Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

If there is one man's life story that deserves to be told, it is Nelson Mandela's. After a few interpretations on film, the latest effort - Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom - is based on the words of the man himself, as recorded in his autobiography of the same name. Basically, this is the story he told of himself, starting from his beginnings as a lawyer, the ANC, prison, and the time after his release (including him becoming the president of South Africa).

Though the story is powerful and the life inspiring, the film does not necessarily live up to the greatness of the man. Idris Elba, portraying Mandela, is nothing short of brilliant. Physically, his resemblance is limited and he is only made to look like the man in the older years. While still playing a young Nelson Mandela, he frequently takes his shirt off, which is gratifying in so many ways but probably not the point.

The cutting of the film appears fitful, made up of short scenes, that feel like unfinished thoughts and makes the story somewhat incoherent. The advantage is, of course, that most of us know the story anyway. But is that a good enough excuse to make the film into a lengthy music video?

But what really, really bothers me about this is rather ridiculous because it is unimportant to the story. Winnie Mandela does not seem to age. There comes one scene, set in the mid to late eighties (I think), where a half-hearted attempt of making Naomi Harris look the age she is supposed to be by putting a little grey in her unkempt hair, but throughout most of the film she appears to be in her thirties.

Ultimately, this is the kind of film biography that caters more to the MTV generation of kids with short attention span than anyone who is seriously interested in the life of Nelson Mandela.

6/10

Thor: The Dark World

A long, long time ago, the Dark Elfs (the evil to Asgard's good) lead by Malekith were defeated by Bor's (yep, Odin's father) army. Malekith was about to release the deadliest of weapons, known as Aether, which is only possible when all nine worlds align. After their victory, Bor has the Aether hidden...hopefully never to be found again. A handful of the bad guys escape and sleep in space until the weapon can be located again - this will only be possible the next time the worlds align.

Fast forward to today. Loki is thrown into prison by Odin, where he is to spend the rest of his existence. Meanwhile, Thor is cleaning up his brother's messes in all the worlds. His beloved Jane and her team are in London. Erik, however, is missing but quickly relocated as he made the news because he ran around naked in Stonehenge. While following weird info from their various instruments, Jane and her posse locate some sort of portal between different worlds. Jane is sucked into the one where the Aether is hidden and is taken over by the substance.

This awakes the resting Dark Elfs that attack Asgard, where Jane has been brought to by Thor. The battle is fierce and not only leaves considerable destruction in its wake but also costs Odin's wife's life. Thor's idea on how to solve the crisis differs wildly from Odin's. The son wants to take Jane back to earth to get the Dark Elfs out of hiding and defeat them right after the Aether has left Jane but before Malekith can use it. Odin wants to keep Jane locked to lure the Dark Elfs back to Asgard and defeat them there.

Thor, with a little help of his usual posse, springs his own plan into action. However, he needs the help of his brother Loki, who knows a secret passageway out of Asgard. When Thor, Loki and Jane meet with the Dark Elfs they stage a fight between the brothers to cause confusion as to where their loyalties lie. During the fight, the Aether cannot be destroyed how Thor had hoped and even though the bad guys suffer some losses, Loki dies in the fight (but fear not, Loki fans, he is not really dead - I repeat: Loki is not really dead!).

For the ultimate showdown, Thor, Jane and her group of scientist have to grow to Greenwich, the epicenter of the aligning worlds. Then, epic battle and - finally - victory for the good guys.

In the end, Thor asks Odin to not make him king so that he can return to Jane. He leaves with Odin's blessing but as soon as he is gone, Odin shapeshifts to become Loki (oh, witchery!).

6/10

Prometheus

My first post on a film-of-the-moment! One that is actually in theaters right now. I give you....Prometheus, the film that has been hyped and hyped and hyped some more over the last year or so (felt that long, didn't it). So, does it live up to the buzz?

Yes, it does. It has its flaws, no doubt, and quite a few of them. But it is what it is supposed to be - a sci-fi summer blockbuster that alternately awes you and freaks you out.

It starts with this guy killing himself. Or something.We do not know where he is (is it a he even?) and we do not know why he drinks that funny stuff he (she?) is drinking. But he (she?) is our ancestor. That much is clear.

So this team of scientists sets out to find a star constellation that has been discovered in many cave drawings by all kinds of different ancient civilizations. They take about 2 years to get there. While they sleep in their fancy futuristic beds, David is manning the ship by himself. David is an adroid without any emotions, that somehow still manages to be quite the douchebag (with an agenda, apparently). He spends his days watching old films (Lawrence of Arabia) and dyeing his roots.

As soon as all the scientist are woken, there follows a lot of exploring dark caves. Ominous lighting FTW!After some exciting discoveries that may or may not prove the initial theory of where all life comes from, the horror kicks in. Black liquids oozing out of vessels (vases), people disintegrating, quite the gross abortion (the horrific highlight in my book!), one big-ass face-hugger...well, more of a full-body-hugger, really.

Thankfully, the film has eye candy galore. There is David (the actual reason girls will watch this):

Despite the bad hair, Michael Fassbender is a welcome sight. There is the badass captain:

Even a character as unemotional and slick as Charlize Theron's succumbs to his rough charms. Sort of. And then there is the guy who looks like the cute brother of Tom Hardy:

Wait. Did she just sort of diss Tom Hardy? Yes, I believe she did. *gasp*

And all that in 3D! Which is totally wasted on this film. There is next to nothing that warrants the use of 3D, other than it looks pretty and sharp. Can we be done with 3D, please?

What was slightly annoying was the ending. We get no answers whatsoever. Because Elizabeth Shaw is "still searching". Uhm, ok. So, there's going to be a sequel, right?

5/10