Sunday, January 27, 2013

The Bourne Legacy

The Bourne Legacy also known as Proof that Jeremy Renner is a bad ass action star! I went into this film torn and conflicted. As you know, I think Jeremy Renner is a brilliant actor known for his dramatic skills. I went into this hoping that Jeremy would be able to hold an entire action movie on his own. All I can say is how dare I ever doubt him! The other reason I was torn is because I love Matt Damon. He did a brilliant job playing Jason Bourne and I was curious to see how this film would cover his story. I must say the writers did a great job creating a new story that is still in the Bourne Universe. Would treadstone and Blackbirer stop with just one man? Of course not! Aaron Cross is just another piece of that puzzle.

The film starts off where Jason Bourne left off. Jason is on the run and the government knows that the project has been compromised. We find out that Eric Byer, played by Edward Norton, is hired to purge the program. As he phrases it, "Burn the project to the ground." While all this is happening Aaron Cross,  played by Jeremy Renner, is on a exercise in the mountains. We find out that he is taking two pills to help enhance his abilities both mentally and psychically. Once Aaron reaches the base camp all Hell breaks loose and Byer is killing every participant in the program.

In the meantime we meet Dr. Marta Shearing, played by Rachel Weisz, who works with the program. She helps create the genetic alterations for the participants in the program. She is put in danger when he lab is attacked, again to purge the program. In a moment of desperation Aaron seeks out Marta and together they are running. There journey brings them to the other end of the world where they must work together.

The movie has some of the most intense action scenes I have seen in a while. Aaron is so quick and has no fear. He will hop on the back of a motorcycle and race across the busy streets while being shot at and doesn't miss a beat.

Jeremy does many of his own stunts and it is stunning to see him while climbing up the side of a building. He really dedicates himself to the character and the film. He also brings life to Aaron and shows how conflicted he is about the program. Rachel spends the first part of the movie screaming and not knowing what to do. Once she gets her act together she starts to help Aaron and show she is more than just a Brain. She becomes empowered and she gains courage from Aaron's faith in her. Then we have Edward Norton as the man in charge. He is worried because he knows that if the media finds out they have been genetically altering soldiers they will create trouble. Edward does a great job playing the man in charge and being very stern. We really don't get to know that back story of Byer or why he is the way he is.

Over all it was a great movie that ties in the other Bourne story. It was left wide open for another movie. I even heard a rumor that Matt Damon is considering being a part of the next film. Jeremy Renner and Matt Damon would be fantastic together on screen. I really hope they make another one because it was such a great film....another would be ok with me!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

Hansel and Gretel Witch Hunters

So to begin, I must say that I adore Jeremy Renner. He is a breathe of fresh air and pure raw talent.....he's also very easy on the eyes. I also have been waiting for this movie since the summer when it was suppose to be realised in the fall! I love stories with witches and magic and awesome weapons. So needless to say, I went in with high expectations. I must say that it was AMAZING!

The story starts with the traditional Hansel and Gretel get lost in the woods and stumble on a candy house and a witch. Together they stick the witch in an oven and kill her. So what happens after the story ends? Who do these children grow up to be? In this story they become Witch Hunters.

Part of the fun spin on the movie is the kick butt weapons they use. We are talking big guns and semi-automatic cross bows created to destroy witches of every type. Hansel enjoys a big gun and Gretel is an arrow girl both with a taste for witch blood.

They come to a small town where children have gone missing. They work together to try and deal with a scared town and renegade witches in the woods. Plus the story has some very painful attachments to Hansel and Gretel's past.

Jeremy Renner and Gemma Arterton are amazing together. They really do seem like brother and sister who count on one another. You believe that they love each other and they are all they have. Jeremy Renner plays the perfect big brother that will do whatever it takes to keep his sister safe. Gretel loves her brother but tries to be the voice of reason in every situation. Together they are a magnetic team that you want to see more of. They have this great on screen chemistry and playful banter of a brother and sister.

We also have the evil and at times beautiful witch Muriel played by Famke Janssen. She knows more about Hansel and Gretel than they know about themselves. She is also heartless and willing to do anything and hurt anyone she needs to to get her way. We also have the lovely and mysterious Mina played by Pihla Viitala. There is also the lazy, bigot Sheriff played by Peter Stormare and the witch hunter groupie named Ben, played by Thomas Mann.

Over all it is a great film that is sadly rated R. It is rated R because of the blood and guts that happen in the movie. There are also a bunch of hilarious F-Bombs dropped. It is a fantastic movie that I can not wait to see again! Jeremy Renner is THE MAN and I can not wait to see what else he comes out with.