BEAU GESTE (1926)

I know it's not the last day of the month but I'm going away tomorrow so I'm ending Herbert Brenon as our Director Of The Month today. I was originally going to end it with a review on his film "Peter Pan" but sadly I'm having trouble getting a hold of it, so I'm  instead ending the Month with this film...


Three Brothers join the infamous French Foreign Legion after one of them has stolen a priceless gem from their adoptive family. While fighting in the deserts of North Africa, the brothers face the dangers of war epically when dealing with their cruel commander.


 

I like the concept and ideas to the story. I like how the film opens up with the aftermath of the climatic battle leaving the viewers with questions that will soon be answered as the film plays on. I like the foreshadows to the events that will later happen in the film. I like that our Three main characters will take part in the French Foreign Legion. It really does have a solid story, with that said the film does sadly fall a little flat. Our characters in the film really don't interest me and nor does the film feel like it's trying to make the characters appeal to us. They're just kind of there and hardly share any chemistry between each other. Even the actors don't make the characters look or act interesting, they look kind of bored and it really pains me because some of the actors portraying them are up and coming actors who will later be popular such as Oscar winner Ronald Coleman, Neil Hamilton (Commissioner Gordon in the 60s "Batman" show) and William Powell (The Thin Man).



The cinematography is ok. Comparing it to the previous films I reviewed of Brenon's works it can really be good, epically the shots of the army riding in the desert. Sometimes I wonder if some of these shots inspired the epic classic "Lawrence Of Arabia". However, with that said the majority of these shots are not all that amazing. The fight scenes in the film are very anti climatic and don't really seem epic or sad. By the way, the Fort being caught on fire in the opening looks like a model? The music doesn't really give the film any drama or make a scene become thrilling, it mostly sounds like the calm music you'd hear in "Mister Roger's Neighborhood".

As much as I dislike the film, I actually don't think it's not all that terrible. The story is good, some of the shots are nice and the casting is good. If the actors and the film gave the characters more character, had a better score and had more good cinematography, the film would be a hit and a classic. This film is not a bad film but it's not a great film either.

RATING 3/5

And that's the end of Herbert Brenon being the Director Of The Month. Well looking at these films, he doesn't seem like to be a good Director, however, most of his films are lost and he's made over a hundred films, so who knows maybe the films I just reviewed aren't his strongest and the majority of his other films are better. If I find anymore of his films in the future, I'll defiantly review them.

SPIDER-MAN THE 60'S ANIMATED SERIES PILOT EPISODES

Well here it is, the first time Spider-Man has ever appeared in the media of film and TV...


Yes the 60's animated show created by the great Ralph Bakshi is indeed the first time Spider-Man has ever appeared on film and TV and yes I will be reviewing the two Pilot episodes.

THE THEME SONG


You remember hearing that Spider-Man theme song that goes "Spider-Man, Spider-Man, does what ever a spider can"? That's where it came from. Just like the Batman theme song to the 60's show, it's catchy while at the same time setting up that campy comic book tone. As for the animation in the intro, comparing it to Bakshi's future work it's not so good. However, it is a 60's cartoon for TV made to look like a comic book with a small budget so I guess I'll let it slide, but I hold no promises.I will admit I did like that the famous line"Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man" appeared on the lens of the camera after taking a picture and I love how he swings into the last shot before it fades out. Overall not a bad opening to the show and the theme song is pretty cool.

THE POWER OF DR.OCTOPUS





Spider-Man gets captured by Dr.Octopus along with The Daily Bugle's reporter Betty Brant. Dr.Octopus plans to destroy the city with hidden bombs under the city, can Spider-Man stop him...minor spoiler alert, NO HE FAILS!

Our main hero Spider-Man, I feared this as a child and now my fear has come face to face with me...Spider-Man is boring. First off his design as Peter Parker, he looks like he's in his 30's then being a young teenage adult. The hot design for Peter in the 90's cartoon looked better than this. His voice doesn't help either, he sounds like he's 40 or older. When we see him as Spider-Man, good god is his voice dull and wooden. It doesn't even come close to sounding like a young adult in a costume or something heroic, it sounds like the voice actor is doing a melodramatic crime drama on the radio. I know this is the first time Spider-Man has ever appeared in the media and that they're trying to develop him but I'm sorry when you're leading hero is suppose to be a young adult but sounds and looks like a man way past the age the character is depicted, it's completely out of place.

Next is our villain Dr.Octopus in his first ever appearance in the media. Even though his design is some what creepy and actually has a voice with personality, he still rubs off as bland and boring villain. The reporter Betty Brent who looks a lot like Mary Jane is bland and boy did I forget her fast. Finally my favorite supporting character, the Boss of the Bugle J. Jonah Jameson is he good, no I actually feel like the voice actor is holding back on him.The animation, while having a good comic book looking world it really looks bad. I mean the show "Scooby Doo" had better animation then this. It looks very stiff, very bland, very cardboard cut out looking and it's boring and dull. From the critic who was alright with an American James Bond in the characters first appearance in the media, this is a very boring and dull start for Spider-Man.

RATING 1/5

SUB-ZERO FOR SPIDEY


There's ice in New York City during the summer and every thing's frozen. Is Mr.Freeze the special guest villain? Actually no, Spider-Man is versing these weird frozen block like creatures and they kidnap Dr. Smarty. Can Spider-Man save him?

Watching this second installment to the series, I noticed something about the voice actor voicing Spider-Man.I can tell the actor is some what trying to sound young as Peter Parker but he quickly gives up and goes back to his boring roots. I also noticed that his Spider-Man voice is deeper from Peter's voice, I guess that would be kind of cool and could probably work but the disguised voice sounds more boring then heroic. The villains are threatening but very ridiculous looking and the plot twist to these characters don't redeem anything from what they done. The kidnapped victim Dr. Smarty, man can I careless for the character and his cry for help doesn't even sound like he's in trouble at all. Oh and the cameos of Betty Brant and Jameson, they're just as down played as they are in the first episode.

The animation has gotten a little better. I like that we see more of Spider-Man Web slinging, crawling on buildings and I like some of frozen effects but with that said, it's still boring. As a matter of fact, the animation is actually laughably bad. Whenever Spider-Man walks toward the screen, he gives the most awkward walk I've ever seen.When we see Peter at home putting on his costume, I can almost swear that Peter's skin color has darkened a bit. It's slightly better than the first one but it's still just as bad.

RATING 1/5


To my surprise the show has an outro theme song which is catchy but here's the surprise, it's actually better than the shows intro. We actually see Spider-Man fighting villains and swinging around the city, that's actually better than the intro we were given. I was actually more sucked in by the shows outro then intro. Why couldn't that be the intro?

OVERALL

I really want to like it or appreciate it for being the first time that Spider-Man has ever entered the media but it just doesn't work. This show is the best example of the main reason why I stayed away from Superheroes as a kid. It's boring, it's campy, it's dull, the characters and villains are bland and very one dimensional, the action and animation is not amusing and the fact that the show was done by the great Ralph Bakshi kind of hurts me inside. All that holds up is the theme song, that's it. Maybe the series will get better but based on these two episodes I don't know if there's any hope in me.

RATING 1/5

DISNEY'S ALADDIN

 

A street rat named Aladdin finds a Magic Lamp that summons a powerful Genie that gives him three wishes. After falling in love with a Princess he met, he decides to use his wishes to win her heart. However, the Sultan's Royal Vizier Jafar, seeks the Lamp and plans to use it so he can become powerful and rule the world.



I'm going to say this about Aladdin, out of all animated Disney heroes, he is by far the best. He's smart, he's clever, he's likable, he's funny, he cares for people and he's relatable. Those are great characteristics for a leading male, especially in a Disney film. I know there are other good ones in the past, such as Tramp, Basil, Robin Hood and Peter Pan; but Aladdin takes the spotlight from all the other previous heroes even the heroes that followed after this film. While also being very smart and caring, he also learns an important message in life (Which is also the films moral) be yourself and don't try to be someone you're not. Oh, and the fact that Aladdin is voiced by Scott Weinger from "Full House" (Whether you like the show or not) is really cool.

The love interest Princess Jasmine. I'm really glad that they decided to take this character to the same route as they did with Ariel in "The Little Mermaid" and Belle in "Beauty And The Beast". She's not some princess that sits around, sings about wanting something more, and hopes that "someday her dream prince will come", no she is the exact opposite. She hates being a Princess; turns away every Prince that comes to her; and actually escapes the Palace with no deal, no help, no regrets, or second thoughts. Out of all Disney Princesses aside from being the hottest, she's the toughest. She doesn't take any of that crap that's given to her and she can be very demanding. Alright with that said, she does go back to her world and stays there and she can also be a damsel in distress on maybe 1 or 2 occasions, but at least she proves to be tough and as smart as Aladdin. Speaking of Aladdin, the chemistry between them is great. Yeah, they do become lovers in the three day course, but their love is there and one of the things that makes it work is the two both share the same dream which is wanting something better then being trapped in the world they're in.



Now the Villain, Jafar. Jafar is one of the best Disney villains that Disney's ever created. He carry's nearly everything we enjoy from a Disney villain. He's smart, he's suttle, he's funny, he's threatening, he's scary, he's powerful, he's demanding, he's classy and my goodness is he up there with Maleficent, Frollo and Ursula. He also has a very dark and cool looking design; he keeps altering his appearance; he has great powers; he has villainous henchman along with his talking parrot; and his voice is completely awesome!






All the supporting characters are some of Disney's most comical characters of all time. First, there's Aladdin's sidekick Abu the Monkey, who's not only funny, but is also cute and a major hot head, and all of that combines perfectly with this character. I also love seeing him in his Elephant form as well. Next, there's Aladdin's Magic Carpet and what really amazes me about this character is it doesn't talk nor have a face. Its personality is all expressed in movement which works extremely well. Then we have Jasmine's father the Sultan voiced by Douglas Seale and this character is really enjoyably goofy and dumb, while at the same time having a good heart. Jafar's Parrot voiced by Gilbert Gottfried; out of all Gottfried's acting and voice acting roles, this is not just his greatest performance, but it's also the character we all know him best as with his great comedic timing, hot head personality and Parrot like voice. As for Jasmine's pet Tiger, well Rajah is perhaps a cute character but not too memorable. Out of all characters in this film, the one we all remember the most is the Genie voiced by Robin Williams. What's there not to like or enjoy about this character and performance? He's always over the top; has great comedic timing; has jokes for kids and adults; clever pop culture references that are still funny; great impersonations; a lovable personality; and a character you can feel pity for. This character is not only one of Williams best performances, but it's also (In my opinion) thee best comical side character in all of Disney history that can never be topped! Oh, and Robin Williams performance as the Merchant who opens the story at the beginning is also fun too and indeed sets up the film's tone.



The songs, good god are they all memorable and something you can at least hum too. The song "Arabian Nights" that opens the film is epic, and yes, I am really happy that Disney cut out that unnecessary violent and controversial line in the song. Aladdin's song "One Jump Ahead" is very fun and catchy and does have a beautiful reprise. The Genies songs "Friend Like Me" and "Prince Ali" are all fun, enjoyable and has some great imagery and jokes during the numbers. The villain's song "Prince Ali Reprise" is very short, but man does the villain really sell out that number. Finally the love song "A Whole New World" is very beautiful, very catchy, very romantic, very magical, and is one of Disney's best.




The thing that really broke ground for Disney is its modern fantasy setting with over the top cartoonish humor and pop cultural references. It didn't just start a new idea for Disney, but I can't think of another 2-D animated Disney film that does it as well as this. The film is also one of those rare adventure Disney films for boys like "Peter Pan" or "The Great Mouse Detective". It has everything boys would love to see in an adventure film such as having great action, a great evil villain, over the top humor, treasure, lava, fantasy adventure like settings, and so on. Personally, I think it's Disney's best adventure film for boys. Not to say there's not plenty of things in the film for girls to enjoy. I just feel like the film was aimed more for a boy audience. As for the animation, it's awesome. Again, I love the modern fantasy setting; I love the use of colors; I love some of the computer animation; I love the visuals for Robin William's humor; and I love the Hidden Disney Easter Eggs that were put in the film.

I really think it's one of Disney's best. The hero is great; the Princess is great; the villain is nasty; the supporting characters are funny; the songs are unforgettable; the animation is epic; the comedic modern fantasy look and style is outstanding; and it has plenty of action. It's really one of Disney's best and defiantly still holds up as a great Disney film!

RATING 5/5