Cinderella (2015) film review

Year: 2015
Running Time: 105 minutes
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Writer: Chris Weitz (screenplay)
Cast: Lily James, Richard Madden, Cate Blanchett, Helena Bonham Carter, Ben Chaplin, Hayley Atwell, Derek Jacobi, Holliday Grainger, Sophie McShera, Stellan Skarsgard, Nonso Anozie

Cinderella will open on Australian cinemas on March 26 and is distributed by Walt Disney Studios. Now showing in the United States and United Kingdom.

Disney's Cinderella is a lovely, charming adaptation of the beloved children's fairy tale. Rather than follow the trend of classic stories being retold with a difference, it stays true to the original story with many references to the 1950 animated film, which is ironically refreshing. Ella (Lily James) is a beautiful girl who lives in her family's country manor with her bereaved father (Ben Chaplin) in a faraway kingdom. In his last attempt of happiness and before his last fateful trip, he remarries and leaves Ella with an unloving stepmother (Cate Blanchett) and two horrid stepsisters (Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera). Ella experiences only heartbreak and hardships at the hands of her new family, but a chance encounter with the kingdom's Prince (Richard Madden) brings her happiness and when the ball is announced, she dreams of attending although her stepmother will do everything in her power to prevent this from happening. With the arrival of her Fairy Godmother (Helena Bonham Carter), Ella does indeed become the belle of the ball.

Cinderella is Disney doing what Disney does best, putting the magic back into a story that deserves a little pinch of fairy dust to make it sparkle in the present. Even though the film doesn't bring too much new to the story, it is quite an exquisite adaptation which works as well in live action as it did animated over 60 years ago. It is a film that will delight families and lovers of fantasy. The thing is with a film like Cinderella is that one goes into the film knowing what to expect so there is no need for disappointment in the story or for the film being what it is. It is a light, simple story with classic themes which include courage and kindness.

Kenneth Branagh's retelling of the fairy tale stays true more than anything to the original Disney film from 1950. Much of the film is as though the characters have jumped out of the animation and into live action, with many of the colour schemes of the costumes in both films mirroring each other, the animals having the same names and the Fairy Godmother's magic words being "Bibbidi-bobbidi-boo" amongst other similarities. Yet Chris Weitz's screenplay does allow for background information on the characters which gives a greater understanding as to how and why things came to be. Ella was born a beautiful girl, but the reason she has such a beautiful nature is because she has abided by her mothers dying words everyday of her life which has moulded her into the person she is. These small differences to the traditional Cinderella flesh out the story and characters in a way which enhances the screenplay and keeps the story interesting while paying tribute to those that came before it.

Visually Cinderella is every bit the magical fairy tale. The production design of every location is absolutely exquisite and every part of the kingdom from the royal castle to the town markets are wonderfully designed. The costume design is incredible, particularly Ella's ball gown which is everything you would want it to be. Sandy Powell, who has been nominated for ten and has won two Academy Awards for her incredible talent in costume design, has once again done a phenomenal job. The pivotal moment in the film when Ella is transformed from simple into her ball-ready self is awe inspiring and so beautiful visually that is can bring at tear to one's eye. The cinematography and beautiful visuals of the film work perfectly together to create that magical atmosphere which is so craved in a fairy tale remake.

In what is surely a star making role for lead Lily James, she is physically everything one would hope Cinderella to be. Her performance is fine and is clearly what has been asked of her, but her character is somewhat troublesome. Despite the explanation of why she is so carefree and happy even in the most difficult of situations, Ella can sometimes lack the human quality she would need for one to truly connect with her. This isn't to say that she does not have emotional moments in the really moving scenes, but her passive and whimsical nature is on the exaggerated side where it becomes unbelievable. True this is a fairy tale where we should be leaving our sphere of reality behind, but belief should still lie in the characters emotions.

However, James works well on screen with her co-stars, particularly Cate Blanchett and Richard Madden who both give fine performances. Blanchett does exceptionally well as the Stepmother who's character could have been well overdone and exaggerated, but is more cold and ambitious rather than truly evil. Richard Madden as the Prince is actually a wonderful surprise. Not only do he and James have wonderful chemistry, but his character is one that is truly likable and also rather deep. He and Derek Jacobi share a truly beautiful scene of a father and son understanding each other for the first time. Helena Bonham Carter is also a charming treat as the Fairy Godmother who adds comic relief to the film, as does the hilarious cameo by Rob Brydon.

Cinderella is a exceptionally beautiful and charming retelling of the timeless classic. It does not attempt to change anything about the original, but rather flesh out the humanity behind the characters and remind people why they love this fairy tale so much. It will definitely be a favourite with little girls, but has plenty that other members of the family will appreciate.

7.5/10

Insurgent (2015) film review

Year: 2015
Running Time: 119 minutes
Director: Robert Schwetke
Writers: Veronica Roth (novel), Brian Duffield, Akiva Goldsman and Mark Bomback (screenplay)
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Miles Teller, Ansel Elgort, Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts, Jai Courtney, Octavia Spencer, Zoe Kravitz, Ashley Judd

Insurgent is now showing in cinemas everywhere and is distributed in Australia by Entertainment One.

Insurgent is a fine follow up to it's predecessor, Divergent (2014). After escaping from Erudite's ruthless leader, Jeanine (Kate Winslet),  Tris (Shailene Woodley), Four (Theo James), Caleb (Ansel Elgort) and Peter (Miles Teller) are hiding out with the members of the faction Amity as fugitives while they decide what their next move against Jeanine is. A twist of fate results in three of them encountering and lodging with the factionless, a group much bigger and better equipped than they ever thought possible who are led by Evelyn (Naomi Watts). Tris finds that Evelyn is just as keen to declare war on Jeanine, but first she has to battle her own demons and make peace with herself for how her and her Divergence have impacted the lives of those around her.

As the second film in the series based on Veronica Roth's novels, Insurgent is just as action packed and thrilling as the first film. The story continues without a lapse in momentum as it wastes no time in restarting the intensity experienced in the first film and reacquainting the audience with the characters. The film does not for one moment allow itself to settle and there are no moments of tedium as there is continuous suspense and unpredictability for those who haven't read the books.
Insurgent is exceptionally strong for what it is and that is a second film. As a first, final or stand alone film it wouldn't be of substantial quality, but it is a well done second film.

Again like the first film, Insurgent's production design is extremely impressive. The city turned wasteland is visually intriguing and extremely detailed. The musical score is a perfect fit for the overall suspenseful atmosphere of the film and adds to the intensity of the story. The CGI for the most part of the film is fine, but towards the end of the film starts to look purely computer generated and not realistic, which is never what viewers want to think even when they are well aware of what is computer generated. One has a hard time taking the final scenes in which Tris is at a height seriously as the unrealistic feel of some of the images is so distracting.

The characters themselves are really quite stereotypical of the young adult novel series turned film trend that is prevalent in cinema of this day and age. However, as a result of the cast being so good in their roles the normality of their characters is both forgiven and forgotten. We have the ballsy female protagonist, the male hero, the smart mouth and the bad guy, all typical characters but well portrayed by Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Miles Teller and Jai Courtney. Each brings a great deal to their character while not overplaying the less than original character traits. The Divergent series of films are extremely well cast for this reason. Woodley once again proves her ability as a leading lady and shows so much strength in every scene throughout the film.

However, Kate Winslet's Jeanine has the opposite effect. Her character is full of normality and it isn't her acting that overdoes the character, it is the accompanying cinematography (particularly towards the end) that makes her evil characteristics laughable. Naomi Watts' Evelyn is an enigma, but not a tremendously exciting one. She does not come into intrigue until the final moments of the film and even then she does not show any particularly interesting character traits.

What one is left with at the end of Insurgent (unless they have read the complete series of books) is a loss as to where the last two films are going. The moment that can be described as the cliff hanger doesn't give away enough to make one really excited about the next film. Therefore as strong as the rest of the film is, the finale arrives and with it delivers a sense of indifference for the next film. Insurgent is a strong follow up to Divergent and a fine film in it's own identity, but unfortunately doesn't provoke a sense of excitement for the next two films.

7/10

Run All Night (2015) film review

Year: 2015
Running Time: 114 minutes
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Writer: Brad Inglesby
Cast: Liam Neeson, Ed Harris, Joel Kinnaman, Common, Boyd Holbrook, Vincent D'Onofrio, Genesis Rodriguez

Now showing in cinemas everywhere. Distributed in Australia by Roadshow Films.

Underneath it's hard exterior of action and suspense, Run All Night  is a dramatic film about the ties between family and friends that just misses it's emotional calling but is nevertheless entertaining. One time hit man, Jimmy Conlon (Liam Neeson) is haunted by the ghosts of his past to the point where he is unable to function in daily life. The only person he can still depend on and call a friend is mob boss, Shawn Maguire (Ed Harris). By a terrible twist of fate, Jimmy's estranged son, Michael (Joel Kinnaman) witnesses Shawn's son, Danny (Boyd Holbrook) shoot a man dead and Danny wants to make sure Michael keeps his mouth shut by doing the same to him. In order to save his son, Jimmy instead takes Danny's life, which forces Shawn's hand to go after Michael to even things up with his long time friend.

Run All Night has an interesting basis and one that could push the film in the direction of a psychological thriller. The opportunity was there for the film to express the internal battle the characters of Jimmy and Shawn should have been feeling having to do something so atrocious to people they are personally connected to. It is something that is touched upon to an extent, but Run All Night wants to focus primarily on the action and suspense. It succeeds in this department as the film is indeed action packed and thrilling, but would have gone from being a mediocre film to a very good film had there been a greater emotional connection to the characters and their situation.

Yet the family dynamics between the Conlons and the Maguires make an interesting case study. It is obvious who is the more responsible and loving son and it is the one who grew up with an absent father. Michael is incredibly hostile towards his father as he rarely saw him when he was growing up and left Michael and his mother to fend for themselves. He grew up to have a family he loves with two little girls and a son on the way and is an active member of the community. On the other hand, Danny has little respect and love for anyone besides himself and following in his father's footsteps by participating in illegal activities. Yet, Shawn was present for Danny's childhood. Run All Night provides a demonstration of how children will learn from their parents and this is part of who they become. As Michael's dad was absent, he learnt how it felt to not have a parent present and made sure he was there for his family and for others who were without fathers. He was immune to his father's violent world and he played no witness to it, while Danny grew up watching and learning from his mob boss father. This is not a case to make for all parents and children, but an interesting one to contemplate from this film.

Visually Run All Night has it's own character and is unique in it's own way. It's attempts to do something different with it's cinematography and has no lack of continuous camera shots and editing that creates havoc within itself. It is admirable that there is the intent to try something different and it does succeed in doing this, but these attempts do not add anything to the film. In particular the style of editing employed may try to support the high speed intensity, but it is creating more of a sense of craziness and mayhem. The film has plenty of fast paced action sequences which are suspenseful when the film as a whole is largely predictable.

Run All Night is a film that would have truly benefited from an emotional attachment to it's characters through the right direction and allowances in the script. What meek attempts it makes of being sentimental are lost in weak performances by fine actors. There is absolutely no doubt that Liam Neeson, Ed Harris and Joel Kinnaman are capable of delivering stronger performances with the desired level of emotion which their characters should have been granted. All the actors give borderline performances that are not bad for any reason, but not wonderful for a greater reason.

As an action film, Run All Night does enough to make itself watchable and enjoyable. However, the subject content not only allows for more, but demands more to be given as far as you can't be talking about killing your best friend's children in emotionally controlled circumstances.

5.5/10