Spec Ops: The Line

Spec Ops: The Line

Having not played a videogame besides CoD4 and FIFA in a long time, and hearing nothing but good things about it on the GiantBomb Cast, I decided to buy the game on the cheap, as it was anything but a sales hit on release. Published by 2k Games - the same company who published Bioshock - it's a modern war shooter set in Dubai, and heavily focuses on the moral implications, and ramifications, of Western involvement without localised Middle-Eastern settings, especially those where it seems cultural differences are misinterpreted by the Western world.

Whilst the gameplay mechanics are unremarkable and oft times it feels like the game is actively punishing you within close-quarter scenarios, each weapon feels unique, the health regeneration is favourable to the player, and the simplistic nature of the shooting itself allows the gamer to take a pick-up-and-play attitude to the game, which is certainly suitable at the beginning of the game, if not later on.

As the game's story unravels, it becomes clear that all is not as it first seemed, and that the people presumed to have been in control are instead powerless, leading to some interesting in-game choices, and a very intriguing finale. The moments leading up to this end-game point were specifically mentioned by the Giantbomb crew as being pretty much the sole reason to play the game, and you can certainly understand the reasoning behind this, considering the ramifications said scenarios could have had, if they had been included in, say, a game like Call of Duty, Grand Theft Auto or just about any other mainstream game involving shooting. I won't spell out what happens, but it is unlike anything I've ever played in my time as a videogamer.

That said, this particular moment does not really impact on the game as an overall package. It doesn't particularly have a say on the game's quality, gameplay or actual standing as an example of a shooter, so in a sense it's almost irrelevant. It's more a talking point within the gaming spectrum, and a moral pendulum.

As a standalone game (now most likely available everywhere at budget price), Spec Ops: The Line is an unremarkable but fairly enjoyable third person shooter, complete with an intriguing storyline, and unlike others within the same genre, it at least makes the player think, which in the current climate, is saying something.

7/10

Disturbia

If we're going to be blunt about it, Disturbia is a remake of Rear Window, for the MTV generation. With Shia Lebouf as the leading man, put under house arrest and developing a crush on his new neighbour, something sinister seems to be afoot in a nearby house.

For all the criticism Lebouf gets as being a one-dimensional ladykiller, as opposed to a genuinely decent actor in his own right, he does a terrific job in this instance. Having been a very watchable and appealing lead actor in Even Stevens, and extremely likeable in Transformers, it feels like he's never really been given the chance to fill out a meaty role of any real substance, always erring on the side of caution when it comes to roles.

Even if that remains the case with Disturbia, it's not a film which is in any way bad, lacking or particularly offensive. It's more that it doesn't really try to do anything new, but as remakes go, that's not exactly groundbreaking news.

7/10

[REC]3

[REC]3

As a huge fan of [REC] and an apologist for [REC]2, I did not have high hopes for the third chapter in the series. Historically, the third iterations in franchises are not exactly barnstormers, and with the storyline and location changing completely herein, it was always bound to spell disaster.

It does.

Set at a wedding, a zombie outbreak occurs, and the protagonists - the happy couple - must break free from the infected, and reunite.

Ditching the handicam style of the first two in the series was an error in itself, as it negates any real sense of danger, tension or indeed horror. With a leading couple no one really cares about, dialogue being spoken in a foreign language (a big gamble with English-speaking audiences, hence the US remake of the first film) and a heavy focus on religion, [REC]3 doesn't really do anything well. In fact, the only real positive about the film is just how stunning the lead female is. Genuinely attractive.

Even if you look past the errors in logic, and worst of all - the ending - it's just not a very good film.

At all.

3/10

Detachment

Detachment

Adrien Brody has always been a fine actor. Detachment is perhaps one of the best examples of his work.

As a suffering teacher, put under emotional strain by the fact that his father is gravely ill and requiring near-round the clock medical attention, he strikes out at those around him, seemingly without realising that his actions reflect the very nature of the problems he has to face within his own job. He shouts at nurses, who simply want to help his father, and yet struggles to see why his pupils hate their work and hate the schooling environment.

Whilst the film provides good observation on the nature of teaching, and of the knock-on effect it has on those involved with the sector, it takes a very cynical slant and is extremely blunt in its perspective, which for some could be off-putting and will certainly not appeal to many.

Even so, Brody is the star, and rightly so.

8/10

Seeing to the backlog

In recent months, my ability to actually review films with any real coherence, enjoyment or sense of polish has been somewhat stunted, for no genuine reason whatsoever. Perhaps it's simply that I'm watching more films than ever, within a confined period, that leaves me with a diminishing appreciation for films as a medium.

Whatever the reason is, have a few reviews from a couple of months ago. Some good, some less so.

                                                 

                                                            The Amazing Spiderman

With Emma Stone, Andrew Garfield and Martin Sheen on-board for this pseudo re-shoot, it seemed like a lot was expected from the film. However, it seemed like no one actually bothered to care, what with The Dark Knight Rises being released within the same month, and with no real fanfare, Spidey was left overlooked.

Whilst the film itself is an inoffensive, and fairly entertaining romp - with some great fight scenes in amongst it all - it feels like it's missing a certain edge. A certain je ne sais quoi. Something to make you care. Even with a highly emotive story arc, and a very well realised ending, it's just not a remarkable film in any sense. 

Which is a tragic shame, even for a blockbuster.

6/10