8/31/13
Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (Harald Zwart, 2013)
Within the first 10-15 minutes, it becomes quite evident that one is viewing the movie version of a young adult novel. The beginning accelerates through character development in a fashion that indicates the audience is already familiar with the characters; while this may work well for fans of the book, it drags down the movie as a whole. Unfortunately, this trend continues throughout the film. I was able to appreciate that for those existing fans of the novel, the movie is almost certainly a fun watch. The film fan, however, will likely resent the multitude of plot lines that simply aren't developed. It is obvious that the creators are planning to continue said lines further in later movies (further adaptations, as it were), but for newcomers who are looking to see an excellent film, this is not helpful. I could appreciate the joy that other fans were having in the audience. Unless one actively seeks out the recent trend of supernatural creatures serving as a metaphor for adolescence, this is probably not a movie to see. I hope they can create a sequel that will serve to develop the characters and plot lines for those who were able to appreciate the film.
8/17/13
Elysium (Neill Blomkamp, 2013)
I truly wish all new Sci-Fi movies could be this unique. Neill Blomkamp has once again created a new world & universe for us to enjoy (or suffer in), rich with detail and character lines that I wish we could pursue further. Unlike his previous hit, District 9, this film is far more believable, with Matt Damon doing a superb job along with a supporting cast working excellently outside of their previous typecasting. Jodie Foster is striking in her role as the ruthless Secretary, and the remainder of the actors (including the criminally underused William Fichtner) all shine in their positions.
The detail provided within each of the characters and the setting is so impressive as to lend the idea that the presented universe has existed and continues to exist. At no point is the audience removed from the action and the immersion. Subtle details, such as the skin markings on the wealthy, are noted but not pursued; such "minor" touches help contribute to the feeling of seeing a whole new mythos, a whole new setup.
The plot progresses, thankfully, in a different manner than the trailers would have one expect. The science isn't bad- one particular scene had me scratching my head until it was resolved later, which may bother other medically minded fans out there- and the action is top-notch. I enjoyed this far more than District 9, and I hope that the director continues to create other new worlds for the audiences to explore.