Guess we were in a "Straight to DVD-Fantasy"-kinda mood. Turned out both films were fun for what they were. So if you do a rainy afternoon movie rental this autumn, feel free to grab them.
<img src="http://h-1.abload.de/img/outlander45lp.jpg" class="left" height="200" />
Outlander
This crazy genre mix of "Beowulf", "The 13th warrior" and "Predator" starts out rather trashy and seems to stay pretty shallow for a while, when suddenly a couple of good plot ideas and the characters raise it way below average. John Hurt brings class into the mix as Viking leader, Ron Perlman looks great as bald fighter, although his character remains underused. Even the often rather pale James Caviezel makes the best of his somewhat one-dimensional character of a space traveler crashing in medieval Norway, bringing an aggressive alien with him. Especially the second half pf the film is fast-paced, action packed and actually makes you care for the characters, something that doesn't always happen in this genre. The special effects range from really good (the Sci-Fi scenes) to average (parts of the alien monster), but the showdown is pretty rewarding, even though a tad predictable. I assume the creators knew very well what an insane mix they were putting together. Still, a fun guilty pleasure film.
7 out of 10 displacer beasts.
<img src="http://www.wasabi.li/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/city_of_ember.jpg" class="left" height="200" />
City of Ember
This lovely adventure movie for older kids and young adults works mostly thanks to the excellent set design (that sometimes reminded me of the games Bioshock and Fallout 3, which also may have had an impact on the plot), creating a unique, atmospheric underground city with lots of fun gadgets, where survivors of mankind are waiting for the return to the surface of earth. While the mayor (excellent: Bill Murray) seems to have his own plans, two kids are actively seeking for a way up. The film is fast-paced, with likable characters (lovely: Martin Landau) and a fun showdown with hidden doors, water rides and secret maps. The last scene is particularly beautiful. Oddly and undeservedly, this film remained somewhat unnoticed, although a lot more people could have fun with this.
7 out of 10 gigantic moles.
<img src="http://h-1.abload.de/img/outlander45lp.jpg" class="left" height="200" />
Outlander
This crazy genre mix of "Beowulf", "The 13th warrior" and "Predator" starts out rather trashy and seems to stay pretty shallow for a while, when suddenly a couple of good plot ideas and the characters raise it way below average. John Hurt brings class into the mix as Viking leader, Ron Perlman looks great as bald fighter, although his character remains underused. Even the often rather pale James Caviezel makes the best of his somewhat one-dimensional character of a space traveler crashing in medieval Norway, bringing an aggressive alien with him. Especially the second half pf the film is fast-paced, action packed and actually makes you care for the characters, something that doesn't always happen in this genre. The special effects range from really good (the Sci-Fi scenes) to average (parts of the alien monster), but the showdown is pretty rewarding, even though a tad predictable. I assume the creators knew very well what an insane mix they were putting together. Still, a fun guilty pleasure film.
7 out of 10 displacer beasts.
<img src="http://www.wasabi.li/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/city_of_ember.jpg" class="left" height="200" />
City of Ember
This lovely adventure movie for older kids and young adults works mostly thanks to the excellent set design (that sometimes reminded me of the games Bioshock and Fallout 3, which also may have had an impact on the plot), creating a unique, atmospheric underground city with lots of fun gadgets, where survivors of mankind are waiting for the return to the surface of earth. While the mayor (excellent: Bill Murray) seems to have his own plans, two kids are actively seeking for a way up. The film is fast-paced, with likable characters (lovely: Martin Landau) and a fun showdown with hidden doors, water rides and secret maps. The last scene is particularly beautiful. Oddly and undeservedly, this film remained somewhat unnoticed, although a lot more people could have fun with this.
7 out of 10 gigantic moles.
This weekend's rentals: City of Ember and Outlander
- 30/08/2010 09:33:57 PM
394 Views
City of Ember was enjoyable ... *NM*
- 01/09/2010 08:39:59 PM
206 Views