Login
Home
189 Lists
2424 Reviews
CollectionsGreat colourful fun from Dreamworks
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 4 June 2022 01:30
(A review of The Croods)Dreamworks have been hit and miss for me(mostly hits), while I love The Prince of Egypt and How to Train Your Dragon, Shark Tale and Bee Movie left me underwhelmed. Watching the trailer for The Croods, admittedly I wasn't entirely impressed. But as I love animation so much and because I believe in giving any film a chance, I went ahead and watched The Croods anyway. And it was much better than anticipated and what the trailer made it out to be, in fact I found myself liking The Croods very much. I did think that the ending was a cop-out, it seemed to me that the film didn't know how or when it was going to end and it seemed too convenient also. And I also thought that the film was a little too long, some of the story structure towards the end seemed on the verge of petering out. The animation however is really wonderful, it is detailed and very colourful with the character designs well modelled and convincing in movement. If you see The Croods, try and see it in 3D if you can, I am usually not a fan of the 3D gimmick but this is one of those instances where the action is enhanced instead of the 3D detracting from it. At the top of my head, only the Vincent Price film House of Wax(also given the 3D treatment) has had that effect on me. The soundtrack is rousing and lively, though appropriately subdued in the more touching moments. The dialogue is very funny and extremely smart, with much to entertain children and adults. It is quite sophisticated in tone, although it thankfully doesn't feel too much. Amongst the humour, there's also room for some morals and family issues, and they are nicely done without being too heavy-handed. The story doesn't exactly break new ground and will seem formulaic to some. On the other hand, it is briskly paced, consistently engaging and is heart-warming in more ways than one. The prehystorical slapstick is frantic, but hilarious and never too childish. The characters are also a large part of the fun, they are very likable and amusing characters and you can relate to them. Grug and Guy's relationship was especially convincing. The voice work is great. A more restrained than usual Nicholas Cage is a big surprise and he is an ideal fit for his character. Emma Stone and Ryan Reynolds are equally appealing, and Cloris Leachman relishes some of The Croods' most amusing moments. In conclusion, great colourful fun without being among the very finest from Dreamworks. 8/10 Bethany Cox
0 comments, Reply to this entry
Fun movie
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 4 June 2022 09:51
(A review of Open Season)I will admit Open Season isn't outstanding, but it was likable and fun. It is too short however, there are some predictable parts in the story and it occasionally feels too rushed. That said, it looks wonderful, with some lovely backgrounds and colours and the character designs are agreeable. The soundtrack is cool, the script has its funny moments with some of the more adult humour decently done and enough wit to satisfy anybody and the characters are likable especially Grizzly. Also the voice acting is surprisingly good, I was surprised at some of the choices(ie. Billy Connolly) of those to do the voices but all breathed life more than adequately to these fun characters. Overall I liked it, it was flawed yes but it was fun, that's all that matters at the end of the day. 7/10 Bethany Cox
0 comments, Reply to this entry
Beautifully animated, if rather bland
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 4 June 2022 07:31
(A review of Planet 51)I have always loved animation, whether it's cartoons(Looney Tunes and Silly Symphonies), films or TV shows. Planet 51 is not a bad movie, but at the end of the day it felt rather bland. I've seen worse certainly, but I can also think of better out there. The animation is wonderful though, very rich in colour and detail. The soundtrack is memorable, there are a few funny moments that will have children chuckling, fun set pieces and a couple of Cold War pastiches that will keep adults interested, Rover is a great character and by far the best character of the movie and it all begins very promisingly. The voice cast are full of great actors, especially Gary Oldman and John Cleese, and Planet 51 generally uses them well, Dwayne Johnson is an especially likable lead. However, the story, despite its great premise, is rather weak and unoriginal in structure and after a promising twenty minutes it is never quite as interesting. I liked the Cold War pastiches, but some of the other references were verging on tired. Among the funny moments, there is the overall mediocrity of the script, with a lot of clichéd dialogue. The characters are weak and stereotypical, with one of the blandest villains I've seen in an animated film recently, and the ending is very predictable. In conclusion, looks great but at the end of the day it felt very bland and forgettable. 6/10 Bethany Cox
0 comments, Reply to this entry
Return of the Smurfs
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 4 June 2022 07:22
(A review of The Smurfs 2)Have a good deal of fondness for the original television series, if marginally as a child than an adult. Didn't care for the first feature film from 2011 but didn't find anywhere near as bad as it was made out to be, it had a lot of faults but was semi-watchable.
It's pretty much the same with 'The Smurfs 2', very problematic but semi-watchable. It is hard to say which is better between the two, to me some aspects are done better in one, some are about the same and some are done worse. And contrary to those going blue in the face, defending the film (not bashing at all their right to like it, have no problem with it) and bashing the critics and those who dislike 'The Smurfs 2', it's a family film not a kids film (just because it has animation and has content oriented at younger audiences doesn't mean it's for kids) and there is no law against seeing a sequel to a film one dislikes, it may because of having family members who liked the first and wanted to see the sequel as part of family cinema trips, one may be a Smurf completest and one may be fans of an actor in the film. Why do people have such a problem with opinions and overuse and abuse "freedom of speech" these days?
Anyway, starting with what was good about 'The Smurfs 2', it's a bright and colourful film to look at and while not outstanding the animation and 3D effects are above average. Once again Hank Azaria and Jonathan Winters are perfect as Gargamel and Papa, Azaria looks as if he's having a whizz of a time (not a subtle performance by all means but in all honesty there is nothing subtle about Gargamel as a character) and Winters is the liveliest Smurf characterisation.
Katy Perry is more consistent and heartfelt, what was done with Smurfette gave more heart than there was in the first film. Christina Ricci echoes fond memories of her show-stealing Wednesday Addams in 'The Addams Family' and 'Addams Family Values'. A few amusing moments here and there and the voice work generally is fine.
On the other hand, the story is basic, daft and predictable, with over-obvious plotting and slapstick and one-liners that are more tired and lacking in maturity than witty or clever. The soundtrack is uninspired at best. Darker elements are included here and they don't really gel and makes the tone feel unfocused.
Characters are not particularly well developed, the closest character to being developed and done successfully is Smurfette. The editing could have tighter and more fluid, while Neil Patrick Harris doesn't look as engaged in his more banally written than before role. Brendan Gleeson does his best in an atypical at this point role but doesn't look particularly comfortable.
In conclusion, not particularly good but semi-watchable. 4/10 Bethany Cox
It's pretty much the same with 'The Smurfs 2', very problematic but semi-watchable. It is hard to say which is better between the two, to me some aspects are done better in one, some are about the same and some are done worse. And contrary to those going blue in the face, defending the film (not bashing at all their right to like it, have no problem with it) and bashing the critics and those who dislike 'The Smurfs 2', it's a family film not a kids film (just because it has animation and has content oriented at younger audiences doesn't mean it's for kids) and there is no law against seeing a sequel to a film one dislikes, it may because of having family members who liked the first and wanted to see the sequel as part of family cinema trips, one may be a Smurf completest and one may be fans of an actor in the film. Why do people have such a problem with opinions and overuse and abuse "freedom of speech" these days?
Anyway, starting with what was good about 'The Smurfs 2', it's a bright and colourful film to look at and while not outstanding the animation and 3D effects are above average. Once again Hank Azaria and Jonathan Winters are perfect as Gargamel and Papa, Azaria looks as if he's having a whizz of a time (not a subtle performance by all means but in all honesty there is nothing subtle about Gargamel as a character) and Winters is the liveliest Smurf characterisation.
Katy Perry is more consistent and heartfelt, what was done with Smurfette gave more heart than there was in the first film. Christina Ricci echoes fond memories of her show-stealing Wednesday Addams in 'The Addams Family' and 'Addams Family Values'. A few amusing moments here and there and the voice work generally is fine.
On the other hand, the story is basic, daft and predictable, with over-obvious plotting and slapstick and one-liners that are more tired and lacking in maturity than witty or clever. The soundtrack is uninspired at best. Darker elements are included here and they don't really gel and makes the tone feel unfocused.
Characters are not particularly well developed, the closest character to being developed and done successfully is Smurfette. The editing could have tighter and more fluid, while Neil Patrick Harris doesn't look as engaged in his more banally written than before role. Brendan Gleeson does his best in an atypical at this point role but doesn't look particularly comfortable.
In conclusion, not particularly good but semi-watchable. 4/10 Bethany Cox
0 comments, Reply to this entry
Thank goodness for Theodore!
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 4 June 2022 06:59
(A review of Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked)I sort of enjoyed the previous two movies, they were not great movies but I found them quite cute. I wish I could say the same for this latest instalment, but I can't. It does have its moments, Jason Lee and David Cross are decent and have some entertaining exchanges. The film apart from some slapdash editing does look reasonable with the chipmunks looking serviceable and the scenery beautiful.
Best of all is Theodore, he always was adorable and made you want to cuddle him and here is no exception.
On the other hand, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked feels rather lacklustre this time around. The pop songs was a bonus in both of the previous two movies, here they sound really tired with generic melodies and forgettable lyrics. The vocals themselves are okay, not too annoying considering the tone, but again nothing out of the ordinary. The messages about family ties and responsibilities are important ones but they seem rather forced here.
The script generally was weak, there was very little that was fresh or funny for me apart from the exchanges between Cross and Lee, and there are some lines that have been covered in previous reviews that really don't belong in a family movie. The story like the previous two is predictable, except this time around it is not as charming or exciting.
I didn't care for the characters, excepting cute little Theodore. Zoe the eccentric castaway is more annoying than endearing, and something about Alvin rubbed me up the wrong way, he came across as too much of a jerk in some scenes. The acting/voice work is mixed, I liked Cross, Lee and Jesse McCartney, and Justin Long and Matthew Gray Gubler are alright I guess even with the bad material, but Jenny Slate didn't raise a single smile and the rest ranged from adequate to bland.
All in all, not as tortuously bad as some have said, but it wasn't anything special to me. By all means I understand why some may like it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. 4/10 Bethany Cox
Best of all is Theodore, he always was adorable and made you want to cuddle him and here is no exception.
On the other hand, Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked feels rather lacklustre this time around. The pop songs was a bonus in both of the previous two movies, here they sound really tired with generic melodies and forgettable lyrics. The vocals themselves are okay, not too annoying considering the tone, but again nothing out of the ordinary. The messages about family ties and responsibilities are important ones but they seem rather forced here.
The script generally was weak, there was very little that was fresh or funny for me apart from the exchanges between Cross and Lee, and there are some lines that have been covered in previous reviews that really don't belong in a family movie. The story like the previous two is predictable, except this time around it is not as charming or exciting.
I didn't care for the characters, excepting cute little Theodore. Zoe the eccentric castaway is more annoying than endearing, and something about Alvin rubbed me up the wrong way, he came across as too much of a jerk in some scenes. The acting/voice work is mixed, I liked Cross, Lee and Jesse McCartney, and Justin Long and Matthew Gray Gubler are alright I guess even with the bad material, but Jenny Slate didn't raise a single smile and the rest ranged from adequate to bland.
All in all, not as tortuously bad as some have said, but it wasn't anything special to me. By all means I understand why some may like it, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. 4/10 Bethany Cox
0 comments, Reply to this entry
Not quite amazing, but very good
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 4 June 2022 06:44
(A review of The Amazing World of Gumball)Cartoon Network are not as good as they were, back in the days when Dexter's Laboratory, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Johnny Bravo, Cow and Chicken and Powerpuff Girls were airing, but it is not a channel to give up hope on. There is trash like Problem Solvers, Mad and especially Johnny Test(Ben 10: Omniverse is not quite as bad but an example of a great franchise going a huge step backwards), but there are also gems like Regular Show and Adventure Time. While it's not without its faults The Amazing World of Gumball is one of Cartoon Network's better shows. In the earlier episodes especially, some jokes do fall flat due to either not being funny or having bad(rushed and drawn out, starting and ending too early or late) timing, and there are a few tired story lines here and there.
On the most part however, The Amazing World of Gumball is a very good show that has gotten better overtime and has potential to grow even more given the chance. The selling points are the animation, music and characters. The animation is colourful and wonderfully surreal, the mix of traditional, CGI, stop-motion and surreal environmental-like backgrounds make for one very unique visual style and in a good way. The music is bubbly and catchy, always memorable and enough to keep you in a good mood. The theme tune is not quite a personal favourite(populated with Hanna Barbera and 90s Disney shows admittedly), at least though it's not as cheesy as the ones for Ben 10: Omniverse and Johnny Test. The characters are admittedly cliché but they're funny, quirky and cute and fit beautifully within the show's overall tone. Gumball is an endearing titular character, but the most memorable are Anais and especially Darwin.
Some have shown annoyance towards Richard and understandably, he was annoying to begin with. But once the writing got better the more easier it was for me to like him better. Besides the father figures on the Seth McFarlane shows(especially Peter Griffin on Family Guy) are far more obnoxious. Although the writing and stories for The Amazing World of Gumball haven't been consistently perfect, they still have more shining moments than utter failures. Most of the humour and writing is smart and hilarious with clever timing, while the stories have a great oddball charm and are sweet-natured and fun. The voice acting is great, the voice actors of Gumball and Darwin have such a good dynamic and should get more work. To conclude, not quite amazing but very good. It starts off a little shaky but if you stay with it it gets better, and has more potential to grow even more than it is doing.
8/10 Bethany Cox
On the most part however, The Amazing World of Gumball is a very good show that has gotten better overtime and has potential to grow even more given the chance. The selling points are the animation, music and characters. The animation is colourful and wonderfully surreal, the mix of traditional, CGI, stop-motion and surreal environmental-like backgrounds make for one very unique visual style and in a good way. The music is bubbly and catchy, always memorable and enough to keep you in a good mood. The theme tune is not quite a personal favourite(populated with Hanna Barbera and 90s Disney shows admittedly), at least though it's not as cheesy as the ones for Ben 10: Omniverse and Johnny Test. The characters are admittedly cliché but they're funny, quirky and cute and fit beautifully within the show's overall tone. Gumball is an endearing titular character, but the most memorable are Anais and especially Darwin.
Some have shown annoyance towards Richard and understandably, he was annoying to begin with. But once the writing got better the more easier it was for me to like him better. Besides the father figures on the Seth McFarlane shows(especially Peter Griffin on Family Guy) are far more obnoxious. Although the writing and stories for The Amazing World of Gumball haven't been consistently perfect, they still have more shining moments than utter failures. Most of the humour and writing is smart and hilarious with clever timing, while the stories have a great oddball charm and are sweet-natured and fun. The voice acting is great, the voice actors of Gumball and Darwin have such a good dynamic and should get more work. To conclude, not quite amazing but very good. It starts off a little shaky but if you stay with it it gets better, and has more potential to grow even more than it is doing.
8/10 Bethany Cox
0 comments, Reply to this entry
A childhood favourite that still holds up today
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 4 June 2022 06:14
(A review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)I am still very fond of Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles. It was a huge favourite of mine when I was little, and re-visiting it again it is still is. yes perhaps not the truest to the comics but on its own terms it is amazing. The animation is amazingly detailed, with the colours smooth and the character designs on target. The music is wonderful, the theme tune is very memorable and the incidental music compliments perfectly, while the writing is humorous, intelligent and smart and the story lines interesting and coherent. The characters are still memorable, all four turtles are immensely likable with unique personalities, Splinter is both wise and kind and April is beautiful and not vapid. I also love Shredder, he is funny and menacing and overall just a really interesting lead villain. And the voice acting from all involved is top notch especially from Barry Gordon and James Avery. In conclusion, wonderful show. On a side note the 2003 series was decent enough, but lacked the charm and heart here in this series. 10/10 Bethany Cox
0 comments, Reply to this entry
A childhood favourite that still holds up today
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 4 June 2022 05:51
(A review of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)I am still very fond of Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles. It was a huge favourite of mine when I was little, and re-visiting it again it is still is. yes perhaps not the truest to the comics but on its own terms it is amazing. The animation is amazingly detailed, with the colours smooth and the character designs on target. The music is wonderful, the theme tune is very memorable and the incidental music compliments perfectly, while the writing is humorous, intelligent and smart and the story lines interesting and coherent. The characters are still memorable, all four turtles are immensely likable with unique personalities, Splinter is both wise and kind and April is beautiful and not vapid. I also love Shredder, he is funny and menacing and overall just a really interesting lead villain. And the voice acting from all involved is top notch especially from Barry Gordon and James Avery. In conclusion, wonderful show. On a side note the 2003 series was decent enough, but lacked the charm and heart here in this series. 10/10 Bethany Cox
0 comments, Reply to this entry
Classic show from my childhood
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 4 June 2022 05:47
(A review of Inspector Gadget)Shows like Inspector Gadget, Dangermouse, Scooby Doo, Looney Tunes, Pink Panther Show, Tom and Jerry, The Flintstones, Darkwing Duck, Talespin, DuckTales, Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain and Tiny Toons make me realise how much I miss my childhood. Whenever I see an episode of either of those shows all those warm, nostalgic memories come flooding back.
Inspector Gadget is a classic. Forget the movies, which were both quite poor, this show is the real thing. The animation has a great look to it, I loved the designs of the characters and backgrounds and the colours are visually pleasant too. The music alone gives the show its classic status, the theme tune is wonderful. The writing is very consistent in a good way, the stories are always exciting and well-thought out and the pace is spot on.
The characters add a huge amount to the show. Gadget himself is bumbling yet very lovable, Penny is not irritating instead she is very likable and smart and Dr Claw(who you never see other than his claw) is a great villain. The voice acting also adds a lot, Don Adams, Cree Summer and Frank Welker are all top notch. Overall, this childhood favourite is a classic and worth looking out for. 10/10 Bethany Cox
Inspector Gadget is a classic. Forget the movies, which were both quite poor, this show is the real thing. The animation has a great look to it, I loved the designs of the characters and backgrounds and the colours are visually pleasant too. The music alone gives the show its classic status, the theme tune is wonderful. The writing is very consistent in a good way, the stories are always exciting and well-thought out and the pace is spot on.
The characters add a huge amount to the show. Gadget himself is bumbling yet very lovable, Penny is not irritating instead she is very likable and smart and Dr Claw(who you never see other than his claw) is a great villain. The voice acting also adds a lot, Don Adams, Cree Summer and Frank Welker are all top notch. Overall, this childhood favourite is a classic and worth looking out for. 10/10 Bethany Cox
0 comments, Reply to this entry
Hlilarious and I think underrated
Posted : 2 years, 7 months ago on 4 June 2022 05:43
(A review of Freakazoid!)I am glad to see that Freakazoid is remembered so fondly. I think it is a wonderful show, and I also think it is rather underrated. There are so many things I love about Freakazoid and I don't know where to start. The animation is superb, the colours, backgrounds, visual ideas and character designs are all done amazingly well. The music is great as well, the incidental music is very clever while the theme tune is so catchy and wonderful. The story lines are outstanding being beautifully constructed and original, and the writing is amazing. I can think of only four or five other shows where I have laughed as consistently as I have with Freakazoid. The characters are immensely likable with fun personalities while the voice work is top notch. In conclusion, a wonderful and hilarious show. 10/10 Bethany Cox
0 comments, Reply to this entry