The Raid 2 : Berandal (2014)

Before I start with this review.  Please look back on my review of The Raid : Redemption (http://roubsreviews.blogspot.com/2014/05/the-raid-redemption.html) as I will make references to it.  This is the sequel after all.  How can I not?

Rama (Iko Uwais) is back!  Not sure that he wants to be back.  None the less, he is back!  Our hero is yet again thrown back into a situation he doesn't necessarily want to be involved with.  And because of this we are given 2 hours and 45 minutes of ass-kicking goodness.  And I truly mean that.  This movie doesn't slow down to breathe very often.  But when it does, it's just as good as the fighting.  I'll get to that soon enough.

As like the first film.  This film follows Rama as he kicks, punches, dodges, maims, kills, and survives an environment he is new to.  The first film being a apartment complex overrun with thugs and criminals.  This time he is undercover trying to take down a mob from the inside.  Now I should talk about the story at this point.  But I'm not.  I want to talk about the fighting.  Cause really.  That more or less the reason we all want to see this movie.  And I think that Garth Evans knows this too.  Because he has really amped up the fights in this one.  They are bigger and badder for sure.  But how much is something to really be seen.  These fight scenes border on epic.  Massive really.  And at the same time, done quite beautifully.  The choreography is astounding.  And you can see how Garth is growing in this genre.  The amount of action in each scene is something to watch in awe of.  Albeit the violence is very extreme.  Weak stomach?  Might be much for you then.  For others.  Dig in.  You're in for a treat.  Just wait til you meet Hammer Girl.  As far as I am concerned, the first film pales in comparison to this.  The camera views alone are spectacular!

The acting is another area that has been improved on.  While the first had characters that were very forgetful.  Rama pounding thugs to a bloody pulp.  This movie creates something more.  Maybe it's a better choice of actors?  But we really want to follow these characters.  It also helps that they aren't disposed of once we see them.  Something that happened quite often in the first movie.  Even the main actor.  First time around we just wanted him to kick some ass.  Now we want to see him continue forth and survive (and kick more ass of course.).

And this leads me to the story.

While the first film had a rather simplistic story.  This one is much more complex.  Between the fights we are given a very intelligent continuing story from the first.  Taking place almost immediately after the events of the first movie, our hero is getting involved in something more challenging.  Being undercover for one of the most ruthless mobs.  But, although the story does follow Rama, it also follows Uco (Arifin Putra), the son of one of the biggest mob bosses.  And with this we are given both views of the mob family.  We witness Rama's struggles to infiltrate, and Uco's steps towards his fathers seat in the hierarchy within the mob.  On top of them we get cops, corrupt cops, other undercover cops, other mob bosses, assassins, you name it.  And with those addition characters brings the movie to a new level.  More intelligent and engrossing.

And between the fights, and the story, Garth Evans carries both with almost ease.

And I say "almost" for one reason.  Yayan Ruhian.  When you see him on screen.  You will instantly think Mad Dog from the the first film.  Same actor.  Same look.  Same fighting skills.  Different character.  And this is truly my only beef.  He's so the same that you think to yourself.  "How did he survive?"  But it's not him.  And how I agree that, if I was making a martial arts movie, I would have him in it.  I'd at least make him different in some way.  Not to confuse/draw the viewer into thinking something else.

Really?!?  Mad Dog? You're back?

Recommendation : If you loved the first film.  Then you owe yourself to see this one.  It's grander on all scales.  The story, the fight scenes, the acting.  All much improved from the first.  And really, the The Raid : Redemption was amazing.  This is just that much better!  Now 2-3 years for the next installment?  C'mon!

4.5 out of 5  (Would be perfect except for Yayan coming back from the dead.)

Gravity (2013)

Space is an amazing thing.  From everything we know about it, and everything we don't.  It's vastness, it's eeriness, it's openness to create something that can or cannot be believed.  A playground that can be brought to life with a bit of imagination.  With the basic principals of what we know, we can still bend the rules.  We don't truthfully know what can be done in space.

And filmmakers have always come up with interesting ways to utilize it.   I've always been a fan of films that involve space.  The Alien series, Star Trek, Star Wars (Although 1-3 sucked and ruined 4-6 for me.  Please J.J. Abrams return my faith!), Spaceballs, etc.  I love sci-fi!  I love to be taken away from Earth and allowing my mind to be free.  Even if for only 2 hours.

And Gravity is something special.

We get no aliens, no laser guns, no warp drives.  What we do get is a tense thriller.  One that grabs you from the beginning and doesn't let go until the credits.  But even as a thriller, it still feels like a beautifully composed symphony.  Alfonso Cuarón has created something of pure beauty, but at the same time created something that will make you hold your breath in fear.

The film itself is rather simplistic.  Story wise anyways.  One persons struggle to stay alive.  We've seen it before in countless movies.  But this is something completely different.  How does one survive alone in space?  Floating in nothingness?  Surrounded by nothingness?  Yet home is in plain view.  So to speak.  With this we get to join Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) on her fight to survive.  Being stranded alone in space.

Now I mentioned beauty and fear in the same sentence earlier.  And this film does display both.  We get stunning views of space.  And special effects wise, it is absolutely incredible.  Everything looks so realistic that you can almost believe that it is real.  And that is where the fear comes in.  It feels too real.  And we feel for everything our lone survivor goes through.  The terror that she feels.  The hopelessness.

But with its story, it's truly how it is filmed that makes this something far better than it should.  I have seen many movies in 3-D and none of them compare to this.  The use of 3-D allows us to feel and believe that we are right with her in space.  And the bigger the screen you can see this on the better.  Space is big after all.  You just won't get the same experience on a 19" tv.  Sorry.

The score also feels like a character on it's own.  Almost like the villain.  It never makes you feel happy.  In fact it adds to the dread of the situation our heroine is going through.  From the sounds that she hears, to the music that is added throughout the devastation surrounding her.  It heightens our fears even more.

Now with the "bending of the rules".  This is not a film that is accurate.  Not by any means.  In fact it has many holes that even us laymen would see through.  But that was not the point of this film.  This was to entertain.  And Alfonso Cuarón knows this.  He choose space as his playground and knowing that he can do as he pleases, he succeeded.  I'm sure those from NASA had their beefs with this, but he wasn't making a documentary.  He wanted to bring us a film of fear and survival at it's more dire.

Recommendation : If you can see this in 3-D, you are in for a treat.  A small tv will also not give this film any justice.  And that is my only issue with it.  This is a movie that can only be really appreciated being viewed on a large screen.  And sadly, not all of us have one of them.

4 out of 5 for me.  (Yes, this is a new addition.)

X-Men : Days Of Future Past (2014)

Okay.  Let's begin this with a few comments that perhaps pertain to the movie and maybe not.  I just felt that they had to be mentioned.  More so for myself than for those that are reading this review.

First off.  I had the unique experience to see this film in an old, old theater.  Doesn't seem like much now a days, but I digress.  This added to the movie believe it or not.  Fourteen years ago when the first X-Men movie arrived on the big screen, I got to see it in a theater just like this.  No stadium seating.  Cheap pop-corn.  And I had to pay for my ticket at a wicket stand.  Peterborough had yet managed to upgrade their theaters to the present.  But we made due with what little we had at the time.  And we loved that movie.  Everything about it.

Secondly.  The original X-Men.  Fourteen years ago.  In the hands of Bryan Singer.  We got, in a time where comic book movies for the most part, flopped.  Most were terrible.  Be honest.  You can't argue.  But X-Men was something different.  It was great!  Then came the sequel.  And it was fantastic also!  Some may say better.  (I do on some days.)  Then we got (and it pains me to say), Brett Ratner.  And I don't think that I really need to say much more of that.  It is a film that we all wish didn't exist.

And that is how I shall begin.

Of all of the comic book movies to come out over the years (And there has been A LOT!), I think that the X-Men movies have always been my favorites.  Not the third thou.  But I am sure that you already gathered that already.  We got great stories, great characters, and great special effects and action.  And everything in the right amount.

And another side note.  I never really read comics as a kid either.  Easy now.  I just never got them.  Now back...

The first movie was definitely special.  And now that the series returned with Days of Future Past, and to the hands of Bryan Singer.  That feeling has returned.  We got all the elements of the first movies and the sequel to First Class that we were waiting for.  And to really add to this we got characters from both generations of movies.  Many reprising their roles from years gone past.  Although Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) has lived a better part of his life playing the same character.  And honestly.  Who could even fill those shoes when and if he ever resides to hang up his claws?  Mixing their older counterparts with their younger really added to this series.  And this was done with ease. 

Our story is something that has been in writing for many years.  In fact it was originally made in 1984.  A two part storyline from the comics.  Whom many agree to this day, is one of the best ever written.  Some even feel The Terminator (James Cameron, but we knew this) was a blatant ripoff from this source.  Now Bryan Singer has brought this to the big screen for us (including Non-comic readers) to enjoy.  And that we did.  The story, although it can be confusing at some times, flows almost perfectly.  I say almost, only because I would have liked to see more of the future (present?) challenges that they facing.  The sentinels at the beginning are something really cool to watch!  Other than that point.  The story is one of the best in the series.  But with most movies that involve time travel, you need to pay attention.  I loved that it tied up many of the lose ends that have shown throughout the series.

The action and special effects are at the top again.  The sentinels look fantastic!  And even though there is not as much action as previous X-Men movies, it is top notch.  This film thrived on the story, but it didn't lack on the great sets and action sequences.  What Magneto (Michael Fassbender) does at the climax is something that really needs to be seen on the big screen to appreciate.

But the big question is, how does this movie compare to the rest of X-Men/Wolverine/Comic movies?

As I mentioned before.  I've always like X-Men more than the rest.  So I am a little biased.  But I still can give my opinion.  Over the last few years, we have gotten to see the comic book movies really begin to excel.  There stories are evolving, the acting is getting better, and the special effects and action is getting bigger.  Studios are now thriving on these movies to help them.  And summers aren't summers anymore without these blockbusters.  And X-Men : Days of Future Past doesn't disappoint.  And, it is probably the most intelligent of the all.  It doesn't go over the back story of its characters, it just starts and hits the ground running.  From beginning to end.

Now I mentioned that old theater at the beginning, and how I felt.  I got that same feeling all over again.  Heck, just the opening credits made me feel young again, and that I was in for something special.  I got that and more.  I grinned from ear to ear watching this film.  And Bryan Singer brought that back to me again.  And with this ending.  I can officially exclude X_Men : Last Stand from ever existing.  I can happily say I don't have to watch it again.

Recommendation : This is comic book movie magic!  If you haven't seen the X-Men movies, you could be potentionally lost.  But for those, like myself, that have watched them all.  This is the one!  Great story, that fixes all that is X-Men : Last Stand.  And stay for the credits.  One more scene to pump us up for the next installment!  See this on a big screen for sure.

Cheers!  Roubs.

Leon : The Professional (1994)

Luc Besson.  Name ring a bell at all?  It should.   And if you haven't heard or seen any of his films.  Stop reading this immediately, get on Netflix, and look up something he has directed/written.  Anything will do.  Taken, La Femme Nikita, heck, even The Fifth Element (a guilty pleasure I might have to add).

But of all Luc Bessons films, I enjoy Léon : The Professional the most.  He has masterfully created a piece of art.  Even though it is an action movie first, it carries elements of many emotions.  Those of joy and friendship, hatred and vengeance.  And only a film maker such as Besson can weave all of this into something of pure beauty.

Our story circles around Mathilda (Natalie Portman in her feature film debut), befriending Léon (Jean Reno), a hitmam, or "cleaner" as he prefers.  Although Mathilda is the child in the film, you feel as though Leon is the least mature of the two.  He knows very little of the world, outside of being a cleaner. He lives alone in his apartment with only the company of a plant.  Mathilda on the other hand has a family.   Parents (father and step-mother), step-sister and younger brother, whom she holds the most feelings towards.  But she also has experienced more than any twelve year old should at such a young age.

And this is what brings them together.

Unfortunately Mathilda's family is not picture perfect.   And her drug-dealing father has fallen in with the wrong people.  That being of Agent Stansfield (Gary Oldman).  A psychotically, corrupt DEA officer.  Who, while one day when Mathilda is out getting milk, slaughters her family.

Though very reluctant,  her neighbour lets her find sanctuary in his apartment.   And this is how our friendship begins.  Although uneasy at first.  These two people from different worlds begin to see the values of life with each other.  Mathilda gets a friend and family she has longed for.  Léon gets the friend and family he never had.  Some of this relationship does border on controversial, but is handled very well by both the actors and the direction of Luc Besson. (The theatrical release cuts most of this, but the Deluxe Edition adds all of this back in to the film.  And honestly, that is the way to see the film and truly understand their relationship.) She teaches him to read and write, he teachers her to be a cleaner.  Mathilda, after all wants to avenge her baby brother.  And nothing will stop her from finding the man responsible.  Here begins her story of her revenge.

The acting in the movie is top notch, to say the least.  Gary Oldman plays the cruel and heartless villain to a tee.  The intensity of how he portrays him is something that only Gary himself could only accomplish.  And Jean Reno nails the role of the emotionless hitman with a heart he didn't know he had.  Almost like the gentle giant, he very soft-spoken, and childlike, but we know deep inside he is a killer.  But it is Natalie Portman that really steals the show.  Having never acted she before, she tackles this role like a seasoned veteran.  You feel and believe everything about this little girl.

Now I mentioned this is an action movie.  And it truly is.   But like that piece of art, this is something to stare in awe at.  Luc Besson takes the scenes further.  The way he moves the camera around the environment, to the choice of soundtrack he uses during the scenes.  He plans everything fort a reason, nothing is just thrown at us on the screen.  This is his canvas, and he knows how each stroke of the brush is going to look when he is done.

Recommendation : Bit of a no brainer I must say.  This is a must see for anyone that loves a good movie.  Easily one of my favourites of all time.  And with that I highly recommend this to everyone!  As I mentioned earlier.  See the Deluxe Edition for it is the best way to see it.

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Honestly, this review is somewhat of a challenge.  I could begin by saying that I really enjoy this movie.  But that is not entirely true.  Now don't get me wrong.  This is a great movie.  But not without its flaws.  And it has many flaws.  So where to begin?

Visually, this is absolutely incredible to watch.  Stunning is an understatement.  J.J. Abrams has created a beautiful world for us to experience. Everything from the star ships to the planets encountered.  We are definitely getting a sensory overload when it comes to special effects.  But how much does this deter from the actual film?  Special effects can go so far, but doesn't necessarily make a movie great.  I really think they do for this movie.  I'll go further into that in a moment.

Story wise.  Now, this is where I have a bit of an issue.  I grew up on Star Trek. I've seen the shows, I've seen the movies.  I always liked Star Trek over Star Wars.  And in 2009 when J.J. Abrams was given the chance...err...privilege to recreate a 40 year old legacy, I was skeptical.  Who wasn't really?

Now, I knew this was going to happen, but I feel I need to explain a bit before hand.  And this is what makes this review a bit of a challenge.  It can't go without mentioning previous movies.  Star Trek II, Star Trek (2009) and this one.  They all intertwine together.  Like it or not.  But is it for better or worst?  That you'll have to decide on your own.

Star Trek II (1982) is the pinnacle of Star Trek movies.  I doubt I could find someone that disagrees with this.  Great story, great villain.  Ricardo Montalban owned Khan (If you didn't know by now...spoiler!).  His most remembered role.  To attempt to rival this, is a feat on its own.  J.J. Abrams has tried this.  Did it work?  Again.  Only you can decide.  I, personally think it did.  But you need to go further again.  This is a *new* Star Trek.  Canon has been altered.  We have been thrown into a new universe. And Benedict Cumberbatch took on a role knowing the shoes he had to fill.  Did he fill those shoes?  I believe so.  He created something different, but at the same time keeping the same character.  A bit of the love/hate kind.  You do feel sympathy for him, but also don't want him to win.  So in short.  Khan?  Check!

Star Trek (2009) was the reboot we wanted.  We were given the beginnings of characters that we have known for many years.  But really were never shown how it all began.  Kirk and Spocks friendship?  Why is Bones, Bones?  And J.J. Abrams nailed it.  He introduced a new generation to Star Trek.

But...

He changed canon.  Completely rewrote it.  Not entirely a bad thing thou.  But I think this wasn't the right time introduce this villain.  First off.  It was the worst kept secret.  We all knew the villain was Khan.  John Harrison?  Really?  But Benedict did it justice.  Kudos to him. Work the best with your material I guess.  That's ultimately the meat and potatoes of this movie.  We got Kirk and the gang, versus Khan.  You can think that Marcus (Peter Weller) is the main villain, but really.  Give your head a shake.  Khan is the villain.

I know that I may sound negative towards this movie.  But I am not at all.  This is a great movie.  Provided you have an open mind.  It just has it flaws.  After the great reboot we were given, we got something full of eye-popping effects, but the story is not near as good.  It didn't have the heart that Star Trek II did.  It didn't have the heart of Star Trek (2009).  It almost felt rushed.  And even worst.  We got two hours of great special effects.  Minus the great story that could have been.  But the special effects made this movie.  Seeing this on the big screen is something to sit in awe of.

I just wish they worked on the story as much as they did the special effects.

Recommendation : Cool movie.  But need to have an open mind.  This is not Star Trek from yesteryear.  This is new and something completely different.  It has it's downsides.  But I think it's upsides counter them.  Watch Star Trek (2009) first.  Then decide how you feel.

Goon (2011)

Think to yourself.  What was the last great comedy you watched that had you in stitches from beginning to end?  A film so funny, you had to restart it once was done to make sure you caught all those missed lines?  A movie that had so many great lines that you had to share them with your co-workers the next day?

Have you heard of Goon?

What's also funny is that this movie is now three years old, and many have yet to experience it.  I think with all the movies that I own, this is the one that has been passed around from person to person the most.

At it's true core, this is a film with lots of heart.  But to really see that, you need to get through much violence and vulgarity.  Neither taking away from the film.  In fact, both are needed to help move the story along.  Really, with a name like Goon, you weren't expecting cute puppies now were you?  No, this is a movie with lots of saucy language, and enough blood to rival some slasher flicks.  If neither you can handle.  I might not suggest watching this.  Sexual comments and racist remarks reveal themselves in almost every scene.  But not to the point that you are revolted.  Actually you will probably find yourself having a good laugh.  The blood, is well, it's flowing.  But not to the extent of an Eli Roth movie.  This is a hockey movie after all, not a gore fest.  Keep in mind thou.  This is a violent movie.

Now a bit about this movie.  The story follows the rise of our Goon, from a nobody to a somebody.  In the hockey world, a Goon is a bully, an enforcer, and a body guard.  They don't score, they don't set up that great shot, and generally don't get to see the ice all that often.  And most of all they don't seem to have a heart.  They are relentless.  Except that our Goon, Doug Glatt (Sean William Scott) does, in fact have a heart.  He cares way too much actually.  He accepts his roll on the team as a reason and a purpose.  One that only he can achieve. He's kinda lovable actually.  A bully with a heart. We follow him through his journey and see how he connects with others and the new world that he has entered.  And we cheer him on.  From that first moment he learns to skate, to the penultimate battle we know that he is destine to have.  We find ourselves now rooting for the bully, the underdog if you will.

Many years ago I watched Slap Shot, and like many others I considered this one of the funniest sports movies of all time.  And it has stood the test of time.  People still talk about that movie.  People are still quoting it.  Sports television networks still post little clips from the film.  The Hanson brothers have continued on as legends in their own right.  And with Goon, we now have that movie for our generation to boast about.  The same that others did for Slap Shot.

Recommendation : In the mood for a good laugh?  Definitely see this hidden gem!

The Raid : Redemption (2011)

Well folks.  Here it is.  My first review.  Take it or leave it.

The Raid : Redemption (2011)

Let be first begin by mentioning that I am not really one for watching "fight" movies.  Never got into martial arts movies.  I don't mind watching the odd UFC fight.  But I only do that when I have a group of friends together.  And most of that is just drinking beer and hooting and hollering at the television.  UFC is three five minute rounds.  Done and over just like that.  No script.  Just the fight and that is that.

However.

A "fight" movie is completely different.  For starters.  It's scripted.  Sometimes, not always the best script.  But hey, at least someone tried something.  Secondly, you can almost look at a "fight" movie as having the same three five minute rounds.  Accept that each round of the match (movie) gets increasing more intense.  They up the ante on each one.  Each round pulling you closer to the screen and further off your seat.  You begin to really get excited to see what happens next.

And that is The Raid.

But...

It goes even further than most "fight" movies.  They decided to toss in a story to boot.  And as simplistic as it is.  It works.  You don't need something way out there.  You just need that something between rounds in the fight.  I'm not talking that girl with the #2 round sign.  I'm actually talking about a story that makes you want to keep on watching to that next stage.  Sure, it's the same story that we have all heard before, but again.  It's the simple story that helps.  We didn't sign up for the story.  Watching this, we wanted the action.  We just got lucky that they threw more in for us.  And really.  Who doesn't like a corrupt cop movie?

Now, really I could go deeper into the story at this point.  I probably should.  But I don't think I truthfully need to.  There really is no need.  You are going to see this for one reason.  The action.  And man does this have action!  You're given the first 10 minutes to get what their plan is.  Then.  BOOM!  You're being handed fight after fight for the next hour and thirty minutes.  Sure, you get a few minutes to breathe.  But forget about running to the fridge for a drink or snack.  It's already started the next round without you.  And at this point I will say that this is one of the most beautifully choreographed movies I have ever seen.  I really couldn't imagine being one of these actors and being told to "cut" mid scene.  Blood pumping, breathing hard, you name it.  But that's what you see when watching this.  You can feel their excitement and weakness at the same time.  And you are there with them.  You can almost feel the pain that they are experiencing.  They made it feel real.  Everything about the fights seem real.  Ranging from the actors to the environment.  Both go together seamlessly.  Jackie Chan has done this.  But his are more comical.  This.  Is violence.  But necessary violence.  It's not comical, it's cringe worthy.  And that just adds to the atmosphere of the movie.  You feel the desperation of the characters.  Going back.  You feel everything that they are experiencing.  You really do root for the underdog.

Continuing on.  Soundtrack and music fit it perfect.  Adding to each scene. Whether the loud pumping sounds to the eerie silence the characters endure.  The music is almost a character on its own.  Deserving its own right in the film.  Just ensuring that you feel that you are there with the characters.

So where does that leave us?  I could delve deeper into this movie.  But I choose not to.

This is a "fight" movie.  One of the best that I have ever seen.  One that I will return to watch time and time again.  Do I recommend it?  For sure!   You want an action flick.  I give you The Raid.  Sit back and enjoy!