Jurassic World (2015) Review

"That thing out there... That is no dinosaur." - Owen.

22 years after Steven Spielberg wowed audiences with Jurassic Park, and after two below average sequels, Jurassic World has resurrected the franchise beyond anyone's expectations. Already, the film has broken several box-office records, with people flocking to the cinema just as the characters in the film do so to the titular theme park. Like Jurassic Park, this sequel has a great sense of fun about it, but it is also guilty of conforming to some of the clichés established in the previous films.

First the positives, which there are thankfully plenty of. With none of the characters from the previous films, Jurassic World has to establish new characters that we have to care about in order to create suspense and drama when things inevitably go wrong with the captive dinos. Our two protagonists are Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), the organiser of the park, and Owen (Chris Pratt), the park's Velociraptor trainer. Both are likeable, with Owen's sarcastic humour and swagger making for a solid action-hero lead. Pratt is establishing himself as a highly bankable star, and his performance here is filled with enthusiasm for the project. You can tell he had a blast in this role, and that makes for a fun ride-along with his character. Howard is also good as Claire, and her character is involved in a lot of the film's action, which means that we can grow to care about her and ups the suspense. Unfortunately, both characters are involved in an extremely predictable love story. Its downplayed for a lot of the film, but the early dialogue between the two makes where their characters are going to end up painfully obvious. Back to the film's strengths, there is more than enough action to satisfy. As soon as the dinosaurs break loose, there are thrilling chases, stunts, and a Godzilla-esque showdown to round things off. All these sequences are built up well, with things gradually getting worse for the park, starting with a new genetically modified dinosaur outsmarting its captors. From there, the action keeps building, with more dinos let loose and with plenty of explosions and scares. Its a feast for the eyes. Jurassic World also scores points by paying homage to the first film, but without ever coming across as a rip-off. In one scene, the museum from the conclusion of Jurassic Park is discovered, and there is a great nostalgic feel, as the place has aged just as the first film has. This moment of reminiscence is very appropriate in Jurassic World, as it is a sequel that is made with love and affection towards the original. It is a film that aims to thrill and excite, unlike the two previous sequels, which felt lacking of any sense of fun, exactly the opposite of what a summer-blockbuster series like Jurassic Park should be.

I would like to single out the opening 5 minutes or so for particular praise. It shows brothers Zach and Gray Mitchell (Nick Robinson and Ty Simpkins) arriving at Jurassic World for the first time. Seeing them arrive at the island with the original Jurassic Park music playing reminded me of watching the first film many years ago. The sense of wonder that is evoked from the brothers seeing Jurassic World for the first time matching my own when I first watched Jurassic Park. It was a film that left an impression on me as a kid, along with other adventure films such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones. I haven't had that feeling when watching a film for some time now, and so it was great to experience that again with Jurassic World.

Despite the brothers being involved in that fantastic opening sequence, they are the film's biggest problem. Acting wise, Robinson and Simpkins don't do a bad job, but they have absolutely nothing to work with here. Their personalities basically come down to this: Zach continuously stares at girls (despite having a girlfriend) and Gray talks a lot about dinosaur facts. That's it. There is nothing else to these characters, apart from their stupidity of going into restricted areas where they, of course, have to be rescued. I'm willing to overlook moments like that as the first film also had its moments of characters acting unbelievably stupid, such as the kids shining a torch at the T-Rex. However, the kids in Jurassic World are so bland that I didn't particularly care  when the dinosaurs started to chase them. At least in Jurassic Park, the kids, however annoying they were, proved themselves to be useful when pushed, and were involved in some of the more humorous moments. As they were involved in arguably the best sequence of the film, it's a shame Zach and Gray be involved in undoubtedly the worst scene. There is a moment where they are on a monorail, and suddenly Gray starts crying. Zach asks him why he's upset, and Gray explains that he knows that their parents will be getting divorced. Never again is this mentioned throughout the rest of the film, and it doesn't aid the drama in anyway. You could quite easily have left that scene out, and nobody would have noticed anything different about the characters, as Zach continues his staring and Gray continues his babbling about facts. Another character hampered by bad writing is the head of security operations, Hoskins (Vincent D'Onofrio). He's your typical Jurassic Park bad guy: he wants to use the dinosaurs as weapons, and shows no redeeming characteristics throughout the film. The character offers us nothing else, and so is instantly forgettable and one of the film's weaker aspects. My final complaint is aimed at the dinosaurs themselves. This is a minor issue, but I personally would have liked to have seen less CGI. The first Jurassic Park used a great combination of CGI and practical effects to bring the dinosaurs to life, but in Jurassic World every dinosaur is CGI. Given the first film's creativity, it would have been nice to see some great practical effects in a summer-blockbuster like this again. I always thought that having something actually in front of the camera looks so much better than having it all being created by a computer in post-production.

Though it has a few flaws, Jurassic World is easily the best of the sequels. It knows exactly what it is and fulfilled my expectations: be entertaining. It certainly is. I also have great admiration for Jurassic World paying its respects to the film that started it all. Now, should there be another sequel? No. Though I think it's going to happen given its huge success and popularity, Jurassic World finally got the series back on track, and so should end on a high. It was great to see another Jurassic Park film, and for it to be done well overall, but I would like to see something new now. Jurassic World took the only other idea left for this series and ran with it, and it did it with all the enthusiasm and fun one could expect from the series. 

Pros:
+ Pays homage to the original.
+ Plenty of action sequences, the best being the ending encounter between a new dinosaur and an old favourite.
+ Chris Pratt. He's so likeable, and his star continues to rise because of it.

Cons:
- Some bland characters, the brothers and Hoskins particularly.
- Cliché love story adds nothing and is very predictable.
- Too much CGI, some practical effects would have been nice.

Jaws (1975) Review

"You're gonna need a bigger boat"- Chief Martin Brody

With the summer season of blockbuster films upon us, what better film to review than the one that started it all. Steven Spielberg's 1975 film Jaws was not only the first film to start the notion of the summer blockbuster, but for me, IS the definitive summer blockbuster. It's a film that left an impression on me many years ago, and has been watched again and again ever since. Until recently, with the viewing of Martha Marcy May Marlene, Jaws was far and away my all-time favourite film. Though it is neck and neck with Martha Marcy May Marlene, Jaws has had such an impact on furthering my younger self's interest in film, that it will always be a film I continue to praise and view countless more times. 

What's interesting about Jaws is that it is almost two films rolled into one. The first half is most definitely a horror film, with the shark claiming several victims in a short space of time. The death scenes, even by today's standards, are pretty violent, with severed limbs shown in close up and a fair amount of blood. Needless to say, but this was unlike anything seen in a PG film back in 1975. But it is not the gruesome sight of these attacks that really makes the audience feel uncomfortable, it is the combination of cinematography, music, and Spielberg's staging of the scene before the shark attacks. It is almost pointless to talk about how well these elements are used in Jaws, as they have been talked about so much they are globally recognised. The musical score composed by frequent Spielberg collaborator John Williams is so effective, and yet primarily consists of only two notes. Gradually becoming more dynamic, those two notes perfectly mirror the growing threat of the shark approaching, making for a flawless match of visual and audio elements. The audience is drawn in more through the use of cinematography, as the camera becomes the shark's point of view, with the audience bracing themselves as the camera slowly moves closer to the victim. I think this is most effective in the film's opening sequence, as the first shark attack is shown. In the scene, a young woman named Chrissie Watkins (Susan Blacklinie) goes skinny-dipping at night. Spielberg demonstrates his mastery of suspense by decided against using a musical score when the camera isn't being used to show the shark's perspective. The lack of music, with just the sounds of Chrissie swimming gives the eventual attack greater impact, and is made more horrific with there never being so much of a glimpse of the shark, just the torment of Chrissie. This scene alone stands as proof that Jaws clearly fits into the horror genre, and yet, it is the thrilling second half of Jaws that is the main draw of my repeated viewings. 

With the attacks happening continuously, Chief Martin Brody (Roy Scheider) brings in shark expert Matt Hooper (Richard Dreyfuss) to help convince the stubborn Mayor Larry Vaughan (Murray Hamilton) to hire someone to kill the shark. After witnessing the horror of the attacks on the 4th July celebrations, Vaughan agrees with Brody, and they hire the charismatic Quint (Robert Shaw) to do the job. Quint brings Brody and Hooper with him on the hunt and they head out to sea to put a stop to the menace. The three men hunting down the shark is the entire second half of the film, and it's by far one of the most thrilling sequences ever put on film. They try everything to catch the shark: weighing him down with barrels, leading him into the shore, using an anti-shark cage to get close enough to inject him, and yet it is a bullet that gets the job done in the end. That and a pressured air tank. It's a real testament to the film's strength when I've seen this film countless times, and yet can never exactly remember the order of action set-pieces. There are so many exciting moments, and not remembering the order means that the suspense is still present even after so many viewings. The action sequences are some of the best I have ever seen, but it's not just Spielberg's use of horror elements and action that makes Jaws so special: it's the three protagonists.

Scheider, Dreyfuss and Shaw give flawless performances as the men tasked with killing the shark. Their personalities have been established throughout the film's first half, so to see all three of them together and to see those personalities clash is a real treat. The results of their bickering is mostly hilarious, with Quint being the no-nonsense hunter and Hooper's softer approach of studying the shark, with Brody caught in the middle. Despite the arguments, all three of them are determined to catch the shark, and so there are moments of co-operation when push comes to shove. One scene I must highlight is the Quint's monologue during the first night of the hunt. He tells the story of how he encountered a group of sharks with his regiment in World War II, and the psychological effects such an encounter can have. This scene stands out as being the most chilling moment of the film, but once again, it is the lack of an appearance by the shark that adds so much more impact. The focus is entirely on Quint, and Robert Shaw is completely captivating here. It's a performance that, just for this scene alone, should have won him an Oscar in my opinion. If I could choose one particular moment that I love the most in Jaws, the monologue is it. But the entire film is a masterpiece, and everything I love about it just gets better the more times I see it.

Jaws shocked audiences back in 1975, and is bound to shock and thrill for many more years to come. A simple story told brilliantly, the film caters to action and horror fans, and is a stand-out in both genres for the use of thrilling set-pieces with disturbing imagery and suspense. It also boasts top performance from its cast, and strong writing to tie it all together. Jaws is everything a film should be, not just what a summer blockbuster should be. It is a film that has only gotten better with age, and one that I have never tired of watching. It is, quite simply, perfection.

Pros:
+ Flawless acting from all the cast.
+ Suspenseful throughout, still present after many viewings.
+ Memorable and chilling musical score.
+ Fantastic pacing, a horror film to start and an action film to finish.

Cons:
- None of note, although some people may not like the lack of action sequences until the second half of the film.

Predators (2010) Review

"This planet is a game preserve... and we're the game."- Royce.

Following on from the poorly received Alien vs. Predator films (which I'll get round to when covering the other Alien films), it was about time the Predator starred in its own film once again, and a good one at that. This reboot/sequel to the 1987 original, as the title suggests, involves more than one Predator this time around, and pits another team of lethal humans against the extraterrestrial force. Released in 2010 and produced by Robert Rodriguez, Predators was a return to form for the franchise, and so it's a real shame that it looks like this film won't get a sequel as the series is due to be rebooted again in the near future.

In a similar vein to the original, Predators is set in a jungle environment. However, as the team of soldiers and criminals who are unwittingly dropped there discover, the jungle acts as a game preserve planet for the Predators, and so Predators becomes the first film in the series to not be set on Earth. The human characters, unlike the team of commandos from the first film, are all strangers to one another, and so there is constant tension between them. This rag-tag group comes under the leadership of Royce (Adrien Brody), a mercenary who begins to understand the Predators tactics and strengths. He, along with sniper Isabelle (Alice Braga), is easily the most level headed of the group, whereas the rest are either paranoid, scared or say very little. The casting of Adrien Brody is certainly an interesting one. There's no doubt he can act (see The Pianist for his Oscar winning performance), but can he really be the Arnold Schwarzenegger equivalent and be convincing as a bad-ass action hero? I'm happy to say that Brody totally delivers in this role, not only outperforming the rest of the cast, but also not looking out of place when taking on the Predators. The other cast members also do well, which is a big compliment when compared to some of the acting in the last film to feature the Predator: Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007).

But what about the Predators? Well, there are four of them in this film, and not all of them are on the same side. The first time we see a Predator, it closely resembles the original Predator, so much so that you could be forgiven for thinking the filmmakers simply used the same costume. Very soon after the group encounter this particular Predator, three more show up to attack. We soon find out that these Predators are bigger, stronger, and certainly a lot meaner than any of the Predators in the previous films. These "Super Predators" (as they are referred to by the production team), unlike their predecessors, are more easily distinguishable from one another, with their masks having obvious variations such as the addition of tusks and jawbones of their prey. The designs of these Predators, I think, are even better than the others, with their more intimidating nature making them further stand out in the series' gallery of other Predators.

With four Predators and a group of deadly humans, there are plenty of opportunities for big action sequences. It is somewhat disappointing then, when we only see a Predator around 40 minutes into the film. Before that encounter, we have two decent action scenes: the first involving leftover traps set for the Predators, and the next featuring the Predator equivalent of dogs. Being that this is the fifth film to feature the Predators and has to introduce four of them, Predators lets itself down by attempting to be too much like the 1987 original. When the action finally gets going, it is more out of relief than suspense. Which is a shame, because some of the action is pretty good, the highlight being a one on one fight between the lead Super Predator and Classic Predator. Then comes Adrien Brody's big moment, the final fight of the film. It's here that Brody fully demonstrates his ability to play an action hero, as the sequence involves plenty of running and combat, all whilst being surrounded by fire. It's a thrilling sequence that serves as a satisfying end, as the film makes up for a slow start by delivering good suspense and development of Royce's character, as he learns that the best way to defeat the Predators is to work together.

Despite some flaws, Predators is the most creative of the series since the original, offering new Predators and a new world to set the action. For me, it follows the original a little too closely, but its merits are a strong lead performance by Adrien Brody and some good set pieces once the film gets going. Its clearly a better made film than both crossover films that preceded it and expands the world of the Predator franchise. If this upcoming reboot is instead a sequel to this film, Predators has laid the foundations for the series to be considered thrilling and creative once again. 

Pros:
+ Strong lead performance by Adrien Brody.
+ Fantastic new Predator designs, I'd say better than the rest.
+ Good action sequences in the later stages of the film.

Cons:
- Follows the original film too closely, with some sequences being a direct copy.
- Not all the human character's names are revealed, a big problem when you're trying to feel something for them when they get put in danger or killed off.

Predator 2 (1990) Review

"We've got a new player in town." - Lieutenant Michael Harrigan.

The Predator is back. This time, Los Angeles 1997, in the midst of a drug war between rival Jamaican and Colombian gangs. Lieutenant Michael Harrigan (Danny Glover) soon finds that there is more to fear than the gangs, as the Predator starts hunting down members of the police force. Released in 1990, directed by Stephen Hopkins (known for A Nightmare on Elm Street 5: The Dream Child), the odds were stacked against this sequel to the popular 1987 original. With no Arnold Schwarzenegger or John McTiernan, Predator 2 wasn't well received upon its initial release. However, I think there are a number of ideas in Predator 2 that improve upon the first film, and think that after hearing people's reasons of not liking the film, it seems that the majority wanted it to echo the original more. Maybe this is why there was a more satisfactory feel to 2010's Predators, but I'll be looking at that film next time.

The first thing that stands out as a major difference from the first film is the setting. In the original, the human characters and the Predator were isolated in a South American jungle, which helped to build suspense as the commandos are trapped in an almost alien environment, with no other humans except for the rival Guerillas. This time, the Predator is let loose on the streets of Los Angeles, attacking subway trains and the headquarters of the drug gangs. With such a drastic change of environment, Predator 2 shows how the titular monster adapts to hunt in a different location, adding to its character of being an intelligent alien. This is further demonstrated in two sequences in the film, both of which building on an idea established in the original: the Predator having a code of honour. The two sequences in question are when the Predator chooses not to kill two characters. The first is a boy carrying a toy gun, who spots the Predator whilst playing. Upon scanning the toy, the Predator realises the boy is not a threat, and promptly ceases aiming its shoulder cannon at him. The other is when the Predator attacks Detective Leona Cantrell (Maria Conchita Alonso), but again refuses to kill after noticing she is pregnant. Adding to the previously established characteristics whilst also offering the audience something new with the change of location, Predator 2 makes the Predator a more fascinating creature than before. On top of that, there is more Predator screen-time than its predecessor, exactly what anyone should expect from a sequel.

Action wise Predator 2, for me, offers bigger and better set pieces. The final encounter between Harrigan and the Predator is the standout moment of the film, with the fight going from inside a slaughterhouse, to the roof, through an apartment building, and eventually facing off inside the Predator's ship. There's an added treat of seeing an Alien skull inside the ship,  which would inspire the Alien vs. Predator franchise. This fight scene is not only larger in scale compared to the final fight in the original, there is also use of new Predator gadgets such as a spear, throwing disk, and different vision modes. Seeing all of these weapons used in the fight makes for a visual delight, and further stacks the odds against Harrigan. The previously mentioned subway scene is also a highlight, just due to the amount of chaos that ensues upon the Predator's arrival. In fact, its hard to think of a scene that isn't intense. Whether it's another Predator attack or Harrigan's short fuse, in particular when he confronts Special Agent Peter Keyes (Gary Busey) about the Predator. These sequences of Harrigan's no-nonsense attitude to police work and his pursuit of the Predator make for an entertaining lead, which helps as Danny Glover is of course less of a physical presence than Arnold Schwarzenegger. Overall, I'd say the choice of lead actor and the writing make for a fresh alternative, rather than simply rehashing ideas from the first film.

With all my positivity and listed reasons towards considering Predator 2 a worthy sequel, it still baffles me as to why people are so quick to dismiss it. I welcome an alternate approach to the sequel, as it means it will not be a clone of the first film. If I want was done in Predator, I'll watch Predator. I think Predator 2 is worth checking out, and it may grow on people who give it a second chance after being initially disappointed following on the original.

Pros:
+ More Predator screen time.
+ New location for the story, provides more potential for the Predator character.
+ Bigger and better action sequences.
+ Engaging lead character.

Cons:
- Only one scene (Harrigan visiting a friend's grave) that provides any break in the action for a sustained amount of time. Even then, the scene ends with Harrigan feeling intimidated. A few more subtle scenes would have given the later action sequences even more punch.

Predator (1987) Review

"If it bleeds, we can kill it."- Dutch

Before John McTiernan really announced himself as a great action director with the release of 1988's Die Hard, little did he know that he would kick-start another hugely popular franchise the year before. Following on from the success of Predator was a sequel, two crossovers with the Alien franchise and a reboot/sequel which ignored everything that came after this film. However much the later films polarised audiences, there is no denying that the original is a classic of action/science-fiction filmmaking, and introduced one of the most memorable aliens ever depicted on film.

The plot is simple: an elite squad of commandos are hunted down on what seems like another routine rescue mission of hostages. Along the way, they begin to realise that their enemy is not of this world, and must do whatever they can to make it out of the jungle alive. Without being hampered by such a simple plot, Predator manages to stand out in its genre for three main reasons: memorable characters, fantastic action sequences and, best of all, the design of the titular monster. Starting with the characters, we have the lead role of Dutch, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger. Throughout his career, much has been made of Schwarzenegger being best suited to action roles, garnering a reputation of being unable to act in any other genre. In Predator, I think Arnold is at his best in terms of delivering his lines convincingly. He'll always be remembered for playing the Terminator, as his semi-monotone delivery of the dialogue perfectly fits the role of a robot. He doesn't do anything particularly spectacular in Predator,  but given his reputation as being a "one note" actor, I think his performance here is one that should be viewed favourably. His physical presence makes him the stand out of the group, and very clearly shows that he is the leader of the team. Starring alongside him are other "tough guy" actors such as Carl Weathers (Apollo Creed in the Rocky films) and wrestler Jesse Ventura. The supporting cast are all memorable due to McTiernan establishing each member of the team's personality, with Dillon (Weathers) being the outsider having tagged along against Dutch's wishes of his team always working alone. The other soldiers are defined by their roles in the team, with Hawkins (Shane Black) being the joker, Billy (Sonny Landham) tactically analysing enemy attacks and Anna (Elpidia Carrillo), a woman in the company of the hostage takers, explaining the possibility of the Predator being otherworldly: "the demon who makes trophies of man". 

All the characters get to prove their usefulness to the team throughout the many action sequences in the film, and Predator delivers some of the best action you will ever see. Not just for the amount of explosions and body count, but for the different situations the characters are placed in where the action unfolds. Early on in the film, we are treated to a shoot-out between the commandos and the hostage taking Guerillas. The cinematography is excellent here, with low-angle shots following the soldiers who are thrown from their hiding spots, and with the camera tracking each of the heroes as they make their way through the encampment. Accompanying this scene is some the most memorable (and cheesy) one-liners uttered by the heroes, such as "payback time", "I ain't got time to bleed", "stick around" (uttered after a soldier is pinned to a post with a dagger) and "knock knock", as Dutch kicks a door down and fires away at more soldiers. When the Predator arrives, however, things get serious and the action style shifts, along with the character's personalities. No more one liners whilst attacking, with the team realising they are under threat by something more deadly than enemy soldiers. This is exemplified by the change in personality of Billy, whom before was established as a no-nonsense killer and tactician. He is the first character to sense there is danger after they have completed their mission: "There's something out their waiting for us, and it ain't no man. We're all gonna die." The final confrontation between the Predator and Dutch is a suspenseful cat and mouse game, with each of them trying to outsmart the other, favouring stealth at first until leading to a fist fight in which the Predator displays its dominance, by beating Dutch to a pulp. The variety in action sequences keeps Predator fresh and ensures the audience's attention is held, with the team developing new tactics to try and outsmart the Predator after each encounter.

If all that wasn't enough, the Predator creature itself will no doubt leave an impression on the audience. This alien is a fantastic design, created by special effects maestro Stan Winston, the man behind The Terminator's effects three years prior. Boasting an invisibility cloak, a shoulder cannon, wrist blades, infra-red vision and incredible strength and agility, the Predator is more than a match for the bad-ass team of commandos. McTiernan expertly uses this impressive arsenal to further the film's suspense, with each weapon being revealed through the different action scenes, leaving the audience eagerly awaiting to see what else the creature can do. For most of the film, the Predator remains invisible, leaving its appearance a mystery until the final stages. Even then, there is more to the creature than first suspected, as the Predator removes its mask only when deciding to fight Dutch one on one. Special credit must go to 7ft tall actor Kevin Peter Hall, who gives the Predator a personality through body language. Subtle head movements and dynamic poses make the Predator a more three-dimensional character, rather than simply being a rampaging monster with no distinguishable personality.

The Predator itself is probably the primary aspect of the film's long lasting appeal to fans of science-fiction and action films. However, there is plenty of soul to be found in Predator, with the human characters all being likeable and well portrayed. Add to the mix some classic dialogue ("Get to the chopper!") and you have a thrill ride of a film that delivers both action and visual awe aplenty.

Pros:
+ Terrific action scenes, varied throughout. 
+ Cinematography that compliments the action, not at all obtrusive (as is the case with many modern action films).
+ Very quotable dialogue, whether it be bad-ass or hilarious ("You're one ugly motherfucker").
+ Unique creature design.
+ Solid acting from all the cast.

Cons:
- Some predictable moments, with one character deciding to go after the Predator alone. No prizes for guessing how that encounter ends.