| Overall Grade: |
B+ |
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| Story: |
B+ |
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| Acting: |
A |
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| Direction: |
B |
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| Visuals: |
A- |
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Definitely Worth The Price of Admission
by Anissa (movies profile)
Mar 6, 2008
33
of
55 people found this review helpful
I'm just back from seeing the film and have to say... GO SEE THIS MOVIE!!!! Skip the concession (if you're easily skeeved) and see how much fortitude you have when the cutting starts!
I don't want to give away major details but here's my overall assessment. A fine film with a few major flaws. Happily, none of those flaws are in the actors themselves.
From Hayden Christensen & Terrence Howard to Jessica Alba & Lena Olin, all majors gave memorable performances and made me want to overlook moments where I was feeling a bit nonplussed. Christensen's performance was enough to not just tug at my heart but make mine break a little for him as I watched this character Clayton Beresford live, die and walk around in the space between. My heart sank in the opening scene and Terrence Howard's voice over almost did me in. I squirmed in my seat and won't likely be able to hear a saw without jumping anytime soon, but it was well worth it. Jessica Alba gave such a good performance, I was a little annoyed that to date the only movie she'd done that I was remotely interested in was Sin City... she was that good. Lena Olin was absolutely no disappointment and made me wonder why she's so little seen in Hollywood.
The short running time leaves one wanting more of these characters we've only received a glimpse of. The few (but glaring) plot holes and devices make it rife for fanfiction and endless speculation, but it's a fine start for Joby Harold. I did love the way in which it was shot and at moments it felt a little Kubrik-esque... and others, a little Shamalyan... but not in a 'hack' kind of way. At times the voiceovers collide with the 'actual' goings on in such a way that you feel a bit distorted and in-the-moment with the main character.
I desperately want to tell all the plot twists because I need to complain. But suffice it to say, for now it's enough to focus on the fact that I am glad I saw it this afternoon, I would see it again and would recommend anyone to do the same. |
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