JTurner82's reviews

SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY is pretty much what you'd expect for a film of this kind: it's little more than a commercial for Warner Bros. Property. At the very least it's still superior to the awful RALPH WRECKS THE INTERNET, although that isn't saying much. Still, this film does have its assets. The concept of being trapped in some kind of virtual service world gives the film some vibes of the likes of TRON and even SWORD ART ONLINE. But of course the real highlight are the 2D animated sequences. Bugs Bunny and his co-stars are always a pleasure, and while the animation here lacks some of the 3D shading in places, these scenes are still a delight, particularly in sequences like a chase through DC City and a MATRIX scene. That said the film did lose me a bit in its last hour when the Looney Tunes turn into CG characters (in all fairness, though, at least there is context to it). Going in with low expectations I liked the movie more than I expected to, but it can't be elevated to anything other than mediocre at best. Even so, the audience in the theater seemed to really enjoy it, and you could do a lot worse.

I was an extra in this movie (I appear about an hour in for one scene), so maybe my review will seem somewhat biased. However, despite a somewhat slow pace, Tony Germinario's thriller tale about a woman who returns to her home years after being abused at a party succeeds at making a strong statement against sexual harassment. Given that we have been seeing plenty of crimes like this happening in today's society, it's healthy to make a stand. Lynn Mancinelli gives a powerful turn as the woman in question, and similarly great performances are delivered by the rest of the cast. However, it's the tense, edge-of-your-seat finale that really makes THE PRICE FOR SILENCE worth a look.

There. I warned you I wouldn't be so critical.

The title pretty much says it all for this inferior direct-to-video sequel to the now legendary animated classic from Don Bluth. Eric Idle's performance and musical number is a high point (only marginally), but SECRET OF NIMH 2 is obviously no match for its predecessor, which features disappointingly choppy animation and a story that is better suited to an average Saturday morning kids' cartoon. In other words, the whole tone of the movie plays out like one. Really embarrassing considering that the original had a more realistic, gritty edge to it. NIMH itself, for instance, is portrayed in this sequel as a Dr. Frankenstein sort of castle with a mad scientist as opposed to a facility of scientists oblivious to the cruelties they inflict on animals. Even the music is second-rate; apparently the filmmakers wanted to steal Disney's formula, as evidenced from the uninspired songs. The original NIMH had a far better and more inspiring score, courtesy of the late Jerry Goldsmith. Other elements of ripoff: the overeager hero, comic sidekicks, and the inclusion of a love interest. But none of these ingredients mesh into a tale with any of the depth, drama, or magic of far better animated features. Alas, such is the case with so many of these direct-to-video sequels. As a matter of fact, you can just skip it and not miss much at all.