Gods of Egypt

Gods of Egypt is a film about a god who is overpowered by his evil uncle before he could take over the thrown.

With digital animation, we can do almost every special effect possible.  The main challenge is to combine it seamlessly with live characters ang objects.  The film might be overrated in this aspect.  Moreover, the story plot is highly predictable; thus making it more believable to children rather than the discerning movie goers.

Yet, given the pagan symbols and representations of gods, the film can still give compelling messages on the afterlife and conduct of life in this world which resonate with Christian values.  Given this factor, Gods of Egypt can be a truly worthy film worth watching.

Rating: 3.5/5

Harry Potter and the deathly hallows: part 1

Ever planning to watch or have you watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 1?  It's really getting nastier as Voldemort is now more aggressive than ever to kill Harry Potter while Harry, Ron, and Hermione decide to finish Dumbledore's work and find the rest of the Horcruxes to defeat the Dark Lord.

Still consistent with the books earlier published for children, Harry Potter is leaving any vestige of a child's world in order to become an adult who is totally exposed to the evils of the world.  Left orphaned and alone by his parents, his 2 friends are his sources of strength.  Also at this point in time, people around have metamorphosed into good and evil.

With all the children in the world growing up together with Harry Potter who was left by his parents and vulnerably subjected to the "cruel" world, could this also have an impact on the way the children are being formed outside their families?  Remembering the words of the father who adopted Harry but left him saying, "It is not safe around here," this may imply that the next generation of Harry Potters may give little emphasis to the last bastion of human existence which is the family.  May this film serve as a challenge to parents to upgrade the way they bring up their children, because the real strength of a child lies in the strength of character of his/her parents.

Rating:  3/5

Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

Prince of Persia is a story of a street boy - turned prince who discovers the power of the magic dagger and protects it from getting into the wrong hands.

While it may be true other actors would play Dastan's role better than Jake Gyllenhaal, Prince of Persia still merits joining the high-budgeted computer-animated action-adventure films.  The script is also compelling; there is sense in joining the characters' quest to protect the dagger at all costs.

In real life, we may never turn back the hands of time; that is why prudence and the wisdom of the ages count a lot in making wise decisions.   We may also use the present to undo the harmful things we've done in the past and the future to instill a ray of hope the we can do something to change this world for good.

Rating: 4/5

Shrek Forever After

Shrek Forever After is a film about an ogre who wants his life without his back.

The challenge to sequels is to put in something new without sacrificing the formula of success of the past.  Shrek is subject to the extremist criticisms and watchful eyes.  For this writer, the plus factors are its script, storyline, and more detailed animation, rendering it 3D.  Facial expressions are more pronounced; thus giving it that realistic feel among the audience.

If given the chance to go back to the past, would you have gone through the whole process of relationship?  The answer is a great "Yes!"  The only problem is that love is not automatic; you have to go through the rigors of falling in love again, asking and receiving it from the one you love.  This is the core of Shrek's story.  There are no regrets about it, "I would fall in love with you all over again."

Rating: 4/5

KIck-Ass

Kick-Ass is a story about a boy who wants to be a superhero but ends up in a super-messy situation.

An apocalyptic film that focuses on destruction of the present paradigm, its language eventually demythologizes the sensationalized, dazzling world of superheroes.  Actually, this film has something it needs to deliver its message in a very compelling way.

Although Kick-Ass is an eye-opener to people who are so enamored with the fictionalized world of superheroes, it may also have created its own destructive world - where children are abused and exposed to violence, where brutality has its place in the world, and where human dignity is relegated to zero level.  True, anything is possible nowadays, but not at the expense of human dignity.  This film is not EVER recommended for the youth; nor it is for people who simply seek to be entertained.  It contains a huge degree of violence, physical, psychological, and moral.

Rating: 1.5/5

Robin Hood (2010)

Robin Hood is a film about an outlaw and how he came to be one.

The script was well-written; the special effects were seamless; the whole story was engaging. The challenge is to bring out a legend to visual imagery. Now it is not important whether a story is fact or fiction; more important is the meaning they give to the audience watching the film and the social identity it tries to create.

Robin Hood is not just about a legendary figure robbing the rich to give to the poor. It is a story about gallantry, integrity, honesty, and nobility. The only conflict is still the age-old question of justifying thievery because of corruption, injustice, or social imbalance. Only a discerning audience would be able to judge whether in the gamut of human realities, a moral action is justified. In the case of Robin Hood, it may seem so.

Rating: 3/5