London Has Fallen - Box Office Review

In a previous box office review I wrote about how a film can lose that special something if it's too cliche'. The film that takes itself seriously and then decides to forgo that mentality and welcomes in predictable, over used, unimaginative moments either in story or characters are no bueno folks. However, if a film accepts the cliche' as part of the overall tone of the movie it can work and can also be enjoyable. So let's dive in and take a look at "London Has Fallen" and why in this case the cliche' worked.

I have a special place in my heart for the over the top action films that celebrate the fact that they are precisely that and nothing more. The story is minimal. The characters are primarily superficial and lack depth. The action is nonstop and the pace of the film is heart racing, popcorn devouring, can't look away because I'll miss an explosion incredible. This movie was all of that in London, England.  If you decide at all to leave your sit for a restroom break you will miss something blowing up or exploding. It could be a grenade. A building could explode. A car bomb might detonate causing the car to fly into the air and smash other cars. Finally, you could miss a bridge going kaboom and collapsing into the river. It's mayhem and it's fun. 

Next we have the dialogue of the characters which was so ridiculous it was incredible. We had lines like, "they should've brought more men" or "is that all you've got" and my personal favorite "get to the chopper!"There was no substance but this film wasn't trying to achieve substance in conversation. The characters were just as cheese as the film and it worked. You could put earbuds in and jam out to your favorite artist while watching this movie and still enjoy it. Visually, this was an entertaining time in the theater. 

Now, this is a sequel and I should confess that I didn't see the original. After enjoying this film I do want to Redbox "Olympus has Fallen" and see how it stacks up, action wise, to this follow up adventure. If it's chaos spectacular like it's follow I will be happy. This film wasn't designed to do anything but give you all the action you can handle and then just a little bit more. 

"London Has Fallen" is theaters now! I recommend you use the restroom before watching this film. You won't want to miss a second of the action if you're into cheesy action films. If you want a movie with tons of gun play, car chases, explosions and cheesy cliche' dialogue this is a film for you. If you want to see buildings collapse, bridges get destroyed and see London in flames this is a film for you. You won't be disappointed if all you want is action. 

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Legend: Box Office Review

It’s business. It’s not personal, unless it deals with the relationship between Tom Hardy and Tom Hardy in “Legend” where he plays a pair of english twins who are also gangsters in 1960’s England. This story of brotherhood, business and organized crime has more to do with the relationships between the brothers and their closest circle than anything else. It’s peering into the inner workings of these characters lives and how they relate to one another from the perspective of one Frances Shea (played by Emily Browning). It’s character driven and pulls no punches on how life might be if your life choices match the Kray twins.

The complexity of capturing on screen chemistry between two people being played by one person seems challenging. Fortunately, director Brian Helgeland knew just the right camera angles and effects to make it work. The fight scene between the brothers was shot well and it felt like Tom Hardy was actually beating up a duplicate copy of himself, instead of a stand in body actor. The pacing on this film felt like it could have used a caffeine boost at times because the film felt slow. No movie should feel longer than it actually is and this one did, unfortunately. The film was enjoyable but it dragged at points and I wasn’t sure why.

The film is told from the point of view of the character Frances who becomes the love interest on the Reggie Kray. It’s a fresh take on a story of organized crime and family. The outside, third party, perspective on what makes these two brothers so unique was one of the highlights of the film for me. I enjoyed the detached but still involved outlook on what was happening, to whom and why. Plus Emily Browning sounds great as a narrator, delivering her lines with a certain level of understanding, admiration and honesty about the brothers. This is not to suggest she was complicit in everything the brothers did, but she was honest in her tone regarding what occurred. That part I did enjoy.

Christopher Eccleston was a nice addition to the cast as well. Seeing him as the police officer responsible for hunting down the Kray brothers was a nice surprise. His characters frustrations, successes, bewilderments all captured marvelously using facial expressions only he could deliver on. The scene between him and Reggie discussing how they grew up in the same neighborhoods, same schools, sports, etc but are different was an engaging back and forth between characters.

“Legend” is in theaters now! I give this film two pints of guinness and some brass knuckles. Overall, kinda slow but entertaining. You don’t need to rush out to theaters for this one but you might want a Redbox pick up once it is available. This is a perfect sunday afternoon on the couch kinda film.

Comment below if you’ve already seen it and share your thoughts! Join in on the fun of movie watching and share this post with anyone who you feel would enjoy another one of my Box Office Reviews.

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