thereturnoftheking Reviews

Peter Pan (2003)

Stunning, Magnificent, Brilliant, and Powerful 9/10

[9/10 · 8 October 2006]

For the past three years this movie has been on my mind brimming over the edges and constantly I've wanted to see it. I hadn't had the chance when it first came out because school was hectic (and still is) and "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy occupied my mind morning, noon, and night. Another big problem back then was that I wouldn't see a film in cinemas if I had to go alone and I can guarantee that if I had asked anyone other than my one good life long friend, I would have been declared gay...because let's face it what thirteen year old guy goes to see Peter Pan.

Well I just had to keep it on the side and push it away until my desire to see just how perfect this film was overtook me. So for two months I slowly tried to rent the film to just see how it was. Last night 7/10/06, I finally achieved my goal and rented and viewed Peter Pan. I have to say there is no family film that can touch it. No version of this story can ever be told and be as true to the feeling the book creates...ever. It's just perfect.

(Spoilers) It is very very very similar to the book, ladies and gents. It tells the tale of Wendy Darling and her heart stopping stories of pirates. Wendy, after causing a few problems for her father, is told to grow up...but she refuses to go quietly. Her journey begins when a dashing young man by the name of Peter Pan comes to her room that night and offers her an escape from it all. A chance to leave the grown-up world behind and be a child forever. Naturally she agrees, but keeps her grown-up feelings. She has been rather taken with Mr. Pan and finds it hard to let the thought of love go.

Needless to say complications arise and are overcome as Wendy enjoys a journey unlike any other.

The performances are what make this film. Rachel Hurd-Wood has a bright future if she pursues acting after school. She is incredibly talented and every bit the part of Wendy. She lets you know how she feels without being too obvious or childish. She's trying to grow up while denying it.

The performance of Jeremy Sumpter coupled with the dual performances of Jason Isaacs however are what make the film the best. Sumpter is dashing, charismatic, child-like, lovable, and your average boy. He just enjoys having fun and can't give it up. I never really noticed other than in this film that he has a lisp....poor kid.

Jason Isaacs however is a masterpiece in himself. The performance of Hook is just beyond perfect. He is both funny and frightening as well as devilishly cunning and charismatic. And yet you see him as the precise opposite when he's Mr. Darling. He's withdrawn, quiet, and somewhat of a walked on rug. You can't help but feel sorry for the poor guy in those scenes with his superiors.

The film is spot on truly bringing that feeling of being a kid. I really wish I had seen it in cinemas because it's just one of those that you have to see on the big screen. I really enjoy the special effects being both realistic but at the same time cartoony, Neverland mainly. The clouds in Neverland and the sky and the scenery are just the perfect blend of real and unreal.

However I have to say that I kind of wish it would be less of a family film and more of a dramatic film. I mean that's probably the adult in me talking, but I wouldn't watch it with my friends nor would I bring it up to them. I mean that's how the book was but it's just a desire I had. I just enjoy watching it in my free time. It's a film that reminds you of the younger days while still appealing to you now...even without your friends or family there. I do enjoy the way P.J. Hogan directed it and the script by Michael Goldenberg was fantastic. I can't wait to see his interpretation of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

So all in all, it was perfect, but I wish it was more applicable to people of all ages, and one they can all watch together. But sadly in today's world if you're caught with this film...things aren't looking good for your social standing.

9/10

Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999)

One of the Best of 1999-Very Underrated-Spoilers

[9/10 · 4 April 2004]

This has got to be one the most underrated films in history. It has a very good plot with not so good dialouge, but it makes up for that with some decent acting and rather good direction.

Sure this is no masterpiece and will probably never be one, but it is not one of the worst films ever. The score brings up rather dull parts of the film and the action makes it more interesting as the light saber battles become even more heated since the very first one that is the best film of the seventies. Ray Park also makes it interesting with a kind of boring though certainly more life-like than Jake Lloyd performance. The full detractors are Jar-Jar pointing out the obvious(and being obviously fake), and Jake Lloyd's embarrasing performance.

This is the best of the prequels though with the major Clone Battle beginning in Episode II and the Clone War in Episode III coming I expect it to still be remembered but not as the best but as a worthy addition to this franchise.

Grade:

B+

***

(a really good movie that I willingly reccomend)

The Sound of Music (1965)

"The Sound of Music"(1965) (Spoilers)

[10/10 · 8 March 2004]

-a Review by thereturnoftheking

-Starring: Julie Andrews (Maria)

Christopher Plummer (Capt. Von Trapp)

Richard Haydn (Max Detweiler)

Peggy Wood (Mother Abess)

Director: Robert Wise

"The Sound of Music" is the timeless classic that in 1966 won a total of 5 Oscars from 10 nominations. It is based with songs of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II and stars Oscar winning actress Julie Andrews as the free-spirited Maria who lives at a convent abbey in Salzburg, Austria.

Maria is a young, wild, and free girl whom is called upon to become the governess of the retired Captain Von Trapp's seven children. The children have been known to play practical jokes upon the governess' causing them to leave. Maria plans to "guilt trip" the kids and then try and become friends with them.

In this process she brings music back to a house where it has been silenced. A while later she and Captain Von Trapp marry.

The Nazis take over Austria and order Captain Von Trapp to become a member of the navy. The family decides to flee accross the borders. When they learn of the closing of the borders, the decide upon living in the mountains. Before they can go they must sing in the Salzburg Festival.

On their way they are pursued by the Nazis and hide away in Maria's Abbey. When spotted they run and make it to the mountains with help from the nuns.

The movie is very believable and seemed as if it was made just recently. The performances of Andrews and Plummer were Oscar worthy. It is very easy to fall in love with this Robert Wise production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The Sound of Music." This is one film you cannot miss.

Rating=(A-)(9/10)(a near masterpiece)

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001)

LARA CROFT: TOMB RAIDER....WOW!!!!!!(spoilers)

[8/10 · 26 February 2004]

Lara Croft: Tomb Raider-a Review by Jonathan Caso

Directed by: Simon West Written by: Simon West, Patrick Masset, & John Zinnman Starring: Angelina Jolie (Lady Lara Croft), Daniel Craig (Alex West), Jon Voight (Lord Richard Croft), Iain Glenn (Manfred Powell), & Noah Taylor (Bryce)

From the wonderfully action-packed and edge-of-you-seat beginning, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, is probably one of my favorite and one of the best films this year. Though it essentially rings the bell of `popcorn-flick,' it has those moments where it essentially rises to be an arcade of great fun.

Angelina Jolie after her Oscar win for Girl, Interrupted, gave in a big flop with a terrible performance, in Original Sin, but I found her performance here to be pure fun and truly a joy to watch. She equally and essentially balances the two sides, conflicted British girl with the loss of her father, and `Tomb Raider' needing to save the world. I personally would give her an award for this one. She really also saves the film from almost pure destruction. Though it can easily be mistaken as single action flick with one long special effect, I must say that it is nothing of the sort. Though I cannot deny the fact that the effects are amazing and worthy of a nomination, it has long periods of thought-provoking silence where they ponder their answers to unanswered questions. I also thought that the performance of Noah Taylor was rather good with the right comedic timing and Angelina there to back him up, this film scores with me.

The only two performances that brought the film down were Jon Voight, and Iain Glenn's which are both rather embarrassing to watch. Especially since Jon Voight is, as many know, one of the best out there. It's just here he seems to abandon it all and give a C grade performance. When you compare it here to the one in Midnight Cowboy, you wonder how in the hell he is the same actor. But you can look past it since he is sort of not in too much.

Other than a few performances, I believe the film is worthy of the title, `Indiana Jones's daughter.' She was amazingly brave (though who isn't in films like this), and had this spunk, which shines through in the film. I have played the video games so I sort of knew what to expect, but this was actually better than I expected. Though I loved the film there was this one scene that almost made me change my mind. Jolie is fighting intruders in her home and as she walks around walls on a bungee cord they fire at her with bullets flying a mile a minute?!?!? Also right after that scene she is in her garage and to get away from the intruders must take her motorcycle and jump it off one of her cars while firing her gun and killing them. Also?!?!?

Either way I loved this film, especially compared to the let down that was Pearl Harbor and The Mummy Returns. Though I gave The Mummy Returns some points for having a tough act to follow, there was no excuse for the badness of Pearl Harbor which should have been good considering the fact that they had a screenplay from the great Randall Wallace to work off of. Too sad, but Tomb Raider, pulls up the summer slump to fine form as this film makes my top ten of the year.

A- (****) An Excellent Film

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

A MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Best Picture of the Year!!!!!(spoilers ahead)

[10/10 · 20 December 2003]

Simply one word describes The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King...pure and simple MASTERPIECE!!!!! This movie was a revelation in film. From the second that I saw the New Line Cinema logo and heard the undeniable Lord of the Rings music I was transfixed. The film starts off with a backstory of the sneaky, twisted, evil, and (in this film) unlikeable Gollum/Smeagol. It tells of how Deagol(Smeagol's brother) and Smeagol are fishing and when Deagol catches a fish it pulls him in and he is pulled through the water. Deagol finds the one ring and plans to keep it until Smeagol kills him for it. Then it shows how he became Gollum. Followed by a scene with Frodo, Sam, and Gollum.

Then it starts off the first scene with Gandalf, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli with the words "The Return of the King" and then riding through Fangorn forest to Isengard. When they arrive they find Merry and Pippin and the place over-run by water and ruled by Treebeard. After Pippin finds the Palantir which Gandalf takes and hides, but back at Edoras Pippin steals it and looks into it being completely overwhelmed and nearly dead after seeing the great eye. Gandalf rides Pippin to Minas Tirith, city of kings, stronghold of Gondor. Soon after we go to Frodo believes that Sam wants to take the ring from him and so leaves him behind crying right after the Witch King leaves Minas Morgul and then Frodo and Gollum arrive in Shelob's tunnel where my attention was not dropped for the entire movie. The Battle of the Pellenor fields was so amazing and loud that I was vibrating in my chair at the theater. Mount Doom was a big and amazing scene. Terrifying, loud, beautiful, and heartbreaking. Frodo's one and despairing line which got me was, "The ring is mine." From then on I felt betrayed even though I had read the book. The movie had a bigger sense of danger, heartbreak, death, despair, and finality. I found myself crying from their entrance in the shire to the end. Probably the most amazing looking scene and the scene I was waiting for was right as soon as the ring was destroyed and Sauron went wild with anger, fear, and frustration. His eye moving wildly and the tower of Barad-Dur falling followed by the end with Sauron's shockwave goodbye. The wedding of Aragorn and Arwen as well the crowning was amazing. The grey havens was a beautiful place and a beautiful scene and I found myself crying my eyeballs to death in that scene as soon as Bilbo walked onto the ship I started crying because I knew what was coming and it was the end. The ending in the Shire with Sam was pivotal and key. If he hadn't said that one line the movie would have been ruined for me. "Well...I'm Back" This movie is unlikely to ever find an equal in all the rest of the world and I say that with the utmost confidence as The Return of the King came to a close I found myself to sadened for words or tears. It was the end of this epic journey of a life-time and I amazingly made it through it. Oh, no, I'm crying now. Must go, but with one last word. Of all the films to come out in the next five millenia The Return of the King will stay as number one for all eternity. Undoubtedly the only film in which you cannot say a single bad thing went wrong. MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!....from Sean Astin's on target acting, to Ian McKellen's, to Viggo Mortensen's, to the heartbreak of failure the is Elijah Wood's Frodo King is a full blown MASTERPIECE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 10/10 stars **********

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

An Outstanding Picture(Bravo Bravo-Mr. Lucas)#6 on my all time list (Spoilers Imminent)

[10/10 · 1 December 2003]

Where do I begin. Let's start off with the slightest bit of flattery, AN OUTSTANDING FILM, GREAT ON ALL LEVELS, AND PULLS EVERYTHING OFF WITH AN AMAZING GRACE!!!!!! There, just had to get that out of the way. Now onto the review. George Lucas a writer and director with some nice critical praise for his film American Grafitti and some pretty big dreams/visions, comes along to Hollywood and this big company named 20th Century Fox and says he has written a script that he would like to direct into a film. They read the script and say sure go ahead and give him a modest budget and a nice huge crew to create this film. It takes at least a year and he finishes it and lets everyone that made it and they are satisfied with it.

BAM!!, it hits the world on May 25th, 1977 and it instantly becomes the biggest block-buster/money-maker this country/world has seen. In America it grosses a record 460 Million and worldwide a record 797 Million and it stays that way for many years. The film also won five Academy Awards and was nominated for Best Picture. It sparked a generation that to this day is known as the birth of sci-fi/fantasy film and basically just film. So what do I say to the film that has withstood it all. I say, "You deserve it and I honor your name."

Star Wars starts with a young boy Luke Skywalker(Mark Hamil) living on his ranch-like home on a desert planet called Tatooine with his Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru. It tells of how this young boy and his uncle buy these two droids(C-3PO and R2-D2) that end up changing Luke's life forever. When R2-D2 "runs" off in search of a man named Obi-Wan-Kenobi, Luke and C-3PO go looking for him. Saving the droid they run into non other than Obi-Wan himself. Obi-Wan convinces Luke that he is the son of a Jedi and destined to be one himself and that he must go with him to the planet Alderaan. Luke is reluctant to agree until his Aunt and Uncle are killed and he orphaned. It then tells of their journey through space with two pilots, one a human named Han-Solo and the other a furry alien named Chewbacca to Alderaan which is destroyed by the Evil Empire in an attempt to rule the Galaxy. In the end they are captured by the Empire and must fight to escape. Obi-Wan dies at the hand of his pupil Darth Vader and the others escape to freedom with a new Princess Leia. They regroup with the Intergalactic Rebellion Against the Empire and all but Han and Chewbacca are present in a humongous interstellar space battle against the Empire's Death Star to save the Rebellion and bring them one Step Closer to victory. Thanks to a surprise visit from Han they win and destroy the Death Star.

Alec Guiness as Obi-Wan is relevatory and beautifying along with a maybe a little over-the-top performance from Mark Hamil and Harisson Ford, but a right on key performance from Carrie Fisher helps balance it all out. The script is the whole key because without it some of the most memorable lines in movie history would not be here, and many things that were seen for the first time in this film are now parodied almost every day due to existence in Star Wars.

Star Wars is a grand and bold epic film which cannot be rivaled even till the end of time, and it sure was a start for cinema. It created the modern day block-buster. So in the end all I have to say is that the very limited few that havn't seen Star Wars yet see it. Your missing out on an American Pastime. I love how it used to be that this film used to always come on at five on a Sunday and then be followed by The Phantom Menace(even though a lesser sequel still great).

(5 out of 5 stars) (9.0 out of 10)

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

One of the Five Best Films Ever Created-Ultimately Amazing

[10/10 · 13 November 2003]

Star Wars-Rating = 9.0/10

Star Wars came out in the year of 1977, and was critically aclaimed all around. It tells the story of young Luke Skywalker living his life on the desolate planet of Tatooine. After droids named C-3PO and R2-D2 crash land on the planet he is sent on a journey to find the old man named Ben/Obi-Wan-Kenobi. After a journey throgh the solar system with outstanding visuals, Luke, Ben, and two companions named Han Solo and Chewbacca, along with the two droids, they fight for the survival of the republic, and a princess named Liea they finally destroy the Evil Empire's Death Star. This film sparked a saga of films with most of which are critically acclaimed and have set standards for fantasy and sci-fi. Trully an amazing film.

thereturnoftheking-

Jurassic Park (1993)

One of The Greatest Films Ever Made

[10/10 · 30 October 2003]

This movie came out in the year of 1993 amid high excitment and buzz about just seeing the dinosaurs. And after seeing the movie, just about every person on earth has named it one of the very best out there. And I am one of them.

Jurassic Park is one of Steven Spielbergs masterpieces with great acting from Jeff Goldblum especially. Sam Neill wasn't bad and Laura Dern was pretty darn good herself. All in all Jurassic Park is a top-notch movie and in my opinion it was more worthy of a best picture nomination than In the Name of the Father. Tata.

thereturnoftheking's score/10 stars

thereturnoftheking-

Titanic (1997)

"The Best Film Ever Made by the Hand of Man in All History!"

[10/10 · 29 October 2003]

Titanic was the most deserving of every other film out there of it's Best Picture win. Titanic came out in 1997 amid big buzz about whether it would be good or not. And every early review was immensly positive. Titanic was made to be large entertainment and a piece of historical evidence on which you could learn from. And it was all that and much more.

James Cameron created the Best Film Ever Made by the Hand of Man in All History. He took some very good actors (mainly DiCaprio, Winslet, Bates, and Hill) to make this film which he wanted to appeal to everyone and it did.

This film won 11 Oscars for it's amazing achievment in the technical areas and in the acting, and production of this monumental achievment in film. With star-making turns from its two leads DiCaprio and Winslet. Its Best Picture win was well deserved (if you ask me L.A. Confidential is a little over-rated and over-hyped about) its direction from Cameron is timeless and it IS better than The Godfather. So if your asked at a party, "Which film is the best film ever?" Simply reply, "Titanic." Tata.

thereturnoftheking's score/10 stars

thereturnoftheking-

The 74th Annual Academy Awards (2002 TV Special)

The Winners should have been different

[27 October 2003]

The Winners should have been different by far.

Best Supporting Actress: Maggie Smith-Gosford Park

Best Supporting Actor: Ian McKellen-The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Best Actress: Nicole Kidman-Moulin Rouge

Best Actor: Russel Crowe-A Beautiful Mind

Best Director: Peter Jackson-The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Best Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

But that is just my humble opinion. Oh well, maybe I'll like the choices for 2003(4) since I didn't for 2001(2) and did for 2002(3).

thereturnoftheking-

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

Not as good as the first, but still amazing

[10/10 · 16 August 2003]

Purely and truly amazing. This film deserves all the recognitionit gets and maybe more. I give it 10/10 stars. A deeply and truly amzing film. Gives you just what you could ask for. Makes all other action films look like babies to other movies.

casojrl-

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

The Greatest film of 2001 (potential Spoilers abound)

[10/10 · 16 August 2003]

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. A purely amazing film. Peter Jackson has directed a new masterpiece. Truly outstanding. I give it 10/10 stars. A great triumphant picture.

It starts off by telling the tale of the creation of an amazing instrument of pure evil, known as the one ring. I tells of how the rings existence causes absolute corruption. From the hands of its creator, to the hands of a man, to the hands of a creature, and finally to the hands of a peace loving hobbit of the Shire.

When Gandalf the Grey, a wizard, discovers the true identity of a magic ring, a friend of his encountered, he sends a hobbit on a journey to bring the ring to the elven city of rivendell. There it is decided that the ring must be destroyed. That same hobbit along with 8 other companions sets off to do just that.

Encountering many obstacles and losing 2 of the 'Fellowship' they finally get to the ending of the movie, but not the ending of their journey. The ending shows the finishings of a battle in which they lose one of the two they lose, and two of the hobbits going off to destroy the ring themselves, and two hobbits getting captured, and the three remaining companions going off to save the captured hobbits.

A very touching film, filled with everything associated with fantasy. Prepare to be amazed when you see this film.

Braveheart (1995)

One of the Best Movies I have ever seen.

[10/10 · 14 June 2003]

Mel Gibson is at his best. His acting is truly superb. Also, the way he directed the film is beautiful. It's not like the new fancy movies, but a true historical epic. The best part of the movie is the end when Hamish, William's friend, throws Wallace's sword into the field of Bannackburn, where they are fighting after Wallace's death. Of all the action/adventure movies there ever was, this one is the best.

James Horner's score is brilliant. It truly makes you cry. Especially the scene I mentioned earlier. The music there is just pitch perfect. Like John Williams score for Jaws, the best music is the simplest. Also did you notice how the best original score award at the academy awards was always given to the music that made you cry. This one should have won.

So, all in all this movie definitely is one of my favorite and the best movie I have seen since Forrest Gump in 1994.