For anyone that hasn’t seen The Muppets you are probably going to laugh when I say this is an intelligent film that says more about modern society then you could ever imagine. Laugh as you may though, the screenwriters who put together this script have created something great that can only attract more fans to the lovable creatures that we grew up with.

Walter (voiced by Peter Linz – TV’S 30 Rock & It’s A Big, Big World) and Gary (Jason Segal – Jeff Who Lives At Home, Friends With Benefits) are brothers. But because Walter is a Muppet (no I can’t explain how a muppet and a human can be brothers) who hasn’t found his way in life the way Gary has so as a result Gary feels responsible for him, which is really getting in the way of his relationship with Mary (Amy Adams – The Fighter, Leap Year). When Gary decides that Walter is going with them to Los Angeles Mary is unhappy but an adventure starts while visiting the old rundown Muppets Theatre and Walter hears evil oil tycoon, Tex Richman (Chris Cooper – The Tempest, The Town) say he is going to demolish the theatre from under the Muppets feet. Now it is up to Walter to feverishly get the Muppets together in a bid to raise $10 million to save the theatre.

Director, James Bobin (TV’S Flight Of The Concords & Da Ali G Show) must have wondered what kind of script the new Muppets movie would have, but he needn’t have worried. In some ways the film makes fun of itself, highlighting the fact that most kids these days don’t know who the Muppets are and even laughing at its own songs, the film actually does a better job making fun of the genre then what most parody films do. There are some lowlights throughout the film, but they are few and far between meaning that for most of the time the film works, and kids may also get an education from it.

Jason Segal and Jack Black (The Big Year, Bernie) seem to lap up their comedy roles however Amy Adams seems a step behind them. She just can’t seem to get the over-acting required for her role right and at times comes off looking really ridiculous. Credit must also be paid to the actors who play cameo roles because they all work sensationally well and part of the fun of the film is being surprised at just who will pop up next.

The Muppets well and truly show that there is life in these puppets (or should be muppets) yet. Don’t write off another film surfacing soon, and I for one will be eagerly awaiting it as I had more fun watching this film than I have had in a long time… I’m just so thankful it had a good script.

Year: 2011

Director: James Bobin

Stars: Peter Linz, Jason Segal, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Jack Black

Classification: G

Runtime: 110 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

It’s a pity that this franchise went down the gurgler because the original Alvin And The Chipmunks movie worked so well, and while Alvin And The Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked is better than the last in the series it still has some serious flaws that really holds it back as a film.

This time around Dave (Jason Lee – TV’S Up All Night & Memphis Beat) decides to take the Chipmunks and the Chipettes on a cruise just before a major music awards ceremony. The cruise gets off to a shaky start with Dave realizing their nemesis Ian (David Cross – TV’S Modern Family & Archer) (you remember him the evil record label boss from the first film) is working on the cruise, and to make matters worse Dave and Alvin (voiced by Justin Long – Ten Year, Alpha & Omega) are arguing over whether Alvin should be given more freedom. Then of course comes the big moment which sees all the chipmunks trapped on a deserted island with the loopy Zoe (Jenny Slate – Marcel The Shell With Shoes On, TV’S Ugly Americans) while Dave and Ian look for them.

Poor Mike Mitchell (Shrek Forever After, Sky High) certainly can’t be blamed for where this film goes wrong. As far as directing go he gets the animation meets real life stuff pretty spot on, no the problem here is with the writing. See, this is a kid’s film but the moral in the film (‘parents have to decide when their children have to be stopped being treated as children and given some freedom’) is aimed at the adults, as is a lot of the supposed humor… I mean seriously did the screenwriters think that most children have seen the Tom Hanks’ film Castaway? How else are they supposed to get the ‘Wilson’ joke in the film.

Small children will probably find the chipmunks pretty cute but it’s hard to see children over the age of 5 even enjoying this film, I’m pretty sure even they will grown at the over acting of Jenny Slate who really needs to learn that children have brains as well, her performance is woeful when you consider how other actors play their parts in kids films… did she not watch her co-star, Jason Lee at all during the making of the film.

I really pity the poor parents who are dragged along to see Alvin & The Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked as this will be torture for anyone aged over 5 years of age.

Year: 2011

Director: Mike Mitchell

Stars: Jason Lee, David Cross, Justin Long, Jenny Slate

Classification: G

Runtime: 87 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

Director, Martin Scorsese (George Harrison: Living In The Material World, Public Speaking) has well and truly stepped out of his comfort zone with Hugo, and I don’t just mean because this time around he hasn’t got Leonardo DiCaprio has his leading man. No, Scorsese has stepped behind the camera for a family film, not something you would normally expect from the man who has brought us Shutter Island and The Departed, but even as he tries something new Scorsese manages to create a really beautiful film.

This boxing day your kids may be screaming at you to take them to see the latest Alvin & The Chipmunks film, but please do everyone a favor and take them to see Hugo instead, because this a family film that deserves to be mentioned alongside classics such as The Sound Of Music and Oliver Twist.

Set in Paris in the 1930s Hugo tells the story of Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield – Nanny McPhee And The Big Bang, The Wolfman) who has been living in the walls of a train station with his uncle (Ray Winstone – Lost In Italy, Rango) after the death of his father (Jude Law – Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows, 360). But now his uncle has disappeared so Hugo spends his days winding the clocks of the station, dodging the station’s inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen – Bruno, Madagascar 2) and trying to put together an automaton that his father left him (more importantly trying to find the key that will make it work). His search is made harder by a toyshop owner, Georges Melies (Ben Kingsley – Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time, Teen Patti) who takes a disliking for Hugo when he looks at the boy’s notebook. However, Hugo soon befriends Isabelle (Chloe Grace Moretz – Hick, The Dark Fields) who is really looking for adventure.

Scorsese really does bring a feel to this film that most directors could only dream it. His sweeping opening shots over Paris and his shots inside the internal workings of the station’s clocks show just what an eye-for-detail he has… is it to bold to say that he is the finest director of our time? Add this to an amazing story that ends up in a place that nobody would ever guess and you really do have one of the finest films that we have seen in a very long time. It doesn’t happen very often these days but this was a film that made me sit there and just go ‘WOW!!!’… I felt like a child seeing my first ever film… this is the kind of film that can make you re-discover your love for cinema.

Hugo allows Asa Butterfield and Chloe Grace Moretz to continue growing as actors but the surprise packet here is Sacha Baron Cohen. As he did with Sweeney Todd Cohen shows that there is more to his acting ability than just characters such as Borat and Bruno. As the station inspector Cohen is playing the bad guy but so good is his performance that you can’t help but feel for the lonely man. It won’t happen but so good is Cohen’s performance that he deserves a Best Supporting Oscar nomination… his performance in Hugo is one that I will remember for a long time to come.

This is a stunning film that has certainly made my list of Top Films of 2011. Visually spectacular Hugo is a film that deserves to become a family classic.

Year: 2011

Director: Martin Scorsese

Stars: Asa Butterfield, Ray Winstone, Jude Law, Sacha Baron Cohen, Ben Kingsley, Chloe Grace Moretz

Classification: TBC

Runtime: 126 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

How do you follow up one of the best animated films of all time? That was certainly the problem facing legendary director, George Miller (Happy Feet, Babe: Pig In The City) when he (and his company) sat down to tackle Happy Feet Two. And while there are plenty of reasons why it isn’t as good as its older brother this is still a film that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

This time round Mumbles (voiced by Elijah Wood – TV’S Wilfred & Robot Chicken) and Gloria (Pink – Catacombs, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle) have a son, Erik (Ava Acres – Five, TV’S Harry’s Law) who can dance but chooses not to because he feels that he doesn’t have any reason to. However, tragedy strikes when Mumbles goes to get Erik and his friends after they follow Ramon (Robin Williams – Old Dogs, Night At The Museum 2) back to his colony and meet the legendary ‘flying penguin’, The Mighty Sven (Hank Azaria – The Smurfs, Hop). On return to the Emporer colony they discover that everyone else (including Gloria) is trapped by an iceberg and will eventually starve to death. Not to be beaten Mumbles enlists Ramon’s colony to help and tried to call in a favour with Bryan (Richard Carter – TV’S Rake & East West 101), a seal that owes him a favour.

For the most part Happy Feet Two really does work. There are moments of comedy and the musical items work really well. The writers even manage to bring in some tear-jerking moments and Miller once again manages to put a strong environmental message into the film but there are also times when you feel that Miller and co are trying too hard. A classic example is the introduction of Will (Brad Pitt – Moneyball, The Tree Of Life) and Bill The Krill (Matt Damon – We Bought A Zoo, Margaret) as characters, yes they serve a purpose but it really does feel like they are trying to be like Scrat in Ice Age.

Another low point is the voicing of Pink, while she sounds awesome when  Gloria has to sing she really needs to work on her voice acting, especially when she is moving into the shoes of Britney Murphy who unfortunately died before she could once again voice Gloria.

All up though Happy Feet Two does in fact work. The animation is top notch and you will find yourself singing the songs long after the credits have finished. Not as good as the first film, but still a worthy animation that shows that Australia is right up there with their American colleagues.

 Year: 2011

Director: George Miller

Stars: Elijah Wood, Pink, Ava Acres, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Richard Carter, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon

Classification: PG

Runtime: 103 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

Animated films just seem to get better and better as every year goes on and while Puss In Boots may not be as good as its older cousin, The Shrek series, it certainly does hold its own as an animated film that will provide interest and laughs for people of all ages.

This is a prequel to the time Puss (Antonio Banderas – Haywire, Black Gold) meets Shrek. It tells the story of how he and his best friend, Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifanakis – The Muppets, The Hangover Part II) become fugitives after Humpty lures Puss into a botched bank robbery on their home town. Years later Puss decides to try and steal magic beans from Jack (Billy Bob Thornton – Faster, The Smell Of Success) and Jill (Amy Sedaris – TV’S The Good Wife & Raising Hope). His first attempt is thwarted by fellow thief, Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek – Americano, Grown Ups), someone who Puss soon learns is now working with Humpty Dumpty in a bid to steal some golden eggs… or even the goose that lays them.

Together with a team of talented writers, director, Chris Miller (Shrek The Third, Lea Press On Limbs) has done a fabulous job making Puss In Boots really slot into the ‘South American’ feel with some real Spaghetti Western moments. The film flows really well and despite the fact Puss is an outlaw you on his side, even more when you realise there is a hint of Robin Hood about him. To their credit the writers make the film appeal to both adults and children alike although parents be warned if the adult parts (like Puss spending the night with another cat) don’t go over children’s heads you find yourself having to answer some tricky questions… although the joke at why Puss has catnip on him is an absolute classic.

There is so much to love about this film that my only gripe seems to be a really petty one, but early on it seemed a little difficult to understand Antonio Banderas’ accent. Then it seems to significantly improve and is smooth sailing for the rest of the film… strange, and yes I know, petty, but it was annoying while it lasted.

Dreamworks once again have put together a quality animation for the whole family. Funny in parts and dramatic in others… this is an animated film guaranteed to entertain people of all ages.

Year: 2011

Director: Chris Miller

Stars: Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianikis

Classification: PG

Runtime: 90 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

One of the first punches of the 2011 Christmas Film Fight has been thrown… and it’s a mighty powerful punch as well. Some may be critical of a animated family Christmas film but Arthur Christmas holds it own because of its witty script and the fact that it is original.

The Christmas family has had the role of Santa covered for centuries. As Christmas Eve comes around once again Grandsanta (voice by Bill Nighy – Chalet Girl, Rango) prepares to curl up in his chair and watch as his son Malcolm (Jim Broadbent – Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 2, TV’S Exile) dons the Santa suit and goes on his world trip. Meanwhile, Malcolm’s son Steve (Hugh Laurie – The Oranges, Hop) shouts orders from the control room while dreaming of taking over the Santa role. In the background is the clumsy Arthur (James McAvoy – X-Men: First Class, Gnomeo & Juliet) who works in the mail room and is horrified when one child is forgotten at Christmas time.

Writer/director, Sarah Smith (TV’S Thin Ice & Dead Man Weds) really announces herself with Arthur Christmas. Not only doesn’t the terrific script manage to captivate children but its humor will also appeal to adults… there will be no nodding off for Mums and Dads here. The team behind the film has also done an amazing job with the animation… mark my words this is equal to any film that Pixar have released over the last few years.

But the thing that really makes Arthur Christmas work is its script. Arthur is lovable character, he is the under-dog and everyone in the audience is going to find themselves hoping that he succeeds. The screenwriters also manage to deliver some powerful morals without preaching as well… it doesn’t take a genius to realise that the idea of not having any one person go without a present is a hint at charity, and to their credit it comes across subtly but really makes you think.

A nice little family film that doesn’t forget that a good storyline and a little bit of humor go a long, long way. If you want some quality family time this Christmas then Arthur Christmas is a great way to start… bring on the Festive season.

Year: 2011

Director: Sarah Smith

Stars: James McAvoy, Hugh Laurie, Bill Nighy, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Ashley Jensen

Classification: G

Runtime: 97 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

This is the kind of film that if you’re an adult, you will either hate or loath, but if you’re a pre-teen girl you’ll love it so much you’ll probably want to see it ten times at the cinema and then watch it another million times on DVD… whether or not you’re family want to watch/endure it.

Judy Moody (Jordana Beatty – Superman Returns, TV’S Legend Of The Seeker) is looking forward to the best summer of her life :- a summer of thrill points. But then her two best friends, Rocky (Garrett Ryan – TV’S RCVR & The Young And The Restless) and Amy (Taylar Hender – TV’S Good Luck Charlie & Special Agent Oso) announce they are going away for the summer, leaving her with (let’s be honest her friendship group’s loser), Frank (Preston Bailey – Happy Cabin Song, TV’S Funny Or Die Presents…) and her Big Foot-besotted brother, Stink (Parris Mosteller – Specifically, TV’S Worst Week). Then her mothers announce they are going away as well so it is looking like a real bummer summer, but then in steps the free spirited, Aunt Opal (Heather Graham – Scream 4, The Flying Machine), maybe it’ll not be such a bummer summer.

As far as kid’s films go Judy Morris & The Not So Bummer Summer isn’t so bad. Director, John Schultz (Aliens In The Attic, The Honeymooners) tries hard to keep the energy of the film at 11 and while it works for most of the film, earol on it does seem to be a bit in-your-face. In his defence though Schultz doesn’t let the ‘zany’ get in the way of the story… and to the screenwriters’ credit the story works, and they don’t treat the pre-teen audience as if they have no intelligence. The screenwriters even find an easy way to show the kids’ some morals without making it look like they are trying to jam it down the throats of the audience. Sadly though, I can also see a lot of adults growing increasingly bored with the film.

The leads in Judy Moody & The Not So Bummer Summer do a magnificent job. Aussie Jordana Beatty does a wonderful job, even better when you consider that she has to put on an American accent for the entire film. Her young co-star Parris Mosteller really announces himself as someone with a bright future while Heather Graham reminds Hollywood that she is still around and also very capable of anything that is thrown at her… please take note producers as it is sad to see one of her caliber doing small roles.

Judy Morris & The Not So Bummer Summer will be lapped up by kids but will divide adults. Some will see it as a fun time that will offer a couple of laughs while others will see it as a dull waste of time, the one thing I do know though is that pre-teens will love it!

Year: 2011

Director: John Schultz

Stars: Jordana Beatty, Heather Graham, Parris Mosteller, Preston Bailey, Garrett Ryan, Taylar Hender

Classification: G

Runtime: 92 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

Okay, there is certainly gonna be a lot of angry people out there over this one, many will argue that a classic film like The Lion King need not be re-released in a 3D format, and a large part of me wants to agree with them. Should someone’s childhood fave be ruined in a bid to make a few extra dollars?

For those that didn’t see The Lion King 17 years ago it tells the story of Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas – The Extra, Thru The Moebius Strip) a young Lion whose father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones – Star Tours: The Adventures Continue, Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey) is a proud King. Jealous, of his brother’s position Scar (Jeremy Irons – Prohibition, Eco-Hollywood) devises a plan that sees Mufasa killed and then blames a young Simba for the death. Simba flees until he meets Timone (Nathan Lane – Astro Boy, TV’S Modern Family) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella – Listen To Your Heart, Beyond The Lengend: Timone). Flash forward a few years and the three are still close friends, but everything changes for them when Simba (Matthew Broderick – Margaret, Beach Lane) runs into his childhood friend, Nala (Moira Kelly – TV’S One Tree Hill & Numb3rs) and she informs him that Scar taking over as King has ruined the Kingdom for everyone.

In its day The Lion King was an absolute classic… and deservedly so. It’s story is captivating and it’s soundtrack contains tracks that will go down in Hollywood history, however re-releasing this film was not one of the brightest things that Disney has done over the years. Bringing 3D to this film does nothing at all and worse still people viewing the film for the first time (think today’s young people) will be appalled by the animation. In it’s day The Lion King looked spectacular, but that was 17 years ago, in that time animation has come a long way and re-watching the film today only makes you stop and think how ordinary the graphics look compared to what we have these days.

Still, the story of The Lion King is enough to win over even the most hardened critic and it is still an enjoyable watch that is guaranteed to create thought amongst your children. But still the question remains, did it need to be released? The simple answer is no, as I have previously said the 3D does nothing the film and 17 years later seems an odd time for Disney to re-release the film… surely they would have been better off waiting until the 20 year mark… and not brought 3D into the picture.

The Lion King is still worth a watch and is great to sing-a-long to, just be prepared for a brief shock when you see how the animation has aged. A family favorite that isn’t enhanced by a 3D makeover.

Year: 2011

Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

Stars: Matthew Broderick, Niketa Calame, James Earl Jones, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Jeremy Irons, Moira Kelly, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg

Classification: G

Runtime: 89 mins

Rating:

Dave Griffiths

It’s always hard to review a movie like Monte Carlo, you want to mention the basic storyline and the lower-than-average acting but you really need to remember that this is a film aimed to keep teenagers entertained, not to win an Oscar. And when you look at it that way Monte Carlo actually works.

Monte Carlo follows Grace (Selena Gomez – Arthur 3: The War Of Two Worlds, TV’S Wizards Of Waverly Place), her up-tight sister, Meg (Leighton Meester – The Oranges, The Roomate) and her best friend, Emma (Katie Cassidy – Georgetown, A Nightmare On Elm Street) as they head to Paris on Grace and Emma’s first overseas holiday. However, when the tour turns out to be ‘the-worst-tour-in-Paris’ they see an out when Grace is mistaken for the spoilt heiress, Cordelia Winthrop Scott. As a result the trio soon find themselves living the high life in Monte Carlo, but how long can they keep the sham going?

The one person that did do a really good job on Monte Carlo is director, Thomas Bezucha (The Family Stone, Big Eden) who chooses to forget that he is directing a ‘kids’ film and captures Paris and Monte Carlo in such a way that veteran filmmakers like Woody Allen would even be impressed. There is however one major flaw in the storyline. Yes, the film allows you to connect with the three main characters (and yes you will find yourself worried about them at times), but the issue is that what these girls do is in fact a crime, and despite the fact how despicable Cordelia is the three of them really don’t face any consequences for the serious things they have done… and that when you are filming a movie for kids/teenagers is a serious no-no.

Acting-wise you really shouldn’t expect too much, although Gomez, Meester and Cassidy should be proud of what they have done, because to me honest I have seen a lot worse acting in films that are meant for teenagers. The scary thing is though Gomez seems to play the evil Cordelia a hell a lot of better than she does the nice, Grace. You have to pay her some credit for that.

Monte Carlo isn’t the kind of film that Dads and brothers will be enjoy but you get the feeling it will be lapped by younger females. In fact that is probably the best way to describe Monte Carlo, it really is Sex And The City for teenage girls.

Year: 2011

Director: Thomas Bezucha

Stars: Selena Gomez, Katie Cassidy, Leighton Meester

Classification: PG

Runtime: 109 mins

Rating:

Available on DVD from 18th January, 2012

Dave Griffiths

Seeing I was such a massive Smurfs fan when I was a kid (I watched the cartoon before going to school each day and had all the figurines from the Petrol Station) Smurfs 3D was either going to leave me overjoyed that they did such a fine job with one of my childhood memories or leave me shattered as Hollywood once again managed to violate something that I held so dear to me. Luckily, it did the former and once again it seems that The Smurfs are going to be loved by an entire generation.

Like The Smurfs of old we once again find the lovable blue creatures under attack from the evil wizard, Gargamel (Hank Azaria – TV’S The Simpsons & Free Agents) and his cat, Azrael as they put together another scheme. Only, problem is that this time around Gargamel knows where The Smurfs live, and in a bid to escape his clutches Papa (Jonathan Winters – Cattle Call, Swing), Gutsy (Alan Cumming – TV’S Web Therapy & Mystery!), Smurfette (Katy Perry – Get Off Me, Kathy Beth Terry Talks 6^th Grade), Brainy (Fred Armisen – Easy A, Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell), Grouchy (George Lopez – Rio, Marmaduke) and Clumsy (Fright Night, The Beaver) fall into a vortex and into a world. Here they find themselves with Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris – Beastly, Company) and Grace Winslow (Jayma Mays – Marcy, TV’S Glee), and with Patrick desperate to impress his boss, Odile (Sofia Vergara – TV’S The Cleveland Show & Modern Family) to keep his job the last thing he wants is a group of Smurfs hanging around.

Director, Raja Gosnell (Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Yours, Mine And Ours) must have breathed a sigh of relief when he first read the script of Smurfs 3D. The idea of bringing The Smurfs into modern New York City must have been a bit frightening for some of the people involved, but so good is the screenplay that the story actually works really well. The 3D work though is once again a bit of a let-down though, despite the fact that the early ‘flying’ sequence promises so much.

The voice casting works well and even though I was originally a bit skeptical of Katy Perry voicing Smurfette she actually did a really good job. But the standout is Hank Azaria as Gargamel, despite the fact he is playing the bad guy and that some of his lines are well and truly aimed at children, he manages to really standout, and never misses a laugh line. He is also well supported by Neil Patrick Harris and Jayma Mays whom remind all the TV Producers out there that they have the skills to also make it on the big screen.

As far as family movies go Smurfs 3D is a real standout as it easy to see that it will make adults and children laugh alike. This is one time that Hollywood has taken an old-time favourite and made it look classy on the big screen. A great film for the whole family.

Year: 2011

Director: Raja Gosnell

Stars: Hank Azaria, Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Sofia Vergara, Jonathan Winters, Alan Cumming, Katy Perry, Fred Armisen, George Lopez, Anton Yelchin

Classification: G

Runtime: 103 mins

Rating:

Available on DVD from 5th January, 2012

Dave Griffiths