Mini-film reviews

My sister came over for the weekend.

She brought some films with her, plus I watched another after she had gone, so it was a bit of a film-fest weekend, after a long absence of any films. Brief thoughts on the films follow.

The Illusionist
A film about magic in 19th Century Vienna sounded interesting rather than compelling. I feel the story starts in a rather clumsy way, but soon settles down. The magical interludes are charming, reasonable accurate, even if some are CGI, and very watchable.

It very quicky becomes apparent that this is a love story, set against the backdrop of the Austrian Empire, the class system and magic. The story is interesting enough, but nothing spectactuar, but it is nicely photographed, well scripted and engaging enough. However, this film has a sting in the tail in that things are not what they seem. All becomes clear right at the end with a magnificent twist. Depending on how quick you are, you probably worked it our at some point, but the full implications are more that you imagine. A very well crafted, well considered and enjoyable work.

7/10

The Prestige
Another magic film, but very different. This is a much darker, more psychological and sinister film. Rather than love, this is about rivalry, ego and pride. Some more magic sequences, but this time more grotesque, more base and more sensational.
The three act film is mirrored by the microcosm of a magic trick, also in three acts. This is explained very carefully at the start of the film but belies the film's highly complex and interwoven plot.

I would challenge anyone to fully appreciate this film at a single viewing, there is too much to take in and too much misdirection for you to follow the whole story. The more you consider it, the more possible realities spring up. The parallels between the main protagonists, their motivations, their troubles and their obsession is well realised. Tricks and misdirection rule and unfold as the story progresses to its, unexpected, conclusion. There are clues along the way to help unpick the truth, but this is a tough challenge as the pace is relentless.

This is not a thoroughly enjoyable as The Illusionist because it raises too many questions, but the scope of the film is fantastic and the amazing journey it takes you on is worth hanging on for, through all the twists and turns. It's also a film which, I believe would not only benefit from a second viewing, but demands it.

8/10

Hellboy II
A very slight change of pace from the other films.

I was pleasantly surprised by the first Hellboy film. I didn't expect much, but what I got was quite a good, straightforward film with a well paced plot, good characters and a sprinkling of humor.

Hellboy II fell into the typical sequal trap. We have all the same components as the original film but bigger and better with more effects, a broader plot, more characters and bigger threats. But right from the begining this was a film without a soul, something which was made to a checklist rather than being an artwork in its own right. Because of this, it ticks a lot of boxes, but it falls short of being engaging.

The all-too-familiar trap is to constantly think of the sequal in terms of the original film (i.e. bigger this and more that) rather than creating a film that stands on its own merits. Although enjoyable enough, it doesn't carve a niche for itself in your memory, doesn't have much to say about anything and doesn't really develop any of its characters. A missed opportunity to do something intelligent and clever with a seemingly crass and shallow franchise.

5/10