Norm_uk Reviews

Star Trek Into Darkness (2013)

Derivative, formulaic and clichéd

[2/10 · 20 September 2013]

Where do I begin? I really wish I could say I am simply an embittered fan of the old trek but it goes so much deeper than that. This movie does nothing interesting or original. Cumberbatch out acted everyone around him even with such a dire script. It's amazing how Hollywood turned a franchise driven by fans into a formulaic and by the numbers money spinner. I was predicting what was going to happen within ten minutes of getting into it. On the plus side it looks pretty - then again it should given the amount of money poured into it.

I can only hope Trek goes back to television when it can take more risks, focus on plots and not have to impress an audience it assumes is stupid and cannot watch for more than ten minutes without seeing an explosion.

Abrams is definitely the man for Star Wars...and definitely not the man for Star Trek.

Troll Hunter (2010)

Refreshingly original

[9/10 · 14 June 2011]

I've just watched this film and all I can is wow. What a nice, refreshing change to see a good concept pay homage to the "mockumentary"/horror genre without treading over the same clichés. The acting is brilliant and realistic (you feel they are normal people not actors), the effects are really amazing given the budget and the premise is darn good fun, especially for those who are interested in Norse/Germanic folklore. It did drag a little in parts but that is the point of a documentary. In all a great effort, my hat goes off to the Norwegian film industry for producing such a fun gem...hopefully we will see a sequel with Jotuns hehe!

The Tunnel (I) (2011)

Tried to be different but fulfilled every cliché imaginable

[2/10 · 13 June 2011]

It's always easy to critique low-budget productions but this film failed not on it's production values (which were excellent), but rather on it's premise. Who in their right mind would go into abandoned tunnels without proper equipment, knives and without letting others know where you were going after hearing reports of youths and homeless people going missing? The interview with homeless man should have sent alarm bells ringing in the protagonists thick skulls - but even that did not deter them from proceeding under-equipped and unarmed into the darkness... On top of this the parallels between the Blair Witch and The Tunnel are hard to avoid bringing up - they are literally thrown in your face.

Overall a lazy, clichéd effort with a silly plot. This could have been better with more back story, some better explanation of the creature and less homage to 1990s handy-cam horrors.

V (2009–2011)

Still early days but not too promising

[7/10 · 11 January 2010]

I'm old enough to remember the original series and had hopes a remake would bring new ideas and fresh approaches to the concept. So far I've found the plot not particularly believable within it's context and I didn't really connect too much with most of the characters.

It seems they have gone for special effects and pretty people rather than characters, concepts like loyalty and statements about totalitarian government which the original series did rather well despite it's flaws.

I still have hopes the series will improve...generally it's getting more watchable compared to the Independence Day style pilot which didn't answer any important questions or build up the pace very well.

Let's see how it progresses - some great TV shows started out poor - this is just average and improving very very slightly.

Judge Dredd (1995)

Drek!

[5/10 · 24 July 2003]

As a staunch fan who has vague memories of the first 2000AD issue I have mixed feelings about this one. I was hoping the film would reflect the serious detective based Dredd stories instead of the 'comic-booky) product released.

It's not a bad film really, but it could have been a lot better if they had chosen a better director (Danny is from my home town and I've nothing against him...he just wasn't right for this film). Getting rid of Rob Schneider would have been a good thing too...he was just annoying and belongs in kids films.

Dredd removing his helmet, killing half the council and the Angel gang didn't help either.

Still, it's worth checking out even if only for curiosity. I hope one day someone makes a remake or a sequel.