Vinko’s Thoughts On…

My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “Hellboy 2” at AMC Theater, Pacific Place, Admiralty, Hong Kong.

I did not go watch Hellboy, the first episode in this franchise, at the cinema, but caught it on HBO. I did not find the first movie that interesting, so I did not put this sequel in my Must See Movies list.

Recently many of my friends gave it rave reviews after watching the latest episode in the franchise; as did RT, so it made me question my decision for not wanting to see this movie.

Tonight I was presently surprised by the movie. As with all sequels, it is always hard to balance the need to provide just enough background store for the audiences and keep the fans interested. Especially when the previous episode was four years ago. I think the director (screenplay and writer), Guillermo del Toro achieved that very well.

Another thing they did correctly, was to keep the main casts from the first episode, giving the movie a continuum that is much needed for sequels. Ron Perlman again played the adult Hellboy, Selma Blair played Liz Sherman, both Doug Jones and Brian Steele were chameleons of characters.

The special effect was done very well, it shows what four years of technology advancements in CG can do for a movie. The CG seamlessly integrated with the live action of the movie. There were many background characters and details in the sets and costumes, giving the audience much eye candy other than the story. There were one scene which reminded me of the bar in Star Wars (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope).

The story had the feel of Fantastic Four the magic of Harry Potter the mystery of Indiana Jones and National Treasure. Overall a very enjoyable movie to bring the kids to.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere

My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “Wanted” at UA Cinema, Time Square, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong.

What an amazing movie!

If you do not watch any movie this year, you must see this one. Having said that, there are several coming up later this year on my Must See Movies list, that you should also watch out for: Dark Knight and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

This is an action packed movie filled with special effects and stunts. I strongly suggest you get to the theater on time and not miss a single second of this movie.

The plot of the movie is not complicated, but the writers Michael Brandt and Derek Haas must have done it intentionally so the audience will not be occupied with deciphering the plot, and miss the great special effects and stunts that integrates so well together. One can hardly tell when one starts and the other ends.

You must walk into the movie with an open mind and not question any of the events that happen in the movie. It is a movie that entertains and not a movie that depicts anything realistic. It is based on a comic book after all.

Of course, like any Angelina Jolie movies there is a token scene to show off her well toned nude body. The main character Wesley Gibson, played by James McAvoy is the only character in the movie with a full name, further adds to the comic book style of the movie.

If the plot was more complex and original I would have easily given it 5 penguins rating.

So just sit back and enjoy the 2 hours of entertainment that this movie brings.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere

My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “The Incredible Hulk” at UA Cinema, Time Square, Hong Kong.

Another sequel to the Incredible Hulk TV series remake, the original remake was Hulk in 2003. This time they change the actor playing Bruce Banner (Edward Norton).

Not sure if it was due to my expectations; or lack of, going into the movie, this was a pretty good movie. As many of you know, the story of The Incredible Hulk has been told many times over and over. The hero, Banner fights all odds to overcome the misguided impressions that people have of him when he is the Hulk. When all he wanted to do is to return normal and  live a regular life.

As always with any Marvel comic there is a villain, this time played by Tim Roth. Where he started as the hated villain in The Musketeer, Invincible, Pulp Fiction and many more.

In the end, they did something no other movies had done, that is to tie two different Marvel movies together to give the audience a hint of what to come.

It is a definite entertaining one to watch. Take the kids, but watch out, you may have to deal with their nightmares afterwards.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere

My Rating:

This evening I saw the movie “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” at AMC Theatre, Pacific Place, Hong Kong.

A good sequel because the screenwrite did not spend too much time reviewing the previous version of the movie, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” 3 years ago. Unfortunately, this is also the reason why I feel this is not a good movie.

This is really a movie written and designed for children. With that in mind this is a good movie, as it has the mystical elements that children likes, characters that spur the imaginations and story-line that will capture the young audiences.

Having said that the story and movie is a bit lacking for adults. If you do not have young children in your household I will suggest you give it a miss.

Rating Legend:
	Not to be missed
	Wait for the DVD
	Buy from iTunes Store
	Rent it on iTunes
	Waste your time elsewhere