I, Monster: Review of Colossal

Colossal

Director: Nacho Vigalondo

By Alex Watson

An original and amusing premise, it is a shame that Nacho Vigalando doesn't expand more on the silly side of Colossal. While on the one hand, it's a wonderful alternative comedy, there's also a heavy-handed seriousness that comes alongside it. While the monster visual effects are impressive, you are left feeling a little confused over what kind of movie this piece wants to be?

Gloria (Anne Hathaway) is a jaded party girl who has been thrown out by her boyfriend Tim (Dan Stevens). Relocating to her childhood home in Middle America, she reconnects with former school friend and bar owner Oscar (Jason Sudeikis).  During her stay, the world is left in shock when a giant monster suddenly appears and attacks Seoul, Korea. Slowly Gloria begins to realise that she and this beast might be neurologically connected.

The first half of Colossal is a goofy and enjoyable ride. Gloria is a woman lost in a drunken haze, her introduction sees her breeze in hungover yet again and gives Tim another series of bad explanations that see her kicked out. Jobless for over a year and without prospects, she goes home with her tail between her legs. Her time with Oscar initially gives the movie a rom-com feel as he gives her a waitressing job and she hangs out with him and his buddy's Garth (Tim Blake Nelson) and Joel (Austin Stowell). When the gigantic monster appears, Gloria along with the world is initially horrified. Then she begins to notice the beast has some familiar hand gestures. Then it becomes apparent that whenever she crosses as a local playground at the same time each morning, she is wreaking havoc on South Korea. Frustratingly we never really get a proper explanation for how she and the creature are properly connected.

What begins as a lark soon becomes something else. Watching her drunkenly show off her big secret to her buddies is the comic highlight. Soon it is revealed that Oscar is also able to appear in Seoul as a massive robot. It is from this point that Vigalondo switches the tone of the film completely. As Gloria attempts to abstain from alcohol, Oscar's behaviour towards her grows colder. Obviously still attracted to her even after years of no contact, a more possessive and creepy side comes over him. This is where the picture begins to lose direction, although this picture has comedic chops it seems to want to go more into drama mode. A darker approach dominates the remainder of the movie and it feels very out of place. Convinced that no matter how out of control he acts, his lady friend will stay with him Oscar soon becomes the bane of Gloria's existence.

The real monsters of Colossal are revealed to be Gloria and Oscar and their descent into a huge fallout is putting lives at risk. One scene, Oscar shows off by stamping his feet around the playground. Each big step has screams coming after it, what started as harmless fun has turned into a life or death scenario. Gloria might not be the easiest character to warm to, but compared to Oscar she is definitely more able to save herself. Had Vigalondo keep things along a lighter line this could have been more memorable. Then again, it's hard to keep a movie about destruction bright and breezy for too long.

Anne Hathaway still proves she can play a likeable loser as Gloria. Always acting on impulse, her life has become a series of explanations which all lead to the same conclusion. The way Hathaway plays her growing horror about her situation is marvellous. At first the hapless drunk, her ascent to being more resourceful shows she is still a great lead. Jason Sudeikis at first appears to be going along the same lines of his nice guy style. This is a darker and uncomfortable part than he has been allowed to play previously. Sudeikis makes for a decent villain and it will be interesting to see if gets another chance to let loose again.

Colossal is a picture that has a truly original premise, but due to the confusion over its direction, it's not one that will stick in our memory.

Through Space & Time: Review of Interstellar

Interstellar

Director: Christopher Nolan

By Alex Watson

When a Chris Nolan films rolls around you can always guarantee one thing for sure, this will be no ordinary experience. Continually over the past decade, the British visionary has made our minds bend in more ways than one. But his plots are always a closely guarded secret and when unveiled to us we are forever left either amazed or dumbfounded by what we have witnessed! This week he tackles space exploration and a mission that may just save the human race. Prepare for all kinds of theories, calculations and inspiring visuals in Interstellar.


In the future, the earth is slowly dying due to a lack of food resources, so to save its existence former astronaut Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) along with Dr Amelia Brand (Anne Hathaway) and Boyle (Wes Bentley) are sent through the universe on a deep space mission. Through this they must navigate a worm hole that may or may not lead them to a system that can sustain the survival of the human race.

Interstellar again proves that Christopher Nolan is a director at the top of his game and this proves to be an eye opening and thought provoking look at not only what exists in the universe, but humanities instinct for survival. As we open on the dusty and deprived earth, we view humanity virtually forced down onto its knees. Cooper proves to be one of Nolan's strongest leads as we see him as a conflicted former pilot who is being forced into playing reluctant hero on a mission that may not see him return! The emotional depth of Cooper gives his early relationship with his 10 year old daughter Murph (Mackenzie Foy) gives the film a beating heart and as watch him drive away teary eyed- we pray for his safe return.

Although slow starting, midway through the film smartly shifts into overdrive and the visual presented to us are remarkable. The impressive CG by Hoyte Van Hoytema show us the great unknown which includes a planet surrounded by gigantic rolling waves, which will play a key role in the events of the mission! But perhaps the smartest element to this whole equation is that the universe is filled with unknown dangers and even the slightest error could result in several years being lost! Tough decisions allow the characters to reveal their true colours and at points battle of wills surface, often to heart stopping effect. Professor Brand's (Michael Caine) quoting of 'Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night' by Dylan Thomas effectively sums up the human spirit and its determination.

But the centre of Interstellar is all about the relationship between father and daughter. Murph is a no ordinary child and Cooper has encouraged her all her life to think outside the box. As older Murph (Jessica Chastain) appears, her initial anger and betrayal him leaving transcends into love and desire to see her father again and this gives her brains she never knew. However it is watching Cooper's pain filled face as he watches the 20 years of un-viewed messages from his children that hit home with such a hard and raw agony.

Even though Nolan's film is a visual masterpiece, its content and ideas may prove to be too heavy going for fair weather film fans. Never one to shy away from smart film making, Christopher and Jonathan Nolan give us a script that is so packed full of physics and morality that it feels as if we are being given a lecture rather than cinematic piece. The final act will firmly divide viewers as we cross through the dimensions of space, black holes to arriving into a destination that will surprise along with frustrating many. But unlike his other pieces, this proves to be Nolan's most heart pouring and genuine pieces.

Matthew McConaughey is an excellent lead choice and after his brillance in Dallas Buyers Club, he shows that he anchored a blockbuster well. Demonstrating a great human touch to his character, Cooper goes down as one of the more emotionally real characters of 2014 and is played with such potent power that he appeals to us from a very early stage. Anne Hathaway is also impressive as the smart yet soulful Dr Brand. But it is Jessica Chastain who firmly claims the supporting ranks with a brief yet impressive turn as the older Murph that captures our hearts.

Interstellar is an impressive and bold blockbuster, but the weight of its own intellect makes the film crumble slightly and we are left afterwards with our minds still traveling at light speed! But it is no less impressive and on a visual scale this is unlikely to be beaten in 2014. Christopher Nolan is a director who will always be challenging his audience, best to start reading for our next encounter!

Three Movie Picks for November

Interstellar (Director Christopher Nolan) 

Chris Nolan's long awaited return to the screen post Dark Knight Rises has been one of great speculation throughout 2014 and through a series of cleverly planned trailers, we have only glimpses of a plot. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain, we have learned that the story concerns an environmentally destroyed earth and a group astronauts having to navigate a worm hole in space to save it from total destruction. Nolan has yet to put a foot wrong and this looks likely to continue his fine run of form.

Release Date: November 7

Foxcatcher (Director: Bennett Miller) 

After grabbing serious attention at the Cannes Film Festival this year, Moneyball director Bennett Miller returns with a movie that has some serious awards contention. Based on the tragic story of Olympic wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) and his notorious relationship with his paranoid coach John Du Pont (Steve Carrell), this movie has proved to be an intense and captivating ride for critics. Featuring possible career best turns by Carrell and Tatum, this could well start making an appearance on award lists soon.

Release Date: November 14

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part One (Director Francis Lawrence)

Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is back on screen Hunger Games fans and she is aiming to make folks in the capital Panem sweat after the events of Catching Fire! So far this franchise has proven to be one of the most exciting and well made of years gone by and has found admirers in both teen and adult markets! Although some may be annoyed that the final story is split over two parts, no one can deny that watching Katniss and her band of followers slowly breaking down walls will be electric to watch!

Release Date: November 21