Movie Review: Saving Mr. Banks (2014)

Chim Chimney, Chim Chimney, Chim Chim, Che-roo

If the heading sounds familiar to you, then you've probably watched Marry Poppins, the ever-so-cheerful nanny with an umbrella flying through the chimney, or window, or something. It was a long time ago. A timeless classic I assure you. Well, lets not dwell on musical classics.

Hanks, as Walt Disney

Saving Mr. Banks tells of how Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) struggled to woo P.L. Travers (Emma Thompson), the author of Marry Poppins, into signing over the rights so he could make the movie we all know and love. With Mrs. Travers being British, hating everything American and all, Mr. Disney had to give it his all, from sweet-talking to sly-foxing, even up to giving Mrs. Travers a special tour of Disneyland, the happiest place in the world.

This is a family piece, best enjoyed if you've watched Marry Poppins of course, but will still appeal even if you didn't experience the wonders of animated penguins dancing on screen (no, not Happy Feet). Acting is superb and emotionally gripping. From Mrs. Travers' move from Maryborough to Allora, to her journey of letting go of Poppins. Even supporting actors like Giamatti and Farrell put on great performances.

Of course, there are  no twists in the plot, no high action CGI sequences, no explosions... no Michael Bay-ory. This is one of those movies that prosper on amazing acting.

And it delivered. The sincerity in the acting really shows on screen.

Disneyland

Positive(s)

+ Great acting

+ Great for people who loved Marry Poppins

+ Emotionally Gripping

+ Great genuine family movie

Negative(s)

- Felt draggy at times

Rating: 7.5/10 

This is a scene from Marry Poppins, just in case people are wondering

Movie Review: The Lego Movie (2014)

Don't LEGO of me...

This one has been coming, and it's finally here. A movie about Lego(s), those building blocks cum foot-killers. Everyone has, at one point in their lives, stepped on a Lego, or played with them (or maybe something similar to Lego, maybe Blocko).

Batman, Emmet, and Lucy (a.k.a Wyldstyle)

This movie has received raving reviews, so, instinctively I had to catch it, having played with Lego (or something similar) growing up. Probably a stranger to all those new Lego Pirate sets and whatnot, but certainly familiar with the general aspects of this timeless 'toy'.

The Lego Movie revolves around Emmet, a regular Joe (as far as Legos go), someone who plays by the rules, and strictly by the rules. Until one night, he is mistakenly identified as the 'Chosen one', the master builder,
the key to saving the Lego Universe.

It must be said that the story is simplistic, yet thoroughly satisfying. Filled with laughs, gags, puns and just general silliness. It doesn't come off as 'trying-too-hard'. Appropriate for kids, but not too dialed down for adults too. Voice-overs from Liam Neeson, Freeman and Banks are also gold. They really add something extra to the movie. So in short, it's for the whole family, unless your family consists of grouchy people with no sense of humour, then you're better off watching Robocop (I kid, I haven't watch Robocop).

NOT Gandalf

Having said that, the movie is not without its underlying message, particularly to fans of Lego, and that is, Legos are meant to be played with, meant to be experimented with, not to be built and then stored or displayed in that state permanently. It is probably a kick to the teeth or a wake up call to adult Lego fanatics who want their piece to stay the way it is, built perfectly the first time and never to be touched ever again.



So if you haven't watched it, do it! NOW! You will not regret it, and if you do, you're lame and I hate you. This is a fun-filled movie for everyone, whether or not you've played with Lego before. There's nothing I found that was bad, but if I really had to pin-point with a gun to my head, maybe some scenes moved about a little too much and too fast, but I blame my eyes for that. Damn you eyes!!!

And on that note, remember, that everything is AWESOME~!

Emmet is saddened because you havent seen this film

Bottom Line

Positives: 

+ Fun-filled movie

+ Beautifully done

+ Great voice-overs

+ Good jokes, Great cameos

Negatives:

- Fast-paced scenes can be hard to catch

- Product advertising, I mean it is a Lego film after all

Rating: 8.0/10.0