This is an archived article from my now-defunct NeonReviews website. Any qualities and/or information provided about the reviewed item must be seen in context of when it was originally published.

Distributor: Paramount Pictures / DreamWorks SKG
Genre: Action / Adventure / Drama / Science-Fiction / Thriller
Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Related links: Official website
Additional information: Internet Movie Database (IMDb) entry

We start off with a monologue from Morgan Freeman (yes, I thought I heard a familar voice) about life on Earth, after which we’re introduced to Tom Cruise as Ray Ferrier, a crane operator at the docks. Not only that, he’s the best crane operator at the docks (this is Tom Cruise we’re talking about, remember?). He’s divorced and the movie begins with him having a couple of days with his two kids, Rachel (about 10-ish) and Robbie (late teens), presumably a weekend. On the morning of the second day, stuff starts to happen. An electrical storm knocks out all electrical stuff on various locations around the world, and the war is on! The huge war machines come up from the ground (and these have been down there for a very long time, even before the human race were done evolving, something which is annoyingly pointed out several times throughout the movie), and start zapping people and buildings. How will the human race survive?

To be blunt, I spent some time clutched to the cinema seat at several moments, but these were not much than just that. Exiting moments, based on the fact of what the aliens’ weapons are capable of. Aside from those moments, the rest of the movie just barely hopped along the tracks. A few fun spots, but not particulary funny. Frankly, Spielberg could’ve done better than this.

According to the trivia section on IMDb, the time from the beginning of filming this movie to the release date was about 7 months (compared to a couple of years with higher quality movies), something that is apparent in the general quality. The visual effects were top notch, there’s nothing to say about them; I had a hard time figuring out how the heck they did all that stuff, and what was real and what was not real (“real” in the sense of not being computer generated).

Also, I have to say that the last 15-ish minutes before the final credits were a disappointment. During this last section I went “Hmm.. Huh. Right.”, which isn’t a good thing. A lot of my final score goes down because of this.

Knowing some of the story of the original “War of the Worlds”, I was more disappointed with the storyline of this one. I just have a feeling that Spielberg and Cruise were after a quick Academy Award (for actor performance and for special effects) and a quick load of cash as well as just having something to pass the time in-between other, larger projects. Sorry, guys. When I hear the names Steven Spielberg and Tom Cruise, I expect something better than this.

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This is an archived article from my now-defunct NeonReviews website. Any qualities and/or information provided about the reviewed item must be seen in context of when it was originally published.

Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Action / Science-Fiction / Thriller
Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Related links: Official website, Promotional website (both are no longer available)
Additional information: Internet Movie Database (IMDb) entry

We start off with the introduction of police officer Del Spooner, portrayed by the ever-so-elegant Will Smith. Early one morning, he’s called to the site of the apparant suicide of Alfred Lanning, a high-profiled robotics engineer for U.S. Robotics, which creates robots for everyday use. On closer inspection, his suicide doesn’t quite look like a suicide, but rather a murder. After examining his room, which was the origin of his suicide jump, Del encounters a robot that expresses anger, a feeling not otherwise programmed into robots. During the investigation, it appears to be someone who don’t want him to get closer to the truth.

Wild action, amazing visual effects, and a story that kinda holds up (a couple of flaws, though, but it’ll have to pass). Add a sprinkle of everyday comedy, and ta-dah! I, Robot – the movie. It wasn’t anywhere near what was described in the book, but they certainly did a good job on it. The only things this movie have in common with the original book, are the three laws of robotics and a few of the characters. Beyond that, it’s all original. And quite a show, I might add.

There are a whole bunch of sequences making this movie worthwile, such as the general high-speed trips on the road, the demolition of Lanning’s house and the freeway attack of robots, just to mention a few. I’m not gonna burst the bubbles, even though I want to.

Absolutely a movie worth watching. Then again, Will Smith appears to be attracted to blockbusters somehow.

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This is an archived article from my now-defunct NeonReviews website. Any qualities and/or information provided about the reviewed item must be seen in context of when it was originally published.

Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Action / Drama / Science-Fiction / Thriller
Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Related links: Official website (no longer available)
Additional information: Internet Movie Database (IMDb) entry

To sum up the majority of this movie, I found myself amazed beyond belief over the incredible visual effets. Who would think they could make the destruction of the world so realistic (with the exception of a couple of goof-ups).

Jack Hall, a climate expert played by Dennis Quaid, discovers that a climate shift, and consequently a new ice age will happen again in 100 to 1,000 years from now, as it did a long time ago. Suddenly, weather starts to change all over the world, powerful weather. Weather like no-one has seen before. Another researcher sees a rather big temperature drop in the waters of the Northern Atlantic Ocean, which leads to the belief that the climate shift and the new ice age is much closer than Jack previously imagined. Now it seems the climate turn-around will happen in a matter of days. It’s time to focus on our survival.

Although it seems a bit unrealistic that the world-wide climate changes to utter chaos in a matter of days, it does provide some focus to the environmental issues of today, in addition to the awesome graphical display if (a big “if” to boot) such an event would occur today.

At times, the action progresses very slowly to allow for the catching up of people’s feelings, but all in all, it’s a quite good movie. And not to forget it’s with a happy ending for the people we’re following up close.

Recommended for science-fiction/drama fans.

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This is an archived article from my now-defunct NeonReviews website. Any qualities and/or information provided about the reviewed item must be seen in context of when it was originally published.

Distributor: Columbia TriStar
Genre: Action / Science-Fiction
Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Additional information: Fortress (review), Internet Movie Database (IMDb) entry

Seven years after the first movie, and Brennick and his family is still on the run from the company who owns the prison they were in back then. They’ve finally caught up with him now, and is sent off to a new prisoner colony. This time, it’s in space. And once again, he needs to escape the prison.

Actually, the story line is a tad better than the predecessor, but this one didn’t really need the first movie other than an understanding of why Brennick is on the run. Compared to the previous film, technology has taken a few steps backwards. There’s a lot less technology available in this world, considering it’s supposed to be 7 years later. There are only a couple of stronger weapons, the implants and the issue about a full-fledged space station that gives away the fact that we’re in a future world, basically. You’d think that mankind would’ve evolved technology a whole lot further than this compared to what we saw in the first film.

There’s also the issue about the rich female executive (played by Pam Grier) who tries to pass off as a comedy character that doesn’t quite give the movie any credibility. Not to mention the violent guard who enjoys messing around with the prisoners.

Pam Grier doesn’t show up as much as I wanted her to, which leaves Christopher Lambert and Nick Brimble as the only other known faces to me. Another action flick for the crowd and an entertainment-hungry evening. Again, cheap thrills, but at least it’s a slight “upgrade” from the previous one.

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This is an archived article from my now-defunct NeonReviews website. Any qualities and/or information provided about the reviewed item must be seen in context of when it was originally published.

Distributor: Dimension Films / Village Roadshow Pictures
Genre: Action / Science-Fiction
Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Additional information: Fortress 2 (review), Internet Movie Database (IMDb) entry

Christopher Lambert’s character Brennick is sent to a prison run by the private sector, charged with having too many children. Yes, you read that right. This takes place in a future world where it’s illegal to have more than 1 child due to overpopulation, which sounds a bit Chinese to me. The prison itself is technologically superior with painful devices that makes sure the prisoners upholds the laws within the prison. One day, Brennick decides he wants to break out of the prison together with his cellmates. Now they need to figure out how to do it.

A rather unengaging film, actually. It’s action-filled, I’ll give them that. But the storyline and plot is a bit so-so. I’ll only recommend it for the cheap thrills, easy entertainment and to fans of Kurtwood Smith and/or Christopher Lambert.

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This is an archived article from my now-defunct NeonReviews website. Any qualities and/or information provided about the reviewed item must be seen in context of when it was originally published.

Distributor: New Line Cinema
Genre: Sci-Fi / Horror / Thriller
Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Related links: Official website
Additional information: Internet Movie Database (IMDb) entry

Jennifer Lopez does her acting career a big favor by starring in this horror thriller; a real display of what she’s capable of, unlike some of the other movies she’s been in (read: comedies).

The psychologist Catherine Deane is testing out a new form of equipment to help a millionaire’s son out of a coma by interacting with his subconscious mind. One day, the FBI comes to their facility with the comatose criminal Carl Sargher, hoping that they can help getting information about where this guy is keeping a kidnapped woman. Carl is a serial killer who murders women by drowning them in a glass cell at a secret location, a facility that is fully automatic once activated. Catherine now has a limited time to journey through the demon-filled mind of Stargher, and to find this secret location before it’s too late.

Vincent D’Onofrio does another great performance as someone with a disturbed mind (watch “Full Metal Jacket”, “The Thirteenth Floor” and “Men In Black” to see what I mean), this time around as the serial killer Carl Stargher, and Jennifer Lopez is terrific in the role as Catherine Deane. Also, you’ll notice Vince Vaughn as the main FBI agent who’s hunting down this criminal.

At first, once we’re in Carl’s schizophrenic mind, this movie starts getting confusing. But as time passes, you get used to the disturbing way his mind works, you begin to realize what could be driving him to do the things he has done.

The visual effects are amazing, and some are even gross. A pleasure for thriller fans. Not recommended viewing for children or youngsters.

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This is an archived article from my now-defunct NeonReviews website. Any qualities and/or information provided about the reviewed item must be seen in context of when it was originally published.

Distributor: New Line Cinema
Genre: Action / Adventure / Fantasy
Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Related links: Official website
Additional information: The Fellowship of the Rings (review), The Two Towers (review), Internet Movie Database (IMDb) entry

And now, the conclusion. And what a conclusion it is! If you thought the big battle in the previous movie was amazing, you’ll be even more amazed about the battle of Minas Tirith in this one. They’ve truly made the impossible possible.

The journey of Frodo, Sam and Gollum for Mordor to destroy the One Ring continues, but not without trouble on the way. Gandalf, Aragorn, Gimli, Merry and Pippin are mixed up in a battle between Sauron’s army and the humans of Middle-Earth; a battle that has to be won.

First of all, I have to say that the special effects were so amazing that I couldn’t believe my own eyes when I saw the action of the battle. I can truly understand now why the books and story in general of The Lord of the Rings have become so popular.

Of course, to watch this part of the saga, it implies that you’ve already seen the two previous movies, because the story doesn’t do flashbacks to what’s already happened. It’s a long journey, I know, but at least it’s well worth the trip.

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This is an archived article from my now-defunct NeonReviews website. Any qualities and/or information provided about the reviewed item must be seen in context of when it was originally published.

Distributor: New Line Cinema
Genre: Action / Adventure / Fantasy
Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Related links: Official website
Additional information: The Fellowship of the Rings (review), The Return of the King (review), Internet Movie Database (IMDb) entry

And so the story continues. Even though the story is long, it has the potential to bind you to your seat until the story has been told to its end. Strong words, considering I watched the extended edition on DVD. I went into this story blind-folded, with no knowledge of the series beforehand (other than honorable mentions), and I think I had a good basis for being surprised of the story turns as it all went along.

What did really happen to Gandalf when he cast the Balrog into the deep? What happens to the two hobbits captured by Saruman’s orcs? How do Frodo and his friend Sam escape all the dangers on their way to Mordor? Answers to some of these questions are answered already in this follow-up movie. The story begins exactly where we left off from the previous film. Or more precisely, a little before where the first part of the story ended, just to clear up a few things and let you catch up in case you’re not watching these movies (close to) back-to-back. We’re moved closer to Mordor with a few complications, Gandalf has returned in a new form, and we’re shown more of the evil that Saruman has spread over Middle Earth. They manage to stop some of that evil, but their quest is far from finished yet.

Only now I’m catching on to it. I see what all the fuss is about. So will you, if you put your mind to the task of watching this triology. But to be able to figure out all the story and not lose track, you’ll need to see them all in sequence. It may seem like a painful task, but once you’re drawn in to the magic of Tolkien’s world, the hours fly by. And I watched the extended edition, which lasts for almost 4 hours.

The visual effects work is amazing. I’m still in awe over the fact that I’ve seen things that can’t exist in the real world, but that are still there in spite of that fact. Good effects are when you can’t see the difference between what’s real and what’s not.

Other reviewers seem to be right; it just gets better for each part. I suppose good things come to those who wait for my precioussss….

Recommended only if you’ve seen the first (The Fellowship of the Ring).

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This is an archived article from my now-defunct NeonReviews website. Any qualities and/or information provided about the reviewed item must be seen in context of when it was originally published.

Distributor: New Line Cinema
Genre: Action / Adventure / Fantasy
Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Related links: Official website
Additional information: The Two Towers (review), The Return of the King (review), Internet Movie Database (IMDb) entry

To be honest, I wasn’t too interested in this series at first, but something about all the magic around it told me I should at least see what all the fuss is about. Now, I’m glad I did. Most films based on the “fantasy” genre don’t turn me on, which was why I was reluctant to be as much as interested in The Lord Of The Rings triology from the very beginning. Lately, I thought I’d might as well see it, considering what everybody has already said about it.

After an introduction to what the rings stand for and what they are capable of doing and the one ring that rule them all, along with a story about how this “über-ring” has been passed on from person to person, we end up in the village of the hobbits. The hobbits are a peaceful race, and very caring about their hometown. So caring that they don’t ever want to leave it. Bilbo Baggins is one that stands out, constantly exploring the different areas of the world. He is also the hobbit that has gained the possession of the one ring. One day, he decides to leave the hometown forever, and has to leave behind the ring to his son, Frodo. Frodo Baggins is told by the old man Gandalf what this ring is, and that the ring needs to be destroyed. He asks Frodo to bring the ring to the elfs and figure out what to do next from there. But because of the power of this ring, there are some nasty forces out to get it, and which will kill whoever stands in the way.

It was rather odd to see Elijah Wood and Ian Holm so disproportionate to the other actors, as well as Hugo Weaving in a role of the “good guys” (as opposed to agent Smith in The Matrix triology). However, it all came together like a charm.

I would absolutely recommend this movie, even though you’re not a fan of the fantasy genre. But I must warn you: it does wear a little because of the movie’s length. Do not watch when already tired.

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This is an archived article from my now-defunct NeonReviews website. Any qualities and/or information provided about the reviewed item must be seen in context of when it was originally published.

Distributor: PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
Genre: Thriller
Availability: Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk
Additional information: Internet Movie Database (IMDb) entry

A masterpiece thriller starring Michael Douglas as the despicable financier Nicholas Van Orton. What do you give a man who has everything? For his birthday, his brother, played by Sean Penn, gives Nicholas a gift certificate from a company that designs games tailored to the participant. Nobody knows exactly what the game is all about, and the only rule of the game is to never ask what it’s all about either. Nicholas’ everyday life is influenced by this game, which turns out to become a nightmare.

And what a game it is. This one keeps you on the edge of your seat wondering what the hell just happened, why, and leaves you just about as clueless as the main character. What is the game all about? And why does it seem like there’s something wrong with everything you see? That things are happening in your life that you can’t explain? All because of some stupid gift card. It’s a game of life and death, seen from the game participant’s point of view. Who’s in on it, and who are innocent bystanders?

Personally, I think the idea of such a game is intriguing. Unfortunately, this movie progresses a tad slow at times, but it makes up for it in the action and mystery moments. It even made me cry out of pure sympathy at the end (if you watch it, you’ll understand why).

Recommended to anyone who’s looking for a thrill.

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