REVIEWS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE MONTH’S NEW FILMS IN REVIEW. FOR FULL REVIEWS COVERAGE, SEE
SCREENDAILY.COM REVIEWS IN BRIEF
iLL Manors Dir/scr: Ben Drew. UK. 2012. 121mins There is no denying the anger, frustration and plain good intentions behind this bleak and harsh directorial debut for UK singer Ben Drew (aka Plan B). But while it offers moments of gripping drama and some powerful performances, the burden of its ambition ultimately weighs too heavily on its storylines. The Plan B connection may help sales, but the chief selling point will be the film’s eloquent attempt to tackle the tough life facing many urban teens. Mark Adams
CONTACT BANKSIDE FILMS
www.bankside-films.com
Chernobyl Diaries Dir: Brad Parker. US. 2012. 86mins A horror movie that is mostly tease and not enough pay-off, Chernobyl Diaries was co- written and produced by Oren Peli, who wrote and directed Paranormal Activity, but this new offering lacks that film’s originality. Horror movies are not necessarily prized for their performances, but a mediocre offering like Chernobyl Diaries suggests how much more difficult it is to be engaging when the characters are not involving. Genre fans may forgive the familiar zombie-style terror, but there is not enough ingenuity to frighten up much of an impression. Tim Grierson
CONTACT FILMNATION
www.wearefilmnation.com
Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted Dirs: Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath, Conrad Vernon. US. 2012. 93mins The zoo escapees continue their world tour (after stops in Madagascar and Africa in the first two animated romps) with a breezy jaunt through Europe that delivers enough laughs, action and thrillingly staged adven- ture to keep the young ones happy. This good-natured sequel sees the animals finally make it back to the Big Apple, but given the success of the franchise do not discount another spin-off in years to come. Mark Adams
CONTACT PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Brave Dirs: Mark Andrews, Brenda Chapman. US. 2012. 100mins
The thirteenth animated feature film from Pixar Studios, the Scotland-set Brave, is essentially a body-swap movie impressed upon a comfortable fable-of-yore narrative template, wherein an at- odds parent and child rediscover their love for one another against a backdrop of magic-infused conflict. Amiable and action-packed without being overbearing, and marked by a new level of visual complexity even by Pixar standards, the film peddles with assurance and panache its pleasant tale of a new young heroine. Brave’s ancillary home-video value will be
robust, allowing viewers the frame-by-frame abil- ity to fully savour the movie’s creative visual depth. But its top-notch 3D treatment makes for an immersive theatrical experience that should resonate with viewers worldwide, and the film seems poised for a summer of domination with family audiences. Able narrative cross-cutting swiftly establishes
young Merida (voiced by Kelly Macdonald), the daughter of Scottish Highlands King Fergus (Billy Connolly) and Queen Elinor (Emma Thompson), as a skilled archer and headstrong lass. When cornered into choosing from three suitors for an arranged marriage, Merida balks and turns to an eccentric, wood-carving witch
n 56 Screen International June-July 2012
(Julie Walters) for help. Unfortunately, the witch’s spell turns Merida’s mother into a bear and she has only two days to reverse the transformation before it becomes permanent. Brave’s detailed animation is gorgeous. The
textural quality in the animation of animals or hair has improved over the last half-decade, but the complexity here of some of the movie’s cloth- ing, sails and other tapestries is downright remarkable. The film’s vocal performances are agreeable
and, though accented, tamped down enough in brogue so as not to be indistinguishable. Con- nolly is amusing as the barrel-chested and loud but largely deferential Fergus; Thompson chan- nels the tenderness and exasperation of a parent struggling to accept the impending adulthood of a beloved child; and Macdonald gives a spirited performance as Merida. Some of the action, including a third-act show-
down with a nasty bear, may be a bit intense for very young viewers. But slapstick-style action with Merida’s rascally triplet younger brothers, will prove enchanting.
Brent Simon CONTACT WALT DISNEY STUDIOS
www.screendaily.com
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