| Overall Grade: |
B- |
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| Story: |
B- |
|
|
| Acting: |
A |
|
|
| Direction: |
C- |
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|
| Visuals: |
B- |
|
|
Almost everything about this movie isn't true...
by Linh N (movies profile)
Dec 19, 2008
26
of
38 people found this review helpful
I went to see this with my girlfriend, we both love Will Smith and a fan of almost all his movies...hence we saw it on the first day of release (thank god it was matinee). Let's just say almost everything you know about this movie was false; from the name of the character to his job to it being 7 strangers (his brother isn't a stranger)...and well, to the hype of the movie as being grade "A". In my opinion it's not, with good reasons. Critics are crazy sometimes but I tend to lean more towards them this time around
Why this movie is good:
For one, getting to the bottom of this movie (the end) was almost worth the entire movie...almost but not quite.
For two, the acting was great, nothing we haven't expect from Will, all the supporting casts was above average as well.
For three, the storyline is quite interesting...different...but does it carry off effortlessly and flawlessly? not in the least.
Why it's bad:
If the saying "it's not the destination that matters but the journey" is true, then this movie would have sunk and not float. For the road getting there was, just admit it people, boring as hell and the part that's mildly interesting you're more likely going "HUH?" I blame that on the directing, this movie could have been great but not...I can't seem to connect or care about the characters he will save, they aren't very well developed and they're suppose to be nice...in what way are they NICE? They could have filled up all the slow moments with characters that was going to be saved in interesting manners that could have make this movie work instead of the emphasis on way TOO much Will Smith. It works for movies like The Pursuit of Happiness (I like that movie much more), but it doesn't work here.
My friend gave this a D (the whole movie left her feeling stupefied), as you can see I'm more generous then her :) Yes, I cried at the end, it's a tear jerker, expect that...entertaining it is not. If you have to watch a movie similar to this line watch SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE instead; the characters are developed, believable, the plot much more diverse and interesting, the pace works wonder, the cinematography amazing, the directing is phenomenal....BUT if you are out to watch a movie for the star power and the essence of Will Smith, then by all mean go for this movie. Personally, this film feels too long for me even though Australia was a much longer movie then this but can hold your attention much better.
Overall I would not watch this movie again...that to me means it's not a stellar movie. |
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