Monday, September 24, 2012

Dredd







Release Date: Sep 21, 2012 RealD 3D 
Runtime: 1 hr. 36 min. 
Director: Pete Travis 
Cast: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Lena Headey, Wood Harris, Langley Kirkwood.

In a city overrun with criminals and devastation, there are those who willingly serve and protect. They are the Judges: enforcers and executioners in one; beaten by few and yielded by many. But one man alone is feared above the rest, and he goes fittingly by the name of Dredd. Based on the popular British comic "2000 AD," and the only other adaptation since 1995, "Dredd" is a resurgence from the dilapidated past. To call it a superior reboot is nothing short of gratuitous, as the bar was never set that high in the first place. And for that reason it seems to work to its advantage, erasing old remnants that were unarguably beyond salvaging. Karl Urban's Dredd is a progression in itself, not a superhero per se, but a hero nonetheless. And the obscurity of his identity is what keeps him enigmatic, unlike Stallone who purposely abandoned his helmet, and deviated away from the comic strip altogether. Through Urban's raspy voice and down-turned expression, it's more than enough to deduce his purpose and demeanor as a disciplinarian of the law. The same can't be attributed to Lena Headey's Ma-Ma, who's the so-called mastermind behind the corruption. Her insipid manner is painstakingly boring to watch, equivalent to the slow-motion captures that stay on a few frames too long. Notwithstanding the fact that the plot-driven drug is called "Slo-Mo," the movie could've done with less bullet time and more actual bullets, which there are plenty of by the way. Call it coincidence, or just a matter of poor timing, "Dredd" resembles the previously released "The Raid" in which the objective lies solely in overtaking a high-rise building to apprehend a druglord. Both incredibly violent and gore-tastic to say the least, "Dredd" draws the shorter end of the straw when it comes to originality, even if it originated first. Luckily for him, there will always be scum to incarcerate, though when it'll happen next is still up for debate.

Rating: 3 stars

Friday, September 7, 2012

Lawless






Release Date: Aug 29, 2012 
Runtime: 1 hr. 55 min. 
Director: John Hillcoat 
Cast: Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, Gary Oldman.

Blood runs thicker than water, and for the Bondurant boys, it's no messing matter. Set during the Prohibition era and based on true events, "Lawless" tells the tale of three bootlegging brothers who live a carefree life, while challenging the laws that were made to be broken. But when a ruthless agent comes knocking at their door, it takes more than just loyalty to win back their power. Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy and Jason Clarke play the law-breaking trio, different in every way other than their tutelage. In perhaps his most challenging role yet, LaBeouf leads an intimidating cast as the youngest brother, Jack. His fragility and eagerness to learn exude a disparity against his older siblings who are rugged and assertive, which results in a sometimes admirable, yet irritable performance. On the other hand, Hardy is a man of few words. His formidable grunts and blasé attitude are the source for much needed humor, and a reprieve from a rather dull storyline. This particularly applies to the front half, which treads at a snail's pace. No matter how sensational the acting, ie. Guy Pearce's frightening portrayal of Agent Rakes, it's not enough to invigorate a listless script that could have done more with its material. For one, the use of Gary Oldman is widely undervalued. Appearing in less takes than the barmaid and hired help, it's a head-scratcher as to why he was even casted in the first place. Nevertheless, "Lawless" has no qualms about it and keeps a level mindset. It may be no summer blockbuster but at least it breaks from the herd.

Rating:
2½ stars