Rise of the Guardians

Rise of the Guardians is a beautifully animated film about identity, imagination and festive charms.

Jack Frost (Chris Pine) is a young and somewhat lost boy, who leads an invisible existence commanding the elements of winter.  When he is chosen to join the prestigious ranks of the Guardians, the iconic characters of legends who protect the children that still believe in them, Frost finds himself unwillingly drawn into conflict with the villainous Pitch (Jude Law), a dark parallel of Frost's own character.

The film is visually captivating, with showers of sparkling ice and snow beautifully captured with stunning detail.  From the frosting on Jack's hoody through to the glittering sand that is used to both construct and shatter dreams, the outstanding level of animation at once heightens escapism and produces a sense of realism.  This level of detail is also carried throughout the landscape, such as the ice covered lakes, swirling northern lights and the Easter Bunny's rainbow burrow, producing a world that is at once highly engaging and enchanting.

The characters are each confronted with a sense of loss, as their identities are threatened by the children's loss of faith.  This perhaps produces a social critique of children within contemporary society who grow up too soon, while inviting the audience to indulge in a blissful state of youthful innocence and imagination.  The supporting cast of highly entertaining confused elves (who don't actually make Santa's presents... they're just left to think that they do), fluttering baby fairies and eager walking eggs facilitate this by constructing a world that is both entertaining and enchanting.  The sophisticated artistry and themes of childhood imagination will therefore produce nostalgia in an adult audience, allowing the film to have resonance for audiences of all ages.

A very enchanting family film, which will evoke the nostalgia of childhood while drawing you into a fantastical festive landscape; perfect for Christmas.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Returning to an iconic landscape of plucky dwarves, silver-haired elves and fiery dragons, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is the first film in Peter Jackson's promising new trilogy.

The dwarves once possessed a glorious kingdom, Erebor, but when a dragon sets the skies alight with flames and they are brutally attached, the dwarves lose everything.  Years later, in the homely haven of the Shire, an unexpected visit from the wizard Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and a band of dwarves suddenly upturns the life of the hobbit, Bilbo Baggins (a perfectly cast Martin Freeman).  Together they are thrust on a quest to restore the mountain kingdom to the Dwarf-Prince Thorin (a dark and gleaming Richard Armitage), who refuses to forget or forgive the past inflicted on his people.

Delving into the themes of revenge, courage and choice; the plot introduces a new set of characters within a familiar Middle-earth landscape, producing the perfect fusion of old and new.  Middle-earth is, after all, a potent symbol of a lost and idealised past, that was rich with fantastical possibilities.  Nostalgia therefore plays a powerful role throughout the film, evoked through the signature notes of music, familiar sweeping panoramic shots of stunning landscapes and several notable parallels with the original trilogy's narrative.  The stunningly improved visual effects and immersive 3D entices you to lose yourself in Middle-earth in a way that was not previously possible.  Rivendell, in particular, is divinely beautiful, for the 3D introduces a new and rich depth to the valley of cascading waterfalls and sparkling rivers.  The production design is once again incredible; evoking a medieval landscape that is at once heightened and told through exquisitely fine detail.

Where the film can perhaps be slightly faulted, however, is within the treatment of the narrative's pace.  In many ways, The Hobbit felt like one of the unabridged versions of The Lord of the Rings films, with some scenes lingering on screen far longer than desired.  By constantly dipping into the backstory, the progress of the story feels at times limited, particularly given the film's long running time.  However, the richness that this produces cannot be disputed.  "All good stories deserve embellishment," as Gandalf tells Bilbo.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is a prequel rich with a strong cast, stunning visuals, a charming nostalgia and an underlying sense of impending danger; which will leave you curious to see the second part.

The Man in the Scarlet Cloak

The newly released trailer for Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill and Amy Adams.  In cinemas 14 June 2013.

Camelot (1967)

The legendary story of love, honour and justice is bought to the screen through beautiful designs and exquisite visuals, based on the musical production.

On the eve of a great battle, a forlorn King Arthur (Richard Harris) is thrown back through his memories of the Queen that he has lost, Guenevere (Vanessa Redgrave).  Falling in love with the beautiful young woman, the King proposes a new system of justice and invites knights to Camelot to form the round table.  Among them is the virtuous and dashing Lancelot du Lake (Franco Nero), whose chivalry and vows are challenged by his heart.

Love and politics are closely interwoven throughout the plot.  "Was there ever a more inconvenient marriage of convenience?" asks Guenevere, confronted with a union with Arthur that is founded on political obligations, rather than their desires or choice.  Guenevere's youth and dreams are subsequently stolen from her, allowing the film to draw an interesting portrait of female power.  Arthur is characterised as a King who, until the arrival of Guenevere, felt ill at ease in his crown: a position that he had never desired.  Harris' vulnerability evokes the audience sympathy, perfectly humanising his character.  Torn by their duty to the kingdom and their love for one another, the characters' longings and torment are explored through musical numbers which, while not memorable, produce an intimate insight into their perspectives and hearts.  

The politics of Camelot are furthermore explored through the deconstruction of the knight's code and introduction of a new justice system, based on trial and evidence.  The concept of being "civilised" and the potency of boundaries are emphasised throughout the plot, against which the morality, conduct and corruption of the characters are explored.  "We must not let our passions destroy our dreams," Arthur advises, as his kingdom balances on the precarious divide of prosperity and destruction.

The beautiful artistry won Camelot three Academy Awards, and the film is indeed at its finest in its visual construction.  The costumes are beautiful, encapsulating the different seasons that play a profound role in symbolising the themes of love and time.  Guenevere arrives at Camelot is a hooded cloak of white fur within a snow covered wood, her heart guarded, then later skips barefoot in floating golden dresses with flowers adorning her long flowing hair in springtime, as she melts to the temptations of love.  The production design is furthermore stunning, from icicle covered forests to misty, moonlight flooded woods and a thousand flickering candles against an ominous backdrop of darkness.  

A beautiful telling of the famous medieval romance, Camelot conveys the preciousness of the past, as well as the tensions between being both a man and a King.  The unfortunate conventions of musical films at the time, which includes still frames announcing each musical interlude, punctuate the storytelling and remind the audience that the film is highly-stylized.  However, the stunning design and treatment of the narrative render a story that is at once engaging and timeless.

Skyfall

Skyfall, the film that has captivated the country, delivers a stylish Bond film that is visually thrilling and soars with its expectations.

When the top secret names of their undercover agents are stolen, MI6 desperately attempt to recover them while being thrust into a deadly spotlight.  When they fall subject to a vengeful terror attack,  a haunting past must be confronted in order to secure the future.

The plot is engaging and thrilling, as it examines the tensions between holding onto tradition and the necessity of embracing change.  Both the heroes and the villains of the narrative find themselves haunted inescapably by the events of their pasts, as they are faced with the possibility of a second chance: a resurrection.  From the challenging of M's outdated methods through to a damaged Bond, the film fittingly celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of Bond by questioning the notions of development and decay.  The theme of change is furthermore presented through the film's exploration of technology and it's relationship with terror, as the dangers of globalization are illustrated through the villain's cunning manipulation of technology.

Dame Judi Dench is magnificent as M, who has a pivotal role throughout the plot, as she faces the devastating consequences of her choices.  Ben Whishaw presents a refreshing addition to the secret service as the new Q: physically embodying the concept of change and representing a new, more advanced generation through his sharp mastery of computer technology.  Javier Bardem stars as the villain, a rogue agent who perfectly oozes with charisma and danger.

With a dashing of humour and an identifiable twenty-first century London landscape, Skyfall not only transports audiences to the exotic reaches of Bond's world, but constructs a familiar and plausible British backdrop.  The film subsequently strikes the perfect balance between dramatisation and realism.  From the stunning opening credits through to a dramatic fight upon a neon-edged skyscraper, the highly stylised cinematography of the film is perhaps one of the strongest attributes of Skyfall.  With fight sequences told through silhouettes, the threatening narrative theme of shadows is stunningly visualised.  The further use of Bond's signatures, from the classic Aston Martin through to the subtly shaken martini and the notes of the classic theme tune, stir iconic chills.

With thrilling action sequences, engaging themes, a stunning use of landscape and the cool demeanour of Daniel Craig, Skyfall is the perfect Bond film.

There Is No Such Thing As Heroes

While Avengers Assemble may have been a somewhat superficial sequence of action and explosions that only skimmed the surface of it's iconic array of characters, the Iron Man films deliver the perfect blend of charm, character and conflict, set against a backdrop of contextual resonance.  The first look at Robert Downey Jr.'s latest adventure in the iron suit promises an exciting new chapter.  Iron Man 3 will be in cinemas 26th April.