mreliae Reviews

Night at the Museum (2006)

Well... I laughed! So did everyone in the theater.

[8/10 · 22 December 2006]

Don't go into this movie expecting a complex plot and deep insight into the human condition. The story and plot are lightweight but that doesn't matter too much. The characters are likable enough and the situation is definitely full of possibilities.

The humor is silly and well-done slapstick without much in the way of vulgarity. I especially enjoyed the antics and heroics of the miniature Cowboys, Mayans and Romans. (Though my inner stickler was a tad annoyed with slight shifts in their scale.)

I recommend it for family viewing. My 8-year-old was in stitches AND asking me questions about history after the movie.

Shrek 2 (2004)

I can't wait for the DVD!

[10/10 · 23 May 2004]

We've just gotten back from the movie theater & I've got to admit that the reviews are dead-on, Shrek 2 is the rare sequel that's better than the original. The animation has been refined greatly, with noticeable improvement in texture, lighting and motion. The story definitely holds its own. It's not "Shrek" with a hasty rewrite, but a true continuation of the saga...if they do a Shrek 3, I hope it's this good. The jokes are great many of the gags are subtle--minute gestures and things in the background--which will require repeated frame by frame viewings when I get the DVD! Now some key words to describe my favorite bits of the movie without leaving spoilers: mermaid, field of flowers, a clever disguise, take-out, Pinocchio's lie and donkey during the credits.

Peter Pan (2003)

Visual Deja Vu

[10 May 2004]

When I heard about this movie, I cringed at the thought of yet another clumsy stab at Neverland. After the dank, decidedly unmagical Neverland of "Hook", I was prepared for the worst. I very pleasantly surprised by the overall look of the movie. Though at times the CG is a bit overboard and cartoony, it fit the story.

The first glimpses of Neverland from above with the mountains and polychrome clouds filled me with a feeling of Deja Vu that I just couldn't shake. Then it hit me...Maxfield Parrish! If you're unfamiliar with his work, look it up and you'll see what I mean.

Another pleasant surprise was Tinkerbell. I loved her energy and wickedness.