Movie Micro-Reviews: Edition 73

You'll notice a theme in this edition.  We just watched the Lord of the Rings trilogy because I bought the blu-ray extended editions, and then we are preparing for the final Harry Potter film by seeing all the others (as, I imagine, many other fans are.)  So, just two "newer" reviews.

I am Number Four	58	The ending didn’t completely “ruin” it, but it sure lessened my overall enjoyment. Started well: we know the kid is an alien, and so does he. Middle was fun and tense. Denouement introduces a new cool character (very late) and then … fizzle.
Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring	100	What can I say.  The mood is perfect.  The story hangs together.  The characterizations are charming and thrilling.  The effects enhance and draw you in, rather than amaze or distract.  Fantastic. [Even better in Extended versions. How does it get better than 100?  It does.]
Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers	98	The Ents are not silly!  The orcs are mean.  The slightly lower rating is for confusion they could have worked a bit harder to clear up.  But still near perfection!
Lord of the Rings: Return of the King	100	What can I say?  Probably the best film (series) ever.  Buying and watching the Blu-Ray extended versions was a treat.
Independence Day	87	Fantastic blockbuster FX film, with real heroes, tension, laughs.  Faulty science drops it below 90, for me. [I know I like this more than many people do.  But that’s personal taste for you.]
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone	93	A delight!  Had I not read the book, I would still have followed the story perfectly.  Since I had read it, I was amazed at how perfectly they hit the characters and setting. [We begin preparations for the final movie. Can’t wait.]
Unstoppable	82	If you know it’s a Denzel film you expect a lot.  But then if you know it’s a film starring Denzel where a train is running away, you feel like it’s  going to be hard to make it dramatic, because, after all, Denzel HAS to stop it, right?  How much drama can there be?  But there is a LOT!  And Chris Pine adds quite a bit to the show.  So does the wonderful Rosario Dawson.  You’ll like it.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets	88	Harry still discovers the wonders of the magical world, along with us.  But he begins to take ownership of his life, and the story provides plenty of chance for him to grow. Saying this is the weakest of the movies sounds too negative.  It is still much better than most of what we see.  And the story means much more these days, now that all the books have been published.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban	93	An excellent story, and they told the best parts of it, and did it well!  These young actors are growing into their roles, and the fantasy continues to grow.  The dementors were scary!  Lupin was wonderful.  And Gary Oldman as Sirius?  Perfect!
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	94	The best yet.  The young actors have grown, and are equal to the task.  The effects are wonderful – especially the final spell battle.  The review in the blog is here.