Movie Review - A Million Ways To Die In The West

A Million Ways To Die In The West

Starring: Seth McFarlane, Charlize Theron, Amanda Seyfried, Liam Neeson, Giovanni Ribisi, Neil Patrick Harris, Sarah Silverman, Christopher Hagen, Wes Studi, Matt Clark, Evan Jones, and more.

Directed by: Seth McFarlane Written by: Seth McFarlane, Alec Sulkin, and Wellesley Wild Cinematography by: Michael Barrett Music by: Joel McNeely

Premise: Detesting violence, Albert is spurned by his sweetheart when he shows up for a midday showdown but instead of shooting and most likely dying, he talks the other guy into letting him pay for the damage caused by his sheep. Spiraling into depression now that he's lost the one bit of light in an otherwise sad existence, Albert thinks about leaving Old Stump for San Francisco until he saves a new lady in town. In exchange, Anna offers to help him win his sweetheart back. But as the two find each other more than they expected, there are secrets Anna is holding that could cost Albert his life. (Rated R)

Review:

1) Acting - Total Thumbs Up: Seth McFarlane makes a very convincing spirit trodden man. Charlize Theron was fun as Anna, saucy yet innocent in her own way. Liam Neeson was a wonderful villain as the cheating gunslinger Clinch. Neal Patrick Harris also made for a fun villian, the mustache giving him the look of the old black and white silent western villains.

2) Special Effects - Total Thumbs Up: You'd think a western comedy wouldn't have a lot of special effects, but in this case you'd be wrong. The bar fight alone had a ton of special effect 'gags' - breaking bones, cut and pumping jugulars, yanked off limbs. It definitely wasn't your typical western bar fight. And when you add in a bunch of the other ways there are to die in the west, the special effects people were kept quite busy.

There's also a rather amazing drug trip. Some definite artistry went into that particular segment. (And probably a ton of in-jokes as well.)

3) Plot/Story - Thumbs Up: While the film is full of sex, ethnic, and body jokes, there are also a lot of brainier jokes. Western life is often romanticized in film and books but this movie took it upon itself to dispel many of those illusions with humor veiled doses of the harsh reality. And some of them are quite funny.

The film is 116 minutes long, which is unusual for a comedy, but the extra time gave them space to do more, like add Anna's secondary story line, so a good choice on their part. The F-bombs though, not such a good choice. There were definitely a lot more present than necessary and after while dragged the film down a little.

Most of the usual western movie tropes are used (music, font styles, and more), and they are used well. A few even get turned sideways, giving the audience a few surprises. You'll also never think of mustaches quite in the same way again. (Or Daisies. Even sheep. You'll see.)

4) Stunts - Total Thumbs Up: A western without stunts wouldn't be a western. And since this one tries to show us a millions ways death can happen, there are definitely stunts involved. They're a lot of fun, too.

5) Locations/Cinematography - Total Thumbs Up: Nothing brings to mind the old westerns like seeing a shot of Monument Valley. Cinematographer Michael Barrett totally took this to heart and took total advantage of it. These are some of the most fantastic views of the valley I have ever seen. The movie is worth it just for the gorgeous scenery alone.

6) Music - Total Thumbs Up: Joel McNeely's score helped sell the western feel almost as much as the shots of Monument Valley. Themes and styles from all the big western scores were present. There's a wink for Silvestry in an in-joke scene, and during the big chase scene we get a nice dose of John Williams like score as well. Nicely done!

Conclusion: If you find more than just body jokes funny, and you've seen a lot of westerns, or know anything about the period, there's definitely enough in this film for you to like. The vistas and music alone are totally worth it. Definite adult humor, so not for younger viewers. And there are two small extra bits in the credits.

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price of Admission)
 

Movie Review - Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2

Starring: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Will Forte, Andy Samberg, Benjamin Bratt, Neil Patrick Harris, Terry Crews, Kristen Schaal, Cody Cameron, and more.

Directed by: Cody Cameron and Kris Pearn Screenplay by: John Francis Daley, Jonathan M Goldstein, and Erica Rivinoja Story by: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Erica Rivinoja Characters by: Judi Barrett and Ron Barett Original Music by: Mark Mothersbaugh

Premise: Six months after Flint and his friends stopped the food chaos at Chewandswallow from the FLDSMDFR, Flint is asked to go back to the island by his childhood hero, Chester V. The scientist tells him Flint that the FLDSMDFR wasn't destroyed as Flint thought, but has remained active and is now creating not food, but evil food creatures. Creatures that are learning and will soon leave the island and threaten the rest of the world - unless Flint goes back and stops them. (Rated PG)

Review:

1) Voice Acting - Total Thumbs Up: All the beloved characters and most of the original voice actors are back in this sequel to the 2009 film. Bill Hader as the naive yet well meaning Flint carried us through the eager scientist's travails. Anna Faris was perky and still a force to be reckoned with. Neal Patrick Harris is way too much fun as Steve. Benjamin Bratt delivers all of Manny's great one liners with aplomb and to great effect. Will Forte moves from his smaller role in the first film to the main villain of the piece as Chester V - a great choice as he gives Chester just the right touch of believability and guile.

2)  Artwork/Animation - Total Thumbs Up: The artwork and animation department of Sony Pictures Animation did an outstanding job with this film. The mainland, the HQ for LIVE, and the drastically altered island of Chewandswallow were amazing places to behold.

LIVE was slick. All the tech was slick. Even the company helicopter blades had a flare all their own. The actual working environment was an ordered sea of stale cubicles, while the elite worked on their science way above the others. With Flint's 'seat of the pants' science, the two appear almost polar opposites.

The island in turn was like stepping into an alien world. A familiar place changed and turned stranger because of the familiarity. The concept of the foodimals made for amazing visuals. It took common things we've seen all our lives, yet now displayed them in a totally new way to make something fresh and different. I think my favorites were the owls. Though the cheesespiders were a close second. The cucumber people were too cute.

I also loved the primeval yet technological look of the FLDSMDFR's resting area. It had a great emotional feel to it - science and nature joined together.

3) Story - Thumbs Up: Lately, there's been a weird trend to make the protagonist's hero into the bad guy of the story. I've seen it at least three times in animated films this year. It's a little worrying that everyone keeps telling children that all their hero's are bad.

Putting that aside, I enjoyed all the different levels pursued in the story. Some elements from the first film were brought up again, as Flint and his father still have a few issues to get past in understanding one another. (It's been a while since I saw the first film, so a comparison is difficult.)

New elements in the sequel included showing healthy interpersonal relationships versus those that are one sided.  And not just those the second person clings to because they don't truly realize the real state of the relationship, but also those they have with themselves.

The ying and yang of Flint and Sam is also reflected on. Flint might be a genius, but it is Sam who is wise.

Conclusion: "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2" is a fun, visual feast. The kids will have plenty to keep them entertained, dazzled by the awesome imagination of the animators and writers. For the adults, there are a ton of jokes, which mixed visuals with wordplay - a few are even quite nostalgic.

Make sure to sit through most of the credits - the animators had a little fun with different styles there on some of the added bits.

Rating: 4 out of 5 (Hubby's Rating: Worth Full Price to See Again)