Gone In 60 Seconds

Watched this film for the first time last night.

I was expecting a lot of car chases, guns and sex... what I got was lots of guns, a couple of car chases and not much sex, but that, for me, was a good thing.

Not being into action films that much, it was quite refreshing that the story line wasn't too in depth and complicated, it was simply "Steal 50 cars and your brother lives". Easy enough to follow.

The car chase at the end was a great sequence, if not a tad over done but I enjoyed watching it and actually found myself quite intently watching it.

The relationship between the main character and his love for cars is frequently refered to, especially at the end when his brother buys him the car he loves just as a thank you for saving his life. A very warm and pleasent ending to an emotional and comic film.

There are various stereotypes that are fulfilled, what with the token black man saying stuff like "my black ass" and "what up?", and of course, the pin-up Angelina Jole working as the bad girl and sex interest.

Over all, I enjoyed the film and found it not too much to take in on a Sunday night with your mum.

6/10

High School Musical

After watching High School Musical for the first time today, I have to admit it was quite watchable in places.

Clearly, from my first statement, that doesn't mean I thought it was a good film. Maybe because I'm probably the wrong target audience, I couldn't appreciate it's full glory, but I can see why there's a massive following with children in secondary schools wild about the films.

The film did offer a nice light hearted and typical love story about a typical popular sports Jockey and the geeky scientist girl falling in love through their differences, finding a common interest in the arts, with necessary intervention from the "stuck up" popular girl and her male sideshow, less intelligent, brother.

What was nice about this film however, was the inclusion of more flamboyant characters being closer to the main roles, with various hints towards a gay character for those older than the demographic. A refreshing change for films targeted at a younger audience.

The plot itself was fairly basic, using the typical strict female drama teacher and the goal-focused sports coach.

Modern twists on old stories were also included, such as the moment where Troy gets up onto the balcony after being told to leave by her mother, very Romeo and Juliet.

Overall, a nice film for a rainy day.. we'll see what the second and third films are like.. if I actually make the effort to add them to my rental list.

5/10