Watch this blog site for film reviews, whether blockbusters, box office bombs or highly obscure. Our genres will include science fiction, animation, musical, action, fantasy, drama, documentary, thriller, horror, romance, western and comedy.
Production Companies
Castle Rock Entertainment
Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Warner Bros. Pictures
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG
Runtime: 89 minutes
Budget: $60,000,000
Box Office Gross: $88,929,111 (Worldwide)
Plot Summary
Two friends from Brooklyn have been sent to Australia by a mobster to deliver $50,000. Complications arise when the pair accidentally run over a kangaroo, and one of these two puts his jacket on the wild animal for a joke. The kangaroo runs off, but not before the two realise that the money they were supposed to deliver was in the jacket now being worn by the marsupial, causing them to head out on a wild goose chase across the Outback.
Cast Jerry O'Connell – Charlie
Carbone
Anthony Anderson – Louis
Booker
Estella Warren – Jessie
Michael Shannon – Frankie
Lombardo
Christopher Walken – Salvatore "Sal" Maggio
Marton Csokas – Mr. Smith
Dyan Cannon – Anna Carbone
Bill Hunter – Blue
David Ngoombujarra –
James "Mr. Jimmy" Inkamala
Marco Sellitto – Blasta
Damien Fotiou – Baby J
Christopher James Baker –
Crumble
Ryan Gibson – Hoon
Denise Roberts – Tansy
Antonio Vitiello – Toot
Mario Di Ienno – Tommy
Tony Nikolakopoulos – Sal's
Capo
Robert Reid – Young Charlie Shawn Smith – Young Louis
Brian Casey – Young Frankie
Emma Jane Fowler –
Outback Bartender
Helen Thomson – TV Announcer
John McNeill – Customs Officer
Paul Wilson – Interrogation Room Officer
David Walsman – Beach Lifeguard
Lara Cox – Cute Girl on Plane
Terrell Dixon – NY Cop
John Gibson – Sal's Goon #1
Nick Jasprizza – Sal's Goon #2 Adam Garcia – Kangaroo Jack
(Voice) (Uncredited)
Crew
Director – David McNally
Story/Screenplay – Steve Bing
Story – Barry O'Brien
Screenplay – Scott Rosenberg
Script Supervisor – Sophie Fabbri-Jackson
Executive Producers – Chad Oman and Mike Stenson
Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager –
Barry H. Waldman
Producers – Andrew Mason and Jerry Bruckheimer
Casting Directors – Ronna Kress
and Shauna Wolifson
Production Designer – George Liddle Supervising Art Director – Brian Edmonds Australian Art Director – Richard Hobbs
U.S. Art Director – Guy Hendrix Dyas
Set Decorator: Sydney – Lisa Milgate Costume Designers – Daniel Orlandi
and George Liddle
Australian Costume Supervisor – Eliza Godman
U.S. Costume Supervisor – Jon Boyden
Director of Photography – Peter Menzies, Jr.
First Assistant Director – Chris Webb
Second Unit Director – Peter Bloomfield
Stunt Coordinator – Glenn Boswell
Sydney Vehicle Supervisor – Darren Loveday Special Effects Supervisor – Tad Pride
U.S. Special Effects Coordinator - David Fletcher Creative Supervisor: Animatronic Characters –
Dean Wright Animation Supervisor: The Secret Lab – Mike Belzer CG Supervisor: The Secret Lab – Steve Yamamoto
Digital Compositing Supervisor: The
Secret Lab – Brian Leach
Editors – Jim May, John Murray and William Goldenberg
First Assistant Editor – Jason Hellman
Supervising Sound Editors – R.J. Palmer
and Robert L. Sephton
Sound Mixers - Kevin O'Connell
and Greg P. Russell
Additional Sound Mixers – Gary A. Bourgeois
and Greg Orloff
Special Vocal Effects – Frank Welker
Music – Trevor Rabin
Music Supervisors – Kathy Nelson
and Bob Badami
Review KANGAROO JACK is not only terrific but also a special treat that we Aussies watch as it is a hopping kind of comedy film. Though mistakenly advertised as a talking animal feature for kids in its trailer, KANGAROO JACK is more of an adult comedy film, which explains the mobsters and some rude jokes. I remember seeing this as a youngster when I rented it on DVD. I didn't care if the movie was at least slightly offensive or stereotypical since I am Australian (or Aussie for short).
Jerry O'Connell and Anthony Anderson were a great comical duo, while Christopher Walken maintained an intimidating presence when the same kind of gangster was typical for the actor. I enjoyed the hilarious scene when Charlie and Louis put the jacket on the kangaroo they mistakenly run over, and then Charlie gets kicked in the face by the marsupial.
I don't care what others think of KANGAROO JACK. Its hysterical humour makes it one of my favourite comedy films. I consider it a guilty pleasure and recommend watching it.
Ned Beatty – Mayor Alfred Molina – Roadkill Bill Nighy – Rattlesnake Jake Harry Dean Stanton – Balthazar Ray Winstone – Bad Bill Timothy Olyphant – Spirit of the West Stephen Root – Doc/
Merrimack/Mr. Snuggles
Claudia Black – Angelique Ian Abercrombie – Ambrose Gil Birmingham – Wounded Bird James Ward Byrkit – Waffles/
Gordy/Papa Joad/Cousin Murt/
Curlie/Knife Attacker/Rodent Kid Blake Clark – Buford Lew Temple – Furgus Alex Manugian – Spoons Joe Nunez – Rockeye John Cothran Jr. – Elgin
Patrika Darbo – Delilah/Maybelle
George DelHoyo – Senor Flan –
Mariachi Accordion
Maile Flanagan – Lucky
Charles Fleischer – Elbows
Beth Grant – Bonnie
Ryan Grant – Jedidiah
Vincent Kartheiser – Ezekiel/
Lasso Rodent
Hemky Madera – Chorizo
Alex Manugian – Spoons
Mark 'Crash' McCreery – Parsons
Joe Nunez – Rock-Eye
Christopher Lee Parson – Hazel Moats/
Kinski/Stump/Clinker/Lenny/
Boseefus/Dirt Kid
Lew Temple – Furgus/Hitch
Alanna Ubach – Boo/Cletus/Fresca/
Miss Daisy
Gore Verbinski – Sergeant Turley/
Crevice/Slim/Lupe – Mariachi Violin
Kym Whitley – Melonee
Keith Campbell – Sod Buster
Crew Story/Producer/Director – Gore Verbinski Story/Screenplay – John Logan Story/Storyboard Artist/Character Designer –
James Ward Byrkit
Executive Producer – Tim Headington
Consulting Producers – Mark Bakshi and Nils Peyron Producers – Graham King and John B. Carls
Co-Producers – Shari Henson
and Adam Cramer
Co-Producer/Character Designer –
David Shannon
Casting Director – Denise Chaiman
Production Designer/Character Designer/
Visual Effects – Mark 'Crash' McCreery
Conceptual Artists – James Carson
and Jim Martin
Concept Artists – Christian Alzmann,
Devon Cutler, John Giang and
Romerick Jeanne Supervising Art Director – John Bell
Art Director – Aaron McBride Character Designers – David Shannon
and Eugene Yelchin
Set Decorator: Emotion Capture Unit –
Rosemary Brundenberg
Property Master: Emotion Capture Unit –
Kris Peck
Props: Emotion Capture Unit – Harry Lu
Cinematography Consultant – Roger Deakins
Camera Operator: Emotion Capture Unit –
Martin Schaer
Unit Production Manager/First Assistant
Director: Emotion Capture Unit – Adam Somner
Stunt Coordinator - Keith Campbell
Visual Effects Supervisors – Tim Alexander and John Knoll Animation Director – Hal T. Hickel
Associate Animation Supervisor – Kevin Martel
Digital Production Supervisor – Michael Bauer
CG Supervisors – Kevin Sprout,
Raul Essig, Leandro Estebecorena and
Pat Conran
CG Supervisors: ILM – Thomas Fejes,
Gerald Gutschmidt, Polly Ing, David Meny,
Patrick T. Myers and Nigel Sumner
Character CG Supervisor: ILM – Michael Koperwas
Character & Simulations Supervisor – James Tooley
Character Modeling Supervisor – Geoff Campbell
Hard Surface Model Supervisor – Russell Paul
Texture Supervisor – Steve Walton
Environment Supervisor – Andrew Proctor
Compositing Leads: ILM – Tami Carter,
Peter Chesloff, David Gottlieb,
Robert Hoffmeister, Jen Howard,
Dorne Huebler, Francois Lambert, Tory Mercer,
Jerry Sells, Chad Taylor, Todd Vaziri,
Jeff Wozniak and Scott Younkin
Lighting Sequence Supervisors: ILM –
Matthieu Boucher, Steve Braggs,
Amelia Chenoweth, Jay Cooper,
Christian Foucher, Jeff Hatchel, Tom Martinek,
Akira Orikasa and John Walker
Film Editor – Craig Wood
Additional Editors – Tom Barrett and
Wyatt Jones Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor –
Peter Miller
Supervising Sound Editor – Addison Teague
Supervising Dialogue Editor – Michael Silvers
Additional ADR Editor – Richard Hymns
Sound Mixer: Emotion Capture Unit – Lee Orloff
Re-Recording Mixers – Christopher Boyes
and Paul Massey
Foley Artists – Dennie Thorpe and Jana Vance Music – Hans Zimmer
Foley Mixer – Frank Rinella
Music Arrangers – Lorne Balfe, Tom Gire, Michael A. Levine,
Dominic Lewis, Atli Ĺrvarsson, Adam Peters,
John Sponsler and Geoff Zanelli Music Arranger/Musician: Guitar –
Heitor Pereria
Music Consultant – Bob Badami
Music Recordist and Mixer – Alan Meyerson
Awards 2012 Academy Awards Best Animated Feature – Gore Verbinski (Won)
Review
RANGO is an animated Blazing Saddles type of comedy that, in a way, has never been conceived before. The visual effects house ILM must have given Pixar, Blue Sky, Disney and DreamWorks a run for their money in producing this rootin'-tootin' animated feature. Though RANGO's plotis nothing new, considering that it's a parody/homage to the classic westerns mixed with a fish-out-of-water concept, it's good that they've had to put a fresh spin on it. Despite how dark this film could get, it's not exactly a family picture. Gore Verbinski has never tackled an animated movie like this. He has only shifted from genre to genre through horror, comedy and adventure as he did in The Ring and the first three Pirates of the Caribbean instalments.
The animation is realistic but comparable to those features from either Disney, Pixar or any other animation studio. I praise Johnny Depp for his voice performance as Rango because he is wonderfully hilarious and stands out among a stellar cast. Bill Nighy is perfect as Rattlesnake Jake. Isla Fisher knows how to pull a Southern accent when cast as Beans. Everyone else, including Ned Beatty, was also terrific in their roles. The action scenes are well done and have perfect timing. Hans Zimmer has again triumphed with a score that never fails.
RANGO is a good movie with intriguing animation and sharp humour. I was pleasantly surprised that RANGO won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. It was a highlight for me this year. If you feel like seeing this film, you'll not regret it.
Production Companies
20th Century Fox (presents) Dune Entertainment (in association with) Ingenious Film Partners (in association with) Lightstorm Entertainment Distribution
20th Century Fox Australia
Plot Summary Jake Sully is an ex-marine bound in a wheelchair because of his war injuries. Sully gets dispatched to the planet of Pandora, where he intends to take over his recently deceased brother's mission to infiltrate the Pandoran natives of the Na'vi people and convince them to move from their home, which is lucrative mining land. With the new technology and despite being a paraplegic, Jake can inhabit an Avatar body resembling the Na'vi, thus disguising himself in their ranks.
He builds a relationship with Neytiri, a gorgeous Na'vi female who teaches him traditional ways. It results in him changing his heart and wanting to help the Na'vi instead of exploiting their land. In the ensuing land war, Jake's loyalty gets tested.
Cast
The Humans Sam Worthington – Corporal Jake Sully Stephen Lang – Colonel Miles Quaritch Sigourney Weaver – Dr. Grace Augustine Michelle Rodriguez – Trudy Chacon Giovanni Ribisi – Parker Selfridge Joel David Moore – Dr. Norm Spellman Dileep Rao – Dr. Max Patel Matt Gerald – Corporal Lyle Wainfleet Sean Anthony Moran – Private Fike The Na'vi Zoe Saldana – Neytiri C.C.H. Pounder – Mo'at Wes Studi – Eytukan Laz Alonso – Tsu'tey
Crew Writer/Producer/Director/ Editor – James Cameron
Script Supervisors – Sarah Hinch and Luca Koulmelis
Executive Producer – Laeta Kalogridis Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager –
Colin Wilson
Producer – Jon Landau
Co-Producer – Brooke Benton
Co-Producer/First Assistant Director –
Josh McLaglen
Casting Director – Margery Simkin
Casting: New Zealand – Miranda Rivers
Initial Casting - Mali Finn
Alien Language Creator – Paul R. Frommer
Dialect Coach – Carla Meyer
Consultant: Botany – Jodie S. Holt
Military Trainer– John David Cameron Production Designers – Rick Carter and Robert Stromberg
Conceptual Design/Costume and
Specialty Props – Richard Taylor Concept Illustrators – Dorian Bustamante, Ryan Church, James Clyne, Barry Howell, Victor James Martinez, Steven Messing, Craig Shoji and Daphne Yap Concept Art Directors – Dylan Cole, Seth Engstrom and Ben Procter
Designers: Weta Workshop – Gus Hunter,
Christian Pearce, Paul Tobin, Greg Broadmore,
Stephen Crowe, Daniel Falconer, Leri Greer
and Nick Keller
Character Design Supervisor: Stan Winston
Studio – John Rosengrant
Key Character Designers – Jim Charmatz,
Jason Matthews, Michael Ornelaz,
Joey Orosco, Scott Patton, Joseph C. Pepe
and Christopher Swift
Lead Creature Designer – Neville Page Initial Creature Concepts – Wayne D. Barlowe
Vehicle Designer – TyRuben Ellingson
Supervising Art Director: Lead/Set Decorator –
Kim Sinclair
Supervising Art Directors – Todd Cherniawsky,
Stefan Dechant and Kevin Ishioka
Supervising Visual Art Director – Yuri Bartoli
Art Directors – Nick Bassett, Robert Bavin,
Simon Bright, Jill Cormack, Sean Haworth,
Andy McLaren and Andrew Menzies
Virtual Environment Supervisor/Animation
Technical Director (Uncredited) – Robert C. Powers
Virtual Production Art Directors –
Andrew L. Jones and Norman Newberry
Lead Character Sculptor – Jordu Schell
Construction Supervisor – Neil Kirkland
Construction Manager – Ed Mulholand
On-Set Link Unit Supervisor: Weta Workshop –
Rob Gillies
On-Set Props and Weapons Supervisor: Weta
Workshop – Joe Dunckley
Props Supervisor/Specialty Weapons: Weta
Workshop – John Harvey
Costume Designers – Mayes C. Rubeo
and Deborah Lynn Scott
Costume Designer: New Zealand–
John Harding
Costume Supervisors: Los Angeles Live-Action
Unit – Beth Koenigsberg and Lisa Lovaas
Hair/Makeup Supervisor – Rick Findlater
Makeup Department Head: Los Angeles
Live-Action – Mike Smithson
Director of Photography – Mauro Fiore
Director of Photography: Los Angeles –
Vince Pace
Camera Operator/Director of Photography:
Second Unit, New Zealand Live-Action Unit –
Richard Bluck
Production Manager: New Zealand –
Brigitte Yorke
Second Assistant Director/First Assistant
Director: Additional Unit – Maria Battle-
Campbell
Second Assistant Directors: New Zealand
Live-Action Unit – Richard Matthews
and Stephanie Weststrate
Second Unit Director: New Zealand Live-Action
Unit/Visual Effects Supervisor – Steven Quale
Choreographer: Na'vi Dance – Lula Washington
Movement Coach: Na'vi/Motion Capture
Performer (Uncredited) – Terry Notary Stunt Coordinator: US – Garrett Warren
Stunt Coordinators: New Zealand – Stuart Thorp
and Allan Poppleton Special Effects – Stan Winston (Uncredited)
Special Effects Coordinator: New Zealand
Live-Action Unit – Steve Ingram
Model Shop Supervisor: Stan Winston Studio
and Legacy Effects – David Merritt
Workshop Supervisor: Weta Workshop –
Gareth McGhie
Senior Visual Effects Supervisor – Joe Letteri
Senior Visual Effects Supervisor: Prime Focus –
Chris Bond
Visual Effects Supervisors – John Bruno and
Jen Hao Yeh
Visual Effects Supervisors: Weta Digital –
Dan Lemmon, Stephen Rosenbaum,
Eric Saindon, Erik Winquist, Wayne Stables,
R. Christopher White and Guy Williams
Visual Effects Supervisors: Framestore –
Jonathan Fawkner and Tim Webber
Visual Effects Supervisor: Spy Post –
Jonathan Rothbart
Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola Visual Effects –
Edson Williams
Visual Effects Producers – Joyce Cox and
Maricel Pagulayan
Visual Effects Producer: ILM – Jill Brooks
Producer: Weta Digital – Eileen Moran
Digital Effects Supervisor – Nolan Mortha
Digital Production Supervisor: ILM –
Michael Di Como
Creative Supervisor: Pixel Liberation Front –
Stephen Lawes
Pre-Production Manager: Weta Digital –
Mara Bryan
Senior Production Managers: Weta Digital –
Kevin L. Sherwood and Annette Wullems
Previs Production Manager: Weta Digital –
Marion Davey
Motion Capture Supervisor: Weta Digital –
Dejan Momcilovic
Performance Capture Supervisor: Giant
Studios – Matt Madden
Virtual Production Conceiver/Visual Effects
Pipeline Engineer (Uncredited) – Robert Legato
Virtual Production Supervisor – Glenn Derry
Virtual Production Manager – Heide Waldbaum
Animation Supervisors – Richard Baneham
and Andrew R. Jones
Animation Supervisor: ILM – Paul Kavanagh
Animation Supervisor: Weta Digital –
David Clayton
CG/Pre-Visualisation Supervisor
(Uncredited) – Brad Alexander
CG Supervisor – Albert Hastings
CG Supervisors: Weta Digital –
Graeme Demmocks, Shadl Almassizadeh,
Simon Clutterbuck, Dan Cox,
Eric Fernandes, Matthias Menz, Keith Miller,
Sergei Nevshupov, Adrian Fernandes,
Allen Hemberger, Mark Tait, Thrain Shadbolt,
Roger Shortt, Mike Perry and Kevin Andrew Smith
CG Supervisors: ILM – Pat Conran,
Philippe Rebours and David Weitzberg
CG Supervisors: Framestore – Andy Lomas,
Andrew Morley, Michael Mullohand and Ben White
Pre-Production CG Supervisor: Weta Digital –
Matt Aitken
Creatures CG Supervisor: Weta Digital –
Dana Peters
Creature Art Director: Weta Digital – Gino Acevedo
Sequence Supervisors: ILM – Jay Cooper,
Tom Fejes, Jen Howard, Tory Mercer,
Mark Nettleton and Robert Weaver
Digital Model Supervisors: ILM – Dave Fogler
and Bruce Holcomb
Facial Team Lead: Weta Digital – Jeff Unay
Massive Supervisor: Weta Digital – Jon Allitt
Shaders Supervisor: Weta Digital – Martin Hill
Head of Layout/Animation Tech: Weta Digital –
Shawn Dunn
Viewpaint Supervisor: ILM – Ron Woodall
Simulcam Supervisor – Casey Schatz
Creature Simulation Supervisor: Weta Digital –
Andrea Merlo
Lead Creature Technical Directors: Weta
Digital – Julian Butler, Glen Christie,
Matthew Muntean and Eric Tang
Roto and Paint Supervisor: ILM – Beth D'Amato
Digital Matte Supervisor: ILM – Richard Bluff
Special Projects Supervisor: Weta Digital –
Mark Sagar
Compositing Supervisor: ILM – Eddie Pasquarello
Editors – John Refoua and Stephen E. Rivkin
Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer/ Re-Recording Mixer – Christopher Boyes
Electronic Music Arranger – Simon Franglen Awards 2010 Academy Awards Best Art Direction – Rick Carter,
Robert Stromberg and Kim Sinclair (Won)
Best Cinematography – Mauro Fiore (Won) Best Visual Effects – Joe Letteri,
Stephen Rosenbaum, Richard Baneham
and Andrew R. Jones (Won)
-------------------- Best Director – James Cameron (Nominated) Best Film Editing – Stephen E. Rivkin,
John Refouaand James Cameron (Nominated) Best Original Score – James Horner (Nominated) Best Sound Editing – Christopher Boyes and Gwendolyn Yates Whittle (Nominated) Best Sound Mixing – Christopher Boyes,
Gary Summers, Andy Nelson and Tony Johnson
(Nominated)
Best Picture (Nominated) Review AVATAR is an environmental sci-fi movie that premiered towards the end of 2009 and broke all kinds of box office records. Although the plot has borrowed from other films, its best feature for me was that it came out in 3D. It is James Cameron's long-awaited return to feature directing after Titanicin 1997. A well-known fact about this movie is that it has been in development since 1994. It was before, in later years, that the visual effects got better with the technological advancements that Cameron required to realise his vision.
The things I praise about the film are its fantasy elements, like the floating islands. The flawless acting by Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana and Stephen Lang and the Na'vi look realistic due to its groundbreaking motion-capture technology, which blends into this extraordinary alien fantasy world. It even has incredible cinematography and James Horner's brilliant musical score.
It is one of my favourite films but is considered Cameron's best movie since Terminator 2. If you're looking for something enjoyable and breathtaking, you'll be surprised that AVATAR is an unforgettable cinematic experience just for you, even in 3D, when it was this beautiful. Star rating: (5/5) Best Movie Ever
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents) Village Roadshow Pictures (in association with) Groucho II Film Partnership (in association with) Silver Pictures Distribution Roadshow Films
Plot Summary Neo is a computer hacker living in two separate lives who finds himself contacted by Morpheus, a man marked as a terrorist by the government, but is one of the few people who has known the truth about the Matrix. Believing Neo to be "The One", Morpheus gives Neo a choice to either continue his mundane life in a fake reality or discover the truth that the machines have enslaved humanity. Once Neo embarks on this new journey with the
help of Trinity, he must
relentlessly battle Agent Smith, a computer program that can bend reality.
Cast
Keanu Reeves – Thomas A. Anderson/Neo Laurence Fishburne – Morpheus Carrie-Anne Moss – Trinity Hugo Weaving – Agent Smith Joe Pantoliano – Cypher Julian Arahanga – Apoc Anthony Ray Parker – Dozer Marcus Chong – Tank Matt Doran – Mouse Gloria Foster – The Oracle Belinda McClory – Switch Paul Goddard – Agent Brown Robert Taylor – Agent Jones David Aston – Rhineheart
Marc Aden Gray – Choi Ada Nicodemou – Dujour (White Rabbit Girl) Rowan Witt – Spoon Boy Fiona Johnson – Woman in Red
Crew Executive Producers/ Writers/Directors – Andy & Larry Wachowski
Associate Producer – Richard Mirisch Executive Producers – Bruce
Berman, Andrew Mason,
Barrie M. Osborne and Erwin Stoff
Producer – Joel Silver Co-Producer – Dan Cracchiolo
Casting Directors – Mali Finn
and Shauna Wolifson
Production Designer – Owen Paterson
Conceptual Designer – Geoffrey Darrow Art Directors – Hugh Bateup and
Michelle McGahey
Assistant Art Directors – Jules Cook,
Fiona Scott and Tony Williams Set Decorators – Lisa Brennan, Tim Ferrier and Marta McElroy
Key Armorer – John Bowring
Costume Designer – Kym Barrett
Makeup Special Effects Designer and
Creator – Bob McCarron
Key Makeup Artist – Nikki Gooley Director of Photography – Bill Pope
Director of Photography: Second Unit –
Ross Emery
Camera Operator – David Williamson
Camera/Steadicam Operator – Robert Agganis
First Assistant Directors – Colin Fletcher
and James McTiegue
Second Assistant Directors – Tom Read and
Noni Roy
Third Assistant Director – Paul Sullivan
Second Unit Director – Bruce Hunt Kung Fu Choreographer – Woo-Ping Yuen Kung Fu Coordinator: Hong Kong – Carol Kim Stunt Coordinator – Glenn Boswell Special Effects Supervisors – Steve Courtley and Brian Cox
Special Effects Coordinator – Robina Osborne
Animatronic Prosthetics – Paul Katte
and Nick Nicolaou Visual Effects Supervisor – John Gaeta Visual Effects Supervisor: Animal Logic –
Lynne Cartwright
Associate Visual Effects Supervisor: Manex
Visual Effects – Janek Sirrs
Digital Effects Supervisor: Manex Visual
Effects – Rodney Iwashina
Digital Effects Producer: Manex Visual
Effects – Diana Giorgiutti
Digital Effects Supervisor: DFilm Services –
Jon Thum
Executive Producer: DFilm Services –
Peter Doyle
Conceptual Artist: Manex Visual Effects –
Steve Burg
Matte Painting: Manex Visual Effects –
Charles Darby
R&D/Tech Supervisor: Bullet Time –
George Borshukov
Digital Composite Supervisors: DFilm
Services – Tim Crosbie and Mark Nettleton
Editor – Zach Staenberg
Assistant Editors – Tom Costain,
Jenny Hicks, John Lee and Basia Ozerski
Sound Designer/Supervising Sound Editor –
Dane A. Davis
Sound Recordist – David Lee
Re-Recording Mixers – David E. Campbell,
John T. Reitz and Gregg Rudloff
Foley Artists – Hilda Hodges and
John Roesch
Music – Don Davis
Music Supervisor – Jason Bentley
Awards
2000 Academy Awards Best Film Editing – Zach Staenberg (Won) Best Sound – John T. Reitz, Gregg Rudloff, David E. Campbell and David Lee (Won) Best Sound Editing – Dane A. Davis (Won) Best Visual Effects – John Gaeta, Janek Sirrs, Steve Courtley and Jon Thum (Won)
Review
THE MATRIX is an extraordinary science-fiction action film that takes you beyond your imagination and is nothing like you've ever experienced. This movie has a complex, woven storyline with loads of action, fight scenes, groundbreaking visual effects, unique camera angles and amazing stunts. I praise everything in the feature, such as the acting with Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving, and two impressive scenes: the famous lobby action sequence when Neo and Trinity took on the near-invincible Agents and the other when Neo dodges bullets in slow-motion. THE MATRIX is one of my favourite movies. Neither of the two sequels that followed matched the impact of the first. The original still lives up to the magic I experienced the first time I saw it. I imagine other viewers would feel the same, as it is a must-see film.
Release Date: 28th June 2007 – Australia Production Companies DreamWorks SKG (presents) Paramount Pictures (presents) Hasbro (in association with) Di Bonaventura Pictures Amblin Entertainment (Uncredited) SprocketHeads Distribution Paramount Pictures Australia
Plot Summary The goodAutobots and the evil Decepticons have been fighting for a long time, but when the battle moves to Earth, the entire planet is at risk of destruction. Sam Witwicky is a high school student caught in the middle of the action after meeting one of the Autobots, Bumblebee. Soon, the pair became Earth's last hope and saviour as humanity allied with the Autobots and aided in the fight against Megatron.
Cast
Humans Shia LaBeouf – Sam Witwicky Megan Fox – Mikaela Banes Josh Duhamel – Captain William Lennox Tyrese Gibson – USAF TechSergeant Robert Epps John Turturro – Agent Reggie Simmons Rachael Taylor – Maggie Madsen Anthony Anderson – Glen Whitmann Kevin Dunn – Ron Witwicky Julie White – Julie Witwicky Jon Voight – Defense Secretary John Keller
Michael O'Neill – Tom Banachek
Bernie Mac – Bobby Bolivia
Amaury Nolasco – ACWO Jorge "Fig" Figueroa
Zack Ward – First Sergeant Donnelly
W. Morgan Sheppard – Captain Witwicky
John Robinson – Miles Lancaster
Travis Van Winkle – Trent DeMarco
Glenn Morshower – Colonel Sharp
Carlos Moreno Jr. – Manny
Peter Jacobson – Mr. Hosney
Chris Ellis – Admiral Brigham
Ravi Patel – Telephone Operator
Samantha Smith – Sarah Lennox
Rick Gomez – Sheriff
Kenny Bates – Agent at Hoover Dam (Cameo)
(Uncredited)
Ian Bryce – Agent at Hoover Dam (Cameo)
(Uncredited)
Michael Bay – Guy Flicked by
Megatron (Cameo) (Uncredited)
Autobots Peter Cullen – Optimus Prime (Voice) Mark Ryan – Bumblebee (Voice) Darius McCrary – Jazz (Voice) Jess Harnell – Ironhide (Voice) Robert Foxworth – Ratchet (Voice)
Decepticons Hugo Weaving – Megatron (Voice) Charles Adler – Starscream (Voice) Jess Harnell – Barricade (Voice) Reno Wilson – Frenzy (Voice) Jimmie Wood – Bonecrusher (Voice) Crew
Executive Producer/Camera Operator
(Uncredited)/Director – Michael Bay
Story – John Rogers Story/Screenplay – Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman
Associate Producers – Matthew Cohan
and Michelle McGonagle
Executive Producers – Steven Spielberg,
Brian Goldner and Mark Vahradian
Producers – Ian Bryce, Tom De Santo, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Lorne Orleans
(IMAX Version) and Don Murphy Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager –
Allegra Clegg Co-Producer/Second Unit Director/
Stunt Coordinator – Kenny Bates
Military Advisor – Harry Humphries
Casting Directors – Janet Hirshenson,
Jane Jenkins and Michelle Lewitt
Animal Coordinator/Trainer – Paul 'Sled' Reynolds Production Designer – Jeff Mann
Lead Robot Illustrator – Ben Procter
Illustrators – James Clyne, Tony Kieme,
Scott Lukowski, Victor Martinez,
Ed Natividad, Paul Ozzimo,
Robert Woodruff and Feng Zhu
Supervising Art Director – Geoff Hubbard
Art Directors – Beat Frutiger,
Sean Haworth and Kevin Kavanaugh
Assistant Art Directors – Martha Johnston
and Page Buckner
Graphic Designers – François Audouy
and Zachary Fannin
Set Decorators – Rosemary Brandenburg
and Larry Dias
Property Master – Andrew Petrotta
Costume Designer – Deborah Lynn Scott
Show Supervisors: Special Makeup Effects
& Animatronics, K.N.B. EFX Group –
Howard Berger and Greg Nicotero
Department Head Makeup Artist – Edouard F. Henriques
Director of Photography – Mitchell Amundsen
Director of Photography: Second Unit –
Lukas Ettlin
Aerial Director of Photography – David B. Nowell
Russian Arm Operator – Brooks P. Guyer
Second Assistant Camera – Ryan Rayner
and Robert Settlemire
Production Supervisors – Matthew J. Birch
and Daren Hicks
First Assistant Director – Simon Warnock
First Assistant Director: Second Unit –
Cellin Gluck
Second Assistant Directors – Brian Reylea
and Fred Usher
Key Location Manager – Ilt Jones
Location Managers – Michael J. Burmeister,
Fermin Davalos, Jonathan Slator and
Emre Sonmez
Assistant Location Managers –
Ronald M. Haynes, Jonathan Hook,
Kathy McCurdy, Perri Pearson,
Kate Chase Pitzarella, Golden Swenson,
Scott Trimble, Pierre Hue (Uncredited),
Manny Padilla (Uncredited), Lisa Patton
(Uncredited), Marta Tomkiw (Uncredited),
Michael Wesley (Uncredited) and
Wade Whitman (Uncredited)
Stunt Coordinator – Troy Robinson Stunt Co-Coordinator – Frank Torres
Aerial Coordinator/Pilot – Alan D. Purwin
Picture Vehicle Coordinator – Steve Mann
Transportation Coordinator – Randy Peters Special Effects Supervisor – John Frazier
Special Effects Supervisor: Kerner Optical –
Geoff Heron
Special Effects Coordinator – Jim Schwalm Special Effects Co-Coordinator – Dan Cangemi
Animation Supervisor – Scott Benza Animation Supervisor: Digital Domain – Danny Gordon Taylor
Lead Animators: ILM – Peter Daulton,
C. Michael Easton, Paul Kavanagh,
Shawn Kelly, Glen McIntosh, Rick O'Connor
and Tim Waddy
Computer Graphics Supervisor: Digital Domain –
David Hodgins
Pre-Visualisation Supervisor – Steve Yamamoto
TD Supervisor: ILM – Hilmar Koch
Model Supervisor: Kerner Optical – Brian Gernard
Director of Photography: Kerner Optical –
Pat Sweeney
Digital Compositing Supervisor: ILM – Patrick Tubach
Digital Artist Supervisors: ILM – Jon Alexander,
Richard Bluff, Terry Chostner, Michael Conte,
Beth D'Amato, Leandro Estebecorena,
Dave Fogler, Gerald Gutschmidt,
David Hisanaga, Erich Ippen, Tom Martinek,
Nigel Sumner, Jeff Sutherland, Doug Sutton,
Todd Vaziri, Ron Woodall and Jeff Wozniak
Sound Designer – Erik Aadahl
Supervising Sound Editor – Ethan Van der Ryan
ADR Supervisor/Supervising Sound Editor –
Mike Hopkins
Sound Editors – Christopher S. Aud,
Michael Babcock, Craig Berkey, Brent Burge,
Warren Hendriks, Jeff Sawyer, Steve Bissinger
Robert Shoup and P.K. Hooker
Dialogue Editors – Ralph Osborn and
Wayne Lemmer
Sound Mixer – Peter J. Devlin
Sound Effects Recordists – John P. Fasal
and Mark Binder
Sound Re-Recording Mixers – Kevin O’Connell
and Greg P. Russell
Additional Re-Recording Mixer – Beau Borders
Foley Editors – Coya Elliott and
Pascal Garneau
Editors – Tom Muldoon, Paul Rubell and Glen Scantlebury
Additional Editors – John Murray and
Todd E. Miller
Associate Editor – Ken Blackwell
Music – Steve Jablonsky
Additional Music – Lorne Balfe and
Clay Duncan
Music Supervisor – Dave Jordan
Music Recordist and Mixer – Alan Meyerson
Ambient Music Designer – Mel Wesson
Awards
2008 Academy Awards
Best Sound Mixing – Kevin O'Connell,
Greg P. Russell and Peter J. Devlin (Nominated)
Best Sound Editing – Ethan Van der Ryan
and Mike Hopkins (Nominated)
Best Visual Effects – Scott Farrar,
Scott Benza, John Frazier and Russell Earl (Nominated)
Review
The live-action Michael Bay movie adaptation of TRANSFORMERS is fun, spectacular and a must-see for all fans. I've seen most of the episodes of the classic 80s Generation One (G1) television cartoon, along with its original film, The Transformers: The Movie, as I'm a big fan of the Transformers franchise. I'm also a fan of the toy line and other TV animations. I was 15 when it first came out and was amazed by how the movie turned out after watching it. Years later, I became a film critic and started my blog before re-watching this film.
I am surprised Peter Cullen has returned to voice Optimus Prime since G1. I'm mildly disappointed that Hugo Weaving voiced Megatron in the films instead of his original voice artist, Frank Welker. I praise the Transformers' design, including the heroic Autobots and villainous Decepticons, because they looked advanced in their machinery, thanks to the CGI effects of the VFX studio Industrial Light & Magic. Besides the visual robotic design, the film includes neat acting by Shia LaBeouf and impressive action sequences.
This funny, action-packed blockbuster might appeal to those who have watched the Transformers cartoons and used to play with these action figures as kids.Those who have seen the G1 television cartoon will be amazed by its massive impact. It launched two sequels: Revenge of the Fallen and Dark of the Moon.
Plot Summary
