Every now and then a sequel gets released that feels like if the studio would not have slapped a franchise title on it, it could have been a much better film. I think, whole-heatedly, that "The Bourne Legacy" was one of these misguided films. The film doesn't have any glaring faults: its well written, action-packed, and the performances are actually quite good. The fault lies in the fact that they started a new series from a great series whose star stated that he had zero interest in returning. Jeremy Renner is wonderful fit to jump start it, but trying to have the audience buy the "two rouge agents at one" time story felt a little forced, and created massive distraction while watching the movie. Especially when scenes from the other films popped up. The last thing you want to do is remind the viewers of why the other films were so great. Just cast Renner as Bourne, and tell everyone that it works for Bond, and everyone would have let it go. I promise.
Grade: B
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: No
Starring: Jeremy Renner, Rachel Weisz, Edward Norton
Director: Tony Gilroy
Writer(s): Tony Gilroy (also story) & Dan Gilroy - Novels: Robert Ludlum
RT: 135 min
Rating: PG-13 for violence and action sequences
2012 was a great year for comic book films. "The Avengers" kicked off the summer with a bang, "The Dark Knight Rises" ended the best comic trilogy to date, and "The Amazing Spider-Man" rebooted a franchise with gusto. Then there was "Dredd", a middling film with grand intentions, that simply fell short of the mark. Karl Urban sneers his way through a role which he did fine at, but would have shined in a much better film. Olivia Thirlby serves as Dredd's trainee, a psychic orphan on her first call, and steals much of the film. While Lena Heady, whom I love in "300" and "The Sarah Connor Chronicles", plays the laughable head villain Ma-Ma. I was upset to learn that Alex Garland, who wrote 28 Days Later, wrote the script, because with proper direction this could have been a film that weighed the morality against the violence. Though it has plenty of over-the-top violence (the kind I tend to like), shoot-outs, and good performances from a strong supporting cast, "Dredd" has plenty of faults that keep it an over-stylized mess.
Grade: C
3D: Don't
Easter Egg: My company made me leave before the end of the credits... I don't know.
Starring: Karl Urban, Olivia Thirlby, Len Headey
Director: Pete Travis
Writer(s): Alex Garland - Characters: Carlos Exquerra & John Wagner
RT: 95 min
Rating: R for strong bloody violence, language, drug use and some sexual content
My new favorite past-time is watching Liam Neeson punch things, be they wolves, billionaires, or terrorists. I will admit that my bias of Neeson may have given me rose colored glasses towards this movie, but I loved every second of it. It wasn't as good as the original, mostly because the plot is stretched a little thin; however, it was tense, fast-paced, and a lot of fun. Maggie Grace is every bit as annoying as the first movie, but she does manage to get a good car chase in, and Famke Janssen lends her understated talent in a larger role for this film (though she does have a bag over head for most of the film, which sucks). Turn the brain off, sit back with your large popcorn, and enjoy the punching. So. Much. Punching!
Grade: B-
3D: N/A
Easter Egg: None
Starring: Liam Neeson, Famke Janssen, Maggie Grace
Director: Olivier Megaton
Writer(s): Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen
RT: 92 min
Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, and some sensuality
These are the times that I'm so glad that John Lasseter has taken over all of Disney's animation department. "Wreck-It Ralph" may be the most earnest animated film it has put out under its own label (not Pixar or Studio Ghibli) since 2002's "Lilo and Stitch". The characters are well thought out, and the voice casting was spot-on, whether they based characters off of the actors, or the other way around. John C. Reilly, playing the title character, brings layers of conflict and emotion to a character struggling with his day to day life, and questioning the roles of heroes and villains in the world of video games. As Vanellope, Sarah Silverman strikes up a sweetness not normally seen from her public persona, and puts forth a mixture childish ego and crippling vulnerability that makes you care about her more than you would assume after first meeting her. There isn't much wrong with the film, aside from the obvious foreshadowing, at least not much worth writing about. I would strongly suggest it to anyone who wants a to have a great time, or just wants to play "spot your favorite video game".
Grade: A-
3D: Good enough
Easter Egg: One for the hardcore gamers, or fans of "King of Kong: Fistful of Quarters"
Starring: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Jack McBrayer
Director: Rich Moore
Writer(s): Jennifer Lee and Phil Johnston - Additional Material: John C. Reilly
RT: 108 min
Rating: PG for some rude humor and mild action/violence
