I was amazed by the high quality of this movie, and by how much I genuinely enjoyed it. I don't know anything about the Stormbreaker comic books, video games, or other geek, dork, nerd or teenage fetishes. Thus, I was a bit hesitant to go, after reading so many reader posts on the IMDb message boards regarding such topics. Because I like and respect Bill Nighy and Steven Fry and Alicia Silverstone so much, I decided to chance it. I was a bit shocked, not just that I endured it, nor even that it was somehow 'OK', but rather by the absolute top-notch and 'Speilberg-esque' high quality it was! I'd only say that because of the bubble-gummer advance buzz, though. Without that, I'd have just said it was excellent and stupendous, etc.
True, the male lead is a kid. He plays a 14 year-old. Just now, after having seen it, I checked online, and that kid really was only 15 when the movie was filmed. Dang! Kid seemed more like 20. But whatever. I had expected a bit of smugness--- like a 'Cody Banks' teenie-bopper thing. There wasn't any.
This movie had a great sense of humor--- Bill Nighy was hilarious! Steven Fry was dry and droll and delightful as ever. And Alicia Silverstone was feminine AND strong at the same time. She was at her charming best. I note this because at times she has been asked to portray some really--- let's say, to be polite--- 'cranky' ladies. Not this time. What a babe! Missy Pyle--- whom we first saw in the wonderful 'Galaxy Quest', was also a hoot. The overall tone wasn't a spoof, but did have a satisfying sense of wonder, which is a near neighbor to whimsy.
I will state now that I do NOT like James Bond movies, and I find the Mission Impossible series tedious and terribly smug and dull. The gadgets and spy stuff here was clever and engaging, in contrast. Dunno how they did that, exactly. Note the subtle humor in 'Spy Kids', and the 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and 'The Last Crusade'. That type of humor totally respects the audience, as does 'Stormbreaker'. That type of a real sense of 'fun', without resorting to the annoying narcissism that can characterize so many 'concept' movies, or movies with kids who think they are TOOOOO cool. You know, the Tragically Hip.
So--- 'Stormbreaker' was thrilling, truly. It was delightful--- Micky O-Rouke hasn't been this good in... forever? All the other great actors doing their bits, however small, merely added to it. The actual kids (sorry if you're 14 or 15 yourself, but hey, by definition, that's a 'kid') were in NO way annoying. They just seemed to be likable, talented, and gutsy. It was funny, it was exciting... but I repeat myself.
Bottom line: a great and worthwhile piece of movie mastery for ALL audiences! I gave it a well deserved 10 out of 10. Go see it--- you'll have a great time.
عرض المزيد 
