tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post2927258849799236374..comments2024-03-13T14:53:58.150-04:00Comments on MUSINGS OF A SCI-FI FANATIC: SoldierSFFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-10873730825353129172011-09-10T14:57:07.834-04:002011-09-10T14:57:07.834-04:00We agree then. Equilibrium was truly stuning in pa...We agree then. Equilibrium was truly stuning in parts. When Bale goes to save that puppy and lets loose.... wow! what a sequence.<br /><br />But, your point is fair and I guess the logic is one of those weaknesses that would have us comparing Wimmer and Anderson as directors normally exceling in style over substance.<br /><br />I bought Ultraviolet on your recommendation and the fact Milla is in it. Hmmm... Anderson and Wimmer must be friends. Maybe wife swapping. ha. But, I haven't watched it and look forward to it.<br /><br />CHeers my friend.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-81360243495424327302011-09-10T09:58:19.291-04:002011-09-10T09:58:19.291-04:00I love EQUILIBRIUM. Fantastic action sequences, am...I love EQUILIBRIUM. Fantastic action sequences, amazing. Even if the story is a little dodgy on logic, Christian Bale, et al certainly sell it well enough. Hell, I even like Wimmer's followup ULTRAVIOLET which nobody I know likes but I thought it was a visually stunning film with some really first rate action sequences.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-75242601941540076502011-09-09T21:37:27.613-04:002011-09-09T21:37:27.613-04:00Hello J.D.
Thanks for stopping my friend.
Well, ...Hello J.D.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping my friend.<br /><br />Well, it sounds like I could very well stand somewhere between you and L13/John on matters of affection when it comes to Soldier. That's funny.<br /><br />It's funny, how we all sort of agree with the films positives and negatives, but arrive at different levels of interest from it.<br /><br />I can't disagree with you on Anderson. As much as I enjoy his pictures for strange reasons, he is problematic. There's no question.<br /><br />Funny you mention Kurt Wimmer and Equilibrium. He, too, has a strange resume. I think your comparison is a valid one.<br /><br />Having said that I'd love to know where you fall on Equilibrium, which you don't make clear. But I liked that film quite a bit. It actually surprised me. The sci fi theme and subject combined with Bale and the action.<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts J.D. my friend,<br />sffSFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-38927212213782542852011-09-08T13:50:50.466-04:002011-09-08T13:50:50.466-04:00This is defintely Anderson's weakest film to d...This is defintely Anderson's weakest film to date and for me to say that, with Kurt Russell starring in it, hurts! I would certainly agree with everyone's assessment of the film's strengths and weaknesses.<br /><br />Anderson is a filmmmaker I definitely find problematic. I love his RESIDENT EVIL film and can't stand anything else he's done with the notable of exception of EVENT HORIZON. The trailer for his take on THREE MUSKETEERS does not give me much hope for liking that one either. But I will say that he does have a knack for camerawork and certainly knows his way around the kinetic aesthetic of action sequences. I kinda lump him in the same category as Kurt Wimmmer of EQUILIBRIUM fame.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-88574158512790576502011-09-08T11:53:39.655-04:002011-09-08T11:53:39.655-04:00L13.
I can definitely see where a film like this ...L13.<br /><br />I can definitely see where a film like this would stir different reactions. <br /><br />I do think Russell's hands were tied by the material.<br /><br />Some of your points make me think. And you're right, the movie spirals into a kind of mindless action film, but the initial conceipts present something a bit deeper and that is why there is a disconnect for me.<br /><br />I know this is Anderson, but he reaches for something a bit more contemplative here and then never follows through.<br /><br />I think you'll agree that I do give it kudos for reaching that final scene. That final moment with the child is a good one and I do think it brings the journey to some kind of affected change concerning humanity and I appreciate that moment, but it never feels quite enough.<br /><br />I suppose the transition is a very subtle one and perhaps it makes a great deal of sense given the deep programming of these soldiers. They were certainly willing to kill others who stood in the way of their targets at the beginning of the film.<br /><br />Again, I'm torn by enjoying some of its tone and visual power and some aspects of the catharsis, but also disappointed and a little hollow by it all.<br /><br />Overall, as science fiction films go, stepping back from it, it's marginally good, which is why I went with the B-.<br /><br />Tough one. Thanks for your vantage point on this one my friend.<br /><br />sff<br /><br />----<br /><br />John,<br /><br />Great point about the stylized action. Some of it is gaudy and silly. Other segments are amazing. So, definitely uneven in that department.<br /><br />I agree with you both for many of the same reasons. I like Russell [a lot]. There isn't a film I don't enjoy by the man and I wouldn't want anyone else in the part, which is why, like you, the film has a lot going on for it with him in the lead.<br /><br />Visually, too, there is plenty to enjoy.<br /><br />I would also like to say I'm pleased to here your a fan of Event Horizon. Admittedly, I enjoy that picture even more than this one. I've seen Event probably 5 times and it's just a great piuece of sci-fi horror.<br /><br />As you put it, I enjoy the hell out of it and that's fitting for Event Horizon.<br /><br />best to you my friend.<br />sff<br /><br />Thank you both for your thoughtful input.SFFhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04256589316922398158noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-42217122352955860332011-09-07T20:45:41.487-04:002011-09-07T20:45:41.487-04:00Hi SFF:
Great review of Soldier. I think you nai...Hi SFF:<br /><br />Great review of Soldier. I think you nailed everything that was right and wrong about the picture and yet -- almost inexplicably -- I'd say that I like it very much. Like Le0pard13, I find myself partial to this film.<br /><br />There's something mythic and appealing about the film's central story; and about Russell's mostly wordless performance. His eyes in this film are truly haunting; and I feel he is very good at conveying the character of a broken, stunted but essentially courageous man. Something about this film works for me, and I echo Le0pard13's feelings about Russell's performance. He's a sympathetic character, and I find he's a strong anchor for the action.<br /><br />As far as the action sequences go, some are too stylized and some aren't stylized enough (!) for my taste. It's kind of a mess. And yet this is a film that I have returned to many times over the years and enjoyed. <br /><br />I wish I could enunciate stronger "critical" reasons for appreciating the film (maybe I really need to sit down with the movie and take notes), but on a gut level, I just enjoy the hell out of Soldier. And I also absolutely love Event Horizon.<br /><br />Excellent review. I thoroughly enjoyed it.<br /><br />best,<br />JohnJohn Kenneth Muirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15629979615332893780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1031498593064294214.post-5203996809288247392011-09-07T14:05:57.029-04:002011-09-07T14:05:57.029-04:00Fine review, SFF. I'm probably more partial to...Fine review, SFF. I'm probably more partial to the film more than you, partly for Anderson's visual sense and acuity, but mainly for Kurt Russell and his character plus an underrated story. As you mentioned, he gets very little to work with here (especially in dialogue). But this really showcases what he, as an actor, can do and express with just a shrug or nod. I think he communicates Sgt. Todd's feelings (limited as they are) with a barest of facial expression or physical gesture. Your clip of him and the child he's bonded to covered that rather well. Sgt. Todd's look at his comrades and their quizzical expressions, to me, is just priceless for what it conveys between men who barely grasp at what it is to be human. I think he still accomplishes a connection with the audience (okay, perhaps it's just me he does this with). Russell Crowe does this exceedingly well, too (check out THE NEXT THREE DAYS). However, RC usually has more lines or scenes in his film than Russell ever did in SOLDIER.<br /><br />Yet, I believe he pulls it off with a physicality than has an emotional component. Yeah, it gets RAMBO-ish at the end. But, so what. This one was put out as an action film... Still, like the first two Rambo films, it does have something to say about what we use up (as a society) and leave behind. It's a trait of ours that we're always moving forward. We are in a downright hurry at progress (if not in the least at making money), most times. Granted, what choice do we have? But, we rarely glance back to see the mess that drive and headway leave behind. Especially, in our fellow man (whether they be our vets or our homeless). I think David Webb Peoples script here has stood a taller over the years since this sci-fi actioner was first released. He considered it a 'sidequel' of sorts, and it does contain references to various Philip K. Dick stories. It's far from perfect, and will never be in BLADE RUNNER's class, but like Russell in his role as Sgt. Todd, it had a little more to say about us than about outer space and explosions.<br /><br />I think blathered on enough. Thanks, SFF.le0pard13https://www.blogger.com/profile/09421175808461787862noreply@blogger.com