| Film and DVD Reviews
FILM REVIEW
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The lion, the witch and the wardrobe
By Phil Savva
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The lion, the witch and the wardrobe
Based on the C. S. Lewis books this film received much hype prior to
its release and for most of the time it lives up to it.
The plot centres around four children — Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy
— evacuated from war-torn London to a rambling country house owned by a
mysterious professor.
While playing hide-and-seek one day they discover the magical world of
Narnia through the back of an old wardrobe and so begins their adventure
to free this strange fantasy world from the grip of the White Witch.
The film does drag a little while setting the scene but once in Narnia
the special effects are excellent and the final battle scene almost rivals
any of those of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy.
For the most part it is ably acted by its human stars — Tilda Swinton
puts in a suitably menacing performance as the White Witch — but you have
more fun trying to spot which star is voicing the fantasy characters.
Amongst those lending their talents are Liam Neeson, Dawn French and
Ray Winstone.
Starring Tilda Swinton, Brian Cox, Georgie Henley, William Moseley, Skandar
Keynes, Anna Popplewell, Rupert Everett, Dawn French, James McAvoy.
Directed by Andrew Adamson.
DVD REVIEW
Mr and Mrs Smith
By Patrick Ryan
The fact that this film was a huge hit at the box office had little to
do with the actual quality.
It was more of a case of everybody wanting to see the chemistry between
the most famous lovers since Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.
It doesn’t hurt though that Doug Liman’s film is great, loud, sexy and
fun from the word go.
Pitt and Jolie play a married couple that both hide the fact they are
assassins from each other. The fun starts when they are hired to kill one
another.
For the most part, Mr And Mrs Smith is War Of The Roses for the MTV generation.
Brad and Angelina’s all-crucial chemistry is there for all to see.
In fact it is this energy that holds the film together at times as they
embark on one set-piece after another as they try to wipe one another out.
It’s never big and it is certainly never clever but there is fun to be
had if you enter into the spirit of things.
It falls apart towards the end, thanks to a nonsensical last act that
serves no purpose other than making you wish they would end the damn film.
Starring Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Adam Brody and Vince Vaughan.
Directed by Doug Liman.
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