Peter Rabbit (2018)

Peter Rabbit and his 3 sisters, and his friend are all enjoying their days in the forest. They spend a chunk of their time figuring out how to break into Mr McGregor’s vegetable garden for food. This was something that once belonged to them, when previous owners kept the fence down. 

Something happens to Mr McGregor, and one of his relatives move into their new property. Thomas McGregor is Mr McGregor’s Great Nephew, who hates rabbits just the same. He is ready to win over Bea, however, who is the opposite of him. A local, country girl, who lives to make the wildlife feel welcome.

I’m ready for this review to be short, because there is only so much to say about a film with mostly animated characters.

Let’s get the obvious out of the way… Domnhall Gleeson is an absolute dish. What an attractive man… oh, and I enjoy watching him act. The pairing of him and Rose Byrne was great. In a kids film you need a villain and a hero, right? These two played in perfectly, and there was still opportunity for there to be a message chucked in there. It was made obvious that Thomas was the bad character, and sometimes you meet someone nice that can change that. 

In terms of those casted to voice other characters, none of them offended me… except for James Corden. Don’t get me wrong, I now don’t think it was a bad match, but there were some moments when I just in the cinema thinking ‘Smithy, Smithy, Smithy… When is he going to say Gavaaaalaaaaaaaar?’. If this film wasn’t absolutely stuffed with comedy, it might not have been so bad, but the way the script was written really highlighted the humour that is portrayed perfectly by James Corden.

On the same note, this was belly laugh funny. Like, the kind that makes you turn around to the mental woman sat alone at the back, crying at everything (me). The comedy was so clever in some parts, and this is the definition of suitable for the whole family. An adult can sit in the cinema with their child, and not just have to tolerate it. There is a lot of subtle humour that would go straight over a child’s head, but is also filled with enough silliness, that it suits the audience it is aimed at.

Do we need to talk about CGI rabbits, and real humans working perfectly together, and being visually satisfying? It’s 2018, I feel like this should be expected, but it looked brilliantly edited, regardless. There was definite attention to detail paid at this point.

I was excited about this because I bloody love Peter Rabbit, just the same as I love Winnie the Pooh, it was a character that let me escape, and use my imagination as a child. I was scared that giving these characters recognisable voices was going to ruin it for me, and others that feel the same about Peter Rabbit, but it didn’t.

The script was well written, and well executed, the editing was pretty much spot on, and I had a blast. I laughed, my heart felt warm and fuzzy, and even when it got tense, I felt myself genuinely being bothered by what was happening.

Another must watch ‘kids’ film for 2018.

6.5/10

CINEMATES – S

Despicable Me 3 (2017)

The first Despicable Me came out in 2010, since then we have had an onslaught of minion merchandise. I for one don't care for them, didn't think they were particularly funny and I don't understand why people who don't understand memes have adopted them, but there we are. Despicable Me 3 follows Gru, ex villain, as he connects with his long lost twin brother Dru who wants to have one last family heist. 

Alongside that narrative we have the super villain Balthazar Bratt, who was a child star in the 80's and kind of a one hit wonder. He goes downhill after his voice breaks and ends up believing he's the character he played. He was a lot of fun, voiced by Southpark's Trey Parker, he was stuck in the 80's meaning he played a lot of 80's music and all of his tool and weapons were throwbacks to the decade. A bit of a novelty, I think a lot of parents will enjoy this throwback but the use of a portable cassette tape will be lost on the aimed demographic. 

So what do the target demographic like? Minions. They were there. They have a falling out with Gru and try it on their own and end up in prison. It was interesting I guess to see them make their own decisions or just see them in different environment.  But eh, same old same old, all I can ever think about is how they will be sold. Now there can be a bunch of minions in prison uniforms. And in the last scene wearing something different. I think they've been exhausted, unfunny but there, no real merit to the story but what you expect from them.

Steve Carell is great, some of the scenes it really felt like he was having so much fun playing both Gru and Dru. He's a likable guy and that comes across with both characters. The brothers grow together despite some differences they still have a lot in common. The few scenes that actually warranted a chuckle were basically Carell talking to himself. Each of the characters get their own side line stories to follow the main theme of the film, there's sweet development for Lucy, Gru's wife, as she learns to fill the mother position for the girls, Margo, Edith and Agnes. Agnes goes on search to find a real life unicorn with Edith as Margo ends up in a pickle with a local boy. Each sideline felt a little forced as just something for them to do whilst Gru pasted the time but they did manage to tie them both together with the overall message alright. 

The animation was spectacular, as should be expected with Dreamworks at this stage. The parts I found particularly engaging were the adverts for Bratts show, the animated characters using toy action figures that looked real. That was really impressive. And to be honest a little confusing to see something look so real with such exaggerated animated characters. No spoilers but there's a particular scene in the final act on a beach with Bratt's final show stopper and seeing that looked pretty amazing. The sound was great but Pharrell Williams is involved so what else is there to say. They used the theme 'Despicable Me' as well as a song from the original film. Lots of 80's tracks which were fun and worked well.

Pretty forgettable to be honest, but I say that as someone that find the first two the same. The kids in the screening didn't sound that impressed either, very few laughs. 5/10

CINEMATES - A

My Life as a Courgette (2016)

Young Icare – or Courgette, as his mother called him has a troubling childhood and ends up in a children’s home. With the help of a police officer, and the few friends he makes whilst after his arrival, his life ends up being better than he could have imagined. 

My Life as a Courgette is a French animation film. Even though it is only just over an hour long, and it is jam packed with so many different amazing things. 

The story, although quite simple, is powerful, and beautifully portrayed by these animated characters. You learn about learn each of them, and warm to them throughout the film. We get to know a little bit about the history of each character, but not too much that it takes away from the main point of the film. You can connect with, and a feel for each different character as their different personalities are presented through the everyday activities they are part of, or the smaller scale conflicts.

I came out of this showing truly touched by what I had seen, and the story that had been created. I appreciated everything about it. The music in this film, was once again, a simple touch, but it was something that fitted so well. The screenplay was filled with scenes that demonstrated the different simple emotions we all experience in everyday circumstances, and it was so heart-warming to see that it was from the point of view, and experiences of young children.

The main thing I took away from this was what seemed to be the variety of hidden messages within the script. We followed Courgette as he began to experience new things, new challenges, and new feelings. It was emphasised throughout that looks are not the only thing to make a person beautiful, and this was cleverly shown by the animation. Which is something to look out for if you see this film. 

It’s hard to explain this film without giving too much away, and like I explained, all the important qualities to this film are simple, but that it was makes them great. This is a film that must be seen and not just read about. This animation seems to be so natural that it is almost impossible for it not to tug on the heartstrings of anyone who watches it.

I highly recommend giving this a watch, whether you are an adult or a child. It is refreshing, funny, sad, and just so adorable.

7/10. 

CINEMATES - S