Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of life

Mandar's movie review

"Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of life"

Watched English movie "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of life". 

This movie is directed by Jan de Bont. Produced by Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin. Screenplay Jean Georgaris. Story Steven E. de Souza, James V. Hart. Music by Alan Silvestri. Cinematography by David Tattersall. This movie stars Angelina Jolie, Gerard Butler, Noah Taylor, Djimon Hounsou, Ciarán Hinds, Simon Yam, Terence Yin. This movie was released on 2003 and runs for about 2 hours. I watched the movie on OSN on 12th Aug 2021.

This is the second film in Lara Croft enterprise. Angelina refused to do any more films. 

An earthquake near Greece unveils Luna temple built by Alexander. Here Lara discovers an orb that's supposed to open Pandora's box which is located in the Cradle of life. Pandora's box is a box that contains a deadly plague. But the villains attack and steal the orb.

A villain wants to discover Pandora's box and sell the pathogen. Lara obviously wants to prevent. She decides to collaborate with MI6. She demands release of Terry (Gerard), her ex flame, from prison to assist her. 

What follows next is a series of high octane action scenes, good special effects, scenic locations, grand sets but little emphasis on story and acting. A lot of bullets fly around but none touch Lara and Terry. There are African tribes, beautiful animals, shadow monsters and of course Pandora's box & Cradle of life. 

Angelina suits as Lara. Her action scenes are graceful and she also tries to act. Gerard is known as action hero, however, his character undergoes inexplicable transformation at the end. I found Ciarán's acting inadequate. Djimon has impressive personality. Others don't have enough exposure worth mentioning. 

Cinematography and special effects are good. Director could have done a better job by paying more attention to story. 

This film made a tidy profit but wasn't as successful as the first one. 

Watch if you want to watch a mindless entertaining action flick. 

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Hercules

Mandar's movie review

"Hercules"

Watched English movie "Hercules". Direction: Brett Ratner. Screenplay: Ryan J. Condal, Evan Spillotopoulos. Story by Steve Moore. Produced by Brett Ratner and others. Cinematography Dante Spinotti. Music by Fernando Velázquez. It features Dwayne Johnson, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Ian McShane, Rufus Sewell, John Hurt, Rebecca Ferguson, Joseph Fiennes, Aksel Hennie, Reece Ritchie. The movie was released in 2014 and runs for about 1 hour 38 minutes. I watched it on OSN on 11th Aug 2021.

In past wife and thre children of Hercules were killed and Hercules was found unconscious near their bodies. He is considered killer, leaves Athens and becomes a mercenary. He and his friends are recruited by King Cotys of Threcia to defend his kingdom against attacks of Rhesus.

Is Hercules son of God? Are the legends about him true or is he just another human being? Can Hercules train the ragtag bunch of farmers? Can he defeat Rhesus? Is everything as it seems or not?

This is a fiction based in Greek legend of Hercules. The movie depicts him as human with extraordinary power, courage and resolve. His nephew's tales make him demigod with superpowers and it works in favour of his band of mercenaries. Basically it tells us that you can become a hero if you believe. 

With The Rock starring in the film based on Greek mythology, I expected it to be an action film and i wasn't surprised that it was. I also expected that it will be a run of the mill flick but was presently surprised to find it also is a decent film and gives a message. 

Dwayne acts well. He is maturing as actor with time. His band of mercenaries and his close friends play supporting role. Rufus Sewell and Aksel Hennie impress. 

The story is good. It shows the tormented Hercules, the brave Hercules, the good and empathetic Hercules and the avenging Hercules. Credit to the author. 

Action scenes are good, especially the war scenes. Special effects serve their purpose but can't call them wow. Cinematography is good. This movie made a tidy profit st box office. 

All in all a good light movie to watch if you have some spare time and don't mind the genre. 

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Gemini man

"Gemini man"

Watched English movie Gemini man. Directed by Ang Lee. Produced by Jerry Bruchkheimer and others. Story by Dareren Lemke and David Benioff. Cinematography Dion Beebe. Music Lorne Balfe. It stars Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen, Benedict Wong. I watched this movie on Netflix, on 7th Aug 2021. The movie is about 2 hour long and was released in 2019.

Will Smith is best sniper of US. He decides to retire after 72 kills, at the age of 51. He is chased by an assassin who anticipates his moves as if he knows them. He is younger and faster. He looks like younger him. 

Who is this assassin? Why is he trying to kill him? Who sent him? How come he looks like him?

Well it doesn't remain secret that it's a clone of Will created by Gemini. They have same DNA. They have same habits. They have same history. But do they have same feelings?

It's an interesting plot. But the execution is shallow. It could have become a fantastic movie if director had given more attention to the story and execution. Alas! It doesn't happen, so it becomes a commercially acceptable successful movie that made a profit on box office. 

Young and old Will Smith are shown very well. The fight scene between them is also engaging. 

Will Smith does the double role well. He is more convincing as the older self. Mary looks good, acts ok and supports the story. Benedict, who impressed as Kublai Khan in TV show Marco Polo, plays a secondary character in this movie. 

Why Gemini man? Well, Gemini is the name of private defence contractor who cloned Will. It's a lame title. 

Watch as an action flick.