Nothing New is Offered in Ratchet and Clank Movie Adaptation

Ratchet and Clank is made for fans of the video game and I was dismayed that this film is just a retelling of the game instead of a new product.

Ratchet and Clank Movies based on video games are often a hit and miss affair with the masses. Not everyone will have played it. Very few end up as spectacular. Try as many studios might for a memorable blockbuster, most end up as a so bad it’s good category. Not many end up with sequels. Resident Evil, Tomb Raider and Silent Hill are the only exceptions to this list. Maybe the problem lies in who these films are intended for. The latest entry, Ratchet and Clank, is definitely aimed at the kids.

This tale comes complete with the obligatory lessons for youths to take home. This film shows how Ratchet (James Arnold Taylor) should never give up on his dream of being part of the Galactic Rangers. When the anthropomorphic world is filled with critters trying to make a difference in a dog eat dog world of humans glory hounding victories, just how this garage mechanic is going to become a soldier is going to be tough. He has to convince the egotistical Captain Qwark (Jim Ward) to let him join. From here, I thought I was watching Disney Afternoon’s Buzz Lightyear of Star Command. This cartoon was developed in 2000 and the game did not emerge till 2002. For instance, Mira wanted to be part of the galactic police force, but many people (Buzz and her royal parents) were hesitant. While the short robot X-R and Clank (David Kaye) are different personalities, both fill a very similar role. A part of what I loved in this series is in how a brotherhood of trust is developed, and this film moves in a very similar flow. A part of the plot that’s enjoyable is in how Ratchet wants to see the good in everyone, including those who have seemingly chosen to sell out.

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Speculation Surrounds Stallone and “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2”

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Guardians_of_the_GalaxyThere is some buzz surrounding Sylvester Stallone as of late. The 69-year-old actor, who was recently nominated for an Academy Award for the film Creed, was photographed exiting an Atlanta hotel where the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 are currently staying. A New York Daily News report contains a photo of Stallone in possession of a script. A source has told the Mail, “The star then got into a car usually assigned to Chris Pratt, the star of the movie.”

The sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy, which grossed 773.3 Million worldwide, is being shot at Pinewood Studio in the State of Georgia.

While it is possible Stallone could potentially play the role of Peter Quill’s (Pratt) father, Marvel Studios has not confirmed Stallone’s casting. Quill’s father is a role that director James Gunn teased would play a huge part in the film. But with the recent casting of Kurt Russell, it was rumoured Russell would portray that character. Stallone’s role says Daily Mail’s source would be a cameo.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 will be written and directed by James Gunn. Chris Pratt (Peter Quill), Zoe Saldana (Gamora), Dave Bautista (Drax), Vin Diesel (Groot), Bradley Cooper (Rocket), and Karen Gillan (Nebula) will reprise their roles.

Source(s): The New York Daily News, Jacqueline Cutler, We Love Collecting Movies Facebook group, and Movie Addiction Facebook Group.

What’s Life Like for The Expendables 3? A Movie Review

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Expendables3

The Expendables franchise is simply about old-time action stars making one last hurrah. Some succeed at showing that they do indeed have staying power at remaining big and others are best left to sit in the annals of cinematic armageddon. For this series of films, the producers and Sylvester Stallone show that this team of soldiers turned mercenaries are going to keep on going strong and may the devil be damned if you don’t like seeing them cause carnal damage one more time. The challenge for the third movie is that these old-timers face stiff competition against the Guardians of the Galaxy and mutant turtles from city sewers a lot more than the problem that occurred a few weeks back.

During the Thursday free advance screening of this film, crowds loved the humour, action and conflict created. Despite the fact this film leaked to the Internet for wannabes to see at home, the true fans of this 80’s action showdown genre packed the house to show that everything is bigger and badder on a large screen. There’s no denying that a free movie even at the theatre will get people out, but this franchise is lucrative since it helps bring the thrill-ride action of the yesteryears back to the silver screen for fans, if not the old-timers, to enjoy.

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