Bump, a bit late as summer movie season is already in full swing, but here's a 4-pack. This time around, you'll notice I might be a little harsher or a little less critical. I felt I was just give '7's to everything before.
Robin Hood; 7.5 out of 10. I was pleasantly surprised with Robin Hood multiple times. To spite this being the 289th film about Robin Hood, this film takes a more "prequel" role. It's not the usual Robin Hood stealing from rich, but why Robin Hood is banished to the forest. For over two hours of runtime, everything moves by swiftly, with little drag/slow spots. There are some great roles played, Mark Strong as Godfrey, all of Robin Hood's Merry Men, the hilarious Friar and his bees. I couldn't help feel Crowe is just perhaps a little to old/tired looking to play the role. It's not the same Crowe from Gladiator.
MacGruber; 5.5 out of 10. Going by my new "harsher" ratings, I should be giving this, at best a 5, but I can't. I actually laughed more then a few times... There's is no hiding it, this is an SNL movie. We all know how down in the dumps SNL may or may not be as of late (if you consider the years since Ferrell's departure "of late"). The tagline for MacGruber is "the funniest movie from SNL since Wayne's World." I'm not sure I can disagree, off-hand I can't remember even a poor SNL movie since Wayne's World? The comedy in MacGruber is often quite lowbrow, but there are some highlights. The constant theme of MacGruber's badass car is a Miata
, with slow-drawnout Miami-Vice'esque introduction. And the constant dragging around of his stereo. Kristen Wiig stole the show, with her role as Vicki St. Elmo, one diamond in this rough. I guess in the end, the point of my reviews are to decide if a person should or shouldn't watch this movie. I'll sum it up like this, if you happen to watch MacGruber, it won't be as bad as you think?
Iron Man 2; 8 out 10. This is the other side of my ratings. I can't possible give IM2 a 7, I gave Avatar an 8, when I felt maybe lower, so I'll give Iron Man 2 an 8. There are two main faults with this film. One is just like Avatar's, an incredibly light plot. As a comic book superhero movie though, it shouldn't hold much weight. Iron Man 2 features a star-studded cast, and they all deliver. Robert Downey Jr. was as good this time around, as he was in the first. The first 30 minutes or so, are of Tony Stark self-destructing, there is no one better to fill that role then Downey. The second main problem, and what hurts this film is it's pseudo-science. Tony Stark is suffering from poisoning from the expiring arc-reactor in his chest. But yet some how he discovers a different type of energy, that's not poisonous, but is much stronger. Kinda like saying an alcoholic needs to get better by drinking stronger brews.... In the end, seeing stuff go boom, is what this film's about, and stuff sure does go boom. The Audi R8 5.2 Spyder is as equally breathe-talking as Scarlett Johansson is.
Shrek Forever After; 7 out of 10. Supposedly this was to be the "The Final Chapter" with Shrek (alternative title). While it may or not be, with a moderate opening weekend return of $70mil, it very well could be the last time we see the big green guy. Shrek 4 takes an interesting direction, it's rather dark and gloomy. Which necessarily isn't unpleasant, just unusual. Shrek 4 also fell flat on this face because it did absolutely zero to move the series along. The movies ends where it starts, and that's one of my biggest pet-peeves. Throughout the series, the graphics have certainly better and better, and Shrek 4 doesn't disappoint. There is such a barrage of characters, you'll find someone you'll like. Puss in Boots was absolutely hilarious.
