Mixing storylines of the traditional road movie with science fiction themes and a teen coming of age saga makes up the parts at play here. Some of those ideas work and others don’t and the deciding factor is often the age of the viewer. The film is very much aimed at a younger audience and will score more points with the teen crowd.

There are universal moments at work here like the selfless act of sacrificing personal ambitions for the common good. Also the act of not always taking things at face value. These are lessons absorbed often as you grow older but ones that may seem fresh at a younger age.

The science fiction ideas are downplayed (the film’s trailer to the contrary) as the human element takes centre stage. The acting is consistent but for older members of the audience there seems to be one or two details missing, ones that would have helped raise The Darkest Minds above the rest.
Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/DarkestMindsAus

Soon this newfound family realises that, in a world in which the adults in power have betrayed them, running is not enough and they must wage a resistance, using their collective power to take back control of their future.

The Darkets Minds stars AMANDLA STENBERG, MANDY MOORE and GWENDOLINE CHRISTIE – in cinemas 2 August!

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The film’s numerous faults mostly lie in the script. It’s so by the numbers, it seem Saunders wrote it in her sleep. But this misses the film’s main appeal, that of getting to hang out with Eddy and Patsy again. Saunders’ success in roping in most of the original actors from the multiple seasons of the television show also adds to the appeal. The well-chosen cameos are just icing on the cake.

The story revolves around Kate Moss; copious quantities of mind-altering substances, parties and well, that’s about it. There is no real character enlightenment and everyone seems little changed from the years since the show’s last run. Even being the feature length film that it is, it plays out more like an extended telly movie.

All these criticisms aside though, the film is just a fun trip down memory lane and keeping all the player’s narcissistic tendencies and selfish behaviours intact is the way it should be. Because who really wants to see a kinder and more mature Ab Fab?

Rob Hudson
www.facebook.com/abfabmovie

The franchise is almost universally regarded as having lost it’s way with Lucas’ prequels (um, Episodes I, II and III) but the truth is the series began running off the rails from the moment Lucas re-branded the first instalment of Star Wars Episode IV. This set in motion two decades of Lucas dicking with his baby, subjecting his movies to so much plastic surgery as to transform them into some kind of CGI-laden Frankenstein’s monster. From simple beginnings Lucas had begun complicating Star Wars to its detriment.

A look at Internet blogger and Star Wars fan, Harmy’s, meticulously (but unofficial) reconstructions of the ‘despecialised’ editions of Star Wars reveals the extent to which Lucas damaged his own property. It also reveals the extent to which fans have been pining for Star Wars to return to the form that they know and love.

With Disney acquiring the rights to Star Wars, the chance was there for the franchise to be put right and with director J. J. Abrams on board, who had already steered the ailing Star Trek franchise back on course, the formula seemed right.

And it is right. It turns out that Abrams and Disney were just what Star Wars needed. What Disney and Abrams have delivered is a fun, fast paced film that heavily references… or, if you must, downright plagiarises sequences from the first three films. Rehash or homage? Well that depends on whether you enjoy the new film as whole. I liked it a lot so I’m calling it a homage. It’s all part and parcel of pulling the franchise back onto familiar rails and this feels like pulling up a favourite warm, comfy blanket.

The film looks the goods too. Unlike The Phantom Menace and its fellow impostors, The Force Awakens feels like a Star Wars movie from the lighting, to the sets, to the costuming, to the hokey scene wipes and gasp, the real locations! Yes, it’s amazing what can be done with actual locations rather than all that CG tosh. Disney continues to revel in its modern girl-power shtick. The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, Frozen and now Rey – not the kind of gal who’ll tolerate a fella taking her by the hand and leading her out of danger – she’s in control of her own destiny. It’s an empowering message and Disney plays it with a steady hand.

The new young cast carry the film well but, let’s face it, Harrison Ford carried Star Wars. I beg your pardon, Episode IV…..and he continues to carry it now. But Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn), Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) and Oscar Isaac (Poe Dameron) are competent and will no doubt grow into their roles as Ford departs the series.

The Force Awakens is a promising start to a new era. The force is strong with this one. (Sorry).

Stuart Jamieson
www.starwars.com/the-force-awakens