GODZILLA

Basically…

Determined to prove his wife died in vein, Joe Brody (Bryan Cranston) continues to research the scientific reason for his loss. But when human naivety subsequently creates creatures that live off radiation, it takes something a lot bigger and stronger than mankind to defeat them.

In other words…

The myth meets its match 

The main men and leading ladies…

Aaron Taylor Johnson is a far cry from his teen heartthrob symbol in Angus, Thongs - forget the floppy locks and baby cheeks, it’s all about the gun show these days. He takes his superhero status in Kick-Ass one step further and helps save the world for real this time. Ken Watanabe, Sally Hawkins, Brian Cranston and Elizabeth Olsen also star (she’s the oldest sister by the way, even though she looks like their triplet).

In the chair…

Gareth Edwards was chosen to direct Godzilla because of the work he did on Monsters – another film about the people who are affected by, well, monsters (funnily enough). He did that one on a budget of half a million dollars and managed to pull it off so creators naturally got a bit excited at the thought of what the visual effects master could do with a decent budget.

So…?

Family blockbuster season is upon us now the summer months are getting into full swing – but you don’t need superheros, explosions and special powers to tick the boxes. Monsters, destruction and all things big should be enough to seal the deal. And you don’t really get bigger than Japan’s very own Nessie. It’s enjoyable and consistent, with an even blend of human interest and brain dead action. A good use of framing puts the size of people in proportion to the creatures, but not enough wide shots allow you to put it all into context with the overall landscape. We learn the complexity of the main characters fairly quickly, but with the main body of the plot being set over such a short period of time, a lack of personality is given to the monsters themselves.

Worth the money?

If you like Jurassic Park then this'll be right up your street. 

BAD NEIGHBOURS

Basically…

When a frat team move in next door to new parents Mac and Kelly (Seth Rogan and Rose Byrne), they try and deal with the situation by being a sensible…but end up just realising how much they've left that generation behind.

In other words…

A harsh reminder youth is wasted on the young. 

The main men and leading ladies…

Can Seth Rogan do anything wrong? Well no, not if you consider his already glistening CV and the fact he just added to it with yet another compelling performance in yet another original comedy. His contribution is effortlessly believable as the Dad who’s not quite sure if it’s time to grow up.

Zak Efron follows up Parkland and That Awkward Moment with another strong performance and is perfectly cast alongside on-screen best friend Dave Franco who is equally super cool, uber hot and insanely popular. A third consecutive comedy, though, could see Efron typecast after doing so well to break away from his teen heartthrob status with Paperboy and Parkland.

In the chair…

Considering Nicholas Stoller’s previous work with Russell Brand and Jim Carey on films you really wouldn’t want to shout about from the rooftops (Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, Fun With Dick and Jane, Yes Man…oh and The (awful) Five Year Engagement too) you wouldn't be blamed for expecting the worse (again). But Rogan and Efron manage to pull him through on this occasion – he owes the casting director a lot.

So…

If you’re googling this film and can only find ‘Neighbours’ don’t be confused – that’s what it’s called in America. The title was only changed for the UK and Australia to stop us confusing it with the soap (is that even still going?!) Bad Neighbours isn't one of the funniest films of the year, let’s settle that now, because with the actors and plot it could have got the sides hurting a lot more. At times the humour is even more immature than previous Rogan films so in that sense it lets itself down. But on the plus side it has the energy to keep you hooked and conveys the depth and growth of the four main characters. It’ll leave you missing the freedom of your student days but at the same time make you appreciate going home to that pile of ironing.

Worth the money? 

It’s another one you can leave your brain at the door but where’s the harm in a fun night out with mates.

THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN 2

**Spoiler alert: My undying love for Andrew Garfield may become slightly obvious**

Basically…

Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) continues his quest to discover the truth about what happened to his parents and how they’re connected to Oscorpe’s hidden secrets. This in turn creates more villains for him to face as Spiderman at the same time he unexpectedly welcomes old friend Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan) back into his life.

In other words…

If all spiders looked like Andrew Garfield the world would be a much better place.

The main men and leading ladies…

Whether you prefer the nerdy Tobey Maguire or the isolated Andrew Garfield depiction of Peter Parker, the Amazing adaptations work in an entity of their own. The latest arachnageek may be bordering on 31 but he still passes as the uncomfortable teenager trying to settle into the big bad world after high school. His adorable nervousness around Gwen (Emma Stone), shyness around adults and awkwardness in any sort of social situation compliments the entirely opposite traits he possesses while in the lycra and hiding behind a mask. The unquestionable chemistry between him and his real-life girlfriend is to be expected and is extremely satisfying, natural (and enviable) at the same time.

In the chair…

Maybe it was the incredible irony in his surname that attracted Marc Webb to the Spiderman franchise but regardless, it was a huge challenge trying to reboot the already flawless Sam Raimi trilogy from just a decade earlier. With that success still fresh in everyone’s minds he had to take a different path and introduce new challenges for the hero to face. And while the first failed to do that in many ways, taking the viewer on a very similar path to the original, the sequel doesn’t. Webb successfully left Spidey geeks questioning how and when events would occur while those watching it blindly were entertained by the unknown.

So…?

Spiderman as a movie ticks all the boxes for superhero and special effects fans just as much as it does for those looking for a sentimental, heartfelt story about love, loss and confused teenage angst. But as expected, the sequel loses what it’s really about and becomes a mess of action packed drama with too many characters and too much happening. At least with the first movie in a superhero franchise most of the plot is dedicated to introducing the story and developing their transformation. With sequels though, he’s saving the world (again) before we’ve barely taken our first handful of popcorn. And Webb? You’re guilty as charged. If CGI shots of Spiderman swinging through the streets of New York and lifting cars with one hand is what you want then you’ll get your money’s worth. Those looking for more of Peter Parker’s journey away from the mask will feel short-changed though. This isn’t a classic, it’s just a continuation.

Worth the money? 

For two hours of Andrew Garfield...?

THE OTHER WOMAN

Basically…

Wife Kate (Leslie Mann) and bit on the side, Carly (Cameron Diaz), become the most unlikely friends when they discover they’ve both been played by the same man (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). But when they then realise Mark’s been cheating on them both with a third girl (Kate Upton), the trio unite to hit him where it hurts the most.

In other words…

Crazy chicks unleash the girl power.

The main men and leading ladies…

Diaz is perfectly cast as the sexy, independent and cold hearted bitch who fights the affections of her boyfriend’s wife when they first meet. She’ll never be Mary again but she still knows how to pull off the hot plumber outfit.

Mann for once doesn’t play the highly-strung parent and instead takes on a more childlike persona which unfortunately borders on annoyingly irritating before not too long. Despite Mann’s character facing the biggest journey of all three women, it’s Diaz who makes sure hers pulls off the most emotional and life changing transformation.

In the chair…

After the likes of My Sister’s Keeper and The Notebook it’s nice to see Nick Cassavetes take on a less emotional tearjerker and encourage laughter. He approaches the direction in a predictable and simple manner though, and doesn’t leave much to the imagination.

So…?

As original as the plot is for a typically mundane braindead chick flick – it fails to remember its target audience. If the majority watching the movie are women, why fill it with dated clichés and sexist attitudes? In fact adding together the sultry Diaz, boobalicious Upton and severe lack of eye candy for the ladies, it feels like it’s directed at completely the opposite group of people who will actually pay money to see this film. It had potential but it’s lack of laugh out loud jokes made it no more than a far fetched story with little for the female audience to relate to. Like Bridesmaids it’s a mean-spirited revenge flick…but it’s just not as witty (and Bridemaids isn’t even that funny so that’s saying something).

Worth the money? 

Paying not to laugh? You work it out…