Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)

*Poster Courtesy (www.impawards.com)

 Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters (2013)

Genre:    Action | Fantasy | Horror

Starring:  Jeremy Renner, Gemma Arterton, Famke Janssen, Peter Stormare

Directed by: Tommy Wirkola

Rated: US: R, UK: 15, India: A

Running Time: 88 minutes 

Movie Review:
Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as Witch Hunters? Sounds fun! So I had to see it, keeping my fingers crossed that it should go head-to-head with the same genre movies like Van Helsing (2004) or Brothers Grimm (2005). And Voilà! It was not that bad but the problem was... It was not that good either. Superior to Brothers Grimm and inferior to Van Helsing though, Hansel & Gratel is a time pass gory entertainer which promises nothing but fun.

A spinoff from German folk fairy tale by Brothers Grimm, Hansel & Gretel casts Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton as the duo siblings, who, because of the series of events happened in their childhood, are now the best known Witch Hunters. 11 kids have disappeared from a town of Augsburg, and they are just a part of a ginormous satanic scheme of witches. Hansel & Gratel have been appointed to find out the truth and slay the witches behind this evil act. But witches know them better than they know themselves, and they are more than ready for them so action is guaranteed.

Gemma Arterton is fabulous, and watching her fighting on the screen is enchanting. Jeremmy Renner cracked some nice one liners. The news had been that this film was delayed for 10 months, so that Jeremy Renner can complete his roles in highly anticipated Marvel's Avengers and The Bourne Legacy. Which means that Jeremy was always the first choice for this film and he has to perform real well, which he did. The plot is feeble though, which is really sad as this film had a high chances to be much much better.  Even the way of presenting a scene is mediocre at places. But as Vfx is good and this film is full of gore action which is the first demand of a evil hunting action flicks, this movie does not lack in that and turns out to be an 88 minutes of disappointing fun (A fun filled film which also disappoints simultaneously? Boy was that possible.... All hail to Timmy Wirkola.)

My Verdict:
I had high expectations from Hansel & Gratel: Witch Hunters. Even someone who would see the trailer would say the same. Though this film did not quench my curiosity much, but it did not disappoint me either. You want bloody action where witches are getting killed by some pretty cool gadgets and techniques - you would not want to miss it. But if an unpredictable and sensible plot is what you seek, this film will never meet your expectations. These pros n cons make this film an average entertainer which is fresh as movies of this genre has not been in the spotlight recently. But this film promise a better sequel (no no its not like that the movie does not end here, but a sequel is sure to come), and I will be waiting for the sequel.
  

Why See?: Intense action scene, good performance, good humor at times

Why Not?: Weak Storyline, less humor

Rating: 6/10

Watch Trailer: 
 
*Courtesy VISO Trailers

Read More...

The Last Stand (2013)

*Poster Courtesy (www.impawards.com)

The Last Stand (2013)

Genre: Action | Crime | Thriller

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Forest Whitaker, Johnny Knoxville, Rodrigo Santoro, Luis Guzmán, Jaimie Alexander, Eduardo Noriega, Peter Stormare, Zach Gilford, Génesis Rodríguez

Directed by: Kim Ji-woon

Rated: US: R, UK: 15, India: A

Movie Review:
Arny is back after 10 years in a lead role and that too with a Bang! Though he is not the same as he was in Terminator 3 and has grown old. But his passion for action is nonetheless same.

The Last Stand is especially for Arnold Schwarzenegger fans who have been waiting for his comeback since a decade, who even watched The Expandables, just to have a glimpse of him and well Kim Ji-woon is not going to disappoint any of the Arny's fan and that is for sure.

Set in a sleepy border town Sommerton Junction - Arizona, of which, Ray Owens (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is the Sheriff. Soon he comes to know that the leader of a drug cartel has been on a run and going to speed out to the Mexican Border via his town in a sports car faster than any chopper. Now he knows that the only thing that can stop him from crossing the border is he and his rookie staff. How will he do that? The answer is: he has his own means (he always has). But will he be able to? The answer is in the film itself.

The Last Stand is a fast paced action film with some good one liners and has been comic at places, but all in all it is an average action flick with nothing fresh except Arnold who still has his charm and will be loved by his admirers. Moreover this is a genuine welcome to Arnold Schwarzenegger and is fine film for him to have a start all over again. 'Welcome back Arnold, you did a fine job here' - That's all what I have to say.
 
My Verdict: This is not a film for the film lovers who wants something extraordinary and has urge to watch something different or maybe a film crafted for oscar. But if you are an Arnold Schwarzenegger fan and you want to see some decent action film with no nonsense, this film will meet your expectations (just try not to keep them much high). This film has some good action scenes and the pace of the film keeps you engaged. Beside that, it has nothing special to see, oh! wait! it has something special to see and that will be Arny himself.

Why See?: Arnold Schwarzenegger, fast pace, good action

Why Not?: Nothing extraordinary

Rating: 6/10

Watch Trailer:
 
*Courtesy VISO Trailers

Read More...

Bad Boys II (2003)

*Poster Courtesy (www.impawards.com)

Bad Boys II (2003)

Genre: Action/Comedy/Crime/Thriller

Starring: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Jordi Mollà, Gabrielle Union, Peter Stormare

Directed by: Michael Bay

Rated: US: R, UK: 15

Movie Review:
What happens when one of my favorite director works with one of my favorite producer to make a comedy-action with one of my favorite comic actor? When the trio Bay, Bruckheimer and Smith meets, a super comic, super action, super entertainer film happens and they name it 'Bad Boys II'.

I did not like Bad Boys (1995) much, which forced me to have this feeling that the sequel is not going to be better. But well we all know that 'Terminator 2: Judgment Day' was better than 'The Terminator', in fact it was one of the best action movies I saw that time . Which means sequel not being better than the original does not happen always, right? Hence I decided to give it a try and well, soon I knew that this movie is going to be in my 'Must to Watch Action Films' list.

Bad Boys II has everything an action comedy movie must be filled with. Stylish actions, hilarious comedy and two brilliant actors Lawrence & Smith dealing with both. Though the movie has lot of racist jokes which may offend some people, but hey, those dialogues have been flawlessly delivered  by Lawrence & Smith which has made it highly enjoyable than to be felt offended with.

Michael Bay has always surprised me with his stylish action sequences and this movie has not been deprived of it a bit. Bad Boys II is a non-stop action entertainer that has nail biting action sequences that just goes on and on. And well due to the dialogues and action, the plot did not even mattered to me.

All in all, this is a good movie that any action - comedy lover will hardly give a miss.

My Recommendation: If you are an action - buddy comedy fan, and you don't care about how the racist jokes could do you any harm. Well, watch it!

Why Should I See?: Brilliant Action Sequences, Hilarious Comedy

Why Should I Not?: Racist Jokes, Involve Drugs

Rating: 7.5/10

Watch Trailer:
   
*Courtesy TrailersPlayground

Read More...