This week I have had the chance to finally catch up on some new films both with a strong female lead, and both featuring archery.
Saw Brave at the cinema and The Hunger Games in the comfort of my own home on Blu-Ray. The sad part is I can’t say I was really blown away by either of them.
Brave
Of the two Brave was a lot better, how could it not be coming from Pixar? They always do such amazing work but it seems that since John Lasseter has left the directing chair they have been on a slow decline (with the notable exception of Brad Bird directing The Incredibles and Ratatouille). There is a lot to love in Brave, the work is Pixar’s best ever and the close attention they pay to the details really pays off.
The film opens very strong and with a brilliant pace that keeps you well entertained and really interested in the story as it unfolds, but once it gets to the half way point when the secrets have been revealed it starts to unwind and there are moments where I was left bored. Don’t miss understand this is still head a shoulders above so many other films out there I was just hoping for more. I will be buying it when it is available on disk, either for the laugh out loud moments in the film or for the excellent short film “La Luna” before it.
The Hunger Games
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If there is one redeeming feature of this film it is the awesome beard work of Wes Bentley.[/caption]
This film did not fair so well for me, right from the opening I could tell something wasn’t going to work. The film starts off slow and then slips down a gear. I know there is a lot of background to this film but it is totally skipped over or hand waved away which I found disappointing. There was plenty to look into before the actual main story was revealed but the film makers didn’t go for that other than a few bits and pieces.
Then you are on into the capitol and all the crazy things going on there, but nothing was ever explained. Why did they look so different, what is the point of the Hunger Games, why are they so enthralled by it. There is some amazing work done in the way it is all presented and the costuming, but there was just something wrong with it all, the acting seemed stiff, the concepts were just glossed over. Donald Sutherland turned in a great performance even if was only for a few very short scenes.
Then you are on into the Hunger Games itself, a blatant rip-off from Battle Royale. I know a lot of people will point out there is a lot more to the story and they are right.. but not for the film. To be honest there is only so much you can really do with it but that is how it felt to me, they have taken a film I love and turned it into something so depressing I really don’t think I want to watch it again.
Of course the concept is bleak, it is supposed to be depressing that is the point of this oppressive regime that makes all the districts send their children to be killed. But Battle Royale manages to make it a lot less depressing while keeping the fun and the pacing in the film, there are also a lot more interesting character in Battle Royale and you get a chance to see how each of them deals with the problem they have been handed. Not so in the Hunger Games where all the characters feel flat and boring.
Conclusion
Watch them both, they will both be important films in the future. But if you want a better time see Brave.