CINEMATRIX - by LuckyWill

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"The New World" DVD Review

August 23rd 2006 00:32

Wow - this film is captivating.

Centred around the human experience in an unfamiliar climate the visuals are achingly beautiful, the musical score stirring and the story drifts a quiet poignancy. Set in the founding years of the English arrival to America - loosely based on historical fact – we watch the interaction of the natives and the colonizers in a land that’s lost to the imagination of how most see America nowadays.

Previously not expecting too much I was really surprised by this (as you can probably tell from the above praise) This, I believe, is due to a handful of reasons in particular. Their names include Terrence Malick, James Horner and Q'Orianka Kilcher.

Terrence Malick is the man behind 1998’s “The Thin Red Line”, the restrained twin to “Saving Private Ryan” of the same year. While the latter was more widely acclaimed probably due to it’s claustrophobic violent war scenes, The Thin Red Line was a more personal, introspective look at the individual soldier. Traditionally, Malick sets a very similar tone to “The New World”, complete with narrative speaking the thoughts of the characters. Still looks at the vibrant lushness of the countryside and silent, indiscriminate viewings of a culture in their habitat add to the feeling of authenticity and wonder of post-colonial America. Being a sucker for representations of native Americans in film, I was instantly fascinated and the directing and screenplay just add dimensions of depth shown throughout.

Supporting this tranquility was the score by James Horner, renowned composer to epics like Braveheart, Troy and Titanic. His music is becoming so influential and popular you can almost distinguish it from others these days. Supposedly the film was made around the music and at precise intervals it will drift in and out like the tide at moments during the film to give an extra level of atmosphere both tender and bittersweet.

Newcomer Q’Orianka steals the camera’s attention at every opportunity with her portrayal of “Pocahontas”, favoured girl of her tribe and object of attraction to lead Colin Farrell playing John Smith. Her innocence, beauty and fragility are something I can only think clichés of, but is stunning nevertheless. It’s here between these two actors that the film reaches it highest point and you’re wondering next when they will encounter again. Christian Bale also turns in a performance towards the second half and Australian Ben Mendelsohn gets some lines too.

Overall, I found the story, script and score all overwhelmed the acting save Q’Orianka’s, which is no objection in itself but odd when resources like Bale and Farrell aren’t used to full potential. Other objections are the pace which may bore viewers at points. Patience is required. Otherwise, this is highly recommended that will evoke strong emotions if you give it the time, because it is definitely worth it.

(1st image from www.amazon.com)
(2nd image from www.wikipedia.org)

Rating: 4 starz

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Posted By: Justin - Category: Reviews

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Miami Vice Review

August 18th 2006 08:52

If you have a detachable seatbelt, maybe you should bring it with you to strap-on when seeing this movie. But, in retrospect, it will just restrain you from having all fun you know you could be lapping up. Based on the television series of the same name in the 80’s it followed the lives of two guys (actors Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas) in the police force fighting crime while sporting pink shirts and either silver or light grey suits. Perhaps laughable and possibly new-wave trendy now, but back then it was the shit.

Fast-forward to the mid-noughties under the writing and directing of Michael Mann who originally wrote an episode for the show, as well as blockbusters like “Heat” and the “The Insider”, and wrote the screenplay for “Last of the Mohicans” and “Ali”, the crew gets another shot in the arm thanks to the lead cast consisting of Irish bad boy Colin Farrell of “Phone Booth” and “Alexander” fame, as well as Jamie Foxx riding high on the notoriety of his autobiographical masterpiece “Ray”. With this entourage, you know it’s going to be explosive. And explosive it is.

The film looks gorgeous, no wait, dripping with sex appeal. It’s glossy, fluid, electric yet silky smooth. Shot in places representing Miami, Cuba and other non-descript Latin area’s you can almost feel the temperature of the locations. Owing to this is possibly why they almost always wear ‘shades’, even at night. There’s money all-round; the leads are always dressed well, drive flashy cars or speedboats and inhabit luxurious dwellings including mansions, or remote getaways with beach views.

Image from www.smh.com.au

The rest of the film is all action based. Interestingly, there’s only a moderate amount of violence or shoot-outs, but throughout the film is an anxiety of it just about to happen. This is due to Michael Mann’s credit I believe. Also, peppered throughout is the ‘hand-held’ style of directing that lends itself to you actually feeling like you are viewing ‘real’ scenarios playing out. With these parts engagement with the happenings onscreen is minimal, like a documentary, so if you missed it, you missed it, but nevertheless adds to the exciting realism and surmounting tension.

Gripes with the film are mostly surrounding character development and interaction i.e. the dialogue felt stunted and broken down into either commands or statements and following that interaction was compromised, which is not what I would reasonably expect from undercover partners that are getting in way over the heads.
Having said that, albeit with the characters being slightly under-developed (which could be taken as just “playing cool”) it was the greatest thrill I’ve had in the cinema for a long time. See it.

Rating: 4 starz

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Posted By: Justin - Category: Reviews

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