Ghostbusters II Review

Ghostbusters II


Release Date: 16th November 1989 - Australia


Production Companies
Columbia Pictures

Distribution
Sony Pictures Australia


Genre: Comedy/Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 108 minutes


Budget: $37,000,000

Box Office Gross: $215,394,738 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
After five years of catching pesky ghosts and saving New York from destruction, the Ghostbusters get sued for costing the city millions in property damage, which drove them out of business. They get called back into action when Dana Barrett has ghost troubles again. They discover that Manhattan is again on the brink of supernatural doom, with a river of ectoplasmic slime bubbling from an underground sewer. And an evil tyrant from the sixteenth century, attempting to possess Dana's baby and be reborn. Can the Ghostbusters save Manhattan once more for the second time before the city falls into eternal darkness?


Cast

Bill Murray - Dr. Peter Venkman

Dan Aykroyd - Dr. Raymond Stantz

Harold Ramis - Dr. Egon Spengler

Ernie Hudson - Winston Zeddemore

Sigourney Weaver - Dana
Barrett

Rick Moranis - Louis Tully

Annie Potts - Janine Melintz
Peter MacNicol - Dr. Janosz Poha
Kurt Fuller - Hardemeyer
Harris Yulin - The Judge
Wilhelm von Homburg - Vigo

Max von Sydow - Vigo (Voice) (Uncredited)

David Marguiles - The Mayor of NY

Janet Margolin - The Prosecutor

William T. Deutschendorf - Baby Oscar

Henry J. Deutschendorf II - Baby Oscar

Michael P. Moran - Frank the Doorman

Olivia Ward - Meter Maid

Mordecai Lawner - Man with a Ticket

Susan Boehm - Young Woman on Crutches

Mary Ellen Trainor - Brownstone Mother

Christopher Villaseñor - Brownstone Boy #1

Jason Reitman - Brownstone Boy #2 (Cameo)

Aaron Lustig - Norman the Producer

Page Leong - Spengler's Assistant

Mark Schneider - Arguing Couple

Valery Pappas - Arguing Couple

Catherine Reitman - Girl with Puppy (Cameo)

Dave Florek - First Cop

Richard Foronjy - Con Ed Supervisor

George P. Wilbur - Bailiff

Sharon Kramer - Stenographer

Walter Flanagan - Rudy the Museum Guard

Bobby Brown - Mayor's Doorman (Cameo)

Christopher Neame - Maitre D'

Judy Ovitz - Slimed Restaurant Patron

Tom Dugan - Restaurant Cop #1

Angelo Dimascio - Restaurant Cop #2

Robert Alan Beuth - Store Manager

Ralph Monaco - Police Sergeant

Ron Cummins - Police Lieutenant

Cheech Marin - Dock Supervisor (Cameo)

Yvette Cruise - Maria, Dana's Maid

John Hammil - Detective #1

Ray Glanzmann - Detective #2

Alex Zimmerman - Detective #3

Brian Doyle-Murray - Psychiatrist (Cameo)

Louise Troy - Woman with Fur Coat

Douglas Seale - Plaza Hotel Man

Ben Stein - Public Works Official

Erik Holland - Fire Commissioner

Philip Baker Hall - Police Commissioner

Kevin Dunn - Milton Angland (Uncredited)

Ivan Reitman - Man Walking Outside Firehouse

(Cameo)/Slimer (Voice) (Uncredited)

Crew
Producer/Director - Ivan Reitman

Based on Characters/Writers - Harold Ramis

and Dan Aykroyd

Associate Producer/Film Editor -
Sheldon Kahn

Associate Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Gordon A. Webb
Executive Producers - Bernie Brillstein,
Michael C. Gross and Joe Medjuck

Casting Director - Michael Chinich

Production Designer - Bo Welch
Art Director - Tom Duffield
Set Decorator - Cheryl Carasik

Costume Designer - Gloria Gresham

Creature & Makeup Designer: ILM -

Tim Lawrence

Director of Photography - Michael Chapman

Director of Photography: New York Second Unit -

Rexford L. Mutz

Camera Operators - Robert Edesa and

Michael Genne

Steadicam Operator: New York - Larry McConkey

First Assistant Director - Peter Giuliano

Second Unit Director - Michael D. Moore
Stunt Coordinator - Joel Kramer

Creature Effects: Theatre and Subway Ghosts -

Rick Lazzarini

Animatronics - Tommy Williamson

Visual Effects Supervisor - Dennis Muren

Visual Effects Supervisor: Apogee - Sam Nicholson

Chief Visual Effects Coordinator: ILM - Ned Gorman

Visual Effects Producer - Janet Healy
Visual Effects Producer: ILM - Janet Mohler

Visual Effects Producer: VCE - Peter Kuran

Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Harley Jessup

Production Supervisor: Apogee - John Swallow
Director of Effects Photography: ILM - Mark Vargo

Visual Effects Camera Operators: ILM -

Terry Chostner, Pat Sweeney, Peter Daulton

and Martin Rosenberg

Bathtub Trainer: ILM - Thomas Floutz
Animation Supervisor: ILM - Tom Bertino

Animation Camera Operator: ILM - Patrick T. Myers
Model Shop Supervisor: ILM - Bill George

Chief Model Makers: ILM - Barbara Affonso,

Jeff Olson and Lorne Peterson

Model Shop: Apogee - Grant McCune,

Tom Park and William Shourt

Lead Sculptor & Prosthetics: ILM - Mike Smithson

Lead Mechanical Animator: ILM - Allen Coulter

Lead Specialty Costumer: ILM - Camilla Hennerman

Optical: Apogee - Dennis Dorney,

Nick G. Linardos and Jerry Pooler

Stage Shooting Coordinator: ILM - Mark S. Miller

Film Editor - Donn Cambern

Supervising Sound Editors - Fred Judkins

and Tom C. McCarthy

Special Sound Effects: The Sound Choice -

Ed Bannon and Gary Rydstrom

Production Sound Mixer - Gene S. Cantamessa

Sound Re-Recording Crew Chief -

Anna Behlmer

Re-Recording Mixers - Gary C. Bourgeois,

Chris Carpenter and Jim Fitzpatrick

Music - Randy Edelman

Music Supervisor - Peter Afterman


Review

After delivering the biggest box office draw of 1984, the studio was riding high on the success of the original Ghostbusters film and animated series. They began pressuring some of the cast and crew, like director Ivan Reitman and actors/writers Harold Ramis and Dan Akyroyd, into working on a sequel. This sequel turned out to be nearly as profitable as the first blockbuster. I am sorry to say about the quality of the films by comparison. The sequel is not worth it. GHOSTBUSTERS II only provided some laughs and brought nothing new, as the plot is a retread of its predecessor. The second film may have been a rush job. And with some tender loving care, it could have had some potential.

It was good to see all the original actors back together again in their performances. I commend each actor for doing their best to work with a subpar script.

GHOSTBUSTERS II isn't always unwatchable, and it's good to see it again after two times in a row. You don't feel like watching it again as you did with the first. I didn't enjoy this movie as much as the original.

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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Gremlins Review

Gremlins


Release Date: 13th December 1984 - Australia


Production Companies
Warner Bros. Pictures (presents)
Amblin Entertainment


Genre: Horror/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 102 minutes


Budget: $11,000,000

Box Office Gross: $213,715,442 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary
Young Billy Peltzer receives a gift from his dad that is a cute new pet and must follow three instructions. Never get it wet, keep it away from the bright light, and most importantly, never feed it after midnight, no matter how much it begs and cries. Unfortunately, Billy has

broken these rules and

unwittingly unleashes a horde of little monsters that can cause so much destruction to his hometown.


Cast
Zach Galligan - Billy Peltzer
Phoebe Cates - Kate Beringer
Hoyt Axton - Randall Peltzer
Polly Holliday - Ruby Deagle
Frances Lee McCain - Lynn Peltzer
Corey Feldman - Pete
Howie Mandel - Gizmo (Voice)
Judge Reinhold - Gerald Hopkins
Edward Andrews - Mr. Roland Corben
Glynn Turman - Mr. Roy Hanson
Harry Carey, Jr. - Mr. Anderson
Keye Luke - Mr. Wing

Dick Miller - Mr. Futterman

Jackie Joseph - Mrs. Futterman
Frank Welker - Stripe/Gremlins (Voice)
John Louie - Chinese Boy
Scott Brady - Sheriff Frank
Belinda Balaski - Mrs. Joe Harris
Frances Lee McCain - Lynn Peltzer
Arnie Moore - Alex
Kenny Davis - Dorry
Jonathan Banks - Deputy Brent
Mushroom - Barney
John C. Becher - Dr. Molinar
Gwen Wilson - Mrs. Molinar
Donald Elson - Man on Street

James MacKrell - Lew Landers (WDHB-TV Reporter) (Cameo)
Don Steele - Rockin' Ricky Rialto (Voice)

Fred Newman - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Mark Dodson - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Michael Winslow - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Peter Cullen - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Bob Bergen - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Michael Sheehan - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Bob Holt - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

Brad Kesten - Mogwai/Gremlins (Voice)

(Uncredited)

Mushroom - Barney

Marvin Miller - Robby the Robot (Voice)

(Uncredited)
Chuck Jones - Mr. Jones (Cameo)

Steven Spielberg - Man in Electric

Wheelchair (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Jerry Goldsmith - Man in Telephone

Booth Glancing in Camera (Cameo)

(Uncredited)

William Schallert - Father Bartlett

(Cameo) (Uncredited)

Kenneth Tobey - Smoking Gas

Station Attendant ( Cameo)

(Uncredited)

Crew
Director - Joe Dante
Writer - Chris Columbus
Executive Producers - Steven Spielberg,
Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall
Producer - Michael Finnell
Casting Director - Susan Arnold
Production Designer - James H. Spencer

Set Decorators - Jackie Carr

and Sally Ann Jameson (Uncredited)
Director of Photography - John Hora
Stunt Coordinator - Terry Leonard
Special Effects Supervisor - R.A. MacDonald
Creator: Gremlins - Chris Walas
Creature Consultant - Jon Berg

Matte Artist - Rocco Gioffre
Film Editor - Tina Hirsch

Supervising Sound Editors - Richard L. Anderson

and Mark A. Mangini

Sound Editors - Warren Hamilton Jr.

and David E. Stone

Re-Recording Mixers - Steve Maslow,

Kevin O'Connell, Bill Varney and Rick Kline

(Uncredited)

Foley Artists - John Roesch and Joan Rowe

Music - Jerry Goldsmith

Music Recording Mixers - Bruce Botnick

and Robert Fernandez


Review
It is one of those movies that I have yet to review. GREMLINS was a horror comedy conceived brilliantly by writer and future director Chris Columbus, filmmaker Steven Spielberg and director Joe Dante. It came out in cinemas on the same day as Ghostbusters, which the former made a massive impact on audiences that same year. I remember GREMLINS when I first watched it on cable television as a child. It brought me an impression of how these devilish creatures could come to exist through unique effects and puppetry. I define GREMLINS as having a dark, twisted and comical vibe with fright all over the place to startle and amuse audiences. Apart from having Spielberg, Dante and Columbus on the directional team, there was an ensemble of actors I never recognised, apart from young Corey Feldman and Judge Reinhold in the supporting leads. Each gave a distinction for their performance in the film.

There are no movies today that could compare to GREMLINS. This film has a rewatch value and is one of those stories that always stay with you even if you believe there may be gremlins rampaging through household appliances or causing household mayhem.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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New Star Wars Trailer and New Categories!

In today's post, word has it that the new and possibly final trailer for the upcoming instalment of the much-beloved Star Wars series, The Force Awakens went viral yesterday. Those who have loved the original and much-beloved science fiction classics will get an exclusive peek at the video preview, which I've uploaded below. It gives you the showcase of human splendour and the adventure sorely lacking in the much-maligned prequels. It makes the original three look like they will run for their money.

In addition, you can see on the right side of my blog that I've set up some new categories. I've listed all movies from my reviews in each category, for example, films from the 1930s to the 2010s. Take a look at the reviews. Feel free to leave feedback, and happy movie-watching folks.

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The Sorcerer's Apprentice Review

The Sorcerer's Apprentice 

Release Date: 9th September 2010 - Australia

Production Companies 

Walt Disney Pictures (present)

Jerry Bruckheimer Films (present)

Saturn Films

Broken Road

Distribution

Walt Disney Studios Motion 

Pictures Australia 

Genre: Fantasy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 106 minutes 


Budget: $150,000,000

Box Office Gross: $215,283,742 
(Worldwide)

Plot Summary 

Balthazar Blake is a modern-

day sorcerer with his hands 

full defending Manhattan 

against dark forces. When a 
seemingly average kid 
shows hidden potential, 
Balthazar takes his reluctant 
recruit on a crash course in 
the art and science of magic 
to become the ultimate 
sorcerer's apprentice.

Cast

Jay Baruchel - Dave

Nicolas Cage - Balthazar Blake

Alfred Molina - Horvath

Teresa Palmer - Becky

Toby Kebbell - Drake Stone

Omar Benson Miller - Bennet

Monica Bellucci - Veronica

Nicole Ehinger - Abigail Williams

Alice Krige - Morganna Le Fey
James A. Stephens - Merlin
Jake Cherry - Young Dave
Gregory Woo - Sun-Lok
Wai Ching Ho - Chinese Woman
Peyton List - Young Becky
Adriane Lenox - Ms. Algar
Ethan Peck - Andre

Crew

Director - Jon Turteltaub 
Screen Story/Screenplay - Matt Lopez
Screen Story - Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal
Screenplay - Doug Miro and Carlo Bernard
Associate Producer - Pat Sandston
Executive Producers - Todd Garner, 
Nicolas Cage, Mike Stenson, Chad Oman,
Norman Golightly and Barry H. Waldman
Producer - Jerry Bruckheimer
Production Designer - Naomi Shohan
Costume Designer - Michael Kaplan
Director of Photography - Bojan Bazelli
Second Unit Director - Phillip G. Atwell
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -
George Marshall Ruge
Special Effects Supervisor - John Frazier
Special Effects Coordinator - Mark Hawker
Visual Effects Supervisor - John Nelson
Visual Effects Supervisor: Asylum - Phil Brennan
Visual Effects Supervisor: Double Negative -
Adrian De Wet
Visual Effects Creative Supervisor: Asylum -
Nathan McGuinness
Additional Visual Effects Supervisor: Asylum -
Jason Schugardt
Visual Effects Producer: Disney - Amber Kirsch
Film Editor - William Goldenberg
Music - Trevor Rabin

Review

I originally watched 'THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE' on the big screen in 2010, I discovered from research on the web that it in fact was loosely adapted from the animated segment of the original 'Fantasia'. But I wouldn't know until now that it was a misunderstood movie that was financially pounded in its impending release. It must've worn out its welcome for audiences and convinced them into seeing 'Harry Potter' instead among the year's other feature fantasies. I'll start with the fact that 'THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE' is not such a fantastically magical picture as it was perhaps marketed to be and this could be partly a result of its predictable storyline and only appealing to an younger audience.

The cast selection was I thought decent with Nicolas Cage and Jay Baruchel at the reigns. Both performers are at least well-committed, especially Baruchel as the apprentice who conveys a protagonist in training to become a mage and has a humorous and sarcastic approach to the character. Nicolas is possibly the best candidate to be chosen as a mage, he manages to create a fatherly figure to the young apprentice but also with adding comedy as well. Thankfully, the English actor Alfred Molina was there to give some form of acting with a range of decent villainy for his character to be brandished in a classy type. Not unlike Cage and Baruchel who were there to provide the movie's perchance for comedy.

'THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE' is one of these movies that showcased a cliffhanger ending and in my opinion, would be an ideal sequel material. Due to being considered as a flop unfortunately, it most likely won't get a look in for a second instalment. As previously stated, this movie is an overlooked gem and it's definitely worth giving a chance. 

Star rating: (6/10) Fair Movie

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The Martian Review

The Martian

Release Date: 1st October 2015 - Australia

Production Companies

20th Century Fox

Scott Free Productions
TSG Entertainment (in association with)

Genre Films

Distribution

20th Century Fox Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi

Rating: M

Runtime: 141 minutes


Budget: $108,000,000

Box Office Gross: $630,620,818 (Worldwide)


Plot Summary

After being wounded in a dust storm on Mars, which nearly gets him killed, his crew leaves him when they assume the worst.

Astronaut Mark Watney struggles to survive in this hostile world devoid of intelligent life and must find a way to contact Earth and let them know he is still alive.

Cast

Matt Damon - Mark Watney

Jessica Chastain - Melissa Lewis

Kristen Wiig - Annie Montrose

Jeff Daniels - Teddy Sanders
Michael Peña - Rick Martinez
Kate Mara - Beth Johanssen

Sean Bean - Mitch Henderson
Sebastian Stan - Chris Beck
Aksel Hennie - Alex Vogel
Chiwetel Ejiofor - Vincent Kapoor
Donald Glover - Rich Purnell
Benedict Wong - Bruce Ng
Mackenzie Davis - Mindy Park
Naomi Scott - Ryoko
Nick Mohammed - Tim Grimes
Eddy Ko - Guo Ming
Shu Chen - Zhu Tao

Enzo Cilenti - Mike Watkins

Jonathan Aris - Brendan Hatch

Gruffudd Glyn - Jack

Geoffrey Thomas - U.S. President

Yang Haiwen - Chinese Flight Director

Tsogtsaikan Narantsogt - Wen Jiang

Charlie Gardner - Robert Lewis

Crew

Producer/Director - Ridley Scott

Based On the Novel "The Martian" - Andy Weir

Screenplay/Executive
Producer - Drew Goddard

Associate Producer - Teresa Kelly

Producers - Mark Huffam, Simon Kinberg, Michael Schaefer and Aditya Sood

Astronaut Advisor - Rudi Schmidt

Casting Directors - Carmen Cuba and Nina Gold

Production Designer - Arthur Max

Supervising Art Director - Marc Homes

Senior Art Director: Vehicles - Oliver Hodge

Senior Art Director - Robert Cowper

Art Directors - Mónika Esztán,

Jonathan Houlding, László Rajk,

Phil Sims, Stefan Speth, Mark Swain,

Matt Wynne, Jason Knox-Johnston and

Huw Arthur

Set Decorator - Celia Bobak

Costume Designer - Janty Yates

Makeup & Hair Designer - Tina Earnshaw

Director of Photography - Dariusz Wolski

Director of Photography: Second Unit -

Mark Patten

Production Managers: Jordan - James Grant

and Fuad Khalil

Location Manager - Rudolf András

Location Managers: Jordan - Giles Edleston

and Saeb Abul Ragheb

Second Unit Director - Luke Scott
Stunt Coordinator - Rob Inch

Special Effects Supervisor - Neil Corbould

Special Effects Co-Supervisor - Steven Warner

Visual Effects Supervisor - Richard Stammers

Visual Effects Supervisors: MPC -

Anders Langlands and Tim Ledbury

Visual Effects Supervisor: Framestore -

Chris Lawrence

VFX Shoot Supervisor - Matt Sloan

Visual Effects Producer - Barrie Hemsley

Visual Effects: ILM - Mohen Leo,

Cynthia Crimmins, Nina Fallon,

John Calloway, Timothy Trimmings,

Oliver Askew, Benjamin Charles,

Frank Dumont, David Kirchner,

Scott Pritchard, Claudio Bassi,

Carlos Conceicao, Sam Hanover,

Gordon Marshall, Hantong Tang, Conor Byrne,

Sonia Contreras, Rose Keane, Luca Mignardi

and Kristopher Whitford

Digital Supervisor: The Senate - James D. Fleming

Animation Supervisor: MPC - Greg Fisher

Virtual Production Supervisor - Casey Schatz

Film Editor - Pietro Scalia

Co-Editor - Valerio Bonelli

Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer -

Oliver Tarney

Sound Designer - Michael Fentum

Production Sound Mixer - Mac Ruth

Re-Recording Mixer/Sound Effects Editor -

Mark Taylor

Re-Recording Mixer - Paul Massey

Music - Harry Gregson-Williams

Orchestration & Choir Recordist & Mixer -

Peter Cobbin

Review

With the combined talents of director Ridley Scott and actor Matt Damon, this film takes audiences on an intriguing journey through the reddish dry landscapes of the planet Mars. Other movies rarely attempted this setting. Be that as it may, features set on the red planet were unsuccessful, as these cinematic misfires include John Carter, Red Planet and Mars Needs Moms, which tanked at the box office.

I would be disappointed if I missed seeing THE MARTIAN on the big screen, though it isn't without its faults. THE MARTIAN manages to tell a compelling story about facing survival and isolation. I describe it as similar to Cast Away but in a space setting. It successfully immersed viewers into a real-life scenario on Mars, where materials are scarce, and the terrain is harsh and unforgiving. The film isn't always dark and depressing. Some of its lighthearted moments make the characters more human and authentic.

Matt Damon was great for the role and is as convincing as the stranded astronaut Mark Watney. In his portrayal, he creates a real connection with the audience. You're hoping for his survival and care about what happens to him. You will be glued to the screen to discover the conclusion. The rest of the ensemble cast, including Jeff Daniels, Jessica Chastain and Sean Bean, aren't up to Damon's standards, but they are themselves proven worthy of their place in this film.

THE MARTIAN is nearly as good as Ridley's other hit movies, and in fact, this could be his most compelling work after Alien and Blade Runner. This movie has a long-running time of two hours and 20 minutes due to its high-quality editing. You'll never get bored at any point during the film. Finally, this movie will have lasting value and is good to watch.

Star rating: (8/10) Very Good Movie

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Pixels Review

Pixels

Release Date: 10th September 2015 - Australia

Production Companies

Columbia Pictures (presents)

Happy Madison Productions

1492 Pictures
China Film Group Corporation (CFGC) (in association with)

LStar Capital (in association with)

Film Croppers Entertainment
(in association with)

Distribution 

Sony Pictures Australia

Genre: Sci-Fi/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 106 minutes

Budget: $129,000,000

Box Office Gross: $244,874,809 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

When an alien race attacks Earth in the form of classic video games after misinterpreting them as a declaration of war, President Will Cooper must call on his childhood pal Sam Brenner to assemble a team of old-school arcade players. It's up to Ludlow Lamonsoff and Eddie Plant in their arcade skills to defeat the aliens and save the

world from being destroyed

by PAC-MAN, Donkey

Kong, Galaga, Centipede

and Space Invaders.

Cast

Adam Sandler - Sam Brenner

Kevin James - Will Cooper
Michelle Monaghan - Violet Van Patten
Josh Gad - Ludlow Lamonsoff
Peter Dinklage - Eddie Plant

Brian Cox - Admiral Porter

Matt Lintz - Matty Van Patten

Denis Akiyama - Toru Iwatani

Sean Bean - Corporal Hill

Affion Crockett - Sgt. Dylan Cohen
Lainie Kazan - Mickey Lamonsoff

Ashley Benson - Lady Lisa

Jane Krakowski - First Lady Jane Cooper

Dan Aykroyd - 1982 Championship M.C.

Thomas McCarthy - Michael the Robot

Tim Herlihy - Defense Secretary

Serena Williams - Herself (Cameo)

Martha Stewart - Herself (Cameo)

Allen Covert - Abusive Citizen (Cameo)

Anthony Ippolito - 13-Year-Old

Brenner

Jared Riley - 13-Year-Old

Cooper

Andrew Bambridge - 13-

Year-Old Eddie

Jacob Shinder - 8-Year-Old

Ludlow

Sadie Sandler - Lemonade Sadie

Sunny Sandler - Sweet Scout Girl

Daryl Hall - Himself (Cameo)

John Oates - Himself (Cameo)

Matt Frewer - Max Headroom

(Voice) (Cameo)

Jackie Sandler - President's

Assistant Jennifer

Jared Sandler - White House

Junior Aide Jared

Fiona Shaw - Prime Minister

(Uncredited)

Crew

Producer/Director - Chris Columbus
Based on the Short Film

"Pixels"/Executive Producer - Patrick Jean

Screen Story/Screenplay -
Tim Herlihy
Screenplay - Timothy Dowling

Associate Producers/Unit

Production Managers -

David Witz and Lyn Lucibello-Brancatella

Associate Producer/First

Assistant Director - K.C. Hodenfield

Executive Producers - Johnny Alves,

Barry Bernardi, Matias Bouchard,

Benjamin Darris, Jack Giarraputo,

Seth Gordon, Yuka Kato, Steve Koren,

Heather Parry, Ben Waisbren,

Michael Barnathan and La Peikang

Producers - Adam Sandler, Mark Radcliffe
and Allen Covert

Co-Producer/Music Supervisor - Kevin Grady

Military Technical Advisors - Gregory Bishop

and Brian Chung

Production Designer - Peter Wenham

Illustrators - Jamie Rawa,

George Hull and Tim Flattery

Art Directors - Richard L. Johnson

and Peter Grundy

Set Decorators - Rosalie Board and
Rosemary Brandenberg

Property Masters - Timothy S. Wiles

and Vic Rigler

Costume Designer - Christine Wada

Director of Photography - Amir Mokri

Second Assistant Director - Jack Boem
Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator -

Bob Brown
Stunt Coordinator: Canada - Layton Morrison
Stunt Coordinator: Second Unit - Jon H. Epstein
Fight Choreographer - Peng Zhang

Picture Car Coordinator - Steve Mann

Picture Car Supervisor - Ryan Herem
Special Effects Supervisor - Burt Dalton
Special Effects Coordinator - Laird McMurray
Visual Effects Supervisor - Matthew E. Butler

Visual Effects Supervisor: SPI - Daniel Kramer
Visual Effects Producer - Denise Davis

Visual Effects Producer: Digital Domain -

Elizabeth Schafer Knovick

Senior Visual Effects Producer: SPI -
Christian Hejnal

Digital Effects Supervisor: SPI - John Haley
Animation Supervisor: SPI - Steve Nichols

Animation Supervisor: Digital Domain -

Jan Philip Cramer

Computer Graphics Supervisor: SPI -

Benjamin Hendricks

Computer Graphics Supervisor: Atomic Fiction -

David 'Rudy' Grossman

Sequence Supervisors: Digital Domain -

Alexandre Millet and Paul George Palop

Compositing Supervisors: Digital Domain -

Joel Behrens and Bryan Smeall

Previs/Post Vis Supervisor - Scott Meadows

Effects Supervisor: Digital Domain - Brian Gazdik

Editors - Hughes Winborne and

Peck Prior

Sound Designer/Re-Recording Mixer -

Steve Boeddeker

ADR/Supervising Sound Editor - Steve Slanec

Production Mixer - Glen Gauthier

Dialogue Editors - Richard Quinn

and Michael Silvers

Re-Recording Mixer - Gary Summers

Foley Artists - Sean England and

Ronni Brown

Music - Henry Jackman

Score Mixers - Alan Meyerson

and Chris Fogel

Review

I was unsure of this video game-oriented sci-fi comedy of PIXELS when I heard about the terrible reception shortly before its release. I was astounded to discover that the film is an adaptation of an animated short. Its storyline is about video games attacking the planet, a plot borrowed from the episode of Futurama. Lastly, the renowned writer-director Chris Columbus is at the helm of this overlooked motion picture. No film could easily contrast with PIXELS, excluding Wreck-It Ralph, an animated feature released three years before.

It's not quite the game-changer the arcade game enthusiasts had in store. PIXELS is a misunderstood movie mainly criticised by those who disliked its lead actor, Adam Sandler, as his latest movies bombed callously to audiences everywhere. Then again, it does seem like a childhood fantasy for the middle-aged comedian. I wondered why Chris, of all filmmakers, was determined to direct a feature with an actor he had never worked with before.

The strong market point for a movie of this calibre is to create a sense of nostalgia for video game fans to recreate the old video game characters that gamers once treasured. PIXELS did an incredible job in bringing the visuals, with the recreation of the 8-bit video game characters of Pac-Man and Donkey Kong and elements in pixelation. Many of its jokes and references aimed at adults were hit-and-miss. I don't intend to criticise the scene where a Smurf is vaporised by one of the main characters, mostly because I'm not a big fan of Smurfs. I enjoyed seeing Peter Dinklage in a supporting role rather than the lead role heavily handpicked for Sandler.

I lastly liked the placement of the song "We Will Rock You" by Queen. One last issue about the other actors is that Kevin James is probably unsuited as the President, and Josh Gad's character is poorly written, unfunny, and has constant screaming.

Not all critics agree that PIXELS is a flop not worth replaying, as it is fair to say that this film has some themes that will appeal to those who have played these classic games at home or in the arcade. Thanks for reading my review. Sorry to say, this is game over.

Star rating: (7/10) Good Movie

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