Looking Forward: May 2013

Summer is coming with a bunch of big blockbuster movies to occupy our holidays with lots of epic cinematic experiences, and I have been looking forward to some of the biggest movies coming up soon...

The month of May starts with some of the biggest movies of the year with the next Iron Man movie and the Star Trek sequel, with several other potentially good movies to start this summer, with a bang!



Iron Man 3 (May 3-USA, April 26-UK, April 25-Singapore)

          This is the movie I have been waiting for the most this summer, and it's coming soon!! Myself being a Marvel fan makes it even more anticipated by me, and I will definitely watch this, even in IMAX 3D if possible. This movie has the potential to be one of the highest earning movie this year, especially after the record-breaking Avengers last summer. The trailer looks pretty cool and looks like this movie has a slightly different approach from previous ones. And 'The Mandarin' looks awesome. This summer batch of movies could not start with anything bigger than this!

Note: Will be released in May in the USA, but in many other countries, this movie will have been released in the final week of April...

Links for trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5EjG-1U3wqA (Teaser)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ke1Y3P9D0Bc (Trailer) (Must See)


Star Trek Into Darkness (May 17-USA, May 9-UK, May 16-Singapore)

          Another one of the biggest movies of this summer. I was especially stunned and amazed with the first movie back in 2009. And along with the highly positive reception it received, I will be coming into this movie with high expectations as well. And, from the trailers, they look epic. The second trailer was very cool, and the third one showed how deeply in trouble they will be when Kirk makes a mistake, as captain of the Enterprise. Oh, plus the villain looks pretty cool as well. If I can, I will also watch this movie in IMAX 3D, got to be worth it.

Link for trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diP-o_JxysA (Teaser)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhz4A5BCMAA (Trailer #2) (Must See)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAEkuVgt6Aw (Trailer #3) (Must See)


Fast and Furious 6 (May 24-USA, May 17-UK, May 23-Singapore)

          I have never been a big fan of the series, but given the last movie is pretty amazing, I will most probably go and watch this in the cinema as well. Looks to be in for a big show as all the cast returned including one Michelle Rodriguez whose character was thought to be dead. Looks like this movie will be in for a big showdown.

Links for trailers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKi5XoeTN0k (Trailer #1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZpc936_Hgo (Trailer #2)


Below are movies which are potentially good and/or looks good in the trailers, but perhaps due to my limitations, and my not so enthusiastic approach to these movies, I will simply list them down below:

The Great Gatsby (May 10)
-is a drama, although it looks good...

Epic (May 24)
-another animation by Blue Sky Studios, but I guess I will look at the reviews before deciding to watch this in the cinema...

The Hangover Part III (May 24)
-although a big comedy franchise, but I've never been a fan of these films...

Now You See Me (May 31)
-looks cool from the trailers, but I will also need to see the reviews first...


Note: I put in the release date of USA and UK as they are the two biggest countries in the industry, and also Singapore, because that's where I currently reside...

OBLIVION

A rare experience in a splendid crossover between drama and science-fiction...



          Oblivion is a rare breed of movies as it incorporates science-fiction to a drama, or the other way around. It is not the typical science-fiction for kids and teens to enjoy, instead this movie can be regarded more to 'drama' than to 'action'. However, the potent mix with drama brings a rare experience in the cinema to enjoy.

          One key point I like to note about this movie is that it is more 'drama' than 'action'. There were not enough action sequences for this to be claimed an action movie, and yet it wasn't even that interesting. Bullets and lasers flying in a battle between mere humans and big bad drones (which are hard to kill) are not fun to watch. Granted, you can feel the suspense, but not interesting to watch. 

          Another thing I also like about the movie is the plot, especially in the way it is brought. Okay, maybe the plot is arguable, however I admit that I like the overall idea of the plot. But most of all, I like the way it is brought. 

         We started the movie with a narrow point of view (in the eyes of Harper), however as the movie went on, more and more revelations came into place and then we could begin to see the big picture. It is really an entertaining aspect of this movie. 

          Some, like me, may even be surprised by the revelations (as we don't come to a sci-fi movie expecting complex plots & surprises). This is why I find the movie a splendid experience.

          Several other positives to note are the well designed soundtrack, which really added the suspense, as well as the decent cast and acting (special praise to Mr. Cruise, who never disappoint me in any of his movies). The only thing lacking is the proper action sequences, and also there was little humor in the movie. The tone of the movie felt too serious.

VERDICT:

Good: Brilliantly brought storyline & revelations, Decent plot, Some suspense, Good soundtrack, Great cast.

Bad: Dull action sequences, No humor.

SCORE: 8.0

G.I. JOE: RETALIATION

similar to its predecessor in many ways, but improved to produce a much better movie to watch...

          G.I. Joe: Retaliation is to be specifically praised for its astonishing action sequences. The drawback is on its unclear and linear plot, however the humours and fighting scenes are able to leave audiences smiling after watching this movie.

          The best thing about this movie is its astounding action sequences. The advanced technologies in the movie made up some very cool scenes to watch. Excellent sound effects also played a big role in making the action sequences alive, especially in the sword fighting scenes. The scene in the Himalayas is my favourite. The cool blade swing and clash sound effects disregard the need for further background music, and the directing of the action scenes are to be commended as well.

          The 3D effects are well presented and fits in perfectly with the movie. Without the 3D, the movie may seem slightly less interesting. The use of slow motion effect is also brilliant, although its used a bit too often and tends to become repetitive, but the way it is used is brilliant with proper timing of slowing down and zooming on objects.

          The humours in the movie are laughable enough and keep things interesting. Also credit to the great cast whose acting are to be praised, especially in Adrianne Palicki (Lady Jaye), Jonathan Pryce (President), and Lee Byung-Hun (Storm Shadow). The characters are also great and very distinct individually, but sadly the movie did not focus too much on them, hence we can only understand the characters along the surface.

          The plot and storyline is a bit unclear in the way it is brought, and the overall plot is too linear. There is obviously a clear line between good and evil, leaving not many surprises to come. There is not much depth on the story, and the radical change in characters is perhaps too quick and unexplained (although it is pretty obvious it has to do with the real actors), however I believe that the new characters are much better than the old ones, so its good in that aspect. I just hope that these characters will appear in the sequel, should there be a next one.

VERDICT:

Good: Cool action/fight sequences, Excellent sound effects, Good use of 3D & slow motion effects, Laughable jokes, Great characters.

Bad: Unclear storyline, Linear & simple plot, Less depth in characterizations.

SCORE: 7.5