Fantasy, Future, and Hindsight: Maleficent, Edge of Tomorrow, & X-Men: Days of Future Past

     Film's amazing capability to transport us through audio and visuals has really gone on an escapist route in recent Hollywood. Although most of the films I choose to view in theatre are not random, I found myself indecisive the last few times since there were so many options that I knew would be worth getting lost in. With recent world events peppering the news with horrors near and far, Hollywood is trying hard to coat our emotional indigestion, perhaps a little too hard.

     The Summer Blockbuster season is always full of wonder, action, fire and thrills, but what happens when they get scrunched together? Does releasing a 'Summer Blockbuster' turn those directors into genre filmmakers? Or simply labelled as 'Corporate Creators', Amassing box office revenues for the deeper, darker Christmas Releases? To put it simply, it seems like this summer crammed too much action/sci-fi/fantasy into one lot, and it makes it too easy to forget what you actually went to watch. I like a more anticipated release, rather than an incomprehensible orgasm of explosions and special effects, (Not that I don't enjoy a good 'O' but, you know what I mean) Space it out a bit Hollywood.

     Now back to business!! My completely isolated critiques of 3 of summer's biggest movies!

Door Number 1- A re-telling of an old Disney classic spun around to a more maternal morality play about the demon/witch archetype, with none other than Angelina Jolie at the helm. MALEFICENT

Door Number 2- A Sci-fi, time-travel, space invader, action ride starring the daring and strong Emily Blunt and action-is-his-middle-name icon Tom Cruise. EDGE OF TOMORROW

Door Number 3- A comic book, time-travel, sequel to X-Men: First class. Crossing over the original X-Men trilogy and the new films together to rework some of the story dynamics for pending films to come. Studded with stars, and my favorite shape shifter, Jennifer Lawrence, I bring you.... X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

MALEFICENT

     Based on Disney's original animated film Sleeping Beauty, Maleficent follows the storyline from a different perspective, from the pixie-turned-witch, Maleficent.

     Although there is much speculation that the film is trying to float upwards with the extremely obvious Disney-Feminism of Frozen  I did not find any terribly distracting or preachy themes throughout the film. Narratively the film played on common fairytale film tropes from older animated adaptations and used them in a live-action setting. Mixed with the colourful and hyper-fantasy design, the narrative and style mediums melded well with one another. This was quite prevalent with the three godmother fairies, who in my opinion, were particular character favorites.

     The overall story gives Maleficent a cornered-rat justification to her hostility to the human world, and her former love. This dynamic, although a tad two-dimensional at times, added a dynamic insight to the thoughts of an outcast creature; Much in the same way we sympathize with Edward Scissor-hands in the Tim Burton classic.

     Acting-Wise I found Angelina Jolie's performance perfect, mixing the delivery of a cartoon villain and a human character into a very honest portrayal. Unfortunately, due to the hybrid of family-adult audience genres left some of the lines a little too cartoon-esque, but Jolie Delivered with stride. Some special nods go to the darling Elle Fanning as Aurora, which now I could never re-imagine that role as anyone else but her; as well as Juno Temple, who plays one of the three fairy godmothers, although often on the Cinema sidelines, I honestly hope her quirky and spunky presence can get some bigger roles in the future.

     I was disappointed with the actualized villain in the film, Maleficent's former lover, played by District 9's Sharlto Copley. I believe my disappointment with his character was more the screenwriting rather than the acting. A villain is always supposed to be a mix of human, and maniacal, but with a purpose that they are convinced is right. In this case, his motivation to be oppressive felt more and more shallow. I am a great fan of villains, they spur the stakes and the story, and although we are led to believe we are following a Villain's Story, it makes Maleficent to be a lot more heroic yet self-pitious than she should be. The character of Stefan feels really juggernaut-esque, and that was probably the weakest point of the film.

     As for style and special effects, Maleficent does not disappoint, with fantastical creatures and elaborately armed and armored humans, the world within the film really does feel like it has jumped out of an old illustrated bedtime storybook.

     Overall a good watch with solid style, but a weak villain, which makes the film feel long at points.

EDGE OF TOMORROW

     Edge of tomorrow at first glance (and at first glance, I mean watching the trailer) seems like a more gritty mix of starship troopers and Groundhog Day. When put as such, it does not seem terribly appealing to those looking for a 'serious' action sci-fi. Edge of Tomorrow really does spice the film with a good mix of drama, time-travel, and just a pinch of ironic humor, which give it that self-realization that is needed to make the characters and story amicable enough to displace your belief.

     Casting for this film seemed very carefully played. Although you may think 'Sure, action movie, aliens and earth, must be Tom Cruise' I beg you take it back. This role, although action oriented, is a very big jump from his other characters since he plays a complete coward who needs to rise to his own gift/curse of reliving the same day. Cruise really shows us a different side to his enthusiastic acting style that allows us to really enjoy his character's shortcomings and progression. Emily Blunt, on the other hand, plays the other side of the coin, the poster-hero for the human forces. Ever since The Devil Wears Prada, I always felt she needed a role like this to see her in a situation that wasn't terribly polished and sleek. Although you may think 'Okay, strong female lead archetype, again' her role is more of a reminiscence of vintage war hero repute propaganda; The silent, dangerous, vanguard type. Not a role you see often headed by a Woman, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This role, although a supporting one, was a really large supporting role that had depth flexibility, and Blunt delivered.

     For 'Groundhog Day-esque' films like Edge of Tomorrow, the editing and narrative needs to have a good mix of repetition yet exciting buildup. For those who find the repetitive medium as a cheapifyer of most repetitive narrative styles I would say that Edge of Tomorrow's story does not take this challenge lightly. There is a very intense set of stakes that take place in the film that prevent it from making Tom Cruise's ability seem expendable and over-powered. Which leads the film into a suspenseful third act.

     As for special effects, I have no complaints, they had a decent mix of real FX and CG which allowed the real grit of the mech suit technology to shine through. I really enjoyed the unique design and look of the alien invaders whose movements and tactics within the realm of the story were wonderfully detailed.

     I was recently made aware that the film actually was based off of a graphic novel. In comparison, I obviously have no opinion, but either way I would displace (As I would from any adaptation from literature) it from the novel for the sake of enjoyment over comparison. Regardless, it would be fun to be aware of the differences in plot.

     I thought this was a badass sci-fi flick, and one of the few that, although long, felt short. Which is a rarity.

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

     After what most fans (I was indifferent) called a ridiculous end to the original X-Men film trilogy, Marvel has now decided to throw together the casts of the original films with their younger counterparts. With the buzz from X-men: First Class's killer cast and great foreboding elements it seemed only natural to meld the characters of the past and the future together. Although a neat idea in theory, their tact to meld the two worlds was not very careful and seems rushed (I'll explain why in a bit). Fortunately, the initial cast of First Class and Hugh Jackman is strong enough to hold the film's downfalls and still maintain a decent and exciting adventure of historical intrigue, conspiracy, and character growth. 

      I will lay out my main complaints about the film before I get too happy about it. I know you more cynical film people will appreciate this. You're welcome.

     The narrative plots between the bleak and dangerous future and the Nixon era were not balanced for intrigue at all, turning the wonderful appearances of Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart into a gimmick-like presence in the film. Much like blind hellennistic prophets spitting out foreboding remarks about the future and past, the epic pair served as a side note to the greater plot of the film which weighed heavily on the younger cast and the crowd favorite, Hugh Jackman. If these slivers of scenes were going to be used at all, it would have been better to just book-end the film with the future parts, and not riddle the present intrigue with bad attempts at 'raising the stakes' in the story. When you do time travel or parallel universes in films, you either follow one side, or all the periods equally like Inception or Timeline. 

     A great upset in small role casting goes to Mark Camacho who played President Nixon. Although I believe this was largely a casting problem rather than performance, no matter how hard they tried to make him look the part; by caricature or realist, he just did not fit the bill. Also, I am quite done with movies tapping into the Nixon Presidency as a centre point for period action/drama. When you cast a Nixon you either have to make him cartoony and jowly like they did in Watchmen, or go for the realist approach and really let the audience have the closest impression, which in my opinion was Frank Langella in Frost/Nixon. I know it is a small part to pick on, but it gets distracting.

     Due to the narrative style between time periods the film felt long. Which is never good. It had nothing to do with the scenes, or the performances, but rather the way they decided to chronologize (a word? It should be :p) the story.

NOW ABOUT THE STUFF I DID LIKE!!!! YAY! HAPPYFUNTIMEANDRAINBOWS!!!!

     Casting was magnificent but also expected. Although I was already a fan of Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique, I was pleasantly surprised at how much of a plot catalyst she was and her performances and fight scenes really stole the show for me. She is just a great Actress for this role and fun to watch. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender really took some great leaps to evoke the expressive facial and vocal nuances of their older counterparts. Throughout the film you could completely believe that these two rivals would become the characters that Stewart and McKellen have developed for years, and by adding their intense emotional and psychological feuds with adolescent resentment really packed a punch for the character development in the film. Although Wolverine is present throughout the film, he is more of a delegation between the past and the future (Due to is regenerative gifts) that is trying to make sure everyone gets along and fixes the crisis at hand. Honourable mention also goes to Peter Dinklage of Game Of Thrones fame, who enjoys a sycophantic scientist role and plays it with class and wonderful selfishness.

     It seems like I am really enjoying the special effects of all the films I have seen but in truth CG has come a long way in the last 10 years and now films are realizing how to make the right CG for the right style of film. Considering the comic book genre and the time periods, the consistency of the effects have been great throughout the X-Men and Wolverine franchises. I always get a kick out of Mystique's awesome transformation process, never gets old.

     Overall, as I said, the cast really carry this film with it's tactful writing for the respective characters, so it is definitely worth a watch. It just feels long. 

...and don't forget, at the VERY END of ALL the credits, there is a surprise for you Comic aficionados about the upcoming storm.


Thanks for the patience and I hope you have fun at the movies!!

Christian A.V. Petrozza