DW Reviews

[Dragon Warrior]

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[FONT=Trebuchet MS]Welcome. This is a thread I have made for the purpose of simply making movie reviews and sharing them with the public. Be aware I will be discussing the full movie, though I will be using spoiler tags where needed, so you'll be safe to read this even if you have not seen the film. Also feel free to comment on the reviews here in this thread if you'd like. Enjoy.

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What a trip this movie was! I can easily say it was the best movie I've seen all year, by far. The gripping story, the artistic look, the more darker twist on Batman, everything was a great breathe of fresh air... as fresh as Gothum air comes. Just watching the starting credits made me want to leap out of my seat in anticipation. (And I probably would have if there wasn?t something sticky on the chair hindering me from doing so).

The movie opens on a morbid story of our dark knight of the?er? well? night. Though Tim Burton did a superb job making Gothum look devious in its own miraculous style, he definiately did a hit and miss when it comes to being really dark. [b]Batman Begins[/b] delivers just the right amount of brooding atmosphere to give Batman his true colors.

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Naturally Bruce Wayne is still a rich stud of Gothum, but this new revamped version of his story gives him a darker edge and a grim past to mix with his heroic future. [spoiler]After all, he does start off the movie beating some guards senseless in a jail-like camp. Fun, fun![/spoiler] I was also pleased to see Liam Neeson in the movie, playing a wise master to Bruce and who helps train him. (Giving a reason to why Bruce can do all the fancy moves and manuvuers that he conquers so well). For those of you who don?t know much because you only walk out your door just to get the mail, this is Liam:

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You?ve at least got to recognize this dude from [b]Star Wars: Episode I[/b] (Qui-Gon Jinn). But enough about him. Who accompanied Neeson as Bruce himself was none other than Christian Bale! Yeah, I didn?t know who he was either. He seemed very familiar, but I couldn?t put my finger on him. Then I looked him up and he wasn?t in a whole lot that I?ve seen. (It may have been [b]Reign of Fire[/b] that tipped me off). Also starring Katie Holmes and Gary Oldman. And of course there are a few other familiar faces like Morgan Freeman.

Basically I was psyched about the film because it promised a more artistic (and seedy) version of the timeless tale of the Dark Knight. I?m also for artistic views on things and love the imaginative despondent look of things that are familiar in other ways. It?s one reason why I like Tim Burton?s work, but I actually wasn?t as fond of his Batman version as I was of this. Like I stated previously, this one is very artistic.

Even Gothum is slightly different in this adaptation. Where the rich live, it?s lovely and whimsical and futuristic (while still keeping as much Gothum feel as it can, of course), but then you go to the slums where the homeless are and where the bedraggled business of vice carries on and you see the real morbid side to the movie. Everything is dark (not just in the sense of the atmosphere, but literally, you couldn?t see past your hand if it were right in front of you) and you wouldn?t feel safe at all, [spoiler]especially since Bruce?s parents are shot in the alley by the theatre.[/spoiler]

But this brings up my real only grudge against the movie. Sure, things are dark in the sense that you can?t see much?that?s bad. It?s good to give the ambience a uncertain feel to it that makes your skin want to crawl (where to, I dunno. That?s up to your skin!), but you couldn?t see the action. When the Batman was fighting people, it was really close, really dark, and you couldn?t make out what was happening. You couldn?t even make out with your girlfriend in the theatre either because she didn?t like how dark and close up the film is. (Picky girlfriend, huh?) So, that?s the problem: you can?t see what?s going on. For all we know, Christian Bale could be knocking around a large stuffed dummy and making the sounds of punching and kicking himself. This problem is relevant in several other films*.

Putting aside the nitty gritty and getting back to the artistic view of the film, I enjoyed the villain of the movie too. I don?t think I can say much about it without going into spoiler mode, so read on if you dare. (I can?t really tell if it?d be a spoiler or not since it?s no biggie who the villain is anyways). [spoiler]It was great to see that the bad guy wasn?t one of the main villains from the Batman saga. It wasn?t the Joker or the Riddler or even Penguin (though when watching the previews, I thought it was going to be the Joker**), it was an average gang doing naughty things. Yay! It was really cool that his ?power? was his poison he was making to make people go crazy with fear (especially since the film was dealing with Bruce?s fear of bats). I also enjoyed his ?Scarecrow? character when he put the bag on over his head. Intriguing?[/spoiler]

And look who plays Alfred the Butler! None other tan Michael Caine himself. And might I say he did a superb job. He was definiately the right man for Alfred. (even though I for some reason saw Monty Python?s John Cleese playing him too). He brought laughs in as well with the character?s dry humor. I always liked Alfred.

Anyways, now that I?ve covered some minor jibber jabber, I will explain a brief summary of the plot. The story is pretty much about Bruce Wayne wanting to give the criminals what they deserve (this plan coming from after a childhood accident, of course***) while at the same time overcoming his fear of bats. At the same time, some evil somebodies are doing some evil thingies, but you can?t be too sure who they are. And I?m definiately not going to say! But looks like Bruce has a nice start to his super hero career. Yippie skippy, right?

Being the rich son of a gun he is, he can use his daddy?s company?s weapons and other fancy junk to get going in his mission. A good hour or whatever of the movie is just him getting started and transforming into the Batman. But don?t get all frustrated and start ripping off your clothes in anger (unless you?re a babe). I found the transformation between Bruce and the Batman to be the most intriguing part of the film. I was mesmerized at how they tied everything together so nicely without loopholes and how it avoided being too easy to figure out how they?d accomplish such trials. ?Does it come in black??****

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Katie Holmes plays Rachel Dawes, Bruce?s old childhood friend. You can only assume that they like one another. Dude, that?s totally not a spoiler. A blind dead guy who lived in the caveman years could see it. Fortunately enough, Katie?s character wasn?t one of the dumb lasses who cry out for help like so many others (Mary Jane in Spider-man flicks). Normally when the ?girlfriend? of the hero?s human identity gets involved, it?s so cliché that the hero has to go and save her. For example?and this made me feel poopy after watching [b]Spider-man[/b]?in [b]Spider-man 2[/b], (for the sake of those fools who haven?t seen [b]Spider-man 2[/b], here?s some spoiler taggage) [spoiler]during a bank scene, Doc Ock is attacking, Peter and his aunt [I]just so happen[/I] to be there at the time doing some business. Well, how many people are in the bank when he attacks? Let?s count. One, two, fifty, hundred? yeah. And out of all the people, Doc Ock happens to take Peter?s aunt. What the hell? That?s trying a little too hard to get the family involved. Same with Mary Jane? she?s constantly getting into trouble, but she?s of no importance to the villains at all.[/spoiler]

The female in these films always seems to be not properly placed, but it was different this time, which made me pleased. That?s normally a huge mistake comic books and their movies make. [spoiler]Here in [b]Batman Begins[/b], Rachel is involved in the scheme since she?s in the line of law, as is one of the villains (Dr. Crane). She gets a tad too nosey and [I]BOOP![/I] Oh, dangit? I?m sorry, Rachel, but I?m going to have to put on my big scary mask and make funny faces at you behind it. But don?t worry? this gas will make everything a happy nightmare. Enjoy! Teehee![/spoiler]

Splendidly, every character, every plothole, and every little dittle was intricately placed and done just right to get the full effect of the movie. Once again, I would?ve been on the edge of my seat if that nasty sticky stuff wasn?t there. Who puts gum on a theatre seat? Honestly! I must say it was worth the wait ever since I first saw the preview ages ago. It definitely is not like any other Batman movie around. It even throws in some new ideas, like how Bruce trains with martial artist dudes. Some new culture in the mix, which is a big change and may mess the whole thing up, but it was like adding gravy to your mashed potatoes? it just made it better.

Then again, I hate gravy.

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I liked how the Batman worked with Gary Oldman?s character, Jim Gordon, a cop. That made it so not everyone thought the Batman was a bad guy. And how come everyone in every superhero movie thinks the hero is a bad guy? (*cough*Spider-Man*cough*). The twists in the movie were amazing and I was terrified to see who the main villain was after all. [spoiler]I like Liam Neeson too much to let him go bad. But it bugged me when he told Bruce that he left Neeson to die, even though he knows damn right Bruce saved his ***! Meh, oh well.[/spoiler] The ending was spectacular and I wanted it to never end. Literally. I was [I]that[/I] into it. [spoiler]I thought after everything was going the bad guys? way and all the water shot out into the streets (and made everyone go mad), it was all over. I was eager to see what the Batman would do. It also gets you thinking when Jim Gordon said that a lot of the ward patients are still missing that they may become some of the villains we know too well. I mean, since the Joker is the next bad guy, he?s bound to be someone from an asylum. Toss that around in your noodle for a while.[/spoiler]

Nevertheless, for two hours and twenty-one minutes of silly and zany adventures, [b]Batman Begins[/b] was a smash-hit and a grand success. I literally wanted to go back to the concessions after the show was over, grab more Jujy-Fruit*****, and scatter back in the theatre for another showing (though I went to the last show of the day, so I was refrained from doing that little number). But I definitely plan on seeing it again. I wonder if my sister has seen it yet. If not, I guess I have an excuse to go again. Muhahahaha!

Having said that, I rate this beast on my [b]Rate-Dar[/b]? a [b]4[/b].

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The highest rating goes to my first review! Nice work, [b]Batman Begins.[/b] I can?t wait ?til the sequel. You?ve got the audience?s attention? now don?t lose it. Or I?ll give you a kick in the nads.

*One film that gets too close, too dark, and everything else bad is [b]Alien V.S. Predator.[/b] I liked the movie, but was the Predator kicking the Alien or was he giving him a massage with his foot? I couldn?t tell. It was too dark and too close!
**[spoiler]Cillian Murphy, the guy who plays Dr. Jonathan Crane (Scarecrow) could play a pretty good Joker, in my opinion![/spoiler]
***Oy? I just wanted to say that was a tad cliché, but when are movies not? It didn?t actually bother me!
****You?d understand that if you watched the film.
*****Jujy-Fruit is the candy God gets stuck in his teeth? that?s all that needs to be said.[/font]

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First review done, and cut!

[Goodbye, Face]

I like what I read, DW! When I realized how long it was, I started skimming, I also skipped the spoilers because I haven't seen it yet.You've made me want to go see it, even though I detest Batman (and Superman)... just after War of the Worlds. XD

[Dragon Warrior]

Yeah, Superman is the most cliche superhero ever, so you can't blame him... but you can despise him ;) Batman is definiately not going too conformist on you and it's definitely a treat for the artistic mind and the eye.

[Kitty]

[color=blue][size=1]I absolutely [i]loved[/i] this movie (just as much as I love your review =P) I saw it yesterday with my dad, and we haven't stopped quoting it. (The "Does it come in black?" quote pops up in our conversations a lot, lol.)

All of the actors did wonderful jobs playing their characters, but the ones I enjoyed watching most were Michael Caine (Alfred) and Cillian Murphy ([spoiler]Dr. Crane/Scarecrow[/spoiler]). Caine's jokes cracked me up and Murphy's job of [spoiler]illustrating how sick and twisted Scarecrow is by driving his patients insane, and, eventually, going insane himself[/spoiler] was awesome. If I had to have one reason to see the film again, it would be just to see him again.

Overall, the entire story was great and I, too, loved the darker take on the old Batman tale. Can't wait to read your next review, DW. ^_^[/size][/color]

[Dragon Warrior]

Yes, yes, thanks. I like movies and I like discussing them. Maybe I shouldn't be an actor, but a movie critic :^O

Nah.

I plan on seeing [b]Bewitched[/b] and [b]War of the Worlds[/b] within the next week (one of the two this weekend for sure), so a new review will be up shortly. I might just do one on an old movie or a film that just came out on video and DvD.

[Manic Webb]

Wow. You know, for a second there, I thought [b]nobody[/b] on OB was watching any movies this summer. Typically, this forum would be packed with threads discussing each and every movie that's come out since early May. Aside from this thread, nobody's even brought up any movies since Star Wars III came out.

Good review, by the way. Gotta love how you went through the extra effort of including a rate-dar.

[Doukeshi]

[SIZE=1]I absolutely adored this movie, and what really made my day [spoiler]other than the fact that Liam Neeson turned out to be Ra's (considering I spent most of the movie bitching about how he looked more like Ra's Al Ghul than the other guy)[/spoiler] is the fact that [spoiler]Barbara Gordon got credited right near the end of the credits, after Thug 3 and crazy man etc.[/spoiler] Bless them, bless them all for making such a brilliant batman movie, forever smiting Batman & Robin from our minds.[/SIZE]

[Dragon Warrior]

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What is this, the year of the greatest movies ever? I?ve only written two reviews in this thread and they both are about top-notch movies! I can?t keep this up or it?ll look like I love everything. But everything is what I loved about this movie? [b]Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.[/b]

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Being a crazed Tim Burton fan, you can only assume I?d drool over this. In fact, I was shouting in the theatre when the film was starting (including clinging to people when the [b]Corpse Bride[/b] trailer came on during previews and me shouting ?Sweet Jesus, Yes!?). I was overwhelmed with vivid and beautiful imagery, fantastic music (those Oompa Loompas know how to boogie!), and a character of Wonka we haven?t seen before, but will cherish for? er? forever.

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I?ve heard all sorts of things for this movie. I?ve heard people put it down, I?ve heard constant raves about how amazing it is. I?ve even heard someone choking? but that really has nothing to do with this. I must say I have become one of the ones who rant and rave about how brilliant it is. You?d think I?d see it the day it came out?and I planned to! I really did! But I didn?t because money was a problem. How unfortunate. But alas, I see it precisely a week after its release and couldn?t be happier. But enough of this silly jibber jabber? on with the review!

Let?s just start by saying the movie would?ve been nothing without Johnny Depp. He works so well with Tim Burton and he played the role right on the dot. I?m not even sure why they were thinking of casting people like Nicolas Cage or Will Smith for the role of Wonka. They must?ve had too many of Willy Wonka?s ?special brownies? or something. And though James would hate me for saying it, I still don?t think even Marilyn Manson would do the role right. Gene Wilder would shoot me for saying that Depp?s version of Wonka was explicitly better in several factors?like how he was more childish in this version. How can you act adult in a candy factory? Honestly.

The way Wonka acts around the children and the adults are different in some ways and it makes things interesting ([spoiler]It?s just odd he can?t say ?parents? XD[/spoiler]). I?m sure Depp supplied the script with some of his own jokes and humorous acts as he did help create the Wonka character we see on the big screen. It?s great that Depp has the ability to make every character in each of his films completely different from the rest. You never get the same Depp. And [b]Charlie and the Chocolate Factory[/b] is no exception.

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My sister was a tad frightened of Depp?s Wonka (and she?s 21, for goodness sake!), but I guess he was a tad abnormal. But that?s what made this whole film fun! [spoiler]The part where he got all excited about the chewing gum machine made me think, ?Man, he really is just like a kid.? Squee![/spoiler] No matter what all the wusses think, though. This movie rocked my socks and Depp?s performance was a big reason for it.

On the contrary to what some people think, Tim?s version of [b]Charlie[/b] was not based on the last film with Gene Wilder. It was actually based off the books. Not a [I]remake[/I] of the books, but [I]based off[/I] the books. There are, of course, the several large similarities between the books and Tim?s vision, but there can?t be a film of Tim Burton?s that he doesn?t make his own. The story has more added to it to give everyone?s favorite candyman a new atmosphere and background. It fills in so many plotholes Dahl never bothered to fill (not that he had to, of course). The new revamped story to [b]Charlie[/b] is similar at the start. Five golden tickets to little kids around the world, Charlie being one of them. They go to the Factory. Wonka does his little thing and kids get tortured in unusual manners. But throw Christopher Lee in as Wonka?s dentist father and we?re getting some childhood trauma! Hooray for horrible flashbacks! Christopher Lee is a flippin? sweet actor and I loved him in [b]Lord of the Rings[/b]. He can play a serious role well and he got this part down just right. Funny how he plays a dentist and has bad teeth in real life?

There?s more to the plot, of course, including the origin of the Oompa Loompas and reasons why he gave out five golden tickets, but I don?t want to spoil it, do I? [spoiler]No, I don?t, so stop trying to cheat![/spoiler]

The music was splendid too. Not my favorite soundtrack by Burton and Danny Elfman (who is a music composing god that walks among us), but it had a variety of odd and ?get-jiggy-with-it? music. The Oompa Loompas (Deep Roy) were often the ones to bring the music around. And not that I dislike the old film and the old Oompa Loompas, but these ones did it better. Just because last time the Loompas sang the same song constantly over and over and this time there?s a different song for every girl and boy. And it has fresh imagery while it?s occurring. It?s like watching ?Loompa Pop-Up Music Videos? on VH1 and I like it! The music variety goes to soothing music to techno to rock to whatever! That?s why it?s a fresh breath of air to the old, worn-out Loompa song (that?s still a classic, of course).

While we?re on the Oompa Loompas, I shall comment on Deep Roy being a wonderful actor. You may recall his small stature in other movies like [b]Big Fish[/b] (the clown with the gun). He?s so hard-working and I respect that he bothers acting out each individual Oopma Loompa.

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He goes through the trouble of playing each one (unless in a dance number where ones in the background are professional dancers). But honestly, he even learned to play the guitar for one scene. He had to have had with that! Respect the little guy, aight?!

I like how Tim Burton has people he works with constantly. Johnny Depp, Christopher Lee, Danny Elfman, Deep Roy, Helena Bonham Carter, etc. Heck, I know when I become an actor, I?m definitely going to do my best to get into Burton?s clique. I?d love to do a movie for him. But it?s always fun to see a familiar face in his films and guess what roles they played previously in his other movies. Like Helena Carter. She plays Mrs. Bucket in [b]Charlie[/b] and I automatically recognized her from [b]Big Fish[/b] as Jenny (The Witch). And heck, it?s a challenge naming all of Johnny?s roles in Tim?s movies. He?s been in too many!

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Like I said at the beginning of this review, the imagery was mesmerizing. It just simply was? wow! The moment he opens the door to his garden, someone says ?Now that?s plain Tim Burton right there.? It looks like his work, it feels like his work, and according to the movie, it must taste like his work?the factory is, after all, edible. There was certain stuff that you look at funny because it looks almost fake, but it?s just the way it would look if it were candy. Like the boat they ride in; it looks like plastic, but it also looks like it could be hard strawberry candy. To tell you the truth, while some of the kids stuffed their faces with candy, I lost my appetite to continue eating my Jujyfruits. Noooo thank you. I won?t look at candy the same after watching Augustus Gloop go at it.

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But yes, those kids are quite pesky, aren?t they? The most fun in both Wonka films is always the bad kids getting their ?just desserts.? Hahaha? I made a funny. Laugh >: O

My sister was correct when saying Julia Winter who played Veruca Salt didn?t play the part as well as the original girl. She just didn?t seem? nasty enough. But that didn?t mean I didn?t enjoy seeing her get her up-and-comings. They also made Violet Beauregarde a bit more competitive. It was all about keeping her eye on the prize this time more than just having a fetish for gum-chewing. I didn?t mind her as much as Veruca. I just despise Veruca with a passion. Besides, Violet does karate in this version. I?d like to keep my manhood intact, thank you very much!

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Like I said before, Augustus Gloop was nasty this time. More than the last kid actor for the role?and this is a good thing. Poor Philip Wiegratz played this degrading role. But hey, he must?ve got paid quite a bit and he was in a movie that?s making history all over again! But I?ll never look at a Wonka Bar the same again. Can we say ?GAG!?? Mike Teavee I wanted to take in a headlock and give a noogie. This is good that Tim Burton is making people dislike the villains of the story, if you can even call them villains. Let?s just say they?re antagonists. Mike Teavee (Jordan Fry) was a pest, though, and had a little too much of a fancy for violence. I was just waiting for the moment Violet would jumpkick him in the jaw. Why didn?t that moment come? Why?

Charlie was pleasant, of course. Johnny had already worked with Freddie Highmore in [b]Finding Neverland[/b] and they must?ve brought the house down together so Depp had him get a role in this film as the co-star. And it wasn?t a bad move. Highmore played Charlie right on and I didn?t really see a flaw in his performance. He?ll grow up and be someone, not that he isn?t someone now!

As for other characters, they were all good too, don?t get me wrong. But their performances weren?t really what the film was hindering on. After seeing Missi Pyle (Violet?s mother) in this, I wanted to scream. That woman is madness, but I love how she?s in Burton?s films a lot too (once again, in Big Fish). She did very well for the part too. It?s just crazy! I wasn?t sure who David Kelly was (Grandpa Joe) so I looked up his previous acting work and I haven?t seen anything else he?s been in. Which makes sense because I didn?t recognize him one bit. His name did sound familiar, though.

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It?s a true shame Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka in original film) disliked the idea of Tim doing this movie. He said that they were just trying to make money and that was it. Shhhh? listen! That?s the sound of jealousy. Honestly, he?s acting like a child. No one?s going to steal Wilder?s glory of the past film (which wasn?t even successful at first). That?ll always be the classic and Tim?s will always be the really weird version. But I can?t help, but saying I like Tim?s more simply because? well? it?s Burton.

The film, like I said, has Christopher Lee as Dr. Wonka, a famous dentist and father of Willy. It?s just so sad to see little Willy not getting candy on Halloween and stuff. Brings a tear to my eye, I say! Well, not really, but it was sad. Man, Lee is such a bad ***. They definitely give more flavor (hehe, flavor? candy flavors!) to the storyline of the renowned classic. Just another reason why I like this so much.

I also enjoyed the zany humor. There?s so many silly jokes in it that makes the movie very enjoyable. I liked Grandma Josephine?s silly humor (I think that?s the correct name? I dunno.) because she?s so innocent when doing it. And Grandpa George?s crude language and bad attitude makes things brighter, even if you?d think it?d work differently. And of course, Wonka?s whackiness is the most superb kind of all! Don?t think the commercials and trailers have taken all the best jokes already (like they tend to do). There?s still plenty more Wonka goodness to go!

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The movie was delicious from the starting credits (which showed how the chocolate was made, which was pretty fun to watch) to the stunning conclusion that ties everything together. [spoiler]One thing I didn?t get was how the whole building Dr. Wonka lived in was just gone suddenly and appeared in some blizzardy area. That seemed farfetched, but then it clicks in your head, ?This is Tim Burton? and you automatically say to yourself, ?It doesn?t have to make sense.? Then all is well.[/spoiler]

The glass elevator was cool. I just wanted to say that. But I must stop talking or this review will be forever!

Having said all that jazz, I can?t help but give this movie the highest rating possible. It was brilliant. Tim is brilliant. Depp?s brilliant. My sexiness is brilliant. But that?s beside the point. This movie gets a flippin? [B]FOUR[/B], biatch! No doubt about it!

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Now I await Brother?s Grimm, The Mark of Zorro, and of course? Corpse Bride.

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[Kitty]

[COLOR=#006aaf][SIZE=1]I, personally, liked this version better than the original. I enjoyed Tim Burton's vision of Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory more because it was just so much more colorful and fun, instead of scary and weird. Though, I admit, Tim Burton's film was definately weird. xD

However, I'm growing tired of seeing Johnny Depp in everything, no matter how good an actor he is. I wouldn't mind as much if girls would stop swooning constantly. It's getting steadily more irritating as each film is released.

Still.. it was a good movie. I liked your review a lot. One last thing. I had [i]no[/i] idea Deep Roy played each Oompa [i]seperately[/i]. Damn.. o_O;;[/SIZE][/COLOR]

[Dragon Warrior]

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This is starting to look bad if I like every movie I see. And believe you me, I?m liking the ones I?ve bothered to watch. I just went and saw [b]The Brothers Grimm[/b] last night and despite what some pathetic sillies say, it rocked my socks.

Before I get into anything, I should explain whom the Brothers Grimm are for the primitive people reading this review. If you don?t know who the Brothers Grimm are, they are very famous storywriters. You may not know their name, but I?m very sure you know one or two of their tales. They?re the creators of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Hansel and Gretel, The Gingerbread Man, and many other unusual or dark fairy tales. And yes, these are real men. You?d be surprised how many times I?ve been asked that.

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Well, the movie [b]The Brothers Grimm[/b] takes a unique spin on their tales and weaves a story of unimaginable proportions and gives a new view on their whimsical folklore. Of course, they still keep it nice and dark, just as the Grimm brothers intended. Muhahahaha! Anywho, allow me to give a quick idea of what the movie is about. Let?s see? where to begin? ah, yes? [b]it all started with some magic beans?[/b]

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The movie is basically based on the two actual men who wrote those stories, the Grimm Brothers, Jacob and Wilhelm. But the thing is, it?s not actually about their lives. The movie is about how Jake and Will are two con artists, who go from village to village to perform fake exorcisms and to dispose of unwanted monsters when in reality they are making everything up. Though this is so, they get handsome payments for their services. Well, reality catches up with them when they?re captured by the French and sentenced to death for their crimes of false monster-killing. That is, unless they travel to a small town to find the missing children that keep disappearing into the enchanted woods. But this mission is far different than any of their cons because the forest is really enchanted, there are actual fairy tale creatures, and for once, the villain behind it all isn?t one of their friends dressed as a witch with a mask on.

It?s delightful to see how they transfer from being smug with their criminal activities to having to face real dangers in the enchanted woods. You?ll realize they aren?t so brave anymore. One thing I was in fear of before I saw the movie is that it?d turn out to be like [b]Van Helsing.[/b] I liked [b]Van Helsing[/b], but that movie seemed rushed or something? I can?t put my finger on it, but it just made it so I didn?t like it as much. I was very pleased to see [b]Grimm[/b] being a lot different than [b]Helsing.[/b]

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I also feared that Heath Ledger?s character would suck. I?ve never seen him play someone like Jake Grimm before and I wasn?t sure how it?d turn out. From the trailers, they didn?t make him look too appealing, but once again, I was relieved when I saw his character in action during the film. Jake is actually the one more into the fairy tale stuff, unlike his brother Will who thinks it?s all just a big money-maker and isn?t real. Jake has studied it all his life, ever since the incident when they were young (watch the movie and you?ll see what incident it is at the beginning. It?s really quite ingenious), and this whole new world they see when they visit this small town totally unfolds to the two brothers.

Like I said, Will is the one who has his head on his shoulders and is more together. He?s the brains of the outfit when it comes to smooth-talking and pulling things off. Jake is good at contraptions and making their false fairy tale mumbo-jumbo believable. Oh, did I mention Will is a ladies? man? Makes sense since good ole Matt Damon plays him. His character?s always after the ladies while Jake just wants to find love. Oh yes, and the brothers sometimes don't get along too well for various reasons.

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There are, of course, so many other cool characters aside from the brothers themselves. There?s a queen, a wolf, a very hairy man with an axe, heck! it?s complete madness! And it just gets better because the creators of this movie just get more brilliant. They interpret (as I expected) the tales the Grimm Brothers wrote into the movie. So you may recognize a few familiar faces here and there, especially the kids being kidnapped.

Yesterday before I went to the movie, I visited my grandma and told her I was going to see it. She?d never heard of it, but was aware of who the Brothers Grimm were. Well, I explained the plot to her and the first thing she asks me is, ?Is it going to be cruel??

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Hah, no, not really. After watching it, I hardly saw any gore. But they also didn't intend to make the movie for kids. Don?t get me wrong, there is fantasy violence in there and some wicked action scenes in the enchanted forest, but it?s pretty safe to watch. Even the faint at heart would chuckle at the silly antics (which actually aren?t silly, I exaggerate). So basically I?m saying, those who came for action and suspense, there is some. For those who came for fairy tale fun, there?s plenty. For those who came for Arnold with Terminator robot suit, you get Heath Ledger and Matt Damon in some crappily homemade armor that?s not magical, but is pretty damn shiny.

Sadly, my dad didn?t like a certain French character named Cavaldi (Peter Stormare). It wasn?t that he?s French, but the fact that he was a pain in the *** the whole movie, which isn?t far from the truth. You?ll understand when you see the movie. [spoiler]Truthfully, I liked him when he started to change sides. I thought he?d do that? ye know, that or die. But that poor kitten![/spoiler]

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The music was enticing and particularly gruesome at some points. At least the main theme was that they played for the credits and such. But I liked it. I?ll probably buy the soundtrack since the movie rocked so much, but I can?t say it?s as fun to listen to as some others?like [b]Lord of the Rings[/b] or [b]Pirates of the Caribbean[/b]. It?s definitely not an award-winning score, but it served its purpose well.

The graphics and artwork and such were delicious. Some of the styles were particularly bizarre and morbid, almost Tim Burton-esque and if you know, you score a trillion brownie points just for that. The credits even looked Tim Burton (you?d have to see them to understand what I mean there). But take a look at the picture below:

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That?s the tower in the enchanted forest. Old, fragile, and flippin? sweet. They really outdid themselves in architecture in this film from the tutor-style houses in the villages to the run-down shacks the folks outside the enchanted forest live in. And not just the buildings and set design, the costumes were wonderful. As I said before, Jake and Will have armor they made themselves that they told people was mystical. It may look cheap, but the costume design did a great job making it that way. Gotta appreciate the little things here. I especially liked the ?Highwayman? look Will and Jake had when entering the village at the start of the movie. Those coats and such were really cool. While the designs for costumes and sets and such were kept to the time it took place in, they still threw in their own little touches (for example, the Grimm Brothers? ?technology? they used to capture witches and such).

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So overall, [b]The Brothers Grimm[/b] will keep you on the edge of your seat and make sure you?re having a wonderful time through this whimsical and dark fairy tale world. I?m sure I left out stuff about the movie I?d love to say, but let?s not ruin it for everyone, eh?

I?m sorry, but this movie just deserves a [b]4[/b] from me. Now go watch the movie and watch out for your magic beans!

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