Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

6.0/10  PG-13

As a foundation for subsequent ape follow-ups, director Rupert Wyatt’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes almost looks like a prequel…just one that doesn’t really precede anything.

When Will Rodman (a disappointing James Franco) discovers what he thinks would make a cure for Alzheimer’s, he takes to the lab chimps to test out new genetic strands. It improves brain function greatly in one subject, Caesar (acted incredibly via motion-capture by Andy Serkis), leading to the hope that it will do the same in humans. But the apes become smarter than humans, and function well above the rate of their human counterparts. You know where this is headed. Suddenly steel bars and locks aren’t so secure.

Serkis as Caesar (center)

James Franco is often a fabulous actor, as well as everything else under the sun, including “recent Columbia grad.” His role in the film requires an emotional intensity that he simply does not possess. This isn’t a subdued, lax emotional role like he played in 127 Hours, or a mysterious, quiet persona he often renders in General Hospital. There was something missing, something that a more experienced actor might have been able to grasp. At times, he babbled like an idiot while talking to Caesar. Maybe it’s because he had to talk to an “ape” while there was clearly no ape there. I have faith that if he gave it his all, Franco could have probably pulled it off too—maybe it was the six other movies he starred in this year alone, or the daily television series, or the four other films he is working on for next year. Stop being so busy James Franco.

The script, written by a team of writers led by Rick Jaffa, is also sub par. Lines seemed weak and not properly thought out, leaving me to wonder why they’re already working on the 2013 sequel. The movie doesn’t get into the relationship between Will and Caesar’s vet, even though the movie spanned five years and they are dating (supposedly) the entire time. We see them talking and having fun, then five years later they’re kissing and having a picnic. Are they married? It’s irresponsible to let a relationship go unexplained for five years and not go any deeper than a few short conversations. And what about the sequels? Granted, the film got decent ratings (7.4/10) on IMDb, so the money is there, but it doesn’t mean you have to follow in Transformers’ or Shrek’s footsteps.

The supporting cast, led in terms of notoriety by the great John Lithgow, is solid at best. Tom Felton will never escape his image as Harry Potter’s Draco Malfoy, especially if he is incapable of portraying a character with any moral values whatsoever.

Serkis and Franco

But it’s the apes that are clearly the stars. You might have heard the Andy Serkis motion-capture Oscar nomination talks, talks that will likely lead nowhere…and may or may not deserve to. While Serkis’ Caesar is manly, walking more erect than the other apes and running mostly without that natural ape rhythm, it is still a miraculous feat. Serkis, you may need reminding of, also played the part of Kong in Peter Jackson’s remake of King Kong, as well as Gollum in Jackson’s Lord of the Ring trilogy. The other apes, especially the epic gorilla and orangutan, the spectacular, realistic-looking beasts.

In this groundwork for a new series, the action is scarce. Not until the final twenty minutes do any apes escape, leading the movie to go along slowly, mostly without much action. But what action there is, boy is it fantastic. And with solid computer animation, I do look forward to the sequel…but in hopes that the sequel can barrel past (like Donkey Kong) its foundation, the mediocre film that Rise of the Planet of the Apes is.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is on DVD and Blu-ray today.

Pineapple Express (2008)

Pineapple Express (2008)

7.0/10 R

Who doesn’t love a good stoner movie? The Hangover barely compares to this 2008 comedy, directed by David Gordon Green (Your Highness, The Sitter) and starring Seth Rogen and James Franco. Honestly, James Franco is a great actor. From his small part in General Hospital to his smaller part in The Green Hornet (on which I have a review) he can knock most roles out of the park. I wasn’t a fan of 127 Hours, but it wasn’t awful. Seth Rogen plays the same character every movie, the weird, awkward, immature man who doesn’t know his creepiness limits (except in Superbad, where he and Bill Hader are the funniest characters).

The plot goes as follows. A secret marijuana factory is producing a blend so strong it makes its victims grow goofy within seconds of inhalation, it’s called pineapple express. The blend was given to one dealer, who gave a small amount to another dealer, who gave a small amount to another dealer (Franco), who gave a small amount to Seth Rogen. Then, in an act of pot redemption, the first dealer to distribute the pineapple express (Ted, played by Gary Cole) shoots a business competitor, billed simply as “the Asians” by Saul, Franco’s character. Dale (Rogen) witnesses the murder, and is spotted by the gunman. Fortunately, Ted does not see his face. Unfortunately, however, Dale ditched his pineapple express on the road, which leads Ted right down the line to Saul. Dale and Saul go on the run, eventually ending up in the marijuana factory where they try to dismantle the “machine” in a scene of bloodshed comedy.

Rogen and Franco as rogue runaways in Pineapple Express

 As far as laughs go, this movie provides its fair share. Rogen’s relationship troubles, a side-story in the plot, makes for multiple LOL scenes. Franco’s idiocy, fueled of course by the brain-morphing substance, makes for many others. The only thing that fails to give out any side-splitting laughs is Danny McBride (Eastbound and Down). Nothing about him is funny, besides the fact that he looks stupid and acts like a moron, giving the audience nothing to root for OR necessarily hate, so it’s really a lose/lose.

Pineapple Express, on DVD and Blu-Ray and apparently on the FX channel, is highly recommended, and deserves to be seen.

The Green Hornet (2011)

The Green Hornet (2011)

7/10  PG-13

            First impression: Why isn’t James Franco in this movie longer?—(more on that later). The Green Hornet, a 2011 version of the popular 1930’s and 40’s radio and comic book character, stars Seth Rogen as heir to a media empire Britt Reid, Jay Chou as his butt-kicking sidekick Kato, and Christoph Waltz as the cocky villain Benjamin Chudnofsky.

Britt Reid unexpectedly becomes the owner of a popular Los Angeles newspaper when his father dies. Along with Kato, his father’s former coffee maker/car repairman, Reid plans to de-head a statue honoring his rude, insensitive dad. That night, however, Reid and Kato happen to notice a couple getting mugged. Not knowing what to do, Reid clumsily tries to intervene. When the attackers turn on him, Kato comes to the rescue, and of course, defeats them all. Realizing their true potential, the pair decides to try to clean the streets and bring justice to the city, but corruption is their real villain.

Chou and Rogen in The Green Hornet

            Filled with cheesy montages and lengthy action scenes, The Green Hornet does a nice job of keeping with the motifs of the conventional comic book movie. However, while Waltz plays “Bloodnofsky” to perfection, (he always plays a great bad guy) the others don’t hold up their end of the bargain. Seth Rogen plays his part like most of his other parts—with an arrogant humor that sometimes turns to immature outbursts and name-calling for laughs—and he and Chou are often seen bickering like teenage girls.

Christoph Waltz as Bloodnofsky

I do admit, the car looks intimidating, and the weaponry looks impressive. Another bright spot is the five minutes in which James Franco plays a Los Angeles club owner. His accent is flawless, his jokes are right on target, and his sparring with Waltz is perfect. Waltz’s quest for intimidation is hysterical, and you should watch for the scene when he discusses his plans for a re-birth as a super-villain. Tom Wilkinson has a small part as Mr. Reid, and he plays the part of the business-savvy, workaholic father well. The animated hornet and comic-style music during the end credits are a nice nod to the Green Hornet’s classic television and comic book history. Watch out for the shocker near the end of the film, it will likely leave you re-thinking the entire movie trying to piece it together.  If butt-kicking superhero movies are your thing, The Green Hornet is right for you. If you prefer detailed plots and terrific acting, I would suggest a different movie.

The Green Hornet is out on DVD and Blu-Ray.