Jurassic World is more FUN than FRIGHT.

Review by Timothy Austin 

I really wanted to like 'Jurassic World'.  As a wide-eyed teenager watching the original classic 1993 'Jurassic Park' for the first time it seemed like a new world of entertainment was opened.  As impossible as the concept seemed, the depiction of humans interacting with long extinct Dinosaurs was done with great tact and poignance by Director Steven Spielberg.  Spielberg now functions as Executive Producer of the new 'Jurassic World', which is being touted as a direct sequel to 'Jurassic Park', and takes us back to the original island Isla Nublar some 20 years after the horrific events seen in the 1993 film.

Despite all the death and destruction in the original, and perhaps ignoring anything that happened in the less successful sequels, the new film depicts a fully realized Park where humans and dinosaurs can 'safely' come face to face.  This is why fans of the original film and the books by the late Michael Crichton salivated over the release of the new 'Jurassic World' since we would finally see the dream of John Hammond, the founder of the Park from the original film, realized.  This the film gets absolutely right as moviegoers will be left awestruck with the stunning visuals created for a fully functioning Jurassic Park.

The Plot 

The Park is now owned by Billionaire Simon Masrani (Irrfan Khan from 'Life of Pi') aided by Operations Manager Claire Dearings, played by the stunning Bryce Dallas Howard who you probably remember from the Oscar-Nominated 'The Help'.  Claire puts the Park's success above her personal life even as her nephews visit her at work and are virtually ignored while she prepares to unveil the Park's latest attraction, the Indominus Rex, a genetically modified Dinosaur intended to lure more crowds to 'Jurassic World'.  As faith would have it, her nephews get lost in the park as the highly dangerous and untested Indominus Rex escapes from its enclosure and unleashes death and destruction upon the park.  Claire seeks help from 'Velociraptor Trainer', Owen Grady, actor Chris Pratt better known as Star Lord from the gargantuan 2014 hit 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.  Grady is the only hope as the Indominus starts testing its new found skills by killing hundreds of the Park's Dinosaur attractions and moves dangerously close to the human visitors.  There is also a sub-plot in which the head of the park's parent company security and greedy opportunist, Vic Hoskins (the always villainous Vincent D'Onofrio from Netflix's 'Daredevil') tries to use the deadly Velociraptors as weapons.  This all culminates in a gigantic climax guaranteed to leave moviegoers in awe.    

Surprisingly, the new film remains incredibly loyal to the 1993 original which ironically may have been to its own detriment.  While 'Jurassic World' is without a doubt the best action/adventure film of 2015, it is flawed in it's attempt to sacrifice an engaging plot over crowd pleasing thrills.  Here are five reasons why 'Jurassic World' is big on action but minimal on intelligent story-telling.

5. The dream realized.

Let me start with what the film gets right.  Immediately what will impress moviegoers, especially fans of the original, is the way the fully functioning Jurassic Park is depicted.  We saw the 'bare bones' Park in the original but listening to creator John Hammond, played by the late Sir Attenborough, discuss his dream, many fans were waiting for the moment when we would actually see a truly state of the art Dinosaur theme park.  The film does this brilliantly!  We see awe-inspiring aerial views of the park from the visitors' center to a monorail that runs through Dinosaur-filled pastures.  We see park visitors canoeing past grazing herbivores and a petting zoo where kids can interact with baby triceratops.  These visuals are the film's strongest achievements although I had a sore point with the way humans interact with Dinosaurs, but more on that later.  It is unfortunate that the overall plot of the film could not be as engaging as its visuals.

4. Chris Pratt proves the ultimate Leading Man 

The original Jurassic Park had some incredibly strong performances and most fans still remember Jeff Goldblum's wise-cracking batter including the line 'how do you know they're all female?  Does somebody go out into the park and uh...pull up the Dinosaurs' skirts?'  While there are not many fantastic one-liners like this in 'Jurassic World', Chris Pratt does deliver some strong witty dialogue and is perfectly cast as a man who has crafted the art of training Velociraptors to obey human commands.  While I want to argue that the concept of controlling Dinosaurs is too far-fetched, Pratt's performance is so good that moviegoers will suspend reality for the duration of the film to enjoy his slap-stick humor and forceful action sequences.  His free-spirited and adventurous character is the polar opposite of Bryce's Claire whose frigid and work-horse attitude leads to hilarious dialogue between the two characters.  However, Pratt stands out as he not only masters the comedic bits but proves to be a powerhouse action star capable of incredible physical thrills.

3. John Williams' music and all that nostalgia!  

Another aspect of the film that I thoroughly enjoyed were all the links and throwbacks to the original 1993 'Jurassic Park'.  At the very beginning we see raptors hatching from eggs reminiscent of the pivotal scene from the original in which the Park's creator highlights how the Dinosaurs are cloned.  As Claire's nephews arrive at the park and start to explore, long-time fans of the franchise will immediately recognize the roaring trumpets of John Williams' original Jurassic Park theme.  In fact, the maestro's popular music is used by new composer Michael Giacchino to highlight several key scenes that harken back to the original film; the classic themes have never sounded more majestic and perfectly complement the stunning views of the park.  Another great nostalgic moment happens as Claire's nephews stumble unto the old visitor's center featured in the original film.  I will not provide details to avoid any spoilers but long-time fans will be over-joyed as key aspects of the 1993 film are recalled.  This truly is a fantastic moment for fans who thought that the sequels never did justice to the original film and desired nostalgic reflection.

2. Bryce Dallas Howard is no Sigourney Weaver 

While I fully enjoyed the aforementioned aspects of the film, I must say there is quite a lot that 'Jurassic World' gets wrong, the over-blown plot being the most obvious.  However, a lot of the storyline, which starts out well but becomes too cumbersome, depends on Bryce Dallas Howard who does not have the 'leading woman' chops to pull it off.  While Chris Pratt is given most of the thrilling action sequences, Howard has her fair share of face to face encounters with flesh devouring Velociraptors and a jaw-dropping moment with the deadly Indominus Rex.  However, Howard's bright red-hair and Disney Princess-like facial features render her weak against other more impressive leading women.  Even Laura Dern in the 1993 film commands more respect as a heroine.  This is not to say that I did not enjoy Howard's performance; as the cold, calculating Operations Manager she is absolutely fantastic.  However, when it is left to her to save her nephews and take on a more physically demanding presence, her child-like features and flaming red hair come across as cartoon-like rather than a woman who is capable of out-smarting a genetically enhanced creature.  This takes a significant chuck of the film's credibility as Howard is given much to do.  In fact, I can scarcely recall any scene in which she was absent.  She is a fantastic actress, however by the time the giant climax came around I found myself wishing Sigourney Weaver from the 'Alien' franchise would bust in with her shaved head and hardened facial features and show the Indominus Rex how a true 'leading lady' takes care of business.

 

1. Dinosaurs are visually striking but plot likes depth

For moviegoers seeking a special effects extravaganza the big question is of course how frightening are the Dinosaurs.  'Jurassic World' delivers exceptionally well as the Dinosaurs, particularly the Indominus Rex, raise the bar quite on the 'fright factor'.  I particularly admired how the filmmakers subtly and gradually reveal the terrifying creature adequately building tension within the audience until mid-way through the film when the striking killer is revealed.  There are many surprises that surround the film's main Dinosaur including a stunning twist when it was revealed which species' DNA was used to the create the never-before-seen creature.  I will not provide details to avoid spoilers but the twist adds an entertaining complication to the action-packed climax. Other creatures are also visually impressive including the giant undersea Mosasaurus seen swallowing whole sharks, the winged Pterosaurs which escape and attack park visitors and of course the deadly Velociraptors.  The visual effects are a vast improvement over the classic look of the 1993 original film.

Fantastic visuals aside, the film's overall plot leaves room for criticism.  I did enjoy the intelligent way in which the writers draw parallels between the way in which the Park needs new entertaining attractions like the Indominus Rex to keep attendance high and the way in which modern moviegoers demand more eye-popping thrills from their movies.  In fact, I have to admit that my interest in 'Jurassic World' would not have been so high without the inclusion of the Indominus Rex in the plot.  Since the original film, there have been hundreds of films on Dinosaurs raging havoc, hence the film-makers made the genius decision to include a never-before-seen terrifying creature as opposed to simply rehashing the other familiar Dinosaurs.  The parallel between our need for more thrills at the movies and Jurassic Park's need to maintain high attendance with new bigger and better genetically modified Dinosaurs is brilliantly executed.

However, this intelligent writing does not translate to the remainder of the plot.  As mentioned before, Chris Pratt's character is able to train and control Velociraptors which is an idea, while entertaining, requires moviegoers to completely suspend reality in order to accept.  I found this part of the plot too implausible for me to enjoy the overall story-line as Pratt is seen using hand signals and the tone of his voice to stop the carnivores from attacking him.  We do not need an expert to explain how unlikely and far-fetched this seems especially since humans and Dinosaurs have been separated by millions of years and there is really no way of predicting how the two species would interact; humans gaining the upper hand from such ferocious creatures seems improbable.  In addition, the way in which the park's visitors leisurely interact with the less dangerous Dinosaurs also proved to be a major distraction since despite the creatures being herbivores, their very mass would prove dangerous as one false move would crush a human.  I admire the filmmakers for their imagination but this gives 'Jurassic World' more of a Disney-fantasy tone rather than a serious science-fiction thriller.  I will admit the tone of the 1993 original was also bordering on child-like fantasy, but the new film takes realism to the edge and throws the audience right over.

The action sequences, while providing a pulsating tension, also lacked a sense of realism.  The Indominus Rex proved to be a terrifying villain, however due to the cartoon-like way in which the action-sequences were directed I never felt as if the leading characters were in any actual danger since they simply seemed to be constantly escaping the teeth of the Indominus and the Velocirapters in the nick of time. Many supporting characters are killed in some horrific ways by the sinister Indominus, however the way in which the leads treat danger as a triviality was quite a distraction and it felt as if one was watching a Saturday afternoon feature rather than an actual blockbuster.  The family-friendly tone of the action sequences may be the film makers way of staying true to the original film as many will recall the Tyrannosaurus Rex devouring an unfortunate character from off of a toilet in the 1993 film.  However, this is not 1993 and some moviegoers demand a more dark tone to their thrillers in the vein of Game of Thrones.  Such a tone is painfully lacking from 'Jurassic World'.

The climax of the film can either be deemed 'ridiculously good' or just 'ridiculous'.  My reaction to the culmination of the film fell somewhere in between.  As the Indominus finally comes face to face with the lead characters all bets are off for a truly visual feast including a shocking cameo by a beloved character from the original film.  I will not provide details to spoil the climax but this is without a doubt one of the most stunning visual effects climatic battles seen on film in recent memory.  However, once again the audience is challenged to suspend reality and fully accept that these long extinct creatures would behave in such an implausible manner and that human beings would actually be able to survive such perilous circumstances.  Visually, audiences will be left breathless.  However, anyone seeking even the smallest fraction of believability will be disappointed.

I highly recommend this film to moviegoers seeking a good, old-fashioned action/adventure.  It is a perfect companion to the original story and delivers a more thrilling and engaging plot than the previous sequels.  'Jurassic World' expertly delivers a visual feast that is sure to please any science-fiction fan.  Even fans of the original will be fully satiated by the numerous connections to the original film.  However, should you be seeking a darker, more edgier action film 'Jurassic World' will not provide you with that ominous, foreboding tone we have come to expect from modern day blockbusters.  The film more or less plays to a mass audience avoiding any real since of overt violence while maintaining a PG-13 fantasy tone.  That said, I can guarantee that no other film of 2015 will provide such a magnificent banquet for the eyes.

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5 Reasons 'Spy' Is the MUST-SEE Comedy Hit of 2015

Review by Timothy Austin 

The new James Bond inspired comedy 'Spy' reinforces why Melissa McCarthy is the greatest female comedian of our time.  Best known for her Oscar-nominated role in 2011's Bridesmaids and the hit CBS comedy Mike and Molly, McCarthy and an all star cast that includes veteran actor Jude Law and Box office king Jason Statham, join forces as CIA agents to stop the sale of a nuclear weapon.

Due to a series of unfortunate events, including the sudden death of a lead spy, McCarthy is thrust from her lowly desk job as a CIA analyst to the dangerous and covert position as a field operative.  What happens next results in the most hilarious storyline ever put on film.  'Spy' is a rip-roaring comedy/adventure guaranteed to leave moviegoers rolling in the aisles.  Here are five reasons to drop whatever you're doing and see it now:

1. The plot is 'laugh until it hurts' funny

Many studios have attempted to combine the spy caper genre with slap-stick comedy with varying degrees of success including the Johnny English movies starring British comedian Rowan Atkinson better known as Mr. Bean.  These films have had minimal success but cannot be compared to the tour-DE-force comedic writing in 'Spy'.  What really impressed me was the absolute dedication of the writers to deliver hilarious scenarios without any lulls in the plot.  I guarantee moviegoers will never become bored as McCarthy goes undercover with the most dangerous members of the criminal underworld resulting in comical bits in which she almost crashes a billion dollar private jet, accidentally maims about a dozen bad guys, jumps on to a moving helicopter with Jason Statham hanging from her bosom and wrecks public property on a mini-scooter.  Without a doubt this is one of the best written comedies in years on par with Bridesmaids.

2. Jason Statham surprises!

Statham is a household name for his big budget, commercially successful action films including fan favourites like Crank and the Expendables film series.  However, in Spy he transforms into an over-the-top CIA agent with an over-inflated ego who is obsessed with bragging about his near death experiences.  Statham almost steals the show from McCarthy as he delivers one hilarious one-liner after the other.  Long-time fans of the action star will be shocked at his witty line delivery, amazing comic timing and fantastic ability for physical slap-stick comedy.  Indeed, few would imagine Statham in this role as his fanatical behaviour results in one of the most entertaining comedic performances of 2015.

3. Supporting Cast is impressive

What is particularly enjoyable about this film is that everyone is on their game.  Beyond McCarthy's fantastic performance and Statham's hilarious role, the rest of the supporting cast is absolutely fantastic.  Rose Byrne, who starred alongside McCarthy in 'Bridesmaids' and had a significant role in X-Men: First Class, delivers one of the best performances of her career as the diva-like Raina who attempts to sell the stolen nuclear weapon.  The scenes between her and McCarthy will leave moviegoers breathless with laughter as the two share perfect comedic timing.  Jude Law delivers many hilarious bits spoofing James Bond as Bradley Fine and Allison Janney, who is enjoying success in the CBS series 'Mom', is fantastic as the hard-knocks but compassionate Head of the CIA.  However, the most impressive supporting role belongs to the lesser known English actress Miranda Hart who becomes McCarthy's side-kick as CIA analyst Nancy.  Hart also shares amazing comic timing with McCarthy as the two get caught up in some of the most amusing scenarios since Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in the Rush Hour movies.  I particularly enjoyed Hart's rip-roaring scene with veteran rapper 50 Cent; it's the sort of unlikely pairing between a geeky British woman and a rugged American rapper that will leave moviegoers howling with laughter.  Indeed, Hart steals the show as the underdog that delivers big results. 

4. Overall fantastic production

Everything in 'Spy' looks, sounds and feels fantastic.  Most of the story-line takes place in Paris, because of course that is where one would try to sell a nuclear weapon.  As a result, we see some truly awe-inspiring views of the Louvre, Notre Dam de Paris, the Seine and of course a brilliantly lit Eiffel Tower.  The musical score by Theodore Shapiro also scores high points as he spoofs most of John Barry's classical score for the James Bond films with a dash of John Williams' soaring string compositions from Star Wars.  Indeed, the high production values of the film perfectly complement the fantastic performances of the actors.  

5. McCarthy delivers the greatest performance of her career!

 

As entertaining as the plot and supporting characters sound, nothing can compare to the side-splitting performance of Melissa McCarthy.  This is an actress at the peak of her career delivering a truly brilliant performance.  Indeed she is so good in Spy one can only compare her to the greats like Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett.  Her transformation from a low confidence desk employee to a stunningly dressed and witty spy is truly something to behold.  McCarthy delivers a charming performance especially as she finds the confidence to rebel from what society expects and takes a chance to truly live dangerously.  Whether you are fan or not, by the end of 'Spy' you will probably have a tear in your eye in admiration of McCarthy's truly award-deserving performance.  She seamlessly moves from hilarious physical comedy to witty one-liners and is truly impressive when she shares the screen with Statham's manic character.  If there is one reason to see 'Spy' it is Melissa McCarthy's awe-inspiring performance which is guaranteed to leave fans of truly rip-roaring comedy fully satiated.  Indeed the comedian will attract more awards recognition with this career defining performance.

Whether you are a fan of comedy or not, Spy is a must-see movie simply because everyone will be talking about it.  Without a doubt it is the best comedy of 2015 with the kind of performances that are rare.  The combination of McCarthy and Statham will have moviegoers grabbing their sides in laughter.  I cannot recommend this film enough; it truly is one of the greatest comedies of our time with McCarthy further establishing herself as comedic genius.  Indeed, somewhere Lucille Ball is looking on and saying 'well done, well done'.

Next review: Jurassic World

Read more reviews at
http://timothyandrewaustin.blogspot.com/ 

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NEW Poltergeist delivers more laughs than scares

News that the original 1982 Poltergeist, directed, co-written and produced by Steven Spielberg, would be remade was met with disdain by fans especially since 90s kids like myself had a nostalgic link to the original.  The original was that quirky horror movie that was on every other Saturday morning on local television that delivered genuine scares while managing to remain child-friendly. 

Most fans felt that a remake was entirely unnecessary especially since the 1982 version is still fondly remembered and broadcast regularly on cable television.  What is more puzzling about the choice of a remake is the fact that the 1982 movie has a notorious reputation for being a 'cursed film'.  A quick search will turn up hundreds of articles about the sudden and horrific deaths of some of the actors and even crew members of the original including the tragic death of its young heroine, Heather O'Rourke.  Even the actress who played her older sister in the original was horribly murdered by her boyfriend in her own home.  One has to wonder how the stars of the re-make felt about the tragic deaths of their predecessors.  Despite the ominous reputation of the original, the studio went full speed ahead with a remake that does not improve on the original but may provide some fun for moviegoers who are new to the Poltergeist franchise.  Here are 5 Reasons the new film delivers more comedy than fright:

5.  Uninspired repeat of the original storyline

One aspect of the film which I particularly disliked was the fact that it quite deliberately repeats the plot of the original without any new depth or twists.  In fact if you have seen the original there is really no point in catching the remake.  All the key plot scenarios remain the same including the fact that the family moves into a new neighborhood which was built on a former graveyard.  There is this particularly unnecessary scene where the parents are at a dinner and their friends expound on the rumors of the homes being haunted because while the gravestones were removed, the bodies remained.  The film utilizes a lot of time to simply regurgitate every major plot device from the 1982 version.  If you are a fan of the original looking for any plot expansion into the Poltergeist mythos, you will be severely disappointed.

4. New characters are funny but add nothing new 

While most of characters are repeated, including the entire family (albeit with altered names), the filmmakers have replaced the paranormal investigators from the original with a nerdy Supernatural Investigator and a Reality TV star who investigates haunted homes.  While there are a few hilarious moments due to the new characters' quirky and dysfunctional romance, ultimately they seem dull compared to the intense performances in the original.  Their presence adds nothing new to the recycled plot.

 

3. Visual Effects are tolerable

While in 1982 visual effects still had a long way to go, the original Poltergeist had visuals some fans may deem endearing including the claw-like hand which terrifyingly emerges from the television. The 2015 version of course offers improved effects including a snake-like Willow tree that attempts to petrify the young son as well as a barrage of  the undead that appears at the climax.  While the visuals are better than the original, the lifeless acting, routine story-line and overall dull feel of the film outweigh the big budget visuals.

 

2. Horror fans may be bored

Long-time fans of horror films will immediately see through the film's attempt to simply update classic scare tactics.  Apart from repeating most of what we already saw in 1982, the filmmakers do attempt to infuse small new elements from the reality television 'found footage' genre.  The paranormal investigators use a camera strapped to a drone in an attempt to rescue the kidnapped younger daughter and we actually see the Poltergeist 'nest'.  Unfortunately, if you have been watching horror films from early 2000s this will seem all too familiar and most horror movie fans may be bored by the tired plot devices.

 

1. Performances lack enthusiasm

Many terrible films have been saved by the inspired performances of the title characters.  The opposite happens in this updated Poltergeist film.  The original benefited from veteran actors like Craig T. Nelson and a stunning performance by the late Heather O'Rourke; the 2015 version seems particularly dull due to the minimalistic performances of the new cast.  Most of the actors you will probably recognize as supporting characters in other films and there are moments in which they deliver genuinely funny dialogue.  However, the overall lack of excitement and realism gives the film more of a Lifetime Television quality rather than the high caliber of a feature film.

Indeed, it is hard to recommend this film especially to anyone who enjoyed the fantastic 1982 original version. One redeeming quality is the fact that the writers attempted more humor than we saw in the original.  The film actually never takes itself seriously which may make it tolerable to casual moviegoers.  However, for veteran fans of truly frightening horror films this new Poltergeist may be deemed as the most unnecessary and uninspired remake of 2015.

 

5 Reasons Avengers Sequel is the Jaw-dropping Spectacle you can’t miss!

5 Reasons Avengers Sequel is the Jaw-dropping Spectacle you can’t miss!

Review by Timothy Austin 

The first Avengers took the term blockbuster to an all new level as audiences worldwide were willing to pay any price to see their beloved Marvel Comics characters in a giant team-up over and over again.  Highly anticipated seems a mild term to describe the second Avengers film which again stars Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Chris Evans as Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Mark Ruffalo as the Hulk. 

Fans have already helped the film surpass the coveted 200 Million mark in order to see the entire team reunite this time to take on Ultron, a product of wise-cracking genius Tony Stark’s experiments with ‘alien’ technology and Artificial Intelligence that goes awry.  Stark’s super Intelligent ‘Ultron’ takes on a life of its own and a mandate to eradicate all Human life in order to create a more ideal world. 

As the Avengers assemble to put an end to Ultron, conflict among the once loyal team spews out of control as the other Avengers question Stark’s motivations for creating Ultron and the other secret plans the billionaire inventor has in store for the team.  As incredible as the first Avengers proved to be, its sequel tops that on every level with eye-popping visuals, fantastic story-telling and rip-roaring action.  Here are 5 reasons to get as fast as you can to the nearest cinema to see Avengers: Age of Ultron:

5. New characters add luster and intrigue 

 

Fans of the comic-book and the original film will salivate over the return of every Avenger from the original, including surprise cameos from smaller Marvel Comics characters.  However, it is the debut of the twins, the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver that truly adds to the enjoyment of the film’s plot.  While they were husband and wife in 2014’s Godzilla remake, actors Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor-Johnson are now a brother and sister team with extraordinary powers that if used to aid the Avengers could help them permanently solve the Ultron problem.  However, from their very introduction in the film it is uncertain where their loyalty lies as they were held captive in a laboratory to function as weapons.  To avoid any spoilers, I’ll just say that most Marvel fans will be surprised to see how the dynamic between the super-powered twins and the Avengers team evolves.  What is particularly interesting about the new additions is the spectacular way in which their powers are displayed.  Quicksilver rescues in the nick of time with lighting fast blasts of speed, while the Scarlet Witch can create eye-popping blasts of energy to disable her attackers.  She also has the ability to create giant force fields and can use her powers to maneuver objects even large trains.  This is done in truly spectacular fashion, making the addition of these new Avengers a visual feast.  

        

4. Villain delivers high on scare factor

 

No super-hero film satisfies unless it has an intimidating villain and thankfully the Avengers sequel scores high with Ultron.  While Thor’s brother Loki was a formidable bad guy in the original, the highly intelligent Ultron proves even more sinister thanks to stunning CGI and the voice work of popular actor James Spader, known best for his hit NBC series ‘The BlackList’.  Spader brings a foreboding calm to the voice of Ultron as he unfolds his plan to decimate the Avengers and end all Human life on Earth.  His human-like mannerisms create an unnerving experience for the viewer and Spader’s ominous tone makes Ultron one of the most visually-striking and intimidating villains Marvel fans have ever seen.

3.  Well-balanced plot

What I particularly liked about the first film was the writers' ability to juggle multiple story-lines at the same time, allowing every Avenger adequate screen time so that we fully understand their conflict.  This is achieved on a much higher level in 'Age of Ultron' because of the introduction of new characters including the complex Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver and the sometimes over the top Ultron.  The writers even go as far as setting up the plots for other up-coming Marvel films.  We get a glimpse as to what happened after the end of the last Thor movie and an indication of the tumultuous conflict which will be unleashed in Thor 3.  The villain for the just announced Black Panther film also makes a cameo appearance in a key scene involving Ultron.  True Marvel fans will find much gratification here as we see how strategic Marvel has been in setting up its cinematic universe.  You can't help but be in awe of the writers as they brilliantly manage a plethora of conflicts and tie it all up in a spectacular plot. 

2. Tops the original on EVERY level 

Many super-hero sequels fall short of their predecessors (I still have the sour taste of  Spiderman 3 in my mouth).  What may be the greatest achievement of this second Avengers film is that it exceeds expectations in every aspect including the fact that its plot is more engrossing than the original film, the special effects are more spectacular, the character development is taken to a higher level and the acting is more dynamic.  The new plot is made even better with the infusion of more comedy and banter between the heroes including a hilarious bit in which Thor challenges every Avenger to attempt picking up his powerful hammer, Mjolnir.

1.   Jaw-dropping visual spectacle 

For true Avengers fans nothing will be more satisfying than the stunning visual effects infused in almost every scene.  The action set-pieces in 'Ultron' are perhaps the most entertaining visual feast we'll see in 2015.  Despite the praise that came before, nothing compares to how good this film looks.  From the swarming army of Ultron's robots to one incredible slow motion sequence in which we see all the Avengers in battle at the same time.  It appears no expense was spared to make the sequel one of the most fantastic special- effects extravaganzas ever put on film.  I particularly enjoyed the scene in which Black Widow scoops up Captain America's shield while riding a bike and expertly tosses it to him just in time to block a potentially deadly blow from Ultron.  Indeed, I can think of no other film in recent memory that equals the jaw dropping visuals seen in 'Age of Ultron'. It exceeds anything fans might be anticipating and satisfies on every level.     

If there is only one action/adventure you see this year, make it 'Age of Ultron'.  From its engaging plot and timely message about the dangers of experimenting with artificial intelligence to its barrage of visual achievements, no other film in 2015 will satisfy like the Avengers sequel.  

Review by Timothy Austin

Forget the critics: 3 Reasons Jupiter Ascending is a fantastic film!

Review by T. Austin

Critics and audiences alike have not been kind to the new Sci-fi fantasy, Jupiter Ascending starring Mila Kunis and Channing Tatum.  But after seeing it this weekend I'm certain that critics fail to understand that some films are just meant for pure entertainment and at a time like this some audiences just want to escape reality.  If escaping into a crazy fantasy is what you're looking for, the film thoroughly delivers.  Here are 3 reasons you MUST see it now: 

1. The plot is pure pop-corn entertainment  

Explaining the plot might require quite a lot of time and for the record Jupiter Ascending is in no way a high-brow, intellectual thriller, but what you actually get is an engrossing action romp made purely for pop-corn entertainment.  Mila Kunis is Jupiter, who goes from cleaning toilets to being drawn into an intergalactic conflict between members of the House of Abrasax, a Royal family who just happens to share ownership of the universe.  Yes, it's that complicated and a tab silly but the execution is highly entertaining.  Jupiter is sought after by the royal siblings, including recent Oscar winner Eddy Redmayne as the devilish older sibling, Balem, who wants to murder Jupiter since she is the reincarnated version of his mother, who apparently had rights to owning the Earth. Yes it's ridiculous, but if you're tired of all the headlines screaming be-headings, terrorism and other assorted bad news that is so in your face lately, Jupiter is the perfect film for escapism.  It's the kind of Star Wars, Star Trek and Terminator mash-up that you dreamt of as a teen.  Believe me, as impossible and over-blown as the story seems, the visual effects, chemistry between the leads and amazing soundtrack make it well worth the ticket price. 

2. Kunis and Tatum turn up the chemistry

The main draw is of course the stars of the film and from the first frame Kunis exudes amazing comic timing as the klutzy, yet believable Jupiter.  When she is rescued by Channing Tatum's Caine Wise, an intergalactic soldier, we experience what seems to be genuine chemistry between the two charismatic actors and it's indeed enjoyable to watch.  While there are no real memorable one-liners, the scenes with Kunis and Tatum stand out as silly but charming.  Whether he is rescuing her from what looks like body-builder versions of the Sand People from Star Wars or soaring above skyscrapers on 'gravity boots', the romance between the two characters is one of the more believable aspects of an otherwise overblown story.

3. Phenomenal visual effects create an equally fantastic world

It's obvious that the directors, the Wachowskis Brothers, borrowed quite a lot from probably every Sci-Fi fantasy you can think of including large parts of Star Wars and huge chunks of Star Trek, but that's what makes the world they created so enjoyable to get absorbed into; whether it's the insect-like giant space ships or the Lord of the Rings inspired vistas, everything looks and sounds like the over the top space opera you wished they still showed on Saturday afternoons.  I particularly liked that some of the spacecraft had giant gold statues and colourful murals that evoke an art deco inspired alien world.  The Wachowskis Brothers, despite using bits from Sci-fi films that we already know, have created their own unique world that hints at the excess of mankind and over consumption.  It is indeed a fascinating place to spend 2 hours.   The music score by Michael Giacchino is as over the top as the storyline with huge brass statements in the vein of John Williams' Star Wars scores.

I recommended Jupiter to anyone looking for a truly thrilling adventure that requires no brain busting plot analysis.  It's just plain in your face, loud and colourful entertainment that has sadly been missing from our local multiplexes for years.  With so many serious, true to life films out now, Jupiter Ascending is the ideal cinema experience for anyone wanting to get away from reality. 

5 Reasons You'll Probably Hate 50 Shades of Grey (The Film)

Review by T.Austin 

There is no need to rehash anything about the popularity or plot behind the phenomenally popular series of books, 'Fifty Shades of Grey'.  I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who thinks that it was a greedy move by British author E.L. James and the movie studio to turn a relatively new book franchise into a film trilogy so soon, but here you have it: an elusive Billionaire, Christian Grey entraps a demure college student, Anastasia Steele, into his sadistic world of BDSM (Google it if you're not sure) including what the average person would deem truly bizarre acts of sex.

But for those of us who sadly run out to see the new Transformers, Box Office success doesn't mean quality.  This is quite evident with the dare I say it premature Fifty Shades film.  Here are five reasons it might not make your passing grade: 

The cliched love story doesn't hold up 

Kudos to new star Dakota Johnson (daughter of Melanie Griffith) and Jamie Dornan who exhibit natural chemistry, even during the overly hyped love making scenes, but even the stars' on-screen charisma wouldn't stop the average moviegoer from seeing through the paper thin love story.  We've seen it 100 times on Lifetime. A nerdy, not too attractive female is swept away by stunningly handsome wealthy man.  It's like Beauty and the Beast but with whips, chains and an even more psychologically damaged Beast.  The twist of course is his offer of a contract to engage in sadistic sexual acts but for anyone with a television, the trailer gives it all away so that when it actually happens there's no dramatic change in the beat of the film.  It all seems too familiar and tediously cliched.

Takes too long to get to the point 

If you've read the first book, you know that much has been removed.  That's probably the reason the entire film drags along with not much happening (except the overly advertised bondage scenes).  Every now and again we hear a very loud pop song and get a series of montages with the happy couple flying in a helicopter or some other 'Billionaire shows poor girl he's rich' cliche.  It gets very exhausting after the first hour.  I had to fight off sleep about 6 times.  

The Love Making Scenes don't exactly 'satisfy' 

For all the hype about the film's graphic depiction of sadistic sex between Anastasia and Christian, when it actually happens it's not exactly eye opening.  Yes, there are gross amounts of nudity particularly from Dakota Johnson (more about that later), but for anyone with cable and a subscription to Showtime or HBO the sex scenes are really nothing new. Yes it is surprising to see certain acts hinted at, but with all the PR and commercial hype, the scenes are actually quite tepid.  

The soundtrack does most of the work 

As I said before, the film has a huge achievement with the amazing chemistry between the two leads, however beyond that there's really not much happening.  To create some sense of excitement the film makers employ a series of upbeat pop songs including a truly catchy track from British pop singer, Ellie Goulding. All this makes the movie seem less genuine and it's hard to take it seriously when Christian brands his whip and a super slowed down version of Beyonce's 'Crazy in Love' starts playing.  It all seems very commercial like watching the latest teen drama on MTV.  

Sets Feminism back several years...

The same has been said about the books and indeed the depiction of Anastasia Steele is sometimes hard to swallow.  To avoid any spoilers I won't give details of a particular scene where I was surprised at how they treated the 'virginity issue'.  It just seemed like the female protagonist was so enamored that she barely gave a thought to sleeping with someone she barely knew.  In 2015, it's hard to accept this sort of 1930s approach to women and sex. While Johnson tries her best with the material, it's clear that Anastasia represents a stereotypical female lead that has long over stayed her welcome in the movies. 

The other glaring negative depiction of women is the fact that while we see quite a lot of Jamie Dornan, it doesn't compare to the amount of times Johnson's body is on display in overtly submissive ways.  The fact that Johnson's nudity is emphasized more than her male counterpart just plays into the typical Hollywood stereotype of excessively depicting women as sexual objects.  This will not sit well with an intelligent audience. 

Overall, Fifty Shades comes across as a way too soon book to film adaptation that needed more time to be fleshed out properly.  Everything about it seems forced and contrived, lacking any deep wit or groundbreaking plot device.  Most audiences, particularly if you haven't read the book, will be bored by the light weight plot.  Beyond the charming performances by the leads, up tempo soundtrack and enthusiastic music score by Danny Elfman, 50 Shades is a dismal snoozefest. 

Review by T.Austin