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Reviews
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
Very Fun Movie
I've seen a lot of movies this summer. Everything from X2 to The Matrix Reloaded to Hulk to T3. These were all action packed and/or thought provoking. It was about time for something that was just `fun'. Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl filled that quota.
Orlando `Legolas' Bloom stars as Wil Turner, a typical `blacksmith-with-a-heart-of-gold-turned-to-piracy-after-undead-pirates-kidnap-his-one-true-love'.
Keira `Not-Natalie-Portman' Knightley (who actually played Queen Amidala's decoy in The Phantom Menace) is Wil's one true love, Elizabeth Swann. It's one of those `high-class-girl-has-to-marry-high-class-even-though-she-loves-lowly-blacksmith' stories, but when she's captured by undead pirates, things change.
Johnny `Didn't-He-Used-To-Be-Really-Famous?' Depp makes this movie as Captain Jack Sparrow. Depp stole every single shot he was in, playing the typical `pirate-who-you-never-really-know-what-side-he's-on-even-at-the-end'. Depp is hilarious, and I will probably buy this movie when it comes out on DVD, if only for his performance.
"Impressive" Factor: High. Besides the humor brought by Captain Sparrow, the special effects were beyond. Just beyond. Industrial Light and Magic outdid themselves on this one. You see, the undead pirates show their undeadedness when moonlight hits them, which makes for some creepy, dramatic moments, but once that point is brought across, it's almost like it's no big deal. Skin, no skin, its all the same. It's about time special effects weren't the focus, no matter how awesome they might be. The ending battle is great, perhaps only because the special effects were used to enhance the story, not just be there.
Overall: See this film. It has everything. Pirates, love, humor, special effects. Go. Now.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
It's hard for me to say this...
Alright, listen: I'll admit, I'm a Star Wars geek.
I saw "Phantom Menace" 4 times in theaters and own the DVD and all the Special Edition VHSs. But then I saw "Fellowship of the Rings" on opening day. And it seems all that changed. Star Wars will always have a special place in my heart, but this ONE MOVIE beats them all.
As I said, it's hard for me to say this...
But having not read the books and not even knowing much of the basic plot, I went into this movie with open eyes. And I was totally blown away. I figured LOTR was kid-friendly, with cute little hobbits and dwarves and such. But the movie was so DARK! It's a tale of temptation, of power, of emotion. Not a corny "Harry Potter" (which I saw only for the Episode 2 trailer), but something that pulls at the heartstrings and makes you think. Not only is the plot excellent, but the special effects and acting are extraordinary. I still don't fully understand how they made the hobbits so short (but that will be answered on the DVD, i bet), and I could only find a few obviously bad effects (Frodo in the Council of Elrond). There is only one word to describe the battle sequences: INTENSE. It's just so fast and I don't know how they didn't hurt anybody. I've seen the movie three times and the ending still gets to me.
I don't know. It may be my age (I just turned 18), it may be the changed world, but Star Wars seems a little childish. Don't get me wrong, I'm still excited about "Attack of the Clones", but not in the same sence, nor with the anticipation I have for "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers."
Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1982)
The most classic video game for the most classic movie
this video game is the cream of the crop for the Atari 2600. im only 18 but i have this game (i dont even have the system anymore!). its the first star wars game ever made, and i love it. if you have a 2600, and even if you dont, buy this game.
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within (2001)
Didn't have to be Final Fantasy
Spirits Within was a great movie, and the best adaption of a video game I've ever seen. But that's where the fault lies. To tell the truth, it isn't really a video game adaption at all. If I hadn't known that they were trying to make a Final Fantasy movie, I would accuse them of making a good movie and trying to make it better by adding a popular name. Don't get me wrong, it is an amazing movie, with computer effects unlike any before, a plot that I didn't find too stereotypical, and decent voice acting, but I believe it could have gone over just as well, if not better, if it wasn't "Final Fantasy."