Review: The Heat

The Heat is mixing up the buddy cop genre by having women taking the spotlight this time around. It does not really revolutionize the genre but it got one key element right that made The Heat a hoot to watch.

Aiming for a promotion, straight-laced and methodical FBI agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) is on a mission to track a ruthless drug lord in Boston. But this mission will not be easy as she is forced to team up with Shannon Mullins (Melissa McCarthy), a well-meaning but brash undercover street cop who puts off a lot of people around her. The duo must find a way to work together despite their contrasting personalities.

There’s nothing groundbreaking with the plot, it’s standard “catch the criminal” story with two clashing personalities forced to work together. We all know that trouble will ensue before the characters bond and eventually friends. The Heat could have been a bore as we already know what to expect but the movie nailed the very important element to make this type of movie work: Casting the right people.

The first few scenes of The Heat struggled to set the tone right. McCarthy was just doing a version of her breakthrough role in Bridesmaids while Bullock felt like she was just phoning it in. But when the two finally got a scene together, it got better and funnier. The chemistry between McCarthy and Bullock is terrific that watching them do just about anything together is pure joy. There are a lot of been-there-done-that jokes and setups but the two actresses make it work.

The movie is Rated R-13 and even without the excessive profane language, the rating is justified as the movie is quite violent. You would be surprised of the amount of blood that you would see here and there were some scenes that may upset squeamish people. Some of those scenes have comedic bent on it while some are of the procedural kind. Unfortunately, there are those scenes that don’t have a purpose but to shock viewers just for the sake of it (watch out for the choking scene which for me was a bit too much). I do like that the case they were working on has real meat on it and not just an excuse to see our heroines in action and do silly fun stuff together.

The Heat undeniably follows a template and there are parts that don’t work or were just too long to make a biting punchline but one thing to the movie’s advantage is that it never loses momentum. If one comedic setup does not work it will be followed by one hilarious moment after another that the aftertaste of weak spots will not linger on. Yes, The Heat is nothing special overall but it’s a movie that will make you laugh ‘til your hearts content.

Rating: 7/10
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy
Director: Paul Feig

The Heat is now showing in theaters nationwide!




Discuss the movie at The Heat thread at Pinoyexchange.com/Movies

Review: Monsters University

A prequel to the 2001 hit Monsters, Inc., Monsters University faces a lot of pressure to live up to its beloved predecessor. While it does not tell a unique story like the first film, Monsters University still succeeds in taking the viewers to a fun-filled ride with characters we all love to root for.

Ever since Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) was little, he has always dreamed of becoming a Scarer. Mike knows that the best way to make this dream a reality is to go to the school where the best Scarers come from - Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike's plans are derailed when he clashes with natural-born scarer James “Sulley” P. Sullivan (John Goodman). Their conflict eventually gets them kicked out of MU's elite Scare Program. But Mike hatches a plan to get back his dream by joining the annual Scare Games where he made a deal with Dean Hardscrabble (Helen Mirren) that if he wins, she will let him back in the program. But it will not be easy for Mike as he is forced to work with a bunch of misfits and, worst of all, rival Sculley to win the competition.

For what is worth, there's a minor continuity error from Monsters, Inc. in Monsters University. The first film had a line that implies that Mike and Sulley first met when they were young and not in college. To be fair, Pixar itself acknowledged it and said that it is something that they have to set aside in favor of the story they mapped out for the prequel Personally, it's not a big deal but somehow it does tell that there's a level of disconnection between the first film and the prequel. It may not be fair but it's unavoidable to compare Monsters University to Monsters, Inc and truth be told this prequel does not really enrich the very imaginative world created in the first film. The story is just not fresh as it is basically a standard story of stereotype clashes and the unlikely friendship that eventually blossoms. It's not really a bad thing as long as the storytelling does not feel tired and Monsters University does not feel tired at all despite a “regular” plot thanks to it brisk pace and lively energy.

The greatest strength of Monsters University is undoubtedly the humor. There are no cheap shots made here as the film wisely maximizes its animated world with terrific sight gags and visual puns. It also utilizes the college setting to set up clever jokes. While the movie is mostly predictably funny, the third act elevates as it somewhat deviates from what is normally expected with this type of story. It's not a groundbreaking twist or anything but I like the message it sends that acknowledging your weakness will not totally hinder you from achieving a dream.

The chemistry of the voice actors certainly help things further as the banters are sharp while the one-liners hits the spot every single time. They maybe in their senior years but Goodman and Crystal could still convincingly portray younger versions of their characters. The animation remains as sophisticated as every Pixar film has although seeing it 3D does not really add anything spectacular.

We could say that Monsters University is an unnecessary prequel but if we look at it as a standalone movie, it's a competent production that delivers at all fronts. Sure, at its core Monsters University is just another campus comedy where we root for the underdogs to prevail but the excellent craftsmanship and witty storytelling is more than enough to make this a pleasurable movie-going experience.

Rating: 8 / 10 

Rate and discuss the movie at the Monsters University thread  at Pinoyexchange.com/Movies

Review: Evil Dead (2013)

Sam Raimi’s 1981 Evil Dead is a cult classic among horror fans. Admittedly, I haven’t seen the original so I have no idea if this remake lives up to the original but what I can say is that 2013’s Evil Dead is a slick and well-made movie that gives an edge–of-your-seat bloody entertainment.

Mia (Jane Levy) is taken by her brother David (Shiloh Fernandez) and a few friends to a cabin in the woods to shake off her drug problems. The group discovers a strange book in a hidden basement. Eric (Lou Taylor Pucci) reads the incantations and it inadvertently unleashes a malevolent force that attacks Mia. When Mia starts behaving strangely, the group first thought that it was just simply withdrawal symptoms but it was not and soon the group is fighting for their lives.

Evil Dead does not go away from the horror movie template of a group of friends trapped in a remote location where they do stupid things that just lures them closer to danger. And to be quite honest, there’s also not much suspense to speak of as you can expect people to get attacked when you expect them to be. But despite not escaping the genre clichés, Evil Dead still shined thanks to its full commitment to shock the viewers with violent images. The most terrifying aspect of the movie is not really about the demon but the horrifying injuries of the characters and how it happened. This is certainly not for the faint heart as the attacks are so gruesome that there are scenes that are simply hard to look at.

You don’t really expect that much characterization and complex conflicts for this kind of movie but I have to say that the issue between siblings Mia and David was established well enough to make you care about those two but as for their friends they are just simply the nerd, the skeptic and the vulnerable girlfriend. While the acting of the cast is generally fine (they looked scared enough and they were believable in "painful" scenes), it was Jane Levy’s performance that kept things together. Levy completely devoted herself to the role and pulls off a wide array of emotions.

Evil Dead is insanely entertaining. The crazy violence is definitely not for everyone but if you are looking for a disgustingly delicious over-the-top blood fest then Evil Dead will not disappoint you.

Rating: 7 / 10

"Evil Dead" is now showing exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas. Rated R-18 Without Cuts by the MTRCB, you can watch the film at Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, Trinoma, Alabang Town Center, Market! Market!, Ayala Center Cebu, Marquee (Central Luzon), Abreeza (Davao), Harbor Point (Subic) and Centrio (Cagayan de Oro).

Join the discussion at Pinoyexchange! Visit the EVIL DEAD thread 

***
Previous Reviews:
Trance
Iron Man 3
It Takes a Man and a Woman  
Aparisyon
The Croods

Must Be Love

 

This review was first published at Pinoyexchange

Review: Trance

This review was first published at Pinoyexchange

 

 Danny Boyle returns to the big screen with the psychological thriller Trance. Unlike his last two films, Boyle's latest won't likely be part of awards season talk as the film's twists and turns will not be universally liked. Trance is frustrating in some areas but strong craftsmanship and style makes it a very compelling film that will keep you guessing until the very last minute.

Simon (James McAvoy) is an auctioneer in a London art house who is secretly working with gangster Franck (Vincent Cassell) and together they planned to steal a valuable painting. But the robbery didn't go as planned and in the course of the chaos Simon is hit in the head causing him to lose a portion of his memory. When Simon can't remember where he hid the stolen painting, Franck enlists the help of hypnotherapist Elizabeth (Rosario Dawson) to retrieve the information. But Elizabeth discovers more than just a simple case of lost memories.

Trance is one of those stories where people are not what they seem to be and that they all have secrets to hide. The film will not make it easy for the viewers to guess what is really going on as it cleverly shifts attention from one element to one another. There are hints early on that certain characters are not to be trusted but the film maximizes each element to manipulate the viewer to think that they know what's really happening just to shatter those notions a few minutes later. The shifts could be confusing at some point but polished direction and sleek pace keeps it from becoming a frustrating watch.

However, the revelation of what really happened will have to require the ultimate suspension of disbelief as there are contrived coincidences employed just to reach a twist. The twist also pushes for more emotional heft but it's just too outrageous to work. Strong acting from the three leads helped sustain the story and keep the characters human despite some ridiculous turns. In particular, Rosario Dawson gives a commanding performance which is necessary for the enigmatic character she plays.

While Trance does not hold all of its elements together, it still succeeds in delivering high-class thriller entertainment. It will keep you glued to your seats until the credits rolled and for a film that delves into hypnotism, it's an impressive feat.

Rating: 8 / 10  
Join the discussion at Pinoyexchange! Visit the TRANCE thread 

***
Previous Reviews:
Iron Man 3
It Takes a Man and a Woman  
Aparisyon
The Croods

Must Be Love

Review: Iron Man 3

This review is originally published at Pinoyexchange

When Iron Man came out 5 years ago it surprised the industry. The superhero, while popular with comic book fans, was not as known as Batman and Superman were to the general public. It was not expected to set box office records but it proved many people wrong. Iron Man was the start of what would become a billion-dollar superhero movie franchise that culminated with the very successful The Avengers last year. Iron Man 3 is said to be the beginning of Marvel Studio's Phase 2 and it definitely starts off with a bang.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) struggles with anxiety attacks and sleep deprivation months after the events in The Avengers. He chooses to stay out of the limelight and keeps himself busy updating his Iron Man gear while girlfriend Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) manages his business. But it all changes when he impulsively challenges terrorist The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) on national TV. When The Mandarin attacks his home, Tony is caught off guard and the world he knows for so long is completely shattered. Presumed dead by the public and without the convenience of his advanced devices, Tony must fight his way back with the limited resources at his disposal.

In Iron Man 3, we get to know more of Tony Stark outside his cool demeanor (and suit) as we see him defenseless and very vulnerable. It's an effective way to see the character, who had been in 3 movies already, in a new light as it prevents the character from becoming stale (which was the common criticism with long running movie franchises). This plot point also raises the stakes higher and makes for a more compelling story. However, there's an important plot twist in the movie which might polarize viewers especially the longtime readers of the comic books. It involves the handling of character which was very different from the comic books. As a non-comic book reader, the change did not bother me at all and I think that the twist with that character worked out perfectly fine with the plot. However, the twist weakens the 'threat' which had a very powerful setup. It's quite hard to dig deeper with the subject without spoiling anything so all I can say that it is best to watch the movie without being exposed to spoilers.

There's nothing much to left to say about Robert Downey Jr's performance as Tony Stark as he really made the character his own. Of course he easily pulls off Tony's sarcastic remarks and endearing quirks but Iron Man 3 had a bigger emphasis on characterization and emotion but Downey rose to the occasion and effectively played Stark's vulnerability. Paltrow and Cheadle were good as well as their chemistry with Downey is still strong. However, the standouts in the film are Ben Kingsley and Guy Pearce as they give their full commitment to their respective roles. Kingsley in particular shows his impressive range as this movie proves even more that he can pretty much play any role he is given to.

As for the visual effects, it is very polished and a pure spectacle. There are two noteworthy sequences which are mind blowing. The first one was The Mandarin's attack on Tony's house, a devastating set piece which will leave you breathless and the other one was the rescue of passengers after falling from an airplane. The way they pulled that scene off is just amazing as it was nerve-wracking but exciting at the same time.

The blockbuster season officially starts and what a way to begin with a movie as entertaining as Iron Man 3. Other than the twist which might be jarring to some, Iron Man 3 delivered with its spectacular action set pieces, witty dialogue and unwavering energy from start to finish.

Rating: 9 / 10

Join the Iron Man 3 discussion at Pinoyexchange! Visit the Iron Man 3 Thread.

 ****

Previous reviews:
It Takes a Man and a Woman  
Aparisyon
The Croods

Must Be Love

Oz The Great and Powerful
A Moment in Time 

Review: It Takes a Man and a Woman

This review is originally published at Pinoyexchange

A romantic-comedy series is not a common movie franchise simply because most love stories told in this format follows a template and there's not much really left to say after the girl and the guy gets together in the end. But It Takes a Man and a Woman manages to find new grounds in the Laida-Miggy love story that's so strong that you just can't help but fall for its charm all over again.

Two years after their separation, Laida (Sarah Geronimo) and Miggy (John Lloyd Cruz) are forced to work again when Miggy's brother asked for his ex-girlfriend's help to broker a deal with the international media company she's working for. They both try to be professional but the lingering feelings they have for each other will not make things easy.

In the first few scenes of It Takes a Man and a Woman, it immediately sets up the reason behind Miggy and Laida's break up but even it was delivered quickly it was still able to convey the emotions of the characters and the struggle they experienced. The reunion of these two characters starts off lighthearted and comedic with a lot of zingers, banter and sight gags. And it all works out because we know these characters very well and the connection is magnetic.

The story then shifts to a more serious tone which is effectively heart-wrenching. When Miggy confronts Laida in the elevator and she finally unleashes what she has been feeling all along, one can't help but be moved with that scene. The moment perfectly captured the pain of breakups and that not even time and separation could easily erase it especially if the love shared was deep. The fact that this is the third part of this story helps because we already have an investment to their relationship and it also feels like they are just going through a natural cycle of real life relationships. It also had a thought-provoking insight about forgiveness which was helped even further by a subplot that involves Laida's parents.

The path to the conclusion is predictable and just like every other Star Cinema romance flick, there's a montage with the movie's theme song to speed up the process. But the chemistry between Geronimo and Cruz is just magical that watching them together delivers nothing but pure joy (even in the credits there's a lot of fun stuff to see with those two). The film also showcased how they have grown as actors. They made Laida and Miggy fully-realized characters that most people can relate to. The supporting cast were all good especially the trio of Gio Alvarez, Matet De Leon and the very funny Joross Gamboa who were all believable as they will remind us of our very own friends who teases us about our messy, complicated love lives.

It Takes a Man and a Woman is not flawless by any means. It tends to be overdramatic at times and there are still unforgivable production flaws (abrupt editing cutting off dialogue, noticeable change in color grading and lighting in just one sequence) but the strength of the story, the direction and the acting are all worth the money you'll spend in the theater. This is the fitting end of the Laida-Miggy love saga and I hope the producers will not be tempted to make another sequel because it already ended on a high note. And sure it may sound cheesy but It Takes a Man and a Woman will remind us why we all love the feeling of being in love.

Rating: 9 / 10

Review: Aparisyon

Aparisyon is not a horror film. There's no actual apparition or any supernatural vision in the story but the film is still about fear. And it's a kind of fear that stems from guilt and apathy that is nonetheless cryptic.

Lourdes (Jodi Sta. Maria) enters a monastery located in a remote area where the nuns are shielded away from the rising tension of the Marcos regime. There she meets Remy (Mylene Dizon), a nun who secretly attends meetings of activists. One day, Lourdes accompanied Remy in one of the meetings but it ran late and they were unable to go back to the monastery before dark. On their way home, the nuns were assaulted by bandits. Remy manages to escape but Lourdes was left behind. Worrying about the nuns who haven't come home yet, Mother Superior Sister Ruth (Fides Cuyugan-Asensio) and her assistant Sister Vera (Racquel Villavencio) searched for them and what they discovered will forever change their lives.

Aparisyon's indie film budget might have kept it from having a larger setting but the film never felt small. It dug deeper and broaden the scope by raising the stakes. What makes it more gripping is the way it examines issues of faith, fear and guilt in a situation which is undeniably a grey area. It raises questions that is not easy to answer. It presents characters who we can both detest and sympathize.

While there are certain scenes that I wished the filmmaker added more context, Aparisyon is still a directorial triumph. Even if the film is almost entirely set in the monastery it was able to maximize the surrounding to make the viewers feel the coldness and sullen mode of the convent after the tragedy happened. Moreover, the film was able to tell an affecting story with less dialogue and even in silence. The film didn't have to resort to use drawn out speeches or lines to tell us the inner turmoil the characters are going through. The very talented cast was used efficiently. The most affecting scene is the first one-on-one encounter between Lourdes and Remy since the assault. No dramatic speeches were said but the tension was high. And when one character finally breaks down, one can't help but share her pain.

At first glance, Aparisyon might not be accessible to casual moviegoers but it tells a story that we could all relate to as each one of us have our own inner battles. Aparisyon tells a different type of terror that's quietly haunting and with its sophisticated direction and captivating performances, it is definitely one of the films that is worth watching. 10/10

"Aparisyon" is now showing in SM Mall of Asia, SM Marikina, SM Manila, SM Megamall, SM Fairview, SM North Edsa, SM Cebu, SM Southmall, SM Sta. Mesa, Trinoma, Gateway and Glorietta

***

Recent Reviews:

Must Be Love

Oz The Great and Powerful
A Moment in Time

 

Review: The Croods

This review is originally posted at Pinoyexchange.com. Check out the latest trailers, news, reviews and hottest discussions at http://www.pinoyexchange.com/movies

The Croods has all the elements that make for a fun time at the movies with your family. Yes, it is your typical animated adventure movie but that's nothing to be ashamed of as it manages to entertain without excesses.

Eep (Emma Stone) is a free spirit who wants to explore the world outside the comforts of their family cave. But Eep's father Grugg (Nicholas Cage) is overprotective as he believes that venturing the outside world will put their lives in jeopardy. But one day Eep sneaks out and meets Guy (Ryan Reynolds), a wanderer who informs her that the world is ending and they must go to a place where they can survive. Grugg is skeptical to take her family out of their comfort zone but he is left with no choice when their cave is destroyed by the impending doom.

The Croods opens with an exciting and hilarious food hunt and from that sequence alone one could easily tell that this movie is going to be an enjoyable ride. The storyline is your standard child/parent conflict wherein the kid wants to break away from a parent who have a hard time letting go and they go on an adventure to learn lessons about life. However, what separates The Croods from generic kid flicks is that it did not feel tired at all. Moreover, the movie's play for emotion was heartfelt while all the jokes landed down pat.

The visuals are striking and there's a lot of breathtaking scenery for our eyes to feast on. The character designs, particularly the various flaky creatures inhabiting the world, are imaginative. Crafty editing also enhanced the movie especially the funny moments. The voice work from the cast is strong with Cage shining the most as he proves that despite the bizarre roles he have taken in recent years he is still one of the best actors out there who can balance humor and heart perfectly.

The Croods may not be as remarkable as other recent animated features as it is a straightforward tale with no deeper theme to dissect but what it aims for, it does extremely well.

Rating: 9 / 10

The Croods opens in theaters everywhere tomorrow (March 22). 

***

Recent Reviews:

Must Be Love

Oz The Great and Powerful
A Moment in Time

 

Review: Must Be Love

This review is originally posted at Pinoyexchange.com. Check out the latest trailers, news, reviews and hottest discussions at http://www.pinoyexchange.com/movies/

I admit my initial impression with Must Be...Love is that it's simply a vehicle to cash in the popularity of a teen love team but to my surprise it's actually more than that. While it still has all the cutesy stuff to generate “kilig” moments, the movie surprisingly touches on more personal and emotional themes that makes it more than just fluff.

Patchot (Kathryn Bernardo) and Ivan (Daniel Padilla) have been best friends since they were kids. Now that they are teenagers Patchoy realizes that she does not see Ivan as a friend anymore but the problem is, he is now courting her cousin. For once, boyish Patchoy wants to explore her femininity in hopes of winning Ivan's heart but it won't be easy as the change she wants contradicts how her father (John Estrada) raised her.

Star Cinema romantic movies usually adds a sad family background to their characters to justify why they are behaving that way in the present and usually it doesn't work out because the inclusion of those back stories are often too contrived with no reason but add a melodramatic effect. In Must Be...Love, the two teens grew up with a broken family and this time around the back stories of the characters are more believable and easily relatable. The element of family drama was seamlessly integrated to the romantic story. It gave us a solid foundation to understand the characters' apprehensions and insecurities. The lead characters are more well-rounded especially Patchot as she isn't just a helpless girl hopelessly devoted to her best friend but an adolescent discovering a lot of things about herself for the first time.

The main plot is still predictable and did not add any new angle on the “best friends falling for each other” love story and as usual did not give that much dimension to the third wheel other than simply being a hindrance for the destined pair to be together. Also, the movie's portrayal of a girl's boyishness and the subsequent “girl transformation” is tired and formulaic. However, the direction exudes a youthful and lighthearted vibe that it's hard to not to smile on its very sweet nature. Padilla and Bernardo's chemistry is so good that the target demographic (and maybe some adults as well) will surely find themselves rooting for them to be together. However, Padilla still needs to work on his dramatic skills especially that he is paired with such a strong young actress. Bernardo just sells every emotion from infatuation to awkwardness to pain effectively.

Must Be...Love is a pleasant surprise. Just as I thought that this is a typical flash in the pan romcom, it gives an honest look on a young person's struggle with one's self and how it affects her relationships as she grows up. It doesn't exactly offer a fresh insight but it wore its heart on its sleeve that is simply hard to dismiss.

Rating: 8 /10

***
Recent Reviews:
Oz The Great and Powerful
A Moment in Time
Chinese Zodiac

Review: Oz The Great and Powerful

Oz the Great and Powerful is essentially a prequel to the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz and with such iconic movie comes great expectations. Certain elements from the 1939 film is legally tied to another studio so there are noticeable variations in the story but overall Oz the Great and Powerful is still a solid and colorful return to this magical world.

Oscar (James Franco) is a womanizing magician who finds himself in the magical Land of Oz after his hot air balloon was sucked by a cyclone. In Oz, Oscar meets Theodora (Mila Kunis) a witch who thought that Oscar is the wizard prophesied to defeat the Wicked Witch who killed the King of Oz and therefore take his throne. Oscar plays along and he then soon meets Theodora's sister Evanora (Rachel Weisz) who tells him that he can only have the king's power and wealth if he can find the Wicked Witch (Michelle Williams) and breaks the source of her power, the wand. Oscar travels to the Dark Forest to look for the Wicked Witch but he then discovers secrets that will take his journey to a different path than he expected

The movie begins with a nod to The Wizard of Oz as it starts in black and white and an old-fashioned aspect ratio which then transforms to wide screen full color when Oscar enters the land of Oz. The movie is definitely a wonder with a lot of eye popping visuals and beautiful scenery to feast your eyes on. However, the movie has pacing issues which affect the first part of the story where the story does not fully take off and was dull at times. But once everything is set in motion, the energy and action picks up and we are treated to a very fun adventure. The action is very kid-friendly as it was established earlier on that the citizens of Oz could not kill their enemies. So how could they defeat the villains without too much violence? The way they resolved the dilemma is quite smart and very entertaining. In a way, it was also a nod to early forms of cinema on how simple mechanisms could bring magic to the people.

The performances of the cast is generally favorable. Franco starts off awkward as he does not have the Robert Downey Jr. kind of charm to pull off the smarmy but lovable man Oscar but he makes up for it in the final act of the movie where he confronts the witches in such a clever way. Meanwhile, it was refreshing to see both Williams and Weisz take on roles so different from the very serious characters they usually play and fortunately they both pulled it off. However, Kunis was clearly the weak link as she struggled with her character's shift. Zach Braff and Joey King did terrific jobs providing voices to the funny flying monkey Finely and the magnificently-animated China Girl.

Oz the Great and Powerful admittedly has a lot of flaws especially in the first half and would definitely suffer in comparison to the 1939 classic but for what is worth, it did very good job capturing the magic of the world of Oz. If this movie is financially successful, I would be looking forward with what they can do more in the potential sequels.

Rating: 8 / 10

Originally posted at  Official Pinoyexchange Movie Reviews

Review: A Moment in Time

 The unlikely love team of Coco Martin and Julia Montes was successful in the soap opera Walang Hanggan last year so it’s no surprise that a movie came soon after. A Moment in Time starts off with sweet tone (albeit a little creepy) but unfortunately it only lasted for about 15 minutes as a shift in the story backfired.

During a public transport ride, Patrick (Coco Martin) sees Jillian (Julian Montes) and was easily smitten. Patrick pursues Jillian and soon won her heart over but an incident in Jillian’s past threatens their relationship.

Let’s be honest, the initial premise of the story is a stalker’s dream and you would really have to stretch your suspension of disbelief so as not to get bothered on how Patrick chases Jillian. But Coco Martin is just a charming man so he makes this character lovable despite the creepy nature. And for a moment it actually worked because you would actually root for this couple but then the story shifts to a tragic twist and then the story crumbles.

The twist is such a contrived attempt to add drama to the story but instead of moving the story forward it just made the story stagnant and it struggled to get one point to another. Patrick who started lovable then became a confused mess. You just don’t understand what his intentions are anymore. After finding out Jillian’s past which affected his personal life he still pursued her and when they became a couple he breaks up with her for a reason that is not actually connected with Jillian’s past. I feel like that there’s a missing scene or two to drive that conflict. So when Patrick reveals to Jillian the secret it didn’t have the emotional impact that they were attempting to have. The story then shifts to have several chases, literally speaking, from the Philippines to Amsterdam. And there’s one last attempt to create conflict with a third party that came out of nowhere who then gives out a dramatic speech of letting go as if we knew the character all along.

A Moment of Time just didn’t work. Yes, it had a few moments of kilig but it was not enough to sustain interest as the decision to go to a melodramatic route barely held the story together. 4 / 10

Review: Chinese Zodiac

Chinese Zodiac’s main marketing push is that this is Jackie Chan’s final action movie and if this is indeed true, Chan’s action career will go out on a high note. Chinese Zodiac’s story lacks focus but does it really matter when Chan’s astonishing stunt work is more than enough to keep the viewer interested?

Treasure hunter JC (Jackie Chan) and his team of thieves travel the world to hunt down and recover the twelve bronze heads of the Chinese Zodiac but they soon meet a group of activists fighting for preservation of Chinese cultural relics which complicates their mission.

The movie is dubbed in English and in some areas it was a little jarring due to off synch dialogue and mismatched voices. The story is pretty much your standard adventure flick although it tries to tackle a broader topic with a deeper message but didn’t hit it off flawlessly because of its tendency to be preachy. There’s also a bunch of story threads thrown together and a plethora of unnecessary characters, which makes the movie a little confusing at times. I also felt that the threat was not fully established so even if the stake is high it just doesn’t’ feel like there’s imminent danger.

 But just like most Jackie Chan action flicks, it’s really all about the amazing set pieces and jaw dropping stunt work. And as always, Jackie Chan delivers. Chan is truly a legend and the way he pulls off all those stunts is simply impressive. The highlights are the sofa showdown and the skydiving scramble. Chan is just a lovable star as he can make some of the silly jokes and antics still endearing. The supporting cast is okay and while the movie tries to give most of them a moment to shine, it’s just a tall order to stand out if you have someone as charismatic as Chan anchoring the movie.

If there’s one thing that Chinese Zodiac proves, it is that there’s a strong reason Jackie Chan is so popular and why many considers him as a pop culture icon. In this movie, he showcases why he won the hearts of many people worldwide. If this is indeed his final action movie, his presence in the big screen will surely be missed. Do I wish that his final action movie had a stronger storyline? Definitely but Chinese Zodiac was still a good reminder why Jackie Chan will always be one of the most treasured stars of all time. 7 / 10

Review: Gangster Squad

Gangster Squad is based on a true story and while a premise like this is often given the license to stretch the truth for cinematic effect, it still should still have a hint of emotional reality. While the movie’s strong cast saves Gangster Squad from being a total dud, the movie’s detachment from reality is a disappointment.

Los Angeles Police Chief William Parker (Nick Nolte) assigns police officer John O’Mara (Josh Brolin) to form a squad that will take down gangster Mickey Cohen (Sean Penn) and his group of gangsters who have recently taken over the city of Los Angeles. O’Mara is determined to put an end to Cohen’s businesses in any means even if it’s breaking the conventional law.

To Gangster Squad’s credit, its stylized action sequences are snappy and quite enjoyable to watch. The production design was also successful to make you feel the authenticity of the era the movie was set in. But while the premise is quite interesting, the movie didn’t fully maximized the story’s potential and went with an action blockbuster route that oftentimes made the movie feel more cartoonish than it should be.

The story is cluttered with crime movie clichés, predictable plot turns and unnecessary characters and subplots. The chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone is sure good (as evidenced in their first team up in Crazy Stupid Love) but their story in Gangster Squad is so underdeveloped that there was a scene in the kitchen which suggests that their relationship is on a deeper level already. But the weird thing is that prior to that scene there was no real build up that they connected beyond sex. Most of the acting is over the top (and sometimes borders on self-parody) especially Penn but for what is worth they are fun to watch in some scenes.

Gangster Squad is not that awful but it’s just unremarkable. It could be considered a mindless mob movie but still it’s quite a shame that a good ensemble and fascinating premise were wasted on a so-so effort.

Rating: 5 / 10

Review: Les Miserables

I’m not familiar with the full story of Les Miserables. I haven’t read Victor Hugo’s novel or seen an adaptation in any form. I just know about the two iconic songs from the musical and some of the characters so Tom Hooper’s film is my introduction to the material. Les Miserables is imperfect but the polished production and the strong performances will make you understand why this story captivated the hearts of many

Valjean (Hugh Jackman) is imprisoned for stealing bread for his sister’s starving children and after serving his time he was freed. But Jean had difficulty to start a new life due to the cruel terms of France’s parole system.  Valjean escapes and a few years after became a rich factory owner and politician.  But when one of his workers dies, he looks for her daughter and adopts her. But Inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) locates him so he runs away once more with the child. Several years after, Jean and her now grown up adopted daughter were caught in the middle of a student uprising against the government. As the tension of the uprising escalates, Jean is conflicted whether to let her adopted daughter go as she falls in love with one of the revolutionaries and at the same time he once again faces Javert who over the years never stopped searching for him.

The much-talked about aspect of the film is the decision to let the actors sing live as opposed to lip-synching studio-recorded versions of the songs. Yes, the singing is not flawless but it really doesn’t matter as the live singing gave the film a stronger emotional impact. You would actually feel the characters’ pain and suffering when the actors belts out a song. The musical numbers that shined thanks to this style were Anne Hathaway’s “I Dreamed a Dream”, Jackman’s “Valjean's Soliloquy” and Eddie Redmayne’s “Empty Chairs and Empty Tables”. Hooper’s close up shots during most solo numbers are quite jarring but for what is worth when it works it makes the scene more intimate and heart-wrenching

Since this is my first exposure to the full story of Les Miserables I have to admit that I got a little lost on some areas.  I felt that the film didn’t fully connect all the stories cohesively and there are parts that were underdeveloped. For example, the love affair between Cosette and Marius is weak which makes it quite hard to invest in their relationship. Apart from the “On My Own” musical number, Eponine didn’t leave much of an impression.

The biggest strength of the film is the performances of the actors. Jackman gave a career-best performance while Hathaway lived up to the hype. The rest of the supporting cast is solid but while I find Crowe’s voice good enough, he lacks the spunk to give more teeth to the character of Javert. The production aspects of the film are commendable from the superb cinematography, to the detailed costumes and the glorious production design.

There’s a reason why Les Miserables is so popular over the years and while this film is not without its flaws, it still succeeded in bringing to life one of the most-beloved stories of all time. 9 / 10

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 Les Miserables opens in Philippine theaters today (January 16)

Review: One More Try

The 38^th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture winner One More Try offers a very interesting tale of a moral dilemma. I read that the movie’s plot is strikingly similar to a Chinese film but I haven’t seen that so I can’t compare but on its own One More Try thrives thanks to commendable performances but it still can’t fully escape the awkwardness of its story and some of the Filipino melodramatic tropes.

Grace (Angel Locsin) looks for Edward (Dingdong Dantes), the father his son never met knew. Grace’s son needs a bone marrow transplant and only Edward could help him. When they found out that Edward couldn’t donate his own, the doctor suggests that they should have another child who can give his bone marrow. But Edward is now married to Jacq (Angelica Panganiban) while Grace is in a long-term relationship with Tristan (Zanjoe Marudo).

While the premise of One More Try is medically possible, the way the movie builds up the predicament is contrived. The doctor played by Carmina Villaroel was just too unprofessional when she was pushing Grace and Edward so hard to sire a child the natural way. That scene, which was obviously intended for laughs, just left me cold. I know it’s just a movie but with a morally complex premise like this, there should be a sense of realism with the attitude and behavior of the characters no matter how minor the role. I feel like that the attempt to inject humor through the doctor’s perkiness and bluntness was out of place and offensive.

But setting that aside, One More Try is compelling enough thanks to strong performances from the cast who elevated the material. All the major characters were sympathetic and their actions were quite believable given how difficult the situation they were forced to be part in. Locsin delivered a career-best in this movie as she perfectly captured the struggle of a mother who will do everything to save her child’s life. Panganiban is equally impressive as she can fully express the inner turmoil of her character even without words. Dantes and Marudo were good as well with controlled but heartfelt performances. There are a lot of dramatic exchanges but they were mostly effective with no histrionics from the actors.

It’s also worth noting that there are surprisingly good choices in direction for a mainstream movie like scenes that didn’t have much dialogue and it just let the visuals to do the talking. However, it still did some of the clichés like having a montage of scenes with the movie’s theme in the background and a predictable ‘happy’ conclusion. I’m not saying that movie should end in a dark place but I just think that given the premise it just doesn’t make sense to leave all the characters in a situation that is way too sociable as if they didn’t experienced the most grueling time of their lives. (Spoiler Alert!) It would have been better if at least one of the couples broke up for good or at least have an ambiguous end with regards to the status of their relationships. I just can’t buy that the four characters are that comfortable with each other as if they are all best friends and nothing happened. I know the intention was noble but the predicament was just too morally damaging to not leave a dent in their relationships. 

One More Try is decent movie with some very promising aspects. For the performances alone, it’s worth the watch but they could have hit the right spot if they dared to make bolder choices. 7 / 10

My Top 20 Favorite Movies of 2012

I watched 74 movies inside the theaters this year which is a personal record. About a quarter of it I watched through press/advanced screenings and the rest with my own money. It's quite a costly past time but there's really something special about watching a film in the big screen so even though I had some financial woes this year I was still able to set aside some money so I can still go to the theater. And I don't regret spending for it since watching movies inside a theater helped me cope with all the personal problems I had this year. 

Just like last year, I will share my Top 20 Favorite Movies of the year. This time I'm going to limit my list to the movies I've watched inside the theater. There are also 2011 movies in the list because they were only shown here this year so for me they are 2012 movies. I love stories regardless of genre although I admit my taste in movies is more mainstream and commercial but I can appreciate offbeat/indie films as long as they have something that got my interest.  I wish have seen more movies in this year's Cinemalaya (I've only seen 4) or any new film in the Cinema One Originals festival so I could have a broader selection for the local movies but unfortunately I wasn't able to do so. Anyway, let's get this rollin!

But first!

Honorable Mention: The Re-issues!

I've watched 3 re-issues this year first was Titanic in 3D and the last two are digital restorations of Filipino classics Himala and Oro Plata Mata and it was a pleasure to be able to watch these films in the big screen. Initially, I was thinking of including them in my Top 20 but I decided that I'll stick with the new films only but I still want to mention how I enjoyed watching these films in the big screen.

And now on with the list!

20. Every Breath U Take

 The mainstream local movie that I enjoyed the most this year. While the story is still generic and in line with  the Star Cinema romcom wheelhouse, Every Breath U Take stood out because of its strong comedic moments. Angelica Panganiban's scene in the police station almost gave me an asthma attack because of how hilarious it is. I think that scene is the main reason why this movie made my top 20 ;)

19. The Avengers

Hollywood popcorn movie at its finest.  It's the highest grossing movie ever in the Philippines earning more than 600 million pesos  and it's not hard to see why. It may not have complex and deeper themes but it sure delivered in the entertainment department with its humor, great cast chemistry and awesome action scenes.

18. Requieme!

In the interest of full disclosure, a friend of mine is part of the cast of this 2012 Cinemalaya entry . But I can honestly say that I genuinely enjoyed this film. The way it touched on the culture of death in the country is spot on. I especially like the part where it delved on the issue on how it's complicated to bury someone who is poor. It's very insightful and will make you feel sad for people who even in death can't be laid to rest because of "technicalities" and "paperwork".

17. The Dark Knight Rises

Sure it was not as good as The Dark Knight but let's face it's just so hard to top that iconic movie. Setting aside lofty expectations, Nolan's final Batman film delivered. and closed out one of the most celebrated movie franchises in bombastic fashion. 

16. Frankenweenie

The story is very simple but it perfectly captured the feeling of a child losing his beloved pet. The sentiment is very sincere that you just can't help but be charmed by it. The black-and-white stop motion format is rendered gorgeously making the movie more appealing. 
 

15. Cloud Atlas

Probably the most critically divisive film this year because the premise is just so ambitious. Even though the film failed to connect all six stories in a more coherent way, most of the individual stories are strong enough. I especially like the stories set in the future (Neo Soul Korea and post-Apocalyptic earth) which are science fiction at its finest. The story about the old publisher gave the film a much-need lighter tone while The Cloud Sextet story is emotionally powerful. The nuclear facility-oil company conspiracy story pulled in heart-pounding moments and while I'm not a fan of the slavery story it still has elements and twists that kept me interested.

14. Bwakaw

Our country's submission for the Oscars this year is a very worthy choice and even if it did not make to the top 9 shortlist, this is still a film that we should be proud of. It tells a poignant story of loneliness and how to make the most out of the time you have left in this world. Eddie Garcia delivered one of the best performances of his career

13.  Brave

While it's quite obvious that there's a tonal shift in the film due to its changing directors midway in the production, Brave still works mainly because its heart is in the right place. I also like that the lead character, Merida, is not your damsel in distress or even the sweet naive princess either Also, the animation is simply beautiful and is probably the animated feature with most-polished production this year.

12. ParaNorman

This is one example of an animation that truly benefits from the stop-motion format. It complements the story's bizarre setting yet it is still accessible enough for kids and casual moviegoers. The story's climax when ParaNorman meets the "witch" is one of the most emotional and riveting scene for any film I've seen this year. 

11. Thy Womb

I reviewed this film just yesterday  but to sum it up, Thy Womb's slow narrative will be a challenge to some but its poetic depiction of the Badjao culture in Tawi Tawi is simply powerful.

10. Chronicle

This movie used the "found footage" format very well because it didn't use it as simply as a gimmick but our eyes to the soul of an emotionally damaged person. Dane DeeHan's performance as Andrew is one of the year's best and I wish he received more recognition.

9. Looper

A time travel movie that tackles more than just jumping from one time period to another but it presents a moral argument that will make you think about consequences and question the decisions of the characters. The end is quite emotional and up to now I'm still stunned by it.

8. Wreck-It Ralph

The Toy Story for the world of gaming! It's imaginative, funny and emotional as well. I love the production design which exudes creativity. However, the friendship between Ralph and Vanellopee is the film's strongest point as it sincere but not overtly sentimental.

7. The Muppets

A 2011 movie that was only shown here last March. This movie is one of the best "reboots" of any franchise in recent memory. It manages to pay homage to the past but respectfully ushers in to a new era. The musical performances (and the songs) are witty, fun and heck even emotional! . This not just a comeback vehicle for these lovable puppets but a loving tribute that would make its creator Jim Henson proud. 

6. Hugo

Another movie from last year that only got a release date this year. This Oscar winner had an uneven beginning but all those flaws are negligible once the story gets to the film preservation part. The movie will help us appreciate films and the people behind it. I love how the film highlighted the creative process that happens when making movies. And perhaps the strongest element in Hugo is the movie's message of keeping the art of films alive and not just in the physical sense. Once you see the gorgeously-rendered sequences featuring the restored actual footage of early films you'll understand why film preservation is important.

5.  Six Degrees of Separation from Lilia Cuntapay

The 2011 Cinema One Originals winner took almost a year to land a commercial theater run and the wait was all worth it. I loved how this faux-documentary manages to blend in truth and fiction seamlessly. Iconic extra Lilia Cuntapay gave a wonderful performance, she was funny and heartbreaking. Her "acceptance speech" is one of the most heartfelt scene I've seen this year, it was so powerful but raw.

4.  Argo

Argo recreates a moment in world history that is emotionally resonant, humorous and  tense. While the script took some liberties to make the actual incident more cinematic, it knows not to make it flashy and executes each scene in a clean and unaffected manner. How this story ends is no secret but still the film manages to stir up suspense.

3.  The Perks of Being a Wallflower

This movie does not tell us anything new or groundbreaking about youth issues but what it does best is showing the serious side of being a teenager with so much sensibility and sincerity. The structure is basically simple and something that most people could relate to. It really is all about growing up and the pain and pleasure that comes along with it. What makes The Perks of Being a Wallflower special is that the movie does not pass judgment and just lets you in to the world of these kids who are young, adventurous and full of potential yet so unfocused and fragile. It does not escape the cliches known to this genre but the characters are fascinating and genuine that watching their journey is so engrossing to watch.

2.  Hope Springs

If you think that Hope Springs is an 'icky' movie about old people wanting to have sex again then you are absolutely wrong. Hope Springs paints a moving picture of how time tests relationships and even if it focuses on an older couple, the message is universal and will definitely strike a chord to anyone regardless of age. This is is such a strong movie because it is well-observed and direct to the point. It is an intimate film that carefully dissects the issues that led the couple in that state of their marriage. There are no major dramas or dark secrets behind the fragile situation they are in but just a couple of small unspoken issues that bore a hole which got bigger and bigger over time without them realizing it. It also commendable how the film resolved the conflict in a realistic way, there's no magic moment where everything is going to be better in an instant. It suggests that resolving issues takes time and effort from both sides.

1. Give Up Tomorrow

My #1 this year is a documentary about a criminal case here in the Philippines that I was not aware that existed until this film came to the theaters. Give Up Tomorrow presented a very strong case on why the convicted is innocent while at the same time depicts the gripping reality of the Philippine justice and political system.I was definitely moved, shocked and appalled after I saw this documentary. Give Up Tomorrow is not just the story of a man looking for justice but a powerful wake up call on how dangerous trial by publicity is. It paints a picture of a rotten system that will make you think things over and over again. It’s a gripping documentary that a lot of people should see because it speaks a lot of things so hard to accept but yet so painfully true.

Review: Thy Womb

 Thy Womb is a very unique entry in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). Getting in the last minute thanks to one movie backing out, Thy Womb is a refreshing change to the commercial-driven movie festival.

Shaleha (Nora Aunor) is a Badjao midwife who can’t bear a child. Her husband Bangas-an (Bembol Roco) proposes that he gets a second wife so he’ll finally have the chance to have a child of his own. This begins the couple’s journey of finding the suitable woman that could give them a child they wanted for so long.

Thy Womb is a restrained quiet film as it lets the visuals do most of the talking. Small moments are lingered on even if it does not move the story forward. At times it felt like you are watching a documentary because of the film’s naturalistic vibe. People may find this approach boring but what keeps the film from being lifeless is because it focuses on the culture of a small community in Tawi Tawi which is anything but uninteresting.

 The film gives us slices of life from the regular townsfolk exchanging small talks to the local market activity to the intriguing and lavish marriage proposal rituals. But what got me the most is the way it captured how life goes on in a place that is often burdened by violence. During a wedding, a gunshot was heard and a minor chaos ensued but Shaleha encouraged the newlyweds to continue dancing and they followed and soon after everything went back to normal as if there’s no more threat. Violence is nothing new, it still gives them scares but they can easily move on from it and resume their lives. It’s quite a moving scene and will make you wonder how can they live normal lives under such precarious situation.

Another interesting aspect in this film is how it gave us a look on how marriages are arranged in this culture. It presents the process in a matter-of-fact account offering no judgment but still managing to let the complexity of the situation seep through. However, I wished the film gave us more scenes on how the arrangement Bangas-an had with his second wife worked because I felt that it was not given enough time to tell that story satisfyingly.

Aunor and Roco gave restrained but very effective performances. This film has little dialogue in it but thanks to the strength of the actors they don’t need words to show their characters’ inner pain and complex feelings. The scene when they met the future second wife for the first time is the best example how an actor can do so much without uttering a single line. It’s all in the eyes.

Reports say that Thy Womb is getting pulled by a lot of theaters due to poor ticket sales. It’s unfortunate that they couldn’t give this a full-week run. Admittedly, it’s a tough sell to the mainstream audience due to the way the story is told but Thy Womb presents a picture of a culture that is fascinating and is definitely worth watching. I always hear complaints how uninspiring the MMFF slate is but this year we have a film that is not your usual MMFF fare so why not give this a chance? 9 / 10

Review: The Strangers

Horror/suspense movies are mostly built on twists and in this day and age it's really hard to get a new twist that can still surprise a viewer. The Strangers pulls off a twist which is really interesting however a movie can not just rely on twist alone as it actually needs a compelling story first.

Evelyn (Cherry Pie Picache) and Roy (Johnny Revilla) take their twins Max (Enrique Gil) and Patricia (Julia Montes) on an out-of-town trip to celebrate their 18^th birthday. Tagging along with them is Evelyn's father (Jaime Fabregas) and his aid Paloma (Janice De Belen). But on their way to the place, their van broke down and they got lost in the middle of the forest where they met a group of villagers hunting down Dolfo (Enchong Dee) whom they believe is an aswang.

The movie starts pretty slow as it takes too much time telling the characters' issues with one another. Nothing really significant or exciting happens for the first hour or so but for what is worth, when they finally got to the “twist” it will make you look back at the early scenes and conversations. I must say that the foundation of the twist is structured well. Unless you're a super sharp person or have seen this premise before in another movie (I haven't) the twist is not something that you could easily guess.

Unfortunately, before you get to the cool twist part the movie lingers on a storyline that drags for too long and felt like it was going nowhere at all. I felt a sense of disconnect from what's happening on screen mainly because The Strangers failed to construct characters and build situations that the viewer could actually have an emotional investment on. It felt like it was just filling out time before they reveal the deceit.

The effects are solid but it's pretty generic and they rely too much on the musical score to inform the viewer that this is an intense scene already. The cast is populated with veteran actors who made the most out of their stock characters while the young leads took sometime to get into the groove of their characters but in the end they still did a fine job. One thing I was impressed with the technical side of the film is the make up because it's really well-done and didn't look fake at all.

The Strangers is sadly a missed opportunity. If they only had a stronger story leading to the revelation of the twist then the impact of the deceit would have delivered a bigger blow. As it stands, the twist only redeemed the movie from being a total dud. 6 / 10

Review: Sisterakas

There’s nothing new to expect with the latest Wenn Deramas comedy Sisterakas. It is pretty much in line with his recent movies that were all box office hits. This brand of comedy clicks with the mainstream audience mainly because it’s easily digestible but one can’t help but think what more can they do if they had a better storyline and not just a barrage of jokes.

Perfectionist fashion czar Bernice (Vice Ganda) hires Detty (Ai Ai Delas Alas) to replace the executive assistant he fired. Unbeknownst to Detty, Bernice is her illegitimate half-brother whom they threw out of their house (along with Bernice’s mom) when he was a child. To seek revenge, Bernice plans to make Detty’s life a living hell while she works for him. Meanwhile, Bernice’s rival Roselle (Kris Aquino) plans to pirate Berna to finally beat Bernice’s company.

While the main plot is actually decent it is still nothing but an excuse to set up jokes, parodies and skits. With this kind of set up, the comedy is pretty much a hit and miss. Vice Ganda did his usual sarcastic and personal jokes and he can really sell a joke no matter how old or corny it is. He can effortlessly deliver one-liners and snark that seems so natural and out of the blue.  Delas Alas is fine although her “baby voice” is grating  but the energy is there. And as for Aquino, well, you could see the effort to do things broad but she doesn’t have the comedic chops to pull it off. The movie was also hesitant to make Aquino’s character a full-blown antagonist and I think if they only embraced that, they could have squeezed out more substance from the character which to be honest is really not needed. And speaking of unnecessary stuff, the subplot of the teens (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla) is so minor that I don’t think even the love team’s diehard fans will enjoy it completely (their scenes in the trailer is pretty much it for them).

Sisterakas reportedly topped the first day of the 38^TH Metro Manila Film Festival, which will likely begin another franchise in this annual festival. The audience clearly likes this type of comedy and the stars will add this to their roster of box office hits. I admit I laughed in a couple of scenes. It’s silly fun but I hope this team will be inspired to change things up and not be afraid to explore more areas in comedy next time. At this point, they can pretty much sell any movie with their names alone, so why not take some risk (even a small one) in the next project? I hope this is not just wishful thinking. 5 / 10

Review: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a landmark in filmmaking winning the hearts of both the audience and critics. So it goes without saying that the much-awaited prequel, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, will face lofty expectations just because of the legacy set by its predecessor.  It may not be fair but it’s an unavoidable comparison, however the film on its own still delivers although is not flawless by any means.

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) is reluctantly recruited by the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellan) on a quest to help a band of dwarves led by their prince Thorin (Richard Armitage), to reclaim their land and treasure from the dragon Smaug. As the journey begins, Bilbo and the dwarves face dangerous creatures that lurk the Middle Earth and one encounter will change not only Bilbo’s life but also the future of their world.

One of the most-talked about aspects about the production of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is how it was shot and projected (in select theaters) in high frame rate (HFR) of 48 frames per second (fps).  I’ve seen the film twice, on regular 3D and 3D HFR and I must say that 3D HFR version is quite a marvel. Some of the impact is quite jarring at first but as the film progresses, the HFR format settles in and gives an amazing visual experience. Personally, I’m not a fan of 3D because it gives me eyestrain and headaches plus the much dimmer projections is something that I don’t enjoy but with the HFR format all previous issues I had with 3D is gone. What’s good about 48 fps is that is not like standard 3D where you will only notice the effect when there are objects flying to the screen because HF3 3D gives every shot and object with more multidimensionality.

As for the story, I haven’t read the book but from what I was told the novel is not as thematically rich and complex as the The Lord of the Rings trilogy. And with the novel divided to three movies, the episodic structure of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is prevalent. Not that it’s a bad thing but with a run time of almost three hours and with only a portion of one relatively short novel being told, pacing problems is inevitable. The first part when the dwarves were introduced (the dinner scene in particular) was too long. I just felt that the scene introduced way too many characters to digest all at once. There are 13 dwarves in the story and unfortunately, especially from someone like me who is unfamiliar with the source material, it’s hard to keep track which is which and even with the lengthy run time I still didn’t get to know these characters quite well with the exception of Thorin who had an emotional backstory and a strong arc that helped carry the film

While the story takes a while to take off, once it gets to the climactic battles it goes to great heights. I was amazed with the scene that involves the Stone Giants that features one of the most breathtaking battle sequences I’ve seen of all time. But hands down the film’s best part and the highlight is the scene between Bilbo and Gollum as they face off with a game of riddles. It was funny, riveting and scary all at the same time thanks to the terrific performances of Freeman and Andy Serkis as Gollum. It’s also worth nothing that the CGI work with Gollum is very impressive and life-like.

While the stakes are not that high in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, it is still quite an enjoyable ride and serves as a solid start to another adventure back at Middle Earth. If you can, please go see it in 3D-HFR format as it will give you a different and remarkable movie going experience.  8 / 10

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Special thanks to Pinoyexchange for the press screening invites for this movie last Dec. 12, 2012. You can discuss the movie at The Hobbit thread at Pinoyexchange by clicking here.  This review will also be posted at PEx Official Movie Reviews

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"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is now showing in theaters nationwide in 2D, standard 3D, IMAX 3D and 3D HFR formats. Cinemas showing in HFR 3D format are Glorietta, Greenbelt 3, Greenhills, Robinson's Ermita, Robinson's Galleria, SM Mall Of Asia , SM Megamall, SM North Edsa, SM Southmall. The movie will still be showing on SM IMAX theaters during the MMFF season