Gladitor 2. Spoiler Free Review BY: dariusvisuals DATE: Nov. 21st 2024
The great war storyteller and Denzel reunite again, this time without Russel Crowe, although we new his presence would still loom heavily.
This sequel stands on it's own but also emphasizes the greatness of the original.
The good in Gladiator 2 is that it gives us intense battles in classic Scott style. Ridley again shines light on how bloodlines and personal motives can have drastic effects on the larger sociopolitical picture.
It seems as though Maximus and Commodus’s characters have been split into multiple with Pedro Pascal's character and the main character "Lucius" resembling Max, and the two new emperor's embodying Commodus. Since the “Savior of Rome" perished on the Colosseum floor, it's as if the empire herself hasn't had a significant political shift in power.
Glad. 2 has several sudden twist that are amplified by the influence that Denzel’s character holds on screen, and the flattering cunningness he possesses as an actor.
It is like its predecessor in terms of being engaging and striking, yet un-alike when it comes to raw originality and emotional intensity. Enter the theatre open minded, remembering what cinema has become as of this recent decade.
Everybody loves a good revenge story we can emotionally empathize with and logically justify, but the first Gladiator was more than special.
Maximus's romantic connection with the empress, rival jealous brother-hood like connection with Commodus, and father-son like connection with the great Marcus Aurelius added significant depth. Every decision he made, every time he defied out loud or remained silent, seemed naturally more momentous. His tie in to the upper reaches of royalty, along with the loyalty of thousands of soldiers as their Commander offered a duality that made Maximus and his road to becoming a gladiator legendary. I think Maximus may have set the bar too high for us to ever really need another Gladiator. However, all in all Gladiator 2 still holds its own and you will certainly be entertained.
BABYLON. SPOILER FREE REVIEW
BY: dariusvisuals DATE: Jan. 19th 2023
I would like to open with a quote from one of my favorite anti-heroes,
“New growth cannot exist without first destruction of the old.” - Zaheer
If you were to take Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood'', mix it with Scorcesse’s “Wolf of Wall Street”, and add a dash of “Ferris Bueller's Day Off”, that concoction will embody something that is the movie Babylon. The song “Beautiful Disaster” is not only an iconic creation by the band 311, its title are the perfect words to encapsulate this movie & its sound is somehow a perfect audio translation of what Damien Chazels Babylon is visually. The film's general tone is grand and colorful, but the shadow from a cloud of subtle ominousness protrudes with each passing scene.
Marking Chazel’s third collaboration with cinematographer Linus Sandgren and musical composer Justin Hurwitz, I foresee much praise and honor to come for Babylon’s camera style and musical elaboration, as the three previously accomplished with their record breaking film LaLa Land. Sandgren uses a panoramic technique of angular shooting that highlights beautiful landscapes while exciting us with rich color dynamics, his approach continues to advance and impress with each movie. Hurwitz again manages to knock our socks off with an exceptionally pleasing musical score that holds perfect synonymy with what’s on screen. The casting selection is beautiful & diverse, each character’s emotionally driven storyline leaves dots for the viewer to connect. Although the structure may be somewhat sporadic, the full idea of what Damien puts forward is surely ingrained before screen time is over.
I believe my opening quote takes great precedence. As revolutionary as the introduction of sound film was, it brought unforeseen ruin to the careers of those unable to evolve. To display emotion silent films actors relied on exuberant bodily and facial expression, the addition of the requirement to convincingly vocalize those emotions, for many already established actors was “teaching old dogs new tricks”. The application of sound to picture, was always an inevitable forwarding movement that minimized the conventional acting method of that time. This film is a perspective shifting, episodic adventure and a reminder to us of what success in this industry forces upon those who are chosen. While applauding the glamor we sometimes overlook the intensity level mentally required to sell emotion to the world. Babylon has a way of highlighting the satisfactory element show business brings to its consumers, while simultaneously shedding light on the dark crevasses those must trek to reach the fortunes of fame.
AVATAR: THE WAY OF WATER. SPOILER FREE REVIEW
BY: dariusvisuals DATE: Dec. 16th 2022
As expected Avatar 2 is an absolute visual spectacle that demands to be experienced at a nickelodeon. The forwarding impact James Cameron had on the cinematic world in 2009 with his pioneering technological advances in performance capture, was thought to be a one time outstanding feat. Yet somehow again, Cameron has found another way to shake up the game and open more doorways for the future of film.
Cameron’s personal travels to the lowest point of the ocean, achievable by modern science in 2014, was surely a pillar of preparation for the production of Avatar 2. He resurfaced from the depths with a brilliant way of meshing a complex form of movie making with a force of mother nature. Avatar 2’s original anticipated release was scheduled for 2015, but this 13 year hiatus was worth the wait. James Cameron has yet again gifted the world with something brand new, aquatic motion capture.
From opening shot to the credit roll, the tone of the film reinvigorates that exhilarating emotional ride its predecessor gave us. The original seemed to focus on the deeply rooted culture within the Na’vi tribe as an entire people, while Avatar 2’s focus is on the dynamics and child raising style of the Na’vi’s royal family. The idea of an American born ex-marine living on a foreign moon planet “reborn” in an alien body, raising kids with a native spiritual tribe leader, somehow brings an interestingly relatable element of Earth’s core family values to Pandora. However, in my humble opinion the writing direction and story board aspects of the film are not great, nevertheless the mystifying view of the world that is Pandora, is more than enough to string you along. Offering many pleasantly unpredictable & mesmerizing moments, you still may find some unnecessary details and additional characters making some scenes feel out of balance & needlessly over crowded. Generally the casting and acting was solid, flaws in this regard are obvious, but the very few brief moments of poor acting and awkward dialogue are easy to overlook with all that this movie encompasses.
The battles presented provide exceptional rising action, more than satisfying climax, intensely emotional falling action, and a beautiful temporary resolution to an exciting dispute. With 3 more movies to come filming between now and 2028, we can only imagine what other unique & ingenious ways of filmmaking James Cameron’s creative process will give birth too as the Avatar saga continues.
