Pre-emptive Critics – Nov. 7, 2008
Madagascar 2
Although I usually prefer movies with humans rather than animals as the main characters, I admittedly loved the first “Madagascar.” It was the celebrity names that first drew me. How could I not see a children’s movie that included Sasha Baron Cohen of “Borat” fame as a neurotic lemur? Never mind that celebrities will pretty much do anything for the right amount of money, I still stand behind my theory that if enough celebrities get behind a film, it will be worth watching. Add Ben Stiller, who wrote, produced and was the voice of Alex the lion, Chris Rock as Marty the zebra and Jada Pinkett Smith as Gloria the hippo and you are pretty much golden.
“Madagascar 2” provides the same onslaught on celebrity names, and so, for this movie, I will put aside my vendetta against animated sequels (Little Mermaid 2…really?) and clap my hands in glee like a five-year-old at a princess party whenever I see the “Madagascar 2” commercial on TV.
I only have one cautionary statement when considering seeing “Madagascar 2.” Do not, under any circumstances, visit the Web site. Why, you might ask? Well, because the line “I like to move it, move it. I like to move it, I like to move it move it,” accompanied by a sassy hip-shaking movement, will be stuck in your head for the rest of the day. Clever marketing ploy, DreamWorks, but thanks to annoying pop songs like “I Kissed A Girl” and “Womanizer,” I have perfected the art of blocking catchy tunes from overtaking my mind.
I don’t believe anyone is really looking for a work of cinematic genius when they go see a movie whose main demographic is ages 2-12 but, all preconceived notions aside, I pre-emptively think this movie is hilarious.
-amanda.m@aggiemail.usu.edu
Quantum of Solace
I am confident that, like Casino Royal, the new Bond flick is going to be packed with so much excitement that it will leave me wanting more.
I anticipate Quantum of Solace, which is number 22 in the Bond series, will offer numerous fighting scenes from hand-to-hand combat to intense shoot outs with over-glamorized weaponry. The film will also undoubtedly have plenty of chases, both on foot and high-powered motor vehicles, through the city streets of some exotic location. I’m also sure I’ll witness 007 perform an unbelievable stunt like leaping through the air amidst a cloud of bullets during a hail storm while saying the alphabet backwards.
However, the best part about this movie is the one thing that’s never before been in a Bond flick, and that’s Daniel Craig’s co-star, Olga Kurylenko.
Kurylenko is a Ukrainian model-gone-actress who plays Camille in the new films. Like most 007 films, she and Bond end up being partners after they first suspect the other of being the enemy. However, they quickly get over that and begin searching for a common enemy in hopes of revenging past loved ones. The only problem I see is who gets to shoot the bad guy. This confrontation will most likely lead to the brisk end of their newly-established relationship.
Preemptively, I think this movie is going to rock.