Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Ratings: 6.1/10 (+2 for awesome CG)

Film Class: A+

Genre: Action

The Autobots (good machines) learn that the last vessel which left their ruined planet Cybertron was found on the moon. The vessel supposedly carried the last remaining hope of their planet with it, with its most important cargo, the ship's captain, Sentinel Prime, a.k.a, Optimus Prime's mentor and original leader of the Autobots.

It's then a race between the Autobots and Decepticons (bad machines) to recover the ship's cargo which could either save, or destroy planet Earth.

Hmmm... where do I even start? Epic movie? I'm torn to give a definitive verdict. The CG was hands down super awesome, but the plot and story progression was less than mediocre. The acting was irritatingly unpleasing to watch, especially that of Shia LaBeouf, the main lead. I didn't like any of the human characters in the film, there were just too many over-acted characters this time round. John Tuturro's role, ex CIA agent, was terrible terrible terrible. Added too much lameness to the movie. Accompanied by Ken Jeong, some random member of the space expedition, the plot was doomed for failure. Off moments also included screen time of Shia LaBeouf's parents and even John Malkovich's character was pretty pathetic.

I hated the "human" aspect of the movie. Everytime the movie featured humans, it showed how immature and lame they were. I was just looking forward to the transformers scenes, even though on occasions they (the director/CG specialist) may have overdone the "body languages" a little.

In comparison to it's first two installments, Transformers: Dark of the Moon beats Revenge of the Fallen hands down but the very first Michael Bay's movie about them was still the best of the 3. Don't believe there was any after credits scene (there were lame early after credits scene however) which featured future sequels. From the looks of the ending, I believe Michael Bay has decided to close the franchise once and for all, a wise decision.

I'm compelled to make a separate and "special" comment to the new face on the screen, Megan Fox's "substitute", Rosie Huntington-Whiteley (quite a mouthful), who was Shia LaBeouf's new love interest. While many may have watched the previous two installments for the hot Megan Fox, do not fret this time round because the new face was equally as saucy. Actually, her hottest scene was the start... period. Love her British accent but hated her acting. Still she was a way better actress than the "Hua Ping" Megan Fox. That said, I hated how the Transformers franchise was not just about the machines, but about the cliche' hot woman with hot cars. The two "human" factors created too many dimensions for the movie.

If a movie was all about hot cars, like Fast and Furious, then bringing in hot women to act alongside was perfectly suitable. But if it's a movie which the main focus was on alien robots and the relationship between them and the human race, then adding scenes of hot women with hot cars seemed a little forced and inappropriate. Perhaps that was the reason for the downfall for the 2nd installment and which prevented this 3rd to rise above it's first.

The first half of the movie was engaging, drawing me deeper into the plot, but gradually kicked me back to my seat with lame one-liners and chalky scripting for the second half. On the contrary, the first half had 8/10 CG awesomeness, and the second half rocketed to 20/10 CG awesomeness.

While I'm not a fan of Transformers, I'm a sucker for impeccable movie graphics. That's why for the first time in my blog, I have given it a "double" rating. Even though the acting and story might not be absolute plus reasons to watch it, I would highly recommend Transformers: Dark of the Moon to anyone out there to experience the pinnacle of CG evolution.

PS.: I caught this movie on the big screens, Digital, without 3D. I personally feel that digital is as good enough an experience for me. Have always hated the nauseating "for the sake of making 3D" effects.

Hidden Gems of Filmography

It's distressing to come across so many hidden gems in filmography that never made their way to Singapore's big screens, rental or video stores. Movies such as Five Minutes of Heaven and I Saw the Devil are two such examples. Therefore, I shall pay tribute to them in hope that any avid movie-goers will allow themselves to experience what I have... the appreciation of the efforts invested to make those movies and the viewing pleasure and satisfaction of being one of the few thousands in a godzillion viewers to have found and watched them.

1. Is Anybody There?

Ratings: 7.2/10

Film Class: C

Genre: Drama

A young boy growing up in an Old Folks' home believes in the afterlife and tries ways and means to contact the deceased. His life changes when a retired magician (Michael Caine) enrols himself in to live off the rest of his sliver years. They form a friendship that

will forever change both their lives.

This movie isn't just about death, it's also about life and gives us two perspectives... Though both leads are more focus-centric on death, owing to each other's presence, they start to experience life once more. It's a heartwarming story about the start and end of life, sprouting from a place that's lost and forgotten by most others.

Phenomenal performances by Michael Caine and Bill Milner (boy who acted in Spiderwick Chronicles and X-Men: First Class as young Erik) and it was indeed a sheer delight to see two actors acting alongside despite their apparent large age gap. The score from what I could recall was melancholic, fitting to the theme of the plot and mood of the movie.

Is Anybody There? sure is worth your time to experience what it's like to immerse yourself into a simple storyline with realistic acting and just a few settings. It's not your elaborate

, and exaggerated Hollywood-style movie, but more of a down-to-earth-style-like movie. A note of caution, there's a strong British accent prevalent, but fret not, for those of you who aren't quite used to that, there's always subtitles to help you keep up with the storyline.

2. Dear Frankie

Ratings: 8.8/10

Film Class: C

Genre: Romantic Drama

Dear Frankie is an absolute heart-warmer about a hearing impaired son, exchanging letters to his sail bound dad. Unknowing to him, the letters are all replied by his loving mother, played by Emily Mortimer. When circumstances resulted in a supposed meet-up with his dad, it's up to his mother to find a guy to play the role of I-haven't-seen-you-in-ages-dad, Gerard Butler.

The chemistry between all three main stars were undoubtedly one of the most convincing I've seen. It was romantic, and heartfelt. Sometimes, what makes the moments romantic isn't just about the lines, or breathtaking "aw" scripts injected into such scenes, this movie proved that the most romantic feelings can be delivered purely by sublime acting and with only a few words.

Cinematography and setting was stunningly spectacular. It was so beautiful most of the time, it felt like a mini documentary about beautiful places around the world, captured with a slightly back-dated camera. It was slightly grainy due to the technology back when

the film was made, 2004, but of which added realism and raw beauty to it. Making the son hearing impaired added another dimension to his character and to the storyline as well. This movie has almost everything in it, a good score, beautiful cinematography, excellent performances, a powerful plot and an engaging development.

Two notes about it is that one, there's a strong Scottish accent, so it's rather difficult to catch the lines, once again no worries with subtitles on, and second, if you're a fan of Gerard Butler and you're going to watch it just because of him, don't. He doesn't enjoy that much screentime. He's only featured during the middle portion of the movie. *major spoilers ahead* Though I must say, his parting scene with Emily Mortimer was one of the most impressionable yet.

The movie doesn't just give you a surface experience, but allows you to empathize with the characters, especially that of Emily Mortimer and as to why she makes the tough decisions as she does. The ending was as tear-wrenching and ironically, just as sweet. Dear Frankie has easily eased its way up in my ranks as one of the top movies of the 21st century.

3. Blue Valentine

Ratings: 8.5/10

Film Class: C

Genre: Romantic Drama

Blue Valentine is by far the only movie I know of which turned out to be more impressive after reading its trivia. Initially capping a rating of 8.0 for this movie, after reading the trivia online, I cannot but help jack it up .5 notches.

There's no relation or references made to as why this movie is called Blue Valentine. According to the trivia, the director called it such in tribute to one of Tom Waits songs, Blue Valentine. After checking out the lyrics, there too isn't much relation to the story either. Still, if I were to create a "false" explanation, it would be that the color to describe Valentine would be red, representing romance. And as we all now, the color blue represents sadness and despair. So in summary, and in the context of this film, blue valentine represents a sad romance - depicting the relationship of Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams.

Here's a little trivia to impress you as it did to me... The film underwent 67 drafts and took 12 years to complete, because the director didn't have enough budget for the film and had to film it on and off. He claimed to have earned nothing from it and even had to "pay" to make the movie. The before and after marriage scenes were filmed separately on different cameras, which whether intentionally or not, created the subtle difference in mood which enhanced the emotional quality and aspect of the film. Ryan Gosling actually worked in the actual company portrayed in the movie and both protagonists actually lived together for a month in a rented apartment and created actual arguments with each other.

Michelle Williams is Heath Ledger's ex-wife and the mother of his child so the production had to be delayed in respect of his death. Interesting trivia but irrelevant. And possibly the most impressive part of it... the cast didn't have a script for most of the scenes. They acted impromptu and had to adapt to whatever lines were thrown at each other by the other party to reach the "desirable outcome".

The acting felt so real, and speaking of chemistry, this movie beats most movies hands down. I'm not sure if the cast were really "being themselves" and if so, it was quite an eye-opener and sad thing to see. Because unlike most reviews about the movie, I would beg to differ in that this movie is about a happily married couple who after years of marriage, is on the brink of breakup. This is a movie about an irrational decision made in the name of love, and after years of marriage, on one hand, true love blossoms, and on the other, love degenerated. The marriage failure theme isn't original, it's similar to Revolutionary Road but at least Blue Valentine wasn't totally depressing. There were happy moments featured because the entire movie trotted between different time frames.

The story gradually unravels itself as we eventually sink deeper and deeper into their relationship. I have to speak high praise of the camera technique. I for one was never fond of shaky camera styles, but this time, instead of just creating that realism, it also created a window of involvement. The scene whereby Ryan Gosling was playing a song for Michelle Williams as she was tap dancing in front of a convenience shop (I think) is one scene I will never forget. Trivia states that Ryan Gosling actually wrote and sang many of the songs featured. He almost reminded me of the late Heath Ledger. Talented, yet isn't that recognized.

His older self reminded me of the physical appearance of Andy Kaufman, a movie made about him called Man on the Moon played by Jim Carrey. Not sure if it was intended but it sure seemed that's where the director got his inspiration from. I know I'm reviewing it all over the place because I don't want to miss out any points which wouldn't do enough justice to this hidden gem.

Even though there's nudity, a scene of cunnilingus (oral sex performed on a female, a term I only came to know just yesterday after reading the trivia about how the movie was on the verge of receiving a NC17 rating as opposed to a less lenient R rating in US because of that scene - Saw and Hostel received an R rating, imagine that!!), and a rather disturbing and heart-breaking sex scene, there wasn't much eroticism in the movie. Yet, those scenes only enhanced the degenerating relationship between the two, actually, in my opinion, the fault lies in the female protagonist and not the male (not saying this to defend my own gender but what I observed from the movie).

Blue Valentine is about a couple whose marriage is degenerating and is on the verge of failure. Dean, Ryan Gosling, is a loving husband and father who didn't expect to be where he were but ended up as such all because of love. Cindy, Michelle Williams, on the other hand, is a confused wife and mother who believes that she no longer loves her life and indulges in self-pity. She just wants to get out of it and is waiting for the catalyst to spark that moment.

*major spoilers ahead* The movie is a constant reminder for long-term couples that it always takes two hands to clap, two hands to make things work and two hands to break things. Cindy was the "hand" who wanted to break it, and Dean was the other hand who wanted to make it. In the end, commitment, responsibilities and true love was barely able to keep the couple hanging on for just a little bit longer. My reason for which I believe Cindy is as such because of the way she was in the movie. Cindy kept her pending promotion from Dean, because it required her to move to another city with her boss. She wasn't totally honest with him and no longer had any feelings or attraction towards Dean. That, she shifts the blame to Dean by accusing him of always starting a fight.

Dean, on the other hand, seems almost foolishly in love with Cindy. Looking as if he was the more irrational person in the relationship at the start, it was gradually revealed that he was the true "element" of love in the film. It was depressing to see how blindly attached he was to what seemed like a doomed outcome, yet he still holds on because of the magnitude of his love for both his wife and daughter.

Dean and Cindy were opposites, like in most relationships, not just in character, which anyone in a relationship would agree with me, but also in thinking, with respect made to the movie. Dean didn't seem to know what he wanted at the start, but after getting married and having a child, believes that that's all he ever wanted in life (revealed through a heartfelt conversation between the two). Cindy, on the other hand, thought she knew what she wanted, to keep the baby and get married. However, as time progresses, she gradually realizes it wasn't what she wanted and tries means to break out of her self-proclaimed miserable life.

This movie isn't your average marriage failure type movie. There's more to it than meets the eye. The values and expectations portrayed served as possible scenarios and warnings to young couples who are about to set up a family. But one mustn't be afraid to take that one big leap, because ultimately, one can never predict the future. As long as the two hands needed to make the family stays iron-fisted, and constantly re-coats them with affection, even physiological science, even physically ageing appearances, even psychologically mundane routines will never be able to come between the tightly grasped hands which all started down the aisle.

Word of advice, this movie is dialogue-driven and is guaranteed to lower your mood when the credits roll. But like any other gems, it is because it's able to evoke that feeling in you which makes it truly commendable. Blue Valentine may not have won the Oscars, but it too has won a place in my heart.

Gulliver's Travels

Ratings: 4.9/10

Film Class: B

Genre: Comedy Adventure

OO...MMM...GGG... uullliivveerrr... Gulliver's Travels is undisputedly an epic fail. Has been a long time since I subjected my mind to such insult. Gave it a shot and I felt so "raped" of my time and intellect. I agree that every once in a while, a no-brainer movie is needed to take the stress off any Singaporean's hectic lifestyle. Still, Gulliver's Travels exceeds my "expectations" of what a no-brainer lame a** movie could accomplish.

An everyday, low-esteemed mailbox employee plagiarized a travel article to one of his lady superiors whom he had a crush for for 5 years. Impressed by his "falsified" accounts, she gave him an assignment to explore the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. The rest of the plot needs no further elaboration.

I honestly thought that this movie was made for the sake of making it. There's no real purpose or substance to it, even if its sole purpose was to entertain, it wasn't able to even deliver that. If the purpose was to remake a classic, the director not only didn't do justice to it, but brought a bad name to Gulliver's Travels. Even with Emily Blunt as the gorgeous Princess of Liliput, nothing was able to salvage this doomed remake of the world-wide classic.

Thank you Jack. You have once again defined what a bad movie should be. Perhaps you should just stick to voice-overs from now on. You're good at that.

No Strings Attached

Ratings: 6.1/10

Film Class: C

Genre: Romantic Comedy (RomCom)

Natalie Portman brings forth yet another Love and Other Pursuits' performance... mediocre. Perhaps with a hint of titillating sauciness this time round. Aston Kutcher on the other hand, brought forth something I have never seen before... one of his few disappointing moments in his career. He was unconvincing... and there was forced chemistry between the two leads. Natalie Portman overshadowed Aston Kutcher's performance even though the focus of the film was on the latter.

A guy who's hopelessly desperate lands himself in bed with one of his longest "acquaintance" friend. Agreeing to be just friends with benefits, the two unknowingly falls deeper into a relationship that neither one of them could handle, more so for Natalie Portman.

Typical romcom storyline, with less nudity and less substance, of which the two factors being mutually exclusive. Compared to most other romcoms like Ugly Truth, What Happens in Vegas and Going the Distance, this movie lacks in comparison due to the absence of genuine chemistry. Compared with Love and Other Drugs, No Strings Attached too falls short of the sensuality and substance of the storyline. Chalky scripting (as quoted from my gf) and an absolute disastrous story progression. Bottomline... No Strings Attached isn't worth your time.

Enough slamming of this movie... lemme see if I can sum up its merits in a single sentence before closing this post... Hmm.. Hmm.. Thinking hard... Oh, I finally got one. "You should know, if you come any closer, I'm not letting you go." (the only nice quote from the movie)

Sucker Punch

Ratings: 7.4/10

Film Class: B

Genre: Action Fantasy

A girl unjustifiably gets admitted into a mental institution for females by her abusive stepfather. There, she create an alternate reality to cope with her situation and gathers a team of female "warriors" to find freedom once again.

Weird. Definitely one of its kind. The flow of the story was fast paced, complemented with heart pumping soundtracks, the movie was beautiful in its own way. It wasn't what I had expected from the director who brought us classics like 300 and Watchmen, but every once in a while a director has to explore new areas. This wasn't his make or break movie, is was just a different kind of experience... imagine this... a super cool movie about girl power and though with unconvincing acting, was able to hold your attention throughout.

The movie might not bring justice to the word I'm going to use to describe this in a while, but I find it only apt. Possibly lowered in magnitude but still apt. Sucker Punch is guaranteed to keep you straight up in your seat, eyes glued, with a rather gorey ending but with a totally intriguing storyline to go along with it.

*major spoilers ahead* For the first time in any movie, the focus veers away from the lead protagonist because the movie was no longer about her at the end. Despite chalky narration, the point was still brought across with style and "elegance". True, the girls were mainly eye candies who might not necessarily excel in their performances, but was able to "sex up" the movie.

One word and one word only to sum up this film. Sucker Punch is yet another Zack Snyder's trademark film... revolutionary.

Rango

Ratings: 7.2/10
Film Class: B
Genre: Animation Adventure

Rango Rango Rango. That isn't even his name in the first place. Opps, spoiler alert. Alright, nothing much to spoil about this movie. Predictable storyline, interesting setting, decent scripting cum humor and fine CG.

An ordinary Chameleon gets lost in a desert, arrives at a lawless outpost and becomes its Sheriff after boasting about his made-up stories about how fearless he was and the enemies he took down by him. The town's water source is in jeopardy and it's up to Rango to find out the truth about its disappearance and to save the day.

Was a good watch, worth the time, but would come across as just another mediocre animation film. Entertaining no doubt, fun to watch, but wasn't able to blow my mind or take my breath away. Rango is just like any cowboy wild wild west movie just that this time round, it isn't a cowboy but a champ-meleon we're all gonna ride along an adventure with.

Green Lantern

Ratings: 8.4/10

Film Class: B+

Genre: Superhero Action

In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let all who worship evil's might, beware my power, green lantern's light!! This movie is sheer Oaaa-someness.

A test pilot who barely survived a plane crash is mystically brought forth to a dying guardian of the universe, Abin Sur. Chosen by the mystical green lantern's ring, he is entrusted with the worldly responsibility of protecting the universe with a group of intergalactic guardians called the Green Lantern Corps.

Because I'm fairly unfamiliar with Green Lantern, the movie experience was hands down refreshing and oa-striking. It would seem that Hollywood has introduced a massively growing trend of superhero movies out there with deep storyplots and Green Lantern is just one of them. Of course, not all superhero movies are on the same level with one another, but Green Lantern definitely falls under the more "super" category of its kind.

I personally thought the ending was the most compelling part of it. I for one, didn't see it coming since I'm so conditioned to come up with my own expected endings whenever I watch movies. Although I like to see Ryan Reynold on the big screens, this movie has confirmed one thing... he isn't quite the versatile actor even though he has undoubtedly delivered sublime performances before. It was like seeing a carbon copy of himself all over again... reminiscence of the talented, yet not so versatile Johnny Depp, another of my favourite Hollywood stars.

Blake Lively stole the "lime-green-light" with her stunning beauty. If you compare Green Lantern with Thor, the former is inferior in terms of CG. Yet, Green Lantern didn't fail to get everyone glued to their seats and wished it wouldn't stop rolling. I was disappointed with the runtime even though it's close to 2 hours long but the storyline still felt rushed. I'm sure the DC superhero's fans would've given a standing ovation if it was a 3 hour Lord-of-the-Rings-like experience.

There's basically two main settings for this movie - Earth and the Planet Oa (where the Green Corps reside). That's similar to Thor. But the difference is that there is a larger focus on the Earthly setting for Green Lantern as opposed to Thor. Pardon me for comparing these two films since they share many things in common... superheroes, from another planet, gaining their worth blah blah blah.

I thought the part about why Green Lantern is green and not any other color was pretty cool as well as the basis behind the Villian's power. This movie reminds me of Spider 3, where's there's more than 1 enemy. While most superhero movies stick to just 1 villian to deal with, Green Lantern brings forth 2 villians, one super-human, and the other a godlike-spectre.

*spoilers* I'm more of a fan of Green Lantern now after catching this film and I'm so looking forward to a possible sequel in future (stay back for the mid-credit scene). Green Lantern way exceeds my expectations, and I hope it exceeds yours as well. Go Green! Go watch it and decide yourself!! Cos beware of his power, Green Lantern's Light!!!

Super 8

Ratings: 6.5/10
Film Class: B
Genre: Sci-Fi Mystery

Super 8 is only "super" 6.5. I had a inkling it would turn out to be ET-like, and it did instill that mood throughout the movie. However, while both dabbles with children and another life form, Super 8 is a darker, more adult version of ET. As seen from the trailer, the "creature" has no mercy and is all out to kill.

A train crash in a small town one night was witnessed by a group of friends who were making a short film near the railway. The wrecked container contained an unknown creature which went on the loose... wiping out the townspeople one by one and causing lotsa magnetic disruptions.

While the story was there, gradually unravelling itself, it didn't play much part in synchronising or I would say contribute to the overall feel of the movie. The subplots felt weren't able to draw me deeper into the plot, but felt rather detached from one another. While I'm not fond of watching kids running around and trying to play hero, it was rather refreshing to get out of my comfort zone every once in a while.

The second half of the film started to pick up a better pace which thankfully managed to salvage the slow moving first half of it. The jokes were juvenile-like and the humor came across as pretty lame. It wasn't a great watch, but was decent enough for me. Still, I wouldn't recommend it since I'm positive you'll be better off spending the 2 hours re-watching ET, a much better investment of your time.

X-Men: First Class

Ratings: 7.8/10

Film Class: B+
Genre: Action Drama

Witness the beginning of the X-Men in this movie prequel of the highly acclaimed X-Men Marvel Series which took the world by storm when it made its first animated debut in 1992. X-Men: First Class takes you back to the beginning of the fictional world where mutants with special abilities exists among humans, and which resulted in a never-ending battle between the two "races" sparked from fear and hatred.

The main plot of X-Men has always been about two leaders, Professor X and Magneto, two archenemies who were ironically two best friends, leading both sides of the mutant race to protect and battle the human race respectively. It has a similar story to Superman, a familiar relationship between the Man of Steel and his archenemy Lex Luthor. Yet, X-Men has always led the pack from other superhero movies because of the large number of heroes and villians prevalent due to the nature of the storyline.

Its strongest merit, may also be its most dreadful demerit, because it runs the danger of a lack of focus. Thankfully, X-Men movies never ran that risk. X-Men 1-3's focus was wolverine, while this film, focused on the friendship between Professor Xavier and Magneto. While I didn't like the choice of mutants and the stars featured, the main leads managed to steal most of the limelight. Being an avid X-Men fan, I was unfamiliar with a handful of mutants... which I never knew existed or were even part of the Professor X's first X-Men team.

This movie had a very matured theme to it, even though it featured young stars and that it was set in a fictional world. Everything felt extremely realistic (then again, maybe only for 1 part of it... beast's "rubber" costume), and I liked how this movie was finally able to revive the kid in me. For the first time out of all the X-Men installments, this was the only one which managed to leave me wanting for more. So much so that I had this insatiable urge to re-watch the 1992 animated series once again.

Quite frankly, I didn't expect much. From all the reviews mentioned about how fantastic this movie was, I didn't think much of it. While I don't totally agree about how first class this movie is, I have a weird dilemma to admit it as such because of the way it left me feeling after the movie. It's a strange feeling altogether... almost like you don't totally like something yet you love it. The only thing I'm sure of, is that X-Men: First Class is definitely the best X-Men movie made so far and everyone (cast) did a great job on being mutant.

There was a particular scene which I really loved, an extremely strong scene which may have been overlooked by most viewers. *major spoilers ahead* I'm referring to the scene in which Magneto finally killed the villain Sebastian Shaw. Firstly, it was a very interesting way to kill a person, or mutant. Secondly, the scene put Xavier in an extremely difficult moral dilemma... because Professor X had to aid his best friend in killing another mutant for the greater good. And lastly, the physical pain he had to endure because everytime he controls another person, he's able to feel what the other person is feeling... Ie. he felt the coin went through his own skull. I was able to feel both his emotional and physical pain...

The cameo was highly refreshing... with only just 3 words... it was... classic. No after credit scenes, and no cameo from Stan Lee this time (not that I was ever able to spot him in most Marvel movies anyway).

To sum it up, the only X-Men movie to have successfully made me hope that it wouldn't end that quick, that had me longing for more even though it's a 2hr 12min long movie. Perhaps my favourite animated Marvel series might finally reclaim top spot as the real-life remake Marvel series in the years to come (currently the reigning champ is still Spiderman) after all...

Kung Fu Panda 2

Ratings: 7.4/10

Film Class: B+

Genre: Animation, Action Comedy

Well, while many have compared this to the its first installment, I shan't since I find them to be fairly independent movies. There's not many references made to the previous movie and definitely no flashbacks about part 1. But.. but... this time round, Kung Fu Panda 2 ends with a promising anticipation for another sequel.

The Dragon Warrior, Po together with the Furious Five faces a formidable foe who will put Kung Fu to the greatest test ever... a battle of "loaded arms" versus "bare fists". The first half of the movie felt a little kidish to me, and the humor wasn't overwhelmingly hilarious because the best bits have all been featured in the trailer already. However, the second half of it felt more refreshing and the jokes and storyline development added extra popcorn ratings to the movie.

*spoilers ahead* The ending, though predictable, was ironically unexpected. Because I was so immersed in the story, the possibility of the impossible happening in an animation didn't seem so expected after all since it felt so "realistic". The best bits about the movie must have come from the "cinematography. Or whatever you call it since I'm not even sure if there's such a thing as cinematography in an animation film.

I loved the depth of field created in most scenes, especially those scenic ones which exceptionally enhanced the overall feel of the movie. It was stunningly beautiful. Plus the vibrant vivid colors, the scenes were breathtaking, something which I wouldn't have expected from a family animation like Kunfg Fu Panda.

That to me, was the only factor which really impressed me. Comedy aspects, slightly above average. Storyline, pretty typical. Action, a good amount of it. Touching scenes, ok, a few bits but none too tear wrenching. Soundtrack, unoriginal but apt. Cinematography... Po-w WOW. AWESOMENESS!!

PS.: There's no after credit scenes so don't bother staying back. And there's a scene in the trailer which was cut out in the movie itself. See if you can find it (ain't tough though).