I wasn't up to seeing "Elektra". Judging from its awful trailer, I sensed it that the film might be awful, as well. Indeed, I wasn't wrong.
It wasn't as worst as I thought it was, but my oh my, it was bad! Firstly, the "Elektra" character came from the "Daredevil" movie. (I wouldn't make any reference to the comic characters anymore since I haven't read the comic edition.) And, "DD" is an example of those shitty films which you wouldn't dare to see the second time around. So why make a spin-off out of a really bad film?
Second, Elektra died in the movie. There was no hint whatsoever that she'd be back to life. So why bring her to life this time? What's so special about her?
Third, "Elektra" movie did not even make mention of DD or what happened after she died. Could it be that the no-reference-to-Daredevil meant that the producers or the director or the writers or whoever doesn't want to be connected to the said film? Buy why oh why? Do they account the fact that it was truly a bad film? Am I stressing hard enough how bad DD is? Hehehe.
Fourth, "DD" was a flop (not in the box-office sense, though). So, again, my question, why make a film about one of the characters of the said movie? What is so special about Elektra, for chrissakes?!
Like "DD", the characters in "Elektra" just came out of nowhere. The audience didn't exactly know who they were or what part do they take in Elektra's life. It was just like the makers were saying, "You're interested about Elektra and the characters? But the comics!" Yeah, right! Duh! This is not a classic and my world wouldn't change a bit if I won't get to read the comic edition.
Anyway, who the f**k were the bad guys? Why are they after the little girl? What do they want from her? What was their group all about? Oh my god! Questions questions questions!
During the first scene, as Elektra was about to assasinate whoever the hell he was, the movie wanted to show that she was someone whom people should be scared of. "She whispers to you before you die..." Whooo... Scary! Scarier that seeing the ring before you die! Siyet!
The fight scenes were so-so. Jennifer Garner still looked awkward with her martial arts style of fighting, again, just like in "DD". The only thing I liked about it is "Tattoo" and the effects whenever the beasts tattooed in his body come out.
Obviously though, "Elektra" was a character made by a man who would love to see a long-haired woman strutting her stuff while fighting the bad guys. I hope that they have updated it. What sane woman would be comfortable "saving the world" with that super long hair? She can't even wear pony-tails! There was a scene in the film where she was cleaning up after killing, she said that she was wiping her dna away. I'd say, forget about the prints! Think about all the strands of hair that fell off while she was jumping, kicking, or throwing her ass on air!
So you're still wanna know what is so special about Elektra? NOTHING! Quoting a review I've read from Dustin Putman, "Elektra would have been far better off staying dead and buried". Amen to that!
(full write-up here)
I finally get to see "Kung Fu Hustle"! It is from the makers of "Shaolin Soccer". It was from Stephen Chow. I am a big fan of Shaolin and the first time I saw KFH's trailer, I already fell in love with it! There were so many great reviews of it and I wasn't disappointed. It was a laugh-out-loud movie that you would truly enjoy in a moviehouse!
The story started with "The Axe Gang" taking control of the whole city of China. They are the lords in every town except for one. This town was living peacefully and couldn't care less about the gang. Until, Stephen's character and his friend went there to somehow try to terrorize the place. But the people from that place weren't afraid of anything. He tried his moves but failed. When the real gand showed up, experts of kung fu stood up and fought for the place. The gang who came were completely wiped-out!
Of course, di papatalo ang gang. They tried their best to kick the experts' asses but failed. Until some other masters surfaced. Because they can't do anything about it, they asked for the help of Master Beast. When he was doing a one-on-one with the two masters, Stephen tried to kill him. Master Beast took his revenge on him not knowing that he had release the inner strenghts of Stephen. He became "The One". Beast and The One fought and fought until Beast surrendered to the power of The One.
Everything was great about the film. From the casts down to minute details of the film. Galing ng cinematography! Even if the effects were somewhat cartoonish, di naman masyado kapansin-pansin because you'd be enthralled with the what's happening on screen. The fight scenes were awesome! Leave it to the Chinese to really make a great kung fu film!
On Cinemas This Week
This is the first film I saw in 2005. It wasn't intended that way because I wanted to see "Kung Fu Hustle" and "Ocean's 12" first which were both shown in January 6. Sadly though, I wasn't able to.
Anyway, I was lucky enough to win two premiere tickets to this movie on January 18, 7:00 PM at Glorietta 4, Cinema 6 through ETC/USA channel.
I am no fan of "Meet the Parents". It was funny, alright. But I really didn't find it hilarious the way other people did. However, when I learned who would play the Focker parents, I was excited! Imagine, Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman as Mr. and Mrs. Focker? That would be a blast!
And a blast it truly was! "Meet the Fockers" was way better than the first one in every way! Sobra siyang nakakatawa! Believe me!
It has a tightly written script, I should say. The dialogues were hilarious and the situations were just overwhelmingly funny. Not to mention how great the acting of Barbra, Dustin, and Robert De Niro were! Those three were a good combination. You really couldn't imagine Barbra ( who has the image of being a "diva") doing those funny antics. And, as what I've read in other reviews, Dustin was finally able to use his over-acting skills well in here! Hehehe... (I guess, the "over-acting" comes with age. Look at Al Pacino. Christopher de Leon. They have reached the peak of their acting skills that there's nowhere to go except be way over the top.)
Barbra, Dustin, and Robert are truly the heart of the film. Forget about Ben Stiller. Ben has been doing (and acting) the same way in his last films. Although, of course, he has to act the same way as he did in Meet the Parents. It is just tiring to see him act "stupidly" in different situations. I believe that he didn't do well in 2003-04 even if he had 4 films to boot (Duplex - real crap!, Along Came Polly - so-so, Dodge Ball - pwede na, and Starsky and Hutch - didn't see it and no plans seeing it!) At least MTF saved him!
So, go out and Meet the Fockers! You'll not be disappointed! BE FOCKERIZED!!!
