Well, Dad loved it because of the luscious scenery all throughout the film. For me, I hope I could have used the free ticket to watch Popoy and Basha. hehe I'll tell you why, it's not what I hoped for.
Everybody has high expectations for the film, after the very successful Skyfall, they or we expect if not better, a good follow up Bond film.
After 2 and a half hours, I thought I almost watched a Quantum of Solace part 2. The better version of it yet a lot of lack. First miss of the film, or should I say, the weakest part... The dialogue/plot of this film. I mean, I hope the plot is at least half good of Skyfall or Casino Royale but it seems they rushed it. After Sam Mendes declared first that he'll back out of this film then changed mind, that affected this film. I'm not 100% correct but I felt that swift decision to go back did not help. Next time, producers shouldn't insist if the director doesn't want to do it again. It's like I'm watching Moonraker or Octopussy in a more visually appealing way.
Another major flaw, Short times. Short time that menacing Batista screen time. Christoph Waltz as a major villain, even he done his best to act out, but I felt he came short. Short time for Belucci which it shouldn't be. hehe Short time for a marvelous aston martin car, one of the great looking cars shown in a bond film or any film. So, for short. They fell short.
Enough of the short.. Third flaw, or last flaw, the last arc of the film, although it's good looking, I fell flat. I mean, I felt that when they went to this place, I knew I'm going to watch those Bond films like I mentioned above, the streotype bond flick that he visits the villain's HQ and bomb the place. Jeez, I knew it right. Even with good actors and effects, it became predictable and yes, until the last action scene, became Mission Impossible. Good job!
Of course, these are the factors why this film kinda saved it from being Quantum, by an inch. First, give credit to the editor and photographer who really made this film very fun to watch. The night chase, the first action scene and the film did not give me a feeling that is dragging. Although with the biggest flaws, the editing and photography, it's a saving grace. It's nice to watch this film. Another credit goes to the technically possible action scenes. You'll see why Daniel Craig kinda want to give up his role. Geez, he done a lot of action and running and driving and swimming. hahaha Swimming to ehem. Anyway, yeah the action scenes were great, like the one on one by bond and assassin. That was tight and good.
Lastly, the cast ensembled for this film, despite the big flaws, they still done a wonderful job to make this film enjoy to watch unlike Quantum. Christoph Waltz is a great actor, I hope and I know he might be back because of what happened to him. I hope next time, he'll be back better for his character. I love how he deliver the lines and how he shows up every scene, except for that last scene.
Ralph Fiennes is good, Naomi Harris this time has a short part but still good, fit as moneypenny. Batista's character I hoped that will show up at the final action scene. hehe Ben as Q, he got it, just don't change the dude, he's perfect for Q! I mean the main MI 6 characters really fit for their roles.
Of course, Daniel Craig who despite less dramatic scenes this time, but he pushed a lot of action scenes for the whole film. Most of his scenes made sense and some of the time, it's thrilling, like the first scene. It's sad that how this film was made, it looks like and feels that indeed, Daniel made this film, as his final Bond film. I hope he'll do another one, just last one. But if not, that's fine, I'll put him in top 3 as James Bond.
Lastly, the most important part... When the news broke out that Belucci and Seydoux will be one bond film, the first thing I said, Daniel Craig is the luckiest James Bond actor ever. I mean he got all the beautiful bond girls ever! He beat the crap out of Roger Moore and Sean Connery. Geez. Monica Belucci should have been a bond girl before but well, great thing she catched the last bus for being one. hahaha What a legendary beauty.
Then you add Lea Seydoux who I can say, helped the film moving forward, looks stunning especially in that grey dress she wore. She looked like those classy women in black and white films. Very sophisticated and beautiful with those blue eyes. Another great thing, neither of them did not die! Good thing indeed. One of the best bond girls assembled in a bond film.
I should stop right there. hehe Anyway, hmmmm after this film, I don't know what they will do again for James Bond. Strong speculations they may go to a black Bond or very young Bond. I mean Casino Royale is enough for a backstory right?
If I'm the writer or director for Bond, I want Bond to be in a die hard situation. You know like he's doing a mission but he end up like doing other mission because of the situation. I don't know if they done that but that will be interesting. A young Bond will be fine as well. Black Bond, hmmm I don't see Bond as black, not because of the race, but he might end up like Black Dynamite. hahaha
Well, kudos for Daniel Craig for giving us a great montage of present Bond.
By the way, that dude who said this film is a different beast to Skyfall. It is a different beast.
An ugly beast.
Great thing, I have a free ticket for this film. 250 bucks was quite much for this film.
What happened when the bravest 300 spartans led by the great King Leonidas sacrificed their lives to save Greece from tyranny and slavery?
This might be the answer. Don't forget how Xerxes became or proclaimed himself God King. Who led Greeks to fight over this conquering empire?
I was in a mad rush to really watch this sequel despite not so good reviews or previews. I also decided to use my globe points to have the price of ticket low.
Hour and a half later, I'm relieved because of two things. I used the discount wisely to lessen the agony, and the reviews were right. hehe
It's a pre/sequel at the same time. Simple story, it shows the first invasion of persian empire and how Themistocles rose to the occassion, defeated the invasion. It also shows how Xerxes was deceived by his lead naval commander, the beautiful and cunning Artemisia to charge the empire of conquering countries and attack Greece again. It also shows, unfortunately with an abrupt ending how all Greeks unite and start to defeat the Persian Empire.
That's it. The story is much more wider unlike the famed predeccessor, however nothing notable about it.
The great things about this film? First the visuals, this is more detailed than the first film. From the flashes of war torn Greece, the first scene of attack running through mud, the naval war attack scenes despite enormous amount of CGI used for water. Slow motion scenes were used correct in some scenes. Another great thing, hmmmm despite 7 plus years from the first film, actors from the first film did not look old or I don't know how they done it but they look indeed just happened yesterday. Point of example, Xerxes.
Last great thing, Eva Green stole the film. Her character was made perfect as the backstory worked and of course, the actress gave life to a very very mad woman. That's why despite her beautiful stature, no men dare to take advantage of her because they know what will happen for such defiance. hehe Wow, I can't wait to see her at Sin City 2!
Not so good things at this film. The director tried to really have a sequel or copy what Zack Snyder did, but he failed. Actions scenes were not clear, too much use of CGI blood, and most of all, you want to see how Greeks stand together soon to finish off the empire, but like I said, it was abrupt. To be continued.
It has also too much dialogue and character devolpment was kinda lame for the lead athenian army or most of the characters. Themosticles is somewhere between brave and stupid. Brave charging forward but when one small thing fails, he's confused and his acting or his character has that one expression for the whole film. He's tired and exasperated. Although what I like about him, he's quite very very lucky.
Editing was kinda poor as you what to see more of previous 300, they deviated that and it focuses more of the development of the empire as the title suggest yet indeed not really interested of that.
I really also found lack of depth in the distressed state of the lead army. I mean the feeling of soldiers from the start, they just want to fight and not brave enough unlike the first 300. Despite they will die, but you know the feeling they will do this for the many.
In this film, I don't feel that. Sad indeed.
One thing, but it's not the films fault. MTRCB's fault. They cut two scenes, one of them is important, and that scene I knew when you have Eva Green in the film. Not because a trademark but it's just most of her films has this. hehehe
R-16 then cut that scene? What for?
Well, I thought this film is best when this was included in the first film and that first film make it like 3 hours. Editing will be hard but for me, that will be better like in one scene spartans are fighting then athenians are fighting at one side. Then there might be a scene Artemisia and Leonidas meet. hehe Naval scenes back to back with the hot gates fighting scene, then Zack is the director of that one epic, that will be awesome. That is a full grand story then the sequel will be like the fall of the empire.
Simple right? But well..
They went to the money making route.
Bad route.
It's like blood flowing in the Aegean Sea.
A sudden change again. Hay, never ends. hehe
Well, this month was very hectic. At kung kailan pa huli, aba madami pang humabol. Una na diyan ang work, grabe habang patagal na patagal, nahaggard ha. Mabuti 3pm uwi ko, at madaling naaalis ang stress. hahahaha Kung office time talaga to, naku render na! hehe Joke pero kaya pa naman, pwede pa iraos. Yun nga lang, OT naman ang kailangan. Kung kailan naman magpahinga mukhang postpone pa. At don't forget, maganda ang team. As in, maganda ang team! hahaha
Postpone din ang excercise, ayun na kaso may gatecrasher. Geez..
But what I'm surprised for eh etong si Gerro, well despite his tantrums, but more na siyang contrable as long you remember what he's saying, agree or acknowledge what he is saying at higit sa lahat naku, don't touch him. Hay kagabi lang, grabe talaga, mabuti na lang nahismasan.
Another adjustment awaits for the final 2 months of this year. Another things will change. Well, I hope more good things will come than bad things or if not, please help me to survive. =)
Actually, ok naman sana itong month na to pero talagang may biglaan nangyari tapos stress pa sa work, at marami pang iba. Pero marami naman ako nagawa at kahit papano naayos.
Kala ko aabot ako sa aking halloween film fest pero mukhang hindi. Ganun ako kabusy!!! hehe Bad trip. Tapos itong chrome eh alat na, mukhang maganda yun nadagdag pero ang hirap. Erghh....
Dagdag mo pa ang pagkatalo ng UST, wala na.. DLSU na champs siguro mga 2 pa. hehe Sayang naman ang Petron, ayun na eh, natalo pa!!! Waaahhhh.. Wrong predictions.. Well, nobody has a perfect prediction perhaps. Siguro layo muna sa forecast sa kahit anong sport until January. Kahit sa boxing, ayoko magcomment kung mananalo pa si pacman o talo na naman ulit. hehe
Im gearing up pagdating ng November, it might be an eventful one, more busy than the last 10 months.
Pero it's a good routine naman, unlike before...
Getting ready the inventory for the Christmas sale tapos ngarag ka sa kakaisip kung ano mabebenta at paano mabebenta. hehe
Mabuti na lang, these days.. Iniisip ko na lang is..
When can I start that first step to my dreams?
