LIKES:
Beautifully Shot The Western Frontier unfolds Realism (mostly) that fits the Frontier Some Character Growth Action Scene that again Feels Very fitting The Acting With Score
DISLIKES: Pacing Gradually Gets Worse As Story Progresses Some of the Off The Way moments seem Shallow and Wedged in A Last Minute Impasse Held Little Point The Impromptu Answers at the last minute that extended the film without need Depressing At Many Times
Review:
There is one thing that continues to show improvement and that is how the camera work can capture a lot of the beautiful of the world. News of The World is a stylish, gorgeous display of the Western frontier and instilling with it the wild west nature of this genre. Through the use of various filters and natural setting to really craft the different levels of danger the 1800s wilderness provided. Costumes and makeup only further helped bring out the gritty nature of those days, and establish the danger of the outlaws that inhabited them. Bringing you into the world, the western frontier really unfolds, and brings you back into what made these types of movies shine in the past. The realism really helps with this, ditching aliens, stunts, and flashy scenes to instead take on a more down to earth movie. As Captain Kidd (Hanks) and Johanna (Zengel) continue to traverse the wilderness, one really feels the emotions of the scenes, the desperation of each step and trying to adapt to the situations at hands. Though not as exciting as some of my favorite Western movies, Greengrass and company have come up with clever ways to face the odds (mostly) and use some well-time monologues, strategy, and even kindness to assist the bravery and find a solution. One of these moments is a very good action scene that might not be flashy or filled with stunts, but still is suspenseful in the dark nature of the fight. The real life fight offers strategy given the odds, and has just enough draw out and planning to make you think twice about what the outcome will be. For me, it's brilliant because not only does it sort of add diversity to the film, but it also allows for some unorthodox character growth that movies struggle with these days. Each of these chapters on the adventure push our characters to face different demons, gradually changing them and trying to practice the lessons that each are trying to teach each other. All of this comes from great acting by the two leads, a sound chemistry between experience and new age that perfectly captures the dynamic they wanted. Hanks has another movie to add to his repertoire of awesome acting ability. His character is straightforward, and yet complex and Hanks hits all the marks as the scene requires, while seldom overcommitting to the part. As for young Zengel, for a role that primarily consisted of grunting, speaking different languages, and nonverbal acting, she accomplished this very well. Many roles like this are often more annoying than well done, but the direction of this film avoided that territory for the most part and knows just how much it takes to deliver the message without tearing my ears off in the process.
All of this good though does start to wane in some departments though, especially near the end where things seem to drop into a rushed mess. First of all, while not the fastest movie to begin with, the last thirty or so minutes really feels dragged out and a mess. Things that were swiftly moving suddenly rush into a few scenes that seem to hit a wall and then become ridiculous, not as exciting, shallow finishes that seem to drag on and on. A shame given the quality, and though it does complete the circle of events, it really felt the most off for me given the way the rest of the film presented. Many of those moments seemed shoe horned in, a visit to one location, a sudden storm that would reveal something elusive, and even the final destination were all so last minute to me that it lacked the full punch I think they were going for. One impasse in particular violated my cardinal rules and given what happens about eight minutes later, was completely unnecessary given the consequences that were seen (did not like this scene at all). And ironically, the last minute answers, and filling those holes were both needed, but not needed given how it extended the film to unnecessary lengths. About twenty minutes of the movie could have either been cut or condensed to give me the same information and still not bore me to the point of fighting sleep. Though this film has much more depressing elements than others, it's this end point especially that sucks the life from you and makes you question many things. Yes, for those that are fighting the 2020 blahs, this movie may not be for you given how tough grit it is, so exercise that caution before departing on the trail.
The VERDICT:
The high marks from rotten tomatoes and film credits are right in their remarks of how visually amazing this film is and how it's a breath of fresh air in regards to the movie telling. News of the World trades flair for being there and drops you back into the Wild West Frontier that captured so many young minds along time ago. Realistic travels, a world that is dangerous and engrossing, with very fitting moments are just some of the highlights to this film. Though this reviewer feels it's the acting and most of the character development that deserves praise as the strongest aspect of the movies. Despite all the good though, the movie's main weaknesses for me are the depressing nature of the film and the end where things seem to be sort of crammed together and yet extend the film. Taking all of that in, the results of the movie for me are;
Action/Adventure/Drama: 7.0 Movie Overall: 6.0
Beautifully Shot The Western Frontier unfolds Realism (mostly) that fits the Frontier Some Character Growth Action Scene that again Feels Very fitting The Acting With Score
DISLIKES: Pacing Gradually Gets Worse As Story Progresses Some of the Off The Way moments seem Shallow and Wedged in A Last Minute Impasse Held Little Point The Impromptu Answers at the last minute that extended the film without need Depressing At Many Times
Review:
There is one thing that continues to show improvement and that is how the camera work can capture a lot of the beautiful of the world. News of The World is a stylish, gorgeous display of the Western frontier and instilling with it the wild west nature of this genre. Through the use of various filters and natural setting to really craft the different levels of danger the 1800s wilderness provided. Costumes and makeup only further helped bring out the gritty nature of those days, and establish the danger of the outlaws that inhabited them. Bringing you into the world, the western frontier really unfolds, and brings you back into what made these types of movies shine in the past. The realism really helps with this, ditching aliens, stunts, and flashy scenes to instead take on a more down to earth movie. As Captain Kidd (Hanks) and Johanna (Zengel) continue to traverse the wilderness, one really feels the emotions of the scenes, the desperation of each step and trying to adapt to the situations at hands. Though not as exciting as some of my favorite Western movies, Greengrass and company have come up with clever ways to face the odds (mostly) and use some well-time monologues, strategy, and even kindness to assist the bravery and find a solution. One of these moments is a very good action scene that might not be flashy or filled with stunts, but still is suspenseful in the dark nature of the fight. The real life fight offers strategy given the odds, and has just enough draw out and planning to make you think twice about what the outcome will be. For me, it's brilliant because not only does it sort of add diversity to the film, but it also allows for some unorthodox character growth that movies struggle with these days. Each of these chapters on the adventure push our characters to face different demons, gradually changing them and trying to practice the lessons that each are trying to teach each other. All of this comes from great acting by the two leads, a sound chemistry between experience and new age that perfectly captures the dynamic they wanted. Hanks has another movie to add to his repertoire of awesome acting ability. His character is straightforward, and yet complex and Hanks hits all the marks as the scene requires, while seldom overcommitting to the part. As for young Zengel, for a role that primarily consisted of grunting, speaking different languages, and nonverbal acting, she accomplished this very well. Many roles like this are often more annoying than well done, but the direction of this film avoided that territory for the most part and knows just how much it takes to deliver the message without tearing my ears off in the process.
All of this good though does start to wane in some departments though, especially near the end where things seem to drop into a rushed mess. First of all, while not the fastest movie to begin with, the last thirty or so minutes really feels dragged out and a mess. Things that were swiftly moving suddenly rush into a few scenes that seem to hit a wall and then become ridiculous, not as exciting, shallow finishes that seem to drag on and on. A shame given the quality, and though it does complete the circle of events, it really felt the most off for me given the way the rest of the film presented. Many of those moments seemed shoe horned in, a visit to one location, a sudden storm that would reveal something elusive, and even the final destination were all so last minute to me that it lacked the full punch I think they were going for. One impasse in particular violated my cardinal rules and given what happens about eight minutes later, was completely unnecessary given the consequences that were seen (did not like this scene at all). And ironically, the last minute answers, and filling those holes were both needed, but not needed given how it extended the film to unnecessary lengths. About twenty minutes of the movie could have either been cut or condensed to give me the same information and still not bore me to the point of fighting sleep. Though this film has much more depressing elements than others, it's this end point especially that sucks the life from you and makes you question many things. Yes, for those that are fighting the 2020 blahs, this movie may not be for you given how tough grit it is, so exercise that caution before departing on the trail.
The VERDICT:
The high marks from rotten tomatoes and film credits are right in their remarks of how visually amazing this film is and how it's a breath of fresh air in regards to the movie telling. News of the World trades flair for being there and drops you back into the Wild West Frontier that captured so many young minds along time ago. Realistic travels, a world that is dangerous and engrossing, with very fitting moments are just some of the highlights to this film. Though this reviewer feels it's the acting and most of the character development that deserves praise as the strongest aspect of the movies. Despite all the good though, the movie's main weaknesses for me are the depressing nature of the film and the end where things seem to be sort of crammed together and yet extend the film. Taking all of that in, the results of the movie for me are;
Action/Adventure/Drama: 7.0 Movie Overall: 6.0