Films: 127 Hours (2010)

Dir: Danny Boyle

Cast: James Franco

Who doesn't love a movie based on the real life story of a triumph of the human spirit over adversity? Remember the Titans, Freedom Writers, Chariots of Fire. They're all great. Now, for me, 127 Hours joins that esteemed hall of fame.

Franco is joined by a handful of other actors throughout the film, though none gets more than a few moments of screen time. After all, the majority of the film is spent in one place - with Franco's character, Aron Ralston, wedged between boulders in a Utah canyon. Despite this, the film does not become boring or 'samey'. Under Boyle's direction, Franco is charismatic, likeable, and completely three dimensional. He goes through the full gamut of emotions from anger, to sadness, disbelief and deep regret.

Now, those who know about the story will of course know how Aron Ralston eventually freed himself and returned to civilization. It is not pretty, but it really happened, and Boyle pulls no punches. So, though graphic, it certainly conveys Ralston's desperation to survive and willingness to do so at any cost.

My rating: **** 4/5 stars

Recommendation: If you liked Tom Hanks in Cast Away, or Colin Farrell in Phone Booth then you'll love this!

For Aron Ralston's own story go to his blog here.

Films: The Eagle (2011)

Dir: Kevin McDonald
Cast: Channing Tatum, Jamie Bell, Donald Sutherland

It's a swords and sandals road movie. Of course!

In a nutshell, this film is about the treacherous journey which two young enemies undergo in order to regain lost honour. The men must cross Hadrian's Wall into the unknown and unforgiving northern territories of Britain in search of the lost golden eagle standard of Rome.

What I loved about this film was that it didn't try to be Gladiator, 300 or Ben Hur. Yes, there are some incredibly intense and 'epic' battle scenes. And yes, the guys all run around in skirts and sandals. But at it's core, this film is about the relationship between the two protagonists and it is wonderfully applicable and contemporary.

Tatum and Bell are two incredibly talented young actors and they hold your attention for the entire film. Their relationship is gripping, tense, uncertain and eventually very heartwarming. They both deliver incredible combat sequences as well as poignant emotional moments perfectly. And, lets face it, they both look great on screen too! Accompanied by some breathtaking landscapes, and a smattering of kooky characters speaking rustic languages, the film has a a great authenticity about it. McDonald made a conscious decision to limit the use of CGI and I think it really paid off.

My rating: **** 4/5 stars
Recommendation: A gripping and heart-felt movie about respect, honour and friendship, that takes itself a little too seriously at times, but just about gets away with it.

Films: Limitless (2011)

Dir. Neil Burger
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Abbie Cornish, Robert DeNiro, Anna Friel

We have all imagined what our lives could be if there was just one quick fix to sort out all of our problems. And that is exactly what Eddie Morra finds in a mysterious clear pill called NZT. The drug instantly activates the entire brain, spilling out facts, numbers, details and knowledge that would otherwise be lying dormant. It makes Eddie a very rich, very powerful man. However, he soon discovers that there is a very dark and deadly side to this life enhancing drug and finds himself on the run from some unsavoury (yet disappointingly stereotypical) underworld characters.

The film uses a lot of choppy, fast paced sequences, designed to mimic the effects of NZT on its addicts. However, this is often disorientating and prevents the story from flowing. Similarly, the first half of the film plays out very much like a typical action thriller, with a bit of flashy camerawork and photography thrown in. As Morra delves deeper into the world of addiction, however, the heart pumping action moments are replaced by some fairly gratuitous bloody fight scenes. Of course, we are being shown the seriousness of the situation, and the lengths to which NZT addiction will take its users, but it just didn't seem to fit the rest of the film. I didn't need to see a man being stabbed in the eye with a syringe!

Bradley Cooper (really the selling point of this movie for me) plays a likeable character, who you just wish manages to free himself of his addiction. DeNiro is intimidating as Morra's boss, but does not make such an impact in this film that you would rank it highly among his other cinematic achievements. And Morra's on-again-off-again girlfriend Lindy (Cornish) is flawlessly beautiful but rather incomplete as a character.

In short, the film is interesting and watchable to the end - which offers perhaps the most cunning and well put together scene in the movie. However, it is slightly clunky and self indulgent in its execution.

My rating: *** 3/5 stars
Recommendation: For a fast paced drug-based thriller, it does the job.

Films: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2 (2011)

Dir. David Yates
Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes....

It's the end of an era. I can say that because Harry Potter, whether through books or movies, has been a huge part of my life. It might sound silly, but there is so much good to be learned from those stories. Harry is a true hero. He's a real guy with struggles and a whole lot of issues, who ultimately realises that there is no greater love than to be willing to die for your friends, and even those you've never met.

So, slushy nostalgic and philosophical thoughts aside, lets review this as a film.

I think it's fair to say that the films have been getting better and better which each installment, and this one is quite simply brilliant. The actors, now young adults, have become so comfortable in their roles that the relationships, whether between friends or enemies, are entirely believable.

In brief (for those of you living in some kind of anti-potter bubble), Harry Potter and his two best friends Ron and Hermione return to Hogwarts in an attempt to find and destroy the remaining horcruxes (portions of Voldemorts soul) and ultimately kill Lord Voldemort. Not your average end of term shenanigans for British school kids. Holding the fort in his absence, Neville Longbottom and the rest of Dumbledore's Army have been taking a beating, and welcome Harry back with open arms. All hell breaks loose, however, as a huge and epic battle breaks out within Hogwarts, the outcome of which guarantees that either Voldemort or Harry will die.

It's pretty gripping stuff, from the rip-roaring break-in at Gringotts bank, to the stirring speech given by Neville (My hero! I told you he would have his moment! *swoon*). Yates uses silences really effectively in the film, as he does the special effects which create the stunning final battle. You can't help but be swept up by the struggle between good and evil. As huge spiders and giants storm the castle, and Hogwarts' suits of armour come to life, it seems the whole magical world is involved in the fight.

There is not a single line that is delivered half-heartedly, as though the cast realised that this would be their last chance to ever play these wonderfully deep and well-loved characters. I shed more than a few tears, particularly towards the end in a scene where Harry comes to terms with the number of deaths that have happened in his name. He hates being 'The Boy who Lived,' but he knows what he must do. Radcliffe's performance is excellent and a far cry from little 11 year-old Harry who was rescued from a cupboard under the stairs and thrust into the spotlight.

So, in short, thanks Harry. Thanks JK Rowling. It has been a wonderful wild ride.

My Rating: ***** 5/5 stars
Recommendation: Don't watch this movie until you have watched all the others. Better still, don't watch it until you have read all of the books. Brilliant.

Films: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)

I am getting pretty excited about the release of Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy in the UK on September 16th. And I'll tell you why...

Cast:
Gary Oldman
Mark Strong
Tom Hardy
Benedict Cumberbatch
Colin Firth
Ciaran Hinds
John Hurt

THAT'S why! Great big British acting brilliance! There is quite literally nothing wrong with that cast. And if you don't know who they are, shame on you. Google them all this instant!

Here's the trailer for you to enjoy...
TinkerTailerSoldierSpy (YouTube link)

Films: The Illusionist (2010)

The Illusionist (2010)
Dir: Sylvain Chomet
Cast: Jean-Claude Donda, Eilidh Rankin

The premise is simple. The old world of wonder and illusion is being cruelly overpowered by rock and roll, screaming girls and 'The Industry.' Old is good, new is bad.

The Illusionist is a dying breed and finds himself systematically rejected and chucked out of the grand concert halls of his hey-day and into grimy pubs and garden parties. With his grumpy rabbit, he trundles off to Scotland in search of work. Staying in a cosy pub in the highlands, he meets Alice, a little girl who truly believes in his magic. They set off on an adventure to the big city, where the illusionist is forced to beg and borrow in order to keep his little companion's dreams alive.

The film is simultaneously beautiful and tragic. The characters are over-exaggerated caricatures of reality, but somehow believable. However, it is the artwork in the animations which demands the greatest praise. The scenery is incredibly detailed - almost real in many scenes. The film is virtually silent, with very little dialogue and no soudtrack to speak of. But there is great power and storytelling in the movements, actions, colours and images that play out on screen.

My rating **** 4/5 stars
Recommendation: This is a genuinely engaging animation, but if you are not a fan of ciné or prefer your characters to garble Sorkin-esque dialogue, then this is probably not your bag.

Films: StarShip

Starship (Star Kid productions)

Dir: Matt Lang

Cast: Joey Richter, Lauren Lopez, Joe Walker, Joe Moses, Dylan Saunders, Meredith Stepien, Brant Cox, Brian Holden...

YouTube gets all the fun. A Very Potter Musical, A Very Potter Sequel and now, Starship.

The show is about a bug called Bug, who has higher aspirations than being a lowly egg-planter or doomed to serve as 'nutrition' for the Overqueen. Bug wants to be a StarShip Ranger, the coolest, most badass guys and girls surfing through space. But he isn't a human. And that's a problem. However, when a group of rangers end up in BugWorld, Bug finds that he has more in common with his StarShip heroes than he thinks.

It is fair to say that StarKid Productions have certainly kicked it up a notch for this show. That's a joke that you'll get when you watch it. The script, staging and music are all better. Not to mention the puppetry which blends perfectly into the action. The new StarKids are all worthy members of the team, particularly Meredith Stepien, who plays super-cyborg Mega Girl.

Massive props must be given to Joey Richter who has risen from his Ron Weasley days a better singer and actor (I know, impossible, right?!) and, my goodness me, even more hot! My absolute favourites in this show though are three StarKid old timers - Lauren Lopez (who is hilarious as a badass mexican), Joe Walker (he's got no balls, but he's got heart!), and Dylan Saunders (who plays both an insanely sweet simpleton, and a terrifyingly sexy evil super villain. And Saunders gets the shows best songs, with the exception of Bug's anthemic 'I wanna be a Starship Ranger!'

The songs and characters might not be instantly as memorable as those from the Potter musicals, but rest assured, Starship is going to reel in some massive hits on YouTube from its dedicated (and in some cases, oddly obsessive) fan base. Go be one of them!

My Rating: **** A few bum choices for singers (seriously, February?!) but over all, a StarKid marvel!

Recommendation: At 3.5hrs it's a commitment but hang in there for some vintage Joe Walker and Joey Richter in Act 2...

You can read about my slightly unhinged dedication to the starkid cause on my other blog, here.

Neville is the new RPatz!

So, it appears Neville Longbottom was a late bloomer. Matthew Lewis, you are a gorgeous northern man! Neville was always my hero throughout all of the books. Right from The Philosopher's Stone when he is awarded house points for courage. And, not wanting to give anything away for those of you who haven't read the books, but Deathly Hallows is Neville's big moment. Eeeek. I am more excited than a kid in a sweet shop!

Step aside Potter, Weasley and you, miss Granger - Longbottom is in the building!

King Colin reigns!

Well, what a fantastic night for British cinema. I am over the moon to see Colin Firth walk away with Best Actor, and The King's Speech to have won 3 other awards. Very very well deserved. Damn good bloody good job!

For those of you living in some kind of bubble, here's how it went down at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards:

Best picture - The King's Speech
Best actor - Colin Firth, The King's Speech
Best actress - Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best supporting actor - Christian Bale, The Fighter
Best supporting actress - Melissa Leo, The Fighter
Best director - Tom Hooper, The King's Speech
Best Original Screenplay - David Seidler, The King's Speech
Best Adapted Screenplay - Aaron Sorkin, The Social Network

Well those are the biggies (as it were) although I should mention Inception which walked away with 4 awards, and The Social Network which picked up two others. Toy Story 3 (which I found a little disappointing) won Best Animation. I suppose there wasn't any real competition, but I would have literally jumped for joy if How to Train Your Dragon could have pipped Pixar!

I was a little surprised not to see the Coen's True Grit there. Maybe they didn't understand Jeff Bridges either!

All of that aside, the most important thing is that it would seem that Britain, the Monarchy and speech impediments are still cool. Kate and Wills: The Movie, anyone?...

http://www.oscar.com/

Oscars night!!

Drumroll please...
The winner is...

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7

Films: True Grit (2010)

Dir: Joel and Ethan Coen

Cast: Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, Hailee Steinfeld

I found it really hard to even understand a word that Jeff Bridges' character 'Rooster' Cogburn was saying for a good portion of this movie. But the lines I did get were utter genius! All three of the lead characters in the film are portrayed superbly, and major props must be given to little Hailee Steinfeld who is already a superstar, and a complete bad-ass.

The film is shot with the sepia glaze of a Coen brother's romp through the Wild West, and scattered with some completely off the wall, animal impersonating characters. They saved big bucks on soundtrack - featuring delicate little piano renditions of 3 old church hymns throughout - but some incredible production design, and sweeping location shots provide their own beauty to this dark and rugged film.

My rating: **** 4/5 stars

Recommendation: A good old cowboy ride in the mountains. Bridges is excellent. Inintelligible but excellent.

Films: The Social Network (2010)

Dir: David Fincher
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake


I grew up in the Facebook age. I used Facebook right through university and still, four years later, religiously check 'My page' daily. When Mark Zuckerberg invented Facebook (and let's, for arguments sake, say he did), he discovered Atlantis.

I feel like I use the phrase 'pleasantly surprised' too much. It certainly applies to my reaction to this movie. Eisenberg's Zuckerberg is neurotic, arrogant, hilarious, mond-bogglingly intelligent and speaks at an unbelievable rate. British star-on-the-rise, Andrew Garfield, plays his much maligned best friend and colleague, with a gutsy and likeable performance. And, Justin Timberlake? Yeah. Pleasantly surprised. Add the fast paced dialogue (Aaron Sorkin at the helm) and masterful direction, and you have a serious Oscar contender.


My rating: ***** 5/5 stars
Recommendation: Don't sneer at 'the Facebook film.' It's a brilliant film about a once-in-a-generation life-altering invention.

**Later note: That one took me 3 minutes. Is that allowed? **

Redeem the Time...

I've been challenged by a friend who thinks that I am too verbose and use too many commas in my blog posts. They reckon it should take 60 seconds to review a film, book or CD. 60 seconds cuts out the crap, waffle, and jargon. 60 seconds gives a clear idea of the pros and cons. 60 seconds is long enough to make up your mind about something. If I can't convince you of a film's brilliance, a band's ineptitude or a writer's genius in 60 seconds, it's not worth your while to read it.

So, the gauntlet is thrown.

Stopwatch at the ready...

OSCAR SEASON: Films: The King's Speech (2010)

Dir: Tom Hooper
Cast: Colin Firth, Helena Bonham Carter, Geoffrey Rush

Dang it. I could discuss this film for a whole day, never mind 60 seconds. Still...

There is a very good reason why almost every single person involved in the making of this movie is up for an Oscar this year. It is quite simply an exquisite piece of cinema. From the script, to the music, to the beautiful acting performances and the evocative score, this is a wonderful film.

Following King George 'Bertie' VI whirlwind journey to the throne, the films gives us the story of his struggle to overcome a speech impediment at the time of wireless and World War 2. The country needed a King who could speak with strength, conviction and eloquence. Through the surprisingly funny, tender and normal relationship which Bertie struck up with his charistmatic Antipodean speech therapist, Lionel Logue (Rush), this is just what the country got.

My Rating: ***** 5/5 stars. This will win big at the Oscars. Or I'll eat my stopwatch.
Recommendation: Incredibly moving, witty and sensitive. Even Queen Elizabeth II is rumored to have enjoyed it. We are most definitely amused.

It's Oscars Week!

That's right, the countdown has officially begun. The Oscars are in 6 short days and I would not like to be a nominee up against Colin Firth or Natalie Portman right now.

You can get a full list of the nominees in every category over at The Official Oscars Webpage.

Now, I'm not normally the gambling sort but if I was, here's where my money would lie:

Best actor - Colin Firth, The Kings Speech
Best actress - Natalie Portman, Black Swan
Best film - Inception
Best Supporting actor - Geoffrey Rush, The King's Speech

Pretty standard, all. I'd like to see The Social Network get some recognition because it really is an excellent movie, but not enough to defeat King Colin and company! Sorry.

Coming up this week:
Movie reviews - The Social Network (saw it ages ago but forgot to blog), The King's Speech, True Grit
Music Reviews - Gungor, The Shelter (Jars of Clay)
Book reviews - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Alchemaster's Apprentice, Billionaire Boy.

What? It's half term, of course I'll have time for all of these! Well, okay, I'll see how it goes.
Be back soon!

TV: Oliver Twist (2007)

Dir: Goky Giedroyc

Cast: William Miller, Edward Fox, Adam Arnold, Timothy Spall, Tom Hardy, Sophie Okonedo, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Morven Christie, Anna Massey

Surely it's obvious why I decided to rent and watch this TV series in hindsight this last weekend? No? Okay, we'll continue.

First, let me explain that, while I love Dickens, I am not an avid lover of Oliver Twist. I came to this series having read the book, seen the musical and watched half (I'm so ashamed!) of the version directed by Roman Polanski. I don't feel any ownership over the characters, and I am always up for a fresh adaptation of old material.

All this being said, I loved this Oliver Twist remake. It received mixed reviews from die hard Oliver aficionados, claiming that it goes too far in 'modernising' the story. As far as I can see, it is a refreshing, pacy, chilling and expertly cast adaptation.

Miller, an unknown teenager, portrays the protagonist with both a quiet innocence and gutsy character. He is an Oliver who isn't afraid to look Bill Sikes in the eyes and tell him he's not afraid. Go Oliver! Another surprising shock is the Eastern European sounding Fagin that Timothy Spall brings to the table. Gone is the wiry londoner rubbing his hands together, and we have instead the rotund, Jewish entrepeneur who is as charming as he is terrifying.

A real gust of fresh air comes in the form of Bill Sikes (Tom Hardy...*blushes*) and Nancy (Sophie Okonedo). The quintessential dysfunctional couple, the moments they share on screen are bursting with tension. At last, we have a Nancy who makes us understand why she stays with Bill, and a Bill worth sticking around for. As Sikes, Hardy is perfectly menacing and volatile*, balanced beautifully by Nancy's humanity and dependence on him.

Borrowing from the success of their adaptation of Dicken's Bleak House, Oliver Twist makes excellent use of pacey camera work, combined with long, wide shots taking in the grime of London's Dickensian underworld. The attention to detail in the costuming and locations is also very impressive for a 5-part tv series. All in all, I was very impressed. It's sleek, quick and very very watchable. Oliver Twist delivers everything I have come to expect from a BBC adaptation. They are not afraid to take on a well loved story, toss all of the characters, their motivations and the mood of the original story into a mixer, blend them on the highest setting possible, and pour out a spiced-up cocktail.

My rating: **** 4/5 stars

Recommendation: It's not a musical! Enjoy the dark updating of a classic. It comes with a 12 certificate because it doesn't really pull any punches. Quite literally.

* It's worth mentioning that, to me, Hardy would act anything 'perfectly' if you asked him to. Genius.

Films: The Soloist (2009)

Dir: Joe Wright

Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Jamie Foxx, Catherine Keener

Apparently I have recently acquired a penchant for true stories of a gritty nature. The Soloist is just one such tale.

Nathaniel Ayers was a very gifted Julliard-trained cellist who wound up on the street after he dropped out of college at the first signs of mental instability. He embraced the acoustic qualities of busy tunnels and urban spaces and learned to play a two stringed violin. He carted around all of his possessions in a rusty shopping trolley. Then one day, Steve Lopez, uninspired columnist for the LA times, happened across the musical prodigy and found that he suddenly had someone to write about.

The two formed an unlikely bond, overcoming all that separated them from each other and the rest of society around them. Lopez's column became a book, which has now become a film. A beautiful, inspiring, moving film.

Foxx is excellent as the mentally ill Ayers. It's hard to 'do crazy' well, but he manages. His gabbling verbal diarrhoea is endearing, and, a classically trained musician himself, he shows a genuine connection to the music he plays. From moments of calm to emotional peaks, Foxx manages the task well. Excellently.

Downey Jr is, as ever, charming and fixating as the unmotivated and disengaged journalist. At first, you feel that his friendship with Ayers in entirely selfishly motivated (and it may well have been in reality) but, by the end, the relationship has brought as much to his life as Ayers'.

Wright brings a raw energy and grit to the film which was shot largely on location on Skid Row. Somehow, Wright has found a way to make even this grimy setting appear wonderfully vibrant. The crazy characters that colour the street scenes are probably still there even now, singing, dancing, chatting, smoking, fighting, yawning and curling up under sheets of card. The supporting cast (those that are actually actors) are well cast, never encroaching too much on the main focus of the two men. It's a great story, because it does not have a happy ending. The American dream fails some people. Often the most gifted and worthy recipients are the ones who fall short.

My rating: **** 4/5 stars

Recommendation: Be wowed by Foxx and Downey Jr. Be inspired by Lopez and Ayers.

Film4 - LeoDiCappu,coming right up!

Is anyone else enjoying the Film4 Leonardo DiCaprio-fest at the moment?! He is a brilliant actor, and we all just knew it way back when he arrived with his heart-string-tugging performance in What's Eating Gilbert Grape?

Needless to say, I am more than a little excited about the newly released Chris Nolan mind-bender Inception. Leo looks set to stun again in the 3D masterpiece. Tickets booked. I'm there.

Films watched so far this week:

The Beach

Titanic

Romeo and Juliet

Gangs of New York

I wonder what's on tomorrow...

Inception special (interviews with Leo and Nolan)

Memento - Chris Nolan at his most irritatingly self-indulgent.

Well, it's a damn good job I'm going to see Inception tomorrow then!

Films:TV:Stuart A LIfe Backwards

Stuart: A Life Backwards (2007) BBCTV

Cast: Tom Hardy, Benedict Cumberbatch

I am bowled over by Tom Hardy. Okay, so I have an entirely unparallelled crush on him, but every time I watch him on screen, I am completely convinced that he is one of Britain's greatest living actors.

When Stuart first aired on the BBC, I was a third year English student at Southampton, no TV, no concept of life in the real world. I missed it and I'm sorry. Today, 3 years later, I am soon to be a third year teacher, expensive TV subscription and all too much understanding of events in the real world. This is why Stuart has astounded, shocked, disturbed and moved me. This film has caused me to laugh, look away in horror and weep...and weep. And I can confidently say that it is largely due to the warmth and tenderness with which Hardy portrays Stuart Shorter, an alcoholic, heroin addict and violent offender.

The film - based on real events recorded in the book by Alexander Masters - follows the unlikely friendship of Cambridge boy, Alexander Masters and the homeless and virtually incomprehensible Stuart Shorter. United by Shorter's unique view of 'the system' in the light of the arrest of two homeless shelter workers, the two men go on the campaign trail and much more besides. They drink countless bottles of wine ("It all smells like sick") and cans of beer between them, and Stuart spews out endless, surprisingly philosophical observations about the cruelty and beauty of life.

Hardy is inexplicably attractive as his bumbling, shaky, violent and unpredicatble character. At one moment, he is screaming in anger at 'the man' and the next marvelling in the wonder of nature. He gives all of himself. It is refreshing. Cumberbatch, too, is first rate as the gawky Cambridge boy, suddenly forced to wake up and face head-on the demons that Stuart suffers with. He decides to write a story about his friend. Stuart insists it is not boring. "Why don't you write it backwards like one of those Tom Clancy novels, they're good. Give those nine-to-fives something to think about." And that is exactly what they will get. I cried for Stuart because he was a kind, thoughtful, giving person shut inside a mind driven mad by abuse, alcohol and pain.

I can't review the cinematography or soundtrack for this film (although the Badly Drawn Boy song at the end inuced a second torrent of tears!) because they were both outshone by the acting performances. All I will say is that this film will upset you and shake you through to the core. You know when you are so confused and disturbed that your chest aches and your mind boggles? That is what you will get. No, it is not an easy film to view. No, you will not frown and weep the whole way through. If I could have on loop a recording of the many ways Hardy's Stuart slurs the name 'Alexander' throughout the film, I would play it 24 hours a day. Shorter was fortunate to find a friend in Masters, and a friend who would write his story. There are so many others like him who will live this way, and eventually die and never experience love, friendship or forgiveness. And that's what makes me sad.

My rating ***** 5/5 stars

Recommendation: It is violent and tragic. If you don't like gritty or shocking then don't watch. But you will be missing out on an amazing performance from two fantastic British actors.

Films: Twilight Saga Eclipse (2010)

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)
Dir: David Slade
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart, Taylor Lautner + a billion other people!

FINALLY! A Twilight film that is worth the hype.
In the third film in this massively popular series, David Slade has managed to blend the intense teen drama and the dark, supernatural conflict of the previous two films to produce an exciting, gripping, heart-breaking story. I could not be happier.

So, having experienced 'First Night Hysteria' for the New Moon release, I felt it was only right that I did the same for this film. Yes, the t-shirts, screaming girls and special edition popcorn-pepsi-keychain combos were all present - a place for which the term 'The Twilight Zone' may actually have been invented. Still, as the lights went down and the screen expanded, a few excited giggles and whoops quickly died down as the film suddenly dived straight in with the merciless creation of newborn vampire, Riley.

The film moves seamlessly from vampire-werewolf battle action to the smouldering love triangle scenes with Bella, Edward and Jacob. All three main characters have grown into their roles so much that you can finally look past the strange contacts, white face paint, awkard stuttering and propensity to go shirtless and actually feel empathy and affection for them. I want to make a particular mention of Robert Pattinson who I felt really faded in the previous film. It could have been the fact that he was in almost every scene of Eclipse but he was also breathtaking in his beauty and delivered a great performance. And here's something new - he actually smiles and jokes in this film! All this being said, Taylor Lautner's Jacob brings great warmth and humour to the screen - something that was merey glimpsed in the second movie.

The cast does not stop there, however. My dream realised, we get to spend a lot more time with the warm and boisterous wolf pack, and equally are allowed to delve further into the back stories of Jasper and Rosalie Cullen. In fact, this is a film of flashbacks, bringing greater depth to Bella's supernatural world of folklore, treaties and immortality.

The breathtaking mountains and rivers of Washington and Oregon once again provide a stunning backdrop to the action, with sweeping views of Seattle's city lights bringing an urban edge to the film. And, oh, the special effects are simply fantastic. One scene in particular which I longed to be 'done right' in its transition from page to screen is when Jasper trains the Cullens and werewolves to fight the newborn vampires. The CGI effects capture the speed, agility, power and ferocity of these creatures perfectly. I actually smiled for the duration of the short scene. Grinned like an idiot. If I could have punched the air without fear of being battered with empty popcorn tubs, I would have!

In short, this is the best film of the Saga so far. It gets everything right. My favourite book in the series has become my favourite film in the series. Isn't it nice when things just work?

My rating: ***** 5 stars

Recommendation: You will love this film more than the others. In fact, don't even bother to watch the other two first. Your 'Team____' status will be challenged more than ever before so be warned.