Review: Moana (UK Cert PG)

The fifty-sixth animated feature by Disney, Moana tells the story of the headstrong daughter of a Polynesian tribe leader, who must cross the oceans to reunite an ancient goddess with her missing heart and stop the blight on her island. Along the way, she recruits Maui- a legendary shape-shifting demigod who stole the heart in the first place.

The film is beautiful. Well, that goes without saying, but everything is so vibrant and detailed- even down to individual blades of grass and the skin texture beneath Maui's tattoos (things that you might not usually notice). From the lushness of Moana's home island Motonui to the vast oceans and the underwater Realm of Monsters, it's a real treat for the eyes.

Newcomer Auli'i Cravalho is absolutely brilliant as the voice of Moana. Impetuous, strong-willed and determined, Moana refuses Maui's claims that she's a 'princess' (with all the negative connotations that brings) and sets out to save her island. But she's not perfectly equipped to do so- whilst she has a love of the ocean, she's not a wayfarer (at least not to begin with)- and when she has her crisis of faith, you really feel for her. It's an impressive vocal performance.

The other really refreshing thing about the film is there's no love story; Moana isn't expected to wed anyone or finds a dashing young man on her travels. The relationship between her and Maui is one of a grudging friendship burgeoning into respect (even one of a mentor/mentee in places)

Dwayne Johnson is on top form as Maui, the cheeky, cocky demigod. He's a larger-than-life character and the idea of having his tattoos move is a fun one. Johnson's performance is solid and really works. Jemaine Clement (Flight Of The Conchords, The BFG) is similarly great as the voice of Tamatoa, a hoarding coconut crab who gets a trippy, psychadelic Bowie-infused number called 'Shiny'- and gets a good postcredits scene too.

Rachel House gives a warm and sensitive performance as Moana's grandmother Tala whilst Temuera Morrison (Once Were Warriors, Attack Of The Clones) and Nicole Scherzinger provide strong support as Moana's father and mother. Finally, Alan Tudyk is credited as Moana's pet chicken Heihei, possibly the stupidest creature to ever appear in a Disney film and also responsible for one of the film's finest visual gags.

The music- by Mark Mancina, with songs by Opetaia Foa'i and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda- is also really strong, taking inspiration from Polynesian instruments and sounds to create a sublime score. The songs range from the perfectly serviceable to the instant classic- with Maui's paean to himself 'You're Welcome' and Moana's heartfelt 'How Far I'll Go' the particular standouts.

All said, it's a wonderful story, superbly animated and performed, Plus it's got a cute pig and an army of sentient coconut pirates. What more do you like?

Before the film, there was an aminated short called Inner Workings which was a lot of fun- showing the battle between heart and brain in an unassuming office worker.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Tez

Review: Hercules (UK Cert: 12A)

Brett Ratner could come up with a TV series that’s just as good as Prison Break, or Beverley Hills Cop 4 (scheduled for a 2016 release) could end up being the best of Axel Foley’s outings, there are people out there who will never find it in their hearts to forgive the man: X-Men fans. It’s no exaggeration to say that The Last Stand did for X-Men what Batman and Robin did for the Caped Crusader: it killed a franchise. Original X-Men director Bryan Singer was brought back on board to start again, to help come up with prequels that put a great big line through the events of The Last Stand.

Since 2006, Ratner has kept his head down with a number of small-scale (small-scale for Ratner) producing and directing roles. Back in the director’s chair, Hercules is Ratner’s big return to multi-million dollar, summer blockbuster filmmaking. I sat down, expecting Hercules to be a predictable ninety-odd minutes of action: a couple of exciting set pieces, one or two crack-a-smile one-liners, but nothing new here. Instead, Ratner has more than a few smart ideas here.

Based on Steve Moore’s graphic novel, this isn’t a blockbuster film that throws minute-after-minute of CGI at the screen and little else, Ratner’s Hercules feels like a toned down interpretation of the Greek myth (bet you weren’t expecting Brett Ratner and “toned down” in the same sentence, were you?). Having failed to protect his wife and children, Hercules (Dwayne Johnson) is no longer a noble warrior, he’s a mercenary; he’ll only agree to a job if the pay’s good enough. While there are plenty of stories about Hercules, how he defeated the hydra and a gigantic lion, there are those who refuse to believe them. Even Hercules questions whether he is the great hero described in the tales.

Ratner sparingly uses CGI, preferring battles with hundreds of flesh-and-blood actors, briefly bringing in the computers for an occasional aerial shot to make it look like you’re watching a clash between thousands. The beginning of Hercules is tongue-in-cheek and surprisingly clever. Ratner throws in all the CGI during the film’s opening five minutes, exposition aplenty as we are told how Hercules is half-man, half god, and how he has spent his life trying to accomplish the Twelve Labours. Deadly snakes, giant boars and lions, plus a multi-headed serpent: it’s all over-the-top pomp with virtually frame-after-frame of ropey-looking CGI. You forgive all of this when the film cuts abruptly to the here-and-now, those listening to the tales questioning whether any of it’s true, or a load of hokum to send Hercules’s enemies all of a quiver. This is Ratner’s sly way of telling the viewer, if you’re expecting a brainless film with special effects trying to cover up for wooden acting, move along, because this is not what you’re about to watch.

The acting is all up to standard, nobody lets the side down. Dwayne Johnson’s Hercules isn’t quite the brooding, introspective hero from Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy or Snyder’s Man of Steel, but Johnson does a fine job as this hard-faced man who has turned his back on the past, but is unable to forget it. Johnson also gets the odd, growling one-liner; the man can easily deliver a snarling punch line on par with Jason Statham or Hugh Jackman.

While Hercules’s band of rogues are written in to help him out of a tight spot, they’re not your usual wafer-thin characters or eye candy. Rufus Sewell makes deadpan humour look easy, coming up with a quick remark every couple of minutes. Aksel Hennie doesn’t say a single word during the film, yet he’s great to watch as this fierce, wild eyed warrior that only Hercules knows how to handle. Deadwood’s Ian McShane plays a soothsayer who has foreseen his own death, but the clues the gods give him are vague at best, McShane clearly enjoying his character’s dry humour and hammy magic tricks. Ingrid Bolso Berdal gets a rough deal with her character: she’s basically Orlando Bloom’s Legolas. While Berdal is convincing enough in the action scenes, and she gets given a couple of visual gags, her character is there to put an arrow in a foe’s back whenever Hercules or his friends forget to watch theirs.

While Hercules never reaches the heady heights of other blockbuster films out this year (it’s no Guardians of the Galaxy), it’s enjoyable throughout and well-handled by Ratner. It won’t put your brain into fifth gear, but it’s a lot smarter and nowhere near as straightforward as most big budget fantasy films (it’s not Leterrier’s Clash of the Titans either).

3 out of 5

Matt

Review: Fast & Furious 6

Fast & Furious 6

First things first, a franchise of films that’s managed to not only make it part 6, but for the films to have missed the straight to rental market is impressive. On top of that these films still have the two main lead actors attached to them (of course not including Tokyo Drift – but watch part 6 and that instalment makes more sense!).

No matter your opinion on the Fast Franchise, the ridiculous imaginative sequel names and the then basic given up on naming them and just add 5 and 6 to the title! What you do have is a crime, action, car fuelled decade old story. The Fast and the Furious came out all the way back in 2001- which centred around the plot of an undercover cop (Paul Walker) who infiltrates an underworld subculture of Los Angeles street racers looking to bust a hijacking ring, and soon begins to question his loyalties when his new street racing friends (led by Vin Diesel) become the prime suspects. The original movie was a surprise hit that year, it tapped into the Max Power culture and delivered what is basicly a remake of Point Break with cars.

That film was the launchpad for Vin Diesel, he did not return for the sequels that followed, 2 Fast 2 Furious & Tokyo Drift (apart from a small cameo). The gear shift in this franchise was when in 2009 Fast & Furious (4) was released, with all the stars from the first film returning and the film was a following on of the story from that first film. This fourth film, but in many ways the first real sequel was a huge success and brought with it a follow up in Fast Five, which brought into the fold Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson.

This brings us a decade or more on and we have Part 6 in the cinema – our heroes are living off the millions they acquired in film 5 during there Rio Heist. When Michelle Rodriguez' character believed dead is seen carrying out high speed Heist in Europe – a deal is made with the Rocks Federal Agent and gang are back together to track down Rodriguez and doing so they will be awarded pardons and a chance to return home to the USA.

Ludicrous plot, ridiculous premise – yes! But frankly who cares – the characters are so well oiled by now in this sixth adventure – the acting is superb, the chemistry between them all is awesome. Diesel is at his best in this film, Johnson is superb – proving why he’s become to be known as franchise saver (GI JOE?) - the entire cast get my hat off to them.

Luke Evans villain Shaw as an ex SAS gone crook – is slick, evil at its best. The action scenes in this film wouldn’t look out of place in a Bond movie – carried out to the absolute maximum – nothing this year will beat this film for real world set action set pieces. The scale is breath taking – scene after scene the film builds to what can only be described as the biggest action car action scene ever put to film.

This film is by far the best action movie in years – characters with depth, charm and wit portrayed by a great all round cast. The films style and direction is outstanding and frankly its a fun night out and a must have on a DVD shelf.

5 out of 5 – Rhys