Film Review: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, director Gareth Edwards faces a tricky task of fleshing out the opening crawl and telling a story viewers know the outcome of. Against the odds, Edwards delivers an engaging and thoroughly entertaining film.

Jyn Erso is recruited by the Rebellion to help them discover the background to a powerful new weapon. As she finds out more, Jyn becomes the unlikely leader of an unlikely strike against the Empire…

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is essentially the story from Star Wars: A New Hope‘s opening crawl. The film functions as an episode after the prequels (ending with Revenge of the Sith) and before A New Hope. The characters at the heart of the film are new. Edwards and screenwriters Chris Weitz and Tony Gilroy must tow a line in not reaching to far into the bookended films, whilst also offering a convincing and complete tale.

The filmmakers produce a memorable film by concentrating on the mission. The characters are developed where they need to be, yet the focus remains of the task ahead. After a timid start, the film finds its feet and propels forward. There are some good set pieces and action amongst the exposition and story development.  However the real treat is the measured build to a wonderful finale third. The climax offers spectacle and tension in abundance. Even though viewers know the outcome, Edwards delivers a memorable conclusion.

Rogue One does not carry humour or lightness in the same way as Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This works however, it is a serious blockbuster without being po-faced. The mood suits the  narrative, given the known outcome. Felicity Jones is strong in the central role. She is ably supported by Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed, and Ben Mendelsohn. Visuals offer both spectacle and a style in keeping with the original series. Michael Giacchino’s score complimentary of John Williams’ original.

With Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Gareth Edwards delivers the type of prequel viewers would no doubt have loved from the 1999-2005 films. This latest film does the franchise proud.

Film Review: Star Wars: The Force Awakens

J.J. Abrams’ Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a throughly entertaining instalment in the franchise, which lovingly pays homage to Star Wars: A New Hope.

Many years after the defeat of the Empire, a new threat is rising. The First Order wishes to rule the galaxy. It is down to an unlikely group of individuals to stop them, along with help of the Resistance…

The long-awaited sequel to the original Star Wars trilogy lives up to expectations in terms of entertainment and nostalgia. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an enjoyable blockbuster that should satisfying fans and new viewers alike. The film reminds the audience how entertaining an action adventure can be.

Director J.J. Abrams is clearly a fan of the original films; this shines through in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. There are a lot of overt references to Star Wars: A New Hope in particular, in terms of characters and sets. Even in terms of narrative structure and set-up, there are allusions to the first trilogy.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens introduces new characters to the franchise, and a new battle to fight. The film follows a similar premise to the 1977 film in bringing these characters together, and setting up their mission. Star Wars: The Force Awakens is well paced. The film opens with an action sequence, and continues to build momentum whilst allowing for exposition.

The new characters introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens are a good fit for the franchise. These characters have good chemistry, particularly Finn and Rey. Abrams eschews the trap that the prequel films fell into by having supporting characters that aggravate. Droid BB8 is a delightful addition to the cast.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens has the look of the original series in terms of settings and props. Production values are great; with CGI used sparingly. John Williams’ score is very memorable. John Boyega and Daisy Ridley have a little bit of the hokeyness of Luke Skywalker in the original, with their line delivery. However, even this is disarming; the pair bubble with enthusiasm. Adam Driver and Oscar Isaac also do well.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a most fitting follow-up in the Star Wars franchise. The film works well on its own, and will ignite zeal for the next instalment.

Film Review: Lincoln

Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln is exactly what you would expect. The historical drama is solid, and boasts great performances.

In 1865 the American Civil War is heading towards its conclusion. President Abraham Lincoln aims to make a landmark constitutional amendment to abolish slavery. Lincoln faces a race against time to obtain the necessary votes before peace is declared and he loses the opportunity to end slavery forever…

Director Steven Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner tell an absorbing story with Lincoln. The film is a good history lesson for those with little knowledge of the period or the title figure. The complexity of the issue and the varying divisions are rendered digestible. Although the focus is placed on the president and his motivations, there is at least a little space allotted to why some politicians may have been reluctant to vote yes.

There is a sense of gravitas that permeates the entire film. This is enabled by Spielberg’s directorial flair and John Williams’ grandiose score. The film undoubtedly focuses on a serious issue. Nevertheless, this dies not mean that it is without humour and warmth. Despite the overall sombre tone, there are moments of lightness.

Despite the wartime setting, there is little action in Lincoln. Spielberg chooses instead to concentrate on the political sphere. The war scenes that do feature are portrayed with the requisite violence. The film does not shy away from depicting the consequences of Lincoln’s ambitions.

Daniel Day Lewis is as superb as ever as Abraham Lincoln. He is supported by a strong cast that includes Sally Field as Mary Tood Lincoln and Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens. Jared Harris and James Spader also stand out among the supporting cast.

Steven Spielberg tackles an important person and event with the substance they deserve. Lincoln is worthy of its numerous nominations.

Film Review: Jurassic Park

Eighteen years after its original release, Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park gets a cinematic re-release. The film still brings the same magic and spectacle that it did all those years ago.

Dinosaur experts Dr Alan Grant and Dr Ellie Sattler are asked by the benefactor of their latest dig to visit a theme park he has created on an island. Unaware of the leaps made by John Hammond’s scientists, when Grant and Sattler arrive at Jurassic Park they are astounded to find living dinosaurs. Along with other guests, the pair are invited to tour the site, but find themselves in peril when the systems fail…

Even after multiple viewings, Jurassic Park still brings the fun and adventure. Perhaps what pulls the audience along is that the fantastic element (namely the dinosaurs) is explained in a rational manner. Viewers are invited to share the spectacle along with the protagonists; the awe at seeing the dinosaurs for the first time is still present.

Despite familiarity with the film, the tension is still remarkably effective. The infamous kitchen sequence holds up well even for those who are aware of the outcome. Jurassic Park fulfils the role of a good family film in that it should satisfy all age groups. It is understandable enough to hold the attention of young children, yet at the same time is immensely enjoyable for adults.

The only thing that really dates the film is the use of technology. Given the advances made since 1993, this is not wholly surprising. Nevertheless, the computer systems and other devices used in the film look incredibly dated. Perhaps the re-release is a timely reminded of life before the internet.

The effects employed by Jurassic Park have held up very well; far better than more recent CGI-laden films in fact. The dinosaurs have an authentic quality to them, which perhaps would have been missing if the film had been made in the last five or ten years.

With its soaring John Williams’ score, good performances and great effects, Jurassic Park is one of Spielberg’s finest films. The spectacle that it offers can only really be appreciated on a big screen.

Jurassic Park is re-released in cinemas on 23rd September 2011. The film is released on Blu-Ray Trilogy for the first time on 24th October 2011.

Film Review: Paul

Zombies and serial killers overcome, Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s latest adventure sees them encounter extra-terrestrial life. Paul is genuinely good fun, and a suitable tribute to the science fiction films that Pegg and Frost obviously love so much.

British sci-fi geeks Graeme and Clive embark on a road trip across America, visiting famous UFO sites. When they encounter a real alien called Paul, the friends decide to help him with his mission. Graeme, Clive and Paul are in peril as those chasing the alien edge closer…

The mix of comedy and action adventure works incredibly well in Paul. The tone is never too serious; dramatic moments are usually disrupted by a joke. While the film is certainly tongue-in-cheek, director Greg Mottola provides the momentum that allows Paul to function effectively as a sci-fi action film. The tone is buoyant; the film keeps a steady pace throughout.

Paul has a more polished feel than Hot Fuzz and Shawn of the Dead. Although a few rough edges is sometimes a good thing, in the case of these films Paul is a more attractive option than Pegg and Frost’s previous collaborations. Both Hot Fuzz and Shawn of the Dead were a little patchy in places. Thankfully Paul is better executed than this. The humour works, though some audience members may find it a little immature. Nonetheless, most cinemagoers will know what to expect from the duo.

Pegg and Frost are obviously big science fiction fans, this shines through in Paul. The film features numerous references to sci-fi films and culture, most of which are sufficiently mainstream to be understood by a wide audience. In particular, Paul functions as a homage to science-fiction films of the 1980s. These films have clearly had a profound affect on Pegg and Frost (who also wrote the film), the overt references made to Steven Spielberg indicate this.

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost play geeks in the film, characters that do not appear too far removed from their actual personalities. Both are lively and energetic, but definitely in their comfort zone. Seth Rogen voices Paul with his usual slacker sensibilities, while Kristen Wiig is great but a little underused as Ruth. Sigourney Weaver joins in the fun, playfully parodying the genre that made her a star.

David Arnold’s soundtrack is great, with more than a nod to John Williams’ classic E.T. score. Overall, Paul is highly enjoyable, especially for sci-fi fans and those nostalgic for the Spielbergian oeuvre.