Movie Reviews XVI

Transformers (2007)
B
Well the Transformers made it to the live
action screen. Unfortunately Michael Bay is
behind the camera. Overall it's a fun entertaining
ride. The film looks slick, cool, and the effects/
action is amazing. However, that's about all you
can say. This film could've been a complete failure
quite easily and it almost feels like watching a
young driver. They do something wrong here or
there and make you gasp...but you manage to
survive the trip.


Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009)
B-
Yep. It's worse, and even if my judgemen is off,
its only about as good as the first. More entertaining?
Most certainly, but Michael Bay learned nothing. He
suddenly has a bizarre obsession with humping and
testicle humor. Also he has attempted to appease fans
by adding the seekers (the idea), the 13, the fallen, the
matrix, space bridges, energon etc.. into the story.
What happens when these are brought together?
A convoluted storyline that could have been much better.
Skidz and Mudflap and Wheelie are not as annoying
as they could have been. Soundwave's inclusion is
interesting, but a waste of a cool character. Starscream
and Megs' interaction with one another is one of
the better parts of the movie. It's worh seeing for
the sheer spectacle, but Michael Bay really needs to
learn something from his mistakes.


Kaijuto no kessen: Gojira no musuko (1967)
C-
Son of Godzilla. What a goofy movie. However,
I have to say I enjoy it a great deal. More so as
I grow older. My biggest problems come from
the look of Minya and Godzilla. The suit looks
horrible, but the cast of characters are fun and
enjoyable. Something that Fukuda seems to
focus more on in his films is keeping things fun,
bright, and lighthearted. You can keep it or leave
it, but it's worth checking out if you want to know
about Big G's first kid.


Daikaiju Soshingeki (1968)
C+
Released in the U.S. as Destroy All Monsters the
film was meant to have been the official end for the
Godzilla series. It obviously wasn't.This movie, for all
its flaws is worth watching. It has tons of monsters,
and all of it adds up to a ton of fun. Akira Kubo stars
as our young hero, an actor I find doesn't get enough
mention within the genre.


Gojira-Minira-Gabara: Oru kaiju daishingeki (1969)
C-
I used to hate this film a whole lot more than I
do now. I guess I grew up and saw the story
as more than just a disappointment. No, this is
not your typical Godzilla film, no aliens, not a bunch
of city destroying. It's the story of a kid in 1960's
Japan dealing with life the best way he can in the
absense of parental guidance. He does so with his
imagination and love of Kaiju. It's really a neat film
that deserves seeing if you haven't done so in a while.