Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Yeah, I saw the new Transformers movie. I'm a bit surprised too considering my utter disdain for the original. Now don't get me wrong. I loved Transformers growing up. I still have most of my Autobots and Decepticons. But this isn't a toy franchise that translates well into a live action film; I fear the same for the new GI Joe movie. That being said, I do feel this film is a slight improvement over the original, with a stronger and more cohesive story. However, the movie clocks in at a whopping 150 minutes. And you can feel every minute drag on, especially in the last hour. After all, how many giant robot fights can you watch? After the first 90 minutes, each fight looks the same. Sure the CG work is top-notch, but I just didn't really care. It's hard to get worked up over what is essentially a long video game cut scene. But it appears I'm in the minority. The theater was absolutely packed yesterday, and the crowd ate it up, applauding at the end. Perhaps they were excited the film was finally over. Now that's something I can put my hands together for.

The Hangover

This is easily the funniest movie I've seen in years. It's consistently funny too, not just a few chuckles sprinkled throughout. Beyond the humor, what surprised me most was the inventive premise. I was expecting to see some Vegas bachelor party movie...which wouldn't have been very original. But instead, all we see is the aftermath of the crazy night, giving us the same sense of amnesia as the lead characters; we don't know what happened the night before and they can't remember. More importantly, where's their friend who's supposed to get married? And why is there a tiger in the bathroom and a baby in a closet? It all unfolds like a wacky detective story as these three guys try to put the pieces together. While the script is tight and original, it's the cast that really makes it all work. In particular, Zach Galifianakis. He steals every scene. But Bradley Cooper (Alias) and Ed Helms (The Office) hold their own too. Plus, there's some great cameos and homages to other Vegas films. The movie has been such a hit that there's already talk of a sequel, which is a little depressing. As much as I'd like to hang out with these characters again, it would be tough to top this one.

Up

Unlike most modern animated films, Pixar's movies have a timeless quality, and Up is no exception. There are no tongue-in-cheek pop culture references aimed at the adults in the audience. That's something I'm getting tired of. It was okay in the first Shrek movie, but I feel it somewhat cheapens the experience. Almost like the filmmakers know their story isn't good enough to keep adults interested. But with Pixar, the story comes first, and there are no cheap jokes thrown in. As a result, Pixar's movies are more likely to hold-up over time, much like other Disney classics. In many ways their movies are a throwback to old Hollywood, when audiences were less fractured by demographics and focus groups. Like all of Pixar's movies, Up will appeal to any avid film goer. And it's playing in 3D too, so check out your local listings. I saw it in digital 3D and it's easily worth the slightly higher price. Plus, the digital projection looks so clean. In fact, it might be the best looking film I've ever seen in a theater. For me it wasn't quite as good as WALL-E or The Incredibles, but it's still worth checking out.