Tuesday Releases: Monsters University & R.I.P.D.

October 29, 2013 / Leave a Comment

OCTOBER 29TH, 2013

BYZANTIUM // “Byzantium” is the most gorgeous vampire film in recent memory, starring a small niche of talented actors and actresses with bright and successful futures ahead of them. Saoirse Ronan is by far the most skilled actress of her generation, with each performance delivered bringing her closer and closer to that showstopping performance of her career. As a young vampire, Elanor Webb has an itch to tell her story after centuries on the run with her harlot of a mother, the uber attractive Gemma Arterton. Landing in a small town and living in a dilapidated old hotel called the Byzantium, we learn of their history before and after becoming vampires through different encounters between them and the mortals they come in contact with. We learn about Elanor as she plays piano with perfection, feeds on only those that invite her to, and writes her biography over and over again, only to throw her words off a balcony or into the ocean. She’s unaware of the brotherhood of vampires, lead by a strong Sam Riley, hunting them as they move from city to city. The chemistry between Arterton and Ronan as mother and daughter stuck together for eternity carried the film. Ronan’s void looks and deep thoughts are reminiscent of her alien-inhabited role in “The Host” but with a passion and motivation lacking in that film. “Byzantium” is sexy and stylish despite its surroundings and helped mostly by Arterton’s promiscuous, yet kind nature. The plot captures your attention in flashbacks and missing pieces of the puzzle, filled in with each little story told. Neil Jordan makes an impressive return to the vampire lore, producing an even more entertaining fantasy than his previous endeavor, “Interview with a Vampire”.

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MONSTERS UNIVERSITY // As far as underdog tales go, “Monsters University” lands above average, with no huge laughs, but plenty of chuckles throughout, matching the tone and emotion of “Monsters Inc”. Focusing more on the child laughs rather than aiming any at the adult groups that will see the film, this Pixar film gears at toys and Disney sales, rather than creating a completely memorable experience like say “Up” or “Toy Story” perpetuate. The voice acting is impeccable, with John Goodman remaining one of the best voice actors of all time. Piling on a few too many characters and not reaching the creativity of the original, the film falls a bit flat in certain areas, but combines enough premises in one film to keep things interesting along the way.

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R.I.P.D. // Not quite the action, comedy blockbuster everyone was expecting, “R.I.P.D.” loses most of its steam by falling too close to the structure and tones of the “Men In Black” franchise, placing Jeff Bridges in the Tommy Lee Jones seat and Ryan Reynolds as the same rookie that Will Smith played in the first film. Both Bridges and Reynolds do their best possible performances given the script and the ridiculous nature of the action sequences, but even their high caliber efforts are no match for the poorly produced visual effects, especially by today’s standards, and the wonky comedy placed before them. With minimal visually striking moments and almost no redeemable characters, the fact that these characters are mostly dead makes it much harder to relate or connect, since there’s little hope for the future. With sub-standard showings from both Kevin Bacon and Mary Louise Parker as well, there remains very little keeping this supernatural charged adventure from holding any weight and makes you really wonder how much Bridges and Reynolds were paid to be apart of this endeavor.