martin-785 Reviews

Seed of Chucky (2004)

Amusing film

[5/10 · 6 July 2005]

Any film that sorts out Britney Spears gets a vote and this one does it with style. I like the way it repeatedly intermixes Chucky killing, when he isn't because it's fantasy/dreaming, with Chucky killing and he actually IS. Blood? There's plenty. Identity confusion? There's plenty. Tacky scenes? There're plenty. This film is definitely tacky! I loved it for that . The end scene catches you by surprise, but I won't spoil it for you, I'll just say "Stop peeing your pants!".

So why only a five? The whole thing is starting to get a bit samey. You KNOW it'll be a bloodbath, you know it'll be tacky and it lets it down in my opinion. There's only so much mileage in a concept and this is definitely the last drop of petrol.

Doctor Who (2005–2022)

Excellent story lines, well acted, good humour throughout

[3 July 2005]

This new series of Doctor Who has not disappointed in the least. The TARDIS is still temperamental, the Doctor just a fraction 'space cadet' and his assistant more of a help than a hindrance. I think Billie Piper did an excellent job playing Rose, hopefully she does more stuff in the future. Eccleston was an inspired choice to play the Doctor, he has a face that would make anyone scream "alien" and combines the right amount of calm and serious with the daft attitude that makes the Doctor the paradox he always was. Keeping his Lancashire accent was a good move: "Other planets have a North, y'know!" (for those outside the UK: Lancashire is waaay up in the North of England).

A big plus was the way 'Bad Wolf' kept cropping up throughout the thirteen-episode series, not pushing its way to the front of the action but always in the background, kind of nudging you while the main stories unfolded. When in the very last episode you find out what it is its a bit hard to take in without thinking about it and the significance of what was said.

The game shows where contestants really ARE 'retired' from the game were highly amusing, who can't laugh when they finally see the 'Ann Droid' in action.

If you can get to see this series then do so, you won't be disappointed.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (2005)

Slightly disappointing

[5/10 · 25 June 2005]

Eagerly awaiting this film of the classic books I was a bit let down by how rushed it seemed. Many of the verbal exchanges between characters were shortened to the point where they became almost irrelevant to the film and it was these that gave the story its substance. Witness the conversation between Dent (in front of the bulldozer) and Prosser (wishing he wasn't), reduced to a few quick sentences when the book and the BBC series had much more depth. The book's part in the story was also dramatically reduced compared to the other two.

Having said that, the part of Trillian was very much the 'space cadet' she was meant to be and Dent came across like a bewildered ape-descendant. The little bit after Dent saved the day in orbit around Magrathea was quality.

I think the film was capable of being truly excellent but, as I said before, the feeling of its being rushed let it down, hence the score of 5.