(Lack of) Focus

Film reviewed - Focus by Glenn Ficarra and John Requa

Starring - Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Rodrigo Santoro and Adrian Martinez

Synopsis - Veteran, Nicky (Smith) gives novice, Jess (Robbie) a crash course in con artistry only for his decisions to repeat on him a few years later when Nicky starts working for millionaire Garriga (Santoro). 

Review - I would have loved to have been part of the production meeting. That way I would understand the point of making this film (hopefully). The only reason I can see is to show off a range of cons and tricks, most of which aren't that good. If it was meant to be funny, they forgot to add the jokes. 

I am a big fan of Ocean's 11 and 13 (let's just pretend 12 didn't happen). Those were clever, well thought out plots which applied humour and a semblance of ethics to a criminal escapade. Focus does none of this. Sure there are some odd moments where you think "hmm yes that's not bad" but generally you are left thinking "so what?" 

Will Smith actually looks bored in large parts and who can blame him. I was. I took snacks to the cinema and I couldn't eat them because the pace of the film didn't lend itself to snacking. This is a sign of a bad film. If I'm at the cinema I want to snack. It's my right as a nerd. Don't take that away from me. 

Ok enough ranting. Let me try and 'focus' (sorry) on some good points. Hmmm. Give me a minute. Oh yes Adrian Martinez. He was like a breath of fresh air. Every scene he was in was made better by him being there. But that's it. 

In conclusion I wouldn't recommend this film. It'll probably be on Netflix in a year or so and you can watch it one rainy Tuesday night when you've nothing better to do. 

Go and see it if...you're mad.

Rating - 4/10

Last Geriaction Hero

Film reviewed - Run All Night by Jaume Collet-Serra

Starring - Liam Neeson, Ed Harris, Joel Kinnaman and Vincent D'Onofrio

Synopsis - Veteran mob killer Jimmy Conlon (Neeson) kills the son of mob boss Shawn Maguire (Harris) whilst protecting his own son (Kinnaman). A night long chase proceeds with Maguire and NYPD officer (D'Onofrio) both trying to catch Conlon before the other does. 

Review - In Hollywood there are two types of actors - those that transform from character to character and those that play the same role but the films change around them. Liam Neeson falls in the second category. This is not a bad thing. They are all characters we like - Taken (1, 2, 3), Walk Among the Tombstones, Non-Stop etc. etc. Run All Night fits the same bill. 

Jimmy Conlon is man who did bad things in his past and is paying for them in his current life. Having being cut off from his son's life and family, Conlon descends into alcoholic depression. However once the film bursts into life he springs into action but not with the same slick style of Bryan Mills of Taken fame. More like your dad trying to be John Travolta on the dance floor. But with a gun. And old gun which needs loading every five minutes. 

If this film shows anything it's that the NYPD either does not prioritise murderers and cop killers or they tend not to look in the obvious places for fugitives. At one point in the night Neeson visits his brother then his sick mother in hospital and there's not an NYPD badge in sight. Surely these are prime spots for catching a criminal on the run? Or have I been watching too much Criminal Minds?

Despite the large sections of the film which are completely implausible it is oddly enjoyable. It has a good pace, likeable characters and, even though the "twists" are so obvious, they actually are quite comforting. Like a nice warm blanket of certainty. 

I will probably never think of this film ever again in my life, but I would recommend it to anyone who is looking for some action (no not like that). 

Go and see it if...you don't wish to use your brain for two hours. 

Score - 7/10

One Happie Chappie

Film reviewed - Chappie by Neil Blomkamp

Starring - Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver

Synopsis - Deon (Patel) creates an artificial intelligence programme which he secretly uploads to a defunct cop robot whilst in the hands of local criminals. CEO Michelle Bradley (Weaver) and engineer Vincent Moore (Jackman) must stop at nothing to protect the company's reputation.

Review - When I left the cinema after watching Chappie I felt like a kid again. As a massive fan of Short Circuit this story appealed to my inner child just as much as watching a rerun of Batteries Not Included on a Sunday afternoon. I felt like I had been on a journey. I felt exhausted. I cried, I laughed, I sat on the edge of my seat. What more do you want from a film?

The overriding word that rings in my ears is heartwarming. Its clever, child-like quality tugs on your heart strings like no other. It's hard to watch something as beautifully innocent as Chappie be treated so badly in the beginning and I still shed a tear when I think back. You just want to give him/her a big, metally hug and tell him/her everything's ok. 

I have read a lot of reviews which claim Chappie is irritating, however every person I know who has seen the film has only said how much they love him/her. 

The inclusion of Ninja and Yolandi is a little strange. Ninja is not convincing but the ending does give you hope. Yolandi is an interesting character who grows into her role, almost like she realises her importance in Chappie's life.

My only criticism (and I can't believe I am about to say this) falls with the fantastic Sigourney Weaver. I spent the climax of the film hoping (and praying) that she was going to pull a flame thrower from underneath her big executive desk and start taking out the bad guys. Stay away from Chappie you b*tch! But what did we get? Nothing. You expect heart and fight from Sig and this saddened me. 

The real brilliance of this film lies with the huge amount of political and cultural layers which use Chappie to reflect the atrocities which have plagued racial division in South Africa. This point could be missed if you had your sci-fi head on but should not be forgotten. Neil Blomkamp has tried to reflect this unsuccessfully in District 9 and Elysium, but here he has the balance spot on. If he carries on like this, I'm getting excited for Aliens 5.

Go see it if...you still think Johnny 5 is alive.

Score - 10/10