Film Review: The Change-Up (2011)

Although it currently hovers around 20% on RottenTomatoes.com’s “Tomatometer,” The Change-Up (2011) is not nearly as bad as the rating indicates.  Rather it is a somewhat entertaining update to the overdone body-swap genre, even if it isn’t anything groundbreaking.  The movie features a rock-solid (or for you Arrested Development fans: Iraq-solid) cast and gives viewers more or less of what they expected to see: crude humor with profuse profanity and a startling bit of nudity (particularly CGI nudity).  However, viewers will find less genuine humor and give more sneers or painful chuckles as the film elicits more distasteful jokes than almost any other R-rated comedy this summer (and there have been plenty for sure).  Furthermore, the film’s premise wears thin fairly quickly; after a certain point, everything that follows is frustrating, to say the least.  In fact, some of the characters’ actions are downright agonizing to witness considering many of the compromising situations could have been prevented (how so will be explained later).  The movie is not as hilarious as the previews suggest or its co-writers’ previous comedic hit The Hangover (2011), nor is it as surprisingly sweet as director David Dobkin’s Wedding Crashers (2005) – It strives but fails to be both a blockbuster raunchy comedy and a touching drama.  Still, The Change-Up offers a mildly entertaining diversion, much of the credit to the lead cast members playing against type.

Film Review: Cowboys & Aliens (2011)

Unfortunately the on-screen pairing of James Bond and Han Solo/Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr. is merely mediocre, at best.  Nonetheless, Cowboys & Aliens (2011) is hard to dislike with such a solid cast led by Daniel Craig and Harrison Ford.  Despite its inability to effectively and smoothly mesh the Western and science-fiction genres, the film is decent as far as summer entertainment goes.  Still, you would expect more out of the intriguing concept and filmmaking pedigree.  Sadly, the movie fails to have many or frankly any real “wow” moments.  Although Cowboys & Aliens will disappoint or frustrate Western film gurus and sci-fi geeks with its uneven pace and weak handling of their favorite genres, it is a serviceable, albeit more bland than exciting, action-flick fit for a summer matinee showing at most.

Film Review: TRON: Legacy

I have not seen the original 1982 film TRON in its entirety, but that did not matter much when viewing this sequel. Disney’s TRON: Legacy is dazzling, breathtaking, and fantastic. The story and plot have several holes and the acting could be better, but the striking visuals and outstanding soundtrack help to make the film quite an entertaining and epic ride.