March 29, 2024

Apes, Food & Aliens: Dec DVD Releases

Posted on November 30, 2014 by in DVD

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (PG-13) star_yellowstar_yellowstar_halfStarBlackStarBlackDec2014DVDDawnApes1W

I’m starting to OD on big-budget action flicks featuring massive computer-generated battle sequences. Even so, there’s something to like about this sequel to 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The saga resumes about 10 years later, with Caesar (Andy Serkis), the simian who learned how to speak, having established a thriving colony in Muir Woods, not having seen any human survivors of the global viral epidemic for a long time. Then a few show up. There are enclaves of us; one in nearby San Francisco. They need to reactivate a dam that’s on Caesar’s turf. Neither side understands or trusts the other. Apes were the source of the devastating pathogen; humans had a longer track record of mistreating their ancestors (zoos, lab experiments, habitat destruction, etc.). Not the climate for warm fuzzies among the warm or the fuzzy.

Some well-intentioned leaders work out a tentative truce, while other hawkish, paranoid members of both species undermine the prospects for peaceful coexistence. There’s not much one could call novel about the story, but the execution is commendable. It takes a while to tell which ape is which, since they’re not distinguishable by clothing, as in the original series of films from the 1970s. Some of the “dialog” is subtitled. Analogies to historical and current political events and polemics are anything but subtle, but still valid. Mayhem staging is quite good. Enjoy the ride; another sequel is in the works. (Blu-ray/DVD release December 2)

The Hundred-Foot Journey (PG) star_yellowstar_yellowstar_halfStarBlackStarBlackDec2014DVD100Ft2W

For those craving a nice little dramedy aimed for older audiences, this one should fill the bill nicely. A family of restaurateurs from Mumbai is forced from their home by political unrest. After a failed attempt to re-start in England, they’re driving through France when their car breaks down in a remote village. The patriarch (Om Puri) senses their destiny lies there in an abandoned eatery, despite its proximity to an elegant one-star Michelin Guide establishment directly across the road. The star of the enterprise is Hassan, who inherited his late mother’s instincts for creating unique and wonderful dishes, and just needs the chance to let his gift blossom, as Harry Potter needed his Hogwarts education.

The locals, knowing nothing of Indian cuisine, are skeptical. The rival owner (Helen Mirren) is initially dismayed by the gaudy colors and pungent odors invading her turf, then threatened by the awareness of some serious competition. The two sides engage in various tactics to mess with each other, even as one or two possible romances stir across the battle line.  There’s not a lot of novelty in the screenplay, but the settings are lovely and foodies will salivate over the kitchen and dining table closeups. The story plays out with a lyrical sweetness despite some ethnic unpleasantness in the mix. Mirren and Puri aren’t the stars, but they’re the ones who make it all work as well as it does. (Blu-ray/DVD release December 2)

Guardians of the Galaxy (PG-13) star_yellowstar_yellowstar_yellowStarBlackStarBlackDec2014DVDGuardian2W

Though I’ve never met him, I’ll bet St. Louis native James Gunn knows how to have fun while surviving in Hollywood. His scripts for Dawn of the Dead and Slither deftly combined horror and humor. Now he shines as the writer and director of this light-hearted big-screen incarnation of a Marvel Comics superheroes-in-space series. Compared to the recent onslaught of big-budget productions tending to be dark in tone, or otherwise taking themselves far too seriously for fantasy fare, Guardians stands out as a breath of fresh air. 

We’re shown the origins of what becomes a team of one roguish, Han Solo-esque Earthling (Chris Pratt); a foxy green assassin (Zoe Saldana); a diminutive, sarcastic humanoid racoon lab experiment (voiced by Bradley Cooper); a hyperthyroid sourpuss (David Bautista) who makes The Hulk seem perky;  and a big locomotive tree with limited vocabulary, but surprising skills (Vin Diesel at his most appealing…just the voice). This motley crew of crooks and grudge holders winds up as unlikely allies against a galactic megathreat.

To Gunn’s credit as a writer, he lays out a surprisingly coherent screenplay, considering the large number of characters, exotic alien life-forms, planets and backstories he’s cramming into two hours. Lacking any previous awareness of The Guardians, I have no idea how true he is to their pulpy roots. Yet bringing newbies like me up to speed so efficiently, while delivering plenty of laughs and splashy action along the way, makes his directing admirable, as well.

Pratt’s character is just starting to find his place in space. Cooper’s is the source of most of the laughs; others come largely at Bautista’s expense; Saldana would be sexy reading from a phone book in a muumuu. The creators wisely chose not to aim for the emotional depth or sense of wonder we got from the original Star Wars trilogy. Nor are they competing with the likes of Batman and Spiderman for angst-driven heroics, even though these protagonists have all suffered hard knocks of their own. This adventure hits all the right notes for large-scale f/x action sequences, mind-blowing sets and species, suspense and comedy. I’ve rarely left the theater after one of these sci-fi epics so ready for its inevitable (in this case, scheduled for 2017) sequel. (Blu-ray/DVD release December 9)

Mark Glass

Mark Glass

Mark Glass is an officer and director of the St. Louis Film Critics Association.

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