[7.00/10] Ice Age: Continental Drift [3D] (2012)

Ice Age: Continental Drift [3D] (2012)

Brief review: Blue Sky Studios continues to provide us with steadily solid sequels to the original "Ice Age" movie, which quickly became a world-wide favorite back in 2002. Now ten years later, the studio brings us "Continental Drift" - a worthy sequel that proves the series still has a lot of potential, despite its rather narrow premise. Being obviously set in the ice age, this franchise is limited by its own concept, which doesn't allow its creators to run their imagination wild, plot-wise. For that reason, "Ice Age 4" doesn't shine with much originality in terms of storytelling, but compensates that with high entertainment value, wittily written script, amusing characters and gorgeous visuals. The animation has definitely evolved since "Dawn of the Dinosaurs", becoming much more polished. Yes, the color palette lacks that in-your-face vividness, and the visuals aren't particularly vibrant, but considering the icy CGI surroundings, that's kind of understandable. Sadly, the 3D isn't that great, and barely elevates the visuals to another level. Our beloved protagonists Manny, Diego, and Sid are just as funny and likable as we remember them to be, but if you think Scrat steals the show yet again, you're wrong, because all the glory belongs to one newly introduced character - Sid's Granny. She brings the biggest laughs with her mega-cool, free-spirited attitude and funny looks, and in fact, saves the flick from being average.

Overall summary: Yes, it all feels overly familiar, but for a third sequel "Ice Age 4" offers enough wittiness, funny gags, eye-catching visuals and exciting action to stand out from its predecessors, plus, it features one of the funniest, most hilarious animated characters ever.

You can read an extended version of my "Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D" movie review over at White Cat Magazine. The brief version of it is also featured on the site TVFilmNews.com.

[6.00/10] Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted [3D] (2012)

Madagascar 3:
Europe's Most Wanted [3D] (2012)

Brief review: While certainly a slight improvement over its average predecessor "Madagascar 2: Escape from Africa", Dreamwork's second sequel to 2005's crowd-pleaser has its flaws and lacks the punch that made the favorite original film so memorable. As disappointing as it may sound, "Europe's Most Wanted" contains very few good laughs, and it's not nearly as funny as its promising trailers suggested it to be. The script is well-written and moderately clever, but let's be honest - a couple of witty lines and clever jokes do not make a smart movie. On the other hand, the story is entertaining, tremendously adventurous, briskly paced and heartfelt, so there's zero boredom. The newly introduced characters are just as likable and adorable as our favorite animated protagonists, and the villain, Captain Chantel DuBois, lifts the movie to another level. At least visually, "Madagascar 3" hardly disappoints. While the execution is far from being super-slick and on-par with the best Dreamwork / Pixar animated features, the CG animation itself is bright, vivid and colorful, and with enough details and stunning CGI backdrops to leave a huge impression on the viewers. The breathtaking 'flying circus' sequence towards the end deserves a special mention, as it certainly has the 'wow factor'. The use of 3D in this particular scene is remarkable, and overall the 3D effects in this animated romp add to the visual experience.

Overall summary: It's entertaining, amusing, adventurous and at times delightfully witty, and the animation is crisp, but "Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted" is neither as smart nor as hilarious as it's supposed to be, and in fact, it's not particularly memorable nor very inventive.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[7.50/10] The Pirates! Band of Misfits [3D] (2012)

The Pirates!
Band of Misfits [3D] (2012)

Brief review: One of the creators of the unique and hilarious "Chicken Run", Peter Lord, along with "Flushed Away"'s head animator, Jeff Newitt, bring us yet another brilliantly-executed stop-motion animated film, produced and released by Aardman Animations, who also gave us the amazing "Wallace and Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit". The movie displays enough originality and creativity to save itself from being 'you typical pirate affair', and delivers many clever jokes for the adults as well as some silly but funny slapstick for the youngsters. What makes "Pirates!" even more enjoyable and entertaining is the adventurous nature of it, the superbly colorful characters, and last but not least, the ingeniously hilarious, yet inventive action scenes it proudly boasts. Clay animation is extremely difficult to execute and usually takes months, if not years, to put together, and both directors deserve credit for the remarkable job they've done on this truly stellar project. Visually and technically, "Band of Misfits" is quite astonishing and near flawless - the amount of detail is amazing, the clay work is pitch-perfect, and the colors are pastelly, yet vibrant and saturated. The competent use of 3D works in the film's favor and certainly adds depth to the already magnificent visuals. The voice casting is spot-on, with Hugh Grant being the absolute standout with his first-ever voice performance as Captain Pirate.

Overall summary: It lacks the genuine wit and quirky charm of "Chicken Run", but "The Pirates! Band of Misfits" is every bit as visually delightful as Aardman Studios' previous claymation flicks, and has enough fresh ideas, bright humor and whimsicality to shine on its own merits.

[7.25/10] Puss in Boots [3D] (2011)

Puss in Boots [3D] (2011)

QuickRating: The most memorable "Shrek" character finally got the solo spotlight it deserved. It ain't groundbreaking, but it still delivers what it promises - the animation is dazzling, the 3D adds to the already slick visuals, the jokes work and the plot is fun, engaging and exciting. Antonio Banderas does an amazing job voicing the title character, and the rest of the cast is great, but it's the hilarious 'Ooh cat' that remains the true highlight of the movie.

[6.75/10] Ronal the Barbarian (2011)

Ronal the Barbarian (2011)

QuickRating: Featuring irony, dirty language, lots of gore, big boobs, naked bumps, and even bulges, "Ronal the Barbarian" is definitely not suitable for little kids. The older audience, however, will enjoy all the hilarious naughtiness on screen. This cool Danish animated feature spoofs "Conan" and "Lord of the Rings" in a very refreshing, clever and witty way, and the animation is polished and well put together.

[6.50/10] Cars 2 (2011)

Cars 2 (2011)

QuickRating: It won't be a lie to call "Cars 2" a pretty decent animated flick. However, compared to all the other magnificent Pixar films, this is without a doubt the studio's weakest animated movie since, well, the original "Cars". The animation is, crisp, vivid and delightfully colorful, Lasseter and Lewis' direction is energetic and brisk and the story is solid, but let's face it - the whole concept of talking human-like cars just isn't intriguing enough.

[6.25/10] A Monster in Paris (2011)

A Monster in Paris (2011)

QuickRating: Clever, unique and quirky, if far from exceptional, "A Monster in Paris" is a charming and often amusing French animated flick, that balances well musical, comedy, drama and 'horror', and gets better and better with each next scene. The animation itself is spot-on, the Parisian CGI scenery is absolutely splendid, and the songs are a pleasure to listen and so catchy, they'll stick in your head long after the credits roll.

[6.00/10] Winnie the Pooh (2011)

Winnie the Pooh (2011)

QuickRating: The breathtaking hand-drawn animation is beautiful in its simplicity, the innocence of all the sweet and charming characters is adorable, and it definitely brings back childhood memories, but while "Winnie the Pooh" is great fun for little kids, the older members off the audience may find it too juvenile, sluggish, and not to say annoying, and despite its ultra-short running time, this otherwise cute animated flick feels a bit tiresome and slow.

[6.00/10] Happy Feet Two (2011)

Happy Feet Two (2011)

QuickRating: The animation is still jaw-dropping, and the characters are sweet, absolutely adorable and beautifully-designed, but compared to its memorable and highly-original predecessor, "Happy Feet Two" feels somewhat ordinary, plus, the chaotic narrative and the lack of genuine charm make it even less impressive. Having said that, the visuals are so gorgeous and the songs are so catchy, you could easily forgive its other flaws.

[4.00/10] Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs Evil (2011)

Hoodwinked Too!
Hood vs Evil (2011)

QuickRating: While the original movie was a true breath of fresh air into the animation genre, clever and full of wit, this sequel falls flat on its face, and lacks the charm and the high entertainment value of its predecessor. The CGI animation itself has definitely improved, and the characters are still interesting, but it's the messy, uninspired script that makes "Hoodwinked Too!" a rather dull cinematic experience.

[8.00/10] Arthur Christmas [3D] (2011)

Arthur Christmas [3D] (2011)

Brief review: Forget about the traditional Santa Claus and the old-fashioned way he delivers Christmas gifts to a billion kids all over the world in one night, because Sarah Smith's "Arthur Christmas" has a really cool and inventive contemporary spin to it, and will blow you away with its creativity, clever wittiness and fantastic CGI visuals. The script is original, funny, well-written and filled with smart jokes and tons of hilarious situations, but most importantly it has a heart, and that what makes the movie as touching as it's enjoyable. Smith successfully involves high-tech stuff such as computers, smart phones and other sort of cool gadgets used by Santa and his little helpers, but she also has respect for the traditional, throwing in the well-known vintage sledge and adorable deers, in order to honor the spirit of Christmas. The animation is crisp and clean, with vivid colors and some truly beautiful sequences, and the fantastic 3D effects give tremendous depth and detail at times. Each end every one of the characters is wonderfully-designed and full of life, and Santa's gloriously modern workshop, in particular, will leave you in awe. Sadly, I can't comment on the voice performances from the stellar cast involved, because I saw a dubbed version of the movie.

Overall summary: Witty, amusing, and splendidly-animated, "Arthur Christmas" is a modern take on Santa Claus and Christmas, that not only fascinates with its rich 3D visuals and colorful characters, but also delivers an emotional story and a powerful message for kids.

[8.75/10] The Adventures of Tintin [3D] (2011)

The Adventures of Tintin [3D] (2011)

Full review: Based on a series of Belgian comic books of the same name, created by Hergé, "The Adventures of Tintin" is the first animated film in Steven Spielberg's long and enormously successful career, and thanks to his experience and undeniable directing talent, his debut animated feature hardly disappoints. Spielberg once again does wonders, combining his directing versatility with the strength of an old school storytelling and contemporary 3D and CGI techniques, to deliver one of the most spectacular cinematic experiences of the year. Minor flaws aside, "The Adventures of Tintin" is everything an animated movie should be - it's entertaining, briskly-paced, absorbing, enjoyable, funny and charming, but most importantly, it has a great sense of adventure to it, something that most movies seem to be lacking these days. The story itself is exciting, unpredictable and brilliantly-executed, and the dialogues are smartly-written, and full of witty lines and clever jokes, that will make you either smile or laugh hard. That's right, there's never a dull moment in this movie, and that's something that both, those familiar with the material, and those who have never heard of Tintin before, will be pleased and happy with. Moreover, "The Adventures of Tintin" offers some of the best animation ever put on film, because here, the CGI work is an absolute technical marvel! The animation itself is so slick and beautifully-crafted, and the attention to detail in some shots is so impressive, it truly feels like you're watching a live-action movie. Some of the graphics are simply a work of art, with the rich and breathtaking CGI scenery of Bagghar being the visual highlight of this stunning-looking movie. The use of 3D is just as superb, and certainly adds depth to the already gorgeous visuals. Each and every one of the characters is as wonderfully-designed as enchanting, plus, their 'animated' movements are unbelievably smooth and realistically fluid. The voice work is also exceptional. Jamie Bell's voice has so much character, and his tone is so cheerful and lively, he breathes life into our charming protagonist effortlessly. The amazing Andy Serkis gives another stirring voice performance as Captain Haddock, Daniel Craig delivers as Red Rackhamand, and the always funny Pegg/Frost duo do an excellent job voicing the hilarious twin detectives Thomson and Thompson.

Overall summary: Adventurous, hugely enjoyable, utterly enthralling and stunningly-animated, this impressive first-ever animated film, directed by the mastermind Steven Spielberg, should have been called "The Amazing Adventures of Tintin", as it's absolutely extraordinary in every way, and undoubtedly, the best animated feature of 2011.

[5.50/10] The Smurfs (2011)

The Smurfs (2011)

QuickRating: Apart from the vivid and absolutely dazzling animated sequences in the beginning, "The Smurfs" has nothing to do with the utterly brilliant TV series from the 80s. This modernized version just does not possess the magic of the mini-series, and it feels contrived and fabricated. The CGI smurfs are adorable, the cast is okay, and the voice work is good, but that can't compensate for a weak script and sub-par execution.

[6.00/10] Hop (2011)

Hop (2011)

QuickRating: Cute, humorous, colorful and wonderfully-animated, if ultimately forgettable and very thin on story, "Hop" is overall an easy-to-watch and fairly entertaining Easter-themed flick, that kids and youngsters would enjoy for sure. Although, the older audience may find it too juvenile, silly and uninteresting, they still will be impressed by its stunning animation, sweet characters, clever jokes, and fascinating CGI visuals.

[8.00/10] Kung Fu Panda 2 [3D] (2011)

Kung Fu Panda 2 [3D] (2011)

Full review: 2011 finally bring us the long-awaited sequel to one of the most enjoyable and visually-stunning animated features in cinematic history, and while "Kung Fu Panda 2" doesn't exceed expectations, it very well satisfy them. The story, though overly familiar and utterly predictable, is hugely entertaining nonetheless, and moves along at a nicely brisk pace, without wasting too much time on introducing the brand new villain and the other new characters, plus, it fits well with the plot of the first movie, especially the part telling the story of baby Po. The script is funny, clever and witty, and it provides many laughs along the way, as well as plenty of hilarious situations that our favorite characters create. However, the most impressive thing about this sequel is the animation itself. Not sure if it's because of her Asian origins, but former assistant designer Jennifer Yuh does an incredible with her directing debut of "Kung Fu Panda 2". Yuh certainly has an eye for detail, a great sense of visual style, and overall, she shows an incredible creativity as a director. Thanks to her competence and previous experience, and animators' astounding skills, "Kung Fu Panda 2" is nothing short of dazzling, visually. The CGI scenery of ancient China is as exotically-exquisite as it's accurate, featuring glorious mountains, stunning cities and beautiful bamboo forests and waterfalls, plus, the amazing use of 3D adds to the overall marvellous look of the film. Just like in the predecessor, the action sequences are one of the film's highlights - they're dynamic, flawlessly-choreographed and thrilling to watch, and arguably better than most fights in any live-action movie. The characters are wonderfully-designed and thoroughly engaging, with special mention goes to baby panda, Po, and the newly introduced characters, Shen and Soothsayer. Unfortunately, I can't comment on the voice acting, as I saw the dubbed version of movie, but I bet the fantastic cast involved has done a great job.

Overall summary: Although it hardly surpasses the delightful awesomeness of the first movie, "Kung Fu Panda 2" is a more-than-worthy sequel, that fascinates with an enjoyable story and charming characters, and stuns the viewer with its first-rate animation, splendid visuals and absolutely great use of 3D.

[8.00/10] Rio [3D] (2011)

Rio [3D] (2011)

Brief review: The creators of "Ice Age", Blue Sky Studios, bring us this marvellously-crafted and ultra-hilarious fish-out-of-water story about a domesticated macaw, who meets the bird of his dreams, and takes off on an adventure to Rio de Janeiro. From its hilarious and visually stunning opening sequence to the predictable, but rather satisfying finale, "Rio" moves long at an energetic pace, and despite its straightforwardness, there's never a dull moment throughout - it's consistently full of laughs, clever jokes, and amusing situations. And yes, "Rio" does break new grounds in terms of animation and use of color - you'll be stunned by the bright, vividly-tropical color palette, the vibrant imagery, and the attention to detail. The CGI scenery of Rio is stunningly-glorious, the jungle is spectacular, and each of the characters is unique, imaginatively-designed, and full of life Furthermore, "Rio" delivers some of the best use of 3D in an animated movie I've ever seen - the flawless 3D effects give the film even more liveliness and visual depth. Unfortunately, I can't comment on the voice acting, as I saw the film dubbed in my language, but based on the wonderful cast, I guess they all did a pretty good job in bringing their characters to life.

Overall summary: Aside from the utter lack of originality, "Rio" is pretty much everything a great animated feature should be - funny, witty, smart, lively, brisk, enjoyable, exciting, colorful, adventurous, and visually-breathtaking. Pixar, you finally got served!

[8.25/10] Rango (2011)

Rango (2011)

Brief review: From the creator of the super-spooky "The Ring", and the wildly popular "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise, here comes "Rango" - the most creative, witty and oddly enjoyable animated flick, released in the past couple of years. While "Rango" can't boast with great originality story-wise, its execution is so flawless and breathtakingly-brilliant, its plot weaknesses can be forgiven. Though it drags here and there and is a bit too moody in places, the story is well-paced, balancing action, narrative and dialogue quite nicely. The witty and cleverly-written script gives depth to the characters and their quirky, colorful personalities, and makes the audience feel connected to them. Furthermore, "Rango" is a true visual splendor! Gore Verbinski certainly has an eye for detail, and it shows. The animation is so masterfully-crafted and extraordinarily-detailed, you won't believe your eyes. Although the director avoids bright and vivid colors, and uses more muted color palette, the CGI sets are still eye-catching and quite beautiful, and each of the characters is stunningly-designed, if not exactly sweet or very charming. The action scene in the second half is definitely the highlight of the movie, along with Johnny Depp and Isla Fisher's spectacular voice acting.

Overall summary: Charmingly-bizarre, smartly-written and beautifully-crafted, "Rango" is undoubtedly one of the most visually-unique animated features ever created, and certainly the quirkiest one, and it will appeal to anyone with an open mind and great imagination.

Numerous QuickRatings PART 2: 2009 Movies

Le Petit Nicolas (2009)

QuickRating: Original, quirky and thoroughly hilarious, "The Little Nicola" engages with its humorous story, odd yet extremely likable characters, stylish costumes and production design, and slick cinematography, and proves that the lack of substance is not necessarily an issue that may ruin the viewer's pleasure of cinematic enjoyment.

My Rating: 7.50/10

2:13 (2009)

QuickRating: Although it had the potential to be a decent entry into the serial killer genre, "Two:Thirteen" turned out to be yet another disappointingly mediocre effort, that suffers from unimaginative execution, lackluster direction, unnecessarily convoluted plot, utter laziness, and irrelevant conclusion that is as ridiculous as it's implausible.

My Rating: 4.50/10


The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009)

QuickRating: It may not be as skillfully-crafted and impressively compelling as its predecessor, but the second installment in Stieg Larsson's Millennium Trilogy is a solid, intense, consistently gripping and visually-atmospheric crime thriller, led by the sensational Nooni Rapace and her mesmerizing performance as Lisbeth.

My Rating: 7.50/10

A Christmas Carol (2009)

QuickRating: As magical, darkly funny and edifying as its source material, but a bit too creepy and disturbing for younger kids, "A Christmas Carol" is a decently-crafted adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic novel, elevated by Kim Carrey's perky, vigorous voice work, but let down by its gloomy, unpolished and surprisingly unspectacular visuals.

My Rating: 6.00/10

[7.25/10] Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)

Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)

Brief review: The fantastically-crafted animated feature, "Gnomeo & Juliet", knowingly follows the quintessential star-crossed lovers tragedy "Romeo and Juliet", with the unexpected twist of making the characters garden gnomes that can move when human beings aren't watching. "Shrek 2" director Kelly Asbury does the impossible - he takes on the overly well-known Shakespearean classic, and turns it into something completely original, utterly creative and absolutely hilarious, which certainly isn't an easy thing to do, so he deserves a credit for that. "Gnomeo & Juliet" moves along at brisk pace, without a single dull moment, with each scene being more engaging than the previous one. It entertains thoroughly through its amusing script, full of witty dialogues and clever jokes, and dazzles the eye with its gorgeous visuals. The animation, though not the slickest ever made, is wildly-vivid, rich in color and detail, and full of vibrant imagery. Each character is gorgeously-designed, and has its own distinctive look and (often quirky) personality. Wonderfully-voiced by James McAvoy and Emily Blunt, both Gnomeo and Juliet are incredibly likable, but it's Nanette, the garden frog, and Featherstone, the lonely pink flamingo, that steal the show.

Overall summary: Cute, witty and hugely enjoyable, "Gnomeo & Juliet" is a unique and totally refreshing take on a familiar story, that captivates with its creativity, delightful characters and dazzling visuals.

[7.75/10] L'illusionniste a.k.a. The The Illusionist (2010)

L'illusionniste

a.k.a.

The Illusionist (2010)

Brief review: Sylvain Chomet, the creator of "The Triplets of Belleville", brings this gem of an animation, that revolves around an aging French illusionist, who finds himself out of work and travels to Scotland, where he meets a young woman. Their ensuing adventure changes both their lives forever. This animated feature certainly deserves its Oscar nomination, as it tells a unique and very unusual story, filled with unpredictability, many heartfelt moments and engaging characters. Plus, it's the perfect example of how a good story can be told with almost no words. Having said that, the film suffers from a downbeat narrative and sluggish pacing, but that's compensated by the many quirky, yet likable characters that appear throughout The relationship between the Illusionist and the little Alice, in particular, is so sincere and heart-warming, it may bring you to tears. Since "The Illusionist" is all about visual storytelling, it relies heavily on its imagery, and in this area, the film is a true work of art. The picturesque hand-drawn animation is nothing short of dazzling and extremely detailed, if quit similar to the director's previous work. The beautiful musical score written by Chomet himself suits the melancholic mood of the film quite perfectly.

Overall summary: With its deeply touching story, charming characters and absolutely breathtaking visuals, "The Illusionist" is, hands down, one of the best animated films of 2011.