I just watched this movie over the weekend. For myself, this movie executed to near perfection. I felt the whole spectrum of human emotion. When it was funny, I laughed. When it called for it, I was sad. At crucial points I felt concerned for both Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and his dragon (some CGI sound I'm sure). When Hiccup's father (Gerard Butler) tells his son "You're not a viking, you're not my son." My heart was aching. Job well done. First A Category movie review of the year.
This animated feature follows the story of Hiccup, the son of the head of a viking tribe. He also happens to be an outcast in the viking world, not strong enough to fight, not big enough to command any attention. Yeah, it's a classic storyline. Lead character doesn't fit in. Lead character meets someone/something that gives him an escape. Village has something against said someone/something. Village finds out. Village uses said someone/something as a means to their own ends. Lead character summons up vigor and courage to save village. I won't give any of the details of the plot line... but you get the picture. The reason I truly loved this film is because of it's execution. Many movies come out every year with intentions of being the next big thing, but lack in getting the point across because they forget about the basic tenets of a movie. A movie needs to connect with its audience. This movie does that in full, drawing on the basic relationship of an owner with their pet.
The story isn't anything spectacular, but there are very few flaws, which make it both noticeable in a good way and very enjoyable. Casting for voices can sometimes be hit and miss, and when big names are included usually falls into the latter category. Baruchel, Butler and America Ferreira casted as the main characters were perfect, they all breathed life into their characters. As a supporting cast, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Craig Ferguson, Jonah Hill and Kristen Wiig did the same, and its the perfection of these subtleties that really strengthened the movie. Music fit nicely throughout the film, and the animation was top-notch. Dreamworks really came to bat with this picture in it's fight against the two-headed, nearly unstoppable Buzz & Woody monster that is Toy Story 3. This is definitely a must-see movie for anyone who wants to be shown what a movie is meant to look like.
Story - 7.5
Comedy - 8.5
Characters - 4.5
Believability - 4
Filmmaking - 8
Sheer Enjoyment - 8.5
How To Train Your Dragon = 4.1 out of 5 yukes
She's Out of My League - C
It's funny that after my glowing review of Jay Baruchel in How To Train Your Dragon, I have to give him a sub-par review in this movie. The plot line basically tells the story of Kirk (Baruchel) who finds himself at the end of a relationship at the outset of the movie. His self consciousness seems to be holding him back from moving on, until he meets Molly (Alice Eve). He falls for her, and oddly enough she seems to be interested in him... one problem... she's clearly 'out of his league' (cue Peter Griffin saying "oh there it is, he said it... I wondered why it was called that). Through fumbles, mishaps, ex-girlfriends, ex-boyfriends, people's clear opposition to their dichotomous relationship and Kirk's clear insecurities, the story winds its way to a climax at the ever popular shooting destination... the Pittsburgh airport.
It's kind of cute, maybe a bit charming, but mostly it frustrated me. It takes longer to get to where it's going than it needed to, it's trying too hard to be different... and failing, and it's actors just aren't strong enough to carry the film. This is something I'm finding with more regularity as of late; it seems studios are getting tired of the same old, same old lead actors/actresses and testing the waters with possible new leads. They tried, good on them. They failed, too bad. Baruchel has enough right now to carry an animated film (see above review), but not a full-length feature. Overall, it's a film that's worth a rental if there's not much for selection, but isn't a must-see. Execution just wasn't strong enough.
Story - 5.5
Comedy - 6
Characters - 3
Believability - 3.5
Filmmaking - 3.5
Sheer Enjoyment - 6
She's Out of My League = 2.75 out of 5 yukes
Hot Tub Time Machine - C
As simple as I can put it. John Cusack. I love John Cusack. Divorce. Darrel from the Office. Unhappy. Louis CK. Louis CK. Some angry kid. A weekend getaway. A hot tub. Alcohol. Radioactive somethingorother that makes it into a time machine. Depression. Fun times. Fixing mistakes. Finding true love. Growing up. Learning lessons. Louis CK finding out he's the father of the angry kid. Weird. Funny. Maybe a rental. Enjoy. It's tough catching up on reviewing 20 films. I pretty much mailed this one in.
Story - 6
Comedy - 7
Characters - 2.5
Believability - 1
Filmmaking - 2.5
Sheer Enjoyment - 7
Hot Tub Time Machine = 2.6 out of 5 yukes
... you just got yuked!
CU
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