| MORE FILM REVIEWS OF 2002... |
| Obviously with CG-bursting blockbusters left, right and centre, 2002 is becoming Year of the Film... |
| MINORITY REPORT (12) Credited as one of Steven Spielberg's masterpieces- an action packed film noir constantly forcing the viewer to question the situation and society. Telling the drama of John Anderton (Tom Cruise) and his role as the chief of the Precrime Unit, we discover that the murder rate is at zero in Wahington DC, 2054, due the pre-crime visions of the mysterious Pre-Cognitives. All goes well for Anderton until main Pre-Cog Agatha (Samantha Morton) sees him involved in a future murder. Now he's aware of what he's supposed to do- an advantage over those he's caught- Anderton goes on the run in attempt to explain how his fate will unravel as his own Precrime Team go after him. An ambitious storyline supported well by the actors, yet despite a few 'Matrix' inspired action-sequences, features mellow sentimental moments typical to many Spielbeg films. Everyone runs. To the cinema. MEN IN BLACK (PG) Fighting the scum of the universe -still- Agent Jay (Will Smith) is trying to find an ideal replacement for old buddy Kay (Tommy Lee Jones). However, as the evil Kylothian Serleena (Lara Flynn Boyle) arrives on Earth in search of the Light of Zartha, Jay is reunited with bemused postal worker Kay. As the MIB Headquarters is taken hostage by Serleena's plant power Jay has limited time to re-boot Kay's memory *and* save the world. Yes MIB2 is aimed at kids but it's still funny for everyone... just a shame Frank the Pug is the main source of hilarity. Not as strong, plot-wise, as the first film and certainly not worth all the endless promotion, MIB2 is still a likeable summer smash worth a watch. Just the once, mind. AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER (12) The International Man of Mystery is back and there's no stopping the deluge of innuendos and double-entendres. With this being the third film, will the comedy have run out of ideas? This time we see Dr Evil (Mike Myers) finally behind bars -not for long- but now Austin (Mike Myers) needs his help to find the strange Goldmember (Mike Myers) who has kidknapped his father, NIgel (The wonderful Michael Caine). Having 'daddy issues' Austin jumps back into 1975 and meets up with sassy FBI agent Foxxy Cleopatra (Beyonce Knowles) to rescue his father and bring down Goldmember's plan of flooding the world by attracting a hot asteroid of gold to melt the ice caps. Comfortably drawing in large audiences at just the mere mention of 'Austin Powers' it does bring in the laughs and *shock* near tears too! (The examination screen scenario created laughter-induced tears...) In true 'AP' style, the predictably obvious jokes are milked for all their worth but even the angel in you can't help but giggle. REIGN OF FIRE (12) 'Dragons attack London!' so the promotion suggests... They do. Kind of. Not that you can see many of the dragons in close range or learn much about them, but they do exist. And they make one hell of a mess as Quinn (Christian Bale) and his almost-Medieval posse in Northumberland (!) are only too aware of. Set in 2020, the world has been scorched by the ever hungry scaly beasts and mankind is suffering; struggling to feed and very much isolated- until "one thing worse than a dragon- an American", Van Zan (Matthew McConaughey) arrives with his dragon slaying troops. And so the action ignites, leaving thre audience breathless with suspense. The only real let down aside from the 'other actors' being speaking extras was that the lovely 'RoF' posters suggest much more... rather vexed dragons attacking the Houses of Parliament... helicopters acting as brave bait... Not so. However, the dialogue is strong and funny in the right places, and what exists of the dragons is a little more on the realistic side compared to 'Dragonheart': especially the King of all dragons... But really, who in their sane mind would wave a bow and arrow and shout "oi!" in his face? Not as huge as 'RoF' marketing insists but still a late summer scorcher. |