Review Of : Premium Rush

Just watched 'PREMIUM RUSH' yesterday. 

Directed By David Koepp

Starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Michael Shannon, Dania Ramirez

Synopsis:

 When Wilee, a New York City bicycle messenger picks up an envelope at Columbia University a dirty cop becomes desperate to get his hands on it and chases the messenger throughout the city.

(Source: SONY PICTURES RELEASING INTERNATIONAL)

Interesting idea with a simple story.

While movies with car chase are somewhat common, Premium Rush is a good undertaking of the idea with bicycles chase scenes. David Koepp did for a change with bicycle messenger with just a simple story & plot. 

The story was merely about a bicycle messenger Wilee who picks up an envelope which then attracts the attention of a dirty cop who wants it. As the story continues, the plot unfolds with  flashbacks that reveal piece by piece of the whole story. 

Joseph Gordon-Levitt did a good job in the latest Chris Nolan movies such as The Dark Knight Rises & Inception, in Premium Rush he too did a good job. There will be another movie he will be starring in too; Looper. 

Alright, Simple story with fast-paced action.

The plot contains a few humourous lines which are good to lighten the story a little. Cool bicycle chase scenes & stunts can be seen throughout the film. Good utilisation of flashbacks to uncover the story of the movie.

The acting of the main actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt & Dania Ramirezwere really good although Michael Shannon's character as the cop could have been better in my opinion. 

The visuals were really good. The cinematography of the movie & all.

All in all, the movie's overall story & idea was good, something new in my opinion. It was all good & worth a watch. (: 

My Rating?

Plot : 3.5/5

Storyline : 3.5/5

Characters*:3.5/5 

Effects** : 4/5

OVERALL : 7.25/10.

Trailer: 

Review Of : The Bourne Legacy

I've just watched 'THE BOURNE LEGACY' a few days ago. 

Directed By Tony Gilroy

Starring Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Albert Finney, Joan Allen, Scott Glenn, Stacy Keach, Oscar Isaac

Synopsis: 

The narrative architect behind the Bourne film series, Tony Gilroy, takes the helm in the next chapter of the hugely popular espionage franchise that has earned almost $1 billion at the global box office: The Bourne Legacy. The writer/director expands the Bourne universe created by Robert Ludlum with an original story that introduces us to a new hero (Jeremy Renner) whose life-or-death stakes have been triggered by the events of the first three films. For The Bourne Legacy, Renner joins fellow series newcomers Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton, Stacy Keach and Oscar Isaac, while franchise veterans Albert Finney, Joan Allen, David Strathairn and Scott Glenn reprise their roles. 

(Source: UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES)

A good movie but I expected far more from it. 

As the first 3 Bourne movies directed by Doug Liman & starring Matt Damon set a high benchmark by raising the bar in action films, audience would automatically have high-expectations for this fourth installment starring Jeremy Renner & directed by Tony Gilroy. 

As the movie's trailer had much hype going on with the audience, Bourne fans are definitely thrilled & having question whether The Bourne Legacy will be up par with its predecessors. 

In my opinion, with comparison to previous Bourne films, Tony Gilroy did well with this movie, just that I really expected more of it like more action sequences & a more complex script.The story is well-written as the beginning of the film was set to be 'meanwhile in the events of The Bourne Ultimatum'. Therefore, I highly suggest you to watch the previous 3 films first; The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Ultimatum. 

Relatively lack of action sequences but the story still has potential for a far better sequel. 

The story was well-written as it slowly uncovers bit by bit as the movie proceeds making it sound more complex. This really gives the audiences a sense of curiosity. Really good but this curiosity soon reaches a climax which then in my opinion leaves the audiences a somewhat anti-climatic notion at the end. A potential continuation? Maybe. I'll leave that to the director & the producers. What I could say, that I hope the next one would be better. (:

The plot, as many were expecting intense fight scenes & action sequences, were left until up to the end of the film. (which is you might already know, *POTENTIAL SPOILER* the Manila motorcycle chase scene.) Besides that, the whole film was just uncovering conspiracies of the goverment involving previous & current operations such as Threadstone, Blackbriar, Outcome & LARX which therefore are sort of after-events of the previous 3 films. 

The casts are really good, as there were mix-opinions with Matt Damon & Jeremy Renner as expected. Though the story didn't give much chemistry with the main casts(Renner & Rachel Weisz), their acting were really good. 

The visuals were really good as The Bourne Legacy was shot in many countries across the globe. The cinematography was well-crafted as well. 

All in all, I highly recommend you to watch the previous 3 Bourne films before watching this to understand better. Don't expect too much intense action though. The Bourne Legacy was a good movie but I've expected more from it.  

My Rating?

Plot : 3.75/5

Storyline : 3.5/5

Characters*:3.75/5 

Effects** : 4.5/5

OVERALL : 7.75/10.

Trailer: 

Review Of : ParaNorman

Just watched 'PARANORMAN in 3D yesterday. (: 

Directed by Sam Fell and Chris Butler 

Voices by Kodi Smit-McPhee, Casey Affleck, Tucker Albrizzi, Tempestt Bledsoe, Alex Borstein, Jodelle Ferland, Jeff Garlin, John Goodman, Bernard Hill, Anna Kendrick, Leslie Mann, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Elaine Stritch

Synopsis: 
In the comedy thriller, a small town comes under siege by zombies and turns to misunderstood local boy Norman (Kodi Smit-McPhee) who is able to speak with the undead. In addition to the zombies, he'll have to take on ghosts, witches and, worst of all, moronic grown-ups, to save his town from a centuries-old curse.

(Source: UNITED INTERNATIONAL PICTURES)

ParaNorman is somewhat slightly distinguished itself from other animated films.

If you like Tim Burton's Corpse Bride or Laika's Coraline,(which is the same production that did this movie) ParaNorman might be of your taste. And it's funny too! 

Well, don't expect Pixar-like animated films genre which gives a memorable 'punch'. This movie is somewhat different as it is uses stop-motion (yes, really hard work) and it took on a slightly different story than other animated movies as it takes on the paranormal with zombies & ghosts in a hilarious way. 

A good family movie with hilarious scenes that might tickle you funny bone!

The story, its as I said different than other animated films. Simple but different. Not all that  like Pixar or those kind of films. Is it good or bad, you decide. ;)
The animation & cinematography should be given an applaud.  Stop-motion animation. Believe me, stop-motion animation is really hard work. I was so tired just to make a 30-second stop-motion here with 105 frames. Imagine doing stop-motion for a 1hour30min movie.    
Visuals & effects were quite good. I watched it in 3D, there are a few scenes which you may 'feel' the effect, but its not all that necessary. 

All in all, if you want to watch a funny family movie, you should give ParaNorman a go!(: 

P.S. - There is a short scene after the credits where they show a time-lapse of modelling the character 'Norman'. 

My Rating?

Plot : 3.75/5

Storyline : 3.5/5

Characters*:4/5 

Effects** : 4.5/5

OVERALL : 7.5/10.

Trailer: 

Review Of : Step Up Revolution

Just watched 'STEP UP REVOLUTION' today in 3D. 

Directed By Scott Speer


Starring Alyson Stoner, Adam G.Sevani, Stephen Boss


Synopsis: 
STEP UP 4 is the next installment in the worldwide smash Step Up franchise, which sets the dancing against the vibrant backdrop of Miami. Emily, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, arrives in Miami with aspirations of becoming a professional dancer, but soon falls in love with Sean, a young man who leads a dance crew in elaborate, cutting edge flash mobs. The crew, called the MOB, strives to win a contest for a major sponsorship opportunity, but soon Emily's father threatens to develop the MOB's historic neighborhood and displace thousands of people. Emily must band together with Sean and the MOB to turn their performance mobs into protest mobs, and risk losing their dreams to fight for a greater cause.


(Source: NUSANTARA EDARAN FILMS)

A really creative movie with amazing dance moves. 

When I say that,  I mean their concept in comparison with previous Step Up movies. 

I would first give applaud to their extremely well-choreographed dance scenes, all the flash mobs scenes were really creative & synchronised. Even the opening scene began really well. 

Eventhough, a number of reviewers gave low ratings for this movie, I beg to differ. Yes, the story line might be a little bland, but the amazing dance scenes really cover up their simple story until you wouldn't notice the simplicity of the story but awed by the flash mobbing scenes. Love the office flash mob scene. (above) 

Watch this movie for the dance scenes and be amazed. Period.


Like I said, expect less on the story, but focus more on enjoying the dance moves as a whole. And I should watch previous Step Up movies, not necessarily, but they are few characters that are brought back into this fourth installment. 


Story-wise, I think it wasn't that bad as people said. In my opinion, it was just right to fit in for this movie. Yes, it may be kind of bland, but it wasn't all that bad. This film focused more on 'wow-ing' the audiences with the dances instead of the plot. So, like I said, watch Step Up Revolution for the flash mob dance scenes. 
Acting. Putting aside some other cliche factors, the dancers were really in sync. Kudos to that. 
Visually, the movie be entertaining for the viewers. Contains great dance moves with a good concept behind it. I watched it in 3D, but its not necessary though.
Music. Lots of current songs are used for this film. Really nice choice for the scenes though.


All in all, Step Up Revolution is entertaining for viewers who love dancing and also for those who seek for being entertained. 

My Rating?

Plot : 4/5

Storyline : 2.75/5

Characters*:4/5  (Amazing dance moves? 5/5)

Effects** : 3.75/5

OVERALL : 7.25/10.

Trailer: