TOY STORY 3

Toy Story 3 sees a grown up Andy (John Morris) off to college; his collection of toys (or what remains of them!) will not be going with him - except for faithful pal Woody (Tom Hanks). Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jesse (Jane Cusack), Rex (Wallace Shawn), Hamm (John Ratzenberger), and the rest are headed for storage in the attic – never to be played with by Andy again.

However the toys bleak predicament gets worse and they soon find themselves (along with Woody) abandoned at the local day care centre, Sunnyside; which is anything but sunny.

Tyrant Teddy Bear Lotso(Ned Beatty), runs Sunnyside with an iron fist and a crew of likeminded toys which includes the terrifying ‘Big Baby’ and a very fashion conscious Ken (Michael Keaton) of Ken and Barbie fame. If that wasn’t enough the tiny tots at Sunnyside prove to be wild untamed savages when it comes to ‘quiet’ playtime. There is only one thing left for the toys to do, escape!

There are genuine thrills to be had as the gang stage a Dirty Dozen style escape from Sunnyside only to wind up in an even grimmer predicament – imminent incineration! I can’t say much without spoiling it but this ends up being one of the film’s most moving moments; which also wonderfully pays off one of the longest running gags of the series.

Like the previous two, Toy Story 3 packs in plenty of laughs, made even funnier because we know these characters so well. Buzz Lightyear receives a Latin makeover, Mr Potato (Don Rickles) head proves that he may just be the world’s best secret agent and newcomer Ken’s extended fashion montage will have you laughing out loud.

But Toy Story has always been about Woody’s steadfast loyalty to his owner Andy and it is Woody’s reluctance to let go of Andy (and vice versa) that gives Toy Story 3 its heart. In the last 20 minutes Toy Story 3 really goes for the emotional jugular and I’d be very surprised if anyone isn’t an emotional wreck as we say a final bittersweet farewell to these characters and their story – I know I certainly was!

I LOVED this movie. I was 14 when the original Toy Story premiered in 1995, to think that 15 years later it and its sequel (even better than original) remain 2 of the best movies I’ve ever seen is quite an achievement. That the third could be just as fresh, funny and moving is astounding. Pixar have made some amazing “kids” movies, Monsters Inc, Finding Nemo, Wall-E, Up, the list goes on, but the Toy Story trilogy is their masterpiece, with Toy Story 3 the crowning achievement.

5 of 5 Stars

SHREK FOREVER AFTER

Shrek Forever After is the promised 4th and final chapter for everyone’s lovable ogre which goes back to basics to remind us why we loved these characters after the bloated and forgettable Shrek the 3rd.

This outing sees Shrek (Mike Myers) bored to death by the monotony of married life; sure he loves Fiona (Cameron Diaz) and his 3 little ogre babies, but Shrek is longing for the days when he was an outcast ogre, striking fear into the hearts of villagers throughout the land.

Enter Rumpelstiltskin (Walt Dohrn) a bitter little mischief maker with the power to make Shrek’s dream of a life with no responsibilities a reality – a reality that means he never saved Fiona, never met Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) is a fat pampered kitty. Of course once Shrek gets what he wants he realises that he misses what he had…

Shrek Forever After is basically It’s A Wonderful Life with a green ogre twist; that twist however breaths new life into characters that were on the verge of becoming over exposed and stale. Shrek 4 isn’t the laugh riot that the first two films were, but it does have more heart and a better story than the previous outing – though to be honest I can’t remember much of it!

Rumpelstiltskin is great as the main foil, complete with an assortment of mood wigs and water fearing witches, and the new ogre additions (including Mad Men’s John Hamm) don’t overwhelm the core cast. Fiona gets a chance to shine as a warrior woman and Puss in Boots continues to be the comedy highlight, even with his expanding waistband, and I look forward to his long rumoured spin-off.

And so the Shrek series (hopefully) comes to a close, one film too late but a fitting send off for the big green lug and the always annoying but adorable Donkey.

3 ½ of 5 Stars

SEX & THE CITY 2

They’re back! The once single ladies of Sex and the City return to the big screen in the sequel no one, except those who couldn’t let the show go, demanded.

I was a big fan of Sex & the City when it was the smart, funny, taboo busting TV show. It had heart and managed to make Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristin Davis) and Samantha (Kim Catrall) feel like real life long friends. I thought the series finale was a great send-off to the characters, and leaving Carrie single, but attached helped drive home the message that you didn’t need to be married to be happy.

Then along came Sex & the City: The Movie. And while it wasn’t necessary it was entertaining, even if it did undermine the whole you don’t need to be married to be happy vibe of the TV series.

This brings us to Sex & the City 2 – and where do you go after everyone got their happy endings in the first installment? Apparently writer director Michael Patrick King wasn’t sure so he sent the girls on a ‘fabulous’, ‘decadent’, ‘all expenses paid’ trip to the United Arab Emirates, complete with some cringe worthy culture clash.

Having spent 10 years trying to get Big (Chris Noth) to marry her Carrie has suddenly decided marriage might not be for her, and when Big come sup with a solution she freaks out and takes off with her ‘girls’ on a holiday. What better place to run into former flame Aiden, the nice guy to Big’s bad boy. The big question is will she cheat on Big? The film wraps all this up in about 20 minutes, leaving the rest of the over 2 hour running time to be a bloated mess.

With Carrie’s storyline so light on the ground you would think this would give the other 3 girls time to shine. Think again. Charlotte is left to freak out that she is a bad mother (at least she doesn’t shit her pants this time), while Miranda hits a glass ceiling at work. Both women share a great scene together talking through their problems, but like the rest of the film it remains a little underdone.

And then there is Samantha. Samantha is trying to stave off menopause with any drug she can get her hands on. But when her drugs are confiscated upon entering the United Emirates she goes into meltdown, turning into a horny sitcom character version of herself. Samantha has always been larger than life, but here she is way too far over the top.

It might sound like I didn’t enjoy SATC 2 but I did. It was funny in places, and the established bond with the characters goes a long way in bypassing the flaws of the script. I wasn’t offended as a lot of people seem to be by the whole Muslim women modesty thing – but the last 10 minutes the girls spend in Abu Dhabi was some of the most ludicrous film making in a long time – like something straight out of a Carry On movie.

Whilst SATC 1 had an upbeat positive ending SATC 2 is far more subdued which gives the feeling that a 3rd film is all but inevitable (and Carrie will probably have a baby!). Hopefully they won’t feel the need to take off to an exotic local, and actually feature the city in the title. And please, for the love of god cut down the running time!

3 of 5 Stars

P.S. The 'I Am Woman' karaoke performance was way worse then the 2, count 'em 2, fashion montages in the first film

I LOVE YOU TOO

Peter Helliar is great, but sadly Brendan Cowell is not leading man material. Peter Dinklage’s role doesn’t belong in what was billed as a light fluffy comedy. It wasn’t the laugh riot Rom-Com I was hoping for but points for Australian filmmakers trying something new!

3 of 5 Stars

IRON MAN 2

It's not a bad movie just disappointing given the very strong first outing. Downey Jr. continues to impress as the swaggering billionaire with a suit of iron. Mickey Rourke does his best as the limited villain Whiplash, and Scarlett Johansson is smoldering as the Black Widow. That said I will still go see the inevitable Iron Man 3. Oh and all the Thor references really make me excited for the upcoming Avengers film. Avengers Assemble!

3 of 5 Stars

KICK-ASS

The aptly named Kick-Ass is awash with violence, swearing. It’s a shame the film has been overshadowed by the puritanical over reaction to violence. I’ve seen a lot more violent films in my time, maybe it’s just the fact that a fictional 13 year old girl seems to be committing it? Swearing and slashing ‘Hit Girl’ is one of the films highlights almost stealing the show from ‘Big Daddy’ Nicholas Cage and Aaron ‘Kick-Aass’ Johnston. McLovin as wannabe super-villain ‘Red Mist’ provides most of the laughs, even if the ending sets him on a more ruthless path for the sequel.

3 of 5 Stars

HOT TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON

I really wanted to love this wonderfully animated tale about Viking boy Hiccup and his pet dragon Toothless; but I didn’t. I didn’t hate it, it just left me underwhelmed. It features good performances all round and the animation style is great. ‘Toothless’ will make anyone want a pet dragon of their own. If you like this then check out the criminally underrated The Iron Giant.

3 of 5 Stars

DATE NIGHT

Disappointing! The stars of the Office and 30 Rock team up for an action comedy - what could go wrong? Well nothing goes wrong, apart from Steve Carrell and Tiny Fey’s talents being underused in this comedy romp. Can’t help thinking how much funnier it would have been if these comic talents had been allowed to really let loose.

3 of 5 Stars

CLASH OF THE TITANS

Ugh, BORING! Those expecting a big screen sword and sandals epic better look elsewhere. Sam Worthington is as wooden as the horse from Troy. And Ralph Fiennes seemed to forget he was playing god of the underworld Hades not Harry Potter’s nemesis Voldermort!

2 of 5 Stars

HOT TUB TIME MACHINE

With tongue planted firmly in cheek Hot Tub is a great way to pass the time with some genuine big laughs, even if the story feels like it spent a little too much time overheating in a hot tub.

3 of 5 Stars

THE BOUNTY HUNTER

DO. NOT. SEE. THIS. FILM.

0 of 5 Stars

NINE

An interesting but enjoyable musical boasting an all star cast and some stellar cinematography. Nicole Kidman is more convingin as a singer than an Italian and Kate Hudson was a nice surprise; Marion Cotillard is the standout thou. Disappointed there was no big closing number!

3 of 5 Stars

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

Johnny Deep + Tim Burton = what could go wrong?

Well noting really goes wrong, but Burton’s Alice in Wonderland just kinda falls flat – even though it is in 3D! Helena Bonham Carter is great as the mad Red Queen (And could Alan Rickman be a more perfect voice for the caterpillar?). Stephen Fry is good as the Cheshire Cat but he isn’t a patch on the Disney original.

Honestly, rent the Disney animated masterpiece instead (and it has significantly less eye mutilation).

2 ½ of 5 Stars

VALENTINE'S DAY

It's a little too much eye candy and sugar - and it is certainly no Love Actually; no matter how hard it tries to be...

3 of 5 Stars

THE BLIND SIDE

Based on a true story movies usually send me running but Bullock was very good, and it wasn't as overtly sentimental as I expected.

3 of 5 Stars

IT'S COMPLICATED

Baldwin. Martin and Streep! How could this movie go wrong? Well for one thing it is way too long and for another it wastes the talents of all involved. The less said about the poorly written ‘children’ characters the better...

2 of 5 Stars

BRAN NUE DAE

Bran Nue Dae is the first Aussie movie I’ve actually gone to the cinema for since Baz Luhrmann’s overblown epic ‘Australia’. It’s actually the first time in a long time I’ve wanted to see an Australian movie based on the trailer, so I was hopeful that it would be at least as fun as the trailer; it was.

Bran Nue Dae isn’t a masterpiece by any means however enthusiastic performances, and smile inducing musical numbers more than make up for a choppily edited and at times limited script. And can I say how good it is to watch an Australian film that doesn't feel the need to be 'worthy' and isn't afraid to have fun; more please!

3 ½ out of 5 Stars

BLOGGING BY POPULAR DEMAND

I’ve been told by many to start blogging my movie reviews so here I am.

I’m going to start by posting my old 2010 Facebook reviews chronologically to get back up to speed…