Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow - 2004

 Paramount Pictures, Brooklyn Films II, Riff Raff Film Productions 

Directed by Kerry Conran

Cast:

Polly Perkins – Gwyneth Paltrow

Sky Captain – Jude Law

Dex – Giovanni Ribisi

Editor Paley – Michael Gambon

Mysterious Woman – Bai Ling

Kaji – Omid Djalili

Franky – Angelina Jolie

Story: In 1939, a top secret force commanded by Sky Captain is activated when Polly Perkins, a reporter, uncovers the systematic murders of top scientists from World War One. As she is tracking down leads, trying to find the killers, she is almost killed along with another scientist when a group of advanced robots descends on the city to locate two missing components in an evil plot that will destroy the world. Only Sky Captain and his elite forces, along with the aide of an elite British force led by Franky, can save the world from certain and complete destruction. But can they do it?

Review: Unfortunately, this film did not do well in the theaters. Which is a shame, because being an excellent film with superb graphics, it is also the forerunner of everything that has followed in Compter Generated Images (CGI).

Sky Captain was filmed entirely in blue screen. None of the sets existed except it the mind of the people doing the graphics. Which meant the actors had no frame of reference when they were performing. Oh, of course there were tape marks on the floor, but nothing to react to, nothing to walk around, nothing but a blank room with platforms where necessary to go up and down. Which means the actors had to envision the room as it might be and then respond without the aid of visual cues. Now, I don't know about you, but I would call that acting above and beyond the normal requirements. And the best part is, they all do it extremely well.

As to plot, considering the setting of the film, the plot is exactly as it should be. If this had been made in the 1950's, this film would have been a “Cliffhanger”, like Commando Cody or Flash Gordon used to be, a tool to get parents to drop their kids off at the local theater for Saturday morning matinees while they did their grocery shopping or other chores. I remember doing that while my mom was off grocery shopping, and my brother and I would sit for two or three hours watching cartoons and a couple of those films.

Still, there isn't a lot of action by comparison to what we expect from films these days, and the technology in the film is 'old school', so perhaps the current generation of film goers just didn't get it. I recommend the film as a great way to spend ninety six minutes when the kiddies are looking to see what the old world used to be like. Rated PG, collectible for us Sci Fi types. Enjoy.

Babylon A.D. - 2008

Babylon, MNP Entreprise, Studio Canal

Directed by Mathieu Kassovitz

Cast:

• Toorup – Vin Diesel
• Sister Rebecca – Michelle Yeoh
• Aurora – Melanie Thierry
• Gorsky – Gerard Depardieu
• The High Priestess – Charlotte Rampling
• Finn – Mark Strong
• Dr. Newton – Joel Kirby

Story: Toorup, a free-lance mercenary living in Russia, is approached by an underworld boss (who travels in an armored personnel carrier with tanks and several squadrons of bodyguards) to deliver a package to New York. This is particularly important for Toorop because it will provide him with the opportunity to return to the United States. He is currently on the terrorist watch list and can not gain admission. The package turns out to be a young woman, Aurora, who has lived her entire life in the oldest, most isolated convent on the planet. She is accompanied by Sister Rebecca, her teacher, surrogate mother, and protector. As they travel, Toorup learns the girl possesses unusual powers. As they are moving forward through a throng of people to board a train, she suddenly begins screaming and running the opposite direction, just before a bomb explodes. Other incidents along the way begin to make Toorup suspicious of exactly who or what she is. When they reach New York, the truth is revealed.

Review: Vin Diesel returns to the action film genre in this interesting post war look at the world where governments are no longer in control. Vin is a mercenary for hire, ready to retire and call it quits, but unable to return to the US. Gerard Depardieu plays an interesting role as Gorsky, the stereotypical Russian mob boss whose only interest is the base things in life and what he can do to have them. Michelle Yeoh gives a formidable performance as Sister Rebecca, and I am certain she was chosen for her obvious skills as both actress and karate master. The film moves well, has the right amount of tension between the players, and never deviates from the plot, which in itself is basic. The scenery and graphics are good, but you can tell the director is not getting his way with the film. Apparently, there were a lot of disagreements between the director and the studio, and the infighting is obvious when you watch the film and listen to the dialog. Hat's off to Vin Diesel, who turned down the lead in “Hitman” to be in this film. Talk about bad choices, but how can you know? Rated PG-13, which in this case is so wrong for a movie of this type, the violence never rises above the level of a video game, so the kids are pretty safe, and the language, well, they've heard it before. Personally I would love to see this one remade in about 10 years with the director being in charge. Give it David Twohy, he'd know what to do with it. A good rental, not a collectible. /p>

The Chronicles of Riddick - 2004

Universal Pictures, Radar Pictures, One Race Productions

Directed by David Twohy

Cast:

• Riddick – Vin Diesel
• Lord Marshal – Colm Feore
• Dame Vaako – Thandie Newton
• Aereon – Judi Dench
• Lord Vaako – Karl Urban
• Kyra – Alexa Davalos
• The Purifier – Linus Roache
• Toombs – Nick Chinlund
• Imam – Keith David

Story: Riddick, the escaped murderer from the movie Pitch Black, is being pursued by mercenaries on an isolated planet. He avoids their attempt to capture him and instead strands the survivors on the planet to pursue the man who sent them: the Imam, one of the two others to escape the dark planet. When he finds him, he learns of the Necromancers, a race of conquerors traveling across the universe to convert all humanity to their faith. Riddick learns he is from the planet Furya, a planet already destroyed by the Necromancers. At first, Riddick is unwilling to get involved, but soon it becomes apparent he must fight or die. He allows himself to be captured by Mercs to rescue the girl Jack, now known as Kyra, from a maximum security prison, then returns to the planet to face the Lord Marshal to test their creedo: “You Keep What You Kill”.

Review: Once again Vin Diesel brings to life the vicious, calculating anti-hero Riddick, the convict who prefers to kill instead of negotiate. Riddick is living a life of arduous survival, preferring the isolation of the frozen planet to the company of humans. When he learns the Imam is the man who has set the bounty for him, he journeys to discover why. Keith David recreates the Imam from Pitch Black as if he had never left the role, and introduces us to Aereon, the elemental being in the form of Judi Dench, whose powerful acting and presence adds both drama and authenticity to the film. Nick Chinlund excels in a role custom made for him, and Colm Feore is magnificent as the Lord Marshal, the holy half-dead who has seen the Underverse. Linus Roache, in one of two films he has worked on with Diesel (the other, Find Me Guilty, perhaps led to his role as the Assistant DA on Law and Order), and while his role is not as big as I would have liked, his presence and eloquence as the Purifier adds significantly to the film. Karl Urban, who has appeared in other fantasy roles (Priest, Star Trek), presents a more powerful, controlled soldier of the faith, while Thandie Newton as his ambitious wife provides the right balance to the struggle for power within any authoritarian regime. Alexa Davalos is excellent as Kyra, defiant and deadly to the last. Even the extended version is rated PG-13 for language and violence, but little sexual content. Since Vin will be recreating Riddick in a third film next year, I would say this is a collectible if you are a fan of the first two, or just a fan of good science fiction.

Pitch Black - 2000

Polygram Filmed Entertainment, Interscope Communications

Directed by David Twohy

Cast:

• Richard B. Riddick – Vin Diesel
• Carolyn Fry – Radha Mitchell
• William J. Johns – Cole Hauser
• Abu “Imam” al-Walid – Keith David
• Paris P. Ogilvie – Lewis Fitz-Gerald
• Sharon “Shazza” Montgomery – Claudia Black
• Jack / Jackie – Rhiana Griffith

Story: A space freighter is making a long haul, the crew and passengers in suspended animation, when disaster strikes. A meteor shower sends bullet sized fragments through the hull, waking the crew, or what's left of them. The captain is dead before he even leaves his chamber, and the second officer and docking pilot have to think fast to save their lives and the lives of the passengers. When it is over, only the docking pilot and a handful of passengers remain alive, and they are on a hostile planet with no apparent foliage or water, and three suns. One of the passengers is a murder on his way back to prison, the enigmatic Richard B. Riddick, another the bounty hunter bringing him back to prison. Riddick escapes his bonds and flees the company, but the others are more concerned with finding water and trying to find shelter. Zeke has taken upon himself the duty of burying the corpses they can find, but when he does he is attacked and killed by something. The blame immediately falls on Riddick, but when he is captured he denies killing Zeke. Soon the castaways discover a deserted mining camp with a shuttle they might be able to use for escape, but they also discover a horrifying secret. The planet is inhabited by creatures who can only hunt in darkness...and the planet is about to go into total eclipse.

Review: The plot in this film is pretty straight forward, and certainly not original in the scheme of science fiction. The characters are somewhat predictable, with the Imam leading and caring for his three teenaged followers on a great Hadj to New Mecca, the docking pilot having her first “command” thrust upon her, the bounty hunter a junkie hooked on pain killers, the entrepreneur who cares more about his cargo that the situation, a kid traveling alone, a provocatively beautiful woman who is apparently traveling for work, and a hard core killer with eyes that glow and the ability to see in the dark. Okay, so that last character isn't so predictable. As a matter of fact, Vin Diesel portrays a thinking killer who displays none of the classic psychotic behaviors we are used to in a “villain”. Instead, Riddick is a cold, calculating man who carefully reads the people around him. Radha Mitchell is excellent in her role, letting the inexperience of command shake her confidence while she attempts to lead the group into the right decisions. Keith David is the man of God, the man who always finds the hope in the situation and tries to encourage others to do the same. Cole Hauser is a perfect sociopath, coldly deciding who should be sacrificed as long as he survives. The film moves at a good pace, makes one or two logical flaws in the plot, but overall entertains and apparently creates a memorable character in the form of Riddick, who we see next in The Chronicles of Riddick, our next review. Rated R for violence and gore, and language, this film is collectible for Vin Diesel fans and anyone who likes good science fiction.

I, Robot - 2004

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Mediastream Vierte Film GmbH & Co. Vermarktungs KG, Davis Entertainment

Directed by Alex Proyas

Cast:

• Detective Del Spooner – Will Smith
• Dr. Susan Calvin – Bridget Moynahan
• Sonny – Alan Tudyk
• Dr. Alfred Lanning – James Cromwell
• Lawrence Robertson – Bruce Greenwood
• Gee Gee – Adrian Ricard
• Lt. John Bergin – Chi McBride
• Farber – Shia LeBeouf

Story: In the year 2035, technology has advanced to create affordable robots for almost everyone, and we arrive on the eve of NS-5, the next generation of robots. These robots are programmed with the Three Laws that prevent a robot from harming a human, but Detective Del Spooner doesn't trust them. When the primary creator of the robots is suddenly killed in an apparent suicide, Det. Spooner is sent to investigate, and along with Dr. Calvin, a psychologist working with US Robotics to make the robots seem more human, discovers Sonny, a robot assembled by Dr. Lanning who is able to countermand the three laws. Spooner suspects something is amiss, but his investigation is being thwarted by an unknown force that threatens to kill him, if he doesn't uncover the source of the plot.

Review: Now it is interesting they chose to use Asimov's title for this film, since the plot is actually very loosely drawn from the novel. But seeing as it is an action/adventure film more than a deep exploration in to the human condition, Will Smith is the perfect actor to play the role. If you are looking for action with guns and explosions, this is your film. Bridget Moynahan does a fine job as the dedicated scientist who is unwilling to accept the robots could vary from their programming, until she meets Sonny, played wonderfully by Alan Tudyk. There are enough comic moments and pauses in the action to make the film realistic, but having read the book, I have to say overall it is a disappointment. Notwithstanding, Will Smith is an action hero, and he lives up to his reputation in this remarkable film with amazing special effects. PG-13 is because of language and a brief shot of Will in the shower, but nothing too risque. Entertaining and fun to watch, I recommend this one for a rental, collectible for Sci Fi and Will Smith fans. If you are looking for an interpretation of Asimov's Novel, I suggest Bicentennial Man, starring Robin Williams.

Real Steel - 2011

Touchstone Pictures, Dreamworks SKG, 21 Laps Entertainment

Directed by Shawn Levy

Cast:

• Charlie Kenton – Hugh Jackman
• Max Kenton – Dakota Goyo
• Bailey Tallet – Evangeline Lilly
• Finn – Anthony Mackie
• Ricky – Kevin Durand
• Aunt Debra – Hope Davis
• Marvin – James Rebhorn
• Cliff – Marco Ruggeri
• Tak Mashido – Karl Yune
• Farra Lemkova – Olga Fonda

Story: A former boxer and now fight promoter and operator is near the end of his ropes. His boxing robot has just been destroyed by a bull in an exhibition fight, he owes money to just about everyone, and his friend and partner is about ready to sell her father's gym, a remnant from the days of human boxing. A process server comes and hands him what may be the best solution to his problem. His ex-wife has passed away, leaving their 11 year old son alone. His sister in law wants to adopt the boy, but since her husband is wealthy, Charlie Kenton acts like he will fight the custody hearing and, Marvin, the husband, offers him $100,000 to let the custody go through, half now, half when they return from Italy at the end of the summer. Charlie takes the money, thinking he will use it to buy another robot and leave his son, Max, with Bailey, his partner, for the summer. But Max has other plans. Together, father and son embark on an adventure that reunites them and inspires Charlie to take up the challenges before him.

Review: Okay, we've had robots who learn to think (Terminator, I,Robot, Bicentennial Man), a plane that learned to think (EDI) and computer systems who have learned to think (Colossus, SkyNet), so why not a robot who learns to box? At least this one doesn't do the thinking for himself, although since there will be a sequel in 2014, who knows. For now, let's concentrate on the plot: the age old story of a father reuniting with his son. Sure, its been done, but when the acting is good and the story is given a new twist, it will keep you entertained, if not enthralled. Jackman brings his talents to the forefront in this role, a departure from the grizzled Wolverine and the computer hacker in Swordfish, and his performance creates the air of reality in the film. Evangeline Lilly is easy to look at and plays the part of the tomboyish woman brought up around athletes, savvy businesswoman, and neglected love interest well. Dakota Goyo fits the role well, and you feel the emotion when he speaks and looks at Jackman. “What's with those eyes?” While his role is small, using James Rebhorn as the husband of the sister in law who wants custody of Max was an excellent move. I have long admired the ability of this character actor to pull you into the scene. And speaking of character actors, Kevin Durand is quickly becoming one of the more versatile players, doing good guys and bad guys with equal skill. Real Steal is a treat for the family, a film that will entertain and surprise you with its ability to bring you in. Too early to tell if it's a collectible, but you never know.