Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol

CAST:  Tom Cruise (Ethan Hunt), Jeremy Renner (William Brandt), Paula Patton (Jane Carte), Simon Pegg (Benji Dunn), Ving Rhames,  Vladimir Mashkov,  Michael Nyqvist, Josh Holloway, Lea Seydoux, Anil Kapoor; DIRECTOR:  Brad Bird; SCREENWRITER: J.J. Abrams, Josh Applebaum, Andre Nemec; PRODUCER: Tom Cruise; EDITOR:  MUSICAL DIRECTOR; GENRE:  Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure; CINEMATOGRAPHER  

DISTRIBUTOR  Paramount Pictures; LOCATION: Budapest-Moscow, Dubai, Mumbai-India; RUNNING TIME:  133 minutes

Technical Assessment: 4

Moral Assessment: 3

Cinema Rating: For viewers 18 years old and above

    

The film begins with a failed courier intercept in Budapest by the International Mission Force (IMF) team of Jane Carter, Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) and Trevor Hanaway (Josh Holloway). Then, the team helps Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) break out from a Moscow prison so he could be put back to IMF service to track down a Russian nuclear terrorist. His initial mission is to infiltrate Kremlim, however, it goes terribly wrong and Russian agents  are now after Hunt thinking he is responsible for Kremlim bombing. The failed courier intercept and the Kremlim bombing are both related to the ultimate mission: impossible which is to prevent the thermonuclear war between Russia and the US from happening. With the IMF disbanded, the IMF’s chief analyst, William Brandt (Jeremy Renner) becomes part of the now three-man team unpredictably, forcing them to black ops, or ghost protocol, meaning “off the grid.”

Among the MI franchise. This time, the film is focused on the series of interrelated impossible missions that make up one big mission: impossible.  Unlike the previous installments, MI4 is devoid of so much emotional baggage and distractions making  the audience simply glued to the edge of their seats with the death-defying stunts,  mind-blowing adventures and superb special effects  beyond imagination.  Cruise is at his perfect best in this movie and Ethan Hunt’s character is really his. The strong casting and intelligent direction make MI4 an exhilarating viewing experience.

Although a spy-action –adventure genre ala James Bond series, MI4 does away with the usual demands of sex and violence. A scene with sexual insinuations is done in the context of undercover and one’s line of duty. The violence only goes extreme in car crashes, shootings and fighting that are again in the context of preventing a war, thus, preventing the lives of the innocent. However, CINEMA finds  the entirety of the film’s theme requires a sense of maturity to be appreciated. In the battle between good and evil, the film somehow shows that certain evils are necessary to fight evil, i.e. lying, deception, killing, and revenge.  Whether such concept is acceptable in the context of world peace, a debate may be necessary. Perhaps we should rethink, how far should governments go to protect innocent lives? But amidst the film’s moral dilemma, the message of personal sacrifice, integrity and loyalty remains to be strong in MI4; and although the idea of God is significantly absent or lacking in the movie, the innate goodness of the characters may make up for it.

New Year's Eve

CAST:  Robert De Niro, Ashton Kutcher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Hilary Swank, Lea Michele, Abigail Breslin, Sofia Vergara, Jessica Biel, Sarah Jessica Parker, Katherine Heigl, Zac Efron, Sienna Miller, Josh Duhamel, Ice Cube, Jon Bon Jovi, Seth Meyers, Til Schweiger; DIRECTOR:  Garry Marshal; SCREENWRITER: Katherine Fugate; FILM PRODUCER:  Mike Karz, Wayne Allan Rice; MUSICAL DIRECTOR: John Debney; GENRE: Comedy, Romance DISTRIBUTOR:  Warner Bros; LOCATION:  New York City, USA; RUNNING TIME:  117 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3.5

Moral Assessment: 3.5

Cinema Rating: For viewers 14 years old and above

New Year’s Eve eavesdrops on the goings on in the lives of an armful of New Yorkers during the last day of the year.  There’s pastry chef Laura (Katherine Heigle) still smarting from being stood up by would-be groom Jensen (Jon Bon Jovi); a devoted nurse Aimee (Halle Berry) accompanying a patient dying of cancer Stan (Robert de Niro); Claire (Hilary Swank), vice president of the Times Square Alliance whose main concern is to see to it that the ball on Times Square drops according to new year count-down; security guard Brendan (Chris Bridges), friend and supporter of Claire; Russian master electrician Kominsky (Hector Elizondo) in a make-it-or-break-it new year’s eve fix; Kim (Sarah Jessica Parker), a single mother pursuing a runaway daughter Hailey (Abigail Breslin); new year hater Randy (Ashton Kutcher) getting trapped in a freight elevator with Elise (Lea Michele); Paul (Zac Efron) a courier who in exchange for precious new year’s ball tickets is helping an uptight elderly woman Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer); a stranded man in Connecticut named Sam (Josh Duhamel) who has no choice but to hitch a ride back to New York with a curious family in order to deliver a new year’s eve speech and to reunite with a woman he met with exactly one year ago; pregnant Tess (Jessica Biel) and her husband (Seth Meyers) in a race with another couple to be the first to  give birth in year 2012 in order to get the hospital’s $25,000 prize.
       Before splitting hairs about the technical aspects of New Year’s Eve, we had to make sure every star in the movie is mentioned.  You’ll know why later.  Stories of these characters are interwoven in this fast-paced feel-good rom-com that critics either love or hate.  It may be often mushy, contrived, implausible, but it is nonetheless likeable, not just watchable, because it’s lighthearted and leaves viewers in an upbeat mood.  Those who say it’s merely a string of disconnected plots with characters not given enough time to develop or deepen, are speaking out of narrow expectations, because in reality, that is life in New York!  The seemingly “disconnected” plots flow from a deeper wellspring of thought that puts New York in a different light.

       New Year’s Eve is about New York and New Yorkers.  It could have been titled “New York, New Year” for its focus on the Times Square mega-event but the human values it espouses are as basic as human rights.  By the opening voice-over alone, New Year’s Eve sounds poised to disprove the notion that there is no longer magic or beauty in New York. Its closing voice-over clinches the whole movie’s message: love, forgiveness, hope, family, commitment, compassion, second chances.  The cruelest rants against the movie are directed towards its stellar cast: Why (they ask) would such great names in moviedom stoop that low appearing in a movie that at most is a mere vehicle for hard-sell product placements?  CINEMA prefers to give the cast the benefit of the doubt since this movie is about new year and new life, released worldwide before Christmas.  The actors—mostly Oscar awardees and nominees—must have owned the movie’s message and thus didn’t mind risking their reputation in order to put it across. An intention that good can’t make the movie that bad, could it?

Immortals

CAST:  Henry Cavill (Theseus), Mickey Rourke (King Hyperion), John Hurt (old man), Stephen Dorff (Stavros), Freida Pinto (Phaedra), Luke Evans (Zeus), Joseph Morgan (Lysander), Anne Day-Jones (Aethra), Greg Bryk (monk); DIRECTOR:  Tarsem Singh; SCREENWRITER:  Charley Parlapanides, Vlas Parlapanides; FILM PRODUCER: Gianni Nunnari, Mark Canton, Ryan Kavanaugh; MUSICAL DIRECTOR: Trevor Morris; GENRE:  Classic, Action, Adventure; LOCATION:  Greece; RUNNING TIME:  110 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3.5

Moral Assessment: 3

Cinema Rating: For viewers 18 years old and above

  

A peaceful village has been under threat when King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke) declares war against the mortals. He aims possession of the powerful bow to unleash the Titans who have wanted revenge against gods and humanity.  A village native Theseus (Henry Cavill) has been very concern about the threat faced by the village. When his mother was killed in front of him, Theseus wants nothing but revenge and uses his strength and fighting skills. He has been mentored by Old Man (John Hurt) who without him knowing is god Zeus (Luke Evans) in disguise. The ancient law prohibits gods to intervene in the conflicts of mankind. Zeus secretly chooses Theseus to save humanity from the hands of the rude King. Theseus becomes aware of his mission because of Phaedra (Freida Pinto) one of the virgin oracle. 

"Immortals" is a classic film about gods of Persian ancient times. It has a commendable storyline that was given a careful treatment with details by the director. It has a casting coup that showcase a combination of good acting and fighting choreography.  The delivery of striking lines is highlighted and remarkable. However, the fight scenes are very violent and bloody. The film offers a scenic production design. The sounds and musical score add up to the essence of ancient setting. The cinematography provides a good treat of panoramic scenery and a good feel of vast, high and majestic nature.

The film "Immortals" is another 'good over evil' theme. It leaves many inspiring words of wisdom for viewers to think over and reflect. A heroic act is not contained to protect only the love ones but larger number of people.  A responsible fighter is a aware of the reasons behind what he or she is fighting for.  It is important to focus on the mission and the accomplishment of tasks at hand. Above all, prayer and discernment, as in any war situation, play significant role to seek divine guidance and protection. At the end of the day, those who follow the will of God will have special place among gods and goddesses.  While the film has many positive messages, but violent scenes are very frequent and the lone sex scene in full nudity and full view of pumping will require a matured audience to understand.

The Adventures of Tintin: the secret of the unicorn

CAST: Jamie Bell, Daniel Craig, Andy Serkis,Simon Pegg, Cary Elwes, Nick Frost

DIRECTOR: Steven Spielberg; WRITER: Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Steven Moffat, based on the classic work of Herge; FILM PRODUCER: Kathleen Kennedy, Peter Jackson, Steven Spielberg; GENRE: Adventure/Animation; RUNNING TIME: 106 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3.5

Moral Assessment: 3

Cinema Rating: PG 13 (For viewers 13 and below with parental guidance)

The adventure begins when young Belgian journalist Tintin (Jamie Bell) buys a model of the ship Unicorn for a pound.  His curiosity is aroused when Mr. Sakharine (Daniel Craig) eagerly offers to buy the model ship from him—so he decides to keep the ship to get at the Unicorn’s secrets.  Seeing Tintin as an obstacle to his schemes, the cunning Sakharine has Tintin kidnapped but Tintin’s dog Snowy, a while fox terrier, doggedly chases the kidnapper’s van unnoticed until dog and master are reunited.  Tintin and his four legged sidekick soon team up with Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis) who can unlock the secret behind the Unicorn, if only he wouldn’t always be drunk!  The odd trio face off against Sakharine for whatever treasures the Unicorn hides.

Those who watch movies purely for the moment’s entertainment and so do not bother about film history might initially think this is another “pet movie”, confusing it with Rintintin, a dog saved as a pup from World War I battlefield that became a Hollywood star of 23 movies.  There is a dog all here right, but its name is Snowy and Tintin is his master.  The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn is but one of the 24 classic comic books created by “Herge”, penname of Belgian artist Georges Remi (1907-1983).  Even the current blogs today discussing the 2011 movie would reveal that the “Les Aventures de Tintin” series was a most popular comics in 20^th century Europe; it was so popular it has been translated in over 80 languages and has sold 350 million copies to date.  Since most of us may not have seen those comics, we would have no basis for comparison, and will just have to take The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn on its own merits.  

Those who watch movies purely for the moment’s entertainment and so do not bother about film history might initially think this is another “pet movie”, confusing it with Rintintin, a dog saved as a pup from World War I battlefield that became a Hollywood star of 23 movies.  There is a dog all here right, but its name is Snowy and Tintin is his master.  The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn is but one of the 24 classic comic books created by “Herge”, penname of Belgian artist Georges Remi (1907-1983).  Even the current blogs today discussing the 2011 movie would reveal that the “Les Aventures de Tintin” series was a most popular comics in 20^th century Europe; it was so popular it has been translated in over 80 languages and has sold 350 million copies to date.  Since most of us may not have seen those comics, we would have no basis for comparison, and will just have to take The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn on its own merits.  As far as that goes, the animation tops the list.  With such hand-drawn characters engaging in chases and swashbuckling a la Pirates of the Caribbean and Raiders of the Lost Ark.  Many times the animation’s realism would make the viewer forget he is watching cartoons in motion.

Adults may find the story engaging.  Young adults will be amused by Haddock, the hero with a vice.  Children will clap their hands over the Snowy, the dog with an almost human intelligence.   

The Road

CAST: Rhian Ramos, Carmina Villaroel, Barbie Forteza, Marvin Agustin, TJ Trinidad, Jacklyn Jose, Louise delos Reyes; DIRECTOR: Yam Laranas; SCREENPLAY:  Aloy Adlawan and Yam Laranas; PRODUCER: GMA Films; GENRE: Horror; LOCATION: Phiippines; RUNNING TIME: 110 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3.5

Moral Assessment: 3

Cinema Rating: For viewers 13 and below with parental guidance

Nahahati ang pelikula sa tatlong dekada ng magkakaugnay na pangyayari sa isang abandonadong daan sa karimlan. Taong 2008, iniimbestigahan ng pulis na si Luis (TJ Trinidad) ang misteryosong pagkawala ng dalawang dalagang teen-ager na umuugnay sa isang aksidente na nangyari sa parehong lugar. Taong 1998 naman, dalawang babae (Rhian Ramos at Louise delos Reyes) ang  nasiraan ng sasakyan sa parehong kalsada at sila’y sapilitang ipiniit ng isang lalaki (Alden Richards) sa isang bahay na nasa gitna ng kawalan. Dito, sila ay parehong mamamatay. Taong 1988 naman ay may isang batang lalaki na pawang ikinulong ng kanyang mga magulang (Carmina Villaroel at Marvin Agustin) sa bahay sa kani-kanilang dahilan. Masasaksihan ng bata ang ilang karumal-dumal na krimen na magaganap sa kanilang bahay na nakatayo sa ngayo’y abandonado nang daan.

Mahusay ang pagkakagawa ng pelikulang The Road. Hindi ito karaniwang pelikulang katakutan na walang ginawa kundi ang takutin lamang ang manonood. Sa totoo pa nga pawang hindi naman pananakot ang naging kabuuan ng pelikula. Walang gaanong gulat at makapanindig balahibong mga eksena ngunit madadala ka ng mga pinag-isipang anggulo, galaw ng camera, editing, kulay, at higit sa lahat, sa husay ng mga nagsipagganap at kakaibang isitilo ng paglalahad ng kwento. Nagawa nitong pag-isipin ang manonood at tingnan ng may kakaibang lalim kung bakit nangyayari ang ilang krimen. Kitang-kita ang mapanuring mata ng director sa pag-atake nito sa bawat eksena ng tatlong magkakaiba ngunit magkakaugnay na kuwento. Yun nga lang, may ilang butas pa rin sa kuwento na sadyang mahirap tanggapin at ngunit maari naman itong palagpasin gawa ng kabuuan nitong kahusayan.

Sinasabi ng The Road na may mga pangyayari sa ating lipunan na di naaayon sa batas ng kalikasan at batas ng Diyos. Ngunit kadalasan di’y nagiging biktima ang tao ng mga bagay na wala siyang kontrol at kung minsa’y ganun nga lang talaga. Laganap ang kawalang-katarungan dahil sa kagagawan ng iilan. Ang pinakamatinding aral ng pelikula ay may patungkol sa pamilya. Ang pamilya ang naging ugat nang lahat ng kaguluhan at krimen sa pelikula. Ang kawalan ng tunay na pagmamahal sa loob ng tahanan at ang lalim ng sugat na idinudulot nito ay maaring magbunga sa malabis na kasamaan. Kitang-kita ang tindi ng epektong nagagawa ng kaguluhan at kasamaan na namamayani sa isang tahanan. Ang sugat na idinudulot ng matinding pagkawala, pagkamuhi at malabis na kalungkutan ay kadalasang mahirap nang paghilumin at nag-iiwan ito paminsan ng mga suliranin tulad ng problema sa pag-iisip gaya ng nilahad sa pelikula. Mabuting gabayan ang mga batang manonood upang mapaintindi sa kanila kung kahalaga ang pagmamahalan sa isang pamilya.

Pirate Brothers

CAST: Verdy Bhawanta, Ronin Shou, Marcio Fernando Da Silva, Karina Nadila, Andrew Lincoln Suleiman; DIRECTOR: Asun Mawardi; WRITER: Asun Mawardi, Matthew Ryan Fischer; LOCATION: Indonesia; GENRE: Action; RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes

Technical Assessment: 2
Moral Assessment: 2.5
CINEMA Rating: For mature viewers 14 years and above

Young orphans Verdy (Verdy Bhawanta) and Sunny (Ronin Shou) meet and live at an orphanage as brothers who agree to protect each other’s for as long as they live.  But they go separate ways when a rich family adopts Verdy. The two surrogate brothers lose contact since separation but they keep a sign of bond on their wrists to remember each other and remain hopeful to see each other again. Years later their paths indeed cross again, this time in an odd situation.  Verdy is the subject of a kidnapping that has been orchestrated by a trusted employee of a big company owned by his adaptive family.  He is kidnapped on the day he proposes to his girlfriend Melanie (Karina Nadila) aboard a private speedboat. It turns out that one of the abductors is Sunny. They recognize each other because of the wristbands they are wearing. However, the long awaited moment becomes a disappointment for Verdy. But Sunny sees the opportunity to fulfill the promise to protect his brother and so he does everything to let Verdy go minus Melanie who has been on the hands of Sunny's gang mates.  Verdy takes it all against Sunny even the latter confesses that he is not really part of the kidnap gang but a police undercover doing surveillance on the business of Verdy's adoptive family.  Amidst this situation, will light still shed for the pirate brothers?

"Pirate Brothers" is primarily an action film with some elements of drama. It has a touching story about orphans, parting, longing and reconciliation. But as expected from an action, it highlighted the fighting and chasing scenes. To the credit of the Director and those behind the stunt movements, the film offers good choreography without the usual death defying stunts and blasting’s. The techniques applied in fighting scenes saved the poor acting. But the delivery of English lines are commendable as well as the shift from Bahasa language.  The production design does not contribute much. The music score has struggled to establish continuity. Overall, there is much to be desired in the technical aspect of the film.

The film defies the cliché "promises are made to be broken". Whilst it initially injected revenge in the character of Sunny, the film gets away with it as the story progresses. It focuses on valued brotherhood relationship and fulfillment of both personal and official mission to fight crime and pin down criminals to give justice to their victims. The  "Pirate Brothers" conveys the hopeful message about becoming somebody doing contribution to society despite  humble beginnings like coming from orphanage. The film may be rich in positive values presented in subtle ways,  it is still violent for the most part that devalues life. 

Happy Feet Two

CAST: Elijah Wood, Ava Acres, Hank Azaria, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, Robin Williams, Alecia Moore, Sofia Vergara, Hugo Weaving, Johnny A. Sanchez. DIRECTOR: George Miller. WRITER: Gary Eck, George Miller, Paul Livingston, Warren Coleman.   PRODUCER: George Miller. GENRE: Animation/Family; RELEASED BY: Warner Bros. Pictures; RUNNING TIME: 100 minutes

Technical Assessment: 3.5

Moral Assessment     : 3.5

Cinema Rating          : For viewers of all ages

In Happy Feet  2006, we met Mumble (voiced by Elijah Wood), a unique tap-dancing member of a flock of soul-singing emperor penguins.  Now in Happy Feet 2, we meet Mumble’s fluffy little son Erik (voiced by Ava Acres) whose feet do not seem to be that happy.  Erik’s attempt at tap-dancing ends in a flop, and the whole flock laughs at him.  Despite his father’s reassurance that he’ll someday find his very own way—not necessarily tap-dancing—to express his deepest feelings, Erik wants to get away from it all.  Nursing his wounded pride, Erik, consoled by two young friends Atticus and Bo, take an aimless walk and stumble upon Mumble’s old buddy Ramon (Robin Williams).  Their walk takes them to the home of another group of penguins, the Adelies.  When Mumble and his mate Gloria (voiced by Alecia Moore) realize that their Erik and his tiny friends are missing, Mumble shuffles off to begin his search.  Found, Erik refuses to go home with his father.  Meanwhile, a huge iceberg calves off and slams into the emperor penguins’ bay and traps the birds there.  It would now take those outside—Mumble, the three little ones, and Ramon—to stage the rescue.

As before, the penguins are cute, especially up close when the littlest one could melt anyone’s heart.  That is, anyone’s but that of the elephant seal, Bryan the Beachmaster (voiced by Richard Carter), who, after having been saved from sure death by a penguin, refuses to…. (well…spoiler stopped).   Happy Feet 2 offers much by way of animation so that the viewer may simply overlook certain  CGI flaws in favor of the infectious music and the song and dance numbers.  After all, you go watch Happy Feet 2 fully aware that it’s aimed primarily at a GP audience.  

Its being a “kids’ movie”, however, doesn’t stop Happy Feet 2 from talking to adults as well, although most of the time the message would sail over the heads of its juvenile viewers.  We’re referring to lines spoken by characters on sexual themes outside of the central father-and-son issue.  For instance, Bill (voiced by Brad Pitt) the krill’s obvious affection for his best friend Will (voiced by Matt Damon).  Bill suggests that he and will start “a little swarm of our own” to which Will readily quips, “We’re both males!”  Bill pleads to Will, “have me as partner…” and whatever he leaves unsaid is picked up by the songs Wake me up before you go-go and Never gonna give you up.  So Will eventually allows Bill to stay, but not without warning him first, “But no hanky-panky!”  Soon, however, Will himself says it’s time to part ways—and that was after they get startled and Bill jumps on Will’s back.  Get it?

Another instance is when the shortie Ramon woos the shapely Carmen (voiced by Sofia Vergara), she derides him, “I’d never have an egg with you…you’re too short…!”  (Since when did successful procreation depend on the height of the partners?  Get it?)

Another?  When a male penguin brings fish for Mumble’s mate Gloria to eat, their beaks touch rather suggestively.  Some songs are also suggestive although—perhaps in order to win the GP rating—some words are replaced, as in the song Sexy Back, where “Get your sexy on” becomes “Get your fluffy on”.  Speaking of “fluff”—it is also used in place of another “f” word, as in “What the fluff!” and "Take your little fur ball and fluff off."  It seems the racy elements are “penguinized” to protect the innocence of the innocent.

This fabulous movie is chock-full of pointers for the philosophically-inclined.  A krill tired of running away from hungry whales separates from the swarm to find the truth about his existence.  Sven (voiced by Hank Azaria) the “flying penguin” sounds every bit like a motivational speaker as he roots for positive thinking and tells the wide-eyed Erik, "If you want it, you must will it. If you will it, it will be yours." 

But more than anything else, Happy Feet 2 is a story about fathering, teaching by example, and greatness in ordinariness.  The last is so movingly delivered in “Erik’s opera”, part of which follows:

Although he's just an ordinary penguin
My daddy taught me
You don't have to be colossal
To be a great heart
You don't have to fly
To be awesome
My hero, my father!