paulclaassen
Joined Feb 2003
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paulclaassen's rating
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If you've seen the original 2010 animated film with the same title, then you'll know how this movie will play out scene for scene, because it literally is copy/paste. It is exactly the same script (with the same director); just live action. You might think this is a totally unnecessary movie, and in a way I suppose it is, but hell, it looks so darn good with live actors!!
You probably know the story. Hiccup is a teenage boy who lives in the Viking village of Burke. They don't have pests like rats; they have dragons. And Vikings and dragons have always been fighting and killing one other. Hiccup is unlike any of the other Vikings and a bit of an outcast, but he dreams of being 'like the others'.
When their village is once again attacked by dragons, Hiccup is determined to prove himself by killing the elusive Night Fury dragon. He manages to hit the dragon, but it flies away - and no-one else saw it. The next day he goes looking for the dragon, and finds it badly injured. When he can't bring himself to killing the dragon, he instead decides to help it, and the bond that forms between man and dragon is beautiful! Hiccup names the dragon 'Toothless' (due to its retracting teeth). Toothless steals the show in every scene!!
Hiccup has to keep Toothless a secret, and in the process he learns dragons are not as bad as they're made out to be. But his dad Stoick is determined to rid their village of dragons once and for all and searches for the dragon's nest.
The visuals are insanely good!!! Not since the first 'Avatar' have I seen visuals this good, and I won't be surprised if 'How to train your Dragon' is an Oscar contender for Best Visual Effects. I mean, it truly is astonishing how they managed to bring the animated fantasy to the big screen as a live action adaptation. It once again proves how far CGI developed, and that nothing is impossible anymore.
The casting is also really good. Mason Thames is fantastic as Hiccup, and I found it so appropriate for Gerard Butler to be cast as Stoick - the same character he voiced in the animated film. I also really enjoyed Nick Frost as Stoick's righthand man, Gobber.
If you're into fantasy adventures, this is a must watch film, and will appeal to young and old alike. It is a stunning film sure to win several awards. This is by far one of the best fantasy films this decade. (Even so, I still prefer the animated film. Animated films are just more endearing.)
You probably know the story. Hiccup is a teenage boy who lives in the Viking village of Burke. They don't have pests like rats; they have dragons. And Vikings and dragons have always been fighting and killing one other. Hiccup is unlike any of the other Vikings and a bit of an outcast, but he dreams of being 'like the others'.
When their village is once again attacked by dragons, Hiccup is determined to prove himself by killing the elusive Night Fury dragon. He manages to hit the dragon, but it flies away - and no-one else saw it. The next day he goes looking for the dragon, and finds it badly injured. When he can't bring himself to killing the dragon, he instead decides to help it, and the bond that forms between man and dragon is beautiful! Hiccup names the dragon 'Toothless' (due to its retracting teeth). Toothless steals the show in every scene!!
Hiccup has to keep Toothless a secret, and in the process he learns dragons are not as bad as they're made out to be. But his dad Stoick is determined to rid their village of dragons once and for all and searches for the dragon's nest.
The visuals are insanely good!!! Not since the first 'Avatar' have I seen visuals this good, and I won't be surprised if 'How to train your Dragon' is an Oscar contender for Best Visual Effects. I mean, it truly is astonishing how they managed to bring the animated fantasy to the big screen as a live action adaptation. It once again proves how far CGI developed, and that nothing is impossible anymore.
The casting is also really good. Mason Thames is fantastic as Hiccup, and I found it so appropriate for Gerard Butler to be cast as Stoick - the same character he voiced in the animated film. I also really enjoyed Nick Frost as Stoick's righthand man, Gobber.
If you're into fantasy adventures, this is a must watch film, and will appeal to young and old alike. It is a stunning film sure to win several awards. This is by far one of the best fantasy films this decade. (Even so, I still prefer the animated film. Animated films are just more endearing.)
Scientists developed technology that can miniaturize any item, including people, but it only lasts 60 minutes. Scientist Dr Benes found a way to make it last indefinitely, but he is left in a comatose state after an assassination attempt.
The only way to get to a clot is from inside the brain. Now, the scientists plan to reduce a submarine and its crew down in size and inject it into an artery. They will make their way to the brain, where they will attempt to remove the clot with a laser beam.
On board are head surgeon Dr Duval and his technical assistant Cora, specialist Dr Michaels, Bill Owens who is the designer of the experimental submarine, and communications expert Grant. The moment they enter Benes' bloodstream, though, they encounter various obstacles, and it appears someone might try to sabotage their mission.
This is an interesting concept and unlike anything anyone has ever seen prior to 'Fantastic Voyage'. Good visuals, clever photography and models bring this fantasy adventure to life, and make it believable. It is therefore no surprise that 'Fantastic Voyage' won the Oscar for Best Special Effects back in 1967.
The film has so much opportunity to create suspense, but I felt the film lacked in this department. If to be remade today, I'm sure it would be a nail-biter. (It was remade in 1987 as 'Innerspace', but it needs a modern remake with today's technology).
Although dated, 'Fantastic Voyage' is still well worth the watch and apart from the visuals, I also found the film very informative - almost educational.
The only way to get to a clot is from inside the brain. Now, the scientists plan to reduce a submarine and its crew down in size and inject it into an artery. They will make their way to the brain, where they will attempt to remove the clot with a laser beam.
On board are head surgeon Dr Duval and his technical assistant Cora, specialist Dr Michaels, Bill Owens who is the designer of the experimental submarine, and communications expert Grant. The moment they enter Benes' bloodstream, though, they encounter various obstacles, and it appears someone might try to sabotage their mission.
This is an interesting concept and unlike anything anyone has ever seen prior to 'Fantastic Voyage'. Good visuals, clever photography and models bring this fantasy adventure to life, and make it believable. It is therefore no surprise that 'Fantastic Voyage' won the Oscar for Best Special Effects back in 1967.
The film has so much opportunity to create suspense, but I felt the film lacked in this department. If to be remade today, I'm sure it would be a nail-biter. (It was remade in 1987 as 'Innerspace', but it needs a modern remake with today's technology).
Although dated, 'Fantastic Voyage' is still well worth the watch and apart from the visuals, I also found the film very informative - almost educational.
All 11-year old Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell) wants to do is dance. But back in 1984, when the movie is set, dancing boys were not well accepted. By chance - during a miner's strike - the ballet class practices at Billy's gym, where he is taking boxing lessons. Driven by his desire to dance, he joins in.
When Billy's dad, Jackie (Gary Lewis), finds out about Billy's dancing in the ballet class and bans him from dancing, Billy's teacher Mrs Wilkinson (Julie Walters) offers to give him private lessons, unbeknownst to Jackie. She believes he is good enough to audition for the Royal Ballet School. What follows is a good coming-of-age story, as well as great character development - especially Billy and Jackie. (I actually thought Jackie was adorable later in the film, and so well portrayed by Gary Lewis).
'Billy Elliot' is a wonderful example to follow one's dream, and not to judge a book by its cover, as the saying goes. This was a very good watch.
When Billy's dad, Jackie (Gary Lewis), finds out about Billy's dancing in the ballet class and bans him from dancing, Billy's teacher Mrs Wilkinson (Julie Walters) offers to give him private lessons, unbeknownst to Jackie. She believes he is good enough to audition for the Royal Ballet School. What follows is a good coming-of-age story, as well as great character development - especially Billy and Jackie. (I actually thought Jackie was adorable later in the film, and so well portrayed by Gary Lewis).
'Billy Elliot' is a wonderful example to follow one's dream, and not to judge a book by its cover, as the saying goes. This was a very good watch.