MI4: Ghost Protocol: superb joyride

Some background info: I love the TV version of Mission Impossible. The one with Peter Graves. Everyweek I waited for the iconic opening whereby the famous tune accompany the lighting of fuse. From the days where the tape is burnt after the mission is accepted to the days where they use CD. And because of that love, I hated the Mission Impossible movie franchise. At least so far. I felt it had become Tom Cruise action vehicle, nothing related to MI except the background of IMF.

However, MI4: Ghost Protocol is a total turnaround. Still starring Tom Cruise, but at least this time, he did not hog the scree. It still is mainly him but we do see the development of some other character. The story is simple, Ethan Hunt's team was framed for Kremlin's bomb when a mission failed. The perpetrator is Hendrik, someone who is crazy to want a nuclear war so that human may emerge stronger. The team, now without any government support had to race through time and Dubai, India to stop the bad guy.

The good things: At least this movie, Ethan Hunt's team function as a TEAM, not just individuals supporting Tom Cruise which still end up Tom Cruise alone. The iconic things are there such as the mask IMF team use. The action, is basically good, they really keep you sitting on the edge of the seat. The casting, perfect! Except Jane was average most of time. Simon Pegg was simply awesome in each of his scene. The humour and the chemistry is unbeatable.

What make it so great? The script, non cheesy, the jokes are just classy and on the spot. The whole pace of the movie is simply perfect. You would not feel the 2 hours at all. There is no spot where anyone would look at the watch at all. I would rather keep my urine than to go find toilet.

Downfall? There is none, in fact, except that the bad guys is bit illogical and 2 dimensional. It was explained that he had a IQ of 190, but how he handle himself as an agent is rather mysterious. But it is still pleasant to have a megalomaniac bad guy whom everyone love to hate.

bottom line? just watch it.

ratings: 4 poink!

comments: totally great, worth to be call a Mission Impossible movie.

Petaling Street Warrior: nice action, not so funny, good effort

I have high expectation for Petaling Street Warrior. It costs 3 million. It was shot in Perak. The story is supposedly based in Petaling Street, with local flavour. And it stars Mark Lee, and Yeo Yann Yann, both stand out in what they do previously; Mark in his Singaporean comedy and hosting while Yeo is our local drama queen. And to top it off, Namewee is in the movie.

Then, why didnt I enjoy the movie that much?

The story is cliche, but simple enough. Mark Lee is a Hokkien Mee seller, with his wife Yeo lives in Petaling Street. Unknown to him, he is actually a descendant with royal blood. His identity was disclosed accidentally and since then the ninja clan, Chinese eunuch and local English police after him for a treasure map. Yeo and few friends were entrusted to protect him without his knowledge and by keeping him a virgin throughout the marriage, Yeo hope to train him in "virgin kungfu" secretly. At the end of the day, one can expect that Mark will become a kungfu expert and saves the day. And they live happily ever after.

I tried to enjoy the show. Mark and Yeo gave a solid performance. Acting is good, and the chemistry is actually believable. Even Namewee is good in his limited screen time. Action is on par, although not something to shout about; and is the saving grace for a bulk of the movie. Mixing comedy and kungfu although is a formula for boxoffice return, is not a easy film to make. I blame the average production on the script and direction. The jokes is rather forced, although Mark tried to make it believable. Most are rather slapstick or sexual inuendos; and most are used in other movies before. eg. The chastity belt jokes is used in Love Guru. Marashita hargetei! And how Mark become kungfu expert suddenly after his near death experience is a direct rip off from Kungfu Hustle. The pace for at least the first half of the movie is snail speed. My wife and I was watching our watch on and off. And most of the scene in the whole movies are tight, or zoomed in. Not much shots on how Petaling Street actually looks like. In the end, the whole movie felt like a TV movie instead. The only really wide angle shot is in a rubber estate where Namewee and Yeo having tea. It is a pity on how much details they put into the background, but is not explored at all.

However, the movie is not that bad. The meticulous details and how they recreate a whole town is awesome to look at. There is some really funny moments here and there. The funny reference to local scene is there, typical of local movies. The joke on Namewee is unexpected, and this prove the gentleman is able to laugh at himself. Jack Neo cameo is really funny as well. The second half of the movie is more acceptable with the jokes more spontaneous and there are some chuckles heard in the cinema.

Overall, I cant help but to compare this to other recent local production. It definitely is way better than I love WingChun (which to me, was one of the worst movie I watched in cinema this year). The story, no matter how cliche, is better than Nasi Lemak 2.0 but Nasi Lemak was way funnier and the jokes although lame at some point is more spontaneous in Namewee maiden movie.

ratings: 2 half poink!

comments: the longest funniest moments are the NG cut scene after the movie ends. The other saving grace is Namewee's song for the movie.

Puss in Boots: nice family outing, if you have kids

I am always a fan of Shrek, and that includes all character inside the show, minus Donkey. Naturally, that would compel me to watch the newest spin off which is Puss in Boots. Coming from Dreamworks, I would expect it to be on par with Shrek at least. The trailer, seems to be promising as well.



So, my wife and I step into the cinema with high hopes. One third of the cinema were children, but luckily they were well behaved throughout the show, making the experience of watching movie with kids bearable.



The story is simple, Puss met his old friend Humpty Dumpty and they enlist Kitty Softpaw to steal magic beans from Jack and Jill. With the beans, as expected, they climb up to the sky to visit Giant's castle to steal the magic goose which lays golden eggs. (spoiler ahead). It all ended up as Humpty's elaborated plan for revenge from Puss and their childhood village. I would not spoil the movie by revealing the ending but one would have guess Humpty would come back to his senses.



Animation? Good, as expected from Dreamwork. Not groundbreaking, and did not manage to catch the 3D version, but good.
Voiceover? Top notched, as expected from Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek.
Story? family oriented. No excessive violence, sex or anything that will spoil the 8 years old



So, what is the problem. Actually none. The whole movie felt like it was made for the 8 years old, sterile. Action is there, but nowadays action is in most movies that nothing stand out. The jokes are rather bland, more suited for children rather than adults. The sense of adventure is also rather mild, being the journey to Giant's castle the only thing that stand out. It was also not as touching as UP, so it did not have any moment for adults. The only near hit was when Puss and Humpty recalled back their childhood dream of stealing the magic goose.

In conclusion, it is a very nice movie for a family outing with kids. Otherwise, do not expect much from it, and probably will enjoy it more. It is not a movie that will get you talking about it after the show, or something that I will remember 2 weeks down the road.

ratings: 3 poink!
comments: nice movie, but lack the impact to adults.
comments: got kids, watch. otherwise, you may have other choice.