Action

Unlocked (2017)

Published

6 years ago

August 31, 2017

Peter Pluymers

Summary

A CIA interrogator is lured into a ruse that puts London at risk of a biological attack.

Genre : Action/Mystery
Country : USA/UK/Czech Republic/Switzerland

Cast :
Noomi Rapace : Alice Racine
Orlando Bloom : Jack Alcott
Michael Douglas : Eric Lasch

Director :
Michael Apted

My opinion on “Unlocked”

“Send a car for my wife and flowers.
And by flowers, I mean whatever it takes to keep me off the couch tonight.”

Take any “Jason Bourne” episode, mix it with lets say a “Mission Impossible” or recently “Stratton” and add a little bit of humor. As a result you’ll get something similar as “Unlocked“. So, it isn’t exactly original. It’s entertaining, but it’s also an inextricable tangle of intrigues. At one point you’re wondering who can be trusted and who can’t be. The film fits in perfectly with today’s news. Every few months there’s a terrorist attack by some extremist organization in Europe. I just hope this film won’t cause some crack-brained organizations to get bad ideas.

I’d be a dumb CIA agent!

Maybe it’s me, but at times I didn’t have a clue what the people concerned were talking about. Apparently, your level of intelligence should be very high to be able to function in the world of intelligence services as a secret agent. Sometimes conclusions are drawn and decisions are made at such a scary rate. The fight against terrorism is a difficult task for a reason. Is it possible that the vast majority of employees can’t even follow the reasoning of their superior?

Chemical attack.

Noomi Rapace, who impressed me more in “Child 44” than in “Prometheus“, is playing the experienced agent Alice Racine, who has a conscience problem after a terrorist attack in Paris. Due to an enormous guilt-feeling she leaves her job at MI5. And now she works for a social service which she uses as a cover to signal suspicious developments to MI5. Until she’s summoned one day to question a terrorist suspect to get information about a planned attack. But soon, she realizes she got caught up in a hornet’s nest where nobody can be trusted and with an impossible task waiting for her. On the one hand, she has to make sure she stays out of the hands of another organization with an entirely different agenda. And on the other hand, it’s a race against the clock to make sure London won’t suffer a chemical attack. Yes, it isn’t boring for Alice.

I lost count when it’s about plot turns.

The story on its own is actually a mess and sometimes quite difficult to follow. If you are a spy-thriller enthusiast and you have already seen a lot of movies from this genre, you won’t find novelties that’ll overwhelm you. The whole movie is a series of chases, short-lived but energetic action scenes and high-tech espionage behind the scenes. But, above all, the huge amount of plot turns will make it rather laughable than surprising. I would not even have been surprised if at the end the imam was an accomplice of some kind of candid camera program who announces that it was all just a joke. That’s the level I’m talking about.

Just another mediocre spy-thriller.

What else is there to admire? The performances of acclaimed famous film stars? The Swedish Noomi Rapace is perfect for this part as the female Jason Bourne. An intelligent, cold-blooded person who knows how to handle herself in this hard-core spy world. They were even able to convince Michael Douglas to play a small but not so insignificant role. The least impressive role was given to Orlando Bloom, who tries to bring some humor into the film with his heavy English accent and attitude. However, it is John Malkovich who steals the show as CIA chief Bob Hunter. His facial expression, that seemingly nonchalant smile and a moment of uncontrolled behavior during a video conference. A clear proof that one needs to be a bit insane to work for the intelligence service. But despite the excellent acting and the stars who appear on the screen, this movie can’t avoid to get the label “mediocrity”. It’s just another spy thriller which is momentary entertaining but eventually will be forgotten.

My rating 5/10
Links : IMDB

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Action

Five Reasons To Love ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’

Published

2 months ago

January 22, 2023

Richard Schertzer

Back in 2014, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opened into theaters with a mixed reception from critics and audiences and has been deemed as the least desirable of the Spidey movies. In the film, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) must face off against another villain who has been given the name Electro. Moreover, our brave hero uncovers some bizarre mysteries surrounding his parents.

Many fans of the series view the film as an overcrowded mess, but I think it might be the most entertaining of all the Spidey films, until No Way Home arrived, and here are five reasons why that remains true.

Andrew Garfield

First and foremost, Garfield is always a delight to have in the Spidey outfit. His charisma and witty banter is almost what makes the film truly great. I have always said that he was the best Spider-Man and this movie proves it with his ability to elevate any scene from dull slog to a comedic venture.

Spidey, in this particular movie, embodies the hero in the original comics with his incessant need to make a fast-talking quip to one of his enemies. There is nothing better than a comic-book character sticking true to his essence and spirit of its source material.

Electro

Despite what many people say about the villains, Jamie Foxx as the supercharged baddie Electro proves to be a formidable opponent for the web-head, with his omnipotent powers and overly-powered nature. More than that, Max Dillon is depicted as a quiet, shy loner who is invisible to other people. He is essentially a nobody, until he falls into a vat of electrically-charged eels and becomes the sinister villain Electro.

To better understand a villain, you must understand their plight and Electro’s plight is that of a rags-to-riches success story and the visual effects are certainly something to marvel at.

Action Sequences

This article wouldn’t be complete if I decided not to talk about the exhilarating action that embodied the film. Whether we see Spidey chasing down a truck with Oscorp’s product or a massive fight inside a grid that seems like a colossal feat for any Marvel film, the film can take a lot of pride in its action sequences.

One can also never forget the massive and iconic battle sequence between Electro and Spidey in Time Square that seems impossible to be made.

Green Goblin

While he remains a secondary villain, Dane Dehaan’s Green Goblin is still noteworthy. Dehaan portrays Harry Osborne who is left with his dead father Norman’s life work and stumbles upon a Goblin serum that enhances his speed, strength, and intelligence.

His little spat with Spider-Man is certainly befitting for the dark, moody tone of the film and entertaining for plenty of comic fans with zippy action and certified intensity. In the end, he is also responsible for the death of Spidey’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy.

Gwen Stacy Death

Speaking of Gwen Stacy, this is the only Spidey film that features his love interest dying. As he battles the Green Goblin, Spidey attempts to hold on to Stacy, literally, by a thread in the clocktower. However, when the thread snaps, Spidey is able to snag her in mid-air but the whiplash of the fall snaps her neck, killing her.

What might be the saddest moment in any Spider-Man film, was brought to life in this extraordinary scene that silenced an entire generation of Spider-Man fans.

FILM RATING

Action

Anthony Hopkins to Lead Peacock Gladiator Drama ‘Those About to Die’

Published

2 months ago

January 19, 2023

Darian Scalamoni

Peacock is one of the streamers that has yet to break through in terms of their original content getting recognized for awards contention. One such series that might change that fate for the streaming service is Those About to Die and it’s starting to build out its cast. According to Variety, 2-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Father) is the first to join the drama series which comes from Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow). Saving Private Ryan screenwriter Robert Rodat will script the series.

Hopkins will play the character known as Emperor Vespasian in the series which is set in the world of gladiatorial battle. It will be an ensemble drama following many different Roman characters that will set forth for violent affairs in the arena among other complexities such as political power and corruption so expect a starry cast for this Peacock drama. Hopkins’ character is described as “despised by the Patricians jockeying for position in the Empire and looking to supplant his heirs to the throne the first chance they get. Vespasian became the Roman emperor after a ten-year civil war. We expect to get more casting news soon as the show will begin filming in Rome in March.

Anthony Hopkins is coming off a terrific performance in James Gray’s Armageddon Time in 2022 after winning his second Academy Award for his role in The Father the year prior. He’ll next voice a character in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon for Netflix and also will star in British drama One Life alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Jonathan Pryce. Emmerich is coming off directing the sci-fi disaster film, Moonfall in 2022.

FILM RATING

Action

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Adds Oscar-Nominee William H. Macy

Published

2 months ago

January 12, 2023

Darian Scalamoni

The Planet of the Apes trilogy headlined by Andy Serkis from the 2010s can be argued as one of the best trilogies of all-time. The technological advances made from motion capture helped actors completely transform into the apes with their interactions with human characters making the story rawer and more emotional. Now, 20th Century Studios will jump back into the world of apes with their latest, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Deadline reports that William H. Macy (Shameless, Fargo) will round out the cast for the newest chapter of the franchise.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes place many years after the conclusion of War for the Planet of the Apes being led by an entirely new cast that includes Owen Teague, Freya Allan and Peter Macon. Details are currently unknown on whether Macy will be playing a human character or an ape. The film series has grossed almost $2 billion dollars for the studio so it’s no surprise that they’re aiming to make more Apes fims.

Macy is coming off his biggest role ever in Showtime’s series, Shameless for which he played Frank Gallagher and was nominated for 6 Emmy Awards for his performance over 11 seasons. Macy is also a former Oscar-nominee for his lead role in the Coen Brothers classic, Fargo. Since then, he’s amassed tons of parts including most recently in Hulu’s The Dropout and a guest spot on the ABC sitcom, The Conners. Macy will next appear in the film, Maybe I Do with Emma Roberts, Diane Keaton, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon.

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