After the many many teen horror movie clones coming out of America in recent months, its nice to see some Brits doing something different. This is pure entertainment at its horrific best, its basically the story of a group of soldiers up in the Scottish Highlands on a routine training mission who happen to encounter a bunch of very angry werewolves. Thats all you need to know. No one takes the film seriously and its that one point alone that makes this film really work. What could of been another routine horror flick becomes the most ridiculous and funny Brit flick since Lock Stock. Everyone involved is quite clearly having a great time, the dialogue is hammy at best, the set pieces are ridiculous but somehow it all sits together perfectly to make a hugely entertaining film. Even the graphic gore is played for laughs. So in summary, a hilarious film that should be enjoyed for what it is, a superbly entertaining horror comedy that feels as though its straight out of the 1980s.
Reviews
3 Reviews
The Martins
(2001)
Average UK drama/comedy
26 September 2001
Despite the slightly misleading trailer, this film is more than just a slapstick comedy, it actually presents some very real and dark human emotions, all be it in very exceptional circumstances. The problem with this however, is that the line between the comedy and drama is slightly blurred, yes it is funny, and yes it is very serious, but the combination of the two don't quite sit together in The Matins, and thats the major problem with this film.
That said, the film is very enjoyable, and also very real in some respects. Far from being over the top, the almost constant swearing is actually quite realistic, I'm sure most people know of a family or friends who seem to do nothing but swear.
So is it any good? I will sit on the fence and say its OK. The acting is fine, the straight visual style is excellent and strangely under used in this MTV generation, and despite the obvious highs and lows throughout, the actual story is quite compelling, if a little over the top.
That said, the film is very enjoyable, and also very real in some respects. Far from being over the top, the almost constant swearing is actually quite realistic, I'm sure most people know of a family or friends who seem to do nothing but swear.
So is it any good? I will sit on the fence and say its OK. The acting is fine, the straight visual style is excellent and strangely under used in this MTV generation, and despite the obvious highs and lows throughout, the actual story is quite compelling, if a little over the top.
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
(2001)
Future classic...?
26 September 2001
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, once again I think the critics have got it wrong. Like Blade Runner and 2001, this is a film that will be properly judged in 10/20 years or maybe more. Its way ahead of its time, the combination of Kubrick and Spielberg is unique, its unlikely we will ever see anything like this again.
Did I like it? The answer would have to be yes, the mix of styles will put many people off, but I found it to be unlike anything I have ever seen, and all the better for it. The story is by no means original but everything else about the film is so different that this can be forgiven. To get one thing straight, Kubrick decided Spielberg would be the better man for directing it, and I think this was a very wise decision, many of the ideas are pure Kubrick, but Spielberg has the neccassary attributes to direct such a film, and great credit has to go to Kubrick for handing it to him.
Haley Joel Osment is amazing, the robot/human emotion must be amazingly difficult to pull off effectively, but Osment does it with such relative ease to the point where you do believe he is a robot, not that he is just acting as a robot. Jude Law is excellent, and so to is Frances O'Conner.
As for the ending, as brave as an idea it may of been to end on a downbeat note at "the first ending" I think the slightly upbeat ending is much more appropriate.
All in all I would say A.I is a wonderfully unique film that should be judged for what it is, a film. Forget everything about the Spielberg/Kubrick "issue" and just sit back and take in a truely amazing film. You may hate it, you may love it, but no matter what, it will effect your emotions in some way and you will discuss the film afterwards.
This film will be truely judged in 20 years or so, when it can be assessed purely as a film, as with 'Blade Runner', '2001', and even 'The Thing', it will get better with age.
Did I like it? The answer would have to be yes, the mix of styles will put many people off, but I found it to be unlike anything I have ever seen, and all the better for it. The story is by no means original but everything else about the film is so different that this can be forgiven. To get one thing straight, Kubrick decided Spielberg would be the better man for directing it, and I think this was a very wise decision, many of the ideas are pure Kubrick, but Spielberg has the neccassary attributes to direct such a film, and great credit has to go to Kubrick for handing it to him.
Haley Joel Osment is amazing, the robot/human emotion must be amazingly difficult to pull off effectively, but Osment does it with such relative ease to the point where you do believe he is a robot, not that he is just acting as a robot. Jude Law is excellent, and so to is Frances O'Conner.
As for the ending, as brave as an idea it may of been to end on a downbeat note at "the first ending" I think the slightly upbeat ending is much more appropriate.
All in all I would say A.I is a wonderfully unique film that should be judged for what it is, a film. Forget everything about the Spielberg/Kubrick "issue" and just sit back and take in a truely amazing film. You may hate it, you may love it, but no matter what, it will effect your emotions in some way and you will discuss the film afterwards.
This film will be truely judged in 20 years or so, when it can be assessed purely as a film, as with 'Blade Runner', '2001', and even 'The Thing', it will get better with age.
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