Your Entertainment Ticket

A

MAGICAL

SEASON

NOW ON BLU-RAY

ONCE UPON A TIME: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON

By John Delia

One of the best series this year in my estimation Once Upon a Time: The Complete First Season has been released on Blu-ray in a box set. This fairytale has all the frills of a theatrical release including some nice special effects, commendable acting and a very good storyline. Intriguing, creative and exciting after the first few episodes it’s addictive as reading a good book, putting it down becomes very hard to do.  But, you will want to take breaks between several of the twenty-two episodes so you can do other things like eat, sleep and give the TV a rest.

The series stars Josh Dallas as Prince Charming (and David Nolan), Lana Parrilla plays the Evil Queen (and Regina), Ralph Sbarge does a good job as Jiminy Cricket (and Archie Hopper), Robert Carlyle gives a superior performance as Rumplestiltskin (and Mr. Gold), Ginnifer Goodwin plays a good Snow White (and Mary Margaret), Jennifer Morrison makes a creative Emma Swan, Jamie Dornan does his best as Sheriff Graham and Jared Gilmore puts on a good show as Henry.  During each episode there are excellent guest roles that make the story even more enchanting.

Once Upon a Time covers two dimensions, one in the fairytale days of old where Snow White and Prince Charming are the center of attraction while the Evil Queen tracks them down.  You’ll find other characters like Rumplestiltskin, Jiminy Cricket, the Seven Dwarfs and other notables who make their way though one adventure after another. Getting pretty close to the feel of the original Brothers Grimm fairy tales, the stories are dark and in some cases very violent.  I like this universe the best due to the amazing imagination of the talent that created the characters that roam the kingdom. But, make no mistake, the intertwining of the two dimensions make the show different and enjoyable to watch.

Regina (Lana Parrilla) chats with Emma (Jennifer Morrison)

In the other half of the universe that’s taking place in modern day small town Storybroke, a story plays out that mirrors the simultaneously unfolding drama in the fairytale kingdom.  In this world Emma Swan, daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming, has been brought to this dimension to escape immanent danger taking place in the past.  Here she’s an adult trying to make her way through life following a hard time caused by mistakes including having to give up her son Henry.

The show plays out extremely well with some very good twists, deliciously decadent characters and enough action to break up the darkness of the sinister plots.  Along the way the writers interject some comic relief and romance yet keeps it PG so most of the family can watch it together. But make no mistake, this series targets women and for them it’s a reminiscence of growing up with fairy tale dreams while the men will have to take refuse with the dark action and conflicts.

Selling your soul to save your son, my favorite episode called Desperate Souls finds Emma Swan running for Sheriff with the spiteful Mayor Regina backing the opposition.  The chapter gets really edgy when Mr. Gold offers Emma an opportunity to win in return for a favor.  Also in the episode we find Rumplestiltskin trying to save his son from being dragged off to war at the age of 14 with his father making a deal that turns sour.

The series has some references to another of ABC’s hits, Lost.  It really doesn’t come as a surprise since the writers of Once Upon A Time are Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis who penned Lost.  Along with those plot insertions you’ll see several of Walt Disney’s animated film references mingled within the 22 chapters. Look for Hansel and Gretel, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella, Rumplestiltskin, Belle from Beauty and the Beast and more.

The series has been released in both DVD and Blu-ray, but this review covers the latter from which I gathered my critical analysis. The Blu-ray box set has 5 discs with the 22 captivating chapters and many bonus features.  Of course the real reason to get the box set is for the story, but having the additional features does make it a bonus buy.  With season two of Once Upon A Time coming to ABC on September 30th you will want to get the Blu-ray quickly, especially if you have not seen the program when it aired in October 2011 through May of this year.

The Blu-ray box set has some very good bonus features:

• “ONCE UPON A TIME: ORIGINS” – Viewers enter into this interactive archive and uncover the rich and diverse historical origins of the world’s favorite fairy tale characters from “Once Upon A Time.” Josh Dallas guides fans to discover how each of these European based tales has evolved over centuries of retellings into the stories known and loved today. Watch this after you have played the series.  It’s a very good feature and one you will probably replay again.
• “FAIRY TALES IN THE MODERN WORLD” – This feature allows viewers to explore the genesis story of “Once Upon A Time,” as they learn about the creative approach of adapting a world of fairy tales into the wholly original world of the show. It’s definitely worth the watch.
• “BUILDING CHARACTER” – From start-to-finish, following the creation, conceptualization, casting, clothing and filming of the beloved character, Belle, played by Emilie de Ravin, from the ground up. I liked this feature very much and it’s worth watching after you have seen the series.
• “WELCOME TO STORYBROOKE” – Ginnifer Goodwin takes audiences on a tour of Storybrooke, Maine, both the town on the show and its real inspiration – a small town outside Vancouver.
• “THE STORY I REMEMBER… SNOW WHITE” – The show’s actors share their childhood memories of the beloved fairy tale Snow White, illustrated to original storybook graphics.
• “THE FAIREST BLOOPERS OF THEM ALL” – The outtakes are pretty good, but nothing to write home about.
• DELETED SCENES – Nine Deleted Scenes most of which would not have made a difference are shown in this feature.
• AUDIO COMMENTARIES – The commentaries by Co-Creator /Executive Producers Edward Kitsis and Adam Horowitz; writer Jane Epenson; and cast members including Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas, Robert Carlyle, Lana Parilla and Jennifer Morrison are worth while during most of the episodes if you want to replay them.

“Once Upon A Time: The Complete First Season” DVD bonus materials include all features except “Once Upon A Time: Origins”.

VIDEO QUALITY
The Blu-ray disc provides a bright clear picture on my 16X9 widescreen HD Television and brings out the fine cinematography of the production company.  The close-ups are excellent and the dark dank forests look real.

SOUND QUALITY
The 5.1 DTS Master Audio plays well on my television’s sound system coming out crystal clear.  Special sound effects enhance the story and my surround speakers bring out the music from front to back and sides yet don’t interfere with the dialogue.

FINAL ANALYSIS:  A magical fun series that even teens will enjoy. (B)  

Specifications and additional film information:

• Starring: Josh Dallas, Lana Parrilla, Ralph Sbarge, Robert Carlyle, Ginnifer Goodwin, Jennifer Morrison, Jamie Dornan, and Jared Gilmore
• Directed by: Mark Mylod
• MPAA Rating: TV PG (LSV)
• Genre: Drama
• Running Time: 946 min
• Street Date: August 28, 2012
• Original Theatrical Release Date: October 23, 2011 to May 13, 2012
• Languages: English
• Format: Blu-ray
• Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
• Audio: 5.1 DTS Master Audio
• Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen1.78:1
• Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish and French
• Number of Discs: 5
• Distributed by: ABC Studios

A

FAIRYTALE

FANTASY

THRILLER

SNOW WHITE & THE HUNTSMAN

Review by John Delia

The Brother’s Grimm fairytale “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” comes to the screen portraying its malevolent power and dark imagery. What makes Snow White & the Huntsman worth the watch is the exciting story, brilliant sets and scenery, inventive cinematography, nicely placed CGI and costumes.  If you want to see the classic Snow White story told the way I believe the Grimm Brothers intended, then Snow White & the Huntsman would be a perfect choice for you. Read more…

A

FUN FANTASY

FILM

FOR KIDS

THE SECRET WORLD  OF ARRIETTY

Review by John Delia

A charming film from the makers of Ponyo and Academy Award winning movie Spirited Away called The Secret World of Arrietty is now available on 2 Disc Blu-ray Combo pack.  A creative story that mixes worlds bringing together an unlikely friendship plays delightfully to kids.  With a voice cast that includes Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett the heartwarming film is sure to make your all time library. Read more…

AN

EXCITING

ACTION

THRILLER

BATTLESHIP

Review by John Delia

BATTLESHIP

Who’d ever think they could make a film from a kids Hasbro board game and come up a winner.  With Battleship they did just that and it’s more action, thrills, amazing special effects than I had ever imagined possible.  If you like alien invasion movies with cool spaceships, scary spacemen, saw bladed war drones and explosive rocket pegs then get ready for extreme fun watching Battleship.   Read more…

A WILD

AND WACKY

JOHNNY DEPP

FILM

DARK SHADOWS

Taunting the audience with trailers that promise a quirky horror flick with a lot of cool ghouls, wacky witchery and comedic moments the movie Dark Shadows delivers.  Using Johnny Depp to his utmost bizarre performance capabilities the film gives it’s all for fans of his past legendary roles like Edward Scissorhands, Sweeny Todd, Willy Wonka, Mad Hatter, and Jack Sparrow.  This time however, he’s really gone off the deep end with a deliciously delectable portrayal of Barnabas Collins, a childish vampire. Read more…

MELANCHOLIA 

a Mesmerizing

Dreamscape from

Lars von Trier

Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexander Skarsgård and Kiefer Southerland

Directed by: Lars von Trier

MPAA Rating: R for some graphic nudity, sexual content and language

Genre: Art/Foreign, Drama and Science Fiction/Fantasy

Running Time: 2 hrs 10 min

Opening Date: Now in theaters

Distributed by: Magnolia Pictures

By John Delia

The film Melancholia by writer and director Lars von Trier stimulates the artistic part of the brain with sprawling landscape images, ominous tableaus and threatening visuals of a drifting planet. The film moves along playing out like the definition of its title. Melancholia: a mental condition and especially a manic-depressive condition characterized by extreme depression, bodily complaints, and often hallucinations and delusions.

Kirsten Dunst, Alexander Skarsgard. Kiefer Sutherland and Charlotte Gainsbourg

Lars doesn’t pull any punches here or hide the intention of the story in any way.  He takes the lovely conflicted Justine (Kirsten Dunst) and pairs her with Michael (Alexander Skarsgård) a love-smitten man who has visions of a future with her.

In part one (Justine) of the two-act script, the newly married couple are on their way to their reception at a beautiful mansion and are late due to some issues with their limo driver.  The party is a gift from Justine’s sister Claire (Charlotte Gainsbourg) and her husband John (Kiefer Sutherland) who want to make the late afternoon soirée something that everyone will never forget.

Lars treats his audience to an ominous feast however, complete with a brooding bride who has lost herself in an almost surrealistic emotional despair, a puzzled husband and other elements way beyond the word ‘festive’, ending the event both faithless and unfaithful.

A dreamscape at world's end

At the start of part two (Claire) we find Justine forlorn still at her sister’s vast estate trying to recover from the night before, but this time Lars presents his audience a different kind of depressing stimulus, the threat of a collision between Earth and the roving planet Melancholia.  Here Lars’s camera focuses on the dangerous planet hovering over the estate with its expansive manicured lawns, neighboring lush woodlands, and opulent estate buildings.  Justine begins to succumb to the pull of Melancholia while Claire attempts to draw her out of the dreary mental state. Now on the verge of something even more unimaginable, Claire herself starts to slide into the abyss.

Melancholia, although an amazing work of art accomplishes what Lars set out to do, make a depressing movie. If I could categorize the film on whether it is the best dismal film ever, it’s certainly near the top of the list. Not a mainstream contender for box-office glory, yet still art for those who like films intriguing and all absorbing.

Kirsten Dunst feels the force of the planet Melancholia

Lars brings out some brilliant acting on the part of the main cast and support players in this fantasy tale.  Providing a stage for their craft with Dunst at the center of the enigma, Lars works his characters into frenzy as they try to come to grips with the inevitable. I especially liked Gainsbourg’s performance as the hapless woman who takes on her sister’s plight only to realize that time has run out for Justine and her family. I would love to see her recognized for her performance with an Oscar nomination.

Melancholia is rated R for some graphic nudity, sexual content and language.  The film emits a depressive feeling that may tend to extract a somber mood from susceptible viewers. The film runs just over 2 hours.

FINAL ANALYSIS: A fantasy tableau that captivates. (B)

CONAN

REVIVED

MORE BARBARIC AND EVIL

CONAN THE BARBARIAN

Cast: Jason Momoa, Rachel Nichols, Stephen Lang, Rose McGowan, Saïd Taghmaoui and Ron Perlman

Directed by: Marcus Nispel

MPAA Rating: R for strong bloody violence, some sexuality and nudity

Genre: Action/Advenure, Fantasy

Running Time: 1hr 52min

Opening Date: August 19th, 2011

Distributed by: Lionsgate

By John Delia and Marisa Ings

Hollywood has a way of reinventing things by rejuvenating characters and bringing them up to date with all the bells and whistles necessary to make it ‘fresh and new.’  This is the case of the film Conan the Barbarian where they have remade a classic adding all the CGI bells and whistles then throwing in some topless women for eye candy.  If you love a medieval action adventure that kicks butt, there’s a thrill a minute in the ‘new’ Conan the Barbarian.

Jason Momoa as Conan leads villagers from slavery

The story takes place during the Hyborian Age where beastly men look for ways to become Gods.  After being sliced from his dieing mother’s womb, Conan gets raised by Corin (Ron Pearlman) his father a strong man and protector of the village. The villagers arch nemesis a Cimmerian warrior Kahalar Zym (Stephen Lang) pays Corin’s village a visit looking for the last piece of a magical mask that coupled with the blood of a descendent of the Sorcerers of Acheron will turn him into a God.  When Corin resists, Kahalar kills him and finds the last fragment. Filled with revenge Conan (Jason Momoa), now grown, starts his search to destroy the evil one.

Marisa Says: Initially, I thought Conan the Barbarian was a man’s movie and viewing the unnecessary nudity it was! Without the bounty of bosoms filling up the screen, however, a woman not afraid of a little blood and violence could also enjoy this film. Oh, and let me not forget the eye-candy that is Jason Momoa.  I’m sure in his everyday life the actor playing this barbarian will not need to say “Woman come here” because they’d already be two steps behind.

John Says: The action is non-stop from the very beginning to its explosive ending.  In between Conan runs into extreme fighting against the protectors of Kahalar, a monster caged in a watery pit, and other devilish adversaries.  But the most incredible fight comes against the sand warriors that attack Conan with relentless energy while he’s protecting the gorgeous sorcerer’s descendent Tamara (Rachel Nichols) from capture.

John Says: Director Marcus Nispel uses every trick in his bag to make Conan realistic and comes up a winner.  His muscle-laden hero commands the screen with Nispel provided sets and Robert E. Howard’s visceral story.  All of the hideous characters are masterpieces of graphic evil personified.  He offsets the macabre with his grubby slave nymphs and meager villagers making his scenes realistically barbaric.

Marisa Says: I wouldn’t go as far to say that all of the effects are elementary. Instead, they have at least graduated to junior high. At times, I felt as if I was enduring an 80’s flashbacks while viewing the tumbling Styrofoam rocks. However, the picturesque landscapes and settings were very imaginative and pleasing to the eyes.

Momoa takes over for Arnold as Conan

John Says: The acting by Jason Momoa is really not bad, unlike Arnold Schwartzinegger at least you can understand what he says.  His muscular body mirrors much of what Arnold brought to the screen, but Momoa gets to add a bare butt for female viewers to buzz about.  Momoa’s Conan shows a lot more agility, expressiveness and realism possibly due to the updated special effects and computer graphics. 

John Says: Nicols gives a steamy performance in one scene that if it was her body for real comes close to a prurient stag show.  She and a bevy of slave girls show some extremely enchanting visual food for mature filmgoers.  Her acting isn’t half bad also making Tamara a strong willed woman that doesn’t back down from a good fight.

Marisa Says: Overall, the film itself is better than I expected. On the other hand, my expectations were pretty low to begin with so that doesn’t count for much. The storyline isn’t too unique compared with other pre-civilization epics but Momoa made the tale all the more interesting with his intense animal-like and survivalist behavior.

Conan the Barbarian is rated R for strong bloody violence, some sexuality and nudity.  Trust me when I say this is a HARD R and should only be viewed my very mature. The 3D that some theaters will offer does nothing to enhance the film and my recommendation is save the extra bucks.

John Says: FINAL ANALYSIS:  An action adventure fit for mature sword and sorcery lovers. (B-)

Marisa Says: final grade (C-)

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Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Eric Bana, Cate Blanchett, Tom Hollander and Olivia Williams

Directed by: Joe Wright

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual material and language

Genre: Action Thriller

Running Time: 1 hr 51 min

Opening Date: April 8, 2011

Distributed by: Focus Features

By John Delia

The movie Hanna has a lot of relentless action and for that the adrenaline seekers will be grateful.  It has Saoirse Ronan and her tough sweetness surly blisters the screen. Beautifully photographed, nicely acted and directed, but the storyline didn’t move me.

Ronan as Hanna trying to escape from a bunker

The film centers on Hanna a 16-year-old pubescent young lady who has spent most of her life in seclusion being trained to kill by he father Erik, an ex-CIA agent. She’s near the end of her critical education and has been allowed to make a decision, whether to continue to be in hiding or take on a task laid out by her father.  When she decides to take the mission, her whole world starts to change, including her desire to be a teenager.

While the acting here is admirable, the script insists on being a hackneyed rehash of several movies that come to mind.  The never-ending story attempts to take you on a roller-coaster ride of martial arts fighting, narrow escapes and a relentless chase by Marissa (Cate Blanchett- horribly miscast for the character she plays), a ruthless intelligence operative.  But, the trip gets obviously predictable early one and once you figure out why Hanna is so valuable, it’s not fun anymore.

Eric Bana and Saoirse Ronan in HANNA

I will say that the cinematography of the wintry landscape, amazing night shots, great close-ups of Ronan and a lot of exciting fight scenes makes the film ‘watchable’.   That is if you are a male teen who probably doesn’t care about the story anyway. There’s one particular scene that really caught my attention, however; it’s a confrontation between Hanna and troops sent to take her down in her snowy woodsy home.

The hard-pounding soundtrack is also very good and adds a lot of excitement to the film. Special effects also play a big role in the film even though some of the green screen shots tend to be laughable.  Choreography of the fight and chase scenes almost makes the fighting look real, that is until you don’t see a mark on Hanna, almost never.

Eric Bana does his level best to keep the plot real as does Tom Hollander as a very nasty hired hit man.  But, nothing can save the film from a disastrous time line, including impossible appearances by Marissa who can get halfway across a continent in a matter of minutes in her nicely pressed skirt and blouse.

Hanna is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence and action, some sexual material and language.  You know, most of the stuff that male teens want to share with their buddies.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Hanna’s not Hit Girl, but it will have to do for now. (C )

“A GOOD TRY”

Starring: Daniel Radcliff, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson

Directed by: David Yates

MPAA Rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Sequel

Running Time: 2hrs 26min

Release Date: November 19, 2010

Distributed by: Warner Bros. Pictures

By John Delia

Going over in my mind the adventures of Harry Potter who gets thrust into wizardry in a strange school never knowing what the future will bring, I found the first six films increasingly enjoyable. During each year at the academy of dark arts, Harry and his friends fight their way out of perilous situations. With this final book the boy wonder is now an adult and is still trying to figure out his destiny, but this time Harry and his friends are on the run from ‘you know who’.  Will this be the end of the chosen one?  You’ll have to wait until July 2011 before the crowning blow is revealed in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2.

Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort

But, for me it is hard to say goodbye to a great adventure and probably so for the filmmakers as witnessed by the first half of The Deathly Hallows (Part 1) . The first half of this film, that covers about 300 pages of the final book by J.K. Rowling, is long and drawn out loosing the luster that made the franchise a hit.  Much like the second book of Lord of the Rings, we are treated to travelogue cinematography, painstaking shots and long winded prose that to me felt like a fisherman letting out his line with a huge bait on it’s hook, letting us have a few nibbles of excitement, and then reeling it in before we can take a big bite. You may feel disenchanted as I did.

Those who have read the book have the upper hand in the story knowing the outcome of Harry’s future.  So those of us who have chosen to see it in film have to wait many months before we know what characters won the Quidditch game of life and who bit the dust.

The film focuses on the group of the most important members of Harry’s story including the dastardly.  Continuing from the Half-Blood Prince where Harry became aware of Horcruxes, devices that store a portion of Voldemort’s soul to allow him to live indefinitely, he now knows what he must do to kill Voldemort.  In this half of the book we find him seeking out and attempting to destroy the Holcruxes needed to make Voldemort vulnerable enough to kill.  With both Harry and Voldemort having equally as strong wands containing the same center (this makes it almost impossible to kill either one), Voldemort puts his aside and goes looking for the most powerful wand in the wizard world that’s embedded in the deathly hollows.

Harry (Radcliff) and Hermonie (Watson) in tent

Harry and Hermonie on clifs of dover

Ron (Grint) and Hermonie at seashore

Hermoine in the woods

The acting is as steadfast as ever when the script allows important plot dialog between Radcliff, Watson and Grint.  But it looses conviction as most of the time the trio is being whisked off to places like the White Cliffs of Dover, downtown London, railway stations, riverside settings, wooded landscapes and snow covered towns.  Sure each does have meaning, but if I want a tour of the English countryside it’s not during a film that provided most of its adventure in a wizardry castle called Hogwarts.  The most exciting scenes in this film take place inside buildings like the Weasley’s homestead, Voldemort’s table gathering, Dolores Umbridge’s courtroom and Bellatrix Lestrange’s dining hall.  But you have to wait until director Yates gets a lot of shots of the trio in tents being pulled from Hermione’s bottomless handbag.

That noted, I did enjoy most of the 146 minutes (2hrs 26min) of the film however with the now adult figures of Harry. Hermione and Ron fighting themselves out of one dangerous situation then another.  Much like the stories that got them this far, the trio keeps plugging away determined to defeat their foe and go on with their lives.

Director Yates with Radcliff and Watson on set

Except for the long sometimes boring shots at the camps and the shoreline, director Yates does a  good job of bringing the first half of The Deathly Hollows to life.  His ability to make a lot out of quick tussles with Umbridge, Lastange and the Death Eaters does bring the needed excitement to the film.  His insertion of the elf Dobby does give the movie some pathos while the mostly embarrassing scene of Harry and Hermione naked in a lover’s embrace does nothing for the movie other than give it a PG-13 rating.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt 1 puts most new viewers in a question filled quandary and us die hard wizard lovers squirming in our seats for nearly 2 1/2 hours and hoping Yates and Rowling have an amazing ending in store.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Pt 1 is rated PG-13 for some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality.

FINAL ANALYSIS: Not the best but a necessary bridge to the finale. (3.5 of 5)

“IT’S RAINING  ROBOTS”

Starring: Bruce Willis, Radha Mitchell, Rosamund Pike, Boris Kodjoe and James Francis Ginty

Directed by: Jonathan Mostow

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing images, language, sexuality and a drug-related scene.

Genre: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Thriller and Adaptation

Release Date:  September 2009

By John Delia

Well they did it again, the movie industry jumped to a level beyond science fiction with Surrogates.  It’s called unrealistic.  When you make an unrealistic film, you expect the audience to get suckered into a plot so unbelievable that their fantasy brain buds take over and accept what they are watching.  Well you could have fooled me here, but NOT! Teens and Bruce Willis fans will probably have a great time with this average film.

FBI Agent Grier

The movie goes something like this. People are living their lives remotely from the safety of their own homes via robotic surrogates — sexy, physically perfect mechanical representations of themselves (Hmm Ok, do I really get to have sex, breathe fresh air and does the ice cream taste delicious?). It’s an ideal world where crime, pain, fear and consequences don’t exist. (Well, that’s sounds great do I have unlimited dollars to spend or do I just walk into a bank and walk out with the loot?) When the first murder in years jolts this utopia, FBI agent Greer (Willis) discovers a vast conspiracy behind the surrogate phenomenon and must abandon his own surrogate, risking his life to unravel the mystery.

Pike as Maggie Greer Surrogate in production

In a world of surrogates hardly a crime has been committed because those controlling their alter lives are free to lie down on a special bed and just visualize what they want their surrogate to do.  How absurd and boring can that be?  The film depicts millions of robots working, playing, and controlling the police and government but for what purpose?  It’s not realistic and that’s where the film fails.  It would have been a great idea if only a few had surrogates, but that’s another script called I Robot.

I like Bruce Willis’s acting and I don’t think I’ve ever seen a movie where he had a bad performance and in Surrogates he continued the streak for me.  Making his character tough, relentless and his surrogate vigilant and manipulative, Willis dominates the screen.  So what else is wrong with the movie?  With robots it’s hard to feel anything for them so you loose any empathy for the heroes.  It’s like watching radio controlled cars, airplanes and action figures on a huge screen.  The only emotion comes from side stories that affect the manipulators of the surrogates, and there isn’t enough to want me to like the film’s protagonists.

Willis as Greer surrogate

The special effects and make up involving the surrogates is quite special.  It was fun watching a young Bruce Willis with a head of blonde hair and smooth hairless skin on his face.  Wow, right out of Photoshop to the big screen. And how much can you do to make Radha Mitchell and Rosamund Pike more gorgeous than they already are? Oh, you make their non-surrogate bodies more ordinary and that was a great make-up accomplishment as well.

The film is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing images, language, sexuality and a drug-related scene so if you feel your children should not see the film they may save some money.

FINAL ANALYSIS: It’s an average film but Bruce Willis’s performance is worth watching. (3 of 5 Palm Trees)