Alex's Review: Land of The Lost

Synopsis:

Disgraced and infamous scientist Rick, Marshall (Will Ferrell) uncovers a theory that can unlock portals to other dimensions and has built a device that can open a rift through time and space. Encouraged by Holly (Anna Friel), a young research scientist and assisted by a redneck working for an abandoned cave ride (Danny McBride), Marshall successfully opens a portal to a world in a another dimension where dinosaurs thrive along simians and lizard humanoids called Sleestaks. As they enter this weird dimension, they lose Marshall's device that opened the portal. Our heroes must find the device get back home.

Comments

By now, Most have seen the new Land of The Lost remake. Not everyone liked this movie. Most creitics disliked this film, giving it very low marks. In my opinion this is probably, Will Ferrell's best since "Taladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby". Ferrell actually displays credibility to his scientist role and blends it well with his goofy side. McBride is hillarious as the hesitant side kick, and Friel brings the needed sobriety to the journey, as the most mature of the three.

I must admit, I only saw a couple of episodes of the original Land of The Lost before going to the theater for this "updated" version. I liked this new version best. Unlike the original, this film does not really take itself seriously. While in my opinion, the original did take itself very seriously and laughs were unintentional(really funny if you were to watch those episodes nowadays). The original was a family oriented fare, while the new version is just straight out comedy. This is one exception in the "Remake Trend", as I call it.

In the original, Chaka, the monkey is anoying (as producers have the character for comic relief). In the new Land of The Lost, Chaka is Will Ferrell's punching bag, its hillarious to see Rick Marshall loose his patience with the monkey. Grumpy, the angry T-Rex, also appears in the new film, and takes it personal with Ferrell's character. Aslo watch for the scene with Ferrell and McBride singing Cher's "Love after Love", as they touch a vibrating crystal pylon. This is the funniest scene in the movie. Leonard Nimoy, from Star Trek makes a "Vocal" cameo, as he gives a voice to Enik, the Altrusian, who asks Rick Marshall for favors, with the promise of getting our heroes back home. Technical aspects, like the special effects and cinematography are better than expected.

I give it a B+. Check it out, its really funny.

Review: The Hangover

Synopsis.

Doug (Justin Bartha) is about to get married, and goes off to Las Vegas with best pals Stu (Ed Helms) and Phil (Bradley Cooper), and his soon to be brother brother-in-law Alan(Zach Gilifinakis), for a bachellor party getaway. After a wild night in Sin City, stu, Phiil and Alan wake up in their trashed hotel room, with no memory of what happened the night before. things go south when they realize Doug is missing. They only have twenty four hours to find their friend before his wedding.

My Comments.

This is a laugh out loud, adult comedy in the vein of "Good Luck Chuck" and "Forgetting Sarah Marshall". This is a movie about dudes behaving badly, from the Todd Philps, the director of "Old School". I found this movie to be very original with a really good screen play. It fairly balances the character exposure. Doug is about to get married and conscious of his future in-laws expectations. Stu is about to get married with an over-controlling germophobe freak who cheated on him during their last vacation. Phil is a mischieveous middle school teacher who desperately wants a break from his day to day family life. Alan is a basketcase man child who never grew up.

I really liked the fact that the screenplay had the characters work for the info on what happened the night before to find Doug. As they try to piece together the events of their previous night, the journey will have our three heroes cross paths with a cute baby, Chinese mafia guys, a hungry tiger, and Mike Tyson (Yes Mike Tyson plays himself in the movie). This movie is not for everyone and its not a family film. Expect blood, disturbing images played for laughs, drug references and frontal nudity. Not a first date movie either. This is a great movie for guys to watch after being forced to see "Sex and The City: The Movie" on DVD by their girlfriends or wives. For girls who will tach it with your husbands or boyfriends...do not worry, it will be funny for you as well.

This movie gets a solid A. Ok acting, as our heroes are funny, delivering sharp and hilarious diaolgue through out the movie. Great screen play, with an original and unpredictible story. Great direction by Todd Philips, and Great editing.

So far, this is the funniest movie of the summer.