Guardians of the Galaxy - Movie Review

Who's in it?

Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana and Chris Pratt

What's it about?

After recovering a mysterious orb from an abandoned planet, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) is chased by two bounty hunters and an assassin, who he teams up with (along with Drax the Destroyer) in prison to stop the Thanos-puppet, Ronan destroying the galaxy.

Any Good? 

This film is not only what Avengers Assemble SHOULD have been, but also what the Star Wars prequels aspired to be. Now that might seem like a big statement straight off the bat, but let me drop a review-bomb on you explaining why I've said it.

Firstly, this is the first comic-book movie to have the Marvel charm, it's hilarious, hugely entertaining and really, really damn feelsie. All the characters are likeable, even ESPECIALLY poor old Groot the three-word-tree. 

Peter Quill is played brilliantly by Chris Pratt, even the inflection of his stupid statements just feels so fitting - like Spider-Man should have. Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista were both pretty good, having their share of funny moments and really witty dialogue but just not on the level of Pratt or Cooper.

Bradley Cooper as Rocket Raccoon is awesome, the lifelike CGI and lip-syncing make him feel realer than most of the team, combined with a fantastic and incredibly dry-funny script for him make him a huge fan-favourite in the making. 

Groot is mo-caped to perfection, even his eyebrow or 'lip' movements are done to a tree (heheheh) - and that's just how he looks; Groot has the most beautiful moments in the film and he WILL make you cry, don't doubt that at all.

Obligatory Karen Gillen..mmmm...

And finally, the reason I said this is what Star Wars should have been is the space battles and sword fights. Small ships fighting bigger enemies with better weapons and improvising to cause AWESOME destruction of a fleet like Hoth is here, it has a Star Wars 3 opening/Death Star-esque HUGE spaceship battle that is clutch as hell and will have you on the edge of your seat.

Fights so awesome that they even have an Anakin Skywalker vs. Asajj Ventress 'shock baton' (totally lightsaber design) fight that is almost as good as the one linked.

This film is magnificent, I can't think of better praise than saying I plan on paying full price to see it in IMAX premier seats at my favourite cinema just to catch the lines I missed due to the whole cinema belly laughing at multiple scenes. And yes, the soundtrack is INCREDIBLE - listen here, so good in fact that I've been listening to it the entire time I've been writing this and will be for a good while. 

If you do see it, be sure to tell me how you liked the totally out of left field after-credits scene in the comments, I LOVED it and Mother just groaned, settle it for us!

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The Raid -Redemption - Movie Review

Who's in it?

Iko Uwais, Ananda George, Ray Sahetapy and Yayan Ruhian


What's it About?

Written and directed by Welsh man Gareth Evans, The Raid sees an elite Indonesian SWAT team of 20 officers tasked with raiding a run down slum in Jakarta to apprehend the most notorious drug lord known. The only catch is that every floor of this dilapidated tower is filled with psychopathic, murderous tenants, willing to do anything to protect their landlord. What follows is 30 floors of intense, adrenalin charged awesomeness. True colours are shown, loyalties tested and bodies haemorrhaged faster than is possible to keep up with. 

Any Good?

In a word? HellYeah! The Raid has been lauded as 'the best action film in years' and received a standing ovation following almost every screening its had, that's not for nothing. Highlighting the martial arts style of Pencak Silat and using one of its biggest stars (Uwais) as the lead actor and co choreographer this movie grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go. 

The premise is basic and the storyline simple, although relatively unknown the lead actors are instantly likeable and so very good at what they do. The fight scenes are ridiculously fast, slick and visceral. The camera work recording the relentless adrenalin is second to none and never misses a beat. Through floors, doors, windows, walls and ceilings, we're with them for every kick, slice and bloody, brutal death. The soundtrack is a perfect fit, even in the quieter moments (there are very few) the beat is constant and menacing. There's dark humour peppered throughout that serves to round out the characters and make this movie that much more likeable.

Presented in Indonesian with English subtitles, Sony have already bought the rights to produce a Hollywood remake of The Raid. I would urge you, as strongly as I can, to see this, the original first. I have never experienced audience reaction like it before, from gasps of shock and surprise, moving to the edge of seats, muscles clenched en masse to eruptions of spontaneous, appreciative applause, this is definitely one to be viewed on the big screen and with a group.

I can see you shaking your head, telling yourself this isn't really your bag - I thought that too, until I watched it. I'm not really a martial arts fan but I can appreciate true masters at work and beautiful cinematography while they do it. Easily my favourite film of the year so far and probably my favourite action movie of, y'know, ever. Go. Go now. 

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