Star Trek Into Darkness
Andrew O'Dea
After the crew of the Enterprise find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization, Captain Kirk leads a manhunt to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction.
"Star Trek Into Darkness" is engaging on a magnificent scale, bringing the flare and energy of its predecessor to screen. A cluster of high octane action sequences are set against the visual grandeur of other-worldly backdrops, all the while propelled by solid storytelling. The director has sewn this movie together with an almost clinical precision, and the entire cast play their roles with sublime conviction, in particular the chilling and malevolent villain at its core. Set phasers to awesome.
Iron Man 3
Andrew O'Dea
When Tony Stark's world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
The third instalment of the "Iron Man" franchise once again welcomes the familiar fusion of humour and action. Although the pacing can feel uneven at times, almost as if cruising on auto-pilot, the film is held together by a clever script and the charisma of its leading man who entertains with trademark wit, quips and playboy antics. However, it's the shiny suit that is the star of the show, and it doesn't disappoint in a myriad of explosive CGI that reaches its peak in an epic finale. Proves its mettle.
Olympus Has Fallen
Anthony Macali
The White House is ambushed by an army of terrorists and the Preisdent is taken hostage. A former guard leads the one-man rescue.
"Olympus Has Fallen" is a non-stop assault of guns and explosions, striking a close resemblance to video games. This B-Grade action revamp features the prototypical bad guys of North Korea, and a hero relishing the violence he's confronted with. Leading the charge to save the world, our patriotic general does not shy from the bloody onslaught or increasingly amusing 'one-liners'. If you can arrest the flaws and the lull at the half-way mark, you may find the ludicrous situation good fun. Stands up.
Oblivion
Andrew O'Dea
A veteran assigned to extract Earth's remaining resources begins to question what he knows about his mission and himself.
"Oblivion" is a dystopian thriller that plays like a mix-tape of science fiction flicks; borrowing heavily from like-minded genre films that came before it. For the most part, the movie is fairly engaging, and it's difficult not to appreciate the sweeping landscapes and polished production values that are matched to a pulsating soundtrack. Yet for all the visceral flair, it's a shame the story lacks the originality and tension to distinguish itself from being just another clone. Too obvious.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation
Andrew O'Dea
The G.I. Joes are not only fighting their mortal enemy Cobra; they are forced to contend with threats from within the government that jeopardise their very existence.
"G.I. Joe: Retaliation" is a high-octane, relentless onslaught of stupidity. The storyline is as moronic as the dialogue which will often illicit laugh-out-loud moments, but for entirely the wrong reasons. It honestly feels as if the filmmakers thought they would get away with decorating a pile of sewage with a bunch of bazookas, ninja stars and a nuclear warhead before releasing it as a 'movie'. This film is nothing more than an insult to both the intelligence and wallets of its audience... G.I. Joke.
The Last Stand
Stefan Bugryn
A small town sheriff must stop a Mexican druglord from crossing the border.
Unfortunately, there isn't enough originality to set "The Last Stand" aside from the rest. It takes a little too long to actually kick in, and it's not until the second half that the action really gets under way. Petrol-heads get their fix, with just as many car chase scenes as there are shoot-outs; and of course, one liners and comedic moments are never far away. It won't go down in history as one of the best action movies ever, but it's still a fun ride, if that's what you're after.
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters
Andrew O'Dea
Hansel & Gretel are bounty hunters who track and kill witches all over the world. As the fabled Blood Moon approaches, the siblings encounter a new form of evil that might hold a secret to their past.
The old adage hints that you should never judge a movie by its title, but in this retelling of the classic fable, audiences would be remiss to expect anything remotely more than Hansel & Gretel... hunting witches. The premise is ludicrous and predictable in this film that values style over substance, yet action fans will nonetheless be entertained by watching a host of witches serving as nothing else but vessels to cackle then splatter across the screen. Don't be lured by this candy.
Django Unchained
Andrew O'Dea
With the help of a German bounty hunter, a freed slave sets out to rescue his wife from a brutal Mississippi plantation owner.
Unbridled violence is unleashed in this Spaghetti Western, teetering between comedy and gore. The profanity and blood flow in a celebration of excess, belying the film's racial consciousness and intelligent commentary on a dark period in American history. Although undermined by elements of self-indulgence, the director also brings to "Django Unchained" a trademark penchant for witty dialogue, sharp storytelling and sublime style. Unshackled and foolishly fun.
The Impossible
Stefan Bugryn
A family is caught in the horror of the 2004 tsunami in Thailand.
Whilst the production values and direction are both amazing, bringing the seemingly 'un-filmable' to life, they are a little inconsistent. There are some stagey and clichéd moments that will make you cringe momentarily, and the ending is somewhat predictable. Negatives aside, within the patchiness, there are some truly moving sequences. It's hard not to get swept away by the aching melodrama and jaw dropping realism. The tale is truly incredible, and one that is told in an impressive manner overall. Not impossible to enjoy.
Gangster Squad
Anthony Macali
A chronicle of the LAPD's fight to keep East Coast Mafia types out of Los Angeles in the 1940s.
"Gangster Squad" investigates a time when the most effective way to combat violence was with more violence. The characters are menacing and hard-edged, although this strangely conflicts with the polished look of the film, clearly used to instil a sense of nostalgia for the era. The production is a little too clean and manufactured for the subject matter, robbing the story of the momentous and emotional impact it could have achieved. A talented squad do their best, and excite for the most part, but fail to captivate overall. Plastic gangsters.
Jack Reacher
Andrew O'Dea
A homicide investigator delves into a case involving a trained sniper who shot five random victims.
"Jack Reacher" is an outlandish crime-drama hampered by a severe lack of originality and a false assuredness in its direction. Rather than maintaining an element of suspense, crucial twists and plot points are explained in painstaking detail, as the film builds to an anti-climax you wish arrived sooner. Along with gaping holes in the storyline that are just plain baffling, action sequences are boring and generic, and the dialogue clichéd to the point of being unintentionally laughable. Don't go reaching into your pocket for this cinematic mess.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Andrew O'Dea
Bilbo Baggins sets out on an adventure with a group of Dwarves to reclaim their mountain home.
The greatest delight of this movie is the simple joy in being able to revisit the magic of Middle-Earth once again, captured in all of the director's visionary glory. In this chapter, an aura of whimsy and charm are preferred to the darker nature of the film's predecessors – a light-hearted approach that remains faithful to the literary classic upon which it is grounded. Although it has its share of storytelling detractions, in particular the deliberately slow pacing, there are still enough moments of action and allure to sustain, making "The Hobbit" a journey worth taking.
Skyfall
Andrew O'Dea
Bond's loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her.
The opening scene sets the tone for this sublime thriller where the tension is maintained amidst action sequences that are both stylish and gritty. While the scenery and cinematography are exhilarating, the beauty of "Skyfall" lies in its emotional depth and grim poignancy. Nods to the franchise origins are sophisticated and sincere, and the intelligent backstory of our beloved icon is underpinned by a polished script, taut direction and exquisite cast, all of whose interplay and on-screen chemistry mark this instalment as one of the best. Undoubtedly earns its licence to thrill.
Alex Cross
Anthony Macali
A homicide detective is pushed to the brink of his moral and physical limits as he tangles with a ferociously skilled serial killer who specializes in torture and pain.
"Alex Cross" is your typical crime-thriller that some studio thought warranted a big-screen production. The titular detective is a notable presence, showing off his impressive analytical skills and wracking his brain to solve the puzzle and motive of a crazed killer. The pace is mild, and the rather psychotic turn mid-way adds some weight to the situation, but the shift is rather abrupt and dubious. An investigation-by-numbers that is moderately suspenseful.
Dredd 3D
Andrew O'Dea
In a violent, futuristic city where the police have the authority to act as judge, jury and executioner, a cop teams with a trainee to take down a gang that deals the reality-altering drug, SLO-MO.
"Dredd 3D" is a classic grindhouse shoot 'em up. Bullets rip through faces and bodies splatter from a great height in glorious slow-motion, stylishly drawing out each bloody micro-second. While the 3D effects do nothing but enhance a terrible sense of retro-fitting, gore-addicts will still no-doubt be enthralled by the relentlessly graphic violence; even though it only serves as compensation for the tired and unimaginative 'cops vs bad guys' storyline. Bordering on dreadful.