Monday, July 07, 2008

  • Wall-E, Hancock, Wanted: Summer Movie Round-up

    oakleaf
    by mr. oak

    Summer ain't summer for me unless the big movies start rolling out.  Think about all the big movies that came out in July in the years past - Independence Day, Men in Black, I-Robot, Bad Boys II.....wait a minute.  What the...they all have Will Smith in it....

    Ok - correction, Summer ain't summer for me unless Will Smith is in a big movie.  That being said...I'll keep this review quick:

    hancock1 Hancock
    Review    : DVDable
    The premise of the movie is basically a flawed super hero, played by Will Smith, who has a bit of an image problem.  He then meets a public relations guy, played by Jason Bateman, and his family.  It's the age old predictable story of the heroine seeking their personal redemption.
    FTW: The movie wins in that it attempts to portray that not all heroes are perfect.  Granted the Marvel superheroes do a good job of showing flawed characters, but Hancock deals with alcohol, sloth, and a bunch of other vices. 
    FAIL: The movie fails in that the story is poorly told.  There are so many conditions for this movie to work.  And there are a few fight scenes where you're scratching your head wondering why they're fighting.  No really, why are they fighting?
    Can you take your mother to this?  Yes. Though I can imagine my mom looking at the slovenly Hancock and say "If you don't study, this is how you'll become."
    Can you take your kids to this? Yes...kind of.  Language, language, language.  If your kid has virgin ears, steer away from this.
    The Christian Spin: Deep down a part of us wants to be loved by others.  No matter how much we push people away when we want to be alone, we rarely want to feel lonely.  Hancock embodies this persona and shows how sacrifice and helping others can help discover who you are and what you do.
    Final Thoughts:
    Seriously, why are they fighting?

    wanted-poster-big Wanted
    Review: RENTable/THEATERable
    Dorky office goon.  Check.  Quarter-life crisis.  Check.  Hot girl.  Check.  Secret group of deadly assassins that existed for centuries and have been saving the world since then and want dorky office goon to join for some reason.  Check.
    FTW: The action scenes are pretty interesting.  And the story's basic offering is very interesting - I mean who hasn't thought about shooting the wings off flies with a gun!  yeah, me neither.  Though this movie is worth renting as a normal movie goer, but if you're really into action then the movie is theaterable.
    FAIL: I think the movie tried to be as gritty and inspiring as matrix and fight club.  But the movie fell way short of that.  It had it's moments but ultimately didn't add up in the end.   If you're not into crazy action then this movie will fail for you.
    Can you take your mother to this? No.  Two words:  Angelina's Badonkadonk.  Along with that - some graphic animated blood is gratuitously spilled here and there.  Just can't imagine this being a great mother bonding experience - though if you do take her to it, she'll probably talk about how if the dork can get a job, so can you.
    Can you take your kids to this? Wouldn't recommend it.  Rated R for a reason - also there's a good chance your kid will try to triple somersault off the wall, spin, grab a toy gun and curve the bullet and shoot you in the knee cap. 
    The Christian Spin: A toughie - but the central protagonist's mundane desk job and then feeling released by a greater purpose is the closest Christian message I can think of in this bloody action packed film. 
    Final Thoughts:
    Yes, I said Badonkadonk.

    wall-e-poster1-big Wall-E
    Review: IMAXable
    Wall-E is the last robot on an abandoned landfill garbage earth when he meets Eve. 
    FTW: The movie is surprisingly a love story that is well told, emotionally engaging, and a wonderful addition to the PIXAR line (who now seems to have a perfect track record still.)  You can't but to love Wall-E and actually wish you had one.  He's like an R2-D2 with opposable thumbs. 
    FAIL: not much to say here - but I couldn't help to feel like Wall-E was Johnny-5 (from short circuit)'s illegitimate son.  But nevertheless, the movie was perfect.
    Can you take your mother to this? Yes you definitely can.  Though she'll somehow figure out a way to tell you that if you don't do your school work that you'll be left alone on earth too.
    Can you take your kids to this?  Definitely, in fact - the movie is so good that I bet you can get away with stealing your neighbor's kids and watching it too.
    The Christian Spin: Easily - Love Rules.
    Final Thoughts:
    I want a Wall-E.  And seriously - after watching this movie, don't be surprised if you continuously talk like him for the next few days. 

    What did you think of any of these movies?

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Comments (32)

  • juliebeanss@xanga

    I have yet to see the other two, but I thought Wall-E was great! It made me want a robot =]
  • japanxrobots@xanga

    i don't know about wall-e, but i keep hearing good things about it. i'm checking it out sometime this week, though. i don't plan on seeing hancock, it doesn't look that interesting to me. i have seen wanted, however, and i must say it was amazing! lots of action, and i feel the main character was really relatable (well, in the beginning)
  • IamKelleyK@xanga

    Very accurate review of Hancock.  I enjoyed the movie myself, but I was wondering the same thing during the fight scenes.  I totally agree with the Christian spin of the review of this movie and came up with the same conclusion myself during the movie.


    I haven't seen the others yet - will probably save Wanted for a free rental at the library so I'm not out any money.  I definitely want to see Wall-E though. You just made me want to see it more!
  • losertasticx@xanga

    WALL-E WAS THE CUTEST MOVIE. EVER.
    :3 <3
  • shanella

    as always, thanks for the reviews Mr. Oak.
  • Pass_the_Aura@xanga

    Waaaalllee.  Whoaa!@!

    We are now officially in the New Golden Age of animation.
  • alterEGGO@xanga

    what does FTW stand for?
  • pandasp0ts@xanga

    @alterEGGO@xanga - For the win. :]


    I was told Wall-e was way too long, and boring. But it was rediculously adorable. And, I must admit (althoug, granted, i've been feeling low lately ... ) almost made me cry.
  • alterEGGO@xanga

    @pandasp0ts@xanga - thanks I find it easier to ask than to wait till my slow brain figures it out

  • pandasp0ts@xanga

    @alterEGGO@xanga - :) Oh, no worries. It started out as predominantly a gamer term, and now it's just migrated throughout the interwebs. I/We use FTL in the opposite way, by the way.

  • TheTheologiansCafe@xanga

    @alterEGGO@xanga - FTW= For the win.
  • alterEGGO@xanga

    @TheTheologiansCafe@xanga - thanks
  • rachelzeesee@xanga

    Wall-E was very cute and funny surprisingly. I just watched watched it yesterday :D.
  • iknowHimdou@xanga

    I haven't seen Hancock or Wanted.


    I just saw Wall-E, me and a friend went, with no kids. :) LOVED it! It had a really good message in it as well.

  • thepurpleporpoise

    Wall-E was just ok for me. I was kind of bored...but Wall-E was adorable. I couldn't help but think it was like a children's version of super-size me meeting an inconvenient truth though:)

    Hancock: I agree, I often didn't understand the fighting, but I didn't get why people (not you, but many people) are so worked up over the plot twist. I saw it coming a mile away and I anticipated how the movie would play out as a result...so over all I really enjoyed it.

    Wanted: Besides the Badonkadonk, there's a couple of sex scenes near the beginning...just wanted to give fair warning. But I loved this movie. And the

    God story: I thought this was a perfect picture of how Human's were not designed to carry out Justice, only God can do that. Humans will always get it wrong, always opt for revenge, always tend toward corruption. Without spoiling the movie, I think we find that it went from a seemingly "good" institution to a corrupt one. Justice belongs in the hands of God alone, because only HE can judge justly/fairly.
  • jmgbme@xanga

    Hancock: have not seen yet.


    Wanted: I agree with you. I was pretty uncomfortable with all the graphic stuff. Something about people getting shot in the head grosses me out more than being shot anywhere else. It was definitely action-packed. I kept waiting for a moment to breathe, and it never came.


    Wall-e: Very cute movie. I love the robots. The people didn't look very realistic, even if they weren't supposed to have skeletons anymore. Also, the green message was good, but it came across a bit too strongly for my taste--it was getting borderline preachy at some points.
  • buffyfan_5@xanga

    Why does everyone keep talking about how cute Wall-E is? I mean, sure, he's adorable, but that's not all they should be saying: the movie has a great message to it.  I would not be surprised at all to find that the earth really did get covered in trash, we tried to use robots to do all the work instead of doing things ourselves, and a mega-corporation ruled the world. People need to start thinking about the future and things like that.
  • SimplyDaisy@xanga

    I love love love Wall-E!  And I'm still talking like him... Eeeeeva!
  • viola1032_v2@xanga

    @thepurpleporpoise - Wow...definitely did not catch that awesome interpretation of Wanted (regarding "The Fraternity").  Good insight.  Although...this film is better as an illustration rather than a source of wisdom.



    Seen the first two, haven't seen Wall-E (although I want to).  Hancock had great potential, but the execution regarding the story failed.  I personally loved how they portrayed Hancock as the seemingly tough but actually hurt superhero.  Wanted was good if you wanted to see lots of stylized violence (and also intriguing if you try to wrap your mind around the "untraceable bullet" and the healing tubs).



    BTW, love how you always have a quip about a mom nagging you about getting a job or working harder or else....
  • songbyrd100@xanga

    Unless I am mistaken, in the secular review of 'Hancock', the reviewer mentioned a scene where a man gets his head shoved up another man's hindquarters. Since that is rather disturbing, I am puzzled why Mr. Oak failed to mention that in his review.
  • thepurpleporpoise

    @viola1032_v2@xanga - "Although...this film is better as an illustration rather than a source of wisdom." I couldn't agree more. Definitely is not a stand alone message, but great for use in illustration. 
  • thepurpleporpoise

    @songbyrd100@xanga - I think because it was such a minor, silly, and ridiculous part of the movie that it isn't really relevant to an over all review.
  • ShoogaSweet@xanga

    I've seen Wanted and really enjoyed it. The Christian spin I'd put on the movie, which really spoke to me personally, was how our purpose is attached to our identity. It's important to identify ourself according to the right thing so as to not pervert our purpose like he did in the movie. (Trying to be safe so as to not give up the movie) For Christians that means knowing who we are in Christ to truly come to an understanding on what our individual purpose is in this life.
  • write4liberation@xanga

    i hated wall-e.  seriously, for the first 40 minute there wasnt even any talking.  it was extremely dull.  the fat humans in space were hilarious though.


    i saw WANTED as well.  not bad.  you mention angelina's "badonkadonk" but we see the lead charcter's too.  remember that kitchen counter before work scene near the beginning? yeah that was kinda gross.
  • mers_surveys@xanga

    I LOVED wall-e
    I thought it was the most precious thing I'd ever seen haha

    and wanted was tiiiiiiiiight
    I thought it would be horrible, I was impressed though

    as for hancock, I don't really know if I want to see it, probably will though

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About this Entry

    • From: revelife
    • Posted: 7/7/2008 10:18 PM

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