Month: August 2018

Next Entertainment: Rampage Review

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coOKvrsmQiI]

THE LOWDOWN
Directed by Brad Peyton, Rampage centres around genetically engineered animals that wreak havoc on the city of Chicago and the population alike when a rogue experiment ‘monstrifies’ a wolf, an alligator and George, an albino gorilla, as a result of a lethal mutagenic substance falling from space. Primatologist Davis Okeye (Dwayne Johnson), who is George’s caretaker at a local animal care centre, is joined by discredited geneticist Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris) to secure an antidote, fighting his way through an ever-changing battlefield, not only to halt a global catastrophe but to save the fearsome creature that was once his friend.

THE GOOD
Look. I am a massive Dwayne Johnson fan. He has won me over time and time again, making sure that performances are always entertaining – no matter the role. This, probably, still has to do with the fact that we constantly will underestimate him, being a former WWE star “The Rock”. I suppose it is fair to say I’m never expecting an Oscar winning moment from Johnson. But does that really matter? Not really. If he doesn’t disappoint, he doesn’t disappoint.

I am also a sci-fi fan. So, I like watching special effects pushed to whatever boundary. I’ve said this before, but if mind numbing entertainment is about big budgets and non-stop action, then why would anyone complain? The actors are convincing, the story is sound, and it’s a lot of fun to watch. I must take a moment to also commend anyone who can turn an 8-bit arcade game with very little work (see video below), into any type of watchable story. Also, if you are gaming fan, both Rampage the arcade game and Rampage World Tour are a pretty awesome way to pass time bashing buildings and eating people, if that’s your thing.

THE BAD
It’s simple. Here’s the plot again.
Space goo falls from destroyed space station. 3 animals become really, really, really big and mean. They trash place. Kill a bunch of people. The Rock is there to save the day with his oversized Gorilla companion. The End. This is not supposed to tickle your cerebral cortex.

THE STUFF YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN
• At the wrap up party for Rampage, director, Brad Peyton gifted Dwayne Johnson a vintage Rampage arcade machine.
• The Actors Starring as Davis’ Primatology team actually have backgrounds in primate behaviour.
• American sign language plays a giant role in the film.
• Dwayne Johnson and producers Beau Flynn & Hiram Garcia worked with actual gorillas.
• The director and producer team have ‘tangoed; before – working together on Journey 2 the Mysterious Island and San Andreas.

THE CHERRY ON TOP
The DVD release includes the featurette “Not Just a Game Anymore”. Rampage video game animator Brian Colin gives you some insight into the design of the game, which was rather revolutionary in its multiplayer mode, and also the fact that you were playing as the monster and not the hero (for once). Small nuggets – like fashioning certain avatars off’ his wife – are great for nostalgic fanboys and fangirls out there. The light-hearted tone from the game is translated into the feel of the film. Ryan Engle snatched the honours of having his screenplay turned into a mega movie monster blockbuster, influenced by films like Jaws and Jurassic Park. Watch this featurette for all the Easter eggs!

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoFDdmD2T6k]

Rampage is available now on DVD from Next Entertainment. For other movie reviews, check them out and like their page on Facebook.

Interview at ICON 2018 with DarthZadyBun

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I was lucky enough to be asked to join the panellists for another year at the ICON Comic Convention. You might not have gathered yet, but I am a massive comic fanboy, and so speaking as an expert professional in my field here is always more than a fun day out for me.

This year I spoke about “The Art of Conversation” – how essential storytelling is in creating buy in not only for comic book creators, gamers, and artistes of all walks of life – but for the “everyday” man and woman on the street like you and I. An “almanac” of your own life is what we have so far created on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. But what about life podcasting?

That video will be up soon. In the meantime, comic influencer Zaid “DarthZadyBun” Motala caught me on the floor before I went up, and this is what we had to say:

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usqiKjjuP6Y]

– Chris

Next Entertainment: Tomb Raider Review

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[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ndhidEmUbI]

THE LOWDOWN
A reboot of the classic game Tomb Raider, Lara Croft is on her first adventure following her father’s footsteps, unbeknownst to her, as a tomb raider. The myth of a death queen, Himiko, turns into reality when her father goes missing and Lara refuses to accept his death. She stumbles upon a series of clues and hidden artefacts that take her to an island off the coast of Japan, and the sinister ongoings of a global corporation – Trinity, with a face off to see who the ultimate Tomb Raider will be.

THE GOOD
I enjoyed this Tomb Raider, and I believe most people will too. It’s definitely in the category of mind-numbing entertainment with not much more happening at a deeper level. Sometimes we need these types of films. Buy or rent the DVD, make yourself some popcorn, pour a large coke – and let the world pass you by while you are transported into the world of another’s.

Let’s do a bit of a checklist to see why you should give this a watch:

  • Script and storyline? Not bad. Check.
  • Acting: Believable. Check.
  • Action and Entertainment value: Great. Check.
  • All in all. Not a bad night in.

THE BAD
I’m sure by now you have guessed I was saving some comments for this section. After seeing the making of the film (also featured on the DVD release), I understand why my expectation of Lara Croft’s character should have been readjusted. At first, she immediately comes off as weak and well, beatable. Not a heroine of a story at all. Seeing that this was a true origin story, I understand now that there needs to be growth and struggle in a hero’s story for them to become who they are destined to become. But I still maintain, I needed more from the Lara I grew to love and know. It is after all, still a tool for buying into the sequels that are sure to follow, and I think they could have sold me more on her extraordinary-ness (if that’s a word). With me, it’s always about two things, casting and scripting. I can accept Alicia Vikander as someone who can hopefully soon give us the grit and strength of a Lara Croft, but with Walton Goggins who plays the villain, it is just something personal I have against his acting style. We just caught him in another villain role in Ant-Man and The Wasp, and again, he taints the big screen for me. Bygones.

THE CHERRY ON TOP 
The DVD release features Tomb Raider: Uncovered, a look at the behind the scenes efforts to create the reboot of the franchise. Narratives by Director Roan Uthaug and Producer Graham King, explain the choice of taking the story back to the origin of Lara Croft’s identity and contextual background. Whereas previous films had already established the character and depended quite heavily on the popularity of the gaming character, this seeks to start a story a new, showing an authentic, believable side to her and Croft’s journey. A close up with all the film’s characters shows insight as to cast synergy and buy-in to a devotion to each character. Special mention to Franklin Henson, the film’s stunt coordinator, who had his work cut out for him. Where one wouldn’t say off hand that this was a difficult movie to make, this featurette reminds you of key scenes that were quite breathtaking and absolutely believable as great action sequences. What you won’t know is the film was shot in South Africa to achieve the balance of gritty and beautiful landscapes we get, to see recreating all the island (and Hong Kong which was recreated in the ports of Cape Town) scenes in Tomb Raider. And then of course, the main character (for me, anyway) – the tomb. Which is where all memories and nostalgia for gaming references comes to life. Greatly created and fun to explore.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3rb5IKvkUw]

Tomb Raider is available now on DVD from Next Entertainment. For other movie reviews, check them out and like their page on Facebook.