The Bourne Apocalypse

Elysium is my last on the list for summer movies in Japan. The film is Neill Blomkamp's follow-up to his brilliant District 9 and now it stars Matt Damon and Jodie Foster. It is also the last of the 'scorched-Earth' films of 2013, after Oblivion and After Earth. Basing it on the premise and D9, it is fair to say that we expected a different kind of sci-fi film. A more grounded, yet socially relevant theme is expected to be employed in the film.

The story takes place in Los Angeles, year 2154 after the Earth became overly populated and polluted. The rich lives in some kind of sustainable, livable and highly exclusive space station named Elysium. The world is also overly reliant on droids and robots. Enter Max Da Costa, one of the 'slum people' who are left to live on Earth breathing on dust and dirt. After an accident happened, Max has to reach Elysium in order to save himself by getting himself on the high-tech, 100% curing medical equipment up in the rich people's place.

It's safe to say that Elysium lands second place among 2013's 'scorched earth films', definitely ahead of Shyamalan's After Earth. Elysium is also a decent sci-fi too, if you're willing to overlook the glaring plot holes. So good news first, the film has Matt Damon in one of his bests. Starting from the brave physical transformation to the performance on screen. Although intriguing, it's hard to see Eminem in that same kind of dedication. The actors are basically one of the strongest driving force, with amazing work from Jodie Foster and Sharlto Copley. And also the surprise appearance from William Fichtner. The other driving force is Neill Blomkamp himself, with his vision and story. There are also some exciting camera works too during action scenes. Plus, the music by Ryan Amon is a perfect fit and quite surprising to have that kind of music comes from an unknown composer. I was expecting Harry Gregson Williams for some reason (it sounds Zimmer-y but he's too busy).

Now the bad part: the logic of Elysium is all over the place. Firstly, how does the Elysium work? It looks amazing yet there seems to be no gravity and pressurized atmosphere. Plus with all the problems with Earth-settlers coming to Elysium, there are no space-bound security. And people on Elysium does not stay at home. Second, Max's exoskeleton is not as awesome as promoted in the trailers. The ending is also one big plot hole. [spoiler alert] Now everyone has the MedBays, so no one will die? What a way to fight overpopulation. One more thing, Sharlto Copley's Kruger is arguably worse than Bane, and he does not even wear a mask. Also on Kruger, when he went to the MedBay, the thing restores Kruger's beard too. That's the simplest offense that shouldn't have happened. Also when Max has his exoskeleton suit on, no one seems to give the tiniest damn. It's like common fashion. Despite all the problems, Elysium is a good time at cinema. Come for the actors, setting and action, but don't settle for basic sci-fi rules and common logic. Let's hope Blomkamp's Chappie isn't as laughable as the title. Elysium: rated 3/4.


I may not be watching films in the cinemas on October because apparently The Conjuring isn't playing in my city and Diana turns out to be so bad (the rest of the movies on October is either bad or I already watched, like RIPD--Jap-titled Ghost Agents and Now You See Me--Jap-titled Grand Illusion). Though it's safe to say that I'll be back reviewing films on November with Carrie remake. Though I would be very sure, to post something in October too, probably relating to the end of Breaking Bad and pilot season.

2K13 Summer Recap

Top 3 Films

1. Pacific Rim

Pacific Rim brings all those awesomeness and the joy of summer movies in a super intense two hours of robots fighting monsters. The action is crazy great, the actors are awesome and they definitely cancelled the apocalypse. What really sucked for me about this film is that I didn't get the chance to see this film in its full on awesomeness in IMAX 3D. Everything just falls into place in this film. Everything is perfect. I can't talk bad about this film, really. Best of the summer






2. Star Trek Into Darkness
Star Trek reboot in 2009 was one of the finest reboot ever made by Hollywood. The cast is young and hip and perfect. It has great action, great sci-fi concept, great story too. And now four years later, all of that still stands strong. Add Sherlock star, Benedict Cumberbatch to bring menace to everyone in the galaxy and you'll get a really cool film out of it. For me, Into Darkness is better in Captain Kirk's story while as a whole it's still on par with the 2009 film, which means it's far from bad.





3. Man of Steel
Chris Nolan had his magic touch in the Batman saga for three films. Who's to say he's not going to extend that magic to most recognizable superhero in the universe? The result is a darker take on the king of superheroes. Henry Cavill is definitely Superman and kids will forever recognize him as Superman. The film has amazing supporting cast and a more-than-enough action set pieces. Since it's a different take from the Superman we know, people dismissed the film as untrue to the mythology while it's just the beginning of something great in the years to come.




Honorable mention: Gore Verbinski's fun adventure that not enough people see, The Lone Ranger

Most Surprising Film
World War Z
World War Z has troubles almost as many as the troubles my country has on a regular basis. However, those troubles proved to be an extra promotion point. People become aware of Brad Pitt starring in a zombie film. The promotion for this film is also quite intense, delivering promises of a great zombie thriller. And yes, baby, it delivers. Apart from the out-of-place climax, the film is definitely one of the best zombie films out there and Brad Pitt may make long hair hip for men (hope not).





Most Underwhelming Film
The Hangover Part III
I'm a fan of raunchy, dirty comedy. Like a super fan. The first two Hangover films has all the qualities I want in a comedy film. It's offensive, it's crazy, it's fun and for Hangover films, it's unexpected! However, say goodbye to all those qualities for the third part of the Wolfpack's night of mayhem. The film is nowhere offensive and crazy. I laughed only twice or three times during the whole film. It's so safe that it could be rated PG-13. The biggest fun I had when watching this was during the post credits scene.





Honorable mentions:
- Shyamalan & the Smiths' cheap looking, yet passable sci-fi After Earth. It's not on the top of the disappointing films because we already have no expectations for it to be great.
- Shane Black's awful black comedy script and please-kill-me-now-it's-so-bad twist on Iron Man 3. It's not as disappointing as Hangover 3 because it still has its great moments in the film.


Next week: Elysium review!!
Ah and yes, if you noticed, I changed the layout of the blog since the black-white-red was so 2009.

Re-Origins

Once again a ridiculous movie scheduling in Japan where a film set in Japan opened later in Japan than anywhere in the world*. The Wolverine is the sequel to the prequel of the original trilogy which is actually a sequel to the original X-Men trilogy. In other words, a sequel to X-Men Origins: Wolverine but actually a sequel to X-Men The Last Stand. It stars as usual Hugh Jackman but with more unknown actors who are mostly Japanese. Besides Hiroyuki Sanada, I have never heard of the other Japanese actors before. The film is directed by James Mangold who made Knight and Day.

The story starts when USA bombed Nagasaki during WW2, Logan/Wolverine saved Yashida, a Japanese commander from the atomic bomb. Many years later, Yashida searched for Logan to say thank you and stuff. So, the physically wounded Logan who have nightmare after killing Jean Grey in The Last Stand, goes to Japan. There he actually faces danger and this time he's alone without the help of the X-Men.

While The Wolverine is definitely an improvement from X-Men Origins, it does not improve much. It shows that a solo Wolverine film isn't as compelling as the full mutant gang. The story is quite nice, but not in the scale of an expected superhero film, especially a big summer release too. But Hugh Jackman is always awesome as Wolverine. Apart from Viper and Wolverine, the film lacks mutants to make it more 'superhero'. It's just like a normal film, nothing special. Also, being in Japan makes me have a different perspective on the film. Yashida, the soldier who's rescued by Wolverine, isn't worth the rescue. Sure, he saved all the POWs but he didn't honor the bushido code, all that suicide shit y'know. In simpler words: he's a fucking chicken. And also the Hollywood bullshit ensues, Yukio drives all the way from Tokyo to Nagasaki and back in one day. WHAT THE FUCK.

Anyway, let's get to the good parts. The action is cool and quite crazy. Marco Beltrami did a great job scoring the film, it is definitely one of the high points of the film. It's kind of pleasing to have Famke Janssen as Jean Grey back although it's more like a cameo role despite her top-billing. Hiroyuki Sanada is appearing in many films lately, this year he still has 47 Ronin and the great-looking The Railway Man with Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman. Tao Okamoto is definitely the best Japanese girl I've seen, although her acting still needs brushing. And the post-credits scene is jaw-dropping, shoe-stopping amazing. Psyched and pumped for X-Men: Days of Future Past next year! It's on the top of my 2014 summer films. And please tell me, if I missed the Stan Lee cameo because I didn't see him at all in the film. The Wolverine: rated 3/4.

*Japan's scheduling, for once, is for a reason. If they released the film in July it would be too close to the atomic bomb memorial in early August.

Later today, summer re-cap
Next week: Neil Blomkamp's Elysium.