2007 is proving to be a great year for Hollywood!

A lot of fantastic works have made their way to the silver screen.

The by-products: critics dishing stellar reviews, the studios raking in loads of moolah, and movie buffs like myself enjoying quality time in the dark with a tub of popcorn and transport to a parallel world (courtesy of the screenwriter's imagination).

So here's a long overdue commentary... includes the fairly new and some already out in disc form, of films worth my hundred bucks or so:

Ratatouille (pronounced rat-a-too-ee)

I caught Ratatouille.

In film and not literally of course. Tee-hee! And must say, enjoyed myself immensely!

I've always been a big fan of Disney (and nowadays Disney + Pixar with the truly productive tandem). I've seen their toy/animal/creature offerings that have some sort of moral lesson interwoven with the animation and the laughs. The list includes: Monsters Inc., Finding Nemo, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Happy Feet, Chicken Little, and a whole lot more. I'm one of the people who get all excited when a trailer shows, catch the film on its first few days, buy Happy Meal toys, save cute pictures of the characters, and all that... I somehow cannot outgrow Disney! Perhaps I'd be watching their movies well into my old age pretending to accompany the kids (mine if I'm lucky, my siblings' or some orphans if not) but secretly loving every bit myself.

All that said, I'm claiming Ratatouille the best in my Disney + Pixar fave animations so far.

Really.

At the risk of sounding cheesy (haha.. pun intended!), this culinary-centered tale of achieving a dream and breaking conventions has all the right ingredients! Even if it's a rat at the center of the magic.

I guess when you've been the masters at a certain field for a while (D and P being the biggest in the kid movie market), you get better and better and come to perfect the art.

Ratatouille was like that for me, a dish made by the chef with all his heart, the serving boasting of its maker's ultimate creativity and passion. So I gobbled it all up. And was left saying: Yum!

For those who haven't yet, go watch Ratatouille. And bring kids. The kids and the kid inside you will have a good time.

Transformers

Can anyone say Optimus Prime???

I didn't watch the cartoons during my childhood and at first thought this movie is for geeky boys who are crazy about computers and cars. But boy, was I wrong. Thank God I heeded a trusted friend's advice to put my pre-formed judgment aside and give it a chance.

The one word that sums Transformers all up: COOLNESS.

Now I wonder if my white Chrysler baby is secretly a chic and sassy Transformer... Hahaha...

THE BIG SUMMER 3

TRILOGIES GALORE

1. Shrek the Third

In my opinion, the secret to Shrek's success is in its being unconventional against the cartoons that have preceded it. Shrek not being the typical Prince Charming in looks and personality has rendered the story a sense of reality. And the air of being grounded while the fantasy elements (as it is still a cartoon) remaining intact (and actually complementary) have built it the success it now is.

I'm glad the writers decided to play on that strength when coming up with a third installment to the series.

This one shows Shrek and Fiona working through their marital problems and finding their roles in their new family and in the kingdom. And a fun, crazy adventure it is!

2. Pirates of the Caribbean 3: At World's End

Let's admit it, Pirates is just fluff. A formula of swashbuckling adventure, goofy characters, Keira Knightley for the boys, a hidden treasure, witty lines, grand sets, and of course Johnny Depp.

But it's fantastic fluff.

Commercial na kung commercial! Pop na kung pop! Basta Johnny Depp is worth it! Hahaha...

3. Spiderman 3

Regrettably I thought this one was just OK despite loving the first and second releases of the comic-book-turned-film hit.

It did have more than decent earnings and I'm sure it made Spidey fanatics happy.

I just maybe expected more.

It was a let-down. Especially Mary Jane's lip-synching during the opera performance part. And I never thought I'd ever get to watch Kirsten Dunst without totally finding her charming!

Oh well!

7.26.2007

CAN'T HOLD ME DOWN... 'COZ I RISE...

 

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