Movie Review: Inception

Inception stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Dominic "Dom" Cobb, a professional thief that steals secrets from within dreams, a method based on sedation. He works with Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) as they try to steal company secrets from Saito (Ken Watanabe). But Saito knew what was happening and thus they failed the mission. But Saito decided to up the offer to Dom. He would be able to get back to the United States if he can successfully plant an idea on Robert Fisher's (Cillian Murphy) mind to break up his dad's company when he takes over. This is also known as Inception. The objective is to prevent the business empire that Maurice Fischer (Pete Postlethwaite) created from monopolizing the energy business. He then started hiring new team members. He hired Adriadne (Ellen Page) as the architect, to create the layout and buildings of dreams. Then seek out Eames (Tom Hardy) to become the forger who can shift identities inside dreams. And Yusuf (Dileep Rao), a chemist who can concoct a sedative strong enough for them to penetrate several layers of dreams. Together, they set out to accomplished the mission, fighting their way through obstacles and a saboteur Mal (Marion Cotillard) who is Dom's wife.

This movie is quite interesting and intriguing - a forte of director Christopher Nolan. You have to really watch the movie from the start till the end or else who will be lost in the maze of the movie. Leo was again at his best and would surely be nominated for an award. Even his co-actors where great - Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Ellan Page - played their roles really well. The special effects were unbelievable and just out of this world for a movie not billed as a real sci-fi. Overall, Inception will have your thinking until you leave the movie house. Was it a dream or reality?

Inception's website

Movie Review: Legion

Legion stars Paul Bettany (Da Vinci Code) as Michael, an archangel whose wings where clipped when he didn't want to take part in the apocalypse that was about to happen since God has lost faith in mankind. He falls into earth and goes on a quest to protect a unborn baby carried by Charlie (Adrianne Palicki) who works in a small roadside diner own by Bob (Dennis Quaid). As the night falls, they had to barricade the diner against possessed humans. As the apocalypse start, Michael must protect the unborn baby and convinced God to change his mind and give humanity a second chance.

I wasn't really impressed with this movie. The storyline was easy to follow, but hardly convincing since its another one of those apocalyptic movie that has been coming out for the last few years. The cast did a good job of portraying their roles though . The action sequence were interesting especially the battle between Michael and Gabriel in the diner. But angels with bulletproof metal wings? If you are a action freak, then this movie is for you. Other than that, you might just want to wait for the DVD to come out.

Legion's official website

Movie Review: Avatar

Avatar, a film by Oscar-winning director James Cameron (Titanic, Terminator) was conceived 15 years ago and took 4 years to produce, introduce us to a new way of movie experience combining live action with 3D technology invented to make the film.

The movie stars Sam Worthington as Jake Sulley, a paraplegic former Marine who was given a chance to be part of the Avatar program after his twin brother got killed.

It was the year 2154. Jake Sulley and other new recruits lands on Pandora, a planet light years away from Earth, where a corporation, headed by Parker Selfridge (Giovanni Ribisi), is engaged in mining her precious mineral, unobtanium, a key to saving planet Earth. Pandora is earth-like but the atmosphere is toxic to humans so Dr. Grace Augustine, portrayed by Sigourney Weaver, invented the Avatar program. The program allowed humans to roamed Pandora in genetically engineered bodies similar to the natives of Pandora. The humans are linked to their avatar bodies through their consciousness. Since Sulley was a replacement, Augustine didn't believe in his capabilities and he was designated as a bodyguard. Before heading out, he was asked to see Col. Miles Quaritch (portrayed by Stephan Lang), the head of the security forces for RDA. Quaritch asked Sulley to gather intelligence about the natives and find a way to make them leave Hometree, which lies on top a large deposit of the unobtanium. In exchange for the intelligence, Col. Quaritch promise Sulley that he will get new legs so that he could walk again.

On a research mission, Sulley wanders off and gets attacked first by a Hammerhead Titanothere, a massive creature where the skin and bone structure is impenetrable. Then he was attacked by a Thanator, the most fearsome of all land predators. Sully survives but gets lost in the forest only to be surrounded by Nantangs or viperwolves, a six-legged wolf-like creature capable of traveling long distance.

As he tried to ward the Nantangs, Neytiri (portrayed by Zoe Saldana) a female Na'vi watches from above. She was about to shoot an arrow through him but stops when she got a sign from the Eywa, goddess of nature. She then rescues Sulley and brings him back to Hometree, inhabited by Neytiri's clan, Omaticaya. But not before Tsu'Tey (portrayed by Lez Alonso), the clan's finiest warrior surprise them. Sulley was then brought in front of Eytukan (portrayed by Wes Studi), the clans patriarch, and Mo'at (portrayed CCH Pounder), Eytukan's wife and the clan's Spiritual Leader. At first, they were hesitant in welcoming Sulley but after some convincing, they allowed him to stay. Mo'at orderd Neytiri to teach Sulley the ways of the clan.

Jake learned the ways of the Omaticaya and grew closer to Neytiri. He started to feel that this was his real life and his human life is just his imagination. He was finally initiated into the Omaticaya after a series of test and his falls in love with Neytiri. His loyalty to RDA was questioned when he destroys the camera of the bulldozers that destroyed Omaticaya's sacred Tree of Voices. This sets off a trail of destruction as RDA and Col. Quaritch were convinced the negotiations with Omaticaya has failed and destroys Hometree. They decided to strike the Tree of Souls but the Na'vis fought back with the help of Sulley. Slowly, the casualties for the Na'vi were piling up since they are fighting guns and missiles with bow and arrows. Finally the Pandoran wildlife came to the aid of the Na'vis and help them reclaim their land. The humans were sent back home except for a few, Norm Spellman (portrayed by Joel David Moore) and Dr. Max Patel (portrayed by Dileep Rao).

James Cameron turned his imagination into an excellent movie and had just revolutionize the way movies will be make after this film. . The whole cast did an excellent job in portraying their roles. Sam Worthington played his part really well and I must say, he is going to be big this year. Zoe Saldana did an excellent job as well as Sigourney Weaver, who look like she never aged. What really stands out in this film is the stunning scenery and visual effects. They created a whole planet out of CGI with lush topography and alien-like creature that would surely blow your mind of. The movie just glues you on your seat especially if you catch it in 3D making you feel like you are IN the movie. Overall, you have to definitely see this movie and make sure you see it in 3D. Will there be a sequel???


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