisis.

The aliens were not actually savages; they were finding any ways and means to survive the harsh environment they live in. Like “prawns” as they were called because of their exterior features, I do see them as frustrated, depressed, angry on what they have been forced into. On the other side, I see them as typical species, sentient beings that knows compassion, sadness and perseverance.

I’ve mentioned also earlier that this is sort of an integration of what really is going on in our society, articles suggests even that this film was based on pests that was portrayed by the aliens living actually in Johannesburg, considered also are their lifestyle and how they thrive on a daily basis. In another note, the warlord was named after their former leader which made South Africans to ban this film!

It’s so sad to see a film inspired by facts that engulf people to be more adamant against occupying migrants and more so immigrants. Wilkus was a human being, though accidentally turned into one of the alien species; it was the main plot that centres on how the story unraveled, to survive despite prejudice, hate and personal agenda.

Although he did his job, I found it a bit offensive by the way he reports, he laughs while killing babies like popcorn, I even said that he deserved what happened to him, until I found out how the story went especially teaming up with a father and son alien who just wants to leave the planet.

The film was considered a sleeper hit; it signified word of mouth praise, lip service in other words that made it more successful in terms of box office sales.

I believe in perseverance which was signified by Christopher (the main protagonist alien) and his son, if we can only see and understand what’s inside, not by butchering them and handing them over to MNU for experimentation and as target practice to manipulate their biotechnology.

It’s frightening, it will be unsuspecting to see how he will return as suggested by interviewees, if Christopher comes back will he take revenge? Make peace? I don’t think so, after seeing his co-species in the lab. I do feel his sadness looking in his eyes but despite of all what has happened, he knows he has a friend from Wilkus who he promised to cure after 3 years. Wilkus understood what it means to be left out, after fighting off both factions and believing that sacrificing everything he has and becoming one of the aliens, this will be his guiding light, his source of courage to retain his humanity despite his appearance, color or race!

Solaris (2002)

“Though lovers be lost love shall not. And death shall have no dominion!” – Dylan Thomas

20^th Century Fox in association with Lightstorm Entertainment present…

Solaris is a science fiction novel written by Stanislaw Lem and was first adapted in 1972 on the big screen by the late Director Andrey Tarkovsky. The Screenplay for the film gives us the whole nine yards from a psychological thriller standpoint as they centre its gravity on a love story while floating in the vacuum of space! The ghostly station Prometheus orbiting and exploring a new planet is in need of help to bring the people back home. The dilemma is this entity, this being draining out the subconscious aspect of the crew letting them see, interact, feel and speak with their eerie precedents playing with their psyche to fulfil their need which later turns into their worst fears!

The new take gives us the audience the chance to think thoroughly about what boundaries are being tested here to see how far each individual would go to let the people they love the reasons to move on with their lives. But sadly, it’s ironic for those who are meant for each other, I would not even think about losing my sanity while acknowledging the fact that my wife is already dead and the longing of her near and be alive again will be just absolute madness and illusory…

They’re back for more! Friends and former work mates from the blockbuster Ocean’s Trilogy,   George Clooney (The American) is Dr. Chris Kelvin a psychologist requested by his dear friend from a project gone wrong millions of miles away from Earth! He is tasked to oversee, investigate the phenomena that are unexplained even by the remaining survivors. George is a fan favourite what can I say! He’s articulate, smart and a versatile actor working with Soderbergh again is always a compliment, he played so many character driven roles but not in space not like this where his primary concern was to survive something that he doesn’t even know if it’s real or not!

The always classy Natascha McElhone (Ronin) plays Rheya the love of Dr. Kelvin was introduced to have passed away. Unbelievably mind numbing, my head keeps palpitating knowing that this is somewhat different or on another level gone awry and Dr. Kelvin does not realize what’s happening which makes it more interesting. Non-linear memories hit back and forth as the waves of energy surround the planet like synapses in our brain integrating so as the life and dreams he perceives recalling the memory of his wife. I can still feel my heart leapt seeing how she came to materialize out of nowhere. Is she a ghost? A figment of one’s imagination? We won’t know do we? Natascha gives a natural performance, a sight for the sore eyes! She’s like a child, curious, afraid, emotional and stubborn at the same time!

To coordinate key characters in the film was crucial since it only composed of a selected few to let them understand the complexity of their portrayal specifically in terms of interacting with the main protagonist as they were selected to weigh in with the intense dialogue and hit it spot on! Ulrich Tukur (The Lives of Others) is Dr. Gibarian who made a dull opening delivery in the film, it was half heartedly felt though simple was the terms of the intended message it didn’t sold me or made me felt its urgency!

Jeremy Davies (Saving Private Ryan) is the enigmatic Dr. Snow. He on the other hand was way better, his approach was definitely unorthodox and even for a shrink, Dr. Kelvin was dumbfounded on how this first alive crew member was able to relay what happened to their comrade, he’ll blow you away later on. Viola Davis (The Help) plays Dr. Gordon one of the primary surveyors of the planet testing for its marketability to potential investors her mind has gone out of the park since she has been hallucinating as well!

Academy Award Winner Director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic) has the ability to make films with intellectual impact for the audience to experience. His intention was to expand, not duplicate the previous film made three decades ago. Always calm and collected, willing to take other point of views to make shot after shot covering every element of the story whether through its technical aspect or performance intensive sequences have that genuine delivery. It’s one of the basics of filmmaking where you never get through with the finished product unless everything falls into place and set-up to convey the intent of the premise. Academy Award Winner James Cameron (Titanic) is backing him up, also a film heavy weight in his own right who now turns into a Producer for the film.

Digital Backlot’s Robert Stromberg and Cinesite’s Tom Smith collaborated on the Visual Effects with the help of Rhythm and Hues Studios creativity giving emphasis on the host planet’s lucid and wavelike aura to make it surreal. It still gives proclivities of being able to affect the ship and its crew as they made it very authentic looking seeing how in depth the pixelization rendered on the backgrounds was breathtaking! Some thoughts being thrown in where if it was a supernatural being, a phenomenon or was it simply just too much gravity stuck inside their heads coming from a long slow decay in the vastness of space!

Fascinating and heartbreaking at the same time! I love these type of films, it connotes the many aspects of life exploring other worlds, galaxies and stars to reach beyond what any man or woman would dream of to one day co-exist with other life forms. But there is a downside you see, we humans have the innate ability to be greedy and our hunger for knowledge had made us victims of our own predicament! We follow our inner calling to conquer and when we do, it is inevitable not confront or in a worst case scenario be confronted by beings beyond our power or comprehension!

The film was ambitious to take part into, it was something more indulging as we still strive to see the universe with any regard from being curious rather than being cautious! The premise was so wonderfully written and produced coming from the book which defines a bigger aspect of not just exploring of what is beyond our planet’s borders but the courage to face it…although, uncanny as it may be, the manifestations brought forth by the surviving crew is convoluting knowing they already have sealed their fate! I remembered watching Brian de Palma’s Mission to Mars (yawn!) and Danny Boyle’s Sunshine (exceptional!) it had the same context of being objective centric not focusing on the input of space and its environments but tilting to the purpose on being there at the very precise moment of need!

There are still a lot of questions to be asked. Did Solaris become Dr. Kelvin’s new Earth? Did Dr. Kelvin and Rheya meet and they are in Heaven? Or is it another figment of his imagination while still being trapped in Prometheus? It had an open ended conclusion but it was worth the conundrum!