Ted (2012)

The start of this flick about the teddybear wished alive 25 years later is done carefully and with some originality. At least as much as the premise allows. The main plot is of course the same as any of the many horrible rom-coms. Man and woman happy, one does something stupid thus man and woman are unhappy. Then a grand gesture and man and woman are back together. And all is forgotten and blissful. And then there is some other stuff no one cares too much about.

Wahlberg is most underrated in comedies (actually in general), and carries this movie nicely, displaying a brilliant chemistry with Ted and a somewhat credible relationship with Kunis who is becoming quite the expert on comedies despite her young age. Most rightly so. Giovanni Ribisi is pretty misplaced here though and quite awful too, except in his dancing scene.

It is clear however, that this film is made by someone who watches a lot of films, and who is able to recognize quality. I've only seen this movie once, and was able to identify more than a dozen references, either obvious or subtle. Most good, some even brilliant.

So the basis of the story is a bore and the acting varies. Does that mean it's a mediocre film? By no means! As a source of laughs, this is priceless. There's simple humor, smart humor, rhyming humor, homages, hints, fat jokes, gay jokes, racist jokes and sheer slapstick with extra violence. Add to that one or two of the coolest fight scenes ever printed to film (The martial arts can all go suck several tailpipes) and "Ted" simply delivers. Proving that if you have enough really funny jokes, the basis of the story can be left to dwell in the background. And if you've laughed yourself to tears a dozen times during a comedy, nitpicking is hypocrisy on too high a level even for me. This is undoubtedly one of the funniest movies made in many years. End of story.

If you don't laugh at this movie, just buy the extended, complete Blu-ray of Friends and stay away from me altogether.

8/10

Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)

In 1988 the blend of cartoon and acting was quite new, so what surprises me the most is how effortlessly they managed to make it look good through this film. I'm sure it took many takes, and a bunch of very patient and talented actors.

How Bob Hoskins can walk into Toontown with a 40's demeanor, a sour face and alcoholism and make it all seem plausible... Brilliant. He keeps this flick together in so many ways it's hat off to him. A brown fedora hat. And the fantastic thing is that at times he must act like a cartoon, in between being a depressed alcoholic solving crimes. And he pulls that off too. Furthermore, there's special mention to Christopher Lloyd, never better than here. Who would have though that cartoonishly evil would be his finest hour?

The details and in-house joke are amazing in number (and sometimes quality). The whole project really seems thoroughly produced with script-writers at the top of their game. There's slapstick, nerd-puns, and many homages if you have any kind of prior relationship to either cartoons or noir.

The pace is a bit much at times, making it seem a bit forced and even Hoskins isn't always able to grant relief when they smear that extra layer. Though I suppose that's for the youngest viewer. Or the ones who don't like to be entertained through any smartness. It doesn't happen too often, thankfully.

The score is Alan Silvestri and is, at bottom, surprisingly full of jazz. But it works very well (particularly the Valiant theme), so kudos. As this is mostly a cartoon the rest of the music is fittingly annoying. Like in Tom&Jerry.

Surprisingly dark at times, this is a real treat. Prepare to be foolishly entertained with a twist. Or in the words of the most famous Betty of all:

Boop-boop-be-doop-*boop

7/10

Stardust (2007)

Ian McKellen. Now there's a great choice for a narrator. If you absolutely feel you must have one. Off to an adventure it is!

As not too unusual I would like to start with a complaint. Any movie using the term "one true love" without sarcasm is in trouble. And in that respect it does try a bit too hard, but I suppose you can insert a bit of self-irony with the pirate named Shakespeare.

As far as adventures go, the details are important, and there are some good ones there. The goat named Billy for instance. Worth a snicker. Gay jokes? Sure, why not? Even decent ones. And ghosts of different dead brothers applauding and making jokes as we go. Not at all bad.

Our protagonist is the usual wanker, however. Clumsy, socially awkward, and picked on by many. Most mainstream and annoying for half an hour, then suddenly he transforms into the perfect adventure-partner. Right...

Peter O'Toole though is gleefully evil and wicked. A most worthy man to liven up an adventure with a small part. And as he lays the ground rule for the adventure, including the Macguffin, this is most important.

The people you meet are an integral part of an adventure. David Marshall, Ricky Gervais, Robert de Niro are among the lucky ones. Peculiar characters, good for a smile and some time spent. De Niro feels a bit wasted though, this is hardly an ideal way to get the best out of him, and in drag it's just ridiculous. Not the good kind. Furthermore the entertaining characters are a bit far apart at times. Pfeiffer's not bad but a bit obvious.

And while we're at the actors, Danes and Charlie Cox don't have too much chemistry and Danes doesn't really deliver on the old English dialect that they try to get from the others here and although they must endure a bit together, there is not much of a build-up until he is no longer a mouse. And then she glows. Literally. Symbolism above and beyond.

Towards the end there are of course the obligatory misunderstandings and lack of time to fix grave consequences. Most predictable, and absolutely following a pattern. Even the music has the same buildup as most other adventure-films. Though I suppose it works. Now as it did then. And that's pretty much the summation here. This is mostly a predictable thing, but it is thoroughly crafted and not without creativity and aforethought. Besides, it's darker than what you usually get from adventures like these, most likely thanks to Neil Gaiman. So I suppose it's alright. Even though the last 2 minutes are so nonsensical it leaves you annoyed at the end regardless.

6/10