jordanhunt1990
Joined Jan 2012
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Reviews6
jordanhunt1990's rating
Matt Groening and his creative team really took their approach to 'The Simpsons Movie' out of the box, from the pre-release marketing to the finished product. Having only paid attention to the show's early seasons (I consider it of a good calibre, even though I am hardly an avid fan), I find the big screen version proves to be a great companion. Eighteen years of diminishing returns, this isn't.
The animation is 2D bliss, with plenty of modern day trickery and effects to elevate its theatricality. Early trailers billed it as the film that 'dared to be ugly', so proud of its medium that it should have had Disney executives hanging their heads in shame; what should have been their own trend setting return to animation eventually came a full two years later with 'The Princess and the Frog'.
While the eco-friendly plot and moral are hard to ignore for the casual viewer, it is worth appreciating that this direction was clearly chosen as an opportunity to mock the current issues that were prominent in the year of the film's release. While there are obvious spoofs and jokes of the topic circa 2007, the underlying social commentary is not so much on global warming, but on our reaction to it. Rather than capture the implications of the phenomenon, the movie instead essentially epitomises the mass hysteria that surrounds the subject, creating a story full of chaos and stupidity that befits the craziest of 'Simpsons' episodes.
The laughs are thick and furiously fast, with the enormous cast from the show utilised very well indeed, as are several quirky cameos. With an arsenal of jokes loaded to last a good ninety minutes, there are obviously some misfires that don't quite hit the target; I couldn't, however detract from the praise that the sheer effort on show here truly deserves. The critics who dismiss 'The Simpsons Movie' as one long, bloated episode are entirely right. But it's a mighty fine episode.
9/10
The animation is 2D bliss, with plenty of modern day trickery and effects to elevate its theatricality. Early trailers billed it as the film that 'dared to be ugly', so proud of its medium that it should have had Disney executives hanging their heads in shame; what should have been their own trend setting return to animation eventually came a full two years later with 'The Princess and the Frog'.
While the eco-friendly plot and moral are hard to ignore for the casual viewer, it is worth appreciating that this direction was clearly chosen as an opportunity to mock the current issues that were prominent in the year of the film's release. While there are obvious spoofs and jokes of the topic circa 2007, the underlying social commentary is not so much on global warming, but on our reaction to it. Rather than capture the implications of the phenomenon, the movie instead essentially epitomises the mass hysteria that surrounds the subject, creating a story full of chaos and stupidity that befits the craziest of 'Simpsons' episodes.
The laughs are thick and furiously fast, with the enormous cast from the show utilised very well indeed, as are several quirky cameos. With an arsenal of jokes loaded to last a good ninety minutes, there are obviously some misfires that don't quite hit the target; I couldn't, however detract from the praise that the sheer effort on show here truly deserves. The critics who dismiss 'The Simpsons Movie' as one long, bloated episode are entirely right. But it's a mighty fine episode.
9/10
Playing Sonic CD on the iPad recalls the glory years of the Genesis releases; four great games that were effectively simple, yet complex to master. While this game may be unfairly segregated for originating on the ill-fated Sega CD, it is rightfully a part of the blue hedgehog's early legacy.
Animated cut scenes detail the opening and endings of the game (which differs based on whether Sonic collects the seven 'time stones'), which sets CD apart from others of its ilk. There is such a diverse palette here that each new area offers something new, yet all the Sonic staples - springs, spikes, item monitors - remain accounted for. Controls are replicated simply on the iPad via a D-Pad and Jump button on the bottom of your screen; these respond well, even to sloppy contact, and they never get in the way of the action (though there may be a small learning curve for those accustomed to a classic controller).
A charming blend of visuals from the original classic and gameplay advances from the sequel, CD's development history is surrounded by speculation and Sega's own corporate affairs at the time. What is noteworthy about CD now, in 2011, is that despite being an early entry in the franchise it features a gameplay mechanic that perhaps remains the series' most innovative. Utilising time travel, Sonic can move back and forth between past, present and future within each level and change the course of time. This results in differences that alter the challenge, for example increasing difficulty in a 'bad future' where neglected machinery presents a greater threat. This introduces the player to numerous variations on each and every zone, adding a tremendous amount of replay value. The boss battles are amongst the most memorable of the side-scrollers; there's a good reason why the climax of the penultimate level, a nerve-wracking race over slopes and spikes against Sonic's own doppleganger, was recreated in the recent 'Sonic Generations'.
Having been re-released across multiple platforms by a Sega promoting the game's events as a prequel to 'Sonic the Hedgehog 4', there is no excuse not to have played this terrific entry in Sega's flagship property.
9/10
Animated cut scenes detail the opening and endings of the game (which differs based on whether Sonic collects the seven 'time stones'), which sets CD apart from others of its ilk. There is such a diverse palette here that each new area offers something new, yet all the Sonic staples - springs, spikes, item monitors - remain accounted for. Controls are replicated simply on the iPad via a D-Pad and Jump button on the bottom of your screen; these respond well, even to sloppy contact, and they never get in the way of the action (though there may be a small learning curve for those accustomed to a classic controller).
A charming blend of visuals from the original classic and gameplay advances from the sequel, CD's development history is surrounded by speculation and Sega's own corporate affairs at the time. What is noteworthy about CD now, in 2011, is that despite being an early entry in the franchise it features a gameplay mechanic that perhaps remains the series' most innovative. Utilising time travel, Sonic can move back and forth between past, present and future within each level and change the course of time. This results in differences that alter the challenge, for example increasing difficulty in a 'bad future' where neglected machinery presents a greater threat. This introduces the player to numerous variations on each and every zone, adding a tremendous amount of replay value. The boss battles are amongst the most memorable of the side-scrollers; there's a good reason why the climax of the penultimate level, a nerve-wracking race over slopes and spikes against Sonic's own doppleganger, was recreated in the recent 'Sonic Generations'.
Having been re-released across multiple platforms by a Sega promoting the game's events as a prequel to 'Sonic the Hedgehog 4', there is no excuse not to have played this terrific entry in Sega's flagship property.
9/10
In the opening lines of the movie, it is said that 'weed makes bad movies better', or something to that effect. While 'Pineapple Express' is far from a bad movie, it's interesting to ponder this line and then consider the film sans any drug references whatsoever; without the weed, there would be little else left.
Anyone familiar with recreational drug use, drug culture or drugs in general will appreciate 'Pineapple Express'. If you've never been near a doobie in your life, then you may find yourself scratching your head. Not because the plot is overly complex, but simply due to the fact that drugs are the closest we get to a prevalent theme; at its core the plot is a case of wrong place, wrong time as the central character unwittingly witnesses a drug tycoon commit murder.
Rogen performs to a high standard in a role that perhaps is his best suited yet; his character, stoner Dale Denton, reflects Rogen's most endearing traits perfectly as opposed to some of the more shoehorned personaes he's adopted in recent years. While many critics may suggest that Franco's mind-numbingly funny turn as drug dealer Saul is the standout (and it is most definitely deserving of the accolade), Rogen's seemingly effortless portrayal just manages to steals the show.
The success of 'Pineapple Express' definitely lies in its 'Superbad' style dialogue, a kind of back-and-forth banter that could potentially occur spontaneously, but is more clearly the sign of clever writing and a trained sense of humour. This is fast becoming a trademark of the Judd Apatow machine. Even when the film is not revelling in its drugs esoteric, the screenplay remains ever sharp; a sudden transition from comedy to action fails to halt its momentum, despite the unexpected contrast. It does, however, maintain the hilarity by spoofing blockbuster convention. For all the genres it touches on - from comedy to action to crime thriller to buddy movie - 'Pineapple Express' has such confidence in its nature that no lack of agenda can't prevent it from delivering pure entertainment.
8/10
Anyone familiar with recreational drug use, drug culture or drugs in general will appreciate 'Pineapple Express'. If you've never been near a doobie in your life, then you may find yourself scratching your head. Not because the plot is overly complex, but simply due to the fact that drugs are the closest we get to a prevalent theme; at its core the plot is a case of wrong place, wrong time as the central character unwittingly witnesses a drug tycoon commit murder.
Rogen performs to a high standard in a role that perhaps is his best suited yet; his character, stoner Dale Denton, reflects Rogen's most endearing traits perfectly as opposed to some of the more shoehorned personaes he's adopted in recent years. While many critics may suggest that Franco's mind-numbingly funny turn as drug dealer Saul is the standout (and it is most definitely deserving of the accolade), Rogen's seemingly effortless portrayal just manages to steals the show.
The success of 'Pineapple Express' definitely lies in its 'Superbad' style dialogue, a kind of back-and-forth banter that could potentially occur spontaneously, but is more clearly the sign of clever writing and a trained sense of humour. This is fast becoming a trademark of the Judd Apatow machine. Even when the film is not revelling in its drugs esoteric, the screenplay remains ever sharp; a sudden transition from comedy to action fails to halt its momentum, despite the unexpected contrast. It does, however, maintain the hilarity by spoofing blockbuster convention. For all the genres it touches on - from comedy to action to crime thriller to buddy movie - 'Pineapple Express' has such confidence in its nature that no lack of agenda can't prevent it from delivering pure entertainment.
8/10