[7.25/10] The Pact (2012)

The Pact (2012)

Brief review: Based on his own short film of the same name, "The Pact" is Nicholas McCarthy's first-ever full-length movie in his career. This low-budget horror won't be every horror movie fan's cup of tea, as it's a bit odd, especially in its first half, but more patient viewers will be pleased with the end result, as it pays off big time towards the end. Don't get mislead by the familiarity of the plot and the seemingly trite premise, because even though the film looks kind of familiar at first sight, it has a lot more to offer then you think, and it's everything but predictable. It may confuse you a bit at some point, but just when you start to think it doesn't know in which direction to go, and it tries to handle too many horror sub-genres at once... BAM!!!...it proves you wrong, as suddenly everything falls into place and starts to make perfect sense. The movie successfully maintains its eerie tone throughout, but it never manages to get truly frightening. Well, not really. In the second half of the movie, there's one particular scene, featuring a truly shocking twist, that turns everything upside down, and unleashes all the scariness. The final 20 minutes of this film are so tense and terrifying, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat, thinking: "OMG, where did that come from?!". Despite the lack of budget, the "The Pact" looks good, thanks to McCarthy's solid direction, plus, Caity Lotz does a nice job as the troubled Annie.

Overall summary: A slow beginning and some misleading plot cliches aside, "The Pact" is pretty much the perfect example of a low-budget horror movie done right - it's scary, unpredictable, involving, mysterious, and full of twists and shocks you definitely won't see coming.

This review is also featured on TVFilmNews.com

[7.25/10] Battleship (2012)

Battleship (2012)

Brief review: Hitting US theaters on May 18, "Battleship" is "Hancock" director Peter Berg's latest sci-fi flick, that may not win any awards for originality or strong writing, but will certainly deliver on its promise, which is to entertain all the action junkies out there. While its plot is quite by-the-numbers, and there aren't really any big surprises along the way, "Battleship" never takes itself too seriously, and uses its awesome ridiculousness to its advantage. The dialogues are often dumb, however, there's enough humor and funny jokes to make up for the overall silliness of the script. On a technical level, "Battleship" delivers and then some. The pacing is brisk, Peter Berg's direction is energetic, and the camera work is pretty impressive, featuring great variety of angles and moves. If you thought "Skyline" and "Battle L.A." had amazing special effects, wait to see the CGI work on this one. The alien ships are incredibly detailed and look as realistic as possible, and the aliens themselves are competently designed and somewhat cool, especially their shiny costumes (Imagine an Iron Man costume, but an advanced one). The action is epic, with each scene being more stupendous that the last. Taylor Kitsch, Liam Neeson and Brooklyn Decker all do their best with the given material, the supporting cast does a pretty good job as well, and pop star Rihanna is one hell of a badass chick here.

Overall summary: Sure, it's unoriginal and at times quite ridiculous, but "Battleship" manages to compensate with light humor, eye-popping special effects and startlingly explosive action scenes, and the end result is a brainless, yet immensely entertaining sci-fi popcorn flick.

[7.25/10] The Hunger Games (2012)

The Hunger Games (2012)

Brief review: Based on Suzanne Collins' novel of the same name, "The Hunger Games" is an engrossing and smoothly-paced adaptation, that stays very true to its source material, but barely lives up to the potential of its dark and gritty premise. Still, it's a dramatically-charged story about sacrifice and bravery, with a touch of romance, led by the strength of its believable lead character. Set in a dystopian future in the country of Panem that consists of one wealthy chief city and twelve very poor, undeveloped districts, "The Hunger Games" combines the ultra-modern and avant-garde with the primitive in a very unique way. The futuristic look of the Capitol contrasts oddly with the poverty of the districts and the Robin Hood-like woods scenery, where the actual Hunger Games take place. That said, Gary Ross otherwise solid direction lack that edgy stylishness that could have made "The Hunger Games" a lot more dramatic, visually. Moreover, if you expect non-stop super-tense chases and stupendous set-pieces you may end up a bit disappointed. Yes, the action scenes are exciting, at times even electrifying, but the Hunger Games themselves never really turn into a startling spectacle. Jennifer Lawrence is undoubtedly the driving force of this film. She delivers a confident and powerful performance as the fearless Katniss Everdeen, without overpowering the capable, well-chosen supporting cast.

Overall summary: Thrilling, compelling and expertly put together, if far from phenomenal, "The Hunger Games" succeeds as a character-driven story with a strong female protagonist, but lacks the spectacular action and mind-blowing visuals that could have made it so special.

[7.25/10] The Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011)

The Flying Swords of
Dragon Gate (2011)

QuickRating: It's overstuffed with characters, the pacing is uneven and Jet Li is wildly underused, but "Flying Swords of Dragon Gate" makes up for its lack of coherence with spectacular sandy scenery, amazing costumes, and frenetic, wonderfully-choreographed action sequences, that while a little heavy on CGI and somewhat cartoonish, are exciting and entertaining to watch as is the movie itself.

[7.25/10] War Horse (2011)

War Horse (2011)

QuickRating: It doesn't rank as one of Steven Spielberg's most remarkable films and Jeremy Irvine's lead performance feels a bit forced, but "War Horse" makes up for its minor flaws with a touching, gripping and well-structured story, masterful direction, brilliantly-executed battle scenes and an authentic production design and absolutely ravishing cinematography that make it one of the most good-looking movies of 2011, if not one of the best.

[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.

[7.25/10] The Woman in Black (2012)

The Woman in Black (2012)

Brief review: After his critically acclaimed 2008 debut feature, "Eden Lake", UK director James Watkins brings us "The Woman in Black" - a period ghost story, based on Susan Hill's novel of the same name. While the film doesn't brings anything new to the table story-wise, it still works on many levels, thanks to its well-written script and competent execution. The movie manages to be chilling without being graphic and gory, and maintains its constant creepiness with some spooky images, shuddering sound effects and a couple of very effective jump scares. James Watkins definitely shows a tremendous improvement as a director in this movie. While his direction in "Eden Lake" was solid, yet rather generic, here, he displays more creativity, some great skills behind the camera and a truly astounding visual style, that makes "The Woman in Black" one of the most tasteful, stylish and visually atmospheric horror movies of the past few years, if not the decade. The ominous setting alone is enough to give you the chills, the murky, muted cinematography matches the dark, gothic tone of the film, plus, it features tons of dense gray fog, forbidding marshes, sinister antique toys, and some really creepy interiors. Daniel Radcliffe proves everyone who thinks he is a one-note actor wrong, delivering a believable and convincing central performance, and the supporting cast is strong, with Ciarán Hinds being the standout.

Overall summary: Creepy, atmospherically grim and stylishly-shot, if hardly groundbreaking, "The Woman in Black" is an old-fashioned ghost story that, luckily, avoids gore as instead relies on its eerie tone, spooky imagery and solid chills to successfully frighten its audience.

[7.25/10] The Ides of March (2011)

The Ides of March (2011)

QuickRating: It's not particularly original or shockingly revealing, however, "The Ides of March" remains an intelligent, constantly gripping and wonderfully-written political thriller, that not only deals with relevant subject matter, but also provides the viewer with subtle tension, hidden twists, and an incredible performance by Gosling. Plus, it's another proof that Clooney does a far better job behind the camera than he does in front it.

[7.25/10] 50/50 (2011)

50/50 (2011)

QuickRating: As inspirational and funny as it's depressing, "50/50" is an emotional roller coaster ride full of sadness, hope, and desperation, that despite its dark tone, fearlessly dares to joke about death, but at the same time has a huge respect for the precious life we all care about. Gordon-Levitt delivers the performance of his career, and Anna Kendrick is awkwardly likable, but the film is let down by Rogen's annoying performance, and the silliness of his character.

[7.25/10] A Lonely Place to Die (2011)

A Lonely Place to Die (2011)

QuickRating: Part thrill-seeking adventure movie, part tense and taut kidnapping thriller, and skilfully shot in a frighteningly remote, yet breathtakingly gorgeous mountain location, "A Lonely Place to Die" is an exciting, constantly engrossing and edge-of-your-seat suspenseful UK chiller, that will surely satisfy any adrenaline junkie, but will also freak out those who have fear of heights, deep water and distant places.

[7.25/10] Bridesmaids (2011)

Bridesmaids (2011)

QuickRating: It does have some pacing issues, and it's unnecessarily overlong, but "Bridesmaids" still remains one of the best chick-flicks released in the past few years, as it's sharp, clever and honest, and provides tons of laughs, thanks to its brilliantly-written, witty script and genuine characters. The acting is definitely the highlight of the film, with Kristen Wiig's being absolutely sensational and laugh-out-loud funny as the raunchy Annie.

[7.25/10] The Three Musketeers [3D] (2011)

The Three Musketeers [3D] (2011)

Full review: Let's face it, Paul W.S. Anderson's take on "The Three Musketeers" is nothing special in terms of script and plot, as the story has been done countless times before and the premise just can't get more hackneyed than that. Having said that, Anderson's spot-on execution and great choice of cast compensate for the complete lack of originality. From the action-packed opening sequence to the spectacular finale, "The Three Musketeers" is a pure popcorn entertainment at its best! The film moves along at a brisk pace and there aren't many lulls during its two hour duration - the dialogue is fresh and witty, the characters are engaging, and there's a lot to be seen and enjoyed. The visuals are definitely one of the film's main strengths, as those are slick and absolutely dazzling! The cinematography is vividly colorful, and the production design is so posh and lavish, you'll often find yourself mesmerized by the stunning beauty of it. Rich in texture, detail and color, the costumes are mind-blowingly beautiful and a true fest for the eyes. If costume designer Pierre-Yves Gayraud do not get nominated for Oscar in this category next year, I honestly don't know who will. Paul W.S. Anderson may not be one of the best directors working today, but one thing is for sure - he definitely knows how to shoot great action scenes. Some of the stunts are absolutely spectacular, the swordplay is thrilling and nicely-choreographed, and there are a few fantastically-shot slow motion sequences, that will wow you, if not blow you away. The action looks even better in 3D, as the film has been shot in one, even if the 3D itself is not that impressive or particularly necessary. Anderson's direction has its flaws, however, he tries to be as versatile and creative as possible, and the end result is rather satisfying. For better or worse, "The Three Musketeers" is overstuffed with characters. On one hand, too many characters equals a lack of character development, but on the other hand, all of these characters are either memorable, or likable, or incredibly appealing. Matthew Macfadyen plays the tough Athos, and he does a good job in portraying his interesting character. Luke Evans appears a bit bland and dull as Aramis, but at least he looks good, and the masculine Ray Stevenson gives a stellar and incredibly charismatic performance as the cheeky and temperamental Porthos. Logan Lerman is often the center of attention, and he delivers as the cocky , yet clever and feisty D'Artagnan. The beautiful Milla Jovovich once again plays a bad-ass killer chick, but here she does it with finesse and grace. The one and only Christoph Waltz turns in another great villain as the crafty cardinal Richelieu, James Corden brings most of the laughs as the super-funny Planchetand, and even the always stiff and wooden Orlando Bloom does a good job as the narcissistic Duke of Buckingham.

Overall summary: Its premise may be way overused, hence lacking in originality, but "The Three Musketeers" is a fun, enjoyable and delightfully adventurous swashbuckler, that fascinates with its fantastic cast, and stuns the viewer with its exquisite visuals breathtakingly beautiful costumes and thrilling set-pieces.

[7.25/10] Limitless (2011)

Limitless (2011)

QuickRating: Driven by its cool premise and Bradley Cooper's cocky, yet fabulous performance, "Limitless" is an imaginative, finely-crafted and thoroughly entertaining sci-fi thriller, that intentionally shows the two sides of the same coin - possessing an unlimited mind power can make you a super-human, but if you forget to take control of it, it will take control over you and destroy you. Be aware of what you wish for!

[7.25/10] Transformers: Dark of the Moon [3D] (2011)

Transformers:
Dark of the Moon [3D] (2011)

Full review: Not nearly as great as the original "Transformers" that wowed us with its visuals, but definitely an improvement over "The Revenge of the Fallen", "Dark of the Moon" is the perfect summer blockbuster, despite its repetitiveness, lack of logic, paper-thin plot and messy structure. The third film is the darkest, most sweeping, and most grandiose installment in the series, but also the one with the most flaws and the biggest plot holes. Having said that, I rather doubt that someone cares about the story, since obviously, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" is all about the action and the visuals. And hey, who says less is more? Michale Bay's over-the-top direction and pompous visual style prove exactly the opposite. Filled with dynamic camera movements, tons of different angles, ultra-sharp editing, huge explosions, jaw-dropping transformations, stupendous action and thrilling chases, "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" is as chaotically-shot as it's mind-blowingly imposing. Plus, Michael Bay's sci-fi robo flick boasts some of THE BEST special effects ever put on film - both, the Autobots and the Decepticons look absolutely stunning, with the newly introduced Sentinel Prime, the evil Megatron, and of course everyone's favorite Optimus Prime being the main focus, and Shockwave being the most impressive one in terms of design. The CGIs themselves are so polished, extremely detailed and realistic-looking, you won't believe your eyes. The settings are just as fantastic - the indoor environments are stylish, luxury and beautiful, and watching the beautiful Chicago being destroyed in a such a spectacular way is so much fun. (Sorry, Mel.) As for the 3D, well, it's downright phenomenal, and arguably the best and most revolutionary since the one used in James Cameron 3D sensation, "Avatar". To be fair, the acting is way better than what you would expect. The naturally-talented Shia LaBeouf turns in another passionate and highly emotional performance as the likable and charismatic Sam Witwicky. With Megan Fox's character Mikaela being dropped, Sam now has a new love interest, played by the insanely gorgeous English model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley. And, oh Lord, she's a more-than-worthy substitute! Rosie is not only twice as hot and sexy as Megan Fox, but she's also a better actress, and has a much stronger screen presence than her predecessor. However, the supporting performances are easily the acting highlight of the film. Patrick Dempsey shines as the handsome, yet vicious rich man Dylan; Frances McDormand gives a stellar performance as the suspicious National Intelligence Director, Mearing; Julie White and Kevin Dunn once again deliver the laughs as the peculiar, yet incredibly sympathetic parents of Sam, but it's John Malkovich that steals the whole show as the quirky boss, Bruce Brazos.

Overall summary: The third installment in the mega-successful franchise may be an overblown mess, but "Transformers: Dark of the Moon" is also the most entertaining, spectacularly action-packed and visually-stunning movie of 2011 so far, and hands down, the guiltiest cinematic pleasure of the summer.

[7.25/10] Insidious (2011)

Insidious (2011)

Brief review: After the insanely-overrated "Saw" and the utterly mediocre "Dead Silence", Australian director James Wan finally delivers a solid and somewhat unique horror flick. "Insidious" deals with the intriguing and enigmatic subject of Astral Projection, and although it's not exactly an eye-opener, it reveals many unknown details about this supernatural phenomenon in a very understandable, believable way, without crossing the line into silly and ridiculous. "Insidious" may lack big scares and jump-of-your-seat moments, but it's just as creepy as its title suggest, thanks to its chilling atmosphere, some truly frightening images, and James Wan's dark and often sinister visual style. In addition, the pale-colored cinematography suits well the visual tone of the film, and the ominous music score compliments the overall feel of "Insidious". Having said that, the execution leaves much to be desired, as it seems like the director has been improvising too often while shooting the film, and the result is a good-looking, but somewhat unpolished 'final product'. The film also succeeds because of its top-notch cast. Both, Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne give great performances as the anxious parents, but it's Lin Shaye as the freaky Elise that shines the most.

Overall summary: Just like director James Wan's two previous horror films, "Insidious" is a bit lacking in execution, however, in terms of originality, scares, creepiness, story, acting, and visuals, his latest effort is better than "Saw" and "Dead Silence" put together.

[7.25/10] Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides [3D] (2011)

Pirates of the Caribbean:
On Stranger Tides [3D] (2011)

Full review: Two days ago, I was invited to a special pre-screening of "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides", therefore I'm able to provide an exclusive early review of the film one day before its wide release. For better or worse, this fourth installment has a new director behind it, and it certainly shows - Rob Marshall changes the course, and gives a completely different feel to the movie, though at times you may find yourself missing Verbinski's delightful over-the-top-ness. Story-wise, this installment is a bit more adventurous than its two predecessors, and although it drags a bit here and there, it manages to engage and entertain the viewer throughout its 137 min running time, mostly thanks to its witty, well-written script and amusing characters. However, "On Stranger Tides" is by no means the the best installment in the insanely popular franchise (nor is the worst), as it suffers from slight narrative and pacing problems. The film feels a bit inconsistent at times, as it alternates vigorous action scenes with slow too-much-talking ones. Being the first ever ""Pirates of the Caribbean" movie shot in Disney Digital 3D, "On Stranger Tides" boasts some amazing technical qualities, and is quite slick, visually. Although Rob Marshall's skills behind the camera can't match with Verbinski's creativity and stylishness, he still manages to deliver in terms of directing versatility, providing us with lots of inventive camera angles, clever close-ups, and dynamic camera work. The mermaid attack scene in particular is undoubtedly the highlight of the movie, and deserves a special mention, as it's so thrilling, beautifully-shot and stunningly spectacular, you can't help but being wowed and amazed by it. The cinematography's color palette may not be as vivid, bright and colorful as in the previous films, but Marshall compensates with some stunning settings, gorgeous locations, and tons of slick and cool, yet hardly overblown special effects. Due to the fact that this installment is being shot-in-3D, and not post-converted, the 3D itself is not bad at all, and it definitely gives a visual depth to the movie, making it more appealing to the eye. The one and only Johnny Depp delivers his best performance in the franchise since the original film - he steals the show yet again as the charmingly-goofy, hysterically-amusing and delightfully-quirky Captain Jack Sparrow. Not sure if it's because of her pregnancy during the shooting of the film, but the fascinating Penelope Cruz seems a bit distracted and not very involved with her character. Although she does a good job overall, she's not as strong, charismatic and alluring as she usually is. Geoffrey Rush turns in another great performance as Captain Barbossa, and he's a true pleasure to watch. This installment also presents a brand-new character, Blackbeard, brilliantly-acted by the legendary Ian McShane.

Overall summary: Not nearly as great as the original, yet on par with "Dead Man's Chest", and definitely an improvement over "At World's End", "On Stranger Tides" feels refreshing and different thanks to Rob Marshall's trademark visual style, plus, it offers a fun and adventurous story, interesting characters, plenty of spectacular set-pieces and enough thrilling action to please any fan of the franchise.

[7.25/10] Thor [3D] (2011)

Thor [3D] (2011)

Full review: Actor-turned-director Kenneth Branagh brings his latest flick, based on Marvel Comics character, "Thor" - a fun, entertaining and visually-stunning superhero blockbuster, that not only blends cleverly Norse mythology with fiction and modern reality, but also manages to balance stupendous action with human drama quite well, in order to provide us with tons of 'Marvel'-ous entertainment. Probably the best thing about "Thor" is, that it never takes itself too seriously, not to say that the film often flirts with silliness, without crossing the line into stupidity. The dialogues are moderately intelligent and full of wit, and the all the characters are well-written, but "Thor" is not without its problems - it suffers a bit from a lack of cohesion among its constituent parts, and as a result, it often feels either rushed or contrived. Silly costumes aside, "Thor" is pure eye-candy in terms of visuals. The art direction is certainly the film's highlight - while the 'golden' kingdom of Asgard is bright, stylish and lavishly-designed, Jotunheim is grim, dark and downright chilling, yet highly atmospheric - together they make an impressive visual depiction of good and evil! "Thor" also boasts some first-rate CGIs and above average 3D effects, and it features number of thrilling and well-staged, if hardly spectacular action sequences. Branagh's direction is precise and typically solid, but at times you would guess that directing this film has been a challenge for him. Acting-wise, "Thor" also delivers, thanks to its charming, talented and likable cast. Chris Hemsworth makes the perfect Thor - he's not only hunky, good-looking and incredibly charismatic, but he also possesses enough acting abilities to carry the film on his shoulders. Anthony Hopkins shines as the wise and temperate Odin, and Natalie Portman delivers another fascinating performance as Thor's love interest, though her brief screen time isn't enough to allow her to steal the show. Tom Hiddleston as Loki is certainly the weakest of the bunch - his character is neither interesting to watch, nor particularly memorable.

Overall summary: Kenneth Branagh's latest Marvel-based movie may not be as spectacular as expected, and it doesn't break any new ground in terms of plot or characterization, but at the end of the day, "Thor" is a true crowd-pleaser, and a solid entry into the superhero genre, thanks to its sharply-written script, engaging cast, and flashy visual effects.

[7.25/10] Sucker Punch (2011)

Sucker Punch (2011)

Full review: Zack Snyder, the visionary director of "Watchmen" and the astounding "300", brings his latest visual extravaganza, "Sucker Punch" - a ludicrous, yet striking mishmash of various different genres, that features everything from samurais, to fire-breathing dragons to Nazi zombies to Moulin Rouge-style burlesque, and while many would understand what the director had in mind, it often feels like Snyder got lost in his own imagination in his attempts to bring his first original story to life, as the end result is a big hot flashy mess. Despite its 'muddleness', "Sucker Punch" still manages to achieve its purpose, which is to entertain. Yes, you might be quite disappointed by the lack of coherence, satisfactory plot and decent writing, but you'll certainly be unprepared for the massive amount of stupendous action and imposing visuals this movie has to offer. The CGI backgrounds are uniquely-crafted and breathtakingly beautiful, the special effects are as slick as it gets, and the action is first-rate. The variety of camera angles and different techniques that Snyder uses during the first-rate fight scenes are simply admirable, and his trade mark slow-mo sequences are mind-blowing as usual. Each of the 'dream' sequences is 'painted' in different color, and totally unique in terms of style, settings, action and cinematography. The robo-samurai action scene in the first half is the highlight of the movie, and deserves a special mention, as it's сo beautifully-shot and out-of-this-world spectacular, it's sure to blow you away. The music score contains various alternative rock tracks, with the updated version of Bjork's "Army of Me" being in the lead. Sadly, in terms of acting "Sucker Punch" fails to impress, with most of the performances being sub-par. Emily Browning as is as gorgeous as she's dull in her role as Baby Doll, Carla Gugino just doesn't have much to work with, and Vanessa Hudgens is almost unnoticeable. Abbie Cornish does her best as Sweet Pea, and she's the only real standout in the movie. Jena Malone is also good, but her screen time is extremely limited, and Oscar Isaac does a fair job as the villain, Blue Jones .

Overall summary: Zack Snyder's latest flick may be pointless, humorless and pretty incoherent at times, but it's so spectacularly action-packed and visually jaw-dropping, its plot weaknesses could be easily forgiven. Whether "Sucker Punch" is a video game-inspired movie or a movie-inspired video game, it's hands down a feast for the eyes.

Numerous QuickRatings PART 3: 2010 Movies [1]

Hereafter (2010)

QuickRating: It may not be one of Clint Eastwood's strongest efforts, but "Hereafter" offers a thoroughly compelling and thought-provoking story that deals with the intriguing subject matter of 'after life', and it's elevated by its talented cast, Eastwood's smooth direction, the moody cinematography, and some truly impressive visual effects.

My Rating: 7.25/10



The Clinic (2010)

QuickRating: Slightly original and thoroughly disturbing, yet hardly credible and lacking in genuine suspense, "The Clinic" is a low-budget Australian horror flick, that may suffer from mediocre execution and sub-par directing, but it compensates with an efficient acting, plenty of mystery and intrigue, and enough shocks and gore to keep genre addicts contented.

My Rating: 6.50/10

Morning Glory (2010)

QuickRating: Far from great and often uneven, yet refreshingly sweet, charming and enjoyable, "Morning Glory" is a 'behind-the-scenes TV' comedy, that delivers both the laughs and the drama, led entirely by McAdams' captivating performance as the determined and ambitious Becky, and Ford's charismatic turn as the grumpy Mike Pomeroy.

My Rating: 6.50/10

Due Date (2010)

QuickRating: Just like Todd Phillips' previous effort "The Hangover", "Due Date" is just an overhyped comedy, that is neither as entertaining, nor as amusing as it thinks it is, and despite its two leads share a good chemistry on screen, the movie fails to impress, or to evoke any laughter, due to its painfully unfunny script and lackluster execution.

My Rating: 4.50/10

[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.