Passengers (2016) film review

Year: 2016
Running Time: 116 minutes
Director: Morten Tyldum
Writer: Jon Spaihts
Cast: Chris Pratt, Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne

Passengers is now showing in cinemas everywhere and is distributed in Australia by Roadshow Films.

In 2007, the Passengers screenplay written by Jon Spaihts was featured on the Blacklist, which is a list of the year's best scripts that have yet to developed for the screen. Now nearly 10 years later Morten Tyldum has brought Spaihts' screenplay to life.

After watching the film, it is not only obvious why the screenplay was part of the Blacklist, but it is also obvious why it took so long for it to be made. Passengers sounds as though it could be an intriguing enough story, but there is only so much that can be done with it when translated onto the screen. The end result is a film that is fine, but could never really have been something truly special.

In the future when Earth is over-inhabited, the spaceship, Starship Avalon transports 5000 passengers to Homestead Colony to set up the next stage in human existence. Although the journey is to take 120 years and all the crew and passengers are to be in hibernation pods until just before arrival, a malfunction occurs and Jim Preston (Chris Pratt) awakes 90 years ahead of schedule. He is the only being to be awake on the Avalon besides android bartender, Arthur (Michael Sheen), until he is joined a year later by Aurora Lane (Jennifer Lawrence). The two have an instant connection, but it is a connection that may not have been made under the most ethical circumstances.

Passengers is really everything it could have been. Morten Tyldum directs it to the best of his ability and both Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence bring as much to the screen as they possibly can. The fault of the film does not lie in the production of it. There was just no possible way that the story could have been developed for the screen without it coming across as mostly unoriginal, only slightly ludicrous and mediocre at best.

The film has been likened to a cross between 2001: A Space Odyssey and The Notebook, which sounds so odd that it sets off alarm bells instantly. While the sci-fi genre is typically able to get away with an escape of realism, the whole concept of Passengers just seems too far-fetched for it to be taken seriously. It is the type of film that one watches knowing that they should be pondering the ethical dilemmas and underlying themes being presented by the characters and their situations, but they are just too far removed to make a connection. There are indeed some interesting ethical questions to be explored there, particularly in regards to Jim and Aurora's relationship origins, but it is difficult for these to become conversation starters when the ludicracy of the story is the film's main talking point

However, Passengers does have some redeeming features. The production design by Guy Hendrix Dyas of the Starship Avalon's interiors is very impressive as they are complex, but neat and linear. There are some truly spectacular celestial moments throughout the film, but it is a shame that they are few and far between. One also cannot fault the film's two stars, Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence. Passengers is perhaps the most intense role Pratt has had to date and he maintains the comical demeanor that he has become popular for as well as showing the needed emotions. Jennifer Lawrence gives her consistent all to the role of Aurora and has a great chemistry with Pratt onscreen.

Despite the misgivings of the film, Passengers is still watchable. It is not painful to watch by any means, but struggles to make something meaningful out of something so ridiculously far-fetched.

5/10

The Magnificent Seven (2016) film review

Year: 2016
Running Time: 132 minutes
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Writers: Akira Kurosawa, Shinobu Hashimoto and Hideo Oguni (based on the screenplay by) , Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk (screenplay)
Cast: Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Peter Sarsgaard, Vincent D'Onofrio, Byung-hun Lee, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, Haley Bennet, Matt Bomer, Luke Grimes

The Magnificent Seven opens in Australian cinemas on September 29 and is distributed by Sony Pictures. Now showing in the United States.

The Magnificent Seven is a throwback to the traditional westerns of yesteryear that ticks all the boxes of what makes a film of it's genre successful. When her town of Rose Creek is taken over by savage gunmen and her husband shot and killed in front of her, Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett) tries to find the right men to bring justice to her hometown. She finds her emancipator in Sam Chisolm (Denzel Washington), who sets out to assemble a group of highly skilled and dangerous men to take on Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) and his band of men to bring Rose Creek to peace again.

The 2016 Magnificent Seven wears the title of remake loosely, as it doesn't greatly resemble the 1960 film of the same name starring Steve McQueen, Yul Brynner and Charles Bronson that it is based on. This is actually surprising considering how Antoine Fuqua's film is nostalgic as it feel like the westerns of Hollywood's Golden Age. However, as is expected of all remade films with any type of action, it likes to show off what can now be done in the cinematography and special effects department.

And show off it does. There are plenty of impressive sweeping shots of the American west that bring out how attractive it is rather than how brutal. Fuqoa is particularly fond of setting up his cast for hero shots, which usually come when introducing a character or end of the film and are in this case spread out throughout the whole movie. Again, some of these shots are rather impressive such as the seven walking into the sunset (a stereotypical shot for a film of it's genre), but it is more overkill than artistic.

However, the grandest moment of The Magnificent Seven is the fight for Rose Creek. It's battle is exactly what you crave from a western genre film with plenty of action, suspense, unpredictability and heartbreak. The first half of the film (with the exception of the opening scene) coasts along without too much to marvel at, but the promise of and lead up to the final shoot out is superb....and this is no spoiler at all to speak about. The final shoot-out is an accepted piece of a western film, and the plot of The Magnificent Seven lets one know early on that this is where the film is headed.

There isn't too great an attempt of character development for any of the main players besides the basics and what they have done in the past month or so, but each player has a solid and distinctive personality. Despite it being The Magnificent Seven, it is basically Denzel Washington and Chris Pratt being the two of the most magnificence. The two are presented in the film as rock star-like figures and it is them that drive the film. Washington is very good and a real presence on screen as the leader of the seven, Sam Chisolm. His attitude is intriguing and he embodies the cowboy ring-leader with ease and class.

Chris Pratt plays Chisolm's opposite as the mostly intoxicated and laidback, Josh Faraday. Faraday does have many traits that liken him to other Pratt characters in his past movies with his cheeky demeanour and witty one-liners so much that it almost feels as though Pratt was cast purely for comedic value. However, it does work in lightening the mood of the film and giving the screenplay a bit more life. Haley Bennett also does well in the sole female role as Emma Cullen and has several moments throughout the film when she shines.

As westerns do not grace our cinema screens with the consistency which they did in the past, The Magnificent Seven may well be the best of it's genre you see this year. Satisfies lovers of westerns and old-fashioned action.

7/10

Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)

Year: 2014
Running Time: 121 minutes
Director: James Gunn
Writers: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning (comic book), James Gunn and Nicole Perlman (screenplay)
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper (voice), Vin Diesel (voice), Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro

Guardians of the Galaxy will open in Australian cinemas on the 7th August and United States cinemas on the 1st of August.

Guardians of the Galaxy is a superhero film in a league of it's own. While being the action packed extravaganza one comes to expect from it being a comic book adaptation, the film has it's own identity which sets it apart from other such films and make it extremely memorable and enjoyable. It's personality resonates through it's witty script, impressive visuals, colourful characters and an incredibly addictive soundtrack. Guardians of the Galaxy is in itself an addiction as the feeling of excitement it creates and it's fun atmosphere is one that is remembered and has a great staying power.

Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), a human living in a far away galaxy who was abducted by an alien life form when he was a young boy, is disturbed by Ronan the Accuser's (Lee Pace) men while stealing a mysterious orb. Upon returning to his home city, he finds he is now a wanted man being tracked by not only Ronan's enigmatic follower, Gamora (Zoe Saldana), but also by bounty hunter racoon, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper) and his offsider, Groot (voiced by Vin Diesel). When the four land themselves in prison for their public battle, they team up with Dax the Destroyer (Dave Baustina), who has revenge on Ronan on his mind and see's Gamora as his key to vengeance. However, when this group of misfits discover that Ronan desires the orb so he can destroy the galaxy, they work together to defend their world from his evil plans.

Guardians of the Galaxy is a film with a whole lot of character. The film has absolute confidence in what it is and makes the most of what it has to offer. The film is slightly reminiscent of past films such as Star Wars, but it very much has it's own identity. All the elements of the film work wonderfully together to give the film it's own distinct feeling, which is that of excitement, fun and just a sprinkling of nostalgia thanks to Peter Quill's mind still partly dwelling on Earth in the late 1980's. Guardians of the Galaxy doesn't have the same luxury that many other comic book superheroes do which is that unless you are an avid comic book reader yourself, you are not entirely, if at all familiar with the story of the guardians. This works in the film's favour as there is nowhere near as much pressure or expectation on the characters and it is just a pleasure to enjoy getting to know the guardians and understand their world naturally. It really was an ambitious venture by Marvel to create the world of the guardians, but due to some incredible production design it is done brilliantly. The visuals are intriguing and have a wonderful incorporation of colour. The CGI special effects are also quite magnificent.

The screenplay is wonderfully written by James Gunn (who also directed the film) and Nicole Perlman. The story can be a little too busy to begin with while the guardians are forming their alliance, as so many people seem to be wanting Peter for their own reasons. However, once the five join forces the story flows and is intriguing and, to an extent, unpredictable. Although thrilling and action-packed, there is an incredible amount of witty and hilarious dialogue with lines that can be rather quotable. The great thing about the comedy in this film, is that it is not the usual comedic style featured in an action/superhero film which borders on corniness. Much of the comedy in Guardians of the Galaxy wouldn't be out of place in a comedy genre film. The only problem with a lot of the comedic references is that they are quite generation specific. Jackson Pollock and even Kevin Bacon's 1984 Footloose are not references that many younger viewers will understand, but much of the film will be a great deal more relatable to people who grew up in the 1980's in general. The use of the Walkman and particularly the soundtrack give an air of nostalgia to the film. The soundtrack is indeed one of the most memorable features of the film. There is a great mix of tunes from the 1960's, 70's and 80's , which are very well incorporated into the film starting with "Come and Get Your Love" by Redbone to set the scene for something fun and "Cherry Bomb" by The Runaways to build excitement.

The characters who are the Guardians of the Galaxy are all very well constructed and developed during the film. Chris Pratt is perfect as Peter Quill. He is so incredibly relatable and performs his role with absolute ease. His character is quite an interesting one, as he has an incredible amount of boyish charm and slight cockiness which doesn't come from thinking he is special as much as from there being a part of him which refuses to grow up. This is surprisingly really quite a likable quality in him and he charms the audience with this. Pratt's Peter Quill is one which you want to see more of and see more heroes who areas relatable as him.

Zoe Saldana does well as Gamora and is a strong female, action character, which is again the type of character one wants to see more of in action films. She works very well with Pratt on screen and although there is romantic chemistry between the two, the chemistry of them as partners in crime is much stronger. Bradley Cooper gives a superb voice performance as raccoon, Rocket. What is so brilliant about his performance is that for the most part his voice is unrecognisable as Cooper's own, which those familiar with his work would be used to hearing. Cooper gives Rocket true character with his voice and makes Rocket an even more intriguing raccoon than what he already is. Another surprise is Vin Diesel as tree/human mutation, Groot. Groot only has three words to say throughout the film, but Diesel's voice is unrecognisable in those three words. Groot is a wonderful character and with such little speech, comes across as being such a sweet being and an audience favourite.

Guardians of the Galaxy oozes character and is a truly enjoyable ride. It leaves you craving more and awaiting it's sequel with baited breath so to experience more of the fun had in the first and have further contact with it's wonderful characters.

8/10

Her (2013)

Year: 2013
Running Time: 126 minutes
Director: Spike Jonze
Writer: Spike Jonze
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, Chris Pratt, Olivia Wilde, Portia Doubleday,
Scarlett Johansson (voice)

Her will be released in Australian cinemas on the 16th January 2014 and is distributed by Sony Pictures. Now showing in the USA and opening in the UK on the 14th February.

Spike Jonze's Her is like no other. Cynical and thought provoking, yet incredibly sweet and romantic.

Her is a scary reminder of how dependant we are becoming on technology and the future we are heading towards as a result of this dependence, yet it is also a reminder of how beautiful life is. A sweet but unconventional love story which see's Joaquin Phoenix give yet another incredible performance is a pleasure to behold on screen and is an absolute must see.

Set in Los Angeles in many years to come, Theodore (Joaquin Phoenix) is still recovering from his marriage breakdown when he decides to obtain a new Operating System (OS) which is a voice like our Siri, but actually interacts with you on a conversational level. Theodore's new OS, Samantha (voiced by Scarlett Johnasson) becomes more than just a great help with his technology, but soon helps cure his loneliness and gives him the companionship he has been craving. Like any relationship, these two experience ups and downs, but further complications were always going to arise when one of the two doesn't exist in physical form.

In the place in time which we are now, the idea of someone falling in love with a Siri type entity seems ludicrous. However, in Her, director and writer Spike Jonze establishes right from the beginning of the film how technology has evolved to become something which members of society are even more reliant upon. With this basis set for the film, the idea of a human falling in love with an OS does not seem as ludicrous. Everything seems to be made easier by technology that some people don't even need to take the online dating path and just need to purchase an OS and they have a new friend. As entertaining as it is on screen, it is startling to glimpse into the future and see the direction in which we are heading. Are we losing touch with reality? And then we can also ask ourselves, what is reality? Do we determine what is our reality and what isn't?

Yet before you start thinking that Her is a little heavy as it makes you question and fear the future, you realise what makes the screenplay truly brilliant. At the core it may be cynical and a little philosophical in regards to it's stance on technological dependence, but it is combined with a very sweet love story. The screenplay is incredibly well written to incorporate both of these and is often very funny. Listening to the way Theodore and Samantha talk to one another and hearing the way Theodore describes what he sees and Samantha describes how she feels and the way she sees the world when she cannot see it is intoxicating. It is easy to find yourself appreciating the beauty if words and how the way things are said can alter your perception of how you see things.

Her is also visually beautiful. The use of colour is amazing throughout the film and gives the film a completely unique atmosphere, as though we are not just watching a unique feel, but feeling something truly different as well. The creation of a dystopian Los Angeles is almost addictive, as you feel like you want to explore more of this new world. The city has grown in such an interesting way with an updated (and seemingly much more popular) rail system and an extravagant upside down airplane outside the Pacific Design Centre. Yet you have the contrast of beautiful nature such as the beach and a cabin in the woods in the snow. Music is also of great importance in the film and the musical score is very fitting for the film.

Joaquin Phoenix is so incredibly lovable in this film. Phoenix has often played complicated individuals in his past film and while Her see's him playing an unconventional character once again, this is perhaps the greatest connection he has established with an audience. He is so likable and you immediately feel sympathy for his character to the point where you feel you should reach into the world of Her and give him a big hug. In a film where reality is questioned, the way which he exhibits his emotions is extremely real. His character just adds to the beauty of the film and Phoenix's final scenes are perfection.

While Scarlett Johansson doesn't appear in the film in a physical sense, she gives a fantastic vocal performance. You may only be able to hear her, but you often forget that you are not seeing Samantha as her emotions are all so visible in her voice. It seems crazy how much you actually feel for her character as well, only to remember that this character is an OS and not a real person. Amy Adams plays a fragile character in Theodore's good friend, Amy. She does well, and like Theodore, is a very real character in a strange situation. Olivia Wilde has a small role as Theodore's blind date, but also does well and Kristen Wiig lends her voice to Theodore's adult chat partner, SexyKitten and is hilarious. The scene with Phoenix and Rooney Mara, who plays his ex wife Catherine, is so real that it is haunting. A meeting between once husband and wife on the verge of divorce where they start off on good terms, but end up fighting about the way things were, which also results in Phoenix's Theodore second guessing himself in a way that only an ex can make you do.

Her is pure brilliance in the way that it thoroughly entertains and shows you the beauty in the world, but is also cynical about the world. While the technology aspect of the film may make you question how real our reality is, the beauty of the film is absolutely real.

9.5/10