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- Review count3
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- First reviewJune 21, 2010
- Last reviewJanuary 8, 2012
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- Average rating4.3
ReelAnswers's Reviews
Overall rating
5
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5
Totally fun ride of a movie (but violent)
PostedJanuary 8, 2012
ReelAnswers
from Westchester, NY
If you still haven’t seen the #1 movie in the U.S. (rated so by both audiences and critics) you’re probably wondering at this point if it’s worth taking the plunge. I mean, after 15 years of this series, why watch Tom Cruise in #4 yet again run around wearing disguises and operating high-tech gadgets? The answer is that this is a blast from start to finish, with one amazing action set piece after another: sweaty palms, open mouths, and rapid heartbeats guaranteed. The plot centers on the Mission Impossible team’s desperate attempts to stop a Russian genius from starting a nuclear war—not the most original plotline but still a ticking-time-bomb thriller at its finest. Director Brad Bird proved he has wit, imagination, and style from such animated hits as The Incredibles and Ratatouille, but who knew he was also a master of techno-fantasy?
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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3
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5
Throwback thriller
PostedJune 16, 2011
ReelAnswers
from Westchester, NY
What is Super 8 about?
Surprisingly in this season of superheroes, Super 8 does not refer to yet another octet of Marvel action figures. Rather it’s the tale of a group of small-town youngsters who, while sneaking out one night to make a homemade Super 8 movie about zombies, witness a horrific train crash (one of the best sequences of the movie). After the crash all sorts of crazy stuff starts happening, including the descent of grim-faced U.S. Air Force commandos on the town. Why are they there and what are they trying to contain? I’m not giving away too much to tell you that there was very strange, dangerous cargo on that train.
Who is the creative team behind the movie?
J.J. Abrams (the director of Lost, Alias, Morning Glory, and the most recent Star Trek blockbuster) wrote and directed the movie. He is obviously a huge genre movie fan (the main genres being sentimental coming-of-age and monster films), and even more a huge fan of Stephen Spielberg, who as one of the producers of Super 8 is a key inspiration behind it. (Abrams even foists upon us an overbearing John Williamesque full-orchestra soundtrack à la Spielberg.) J.J. Abrams brings his patented ability to stretch suspense out to unbearable levels and scare the @#$! out of you without ever getting too gory, which is a nice change of pace from a lot of today’s scary films.
Who stars in the movie?
Five young teenagers are at the heart of the movie—four unknown boys and a slightly better known young actress, Elle Fanning (sister of Dakota). There are a host of adult characters who have their uses (as either flawed parental figures or sources of comic relief) but none are special stand-outs. The lead boy, discovery Joel Courtney, plays a wounded-but-cute, curious kid very well which helps carry the movie. The rest of the kids are fine, even as they are put through their stock character paces (a lot of yelling and wisecracks).
What would you compare this movie to?
How about Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Goonies, E.T., War of the Worlds, Poltergeist, Gremlins, Stand by Me, Cloverfield, and Jaws, with a little District 9 thrown in? And there’s probably many more references that I missed. It’s up to you whether you find all those nods a wonderful sci-fi homage or a bit too derivative and familiar to be interesting.
Why should I see Super 8?
If you are a 13-year-old kid or will be accompanying a 13-year-old (and note that this film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language, and some drug use), this movie is a no-brainer. For older audience members, if you’re in the mood for a nostalgic journey back to the popcorn action-adventures of 30 years ago, with innocent-but-smart-mouthed kids and misunderstood aliens, then this might be for you. Super 8 is a full-throttled dose of entertainment that harkens back to Spielberg’s classics—albeit with less heart and originality but a lot better CGI effects.
Why should I stay away?
Not into movies where kids are the heroes, the adults are mean or clueless, and utter mayhem and destruction take over the movie screen? Then this probably isn’t for you.
Could this be just as enjoyable on a home screen?
There are so many nighttime scenes and spectacular shots of things blowing up (with all the attendant earth-shattering sound effects) that this is one that’s probably best seen on the big screen—and yes, I mean IMAX.
Anything more I should know about Super 8?
Make sure to hang around for the cute surprise during the closing credits.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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5
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5
Who knew toys could make you cry?
PostedJune 21, 2010
ReelAnswers
from Westchester, NY
I write a blog called ReelAnswers.net that tries to answer people's questions about a movie (rather than just give it a straight review). Here's are my Reel Answers on Toy Story 3:
Is Toy Story 3 really THAT good?
This is a true triple play, with wonderful comedy, adventure, and real tears. Besides having a failsafe story about what happens to toys when they’re outgrown, the movie pays homage to so many wonderful Hollywood movie and TV genres, it’s fun just to watch on that level. And it has the Pixar smart charm, not the cartoon crassness rife in so many kids’ movies these days.
This is a true triple play, with wonderful comedy, adventure, and real tears. Besides having a failsafe story about what happens to toys when they’re outgrown, the movie pays homage to so many wonderful Hollywood movie and TV genres, it’s fun just to watch on that level. And it has the Pixar smart charm, not the cartoon crassness rife in so many kids’ movies these days.
So, is this mostly for kids, or will adults truly enjoy it, too?
Toy Story movies have always worked on both levels, but this third installment seems to have a special message for adults (or at least grown-up kids). It’s entertainment for all, pure and simple.
Toy Story movies have always worked on both levels, but this third installment seems to have a special message for adults (or at least grown-up kids). It’s entertainment for all, pure and simple.
Do I have to be a fan of animation to enjoy Toy Story 3?
Even if you’re not an animation nut your mouth will hang open during the many sequences that are lit and shot from angles like the finest products of Hollywood. And how do they capture emotions so well on toy faces? It all becomes matter-of-fact so quickly, though, that you’ll soon stop thinking “How’d they do that?” and just sit back for the ride. And if ever animation met its perfect match, it’s in a such a story as this where our favorite toys come to life (everyone’s secret fantasy).
Even if you’re not an animation nut your mouth will hang open during the many sequences that are lit and shot from angles like the finest products of Hollywood. And how do they capture emotions so well on toy faces? It all becomes matter-of-fact so quickly, though, that you’ll soon stop thinking “How’d they do that?” and just sit back for the ride. And if ever animation met its perfect match, it’s in a such a story as this where our favorite toys come to life (everyone’s secret fantasy).
Is the Digital 3D worth the extra money?
I saw the movie not only in 3D but at an Imax theater as well. Can’t say enough good things about IMAX--comfortable seats with lots of legroom, great sightlines and stupendous sound and image quality. The 3D was used very subtly in Toy Story 3-- adding some nice touches of reality to a rather unreal movie, but not in a way to knock your socks off. (Some of the coming attractions, such as Legend of the Guardians with its swooping owls and raptors, were better showcases of how 3D can wow.) But it’s not like you can choose to see Toy Story 3 in cheaper non-3D—3D is the only flavor it comes in.
I saw the movie not only in 3D but at an Imax theater as well. Can’t say enough good things about IMAX--comfortable seats with lots of legroom, great sightlines and stupendous sound and image quality. The 3D was used very subtly in Toy Story 3-- adding some nice touches of reality to a rather unreal movie, but not in a way to knock your socks off. (Some of the coming attractions, such as Legend of the Guardians with its swooping owls and raptors, were better showcases of how 3D can wow.) But it’s not like you can choose to see Toy Story 3 in cheaper non-3D—3D is the only flavor it comes in.
Do I need to have seen the first two Toy Story installments to enjoy this one?
If you haven’t seen the earlier Toy Stories (1995, 1999), you won’t be bringing residual affection for the characters, but that will quickly develop as these fully fleshed characters face some pretty daunting circumstances and show off new sides of their personalities. The story makers know what they’re doing in terms of bringing new audiences into the fold.
If you haven’t seen the earlier Toy Stories (1995, 1999), you won’t be bringing residual affection for the characters, but that will quickly develop as these fully fleshed characters face some pretty daunting circumstances and show off new sides of their personalities. The story makers know what they’re doing in terms of bringing new audiences into the fold.
Do they have any new characters in the Toy Story franchise worth seeing?
You should see this movie for the evil stuffed bear (who smells like strawberries) and the zombie baby doll alone. Throw in a metrosexual Ken (of Ken & Barbie) and the new guys almost steal the show.
You should see this movie for the evil stuffed bear (who smells like strawberries) and the zombie baby doll alone. Throw in a metrosexual Ken (of Ken & Barbie) and the new guys almost steal the show.
Are the characters getting a little long in the tooth?
Yep, and that’s the actual theme of the movie. We’re all growing older and changing. Plus—do kids even play with cowboys and dolls anymore, or is it all just videogames?
Yep, and that’s the actual theme of the movie. We’re all growing older and changing. Plus—do kids even play with cowboys and dolls anymore, or is it all just videogames?
Does this have laughs and tears?
Lots of laughs (astronaut Buzz Lightyear performing a wild tango can’t help but bring to mind Buzz Aldrin doing the same on Dancing with the Stars) and buckets of tears. You’ll leave with a smile (due to the wonderful credit sequence at the end), but bring your tissues.
Lots of laughs (astronaut Buzz Lightyear performing a wild tango can’t help but bring to mind Buzz Aldrin doing the same on Dancing with the Stars) and buckets of tears. You’ll leave with a smile (due to the wonderful credit sequence at the end), but bring your tissues.
Yes, I recommend this movie.
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