Lincoln (12A)

Spielberg's latest masterpiece (really!) is still in cinemas... catch it before it bags a load of Oscars on the 24th!

This review was first published in The Methodist Recorder (www.methodistrecorder.co.uk).

Lincoln (12A)

Steven Spielberg had to ask three times to convince Daniel Day-Lewis to don the iconic stovepipe, believing Lincoln wouldn’t be worth filming without the talents of the worlds best actor.  The film centres on the abolition of the slave trade, and we first meet Lincoln visiting his battle weary troops, finding black soldiers as earnest and loyal as any.  From there we witness his uphill struggle to pass the Thirteenth Amendment, to outlaw slavery once and for all. 

Like all exceptional biographical films, Lincoln doesn’t simply follow the character from cradle to grave, but tells the story of the choices he made under the greatest pressures of his life, thus revealing the man’s heart.  Spielberg has never made a more mature and thoughtful film, with his carefully tempered use of harrowing battle scenes and gory images serving to demonstrate the cost of the Civil War, and the high stakes with which Lincoln was faced.

A film so steeped in politics risks being dry and laborious, and while there are scenes that require a greater than average investment of attention, they always pay off tenfold thanks to Spielberg’s decision not to shoot until Tony Kushner’s script had been fine tuned to perfection.  The wit and sparkle with which history is brought to life is remarkable, and sets a new standard for historical biopics.

Day-Lewis’ performance has been roundly lauded as uncanny, but there’s no chance of distraction from the story despite awe of his performance, because Day-Lewis has uncovered a character so authentically humble that you forget you’re watching a film, and experience something of what the man himself might have been like.  Tommy Lee Jones is also on top form as Thaddeus Stevens, injecting his incisive insults with delicious venom; just one example of the delightful humour Kushner uses to bring periodic levity.

Another film about slavery is on release concurrently with Lincoln, Django Unchained.  While Django represents a fictional and unrighteous attack on slavery, Lincoln is the opposite, telling a true story of a righteous assault on evil.  Important questions are raised as Lincoln ponders that we don’t choose to be born, and are perhaps therefore made for our time with a specific job to do.  It’s food for thought for Christians considering God’s purpose in their lives, and Lincoln’s ultimate triumph is an encouragement to fight injustice even against odds which, from an earthly perspective, seem insurmountable.

Short Circuit (PG)

This 80s classic was my favourite film when I was about 6, and it's out on Blu-ray and DVD today!

Short Circuit (PG) (This review on FilmJuice.com)

Eighties cult classic Short Circuit is pure daft fun.  Packed with goofy American humour and anchored by a warm hearted moral about the universality of morality, the movie is a childhood favourite for many and sure to become one for generations to come.

‘Number Five’ begins existence as a lifeless robot, built to do the army’s bidding and act as a cutting edge military deterrent.  Suddenly lightening strikes (literally), flooding consciousness through his circuits and gifting him with a squeaky voice and instantaneous lust for life.  The now living machine sets off on a hyper-curious exploration of the world, initially oblivious to the panicking armed forces hot on his tail.

Newton Crosby is Number Five’s charming genius inventor, modestly portrayed by a subdued Steve Guttenburg, and Ben Jebituya is his stereotypical nerdy assistant-cum-sidekick, who is to prone to making arguably excessively racy jokes for a PG rated film.

The onscreen oestrogen and obligatory love interest comes in the shape of Stephanie Speck, an animal loving, UFO believing pseudo-hippy.  Her heart is won by Number Five’s malice-free nature, and they enjoy a dance in front of director John Badham’s own Saturday Night Fever, playing on the television. Ally Sheedy fills Speck’s character with no small measure of irresistibility, delivering a spritely and memorable performance in a film where for the most part the best actor is the robot.

Though patchy in quality, the script is nothing if not upbeat and much mirth is to be had from Number Five’s zany and surreal one-liners (“Hey, laser-lips, your mama was a snowblower”)!  Director John Badham’s life affirming mid-career effort is heavily indebted to Steven Spielberg's far superior E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, released four years previously.  Upon discovering Number Five outside her house, Speck even thinks he is an alien, and is delighted as he swiftly picks up human ways.  The film does however carve it’s own unique spot in eighties movie history, with an impressive character design crowned with ingeniously emotive ‘eyebrows’.

Anyone with at least one working eyeball will notice the plain-as-day similarities between Number Five and WALL-E, with their caterpillar perambulators and binocular optics.  Pixar’s Andrew Stanton stated that he ‘may have been subconsciously influenced’ by Short Circuit, presumably using the subconscious as a metaphor for tracing paper.  The bottom line of the matter is of course that Short Circuit came first, but WALL-E is the better film.

It won’t move your soul, unless you’re under five, and it won’t teach you anything new, unless you know less than a dead piece of metal, but Short Circuit is mostly harmless escapism fit for all the family (bar a few blue gags).  It’s worth a look, and the kids will love it.

Blu-ray & DVD extras: Commentary by director John Badham and writers S.S. Wilson and Brent Maddock, Original theatrical trailer, ‘The Creation of Number 5’, Cast and crew interviews, Behind the scenes featurette

War Horse (12A)

Nominated for 5 BAFTAs and 6 Oscars including Best Picture at the Academy Awards next month, here is my review of Steven Spielberg's War Horse, still in cinemas.

This review was first published in The Methodist Recorder (www.methodistrecorder.co.uk).

War Horse (12A)

Based on the children’s novel and acclaimed stage production, Steven Spielberg’s War Horse tells the tale of Devon boy Albert and his horse Joey, which Albert must rescue when he is sold to the army in WWI.

The story is a deliberate tearjerker, especially for animal lovers and younger viewers who make up most of its intended audience. For others all the melodrama, tears and heroics may seem over the top when centered around an animal. A major weakness is that Spielberg doesn’t well enough set up why we should care about Joey, let alone empathise with Albert who even puts his own life on the line for him.

For those forgiving enough to see past these flaws, War Horse will reward with a powerful cathartic experience. The story’s simplicity is a strength, with little time wasted on peripherals beyond the core element of a boy and his horse, which splits into parallel plot threads once they are separated.

Spielberg shows brilliant restraint as he portrays the cruelties of war in a way which is suitable for most children. Almost never do we see impact or injury in the excellent battle scenes, with a lingering shot of the aftermath being plenty to tell the story.

The visuals are a rich and colourful feast for the eyes. Almost miraculously the cinematographer has transformed the bleakness of Devon into a world of soft sunlight and glowing English charm. Contrast that with the dark and smokey No Man’s Land, a place of horrors that becomes a stage on which Joey teaches both sides in the war something of the humanity they lose in fighting each other.

Made more likable by healthy doses of good humour, the film’s close to two and a half hour running time races past comfortably. Peter Mullan is wonderful as Albert’s defeatist father and Benedict Cumberbatch is terrific as always, here playing a cocky British Major.

Worthy themes of bravery and sacrifice abound, but when in relation to a soulless creature it becomes hard to contrive much worthwhile Christian comment. Suffice to say it brings Psalm 33:17 to mind.

For those wise to the heartstring tugging mechanisms used however expertly by the director, the film can be occasionally irritating. Faults aside, War Horse will satisfy most and leave them with a genuinely warm feeling; but anyone looking for much more than that should look elsewhere.