Kung Fu Panda Kicks

Visually, the film was astounding. Storywise, it was almost like the Jackie Chan-Jet Li starrer The Forbidden Kingdom. However, I really found almost all the scenes hilarious and dull moments were almost negligible. One particular long scene I liked was the chopstick fight between Po, the Panda and his master. Tons of laugh-out-loud moments and spectacular fight sequences were in that fight scene. Your eyes should be glued to the screen or you would miss special moments.

I can't say much anymore except that I wish to hear a lot of the "Kung Fu Fighting" song. I have always liked the original version but the new version, sung by a Filipino boy (I was told)during the credits, is equally okay. Maybe it is because the melody of that song is really quite cool--east meets west type of harmony.

Go watch it if you like kung fu, pandas, and China!

One Incredible Hulk

I haven't seen Ang Lee's version of the Hulk because of the bad word-of-mouth publicity. One close friend did say she liked Ang Lee's Hulk but since it was not the conventional comic book movie, it was highly misunderstood. Too bad I wasn't able to see it because I would have wanted to make a comparison. It is not available on video stores here now.

Anyway, I liked this new Incredible Hulk movie not because of the combat and action scenes but because of the storyline. Like Iron Man, at least the story makes sense in a way. I don't really need a very deep explanation of why something happened especially if the story is about a comic book character. However, I would like to see good characterization which this movie has shown, except for Liv Tyler. I don't know about you, guys, but Liv Tyler's acting has never been my cup of tea.

There were some funny moments, too and I particularly found it a bit moving to hear the Hulk TV series theme. It reminded me of Bill Bixby, an actor I am especially fond of and the only reason I watched the TV series.

The fight sequences will surely tickle the male species and I was not turned off by these, though I prefer the shorter fight sequences in Iron Man.

Prince Caspian and The Narnians

Well, all in all, I was more entertained by this second movie of the Narnia Chronicles by C.S. Lewis. I kinda liked this one better than the first one. It has more action for me and the plot does not develop in a painstakingly boring pace like the first Narnia movie, The Lion,The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

I have only read one Narnia book and it was boring, sorry to say. C.S. Lewis was one great christian theologian but if I judge his children's books based on that one book I've read, then I am glad there is a movie version of the Narnia Chronicles.

Watch this movie if you like panoramic battle sequences and well-choreographed hand to hand combat. However, after leaving the theater you won't be thinking much about it. I did remember one very nice song, though.

Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull

I have always been a fan of the Indiana Jones films and Harrison Ford. I think Indiana Jones fits Harrison to a T and should I say vice versa. Indiana is Ford and Ford is Indiana. I have to admit that I am a little bit disappointed with Harrison Ford lately because of his choice of movies. Good thing he had chosen to make the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones films.

Okay, it was a bit hard to stomach the somewhat X-files tone of the film. I mean using aliens to explain a phenomenon is a bit out of place. Granted, all Indiana Jones films try to explain a symbolic icon or practice by using common myths and legends. So what is wrong with this one since it was theorized that aliens did the pyramids(whether Egyptian, Mayan, Incan, Aztec)? Well, there were other theories, myths, and legends concerning the pyramids that could have been used in keeping with the mystical elements of the Indiana Jones adventure fantasy films. They could have chosen to use the religious beliefs of the culture involved like what Spielberg did with the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail. He did so with the Indian mystical idea of human sacrifice.

All in all, the film still followed the formula of the old Indiana Jones films. The action was continuous and as usual unbelievable yet so much fun. Harrison Ford may be older now but he still got the stamina to make the film. The film tried to capture the era as well in terms of costumes, props, settings and political climate.

I did not feel I wasted money watching it, but I did not let out a big WOW like what Iron Man did to me. If future Indy films are made without Ford, I don't know if I will actually watch it, but then again, it might turn out to be a WOW like Iron Man!

Voltes V: A Priceless Robot Animation

Finally, I have the complete vcd of Voltes V. Yes, vcd and not dvd, thank God we still have vcd's in the Philippines because they are definitely cheaper, not to mention that I don't want to get rid of my Sony VCD player and that DVD players can read my collection of vcd's.

Now, going back to Voltes V. This has been my favorite robot animation ever since. Way back in the 70's, I just saw the fight scenes which were superbly choreographed and well-drawn, but now as an older person, a much older person, I can see why Voltes V is a real gem. The storyline contains mature themes like discrimination, world domination, and natural human yearnings so an adult viewer can actually identify with the series. Each episode shows an improvement of Voltes V and also an improvement of enemy tactics. Surprisingly, key people died which is reflective of real-life situations. At the time, other robot animation did not have the deaths of key people. And, there is the twist about the identity of the three Armstrong Brothers. This is an animated telenovela if I ever saw one (well, Daimos is also an animated telenovela).

If you like the elements mentioned above, grab your copy now. By the way, my niece and nephew are becoming Voltes V fanatics like me.

Iron Man: Great Acting and Great Movie, I Should Say

I entered the cinema not knowing what to expect about this film. I was so disappointed with Spiderman 3, though I loved the first, that I anticipated another bad film. The only reason I wanted to see Iron Man was because of Robert Downey, Jr. who I think is a very good actor. Thank God, I did because the movie was worth the ticket. I don't usually believe the critics (this movie was praised) since I have my own opinion and sometimes my ideas clash with the critics' opinions while sometimes I agree with them.

I liked the fact that the explanation of Iron Man's origin was explained without the usual storytelling lag. The acting, especially by Robert Downey, Jr. was topnotch. He was both humorous, sometimes a bit vile, but also human. Guys may want more action scenes, but I liked the ones I saw so far. The computer graphics here did not intrude with the story. More often, I get so dizzy with the super speed of computer graphics and the constant bombardment of colors and movement in other movies. With Iron Man, it was just right and the costume was super cool.

Well, what can I say? I saw it twice and I really don't do this often. Actually, I don't recall watching movies twice except a movie or two and the reason was because my friend wanted to see what I already watched. God willing, I'll buy a vcd of this one (yes, vcd, not dvd LOL).