Thursday 1 January 2009

Quarterly film roundup - October to December 2008

Das Boot *** - Famously epic submarine drama. A satisfying sense of claustrophobia is undermined by the film's wide scope; perhaps by having every conceivable wartime disaster befall the vessel and its crew, there is less room for manoeuvre when it comes to plot development.

The Emperor's New Groove ** - Highly disappointing and twee Disney animation, pitched firmly at the younger audience. The central character is not merely vain, as suggested by the plot, grates from the outset and, as such, is hardly worthy of the redemption that is ultimately on offer.

The Pursuit of Happyness *** - Will Smith plays a penniless man who must make ends meet for his young son whilst pursuing a potentially-lucrative financial job. The ending never seems to be in any doubt but his attempts to protect his son are moving enough.