RJ MacReady (moviefan1725)
Rockford, IL
RJ's Recent Reviews
The Three Musketeers
PG-13
Ok Paul WS Anderson, we get it. You love your wife. Good for you. But unless it's somewhere on your marriage license, that doesn't mean you have to cast her in all of your movies. You seem to have this in common with Kevin Smith. Except in your case, when you cast Milla Jovovich as a hot chick, you're justified. Smith...not so much. But I digress.
Anderson has always been a put upon filmmaker, coming under fire from fanboys who feel he hasn't done justice to some of their beloved franchises. Say what you will, but Anderson is a masterful visual filmmaker. Every one of his films is dazzling to look at, and this is no exception. From the extravagant costumes, to the sumptuous set designs, it's truly and amazing movie to look at. But not content with stunning backgrounds, there are also some top notch, beautifully executed action sequences. From swordfights galore, to an airship battle ripped right from a pirate movie.
But where the movie falls flat on it's face is in it's story and characters. The plot, involving betrayls, secret plots, double agents, and more, is complex to the point of being nonsensical. What's more, the movie doesn't even really have a wrap up involving any of the main villains, save for one of the main henchmen. What little resolution there is isn't satisfying at all.
We also never really get to know any of the characters. The Musketeers themselves are painted in such broad strokes that they are almost background characters. The movie focuses on D'Artagnan, who's like such a smug jerk by Logan Lerman, that it's difficult to like him. We spend way too much time with the villains and their mustache twirling scheming that we are never given a chance to get invested in the plight of any of the heroes.
This movie came under a lot of fire for straying too far from the source material. Truth to tell the movie does feel like a cross between The Three Musketeers, and The Adventures Of Baron Munchausen. By heavily including gimmicks and devices that were supposedly the creations of Leonardo DaVinci, the movie does indeed push the limits of creative license.
But since my only other comparison would be the Musketeers movie starring Charlie Sheen, I may not be the best to judge what movie is the most loyal to the original story. As a stand alone movie, it's way short on plot and character development, but it's a whole lot of fun to look at.
Paranormal Activity 3
R
This movie didn't even scare my 12 year old daughter. Full review coming soon.
RJ's Favorite Movies
Die Hard
R
The measuring stick that all action movies are judged against. Is there one single movie in this genre that has been copied more? 20 years later, this movie has lost none of its thrill. Even its countless clones have done nothing to lessen the impact of the film that made Bruce Willis not only a star, but still one of the most dependable action movies stars of today.
Aliens
R
The rare sequel that surpasses the original. James Cameron ups the ante from the original Alien in almost every way. The fear, the claustrophobia, the action, are all brought up to a level that has never been matched in any subsequent Alien movie. Often duplicated, never equalled. The movie is rich with original characters that you come to love quickly. Sigourney Weaver became the template for all future tough chicks in movies. Motivated by her fear of the past, and her desire to face those fears drive her. Michael Biehn is in full on tough guy mode, and solidified himself as one of the most dependable everyman tough guys in movies. Bill Paxton has an iconic role as Pvt. Hudson, a space marine who is equal parts loud mouth tough guy, and loud mouth fraidy cat. Lance Henrickson became a staple in the Alien franchise after this, playing the robot Bishop, who represents another fear that Weaver's Ripley must overcome. Carrie Henn is an adorable little girl that proves more capable of taking care of herself, even without the aide of the Marines sent to rescue her. The movie is chock full of suspensul action scenes, and expands on the alien creature from the first movie. Not just in terms of having a planet full of the creatures, as opposed to one in the first movie, but in terms of the creature's life cycle. Instead of the warrior aliens, we are introduced to the amazing Alien Queen, and her final throwdown with Ripley is one of the great fight scenes of all time. This masterpiece was further enhanced after its initial release with an extended edition that showcased several key scenes both before, and after the aliens wreak havok. Storylines are extended, and characters are further fleshed out, making the movie even better than it was to begin with. Another feat I didn't think possible. There have been several movies with the alien since this film's release in 1986, but none can match the perfection of this. One of the great movies of all time.
