Reviews by www.fortressofsolitude.co.za
There are some fantastic movies and games coming out in July.
Movie Title: 22 Jump Street
Director: Christopher Miller and Phil Lord
Starring: Channing Tatum, Jonah Hill and Ice Cube
Highlights: Extremely funny.
Recommended for: Fans of the first movie.
Verdict: ****
Schmidt and Jenko are back! At the end of 21 Jump Street we were left with the hope and potential promise of a sequel with two of the most lawless and outrageous cops who formed an unlikely partnership – and they delivered, more than delivered. The two, as prophesised, go undercover at a college after the death of a student from a new drug – sound familiar? “Infiltrate the dealer, find the supplier.” The bromance is tested again when ‘Doug’ (Schmidt) and ‘Brad’ (Jenko) fit into different college stereotypes. Jenko becomes the ultimate frat boy, while Schmidt is left out and connects with the bohemian art scene. But fear not, this is not your average, predictable movie, 22 Jump Street has some serious plot twists and one of the funniest fight scenes, as well as a male friendship that may bring tears to your eyes.
Jonah’s hilarious witty comments are not to be missed, as well as Channing becoming some sort of parkour/ Spiderman god. This movie is seriously one of the best comedies of the year, making you literally LOL from the beginning to the credits. Heads up, if you are sensitive to crude language and sexual gestures, you are warned - but for everyone else over the age of 16, watch this movie!
Movie Title: How to Train Your Dragon 2
Director: Dean DeBlois
Starring: Djimon Hounsou, Gerard Butler and Jay Baruchel
Highlights: Great 3D content.
Recommended for: Fans of the first movie.
Verdict: ****
With the original cast and director, the original styling and the same good family content complementing an original storyline, this beautiful and hilarious adventure is not “the best thing since Frozen”; it’s even better. The story kicks off five years after the end of the first film. Life on the Isle of Berk is magical, with vikings and dragons now enjoying living and playing in harmony. Hiccup and Astrid, happily in love, spend their time flying over land and sea to explore and map more of the world. Hiccup still rides his powerful yet adorable night fury dragon, Toothless, and they are inseparable. The excitement of pioneering new land unfortunately, as always, has a downside. One day they happen upon a group of ships and find themselves on the verge of a new war. The enemy is an evil dragon rider, who captures and controls dragons by force.
Expect great 3D content, entertained adults and kids and awkward (but cute) Gerard Butler singing. Definitely expect a spike in the sale of dragon toys, coloring books and HTTYD pencil cases, not to mention millions of kids asking their parents for a pet dragon for Christmas.
Game Title: Grid autosport
Developer: Codemasters.
Publisher: Codemasters.
Genre: Racing.
Highlights: Gameplay and graphics.
Recommended for: Fans of racing games.
Verdict: ****
Grid Autosport is the closest Codemasters has come to recapturing the mojo of the original Pro Race Driver games since my PlayStation 2 was still plugged in.
Autosport makes some odd missteps with its low-quality cabin view, flawed endurance racing and lack of customisation options that would’ve empowered us to recraft cars from the real-world racing series this game mimics. But overall, Autosport is Codemasters finally firing on all cylinders again.
For the first time in years, Grid Autosport feels like a Codemasters’ racing game built to appeal to long-time Codemasters’ racing fans. Grid Autosport promised proper motor racing, and that’s exactly what it delivers (and plenty of it to boot). It falls a bit short in the visual stakes compared to the hotter, new generation completion, but few developers get pack racing right like Grid Autosport does. The spirit of the classic TOCA games is finally back. At the very least, maybe it’ll finally teach the rest of the world what a ute is.
Game Title: Murdered: Soul Suspect
Developer: Square Enix.
Publisher: Square Enix.
Genre: Action, RPG.
Highlights: Gameplay.
Recommended for: Fans action and suspense.
Verdict: ***
As dead detective Ronan O’Connor, you are promised an enormous and exciting ghostly skillset with which to solve complex crimes, right wrongs and gain unbridled access to the real-world town of Salem, Massachusetts.
But by the time the credits roll that promise has only been partially fulfilled. Being a ghost in Murdered is enjoyable in fits and starts, yet the use of your powers is brutally limited, resulting in an almost entirely scripted and therefore watered-down afterlife experience.
There are some great concepts in Murdered: Soul Suspect, but they feel undercooked or underutilised, and the lack of demand for any real input from us makes Murdered feel like a pick-a-path game where there’s only one path. It scrapes by on the power of its central whodunnit mystery, but I can’t help but feel that Murdered: Soul Suspect is ten-hours worth of unfinished business.
GAMES TO LOOK OUT FOR
Ultra Street Fighter IV
Genre: Action, Fighting
Developer: Capcom
Date: July 2014
The Elder Scrolls Online
Genre: Action, Adventure
Developer: ZeniMax Online Studios
Date: July 2014
LEGO: The Hobbit
Genre: Action, Adventure
Developer: Warner Bros.
Date: July 2014
MOVIES TO LOOK OUT FOR
Blended
Genre: Comedy
Director: Frank Coraci
Starring: Adam Sandler, Drew Barrymore and Kevin Nealon
Date: 4 July 2014
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi
Director: Matt Reeves
Starring: Andy Serkis and Jason Clarke
Date: 11 July 2014
Bad Neighbours
Genre: Comedy
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Starring: Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne and Dave Franco
Date: 18 July 2014
