I've been an avid Scooby fan in the last five years. Ive followed the great dane from Zombie Island to the live action movie. Now we join him at Vampire Rock. After four quite successful animated films I had high hopes for Vampire Rock. However this film is a drastic departure from those films, as Zombie Island was from the original series. There is a nod to those films present in the form of the Hex Girls and the Cyber Chase game, but thats it. The mystery machine is now the old van and Fred has his ascot back. All that the previous films had built up has gone. On the plus side Velma's orginal voice is back and sounds fantastic. Also worth a mention is the excellent reengineering of the old Scooby Doo Where Are You? incidential music. Overall the piece feels like it is pandering too much to the general populous' preception of Scooby Doo and this does stiffle the creativity. One last thing though please if there is to be another film could have Scoot Innes back as Scooby?
Reviews
6 Reviews
Spell Binding, Not!
19 January 2003
Having known little of the Harry Potter novels I found myself approaching this film as a novice. After watching it I can say I dont relish seeing any more.
The film itself stands very well. It has excellent music from John Williams, the speacial effects are very good and even some of the actors bring life to their characters. Robbie Coltrane deserves a mention as he is the only person in the film who gives us any humour. T
What lets the film down though is that the passage of time is not very clear. By the end of the film I found myself wondering how they were leaving Hogwarts after only a few hours? On a second viewing I realised the passage of time is noted by the seasons. Also the story itself is not very original. Pretty standard fare plot wise. There needed to be something more to warrant a film being made as oppossed to a TV adaption.
Harry Potter may have child appeal but beyond it do not be expecting too much.
The film itself stands very well. It has excellent music from John Williams, the speacial effects are very good and even some of the actors bring life to their characters. Robbie Coltrane deserves a mention as he is the only person in the film who gives us any humour. T
What lets the film down though is that the passage of time is not very clear. By the end of the film I found myself wondering how they were leaving Hogwarts after only a few hours? On a second viewing I realised the passage of time is noted by the seasons. Also the story itself is not very original. Pretty standard fare plot wise. There needed to be something more to warrant a film being made as oppossed to a TV adaption.
Harry Potter may have child appeal but beyond it do not be expecting too much.
Surprisingly Entertaining
18 January 2003
This was a film I was curious about. My childhood has fond memories of the adventures of the brave little Gaul and his pals. This film was perfect in capturing those memories.
The essence of the film seems to be fun. In fact this one of a few films I would dubb a family movie. All ages can view this and come away with something. Personally the slapstick humour I enjoyed. Also the dub for English translation was excellent, hats off to Mr Jones.
The one bad point, and this is a minor point, is that the film is actually four books mixed together. If you know the books you can have a good idea about whats coming up, which is a bit unfortionate. An original script may have served the film better.
However overall it proved to be entertaining. May that little village in Gaul always remain free.
The essence of the film seems to be fun. In fact this one of a few films I would dubb a family movie. All ages can view this and come away with something. Personally the slapstick humour I enjoyed. Also the dub for English translation was excellent, hats off to Mr Jones.
The one bad point, and this is a minor point, is that the film is actually four books mixed together. If you know the books you can have a good idea about whats coming up, which is a bit unfortionate. An original script may have served the film better.
However overall it proved to be entertaining. May that little village in Gaul always remain free.
The One Film to bind them
18 January 2003
I can say but one word for this film, brilliant. I am not a great fan of fantasy films in the slightest. However Jacksons wonderfully crafted Middle Earth is breath taking. The first scenes of Hobbition show exactly the scope that this production has. This lush green, the costumes, sets and so many small hobbits next to big Ian McKellen. Plus thats only the begining.
The characters in the fellowship are all handled carefully also. Each one is given their specific task in the story's structure. Plus all the actor's are superb. Each one of the cast gives their all and it shows.
The stories message of a group of people banded together for a quest is a good one. Elf, Dwarf, Man, Hobbit and Wizard all must work together. Almost a shame such concepts are not in society today.
Howard Shore's music is beautiful. Everytime I hear the Fellowships theme I always feel some what elated. His music is very evocative.
Overall I film I will always view as brilliant. Roll on The Two Towers.
The characters in the fellowship are all handled carefully also. Each one is given their specific task in the story's structure. Plus all the actor's are superb. Each one of the cast gives their all and it shows.
The stories message of a group of people banded together for a quest is a good one. Elf, Dwarf, Man, Hobbit and Wizard all must work together. Almost a shame such concepts are not in society today.
Howard Shore's music is beautiful. Everytime I hear the Fellowships theme I always feel some what elated. His music is very evocative.
Overall I film I will always view as brilliant. Roll on The Two Towers.
Withnail & I
(1987)
It just gets better!
18 January 2003
I came to this film only a couple of years ago. Many people had told me that it showed exactly what being an actor would be like. Naturally I was not sure how this would work on screen.
The answer was of course very well. Considering that many aspects of this, the director, Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann are all really first handers at the 'film' business. Yet it gives the film a wonderful fresh appeal.
Grant's performance as Withnail is great. A true joy to watch. His energy seems boundless. But of course these moments would be lost if not counted by McGann's 'I' who regulary reminds us of the 'normal' guy in the acting business. The other main shining character is Uncle Monty played Richard Griffiths. Who manages a performance that tries not to cross the line of gross exagerration, but gives a fully round character whom by the end of the film you develop a warmth to.
Overall a great film, and sveral veiwings later Im still seeing more bits of the actors enjoying themselves. It just keeps getting better every time I watch it.
The answer was of course very well. Considering that many aspects of this, the director, Richard E. Grant and Paul McGann are all really first handers at the 'film' business. Yet it gives the film a wonderful fresh appeal.
Grant's performance as Withnail is great. A true joy to watch. His energy seems boundless. But of course these moments would be lost if not counted by McGann's 'I' who regulary reminds us of the 'normal' guy in the acting business. The other main shining character is Uncle Monty played Richard Griffiths. Who manages a performance that tries not to cross the line of gross exagerration, but gives a fully round character whom by the end of the film you develop a warmth to.
Overall a great film, and sveral veiwings later Im still seeing more bits of the actors enjoying themselves. It just keeps getting better every time I watch it.
The Journey Begins
18 January 2003
A bold attempt to resurrection the huge following for Star Trek. Did it work as a film? There's two sides to this. Yes in a way it did bring back together the original crew, and no, it does not give a great story. The problem this production is faced with is how much time should be spent on characters and how much for the story. Ultimately the production gives us characters. Which leads to long scenes of actors staring at screens or spouting exposition at us. This is not helped by the menace approaching Earth having a limited appearance.
However the saving grace of the film is Jerry Goldsmith's score. A true master piece. The music gives the film its energy and drive which is sadly lacking in the direction.
Overall its a good film, but a times when it drags, it really drags.
However the saving grace of the film is Jerry Goldsmith's score. A true master piece. The music gives the film its energy and drive which is sadly lacking in the direction.
Overall its a good film, but a times when it drags, it really drags.
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