Saturday, May 16, 2015

Mad Max: Fury Road Review (2015)

Mad Max: Fury Road


  I don't even know how to start this review because Mad Max: Fury Road is one of the craziest action movies I've ever seen. Going into this, I had really high expectations. Critics all over raved about it, Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 98% out of 100%, and one of my absolute favorite actors is in it. I could not wait to get in that red chair, grab my popcorn and watch what was supposedly the best action movie of the decade. Were my expectations met? Why, yes. Yes they were.

  Mad Max: Fury Road had me on the edge of my seat as soon as the movie began. From the incredible camera work, to the ridiculously amazing practical effects, to the jaw-dropping stunt work; I was sucked into the colorful, crazy universe of Max and it was awesome.

  Age of Ultron can take a seat, because this is how you make an epic movie. Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, and Nicholas Hoult are excellent in their roles, adding surprising depth between the welcomely excessive action sequences. If you are a fan of the old Mad Max movies or you just love action, stop what you're doing and go get tickets. There were times where I was literally just sitting there with my mouth open in shock at the mind-melting, wild things happening on screen. George Miller takes us on a exhilarating adrenaline ride unlike any other post-apocalyptic film I've ever seen. Even the soundtrack was awesome. 5/5 stars. (A Must See)

Monday, May 4, 2015

Avengers: Age of Ultron Review (2015)

Avengers: Age of Ultron 


  The second installment of the Avengers is perhaps one of the most anticipated movies of 2015. Did it live up to the hype? 

  Let's start with the good. The awesome ensemble cast returns with tons of dazzling action sequences, witty one liners, and perfect chemistry. Director Joss Whedon loves his characters and he loves this material, which is evident in the time and care he puts into making the movie look awesome. Because we don't need to introduce the characters to each other in this movie, the story can immediately plop us into the action. Have we seen this type of action before? Yes, but Whedon has a way of making it still feel fresh. 

  Unlike the last movie, Age of Ultron felt more dangerous, like the characters might not actually make it. This is a real improvement because nothing is worse than watching an action movie where you know if someone dies they'll just find someway to bring them back and then give them a TV show.

  Now for the not so good. As you can tell from the poster, this Avengers movie is a little more crowded then the first. Unfortunately this is in cast and plot.   

  The twins, played by Aaron Taylor Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen, felt unnecessary at times and their Russian accents were just so inconsistent and bad. Personally, after seeing Evan Peters version of Quicksilver in X-men: Days of Future Past, Aaron Taylor Johnson just doesn't come close.

  Two other character are introduced as well, Ultron and Vision. The whole process of making Ultron seemed rushed and then his odd mix of humor and menacing villain behaviors didn't contrast each other smoothly. Vision, however, I'd put in the category of improvement. Not only did he look amazing, but he really seemed powerful and god-like.

  Now for the plot. The overall story is quite good, but there are points where Whedon just seems to be adding random subplots to give the avengers something to do on their own. On top of that, there is a romance brewing between two character (I won't spoil who) that feels unexpected and abrupt.

  My last complaint is the fact that they only gave Andy Serkis (one of the best actors in the cast) a couple minutes of screen time. What on earth. Why hire Andy Serkis if you're not going to use him? Such a waste of talent and whatever money they spent to get him in the movie.

  In the end, there were some things I would have changed and a lot of things the first movie did better, but it was entertaining. 3 out of 5 stars. (Rent It)