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REVIEWS
DVD&BD
When first lined up alongside the Avengers flicks, this
superhero film appeared to be on a hiding to nothing:
at best, it looked as if it would turn out to be a cult film
for comic book geeks; at worst it could be the first big
Marvel flop. However,
Guardians of the Galaxy
has not
only gone on to become the highest grossing superhero
movie of 2014, but it has stayed true to its irreverent
comic book roots, blending spectacular action with a
knowing line in anarchic humour. Chris Pratt, best known for his role in
Parks & Recreation
, plays the unlikely leader of an even unlikelier band
of superheroes: a talking raccoon (voiced by Bradley Cooper), a tree
creature (Vin Diesel), a blue-skinned assassin (Zoe Saldana) and a softly-
spoken, muscle-bound warrior (Dave Bautista). Together they form an
uneasy alliance to recover an immensely powerful orb that has fallen into
the hands of a rogue alien warlord. Marvel-lously mischievous stuff.
Marvel’s wackiest adventure yet
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY
Big Herc has enjoyed a mini revival of late – hot on
the heels of Renny Harlin’s
The Legend of Hercules
comes Brett Ratner’s 3D sword and sandal spectacular,
with a perfectly cast Dwayne Johnson rocking it as
the eponymous Greek demigod. Where Harlin’s film
resembled TV’s
Spartacus
sans sex and gore, Ratner’s
beefed up version is like
Clash of the Titans
, complete
with CGI creatures for the hero to slay. Having
completed the legendary Twelve Labours and now living as a mortal
man, Hercules joins a band of swords-for-hire to train the armies of
Thrace – a kingdom under threat from a nasty warlord. But Herc’s no
mere merc; he’s a noble warrior on a date with destiny. Ratner mightn’t
be the world’s greatest director, but we’ll cut him some slack here for
delivering an old school adventure that moves at a cracking pace and
features some pretty damn impressive action set pieces and 3D.
Before he was a legend, he was a man
HERCULES
Writer-director Luc Besson (
The Fifth Element
) applies
his prowess for slick action-thrillers to this bonkers
sci-fi flick that transforms unwilling drug mule Lucy
(Scarlett Johansson) into an omnipotent superbeing.
When a bag of blue crystals implanted in her stomach
ruptures, ZAP! Lucy experiences enhanced strength
and senses, can manipulate matter and time, and has
the ability to unlock the secrets of the universe, as her
brain power ramps up to 100 per cent (apparently the average person
only uses 10 per cent of their brain capacity). Besson’s insane mash-up
of
Limitless
and
La Femme Nikita
will split viewer opinion right down
the middle. But if you don’t take it too seriously (unlike
Transcendence
)
and just kick back and enjoy the wild ride,
Lucy
will be the most fun
you’ll have with a movie this summer.
Super Scarlett
LUCY
Somebody in Hollywood is still prepared to hire
Mel Gibson – the fallen star joins Expendables’
newcomers Harrison Ford and Wesley Snipes as a
member of TeamTestosterone for the third film in
the action-star-ensemble franchise. Aussie director
Patrick Hughes (who made the terrific
Red Hill
) is
in the driver’s seat this time, and displays a Michael
Bay-like flair for pyrotechnics on a grand scale. The
mission here is to take out an arms dealer in Somalia, who just
happens to be Stallone’s old buddy and Expendables’ co-founder
(Gibson). But when he gives them the slip, their CIA boss (Ford)
decides they’re all “too old for this shit” and assembles a new crew,
which includes Kelsey Grammer and Kellan Lutz. But how can they
compete with over 30 years of action movie experience?
New team. New attitude. New mission
THE EXPENDABLES 3
Format:
Release Date:
03/12/14
Format:
Release Date:
17/12/14
Format:
Release Date:
17/12/14
Format:
Release Date:
11/12/14
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