The Wolverine (2013)

Silver Samurai!!!!

I really need to star this review by stating my dislike for Hugh Jackman. I don't like Hugh Jackman. I don't think he is a very good actor. I downright despise him as Wolverine. I don't even like him in movies he's been in that I have loved ("The Prestige, "The Fountain", ... um... that's about it). I think he seems like a perfectly fine human being, but I just don't like him. That being said, "The Wolverine" was an enjoyable film with some fun action sequences.

Director James Mangold has made possibly the most intriguing and well-thought out film of the "X-Men" franchise, but it still falls a little short of what these films are fully capable of. I don't know if it was my disinterest in Jackman's portrayal of the character, or just the lulls in the plot, but I found it hard to keep my attention from wandering from the screen at times. The actors all seem to know that the audience is going to be in there no matter what, and it was hard to find many performances worth noting. Except for the always reliable Hiroyuki Sanada, playing the son of the man who called Logan to Japan. His character is a little one note, but he plays him with such a menacing gaze, that it is hard to take your eyes off of him.

The one thing that took me completely out of the film were the excessive Jean Grey scenes. I realize that this is the sixth movie in a very bad series, but after the first nightmare involving the deceased mutantess (how is this not a word?), the idea becomes overplayed (much like the Xavier bald jokes in "X-Men: First Class"... or the cameos in "X-Men: First Class"... or the script of "X-Men: First Class"). However, the story itself, though predictable, is mostly captivating, and Mark Bomback and Scott Frank's dialogue tends to have an honest ring to it. Ross Emery's cinematography is bleak and stunning, and Mangold shoots his action sequences perfectly. Overall, it was worth the time, but the not 3D money.

Grade: B-
3D: Nope.
Easter Egg: Yes

Starring: Hugh Jackman Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima
Director: James Mangold
Writer(s): Mark Bomback & Scott Frank
RT: 126 min
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, some sexuality and language

R.I.P.D. (2013)

There were two things I REALLY liked about "R.I.P.D." First was Jeff Bridges' humorous and campy performance as long-dead lawman Roy. He was charming, funny, and talked a mile a minute. It was the most  fun he looked like he's had on screen in a while (when he isn't winning Oscars, that is). Second was that was a pure turn-your-brain-off kind of film, and you didn't have to worry about the story (which was amusing), or the characters (who were a little underdeveloped), or being offended by anything except some of the grotesque "deado" creations. It was a textbook buddy comedy featuring one talented actor and Ryan Reynolds (who I'm still on the fence about. Thank you Green Lantern). There honestly weren't any notable performances aside from Bridges, and maybe Kevin Bacon, but it could just be my love of all things Bacon informing that. Playing the main villain of the piece, he is smarmy and cool without really dedicating too much to the piece. Seriously, this can wait to be rented, but if you want to see it at the theatre, I don't blame you.

Grade: C+
3D: If you must
Easter Egg: No

Starring: Jeff Bridges, Ryan Reynolds, Kevin Bacon
Director: Robert Schwentke
Writer(s): Phil Hay & Matt Manfredi (both story) - Story: David Dobkin - Comic: Peter M. Lenkov
RT: 96 min
Rating: PG-13 for violence, sci-fi/fantasy action, some sensuality, and language including sex references

Pacific Rim (2013)

I will admit that Japanese monster movies are among some of all-time personal favorites. So there may be a little bias in my review of this film, because this honestly the closest thing to an American version of that genre as possible. Director/writer Guillermo Del Toro, who has been responsible for some of the most creative films of the last two decades, has made a movie that is so gleefully geeky in its execution, that it is extremely hard to not get lost in it. The dialogue lacks the kind of punch in some areas that his other films generally carry, but the plot moves along well, and the action sequences are thrilling and fun. Each new monster, called Kaiju in the film, is as imaginative as the last, and each massive robot (Jaegers) was even more jaw droppingly cool, though I felt some got dispatched a little faster than they should have.

There is a list of fun, and at times appropriately hammy, performances in this film that really make it worth watching. Charlie Hunnam essentially plays his role from "Sons of Anarchy", but he makes it work for this role. Idris Elba plays the seasoned veteran, and leader of the resistance, with a depth and heaviness that gives the movie an emotional core. Pulling up the comedic relief are Charlie Day and Ron Perlman, who both seem to be trying to out overact each other. Their combined talents give "Pacific Rim" the perfect amount of laughs to make sure the picture isn't a joyless string of cities being destroyed.

Grade: B
3D: Why not?
Easter Egg: Yes

Starring: Charlie Hunnam, Idris Elba, Charlie Day
Director: Guillermo Del Toro
Writer(s): Travis Beacham (also story) & Guillermo Del Toro
RT: 131 min
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence throughout, and brief language

The Lone Ranger (2013)

Hear no evil... or dialogue.

Gore Verbinski and a team of writers have managed to do exactly to the Lone Ranger, what Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg did to the Green Hornet. They managed to turn the character into a simpering, clueless dolt who lucks into defeating his opponents, and probably wouldn't if Tonto and Silver weren't around to bail him out. The script was atrocious, filled with awful one-liners and anachronistic references that had me constantly rolling my eyes, until all the movement (or dialogue) made my head hurt. Verbinski's direction is, as usual, flashy and cloying. His action sequences are loud and unbelievable, nearly putting his "Pirates" to shame. Johnny Depp, playing Hunter S. Thompson... I mean Jack Sparrow... I mean Tonto, has finally reached a point where I can't take him seriously as an actor anymore.

For all of its massive flaws there were still some things I enjoyed (begrudgingly). The make-up in the film is so good that when Old Tonto is introduced, it's almost hard to believe that you're looking at Johnny Depp. And William Fitchner looks truly menacing with his scarred face. Speaking of Fitchner being menacing, his acting backs up his make-up. He takes over the screen whenever he appears, and manages not to ham it up too much, like the rest of the cast. Tom Wilkinson, as a railroad employee, also flys a little under the radar with his performance, and brings the film to an almost watchable level (which is too much to ask of anyone). The music, provided by Hans Zimmer, played a little like his "Sherlock Holmes" soundtrack, but often made the scenes bearable when all of the scenery chewing brought them down.

I hope this doesn't turn out a load of crappy sequels. Especially after ruining one of the greatest lines in pop culture. Two and half hours was enough for this franchise.

Grade: D-
3D: Just Don't
Easter Egg: Yes, but just don't

Starring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Tom Wilkinson
Director: Gore Verbinski
Writer(s): Justin Haythe, Ted Elliot, Terry Rossio
RT: 149 min
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense action and violence, and some suggestive material