V for Vendetta (USA/Germany, 2005)

Based on the comic book series written by Alan Moore and illustrated by David Lloyd, V for Vendetta is a nicely done adaptation for the big screen. Visually very striking, and well updated from its early 80s political statements and style, it shows that comics can become good movies. Not to say to original story is not good, on the contrary, it is excellent ! But in today’s context, it would not be as much interest without a few minor adaptations.

That said, it makes for a very good film. Entertaining, with just enough of a message to make you think and without being overly righteous. No need to be familiar with the comic book to enjoy it, sufficient information is given in the film to understand it.

Surprising, really… The Wachowski brothers attached to an actually good movie. Weird.

The Iron Mask (USA, 1929)

Eight years after The Three Musketeers, Douglas Fairbanks returns in the sequel based on Alexandre Dumas‘ novel.

It seems during that eight-year period, filmmaking techniques had improved a lot. The editing is far more fluid, making the story a lot easier to follow and the music soundtrack actually matches the picture in style.

On the down side, there is less action than in the previous Musketeers movie. It also takes a long time before we can see any swashbuckling. A better movie, yes, but not as action oriented. Nevertheless, when the action comes, it is great ! And Fairbanks is as graceful as ever !

Fun to watch and entertaining !

On a last note, the Internet Movie Database says the movie has sound effects and some talking sequences. There must be different versions, because the movie reviewed does not have any sound but the music score.

OSS 117, Le Caire Nid d’Espions (France, 2006)

Basé sur les romans de Jean Bruce, le personage d’OSS 117 est souvent décris comme une copie de James Bond, lui aussi tiré de romans. La vérité est que la première histoire OSS 117 a été publié en 1949 (Tu Parles d’une Ingénue ou Ici OSS 117) et que le premier Bond fut publié en 1953 (Casion Royale).

Le film, lui, se veut une parodie. Mais ici, on ne se gêne pas pour emprunter aux films de 007, en particulier ceux de Sean Connery. Jean Dujardin a du passé des heures a étudier le Bond de Connery pour en arriver au résultat final au cinéma. C’est presqu’à s’y méprendre.

Ceci dit, le film est amusant, mais moins drôle qu’espéré. Le talent comique de Dujardin est ce qui tient l’attention à l’écran, le reste n’est pas aussi intéressant. Il manque une certaine consistance pour que le film soit une réussite. Par conte, la trame sonore est impeccable et la réalisation représente remarquablement bien le style parodié.

Divertissant, mais sans plus.

Fearless (Hong Kong, 2006)

Officially this is Jet Li‘s last martial arts movie. Unless, he says, is presented with an exceptionally good script. Meaning it does not mean much.

Li plays Huo Yuanjia, a real martial arts figure, who becomes very popular by beating the world’s top fighters at the begining of the twentieth century.

For Jet Li’s fans, this is a very good film. Though the story is quite simple it serves its purpose of bringing many fights to the screen. One problem is the cool editing technique used to shoot those fights. There are too many cuts and too many different angles to allow the audience to clearly enjoy the choreography of the fight. That is all Hollywood’s fault : it is the style of editing that is mostly used nowadays to portray action. Sad really, Jet Li fighting is a beatiful thing to watch. At least, this fast paced editing is not used in all of the fighting scenes, making it possible to enjoy some of them very much so.

The rest is excellent in its execution. Mind you, it is a standard period martial arts film, don’t expect too many twists and surprises. Most enjoyable, nontheless. Could be a good introduction to the genre, it is easily accessible and most people are familiar with Jet Li.

Really worth the watch.