INSIDE OUT (2015)

Genre: Animated
Running Length: 1:34
Cast: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Bill Hader, Lewis Black, Mindy Kaling, Richard Kind, Kaitlyn Dias, Diane Lane, Kyle MacLachlan
Director: Pete Docter & Ronaldo Del Carmen
Screenplay: Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve & Josh Cooley

INSIDE OUT is arguably one of the most original and complex animated movie ever produced by an American animated studio. And in terms of look and feel, this film actually resembles something out of a Studio Ghibli production (watch out for a scene which pays homage to My Neighbour Totoro). Looks like Pixar is back to form with their latest gamble as this film, just like any of their earlier productions, satisfies on multiple levels. It equally engages both adults and children - except for those under 6, judging by their restlessness in the cinema. Well, this is no Minions anyway.

Personally, I defined superior storytelling as the ability to easily connect with your audience with warm and sensitive language, speaking to them in human terms without sacrificing the reality and logic of the subject matter. And Inside Out fits right in there as it uses the personification of Emotions to explore themes of how an individual's personality is shaped and built on a foundation of memories.  Oh, it's not all serious and sad as it balances out perfectly with fun and joy.

If you've seen the movie trailer, you would have been introduced to the five Emotions character (Joy, Anger, Disgust, Fear and Sadness) in the setting of control room of sorts, living in the head of our protagonist. In actuality, the lion share of the narrative takes place outside of the control room where Joy and Sadness were accidentally ejected out far far away into another part of the brain and they need to quickly find their way back to restore balance. And thus, begins one of the most imaginative road trip ever where they meet different characters (eg. Bing Bong, our main character's one-time imaginary friend) and venture into different representations of our mind (dreams, subconsciousness etc).

From a visual perspective, it is beautifully rendered - it's colourful and vibrant. And the Emotions (and its perfect voice casting) have this shimmery and hand-drawn appearance to it which makes them very appealing. Perhaps it's because Joy reminds me of Tinker Bell.

Adult moviegoers will likely be moved by the bittersweet childhood memories the film will trigger. Indeed, in order to experience the completeness of life, we need a combination of emotions especially joy and sadness.

Rating: 8.5/10   


 

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E (2015)

Genre: Action/Comedy
Running Length: 1:56
Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Hugh Grant,
Director: Guy Ritchie
Screenplay: Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram

There was a sense of deja vu when THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E ended. It felt like The Lone Ranger (the motion picture) all over again: Both films were once popular TV series. Armie Hammer appears in both the remake for the big screen. And both features an unlikely partnership. Although the trailer for both the big screen adaptation looked really promising and fun, the actual output was somewhat unsatisfying.

However, from a visual perspective, this film looks really classy and stylish. The production design is detailed and the use of split-screen for some action scenes feels fresh. And speaking of action sequences, Ritchie uses a more restrained approach for some of these scenes compared to the standard wall-to-wall in-your-face blockbuster action movies. For example, an important boat chase scene unfolds completely in the background while Cavill's character is having a snack. That scene left me in stitches! And there are a few of such played for laughs offscreen moments peppered throughout the movie. Also, the use of a classy jazz score is an inspired choice.

If only the narrative was more interesting. Strangely, the story is both simplistic and convoluted at the same time - which ends up "talking alot but actually saying nothing". Both Cavill and Hammer definitely have screen presence as the duo spends most of their time bantering back and forth and trying to one-up each other. Cavill is the debonair "brainy" chap while Hammer is the no nonsense "brawny" lad. That said, with their well-cut suits and dapper berets, they appear more like mannequins than real flesh and blood men.

Just like both our gentlemen who appears to be more preoccupied with their outlook, The Man From U.N.C.L.E is all style, but no substance.

Rating: 6.5/10         

 

  

SOUTHPAW (2015)

Genre: Drama
Running Length: 2:04
Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Forest Whitaker, Rachel McAdams, Oona Laurence, 50 Cent, Naomie Harris
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Screenplay: Kurt Sutter 

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!” Rocky Balboa 

Sports drama (particularly boxing movies) are like romantic comedies; they follow tried-and-true formulas and audiences will walk away feeling satisfied because they got what they were expecting for. Just like Rocky, SOUTHPAW is less about winning or losing but more about the hero's journey towards redemption. It's more about personal growth and relationships. 

Antoine Fuqua has given us another technically flawless motion picture. The actors' performance are solid, the fights in the ring are intense, the score by the late James Horner is emotional at all the right spots and of course, the screenplay is focused. That said, there is something which is missing which I can't put a finger on it. For a dramatic film, one should feel the punch in the emotional gut at its climax but Southpaw didn't do it for me. Nevertheless, it's still a well crafted film with a knockout performance by Gyllenhaal (with Prisoners, Nightcrawler and the up-coming Everest, Gyllenhaal is one committed actor). In this movie, his switch from rage to vulnerability and his physical transformation are admirable. The rest of the supporting cast are solid especially Whitaker and McAdams. A big shout out to Oona Laurence's commanding performance as our hero's young daughter. 

Although the narrative is predictable, the depth of its characters and their relationships elevate this film to a compelling watch.

Rating: 7/10

 

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION (2015)

Genre: Action/Thriller
Running Length: 2:11
Cast:  Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Jeremy Renner, Alec Baldwin, Ving Rhames, Sean Harris
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Screenplay: Christopher McQuarrie

Watching any of the Mission: Impossible films (MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - ROGUE NATION being the 5th outing from the franchise) is like watching an episode of The Road Runner cartoons. No matter how outrageous the traps are (set by The Coyote), The Road Runner will never fall into it. Similarly, no matter how dangerous the situations are thrown at Tom Cruise's Ethan Hunt, we know at the back of our mind he will somehow survive it. There is a sense of predictability that Ethan Hunt/The Road Runner will always win. So, the fun is actually seeing how our hero creatively overcomes each "trap" without being caught.

Just like the previous Mission, the storyline often feels insignificant as the focus is on the action set pieces. The plot checks all its trademark boxes; exotic locations, shifting alliances, megalomaniac villains, but this round, the wall to wall action sequences are amped-up to 11. The hanging Tom Cruise by the plane sequence (seen in the trailer and posters) would be the most daring stunt, but the other scenes offered are more intense; the Nessun Dorma drama, the breathtaking underwater complication, the relentless motorcycle chase and the final confrontation. What works in these sequences is its little reliance on CGI and Tom Cruise going full Jackie Chan as a one-man stunt machine. So there is a sense of real danger and tension.

What also worked in this film is Rebecca Ferguson's character. She is no damsel in distress. In fact, she does more rescuing than being rescued. And I'm glad the filmmakers did not over sexualised the relationship between Cruise and her. I'm also glad that Simon Pegg has meatier scenes this round.

Although the tone is predominantly serious, there is enough humour and silliness to keep Rogue Nation as a solid piece of popcorn entertainment. That's all folks!

Rating: 7/10