| DVD'S/MOVIES |
| KILLAWATTS.NET (C) 2008. All rights reserved. |
| ALIEN Vs PREDATOR (2OTH Century Fox Pictures) Starring Lance Hendrickson, Colin Salmon, Sanaa Nathan After nearly 15 years of rumours, false starts and forever being put on hold � finally, the movie that most die hard sci-fi fans have been waiting for has arrived. Has it been worth the wait � fuck yeah! ALIEN Vs PREDATOR delivers the kind of movie that most hard core Alien/Predator fans had been hoping for and compared to the last 2 rather disappointing ALIEN instalments, AVP leaves them in Alien slime. The idea of pitting two of Sci-Fi�s popular franchises started in the climatic moments aboard the Predator ship in the highly underrated 1990 movie, PREDATOR 2 where actor Danny Glover discovers the trophy case which displays an Alien skull. That set the ball in motion and over the last 15 years countless comic books, paperbacks, numerous runs of action figures as well as X-box and 2 very successful PC games have wetted the appetites of Alien/Predator fans. Alien star, Sigourney Weaver has never liked the idea of combining the two franchises so we�ve had to wait a little longer for the film to actually arrive. To most of us it was obvious that pitting two of the deadliest creatures ever to grace motion picture screens would be an awesome idea � as long as the right people were involved in the project. Unfortunately for Sigourney she�s been proved wrong as AVP has done much better at the box office than both Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection combined � suck on that Sigourney! AVP is directed by Paul Anderson (Resident Evil, Event Horizon) who is a FAN of the two franchises and he has done a marvellous job and his vision and enthusiasm really comes through. He has made an good film which should satisfy the majority of die-hards with a couple of good battle scenes, plenty of action and a couple of very cool new gadgets for the Predator. I�m not going to spoil it for you and divulge too many details but basically the story unfolds on Earth and is a prequel to the ALIEN movie being set some 170 years before the Nostromo discovers the planet containing the derelict space ship. It is also a follow-up to the two Predator movies. Anderson who also co-wrote the script has done a fine job taking into account all the details from the above mentioned films and unlike Alien 3 � he doesn�t screw up the storyline. What you get is a film with a collection of humans, Aliens, (all life cycles), Predators (yes, more than one) all on Earth in the year 2004. The battle ground is a pyramid temple which is located some 2000 feet under the ice in Antarctica with everybody fighting for survival. There�s also a great insight to how and when the Predators first came to Earth � which is very cool! The cast includes, Lance Hendrickson who plays Charles 'Bishop' Weyland (Aliens, Alien 3, Terminator) yes, the founder of the �dreaded company� that screwed everybody in the Alien movies. Colin Salmon (Resident Evil, Die Another Day) plays Weyland's body-guard while female star, Sanaa Lathan (Blade) is the tour guide. There's plenty of other people who end up as Alien/Predator fodder! The hero is � well I�m not going to tell you, you�ll have to go and see the movie but suffice to say the hero�s very cool! ALIEN Vs. PREDATOR is a MUST SEE movie on the BIG SCREEN � most definitely. Despite numerous negative reviews - If you see this film and it doesn�t rate for you as one of this year�s best action, adventure movies then you probably also listen to hip-hop music � in both cases you definitely don�t have any taste! - 9/10 |
| STAR WARS - EPISODE III (Revenge Of The Sith) Well it all started in a galaxy far, far, away in the year 1977 when the world embraced a new movie called, STAR WARS burst onto the screen and changed movie history forever! The story of good against evil is always a winner, most of us fell in love with the characters portrayed in this modernised western in outer space. How could you forget the arrival of the world's coolest villian, Darth Vader as he strode in through the doorway flanked by his stormtroopers - magic stuff. The lovable good-guys - Luke, Han, Leiah, R2D2, CP3O and their fight against the evil Empire - yes, millions of us grew up with them over the course of the next two movies, The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi - completing the enjoyable trilogy. Years passed and countless paper-back stories were released with the continuing adventures of our heroes picking up the story straight after Jedi to satisfy the hungry fans who craved more. Well, finally after years of talk we were told that the prequels to the original trilogy would emerge and indeed they did, 'Episode I' came and went and most of us thought it was fairly lame. The two biggest disappointments were: an 8 year Annakin flying a space-ship and Ja Ja Binks. Thankfully, 'Episode II - Attack Of The Clones' was far superior and really set things in motion for what most of us were really waiting for - Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith! Revenge, is definitely the best of the prequels by far with so many battles, beit in space or with light sabers and beleive me if you haven't seen it yet it has to be expirenced on the Big screen. This film sees Annakin Skywalker become the evil Darth Vader - who probably is the most notorious villian in human history next to Dracula. Actor Hayden Christiansen plays the part to perfection and personally I think he makes you believe in him as a character and he steals the show. Sure, all the other elements are presented, Yoda, Obi One, Windu, Count Dooku, the Princess, a new cool bad-ass, General Grevious and of course Darth Sidious - but it's the fall of Annakin and the rise of Vader that are the real deal. The story is good, the effects are outstanding, and all the characters are given their time to convince you that the crisis is tearing the republic apart. This movie does tie up all the loose ends we've all waited so long for and I totally enjoyed it, I only have one little gripe? We sit through all of Skywalker's torment throughout the movie and he finally becomes Vader towards the end of the film and we get to see him in that powerful costume for about 5 minutes and then it's all over! You gotta be shitting me, couldn't we of seen Vader crush the throats of a few innocent by-standers, hack a few people in-half with his light saber - I mean the guys just gone through the biggest change in his life and he hardly utters a word. That's the down side for me, maybe other people won't even worry about it but I was left a little annoyed. "Revenge Of The Sith" - wraps up the saga very well, it is a fitting end to the story and I'm sure the rumours of a TV series will eventuate. You only have to look at the success of the Star Trek spinoffs, Stargate, Stargate Atlantis and the recently resurrected, Battlstar Galactica for any proof that plenty of us yearn for good Science Fiction. - 9/10 |
| JUDAS PRIEST � Rising In The East (Warner) As most of you know by now, over the last couple of years UK metal �legends� JUDAS PRIEST, have re-instated their original singer, Rob Halford � known as �The Metal God� � to their ranks after a decade plus vacation from the band. During his absence, US singer - Tim �Ripper� Owens was recruited, recording 4 albums � along the way during his near decade period with the band. The two studio albums, �Jugulator� & �Demolition� were reasonable efforts, the former being the heaviest Priest has ever sounded! The 2 LIVE recordings, �98 Meltdown� & �Live In London� were excellent affairs - proving to the cynical and sceptical, that Owens could indeed out-shine his predecessor. Furthermore, anyone having seen the excellent DVD, �LIVE IN LONDON� (2002) will attest at how, Owens � is absolutely brilliant � in the vocal department. The re-united JUDAS PRIEST had a hell of a lot to prove to the world, so in February 2005 � the first album with Rob Halford back on deck after almost 14 years, �Angel Of Retribution� was released. Reactions were mixed, some fans rejoiced while others thought it was far too retro in sound. In all reality, it was a fairly, safe, ordinary effort. Only four songs, Judas Rising, Revolution, Deal With The Devil and Worth Fighting For � lived up to expectations! Coincidently, the above mentioned songs are included on this new live DVD, �Rising In The East� and all sound way better here, while Hellrider from the above mentioned studio CD sounds, bland by comparison. Filmed at the historic, �Budokan� - in Japan in 2005, Rob and the boys return to the country that launched their long and successful career. Can anyone remember, �Unleashed In The East�?! This new DVD looks pretty good, sound-wise it�s pretty reasonable but it�s doesn�t seem to sound as good as the �Live In London�. Again, Tipton�s guitar sound is way down in the mix � can�t these idiots ever get it right?! Look, I love this band � I too was one of those kids who brought, Unleashed In The East, Killing Machine, British Steel (still my all time favourite Priest record) but the hard reality is this DVD shows a band going through the motions. Hey, I think it�s great to see Halford back with the boys but the fact of the matter is � he looks tired and jaded, at times he almost appears bored to tears through most of this concert. His stage banter is almost non-existent, compared to other concert footage I�ve witnessed over the years. There are times when Halford appears to be getting into it, with KK and Glenn but something�s missing?! Above all else, and I hate to say this but his voice isn�t anywhere as good as it used to be � fact! If you don�t believe me just listen to, Exciter � for verification. Unfortunately, Halford has obviously lost the higher register in his voice; Owens just leaves Halford for dead! O.K. � let�s not forget for a moment that there�s 20 years age difference, and Halford has been screaming his heart out for over 30 plus years, so he deserves a little leeway and his �legend� status. Look, I�m not slagging this DVD because I think it�s pretty bloody good to see, Halford, Tipton, Downing, Hill and Travis (the ultimate line-up?!) ripping through the �classic� Priest songs. The track listing is impressive, Hellion, Electric Eye, The Ripper, A Touch Of Evil, Breaking The Law, Turbo Lover, Painkiller, Hell Bent For Leather, Living After Midnight and You�ve Got Another Thing Coming � basically most of the hits. Besides the 5 new tracks mentioned above, a couple of personal favourites that surprised me by their inclusion are, Hot Rockin�, Riding On The Wind, Exciter and I�m A Rocker � all sounding very tough here. There are a few tunes that are average at best; sadly Metal Gods seems to be way too slow in speed while - Victim Of Changes and Beyond The Realms Of Death and the above mentioned, Exciter � suffer due to Halford not reaching those glorious high notes, anymore. Those lucky enough to possess the video, �Judas Priest Live� from the �Screaming For Vengeance� US Tour (recently included in the box set and now released on DVD � no, not that watered down Gold video from 1987!) know how good, Judas Priest were in their peak period. If you�ve never seen Owens fronting Judas Priest � then this DVD will please you no end as it is the band re-united, blazing through their �classics�. Unfortunately, if like me - you have, then I�m sorry to say but this DVD does not capture the band at its peak, far from it - that�s for sure! - 6/10 |
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| HARD ROCK SPECIALISTS |
| JUDAS PRIEST � LIVE VENGEANCE '82 (Sony) Finally released on DVD and re-titled, �LIVE VENGEANCE '82� - it was originally released under the title, �Judas Priest Live� on VHS back in the 80's and more recently as a 'bonus' disc in the 2004 release, "Metalogy" boxed set. Now, finally available as a stand alone DVD, this is the definative LIVE - Judas Priest experience featuring Rob Halford, KK Downing, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill and Dave Holland on drums ripping through their US tour in support of the 'Screaming For Vengeance' album! Forget, the recent miserable, �Priest In The East� DVD - which featured a tired, jaded re-instated original singer � the 'Metal God' himself, Rob Halford who sadly seems to have lost his marvelous voice with the band doing what they always do, delivering the goods! Back to the DVD in hand, as stated above - it was recorded in 1982 with what some would call the 'ultimate' lineup - firing on all cylinders, giving us brilliant versions of some of the bands' 'classic' songs. The track listing is impressive to say the least, Hellion, Electric Eye, Riding On the Wind, Bloodstone, Living After Midnght, Breaking The Law, Solar Angels, Devils' Child, Heading Out To The Highway, Desert Plains, Screaming For Vengeance, Sinner, You've Got Another Thing Comin', Hell Bent For Leather, Victims Of Changes � jesus, they're all here! Tipton and Downing have never looked better, their hair swinging in the hot night air, their axes gleaming in the lights, and the solos! Rob Halford is at his best, pouting, screaming, singing, prancing around like a pole-cat on heat and it's bloody marvelous! Both soundwise and visually � it looks and sounds great with a little tweeking here and there with 5.1 stereo � the PRIEST have never looked or sounded better. This is the ultimate JUDAS PRIEST DVD - featuring the 'classic' line-up that all Priest Heads should own! - 10/10 |
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| BATTLESTAR GALATICA � SEASON 2.0 DVD (Universal)
It's not all that surprising at the degree of success that the, new � completely updated, brilliantly scripted TV series - BATTLESTAR GALACTICA has become over the last couple of years?! While the 80's TV series of the same name was entertaining � in it's time, it was after all pretty tame in comparison, it did have a few things going for it � mainly a couple of heroes, namely: Apollo, Starbuck and of the evil � cylons, but overall it was fairly cheesy. Luckily, the new show is provocative, intelligent, meticulous in detail with some very clever, well thoughtout, storylines and a number of very strong characters, that have helped make it the runaway success that it is! Still, rating extremely well, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA is one of the best science fiction TV shows I've ever seen! While legendary sci-fi TV shows like, Lost In Space, Star Trek and it's many cousins, Buck Rodgers, Stargate, etc. - have all been good in their own time, I personally reckon that the new, BATTLESTAR GALACTICA - out shines most of them with it's geniune, realistic presentation, captivating storylines and state of the art CGI � which thankfully is not overbearing. The initial 'self titled' movie pilot, released in 2003 introduced us to a new direction, a new out look and most importantly � a whole new era of science fiction TV that has ignited the masses, with some of the most riverting TV in years! Creators, Ronald D. Moore and David Eick - have taken an old idea and drastically changed a number of things, including the sex of one of the original shows heroes? After initial complaints and frustrations by 'die-hard' fans � the movie seemed to win them over with little bitching today over Starbuck's change of sex. Well, after we all saw the movie, most of us immediately embraced it and when Season One arrived � we had 13 episodes to fall in love with � and boy, did we! There were far superior cylon robots, human/cylon infultraters and all the heroes, Adama, Apollo, Starbuck, Boomer and a host of new charcters thrown in the mix. The show itself is talked about by millions of fans around the world � with most agreeing that it is, one of the best sci-fi shows ever made?! With the release of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Season 2.0 � we get 20 episodes this time around and the amazing, rollercoaster ride established in Season One continues unabated herein. All the characters we've come to love and hate, rise even further this season and if you thought the cliff hanger ending of Season One was wild - wait until you see this seasons' finale?! Packed in a 6 disc set with disc 6 itself containing 'deleted scenes' that should keep "Die-hards" happy! The superb and very talented cast includes; Edward James Olmos (Adama), Mary McDonell (Roslin), Jamie Bamber (Apollo), Katee Sackhoff (Starbuck), Grace Park (Boomer), Tricia Helfer (# 6) and James Callis (Baltar) - give out-standing performances throughout this cleverly, wooven TV show. A number of 'special guest stars' introduced during the season, certainly packed a few wallops, that's for sure?! No, I'm not going to say one thing about the storyline � you should be watching it, suffice to say � season three should be an absolute ripper! The popularity of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA has supposedly led to the show being signed for another two seasons, with talk about a possible movie?! Time will tell, but something tells me it might not be too long before it becomes a reality � considering the success already?! Regardless, it truly is one of the better shows on television and it definitely deserves the praise it's receiving but most of you reading this already knowing that � right?! BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Season 2.0 is exactly what fans of the franchise have been waiting for. For those of you who haven't seen it � grab the 'Pilot Movie', watch Season 1 and then grab this new DVD, and enjoy one of the most superior science fictions shows, ever made! - 10/10 You bet! |
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| DIE HARD 4.0 (20th Century Fox) Director: Len Wiseman. Starring: Bruce Willis, Timothy Olyphant, Maggie Q, Justin Long. I'll keep this rather short 'n sweet � the new DIE HARD movie, �DIE HARD 4.0" is great! Big bad Bruce Willis returns to the role that made him a 'star' as the likable, always right guy � wrong place, New York cop, Sgt. John McClane in installment # 4 - in the Die Hard series. Story wise I won't spoil it for you, suffice to say that our hero McClane (Willis) is up against it as usual with explosions, villians, computers, terrorists and a rather sinister, highly motivated, meticulous villain played to perfection by one, Timothy Olyphant. Olyphant, has recently appeared in the excellent HBO hit western TV series, Deadwood � where he played the explosive tempered town sheriff, Seth Bullock. If you've seen the TV series, you know how good an actor this guy is � believe me when I say he makes a very, convincing evil bad guy. He has also appeared in the movies, Rock Star and Gone In Sixty Seconds � playing a metal guitarist and a robbery cop respectively, if that's any help? The film looks great, as do the action sequences � and there's plenty of them, all are up to a very high standard even if the BBB � (bullshit beyond belief ) level gets a little workout � it's still a very entertaining movie that easily equals any of the 3 previous films. As I said, the film has a great look and director Len Wiseman ("Underworld" and "Underworld Evolution" ) makes the film a great roller coaster ride with an interesting, if a little frightening storyline that should have you enticed for the duration of the film. I truly believe the new movie is on par with the first of the series, Die Hard � released 19 years ago with a gritty John McClane getting into so many bullshit situations, that it simply has to be seen to be believed?! I reckon it's a great flick, personally speaking I think it's the best Bruce Willis movie in ages and believe me I'm a big fan of the majority of his films, be it action, drama or comedy. "DIE HARD 4.0" is the sort of movie Willis was made for � it really does fit him like a glove! 10/10 |
| ALIEN VS PREDATOR 2: REQUIEM (20th Century Fox)
There are a number of different versions of this new DVD - "Alien Vs Predator: Requiem" now available. 1. AVP REQUEIM - EXTREME UNRATED SET: 2 disc edition: running time 101 mins. 2. AVP2 REQUIEM - UNCUT! : running time 96 mins. 3. AVP REQUIEM - BLU RAY: running time 93 mins. Obviously option 1 is far superior, with footage not seen at the cinemas, and cool extras. The film picks up where Paul Andersons's, "Alien Vs Predator� (2004) left off - the second instalment of the AVP franchise, "ALIENS Vs PREDATOR 2 :REQUIEM" is equally entertaining and should please, most who love this franchise. Personally, I think Anderson's storyline was far more interesting, where as the new film is basically a splatter flick with countless humans, being nothing more than excuse for heaps of nasty killings! Unlike AVP � the new film has countless gory scenes, that are in-your-face with explicit footage of your favorite life cycles in action, face huggers, chest bursters not to mention, Alien warriors, Predators and of course the PredAlien. Personally, this is where both films have a major flaw � as far as I'm concerned. We are expected to believe that a species as safisticated and technically advanced as the Predators - would bring an 'alien' embryo on board their space ship, without either freezing it or removing the offending embryo before deep space travel � I don't think so! Not to mention, there were over a dozen Predators on the mother ship � what happened to them?! The other second major flaw � featured in both films, is the incubation time period of the face-hugger to chest burster. In the original, ALIEN movie - the gestation period was hours not mere minutes!! That aside, the film is pretty good with heaps of cruesome killings, decapitations, acid melting body parts including faces, etc. Nobody is safe as adults, children and even pregnent women all come to untimely ends. The pregnent woman scene will no doubt be a highlight to many!! The stars of the film � are well represented, the Aliens being their usual nasty selves while the number of insights into the Predator world, including our first ever look, albeit a very brief look at the Predator homeworld � are very cool! Hopefully, the next instalment will be finally set in outer space � the rumour mill has already started, only time will tell?! Personally, what makes this movie for me is all the Predator hardware. Even though there's heaps of cool scenes with the Aliens and PredAlien - it's the PREDATOR who really is the star of this movie. The numerous shots of the Predator's gadgets, weapons, homeworld, spacecraft etc. are the real plus about this movie. In all honesty, it could be called, Predator 3 - there's that much of our favorite hunter. I only hope Hollywood gets it right, when it makes the next movie in the franchise with even more insight into the Predator world. Basically, the sky's the limit - if we can believe in the Star Wars world - there's nothing to stop us being reeled into a Predator world - if it's done right?!! The Strause brothers seem to be heading in the right direction - we can only hope?! The action sequences are all filled with countless confrotations between the aliens, predator and humans � the weapons and killings all make good viewing. The film is rather dark, which is a shame � budget restraints I suspect. The climax of the film has an interesting scene regarding the future corporation, Weyland/Yutuni. "ALIEN Vs PREDATOR: REQUIEM" - is a good follow-up in the franchise but 20th Century Fox - needs to get serious and give the next instalment a decent $100 million plus budget! The Strause Brothers do a pretty good job for their first directed flick, any future instalments need to be be set in the future, in outer space with lots of Aliens, Predators and Marines (NO HYBRIDS thanks) kicking ass in space like ALIENS or Starship Troopers!! I just wish somebody, could come up with a story/film without any flaws (PredAlien) to make it a franchise that's taken as seriously as it should be! I'll give it a high mark - because of all the very cool Predator stuff in this film! - 8/10 |
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| RAMBO (Rambo 4)
Starring, co- written and directed by Slyvester Stallone. Old Sly is back ... returning to his other famous franchise � the 'Rambo' series, with Slyvester Stallone reserrecting his troubled war veteran in a new movie, simply titled, "RAMBO" - the latest instalment of this very successful movie franchise. Directed and co-written by Stallone � "Rambo" (let's just call it "Rambo 4") is a pretty entertaing flick with a shit-load of action, countless bodies blowing apart and tons of blood. This movie is so 'in-your-face' with it's no holds barred violence � it's totally gruesome, dismemberment � yes, it's meaty, that's for sure! Storywise, it's pretty straight forward � Rambo (Stallone) is living the quiet life when some damn politically correct bunch of missionaires (one just happens to be a cute woman � of course) drop in univited, asking him to be their guide and help them find a way into Burma. Rambo tells them where to go, so to speak and obviously they, 'no listen' and go in without him. Oh, I forgot � a ruthless Tyrant is in charge of the military and is commiting geneocide in Burma. Well, you'll never guess what happens next? Rambo rises to the occasion and well, you know what to expect?! Look it isn't rocket science � it's Stallone doing what he does best � making a good action movie that's pure entertainment! It's obvious this genre is loved by millions of people around the world, so we can't be wrong?! It's entertaining and this new film has a similar feel to the original movie, 'First Blood' � with Rambo fighting his way to victory. Does Sly get the girl? Watch and see! Like the recent return of Bruce Willis in "Die Hard 4" and the return of Harrison Ford in, "Indiana Jones 4" - Slyvester Stallone's new movie, "Rambo" � is the perfect film for the man! The fact they've returned is great but the sad fact is � these guys can't go on doing it forever! Over the last decade � only 3 action heroes have emerged, worthy of taking over this prestigious mantel - Vin Diesel, Carl Urban and The Rock. While all have made some cool films, they have yet to ascertain the status of Stallone, Willis or Ford! Look, love him or loathe him � Stallone's new film is great, 'old school' entertainment, it's a good old fashioned romp and should be enjoyed for what it is. Sly's back and I for one am, glad to see him! - 9/10 |
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| DIE HARD 4 |
| STARSHIP TROOPERS 3 � Marauder (Sony Pictures)
Stars: Casper Van Dien, Jolene Blalock "Do You wanna Live Forever"! Well, the third installment in the Starship Troopers franchise, "STARSHIP TROOPERS 3 MARAUDER" - picks up the story 10 years after the original movie left off. Forget the ordinary second film, the new movie again stars Casper Van Dien - who reprises his role as the lovable, hard assed hero - Johnny Rico. Our hero doesn't dissappoint with his bravado and ass kicking outlook on life! Basically, the story is the war contiunes against the bug infestation and the Fedration � is fighting the bugs on a number of fronts. A Federation starship crashes on a planet, stranding the Sky Marshal and several others and Colonel Rico, naturally - saves the day. There's a couple of new Bugs, unseen before as well as those nasty arachnid monsters, that chomped people in half in the previous films. There's definetly some meaty killings, decapitations � you know what to expect and it shouldn't disappoint, too many?! The film also stars, Jolene Blalock � who starred as the Vulcan first officer on the Star Trek's spin-off, TV series, 'Enterprise' � who looks hot as usual and does a pretty good job herein, being a good tough solider. The rest of the cast do their jobs well and the visual effects look great, with as I said a couple of new bugs that look fairly convincing! Storywise, it's a basic formula - if it ain't broke ... with heroes, bugs, killings, nudity, violence, and the addition of the new MARAUDER project. If you familar with the comics/toys/film, 'TRANSFORMERS' (that's going to be the obvious comparsion) then the Marauder project is similar in that our Federation, marine heroes are suited up, so to speak with armour plating all over protection - complete with machine guns and cannon firepower! Needless to say, the Marauders do some serious damage to the bugs and humanity again, kicks Bug ass! The feel of the film is, like the original movie with plenty of action, gore and a sense of humour that was sadly missing from, ST2. The return of Casper Van Dien - really does give this movie a certain something, almost like it's the perfect film for him, just like Terminator is made for Arnie?! The new ST3 is directed and written by, Edward Neumeier � who also wrote the original 'Starship Troopers' screenplay and the original 'Robocop' � both excellent films were direteced by Paul Verhoven ('Total Recall' and 'Basic Instinct') and this film has that same feel. I thoroughly enjoyed, "STARSHIP TROOPERS 3 - MARAUDER" � it's a great follow-up to the original film and while it may not have a mega budget, what is delivered on the screen is pure entertainment! Glad to see 'em back! - 8/10 |
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| THE MUMMY: THE TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Jet Li Upon watching the third instalment in THE MUMMY franchise and I've gotta confess, I'm very disappointed! Missing is the quirky humour, as well as the clever banter, missing � and to me the BIGGEST loss is that Rachel Wise - isn't on board and while Maria Bello (Payback) is a gifted actress � she simply doesn't have that certain warm something, that Wise has! While Fraser and Hannah reprise their roles, Oded Fehr � is also absent and without him and Wise, combined with a bland scrip and some terrible ploding direction, (Stephen Sommers who directed the first two instalments is also absent) this movie drags from start to finish. Fraser looks bored and complacent throughout and without his usual humourous banter combined with the exclusion of Wise � the film bascilly SUCKS! Jet Li is also wasted in this film and like so many sequels before it, remember how hideous Alien 3 and Jaws 3 were - this could spell the end of the line for this franchise?! With the recent end to the 'Indianna Jones' franchise - I would of thought THE MUMMY's producers had a golden oppurtunity of converting and taking over the fantasy auidence into the future but not with this dud � that's for sure! My advice if you haven't already seen the film at the cinema - don't bother, wait until it goes to DVD! So very, very disappointing! - 4/10 |
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GET SMART � Stars: Steve Correll
, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. Funny as he is - Correll and crew just don't do justice to this update of the 60's 'legendary' TV show. Both his portrayl of Don Adam's character and the whole film, falls flat as a pancake and is far below in quality - compared to the brillance of the original. (3/10) THE MUMMY 3: THE TOMB OF THE DRAGON EMPOURER � Stars Brendan Fraser, Maria Bello What could of been ... wrong director, wrong supporting leading lady, lame story � no wonder Fraser looks as if he's suffering from a bad case of hemeroids throughout this plodding, boring, movie � which lacks chemistry and substance. Talk about burying a franchise! (4/10) HELLBOY 2: THE GOLDEN ARMY � Stars: Ron Pearlman, Sella Black, John Hurt. The coolest 'super-hero' on Earth - returns with his partner in domestic bliss and crime, fighting all kind of nasties in this sequel that's equal to it's prequel with more wise cracking fun for the whole family! Has an almost, 'Men In Black' fell in places. Excellent! (10/10) INDIANA JONES AND THE CRYSTAL SKULL � Stars Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, John Hurt. Well, they took their time but it was worth the wait � looking a little more weathered and crusty around the gills, both Ford and Allen - reprise their roles and ignite their chemistry, for this romping adventure, that has pure 'classic' written all over it. Even without Sean Connery � they pull it off - just, with a good entertaining film! (8/10) ALIENS VERSUS PREDATOR 2: REQUIEM � Stars: The Predator. Following up AVP with a reasonable effort - this second instalment in the franchise works because THE PREDATOR - is the star of the show. Dispatched to Earth to clean up an ALIEN infestation, our dreadlocked hero saves the day - while the Government is up to something with both Weyland and Yutani both aboard for the next instalment in outer space .... prequel to ALIEN anyone?! (7/10) STARSHIP TROOPERS 3: MARAUDER - Stars: Casper Van Dein, Jolene Blalock. Back where he belongs, reprising his role as Johnny Rico (Dein) reignites the screen with his bravado, charm and wit in this very good romp that easily matches the first film with a tongue-in-cheek Sci-Fi adventure. Blalock also brings warmth to this fun flick! (8/10) DARK KNIGHT � Stars: Christain Bale, Heath Ledger. Christian Bale returns for a second BATMAN film, following up his excellent performance in 'Batman Begins' with an even darker superhero who's outdone by Heath Ledger's brilliant performance as the Joker � a twisted, evil villian that blows Jack Nicolson's portrayal into the dust. "Movie Of The Year" � you betcha! (10/10) BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: RAZOR � Stars: Michelle Forbes, Edward James Olmos, Jamie Callis, Katee Sackoff. To supplement the best ever Sci-Fi show on television, BATTLESTAR GALATICA:RAZOR ties up a few loose ends from Season 3 with our beloved Galactica Crew up against the odds with more twists and turns involving the menacing, Admiral Cain � again, spicing up this outstanding TV show to even more heights, including some scenarios that will be finalised in the Season 4 finale. (8/10) JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE EARTH � Stars: Brendan Fraser Talk about a total turnaround for Fraser - here he's usual charming and wise cracking self throughout this thoroughly, entertaining and fun trip in escapism, simply blowing away the recent insipid third 'Mummy' instalment by a country mile! (7/10) HANCOCK � Stars: Will Smith Yet, another meander for Smith in this pedestrain film, that just doesn't cut it as 'super-hero' flick. Like the recent, 'I Am Legend' � this movie just lacks something .... that's a few duds in a row. Maybe time for another "Bad Boys" movie - they're far superior in every way!! (3/10) UNDERBELLY � Stars: Various Excellent Australian TV series, telling the true story of Melbourne's Violent gang land murders � during the late 90's. Brilliant portrayals by numerous cast members � all putting in sterling performances, that made this show a MAJOR hit, 'Down Under! (10/10) |