To Reboot in computer terms means to start over, while keeping most original items intact. The movie version of a reboot is similar: an opportunity to create new stars out of existing storylines, while ideally introducing new viewers to the original.
This reboot of The Terminator, T2, and so forth leads with its strong suit. Arnold Schwarzenegger - they don't get much stronger than him. Even pushing 70, he's a commanding presence and easily the best part of the movie.
He's aged and transitioned into a nurturing "Pops" and is the guardian angel of the new iteration of Sarah Conner and John Conner and Kyle Reese.
No surprise that the 2015 version of Sarah and Kyle looks like younger version of Linda Hamilton and Arnold. We've got the next generation lined up, if the box office agrees. This may be a playbook preview of the upcoming Star Wars: The Force Awakens with Harrison Ford and Mark Hamill bringing up the next generation of Jedis.
As with many time travel plots, the story jumps around a lot from 2025, to 1984, to 2017, no make than 2014. The new villain is Genisys, playing the Ultron part, as the computer system set to take over the world unless it is stopped. No James Spader voice makes it fall a little flat. The system does have it its disposal a number of T-1000's , complete with police uniform.
The best part is the allusions to the original movies, complete with Pepsi machines and old style clips. Not so good: a complicated plot, again not much suspense as to what might happen.
* * * of 5
Spy
Written and directed by Paul Feig of Bridesmaids fame, it's a Girls Gone Apatow on a spy movie. Maxwell Smart would like Melissa McCarthy, but I think James Bond might give a nod of approval. She plays Susan, a CIA agent on the back bench, called into the game as a pinch hitter.
Not everyone is happy. Jason Statham steals the show in my opinion as a competitor agent wondering why Susan is going in. Rose Byrne plays a good villian-iss and Jude Law, is.. well... Jude Law, the modern day Hugh Grant as the prototypical 007. Good casting, fun dialogue. definitely R rated. A good movie for a grown up wanting to feel like a kid.
* * * * of 5
Not everyone is happy. Jason Statham steals the show in my opinion as a competitor agent wondering why Susan is going in. Rose Byrne plays a good villian-iss and Jude Law, is.. well... Jude Law, the modern day Hugh Grant as the prototypical 007. Good casting, fun dialogue. definitely R rated. A good movie for a grown up wanting to feel like a kid.
* * * * of 5
Jurassic World
With strong bloodlines, this movie comes with high expectations. When Steven Speilberg (executive producer) and George Lucas (ILM) get together, good things are bound to happen. Add in a sequel to a wildly successful movie and you're breeding up.
The skewering of the theme park culture is probably the best part of the movie. It sure can seem ridiculous from the outside. But inside the bubble it's a different story.
Speilberg and Lucas really channel Raiders of the Lost Ark with Chris Pratt as the modern day Indiana Jones. Bryce Dallas Howard plays the Sigourney Weaver character. A lot of references to Alien with the newest monster the A-Rex. Two classic movies to emulate.
There's an interesting subplot with the InGen Corporation seeking to use the dinos for "other purposes". And it of course culminates in a great battle.
The CGI is outstanding - thanks ILM! And a nice feel good family movie with the dad figure, the mom figure and 2 cute kids. Thanks Speilberg! This is the result of a beautiful friendship.
* * * * of 5
The dinos have gone mainstream in 2015. Jurassic World is a theme park world unto itself. They're even working on taming the raptors. But in a quest for bigger, scarier, newer assets, they've ... created... a monster!
The skewering of the theme park culture is probably the best part of the movie. It sure can seem ridiculous from the outside. But inside the bubble it's a different story.
Speilberg and Lucas really channel Raiders of the Lost Ark with Chris Pratt as the modern day Indiana Jones. Bryce Dallas Howard plays the Sigourney Weaver character. A lot of references to Alien with the newest monster the A-Rex. Two classic movies to emulate.
There's an interesting subplot with the InGen Corporation seeking to use the dinos for "other purposes". And it of course culminates in a great battle.
The CGI is outstanding - thanks ILM! And a nice feel good family movie with the dad figure, the mom figure and 2 cute kids. Thanks Speilberg! This is the result of a beautiful friendship.
* * * * of 5
Aloha
A short review for a slight film - Cameron Crowe does Jerry Maguire again - here we have the Hawaii version - instead of a sports agent, we have a military contractor. Bradley Cooper has the gentleman's choice of either Rachel McAdams or Emma Stone. Hmmm.... One is married. Not much of a choice.
Lots of monologing, soft lights, cute kids, and not much substance.
* * of 5
Ex Machina - 5 Stars
This movie came out of nowhere for me - billed as THX 1138 meets Blade Runner. It was really more Hitchcock than anything - high praise.
The unknowns casting helped the cause. Caleb wins a contest to go to a Island of Dr. Morneau type place. The helicopter drops him off and leaves. He meets the Col. Kurtz of the place, Nathan, who explains the Turing principle. Nathan has invented an AI robot named Ava. Nathan wants Caleb to test her "humanity". If the robot can pass for human, it passes the Turing test.
As of course Ava is very human-like, we get to know her and everyone in several acts. The movie is set like a play, set mostly inside the house/lab when Nathan works. Caleb and Ava "get to know each other" and Nathan wants to know what they talk about. No more needs said.
It did remind me of those 70s movies referenced, Island of Dr. Morneau, and Apocalypse Now.
* * * * * (highest rating)
The unknowns casting helped the cause. Caleb wins a contest to go to a Island of Dr. Morneau type place. The helicopter drops him off and leaves. He meets the Col. Kurtz of the place, Nathan, who explains the Turing principle. Nathan has invented an AI robot named Ava. Nathan wants Caleb to test her "humanity". If the robot can pass for human, it passes the Turing test.
As of course Ava is very human-like, we get to know her and everyone in several acts. The movie is set like a play, set mostly inside the house/lab when Nathan works. Caleb and Ava "get to know each other" and Nathan wants to know what they talk about. No more needs said.
It did remind me of those 70s movies referenced, Island of Dr. Morneau, and Apocalypse Now.
* * * * * (highest rating)
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