Cliff Note Reviews #14

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.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

I'm one of the few people who actually dug the Tim Burton / Marky Mark Walberg version of the Planet of the Apes, and was quite disappointed when a sequel never took shape.  Rise of the Planet of Apes exceeded my expectations, James Franco wasn't half bad, the animated apes weren't as unrealistic as I thought they'd be, and the writers actually did a good job of mixing emotion into the film.  The only real negative is it's a little long winded at times, but definitely a worthy reboot to the series, hopefully this time they'll actually follow it up with a sequel. 8/10

Clash of the Titans (2010)

Never having seen much of the original 1981 version I can't comment on any comparison of quality or entertainment, although the original had Ursula Andress which isn't too shabby.  But like most modern day remakes this version is definitely more flashy, and more explosive, it's your typical popcorn action film that most genre fans should enjoy.  My only complaint is regarding Medusa, if she can only turn men into stone how does her head turn the kraken into stone... it's not a man... (7/10)

The Grey (2011)

As a Liam Neeson fan I wanted to like The Grey, but the film falters on so many levels that it's embarrassing.  First off 95% of the dialogue is cursing, which is automatically a red flag that no one bothered to put together a script or story with any substance.  Second the characters are so mind-numbingly annoying (in part due to the script, or lack there of) that you never care what happens to them, in fact you look forward to them getting picked off one by one so you don't have to see or hear them any longer.  Third the film is way too long considering the quality of the script, with a plot that is incredibly one dimensional.  And fourth, while the wolf attacks are pretty suspenseful they are so over-the-top absurd that the film quickly ceases to be minutely realistic and resembles a bad slasher film, but this is worse considering The Grey is actually trying to take itself seriously. (3/10)