Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)

I really like this franchise. Retribution has a better story than many of the latter in the series. The effects are dazling and this episode gives a lot of backstory. If you are a fan don't hesitate. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a paltry 32% but its at least double that.

Three point seven stars

Taking Lives (2004)

This 2004 FBI serial killer  profiler genre movie got 22% from Rotten Tomatoes. I strenuously object. Its directed by DJ Caruso (Eagle Eye), stars Anjlie Jolie (at her peak), and Ethan Hawke (post Training Day). Kiefer Sutherland is the principal bad guy. Shot in beautiful Montreal it features amazing twists and turns. The ending should satisfy even the harshest critics. Its not Silence of the Lambs, but its still a damm fine flick.

Three point five stars

Let Me In

A well done but completely unnecessary remake of the Swedish masterpiece Let the Right one In. Chole Grace Moretz who broke through in Kick Ass was perfect as the 12 year old vampire. Kodi Smit McPhee is totally believable as Owen a young vampire smitten teen. The biggest difference is the directors decision to reveal a key concept that the Swedish movie allowed the viewer to discover on their own.

A terrific bite on the vampire genre. A much better remake of a Swedish Film than the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Three Stars

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Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas is a difficult movie. Its highly stylized, slow moving, and very preachy. The choices we make shape empires Yada Yada Yada. The first half barely kept me engaged, I still dont get all the connections between time periods.
Which is not surprising considering;

"David Mitchell, the author of “Cloud Atlas,” told the Paris Review in 2010 that “‘Cloud Atlas’ is a novel about whose echoes, eddies and cross-references even its author possesses only an imperfect knowledge.” Yet the directors of the new film — Tom Twyker, Lana Wachowski and Andy Wachowski — took a different approach to Mitchell’s brilliant book. They turned six overlapping stories into more concentric circles than the author had himself."  After you watch the movie read this.

 Its an ambitious movie that in the end works. How did it got 63% at RT? Only John Cougar of Mars saves it from being the biggest boxoffice bomb of the year.
Do not make it a pirority but when you have the opportunity, check it out.

Two point six-five stars
(sorry for the comercial its thankfully very brief)

Transporter 3 (2008)

Jason Statham's ten year (Lock Stock and two Smoking Barrels- 1998) acting anniversary  was marked by the third edition of the Transporter (2002) franchise which made him a star. This time he breaks all his rules. The stunts and fights are superb.  A movie featuring French director Oliver Megaton and the sterling Luc Besson has writing credits. I love this franchise and despite the total lack of orginality this may be the best one so far. Rotten Tomates hated it with a 36% fresh. Critics also dumped all over it.  However the box office was over $100 million, tops for the now finished franchise.

Three point six five stars.

Skyfall (2012)

Without hesitation I would join the millions who would not hesitate to say Bond films are their favorite franchise. Skyfall disappointed me. The opening sequence was the best ever. Daniel Craig continues to re define Bond in a compelling fashion. Sam Mendes direction was well crafted. Although to date, he has never recaptured the magic of American Beauty. Javier Bardem was one of the best, if not the best Bond villian ever.

The first half of the movie was near perfect Bond. The second half was a mess of plot holes and situations that stretched my suspension of disbelief to the limit. Its possible background that might have kept situations free of criticism were edited for the sake of brevity. Unfortunately for me I hold Bond to a very high standard, and while picky points, it going to cost a movie which should have owned a fourth star without effort, that high a mark. Nevertheless a must see on the big screen movie.

Three point four stars

Total Recall Remake 2012

The sum of the parts did not add up to a great movie. Changing the name of the movie might have avoided painful contrasts to the iconic first version. Most of the blame has to go to the director. The storytelling was off. Colin Farrell reprises the role made famous by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Colin's string of box office flops seems to prove he is incapable of carrying a blockbuster to market. Personally I like him and his presence attracts me to a film. In Total Recall his performance can not be faulted. Kate Beckinsale has a larger role than Sharon Stone did in the first movie. This may be another poor choice. Jessica Biel did not sell her part as the love interest well.

There is a lot to like about this movie. The action scenes are far better than the original. The visuals are terrific.The tension created as the movie climax's had me squirming more than I remember the first time around. The interpreting of the Phillip K Dick novel is much different, it is an interesting universe that was presented poorly. 

Despite that I recommend the movie without reservation.

Three Stars

The Day (2012)

A low budget Zombie movie without Zombies. No this more realistic dystopia is full of cannibals. If you have nothing else to do, its not terrible.

Two point 5 two.

Universal Soldier:Day of Reckoning (2012)

This should be the Supersoldiers franchise doubletap. RT gave it a surprising 86%. There were many good elements in this movie. Scott Adkins is a credible action star, the fight scenes were terrific, and old friends Dolf Lungren and Jean Claude Van Damme were along for the ride. Perhaps that was my problem with the movie it seemed like a long silly ride. If your a fan of the franchise, there are many satisfying plot developments, otherwise do not get on board.  A completely opposite review here, that softened my score.

Two point 7 stars.

The Amazing Spiderman (2012)

Compared to the Toby McGuire movies which were nothing to sniff at, this reboot is better. Its not blowing me away better like the Chistopher Nolan Batman reboot was compared to the others, but its better because it follows the orginal comic more closely and Spiderman in action has never looked more natural. Both the star Andrew Garfield and the Director Mark Webb have their breakthrough movies. Emma Stone on the other hand did herself few favors.

Three Stars
trailer not available

Killer Joe (2012)

Killer Joe stars  Matthew McConaughey an actor I generally like. For accepting the role of Killer Joe in Killer Joe maybe its his agent he should be killing. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 76%, I would give in forty or less. If trailer park Texas is anything like this movie, America  really faces internal challenges beyond repair. There is nothing clever, funny, or engaging about this movie. It is slime on screen from start to finish.

Two Stars
no trailer, its not worth the effort

Taken (2008)

Luc Besson's creative fingerprints are all over this movie. In general if you see his name in the credits its a quality product. Taken was released in Europe a year before it made it to the US. A critical bomb (Rotten Tomatoes 58%) that succeded because the audiences could not get enough of it.($228 million boxoffice) Liam Neeson is a freight train of violence and determination who plows down everyone who stands between him and his loss. Maggie Grace who played Shannon on lost, and Bond Girl Famke Jansson play the family under stress. A must see.

Four Stars

Taken 2 (2012)

Taken 2 picks up where one ended. Liam Neeson owns the role of retired deadly operative on a personal quest to save loved ones from scumbags. Rotten Tomatoes (21% fresh) hates it, says it is no where close to the original. Moviegoers disagree and it is number one at the boxoffice. I am with the movie goers. Sure it does not match the original. However the Taken universe remains a very entertianing place to be immersed for a couple of hours. I hope there is another episode.

Three Stars

Hostel Three (2011)

A direct to video addition to the Hostel Franchise. The story remains the same, but the action moves to Las Vegas. All new actors and director. Looks better than its low budget roots. If you liked the first two, this one will not disappoint. I hope the franchise does not die with this edition.

Three Stars

Hostel Two (2007)

Hostel 2 picks up where Hostel ends. Its more Texas Chainsaw Massacre type action created by Eli Roth. Lauren German is the only actor you may recognize. Rotten Tomatoes hated it, and the box office was only $20 million, about half the first movie. I would watch them back to back. Very similar but not as good as the first if only because the plot was no longer orginal.

Three Stars

Hostel (2006)

A no name movie. It wins you with smart direction,writing and plot. Eli Roth shows a lot of chops directing this bloody chopper movie. He is better known for Cabin Fever, but Hostel is a better movie. Fans of the genre whose most successful franchise is Saw will be thrilled by Hostel. There are now three Hostel movies. The first experince remains the best. Rotten Tomatoes failed it, but it managed $45 million in boxoffice. It will become a cult classic.

Four Stars

Training Day (2001)

Antoine Fuqua is a name you may not but should recognize. His direction of Training day revealed he is a major talent. His track record shows Training day was no fluke. Denzel Washington won best actor playing an (antagonist) against type a crooked cop with cash flow problems. Ethan Hawke was nominated for best supporting for his (protagonist) portrayal of a naive rookie in way over his head. Eva Mendes's breakout movie. Its one of the top movies of the first decade of the 21st century. Rotten Tomatoes liked but did not love it with 72%, audiences made it a box office smash. A must see.

Five Stars

Bad Lieutenant: New Orleans (2009)

If you like or can stand two hours of Nick Cage at his most cagess, this movie will thoroughly entertain you. Terrence McDonagh is a New Orleans detective who redefines “dirty cop”. His girlfriend Eva Mendes is a prostitute who shares his addictions. Terrence gets into all kinds of trouble in his constant quest for more drugs. Val Kilmer also makes an appearance as his partner. Just when it seems Cage has dug himself into an inescapable hole he walks out on a path of carefully constructed dominoes  Rotten Tomatoes gave it 87% and it was critically acclaimed. Audiences did not agree and it was under $2 million domestic and $10.5 million in total. So it’s a great movie that no one saw.

Four Stars

End of Watch (2012)

Do not waste your money on this one. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 85%. Its recycled TV cop show fare. Cops good, drug lords bad, drug war futile. Very professionally done, works the emotions well, but overall a series of clichés.  Written and directed by the Training Day writer David Ayer. Its disappointing to see him turn to manipulation instead of inspiration. IMHO his directing does not match his great writing to date. If you can see it for free, worth doing.

Two point six stars.

The Expatriate. (2012)

Yet another secret agent betrayed by his agency and left completely burned. No country, no cash and countless former colleagues trying to erase him. The Expatriate adds a twist from Taken in that the former kill team specialist Ben Logan played by Aaron Eckhart  finds the safest place for his estranged daughter Amy is by his side. Amy is represented by Liana Liberato in a barely convincing way. However Eckhart  sells the solid plot.  Former Bond Girl Olga Kurylenko  credibly  fills the role of a former lover who double betrays him.  Jean Reno who was brilliant (Mission Impossible, Ronin) has an unaccredited but critical bit part. Philipp Stölzl is a newish director who leaves a good first impression.

Three stars.

Looper (2012)

Looper is an intellectually clever take on the paradox's of time travel. I was not alone in being confused briefly that the travel was from 2044 to our present.  Nearly all the movie takes place in 2044, but the time travelers are arriving from 2074. A couple of these trips I have yet to figure out.(Spoiler alert an explanation, and a better one) The Looper universe is perfectly formed. The Kid from 3rd rock from the Sun has developed into a great actor. A story about killing your future self is totally captivating. I would call it a low level action movie, that does not quite live up to the hype. That said I really enjoyed it and it was worth the trip  to experience it on the big screen.


Three point nine Stars.

Machete (2010)

Action ExploitationFilms are typically B movies lacking production values. Robert Rodriguez has proven you can make a great movie for $10 million.

His campy movies attract great audiences and great stars. No action movie character actor has a better resume than Danny Tejo. In Machete he plays Machete. Also in the lineup, Jessica Alba, Robert De Niro, Don Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and Steven Seagal. Machete sees his wife slaughtered before his eyes, and as fate would have it years later he is caught up in a chain of events leading to a death match with his nemesis. If you’re not a fan of senseless violence, blood gore and simple plotting do not watch this. I thought it was for this genre a masterpiece.

Four Stars

Hitman (2007)

A movie based upon a video game. Overall I like this genre. Following the formula 47 is a member of a secret society; raised from childhood to be hit men.  An unrecognizable Timothy Olyphant (Justified, Deadwood) is the only name you will recognize in this movie. He is betrayed, turns against the organization and of course befriends an exotic prostitute. It grossed $100 million worldwide and was a critical bomb. Rotten Tomatoes gave it 14%. I disagree, its as good as most betrayed member of omnipotent organization movie.

Three Stars

A Clockwork Orange (1971)

A brilliant book made into a brilliant movie. Near perfection, aged impeccably, as fresh today as it was 40 years ago. The synthesized Beethoven IMHO is the best soundtrack ever. Stanley Kubrick is arguably the greatest director ever, 2001 was his second best movie, Clockwork Orange was number one. 

Ten Stars

True Romance (1993)

A movie overstuffed  from every angle with talent. Script by Quinton Tarantino, directed by Tony Scott, starring Christian Slater at a time he was the new Jack Nicolson and Patricia Arquette. The villain Christopher Walken, the father Dennis Hopper, the roommate Brad Pitt. Other characters of note; Val Kilmer, Samuel Jackson, Gary Oldman and playing a mob foot soldier  James Gandolfini. Essentially it’s a road movie. It bombed at the box office but is now a solid 91% fresh.

Certainly one of my favorite movies of the 90’s and easily in my top twenty of all time.

Five Stars

Deathrace (2008)

A movie whose premise does not seem promising. In the near future privatized prisons raise money by having prisoners race armed cars on a closed course. Win 6 races and you go free. However Jason Statham carries this movie brilliantly. Bottom line if you like Jason Statham movies, you will like this one.

Three Stars

Crank

Crank (R for every reason)

5       The star of Transporter tries to make a Layer Cake. It falls flat.

R could stand for ridiculous

The Illusionist

The illusionist  (Pg-13)

Well made tale of late gothic magic. Taut storytelling that sustains interest long after the conclusion is forgone.

Dune

Dune (PG-13)

6       David Lynch directs this Frank Hebert existential SF-story. Lynch falls into the trap of trying to explain the Dune world. The mistake was trying to fit such a perfect creation into two hours. Nevertheless, a movie one must see. As usual, better if you have read the book.

Unleashed

Unleashed ( R) Violence, language

A bit silly really. Jet Li fights great and acts well. Bo Hoskins is always a realistic mobster. However, the premise is a kick to high.

Time Bandits

Time Bandits (G)

7        Not Monty Python but almost. A film made for pre teens but solid entertainment for all.

The Devils Rejects (2005)

Inspired by The Texas Chain Saw Massacure this story of a sadistically dysfunctional family is a nihilistic masterpiece. Rotten Tomatoes was split at 53%. I would put it in the 80's. If you like the genre you will squirm with delight.

Four stars

Sahara

Sahara (PG 13)

7        A treasure hunt movie with a social conscience.  If you allow yourself to pretend its full of possibilities, it is a good flick.

Ong Bak

Ong –Bak (PG) violence

8  You do not notice the subtitles. This un-Hollywood film is an enthralling Thai version of the stolen talisman story. This fantastic and completely realistic martial arts story deserves patronage. It is also a sweet glimpse at Thai culture

The Prince and Me

The Prince and Me (PG)

7 Better than average real life fairy tale aimed at young teens. Adults also will enjoy this solid comedy romance.

Bookies

Bookies ( R ) for drug use.

7  A convincing tale of young entrepreneurs on campus. You do not have to take a gamble, you will like this movie.

Layer Cake

Layer Cake (R) 

7 Fans of Snatch will like it. A complex web of English mob machinations. Not great but good.

Matador

Matador (PG-14)

6 Pierce Brosnan creates a delightfully troubled hit man. All the essentials of a great movie but its no killer.

Anchorman

Anchorman ( R  for sex jokes)

6 A SNL extension that comes dangerously close to bombing. Solid cast and minor gut busters makes it worthwhile but hardly a classic

Man on Fire

Man on Fire (PG-14)

7 Not as good as Training Day, few movies are. A clichéd but solid bodyguard redemption flick.  Denzel Washington adds to his legend.

Out of Time (2003)

Really a terrific spin on a genre I will not identify for obvious reasons. Aside from Denzel Washington and Eva Mendes no names here. But the stars shine in this movie. Surprisingly the director Carl Franklin has not created a superstar track record and has moved on to TV miniseries (The Pacific) and network TV (Falling Skies).Both hardly outstanding. Out of Time is an extremely well directed movie spinning a web of circumstance so artfully you can feel the pressure. A very simple movie that moves, one of my favorites.

Five Stars

Perfect Score

Perfect Score (PG 14)

6  A nice little teen flick with universal appeal. Group of losers bonds while trying to beat the SAT system.

I love Huckabees

I Y Huckabees (R)

3  A failed attempt to communicate some philosophy. An ambitious movie, but un-watchable.

Sin City

Sin City (R)

8 Surrealistic gangster movie with Bruce Willis. Filmed to look like a black and white comic book. Weird but nearly wonderful.

Blade Trilogy

Blade 1,2 and 3 ( R for violence)

7,7and 8   Arguably the best comic book trilogy. X-men and Spiderman have a less plausible premise, but a bigger spectacle. With Blade it is easy to suspend your incredulity.

True Romance (1993)

A great movie starts with a great story. Quentin Tarintino wrote the sizzling script, and Tony Scott masterfully directed.

Extreme cast with more stars than are in the sky, including a Tony Soprano cameo. Star-crossed lovers wrapped up in a double-dealing drug run. Story moves effortlessly and absolutely believably. Perhaps the purest anti-hero movie ever made. Rotten Tomatoes loved it, but it was a box office bust taking in only $13 million, just under its cost. An absolutely awesome movie.

Ten stars (out of five)

Friday Night Lights

Friday Night Lights (PG 15 for sexual themes)

9 Based on a true story of a west Texas high school run at the 1988 state championships. Of this oft-told story, this is by far the best movie. Even if you don’t like sports you will still enjoy this movie.

Di Vinci Code

Di Vinci Code (PG12)

7 Both leads seem miscast. Movie is faithful to the book. I expect it to have a greater theological impact than The Passion. It would have been a better movie had more secrets been kept till later

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest (PG 11)

7 To long, Captain Sparrow began to wear a bit thin. Too much swashbuckling. Still better than most of the class of 2006. The CGI was incredible. Fortunately, the director chose not to make technology the star. Expect like LOTR, the 3^rd segment will be terrific.

American Beauty (1999)

A movie that raises the question of what would Willie Loman be like if he were a stoner? Laser cutting dark depiction of late 20^th century suburban America. A skin crawling examination of life as we know it. Star Studded winner of Best Picture,Actor,Screenplay,Director and Cinematography Oscar. Before there was True Blood or Six Feet under Allan Ball wrote this brilliant screenplay. A movie that cemented Sam Mendes in the A list. Other than Skyfall none of his later movies can hold a candle to American Beauty.

The Rundown

Rundown (PG 14 violence)

9 The Rock is thoroughly believable, and the story is grand. Superb execution brings action, wit and charm to the quest movie genre. It is absurd this movie is not already a classic. If you liked Romancing the Stone, you will love this movie.

High Fidelity

High Fidelity (PG 14)

7 John Cusack at his offbeat best. Jack Black before he was Jack Black. Slice of life and search for true love 90’s retro style

How to lose a Guy in ten dates

How to lose a Guy in 10 dates (PG)

7 Good early 21^st century version of classic 60’s screwball comedy.

Enjoyable chemistry between two leads whom individually lack a full table of elements.2

Starship Troopers (1997)

 Robert Heinlein's vision realized in a what was once mocking but now increasingly realistic style.  It is chilling how Philip K Dick and Heinlein foresaw our future so accurately.“ If you want to know more” watch this movie.

Four Stars



Yes Starship Trooper

Dusk till Dawn

Dusk till Dawn (R for gore and some nudity)

7 George Cloney surrounded by dimmer stars in tale of brotherly love on the lam in a Mexican strip bar that most only visit once. It works!

Kalifornia

Kalifornia  (R)

8 David Duchovny of X-files fame in a classic road movie filled with senseless death. The beauty is it is an examination of senseless death in an era where that was still a subject to be examined

Fright Night

Fright Night (PG with some bare breasts)

7 Chris Sarandon and Roddy McDowell in a semi spoof of the vampire genre. It has aged well and deserves continued viewing.

Life of Brian

Life of Brian (R for themes)

8 Interesting note, George Harrison mortgaged his house to fund the $4 million needed for this project. The Python crew set their sights on organized religions role in society and score. Some mistake this movie as a satire on Christianity, its thrusts are far more wide ranging. Bottom line, you will laugh.

Monty Python and the Holy Grail

Monty Python and the Holy Grail (PG 13)

10 the quintessential Python. This spot on satire lampooning the power of the myth is a masterpiece. Expect to choke with laughter. It is simply a timeless comic rant. Made for $400,000 in the 80’s. They used coconuts because they could not afford horses.

Cat Balou (1965)

 A young Jane Fonda breaking into superstar ranks. A terrific spoof of westerns with a legendary cast. A tale of redemption and rebellion. It oozes goodness, a reflection of the time (60’s) in which it was made. It can be considered a musical that people who hate musicals will love. Rated as the 10th best Western of all time. I would not be that kind, but its a timeless classic in any list.

Four Stars

Syriana

Syriana (PG for PG)

6 George Cloney’s deep thinker. A Costa Graves thriller without Costa. Great story, great acting, perhaps the editing lacked the same. Perhaps the story has become unfortunately pedestrian.

Resident Evil

Resident Evil (R for Gore)1 & 2 

7&8 Milla Jovovick’s Great Zombie movies, Milla is Milla, although she seems to lose some hotness between movies. These movies try to warn everyone. How the surrender to superior security inevitably follows the law of unintended consequences, unleashing blowback that obviates safety exponentially. Are these movies portents of the future? I hope not, but you really cannot rule it out.

The New World

The New World (PG).

5 Colin Farrell as John Smith .A well done cinematic historical with absolutely no fizzle or drama. PBS could have made this better. Interesting, but not truly entertaining.

Total Recall

Total Recall (PG 16 for Adult)

9 Best rendition of the now ubiquitous Philip K Dick. Arnolds best movie, Sharon Stones breakthrough flick. Action packed sci-fi full of twists and humour.

The Sting (1973)

Once again George Roy Hills pairing of Redford and Newman turn vividness into cinematic magic. A must see tale of greed and grifting. Universally aclaimed as one of, if not the greatest movies of all time.

Ten Stars

The Outlaw Josey Wales

The Outlaw Josey Wales (PG 13)

10 Clint Eastwood at the end of his spaggttic western days. If you only watch one Clint western classic, pick this one.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. (PG 12)

10+  A true story about the end of the old West. Paul Newman, and Robert Redford, re-define the buddy movie. A must see for the whole family.

Blade Runner

Blade Runner (PG 13 for minor nudity)

6 Harrison Ford is first-rate as a future detective. A visually stunning adaptation of Philip K. Dicks gloomy future vision. Unfortunately, the story did not age well. It is good as a time waster or for deep thinking activation.

Silence of the Lambs

Silence of the Lambs (R for gore)

10 Jodi Foster tour d force. Plot turns and suspense combine with an epic serial tale to create a hypnotic thriller.

Seven

Seven (R for sick)

8 Brad Pitt breakthrough movie, excellent cast including Morgan Freeman, very compelling view of the dark side. A trendsetter built upon the success of Silence of the Lambs. Plot takes 7 deadly sins and makes a bloody statement about each.

Saw 2

Saw II

6 more of the same but less original. More information does not necessarily lead to more enjoyment

Saw

Saw  (R for sick)

7 Gristly psychopath movie full of imaginative mayhem. A flick that is often discomforting but ultimately riveting.  For those who enjoyed 7 they will love this.

Lawrence of Arabia

Lawrence of Arabia ( PG 12 for violence)

10 True early 20^th century Middle East history delivered by David Lean as an iconic epic. It is a timeless movie beautifully filmed and extraordinary in every sense. A must see for everyone. As I write this in 2006, we can only hope Lawrence rises from the dead.

Shawn of the Dead

Shawn of the Dead (PG 16 for Blood)

9 Witty deadpan comedy Zombie movie, a gut busting slice of life depiction of a horrific event.  Boomers will especially enjoy this genre transcending bloody screwball comedy romance. For others reactions will be hot or cold. 

Undead

Undead (R for Gore)

6+  A well-intentioned Australian half spoof of the Zombie phenomenon.  Worth watching once for the clever wrinkle added to the genre.  

The Firm

The Firm- (PG14 for adult themes)

 8+ Tom Cruise, Gene Hackmen and a super strong cast in a typically excellent John Grisham story.  Intricately plotted, ending with a cascade of intelligent intersections that weaves a satisfying cinematic mosaic.

Skeleton Key

Skeleton Key (PG 14 for intensity)

8 Supernatural Hoodoo thriller hooks and holds you. Clever story, better crafted but reminiscent of 6th sense. Watch this great 14 plus family movie.

Dawn of the Dead

Dawn of the Dead George Romero(R for blood)

7 + Appropriate and realistic gore, story driven, happy- ending, biting social commentary. This strong effort depicting life in the post Zombie era, succeeds in suspending disbelief.

The Fifth Element (1997)

It’s a masterpiece of action and science fiction full of comedic relief. There are no pretentions here and while they are very similar that’s the reason Fifth Element continues to entertain me while I find re-watching Blade Runner painful. It’s a French production written and directed by Luc Besson who later married the movies stunning star, Milla Jovoivch in her breakthrough role. She is now well known as Eve in the Resident Evil Franchise. Who is the greatest action hero of all time, debatably its Bruce Willis, and he plays a wisecracking ex-cop who saves the galaxy. I should note I am not a Bruce Wills fanboy.  Borrowing heavily from the blade runner universe the plot revolves around a quest to save the galaxy from an ancient evil. Science Fiction is my favorite genre, and while the Fifth Element is not outstanding or original in an epoch way, it hits all the right notes and is a sincere crafted celebration of Science Fiction. The clip of the opera(sound by Sarah Brightman) is a unique moment in film.

Its one of those movies you will love or hate. Rotten Tomato’s gives it 73% and Rodger Ebert hated it. The domestic box office and critical acclaim was meh, but it did over $200 million worldwide. So far it has not been critical redeemed and you will not find it on many best of lists.

 Five Stars.

The Trailer

The Culture


The Movie (may have been taken down if not enjoy)