Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Blu Ray

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Blu Ray Review

After watching Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, I couldn’t help myself thinking “what happened to this movie.” And, after 10 minute or so, you realize it’s just another Michael Bay movie. I don’t fall into a group of people who instantly dismiss or ridicule Bay movies. While Bay movies tend to prefer explosions to plot, some of them tend to be very entertaining. However, the first Transformers was funny, entertaining, and very watchable movie. That is why I was so disappointed with the sequel. The plot was all over the place and the humors and smart dialogues were replaced with expensive looking special effects and explosions, classic Michael Bay.

The thin plot is in place for the epic battle scenes between the Transformers. The movie starts off with Sam going to college while the Autobots team up with U.S. government to fight off any remaining Decepticons. The sporadic attacks from Decepticons keep the alliance busy. A new threat that’s been dormant awakens to terrorize Earth inhabitants In search of an artifact. Two sides race to find this artifact and Sam gets involved in the conflict once again.

The overall problem with the movie is the extremely thin plot and recycled dialogues. The plot of both sides looking for an artifact seems to be plot from the first movie. That in itself is fine except the sequel lacks any original elements. Both sides go from one place to another getting into a giant fights. The dialogues seem to be forced and unfunny in the second installation. Even so, the movie made killing at the box office ensuring a third film. At any rate, the action sequences are well done as befitting a Bay film. After about two hours, you want the movie to wrap up.

What do you think about this movie? Please leave your thoughts below.

Land of the Lost Blu Ray Review

The casting of Will Ferrell in the Land of the Lost remake was little baffling at first. Will Ferrell is mostly known for his comedic acts. Even his sole dramatic role in Stranger Than Fiction had strong comedic elements. So, it’s little strange that he was cast as the lead in the remake of the family friendly science fiction franchise. But, you can instantly understand the casting once you start the movie. The movie is more comedy than its predecessor. I expected movie similar to Journey to the Center of the Earth starting Brendan Fraser. Instead, you get more of gag oriented film.

The movie starts with Rick Marshall being interviewed by Matt Lauer on his scientific theory. Matt Lauer laughs at Marshall’s theory on time warps. This enrages Marshall and he proceeds to attack Matt Lauer on air. Three years later, Marshall is reduced to working at a museum teaching kids. One day, Holly Cantrell persuades Marshall into building a tachyon amplifier to try his theory on time warp. Both of them end up at a tourist spot called Devils Cave where they try the tachyon amplifier. Along with the guide, Holly and Rick are thrown into alternate universe.

While it may not accurately represent the Land of the Lost franchise, it is still a fairly amusing movie. Will Ferrell delivers his usual comedic performance while Anna Friel and Danny McBride adds very good performances of their own. I was especially pleased with Danny McBride as the guide who tags along in the adventure. If you were looking for family friendly adventure, this might not appeal to you. However, if you are looking for some funny gags from Will Ferrell, this will be a perfectly funny movie. All in all, don’t expect too much in the way of science fiction or drama.

What do you think about this movie? Please leave your thoughts below.

Swordfish Blu Ray

Swordfish Blu Ray Review

If nothing else, Swordfish delivers an entertaining action thriller. With Joel Silver as the producer, you come to expect a decent action film. Silver is behind some of the most popular action movies ever produced. Lethal Weapon, Matrix, and, V for Vendetta are some of the films he has produced. It is no surprise that Swordfish is very action oriented and aimed at adults. With many action movies trying to stay under PG-13 rating, Swordfish does the opposite and goes for the R rating with heavy action, violence, and sex.

The plot is pretty interesting. There are no black and white issues and good guys and bad guys. In the world of terrorism and counter terrorism, both sides get down and dirty to accomplish their goals. The main story revolves around a counter terrorism group, Black Cell, headed by Gabriel Shear. Gabriel brings in a convicted hacker named Stanley Jobson to crack and steal 9.5 billion from a government account. A DEA operation fronted a company called Swordfish that was shut down in 1986. Swordfish had $400 million in account that ballooned into 9.5 billion. Gabriel wants the money to combat terrorism in any way possible.

The three leads in the movie were all fantastic. Hugh Jackman as the computer hacker was little hard to swallow at first. But, he was very convincing as the loving father willing to do anything to get his daughter. John Travolta was convincing as the suave government agent willing to break law to get his way. And, Halle Berry, was mostly in the movie to look pretty in my opinion. Her character didn’t add much except for aesthetic purpose. Even so, she was blast to look at even with a limited role. Overall, the movie is for a mature audience. The movie is fun romp and blast from start to finish.

What do you think about this movie? Please leave your thoughts below.

Van Helsing Blu Ray

Van Helsing Blu Ray Review

In the age of Marvel and DC comic superheroes, it is not easy to launch a brand new superhero film not based on any previous work. Van Helsing makers did just that. They decided that the audiences were primed enough by other superhero films to give Van Helsing a chance. With Hugh Jackman and kate Beckinsale as the leads, it was not a big gamble. Both were well received in the genre with proven box office success. At PG-13 rating, the movie manages to combine action, adventure, fantasy, and horror in a family friendly package.

The film is set in 19th century about a vampire hunter named Gabriel Van Helsing. Van Helsing is cursed and cannot remember his past. However, he has internal drive to do his job as the vampire hunter. Van Helsing is sent to eliminate the legendary count Dracula. Along the way, he combines his power with Anna Valerious, a royal family decimated by the Dracula. With her help, Van Helsing sets out to eliminate Dracula. Along the way, he must uncover his past and deal with many unsavory opponents.

While the movie was not a flop, it only brought in $160 million domestically on a $120 million budget. The movie was not very well received by the fans or the critics. Even the star power of Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale could not propel this movie into a franchise. The plot was not that convincing and the only saving grace was the action sequence. However, the film was worth watching. It had campy quality to it and was amusing and fun throughout the movie. Even if you enjoyed the movie, I wouldn’t hold out for any sequels.

What do you think about this movie? Please leave your thoughts below.

Battle for Terra Blu Ray Review

Battle for Terra was buried under Pixar and DreamWorks animation in terms of recognition and buzz. Even with great voice actor line up, Battle for Terra flopped at the box office. It was mostly due to the market dominance by the Pixar and DreamWorks that contributed to the poor showing of Battle for Terra. Had Pixar or DreamWorks been behind this movie, I’m sure it could have done much better at the box office. The critics and the audiences that have watched the film have given it good reviews. While the plot was truly original, its execution was very good.

The plot of the movie is very similar to any science fiction fans. It’s about Earth destroying itself in a war and the few survivors looking for a new planet. It seems like the human race is destined to destroy ourselves in a war or some sort of ecological disaster. While I detest these doom and gloom view, Battle for Terra only uses this plot device as background story. The real story is the interaction between the human race and the native inhabitants. Earth ship arrives at an alien planet with intention to settle. Military faction wants to settle immediately without any consideration to the inhabitants. This eventually leads to a battle between the humans and the alien inhabitants.

While the ending is fairly predictable for a family friendly science fiction film, the overall story and animation quality is top notch. Overall voice acting was very good with the likes of Brian Cox, Chris Evans, Amanda Peet, Luke Wilson, and Evan Rachel woods lending their voice for the animation. The animation might not be as crisp as Pixar’s. However, it is still very good 3D animation compared to most animated films. If you missed this great animation film, this would be a good time to pick it up on the Blu-ray format.

What do you think about this movie? Please leave your thoughts below.