" You have to be lost to find the places that can't be found "

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End

A crew led by William Turner (Orlando Bloom), Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) and Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) venture to the land of the dead in order to bring Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) back to life. Once returned the crew find themselves up against familiar enemies including Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) and Lord Beckett (Tom Hollander). Beckett has taken control over Davy Jones heart and is using it to take command of the seas and put an end to the reign of pirates. The pirates have but one hope, releasing the goddess Calypso from her human form in the hope that she will fight for them. In order for this to occur the nine pirate lords have to assemble including Sparrow, Barbossa and the notorious Sao Feng (Chow Yun-Fat). In order to secure their freedom the pirate lords will have to band together and fight the entire fleet of the East India Trading Company led by the determined and ruthless Lord Beckett.

At World's End serves as the second act to Dead Man's Chest with practically all the characters returning and the storyline following on right where it was left off. That is perhaps the films downfall as it lacks the sense of originality that the first two films had. The earlier films introduced a new 'crew' of supernatural pirates starting with the Black Pearl and then the Flying Dutchman, whereas in this film there is no new aspect to provide intrigue and interest.

The film has a very strong Asian influence with the character of Sao Feng introduced and scenes based in locations such as Singapore. I don't think the character of Sao Feng added much to the film and it shows as he has very little screen time. I think they simply wanted Chow Yun-Fat's name and face on the poster to appeal to the Asian box office. This was no doubt the film company's plan as the previous pirate films have been immensely popular in the Asian box office. The third Iron Man film is rumored to be taking similar action. In terms of box office this film holds the record for the highest budget film ever made at an estimated 300 million dollars. Luckily it is also one of the highest grossing films trebling its production budget in profit.

Despite some flaws the movie still has its memorable scenes none better that Sparrows arrival on screen where he is trapped in Davy Jones locker with multiple personalities of himself as his only form of company. The scene is extremely witty and imaginative and carries on throughout the film as Sparrow is haunted by his multiple personalities and struggles to maintain his 'sanity'. One has to have an open mind when coming to these movies and simply go along for the ride. A perfect example is the fact that half the characters have returned from the dead (Sparrow, Barbossa), some may simply scoff at his as over the top and unnecessary but I think it provided some truly memorable scenes are entertaining reunions.

The entire cast is basically the same as Dead Man's Chest except for Chow Yun-Fat and the nine pirate lords who act more as comical cameos. Depp is back to his best as he manipulates the other characters in an attempts to gain immortality. Once again he steals the show even when he only appears on screen half an hour in. Geoffrey Rush is a welcome return who was sorely missed in the previous film. There is plenty of conspiracy and treachery as characters alter their alliances left right and centre. The film is very satisfying as plot lines are revealed including who is Calypso, who does Davy Jone's heart belong to and who is Sparrow's father in an extremely fitting cameo that proves very amusing.

This is on all accounts a very fitting conclusion to the trilogy. The movie may be too long but is is none the less still very enjoyable. The film has an almost nostalgic feel to it as favourite characters return, ridiculous yet familiar situations arise and that well known theme song launches into action. The legend may have lost some of its charm but this franchise still has life in it yet, "drink up me hearties, yo ho!".

" A dishonest man can always be trusted to be dishonest. It's the honest ones you can't trust."

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

In the second installment of this blockbuster franchise Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) returns for another spirited journey, involving cannibals, the most feared creature of the sea, and that damn monkey that still wont die. Sparrow is swiftly reminded of a debt he owes to the legendary Davy Jones (Bill Nighy) and as a result sets out to find Jones mysterious chest as a means of bargaining his freedom, that is believed to contain his heart. Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) and Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) find themselves sentenced to death due to the part they played in Sparrow's release. They are left with no option but to join the irresistible adventures with Sparrow and his crew in an attempt to secure their freedom. As familiar characters return and new ones emerge, everyone seems to possess a desire for the legendary chest of Davy Jones.

The second movie of a trilogy/franchise is often bigger and better than the first such as; The Dark Knight, Spider-Man 2 or The Empire Strikes Back. Dead Man's Chest may not be better than the first (equally as good) but it is certainly bigger. The creative team behind the movies have successfully created another supernatural crew of pirates with Davey Jones and his crew aboard the Flying Dutchman. The characters are a mixture of human and sea life, portraying their role as the 'rulers' of the sea. The creativity and execution behind the characters in particular Davy Jones displays the potential special effects can have when achieved successfully. The kraken is shrouded in mystery and suspense for the most part with the viewer only provided with evidence of his devastating strength and snippets of his true form, letting our imagination do the rest.

Bill Nighy as the unrecognisable Davy Jones is a great inclusion to the story, his ruthlessness as a captain and determination to enlist Sparrow proves to be a genuine threat to the fearless Sparrow. One thing that may be lost in the film is the characters, as Swan and Turner in particular don't really have to do much. The love triangle between Sparrow, Swan and Turner adds some interest but it was never truly believable. Ultimately the characters are not built upon from the first installment but act as pawns that are constantly swept up amongst the action.

Character development is made difficult due to the inclusion of so many new characters, most notably: Davy Jones, Bootstrap Bill (Stellan Skarsgard) as Will's father, the merciless Lord Beckett (Tom Hollander) and the quirky sorceress Tia Dalma (Naomie Harris). Don't get me wrong the characters are still a joy to watch with all the regulars returning and Depp seamlessly stepping into the boots of Sparrow. Every character seems to have an individual motive as loyalties are tested and treacherous acts are committed. The film overflows with ridiculous situations that are genuinely entertaining to watch supported by a witty script, compelling score and picturesque locations.

The highlight for me came on the the cannibal island where Sparrow was adopted as a 'god' destined to be sacrificed and eaten. The sequence of events that unfold on the island are brilliantly clever and simply hilarious. What compliments the scenes on the island is the backdrop of untouched jungles and pearl white beaches from filming locations such as the Bahamas and Dominica. Some may find the film too long with scenes perceived as unimportant to the plot yet. I welcomed the length as the film maintained my interest throughout and I urge you to stick with the film as every scene has its purpose.

Dead Man's Chest is the quintessential blockbuster providing an original idea whilst maintaining the familiar excitement and intrigue that was present in the first. The film ends with a truly spectacular cliffhanger which is I believe is one of the best endings to a movie, challenging the scriptwriters for the third pirates film. The movie doesn't try to be anything else than good quality entertainment and it achieves this with ease.

" Damn to the depths whatever man thought of 'parley'." "That would be the French."

Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl

The infamous Captain Jack Sparrow (Johhny Depp) strikes a bargain with a local blacksmith, Will Turner (Orlando Bloom) in order to save the governor's daughter Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley). Swan has been captured by the crew of the Black Pearl led by the fearsome Captain Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) as they believe she is essential in their efforts to lift a curse. Sparow and Turner commandeer a ship and find a crew in order to catch the Black Pearl. Turner is intent on saving Swan and confessing his love, Barbossa is trying to rid himself and his crew of a mysterious curse and Sparrow is simply making it us as he goes.

The Pirates of the Caribbean movies were inspired by a ride, yet director Gore Verbinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer ignited anew found love for pirates around the world and created one of the highest grossing sagas of all time, which is still continuing. The original film set up what was a trilogy of movies. Part of the films success comes from the vision behind the storytelling. The films had a set plan with characters and elements included that were essential to later plot revelations (Will Turner's dad). The film has great character development none better than that of Captain Jack Sparrow including why his gun has only one bullet, why his compass doesn't point North and why he doesn't have a ship.

The film is simply fun, the audience is sucked into the story with humour, sword fighting action, breathtaking locations, entertaining scenarios, revealing twists and of course the iconic character of Sparrow. The appearance of Captain Jack Sparrow has to be one of the best entries of a main character I have seen as he gracefully glides into port on his steadily sinking ship to the orchestral score by Hans Zimmer. Depp creates probably his most iconic performance as he stumbles around screen searching for a vessel or some rum blending brilliance with madness.

The rest of the casting choices prove very successful with memorable villains, heroes and imbeciles on both sides of the law. Bloom is for all accounts a somewhat mediocre actor however he has made a name for himself by appearing in two very successful trilogies (Pirates of the Caribbean and The Lord of the Rings) where he has played much beloved characters. Knightley is one of the few females in the film, luckily she has enough nerve to look after herself. Rush is excellent as the wicked Captain Barbossa, a character such as Sparrow needs someone with equal wit and dishonour to compete against and Rush provides just that.

The dark twist to the film that is the curse is revealed with realistic effects. As a result of stealing Aztec gold the crew of the Black Pearl are destined to a life of misery where they are unable to die yet unable to experience the pleasures of living such as food. The curse is visible in moonlight which was most effectively portrayed when the crew of the Black Pearl march underwater to seize the naval fleet. The addition of the curse ensures the film is more than just a fun adventure story with pirates.

The film like its subject of pirates has become part of pop culture. Now at every dress up party there is a Jack Sparrow decked out with his compass, gun, hat, eye makeup and unique crop of hair. The success of this film could come from a range of aspects; the characters, story, score or even the subject matter, however the ultimate success for this film stems from one very important element, the film is entertaining. And really who doesn't love a good old fashioned pirates film.

" Are you my conscience? "

Finding Nemo

An over conscious clown fish named Marlin (Albert Brooks) is left to look after his son Nemo (Alexander Gould) after his wife is killed by a Barracuda. When Nemo is taken away by a diver Marlin stops at nothing to get his son back. He is helped along his journey by Dory (Ellen DeGeneres) who suffers from short-term memory loss. The pair encounter a range of sea life on their journey including vegetarian sharks, a swarm jellyfish and free spirited sea turtles in increasingly exciting and hilarious situations. Nemo is taken to a Dentists office overlooking Sydney Harbour, where he soon befriends the sea creatures in the fish tank and joins their effort in planning an escape back to the ocean.

Pixar has become one of the most successful and consistent film studios of the last 25 years, creating film after film full of humour, genuine emotion, beloved characters and original story ideas. I believe Finding Nemo is the best Pixar film edging out the likes of Toy Story and The Incredibles and is also my favourite animated film of all time. Finding Nemo is able to show Australia's pristine oceans and sea life off to the world. Part of Pixar's success is the visual look they create with every film. The underwater world of Finding Nemo is so visually stunning that the audience is impressed and immersed into the underwater world from the very start. Pixar has been able to transform our perception of what animated movies should look like and make us feel, as they continue to create realistic visions and views of the world with meticulous detail and originality.

Pixar is not scared to deal with strong themes and powerful emotions, which is part of the reason why their movies are loved by all ages. Pixar films stick to the similar formula where a character or characters set out on a journey to find something, whether it's safety in A Bug's Life, contentment in Up or a friend in WALL.E it is never better displayed that in the movie Finding Nemo. The story is extremely well written by director and writer, Andrew Stanton and is one of my favourite movies for quotes. I find myself or notice others referencing lines such as "fish are friends not food" or simply talking in whale and I don't think I will ever forget that famous address "P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney". The movie is hilarious and has many ongoing jokes however my favourite is how Dory can never remember Nemo's name "he lost his son Fabio" then later referring to him as Elmo and Bingo and so on, becoming funnier each time.


An animated movie can't be successful unless the characters are supported by voice talent that suit the characters and really bring them to life. Ellen DeGeneres is a revelation as Dory who is simply hilarious, you can just tell she had enormous fun making the film. Although the character and voice of Marlin can sometimes be annoying his character and personality is essential to the story an appropriately voiced by Albert Brooks. An amazing cast is included mainly made up of Australian actors and actresses including: Eric Bana, Geoffrey Rush, Barry Humphries, Brad Garrett, Willem Dafoe, the late Bill Hunter and of course John Ratzenberger who has provided his voice for every Pixar film, acting as their unofficial good luck charm.

Apart from Ratzenberger there are many other recurring elements to Pixar films known as Easter eggs. These Easter eggs are inside jokes and insights that appear in every Pixar film including a reference to Pixar's next project (The Incredibles comic in the dentist's waiting room). Other examples include the Pizza Planet Truck from Toy Story which features in most Pixar films (drives by the window when Gill explains the plan to escape) and the sequence A113 which refers to classroom at the California Institute of Arts where many producers and directors of Pixar's films went such as John Lasseter and Brad Bird (can be seen as the model code on the camera used by the scuba diver). There are many more and they are always fun to find so check them out.

Finding Nemo is full of memorable scenes none better than the sharks support meeting and asking the whale for directions. The film overflows with beautiful displays of underwater life and its evident that a lot of research went into the film to ensure its authenticity. Supported by the amazing visuals are the characters, there are so many clever creations from a fish obsessed with bubbles to a pelican interested in the world of dentistry to the unforgettable character of Dory. The film is quirky, heartwarming and hilarious making it a masterpiece of animation. The film encourages people from all ages to embrace life and offers important life lessons such as the importance of friends, acceptance of difference and to always check whether a sea monkey stole your money.

Top Five Quentin Tarantino Films

 

Tarantino has a reputation for creating overly violent movies and although his movies are not for the fainthearted he should be regarded as a quality filmmaker. Tarantino creates movies with truly original direction as his scenes switch from the past to the present, ultimately coming together at the end. Tarantino has become one of my favourite film makers ever since he left his job working in a video store and made Reservoir Dogs.

5. Reservoir Dogs 
It seems unjust to have this as the fifth best Tarantino film, however it just demonstrates the quality of Tarantino's work. Reservoir Dogs is so clever, the whole movie basically takes place in one location, with only a handful of characters and a budget of little over one million dollars. As a result the film focuses on character development, plot and Tarantino's witty script. Perhaps the best feature of the film is the soundtrack, every time I listen to "Stuck in the middle with you" or "Little green bag" I am taken back to those memorable scenes. This film introduced the world to Tarantino's unique style of film making, causing the film industry to take notice.

4. Inglorious Basterds

The movie is truly entertaining focusing on such a bizarre concept of scalping Nazis, that could only have come from Tarantino. Brad Pitt is excellent with his exaggerated accent as he hunts down Nazis with his team of Basterds but the movie is stolen by Christopher Waltz was makes his Hollywood debut as the ruthless and calculating Colonel. The opening scene involving Waltz and a Jewish family is one of the most suspenseful and  powerful scenes I have ever seen. The film is brutal, shocking and suspenseful, whilst at the same remaining comical as Tarantino provides his very own fictional twist on World War 2.

3. Kill Bill Vol. 2

No director can handle violence with such passion and theatre as Tarantino with the Kill Bill movies regarded as the unofficial poster boy for blood and gore. The most satisfying aspect to these movies is that there is so much more than violence, with intricate storytelling, masterful direction and truly captivating drama adding depth to the film that many might not have expected. Both movies complement each other perfectly but they are different. Volume 2 strays away from the spectacular scenes of fighting in volume 1 and allows the characters of The Bride and Bill to really be explored. The tone and feel to the movie is much deeper, leading up to anticipated climax. Volume 2 is a satisfying end that reaches the same standard of excellence as its predecessor.

2. Kill Bill Vol. 1

Kill Bill is visually stunning, the cinematography and direction is so original and engaging that I was left mesmerised throughout the movie. I regard both of the Kill Bill movies as two of the best movies ever made. Tarantino's artistic use of colour, camera angles and music ensures Kill Bill is a masterpiece of storytelling. Uma Thurman creates a truly memorable character as The Bride whose determination and lust for revenge drives the movie. Kill Bill acts as a homage to samurai movies from a filmmaker with a true passion for movies. The film is brave, slick and extravagant, overflowing with themes of betrayal, passion and revenge setting the audience up for the resolution in volume 2.

1. Pulp Fiction

A movie that many regard as one of the best films ever made. The film established Tarantino as a truly original filmmaker and proved that Reservoir Dogs wasn't a fluke. With a cast of well known actors including: Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman, John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson, Pulp Fiction enabled many of them to deliver one of the best performances of their career (Travolta, Jackson). The movie is a collage of interweaving characters and events held together by a truly ingenious script. The film is packed full of iconic characters, scenes and lines from John Travolta's dance moves to Samuel L. Jackson's hair making it my favourite Tarantino film.

" Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

  The Godfather

The film chronicles the Corleone family led by "Don" Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando), one of the five-mafia families of the New York area. The Don ensures kindness is given to those who give respect and loyalty to the family, and violence used against anyone who stands in the way of the good of the family. When the Don is targeted by one of the other families, his sons Michael (Al Pacino) and Sonny (James Caan) are left to take responsibility of the families affairs. Michael, who had been avoiding the family business, is forced to make a choice for the good of the family. The decision Michael makes ensures he becomes a vital member of the family business.

It's hard to judge movies from different eras, but even harder when the movie has expectations surrounding it such as "the greatest movie of all time". The Godfather, which was directed and jointly written by Francis Ford Coppola, definitely has that timeless feel to it, as it is able to be viewed in the modern day and still warrant the highest degree of appreciation and success. Its themes of corruption, murder, revenge, honour and above all family are as relevant today as they were forty years ago when the film was made. It may not be the best movie ever made but it undisputed as a masterpiece of cinema.

Its worth watching the The Godfather just to see the quotes, scenes and characters that have become part of pop culture. Many references are well known such as the quote "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse" and the horse head in the bed (which was actually a real horse head from a meat processing plant) , then there's scenes such as the stroking of the cat and the character of the Godfather himself that have influenced so many movies. Viewers may be unaware of just how influential the film was as it inspired an entire genre of movies and television shows from the likes of Goodfellas and The Sopranos.

The film achieves success in so many areas from the famous score, to the versatile use of the camera, the renowned dialogue and of course with the acting performances. I thought Brando would dominate the film but instead it was Pacino's character Michael who was given the majority of screen time, whilst the Don remained the all-important presence that guided the film. It’s a testament to Brando's acting abilities to create such an iconic character and deliver such a potent performance with his limited amount of screen time. He is well and truly deserving of his Oscar and one can't help but try and imitate his accent after watching the film.

The supporting cast includes Diane Keaton as Michael's partner, James Caan as the fiery and hot-headed Sonny and Robert Duvall as Tom Hagen, who serves as the lawyer for the family. The film includes a cast of actors that are now regarded as legends and it's interesting to see many of them as they are just beginning their acting career. Pacino is the standout, and its interesting to note that he was under a lot of pressure during the shooting of the movie as executives were unhappy with his performance. It wasn't until the scene in Louis Restaurant where his potential was realised, which subsequently is one of the best scenes in the film. Pacino went on to prove his abilities as an actor by achieving a nomination for best supporting actor alongside his co-stars, Duvall and Caan.

I definitely believe I would gain a greater appreciation of this film with a second viewing, for one thing I would be able to keep track of the seemingly endless array of characters and be able to view the film without worrying whether or not it will live up to its expectations.. What I found most interesting after watching the Godfather was how we as the viewer support the characters of Michael and the Godfather despite seeing their actions of murder and brutality firsthand. I think Coppola has achieved a sense of admiration and love for these characters by showing their kind, compassionate side as is masterly portrayed in the initial scenes where business is conducted at the wedding. 

I think The Godfather has rightfully earnt its reputation as a movie you have to see before you die, as it is an important part of cinema history and a truly powerful film. In the end the film is more a family saga than a film about gangsters, murder or violence, with the end result an impressive piece of cinema. If I have learnt anything from watching the movie it's to never go against the family.

" In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king."

Minority Report

Set in the year 2054 where acts of murder are identified before they occur, thanks to three gifted humans known as "Pre-Cogs", who have the ability to see into the future. Working as part of the "Precrime" unit is John Anderton (Tom Cruise), who has absolute faith in the Pre-Cogs and the system. Struggling to overcome the death of his young son six years ago, Anderton has devoted his life to his work. His faith is challenged however when the Pre-Cogs predict that he will commit a murder. Anderton is forced to run, struggling with the uncertainty that the system he has lived by could be wrong or whether or not someone has tricked the system and set him up.

 I'm a huge fan of Tom Cruise as he has consistently delivered strong performances for the last thirty years. Cruise delivers yet another strong performance as Anderton, earning his reputation as the best action hero of modern cinema. Supporting Cruise is Colin Farrell as Danny Witwer, the sceptical representative for the president and Max Von Sydow as Lamar Burgess the director of Precrime. Both actors deliver strong performances but the screen time is dominated by Cruise, who is used to his absolute potential adjusting from scenes of action and suspense to moments of touching innocence and grief.

The film is intriguing throughout and never predictable as snippets of information are cleverly revealed. The film often feels like a dream as Anderton and the audience tries to piece together the mystery behind his accused murder. The film captures the audiences attention straight away as a 'murderer' is captured, highlighting the skill of the team and the reliability of the Pre-Cogs. The film then escalates towards the climax of the film, the predicted murder by Anderton. The film felt a little disjointed after Anderton's 'murder' scene with the story seeming to drag on too long, then ending abruptly. I was still left feeling satisfied with the ending, as the final scene dramatically revealed the true reliability of the system.

Director Steven Spielberg steps back into his comfort zone of science fiction for Minority Report, creating an original and gripping film. Spielberg is such as instrumental figure in the movie industry and I don't think there is any better director when it comes to handling science fiction (Ridley Scott and James Cameron come close) as he has such passion and vision for the genre. The futuristic elements were not taken over the top and it is a credit to Spielberg as he has not created the same feel or look as Blade Runner, which is the hardest job for any director creating a science fiction film set in the future. Minority Report creates its own universe even if there are occurring themes to Blade Runner such as the importance of eyes and the sense of big brother. Given that both films are based from the work of the same author, Philip K. Dick similarities are to be expected.

Part of Spielberg's success comes from achieving a realistic contrast between high society, where the latest technology is readily available and used in everyday life and those succumb to a life of poverty where the basic forms of life is achieved, without technology. Even though the trade may have changed for people living on the street their lifestyle remains the same. The film makes an accurate assumption that class divisions will still be evident in the future, installing a distressing belief that the gap between divisions could worsen as modern society continues to develop.

Minority Report sees Spielberg and Cruise back to their best in a truly engaging and original science fiction movie. The film offers scenes of brilliance, and quality performances but lacks the consistency throughout to make it a 'great' film. The film explores the lengths people will go for revenge, innocence and to preserve a belief or system in which they belief in. The film primarily asks the question; can there be such a thing as a perfect system?

" You know what the problem with Hollywood is? They make shit. "

Swordfish

One of the worlds best hackers, Stanley Jobson (Hugh Jackman) is approached to join an operation with the aim to steal billions in US dirty money. The operation is led by Gabriel Shear (John Travolta) who wants the money to finance acts of vengeance against international terrorism. Shear lures Jobson into the operation by offering him 10 million dollars, Jobson has lost custody of his daughter so he accepts the offer with the belief that he can hire an exceptional lawyer to get his daughter back.

Swordfish deals with a very abstract concept and has the potential to be very confusing. The film has been handled with poor direction and clumsy screen writing, leaving the viewer disoriented and unengaged. Abstract concepts can be cleverly explored in film where the viewer is able to feel involved and interested in the story, one only has to look at recent films such as Inception or Source Code to see this achieved effectively. Swordfish doesn't portray the hackers or their plan as clever. Director Dominic Sena has tried to condense too much into the two hours and as a result the flow of the film is confusing. The viewer is left with no time to even begin to relate to the characters or become involved in the plot.

Travolta is a very inconsistent actor as has been linked to many poor movies. He can produce an solid performance when utilised appropriately such as Pulp Fiction. In Swordfish he plays an anti-terrorist terrorist (work that one out) and provides such as exaggerated performance that he is painful to watch. Jackman makes the most of what he is given however I feel he was never right for the part. Another member of the operation is Ginger Knowles (Halle Berry) who seems to have a gender of her own as she seduces both Jobson and Shear. Berry is a fine actress and similarly to Jackman makes the most with what little she is given. Don Cheadle in my opinion is the finest actor in the movie, he delivers a solid performance as Agent J.T. Robert but is shamefully underused. And then there's Vinnie Jones whose performance is almost comical (for the wrong reasons) as he utters maybe 2 lines in the whole movie.

The movie is simply over the top. Every actor has the same stern expression (none better than Vinnie Jones), with explosions added in every 12 seconds just for the sake of spending money. It would have been a much better movie on a 1 million dollar budget focusing on the intruige and skill behind hacking. The ending was luckily quite clever, but for a movie about the best computer hackers in the world I expected a lot more 'cleverness'. Credit does have to be given for the most ingenious way to get out of a car chase, which was the highlight for me. 

Unfortunately I was left bored and very disappointed after watching Swordfish. The movie didn’t engage me and when it comes down to viewing a film whether it be drama, comedy or action, the film has to be engaging for it to warrant some form of praise or success from its audience. 

" They drew first blood, not me. "

Rambo: First Blood

John Rambo (Sylvester Stallone) a former Green Beret in the Vietnam War, travels to the small town of Hope to visit a friend he fought with in the war. Still haunted by the war and coming to grips with the loss if his friend Rambo wanders through town until he is approached by Sheriff Teasel (Brian Dennehy). Teasel is determined to keep 'drifters' like Rambo out of his peaceful town, so when Rambo refuses to leave he is arrested. Rambo is abused by the local police force, causing him to violently escape prison and flee to the surrounding forest. The local police force and eventually a band of special forces wage war against Rambo in an attempt to capture him. Rambo is left to survive by himself in the wilderness supported only bu his trusty knife. 

Rambo is a good old fashion action movie, it's not the best movie ever made but it is rightfully a classic. Rambo has become some what of a legend everything from his makeshift jacket to his headband and of course to his trusty knife. He's the sort of character that never dies up there with the likes of John McClane and the Terminator. Stallone has made a name for himself from basically two movies; Rambo and Rocky and the multiple sequels that followed. Both movies have earnt their right in cinema history however Stallone is a far cry from a talented actor. In Rambo, Stallone grunts his 10 words and for the rest of the film jumps off cliffs, shoots people and hides out in the forest. Yet there is more to his performance than one might suspect.  It wasn't until the final scene where Rambo suffers a breakdown screaming about the effects of the war that Stallone's true performance was revealed. Stallone delivered a believable performance throughout the movie however in the final scene he was truly believable, as he genuinely poured his emotions onto the camera, adding a depth to the film I wasn't expecting

 Rambo has a reputation for being an overly violent movie, however the end body count is just one (falls from a helicopter). Rambo is in fact a nice change from the modern action movies where there is an explosion every 10 seconds with no thought put into the story. Rambo is gritty, entertaining and yes sometimes violent, but when an explosion happens (and they happen) it has some significance. Modern movies lose tough of the story as CGi is added in left, right and centre and as a result the action loses its authenticity and appeal. Rambo has all the elements of a modern action film: the car chases, gun fights and explosions, but the action is there for a purpose and ultimately adds to the movie. 

The visual aspects of Rambo are excellent, the rugged woodland locations and overbearing fog adds to the feel and look of the film. As a viewer you get a sense of the harshness of the weather and the terrain, allowing you to relate to Rambo's situation. As Rambo is left to survive by himself in the wilderness the only person supposedly on his side, is his commanding officer, Colonel Samuel Trautman (Richard Crenna). Crenna delivers a strong performance similarly to Dennehy, with his main purpose to illustrate the abilities and skill of Rambo and instal a sense of fear amongst the officers going in to hunt him. Crenna does this successfully however he also allows the audience to sympathyse for Rambo by providing an insight into the decisions Rambo was forced to make and the brutality he was forced to endure during the war.

Rambo is above all an entertaining action flick that can you can easily relax on the couch with. I was left satisfied at the end of the movie but not motivated to watch any of the sequels any time soon. After watching the movie I was left contemplating who was in the wrong; the local policeman or Rambo and I guess the real question one needs to ask is who drew first blood?