Edge of Tomorrow and 22 Jump Street

It seems everyone has an opinion about Tom Cruise.  Yes, he has been married numerous times.  Yes, he may be involved in one of the biggest cults in America.  AND YES, he knows how to do action films;  good, bad or otherwise.  When it comes to his new film "Edge of Tomorrow," Tom Cruise does a good job balancing an unusual story with aplomb.  It would seem, when it comes to action films, there are few stars that are game for them, as audiences "have seen it all" by this point.  From Arnold, to Bruce Willis, we have few names we can trust.  We may not be able to trust Tom Cruise, but at least you know it should be interesting.  He just seems to have "it" when an action film comes along.  The film may be cheesy (MI2), rotten (Oblivion) or down right nasty (Collateral), but Tom Cruise cares about the work he puts into his films.

       "Edge of Tomorrow" revolves around Cruise and his character Cage, as well as a host of other films to make this action film work.  The film revolves around the military day repeating itself via "Groundhog Day" starring Bill Murray.  I kept hoping Bill Murray would put in a cameo in this film, but it is not to be.  Anyway, the day repeats itself because Cage is killed by an alien being known as an Omega.  An Omega, as we find out, is a strong being that is using our memories and intellect to learn more about our military strategies, and thus, destroy us in a worldwide war for humanity.  Cage goes into combat reluctantly and as a "deserter," but is able to redeem himself, as well as train and become a better human being because the day repeats itself, much as Bill Murray did in "Groundhog Day."

The alien beings that Cage and the world must fight against are interesting, but they bring about a point that must be addressed:  while this film is fun to watch, it  "borrows" from so many movies, it feels like a retread instead of something new.  The aliens look like beings from the "Matrix" films, and the ending scene is so similar to the 3rd "Matrix" film that i'm surprised reports have not sprung up about "copyright infringement."  Also baffling is the planes, cars, SUVs that soldiers are transported in.  They look like they came from "Aliens" and instead of Ripley, we get Emily Blunt.  Emily Blunt has been on the rise in the past few years, coming to fame through various roles, most recently in the film "Loopers," where she plays a distraught mother trying to protect her child from Bruce Willis.  Anyway, Emily Blunt plays Rita, who looks like a tough trained fighter dressed in Final Fantasy gear, with the giant sword and back pack to match.  Rita, it seems, has also been impacted by an Omega, and she is the only person that Cage can trust and relate to.  Cruise and Blunt spend a huge portion of the film training and fighting in order to get farther in combat, hoping to encounter and kill the Omega, thereby keeping the world's military secrets and strategy safe.  How this happens will be left up for you to, of course.  However, the ending is eerily similar to scenes from the first Captain America and Pacific Rim, so beware.
You have to hand it to Tom Cruise.  Even when a film borrows numerous scenes, ideas and even a movie premise, you never get tired of seeing Tom Cruise and his earnestness in the film.  He does a good job, has some fun, laughs and great scenes that remind us, "Hey, Tom Cruise has another action film out."  And that's a good thing.

3 out of 5



                                                               22 Jump Street
             Two years ago, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum teamed up for the surprise hit of the year and summer.  They were cops that got in trouble and found themselves going undercover at a high school, looking to "Infiltrate the dealers, find the suppliers."  They did so with flare, hilarious jokes and a cameo appearance by Johnny Depp.  "21 Jump Street" was a truly fun and stupid film, much like Dumb and Dumber.  Who hasn't seen two opposites join forces and become a truly unstoppable duo?  But, wow, did those two make it work.  They left the world with a lot of new catchphrases and highlights (doves anyone?).  And now, "22 Jump Street" comes along.

            There is a really easy way to describe this film:  if you liked the first film, you will like this one.  In fact, there is no way to not like this film if you liked the first because they are nearly identical, which sounds weird, but actually works.

          "22 Jump Street" seems to know and revel in the fact that sequels are usually worst and more ludicrous than the original film.  So, why not do the same thing, but make fun of it instead?  This seems to be the premise that 22 deals with, and you know what?  It totally works.  Throughout the film, characters and situations cry out for "we know it's the same" and that's okay.  Several media outlets have referred to this as "sequelitis."

        With "sequelitis" in mind, this film revolves around Schmidt and Jenko "going to college" and searching for who the big drug person/dealer is.  As their initial captain points out, "but now, people actually are spending money and expecting results for this job."  The pun upon the movie and dare i say "franchise" is awesome and beautifully executed.  If you know you are getting the same film, why not enjoy it again...just at college.  The usual college cliches are there, from stupid roommates, to drunk frats and hazing.  Insert a football team instead of a drama team from the first film and you have everything you need.  Oh, you liked the bad guys from the first one, then bam, Jenko and Schmidt must get "information" from suppliers that know about this stuff.  Insert cameo by Dave Franco and Rob Riggle.  Ice Cube returns and is just as angry and funny as he was in the first.  Be ready for his daughter and an awkward dinner with Jonah Hill during the "Parent Week" of school.

        Does it actually matter if the "case is solved?"  Not really, so long as Jonah Hill keeps making fun of himself and his non-athletic side, while his buddy Channing Tatum exhibits his muscular body tone and funny attempts to learn and play professional sports:  "He's the Mexican Wolverine."

The film ends brilliantly, as the credits make fun of all the future "installments" of Jump Street.  From a cameo by Seth Rogen as "Priest Street" to Jonah Hill saying, "What contract dispute?" the film just nails the nature of Hollywood wanting to make money, meta-films, and being self aware.  It's refreshing and great to know that as much fun as these actors have being in a silly buddy movie, it is still just a movie, so why not have fun?  Enjoy this one, just like you did with the first one!

4 out of 5

Maleficent Review: Hell hath no fury...

“Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” is a phrase we have all heard and been intimated by…okay a phrase men are scared to physically encounter.  However, in the new Disney movie, Maleficent, Angelina Jolie takes this phrase and exhibit her wrath upon all those who try and betray her.

The movie Maleficent is based upon the Disney film “Sleeping Beauty.”  The original story has a sweet 16 year old girl living with 3 fairy godmothers, hoping they can protect her from a spell that has been cast on her.  Only “true love’s kiss” will reverse this spell.  Flash-forward to the current film and we have the exact same premise, with a great twist—the Maleficent perspective and motive.

The film begins with a young girl, Maleficent, living in her own fantasy world, trying out her powers and wings.  She is a sweet girl and commands other creatures to follow and obey her.  For the first 15 minutes, the movie has a distinct Guillermo del Toro feel.  Many of the creatures look like they came out of the film Pan’s Labyrinth or even del Torro’s modest film Hellboy.  The creatures and special effects are a wonder to behold, as is Maleficent.  As beautiful as the world and CGI may be, living in utopia was not to be.  One day, a young boy shows up in young Maleficent’s world, forming a friendship and bond that the film revolves around.

The two friends, Maleficent and Stefan  (Sharlto Copley) grow up, each seemingly caring for the other, until one day, a King decides he wants more land and a bigger kingdom, which involves Maleficent’s land and kingdom.  This puts her dear friend Stefan in a tough spot.  He, along with many other powerful men, is allowed to rule after the King if they deliver the powerful Maleficent to the King.  

Stefan lures Maleficent out by claiming to warn her of the vicious King, but uses the guise of a friendly date to drug and then cut off her wings.  When Angelina Jolie wakes up, realizing she has been betrayed and has lost her wings, her acting is truly horrifying.  It was one of the few scenes where I not only was moved, but would have been concerned had I any small children.  It is great acting, but a bit much for young children.  Somehow, knowing that Jolie went through breast cancer issues in her family made this scene and its “date rape” implications very powerful; Men, in this case, Stefan, using a woman to get what he wants.   Stefan does indeed become the next king.  While Jolie clearly owns the movie, the great, but underrated Sharlto Copley gives another great performance as a nefarious “bad guy.”  If you have seen Elysium, then you know what I mean when I say he can be a brutal villain when he wants to turn up the heat. If he isn’t careful, Copley will soon by typecast whenever a villain is needed.

As Maleficent tries to grow without her wings, and as Stefan begins ruling his new kingdom, a welcome celebration is brought fourth, bringing the two “frenemies” together—the birth of Stefan’s daughter.  Kingdoms are brought together, as are the festivities.  But this also brings the wrath of Jolie, I mean, Maleficent, and it is at this party that Maleficent renders her now famous curse that “nothing can undo….except love’s true kiss.”

From this point, which is around the 30 minute mark, we know where the movie will go:  there will be a cute girl that fails to avoid a curse, but is still saved.  There will be battles and there will be a happy ending because Disney made the film.  However, what makes this film a solid and special one is how these events are molded and seen through new light.  Jolie does a fantastic job in this role, as both villain, but then sympathetic character, one that many will relate to when it comes to a life of regret.  Many of us go through life, knowing that one mistake can come to define us.  We pray for a chance to make things right or to “go back and start over.”  Jolie, as she gets to know the young Aurora, has these same feelings in regards to her curse upon “the little one” and her life.  You can see the changes she wants to make and why she tries to seek forgiveness, which is a great motive and thing for all ages to see.

         

The movie, while PG, has a few violent spots should parents be considering taking the little ones to the theatre.  However, a positive message ends the film, and the 3 fairy godmothers are quite humerous in their various roles as “protectors.” After seeing Jolie do a great job, I wondered why she doesn’t do more films.  She is a household name and has her own marketing circus due to “Brangalina.”  But there is another famous phrase she probably lives by when it comes to films: “Quality, not quantity.”