Displaying items by tag: Kevin Hart

BORDERLANDS

US, 2024, 102 minutes, Colour.

Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Edgar Ramirez, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ariana Greenblatt, Florian Mjnteanu, Gina Gershon, Haley Bennett, voice of Jack Black.

Directed by Eli Roth.

Borderlands is based on the very popular videogame. It is an adaptation by writer-director, Eli Roth (horror films like hostel, fantasies like if the House with a Clock in its Walls, the very effective crime drama, Thanksgiving). On the whole, there are critical response in the box office response has been poor.

It has the usual science fiction ingredients, distant planets, conflict in the universe, power-hungry rulers, a tough bounty Hunter, common tree from a scientist, a young girl at the centre of the conflict. The film depends on its cast, special effects, complex sequences, chases, fantasy imaginings.

It would have been interesting to be a fly on the wall at the discussions with the casting director. The main desire would be a strong tough female figure, warrior type, muscles and force rather than feminine grace, more of a martial arts champion. And the choice was made for Cate Blanchett who is too subtle a screen presence to be persuasive as the bounty Hunter, more convincing in the final transformation to be the saviour of the world. The next question then, a tough warrior, tall and strong, able to resist all comers. And the choice of a for Kevin Hart noted for his wisecracking performances and not the tallest of actors. And what about a scientist, a kind of wisdom figure, able to articulate what is going on in terms of the planets, civilisation, a hidden vault with secrets of the universe? The choice of Jamie Lee Curtis who has a strong history of being a strong woman in difficult situations.

And the other main asset of the action is a one wheel robotic machine whose every thought is voiced allowed, and is also full of wisecracks. Actually, Jack Black fits the role perfectly. And, for this reviewer, one of the more enjoyable aspects of the film.

And, the rest of the cast is strong, Ariana Greenblatt (65, Barbie) is the precocious young teenager who seems to the key of the quest for finding an opening the vault. Edgar Ramirez, Hispanic instead of a British villain, is the power hungry father.

So, that is the cast, the origin of the film is so computer game, the expected action strange planets. Indications, one hopes, for whether Borderlands is a film to see or not.

LIFT

US, 2024, 107 minutes, Colour.

Kevin Hart, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Sam Worthington, Vincent D[Onofrio, Ursula Corbero, Billy Magnusson, Yun Jee Kim, Jean Reno, Jacob Batalon, Burn Gorman.

Directed by F. Gary Gray.

Lift is a lighthearted, serious escapade action adventure. It has been directed by F.Gary Gray, skilled in this kind of entertainment like the remake of The Italian Job.

The main surprise of the film is Kevin Hart in the leading role, the action hero. His delivery and speed is rather toned down from his usual action comedies. And he seems to be enjoying himself as a romantic hero with the criminal touch.

In fact, the film has quite an extensive international cast, British Gugu Mbatha-Raw as an Interpol officer, Australian Sam Worthington as her boss. And, in the supporting cast, Americans, Koreans, Latin Americans – and, a veteran French villain, Jean Reno.

And there are some attractive and exciting international locations, opening with an art heist in Venice.

That the core of the story is Interpol’s desperation to catch Kevin Hart and his gang, getting Gugu Mbatha-Raw to be part of the impossible heist of a cargo of gold, being transferred to Switzerland to the villain so that he can finance terrorists to his financial gain.

The gang is a motley crew, international, hackers, safe crackers, and a gentleman who can disguise himself and infiltrate situations, played by Vincent D’Oonfrioi. Part of the enjoyment is their working together, personalities, clashes, expertise, and/or combining to capture the gold.

And, of course, there is a romantic touch because the Interpol agent and the leader had been romantically involved in the past, leading to tensions, and the breakdown of tensions, especially with the success of the mission.

One of those lavishly produced action adventure pastimes.

1. Action entertainment? International, exotic, and impossible highest…?
2. The international cast, Kevin Hart more subdued, criminals, interval, villains?
3. The tone, the sequences in Venice, the introduction to Cyrus, his abilities, artworks, his team, the techniques of stealing?
4. The portrait of the team, international, personalities, talents, seeing them in action, execution of the robberies, the planning and their expertise, the final heist of the gold? Camilla as the pilot, Magnus as the safe cracker, Mi-Sun as the hacker, Denton, the aged gentlemen, his many disguises?
5. Interpol, the organisation, Gladwell and her role, her commitment, Huxley as the boss, Australian accent, demanding, seeing him in pursuit, the chases, failure, his determination, demands on Gladwell?
6. The situation, the arch criminal, wealth, Switzerland, Gold, supporting terrorists, his staff, the range of thugs?
7. The plan, Gladwell to go undercover, her previous relationship with Cyrus, their sparring, her meeting with the various members, reluctance, commitment, the various details of the planning?
8. The flight, arrangements with the plains, hacking, deceptions, alternate plans, hacking, the safe on the plane, getting the gold? The various steps, tensions, action sequences, in the air, on land?
9. The buildup to the confrontation, the criminal, assured, the authorities, the failure of his plot?
10. The group, bonding, the success, Cyrus and Gladwell – and the possibility for sequels?