| | It's that time of year again! The (so-called) "Summer Blockbuster" Movie season has begun! And, that also means the return my blog's very own movie review column, "At the Aisle Seat."
For this edition, I'll be covering the 1st 2 big films of this season in the order of their release dates. And, as always, I shall do my best to keep things spoiler free!
First, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." 
It's been a couple of years since the semi-disappointing "X-Men: The Last Stand" (aka "X3: The Last Stand"). I say "semi-disappointing" because there were a few really outstanding things that occurred in that film: the use of the Danger Room, more Colossus in action, and the brilliant Kelsey Grammer as Hank McCoy/the ever-loving blue furred Beast!
Now, with this new entry into the X-Men film franchise, the ever-popular mutant Wolverine is featured front-n-center! This film delves into the mysterious past of the primal mutant, from childhood into his maturity into adulthood.
This film borrows a great deal from all of the various comic book stories about Logan & his past. However, it does so in such a way that fans of those tales won't be bored. To mention which stories would be giving away much of the plot of this movie. Suffice it to say, if you've ever read any Wolverine comics, there's a lot of really cool "easter eggs" for you to discover!
The other really cool thing about this film is that it firmly entrenches itself in the Marvel Mutant Universe. There are more mutants in this film than the previous 3 X-Films combined! The best of which are Deadpool & Gambit (both of whom were featured in the film's trailers).
Ryan Reynolds was excellent as Wade Wilson, aka Deadpool, "the Merc With the Mouth." He really nailed the character without making him too campy/comic-booky. So, for those of you that are expecting a mutant-powered version of "Van Wilder," forget about it! Reynolds' Deadpool is spot-on with the original comic character! Oh, and just so you know, yes! He does deserve his own spin-off movie, which is now in pre-production!
One of the biggest surprises, for me, was the performance of Taylor Kitsch as Remy LeBeau (aka Gambit). While he was rather light on the Cajun accent, Kitsch brought out the mutant's "devil-may-care," debonaire nature rather convincingly. Obviously, if you're familiar with this character, there were some minor tweeks made to his physical appearence. However, much like the leather uniforms from the previous X-Films, the adjustments made to bring Gambit to the big screen doesn't detract from the original's character design at all. Confused? Well, when you see this film you'll understand what I mean.
Regardless, this is the best X-Film since X2: X-Men United. I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
Oh, and by the way, you should really watch the entire film! Much like last year's "Iron Man," there are some pretty cool things in store for those who sit thru the end credits! Trust me!
Next is the new "Star Trek." 
Now, before I go any further, I'd just like to state that I'm not what you'd call a "hardcore Star Trek" fan, otherwise known as a "Trekkie/Trekker." Granted, I'm a fan of the film franchise(s) and some of the various comic book lines. I also have a more-than-passing knowledge about the various Trek franchises. But, I cannot quote "chapter & verse" all things Trek.
Basically, I'm not a "closet Trekker." I've, like most people who are into pop culture, enjoyed the previous 10 films.
'Nuff said. With that out of the way, we now return to your column, already in progress.....
For the better part of a year now, all I've heard from the Trekkies/Trekkers are the moans and groans about how this new film was going to suck, that it wasn't really "Star Trek" anymore because the original cast wasn't going to be in it.
To those people, I say this: The original cast of actors are either too old to carry a film of this magnitude or dead. This new film is not your "grandfather's Trek."
While I understand and feel your pain (I still really dispise the new so-called "Battlestar Galactica"! [Starbuck's supposed to be a guy, not a biker chick!]), in this case, i really believe that the moderization of the Trek franchise works...and it works really well!
Unlike how Ronald Moore jacked up "Galactica," JJ Abrams & company fine-tuned the original characters and brought them to the 21st (23rd?) Century! They didn't do anything too radical, such as arbitrarily change the gender of any characters (Starbuck & Boomer aren't supposed to be women!).
We finally get to see the earliest days of the Enterprise's crew, as well as the starship's maiden voyage. We are introduced to the first (?) commander of the USS Enterprise, Capt. Christopher Pike. We witness the origins of the various relationships (Kirk & McCoy, Kirk & Spock, Kirk & Scotty, Sulu & Kirk, etc.) between crew members, as well as see some very interesting new ones.
This film borrows all of the best & coolest elements from all of the lore of the Original Star Trek, as well as from Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan & The Next Generation.
For example, the villain Nero is cut from the same cloth as Khan. As a character, his motivations are not necessarily evil, per se. To himself, Nero, like Khan, is trying to do what he believes is the greater good.
The main plot device in this film could be considered "classic Trek." It's one that has been utilized before and this film does so just as effectively.
Like I mentioned earlier, there are plot twists in this film that the mainline Trek fans won't expect! in my opinion, they work and work well! (Again, in keeping with my spoiler free promise, I'm not telling what they are!)
Visually, this new Trek is spectacular! The revised Enterprise is very cool. It doesn't stray away from the original design. The set design is brighter than previous versions, which the hardcore Trekkers have come to call "iPrise" (a fusion of iMacs & the Enterprise).
The visual effects are outstanding. The CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) doesn't look too clean, nor does it distract from the visual impact of the story. The various starships move about much like how current naval vessels & submarines would if they were not having to deal with the principles of hydrodymanics.
While this film may seem like a non-stop rollercoaster ride-style of action movie, don't be fooled! There's so much intricate character development within, some familiar, some brand new. All of it works well to make this the best Trek film since "The Wrath of Khan."
Overall, I really enjoyed this film. It was fun, entertaining and well done. I give it 4 stars out of 5.
So, there you have it! My first 2 reviews of the year! So, what'chu waitin' fer?! Go out and see dem films, then come back and tell what ya thought! I look forward to receiveing your feedback!
Until next time, as always, stay tuned.....
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| | Posted 5/8/2009 8:07 PM - 8 Views - 0 eProps - 0 comments
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