Gulliver's Travels

First off, I hope you all had a Happy Christmas and would like to wish everybody a Happy New Year.  For those looking for a family activity during the festive season then a trip to the cinema might be an ideal event.  The popular children’s story adaptation of Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels hit cinemas this week, starring funny man Jack Black as Lemeul Gulliver.

Mr. Lemeul Gulliver is lazy and unambitious who’s going nowhere fast as a mail room worker in a New York newspaper.  His career takes a change though when he tries to impress the woman of his five year crush, travel-section editor Darcy Silverman, by claiming to be an experienced travel writer.  His fib though gets him sent to the Bermuda Triangle where he ends up being washed up on the shore of Liliput, the island of the Liliputians.

He befriends the inhabitants, who are ruled by King Theodore (Billy Conolly), particularly one in Horatio (Jason Segel).  He feeds them lies to order to earn their respect and adoration, such as claiming to be President Awesome of the island of Manhattan, but it’s not long before his lies unravel and it’s up to Gulliver to try and save the day.

There isn’t much character development and the plot is played at a fast pace but it’s fun and creative which makes it ideal for kids.  Being primarily a children’s movie, the humour is light; such as Jack Black adorning a dress or repelling cannonballs with his stomach.  It is a loose adaptation of the book made suited for modern times so those who know the story shouldn’t expect something too similar but should take it for what it is and be entertained.

Little Fockers

This Christmas, we are treated the third instalment of the ‘Meet the Parents’ franchise but much like the American Pie series, the franchise has grown stale and weaker with each release and the jokes are beginning to wear thin.

Things are going well for the Fockers; Greg (Ben Stiller) has done well in his career since we last saw, being promoted to the head of nursing at his hospital and himself and his wife, Pam (Teri Polo), are about to celebrate the twins sixth birthday at their home in Chicago with the entire family.  But now that the in-laws are in town, things start becoming a little more complicated.

Jack Byrne’s (Robert De Niro) health is not what it used to be; he is now nursing a heart condition and he has become worried for the future and who will carry the mantle as the head of the family.  Greg becomes his choice of successor but to follow on from Jack and take up the role as the family’s patriarch, there are new expectations that must be met and tests that have to be passed.  But Greg’s struggling to cope with the new set of standards and on top of that, he’s been invited to become the spokesperson for the new drug “Surlengo” which is a proposed rival for Viagra which only adds to his stress.  Especially when he begins working with the gorgeous Andi Garcia (Jessica Alba), who is very interested in Greg, much to Jack’s disapproval.

As well as Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro, the whole cast is back, including Owen Wilson, Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman.  Hoffman though was underutilised this time round due to his initial decision to sit out on the movie which may have been a wise decision and one he probably should have stuck too.

The humour was more crude than funny and there wasn’t a fundamental plotline with story, and even the cast, looking tired.  Sexual performance jokes are the main humour theme this time around which may appeal to some but the apple has fallen a long way from the tree from the original ‘Meet the Parents’.

Tron: Legacy 3D

Twenty-eight years on, and the sequel to the original Tron has arrived.  It is one of the years most anticipated movies but was it worth the hype and its reported $200 million budget?  It is a sequel that has managed the rare achievement of surpassing the original and doesn’t disappoint as a spectacle however the story lacks a little in substance.

In the original, Kevin Flynn, (Jeff Bridges), is the programmer who designed the Grid (which is the digital world that the movie is set in), and has become trapped within the program.  His son, Sam Flynn (Garett Hedlund), is left in the care of his grandparents, unaware of what has become of his Dad and grows up with the misguided belief that his father has either died or abandoned him.  Like his father, he is a computer genius, but he is also a thrill seeker who unknowingly is about to take a path similar to the one his father took many years ago.

After being directed to his father’s secret hideout by an old family friend, he is transferred to the Grid.  Sam is soon battling in gladiatorial style games before he is whisked to safety by Quorra (Olivia Wilde) and reunited with his father Kevin Flynn.  Their plan is to escape but first they must overcome Kevn’s most advanced program, Clu, who is out of control and has no intention of letting them leave.

Tron: Legacy is displayed in 2D until the moment when Sam is propelled into the Grid where it then plunges you into the graphically beautiful 3D world and is on par with Avatar as one of the most visually stunning movies of the past decade.  The hero of Tron; Legacy is played by Garett Hedlund but the true star of the movie is Jeff Bridges who reprises his role as Kevin Flynn and delivers an excellent performance.  The ending leaves an opening for a sequel which may be the beginning of a new sci-fi franchise.

Animals United 3D

Animals United takes the next step from the Madagascar movies by taking advantage of the 3D technology and is a good movie to bring the kids to for the Christmas season.  The story is simple enough; a collection of animals are facing an environmental disaster as water supplies are dwindling.

It is a German Production that is re-voiced with a British cast, including the likes of Stephen Fry and the popular James Cordon, who take on the roles of Billy the Meerkat (Cordon) and Socrates the Lion (Fry).  They deliver hope to the animal community by rallying them for the mission of destroying a water damn.

The plot is disjointed and only a vague explanation to why a Polar Bear and a Tasmanian Devil are in the middle of Africa is offered.  In saying that, it is a kid’s movie and such details need no explanation.  It is amusing and children will find plenty to enjoy.  Even though it’s not quite on the same level as Ice Age and Madagascar, it will still appeal to their fans while also delivering a good environmental message about the other inhabitants of our planet.

Burlesque

If you liked Moulin Rouge, Chicago, or are just a big fan of Cher or Aguillera, then this is probably right up your street.  It follows a tried and trusted plotline – a small town girl dreams big, goes in pursuit of her dreams and eventually succeeds after overcoming the obstacles placed in front of her.  Throw in several vocal performances with burlesque dancers, the fact that it’s Cher’s movie comeback after a near ten year absence and Aguillera’s on screen debut and you have Burlesque the movie. 

Ali (Aguillera) is from a small town with a heart of gold.  Early on, she demonstrates her aspirations by belting out a performance in an empty diner.  Ali has dreams and she wants to make it big.  She makes the move to LA to pursue her ambitions but has to start off waitressing at a burlesque club that is co-owned and managed by Tess (Cher).  It’s not long though before she is the star of the show and saving the club from going out of business.

The story isn’t what you would call complicated or gripping but Burlesque is never dull and with all its big productions, is visually fabulous.  While Aguillera’s acting skills aren’t quite on the same level as Cher’s, she more than holds her own with her vocals.  This is a movie that will split opinions and you should follow your instinct on it.  Those that enjoy musicals should attend while those that don’t might want to give it a go if they’re just looking for a festive event to attend this Christmas.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader book is cited by many as the best of the Narnia chronicles.  It is the third entry of the fantasy franchise on the big screen and fans of the Narnia saga should go see it as they will more than likely enjoy it.

Britain is still at war as Lucy and Edmund are taking refuge with relatives while Peter and Susan are residing in America.  Britain isn’t the only country under threat as Narnia once again has an ominous cloud of evil looming.  Peter and Susan are too old to answer the call so the responsibility of help rests on the young shoulders of a Lucy and Edmund.  However they haven’t travelled to Narnia alone as they are joined by their snotty cousin Eustace and are rescued from a watery grave by an old ally, Prince Caspian, who is now King.  They join him on a journey across Narnia’s treacherous waters in his quest for the seven lost lords and their swords which is necessary to prevent the fall of Narnia.

This swashbuckling family adventure is a perfect festive activity for the family and definitely one for the kids.  With his disbelieving snobbery, Eustace provides the entertainment while the movie tells a gentle tale of the journey Lucy and Edmund take in dealing with their own inhibitions on their path towards adulthood.  As in the previous two instalments, the cast comes across as a little wooden, making it hard to have empathy for them but there is enough magic and action to put that aside and enjoy the movie for what it is.  For the fans of the series, whether in book or movie format, you won’t be disappointed and should enjoy this family adventure.

The Tourist

The Tourist is a visually beautiful movie; from the stunning locales of Venice and Paris, extravagant hotels, prestigious balls and exquisite wardrobe along with the dream pairing of the leading couple, Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie.  It is a romantic thriller that is pleasing on the eye yet lacks substance that such settings demand.

Elise (Jolie) is a beautiful elegant woman who is mixed up with an individual by the name of Alexander who is under investigation from Interpol.  In an effort to evade the clutches of the police, Alexander instructs Elise to board a particular train and mislead those chasing him by making them believe that he is in fact someone else.  Frank (Johnny Depp) is the lucky guy that Elise chooses to unknowingly play the part.  An intriguing conversation with an enchanting woman followed by a public kiss soon finds Frank jumping across rooftops in an effort to escape those that believe they are chasing the real Alexander.  Lesson to be learned; don’t trust a beautiful woman who shows an interest.

It takes a while for the movie to really get going and once it does get past the stages of setting up the plot, you’ll find yourself seeking more than what is delivered with the action scenes played out at a lethargic pace.  Needless to say, The Tourist had so much promise but was burdened from the very start with an A-list cast which set expectations too high.