55 replies to this topic

[Stephenson]

I've been reading the reviews over on Rottentomatoes: real mixed bag so far, some loving the combination of action and comedy, others saying it completely misses the mark. I have to admit, this is one film I was looking forward. I liked Linman's work in the "Bourne Identity" and was jopeful this movie might finally give Jolie the modest hit she needs.

Just wondering what peoples' thoughts are.

[Mister Asterix]

[mra]Not sure. Looks like True Lies, but with both the husband and wife being spies, rather than just the husband. I

[Qwerty]

It looks like fun, I'm going to see it.

[Xenia_Onatopp]

Saw the film and it's one of my favorites this year. The best part of the film is the chemistry between the two - they are one hot couple, and if they're still denying they're a couple in real life, they're in denial that they were meant to be together.

There's a lot of Bondish action in it, and Angelina is a pure natural in the part as a seductive agent who's got it all. Brad shows off his funny bone and is such a great counterpart for Angelina; frankly I haven't seen that balance in any of her films until now. Well, I haven't seen the one with Clive yet...

It's basically a black comedy with domestic violence at its ultimate, with no real hatred. I'm mean, you're trying to kill your own spouse, geez! Really, it was quite entertaining and great play of emotions. Somehow got the feeling that it was over-edited. The ending kinda left question marks for me, but it was well worth the watch. I for one will be buying the DVD when it comes out.

I'd give it 3 1/2 smiles out of 5 (and no one gets a 5).

Edited by Xenia_Onatopp, 06 June 2005 - 06:57 PM.

[Bryce (003)]

This looks like too much fun to miss.

As there is a friend of mine who has been the "Mrs." half of our friendship, she's simply said : "Who filmed our lives?...and where's my check?"

When I first heard about this script - about three years ago - it was pitched as "War of the Roses meets True Lies".

Should be good.

[Double-Oh-Zero]

Well, I suppose if Mr. Pitt can pull his acting chops together and the direction is decent, then--

Angelina's in it?

I'm sold.

She won't be Mrs. Smith for very much longer.

[00-FAN008]

This movie looks incredibly cool. Somewhat corny here and there, but overall it looks like a slick package. And by package, I don't mean wang. That's just silly.

[Qwerty]

When I first heard about this script - about three years ago - it was pitched as "War of the Roses meets True Lies".

Sounds fun just from that.

[Blofeld's Cat]

The trailer is really getting pushed on TV here. Looks like a lot of fun and will probably get to see it in format or an other.

[Bryce (003)]

OK, caught it yesterday afternoon.

DAMN GOOD FUN!

Don't expect an Oscar sweep, but it fills the "Bond void" and is some great action - clearly Liman brought his Bourne second-unit in on this.

Pitt has some really great moments and Angelina is well...Angelina.

The gun battle throughout their lovely home and the hand-to-hand fight is equal mixes of hard action and comic pratfalls that are fantastic. Maybe that's saying a bit much, but it's entertaining. (kinda reminds of once when Flicka and I had "discussion" as to who got the last bottle of scotch from the mini-bar at a BCW)

Best date/couples film of the year - periodic scenes in a marriage conselors office are hysterical.

Angelina's got one "Bond style" escape after assassinating a target that proves she *could* be a female 007 if one were to exist.

A comment from my Bryce-Girl: "You know, you really have to love someone to beat the out of them like that."

There's going to be no middle ground on this film. You'll either love it or think it's a waste of time.

Check it out, that's my advice.

[Stephenson]

Saw it today with the wife, and we both thoroughly enjoyed it.

Great summary Bryce. Can't think of anything to add, except my recommendation that people see it.

[Janus Assassin]

Saw it on Friday night. I also enjoyed it very much.

[rogermoore007]

Saw it last night. Really fun movie. It was fun and had some great action scenes and the counseling scenes were hilarious. Other than that Bryce summed it up perfectly.

[Righty007]

I saw it yesterday. It was enjoyable but it wasn't anything special.

[trs007]

Just got back. LOved it. John Powell could definitely deliver a Bond-score if Arnold steps down. Angelina looks more beautiful with each film and certainly had more action to do here than in Tomb Raider. Thouroughly enjoyable.

[Qwerty]

and the counseling scenes were hilarious.

Everyone seems to be saying that as well, at least from those I've heard from.

[Tarl_Cabot]

Just got back.  LOved it.  John Powell could definitely deliver a Bond-score if Arnold steps down.  Angelina looks more beautiful with each film and certainly had more action to do here than in Tomb Raider.  Thouroughly enjoyable.

John Powel did the score???? Doug Limon....The Bourne team....hhhmmm.....I'm sooo there! These guys know how to make a spy thriller.

[Seannery]

The movie made over 51 million over the weekend--yet another sign that a Bondian like action flick is a very popular thing. Didn't see the movie yet but from all the reviews it's more of a fun escapist fare more in the realm of a typical Bond flick rather than a serious and sometimes grim Bourne flick. Showing Bond need not turn into a Bourne clone to succeed in the box office--this shows there is still a big hunger for a fun large scale escapist action flick.

And also starring the 40 something Brad Pitt showing a 40 something can bring in the kiddies and everyone else and that you don't need a 20 something for that--you hear that Eon?

[Skudor]

Planning to see this one, looks good and sounds like people who've seen it enjoyed it.

[Simon]

Just (I'm very contemporary) had a look at the trailers at apple.com, both look to be tip top.

Will definitely be going to see this.

[Stephenson]

And also starring the 40 something Brad Pitt showing a 40 something can bring in the kiddies and everyone else and that you don't need a 20 something for that--you hear that Eon?

Seannery, Brad Pitt spent ten years being a thirty-something superstar before he made this movie, so unless Eon is planning on hiring Pitt for Bond (or an equally famous 40 year old actor, say Clooney or Cruise), the comparison doesn't really hold water. Not to mention the fact that a large portion of the audience was there to see Ms. Jolie.

Funny, the thing I have read being criticized the most has been the action: aside from one or two scenes (the first time we see them on assignment and the fight in the house), it really didn't do much for me, and seemed to serve only as a backdrop to juxtapose their "witty" arguments (which were damn funny at times and no doubt Linman's intent). And although I like the score through 70% of the movie, it was also during the action scenes that I felt it kind of fell apart, especially when compared to the excellent work done with the Bourne movies.

[Seannery]

And also starring the 40 something Brad Pitt showing a 40 something can bring in the kiddies and everyone else and that you don't need a 20 something for that--you hear that Eon?

Seannery, Brad Pitt spent ten years being a thirty-something superstar before he made this movie, so unless Eon is planning on hiring Pitt for Bond (or an equally famous 40 year old actor, say Clooney or Cruise), the comparison doesn't really hold water. Not to mention the fact that a large portion of the audience was there to see Ms. Jolie.

Funny, the thing I have read being criticized the most has been the action: aside from one or two scenes (the first time we see them on assignment and the fight in the house), it really didn't do much for me, and seemed to serve only as a backdrop to juxtapose their "witty" arguments (which were damn funny at times and no doubt Linman's intent). And although I like the score through 70% of the movie, it was also during the action scenes that I felt it kind of fell apart, especially when compared to the excellent work done with the Bourne movies.

Yes it does hold because Bond is the star in Bond movies not the actor. And Bond has been a star for a lot longer than Brad Pitt. With the action critics may not like it BUT fans do and box office is nice--surely what Eon would like. Just shows you can do large scale action that elites may not like or more serious Bourne type and suceed either way.

[Stephenson]

And also starring the 40 something Brad Pitt showing a 40 something can bring in the kiddies and everyone else and that you don't need a 20 something for that--you hear that Eon?

Seannery, Brad Pitt spent ten years being a thirty-something superstar before he made this movie, so unless Eon is planning on hiring Pitt for Bond (or an equally famous 40 year old actor, say Clooney or Cruise), the comparison doesn't really hold water. Not to mention the fact that a large portion of the audience was there to see Ms. Jolie.

Funny, the thing I have read being criticized the most has been the action: aside from one or two scenes (the first time we see them on assignment and the fight in the house), it really didn't do much for me, and seemed to serve only as a backdrop to juxtapose their "witty" arguments (which were damn funny at times and no doubt Linman's intent). And although I like the score through 70% of the movie, it was also during the action scenes that I felt it kind of fell apart, especially when compared to the excellent work done with the Bourne movies.

Yes it does hold because Bond is the star in Bond movies not the actor. And Bond has been a star for a lot longer than Brad Pitt. With the action critics may not like it BUT fans do and box office is nice--surely what Eon would like. Just shows you can do large scale action that elites may not like or more serious Bourne type and suceed either way.

Not sure I got that first part, you kinda sounded like DLibrasnow for a second

No doubt Eon would like an opening like this for CR, hope it happens!

As for the action, I still don't think it would stand on its own (which sounds like what the critics want), but like I said, it wasn't meant to. Linman did a great job of presenting gunplay, fistfights and car chases that were more than just an end unto themselves and actually helped serve the characters development (the action didn't really do much for the plot, such as it was. Actually, there's something I find really ironic: the director of "Go", which was kind of a "PulpFiction Jr." and features a complex, multi-character, interwoven plot, ends up directing the two spy movies that essentially have no plot at all. I thought he would have been a master of the subtle twist or surprise ending ). Some of the lines in that car chase still have me chuckling a little.

[Seannery]

And also starring the 40 something Brad Pitt showing a 40 something can bring in the kiddies and everyone else and that you don't need a 20 something for that--you hear that Eon?

Seannery, Brad Pitt spent ten years being a thirty-something superstar before he made this movie, so unless Eon is planning on hiring Pitt for Bond (or an equally famous 40 year old actor, say Clooney or Cruise), the comparison doesn't really hold water. Not to mention the fact that a large portion of the audience was there to see Ms. Jolie.

Funny, the thing I have read being criticized the most has been the action: aside from one or two scenes (the first time we see them on assignment and the fight in the house), it really didn't do much for me, and seemed to serve only as a backdrop to juxtapose their "witty" arguments (which were damn funny at times and no doubt Linman's intent). And although I like the score through 70% of the movie, it was also during the action scenes that I felt it kind of fell apart, especially when compared to the excellent work done with the Bourne movies.

Yes it does hold because Bond is the star in Bond movies not the actor. And Bond has been a star for a lot longer than Brad Pitt. With the action critics may not like it BUT fans do and box office is nice--surely what Eon would like. Just shows you can do large scale action that elites may not like or more serious Bourne type and suceed either way.

Not sure I got that first part, you kinda sounded like DLibrasnow for a second

No doubt Eon would like an opening like this for CR, hope it happens!

As for the action, I still don't think it would stand on its own (which sounds like what the critics want), but like I said, it wasn't meant to. Linman did a great job of presenting gunplay, fistfights and car chases that were more than just an end unto themselves and actually helped serve the characters development (the action didn't really do much for the plot, such as it was. Actually, there's something I find really ironic: the director of "Go", which was kind of a "PulpFiction Jr." and features a complex, multi-character, interwoven plot, ends up directing the two spy movies that essentially have no plot at all. I thought he would have been a master of the subtle twist or surprise ending ). Some of the lines in that car chase still have me chuckling a little.

Stephenson I just meant that we don't need a star to be Bond and therefore since Bond is the star that would be the equivalent of 40 something Pitt. Showing that like 40 something Pitt, a 40 something Bond can still pack in the crowds of all ages such as it did in DAD and therefore not needing this extreme rebooting of a 20 something Bond to succeed at all. But as opposed to Dlib I think it is important they cast the right actor as Bond--only that it needn't be a big name because Bond is the star.

[Stephenson]

Just joking around Seannery. You and I know each other's position on this so well, I didn't feel we needed to use another thread to discuss it in any kind of depth.

Oh, and no offence to Dlib: respect your opinion . It nicely creates an extreme at one end to which all else can be compared.

[Seannery]

You got it!

[Shaun Forever]

The film does not interest me at all, though if it were to come on Sky I would probably watch it.

[The Girl With The Golden Gun]

When I first heard about this script - about three years ago - it was pitched as "War of the Roses meets True Lies".

Should be good.

Hmm, not too sure - Saw this last week and to be honest, Doug Liman did a much better job with his Bourne series. To be fair it's a decent action flick with some good exchanges bewteen Brad and Angelina as husband and wife-turned-assassins, but once this part of the story is established, there is little else to be impressed by. Wait, they're married! And they have to kill each other! And that's about it. There is one little twist towards the end, but that wears thin in a matter of seconds. For the girls, there is the lovely Brad (and the comedy stylings of Vince Vaughn as his boss/friend/fellow assassin) and for the guys, there's lots of explosions, guns and your typical car chase. All in all, a mediocre way to spend 2 hours. I'd give it 2/5

[Kara Milovy]

I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's a sharp, amusing parody of marital life, of our shopping-obsessed culture, of spy movies, and of itself. It's enjoyable, sexy, and funny.

[hrabb04]

If it were rated r and had Angelina showing her Jolies in all their glory, I would go. But, as a PG-13, I will skip it