Whiplash

Hello dear reader. I need to start by facing up to a problem. Over my recent blogs I have been extolling the virtues of various actors that seem to be trying to raise the bar, when it comes to talent and performance, so high that you'd need to pop down to your local B&Q (other D.I.Y. stores are available) and buy yourself a sturdy stepladder to even get close to them. First came Benedict Cumberbatch in The Imitation Game playing Alan Turning flawlessly. Then up popped Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything playing Steven Hawking better than the man himself. Then Steve Carell decided to get in on the act playing John Du Pont in Foxcatcher. A character that takes verbal intimidation and the premise that money and the power that comes with it are really not the best of bed fellows. Now apart from the fact that these three roles are about real people they have nothing in common apart from the brilliance of the acting and the quality of the script. My problem is that J K Simmons may have just pulled the rug out from underneath all of them.

Whiplash tells the tale of a young drummer Andrew Nieman, played by Miles Teller. Nieman has managed to land a place in one New Yorks best and most cut throat music schools, Shaffer. Nieman is a focused and driven young man. He spends hours practicing and is determined to be remembered as a music great, if not genius and not to slip away into the annals of ambiguity and banality. There does not seem to be a sacrifice that he will not make in order to achieve his goals. So much so that he ends a relationship with a women for no other reason than she's not as import as his music. Nieman is the product of a single parent family. His mother having left him and his father when he was young. The father being played here by Paul Reiser is nothing special and that may well be the point. A high school teacher or if you believe others 'a failed writer' with seemingly no aspersions of grandeur. A father who just tries to provide for his son and spends his days mostly looking down instead of up. Paul Reiser is very much 'acting by numbers here. He really isn't given that much to do. But that said there are only so many ways you can sit in a cinema and eat popcorn or give a supportive shoulder to cry on...

Then we get to the villain of the piece. Most of you until now will have been unfamiliar with the name J K Simmons but you will almost certainly remember his face when you see it. Simmons is one of those supporting actors who have the talent to play very diverse characters. Everything from J Jonah Jameson, the hyperactive editor of the Daily Bugle in the original Spiderman films (if you need your memory jogging just think grey wedge haircut and very loud) to the supportive and understanding father in Juno. Simmons has never been the leading man. He's never been given a script before and told to just take the brakes off and see what happens. In Whiplash he is nothing short of (Insert superlative here). Simmons is the perfect fit to play Fletcher and It’s been a long time since i saw an actor play a roll this well. In fact I'd go so far as to say that this performance could be mentioned in the same breath as Alec Baldwin in Glengarry Glen Ross or Kevin Spacey playing Buddy Ackerman in Swimming With Sharks, it's that good. Fletcher's main purpose in life, as a teacher at Shaffer, is to hand pick the best students at the school, put them in his studio band and then drives them to point of breaking. His rationale being that unless the students are pushed out of their comfort zone then they'll never know if they have what it takes to be considered great. The other reason for the constant bullying and verbal executions that he delivers is that Fletcher will not except anything other than perfection from his musicians. He has such a hold over his class that even after being involved in a very big car crash on the way to a competition, that leaves the car totalled and on its roof and with Nieman left covered in blood and bruises, he still runs to the building in order not to miss his opportunity

Fletcher feeds on fear and ultimately this becomes the weapon that changes his life. (Slight spoiler alert ahead) Nieman fart and Fletcher both end up leaving Shaffer. They are fundamentally two sides of the same coin and although they don't want to admit it they need each other to be the best at what they do. 

Both Miller and Simmons are at the top of their game here. They both leave everything on the screen and have an intensity about them that a lot of actors just can't replicate. I think I'm right in saying that Miller is in every scene and he plays the drums himself. Simmons also plays piano in this and plays it well. For a film that was shot in nineteen days then edited together and shown at the Sundance film festival less that ten weeks after is nothing short of remarkable. Turn around on a film of this quality is just not done in Hollywood. There will always be investors that want input in the creative process. Then there are test screenings and the inevitable re-edits. Whoever it was at Sony Films that had faith in writer director Damien Chazelle to just leave him alone and let him get on with it should be commended. Whiplash should be on everyone's viewing list. If you have reservations about watching it because you don't like jazz or you think that it's just not the sort of film you'll enjoy. Take those reservations, put them in a box and then leave them in a cupboard somewhere. Then go and see what is almost certainly going to be one of the best films released in 2015 or any year for that matter. 

Twitter Review:

There are no two words in the English language more harmful than ‘good job’.

#J

#K

#Simmons

Useful Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2582802/?ref_=tt_rec_tti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7d_jQycdQGo

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=138922

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2SLAgrouiw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McqCf1MsM-A

Foxcatcher

Foxcatcher is a strange film. At its core it tells the tale of amateur wrestling and a man who feels like his money and patriotism can put America back on the map as the central and most dominant country in the sport. 

Mark & David Schultz are real life brothers, played by Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo respectively. Having both won gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles in their respective weight classes. The story starts with them in training for the upcoming world championships. Mark is committed to his cause and living a reclusive single man lifestyle. A hand to mouth existence in a one bedroom apartment with a kitchenette and a couch for company. His brother David has the home life, wife, played by Sienna Miller and family. The perfect nuclear family, the ground zero of living the American Dream. 

John Du Pont who is acted here superbly by Steve Carell is a man from wealth and privilege. The head of what was at the time the largest chemical company in the world. Du Pont never really lets you see what's going on. His eyes are the only giveaway or tell that even give a glimpse of what he is thinking or contemplating. Like an iceberg, nine tenths of him in always under the surface. He hasn't acquired the social interaction skills that most people develop over time and his general behaviour could be described at best as uncomfortable and at worst as an ambient sociopath. 

Du Pont sets up a training facility for wrestlers at his home called 'Foxcatcher' and flies Mark out with the aim of trying to convince him that together they can conquer all before them and leave a legacy that will never be forgotten. Mark, who was raised by his brother and has never had anything even close to a father figure before, latches onto Du Pont and takes the opportunity that's been presented to him with both hands. Mark also tries to convince David to join him there but he doesn't want to uproot his family and move to another part of the country. However, ultimately over time and the constant offers of money Du Pont puts in front of him, David relents and also ends up at Foxcatcher with his family in toe. 

One of the main reasons I wanted to see Foxcatcher was simply because of Steve Carrel's performance. When I first saw the trailer in November of 2014 it took me well over a minute to realise who I was looking at. Carrel doesn't just steal every scene he's in, he commits grand larceny. I've only ever seen Carrel play one other serious role before but even in Little Miss Sunshine there are comedic moments that lighten the mood. If you do decide to watch Foxcatcher on the basis that you've always liked him as a comedy actor you may come away shocked at what you've seen. It's not often you see anyone given the opportunity to play against type this much. Carell has been given an Oscar nomination for this role here and it's easy to see why. Not since I saw Michael Fassbender in Prometheus have a seen anyone play scary without once having to raise their voice or resort to threats to get what they want. 

It should also be noted that given the right screenplay and a director that knows how to transfer it onto the big screen Channing Tatum can actually act. When he's not being used as generic guns & muscles eye candy in films like GI Joe and White House Down he is actually capable of putting in a performance that would put some established method actors to shame. There is a sequence shot in a hotel where Tatum's character Mark has a mental breakdown, in which he sets about destroying the room he's in. Tatum gets so caught up in the moment that he actually headbuts a mirror which then promptly shatters all over him and the floor. He had not been asked to do his and the mirror in question was not a prop.

Foxcatcher is the ultimate story of absolute power corrupting absolutely.  Du Pont's mother, which takes up hardly any screen time at all is a pivotal role and she must take some responsibility for the man her son has become. Even though the part of the mother doesn't get much time let alone dialogue they have snuck in a real actor to play her. Venessa Redgrave's performance could be summed up in just one word. Cold. She does not approve at all of the time his son is investing in Amateur Wrestling and even goes so at as to call it 'a low sport'. 

John Du Pont does not like being told no. He is used to getting his own way, regardless of the financial cost to himself and the emotional cost to others. For those of you who plan on watching this film I won’t spoil the ending for you but I will say that Du Pont recently died in prison and he was there as a direct result of events depicted in this film. 

This is Bennett Miller’s third foray into directing, having previously given us Philip Seymour Hoffman in Capote and Brad Pitt in Moneyball. Whatever he sets his mind to next he’ll be able to pick and choose from the A-list of Hollywood’s elite when it comes to offering them roles and I suspect the A-list elite will be falling over themselves to make sure that there in it. As I said at the start Foxcatcher is a strange film. It’s unlikely to make you laugh. It will most certainly leave you with an uneasy feeling after you’ve seen it and it will make you think about what behaviour people think they can act with when they are of the opinion that money can fix any problem. What it will do however is make you realise what cinema can do when it’s done well. Entertain, make you think and make you forget about the outside world for an hour or two. Put it on your ‘Must watch’ and put it near the top. 

Twitter Review:

Foxcatcher and wrestling. Carell & Du pont. Both pairings are scary, both pairings are history making.

#QuietRage&Combat

Useful Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1100089/?ref_=nv_sr_1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8361stZ8n0w

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=138696

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4WOqUkJmFQ

American Sniper

I first remember seeing Bradley Cooper as a secondary actor, playing the annoying brother in the Vince Vaughan comedy 'classic' The Wedding Crashers'. Since then he's progressed considerably onto bigger and better things. From the Hangover trilogy (don't watch the second and third films, you'll lose IQ points if you do) to The A-Team. Mr Cooper can seem to do no wrong. Limitless and American Hustle also showed that he was capable of portraying a wide and diverse range of characters. However it wasn't till The Silver Linings playbook that his application to join the 'A-list' elite had been completed. Playing Pat, a teacher with mental health issues, trying to reconcile with his ex-wife. He put in a damaged and vulnerable performance that earned him his first Oscar nomination. 

With American Sniper Cooper portrays a real Navy Seal sniper called Chris Kyle. A man who has the highest confirmed kill rate in American military history. At over one hundred and sixty he Kyle earned himself two unique and equally different nicknames. 'Legend' by his comrades and 'The Devil' by the Iraqi insurgents. 

Kyle was very much a man without a purpose during his teenage years and his twenties. Moving from one meaningless relationship to another and being from Texas his highest aspiration was to become a cowboy and a rodeo rider. It wasn't until the 9/11 attacks in two thousand and one that he felt the urge to help defend his country and basically contribute to the fight of good against evil. Kyle enlists as a Navy Seal at the age of thirty, which is practically unheard of and finds he has a talent with firearms. Sniper rifles to be more specific. 

His first tour of duty starts three days after he gets married. Hi wife Taya, played by Sienna Miller, is reluctant to even talk to him when they first meet in a bar. Taya's sister having had problems being engaged to a sailor and it not ending well. Kyle is almost guilty by association and tarred with the same brush. He does however slowly win her over and with the help of holding her hair back whilst she's being sick Taya begins to see him for more than just muscle & uniform and as quite a compassionate and vulnerable man. 

Kyle’s first kill is quite harrowing. For those of you who have watched the trailer and seem him looking through his scope at an Iraqi mother and son as a military convoy pulls ever closer towards them all I will say is this. Yes he does and yes he has to. 

Kyle's belief system is very black and white. The Americans are good and Iraq's military and street fighting militia are evil and need to be stopped at all costs. This is why Kyle ends up going back to Iraq a further three times. You get the impression that it's because he believes the job is not yet complete and he's incapable of leaving loose ends. Each tour of duty he embarks on leaves his wife emotionally in no man’s land. Never knowing if he'll return or what will be left oh her husband mentally if and when he does. The fact that he does survive four tours physically is extraordinary however every time he comes home he finds it harder to reintegrate into what most people would describe as a normal family life. During his forth tour Kyle finally manages to take out a Syrian sniper who he's had to deal with since his first deployment. This victory comes with a cost though. During a rooftop escape Kyle and the team he is with come under heavy fire and he gets shot in the leg. This is effectively the straw that breaks the camel’s back.  

Bradley Cooper has just picked up his second Oscar nomination for his portrayal of Chris Kyle and it’s not too difficult to work out why. He trained with Chris Kyle’s marine colleagues, spent months bulking up so he would physically match Kyles size and frame and spent time with a dialect coach so he’d sound like Kyle too. The cumulative result of this time and effort is a transformation that is almost indistinguishable from the real man himself.

The tragedy of American Sniper comes in its closing moments. Having completed four tours of duty and in a bid to reclaim back his humanity Kyle, once he’s retired from the armed forces, agrees to help other Marines with posttraumatic stress disorder. This is as much therapy for himself as it for the others he helps. Unfortunately on February the second 2013, whilst at a firing range he is shot in the back and killed by another Marine. Whether you agree with the war and the Americans involvement in it, Chris Kyle’s funeral procession was over two hundred miles long and was lined by well-wishers for its entire length. The funeral itself had so many people wanting to attend it had to be held in the Dallas Cowboys football Stadium.  The closing credits actually use news footage that was broadcast on the day and it does make for difficult viewing given the film you’ve just seen and the sacrifices that you’ve observed Kyle making for hi country.

Clint Eastwood has been on a bit of a production marathon recently. His output of films has left even the most of prolific film makers in his wake. In the last eight years alone he has directed nine films. That's the same quantity as Steven Spielberg, James Cameron and Peter Jackson combined over the same time period. I do start to wonder if at the age of eighty four Eastwood has realised that the clock is ticking and there's only so much time left available to tell the stories he wants to. According to IMBD he's already in production to direct a remake of A Star is Born. Where he gets his energy from is unknown but for someone who is currently twice my age it's remarkable. 

It’s unlikely that Cooper will win this year’s best actor Oscar due to his competition being incredibly strong. Benedict Cumberbatch, Eddie Redmayne, Steve Carell and Michael Keaton are far safer bets but given that the film itself has just opened with a ninety million dollar weekend I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it walked away with best film on February the 22nd.  

Twitter Review:

Fiercely patriotic and it doesn't apologise for being so. A story of a simple man with a simple set of values. 

#BestInTheWorldAtWhatHeDid

Useful Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2179136/?ref_=nv_sr_1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99k3u9ay1gs

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=138645

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRE21DY1pjo

The Theory of Everything

I'm going to start with a confession. I originally didn't want to see this film. From when I first became aware of The Theory of Everything to seeing its trailer I just had at best a lukewarm reaction to it. I suspect a lot of people, like myself, categorise films when they first here about them or stumble across a teaser trailer into 'must see', 'I'll wait for the dvd', 'take it or leave it' and ‘not interested in the slightest’. This last category is where movies go to die as far as a I’m concerned and should I ever compile a list of said films to be avoided ‘at all costs’  it would include such gems as ‘The Twilight Franchise, Hugh Grant Rom-Coms (so basically every film he’s ever made) and Borat . There will of course be variations on a theme here. Some people may have lots more categories, some people less but for me The Theory of Everything definitely fell into the 'take it or leave it' pile. 

Time for confession number two. I can't really put my finger on why. It has a great cast, Eddie Redmayne, Felicity Jones, Davis Thewlis, Emily Watson to name but a few. From what I saw in the trailer it looked like it was going to be an accurate portrayal of Stephen Hawkins life story. It appeared to look authentic with regards to the time period the story is set in. It had the feel of a film that had had a lot of money thrown at it and a film that wasn’t going to be lacking when it came to production values. The closest reason I can come up with for not being interested in watching this movie, which doesn’t paint me in a particularly favourable light, is that I wasn’t sure that I would be comfortable watching someone struggle with a disease that ultimately takes control of him and leaves him dependant on others. 

Time for confession number three. I was completely and utterly wrong.

For whatever the reasons were I decided that I didn’t want to see it I can only say this. I’m going to be a lot more open to suggestion and prodding from my significant other when it comes to taking trips down to my local multiplex. 

The Theory of Everything is a story based on the book that Jane Hawking, Stephen’s first  wife, wrote after they separated. (Sorry, spoiler) It tells the tale form when they first met at Cambridge in 1963 to Stephen receiving his CBE from the Queen in the early eighties. It shows Hawking and his brilliant academic mind slowly losing control of his body and succumbing to Motor Neurone Disease. A short aside here. I didn’t know that ‘Lou Gehirg’s Disease’ and Motor Neurone Disease where the same thing. You learn something new every day. 

At the films core it’s a love story. A story of struggle and compassion and the sacrifice it takes to care for someone who is slowly losing physical control. A chronicle about a marriage and the struggle of a wife who is having to balance the twenty hour care Hawking needs with raising a family and somehow finding the inner strength to do both. The film lives and dies with its two central performances. Eddie Redmayne, whose last two films sawing him having a seven day dalliance with Marilyn Monroe and then belting out the odd tune in revolutionary France and Felicity Jones who has managed to compile a short but impressive body of work including ‘Dr Who’ and ‘Breathe In’ with Guy Pearce. 

Eddie and Felicity complement each other very well. There is definitely chemistry between them and when they are on screen together they both come across as vulnerable and compassionate. However its Eddie’s portrayal of Hawking that real does stand out. Until recently I had thought that Benedict Cumberbatch was not only a shoe in for a Best Actor nomination at the Oscars for his role as Alan Turning in ‘The Imitation Game’, he’d also walk away with the thirteen and a half inch golden statue as well. Now I’m not so sure. Eddie Redmayne puts in the sort of performance that people will be talking about for a very long time. It’s one of those iconic performances that don’t come along too often. Sir Ben Kingsley’s Ghandi and Dustin Hoffman’s Rain Man are stand out roles that will be forever associated with those actors and I truly believe that Redmayne’s Stephen Hawking should be mentioned in the same category. His portrayal of Hawking as he fights to continue with his academic work as his body fails him is nothing short of remarkable. Even more so when you consider that for the last half an hour of the film he doesn’t actually talk and he verbal communications are handled by his now world famous American voice box. 

The Director of The Theory of Everything, James Marsh, has made a very compelling film here. With a lot of subject matter to cover here James, along with screenwriter Anthony McCarten, have put together a film that doesn’t feel overblown or too long. In fact I think it could have been longer without it being detrimental to the film itself. It’s a moving film at times and has light hearted moments too, including Hawking having a hug from Queen Victoria. 

As I mentioned before the supporting cast aren’t exactly there just to make up the numbers either. David Thewlis plays Dennis Sciama, Hawking’s mentor whilst he studies at Cambridge and ultimately becomes one of his most trusted and valued friends. Emily Watson doesn’t get much screen time but you know she is there when she does. An honourable mention should also go to Charlie Cox who plays Johnathan Heller Jones. He’s character is central to both Jane and Stephen’s lives and without him everything could have been very different. A gentle and broken soul who himself has had to deal with his own personal tragedy. 

James Marsh seems to be good at everything he tries his hand at and if you like The Theory of Everything and you have ninety four minutes spare I would also recommend you watch the documentary ‘Man on Wire’ that Marsh made in 2008. A completely different subject matter but equally compelling.

Twitter Review: 

Redmayne & Jones are enthralling. See the film, read the book, buy the t-shirt. The Theory of everything is a 5 star triumph.

#TimeHeals

Useful Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2980516/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Salz7uGp72c

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=138755

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue Of Ignorance)

Birdman is one of those films that if you try and explain it to someone you can never really do it justice. At some points it’s like watching a low budget summer blockbuster with a ‘can do’ attitude. At other points you feel like you’re observing through the curtains on some misconceived theatre reality TV program. Regardless of what label you feel the need to affix to it, it is one of those films that really don’t come along too often and when it does it should be soaked in and consumed with the passion it deserves.

Birdman is the story of an actor Riggan Thomas, played by Michael Keaton, who has his best years behind him. An actor, much like Keaton himself, who gave up on playing the lead role in an iconic superhero franchise twenty years previously. Riggan now has an overwhelming desire to be seen as a ‘serious’ actor and as such has sunk his heart, soul and financing into directing, adapting and starring in a Broadway play called "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" . As well as bringing  play to the stage and all the inherent problems that that entails Riggan is also trying to make up for lost time with his daughter Sam, acted superbly by Emma stone and let's be honest, she could use the work after being unceremoniously bumped off in the last Spider-Man movie. (Sorry there should have been a spoiler alert in that last sentence somewhere). To help make amends and to help ease is fatherly guilt Riggan has hired Sam as his personal assistant. A job that she doesn’t want and shows distain for but at the same time a job she needs as she’s only just got out of rehab for a drug problem.

The film also has one on the best ensemble casts this side of a Woody Allen film. Edward Norton plays Mike Shiner, a troubled actor who leaves everything on the stage and treats his profession with the upmost respect but conversely treats the rest of his life like it’s a game. Norton, who has a reputation for being a difficult actor to work with, sends himself up superbly. Joining the cast of Riggans poduction a day before the first preview is due to take place Mike demands rewrites and passion from his fellow performers. An example of how committed to the stage Mike is shows its self when half way through a monologue that Riggan is giving to the audience, under a spotlight and centre stage, Mike realises that his real gin has been switched for a bottle of water and then flies off the handle and confronts Riggan, thus bringing the show and first preview to a grinding halt. Rounding out the more famous of the assembled group of actors is Zack Galifianakis as Jake. Playing very much against his stereotypical role of goofy comedy relief Jake is Riggans best friend and spends most of time trying to produce the play and keep all of Riggans ducks in a row. He is very much the calm eye of this eclectic storm and without out him all would be lost.

Riggan being the focal point of the film and plot is a very complicated fellow. He's haunted by his superhero past and has conversations with his Birdman alter ego. His underlying problem is a lack of faith and belief in his acting talent. He has reached a point where his mental health has started to blur the line between what is real and what his make believe. This does culminate in some scenes that are quite uncomfortable to watch. The last twenty minutes of the film are portrayed as Riggans last stand. A mental fight between good and evil, a confrontation that will determine who or indeed what takes ownership of his soul.

I haven't yet mentioned the director or Birdman’s cinematographer which needs to be rectified post haste. For without either of them the film would be a completely different animal. Alejandro González Iñárritu most famous directorial release so far would have to be 2006’s 'Babel' with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. As with that film Birdman is a character driven piece and Alejandro handles it fautlessly. The script calls for long shots and with the help of Birdmans cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki the entire duration of the film, which covers four to five days, is presented as one continuous shot.

2015 has been earmarked by many as potentially one of best years for cinema in modern times. It's nice to know that before we get to the big bubble gum franchise movies like Avengers, Terminator, Mad Max, Mission Impossible and Star Wars all due later this year Hollywood is still capable of making films that provoke a cerebral reaction that are based upon story and script as opposed to how much bang for your buck can be squeezed onto the screen. January would seem to have a bumper crop of films that are more brains than brawn. Birdman, Foxcatcher, Whiplash and Wild are all due out within the next four weeks and it’s nice to know there are screenwriters out there that not only capable of authoring these works but are also brave enough to do so.

Twitter: Birdman is unique and original. A superhero movie that has depth and passion, actors & acting, performance & performing.
#ComeFlyWithMe

Useful Links:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2562232/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJfLoE6hanc

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=138740

The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.

So where dear reader should I start with this little slice of celluloid entertainment. Firstly I feel I should address the numbers game. This is the sixth film the Peter Jackson has made about hobbits and their lovely little furry footsteps across, around and in some cases under Middle Earth. 

Now whereas the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy had just over one thousand pages to play with the Hobbit doesn't. There was so much story in the original trilogy that there were some characters that didn't even make it on to the screen. Tom Bombadil for example is missing presumed 'chopping' from The Fellowship of the Ring. I mention this because three hundred pages are not even remotely close enough for the basis of three films. Even two would be a push. 

Now you can be as creative as you want and include all manner of items and back story from the appendices. Hell you could even throw in half a dozen Christmas recipes from Fanny Cradock and also include the complete works of Shakespeare translated in Esperanto and you still wouldn't have enough solid material to turn what is a best a children's story that would take Joe Average about five hours to read into a trilogy spanning forty eight months and nine hours running time. 

Whether it was a studio decision or one that Jackson made himself the truth of the matter is that more films equals more bums on seats, which in turn equals more money and more profits. Then of course there are the inevitable extended cuts and the merchandise circus that comes along with each film. Mr Jackson needs to be careful with his artistic integrity or there's a very good chance that he cod end up being stuck in the same corner as George Lucas, trying to work out where it all went wrong. 

So what if the film itself. Well apart from it being a bit bloated with the unnecessary (please see above), it does have some great action and battle sequences in it. That said one of the best shots in the entire film is simple and uncomplicated. It's a conversation between Bard and Thorin. It's shot with them talking to each other through a hole in a defensive wall the Dwarves have had to build to protect the mountain. It shows Thorin in the full throws of Dragon sickness and his complete inability to see anyone as anything other than a potential threat and thief for the treasure that lies within the mountain. 

As with the Lord of the rings films Jackson uses the giant Eagles as his Middle Earth 'get out of jail free card'. Basically it works like this. When you see them on screen you know the good guys are going to win. There's also the inclusion of 'Wereworms' which if memory serves do get briefly mentioned at the start of the Hobbit book but they aren't in the final battle where they show up on screen this time. The other small issue I have with the introduction of ‘Wereworms’ is that they are only ever on screen for about ten seconds and they only get used as a device to move the plot forward. They also happen to be huge. 

If anyone has read Douglas Adams The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy and is aware of his ‘Space is big. Really big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space’ quote then you get some idea of how big these worms are. My problem is where have they been for the last five films? Holidaying in a garden centre somewhere?

Oh, and if you’re a fan of Smaug and all of his fiery goodness then I would strongly recommend that you take your seats promptly when you go to see The Battle of the Five Armies as he doesn't make it past the opening credits. What it lacks in Dragons it does however make up for with great acting. Cate Blanchet is back and packs a mean magical punch. Orlando “They’re taking the Hobbits to Isengard” Bloom is Legolas, and if you like your Dwarves Scottish, Homicidal and wielding large hammers than Billy Connolly may just make your day. 

So it may sound like I’m Jackson bashing a little bit but I’m not. I really enjoyed watching these films and although I didn’t think The Hobbit was worthy of a trilogy I’d happily watch them again and at some point in the not too distant future I’ll probably end up owning them as well, In all the shiny blu ray virtuousness. The Battle of the Five Armies at is heart is story of absolute power corrupting absolutely. This power manifests itself in the form of more Au than ‘Cash For Gold’ could shake a stick at. The film, where it’s allowed to, stays faithful to the book and without wanting to give away too many spoilers not all of the original party that leaves Hobbiton at the start of An Unexpected Journey make it to the end credits here. It also benefits from not having the fifteen different endings that Return of the King got weighed down with. It’s a fitting conclusion to Tolkiens books and I suspect no one will ever be brave enough to want to bring either of his most famous books back to the big screen during the next fifty years or so. I hope Jackson is now content with Middle Earth and is smart enough to leave well enough alone. He’s brought what many thought was an ‘un-filmable’ series of stories to the masses and he’s done it in style. His motion capture technology is now used by most Hollywood studios as and when required and his effects company Weta is now consistently giving Industrial Light and Magic a run for its money as the ‘go to’ industry standard. 

Twitter Review:

Gandalf, Orcs, Elves, Dwarves, Dragons, The One Ring, Sauron, Gold, Battles and a Bard...

#AddWater&Stir

Useful Links:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2310332/?ref_=nv_sr_1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVAgTiBrrDA

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=137273