Film Review: WALLACE AND GROMIT: THE CURSE OF THE WARE-RABBIT (2005)

Directors: Steve Box, Nick Park
Writers: Steve Box, Nick Park, Mark Burton, Bob Baker
Running time: 79 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): U

Genre: Animation/Comedy/Adventure
UK Release date: 14^th October 2005

Watched on Sky+ Monday 27^th August 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I first saw this one several years ago and I have to admit I wasn’t all that struck with it to be honest. A second look has totally changed my mind! I think Ardman hide so many little subtle jokes that it takes a few viewings to pick up on them. For a change I found it a comedy that made me laugh out loud (a very rare thing these days)! Here’s a very brief summary before I give you more of my thoughts.

Wallace and Gromit have gone into the pest-control business. They are a humane company called Anti-Pesto who don’t actually kill the pests; they take them in and look after them. With the local Giant Vegetable Competition coming up at Tottington Hall they are working round the clock protecting all those precious entries. Even Lady Tottington herself is having trouble with the rabbits and Anti-Pesto are called in to deal with them much to the disgust of Lady Tottington’s suitor, Victor Quartermaine. It’s when Wallace decides to use his mind control machine to brainwash some bunnies into not liking vegetables any more that an accident brings about… (Dramatic Music)… The Ware-Rabbit! It terrorises the neighbourhood taking all the vegetables it can find! It gets so bad that the Giant Vegetable competition in under threat! Not to worry; Gromit is on the case!... I’ll leave it there or the Ware-Rabbit will be after me for letting the cat out of the bag (again).

Filmed in stop-motion, it is brilliantly animated with a really marvellous plot and the usual great musical themes that all Wallace & Gromit films have. All the performances were great; You couldn’t have a Wallace and Gromit film without the marvellous voice of Peter Sallis as Wallace (and Hutch in this one). Ralph Fiennes supplies the voice of the slippery Victor Quartermaine and Helena Bonham Carter is great as Lady Campanula Tottington. Also worthy of note were; Peter Kay as PC Mackintosh, Nicholas Smith had some of the best lines (IMO) as the Reverend Clement Hedges, Liz Smith as Mrs. Mulch, John Thomson as Mr. Windfall, Mark Gatiss as Miss Blight and Geraldine McEwan as Miss Thripp.

Full of subtle little jokes, but also at its heart a great plot that keeps the audience guessing. I must admit I really enjoyed this one; for me it had everything I would look for in a comedy; characters you actually care about, a plot, some really funny sight gags and a lot of more subtle comedy besides. I should also mention the quality of the performances as well; the comic timing was impeccable. Over all, probably the best comic film I’ve seen in a very long time… Well worth a look.

SteelMonster’s verdict: HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

My Score: 8.8/10

IMDb Score: 7.7/10 (based on 57,298 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0312004/

MetaScore: 87/100: (Based on 38 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 95/100 (based on 173 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 72/100 ‘Liked it’ (based on 360,968 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wallace_and_gromit_curse_of_the_wererabbit/

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Lady Tottington: [over the phone] It's a disaster. I have the most terrible rabbit problem. The competition's only days away. You simply have to do something.
Wallace: Certainly, M'um.
Wallace: [Aside, to Gromit] I think we're about to go up in the world, lad.
Wallace: [Back on phone] Just stay right where you are, Your Ladyship, and we'll be with you in an...
[hits the control panel and gets dragged up through the ceiling]
Wallace: Ahhhh!
Lady Tottington: In an hour? But I can't wait an hour. I have a major infestation. Hello? Hello?

Wallace: Burrowing bounders! They must be breeding like... well, rabbits.

Reverend Clement Hedges: This was no man. Does a man have teeth the size of axe blades? Or ears like terrible tombstones? By tampering with nature, forcing vegetables to swell far beyond their natural size, we have brought a terrible judgement upon ourselves.
[Ominous organ music plays]
PC McIntosh: [to the organ player] Hey, give over!
[Organ player stops]
PC McIntosh: You're mental.
Reverend Clement Hedges: And for our sins, a hideous creature has been sent to punish us all! Repent! Repent! Lest you, too, taste the wrath of... the Were-Rabbit!

Lord Victor Quartermaine: How on earth would those tiny-minded buffoons ever catch such a big rabbit?
Lady Tottington: Mr. Wallace?
Wallace: Um... with a big trap!
[Gromit slaps his face]
Mr. Crock: By Jove, he... he's got it!

[last lines]
Hutch the Rabbit: Cheeeeeeeese!

LINKS:
Official Site (UK): http://java.europe.yahoo.com/uk/uip/wallaceandgromit/index.html
Official Site (US): http://www.wandg.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: THE KING’S SPEECH (2010) - Revisited

Director: Tom Hooper
Writer (Screenplay): David Seidler
Running time: 118 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

Genre: Drama/Comedy
UK Release date: 7^th January 2011

Watched on Sky+ Friday 30^th December 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

This is the second time I have seen this film this year; first time was in the cinema, and now it has made it to the small screen. I always like a film based on true events, it seems that real life has just as many amazing stories as pure fiction and this is a case in point. A man who stammers has to rise above his affliction, with the help and support of those around him, to speak for a nation. It’s quite a remarkable film. Here’s a short summary first before I give you my thoughts.

King George VI, known as Bertie to his friends and family, was not born to be king. That honour went to his older brother David, or King Edward VIII, after their father George V passed away. Unfortunately, David finds he cannot carry out his duties due to events in his private life (quite a scandal actually) and so Bertie has to step in. A long time before this he had started seeing an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. He had always stammered and found it particularly hard to speak in public. With the help and support of Logue, his wife, Elizabeth and his daughters another Elizabeth (later to become Queen Elizabeth II) and Margaret; this film depicts how he overcame his problems to give a very important speech live on the radio to the entire British Empire (as it was then) just after the outbreak of World War II. It also gives an insight into the reasons for Edward’s abdication and the effect it has on the nation. But I think that’s enough summary for now or the Spoiler Police (Royal Division) will have me banged up in the tower (again).

I found this a totally engaging film from start to finish. As a Brit, I was taught about the abdication of Edward VII in school, but I never knew about George VI’s stammer or the work of Lionel Logue. Of course, the film is most noted for the performance of Colin Firth as King George VI, which is totally justified, he is outstanding! Also worthy of note are both Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue and Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth (great casting IMO). Honourable mentions go to Derek Jacobi as Archbishop Cosmo Lang, Michael Gambon as King George V, Guy Pearce as King Edward VIII, Claire Bloom as Queen Mary and Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill.

Apart from the performances, I thought it was an excellent screenplay by David Seidler (a Brit who grew up in the US). Nicely directed by Tom Hooper, it depicts the period perfectly. This is a film with many laughs, more than a lot of modern ‘comedies’, IMO, which serve to lift the mood of what is, after all, rather serious events in world history. I also liked the music by Alexandre Desplat, very pleasing to the ear and matched the atmosphere perfectly. Over all, brilliant performances, a great story and a few laughs along the way… who could ask for more? Very highly recommended.

My score: 9.1/10

IMDb Score: 8.3/10 (based on 138,514 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 95/100 (based on 215 reviews counted at the time of going to press).
Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 93/100 (based on 113,112 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_kings_speech/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Queen Elizabeth: [Using the name "Mrs. Johnson"] My husband's work involves a great deal of public speaking.
Lionel Logue: Then he should change jobs.
Queen Elizabeth: He can't.
Lionel Logue: What is he, an indentured servant?
Queen Elizabeth: Something like that.

Lionel Logue: Do you know any jokes?
King George VI: ...Timing isn't my strong suit.

[watching a clip of Hitler speaking]
Lilibet: What's he saying?
King George VI: I don't know but... he seems to be saying it rather well.

King George VI: [as he prepares to broadcast his wartime speech] However this turns out; I don't know how to thank you.
Lionel Logue: [after a pause] Knighthood?

LINKS:
Official Site: http://www.kingsspeech.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: THE KING’S SPEECH (2010)

Director: Tom Hooper
Running time: 118 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 15

UK Release date: 7th January 2011

Watched at the cinema Saturday 22nd November 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I always like a film based on true events, it seems that real life has just as many amazing stories as pure fiction. This is a case in point. A man who stammers has to rise above his affliction, with the help and support of those around him, to speak for a nation. It’s quite a remarkable film. Here’s a short summary first before I give you my thoughts (summary haters please wait outside while I get through the next speech… sorry, paragraph).

King George VI, known as Bertie to his friends and family, was not born to be king. That honour went to his older brother David, or King Edward VIII, after their father George V passed away. Unfortunately, David finds he cannot carry out his duties due to events in his private life (quite a scandal actually) and so Bertie has to step in. A long time before this he had started seeing an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. He had always stammered and found it particularly hard to speak in public. With the help and support of Logue, his wife, Elizabeth and his daughters another Elizabeth (later to become Queen Elizabeth II) and Margaret; this film depicts how he overcame his problems to give a very important speech live on the radio to the entire British Empire (as it was then) just after the outbreak of World War II. It also gives an insight into the reasons for Edward’s abdication and the effect it has on the nation. But I think that’s enough summary for now.

I found this a totally engaging film from start to finish. As a Brit, I was taught about the abdication of Edward VII in school, but I never knew about George VI’s stammer or the work of Lionel Logue. Of course, the film is most noted for the performance of Colin Firth as King George VI (Bertie to his friends), which is totally justified, he is outstanding! Also worthy of note are both Geoffrey Rush as Lionel Logue and Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth. Honourable mentions go to Derek Jacobi as Archbishop Cosmo Lang, Michael Gambon as King George V, Guy Pearce as King Edward VIII, Claire Bloom as Queen Mary and Timothy Spall as Winston Churchill.

Apart from the performances, I thought it was an excellent screenplay by David Seidler. Nicely directed by Tom Hooper, it depicts the period perfectly. This is a film with many laughs, more than a lot of modern ‘comedies’, IMO, which serve to lift the mood of what is, after all, rather serious events in world history. Over all, brilliant performances, a great story and a few laughs along the way… who could ask for more? Very highly recommended.

My score: 9.3/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1504320/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_kings_speech/
Official Site: http://www.kingsspeech.com/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/imdb/vi806197529/

Film Review: ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010)

Director: Tim Burton
Running time: 105 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): PG

UK release date: 5th March 2010

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 1st January 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I have never seen the 1951 Disney animated feature which tells the story of Alice’s first trip to Wonderland. You see, she has grown up now and this film tells the story of her second set of adventures in Wonderland. I’ll give you a brief summary before I tell you my thoughts (summary haters please tell me why A Raven is like a Writing Desk… It’s been bothering me all day…).

Alice is now nineteen and it has been arranged that she shall marry Hamish, the son of a Lord, but she is not really interested in marriage. It is decided that he will propose to her publicly at a party thrown by his family. The unpretentious Alice is distracted as the big moment arrives and finds herself compelled to follow a white rabbit just as he comes out with the words. As you might guess, the rabbit disappears down a hole and is soon followed by Alice. Having made herself the right size by drinking a potion, she enters Wonderland, a place that looks kind of familiar, but she can’t place from where. Here she meets many characters, including the Mad Hatter, The Cheshire Cat and the Red Queen. At first there is some debate as to whether she is the right Alice, and she has reservations herself. You see, if she is the right Alice, then she must perform a very heroic task and she’s not sure she’s up to doing that. I really don’t want to give it away, so I’ll leave Alice down the rabbit hole for now.

This is unmistakably a Tim Burton film. All the quirks and outlandishness that mark his style of filmmaking in abundance. It is beautifully made with great attention to detail. I saw the 2D version which, I’m told by those who know about these things, is better than the 3D cut. Great performances all round, particularly from; Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter, Mia Wasikowska as Alice, Helena Bonham Carter as the Red Queen and Anne Hathaway as the White Queen. I should also give honourable mentions to Crispin Glover as Stayne - Knave of Hearts, Matt Lucas as Tweedledee and Tweedledum, and the voice talents of; Michael Sheen as the White Rabbit, Stephen Fry as the Cheshire Cat, Alan Rickman as the Blue Caterpillar, Barbara Windsor as the Dormouse, Paul Whitehouse as the March Hare and Timothy Spall as Bayard.

Although this film is beautifully made with some great performances, I found it ultimately unsatisfying. I think because I know the story quite well the awe and wonder of seeing it for the first time is lost and that detracts from the viewer’s enjoyment. There are some great comic moments and some truly magical scenes, but as a whole it kind of lacked something for me. It’s worth seeing, but I wouldn’t rush to buy the DVD… even so, recommended.

My score: 6.4/10

LINKS:
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1014759/
Official Site: http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/aliceinwonderland/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/imdb/vi975438873/