May

08

2010

How to train your dragon movie review

Posted by Ricky | Comment (1)

Category : Animation, CGI, Comedy, Family

Tags: , ,

After the success of Avatar there was really no question if 3d was here to stay and one of the genres that has really grabbed 3d technology better than any other is animated CGI movies.  How to train your dragon has grabbed the technology by the horns and has used it very effectively.

We are invited into a magical world of Vikings and dragons where both are constantly at war with each other.  The Vikings are built like brick walls and their only objective is to slay all of the dragons, however there is one exception and this exception comes in the form of a character called “Hiccup”.  Hiccup longs to be a Viking warrior just like his dad, the chief dragon slayer.  There is one problem with this though as Hiccup has none of the brawn his dad has but thankfully he has the brains.

Hiccup uses his brains to make a dragon capturing device in which he uses to great effect, he uses his newly created machine and captures his first dragon, he soon realises however that his new captured enemy is far from dead.

Hiccup soon realises that his new captured enemy is far from the monstrous beast that he had been lead to fear.  Hiccup soon gives his friend a new name “toothless” and they soon begin to build a strong bond.

The rest of the Vikings meanwhile have decided to head off to the dragon lair to kill them all, so naturally it is left to Hiccup and Toothless to save the day.

How to train your dragon is a heart-warming story about bravery, courage and friendship which will affect the minds of both young and old.  Unlike many other movies the 3D in this movie does add to the viewing pleasure, and the flight scenes are fantastic.

How to train your dragon is a must watch movie for all of those interested in CGI movies.  I award this movie a very solid 4 out of 5 dragon stars.

May

07

2010

Night at the museum movie review

Posted by Ricky | Comment (1)

Category : Comedy, Family

Tags: , , , ,

Ben Stiller stars as the ex night watchmen turned entrepreneur in this second instalment of the night at the museum franchise. Ben Stiller’s character Larry maybe a successful business man but he secretly misses his life as the security guard who hangs out with the wax statues that come to life after sun down.

When the future of Larry’s wax pals is threatened by being replaced by newer technology Larry leaps into action only to fail, the wax statues are then sent off to the Smithsonian Institute in DC, where they will lay to rest in its archives. Larry isn’t going to give up that easy though and teaming up with a young Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) they go on a journey to save their friends and possibly the museum at the same time.

The excitement in this movie just like the first night at the museum comes from when the wax statues come to life, and considering we are told this movie takes place in the biggest museum in the world you know there’s going to be a lot of action and fun along the way. Some of this action comes from Larry’s scrapes and scuffles with iconic characters such as Napoleon, Al Capone, Ivan the Terrible and there’s even a grouchy squid thrown into the mix.

Just like always Stiller plays the very likeable and non provocative male character that we all have come to know and love over the years and his chemistry on screen with fellow co star Amy Adams is very strong and compelling to watch even in what is pretty much a children’s movie. If you love the first movie or even if you haven’t seen it you’re more than likely going to love night at the museum 2. With it’s easy to follow story, its huge entertainment factor and with its reasonable run time grownups and the kids are going to love this movie. Night at the museum 2 is a huge fun giant movie and worth watching. I award Night At The Museum 2 a solid 4 out of 5 stars.