THE LION KING (2019)

Release Date: Malaysia, 17 June 2019

Genre: Animation / Adventure

Running Length: 1:58

Cast (Voices): Donald Glover, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Beyoncé, James Earl Jones, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, John Oliver, Alfre Woodard

Director:  Jon Favreau

Screenplay: Jeff Nathanson, based on a story by Brenda Chapman

Disclaimer: This review is based on these facts: (i) I've watched the original 1994 classic and (ii) I am not in favour of Disney re-doing its classics into live-action. If you've not seen the original, perhaps you would have a different experience altogether.

So, I decided to catch it anyway hoping that it would bring a new freshness. And here's the verdict:

I totally disliked it. 

Before I tear this movie apart, let's start off with the positive aspects of the movie. The one thing that really stood out for me is the triumphant "animation". The movie's photorealistic jungles and animals of Africa can be easily mistaken with an episode of National Geographic or Planet Earth. In the opening act where we are introduced to little Simba, I literally exclaimed out loud "Eeee..SO CUTE!!!" Yes, it's that believable. The technical achievement here is ground breaking.

And that's about it of what I like about the movie. Now let's get to the dislikes.

Eventhough it's visually realistic and stunning, there are drawbacks. You see, I can accept it when the animals are singing and acting all human-like in the hand-drawn original but in a state of "reality" like this 2019 version, there is a disconnect when perfectly rendered animals start speaking and singing. I just find this very difficult to accept. As a result, it was distracting to me. 

And speaking of speaking, there is something off with the voice talents here and I can't put my finger on what's wrong. James Earl Jones is back as the booming voice of Simba's I'm your father; Mufasa. But somehow, the majesty and glory of Mufasa is missing when he speaks in this version. The only voice talent that matches to the 'T' is Seth Rogen as the warthog Pumbaa. He was born to play Pumbaa. 

As for the scenes, it's a shot-for-shot recreation of the original. WHY?!! Yes, I get it that some scenes are sacred and shouldn't be altered such as the signature opening "Circle of Life" sequence and one of the most disturbing and saddest scene ever committed to the history of Disney animation (it still is in this version), but they could have at least changed up some scenes to inject some freshness to it.

As for the classic score and songs, they did update it but this 2019 version is simply terrible. The only memorable ones are when Pumbaa and Timon sing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" and a laugh-inducing song referencing another Disney classic

All in all, I was bored throughout this 2019 Lion King. This is an obvious cash-grab from Disney. Unfortunately, audiences will still flock to the cinemas (it debuted and ruled at the North America Box Office at USD 185 million!) and will fill Disney's coffers to overflowing. This only means one thing: more classics being converted to live-action. You know what they say - new generation, new money. 

RATING: 5/10

DOCTOR STRANGE (2016)

Genre: Action / Adventure

Running Length: 1:55

Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Mads Mikkelsen, Tilda Swinton, Scott Adkins, Benjamin Bratt

Director: Scott Derrickson

Screenplay: Jon Spaihts, Scott Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill

I've read before film critics complaining that the recent Marvel movies are starting to feel the same. As for me, the fatigue has finally set in with DOCTOR STRANGE. Eventhough stylistically it looks different from the others, this film is still cut from the same cloth. Speaking of style, one thing I did enjoy are the trippy sequences and the Inception like building-bending fight scenes. But even so, it felt tiresome after a while. 

As for the plot, it follows more or less the same formula as any superhero origin story. Cumberbatch plays Dr Stephen Strange, a brilliant but cocky neurosurgeon who lost the precision of his hands from a horrible car accident. No longer can he practice as a surgeon, he desperately seeks healing from a mystical sect in Nepal led by the Ancient One (Swinton). 

Naturally, Strange ends up to be the "chosen" one in the sect and has to battle a band of mystical bad people (led by Mikkelsen) who are up to no good and is detroying New York and London...yet again. Thrown into the destruction this time is Hong Kong. 

From the very little I know about this comic hero, Benedict Cumberbatch definitely looks the part but I'm not sure if he nailed the character. He definitely has presence and his comic timing is good. However, the film's comedy element is bordering on silliness especially the anti-climatic finale. I felt like I was watching a gag reel. 

Marvel Studios is a well-oiled scalable moviemaking machine and they will continue to use the cookie-cutter approach to churn out its content. Doctor Strange is going to make heap loads of money in the box office anyway, so why fix it if it's not broken?

Rating: 5.5/10

THE MARTIAN (2015)

Genre: Science Fiction
Running Length: 2:21
Cast: Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Michael Pena, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, Aksel Hennie, Jeff Daniels, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristin Wiig, Sean Bean

Director: Ridley Scott
Screenplay: Drew Goddard, based on the novel by Andy Weir

"You solve one problem and then the next. You solve enough problems and you get to come home." Mark Watney

THE MARTIAN is probably one of the most accessible films from Ridley Scott since Gladiator. This is Castaway for today's generation; where Damon's character spends the majority of his time talking to an "audience" aka. video blogging rather than talking to himself. And his best friend is Wilson the GoPro camera (several of them actually).

The science and maths in this film is easier to follow compared to Nolan's Interstellar. Apparently it was even fact-checked by NASA. The plot is easy to follow too. Damon's character is an astronaut where he was left behind on planet Mars by his fellow crew mates due to a freak storm. They presumed he was dead. So our protagonist must use his smarts to find a way to survive on the red planet until he is possibly rescued - several years away.

Although the narrative sounds depressing, the film's tone is actually pretty positive and upbeat. Eventhough the subject matter is serious, the film is approachable thanks to several light hearted moments peppered with appropriate low-key comedy. Also, it has a good balance of how Damon's character tackles both his physical limitations and psychological challenges. So, it's not emo all the way. From the trailers, audience may think that they are in for a boring time, seeing one man going up against one complication after another but it's actually more than that. There are several stories unfolding at the very same time but shares the same mission - to bring our astronaut back home safely, thus making this an interesting watch as we witness brilliant minds around the world coordinating and working together.

As good as Matt Damon is as our everyday hero, he is no Tom Hanks. Nevertheless, his performance here is arguably one of the best in his career. The supporting cast (with very big names) is equally impressive.

I'm glad the filmmakers use practical effects to enhance the look and feel, rather than hardcore CGI. Also, the smart editing coupled with an inspired choice of disco music gives the film a good pacing. Although the ending is a little too over-the-top (and the plot involving the Chinese government seemed forced and out of place), The Martian is still a feel-good cinematic experience.

Rating: 8.5/10

12 YEARS A SLAVE (2014)

Genre: Drama
Running Length: 2:13
Cast: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbander, Lupita Nyong'o, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Adepero Oduye, Brad Pitt
Director: Steve McQueen

12 YEARS A SLAVE is a tough film to watch but a necessary one. This movie does not leave any room for imagination; some scenes of brutality are so unbearable I had to close my eyes. But what is most unsettling for me is the reminder of us humans - that we are capable of inflicting horrific acts on another human being in the name of righteousness and societal pressure (the public humiliation and crucifixion of Jesus, Nazi Germany, Rwanda etc). This true story is actually very straight forward - the main character (played by  Chiwetel Ejiofor in an Oscar worthy performance but personally, not as moving as Tom Hanks in Captain Phillips) who is a free and well-respected family man living in New York circa 1840s, but was abducted and sold as a slave to the south. During his 12 years of slavery, the audience is transported back in time on a journey where we are exposed to the inhumane conditions in which slaves lived and worked under their "masters". It's not all dark and dirty but the contrary as the ugliness of what was happening is told against the setting of the beautiful southern scenery - which makes it realistic (and not manipulative). The main cast is solid especially Michael Fassbander and Lupita Nyong'o. The only complains I have are these minor distractions - the "spot the stars" cameo and Hans Zimmer's score which is closely reminiscent of his work on Inception. Nevertheless, slavery was a very real and sad part in the history of America and 12 Years A Slave is the definitive movie on this subject matter.

Rating: 7.5/10