Tag: John Cleese

Planes

120px-Film-stripJust a quick review as I’m short on time. Little Miss was off with friends to see the Mortal Instruments film, so I took Little Mister to see something shorter and more enjoyable.

Planes

“He’s gonna die.”

Plot-in-a-nutshell: underdog crop duster plane wants to enter world racing championship against all odds

See it if you like: Cars, Cars 2, etc.

A simple story that’s been seen before – lots of times. In essence it’s a cross between the two Cars films – no-hoper pushing for glory, aided by a retired/clapped out expert, globe-trotting scenes, well-known British actor in a supporting (not evil) role… there are more, but that way lies spoilers.

Visually, it’s excellent though nothing new. There is some good dialogue, plenty of lovely touches in the scenery and background. John Ratzenberger puts in his obligatory cameo.

It’s fun. Little Mister enjoyed it and left the cinema running along with his arms outstretched.

Don’t expect anything that’ll make you go “wow – I did not expect that plot twist” at any point during its running time and you’ll probably enjoy it.

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Planet 51

Planet 51
Planet 51

Planet 51 was actually my first film of the day, and a great little cartoon it was too.

Plot-in-a-nutshell: Earthling astronaut lands on alien planet where he’s treated much as E.T. would have been in 1950’s America.

It seems that computer animated films are really doing well right now. It used to be that PIXAR made the only good ones. Then Dreamworks started to weigh in with the likes of Shrek. Now more companies are adding their fare to the pile and the quality is holding high.

Planet 51 is definitely worth a look. The whole setting is lovely with a green-skinned alien version of 1950’s America being used. As far as they’re concerned, humans are evil creatures bent on taking over their planet and turning them all into zombies. And they only exist in movies. Until Captain Charles T. Baker lands in Lem’s back yard.

As with so many animated films these days, it’s the background touches that really make it. The little in-jokes like the bicycle flying across the moon, or the pet dog that looks like an “Alien” alien. It even pee’s acid. And the little subplot with the postman and the dog.

The whole look is excellent, too. The way the architecture and so forth has all been planned out and kept consistent. The vehicles and how they work. It actually made me think of Robots in that it’s a familiar and yet alien environment.

The vocal talent doesn’t really stand out, though. The performances are good enough, but the only instantly recognisable voice for me was John Cleese. Dwayne Johnson (formerly known as “The Rock” and thank gumption he’s dropped that) does actually sound like an actor – certainly more than he manages to carry off in live-action films.

It’s not the best animated film this year by a long chalk, but it’s definitely worth catching.

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Igor

Igor (film)
Movie poster

I’m a sucker for a cartoon, so I picked Igor next on the in-flight list. I’d heard a little about it and it seemed a nice premise. The voice cast has some superb actors listed including Steve Buscemi, Eddie Izzard and John Cleese (all too briefly).

Plot in a nutshell: in a mountainous country the king has saved the economy – destroyed by continuous storm clouds – by promoting evil geniuses. Their job is to built devilish world-ending devices. Each year, these devices compete and the winner’s is used to blackmail the rest of the planet for enough money to keep the country ticking over for another 12 months.

Every mad professor has an “Igor”. They’re all called Igor and they all look much the same – small and hunchbacked, speak with a list. Or film follows one Igor with ideas above his station. Of course, he has a couple of comic sidekicks (a brain in a bucket and a squirrel that can’t die, no matter how much he tries) and there’s a bed guy in the plot.

The story is a little predictable, but it is a kid’s film. The action sequences are amusing, the animation superb and – as is often the case – one of the sidekicks has all the best lines. Donkey’s dialogue always outdoes Shrek‘s, for instance.

There’s comedy, romance, action and big monsters. It’s also slightly gross, so it’s bound to appeal to the younger set. Not a classic, but a good way to tide the last 90 minutes or so between Heathrow and Abu Dhabi.

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