Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Matrix

The Wachowski brothers deliver a tasty sci-fi thriller that everyone from bully to nerd can't resist. Reeves, who makes his one dimensional acting work here, plays a computer hacker who is believed to be the coming savior of a futuristic simulated reality controlled by artificial intelligence—Hugo Weaving almost steals the film as one of these sentient machines. Chong, Fishburne, Moss and Pantoliano all do an excellent job as the supporting cast of this classic joyride. However, the remainder of the rebellion is extremely underdeveloped, but the pros of the film are so great that they overshadow such a flaw.

The Invention of Lying

Cute but pointless comedy set in a world where people don't lie, about a writer who learns how to lie and uses it for his personal gain. Gervais is funny, but the role is so interchangeable that it doesn't make a difference who plays the main character—the same goes with the rest of the characters. This flaw could pass if the story is strong enough, but even that barely grips onto any conflict and is more of just a wallow in the main character's own self-pity and regret. Yet it's a comedy that isn't afraid to be serious when it needs to be, and the mood works.

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

Indiana Jones is back for a third round, battling the Nazis again while tracking down his father (Connery) who suddenly went missing while searching for the Holy Grail. Ford, Elliot and Rhys-Davies all reprise their roles from "Raiders", but this time their performances seem to have better chemistry with each other. Sean Connery nearly steals the show as the arrogant and gruff Professor Henry Jones, Sr. Doody makes a better love interest and has more to do with the story than just the token girl that Allen and Capshaw unfortunately got stuck with. From the opening scene with Phoenix portraying a young Indiana Jones, to the climax at the Canyon of the Crescent Moon, this is easily marked as the peak of the series. Absolutely stunning.