The Boxtrolls review

THE BOXTROLLS:

A STRANGE BUT CHARMING THIRD ANIMATED FILM FROM LAIKA ANIMATION!

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** out of 4

FOCUS FEATURES

The strange but wonderful stars of the latest stop-motion film from Laika, The Boxtrolls

            Laika, the animation studio that brought big hits like Coraline and ParaNorman return with their latest stop-motion animated film, The Boxtrolls. Like Coraline and ParaNorman, the film is weird and a little creepy, but it felt more lighthearted and child-friendly than Laika’s previous two films.

            Sure Coraline and ParaNorman were marketed as family films but they were both edgy and dark, but not too dark for the kids, but I’m sure Coraline probably scared the heck out of them, but I digress. The Boxtrolls gets a little dark at times, but it’s more from a humorous point of view, almost like a Tim Burton stop-motion feature.

            Somewhere underneath the streets, there lives a race of strange creatures that have been living in the sewers for many years. Sounds like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles right? Well, these creatures are little trolls that wear cardboard boxes on their bodies known as the Boxtrolls.

            The citizens of an old village are absolutely terrified of the Boxtrolls and think they are going to eat them, but are they really as bad as people say they are? In comes a young boy named Eggs (voiced by newcomer, Issac Hempstead-Wright) who was found and raised by the Boxtrolls ever since he was a baby who comes out of the sewer and learns about the human world, with the help of a young girl, Winnie Portley-Rind (voiced by Elle Fanning-Super 8, Maleficent), the daughter of Lord Portley-Rind (voiced by Jared Harris-Far and Away, Ocean’s Twelve, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), leader of the White Hats, a group of leaders who run the village and tastes the village’s cheeses.

            Little do they know an evil pest exterminator named Archibald Snatcher (voiced by Ben Kingsley-Gandhi, Iron Man 3, Ender’s Game) is called in to find and destroy every Boxtroll in the village, with the aid of his dimwitted henchmen, Mr. Trout (voiced by Nick Frost-Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World’s End), Mr. Pickles (voiced by Richard Ayoade-The Mighty Boosh, The Watch), and Mr. Gristle (voiced by Tracy Morgan-First Sunday, Rio, 30 Rock).

            So it’s up to Eggs, Winnie, and the Boxtrolls to prove to the rest of the villagers that the Boxtrolls are not monsters and put a stop to Archibald Snatcher’s plan.

            Also featuring the voices of Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, The World’s End) as inventor, Herbert Trubshaw, Toni Collette (The Sixth Sense, Little Miss Sunshine, The Way, Way Back) as Lady Portley-Rind, Winnie’s mother, and voice actors, Dee Bradley Baker (Space Jam, American Dad, Cow & Chicken) and Steve Blum (Cowboy Bebop, Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, The Legend of Korra) as the Boxtrolls, Fish, Shoe, Wheels, Bucket, and Sparky.

            Overall, The Boxtrolls is a visually impressive and charming adventure for the entire family, weird but beautiful stop-motion animation, comical voice acting, and even funnier character designs, especially on the film’s villain. Now even though I enjoyed this film quite a bit, I don’t think it’s nearly as awesome as Coraline, I felt Coraline was better executed, a tad more adult, and overall a little more engaging, but does that mean I didn’t like The Boxtrolls? No it doesn’t.

            The Boxtrolls is a good movie, whether you’re a child or an adult, there is something in here that you will most likely find appealing. I love stop-motion animation, so of course I’m going to praise the film’s animation, but I also loved how creative the filmmaker’s were with the character and set designs, and a lot of them will get a good laugh out of you.

            So if you enjoyed Laika’s previous films, Coraline and ParaNorman or if you’re a fan of stop-motion entirely, you’ll probably enjoy The Boxtrolls, it’s an odd but sweet animated film full of charm and wit, just don’t expect a crazy powerhouse like Coraline.

            It still has impressive animation, fun characters, and hilarious moments that is sure to please the kids and the adults as well.

           

            

The Equalizer review

THE EQUALIZER:

NOT THE SMARTEST ACTION THRILLER, BUT IT’S CERTAINLY AN ENTERTAINING ONE!

By Nico Beland

Movie Review: *** out of 4

COLUMBIA PICTURES

Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in The Equalizer

            Academy Award winner, Denzel Washington (Glory, Training Day, Flight) and director, Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) re-unite once again in the action thriller, The Equalizer, based on the TV series of the same name. Now I have never seen the original HBO series, so I wouldn’t know how accurate this film adaptation is, but as a stand-alone action film, the movie is entertaining, it keeps you thinking, and often bloody.

            Denzel stars as middle-aged retired intelligence officer, Robert McCall who believes he has successfully put his Special Forces past behind him. That is until he meets a young girl named Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz-Kick-Ass, Hugo, Carrie) who is under the control of Russian gangsters, her life is in serious danger and Robert has to help her because she may be messing with the wrong crowd.

            Armed with special skills and strategies, it’s up to Robert to come out of retirement and save Teri’s future from falling into the Russians’ hands.

            The film also stars Marton Csokas (The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, The Bourne Supremacy, The Amazing Spider-Man 2), David Harbour (The Green Hornet), Bill Pullman (Spaceballs), and Melissa Leo (21 Grams, Frozen River, The Fighter).

            Overall, The Equalizer is a decent thriller, not quite as clever as films like the James Bond franchise, Training Day, or the original Bourne trilogy, but it doesn’t have to be. The film has its smart moments, but a lot of it did feel rather rehashed and cliché, however it’s not a terrible thing.

            The Equalizer is far from being a bad movie, it’s quite an enjoyable film if you know what you’re getting yourself into, just don’t expect it to be a big blockbuster like Guardians of the Galaxy, X-Men: Days of Future Past, or more recently, The Maze Runner, but as is, it’s smart, intelligent, and a bit goofy.

            One very positive thing I had to say were Denzel Washington and Chloe Grace Moretz’s portrayals, their performances were very enjoyable to watch and I remembered who these people are, trust me, I love Denzel’s work, almost everything he touches is gold, I have never seen him do a bad movie.

            If you’re a fan of the action thriller genre or Denzel Washington himself, you’re sure to enjoy it, unless you don’t like bloody violence or you’re a fan of the original TV series, it probably won’t sit well with you, and if you’re expecting the next Training Day, I think someone needs to get drilled into their head.

Rose City Comic Con 2014 Recap

Greetings my children, 

Like what I did at the 2014 Emerald City ComiCon, here is a Recap of all the costumes and events I saw at this year's Rose City Comic Con in Portland, OR. 

Enjoy, 

-The Psychopath!