"Lockout" review by Chris

There was once a time when the simplest plots could sell tickets, as long as the film had quality craftsmanship and was filled with action. "Lockout" harkens back to ‘80s action films with its plot, script and tough rogue hero. Snow (Guy Pearce) is a wise cracking government agent falsely accused of murder. He can clear his name only if he saves the president's daughter from prison… IN SPACE!! With that brilliantly cheesy plot in place it's up to the acting and direction to set this film apart.

Guy Pearce presents Snow with abundant charisma. His first few lines establish him as a tough yet light hearted lead who, regardless of the dangers he's facing, rarely stops making jokes. Maggie Grace, who plays the president’s daughter Emilie, starts the complete opposite. She is overly serious and runs, kicking and screaming from danger. Through her interactions with Snow, she transforms into a more entertaining and likeable character. Their scenes are easily the best parts of the film, even with all guns blazing.

Lennie James as Secret Service agent Shaw and Vincent Regan as the leader of the prisoners both give notable performances, but the gem of the side characters is Hydell (Joeseph Gilgun). Like the story, he's a villain ripped straight from the past. He's the kind of psychopath that feels like he'd blow up the world to kill a single man. He's easily hated, which is a solid counterbalance to Snow's lovable personality.

Directors James Mather and Stephen St. Leger revel in an old school feel, and cheesy plot. The action is at its best when it embraces absurdity to the extreme. Unrealistic moments, like when a prisoner’s head explodes, show enough to be understood but the film also avoids disturbing the audience. Sadly, the bizarre nature of the movie isn't always embraced. Many of the gunfights are generic, and most scenes take place in grey hallways or dark storage rooms. The film would have benefited from better use of the more open areas and a more spacious atmosphere (no pun intended… wait, yes it was).

"Lockout" isn't the kind of film that tries to be what it isn't. It's highly self-aware and playful with an intentionally generic plot and nonsensical moments. The creators had fun with it, and so will you.

3 "Space Jails" out of 5

Written by Chris
Edited by Aaron

"American Reunion" Review by Chris

Jim, Oz, Kevin, Finch and Stifler are back on the silver screen after a 13-year absence, but have they been gone too long for a sequel? The short answer is yes. After 13 years, a little maturity from adult characters is expected, but it seems like time stood still for these guys. There are plenty of cookie cutter back-stories for what each character has been doing, but their individual details form only sub plots, while "getting laid" is still the focus of the "story."

But none of that stops this from being a hilarious and raunchy film. Being a "reunion" movie, some humor references the original film, but the majority is new, while still capturing the same awkward, fan-pleasing, “American Pie” humor. The characters also hold to their classic shtick: Stifler remains an ass, Finch is mysterious, and the moments between Jim and his father (Eugene Levy) continue to steal the show. Like seeing old friends, it feels comfortable and easy to fit back into their lives.

That comfort isn't necessarily a good thing though. Despite all the new jokes, it begins to feel like we've seen this all before. The humor and story follow the same patterns of previous films, and the characters all act like desperate high school students. Things like marriage, children and careers have barely affected them. It seems like the story is picking up where it left off 13 years ago.

"American Reunion" is a hilarious film that keeps the laughs rolling. The humor is still funny today, but unlike the characters, the film’s target audience has matured and moved on with their lives. Like a real high school reunion, you'll have fun seeing everyone again and when it's over, you'll go back to your life, forget about them, and say to yourself, “thank god I got that over with.”

2.5 "Flutes" out of 5

Written by Chris
Edited by Aaron

"Wrath of the Titans" review by Chris

With the gods losing their powers, Zeus (Liam Neeson) asks his son Perseus (Sam Worthington) to save humanity from Kronos, in Jonathan Liebesman’s "Wrath of the Titans." Joining him are Queen Andromeda (Rosamund Pike) and Agenor (Toby Kebbell). Keeping the Titans from rising again and a minor story about Perseus protecting his son are all this movie has going for it plot-wise, and you’d hope the action would make up for it. You’d be disappointed.

Despite Zeus stating on multiple occasions that Perseus's human half is the most important, Worthington does a spectacular job portraying Perseus as a vacuous doornail. While Agenor exudes personality and humor, his jokes literally fade away before the punch lines are delivered. The movie also finds excuses to whisk him away, leaving Perseus alone with the other blank character slates.

Aside from a lack of development, the plot is missing several pieces throughout. Perseus meets several characters who he’s met but weren’t in the first film. While the film gives you enough information to understand the story, it assumes familiarity with Greek mythology and leaves out points that explain character motivations.

It’s fortunate the action helps drag along the film’s weaker points, or it would go entirely unredeemed. Perseus is a force to be reckoned with, and the monsters are fitting and well crafted. The film suffers from overused action clichés and overly abundant desert environments, but that doesn't keep it from being exciting.

But the sound design doesn’t add anything to the film either. Whether it's a battle or a conversation, the music is always intense. Rocks can be heard crumbling even when none can be seen. The film lacks the ups and downs necessary for drama. The constant audible tension becomes monotonous, and makes action scenes unremarkable amid a constant haze of action music.

"Wrath of the Titans" suffers from the same mistakes the first movie did: its spectacular visuals and intense action are dragged down by flat performances and an empty plot. I guess you can enjoy it as a mindless action flick, but even that’s a stretch.

1.5 "Fallen Gods" out of 5

Written by Chris
Edited by Aaron