Dean reviews "Stardust", "Rush Hour 3" & "Daddy Day Camp."
STARDUST
"Star dust" is one of those rare films that does everything right.
A clever story of a star that falls from the sky; a star in the form of a beautiful young woman played by Clair Danes, with special powers that everyone wants.
An evil, decrepit witch, deliciously played by Michelle Pfeiffer, wants her to regain her beauty and eternal life.
A dying king played by Peter O'Toole, instructs his idiot, slacker sons to capture the star. Whichever of them does, will become the next ruler.
At the same time, a smitten young man played by British actor, Charlie Cox, promises a girl who barely notices him that he'll capture the star to prove his love for her.
The quests begin combining into a touching love story, with exciting action, loads of laughs, and an amazing fantasy with brilliant effects.
Add in, one great supporting performance after another, but none better than Robert DeNiro, somewhat spoofing himself as a swashbuckling pirate of a flying ship with a hilarious, flamboyant private life.
"Stardust" is pure creativity. A great story...amazing film making...a Dean's List "A."
RUSH HOUR 3
The Chris Tucker one-liners are there. Jackie Chan stumbling through the script is there. It’s the third and hopefully final installment in their "Rush Hour" series.
If you've seen the first two, you’ve seen "Rush Hour 3."
There’s not much new. This time, a Chinese official is assassinated that pairs up the cross-cultural odd couple in Paris to fight off the bad guys and make fun of the French.
To me, the jokes are tired and the stunts, while impressive for a 53 year old Jackie Chan, are very "been there-kicked that."
The best part of "Rush Hour 3" is the Eiffel tower fight scenes at the end of the film. They are thrilling and also the only part of the film that isn’t warmed over.
I think this one is best seen on DVD...a dean's list "c plus."
DADDY DAY CAMP
Ok, I don't know who did it but will whoever stole Cuba Gooding Jr.’s taste and good sense please return it to him immediately.
I don't know how many more exceptionally bad films his career can take.
In "Daddy Day Camp", he’s taken over the reins that Eddie Murphy apparently didn't want to touch as a guy who mastered the day care empire and is now taking over a dilapidated day camp with his inept, chubby pal played by Paul Rae, because apparently, Jeff Garlin also didn't want anything to do with this.
Of course, everything goes wrong with an obnoxious group of misfits coupled with the full compliment of body function and flatulence jokes as the core of the humor.
Fred Savage, Kevin of "Wonder Year" fame, makes his big screen directorial debut with this mess. He’s a nice guy getting his feet wet with movie directing but even Martin Scorcese couldn't have saved this.
Even I could have found a better use for this script.... in the outhouse or in a bonfire. A Dean's List "D-.”