Review: How to Train Your Dragon 2 3D, or How to Do a Proper Sequel

YouTube

As I mentioned in a previous review, sequels are the bane of Hollywood. This is especially true of animated films, because children cannot discern good movies from bad ones, and will most likely drag their parents to watch anything with their favourite characters in it.

YouTube

Or anything with wingsuit flying.

This, however, is not true for How to Train Your Dragon 2.

YouTube

See? How can you go wrong with lots of warships?

RocknRolla

Another one of 'em Guy Ritchie creations. If you're familiar with the movie feel of Snatch, then this one's pretty similar. Guy's films are like carnival rides. Once you begin the movie, the ride starts and then ends after the end credits. I know that description sucked, but you get my drift.

As I've said earlier, RocknRolla's like Snatch in a lot of ways. It overwhelms you with "Guy Ritchie Camera Shots" (you know, the fast panning and swift transitions, you know the fuckin' drill). It's also set in London, with the usual London gangsters. Lenny Cole's similar to Snatch's Brick Top.

Turkish's role is similar to that of One-Two's. Plus there's also a missing thing involved, which is the Russian's painting, while in Snatch, it's Cousin' Avi's diamond. The Russians in RocknRolla can also be compared to the Jews of Snatch, due to race I guess.

And Guy's penchant for shredding out facts while doin' a certain scene clearly shows here in RocknRolla (when Lenny explains how the local fish species was completely wiped out by its American counterparts in the River Thames). Back in Snatch, it's Brick Top explaining how starved pigs could chew through human bone and flesh like butter.

Another thing that could be compared if you ask me is Jason Statham and Mark Strong's narrating ala Fight Club's Edward Norton.

Now for the actors who stood out...

Gerard Butler a.k.a. "One-Two"- It's in this flick wherein I fully got to appreciate Gerard Butler's acting, even if he's in his comfort zone, which is doin' roles in his native accent. His dancing really blew me away, that's all I can say.

Idris Elba a.k.a. "Mumbles"- If it wasn't for The Losers, I wouldn't recognize this fucker.
Favorite line: "If I could be half the human being Bob is at the cost of being a poof, I'd have to think about it. Not for very long, but I'd have to pause."

Tom Wilkinson a.k.a. "Lenny Cole"- Really has the greedy and evil look in him, just like in Batman Begins. Can you say he's got that "Gangster/Mafia" look?
Favorite line: "There's no school like old school, and I'm the fuckin' headmaster!"

Mark Strong a.k.a. "Archy"- Really looks familiar, but he wasn't really under my radar 'till Kick-Ass came out. A very solid performer, who can hold his own in every character he portrays. I really digged (yeah it's dug I know, but digged sounds more appropriate nowadays I think) how he interrupted Roman and Mickey in their studio usin' the studio microphone. Hilarious shit!

Thandie Newton a.k.a. "Stella [The Accountant]"- Reminded me a lot of Zoe Saldana. I also found her sexy when she started dancin' freakishly in that party when they were discussin' the second job (or rather, "the heist").

Toby Kebbell a.k.a. "Johnny Quid"- Acted like a true rock 'n rolla, no pun intended. That's because here, he plays a rock star who was always presumed dead. As the sayin' goes, "Rock stars are more famous when they're dead. Johnny Quid's just cashin' in."

Tom Hardy a.k.a. "Handsome Bob"- If it wasn't for my bro's trained eye, I wouldn't have noticed that this was the same dude who played Eames in my third favorite movie, which is none other than Inception (the first being The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus while the second one is The Matrix).

Lastly, RocknRolla's soundtrack sounded cool too. Full of old school rock songs! I give RocknRolla a 9 out of 10, due in large part to my bias for Guy Ritchie flicks. All I can say is that this flick fuckin' rocks!


*image from firstshowing.net

The Bounty Hunter

Two words. Alpha Male.

These two words describe the UK novelty that is Gerard Butler. He is the modern day King Leonidas (who was an alpha male himself).

The plot's pretty predictable. Ex-wife who drove the ex-hubby crazy is now on the run because of felony and the ex-husband is out for revenge to get even with ex-wife and to collect bounty money. You know, that type of story.

Post-Brad Pitt Jennifer Aniston still seemed hot even in her 40's. And Mr. Butler? He is a prime alpha male specimen. I feel kinda puny and weak when I see this guy. The only bad thing is that Gerard still chose to take on a role with his thick English accent (or Scottish or Irish or whatever). Clearly shows his non-versatility. Though I give him kudos to the fact that he's tryin' his hand at comedy and pokin' a li'l fun at himself. That's the way to go, Gerard. Expand your horizons for more film offers!


Rating:6.5 out of 10. It's a sympathy vote because I love 300.


*photo from allmoviephoto.com

The Bounty Hunter

By The Negation
Sun, 8 Aug 2010, 20:00


Two words. Alpha Male.

These two words describe the UK novelty that is Gerard Butler. He is the modern day King Leonidas (who was an alpha male himself).

The plot's pretty predictable. Ex-wife who drove the ex-hubby crazy is now on the run because of felony and the ex-husband is out for revenge to get even with ex-wife and to collect bounty money. You know, that type of story.

Post-Brad Pitt Jennifer Aniston still seemed hot even in her 40's. And Mr. Butler? He is a prime alpha male specimen. I feel kinda puny and weak when I see this guy. The only bad thing is that Gerard still chose to take on a role with his thick English accent (or Scottish or Irish or whatever). Clearly shows his non-versatility. Though I give him kudos to the fact that he's tryin' his hand at comedy and pokin' a li'l fun at himself. That's the way to go, Gerard. Expand your horizons for more film offers!


Rating:6.5 out of 10. It's a sympathy vote because I love 300.


*photo from allmoviephoto.com

*****

By Sting Lacson


Friends, let's put our hands together and give a round of applause to Gerard Butler...for making an effort to lose his Scottish accent!

(pause for applause)

Okay, that's it. What? You want me to say something else about the film?

Hmm, let me think.

Well, Jennifer Aniston's cute. Well, she's hot with her mouth partially open, like that in the picture.

What's that? You want some more? Some more good stuff?

Okay, wait.

Okay, how about the part where the divorcees obviously still love each other, but pretend that they don't? And that scene where Jennifer Aniston still keeps their wedding picture in her wallet? I liked those scenes.

What? Still not good enough for you? Okay, let me think.

Um, how about Gerard Butler's obvious and praiseworthy effort to drop his Scottish accent and practice talking like a real Joe. How's that? Is that the kind of good stuff you're looking for? No?

Well, I give up.


*some info from IMDb
pic from screencrave.com


The Bounty Hunter. USA. 2010.


Rating: Five point eight out of ten.
Gerard Butler's effort to lose the accent: Nine out of ten.

How To Train Your Dragon. 3D

DreamWorks is the new Pixar.

Sorry. I just had to say that.

Before watching this, I researched on it, to find out if it was converted 3D or not. I couldn't find anything on the matter. So I decided, what the heck.

And surprise, surprise. I don't think this was converted 3D. Any 3D film that has me giggling like a kid is Real D 3D. There were times a when you'd think the Viking ships would smash your face in. And there would also be times when you would tilt your head unconsciously whenever a projectile is hurled in your direction. And this head tilt is a pure reflex action. This was thick, depth-filled 3D. Not like Alice in Wonderland. Sorry, Tim Burton.

This film still employed the rack focus technique, as discussed in Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. But that's forgivable, as 3D cinematography is still in its infancy, if not non-existent. But what really got me was the dissolves. I don't understand why American filmmakers don't like the dissolve as a transition. It's simple, effective, and looks damn good in 3D. They employed a lot of dissolves in U2 3D, and it just blew my mind.

Now, moving on to the regular review.

If Pixar doesn't watch its back, DreamWorks could break the Pixar monopoly on quality computer-animated films. How to Train Your Dragon, though, was based on a book. It still can't do original screenplays like Pixar can, but it'll get there. Give it a few more flicks.

I loved the character designs here, especially the Viking hair. The dragon designs, not as much. Some looked really cute. Others looked plain annoying. Even the Night Fury looked like a Pokémon at times.

This, I believe, could be one of the best animated pictures of the year. That is of course if you could get past the Viking beards looking like Lord of the Rings, or the dragons looking like those flying reptiles from Avatar, or the dragon riding looking like Eragon.

And Gerard Butler, ye dinnae work too hard te heid yir Sco'ish accent. Aye ca' tell t'was ye tha mooment ye oopened yir mooth.

P.S. This review hyperlinks to all the other 3D reviews to date.

*pic from coronacomingattractions.com

How to Train Your Dragon. USA. 2010.

Rating: Eight and a half out of ten.

3D-ness: Eight and a half out of ten.