REVIEW: MOVIEBLAST: Run All Night (15) & Pitch Perfect 2 (12A)

MOVIEBLAST:

RUN ALL NIGHT (15) is the latest action/thriller from legendary Irishman Liam Neeson. The premise is a little confusing but basically goes like this - Jimmy Conlon (Neeson) is an ex-criminal who is getting on with his life - and when his long time friend, Shawn Maguire, (not the actor/singer from Grange Hill)  is still in the game they are pretty much keeping apart. However, Shawn's son is still being sticky fingered and in a twist of fate, Conlon's son's life is threatened by Maguire's son. Conlon happens to be about so it comes down to a fire fight and Conlon kills Maguire's son. As you can probably imagine, this doesn't go down well in the Maguire household, so Shawn sends his entire contingent of henchmen and bruisers after the Conlon family. It's up to Jimmy to show them all who's boss in a mediocre action thriller.
Neeson is good as Conlon, but it seems that over recent years (thanks to Taken) that he is being stereotyped as a no-nonsense hard man who can take on small squads of ruffians dispensing justice as he sees fit. It's not a bad movie, really, but it's completely unoriginal and exactly like the others we've seen over recent years. Do what you want with it but it's like these movies have a certain formula they have to follow but they just never reach the dizzy heights of Taken. Overall, not bad but could be better.
POPSCORE: 6.5/10

PITCH PERFECT 2 (12A) is the sequel to 2012's acc-amazing Pitch Perfect. The Barden Bella's return as America's number one acapella group and start the movie at the top of their game.
Performing at the Lincoln Center in front of the President and on TV, they give it their all, until a slight mishap (read: wardrobe malfunction) occurs when Fat Amy (Rebel Wilson) is lowered from the ceiling on a ribbon and she gets a split in her rather eye-wateringly tight leggings. Unfortunately she forgot to include underwear, so she is exposed live on TV and in front of the president. Disgraced, they are sent home, and they end up being kicked off the acapella circuit. Meanwhile, Beca (Anna Kendrick) realises that her days at high school are numbered and is following her dream of becoming a producer - and when she gets a placement at a local studio with Snoop Dogg recording there, this is her chance of a lifetime. Meanwhile the rest of the Bella's have to earn the right to perform once more - but this time they have to win the international championships. Only thing is they have to face the emotionless powerhouse Das Sound Machine, a technically flawless German acapella  group that leaves other's in their wake. Can the Bella's do it?
The movie features an amazing soundtrack and lots of laughs and I really enjoyed this one. The actors assembles for the movie are all fabulous and Rebel Wilson is fantastic comic relief. I really enjoyed this, even more so that I'm a singer/songwriter. The acapella arrangements are great. Only thing is some of the jokes and content were a bit shocking - and I'm surprised they got away with it. But they did, and the film is good.
POPSCORE: 8.5/10

REVIEW: Cinderella (2015) (U)

Right, before we start, this film is going to be a hit. It will be not because it has a talented cast and great special effects even though it does. Nor will it because it's a timeless tale told by one of the greatest story smiths, Disney. Even though that is very much the case.

No, it will be because of Frozen. Before we start the main shebang, we are treated to an animated 10 mins or so of Frozen called Frozen Fever. I've been toying with reviewing this separately but I'm just going to say a few words about it here. Basically the one song that is sang is catchy and gets you dancing in your seat. The story is simple but effective. All of the characters return (including the original voice talent) and Elsa has a cold, even though a "cold never bothered her anyway". If you love Frozen it's a great to be seeing something new and is very much in the same successful vein. Disney have really hit a groove with this one and its a really good short. Especially with the addition of some cute new characters. I won't say too much more but all the little princesses across the land will love this and you probably will too.

POPSCORE: 9/10

So when the short finishes everyone is so fired up that we are ready for more princessness as soon as possible. Cinderella is a well made and well acted but has a story that has been told countless times. Cinderella herself is endearing - both through her innocence and her looks - she is pretty and cute and looks the part. Kit, the Prince, is charming and endearing too and they make a great couple when on screen together.

The special effects, supporting cast and cinematography are top notch. 

The movie follows the original Disney Cinderella story quite closely, only this time it is live action (with lots of cgi animals though). It seems like this is becoming a trend for Disney as this was the case for Maleficent. Before the movie there was a trailer for Pan; which seems like a very Maleficent-like origin story for Peter Pan. It seems we have come to the point now where we no longer need to make fantastical stories as cartoons - we now have the power to make them live action - with the help of the modern day computer programs.

One of the most breathingtaking moments of the movie is when Cinderella gets her blue dress for the ball and it's a stunning outfit. She makes a fantastic princess and I personally think Lily James could pull off a fantastic Elsa if they made a Frozen live action movie. I sit and wonder if the blue dresses that feature are deliberately linked to look very Frozen-ish to promote both films (as Cinderella had a blue dress in the animated version). Cate Blanchett makes for a great stepmother who through her smile looks both glamorous and sinister in equal measure. Her step sisters are stupid and mean in equal measure but are actually quite attractive ladies so couldn't be construed as ugly sisters.

Overall this movie was really good. It's not very original as it's just a retelling of a fairy story we've heard a million times before but then again - if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Disney's doing good.

Cinderella is out from 27th March 2015 at all good cinemas.

POPSCORE: 8/10

What am I talking about? Walt Disney's live action offering Cinderella

Where can I find out more? http://movies.disney.com/cinderella/

If you like this try: Cinderella (Disney's animated classic) and the sequels, Ella Enchanted, Frozen