Tag: Joe Cornish

THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING – Review

This week the multiplex presents another retelling of a familiar, romantic legend. You may be wondering whether we’re going to endure another revival of ROBIN HOOD since the stench of that abomination from two months ago has finally cleared from theatres (last week it garnered several well-earned Razzie nominations). No we’re not going to that exact time frame, for this new film starts a bit before, then jumps (leaps and bounds really) to the present day. It’s somehow a reboot and retelling of the story of Arthur, complete with knights, wizards, dragons, and that magical sword Excalibur, of course. And this time it’s a lad of thirteen or fourteen years, Alex, who is THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING.

This adventure starts with some backstory, namely a spiffy animated prologue rendered in the style of old pen and ink illustrations which whittles down the Arthurian legend to the basics, ending with the banishment of sorcerous Morgan Le Fey AKA Morgana to the underworld (dragged down literally by slithering tree roots). Freeze frame of Arthur and his aides on (how about that) the cover of a children’s storybook. Speaking of kids, we then meet the hero Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) as his single Mum (Dad’s long gone) sends him off to a posh private school. But before class, he’s got to rescue his BFF Bedders (Dean Chaumoo) from two taller, older bullying students, Kaye (Rhianna Dorris) and Lance (Tom Taylor). No good deed goes unpunished, so that night, the devilish duo chase Alex through a park. Ducking into a housing construction site, he finds a sword sticking out of a concrete block. Alex easily plucks it out and heads home. He doesn’t see that this action has caused a stirring far beneath London. Morgana (Rebecca Ferguson) is awake, and as she tries to free herself of the restraining tree roots, she commands her army of brimstone-infused undead warriors. At dawn, miles away, a naked young man emerges from the mist. It is Merlin (Angus Imrie) who casts a spell on a patrol car and hitches a ride into London. At the school, he finds Alex and tells him that during the days-away solar eclipse, Morgana and her army will rise from the Earth and enslave humanity. Can Alex train and prepare along with his “knights” (Bedders and their two enemies, now united) in time to destroy Morgana in her underworld lair before the sun is blotted out, maybe for good?

Alex, the title “kid”, is played with vigor, determination, and just the right touch of vulnerability by the talented Serkis (yes he’s “mo-cap master” Andy’s son). He deftly balances the leadership qualities for the “one and future” along with some apprehension and sadness, particularly when he learns the truth about his father during this “hero’s journey”. Serkis is the story’s sturdy foundation, while its manic zany energy comes from the comedic charms of Imrie who appears to have a blast as the immortal wizard (it’s explained that he’s got the Benjamin Button aging backward bug), It’s a testament to his acting chops that he’s just as entertaining as his aged “true self” played by Sir Patrick Stewart, who pops up a few times to add some gravitas and keeps the kiddos “on point”. Luckily his heroic character is as compelling as the tale’s villain (really villainess) played with silky, slithery bad girl glee by Ferguson, who’s just as menacing in her sultry human form as she is in her flying, fire-breathing “upgrade”. But there’s also terrific comedy relief from Chaumoo as the jittery beleaguered Bedders. He and Serkis are inspired counterparts to the story’s early antagonists portrayed with dead-eyed cruelty by Dorris and Taylor. While Alex and Bedders must find their inner courage, these two have the more complex arc as they must find their long-repressed empathy and humanity. There’s also great supporting work by Denise Gough as Alex’s confused, but still sympathetic and nurturing mother.

With his first feature film since 2011’s (!) ATTACK THE BLOCK, director/writer Joe Cornish ably upgrades the ancient fables and legends by injecting the rollicking energy of the classic movie “kid clubs” (going back to “Our Gang” and especially the 1980s cable TV movie staples like THE GOONIES, THE EXPLORERS, and even THE MONSTER SQUAD). This pays off well in the slapstick and special effects finale that unites a whole school against nearly unstoppable odds. Smartly Cornish hangs on to his PG rating by not making the forces of evil too horrific, though the charred demons on horseback bursting through the grass and Earth could elicit nightmares in the youngest viewers (the warriors seem to have lava flowing through their veins), while older film fans might recall the creations of effects genius Ray Harryhausen in his Sinbad series and especially in JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS (the children of the Hydra). But the scary stuff is offset with some great bits of humor and whimsy, usually from Imrie’s rubbery spell-casting hand movements (I expect kids will be imitating them in the lobby and during the ride home). And though this clocks in at two hours, Cornish keeps the pace brisk while also offering good lessons on duty, honor, and courage. Kids of all ages should engage and identify with THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING.

3.5 Out of 5

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN – The Review

Motion capture animation and 3D appear to be the rising stars of cinema technology, both of which have the equal shares of supporters and opponents. One thing is for sure, both relatively new technologies are still within their infancy, but there are occasionally examples of the inspiring potential of this trend toward high-tech storytelling. The most current being THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, a collaborative effort of gargantuan proportion.

While many audiences may not be aware of the film’s origin, or too young to know better, THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN: THE SECRET OF THE UNICORN — which happens to be the film’s official, unofficial full title — is adapted from a comic book series from the ’30s of the same name by the Belgian artist Herge, which also became an animated television series which ran 1991-1992. Sadly, I must report I have no personal knowledge or experience with either, so you will not find me referencing the source material in this review, but, by all means… seek them out as I plan to do.

With all the history behind TINTIN, it’s no wonder the film has such an all-star team of imaginative storytellers working behind the scenes to bring the adventures to a whole new audience. Directed by Steven Spielberg, who also co-produced the film alongside Peter Jackson (LORD OF THE RINGS), THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN was written by Steven Moffat, a very talented writer behind the popular BBC series SHERLOCK and DOCTOR WHO, with assistance from Edgar Wright (SHAUN OF THE DEAD) and Joe Cornish (ATTACK THE BLOCK). That’s a lot of creative star power, and we haven’t even introduced the cast yet.

THE ADVENTURES F TINTIN follows a clever, young report named Tintin – no, the dog is not names Tintin, that’s an entirely separate franchise – played by Jamie Bell (JUMPER). Tintin has an unquenchable curiosity, so when he happens upon a magnificent model ship, he manages to haggle a good deal. Immediately following, he finds himself the center of an immense mystery regarding that model ship, for which various unsavory and dark figures are seeking for them selves. This is where Tintin’s adventure begins, leading him to the drunken Captain Haddock, played by Andy Serkis (RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES), a man with a family history crucial to the mystery of the model ship. Tintin also encounters Ivanovich Sakharine, played by Daniel Craig (CASINO ROYALE), a deviously cunning and dangerous foe seeking the secret of the model ship.

One thing you will certainly not experience during the film is sleep. THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN is non-stop action and endlessly fun. Tintin is sort of a combination of the Hardy Boys and Indiana Jones wrapped up into a small, scrappy package, always getting into a pickle but always managing to find a way out of trouble. He and his trusty Scottish terrier – I may be off slightly on the breed — are an effective investigative team, as they work with Captain Haddock and his rum-induced amnesia to recover the secret of the model ship before Sakharine figures it out himself.

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN takes the audience halfway around the globe to Morocco, where the greatest excitement of the story takes place. Tintin runs into a number of interesting characters along the way, including the bumbling Thompson twin detectives, played unrecognizably by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ). Cary Elwes (THE PRINCESS BRIDE, SAW) also makes a welcome vocal cameo as the Pilot. The most awe-inspiring scene in the film occurs in Morocco, one last massive chase sequence that resembles a deadly life-sized Rube Goldberg contraption that spans an entire ancient city. This sequence is bound to have you leaning forward, even partially lifted from your seat, as Tintin repeatedly navigates through the perils of the Moroccan streets and Sakharine’s henchmen.

I’ve never had a personal grudge against motion capture, which seems a logical marriage between live acting and animation, as we move forward into new cinematic frontiers of technology. With that said, THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN does a splendid job of capturing the energy and excitement of the story using motion capture, but I am also pleased to say that the film gets the 3D right as well, integrating the often intrusive and annoying technology into the entire film, still utilizing the gimmick value of the tool, but without getting in the way. The use of 3D enhances the story without causing hurdles for the film to stumble over, which is rare indeed.

John Williams has been a busy man in 2011, having scored WAR HORSE as well as THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, but the difference between the two scores is the music’s presence. In WAR HORSE, Williams’ music n unconventional backseat, but in TINTIN his work stands front and center, making itself known with all its glory and becomes, as is usually the case, a character in and of itself.

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN is likely to be the most fun you’ve had in an animated family flick all year, perfectly kid friendly with plenty of visual stimulus to keep the rug rats entertained, while still creative and intelligent enough to keep adults thrilled and engaged. Personally, this is the first animated film in some time I have left the theater with an immediate desire to watch a second time.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

ATTACK THE BLOCK – The Review

We all know what happens when aliens show up in the rural backwoods of the Midwest, but why have aliens only been interested in probing Americans? Writer and director Joe Cornish decided that needs to change. ATTACK THE BLOCK presents one idea of what it would be like if aliens arrived in an urban, inner city setting in London, but it’s not the typical fare you might expect.

Cornish, who has recently made his mark as a screenwriter of upcoming films THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN and ANT-MAN, now makes a substantial mark on the science-fiction genre with this little alien film that could… could possibly make you laugh and cheer, that is. ATTACK THE BLOCK has the makings of a cult sensation, a nostalgic good time film to be revisited year after year, like that of THE MONSTER SQUAD or GOONIES.

The story follows a small gang of teenagers in South London as they discover an alien. Quick to react with youthful curiosity and recklessness, the teens beat the floppy-limbed, big-headed alien creature – oddly resembling a disproportionately skewed Muppet – to its inevitable death, dragging it back to their building to show it off. This ultimately proves to be a big mistake.

ATTACK THE BLOCK is a film with multiple layers. The obvious layer, we’ll call this the frosting, is the alien invasion layer, whereas extraterrestrial creatures on Earth terrorize the inhabitants of one apartment building in South London. From this, we get the beginnings of a science-fiction story and the underpinnings of a fun-filled scary movie with plenty of jumps and startles, chases and man versus creature violence. But, just beneath the frosting is the cake, a richly flavored social commentary that is light and palatable.

While the premise of a film tackling the plight of inner city teens, gang culture and race relations may sound too dense to swallow, Cornish manages to construct this in a way that keeps ATTACK THE BLOCK fluffy and refreshing, while still satisfyingly spicy with a combination of terror and humor. The moral message remains hidden in the shadows, lurking around the corners, overshadowed by the intensely black, shadowy alien beasts that are hunting down anyone who came in contact with the less intimidating alien the teens pummeled to death.

The biggest name in the cast of ATTACK THE BLOCK is Nick Frost (SHAUN OF THE DEAD, PAUL) who has a relatively small but enjoyable supporting role as Ron, a somewhat out of place co-inhabitant of the local drug dealer Hi-Hatz’ crib, whom the main character of the film are friendly with. Hi-Hatz, on the other hand, serves primarily as another obstacle in the road for Moses (John Boyega) and his teen gang as they struggle to survive and find a way to defeat the alien creatures. Having two antagonists in the film gives the story more depth.

ATTACK THE BLOCK is unique, but draws on familiarity. For me, the film takes all that made THE MONSTER SQUAD and GOONIES fun and exciting, then combined it with the dark, frightening charm of Jim Henson, a la LABYRINTH. The alien beasts hunting the teens are pitch black, covered in long spiky quill-like hairs and intimidate the viewer with luminescent eyes and massive sharp teeth that glow in the dark. Sounds creepy, right? Add to this the fascination I had with the fact that these creatures were not computer generated, but rather old school guys in monster suits, and you have one very happy genre fan!

Cornish enlists the well-respected movement coach Terry Notary (PLANET OF THE APES, AVATAR) as the creature, making the effects come to life on screen. Its refreshing to see a well-made creature feature, notably influenced by John Carpenter’s THE THING and the ALIEN films, that intentionally avoids CGI. The effect is an entirely more intimate and spine-chilling atmosphere, a better sense of actually being there, in the moment, and a textural void that is filled that the excessive detail of most CGI creature design rarely manages to properly fill.

The language of ATTACK THE BLOCK may seem intimidating on the surface, not from an overuse of profanity, but from the incorporation of actual dialect and slang used in South London, giving the film a bit of authenticity and added cultural relevance. If you find yourself experiencing this difficulty early in the film, stick with it and allow yourself to be fully immersed in the story. Surprisingly, this will pass. Much like watching A CLOCKWORK ORANGE for the first time, while in English, the foreign dialect and slang can be confusing if you try and read too much into it, but ultimately all makes sense. Remember that movies are primarily a visual medium, so when a film is well-made, the dialogue is supported by what we see on screen. Cornish proves that he is clearly aware of this. The thrilling score is from newcomer Steven Price.

ATTACK THE BLOCK has thrills, great old school creature effects and humor, but the character development is possibly the most accomplished aspect of the film. Cornish allows his cast of teen characters to evolve from immature, typical teenagers into responsible, heroic figures. This is not just a genre film for fans of science-fiction and horror, but also a reasonably accessible family film, in the sense that the entire span of the teenage spectrum can relate to and appreciate the story while having a good time in the process.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 4 stars

Watch Nick Frost In ATTACK THE BLOCK Red Band Trailer

Here’s a look at the red band trailer for Screen Gems’ ATTACK THE BLOCK. The film will have a gala screening at the Los Angeles Film Festival June 22nd.

SYNOPSIS:

From the producers of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, ATTACK THE BLOCK follows a gang of tough inner-city kids who try to defend their turf against an invasion of savage alien creatures, turning a South London apartment complex into an extraterrestrial warzone

Written and Directed by Joe Cornish (directorial debut) and starring Jodie Whittaker, John Boyega, Alex Esmail, Franz Drameh, Leeon Jones, Simon Howard,  Luke Treadaway, Jumayn Hunter and Nick Frost, ATTACK THE BLOCK will be in limited release July 29, 2011.

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