MR. MAGORIUM'S WONDER EMPORIUM

Director: Zach Helm
Stars: Dustin Hoffman, Natalie Portman, Jason Bateman, Zach Mills
Year: 2007
Rating: G

Mr. Magorium is a Willy Wonka-like man of 243, who runs what's undeniably the coolest toy store in the world. The place fairly runs itself using magic, and both employees and customers alike not only seem to know this - but accept it as part of their every day world. It's a small, wondrous toy shop, the kind that just doesn't exist in a world of Toys "R" Us and Wal-mart - Magorium's story looks as if it were painted in pure crayolas, the atmosphere light and airy and full of nothing but fun. The owner, the magical and upbeat Mr. Magorium himself (Dustin Hoffman, as always flawless in the role), is a kooky-looking man in colorful suit who manages to say a whole lot of nothing but at the same time make a world of sense. His world is about joy, fun, and celebrating the "sparkle" of childhood that exists in us all.

Natalie Portman plays Molly Mahoney, a child protegee on the piano who, as an adult, never seems to have lived up to her potential musically. In the toy store, she's the manage of the whole place, and is as seemingly sure-footed as if the store were her own. As the film opens and Molly comes to work, she's learned from her boss that Mr. Magorium is in the process of hiring an accountant to get his books in order - something he's never done before. This, among other strange events (including a temper tantrum that the store throws, when it gets wind of the news too), leads to Molly learning that Mr. Magorium is leaving. Leaving and giving her the store. At first shocked that Mr. Magorium is retiring, Molly is even more upset to ifnd out that Magorium's departure isn't from the working life ... but from life, period. It's his time, Mr. Magorium tells her - his time to go. And he wants her to have the store.

This is a cute, charming film about finding the kid in yourself again. Hoffman turns in a performance that makes Mr. Magorium truly loveable, when in the hands of another actor he could have maybe come off just goofy and maybe even annoying. Portman is radiant as Molly, though I thought her work in the film was much weaker in the second half than the first (in fact, the whole film sort of loses something once Hoffman isn't on the screen). Jason Bateman is the perfect straight man as "Mutant" the accountant - and has a sweet, touching scene with young actor Zach Mills (who plays Eric, a friendless kid who works in the store, and see Magorium as his hero), where the two communicate an entire scene through a pane of glass that separates them.

I liked the film - loved Hoffman IN the film - but to me, the last half-hour or so just didn't take off too much for me; the ending somewhat left me just wanting ... more. The special effects are brilliant, the toy store is nothing short of amazing, and there's a lot of kindness and wonderment in the film ... but it just didn't click for me at the end. I compared Magorium to Willy Wonka early in this review, but in all honesty Mr. Magorium has none of the creepiness or disturbed sort of feel about him that Wonka has; as I've said before, Mr. Magorium is loveable, his shop a dreamworld for any child.

Children will indeed enjoy this film, too - and they could do a lot worse than getting the message of acceptance and love and always seeing the positive side. In fact, this is the first kid-friendly film I've seen in years that doesn't have a touch of darkness or danger or even negativity about it. That alone makes it worth seeing. I guess I just wish the last thirty minutes had lived up to the first sixty. **1/2 - Reel Mediocre-Reel Cool

THE MIST

Director: Frank Darabont
Stars: Thomas Jane, Marcia Gay Harden, Andre Braugher, William Sadler, Laurie Holden, Toby Jones, Jeffrey DeMunn
Year: 2007
Rating: R

Director Frank Darabont is well-versed in bringing Stephen King material to life - he directed both The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption, the latter being maybe King's most beloved filmwork after Stand By Me. Here, Darabont turns his attention to a more horrific tale by King - his novella The Mist, about a group of townspeople caught in a supermarket when a thick white fog (and the creatures hunting within it) cut them and their town off from the outside world.

Thomas Jane (The Punisher, Deep Blue Sea) plays David Drayton, a Maine illustrator/artist who's come into town with his six-year-old son Billy to do some shopping, after a storm the night before puts a tree through the front window of his lakeside home. He's running errands, and ends up in one of the checkout lines at the crowded local supermarket when a local, Dan Miller (played by the excellent Jeffrey DeMunn, who's also familiar with King territory via The Green Mile and the mini-series "Storm of the Century"), rushes into the store with a bloody nose, screaming that the mist has turned into town - and that something in it has just grabbed and taken away his friend. Naturally, those in the market are skeptical ... but it's soon proven that something deadly does indeed lurk in the mist - and it's hungry.

The film is expertly cast, with William Sadler, Frances Sternhagen, Andrew Braugher, and Laurie Holden all adding exactly the right touches, as locals caught up in the store and in the horror. Even Chris Owen and Sam Witwer, as (respectively) an ill-fated bag boy and military cadet, are perfect. But special kudos have to go to Marcia Gay Harden and Toby Jones, without whom the film just wouldn't have been anywhere near as effective. Harden is Oscar-worthy as Mrs. Carmody, a religious nutcase who's convinced that what's going on is the Final Judgement (and, sadly, she's able to convince others of the same); at times she's nothing short of chilling, almost creeepier than anything you'll find out in the mist. And Jones, as middle-aged bag boy Ollie Weeks, has maybe the most heart in the film; his meek and timid character turns into a regular Rambo as the tension builds.

The creatures in the mist are seen, and are damned frightening; the special effects in the film are top-notch and believable, and give the film its creepiness. The claustrophobic setting of the barricaded supermarket only adds to the tension - as do the plate-glass windows of the building, becuase you never know what could come through them. But this is a Darabont film, and what he's done here that's special is that he makes the inside of the market equally horrifying and tense, as Mrs. Carmody spews the Old Testament and gains power within the store. It's amazing how fast and harsh the breakdown of society is here, and though it's understated beautifully by Darabont, you'll still be squirming in your seat by how quickly "good" people can turn very, very bad. Jane's character tries to hold it all together, but between the creatures outside the store AND the creatures inside the store, you'll wonder if he really even stands a chance.

The film has moments of both real brilliance and real horror. It's well-written (Darabont also wrote the screenplay), well-acted, and beautifully made. I had read the novella years ago, was wondering how Darabont would handle the faily downbeat ending - and didn't know until I finally saw the film that Darabont wrote his own ending - and that's my biggest problem with the film. Without giving anything anyway, the ending is one of those that will have you standing up and yelling, "NOOOOO!!!!" - an ending that I guess is fitting in its way, but also one that just made me plain angry, initially - probably because I didn't fully buy into the character's motivation for what he or she did. In fact, when a good friend asked me the next day if I liked the film, I answered truthfully with an "I don't know" - because I didn't. I had to let the film sort of gel in my system first, in order to think about it as a whole instead of just skewing my view based on its ending.

In the end, I loved it. What happened, happened, and that's that. It was a thrilling ride to get there, though, and for that alone the film really, really works. **** - Reel Awesome

BEOWULF

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Stars: Ray Winstone, Anthony Hopkins, Angelina Jolie, Robin Wright Penn, Sebastian Roche, Alison Lohman
Year: 2007
Rating: PG-13

One of the reasons I so disliked The Polar Express was because of the motion-capture animation used in the film. To me, the characters looked lifeless and zombie-fied; almost scary, in some cases. Thankfully, the technological advancements of the animation have improved enough to make Beowulf a much more watchable film - especially in the battle scenes, which are awe-inspiring.

GREATLY breaking away from the original epic poem, the film opens in Denmark in 507A.D, where King Hrothgar (voiced by Anthony Hopkins) finds his kingdom greatly besieged by the giant troll Grendel (the violent and gory opening scene, in which Grendel attacks the hall where the king and his subjects are making merry, is truly jaw-dropping). The king is so distraught, anxious to rid himself of Grendel, that he offers half his fortune to any warrior who can kill the hated beast.

Beowulf (Ray Winstone) gets wind of the offer and arrives with his men, telling great (and, seemingly, exaggerated) stories of famous battles of his past, to prove to King Hrothgar that he is the one to ride the kingdom of Grendel. The king gives him a chance, and - again, in an amazing battle scene - Beowulf does indeed vanquish the deadly troll Grendel (voiced and physicaized, via animation, by Crispin Glover). This really ticks off Grendel's mother (Angelina Jolie - here looking like a highly-polished mannequin, her face and body without flaw), who takes revenge on the kingdom ... and, ultimately, seduces Beowulf in a "pact with the devil" kind of deal that he deeply regrets many, many years later.

I'm sort of on the fence about this film, which is amazing to look at but doesn't inspire a whole lot of connection with the characters (outside Beowulf and Hrothgar - and, surprisingly, Grendel, who in the end remains the most sympathetic character in the film). The animation is amazing, but the characters are still sort of stiff and two-dimensional in how they move and speak; even their eyes don't signal much life. No, where Beowulf succeeds is in the eye-popping action sequences, where the animation bursts from the screen and engages your senses full on. Makes me wish I had seen the film in IMAX theaters; that must have been a trip.

But the balance between good and bad evens out to just a decent film. Nothing great, but definitely worth seeing. The voice performances are wonderful (especially Hopkins), and with a supporting cast that includes John Malkovich, Robin Wright Penn, Sebastian Roche, and Alison Lohman - you can't go wrong.

I just wish I had connected more a little more emotionally with this film, and its characters. Other than that, it's a real winner. *** - Reel Cool

ENCHANTED

Director: Kevin Lima
Stars: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel
Year: 2007
Rating: PG

God Bless Amy Adams. The Oscar-nominated (for Supporting Actress, for Junebug) actress never, ever strikes a false note in this Disney fairy tale, about a maiden named Giselle who is thrust into the real world - literally - by an evil queen, bent on keeping Giselle from marrying her son.

The film starts off in the animated world of Andalasia, where the poor but beautiful Giselle - along with her animal friends, a la Cinderella, sings about the prince she hopes to one day marry. Nearby, Prince Edward (played by James Marsden) is out hunting with his companion Nathaniel (Timothy Spall, in a hilarious performance), when circumstances occur that allow Edward and Giselle to meet for the first time. In true fairy tale fashion, the two instantly fall in love, and plan to wed - the very next day, in fact.

But no fairy tale is complete without an evil queen, and Prince Edward's mother, Queen Narissa (Susan Sarandon, brilliantly wicked here), most definitely fits into that category. Determined to hang onto both her title and her riches, Queen Narissa - who for years has done everything possible to ensure Edward would NOT meet a girl to marry - decides to rid herself and her kingdom of Giselle in a big way. Using her magic powers, she disguises here as an old hag and lures Giselle to a magic fountain - pushing the girl over the edge and into a portal that sends the poor, innocent Giselle ...

To Times Square, in modern-day New York City, in the real world.

To say Giselle is fish out of water here is a real understatement. Within a few hours she's nearly run over in traffic, has her tiara stolen by a homeless man ... and meets divorce lawyer Robert Philip (Patrick Dempsey), a cynical single father whose lofty aspirations of love and fairy tale endings were long ago killed off by harsh reality.

It takes some doing, but eventually the perky and happy Giselle begins to convince Robert that maybe she is unique to his world, after all (the way she can control animals to help her clean house, or make New Yorkers - of all people - spontaneously break into song in Central Park probably has something to do with this). Robert's daughter Morgan (Rachel Covey, in a sweet, though not TOO sweet, performance) believes in Giselle right away, as she seeks both a mother figure and a little magic in her own small world. But the longer Giselle's around, good intentions or not, the more she sort of messes up Robert's life - not the least of which is the relationship he has with his girlfriend Nancy (Idina Menzel), whom he hopes to propose marriage to.

As if this weren't enough - back in Andalasia, Prince Edward has gotten wind of what's happened to his fairy maiden Giselle - and leaps into the same magic fountain. He pops up via the same manhole in Times Square, brandishing his sword, and immediately sets off on his seemingly-impossible task of finding his princess-to-be. Word of his actions reaches Queen Narissa, and she immediately dispatched Nathaniel off in the same way, to follow Edward and steer him in the wrong direction so that he never finds Giselle again. Fortunately, Giselle's chipmunk friend Pip also sneaks along for the ride, to help Edward in his cause.

This is a brilliant, lovable film, one that plays up on fairy tales from "Cinderella" to "Snow White" and more. It's good family entertainment - and even with the ending you can see coming a mile away, it all works ... and there are still some surprises along the way.

But enough can't be said of Amy Adams in this film. In the hands of a less capable actress, Giselle could have come off annoying, sugary - a total caricature. But Adams makes her 100% REAL, and not only that - she makes her completely endearing. It's an Oscar-worthy performance that really goes a long way in making the film work - although Marsden and Spall and Sarandon are brilliant, as well. Dempsey is very good, just a bit stiff - but then, so was his character - and Idina Menzel does a lot with what is essentially a thankless role.

I loved Enchanted. It's great family entertainment for all ages, and proof that Disney can still keep on top of its game. The ending kicks butt (the whole film does, especially once Queen Narissa finds it necessary to come to NYC herself), and again - even as you can predict how things will end, you'll still definitely understand how it got its name; even the most jaded viewer should walk away enchanted. **** - Reel Awesome

BORAT: CULTURAL LEARNINGS OF AMERICA FOR MAKE BENEFIT GLORIOUS NATION OF KAZAKHSTAN

Director: Larry Cohen
Stars: Sacha Baron Cohen, Ken Davitian
Year: 2006
Rating: R

Finally catching this film on DVD, I did so with trepidation - afraid the hype would overrun my being able to actually enjoy the film (assuming I enjoyed it at all; I had heard it could be pretty offensive in spots).

Sacha Baron Cohen, who co-wrote the film, stars as Borat Sagdiyev, a television journalist in the tiny country of Kazakhstan - who's become somewhat of a local celebrity in the tiny village in which he lives. Borat is tapped to head a film crew (consisting of him and his friend Azamat, played by Ken Davitian, along with - assumedly - a cameraman) that will go to "the U. S. and A." to film a documentary. Once in New York City, however, it becomes obvious that Borat has some real assimilating to do with the American people - in scenes that get increasingly more difficult to watch, as the viewer gets a most shocking idea of what Americans are really like when their guard is down. The many, MANY lawsuits filed against Cohen and the makers of this film attest to the simple, plain truth that most of those appearing in the film had no idea this was a put-up job; they really thought Borat was a real journalist, shooting a real documentary for a country those on-camera thought would ONLY see this film. And therefore, they spoke honestly ... often, often TOO honestly. The film is often shocking, sometimes appalling - and ultimately, very, very laugh-out-loud funny.

The documentary plans are scrapped when Borat, lying in his hotel room, happens to catch an episode of "Baywatch" and falls head over heels in love with Pamela Anderson. The next day, he uses a good chunk of the documentary's funds to buy a beat up ice cream trunk, and informs Azamat that they are going to drive across America and get a real feel for the country for their documentary. On their trek, Borat and Azamat deal with the Secret Service, down-south gangbangers, rodeo hicks, a gun shop owner who casually points out (when asked) which gun is best for shooting Jews ... and that's just the tip of one very big iceberg of all that Borat discovers in his travels.

Sacha Baron Cohen is a genius. His Borat is repulsive yet endearing, cringe-worthy yet immensely watchable. The film is hilarious, even if some of that laughter will - at the same time - have you covering your mouth in shock at what you're seeing or hearing. Cohen deserves all the nominations and awards he's been honored with for the film, - and some would argue he deserves the tons of lawsuits he's been hit with for the film, too. But what he caught was nothing more than people expressing how they really feel, uncensored and uninhibited. It's not pretty, but it's pretty enlightening. And, often, shockingly funny. The films works because it absolutely comes off as real - none of the scenes (with the exception of when Borat finally does meet up with Pamela Anderson - who, reportedly, was in on the gag) seems fake, and you really buy into the fact that these people spoke with Borat based on their assumption he was, indeed, a journalist from Kazakhstan. It's a brillant surprise of a film that's not for everyone - but if you do catch it, you will laugh ... even as you're (maybe) a bit ashamed at yourself for doing so. **** - Reel Awesome

DAN IN REAL LIFE

Director: Peter Hedges
Stars: Steve Carell, Juliette Binoche, Dane Cook, Dianne Wiest, John Mahoney, Norbert Leo Butz
Year: 2007
Rating: PG-13

I've been a Steve Carell for some time now, but always felt his talents are an actor were pretty limited. With Dan in Real Life, I've changed my mind - it's Steve Carell's best work to date, in a film that has all the components for a good romantic comedy ... and yet somehow, ultimately, comes up a bit short.
Dan Burns (Carell) is a widower of four years, with three daughters, who writes a popular local newspaper column that emphasizes family values and raising kids in the proper manner. Dan in the newspaper has it all together, but Dan in real life is dealing with the all-too-real frustrations of pre-teen, tween, and teenage daughters. He's a good parent, a strict parent, a play-by-the-rules kind of guy; one who'se not allowed himself to open up much in the four years since his beloved wife died, putting all his energy into single-parenting and his work, instead.

A family get-together in the mountains changes all this when Dan takes a solo trip to a mom-and-pop bookstore in town ... and, for the first time in four years, meets a woman who brings back all those old feelings again. Marie (Juliete Binoche) is pretty, charming, and intelligent - and Dan is hooked. After their talk in the bookstore, the two retire to a local cafe, laughing and sharing conversation - when Marie suddenly sees the time and says she has to leave. Turns out she has someone in her life, and Dan bids her a sad goodbye - after talking her into taking his cell phone number, saying he'd like to still see her as a friend (even though you can plainly see he's already smitten with her).

Elated at just having met Marie, Dan huries back to the family cabin, anxious to tell his brothers that's he's finally met someone nice - only to be interrupted by the arrival of his broher Mitch's girlfriend to the cabin (Mitch is played by Dane Cook, in a charming but uneven performance). When this girlfriend turns out to be Marie, Dan's both shocked and saddened - and the rest of the reunion (and film) seems doomed to Dan and Marie awkwardly trying to deal with their growing romantic attraction to each other, without giving away how they really feel and hurting Mitch or Dan's family.

Dan in Real Life is well cast, well-written, charming and funny, and has a fine supporting cast (John Mahoney and Dianne Wiest are real standouts as Poppy and Nana Burns). Carell gives his best performance so far, and Binoche is great as Marie. The kids in the cast - particularly Brittany Robertson as Dan's daughter Cara, along with Felipe Dieppa, who is awesome as her boyfriend Marty - keep up with the adult ators in the film.

But the entire movie really hinges on the relationship (or lack or relationship) of the characters of Dan and Marie - and, at least to me, there is just no chemistry whatsoever between Steve Carell and Juliette Binoche in the film. After their initial meeting, when Dan learns that Marie is Mitch's girl and he therefore can not go after her himself, I sat there wondering why Dan was so upset over the whole thing; after all, he'd only just met Marie, and had barely spent time with her! But as the film went on, I realized that that first meeting was supposed to be a real thunderclap in Dan's love life - his first experience at feeling love again. But I just wasn't feeling it.

In the DVD extras, it's stated that the entire cast spent a week or more up at the cabin where the film was shot ... except for Steve Carell, who couldn't arrive until literally four hours before shooting commenced. I don't know if that had any influence on his on-screen chemistry with Binoche or not, and Carell feels connected to the other actors in the cast quite well, but there's just nothing there (for me) between the two characters in the film. I found myself often wondering why they loved each other so much - it just didn't show, for me, on screen.

Which was sad, for me, because I really wanted to like this one more. It's well made, with an excellent cast, and even the ending is satisfying ... but the lack of chemisty was a real sticking point for me in the film. Kind of like that itch in the middle of your back that you can't quite reach to scratch - only an inconvenience, but an irritating one. I enjoyed the film, overall - but just not the one thing about it I was supposed to enjoy the most. **1/2 - Reel Mediocre-Reel Cool

CHILDREN OF MEN

Director: Alfonso Cuaron
Stars: Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Caine, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Pam Ferris
Year: 2006
Rating: R

I have struggled and struggled with how to begin this review - let alone write it. I seriously cannot remember the last time a film affected me as much as Children of Men. Director Alfonso Cuaron, after rising to such fame with Y Tu Mama Tambien that he was given Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban to helm, here has created a film that is heartbreaking, soul-stirring, and - most importantly - life-affirming. THIS kind of film is what moviemaking was born to be - real art. I just hope I can do it justice in a short review.

The film is based on a novel by P.D. James, the story set in 2027 - in a world ravaged by disease, terrorism, and nuclear fallout (yep, very grim stuff). Humanity has become infertile, the last baby - Baby Diego - born in 2009 ... and in fact the film opens with Baby Diego's murder - the youngest person on earth now gone, as Britain mourns the loss of any potential for humanity's future. Britain, in fact, has become a wasteland of violence and oppression - immigration practically a crime to the point where refugees (or "Fugees", as they're called here) are rounded up and put into concentration camps, any insubordinance dealt with via a beating or bullet to the head.

Clive Owen is brilliant as Theo Faron, a former activist now working within the system who is contacted by his ex, Julian (Julianne Moore) - leader of the resistance group known as "The Fishes" - to help with getting papers for a young fugee woman to escape Britain for a sanctuary-at-sea known as The Human Project ... a group trying to find a cure for humanity's infertility so that the human race can go on. Julian knows Theo's cousin can arrange a passport and papers, and Theo indeed does so, for a price (and also out of the love he still has for Julian; the couple had a son, together, Dylan, who died from the plague that initially wiped out most of humanity - and created the infertility, most likely - back in 2008). The only hitch - the papers require that Theo travel with the girl, named Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey), at least to the border, and before he knows it, Theo finds himself embroiled in a twisted plot where he no longer knows who the good guys or the bad guys really are ... as he fights like hell, through the destruction that is now Britain, to escort Kee to safety.

For he has no choice, because Kee is eight months pregnant - the first woman in nearly 19 years to conceive - and she alone, with Theo's help, may hold mankind's future in her belly.

Now started, I could write forever about this film. Cuaron and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki have created a world of grim despair for humanity, a world at war with itself - a war it seemingly cannot win. Combat and action scenes are shot at close-range, in an in-your-face style that makes you feel you are right there in the middle of it all. Owen and Moore are utterly convincing, and the supporting cast - Ashitey, plus Chiwetel Ejiofor as Julian's second-in-command, Michael Caine as Theo's pothead-hippie best friend, and Pam Ferris as Kee's midwife/companion to the boat that will lead them to safety - all turn in performances so natural, you easily forget these are actors speaking scripted words. I had dinner about twenty minutes after watching this film, and as I sat eating I began to think of the last, say, twenty minutes of the film - and I began to weep; my eyes not just getting watery, but real tears that flowed down my cheeks. I let them come, because behind the tears the film also filled me with a real hope for humanity's potential - of knowing that what we think of every day as so important being, in reality, total crap compared to the real problems of life and living. Children of Men, even in all its grimness and despair, is also perhaps - in its way - the most life-affirming film I have ever seen. I know I will never forget it. This film not only reaches out to (and breaks) your heart - it also wraps itself around your soul. ***** - Reel Must-See

AEON FLUX

Director: Karyn Kusama
Stars: Charlize Theron, Marton Csokas, Jonny Lee Miller, Sophie Okonedo, Frances McDormand

Year: 2005
Rating: PG-13

Based on the MTV animated series of the same name, AEon Flux is real eye candy as a film - even if the depth just isn't there to sustain the story. The time is 2415, four centuries after a plague wiped out 99% of the world's population. Those left alive where all placed together in a closed-off metropolis called Bregna, once a cure was found by a member of the Goodchild family - and now, over 400 years later, the Goodchilds rule everything, and no one dares go outside of the walled-off city, where nature has again taken control.

But something's wrong in Bregna - various citizens are disappearing for no apparent reason, and the government is ruling with total absolute authority. A rebel resistance known as the Monicans - a group dedicated to overthrowing the control of the Goodchilds - has sprung up, and the film's plots revolves around the Monicans sending in their best assassin, AEon Flux (Theron), in to the Goodchild fortress to kill Trevor Goodchild (Marton Csokas), the leader of Bregna and oldest descendant of the man who cured the plague.

With help from her good friend - and fellow Monican assassin - Sithandra (Sophie Okonedo), AEon makes her way through a minefield of deadly booby traps and literally with inches of Trevor Goodchild - an event that starts a chain-reaction of more events, and leads to AEon realizing that things in Bregna are not exactly what they seem ... and that maybe who are the bad guys and who are the good guys aren't exactly what she's believed them to be.

The film is visually stunning, the actors damned good in their performances, and this saves the film from a lot of what's wrong with it. In a better director's hands, the film could possibly have brought a lot more emotional connection with the viewer than it does as is. But there's just something so ... so "Look at me!" in the whole execution of the film, that it becomes hard to truly dive into the story, or even care a great deal about the characters.

Action sequences are fast and furious - but often done in such extreme closeups, some of the adrenaline is lost. The story is very cool, the actors perfectly cast, and the film itself very colorful and physically beautiful. But beyond that, beyond that feeling that the film is just showing itself off as a product, instead of a flesh and blood story ... there's just, unfortunately, not all that much there for a viewer to buy into emotionally. And on that level, it makes this one a disappointment. **1/2 - Reel Mediocre-Reel Cool