Now You See Me

So going into this movie, I honestly knew very little about it. I had no idea what movie I wanted to see, so I had looked it up online, and I thought it looked cool. I watched the trailer and looked up some reviews, but upon seeing that they looked rather lukewarm, I decided not to read them and decide for myself. I often read reviews, but I'm trying to stop because they always color my opinion of the film (or show or book) in question. I would rather make my own decisions.

That being said, I truly disagree with the lukewarm reaction to this movie. I thought that it was fantastic! Alright, so it wasn't a work of any particular artistic genius, but it was incredibly enjoyable!

I loved the  stage show scenes; the magic was compelling and the scenes themselves were beautiful to look at. The sets were polished and perfect, the costumes were awesome, and the effects and pacing of the shows themselves were marvelous! The shows looked incredibly well-rehearsed and the actors did a wonderful job with their roles within the shows.

The characters of the Four Horsemen (the central magicians) were not particularly developed within the script. However, I think that works with their mystique. They spend the entire movie putting on a show and weaving a web for the audience, and it almost makes sense that we end up knowing very little about them. What we do see of them offstage is amusing and makes them into the clear protagonists of the movie. They are people I found myself wishing that I was friends with. Their relationships are believable and, despite not being touched upon very frequently, are not taken as far as to become ridiculous or fake. I love the Horsemen. I came home wanting to learn magic to become a Horseman. No lie.

I only had a few complaints about this movie. The characters of the agents pursuing our Four Horsemen are far more developed but far less compelling. I found myself caring very little about them or their relationship and found myself wishing for their defeat, for I wanted the Horsemen to emerge victorious. Plus, I think that Morgan Freeman was sort of wasted in a film like this that didn't give his character as much time as any Freeman character should deserve. Morgan Freeman is fantastic, but he was just lost in this spectacle of a movie.

I won't reveal any of the numerous plot twists that made this movie so incredibly compelling, but let me tell you that this movie holds you in its ever-evolving clutches until the very end! It kept me on the edge of my seat (quite literally) from start to finish!

Go see this movie! It is fun without being silly and spectacular without being untouchable. It is most definitely worth seeing on the silver screen for anyone who wants entertainment that is both escapist and intelligent!

Star Trek: Into Darkness

I'm going to preface this post with this fact: I love Star Trek. End of story.

However, I did not love this movie. I should probably say that I actually really liked the first Chris Pine Trek movie. It is my belief that these new movies are Trek for today's generation. There is nothing wrong with this; in fact, I'm grateful that these movies are introducing this absolutely beautiful franchise to more people. That being said, I think that these movies are your average modern-day action flicks, but set on a starship in space with aliens. I mean, let's be real: a young guy, tough, gets into fights, drives fast vehicles, and has sex with beautiful women. How more stereotypically action-film can you get? That was alright in the first one because it was well written, well acted, and had a solid and recognizable core of Trekness that made it a worthy addition to the Star Trek universe, but I did not see a strong element of traditional Trek in Into Darkness and that made it very hard to ignore the fact that it was essentially a beat-em-up movie set in space.

The effects in both are brilliant and I love the Enterprise done with modern technology; seeing it every time is a practically religious experience. They do the best they can to distract the audience from the violence-crazed, plotless pseudo-mess that is Into Darkness. I went to see this movie with a friend who knows absolutely nothing about Trek. He has never seen any of the series or the movies. (I don't really know why he suggested that we go see a Trek movie when there were so many other options, but whatever...) All he really had to say afterwards was that there was a whole lot of violence and things crashing into each other in space.

I'd say that was a pretty accurate description.

It was pretty devoid of character development, plot, sex, and anything else that may have made it even a little bit compelling. I will admit, there was one specific tearjerking moment, but other than that, the movie was entirely people bent upon beating on each other and starships crashing into things. I really don't know how the Enterprise didn't EXPLODE with all of the damage it was taking!

The plot was all over the place and occasionally nonexistent. During the film, I had no idea why the character of Carol Marcus was even included. It seems like I am not the only one. The internet and and Trek fanbases all over the world have exploded with the blatant sexism evident in the existence of that character. She did nothing in the entire movie but appear in her underwear; both degrading women and turning their role in Starfleet, a product of a supposedly advanced and enlightened world, into mere pretty decoration for the men who do all of the actual dangerous and fulfilling work. There was absolutely no point in her being naked; the scene did nothing for the (lacking) plot, so why was it there? I think we can all answer that  question ourselves.

I adore Benedict Cumberbatch and I am a dedicated Sherlock fan, so I have to say that I was thoroughly amused that Cumberbatch was prowling the streets of London in a black trench coat and scarf. Because who will ever say no to fan service, right? It was hilarious and wonderful and had absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the movie. Also, Chekov's reaction to his instructions to put on a red shirt was fantastic. Who isn't terrified when he or she is told to put on a red shirt? I know I would be! I laughed out loud. For a good length of time. It was a little embarrassing.

I love Spock and I think that Zachary Quinto does a lovely job. That was random but I wanted to say it.  He does a great job in an iconic and incredibly difficult role.

I don't really know how to sum up my feelings about this movie. It was just... disappointing. I'm just going to go back to good ole Star Trek: The Next Generation. Because is one of the best TV shows ever made. Period.

If you want a really good Trek movie, go watch Star Trek: Insurrection. Now that is what I call quality. I watched it the day after I saw Into Darkness to restore my faith in Star Trek. TNG for the win! Also, I just discovered that Season 1 of TNG is free on Hulu right now! Who is watching it again? This kid!

And with that, have a nice day.