The first two-thirds are a solid (albeit familiar) procedural noir. The final act gets really bizarre and surreal, in a good way - elevates the movie to something special.
I don't think the story entirely works (the subplot with the women is confusing and only tangentially relevant), but the atmosphere and fights are amazing and make it enjoyable.
The ending is great, the high point of this uneven trilogy.
Critiques of the romance here (and throughout the trilogy) are fair, it's downright weird. But while not masterpieces, I enjoyed these movies overall and they look great.
Well, I finished the trilogy...these movies are all over the place. The fights, visuals, and atmosphere are great, but the script has issues especially a really weird romance. But overall I found it worth watching.
Surprised by the comments here. Of course not on the level of the original, but this is a pretty good reinvention of the franchise. The movie works because Zira and Cornelius are very likable characters, and the second half raises the stakes well from the light-hearted first.
Yes it's obviously low-budget, but it works around it well, and a certain degree of hamminess has been there from the first.
A deeply flawed movie that manages to still be decent in spite of itself.
Its biggest problem is that it rushes through what should have been a whole trilogy's worth of plot development. Still, the soundtrack is spectacular, McDarmid does a great job, and it has its moments.
There's a lot about this movie that can be criticized. It's very colonialist, even compared to some older versions of the story...the least they could have done is give the token good Middle Easterner a name. The plot is frankly absurd. Some of the CG has aged poorly.
But man, it's still a lot of fun and I enjoyed it. Good action, good humor, and actually some pretty nice horror sequences when it wants to.
A really bizarre movie that is all over the place in its themes and symbolism. Yet the photography is gorgeous, the characters are likable, and somehow it all works as a whole.
It's dated and the supporting cast is pretty weak, but James Dean's performance is amazing and nearly carries the movie on his own. The scenes without him suffer though.
Besides Queen's soundtrack, it really isn't very good (and even then, it's nowhere close to their best album). Connery's performance has some charm too I guess.
The last fifteen minutes of this are absolutely spectacular. The music and cinematography come together to create a flawless and dialogue-less sequence that can only be done in film. One of the greatest movie endings ever.
The rest is not on the same level, but still good.
Comments 1 - 25 of 38
Movie comment on Hangover Square
kzer_za
The first two-thirds are a solid (albeit familiar) procedural noir. The final act gets really bizarre and surreal, in a good way - elevates the movie to something special.Movie comment on Dai-bosatsu tôge
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I don't think the story entirely works (the subplot with the women is confusing and only tangentially relevant), but the atmosphere and fights are amazing and make it enjoyable.Movie comment on Station West
kzer_za
Excellent western noir atmosphere. I did find the plot convoluted and impossible to follow, but that's noirs for you so I'll forgive it.Movie comment on Zoku Miyamoto Musashi: Ichijôji no kettô
kzer_za
The ending is great, the high point of this uneven trilogy.Critiques of the romance here (and throughout the trilogy) are fair, it's downright weird. But while not masterpieces, I enjoyed these movies overall and they look great.
Movie comment on Miyamoto Musashi kanketsuhen: kettô Ganryûjima
kzer_za
Well, I finished the trilogy...these movies are all over the place. The fights, visuals, and atmosphere are great, but the script has issues especially a really weird romance. But overall I found it worth watching.Movie comment on Escape from the Planet of the Apes
kzer_za
Surprised by the comments here. Of course not on the level of the original, but this is a pretty good reinvention of the franchise. The movie works because Zira and Cornelius are very likable characters, and the second half raises the stakes well from the light-hearted first.Yes it's obviously low-budget, but it works around it well, and a certain degree of hamminess has been there from the first.
Movie comment on Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith
kzer_za
A deeply flawed movie that manages to still be decent in spite of itself.Its biggest problem is that it rushes through what should have been a whole trilogy's worth of plot development. Still, the soundtrack is spectacular, McDarmid does a great job, and it has its moments.
Movie comment on The Mummy
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There's a lot about this movie that can be criticized. It's very colonialist, even compared to some older versions of the story...the least they could have done is give the token good Middle Easterner a name. The plot is frankly absurd. Some of the CG has aged poorly.But man, it's still a lot of fun and I enjoyed it. Good action, good humor, and actually some pretty nice horror sequences when it wants to.
Movie comment on Dodge City
kzer_za
The saloon brawl is amazing. The rest is an ok western.Movie comment on Pasqualino Settebellezze
kzer_za
Has its moments, but overall it's just too ugly for me.Movie comment on Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
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It's overwritten to the point of absurdity and self-parody. The cast saves it though, kind of.Movie comment on The Harder They Fall
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An enjoyable film and a great final performance from Bogart.Movie comment on A Canterbury Tale
kzer_za
A really bizarre movie that is all over the place in its themes and symbolism. Yet the photography is gorgeous, the characters are likable, and somehow it all works as a whole.Movie comment on Coach Carter
kzer_za
SLJ's performance turns what could have been a pedestrian sports film into something special.Movie comment on A Night in Casablanca
kzer_za
While they certainly have stronger movies, it's their best since A Day at the Races and a nice way to end their career. Some great scenes.Movie comment on Super Mario Bros.
kzer_za
Not quite as bad as its reputation - video games aside, it works as a cheesy B-movie. Still not good.And how did Roland Joffe go from The Killing Fields and The Mission to this?
Movie comment on I'm Not There
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This isn't for everyone, because you have to not only be a Dylan fan but know a decent bit about his history. If you do, though, it's great.Movie comment on Rebel Without a Cause
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It's dated and the supporting cast is pretty weak, but James Dean's performance is amazing and nearly carries the movie on his own. The scenes without him suffer though.Movie comment on Ace in the Hole
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Man, this movie is chilling in its cynicism, and perhaps even more accurate with today's mass media. So good though.Also, "I could do wonders with your dismembered body!" has to rank as one of the creepiest movie quotes ever.
Movie comment on Kicking and Screaming
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One of the saddest comedies I've ever seen (I don't mean that as a criticism).Movie comment on The Princess and the Frog
kzer_za
I enjoyed the music and animation, but overall the writing is basically mediocre. And I love New Orleans, so I wanted it to be better.Movie comment on Highlander
kzer_za
Besides Queen's soundtrack, it really isn't very good (and even then, it's nowhere close to their best album). Connery's performance has some charm too I guess.Movie comment on The Last of the Mohicans
kzer_za
The last fifteen minutes of this are absolutely spectacular. The music and cinematography come together to create a flawless and dialogue-less sequence that can only be done in film. One of the greatest movie endings ever.The rest is not on the same level, but still good.
Movie comment on Under the Volcano
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The plot meanders all over the place and has no real structure. But Albert Finney's performance is fantastic and makes it worth watching.Movie comment on Rocky II
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A surprisingly solid sequel. The ending is, I think, handled well and keeps the underdog spirit of the original.Showing items 1 – 25 of 38