Revolutions, while weaker than its predecessors, is still a fun popcorn movie. If the plot doesn't hold your attention, the spectacular actions sequences will.
The film redeems itself somewhat with its special effects. There is nothing as revolutionary as the "bullet time" effect introduced in the first film, but there is plenty to look at. The pitched battle for Zion and Neo's final fight with Agent Smith are visually stunning sequences with well-used, non-intrusive CGI effects.
The Matrix Revolutions R, 126 minutes, Woodruff Auditorium (SUA)
The finale suffers from the continued deterioration of the original's plot. The story lacks drama and psuedo-theology runs rampant. The performances of the principal actors are wooden. Fishburne's delivery is particularly grating. Hugo Weaving as arch-villain Agent Smith is the exception; his bombastic performance is fun to watch. You may find yourself wishing he had more on-screen time. A number of minor characters are introduced who serve only to give the audience someone to root for during the drawn-out action scenes.
The Matrix Revolutions, the conclusion of the Wachowski Brothers' Matrix trilogy, picks up where The Matrix Reloaded left off. Neo (Keanu Reeves) is in a coma and Zion, humanity's last bastion, is preparing to defend itself from the machines. Laurence Fishburne reprises his role as Morpheus, and Carrie-Anne Moss returns as Trinity.
Hidalgo PG-13, 136 minutes, South Wind 12 Theatres
On the tail of Seabiscuit comes another movie about a horse race, this one set in the Arabian Desert.
Frank T. Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) and his horse Hidalgo have been invited to the "Ocean of Fire," the harshest race on Earth. Hidalgo is a mustang who has never lost a long distance race but has never raced outside of America. He will face his toughest competition in a 3,000-mile race from Saudi Arabia to the Persian Gulf coast of Iraq.
Frank and Hidalgo have to race against sandstorms and defend themselves against extreme heat and dehydration. They also have to lookout for other riders who stop at nothing, even murder, to win the prestigious race. Hidalgo finishes the race with blood dripping out of his nostrils and Frank finishes. delirious from dehydration.
This movie is old and predictable. From Miracle to Seabiscuit to Against the Ropes, sports movies have the same storyline of an underdog going through hell and back to become victorious. Even with the tired storyline and the overt bashing of Muslims, Hidalgo is entertaining because of cool special effects, the intensity and picturesque desert panoramas.
Unfortunately, Hidalgo portrays Arabs as barbarians while the only civilized person in the movie is the American.
-Jonathan Reeder
Grade: B
Starsky and Hutch PG-13, 97 minutes, South Wind 12 Theatres
Starsky and Hutch is a smart comedy filled with witty, nuanced dialogue and subtle humor. Actually, it's none of those things but who needs subtle humor when you have Snoop Dogg wearing maroon bellbottoms and one of the coolest cars ever to grace the silver screen?
Going to Starsky and Hutch for the plot is like going to a bar for a glass of milk. The film delivers everything its preview and publicity blitz promised — a 70's-style retro romp that keeps the audience laughing with ridiculous situations and inspired casting that reminds viewers of writer/director Todd Phillips' most recent effort, last year's Old School.
Starsky and Hutch is based on the 70's TV cop drama of the same name, which featured odd-couple undercover cops Ken Hutchinson and David Starsky. This remake, starring Ben Stiller as Starsky and Owen Wilson as Hutch, stays faithful to the original in every way; it's clear Phillips is a fan of the show. The cinematography gives the film a throwback look and the costumes perform the same job for the film's characters. And of course, the duo's legendary red-and-crash Gran Turino is featured heavily.
Grade: B
-Travis Metcalf
If you want to feel smarter when you leave the theater, don't see *Starsky and Hutch*. But for the rest of us, $6 isn't a bad price to pay to be entertained for a few hours.
Grade: B
-Zack Hemenway
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