Kill List - Phil's Five Words for Films

Kill List   If you don't have any questions at the beginning of this low budget, British 'horror' film, you certainly will by the end.  There are two well-judged performances by Neil Maskell and Michael Smiley as they star in the lead roles of Jay and Gal, ex-army friends who teeter on the edge of violence, masquerading as salesmen whilst providing a hit man service.   Kill List.  Sounds straight forward doesn't it?  Directed by Ben Wheatley, the dialogue is fast, furious and often witty whilst some of the scenes are extremely gruesome and tough to watch.  Kill List is billed as a horror but for the majority of the film it is just toe-curlingly tense and uncomfortable.  There are some great moments within the film ( the encounter between Jay, Gal and a god-squad in a hotel restaurant is a classic ) but on the whole, the film does just enough to keep you watching as it spirals towards it's annoying ending.   I'm not going to pretend that Kill List is a great film because it isn't, but it is a brave, unsettling, intriguing and frustrating piece of work that will have you wondering what you have just watched and whether you should have bothered.  It will spark conversation, It will divide people in to groups, those who love it and those who hate it.  I'm somewhere in the middle.  If you make it to the end, ask yourself this - why did she smile?  Thank You.
6 out of 10
Cert 18 ( uk)
2011.

The Dark Knight Rises - Phil's Five Words for Films

The Dark Knight Rises  Christopher Nolan's third Batman film has had a lot of hype and publicity recently and, coupled with the fact that the previous films had set the bar so high, there was always a chance that TDKR could struggle to wrap up the trilogy in an explosive and tidy fashion.  There is no denying that Nolan's final instalment is a good film that does everything asked of it but for me, some aspects are disappointing.  All the big moments in the film are either very predictable, hugely signposted or lack any real punch or development ( the return of Batman / Anarchy in Gotham / Alfred's dream / Bruce Wayne's prison re-birth / Detective Blake's story / Selina's story and Bane's back story all just played out with no real ka-pow ). Anne Hathaway does well as Selina but her character fails to truly develop.  Michael Caine ( Alfred ) tries to give the film some heart but only succeeds in standing out too much.  Bane's rasping voice is distracting, sounding like a badly amplified Darth Vadar impression.  The plot is the weakest of Nolan's three films but the production, effects and spectacle are the biggest.  The result is a huge, impressive, slightly messy and baggy  film that never really excels.  I sound like I didn't enjoy the film and that would be completely untrue - I was just not blown away by it.  TDKR is a good film that rounds off a great trilogy nicely but doesn't do it without a few problems and holes.  Better than ok.

7.5 out of 10
Cert 12A ( uk )
2012

Tyrannosaur - Phil's Five Words for films

Tyrannosaur Hard hitting in every sense of the words, Tyrannosaur is a brutal, British film that explores violence and rage and their effect on human relationships.  Peter Mullen, Olivia Colman and Eddie Marsan all act their socks off in this brilliant but disturbing debut film from director Paddy Considine.  Mullen plays Joseph, an angry, violent man caught up in a cycle of drinking, betting and fighting who suddenly finds himself in the company of Hannah ( Colman ), a charity shop worker with a strong faith and an abusive husband ( Marsan ).  Joseph and Hannah strike up an unlikely and needy friendship that always seems doomed to end in violence.   It's not a film for the faint-hearted, easily offended or sensitive dog lovers but the central performances are so good that even the scenes of extreme abuse and language are compelling viewing.  From the opening scenes, which see Joseph being ejected from a bookies, to the bleak Yorkshire setting, it feels like only a matter of time before the underlying tensions explode and the anger is released.  Make no mistake about it, Tyrannosaur is not an easy film to watch but it is powerful, brutal and strangely touching.

8.5 out of 10.

Cert 18 (uk).

2011.

The Awakening - Phil's Five Words for Films

The Awakening  Despite some solid performances and the type of backdrops you would expect from a BBC funded period drama, this British 1920's supernatural tale never really hits the mark.  Set at a time when millions of people had lost loved ones and were desperate to hold on to memories or contact the missing, Rebecca Hall plays Florence Cathcart, a Myth-busting investigator intent on exposing con artists claiming to be 'in touch' with the world of spirits.  Sent in to investigate a recent death at a Cumbrian boarding school and claims of ghostly sightings, Florence soon finds herself at the centre of the action. Along with Dominic West and Imelda Staunton, Hall does a credible job of drawing a little tension out of the storyline but the scares are few and far between and the plot twists are so ridiculous, leaving too many holes and unanswered questions.  There is a nicely handled 'Doll's House' device that worked well but on the whole, there are plenty of films in the same genre that have more to them.  If you want to see this film done better, then watch 'The Others', 'The Orphanage' or even 'The Woman in Black'.  Although not a bad film, there are too many holes, not enough atmosphere and ultimately it is relatively toothless and unsatisfying.

5.5 out of 10

Cert 15(uk)

2011.

The Guard - Phil's Five Words for Films

The Guard  Brendan Gleeson is at his superb, sweary best in this low-key cops 'n 'robbers, dark comedy set deep in the wild west of Ireland.  A group of international drug smugglers are trying to land a boat full of merchandise, right under the nose of the FBI and local police, most of whom have been paid off.  Can one stubborn, old school Irish copper stand in their way?  It is rare these days for a film to be given an 18 certificate (uk) largely for its use of language but here Gleeson crackles and spits out the witty dialogue and doesn't seem to care about putting a few noses out of joint.  It's all about the banter.  It is testament to the script and great central performances by Gleeson and Don Cheadle that such a basic idea reaches a satisfying ending and has us caring about the characters despite their obvious lack of likeability.  The final, wild west shoot-out is not taken too far as sometimes happens and the last scene leaves you with a smile on your face.  The stark setting and characters bristle with energy and the overall feel of the film is one of friendship and redemption.  Pleasing, gritty and full of dirty charm.

7.5 out of 10

18 cert (uk)

2011.

The Cabin in the Woods - Phil's Five Words for Films

The Cabin in the Woods  Five college friends head in to the woods for a drink and drugs weekend, blissfully unaware that their every move is being watched and that they fit perfectly in to the stereotypical 'horror film victim' niche understood by all fans.  As they discover one-way mirrors and a hidden basement full of torture implements it looks like the film can only be heading in one direction.  That is until someone pushes one red button and then all hell breaks loose.  Literally.  Enough said.  It's a B-movie of an idea, given plenty of money and TLC by people who obviously enjoy the genre.  Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, who have been responsible for the likes of Buffy and Cloverfield, have created a good genre piece that manages to be both amusing and shocking whilst poking at the conventions of horror films.  Likeable characters and script are slightly let down by some average special effects and the film is neither as groundbreaking or clever as some seem to think it is.  A good opening premise is followed up by a good gory romp and the film is enjoyable from start to end.  Think 'Evil Dead meets Scooby-Doo' and you won't be far off.  Daft apocalyptic teen horror.

6.5 out of 10.

Cert 15 (uk).

2012.

Real Steel - Phil's Five Words for Films.

Real Steel  The best thing to be said about Real Steel is that the special effects are seamless and there are lots of robots hitting each other.  Hugh Jackman plays Charlie, a self-obsessed, washed up, ex-boxer who now buys / builds robots and controls them in the lower leagues of future-America's new favourite sport - Robot Boxing.  Due to some dodgy plot contrivances, Charlie finds himself broke and having to look after his estranged 10 year old son ( Dakota Goyo ) who is not only a genius robot builder but also a precocious fight promoter with a vulnerable side, desperate to believe in his new Dad.  Together they recycle a small sparring robot called 'Atom' ( not Adam, as I thought for half the film ) from a scrapheap and embark on a journey to defeat the World Champion robot - Zeus - a pantomime villain, built by the Japanese and owned by Russian mobsters.  Can the dysfunctional, all-American boys rally behind their underdog Atom and beat the nasty foreign people?  I will not give it away.  Transformers meet Rocky.  It's as daft as a bag of frogs but short enough and quirky enough to pass by harmlessly and even be good fun in parts.  Playing the "who paid most for product placement" game will help if you are struggling.  Silly fun for some of the family.

5.5 out of 10

Cert 12A (uk).

2011.

The Woman in Black - Phil's Five Words for Films

The Woman in Black   Having been given a 12A certificate by the BBFC, I was slightly dubious whether or not this spooky tale could really deliver any good shocks and scares.  I needn't have worried.  There were several occasions when I had the spine-tingles and a couple of set pieces that had me jumping out of my chair ( at one point my choice of language was far from 12A ).  It's all good ghostly fun.  Daniel Radcliffe plays the youthful looking widower Arthur Kipps, a lawyer sent in to tidy up the legal affairs of a recently deceased woman.  The locals are hostile towards his presence at Eel Marsh House ( a proper Gothic haunted manor cut off at high tide ) and Kipps' sightings of a woman in black are soon linked to the deaths of children in the village.  There are ghostly noises, moving furniture, faces in windows and spooky children and it is all put together in that 'Hammer - Houses of Horror' way.  There is very little gore or horror but the atmosphere of the film is perfectly judged.  It's more about the things you don't see than the things you do.  Like a good, old fashioned campfire ghost story, it is how the story is told that can be the truly scary thing.  Daniel Radcliffe does well in his first major roll since the H.P films, delivering a solid performance and a guaranteed young audience for the film.   'The Woman in Black' could so easily have been given a 15 certificate and I thought the final scenes were slightly wasted but fans of spine -tingles everywhere should enjoy this tidy tale of spirit rage. Atmospherically jumpy.

7.5 out of 10

Cert 12A (uk)

2011

Paranormal Activity 3 - Phil's Five Words for Films

Paranormal Activity 3  The third outing for the P.A franchise is a pre-prequel, being set in the late 1980's and centring on the same sisters from the original film and follow up. ( P.A 1 + 2 reviewed here and here ).  We watch as the young sisters and their parents are subjected to the kind of haunting experience you would not forget in a hurry.  But it seems that they did forget and therein lies the main problem with the film.  Whereas the first two P.A films were nicely tied together, the third seems to have been tacked on in an attempt to justify another film.  Did the normal, well adjusted sisters of the original film really forget about this kind of childhood?  Me thinks not.  Something about brainwashing or amnesia was put forward but, for me it was a little forced.  Directed by Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman who brought us "Catfish" in 2009  ( reviewed here ), PA3 is more of the same uncomfortable silences, supernatural rumblings and loud bangs but has less tension and more comic edge to the shocks.  Having said that, there are a few good scares to be had and the roving VHS camera worked well as a tension building device.  If you enjoyed the other films and can ignore the holes in the plot, then PA3 has some good jumps and is worth a watch.  If you haven't been a fan, then I don't think there's anything new to help change your mind.

5.5 out of 10.

Cert 15 (uk)

2011.

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy - Phil's Five Words for Films

Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy  There is no doubt that TTSS is a beautiful looking film, lovingly directed by Tomas Alfredson ( Let the Right One In - reviewed here ) but with its Cold War setting, pedestrian pacing and hushed dialogue, it is a film that requires total concentration.  Anyone expecting an action spy thriller will be very disappointed and anyone who has not read the Le Carre book or seen a previous version of the tale will need to work hard to keep up.  As a period piece, it looks and sounds great and Gary Oldman is moody, sombre and brilliant as George Smiley, a retired spy master hunting a mole within his team.  TTSS is packed with fine performances and directorial touches but the story is almost lost in the background of intrigue and mistrust.  There has been a lot of praise for TTSS but with a slow, dense 2 hour run time, it certainly will not be a film for everyone.  I enjoyed it but it's not an edge of your seat spy thriller, more an 'are you sitting comfortably',  thoughtful, puzzle of a drama.  Hard going.

7.5 out of 10.

Cert 15 (uk)

2011. Out now.

The Muppets - Phil's Five Words for Films

The Muppets  Just as the world had seemingly forgotten about the Muppets, Walter, their greatest fan discovers a maniacal plot to buy and tear down the Muppet theatre as oil is found beneath it. The only hope of saving the historic building is to reunite the old friends and put on one last inspirational, muppetational show.  So Walter and his friends, Gary and Mary, meet with a slightly depressed Kermit and get things started.  There's buckets of nostalgia, loads of famous cameos, singing chickens, old and new faces, Oscar winning songs and farting shoes.  What is not to like?  It's full of joy, laughs gently at itself and leaves you feeling glad to see the old gang back together again, cracking jokes, bursting into song and putting on a show.  All the old favourites are here, given a modern twist with some sharp writing.  It makes for a great family film.  The gang have been away for over a decade and the greatest challenge for the latest muppets film was to appeal to a new generation without trampling on the memories of those old enough to remember their previous outings.  Do they succeed?  Yes, of course they do.  Waccawacca.

8.5 out of 10.
Cert U. (uk) 2012 

War Horse - Phil's Five Words for Films

War Horse Somewhere between 'Saving Private Ryan' and 'Babe' is where you will find Steven Spielberg's latest war epic. When you do find it, it will be sitting in the middle of an orchestra pit covered in treacle and dusted with sugar, trying too hard to make you laugh and cry and then running off to talk to someone else. I may not be the target audience for this film but I just found it too broken up, too bitty to care about and utterly predictable. The book is apparently told from the horse's view point and maybe that helps keep some continuity, but the characters in the film come and go too quickly. John Williams' score lets you know in advance when it is time to say goodbye to a friend or laugh at a goose and the whole thing is shot in glorious, sickly Emotivision. The battle scenes are huge, epic and well done but fall short of being classic and the emotion-by-numbers approach just left me feeling manipulated - and not in a good way. More sad looking horse close-ups than a SJP film and too many sugary cliches for me. I'm not a horse person but I expected to care more than I did. Just go the whole-hog and make the horse speak. Over-sentimentalised.

5.5 out of 10 ( mainly for the huge production )
Cert 12A ( uk ).
2011.

Hugo - Phil's Five Words for Films

Hugo (seen in 3D) Set in Paris and brimming with British acting talent, Martin Scorsese's latest film takes us in to the magical world of cinema and childhood adventure. Scorsese obviously cares passionately about the history of film and has used the latest 3D technology to create a beautiful looking homage to early cinema and storytelling. Most of the year's 3d efforts have been disappointing but here it certainly adds to the lavish backdrops and is nicely tied in to the history of film production. There are some great performances, most noticeably Asa Butterfield ( Hugo ), Sacha Baron Cohen ( Station Master) and Ben Kingsley ( George Melies ) but it is the history and visuals of the film that really stick with you. The story seems slightly plodding in places and lacking a little emotionally - it is difficult to put your finger on what is missing here. All the ingredients are there but, for me, it didn't quite have the magic I was hoping for - I doubt I would sit through it twice. A pleasant story that looks great but lacks just a little magic.

7.5 out of 10
Cert U. (uk)
2011

[Rec]2 - Phil's Five Words for Films

Rec2 Having watched, loved and reviewed the first film ( here ) I was looking forward to finally seeing the second in the Spanish horror series. Taking place almost immediately after the end of the first film, we follow a team of soldiers as they enter the same condemned building to search for and document evidence. Armed with a video camera and helmet-cams, we watch as the action unfolds. Where the first film triumphed was its basic and low budget approach to scaring people - there is something in the dark that is going to get you. It seems that in making the follow up film, they have forgotten how effective this was and instead decided to throw everything at you in the hope that it scares. There are machine guns, helicopters, grenades, religious mumbo-jumbo, invisible rooms and at times it looks and feels more like a computer shoot'em-up than a horror film. There are still some good scares to be had here but I felt that too much was added in, almost trying too hard. The result is a louder, weaker, less tense horror experience that left me slightly disappointed. Good sequels should compliment and add to the original - Rec2 is not a bad film but not in the same league as the first.

6.5 out of 10.
Cert 18 (uk ).
2009.

Contagion - Phil's Five Words for Films

Contagion An all-star cast cough and splutter their way through Steven Soderbergh's sobering look at the effects of a worldwide pandemic virus on society and human nature. Gwyneth Paltrow plays Beth Emhoff, the first victim of a new strain of virus spread by human contact and Soderbergh wastes no opportunity to pray on the paranoia of the 'antibacterial generation'. There are plenty of lingering close-ups of doorhandles, work surfaces, bar snacks and sneezing as we watch the rapid spread of the fast acting debutant. Matt Damon, Laurence Fishburne, Jude Law and Kate Winslet amongst others, give solid performances as the story unfolds. Within days, millions are infected and society begins to deconstruct as governments struggle to contain the outbreak. The film has just as much to say about the spread of rumour and panic via the Internet as it does about bacterial infection as illness footage and untested on-line cures travel just as quickly across the globe. There is little emotion or action to speak of and the film plays out in quite a factual and stark manor, feeling more like a sombre 'best case scenario' film prepared by government scientists. If it's "ActionVirus" you want, go and rent the 1995 film 'Outbreak'. If you want an insight in to just what may happen in the event of a long overdue pandemic, then Contagion is well worth a watch - just don't go if you have a cold.

7.5 out of 10
Cert 12A (uk)
2011.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II - Phil's Five Words for Films

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part II So it all ends. 7 books, 400 million copies. 8 films, $6billion turnover, 1 incredible, long-lasting cast and 9 academy award nominations. Surely now is the time for this amazing series of films to be given the recognition they deserve and finally be awarded a bag full of Oscars. The new film rattles through the action and neatly pulls together all the strands of this amazing story as Harry and friends do battle with 'you-know-who' for one last time. There is a great balance to the film, with moments of humour and love set against a backdrop of sadness and tragedy. I still think that HP3 - The Prisoner of Azkaban- is the best of the bunch but the cinematography and effects have improved greatly and this latest film looks and sounds amazing. The soaring shots and epic battle scenes are like something from a war film. It's the affection for the characters and their world that really drives the films forward and any shortcomings are glossed over as the story reaches it's conclusion. The fantastic cast have really grown into their characters and the sense of loss within the film is tangable. It is the end of an era. Ten years in the making and full of energy, talent, wonder and magic, the story may well be told but the world will be with us forever. Brilliant.

9.5 out of 10
Cert 12A (uk)
2011.

Paranormal Activity 2 - Phil's Five Words for Films

Paranormal Activity 2 A prequel-sequel, PA2 concerns the events immediately before those of the first film (reviewed here) and centers on members of the same family. Cleverly tied in to the storyline of the first film, PA2 uses more CCTV footage to capture the events that unfold and relies less on handheld, home movie style. The long, repeating shots of nothing happening are there to draw you deeper in to the film, pull you closer to the action, allowing the loud bangs and crashes to do their job. Again, it is the balance between menace and anticipation that gives the film its feel. There are some good scares to be had here and at times it is nicely creepy but, on the whole, there seems to be slightly less threat than before. The challenge was to add to the success of the first film and connect the two in a way that didn't feel contrived whilst delivering some spine tingling moments - they succeed. With clever use of plot, sound, dogs and babies, PA2 is a great pre-follow-up. Definitely a must see for anyone who has seen ( and enjoyed ) PA1.

7.5 out of 10
Cert 15 (uk )
2010.

Black Swan - Phil's Five Words for Films -

Black Swan So, you think a film about ballet might not be your thing? Well, think again. You think you'll be seeing a pleasant story about dancing and twirling and beating the odds? Well, think again. Natalie Portman is absolutely brilliant as she plays Nina, a slightly unhinged young ballerina, slowly falling to pieces whilst searching for the perfect performance. After being asked to play the lead roll in Swan Lake, Nina becomes caught up in a sordid and tragic battle with the dark side of herself, her passions and her overbearing mother. Beautifully directed by Darren Aronofsky ( The Wrestler ) the film descends in to a fantastical, trippy world of hallucinations, self-harming, sexual intrigue and madness. The cinematography, score and script are all completely OTT but, coupled with the insanity at the film's heart, it works really well. Natalie Portman has surely bagged an Oscar here but Mila Kunis, Barbara Hershey and Vincent Cassel are also superb. I'm sure there are holes to be picked at but this is a dark, twisted, sometimes repulsive, psychological drama that is thrilling and completely overwhelming. Could you ask for anything more? Great cinema.

9.5 out of 10.
Cert 15 (uk).2010

The Disappearance of Alice Creed - Phil's Five Words for Films

The Disappearance of Alice Creed This is a nicely put together British thriller that twists and turns its way through a very uncomfortable opening premise and takes you on a totally unexpected journey. Eddie Marsan and Martin Compston play a couple of ex-cons who spend the first few minutes of the film silently preparing a bedroom to house a hostage. Gemma Arteton is excellent as the feisty kidnap victim and the tension between the 3 characters helps the film maintain it's uncomfortable feel throughout. The opening kidnap scenes are hard to watch and seem to be taking the film in unsavoury directions but the twists soon turn the film on it's head. First-time writer/director J Blakeson has created a minimalistic, character driven thriller reminiscent of the original 'Saw' film without the gore. It is only at the closing credits that you realise just how much has been achieved on a very limited budget. A gritty script and some fine performances draw you in to the action. Thrilling and twisty.

7.5 out of 10.
Cert 18 (uk). 2009.

Catfish - Phil's Five Words for Films -

Catfish It's difficult to review a documentary film like Catfish, that relies on the unfolding of a story to keep you hooked, without giving anything away. Even the title is designed to keep you in the dark. The film makers are either extremely lucky and opportunistic to stumble upon such an intriguing story or they have put together an extremely well made 'fake-umentary'. Either way, the story plays out beautifully and is handled with a great deal of grace and sensitivity. Nev Schulman is filmed by his brother, Ariel and his friend Henry Joost as they carefully unravel the online world he has been drawn in to. What could have been a cheap and exploitative film is crafted in to a moving snapshot of on-line relationships and Facebook ' friends'. Touching, funny, fresh and well made, this is a salutary tale of the modern cyber world. Well worth a watch.

8 out of 10.
Cert12A (uk). 2010.

An Education - Phil's Five Words for Films

An Education A nice, gentle film that is frightfully English. Full of red letter boxes and double decker buses, boating trips to Oxford and nice cups of tea. The film is based on a memoir of Lynn Barber and focuses on the relationship between a 16 year old girl, studying for university and a much older man who opens her eyes to all life has to offer. In places, the relationship seems slightly creepy and predatory but there is a fantastic acting debut by Carey Mulligan and the script, produced by Nick Hornby, trots along nicely, diverting attention away from the seedier side of the story. Well acted by all concerned and with a 60's period feel, the 'education' of Mulligan's character through schooling and life experience makes for a pleasant story, well told. A good film for a Sunday afternoon or a quiet night in. Deserving of the praise.


8 out of 10.
Cert 12A (uk). 2009

Sherlock Holmes - Phil's Five Words for Films -

Sherlock Holmes. If you imagine what Sherlock would look like if done by Guy Ritchie - then you've pretty much seen this film. It is flashy, full of slow-mo voice overs and a little bit madcap. Robert Downey Jnr plays a slightly insane version of Sherlock and spends a lot of time mumbling, fumbling with evidence and fighting off all the baddies ( he's a street fighter too ). Jude Law is relatively sensible and plays a good solid partner to the slightly deranged sleuth. After lots of loud bangs, speedy dialogue and hectic action, it all comes together in an enjoyable way. It looks great and the effects are often excellent. However, sometimes the sound is a little mixed up and hard to hear. A bit clunky in places but it rolls from one set piece to another, looks stylish and is fast-paced and entertaining. You might as well see it because there will be sequels. The BBC recently gave us a classy, quirky Holmes. Here, Guy Ritchie gives us a rock and roll Sherlock - just as you would expect.

7.5 out of 10
Cert 12 (uk). 2010.

The A Team - Phil's Five Words for Films -

The A-Team Completely over-blown remaking of the classic 80's tv show. There are plenty of explosions, leaping cars, gunfights, flying tanks and plane rides as the boys try to clear their names after a crime they didn't commit but ridiculous action sequences and brain dead set pieces can only hold your attention for so long. There just isn't enough in the film to stretch to a 2 hour run time and by the end I just didn't care any more. How about a smaller budget and a run of hour long TV episodes? The main characters are quite well cast and I'm ( sadly ) sure that we will see them again in 'A-Team II' but I pity the fool that stumps up full ticket price for that one. Some nice stunts here and there but the over-reliance on CGI, ludicrous plot and poor script really drag the film down. The 80's tv show was tongue-in-cheek fun on a shoestring budget. This latest Hollywood remake is loud, crass, soulless nonsense with too much money to burn. The plan just doesn't come together.


5 out of 10

Cert 12A (uk).2010.

Toy Story 3 - Phil's Five Words for Films -

Toy Story 3 ( seen in 3d ) It seems like such a long time ago that I was blown away by the first Toy Story film - can it really be 1995 since that first incredible journey? Well, time flies and now Andy is all grown up and heading off to college, packing his much-loved toys in to a box and consigning them to the attic. Can there be one last adventure and a happy ending for Woody et al.? Of course there can. And what a roller coaster. With a cast of new characters joining the old friends - a super camp Ken who falls for Barbie being the best of the bunch - the laughs just keep coming, you really can't help smiling. There are moments of sadness too and they are more profound and darker than the earlier films as a sense of mortality and loss is gently introduced. However, it is friendship and team work that shine through and the more adult themes are handled really well. The plot, script, jokes and voices are as perfect as ever and the whole lot is wrapped in Pixar's flawless animation - the 3d version is beautifully unobtrusive. Endlessly inventive and full of imagination, humour and heart, this is not just an outstanding film, it is a triumph as a trilogy too. Classic.

10 out of 10
Cert PG ( uk ) 2010.

The Box - Phil's Five Words for Films -

The Box A mysterious package and a curious offer. Would you push a button if it meant that somewhere in the world, a stranger died and you received a million dollars? What if you were struggling for money? What if the unknown victim was a criminal? A moral dilemma to get your teeth in to. There was some nice Prisoner-esque conspiracy in the early stages - informants with nose bleeds etc - but from a promising and intriguing opening idea, I was hoping for so much more than we actually got. The film just grinds to a halt having seemingly run out of good ideas. In an effort to jump-start the action, all manner of silliness is thrown in. Garbled stories of lightning strikes, Martian space projects, afterlife and teleportation. Directed by Richard Kelly ( Donnie Darko ), Cameron Dias, James Marsden and Frank Langella limp through the remainder of the film and it all ends as a bit of a mess. So many dead ends and hanging threads. The main premise for this film was taken from a short story by Richard Matheson and that probably worked as a snappy piece of storytelling. Here, lumbered with poor acting, an overblown soundtrack and overstretched by an hour, it doesn't. Start with the seed of a good idea and stretch it and twist it until it breaks. Snap.

4 out of 10
Cert 12A (uk) 2009