The Man Comes Around: Review of Logan

Logan

Director: James Mangold

By Alex Watson

While his first two on-screen outings were underwhelming, Logan provides Marvel fans with a wonderful swansong. Director James Mangold delivers an unexpectedly poignant and heartfelt finale which see Hugh Jackman's beloved character come full circle. Unashamedly high on violence and sporting possibly the greatest ever pre-credit sequence (spoilers withheld), this is one ride we don't want to end.

Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is now a drunken down and out working as a limo driver while tending to his sick long term friend Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart). He attempts to live anonymously in the desert alongside mutant ally Caliban (Stephen Merchant). However, the powers and strength he once held are slowly wasting away. One day he stumbles across a money making chance by aiding a mother and daughter crossing the border into Canada. Taking this chance brings him into the path of dangerous Transigen employee Donald Pierce (Boyd Holbrook). To his shock the girl, Laura (Dafne Keen) is demonstrating some familiar abilities.

Watching Wolverine in this picture is a thing of great sadness. In Logan, his ageing body is betraying him and he spends his days easing the pain with booze. His purpose in life has become truly lost and now Charles seems to be succumbing to a degenerative brain disorder that has seen him classified as a 'weapon of mass destruction'. From the opening scene where with great difficulty he fends off a gang of tough hombre's- he just looks like a wounded animal struggling to survive in the wild. Everything we love about this character seems to have gone and his a stumbling wreck. When Pierce veers across his path, the tone of Mangold's movie shifts drastically. Wolverine and friends are soon on the run, which has become business as usual in his world. Noticeably more at ease with violent content, Mangold firmly refuses to make this an adventure for the kids. In this Marvel universe, very little is clean and let me tell you, there are few things more glorious than hearing Patrick Stewart drop the F-Bomb!

The side story of the girl Laura is one that seems to kick start his beliefs. At first happy to abandon her, when he comes to see her abilities his world is shaken to the core. The girl may be of few words, but her actions speak volumes. Logan is divided between two worlds at this stage. Charles encourages him to seek out a better future but having lived a life at war with himself and the world Wolverine is conflicted. Mangold's movie is about Wolverine wrestling with his soul because although he wants to do good and make sure Laura is safe, his killer side still calls to him. Although this movie resists the urge to throw one of the X-Men's baddies into the mix, the story of evil corporation Transigen engineering mutant kids from birth feels too tacked on. Led by permanently smirking villain Pierce, they do inspire some fine battles. The introduction of sinister scientist Zander Rice (Richard E Grant) and mutant X-24 is earth shaking at first but eventually fizzles out.

Perhaps the most joyful part of Logan is Wolverine finally being allowed to let loose. In this picture, he slashes, dismembers and often brutally kills his aggressors. His healing ability might be fading, but the old killer instinct is alive and well. Proof that R-Rated action movies can be successful, Mangold also finds a heart in the most unlikely of places. After two pictures hampered by artistic inferences, finally, Marvel fans have gotten the Wolverine picture we always wanted. Its focus in showing him at his lowest ebb makes the film far stronger outing than the Samurai confused nonsense of 'The Wolverine'. Mangold also gives his audience an emotionally charged finale we will never forget. Few Marvel characters have been as memorable as this clawed character- this final film is a tribute to savour.

Hugh Jackman in his last performance as Wolverine goes out with one hell of a bang. Since starting an unknown actor in 2000, Jackman has shaped this character into something truly special. Playing Wolverine as a decaying wreck who is caught between two lives is a thing of rare beauty. This character has been continually evolving and Jackman seems determined not to let the side down. This could possibly be a career high performance and we are unlikely to see this kind of emotion in a superhero movie again. Patrick Stewart makes for a delightful sidekick as Xavier and for once he is allowed to play this character with a sense of humour. An old mind that is now a ticking time bomb, Charles is a much of a dying creature as Wolverine.

Logan is quite simply the strongest movie in the X-Men universe. Days of Future Past and Apocalypse just showed that big CGI doesn't always solve the problem, James Mangold's stripped down and humane approach ensures its best character gets the adventure he always deserved.

Touch The Sky: Review of Eddie The Eagle

Eddie The Eagle

Director: Dexter Fletcher

By Alex Watson

Celebrating a truly heroic failure, Eddie The Eagle is a movie that will make your heart soar. Although it is basically a by the number numbers heart warmer, the formula works perfectly for director Dexter Fletcher. It seems impossible to comprehend that a man such as Eddie Edwards dared to dream back at the 1988 Olympics, but although it takes some missteps this picture will still melt even the coldest person.

Eddie Edwards (Taron Egerton) is a young man with Olympic dreams, the problem is he lacks any talent at all. After some success at on the British Ski Team, he booted off by snobby chairman Dustin Target (Tim McInnery). However, after learning that Britain has no ski jump team, Eddie's hopes shift considerably and he travels to Germany to attempt to train. While there he meets alcoholic ex-ski jumper Bronson Peavy (Hugh Jackman) who attempts to dissuade him. Eddie's never say die attitude will not only win over Bronson but millions of fans worldwide.

Yes Eddie The Eagle is a very thinly veiled attempt at schmaltz, but if you approach this picture with an open mind it is a far smoother ride. His early pratfalls (one of many) raise a laugh as he goes from woefully misguided misfit to stealing the heart of the nation. Continually put down by his plasterer Dad (Keith Allen) Eddie is someone who just wants to succeed at anything. What he lacks in ability he makes up for in sheer determination and when he meets the drunken Peavy it is anything but encouraging. His mentor was once a highly rated talent by legendary coach Warren Sharp (Christopher Walken) who lost his chance due to his own arrogance.

When the action shifts to his life changing training in Ausberg, Germany it is by far the picture most entertaining section. Eddie nearly kills himself on many occasions while attempting jumps often to the mocking contempt/concern of more established competitors like champion Matti Nykanen (Edvin Endre). As Bronson grudgingly takes a shine to him, his fortunes begin to change (cue a training montage to Hall and Oates). This relationship between the two is what gives the movie its drive and despite Eddie's numerous accidents we year for him to make that jump. His real stroke of luck comes from the fact he is running unapposed for a place on the British team so all he has to do is achieve something modest and a place is his.

The finale of Eddie The Eagle takes place during the 1988 Calgary Olympics and here the movie takes on a more mushy feel. Featuring Jim Broadbent as an old school BBC commentator it does capture the euphoria that surrounded his presence. After making a disappointing jump, Eddie still breaks the British records and his wild celebrations make him an instant celebrity. There is a foreboding sense that Bronson worry about him simply being a novelty act is coming true. Journalists are more interested in his antics that how far he has come, Making a possibly suicidal choice to do the 90m jump has out hearts in our mouths. What follows is a finale of Cool Running type joy that will have you leaping for the underdog.

Although Taron Egerton is a young choice to play the real Edwards, he nonetheless convinces well. Showing his likeability that his role in The Kingsman brought, Egerton is very much the movies soul. Capturing Eddie's refusal to back down and his will to triumph, the young Welsh actor brings a true champion to life. Hugh Jackman fits well as the forever drunk Peavy but this is a role that tests him in any way. Give the movie a big name and Hollywood credibility goes a long way though and Jackman makes for a wonderful other half. Perhaps the only misfire was the bizarre inclusion of Christopher Walken who although adds a veterans touch, doesn't feel completely necessary.

In short, Eddie The Eagle is a movie that is good silly fun and for those wanting a reason to believe again this will be a good choice. Though be careful hitting the slopes afterward.

Finding Neverland: Review of Pan

Pan

Director: Joe Wright

By Alex Watson

You really want to love Joe Wright's movie Pan and on a technical level this is a beautiful adventure that brings the Neverland to life in a way never seen. Tragically underneath the dazzling façade lies a painful and very misguided picture. Wright who so wonderfully entranced in his film-making magic in Anna Karenina and Atonement feels literally all at sea. Despite Hugh Jackman taking large bites out of the scenery, this movie cannot make up for the lack of character depth which sinks this lifeless prequel to the mermaid filled waters below. 

Peter Pan (Levi Miller) is an orphan living in London during the WWI, abandoned by his mother Mary (Amanda Seyfried) he still hopes to reunited with her some day. Snatched from his bed along with other boys by pirates and transported to Neverland. There he discover a land ruled with an iron fist by pirate Blackbeard who forces them to mine the land for fairy dust. Through random events he becomes acquainted with an ambitious miner, James Hook (Garrett Hedlund) and a warrior princess named Tiger Lily (Rooney Mara). 

Possibly the worse crime about Wright's take on JM Barrie's world is that the story in Pan is so torn to pieces we have no idea what we are viewing? Hook in this one feel like a cookie cutter version of Indiana Jones (complete with Fedora hat) who is more of a jerk than a franchise changing villain. Peter Pan comes off as a rather smart mouth street punk. In the opening ten minutes we see Peter taken from London by a flying pirate ship that transports him to land where a crowd singing 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana greets them. Wires become frantically crossed and as annoyed parents stare at the screen is disbelief, your faith in this picture has disappeared before you know it. 

From a cinema perspective the world is gorgeous to look at and the photography by John Mathieson and Seamus McGarvey injects some life into an otherwise dull affair. There are moments that give this movie some fun, Hook in this picture is afraid of crocodiles. Wright seems to have to keep us blind to the wreck that lies beneath the coat of gloss. Story wise there is little to really arouse the mind, although the side plot of why precisely Blackbeard wants the fairy dust so badly so give a darker undertone. Tiger Lilly is given little purpose in this movie and Rooney Mara in a one note role becomes wasted. Her headdress is interesting but they reduce Tiger Lilly to simply acting as a story-teller than a warrior princess. 

This lack of development hinders the film and the splicing and dicing of ideas creates a whole new beast. Wright shows he has taken notes from the Avengers but having a finale based up in the air. After two hours of shifting in our chairs, finally we are given so vague entertainment as Peter leads the fairies in an attack against Blackbeard. Reaching this point takes sheer will power and as you often eye the exit door there is a blessed relief when the credits finally roll. Though your heart does sink when you realize that there will likely be another outing in the pipeline.

Hugh Jackman has a ball playing the theatrical Blackbeard, but sadly he feels so over the top that it feel his lid blew away long before. Although he does giving a decent campy menace, this is not one of Jackman's finest outings. Levi Miller does a good enough job as the young rascal Peter and his youthful sense of wonder enlightens things some. Garrett Hedlund on paper should have made a fine Hook, but his role is one that is criminally underwritten. Hedlund has some great moments of humour but enough to record the save. 

Pan is an effort that wasn't entirely necessary from Joe Wright and despite some clever visuals we are left with a rather embarrassing picture. I can respect his want to bring a new spin on heavily adapted tale, but his jokey and strange approach to this prequel will only alienate hardcore fans.  

Bi-Centennial Man: Review of Chappie

Chappie

Director: Neill Blomkamp

By Alex Watson

Despite some misgivings and a perhaps flawed central trio, Neill Blomkamp's third effort Chappie is still an intriguing and enjoyable experience nonetheless. Many have seen this movie as simply being an expansion of District 9 and while it doesn't help it is within the same universe, it doesn't hinder the cause either. Whether Blomkamp really is the visionary genius that many have hyped him up to be will remain to be seen. In the meantime however, he is certainly building a solid case.

Set in 2016 Johannesburg, crime has been effectively solved by the introduction of a robotic police force named Scouts. One gang is desperate to pay off a big debt to a crime so in an attempt to get rich quick, they capture the inventor Deon Wilson (Dev Patel). Here they force him to create a robot designed to aid them, Deon then salvages a droid about to be destroyed and turns into an almost human robot called Chappie (Sharlto Copley). But rival creator Vincent Moore (Hugh Jackman) is less than thrilled with this bot delayed his own pet project.

Although dazzling to look at, Chappie unfortunately cannot shake off its slightly weak central narrative. In District 9, the prime focus was on change and a man losing his innocence. Blomkamp here reworks similar themes, but although Chappie's gradually introduction into the world is at times humorous (especially how Fuck Mother becomes his phrase) However it is also overdrawn and at times begins to grate on us! A bold and stunning creation on screen, Copley does a magnificent job of making his movements seem as human as the rest of us. But his childish nature and constant inability to read between the lines weighs the film down when it needs to fire.

The focal point of the movie is the battle for the robots soul, on the one side we have the caring and placid creator Deon who wants Chappie to explore his potential. But on the other more dangerous side we have a gang led by Ninja and Yolandi (both members of rap group Die Antwoord) who want him to be 'the baddest mother'. Both gang members are the flip side of each other, Yolandi comes to love this creation and is very much his mother figure. Ninja on the other hand is all business and wants his companion fighting on the front lines to ensure a big payday.

Although the action becomes thick and fast and there is compelling argument to be held about whether AI are capable of human emotions. Sadly this gets mangled beneath some questionable narrative logic. Why would Ninja, who depends on Chappie just abandoned him to be beaten up by a gang? The thought he might not survive doesn't seem to click. The gang are also rather unappealing due to their greedy nature and vile attitude towards their friend/captive. Also Deon while passionate and caring is rather weak and fails to be the strong human presence that the movie needs. Blomkamp does well and implements more big ideas and visual tricks- but it feels the story should have been given more focus.

Dev Patel is solid as usual post Slumdog Millionaire, but here he fails to really raise his game when required. He effectively nails the nurturing side of the creator, but his wimpish nature makes him too much of a push over. Hugh Jackman has immense fun playing the villain for once, but in truth he fails wasted by Blomkamp and is giving little else to do other than look surly behind a desk. Die Antwoord however both sink and swim the movie, yes they have presence but their rough and villanous nature becomes borderline irritating after a point. Making them the anti-heroes of the film feels like an unwise step by Blomkamp.

Upon reflection, Chappie by no means a bad film and it is one that we really want to love. But at the same point, it doesn't really raise Blomkamp any further after his slightly tarnished previous effort Elysium. On a special effects scale, the man is still able to wow us and his selection as the new Alien director could prove wise. But for future efforts, story line has to be given equal attention.

3 March Movie Picks

Chappie

District 9 maestro Neill Blomkamp returns with another compelling piece which looks to not only continue his great visual eye, but could well capture out hearts! Chappie (voiced by Sharlto Copley) is a robot designed by Deon Wilson (Dev Patel) and is designed to evolve and feel human emotions. But not everyone is thrilled by this concept, including Vincent (Hugh Jackman) and soon Chappie is fighting back against the forces that want to see him destroyed! Knowing Blomkamp this will be another experience to remember!

Release Date: March 6th

The Gunman 

Sean Penn is a man with a grudge this month in Pierre Morel's movie and from the action on display, this could mean lethal results! Martin Terrier (Penn) is an renowned operative who wants nothing more than to quit the game and settle down with his lover. But his organization appears to have other ideas and force him to go on the run! With a supporting cast including Javier Bardem, Idris Elba and Ray Winstone, the quality in this movie is high! Penn isn't known for this sort of role and love or hate the man, he sure has that presence.

Release Date: March 20th 

A Little Chaos

Alan Rickman makes a rare venture behind the camera for his French Renaissance drama piece. Set during the time of King Louis XIV (Alan Rickman), lady gardener Sabine (Kate Winslet) is hired to design a fountain for his majesty. But finds herself roughing feathers when she catches the eye of married socialite Andre La Note (Matthias Schoenaerts) to which society takes an all too close eye to! After wowing audiences at TIFF 2014, it appears this movie has hyped to be believed.

Release Date: March 27th

Three Best Ice Bucket Challenges

Hugh Jackman, Garrett Hedlund, Rooney Mara & Entire Cast/Crew of Pan

Out of all the ALS Ice Bucket Challenges, this one had the most party atmosphere to it as Hugh Jackman, taking centre stage brings basically everyone but the Janitor into frame to accept the challenge! Now that's what you call an interesting work day!

Tom Cruise & Chris McQuarrie

The long time collaborators founded themselves challenged by Jackman & Co to undertake the challenge- but as they point out most the crew isn't there so they decide to take the hit for them. Have to say for sheer determination these two do well, you almost feel their strain by the end!

Steven Spielberg

From the varying reactions on show, the legendary directors one was the most cool and collected (except for maybe Chris Hemsworth, though we are still waiting for JJ Abrams to dump the bucket over his head!