Views from the Void

Inglourious Basterds
Plot: In Nazi occupied France, the Basterds are a group of Jewish American soldiers, led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), whose only goal is to kill Nazis. They each have a personal goal of collecting 100 Nazi scalps. They team up with a British Spy and a double agent, German actress Bridget von Hammersmark, to plot the assassination of Hitler, Goering and Geobbels in Operation Kino. The German hierarchy are planning a special screening of a new propaganda film based on the survival of a German sniper, and will be held in a Paris cinema run by Emmanuelle Mimieux. But whilst the Basterds are planning to infiltrate the screening and blow the theatre, the owner has her own plan. Because Emmanuelle is in fact a Jew who survived the massacre of her family at the hands of ‘Jew Hunter’ Hans Landa, who will also be present at the screening.
My Thoughts: This is an excellent and well delivered film. The plot is brought to you in five ‘chapters’ each one needed to develop the story along. In chapter one, we are introduced to Hans Landa, the ‘Jew Hunter’ as he interrogates the Frenchman hiding a Jewish family. The scene is tense and emotive. We also see Shosanna escape the massacre at the end of the chapter. Chapter 2 introduces us to the Basterds, and sets the scene of their code of conduct. They kill Nazis and scalp them, but the few they let go (to spread the word) they carve a swastika into their foreheads. Chapter 3 develops the story of why the premiere is going to be screened in Emmanuelle’s cinema. We meet the German Private Zoller, the sniper and start of the film to be screened, who has a little crush on Emmanuelle. We also meet Goebbels, excellently played by Sylvester Groth, as the German film producer and propaganda merchant. Chapter 4 develops the ‘operation Kino’ story. We meet the British spy (and his senior officer played by Mike Myers which has hints of Dr Evil) and the actress Van Hammersmark. This chapter has the finest scene in the film, set in e cellar bar, where the Basterds are to first meet the actress. Chapter 5 is the climax, will the assassination attempt come to fruition? (I won’t spoil the ending)
Brad Pitt does well in his role, and there are some comic moments, especially when he and his group pretend to Italian! But the films greatest asset is Christopher Waltz as Hans Landa…. And what an ending!
It is a long film (Two and a half hours) and involves a lot of reading subtitles, but don’t let that put you off. There are some gruesome scenes too (the scalping for instance) but it is never too much. This film is a must see!
Best bit: Chapter 4 had me on the edge of my seat! So Tense!
Score: 10/10

The Final Destination (3D)
Plot: After surviving a horrific accident at a Speedway racing event, due to the premonition of main character Nick, the survivors all start dying in violent ways. Death wants his due, so can nick and his girlfriend Lori outwit him and cheat death?
My Thoughts: If you’ve seen any of the other Final Destination films then you know the premise. The fact that it is in 3D does add another dimension (which I suppose is the point) but it’s not enough to resurrect this poor performance film. The idea was original once, but it seems to me this latest instalment has lacked any originality. There are some gruesome moments of course and you are waiting for things to happen, such as in the hairdressers, with all that wobbly furniture and sharp objects, but it never reaches great climaxes. The 3D effects are cool, but even though the first time the screwdriver flies at you is exciting, the rest is hit or miss. There were even some in the cinema that said it wasn’t really working for them. The best 3D set piece for me was the opening titles, which I am sure held some images linking this film to the previous films.
On the whole this is a short, lacklustre addition to the series. There are very few new ideas. There’s always a nail gun somewhere. And a bus that appears from no-where at high speed to knock someone over. However I did like the subtle images relating to the other films (like the bus with 180 written on the top- the number of the original plane), although I have no idea if they were purposely put in or I was just looking for more clues than there actually were.
Best bit: The 3D opening credits were fun. And the scene in the car wash was one of the rare ‘new’ ideas.
Score: 5/10

G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
Plot: Army men Duke and Ripcord join an elite unit of Black-Ops soldiers known as G.I. Joe to stop a gang of terrorists launching warheads that release Nanobytes that eat metal.
My Thoughts: This film is one of the cheesiest, cliché ridden films ever released! I normally like cheesy action films but this was almost embarrassing. There little depth in the script, except for a few flashback moments designed to fill in back story and a few ‘surprise’ twists that you could see coming a mile off. However there is plenty of fast paced action, especially the race through Paris. There is plenty of scope for improvement and I hope that the (inevitable) second movie does better
Best bit: the race through Paris
Score: 6/10

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
Plot: Harry is back at Hogwarts and this time there is a new potions master, Professor Slughorn. Dumbledore has asked Harry to get close to Slughorn as the professor has a memory that Dumbledore needs to help work out how to destroy Voldemort. Meanwhile Harry finds a potions book which used to be owned by someone calling themselves ‘The Half Blood Prince’ and it has some useful spells in it, love is in the ait for Ron and Draco is acting suspiciously with a new cupboard in the Room of Requirement.
My Thoughts: These films are getting darker and scarier as they go on. Who remember ths light cheesiness of the Philsopher’s Stone? It is a long film but still only manages to skim you through the story without much depth. The whole ‘Half Blood Prince’ seems to be a secondary story element and is not developed in as much depth as you would expect given the fact that it is in the title. Perhaps it should have been Harry Potter and The Rush Through To The End. And the film doesn’t leave you satisfied, but much of that is to do with the nature of all seven books as a collection. This film really does lead on to the next, setting up the anticipation of what is to come. However there are some things the film does well… especially when it comes to Hermione’s and Harry’s love interests.
On the whole, a ‘good but not as satisfying as the others’ film which will fans will enjoy and non fans should avoid!
Best Bit: The fight in the corn field
Score: 7/10