The Batman: Review of The Lego Batman Movie

The Lego Batman Movie

Director: Chris McKay

By Alex Watson

Few animated features will be quite as fun as The Lego Batman Movie. Sporting the same kind of charm that delighted both Lego and movie fans alike, Chris McKay has given us an ideal geek out movie. The story might not necessarily be strong, but the sheer amount of jokes make up for it. At the centre is perhaps 2017's ultimate bromance as two enemies share a deeper bond. Lego Batman was one of the highlights of 2014's 'The Lego Movie', and when given his own movie he doesn't disappoint.

Batman (Will Arnett) is the hero of Gotham City who has once again succeeded over his rival The Joker (Zach Galifianakis). However, during the heat of battle, he completely dismisses this villain as completely nothing. Barbara Gordon (Rosario Dawson) is the newly elected Police Commissioner who wants a closer working relationship with Batman. His ego still hurting from the rejection by his nemesis, the Joker deliberately surrenders to Gordon. Shocked by this, Batman sets out to banish the Joker to the Phantom Zone.

From a rocking opening sequence which will have smiles from the opening black screen "Black. All important movies start with a black screen." Batman emerges to foil The Joker, of course with his own catchy theme song. Chris McKay taps into the Dark Knight's individual streak early on. Even though he loves his reckless life- secretly he heads home alone to an empty mansion. Brilliantly The Joker's presence is almost vulnerable in this movie. Normally feared, here his entrance is met by a blank expression due to his constant defeats. It could be said this movie is about the effects of wounded pride. The Joker is stabbed to the core by Batman's refusal to acknowledge him (the facial expressions are excellent!). While our hero plays it cool, secretly he needs this band of villains. Gordon has big plans for Gotham, which due to Batman's inability to capture his rivals has meant scaling back his involvement.

The sheer amount of jokes related to Batman's backstory always hit the spot. In one scene with butler Alfred (wonderfully voiced by Ralph Fiennes), we see each previous instalment recreated. Chris McKay has basically done a love letter to the entire screen history- including each time Joker failed. When his enemy and his legion of cronies surrender to Gordon- this is the ultimate slap in the face to Batman.  This along with accidentally adopting Robin (Michael Cera) quickly sends Batman into a mad spiral. Obsessed with banishing Joker to the Phantom Zone- there is the big question of is he just playing into his rivals hands? There is a heartfelt note as McKay reveals Batman's big fear of starting a family. To his horror, he begins growing closer to his adopted son and finds his family ever growing. Without them, he cannot defeat the Joker.

When the final battle hits, this is where The Lego Batman Movie has the most fun. An array of movie villains come forward such as Sauron, Agent Smith from the Matrix, King Kong and Voldemort. Reigning hell on Gotham, Batman must accept that teamwork will help him save the day. I cannot emphasise just how much fun this picture is. Yes, it might be a kid-friendly adventure that is more a satire of the campy 60's humour. However, this is easily a far stronger offering than the belated Batman v Superman offering. There might have been fears that Lego Batman's appearance would be lessened in his own feature film. Well forget your worries and just sit back and enjoy. The film does drag slightly with Batman refusing to grow up and embrace others, but with the sheer entertainment on show, this will be quickly forgotten. At the centre of the picture is the unlikely bromance of The Joker and Batman. Their mutual hatred makes them an essential match- all the caped crusader needs to do is acknowledge it.

It is hard to imagine anyone more perfectly suited to voice Batman than Will Arnett. His silky voice just fits this character like a glove. Even better though is Arnett's perfect channelling on Batman being like a spoiled child. Living alone in his mansion eating Lobster Thermidor, his temper tantrums are a continued source of amusement. Ralph Fiennes almost makes a perfect Alfred, embodying both the surrogate father figure and reluctant disciplinarian- Fiennes could have been a perfect live action choice. Zach Galifianakis has great fun as The Joker playing the insane king like a jilted prom date which works perfectly.

The Lego Batman Movie is a perfect source of fun for anyone who wants nothing more than pure enjoyment. Give this guy his own franchise and keep the laughs coming I say! Ben Affleck's upcoming feature 'The Batman' has a lot to live up to!

Age of Empires: Review of Hail, Caesar!

Hail, Caeser!

Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen

By Alex Watson

Once more the Coen Brothers turn towards Hollywood's Golden Age in their picture Hail, Caesar! Making great use of constant star cameos, this makes for a great satire picture. Running a major studio can bring all kinds of headaches and there are smart nods to the scandals involving such greats as Clark Gable and Esther Williams. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War where suspicions were heightened and showing the studio system beginning to break down the Coens return to this land is a success.

Eddie Mannix (Josh Brolin) is a 'fixer' for Capitol Pictures who has just run into a major problem. Hail, Caeser! is set to be their biggest picture of 1951 starring Baird Whitlock (George Clooney), the problem is the actor goes missing and a group called 'The Future' is demanding a ransom. Eager to get back Whitlock before all hell breaks lose, Mannix must also deal with pregnant star DeeAnna Moran (Scarlett Johansson) and struggling cowboy actor Hobie Doyle (Alden Ehrenreich).

Although Hail, Caesar! is filled with different story lines, somehow it manages to juggle them all without dropping the balls. The scandal and scare-filled nature of the 1950s are present and correct and Mannix has hands full dispelling rumors. The Coens in their film studio world are able to give nods all kinds of productions such as cheap westerns, well choreographed dance films and lavish aqua themed sets. The kidnap plot is almost secondary to everything else, who precisely are The Future? The big reveal shouldn't surprise many but the bickering between numerous intellectuals will for sure entertain. Mannix knows he has a headache on his hands because Whitlock is known for his binges and affairs but this one might be beyond his control.

The hints towards different scandals show off the Coens movie buff knowledge. DeeAnna wants to adopt her own unborn child to avoid a scandal while Hobie is struggling to play a straight role in contrast to his usual 'singing cowboy' job. Ralph Fiennes shows up here as the thespian director Lawrence Lorenz and incredibly gives a masterclass in comic relief attempting to direct his undertalented star. Also, there is the issue of power hungry identical twins and Thora and Thessaly Thacker (both Tilda Swinton) who are both Hedda Hopper type gossip columnists. With cameos popping a mile a minute including Channing Tatum as Gene Kelly type musical star and Jonah Hill as a cynical surety agent, the Coens are having a blast.

While Hail, Caesar! sings and dances well, there is also the issue of too many cooks spoiling the broth. The third act is possibly the weaker the picture and while it is typically random and unpredictable it perhaps doesn't completely satisfy. However, this is a minor blemish on the Coens good work and they succeed in keeping us entertained. Their ability to be able to hop between both deathly serious and light as a feather touches has really marked them out over time. Delving back into the scandal and red threats of the olden days has been the picture spark into life. Mannix may be always questioning his life, but he cannot function without the thrill of the unknown.

Josh Brolin makes for an engaging and capable lead, his dour yet excitable edge makes Mannix come alive. Smartly linking his guilt for continually abandoning his family for the chase to this devout catholicism, Brolin is the very presence the Coens need. Supported ably by George Clooney who is a wonderful mix of arrogance and cluelessness, his Baird Whitlock is a great nod to leads such as Kirk Douglas. His gradual reawakening to a new found cause sets him on a slippery slope. The real star of the picture is Alden Ehrenreich because easily he matches the big stars blow for blow and comes out with the pictures strongest performance. Hollywood take note of this one.

Hail, Caesar! may not win the battle of the box office against Deadpool or Zoolander 2 but it is still a funny and smart picture that deserves your attention. The Coen Brothers are always unpredictable, who knows what era that will focus on next time?

Best Ralph Fiennes Moments

The Grand Budapest Hotel

In Wes Anderson's divine 2014 comedy, Fiennes proved his comic worth in a golden performance as self absorbed concierge Gustave M. His talents for fast talking and subtle humour where best demonstrated during one of cinema's most unorthodox interviews!

Schlinder's List

Steven Spielberg's 1993 Oscar winner was people's real introduction to Ralph Fiennes- as stone cold Nazi commandant Amon Goeth, Fiennes is able to freeze a scene whenever he steps forward. This sequence provided a perfect insight into Goeth short temper and perhaps inner frustration with himself. Hearts are in mouths as he attempts to shoot a Jewish factory worker simply because he can!

In Bruges

As foul mouthed mob boss Harry, Fiennes gave us an insight into his ability to do funny. The F-Bomb is never far away whenever this man rears his head. Through limited screen time, Fiennes succeeded in taking the movie from under star Colin Farrell. In this scene, his lurking threat is felt even when off scene!

Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire

As 'You Know Who' Fiennes was the perfect casting and his icy malice cast a dark and wide show over the series. Making the perfect entrance, his presence is felt almost immediately and in an instant, the man nightmares were created for is born!

(Maid in Manhatten Not Included!)

What We Do In The Shadows: Review of Spectre

Spectre

Director: Sam Mendes

By Alex Watson

Although it matches Skyfall blow for blow in the thrills department, the new Bond offering Spectre lacks a certain something. The set pieces on display from returning director Sam Mendes are mind-blowing in places. Perhaps the real problem is the inclusion of the problematic childhood story that its predecessor grabbed so beautifully. Daniel Craig is a force as usual in 007 mode, but this just doesn't feel like the memorable ride that it should have been (and lets not get started on Sam Smith). 

When a vital clue to the secret of his troubled youth is found in the rubble of Skyfall, James Bond (Daniel Craig) begins to go rogue to follow the trail. Despite pressures from new boss M (Ralph Fiennes), Bond stumbles into the path of a powerful secret organization know only as Spectre. Headed by the villainous Franz Oberhauser (Christoph Waltz) who seem to have paid a very close eye on Bond since childhood! 

Making a bright starting with a remarkable long tracking shot during Day of the Dead in Mexico City, Spectre at points is able to shift into excitement overdrive. Sadly Mendes' follow up is never fully able to balance itself out and become the accomplished picture is seeks. Centrally there is a hangover effect still lurking from the prior outing. The script by Robert Wade, John Logan, Neil Purvis and Jez Butterworth doesn't have an immediate spark in draw us in. Bond's hunting high and low for the clues that could explain everything or nothing about his childhood have a stop and go effect on the story. There is also the tricky matter of how Oberhausen and devilishly tricky new boss C (Andrew Scott) and his desire for constant surveilance fit into the picture?

The 24th outing of the Bond franchise does show its unique combination of wit and action. When Bond is grilled on his appearance in Mexico City he coolly remarks "I was taking some overdue vacation." But all the moments that should make this an accomplished thriller are ones that fall surprisingly flat such as car chases through empty cities. As hard as Ralph Fiennes works to fill the void left by Judi Dench, the old girls presence is still badly missed. In this picture the boss is permanently confined to the end of a phone whilst dealing forever making inquiries about Bonds whereabouts to suffering Q (Ben Whislaw) who in this picture literally takes on the problem solver role. "Don't worry Bond, it was only a £3 million prototype!" he bemoans another Aston Martin meets the bitter end. 

There are winks towards the successful Bond formula's of old as such the wordless henchman Mr Hinx (Dave Bautista) who with a crushing unease asserts himself. Lea Seydoux does credit for playing above the typical damsel in distress as Madeleine Swan. With little to work with she is able to crave out a throughly plausible character. Despite a white cat herring to one of the most beloved Bond villains, Christoph Waltz feels wasted in what could have been the meaty nemesis of them all. Confined mainly to the shadows until his third act reappearance, the segway into his personal vendetta against Bond is rather hoaxy and just a little too predictable. Coming across as more comical, Oberhausen lacks the needed icy cold that could have been so memorable. Knowing the kind of charm and unease that a skilled actor like Waltz is able to bring, this feels like a missed opportunity. 

Daniel Craig is again a fine figure to watch as 007 and it seems unthinkable these days just how much doubt surrounded his future to begin with. Able to conjure a rarely seen emotion and angst lurking beneath the cool outlook, Craig has become the cornerstone of this character in the modern-day. Should this be his last outing, whomever dons the tuxedo next will have one hell of a task! 

Spectre despite having the same tools to work wonders with is one effort that doesn't quite hit the high notes. It succeeds a straight forward and entertaining piece of action but sadly is not the pinnacle that we so badly hoped for.