Certificate:

Directors: Ron Clements & John Musker

Release Date: 10 October 1997

Tagline: A comedy of epic proportions.

Main Cast: (voice)

Tate Donovan … Hercules

Josh Keaton … Young Hercules

Danny DeVito … Philoctetes

James Woods … Hades

Surprisingly, I didn’t really enjoy this. It lacks the usual touch of disney magic and charm. The songs are not of the usual quality (I didn’t find any of them catchy or memorable) so perhaps that is the reason why. They’ve also made Hercules a bit of a whiney brat too.

Younger children will be fairly bored by it, so whilst it is a U certificate, I would think that the target age is around seven year olds. I also think that, unlike many other Disney films, there is no repeated viewing value.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Directors: Jimmy Hayward, Steve Martino

Release Date: 21 March 2008

Tagline: After all, a person is a person, no matter how small.

Main Cast: (voice)

Jim Carrey … Horton

Steve Carell … Mayor

Carol Burnett … Kangaroo

I always liked Dr. Suess’s books but have remained doubtful if any of them could really be converted to a film. After the utterly dreadful The Cat in the Hat (2003), I understand that his widow decided to no longer give permission for live action adaptations of the books.

So, is HHAW! any good? I’m pleased to say that yes, it is. It’s made by the studio responsible for the Ice Age films, which are very good, and is very charming and engaging from the start. Obviously, the target audience is for younger children, but any fan of Dr. Suess (such as myself) would find this entertaining.

Pure, simple and innocent fun. Fantastic!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Directors: George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Richard Marquand

Release Date: 1977, 1980, 1983

Main Cast:

Mark Hamill … Luke Skywalker

Harrison Ford … Han Solo

Carrie Fisher … Princess Leia Organa

David Prowse and James Earl Jones (voice) … Darth Vader

There’s no point in reviewing these separately. Star Wars is my religion, and George Lucas is my God! If you haven’t already seen these (and if not – why not?) then there’s something wrong with you.

I will say, though, that please, please watch the original versions and not the special editions. George Lucas may think that he made changes for the better, but he didn’t. If only he realised that you can’t improve on perfection.

Star Wars changed cinema. It also changed lives.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

P.S.  Han shoots first.

Certificate:

Directors: Pete Docter & Bob Peterson (co-director)

Release Date: 9 October 2009

Main Cast: (Voice)

Ed Asner … Carl Fredricksen

Jordan Nagai … Russell

Christopher Plummer … Charles Muntz

I don’t know how Pixar do it, but they have raised the bar again with this glorious film.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I cried. Three times, in fact (and twice during the first twenty minutes or so!) Watching Carl’s life unfold is both joyous and heartbreaking. And then, along comes Russell to cheer us all up!

I could write for hours about what makes Up such a work of pure genius, but I won’t. You need to discover it for yourself.

Please, please do not miss this film!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Director: Victor Fleming

Release Date: 25 August 1939

Main Cast:

Judy Garland … Dorothy Gale

Ray Bolger … Hunk / The Scarecrow

Bert Lahr … Zeke / The Cowardly Lion

Jack Haley … Hickory / The Tin Man

Margaret Hamilton … Almira Gulch / The Wicked Witch of the West / The Wicked Witch of the East

Terry … Toto ¦¬D (every dog has his day!)

First of all, why are you reading a review? Surely you’ve seen this by now! And if not, then go and get a copy and sit back with a tasty box of chocolates and enjoy.

Here in the UK, this was always shown at Christmas – that’s where the chocolates come in (specifically Black Magic) – and watching it was a tradition in my house! It triggers all kinds of memories and senses for me, and I never grow tired of it. Even my old-film-and-musicals hating husband has a soft spot for it (he’s never watched The Sound of Music, so that should tell you that this is good!)

A genuine timeless classic. A masterpiece. An absolute joy! The flying monkeys still creep me out a bit though – they’re just plain scary looking

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Director: Leslie H. Martinson

Release Date: 16 December 1966

Tagline: He’s here, big as life, in a real Bat-Epic.

Main Cast:

Adam West … Bruce Wayne / Batman

Burt Ward … Dick Grayson / Robin

Lee Meriwether … Miss Kitka / Catwoman

Burgess Meredith … The Penguin

Cesar Romero … The Joker

Frank Gorshin … The Riddler

I love the dark and moody Batman. I also love the comic and camp Batman of the 1960s tv show, and this is chock full of camp ‘kerpows’ and Holy whatsits!

All the actors have a wonderful sense of comic timing, and I defy anyone to say that they don’t have a big grin when watching this (apart from the anal retentive soap dodgers who still live at home when they’re 40).

There are so many fantastic lines for all the characters, and they just keep on going the whole way through. Here are some of my favourites:-

[Batman and Robin are running to the United World Building]
Robin: Holy marathon! I’m getting a stitch, Batman!
Batman: Let’s hope that it’s a stitch in time, Robin, that saves nine – The nine members of the United World Security Council. Come on.

———-

Batman: [reading a riddle] What has yellow skin and writes?
Robin: A ball-point banana!
Batman: [reads the second riddle] What people are always in a hurry?
Robin: Rushing people… Russians!
Batman: So this means…
Robin: Someone Russian is going to slip on a banana and break their neck!
Batman: Precisely, Robin!

———-

Vice Admiral Fangschliester: – to some chap named “P. N. Guin”.
Batman: P. N. Guin…
Robin: Penguin!

———-

Holy review, Batman! It’s fabulous!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Director: Stanley Kubrick

Release Date: 6 April 1968

Tagline: Let the awe and mystery of a journey unlike any other begin.

Main Cast:

Keir Dullea … Dr. Dave Bowman

Gary Lockwood … Dr. Frank Poole

William Sylvester … Dr. Heywood R. Floyd

If ever there was a film to divide people, then this is surely it! For some it’s confusing and dull, but for others it’s a beautiful masterpiece that depicts the journey of the human race coming full circle. I’ve seen it about three times now during various phases of my life. As a child I was firmly in the ‘confusing and dull’ camp. In my twenties I had one foot in each camp. But now I’m in my thirties and have come to rest in the ‘masterpiece’ camp.

In a nutshell, it’s a film about the dawn of man and his evolution.

You can take from it what you will. Some believe that the journey is the work of aliens, and for others it’s the work of God. Either way is fine. It’s not about who is responsible.

Visually stunning with an absolutely perfect soundtrack, 2001 is a seminal film that deserves watching until the end (many people get frustrated at their lack of initial comprehension and give up).

I would advise watching it twice. After the first viewing, read up on what others believe the film symbolises and then watch it again. An excellent website can be found at The High Weirdness Project: 2001 and Beyond the Infinite.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Directors: Chris Miller & Raman Hui (co-director)

Release Date: 29 June 2007

Tagline: Who’s ready for Thirds?

Main Cast: (voice)

Mike Myers … Shrek

Eddie Murphy … Donkey

Cameron Diaz … Princess Fiona

Antonio Banders … Puss in Boots

After reading reviews of this I wasn’t expecting too much. However, I thought it was much better than reported. I would have liked to have seen more of Donkey though, as I think he’s by far the best character. I do like the fact that Puss has now joined as a second sidekick to Shrek. As usual, there are plenty of little jokes in the background to amuse us adults.

Shrek the Third is not in the same league as the original, but I’d put it on a par with the second one.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Directors: Eric Darnell & Tom McGrath

Release Date: 15 July 2005

Tagline: Ton on the run.

Main Cast: (voice)

Ben Stiller … Alex

Chris Rock … Marty

David Schwimmer … Melman

Jada Pinkett Smith … Gloria

Sacha Baron Cohen … Julien

Madagascar follows a group of four friends from New York’s Central Park Zoo. One of them has a mural of a lush, green landscape opposite him, and this inspires him to leave New York for the ‘wild’. It’s not done in a schmaltzy and sentimental way (thankfully), and when he leaves the unexciting but safe zoo, the other characters go off to find him and bring him back. Which they do. However, they find themselves being taken from the zoo and put on a ship bound for Africa. And so the adventure begins.

This is another good animation that will be enjoyed by both children and adults. It’s very charming and engaging with several laugh out loud moments. The actors fit their characters very well; I especially liked Sacha Baron Cohen as Julien.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Certificate:

Directors: Chris Wedge & Carlos Saldanha (co-director)

Release Date: 22 March 2002

Tagline: The coolest event in 16,000 years.

Main Cast: (voice)

Ray Romano … Manfred

John Leguizamo … Sid

Denis Leary … Diego

Whilst not in the same league as Pixar’s finest, Ice Age is still very enjoyable for all ages. I would imagine that this is something that would pass most adults by, but if you are like me and enjoy great animation with a good script and talented voice artists then you should find this entertaining.

The basic plot is pretty standard stuff; there is a loner who somehow manages to find himself in the company of an annoying sidekick, but by the end of the film they are great friends. The straight man and the funny one – a classic combination. They are eventually joined by a third character which is a nice added element.

Simple yet very funny, Ice Age is one of those little gems that adults will probably miss, but should really give a chance.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars