vincent_loy412 Reviews

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)

A Fast-Paced End to Harry Potter's Exciting Battle

[8/10 · 15 July 2011]

'It all ends'. The magical adventure of a young famous wizard known as Harry Potter on the big screen for over a decade has come to a conclusion . I did not read the books and so I judged the movie as an usual audience. The first part of the 'Deathly Hallows' had been released last year,and I find that the film concentrated more on character's development and getting us to warm up before the exciting final battle from this Part 2. Harry Potter and his two best friends continued to find and destroy the remaining horcruxes before finally dealing with Lord Voldemort.

I felt disappointed on the flow of the story. As the story in Part 1 flows in a steady manner with ample of time for Harry Potter to find the horcruxes and deal with his friends, everything gets too rushed in Part 2. Everything is squeezed into the final film which is taking only two hours. I think around 30 minutes should be added for additional depth given to certain parts of the story as stressed from the book as far as I knew from the book readers. I find myself confused for a moment where the true story behind the character of Professor Snape is revealed after he died. That part is explained too fast, and it is hard for people like us to get to understand it.

Professor Snape is my most favourite character in Harry Potter's films, and I think same goes to many others too. He is actually a very complicated character with not much to reveal on him, not until after so many chapters. He is indeed a good character as I have predicted from even the first film itself. In many ways, he is actually helping Harry Potter on the other side, unseen by others. Alan Rickman, portraying as the character of Snape did a fantastic job all over the eight films. More time should be given in justice for Snape whom is one of the main characters especially at the moment everything of his complicated history is shown after he died.

The battle at Hogwarts had taken almost half of the film and I'm glad for that. This is the main portion of the film that gets people excited and even emotional. The staffs, the members of the Order of the Phoenix and even some students are finally shown to be using their powers in defending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I like the part where Professor McGonagall is taking control back of the school from Snape with her magical abilities and acting as head in defense of the school. She is given very minor role in all the other films, except the first one and this final one.

Yes, the film succeeded in bringing the audiences into an exciting fast- paced ride through Gringotts with the goblins and dragon, through Hogwarts with all the battle with Death Eaters, and through final battle between Harry and Voldemort. Whenever a scene comes and goes, I am then saying 'What? That part is gone? A bit wasted, isn't it. That particular scene can be described even more, isn't it, for a better film with great story flow?'. And so, I find this film still lacks something, some important details which should be shown. (I don't mean the very much details from the book). Anyway, I still think this is considerably fine.

The acting performances by the casts, especially the main ones are getting improving after so many years dealing with their imagination in wizard world, especially Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter himself. I like the moment when he stood out and talking with Severus Snape in anger. And finally, the pair, Hermione and Ron started their love relationship and shared their first kiss in a tough time, while Ginny is still in love with Harry…and it is very satisfying that their relationships are just shown in a quick manner which is sufficient enough.

The epilogue; 19 years later may be necessary for Harry Potter, but it is created in a way too simple and ordinary in ending the film. It would be very emotional and great if a moment where the turning-old Harry is flashing back on his childhood memories full of great obstacles while looking at his children boarding the train to Hogwarts at the 9 3/4 platform of King's Cross Station, which is invisible to muggles like us. A scene showing the rebuilt Hogwarts back to its glory and fame should also be shown in the epilogue for a captivating ending not only to the movie, but also to the whole thing of 'Harry Potter'.

I also find that the last words from the book which is very significant to be placed into the end of the film too. The last words are '"The scar had not pained Harry for nineteen years. All was well." I have to mention also that the soundtrack for the film is suited well in the final film, with additional intensity or emotion added at proper moments, even though the film delivered the emotional approach not at its best. The visual and sound effects are impressive too, especially at the parts where 'Hogwarts is threatened' – a quote from Professor McGonagall. The computer generated images (CGI) effects shown in the film are just great, like the part where Snape flee away from McGonagall, Voldemort breaking the protecting barrier of Hogwarts, and Death Eaters casting their destructive spells to the school, and many others.

The whole franchise, the whole story, the magical world of Harry Potter would be kept forever in our hearts even all the books and movies for it ended. This final film can be considered well satisfying, beautifully created, and in some way, is a truly epic conclusion with happy ending as predicted.

This review is edited from my original review from my blog; www.vincentloy.wordpress.com

Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011)

Transformers 3 brings me for an action-packed ride!

[8/10 · 2 July 2011]

I have to say, this second sequel is the best out of the three movies based on 'Transformers', all directed by the ambitious Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg. My expectation is quite high for it after I have watched the trailer which seems to be very promising with a number of exciting action-packed scenes, and yes…the film appealed to that successfully, and so it reached my expectation, and even a bit higher. The story is based on the aimed exploration of astronauts on the other (dark) side of the moon on Apollo 11 mission in 1969 whom discovered a huge dead autobots' spaceship, with story following from there and brought to the Earth.

The Autobots lead by Optimus Prime lost to Decepticons lead by Megatron in war and they flee to the Earth which is regarded as their new home, in cooperation with humans while trying to activate Sentinel Prime which in turn betrays them by trying to take over the Earth with placement of Cybertron to the planet itself. Sorry for a little spoiler here if you haven't watch it, but there would be a lot of story to be told throughout the progress of the film, which total up to a length of approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes which for me is considered a bit too long. Some parts can be reduced for a better picture overall.

I'm satisfied with the story, and I have to admire the creativity of making the story related to famous incidents in the history of mankind like the first 'landing to the moon' mission and even the Chernobyl disaster of radiation. I also do like how humans are being integrated into the story, into the fight of the robots in our world, which usually centered on US cities normally (this time in Chicago and a bit in Washington). The only part I don't really attached to is the love thing again, between the main characters as predicted. Oh man…it's the story dealing with end of the world and both of them having childish couples' act of breaking up or jealous at that point of time is nonsense and ridiculous. This dragged the story in the middle. Can the movie directors just leave this part aside for a movie or two, and not for ALL, including this one. Even without that portion, it would be already nice to watch, and might be even better!

There are also quite a number of hilarious moments, cracked by the people and even as well as the robots, especially the two tiny robots. Both of them just made me laughed whenever they appeared, either being left behind, being in the state of powerless compared to the others, or even when they are contributing in bringing down the Decepticon's ship which they didn't expect to board in. The humans also have played their roles well in the story, and special credits given for those who had really fly from a high position for the filming, which are in turn edited as to make them appeared to be flying at the sky of Chicago. They really performed the stunt.

I have to emphasize on the action scenes again. Although some scenes of excessive battle might be confusing and some just come and go in a very quick pace which I hardly get attached to, but overall everything showing the battle are just awesome. The use of 3D technology in the film is brilliant, and is by far the best 3D feature of the year, and after Avatar. I just get excited and interested over so many action- packed scenes with incredible viewing angle and position, all enhanced by 3D. So, it is much better and recommended to watch it in 3D! I still remember the scene of the tower slanting down due to attack from Decepticons while the people are in there, trying to avoid the attack and get out of the building. That is way too awesome, and at that time I wouldn't want to miss a second of it.

That really captures my attention until the point that I forgot the love thing between Sam (Shia LaBeouf) and Carly (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley) and their parts are not that much, luckily. The theme of betrayal between robots and even humans are stressed too which further makes the story interesting as it flows on an exciting journey. The movie really brought the audiences for a ride over, especially at the second half of the film, over the beautiful Chicago, city of skyscrapers with damage done by the Decepticons and Sentinel Prime appearing very realistic and impacting to the audiences.

I have to just say again that the battle scenes are WOW! Great job by all the people responsible in creating such a great science-fiction action film, which is definitely a big-budget production. The background scores in the film sound suitable too. The only thing I am a bit disappointed is that more attacking capabilities by the Autobots should be shown, rather than just showing how great the Decepticons can be, in numbers, in size, and in technology. Autobots should be more revealing in many aspects, rather than just from the colours. Okay, that is a minor issue. Overall, this movie is definitely very well made, very well worth-watching, and very well impressive. Wow…this is even a big review for this big film! Out of 10 points, I would give this one 7.6. (which many points are honestly dedicated to the action scenes!)

(from my own blog, www.vincentloy.wordpress.com)

Black Swan (2010)

Superb psychological film with Natalie's breakthrough performance

[9/10 · 25 February 2011]

At first, I don't have any interest on watching this film. 'Black Swan'… looking at the title made me thinks of a boring movie on ballet performances on Swan Lake. However, as this movie received critical acclaim, and the main cast, Natalie Portman getting praises for her role, and the movie received nominations for best picture, best actress, etc in Oscar, and so I decided to watch it, after listening to my friends' feedbacks on it. Everything is just good! So off I go!

It is a movie about a production of Swan Lake that requires a ballerina to play both the innocent White Swan and the sensual Black Swan. One dancer, Nina (Portman), is a perfect fit for the White Swan, while Lily (Kunis) has a personality that matches the Black Swan. When the two compete for the parts, Nina finds a dark side to herself. Natalie Portman's acting in the film is brilliant and natural. Her performance really bring us, the audiences into the film until it is like we shared the same feeling as she does, and get fully affected by her character. If the Oscar doesn't give her the Best Actress, I'm going to seriously boycott the awards. She truly deserved it. Her acting impressed me a lot, the best of the year for a female cast. I would like to praise her for her commitment to this movie by learning ballet dance which is very difficult.

I heard that there are a number of scary or frightening scenes in the movie. After I have watched it, this movie is not a horror-based film, but it is a psychological-thriller one. It plays with mind, just like the movie 'Inception' (on dreams) but in total different approach, this time being targeted to the only leading character, Nina by Natalie Portman. The first half of the movie seems a bit boring to me, with plot gets dragged, but as soon as the dark side of her prevails on the second half, everything goes interesting and exciting, fast-paced and I can consider 'epic' especially when she finally performed the Black Swan very well.

The story goes a bit complicated, which I already expected once a movie is about dealing with mind. Nina is fantasizing a lot (or I should say hallucination) of her friend, Lily, her director, Thomas, her predecessor, Beth and even of herself which she is definitely frightened of it. So in the middle, I am even blurred by which scenes are real, which are not. Finally, at the end, I understood the whole thing, and well, it ended beautifully, for me even though we do not know the fate of Nina who is injured (sorry for a bit of spoiler). The last phrase she said is immensely breathtaking; 'I felt it. Perfect. I was perfect.' before the screen goes black.

There are also quite a number of disturbing scenes in the movie as Nina has to be dirty-minded and be seductive to perfect her role as Black Swan. I'm already expecting some parts will be cut out of the movie in Malaysia, but I'm happy with it as only a bit of these disturbing scenes are removed (the middle process removed with the beginning and end process still shown) The audiences would still know what the scenes are intending to tell us. There is one foreigner (quite an old lady) sitting beside me, and she is like really disturbed with those scenes. Finally, it's a great piece of work, by the directors, producers and the casts. Out of 10 points, I would rate this one 7.9. It is a very good movie, but sorry, it is still not best enough to get Best Picture in Oscar or even in my opinion.

Sanctum (2011)

This movie will makes you breathless, not as much as those characters fighting for air to breathe

[7/10 · 14 February 2011]

Hmm, let me browse google to check on the definition of 'sanctum'…oh, it's defined as a place of inviolable privacy, a holy or sacred site, or a place set apart. Okay, I finds the connection between this word to the movie.

'Sanctum' is a movie, not released yet in Malaysia, and yet I have watched it. Great, I must be among the earliest Malaysians to have watch this great masterpiece by director, Aliester Grierson. Okay, I think not many of you knows him, but I'm sure you guys recognize the executive producer of this movie, James Cameron, famous for his creation of Titanic and Avatar.

The story is basically about a team of underwater cave divers trapped in the world largest and unexplored cave system after a deadly storm which will submerged majority of the cave underground. As the story flows like an adventure, the survivors must find a way out from this cold, dark, narrow and unexplored cave to the Solomon Sea. This type of story is very typical, like there must be some difficulties going on, one by one will lost their lives, and at the end a people or two (usually couple) will survive.

Yes, that's it. Nothing unusual. The only interesting aspect is that it is a whole different setting (in caves), different characters and different approach to the story. It is still a nice story then. Ahh,…and the visual of the caves is amazing and breathtaking. If you seriously paid attention to this film, you will be easily immersed into the cave as if you are in there, fighting for life with insufficient air to breath. Not me then…I'm not immersed to it enough…

Anyway, this is really worth-watching, especially in the cinema with those 3D technology. The effects would be far better. The only thing bad is the boring beginning, but luckily the pace of the story is quite fast without delaying any time to the climax of the film. Another weakness is on the poor performance of some casts. That's it. Other stuff, all good and satisfying. Well done! Out of 10 points, I rate this one 7.6.