Scream 4

Arriving a decade after the last installment the Scream franchise returns to cast an eye over the state of the horror genre once more.

The first thing I'd say though is that Scream 4 is no longer a horror film in it's own right. Whilst Scream was undoubtedly a stalk and slash horror film with added commentary on the genre and knowing dark humour the latest film comes across much like an outright parody of the genre not the pastiche the first film was.

It's actually quite a funny film, the opening sequence is a great gag and it's full of brilliant lines ("The voice from the films or well, you know, your life"), but it never quite comes together as tries to balance various aspects as the original.

One of the key factors is the characterisation which was actually quite strong in the first two films. Then the main cast were people with believable lives, motivations, emotions and the secondary cast feel like, well, people rather than ciphers.

However this time around the returning cast aren't really given a chance to anything other than advance the plot or get chased around whilst the new generation of kids seem to neatly fall into either victim or suspect categories.

Emma Roberts is bland as Sidney's cousin failing to grasp the chance to be the new center of the film. Only really Hayden Panettiere's Kirby seems to have any real spark to her and as such is seemingly rewarded by having the most screen time of the new faces.

Another factor which stops the film from really excelling is the lack of intensity. Whilst director Craven still manages to pull out the odd effective moment this time out the attack sequences just don't seem to carry the same level of menace and tension as the first and second outings (probably about the same as the weaker third entry).

Interestingly whilst there is plenty of blood on show the violence here is much more theatrical in feel in comparison to the much more brutal, almost more real feeling violence of the original. That opening sequence in Scream still stands as something genuinely quite disturbing.

But perhaps the lack of characterisation and the stylisation of the slightly neutered violence is all part of the critique of the modern horror scene which this film certainly talks about. It does seem Kevin Williamson is not keen on the uptake of horror remakes and dismisses the likes of Saw within the opening ten minutes.

It is strange to watch a film which spends so much time telling you it shouldn't have been made in the first place. But it does raise some interesting points about the state of the genre the franchise did so much to revitalise in the mid-90's and it does also stir in the modern obsession with fame for the fake of fame.

So it's certainly fun (it made me laugh out loud a couple of times) but it lacks the intensity of the franchise's first steps but it's self awareness certainly makes it interesting for the film students amongst us.

Project Potter Part Two

Ok, so here we go with the second half of the Harry Potter phenom.

..And The Order Of The Phoenix

This one starts with a fairly creepy scene, although it did take me time to work what was going because the actor playing Dudley had changed so much and at this stage I has assumed that Harry basically wouldn't be with the Dursley's again and would be living with the Weasleys. Just something that doesn't quite make sense for me at this stage since they hate him, he hates them and it's surely exactly where everyone would look for him.

Anyway it is a nicely creepy attack. After this I think this is possibly the weakest of the later films and it's possibly down to it being very much a mid story arc sort of affair and what I suspect it's main purpose in novel form is essentially edited out, that of introducing and establishing the Order's members that we only see briefly like the wife of Remus.

It is surprising however just how dark things do get though in places (such as Umbridge's torture punishments, the notion that witnessing death changes your perception of things) and Bonham-Carter's Bellatrix Lestrange is a enjoyably demented character. To be fair the last section within the Ministry of Magic and the confrontation with Vodlemort is well realised but to some extent just highlights the lack of any real drive in the rest of the film.

I also feel that whilst Luna has potential as kooky character it's hobbled by Evanna Lynch's performance in the role. Sometime the glassy eyed quality works but often she comes across pretty woodenly.

So very much a bridging effort this one and probably my least favourite after the first two and marks the point where you can really tell large parts of the tale are being exercised.(Also not enough Gary Oldman!)

..And The Half Blood Prince

A nicely understated opening shows director David Yeates really starting to get to grips with the franchise and in a strange way it almost reminds of Zack Synder's work on Watchmen.

Again things are getting darker, the cursed student fairly early on being notably creepy and Snapes meeting with Bellatrix shot through with rain and gloom with an added sense of dread. Although it does feel like the storyline of Draco is not emphasised as much as it could have been. At the end it's clear Draco is struggling with what's expected of him but sadly I don't feel enough screen time is given over to him (and I think Tom Felton is one of stronger performers amongst the kids too)

It's hard to tell if Broadbent's slughorn is supposed to be just plain naive or blinded by his desire to 'collect' people as we discover his involvement with educating Tom Riddle on how to make himself seemingly unkillable.

Whilst again the main plotline seems to stutter until the final reel (it takes Harry a long time to realise he can use the luck potion to find out what he needs to know), the Half Blood prince reveal seems almost like an afterthought when it comes, things are better this time round as there is more to generate interest. In particular Hermione and Ron's relationship as the two struggle to actually say what they want to the other.

And in truth Watson and Grint are much better in this installment than Radcliffe who just doesn't sell the idea that Harry is able to lead the other students with any real conviction. Though to be fair he does fair better in the final scenes as he forces his mentor to drink the enchanted water.

So stronger than the previous entry but a little weak as a standalone film and much more a building block, although this is somewhat to be expected at this stage.

..And the Deathly Hallows Part 1

I know this one seems to be often criticised as being an exercise in exposition before the fireworks start but I actually really enjoyed this one, even the camping trip parts.

It's just really well made with a lot of attention to detail. For example this film is much darker not only in content but the hue of the film itself is washed out, greyer and darker than the previous entries (and for the duration not just the opening two minutes; pay attention Verbinski!). And of course on top of that we have things like the teacher pleading with Snape to save her, the torture and marking of Hermione and the general genocide of mudbloods vibe running through things.

I admit the notion of the corrupting pendant is a little bit of a steal from Lord Of The Rings but it isn't overplayed so I'm happy to let it go and does play nicely with the relationship of the lead trio as Ron suddenly finds himself over aware of Harmonie's interactions with Harry. And the soul of Voldemort's attempt to use to this it's advantage is well realised as Ron goes to destroy the locket.

The animation for the tale of the Deathly Hallows is also a good move helping to put across an important part of the story in an imaginative way. You get the feeling if Chris Columbus was still in the chair he'd just of had somewhere read out to screen for five minutes.

Elsewhere though there were a couple of things that felt a little under explained like the significance of Lucious losing his wand to Voldemort and again Draco's struggle to chose where his loyalty really lies isn't focused on as much as it could be.

So it's a thumbs up for this installment overall and I am starting to worry that it says something about me that the darker and grimer things get the more I find to enjoy.

..And The Deathly Hallows Part 2

And we're onto the big finish. First of all I'll say I saw this on the big screen in 3D and would actually say although as far as I know it's a conversion job it's the best example of the new 3D technology I've seen, it impressed me far more than Avatar did.

Onto the film in general as a closing installment I thought it worked well and although I was initially cynical about the need for two films to complete the final tale I would say there is enough material here to justify the move.

A lot of fairly cool moments here such as Neville's tauting of the wildmen, the coming to life of the statues, McGonagall turning out to be kick-ass, the rampaging fire, the dragon back escape but in the end amongst the spectacle it comes down to the character moments.

Whilst it is true some of the characters are undeserved such as Remus and his wife I think the major moments are captured. Ron and Hermione's relationship comes finally comes to a resolution and works well, especially in those moments where she realises he has been paying attention all these years.

Harry's interlude with those he loves manages to be quite moving and avoids falling into saccharine as it could have easily done (and yey, more Oldman) and his face offs with Voldemort are quite tense. Oh, Ralph Fiennes is excellent as the evil wizard. Creepy, slightly deranged, cruel and in this installment managing to combine this with a growing desperation.

I admit I don't quite follow though what exactly allows Harry to live after going to his death in the forest nor really the significance of the wands and their owners. But I did quite like the visual of the ghostly Kings Cross.

Key to the heart of the whole film tough is that flashback of Snape's story (and my I bet his death scene has caused a few nightmares in younger views as it's really quite brutal even if it is indirectly seen) as he turns out to be one of the most tragic character's ever. Also turns out Dumbledore is a bit of git. But that works as the mentor is show to have his faults whilst we learn the mean man was the one to sacrifice the most in the end, basically every shred of his happiness.

Although again I admit I've not put my finger on the significance of Snape having the same patronas as Harry's mother.

One thing that does disappoint is that in the end Voldemort seems to go down quite easily and in fact it feels somewhat anti-climatic when Harry defeats him (the same goes for the end of Bellatrix too).

The closing scene as the gang years later families in two is probably the expected way to conclude (at least there is only one ending as opposed to LOTR's like twenty) but it does feel a little flat in the end, but having said that I'm not sure how it could have been approached differently.

Conclusions

So overall I've enjoyed Project Potter. It's a slow start with a bit of wobbly middle but it's a pretty good ride and a fairly strong tale in the end. I don't think there is too much lost from not having read the books until the final stretch where it seems some of the details to really get the nuances of aspects of it seem to have been skipped over along the way. But I don't think it's enough to really spoil it all.

In the end I still think Radcliffe is the weakest actor of the lead three but certainly does get better as things go along and is solid enough as to not take you out of things. I stand by my view that Grint is the most natural performer but I do suspect it might be Watson who goes on to really establish a career away from the franchise (well if she doesn't get too busy with this fashionista stuff).

Of course the supporting cast of luminaries are all excellent (and of course Bill Nighy appeared eventually) but of those I think it's David Thewlis and Gary Oldman that stand out and seem to really commit to their roles.

Thankfully David Yeates proves a strong guiding hand for the last few installments but it's definitely Alfonso Cuarón's work on the third film that really kicks the franchise into life and I think he is probably the one that ensured there was enough life in it to see things get to the conclusion.

I would also in the end Rowling's writing and storytelling turned out to be stronger than I was expecting it to. Starting off simply it did introduce a number of interesting elements and I think should also be applauded for taking what is essentially a children's series into some very dark places.

So to those like me who've never seen these I would recommend the series both in terms of the tale told and that there is some quality filmmaking to be found here.

(And this is my brief thoughts on things for a fuller musing on thing's you'll probably actually need to talk to me I'm afraid!)




..

Trailer of the Day ; Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part II

With the second part of Project Potter coming soon (hopefully later today) to build up enjoy the below trailer for the final Potter installment.

Project Potter : Part 1

Right having let slip that I have never read nor watched any of the Harry Potter installments (well, I had seen the first two films previously) I was roundly castigated and thus decided to fix this cultural oversight on my behalf.

I am now roughly halfway through (and on course to get myself caught up in time to catch the final installment before it leaves cinemas) and thought I would present my opinions so far.

..And The Philosopher's Stone

So we start we first of Chris Columbus' brace in the directorial chair. Now this one is solid if somewhat uninspiring but it does do well to introduce the fictional world of the stories along with the main players. Much of the film plays along the lines of The Worst Witch crossed with Just William before the final stretch presents a standard spot of adventuring.

The three young leads do ok but at this stage Emma Watson is very much the most confident performer but the real joy is in the performances of the role call of British acting stalwarts in the supporting roles and making up the majority of the teaching faculty.

Richard Harris in particular really nails it as Dumbledore and it's shame we were denied the chance to say him carry the role through to the end as for me as good as Gambon is latter I think Harris' version is the superior.

So overall this first installment is fairly rigid in it's structuring playing as if consciously ticking off various boxes but a fairly creepy conceit towards the end helps pick things up as does the fun of spotting various bits of Durham Cathedral and remembering I once walked past those props!

..And The Chamber of Secrets

Again this one is a little leaden footed in it's presentation and almost structurally identical to it's predecessor although that may well be as much down to the source material as anything else.

Grint and Radcliffe however show to be more confident performers and there is a decent chemistry brewing between the three leads. Underlined in a few comedic scenes which bring a little more life to the thing. Even Dobby managed to duck under the line of being entertaining rather than annoying although Brannagh's Lockhart appears to have wandered in from the nearest panto rather than anything else.

And sadly the central mystery surrounding the chamber and the living diary of Tom Riddle does feel rather rushed, a little wasted and the feeling is the film could of benefited with more emphasis on this aspect of things and a little less of the class room based scenes. This one feels a little like treading water.

..And The Prisoner of Azkaban

Now this where things really start to get going. Firstly and most noticeably (well to the likes of me anyway) this entry has a director in the seat with a real sense of flair and imagination. Alfonso Cuarón who was coming off the back of 'Y Tu Mamá También' proves a masterstroke of choice and really does a lot to bring Rowling's world to life.

From the use of simple touches like well chosen fades and wipes to the imagination shown in the way the Shrieking Shack is bought to life this entry feels so much more fantastical and well, alive. The Dementors in particular bring a real sense of menace to proceedings whilst Cuaron injects some sly humour into the changes of season with the whomping Willow.

Of course it also helped by the fact that cast are now all settled into their roles and the lead three in particular all do decent jobs, thought I would note that Watson and Grint are ahead of Radcliffe, who does struggle with the parts where's he asked to really emote strongly.

Added to the ever excellent back up team is Micheal Gambon taking over as Dumbledore (though as noted above I do wish we'd been able to see Harris continue, David Thewlis is excellent as Lupin getting the often difficult tone of the mentor figure just right and of course Gary Oldman excels as Sirius Black.

Another key factor in the upturn is the fact that main thrust of the storyline is now getting going as the threat of Voldemort raises and we start to learn about the events of the past and how Harry fits in. The storytelling is also developing, presenting genuine mysteries and surprising turns rather than plodding from A to B.

For anyone looking to do a similar catch up I recommended reading the catch up notes for parts one and two then starting here basically.

..And the Goblet Of Fire

Now this one is very much a middle part of the story entry, building things up for the future. Thankfully the newly found spark of the previous entry is largely continued and director Mike Newell pulls of some really nicely realised sequences. The sweeping shots of the Great Hall as the other school students enter in particular highlight how far things have come since the pedestrian presentation of the first two entries.

Though this is also the first time I really got sense of things being pruned back from the book to fit the film into a reasonable running time. The growing relationship between Ron and Hermione is where it really seems to show as we lurch somewhat from joshing to the fall out of the dance (although there is still enough I would argue both here and in Prisoner for it to work).

In truth it is the closing section that this entry really shines though as those final scenes with Voldemort fully resurrected are full of menace and dread. Although the impact of Cedric's death would have been greater had he been featured previously.

Brendan Gleeson's Madeye Moody carries probably most of the rest of the film, a brilliant creation even if he does fall foul of one my least favourite forms of plot twist towards the end.

Interlude

So that's the first four down (I have watched five but figure I'll round that up with the final three, um two, er two and a half) and so far I confess once past the first two, which to be fair had their moments but were a bit of a slog overall I'm actually quite enjoying these. More so that I thought I would to honest probably and I can see why these are so popular and will no doubt be a cultural touchstone for a generation of kids that have grown up with them.

And to finish for now the below rather amused me: