Victor Rebikoff2011 Xmas Holiday Film Reviews
Holiday movies are already on the screens in some of the main centres with others due for release early in the new year. Movie-goers are advised to check their local cinema guides to verify session times.
   Some of these major attractions being screened over these Xmas holidays include:

Immortals (3D)

   Director: Tarsem Singh, Rated MA, 110mins

Quite surprisingly this Greek mythological fantasy from new Indian director Tarsem Singh (The Cell) is an entertaining action adventure that is visually appealing (except for a number of bloodthirsty scenes) with some stand-out special effects similar to those seen in Zack Snyder’s Spartan movie 300.
Immortals (3D)
   In Immortals the ruthless King Hyperion (Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler) embarks on a deadly rampage through Greece, hell-bent on finding the Epirus Bow (with its magical arrows) that will free the Titans buried below Mount Tartarus and re-start the war with the Greek gods.
   The person standing in his way is the young Greek peasant Theseus (Henry Cavill - Red Riding Hood) - chosen by Zeus (Luke Evans - The Three Musketeers) but disguised as an old man (John Hurt - Brighton Rock)-to lead the Greeks against Hyperion’s hordes.
   Theseus is ably assisted by the psychic priestess Phaedra (Freida Pinto - Slumdog Millionaire) and a Greek prisoner named Stavros (Stephen Dorff - Somewhere).
   In spite of the brutality and only reasonable performances from the lead players, the well choreographed fight scenes and special CGI effects makes this movie a visually pleasing experience-particularly in 3D.
VIC'S VERDICT:   3 Rubber Stamps


Puss in Boots (3D)

   Director: Chris Miller, Rated PG, 115 mins

This wonderful animated comedy from Chris Miller, director of Shrek the Third,is a delight for the whole family being a spin-off from the Shrek franchise and featuring the
Puss in Boots (3D)
voices of Antonio Banderas (Legend of Zorro) as the lead character Puss in Boots, Salma Hayek (Grown Ups) as Kitty Softpaws, Hangover’sZach Galifianakis as Humpty Dumpty with Billy Bob Thornton (Faster) as Jack and Amy Sedaris (Old Dogs) as Jill.
   Without giving too much away of the tantalising storyline it is certainly a role made for Banderas who is brilliant playing the part of the outlaw Puss in Boots, in many respects taking on his Zorro character, but providing a great many laughs through the numerous comical situations he encounters with the other characters, in particular those involving the precocious Kitty.
   Despite some dark themes, the animation is superb as are the fast-paced action scenes, ensuring that the thoroughly enjoyable Puss in Boots (especially if seen in 3D)will not only appeal to a family oriented audience but bound to spur a new franchise of its own.
VIC'S VERDICT:   4 Rubber Stamps


Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

   Director: Brad Bird, Rated M, 133 mins

This latest instalment of the popular Mission Impossible series is surprisingly under the direction of noted animator Brad Bird whose hits include The Incredibles and Ratatouille
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol
.   Tom Cruise reprises his action role as super spy Ethan Hunt in this fast-paced action thriller, as does Simon Pegg (Paul) as Benji Dunn and Ving Rhames (Surrogates) as Luther Stickell.
   Following the terrorist bombing of the Kremlin, Hunt and his agency are blamed and then disowned, forcing the President to initiate “Ghost Protocol”.
   Faced with no resources or support, Hunt embarks on a mission to clear their names and prevent another attack- with a team whose real motives are not revealed until later.
   Besides the star presence of Cruise, Pegg and Rhames, the other acknowledged actors include Michael Nyqvist (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Trilogy), Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker) and Tom Wilkinson (The Debt).
   Once again Cruise’s performance is extraordinary, with the action coming both fast and furious in this exciting and by far the best in the Mission Impossible franchise.
VIC'S VERDICT:   4 ½ Rubber Stamps


The Adventures of Tintin (3D)

   Director: Steven Spielberg, Rated PG, 107 mins

Master filmmaker Steven Spielberg in collaboration with Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson (acting as producer) have adapted the popular children’s classic Tintin to the big screen based on three original comic stories created by Belgian artist Herge.
The Adventures of Tintin (3D)
   The story centres on young reporter Tintin (Jamie Bell - Jane Eyre) who with his faithful dog Snowy purchases a model ship from a market stall only to be chased by the sinister Sakharine (Daniel Craig - James Bond) and later kidnapped onto a smugglers’ ship where they meet the drunken Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis - Lord of the Rings) who holds the secret to a lost treasure.
   After escaping from Sakharine, Haddock tells Tintin that over 300 years ago his ancestor was forced to scuttle the original Unicorn when attacked by a forebear of Sakharine but managed to save his treasure and provide clues to its location in three separate scrolls - each hidden in models of the Unicorn.
   Spielberg has truly excelled with his direction of The Adventures of Tintin using Jackson’s computer animation technique, delivering a spectacular 3D production filled with plenty of action and adventure that will thrill audiences all over especially children who are sure to find Herge’s classic comic has been beautifully translated into a cinematic masterpiece.
VIC'S VERDICT:   4 ½ Rubber Stamps


Happy Feet Two (3D)

   Director: George Miller, Rated PG, 100 mins

Aussie director George Miller reprises most of the characters from his earlier hit to deliver a somewhat darker sequel,featuring the voices of Elijah Wood as Mumble, Carlos
Happy Feet Two (3D)
Alazraqui as Nestor, Lombardo Boyar as Raul, Jeffrey Garcia as Rinaldo, Johnny Sanchez as Lombardo, Sofia Vergara as Carmen, Pink as Gloria and Robin Williams as Ramon not to mention Aussies Magda Szubanski and Hugo Weaving returning as the voices of Miss Viola and Noah the Elder.
   This time around Mumble the penguin has a problem - his son Erik (voiced by Ava Acres) who is reluctant to dance, encounters the Mighty Sven (voiced by Hank Azaria), a penguin that can fly.
   To make matters worse their world is shaken by powerful forces causing Mumble to bring together the penguin nations and their allies to set things right.
   Regrettably Miller’s 3D sequel lacks some of the wonderful sequences shown in the original including the musical numbers but it is still an enjoyable movie to watch for young and old alike.
VIC'S VERDICT:   3 Rubber Stamps


Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows

   Director: Guy Ritchie, Rated M, 129 mins

The world’s greatest detective Sherlock Holmes (Iron Man’s Robert Downey Jr) and his sidekick Dr John Watson (Jude Law - Contagion) return (as does director Guy
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
Ritchie) to join forces again to outwit and bring down their greatest enemy, Professor Moriarty.
   Their latest case begins with the suspicious death of the Austrian Crown Prince which Holmes deduces is part of a devious plot being orchestrated by Moriarty himself.   Besides Downey, Law and Rachel McAdams (as the delightful Irene Adler) reprising their roles, Ritchie has added such well known stars as Naomi Rapace (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) as Madam Simza Heron, Jarred Harris (TV series Fringe) as Moriarty and Stephen Fry (Alice in Wonderland) as Watson’s brother Mycroft to the well balanced cast in addition to injecting some high octane action scenes and his usual dose of comedy and conspiracy that makes this latest pursuit by Holmes and Watson of their arch enemy a thoroughly entertaining experience.
VIC'S VERDICT:   4 Rubber Stamps

To find out more about Victor Rebikoff click here.
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