mokil Reviews

The Santa Clause 2 (2002)

Genuine Christmas Magic

[20 December 2002]

OK, so it's not quite as good as the first, but this really captures the Christmas spirit...I saw it in a theatre with a load of little kids who laughed and cheered right through. Everyone who came out of the theatre had a big smile on their face at the end, even the Mums, Dads, and GrandParents!

Tim Allen does a good job (again) as Santa, and there are plenty of nice in-jokes in there - Allen wearing a flannel shirt (remind anyone of Al Borland), and of course all the car references...and there are also some movie homages in there - did the duplicator machine remind anyone else of Bride Of Frankenstein!?

The first 15-20 minutes are a little slow but once Allen returns to America the film really begins to pick up. Good support cast too - Elizabeth Mitchell is beautiful! Reinhold does well but does not have quite enough screen time.

Some of the scenes really do capture the magic of Christmas - witness the Teacher's Xmas party for example.

Basically, if you want a good family film to put you in the Christmas spirit, you could do far worse than see this. 8/10.

The Plague Dogs (1982)

Schoolchildren should be made to view this movie

[10/10 · 13 August 2002]

I watched The Plague Dogs last night after finally managing to grab hold of a copy. It was the first time I'd seen the movie for 19-20 years (I read the book not long ago - terrific stuff).

I must say I feel very depressed as I write this. The film is gritty, realistic and uncompromising. I'm not sure whether I agree with the changed ending from the book or with the slight change in the Tod's character, but overall you have to give Martin Rosen and his team credit for coming up with what was, overall, a fairly faithful adaption (as indeed Watership Down was).

I recommend this film highly and believe all schoolchildren should be made to see it - it may make a few of them campaigners for animal rights!

I also noticed Brad Bird (who directed The Iron Giant) was one of the animators.

Babe: Pig in the City (1998)

Wonderful, Wonderful Film

[10/10 · 29 May 2002]

If you have not seen this movie (and indeed the original Babe) please, please do yourself a favour and buy it.

The photography is wonderful, the story terrific, the characters charming. There is humour, sadness, hope and many more things in here, along with a terrific soundtrack.

I can't rave about this film enough - to say it's as good as the original Babe says enough about the quality of this movie. Go see it!

Babe (1995)

Everyone should watch this film

[10/10 · 3 May 2002]

Babe is a terrific story filled with great characters and strong morals.

Excellent script, effects, characters, acting, directing...

I cannot recommend this film enough - watch it at least once!