Guest Review: Chasing Mavericks

So young Daniel of Daniel's Film Reviews has written up a guest review of Chasing Mavericks. Be sure to check out his site and leave some feedback, as he's continually looking for advice and of course, readers. 

Chasing Mavericks

Release Date: October 26, 2012

Director: Michael Apted & Curtis Hanson

Stars: Jonny Weston, Gerard Butler, Elisabeth Shue

Runtime: 120 min

Tagline: Legends Start Somewhere

Chasing Mavericks brings the audience knowledge of the life story of Jay Moriarity. The year is 1994, and the location is Santa Cruz, California. 15-year old Jay Moriarity has always loved surfing, and has idolized local legend Frosty Hesson since childhood. When Jay hitches a ride on the roof of Frosty's van, he finds out that the myth of the Mavericks surf break, one of the biggest waves on Earth, is very real. He gets it in his aspiring stubborn head that he must ride this wave, and Frosty offers to teach him to survive it.

A lot of the content in C.M. is material that you've probably seen about ten times before, and the story feels simply between average and a bit above average. It's just that unfortunately average true underdog story, who just wants to beat the odds and come out a winner, with just a little determination and heart. Despite its average story , it still does offer an enjoyable experience and a story that someone could easily like a lot, or even love.

The true story is pretty nice, and it's all about following one's dreams and just aspire to become something, or some such bogus bullsh*t. If you do know Jay's story and everything before you see it, it isn't necessary to check this one out. Unless you're really curious, but if you know beforehand, it may not be as enjoyable. It also might be a rewarding experience for you if you went in knowing as little about his story as possible, and go in without many expectations at all. It's just some really nice scenery and a fairly average tale.

Jay knows what it is like to be independent, as he has grown up (for the most part) without his father, and his mother works a lot. He finds a fatherly figure within Frosty, and it really is nice to watch their relationship grow over the course of the feature. Jay also learns great lessons of how to observe, and lessons of fear from Frosty. The chemistry created between the two is great. Also, the chemistry created between Jay and Kim is too, great. At times, the relationship between Jay and his best friend Blond, feels, oddly enough, awkward.

The beginning with Jay younger and Kim younger and Frosty younger, almost makes it feel like a whole different plot. That goes on for about fifteen minutes, but then it jumps ahead seven years to 1994, where the majority of the film is set. I didn't like how that was done.

The acting is good, and the main performers bring good chops to the table. I haven't seen a lot of Jonny Weston or Leven Rambin. Well, I've seen Rambin in her small role in The Hunger Games, but that's about it. There is also some incredible scenery and fine cinematography offered.

As far as surfing films go, this one was great. I've never been a huge fan of surfing, but I did enjoy this more than Soul Surfer. In that one, they really just chewed (really feasted) the scenery. Speaking of S.S., the success of that probably inspired Fox to make a surfing flick, for young Moriarity, for the 2012 Fall season.

The great thing about Jay and Frosty's relationship is that it doesn't feel like a teacher-student relationship, but a true friendship.

The climactic surf sequence is fairly quickly paced, but others just drag on; and at times the relationships that build on the land are greater than those draining surf sequences.

SMALL SPOILER ALERT. 

This isn't a large spoiler because it doesn't spoil a key element of the film, so read with much risk.

Somehow, the fact that the Mavericks is real is leaked, and citizens around the area come, right during the final surf sequence when Jay wants to ride the huge wave that's coming. Some watch, and some amateur surfers want to try out the waves. Even some boats go out. For me, I hate how the filmmakers execute this. It really takes a number on my attention, because Jay is supposed to be the focal point, but at times I'm really distracted by all those boats in the water. It's mostly bothersome to me because the filmmakers really don't have to follow the story by the letter. They should have just left out the boats, then I'd be content.

END OF SMALL SPOILER ALERT.

There isn't a lot of humor offered, but the few jokes are pretty funny. There's some poignancy here and there, but most of it can be pretty inspiring.

Gerard Butler (he also is executive producer), Jonny Weston, Elisabeth Shue, Abigail Spencer, Leven Rambin, Devin Crittenden and Taylor Handley star.

Sometimes, Chasing Mavericks feels just a bit too average. There's some nice humor cinematography, and great scenery. Sometimes some scenes drag on, but the better scenes certainly outweigh those poor ones. It's worth checking out if you want to check out a nice inspirational story, but that's about the only big thing that makes C.M. stand out so vibrantly.

70/100

Aug 25: RocknRolla

"In London, a real-estate scam puts millions of pounds up for grabs, attracting some of the city's scrappiest tough guys and its more established underworld types, all of whom are looking to get rich quick. While the city's seasoned criminals vie for the cash, an unexpected player -- a drugged out rock 'n' roller presumed to be dead but very much alive"

Directed by: Guy Ritchie, Rated: R, 114 minutes

A Guy Ritchie film is always a unique film, combining high energy with wild characters and even wilder situations. RocknRolla is no exception to that fact and while it's not Ritchie's strongest outing, it still proves incredibly entertaining. Sure, the plot can be a little confusing at times as there is so much going on and so many different people in the film but, once it's over, you don't feel like you missed anything. Hell, a painting at the central part of the story is just a MacGuffin to move the plot forward. Once you realize that, it's all easy riding from there. Ritchie is a master of dialogue and RocknRolla features wise-cracking, genius writing that makes the characters even more enjoyable. The film can be quoted just as much as his other films and has equally memorable moments. 

The lack of Mickey is disheartening. 

The film follows Lenny Cole (Tom Wilkinson), a mob boss who has control over the real estate in London. The Wild Bunch, a group of criminals named OneTwo (Gerard Butler), Mumbles (Idris Elba), and Handsome Bob (Tom Hardy), look for a way to make money quick and turn to Lenny for help. After Lenny f**ks them over, the Wild Bunch look for a way to get back at him. Uri, a Russian developer who Lenny owes quite a lot of money to, agrees to help Lenny with his real estate business and gives him a painting to hold for "good luck". Unknowingly, the Wild Bunch steals Uri's money while Johnny Quid (Toby Kebbell) steals the painting. This piece of art shifts many hands throughout the film, including Stella's (Thandie Newton), a smart woman who knows the books as well as the streets, and even a couple of junkies who pawn it off for a "fix". As each party attempts to get away with the money or the painting, Lenny seeks revenge against the Wild Bunch and will do whatever it takes to get it back. If the list of actors wasn't impressive enough, the film also features Jeremy Piven, Ludacris, Marc Strong, and Karel Roden. 

I would totally watch a movie following just these guys and their "shaky" music-producing careers. 

The best part of the movie is the cast. Butler, Hardy, and Elba easily carry the film as the Wild Bunch and the chemistry the three have together is so entertaining, you can't help but wonder how close they are in real life. After 300, Butler kind of faded into the romantic comedy and super (stupid) drama worlds, so seeing him in a legit comedy caper (with a good amount of action) is so much more refreshing. Idris Elba, who as I have stated needs to be in so much more, constantly exudes his "cool factor" and Hardy, as Bob, is more hilarious than you can imagine. The situations that play out with him and Butler are not only surprising, but so entertaining. However, the man who steals the show is Toby Kebbell as Johnny. He's quite the eccentric character who doesn't seem right in the head but still seeks his revenge on Lenny. Hands down, Johnny has the best lines in the film and his jumping from coked out "philosopher" to violent criminal is perfect. I've mentioned how much I've enjoyed Kebbell in my Dead Man's Shoes and Wrath of the Titans reviews, and with RocknRolla, I'm even more surprised why he's not popping up everywhere. 

RocknRolla follows a familiar formula for Ritchie fans but does it with such gusto and pizzazz you can easily accept it as it's own original movie. The film is just too fun to hate and I would highly recommend it. While it's not as good as Ritchie's previous outings, Snatch and Lock, Stock, and Two Smoking Barrels, it's another great edition to his filmography. It's also worth noting that the film ends with a tease that the Wild Bunch will be back for a second movie and certainly leaves you wanting more. The film has been out for four years though and Ritchie is busy with the Sherlock Holmes franchise, so any hope for a sequel may be futile. 

The Good:

a phenomenal cast that's clearly having fun making the movie, and I can only imagine are dying to come back for a sequel

The Bad:

a story that's a little too messy...

The Ugly:

...and a conclusion that leaves much to be desired 

Overall: 7.5/10

Trailer:

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July 12: Machine Gun Preacher

"Sam Childers is a former drug-dealing biker tough guy who found God and became a crusader for hundreds of Sudanese children who've been forced to become soldiers."

Directed by: Marc Forster, Rated: R, 129 minutes

Is Machine Gun Preacher an action movie or a dramatic heart-wrenching story? That's a question you're left asking after seeing the film, as it really has no idea where to go with itself. It's all over the place and can never pinpoint any particular emotion. Yes, the scenes involving the hurt and captured children of Sudan are heart-wrenching, but when you have Gerard Butler wearing a biker bandanna and launching an RPG in the next scene, you're really not sure how to feel. It also doesn't help that the movie jumps forward in time whenever it feels like it, and although it's not terribly confusing or hard to follow, it leaves out a lot of character development. For instance, Butler's character becomes a man of God in seemingly a split-second, and the next scene he's bible-thumping his way around his house.

 Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish, he'll dine in hell. 

Machine Gun Preacher tells the true story of Sam Childers (Gerard Butler), a former criminal who finds God and realizes his purpose in life is to help the thousands of orphans Sudan. These kids have continually fought for their lives and eluded capture from the warlord, Joseph Kony and his men. Childers does whatever he can to raise the money in order to build an orphanage and a save-haven for the war refugees, at the risk of losing his home and his family. He becomes obsessed with his cause, and although it's all with good intentions, his motivation becomes too one-note. He lashes at his family when they're not careful with money (because it all has to go to his cause) and personally, isn't the most likable guy. He sells his house, his motorcycles, his guns, and his business all without talking to his wife, Lynn (the sexy Michelle Monaghan), before making any of these decisions. It's not necessarily a bad thing, and it all could have played out different in the real story, but Machine Gun Preacher paints the picture of a man who's too careless with his good will, if that's even possible. It's also why I couldn't completely like the film. The characters go well under-developed and every one of their actions leaves more questions than any satisfaction. Again, nothing against the real Sam Childers as I find the fault with the filmmakers, specifically those who wrote the script. It's poorly paced and way too inconsistent. Machine Gun Preacher is severely lacking in emotion. I even feel the writers were aware of this fact, and threw in a dramatic scene with a refugee child being wounded or killed to make up for the lack of drama in the dialogue and situations. 

"Maybe if we force enough tears, they'll ignore the weak plot!", said the film's writer. 

While Gerard Butler delivers one of the stronger performances in his career (that still leaves a lot to be desired), his character is too confused in the middle of everything going on. This is another case of good acting hurt by bad writing and I can't help but wonder how great Machine Gun Preacher could have been if the script was stronger. It's a film that should be inspirational and even up-lifting, but it feels more like a call to arms, literally. The violence in the film is quite surprising, and as I mentioned earlier, it's full of RPGs, assault rifles, and explosions. The director, Marc Forster (Finding Neverland, Quantum of Solace), tries to appease everyone in the crowd, giving those thrills one moment, and attempting to bring you to tears the next. This attempt just makes everything too messy and border-line frustrating. Even in the end (of an already long movie), there is very little resolution to the mess. I know that the conflict in Sudan is still going on, but Childers, as a character, never develops into the hero you're looking for. As all true stories do, the film ends with a summary of what's happened to those involved, but by then you don't really care. 

Finally!

I would suggest skipping Machine Gun Preacher. I feel the topic and the man behind the story would have made for a much more effective documentary. I truly believe the story is something that should be told and everything Childers has done is remarkable. He's just deserving of a much better film than this and it's very disappointing. It's all brute and no heart and focuses way too much on the violence and warfare than it does the dramatic human story all of us can feel for. It does, however, have the always incredible Michael Shannon in a pretty good supporting role. Yes, that's my takeaway. 

The Good:

the film gives a lot of attention to a humanitarian disaster that I believe needs to be talked about much more

The Bad:

however, it doesn't quite raise the right points about the conflict and doesn't do the true story justice

The Ugly:

not being able to tell if the movie is being an advocate for ministry and mission work or for more violence in an already war-torn country

Overall: 4.3/10

Trailer:

Re-watch? No

Buy? Certainly not