Dark Water (2005)

These American re-makes of cult Japanese horror films caused a bit of a stir a few years ago. I can understand people getting in a twist about it, especially if they fail to judge the re-makes on their own merit. Sure, the originals are cool and edgy and Japanese, but it doesn't mean that the American versions can't offer something of their own. I think that something is what a multitude of Hollywood Horror films have been doing for decades. That is, moving away from the safe, glamorous, well known parts of the US, in to 'middle America', the unknown, the sticks, that place where nothing is ever quite what it seems.

I think 'The Ring' did this brilliantly. 'Dark Water' makes a good go of it too. The film is set in New York City. But not the New York that you or I know from the movies. As Ceci, the daughter of Jennifer Connelly's Dahlia points out, the place that they move to isn't actually in the city. They move to Roosevelt Island, in to a crappy, run-down apartment block. The ceiling in their new apartment leaks murky water. Dahlia has a lot on her plate as she juggles a messy divorce, her daughter's new imaginary friend and the incessantly leaking roof.

It is, admittedly, not the most thrilling of introductions to a film, but I think those that stuck with it should feel rewarded. As Dahlia's situation worsens, the tension in the film grows. There is a relentless unease to everything that happens, it verges on creepiness and keeps everything from that point feeling pretty tight. On it's own merit, this works well, but it doesn't live up to to Hideo Nakata's original. Watching that, you'd wish for relentless unease, because Nakata offered up a relentless feeling skin crawly feeling. The re-make doesn't have an adequate substitute for the creepy girl in a yellow raincoat and suffers for it. Similarly, where the original built to a dramatic crescendo as all the pieces fell in to place, the re-make seemed to just peter out.

On the whole though, the film works. Jennifer Connelly is as watchable as ever. John C. Reilly is fun, as are Pete Postlethwaite and Dougray Scott. I really liked Tim Roth as Platzer, Dahlia's lawyer. He felt a little underused, though I'm not sure what more he could have offered other than being her shoulder to cry on.

Dark Water never really hits the heights of the original J-horror flick that was based on. On its own merit though, it's not as bad as some critics made out. It offers moments of tension, fright and unease, but just failed in following these elements through to a level where they could have really unsettled the audience.

Connections with other films in The Gallery: Jennifer Connelly - Pollock (2000) as Ruth Kligman

Links: Dark Water (IMDb) Trailer Trailer (Original) Hideo Nakata

Speed Racer (2008)

I think this Speed Racer review might glow as bright as the colours in the film itself. I loved it.

I wasn't really that familiar with the Speed Racer background. I'd seen the cartoon a couple of times, but I can't say that it was a big part of my childhood. It's fair to say that it's not a plot with a lot of depth, but the introduction to it is fast and furious, setting a pace for the plot that is maintained through to the checkered flag and beyond. The Speed Racer virgin shouldn't have any trouble getting to grips with the story. Indeed, they won't have to to stay confused for long, as the film's pace helps to make the, almost marathon, 135 minutes fly by. On first glance, that length seems excessive for what is essentially a family film. The Wachowski Brothers ensure that very little of that time is wasted. There's no laborious love story, no frustrating loss of ability driving ability by the main character, just balls to the wall fun.

The plot revolves around Speed Racer, the middle child of a racing family. Pops Racer is the developer of the Mach 5, a car that was poreviously owned by Rex Racer, Speed's brother who died in a race crash a few years ago. Speed now races the car and attracts the attention of major sponsors after victory in his debut race. The main suitor is Royalton, but is unable to lure Speed in to joining him. Speed prefers to stick with his family and with the racing ethos that has seen them produce to of the finest car racers in recent memory. At this news, Royalton reveals to Speed Racer that the entirety of racing is fixed by big business and that, if he competes on his own, he will never have a chance of winning. This spurs Speed in to teaming up with the mysterious Racer X in order to put an end to the corruption in racing once and for all.

The film looks amazing. The visuals are more than vibrant, I loved the use of bright colours. These combine well with a generous use of light trails and some cel shading to make the races a particular joy to watch. The climax of the final lap of the final race in the film is the best, breathtaking, example of this. In-lin with the visuals are the joyously sweet moments throughout the film in which family values and morals in the face of corporate capitalism is, admittedly, shoved down the audiences throats. It was over the top, but I enjoyed it, the family were just great to watch.

I've been vaguely aware of some rather tepid reviews for the film this weekend. I can only speculate that these were as a result of it being so over the top and larger than life. I only see this as a good thing, helping to enhance the fun, silliness and the laughs. Speed's brother, Spritle and his pet chimp, Chim Chim, are the main source of these laughs as they terrorise pretty much every character in the film with their scampish fervour. Roger Allam makes an excellent villain as Royalton, treading a fine line between exuberance and cheese, fortunately erring on the side of exuberance more often than not. Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon and John Goodman work well in their roles too. Emile Hersch as the title character is good if not excellent, but I think Matthew Fox really steals the show as the mysterious Racer X. Admittedly, it's not the most dynamic or testing role, but Fox was genuinely watchable, carrying a cool mystique throughout.

There are a couple of downsides. Royalton's courting of Speed drags on far too long for a plot thread that basically results in nothing. Further to this, there are too many factions involved in the racing corruption to keep track of. It was difficult to figure out which side everyone was on, though it didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the film. Finally, some parts of the film were a little heavy for this type of family film. Indeed, a rating of PG seemed quite generous, especially considering some of the film's more violent moments.

I think The Wachowski Brothers have unashamedly created something big, bold and in your face. The races and other action scenes are superb to watch, perhaps topping the standard for this type of scene set by The Phantom Menace a few years ago. I had a lot of fun and I think anybody that can watch it without taking it too seriously will too.

Links: Speed Racer(IMDb) Speed Racer (Wikipedia) Trailer