It’s been long since my last writing on movie reviews and here are some recaps of my 2013 movies in cinema as far as I can remember:
Pacific Rim Release: 11th July 2013
Run Time: 2 Hours 11 Minutes
Plot Summary: When legions of monstrous creatures, known as Kaiju, started rising from the sea, a war began that would take millions of lives and consume humanity's resources for years on end. To combat the giant Kaiju, a special type of weapon was devised: massive robots, called Jaegers, which are controlled simultaneously by two pilots whose minds are locked in a neural bridge. But even the Jaegers are proving nearly defenceless in the face of the relentless Kaiju. On the verge of defeat, the forces defending mankind have no choice but to turn to two unlikely heroes - a washed up former pilot (Charlie Hunnam) and an untested trainee (Rinko Kikuchi) - who are teamed to drive a legendary but seemingly obsolete Jaeger from the past. Together, they stand as mankind's last hope against the mounting apocalypse.
The first impression I have on this movie while watching the trailer was none other than “yea…it is nothing more than a movie with robots fighting against the monsters (having immediately ultra-men in mind) Nevertheless it proofs me wrong where this is indeed a superb movie for the month with fantastic robots-fighting scenes, great sound effects, massive destructions and brilliant storyline. The human element in the monster-robots movies is always the key to success. It is visually amazing but unfortunately we were left with the first and only row for the night hence “enjoying” the movie with stiffed-neck and shoulder-ache. Well, this absolutely worth the collection in blue-ray.
White House Down Release: 27th June 2013
Run Time: 2 Hours 11 Minutes
Plot Summary: In Columbia Pictures' White House Down, Capitol Policeman John Cale (Channing Tatum) has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service of protecting President James Sawyer (Jamie Foxx). Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation's government falling into chaos and time running out, it's up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.
After long hearing the advertisement on the radio, I started getting interested wondering how good could this movie be. This is another story of disaster surrounding the white-house subsequent to the release of Olympus Has Fallen (Hmmp…why are there so many movies favoring the attack on the white-house while in reality this could hardly happen due to the invincible arm forces, or is this the human nature fantasying a fight against the impossible). This is also a movie featuring exclusively a one-man-show to save the world. But…will there be such a hero in real life?
Despicable Me 2 Release: 4th July 2013
Run Time: 1 Hours 34 Minutes
Plot Summary: Chris Meledandri and his acclaimed filmmaking team create an all-new comedy adventure featuring the return of (former?) super-villain Gru (Steve Carell), his adorable girls, the unpredictably hilarious Minions...and a host of new and outrageously funny characters.
Ba-ba-ba ba ba na na...This is an undeniably cute movie for the month staring the adorable minions, but unfortunately this is associated with many negative post-movie-effect initiating the various debates unfolding the hideous truth of our society where people does purchased the meal merely for the sake of the toy while discarding the food in waste. Dozens of people fighting for a plastic-made toy with all sorts of incredible incidents and actions was rather depicting the dilemma within our society that should not be overlooked and neglected.
World War Z Release: 20th June 2013
Run Time: 1 Hours 53 Minutes
Plot Summary: Based on the novel by Max Brooks. The story revolves around United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Pitt), who traverses the world in a race against time to stop a pandemic that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself.
This movie could certainly offer more than it should. Yea, while this world is gradually turning human into working zombies, thus I wonder when will the real apocalypse featuring working zombies be seen around…lol.
Man of Steel Release: 13th June 2013
Run Time: 2 Hours 22 Minutes
Plot Summary: A young boy learns that he has extraordinary powers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do. But the hero in him must emerge if he is to save the world from annihilation and become the symbol of hope for all mankind.
It’s been long since my last outing with a big group of colleagues and here comes the day where more than 25 of us were gathered at TGV Sunway for the 3D experience watching the story of the ever living flying dude. I believe there’s nothing really new to the story other than the design of the new suit and the fact that this flying guy finally gets it right in wearing his underwear. The developed technology presented this old story in a brand new high-technological way, thus it is still worth watching.
The Hangover Part III Release: 30th May 2013
Run Time: 1 Hours 40 Minutes
Plot Summary: "The Hangover Part III" is a departure from the usual format of the first two installments, in which the trio of Phil, Stu and Alan, a.k.a. The Wolfpack do not wake up from an outrageous drunken night out and they try and piece together what craziness went down. Instead, 'The Wolfpack' has to break resident eccentric, Alan, out of a mental institution this time around.
Comedy is often not my choice, thus I couldn’t have given a good rating for this one featuring a bunch of idiots with silly acts.
Epic Release: 23rd May 2013
Run Time: 1 Hours 42 Minutes
Plot Summary: EPIC is a 3D animated fantasy adventure that reveals a hidden world unlike any other. From the creators of ICE AGE and RIO, EPIC tells the story of an ongoing battle deep in the forest between the forces of good who keep the natural world alive and the forces of evil who wish to destroy it. When a teen age girl finds herself magically transported into this secret universe, she must band together with a rag-tag team of fun and whimsical characters in order to save their world…and ours.
This is a beautiful 3D cartoon where a fantasy forest is always the fabulous setting for animation having the colorful flowers, mystery of the forest and forever adorable animals. The 2 slugs have played the significant role in this motion picture to attract me for a spent after all. This simple cartoon brought us back to the childhood fantasy of the tiny world of fairies and monsters. The 3D experience in Genting over the weekend was superb.
Now You See Me Release: 30th May 2013
Run Time: 1 Hours 55 Minutes
Plot Summary: The project is described as a thriller that pits a crack FBI squad in a game of cat-and-mouse against a super-team of the world's greatest illusionists, who pull off a series of daring bank heists during their performances, showering the profits on their audiences while staying one step ahead of the law.
Another awesome movie of the year presenting a whole new idea on magic tricks by 4 professional magicians. “You think you see everything that you need to see, but you actually don’t see everything”. The unpredictability of the plot and several twists caught my attention throughout the cast. Though many negative reviews were received internationally concerning the complication and ridiculous story-line, nevertheless if you forgo the over-analytical mind-set to sit back and relax, you would enjoy the show.
Iron Man 3 Release: 20th June 2013
Run Time: 2 Hours 11 Minutes
Plot Summary: Marvel’s “Iron Man 3” pits brash-but-brilliant industrialist Tony Stark/Iron Man against an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy's hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. This journey, at every turn, will test his mettle. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him. As he fights his way back, Stark discovers the answer to the question that has secretly haunted him: does the man make the suit or does the suit make the man?
Another Marvel movie having some good comedic part, this is quite a good and entertaining one. The action was there, plus the flying-around of a dozen of iron-men suits was like a “wow…” eventually. I couldn’t make further comparison to the previous chapters as I have almost totally forgotten everything (start worrying about my memory…hmmp)
Fast & Furious 6 Release: 23rd May 2013
Run Time: 2 Hours 10 Minutes
Plot Summary: Agent Hobbs enlists the aid of Dom and team to help bring a rival gang, led by Owen Shaw, to justice. In exchange for clear records, they must put an end to their schemes, no matter how personal the cost. Building on the worldwide blockbuster success of Fast Five and taking the action, stunts and narrative to even greater heights, Fast & Furious 6 sees director Justin Lin back behind the camera for the fourth time.
The team is back! This is a movie I have long waited after watching Fast & Furious 5 only recently. Though some of the actions are insane and doesn’t seem logical, but the explosions do already worth the price of watching.
Oz the Great and Powerful Release: 7th March 2013
Run Time: 2 Hours 10 Minutes
Plot Summary: Disney's fantastical adventure "Oz The Great and Powerful," imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum's beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs, a smalltime circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he's hit the jackpot-fame and fortune are his for the taking-that is until he meets three witches, Theodora, Evanora and Glinda, who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone's been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late.
A rather disappointing movie with average rating. This certified classic was presented in a way too fancy which exactly shows “more is less” and being too juvenile and simplistic to entertain anyone with an age.
Jack the Giant Slayer Release: 28th February 2013
Run Time: 1 Hours 55 Minutes
Plot Summary: "Jack the Giant Slayer" tells the story of an ancient war that is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack, into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom, its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend-and gets the chance to become a legend himself.
Em….no comment but…okok lah
A Good Day to Die Hard Release: 7th February 2013
Run Time: 1 Hours 36 Minutes
Plot Summary: Bruce Willis returns in his most iconic role as John McClane - the “real” hero with the skills and attitude to always be the last man standing. This time the take-no-prisoners cop is really in the wrong place at the wrong time after traveling to Moscow to help his estranged son Jack. With the Russian underworld in pursuit, and battling a countdown to war, the two McClanes discover that their opposing methods make them unstoppable heroes.
Being in favor of Bruce Willis movies, this was rather an average one but still it is a good way to spend your weekend in support of the Die Hard series.
G.I. Joe: Retaliation Release: 28th March 2013
Run Time: 1 Hours 50 Minutes
Plot Summary: Bruce Willis returns in his most iconic role as John McClane - the “real” hero with the skills and attitude to always be the last man standing. This time the take-no-prisoners cop is really in the wrong place at the wrong time after traveling to Moscow to help his estranged son Jack. With the Russian underworld in pursuit, and battling a countdown to war, the two McClanes discover that their opposing methods make them unstoppable heroes.
I could hardly recall the story after almost 6 months, but recollecting the pieces of images in mind reminds me with only both black and white ninjas…lol.
I Love Hong Kong 2013 Release: 10th February 2013
Run Time: 1 Hours 38 Minutes
Plot Summary: The story takes place in the 1970s until modern times, in which all families are happily prepare and welcome the Chinese New Year in Hong Kong. However, a traditional restaurant in Yau Ma Tei faces terrible problem. At last, everything solved with the neighbours’ kind support and assistance as happy ending.
This is the first movie of the year (as far as I can remember), but nothing more to comment as the Chinese New Year movie series are often nothing more than some happy ending comedy.
