THE INVENTION OF LYING **** UP ****
Dir: Ricky Gervais & Matthew Robinson (12A,  mins) Dir: Pete Docter & Bob Peterson (PG, 6 mins)
Ricky Gervais co-directs and co-writes with Matthew Robinson in his first Hol- Pixar triumph again in this heartwarming and leftfield tale of two cranky old men
lywood movie, having played an actor for hire in Ghost Town as well as the odd and an anxious boy scout. After a truly touching montage of a couple, Carl and
sarcastic cameo for Night At The Museum and Stardust. It’s a great premise: set Ellie growing old together, that beats any live action counterpart, we discover Carl
in a world where no one lies and must tell the truth at all times, Ricky Gervais’ voiced with croaky gravitas by Ed Asner, dealing with the loss of his wife and de-
character discovers the power of falsehood and lies his way to success. With ev- termined to fulfil his dream of being a great explorer. A balloon salesman by trade,
eryone around him still believing he cannot lie, he makes money, beautiful women he has amassed enough helium and rubber to fly his own house to it’s intended
believe him when he says the world will end if they won’t sleep with him, and – yes destination, Paradise Falls, a lost world where strange creatures roam. He has to
– the film he has written is the best in the world. Even his dream girlfriend Jen- contend with a stowaway however, chubby scout Russell, voiced by Jordan Nagai,
nifer Garner could now be his – but can true love survive lies? This is funny stuff, who proves both a help and a hindrance. Another ageing explorer Charles Muntz,
and Gervais is ably supported by some comedy stalwarts from Steven Merchant to voiced by Christopher Plummer is there too attempting to restore his reputation as
Jonah Hill, Tina Fey, Christopher Guest and Barry from Eastenders to name but a an explorer after it was rumoured years that his strange South American discover-
few. Gervais knows his limitations as an actor and plays to his strengths to great ies were fake. Monsters Inc director Pete Docter brings great depth to what could
success. He and debut co-director Robinson have stepped up to the big time; the have been another romp in the jungle, there are action sequences aplenty but they
film does not disappoint, and proves both hilarious and heartfelt, retaining the never get in the way of the pathos of the two old men at the centre of the film. It’s
pathos that made The Office and Extras so successful. Opens Oct 2 a remarkable film, full of wonder and both funny and heartbreaking. Fantastic.
Opens Oct 9

TRIANGLE ***
9 ***
LOVE HAPPENS **
Dir: Christopher Smith (1,  mins)
Dir: Shane Acker (12A, 7 mins)
Dir: Brandon Camp (12A, 100 mins)
A very twisty-turny horror from British director Chris-
A post-apocalyptic CGI adventure that does not stint on
Jennifer Aniston continues her run of increasingly bland
topher Smith, who makes a real leap here from previous
darkness, and blends steampunk with a Burton-esque
films with this sentimental drama co-starring Aaron Eck-
efforts Creep and Severance, both in tone and budget.
sensibility, 9 is a great showcase for its director Shane
hart. Eckhart plays a self help guru who – get this – can’t
A group of characters go on a yachting trip, fall foul of a
Acker. An inventor attempts to create a machine for good,
help himself to get over his wife’s death years ago. Jen, of
storm and are left stranded in the ocean. An abandoned
and in the process puts his soul into the bodies of nine
course, helps him do this and find love again. She’s a bit
1930s cruise ship appears, but no one appears to be on
numerically numbered rag dolls, each with their own
sassy, see, and she wants a man to commit to her – not
board, and soon the killing begins. Melissa George plays
personalities. The Machine, however, is stolen by the
just on a business trip, but forever. And, um, there you go.
our protagonist Jess, who becomes more unhinged as
Chancellor who uses it for evil, creating robots imbued
Remarkably formulaic and borderline tedious, Aniston’s
the film continues. Every event in her life has a cyclical
with spite that bring about mankind’s destruction. The
charm nevertheless helps the film along, as does
nature, and she feels as if she is reliving everything – but
plucky nine fight against their nightmarish mechanical
Eckhart’s borderline edginess. A leaden script, however,
how? And how can several versions of her exist at the
oppressors, mounting a rescue of the kidnapped two who
abandons any subtlety as does Brandon Camp’s direction,
same time? It’s an intriguing and often baffling conceit
helped the rag doll ‘9’ learn to speak. The gobsmacking
with plot turns signposted, and ‘quirky’ best friends as-
that Smith doesn’t quite pull off, as events flash back-
imagery, however, comes at the expense of characterisa-
signed (Aniston’s is eccentric and Eckhart’s has a beard).
wards, forwards and sideways to propel the plot along. It
tion, the rag dolls given life as archetypes depending on
The soundtrack also tells you when to feel happy or sad.
remains a horror film with an idea, however, rather than
who has provided their voices. 9 looks wonderful and has
A cameo from Martin Sheen helps lend some gravitas, and
an empty stalk-and-slash, and is told with style – just
an off-kilter premise, but its style could have done with a
Love Happens is solidly made, but it is by the numbers,
expect to be befuddled as well as scared. Opens Oct 16
bit more substance. Opens Oct 30
manipulative weepie stuff. Opens Oct 9
fans. TOY STORY (3D) (U) Pixar’s first CGI success returns to the cinemas in 3D. Classic stuff now with added depth. LE DONK AND SCOR ZAY ZEE (15) Shane Meadows’ fantastic DJ comedy with
Paddy Considine. See it. THIRST (18) Chan-wook Park, the director of Old Boy, returns with this vampire thriller, disturbing, bloody and a bit self indulgent. ONG BAK : THE BEGINNING (18) Lots of
Muay Thai fisticuffs in this prequel to Tony Jaa’s bone crushing martial arts thriller. Forget the plot, just watch people hurt each other quite badly.
october 2009.indd 33 25/9/09 15:16:43
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