Cliff Note Reviews #3

Cliff Note Reviews is an ongoing series where I briefly state my thoughts on recent films I've watched but don't have the desire to create a full review surrounding.  Short and to the point opinions on films that might make decent weekend watchers when you have nothing else to do, films to completely stay away from, and occasionally a few highly recommended films that I simply don't feel need to be given a full review due to already overexposure.

The Other Guys (2010)

The Other Guys walks a fine line between comedy and repetition, while most of the jokes are constantly recycled (TLC references, the confusion of Eva Mendes being Ferrell's hot wife, and homeless people getting it on in Ferrell's Prius) ironically manage to remain mildly amusing.  But the only way this film really succeeds is the backing power of the supporting cast, Michael Keaton, The Rock, Samuel L Jackson, Eva Mendes and a few others who make the tired out comedy of Will Ferrell work, combined with a rather angry Mark Wahlberg whose not as funny as he could be.  Average comedy, yet one of the more entertaining films Ferrell has been apart of in years.  7/10

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A Christmas Carol (2009)

If A Christmas Carol isn't the most retold story and remade film in history I'd like to know what is.  For children not familiar with the classic Charles Dickens tale this flashy CGI rendition might tickle their fancy, but for myself other than being impressed with the looks of this first CGI rendition of the story I was mildly bored by the film as a whole.  The pace of the story can be extremely slow moving, and when it finally speeds up it's all simply to showcase some fancy CGI technology, which may appeal to the kids but really adds nothing to the story.  If you're looking for a worth while modern CGI Christmas story I suggest Zemeckis's much higher quality piece, The Polar Express.  6/10

The Losers (2010)

It's an extremely rare occurrence for me to find a big budget action film to be almost unwatchable.  That was the case with Shoot 'Em Up in 2007 and that's the case now with The Losers, a title which fairly represents the quality of this film.  The first thing I'd like to know is who decided Jeffery Dean Morgan had star power?  I couldn't stand the guy as Sam and Dean's father in the hit show Supernatural and I certainly can't stand him in big budget films.  That's the first problem with The Losers, horrible casting.  Second the script is awful; have we not yet learned that graphic novel adaptations don't equal quality entertainment?  While I usually like Chris Evans and Zoe Saldana there's not much they or even an extremely talented veteran action star could do with this mess.  To put it simply, a direct to DVD Steven Seagal film has a better story, cast and performances.  3/10