A few reviews

[Masirimso17]

Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)

From the "Last Movies" short review thread:

Finally got around to watching Avengers: Age of Ultron. My one word review? Ugh.

I really enjoyed the first Avengers movie but this one stunk. The CG intro was immediately off putting. (I hate when directors do camera work that is physically impossible.) The story wasn't interesting at all, and all the story beats just felt like it was there just to set up the next battle.

Completely disagree. Avengers: Age of Ultron is awesome. The opening was great and pulls you into the movie immediately. The camerawork might be unrealistic but in my opinion seeing all these superheroes battle in a continuous shot, even though it is CGI, is exciting to me.

As for the story I think that it's also great. I like the questions it raises about humanity, evolution, extinction. Simple questions, but interesting nonetheless. We delve deeper into each character and see their continuing development, with a common theme of self-doubt and monstrosity.

I love to see the heroes struggling with their own demons, it makes the film more interesting. Stark dealing with his PTSD and his hope for everyone's protection, Cap finding his place in the world, Natasha similarly looking for a normal life but discovering her purpose, Bruce struggling with the "other guy" and seeing himself as a destructive monster, Thor doubting his worth (mostly to the throne, leading to Ragnarok), and Hawkeye being the human perspective etc. These are great, three dimensional characters with self-doubt and discovery, which is what makes this a great film.

Ultron is a better villain than most other MCU villains because he believes he's a force for positive change. He believes humans are failures and need to be purged in order for evolution to continue, for life to finish its cycle. It's good because of all the terrible things happening around us today; humans killing each other, slowly destroying the world. It makes us think we're like parasites to the world, and to each other. Ultron believes this is the case, which makes him more relatable than most.

On the other hand, The Vision is the antithesis of this idea. He believes in hope, and the value of life; he states that there is grace in our failings.

The Avengers was awesome too, but I'd argue Age of Ultron is better than the first one because it's deeper and more meaningful.

8.5/10

Alien (1979)



I had watched last year's Life a few months ago. It was... ok. I enjoyed myself at least, but it was like a 5.5/10 at best. It was clear this was an uninspired Alien rip-off, and I got interested in seeing the original. Finally got around to seeing it last night and... wow. That was amazing.

First of all, the pacing of this movie is pitch perfect. Director Ridley Scott takes his time to build suspense and make effective scares, and it works perfectly.

I didn't feel like the characters were all too deep but they didn't need to be. All they needed to be was for them to leave an enough impression on us that would make us care enough about them and fear for them. Life had failed at this, but Alien succeeded with flying colors. I especially liked the strong, determined, smart, no-nonsense Ripley.

Some of the greatest things in this movie are the production designs and art direction. They are phenomenal, I loved the detailed designs of the Aliens, the weird ship and alien skeleton also seen in Prometheus (can't wait to see that, it has a unique reputation), the Xenomorph, even the Nostromo ship... Loved it all.

Unfortunately this film is not perfect, as much as I'd like it to be, simply because it is quite dated. Most of the practical effects in this movie hold up very well. Others do not. I realize as everyone's seen this film using a spoiler box might be pointless, but just in case...

The alien when it comes out of John Hurt's chest doesn't look great. Of course they did the best they could have at the time, and the effect as a whole is shocking and very effective... But the alien itself at that point doesn't look real. Not terrible, just... dated.

Also when Ash reveals himself to be a robot, going from the rubber decapitated head to Ian Holm's actual head looks painful. I don't know how it could have been better, maybe the rubber layer could have stayed on Ian Holm's head while he talked, and the edit could have been better.

I think a few cuts and a few shots didn't feel right to me, can't remember in detail though. I think one of them was when the face-hugging alien first jumps on John Hurt, cut too abruptly. I think if the moment stayed the same but the transition had an echo it would be a lot better. It's the only way I think it could have been better. Other ways to cut it would be too early or too late.

Off the top of my head these are what comes up right now.

On this day and age we might have been desensitised to horror to a certain extent. At the time what's terrifying might not be as effective today. Granted the TV I watched from was a little farther than my liking and it wasn't dark and loud like in a movie theater, which would most definitely make the experience scarier. But my point still stands.

Fortunately, Alien mostly stands the test of time with perfect pacing, scares, and designs, with engaging characters. But I don't think it's a masterpiece.

9/10

EDIT:


Quick clarification: 

Thinking about the practical effects again, really the only thing I had a problem with was Ash’s head. I heard that Ridley Scott himself had a problem with that too.

The alien bursting out of John Hurt looked good; it was only a little stiff. Then again how much better could it have been with what they had? Probably not much. In the end it looks very good if a little dated.