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Haywire (2011)
Smart, Slick, and Satisfying
Sure, the plot isn't very original. Going into this movie, you know what it's basically about, and there aren't any mind-blowing twists. Also, some viewers may find the pacing a little weird. In a matter of seconds it can go from pretty high octane action to an extremely slow, drawn out scene. But I didn't mind any of this. Not at all. For me, it seemed to add realism.
The action is exceptionally well done. If you're like me, you all too often find yourself groaning during action movies, because the choreography tends to be either (a) so over the top that you're constantly reminded that you're watching a movie or (b) so committed to realism that it's not much fun to watch. To achieve the sweet spot in the middle, you evidently need people who are real martial artists, as Gina Carano is, and you need to just let them do what they do, without trying to turn it into something it's not. I just don't see this often enough, which is one big reason why this movie really stands out for me. I did see four or five moves which struck me as plain silly, but these were easily outweighed by all the slick, realistic action.
Another reason this movie stands out is that it didn't compromise on quality as far as the acting was concerned. I was totally prepared to forgive Carano for a mediocre performance, but it turns out that there's very little, if anything, to forgive. Her character is pretty wooden, but she is, after all, a hardened agent. It was refreshing to see a lead actor not going out of her way to make audiences like her. That said, she wasn't a bland character either; it's just that her humanity and femininity were restrained and subtle--which, again, seemed perfectly fitting. (Carano's looks are another matter altogether. I think Soderbergh, to his credit, went to some effort to take the spotlight off of Carano's darling face and smokin' body. I appreciate the result, but I'm glad he didn't try harder.)
In general, the director and cast did a fine job. The characters behaved naturally, the dialogue never seemed forced, and, even when there was no action, there was enough interesting stuff being said and done to keep me focused and entertained. It seems the cast all respected the material enough to refrain from unnecessarily dressing things up. You might expect as much from such a star-studded cast, but don't forget that it often doesn't work out that way.
There's a reason why Bond and Bourne movies will probably continue to outsell movies like Haywire. They're bigger, more over the top, and louder in every way. But those kinds of movies are getting to be a dime a dozen. Haywire is special because it's modest and understated in ways that work, it's very nicely executed, and it still packs an exceptional punch. Next time you find yourself in the mood for a lean, competent action movie, give this one a try.
And While We Were Here (2012)
A slow-moving but worthwhile piece about happiness, connection, and the things that get in their way.
I was tempted to give this a 10, because it does what it does very well, and ... I loved it. I'm giving it a 9, mainly because it's not just about me, and (judging from the other reviews it's gotten) it takes a certain kind of person--and definitely a certain mood--to appreciate what this movie has to offer. On a different night, I wouldn't have had the patience to sit through it, and that's partly because I can't slow myself down often enough, but it's also partly because the movie doesn't do quite as much as it could to draw the viewer in. You need to be in a relaxed, introspective state of mind, I think, but if/when you are, you might find this as rewarding as I did.
I don't want to say a whole lot about the plot, the characters, or the issues that they try to deal with. Part of what I like most about this movie is the way it reveals these things, so I think it's best to not know many details going in. But I will say that there seem to be some important lessons about life and relationships that could be taken away from this, and the messages come across in a natural, unforced way. This is pretty rare.
Reviewers have pointed out that Bosworth does a fine job here, and I completely agree, but the rest of the cast also deserves plenty of praise. Most of what's going on in this movie is pretty subtle, and lesser actors/actresses would have tried to overdo things--and a lesser director would've let them. Even minor missteps in acting or directing can be quite a turn-off for me, but I don't recall any such thing in this case. The locations and camera work didn't hurt either. I was immersed from start to finish.
I also loved the dialogue. Here, too, what I appreciated was that it wasn't overdone, nor was it too subtle. The people on screen talked pretty much like you'd expect them to. (I never found myself thinking, "That character would never put things that way.") Nothing seemed artificial.
So, I guess I could sum things up by saying this is a patient, enjoyable, and flawlessly executed study of certain issues many of us are going to run up against at some point in our lives. I honestly think that many reviewers just don't get it.
Almost Human (2013)
Exceptionally Good So Far!
Some basic points based on the first two episodes (viewed at 1080p) ...
Originality: Well, the basic premise is not really anything new. Human + android law enforcement, and some of the pretty typical conflicts/interactions you might expect. BUT there are a couple of refreshing elements. In particular, the main protagonist is actually a pretty nice guy, and very obviously so, though (of course) he's just a little rough around the edges. Not the standard wounded protagonist with a major anti-synthetics chip on his shoulder. Also, the main conflicts in both episodes I've seen had their fair share of novel touches. You might not find any new, mind-blowing concepts here, but the show tends to put new glosses on the ideas it borrows.
Acting: Much, much better than I expected. With many science fiction movies and TV shows, even the ones I truly love, I often find myself groaning a little here and there (or worse) because the acting is bad enough to tear me out of the experience. I've learned to take the good with the bad, but in this case I really didn't have to. Pretty much all the performances are, at the very least, competent. (And I'm not just talking about the main cast.) Watching this show it's pretty easy to forget that the characters are actually actors/actresses. The director and cast have done a nice job of bringing things to life.
Special Effects & Production Values: Also much, much better than expected. It's a polished show, and you really have to look for imperfections to notice them. The only thing I noticed so far is that one car in the background looked as if it really didn't belong that far in the future, but I can't say it stuck out. If this is as bad as things are going to get in this show, great. Also, the attention to little details is good. The hardware looks the way you think it should (not like plastic masquerading as metal, for example).
Dialogue: Really good, in pretty much every way. It's rarely boring, and it rarely insults my intelligence. In many shows, even good ones, you often find characters saying things they wouldn't naturally say, just because the writers (understandably) had a hard time finding a better way of sharing crucial plot information with the viewer. So far, I've been impressed with the way this show handles that kind of stuff. The conversations hardly ever feel forced, the timing is natural, information and subtext trickles in evenly, and there are some nice sprinkles of philosophy and wit. On that note, the show isn't heavy on the comic relief, but it does hit the mark when it wants to. (I howled once or twice.) There's also some genuine warmth developing between the key characters, and it looks and sounds pretty much the way it should. Oh, and when the characters talk technology, it doesn't sound like utter B.S.
Action: Although I wouldn't say the show is weak in this regard, I would say it's stronger in the above respects. There is action, and it's executed reasonably well, but it pales in comparison to the show's strengths. Action doesn't seem to be a focus of the show, and I'm OK with that.
My Bottom Line: I seriously enjoyed the first two episodes, and found very little to fault. Can't wait to see more, and I really hope they don't start cutting any corners.