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Reviews
Bad News Bears (2005)
If you've seen the original don't waste your time here.
The original "Bad News Bears" was a hit because it was funny and even a bit shocking for it's time. Unfortunately this remake is not funny or original and only shocking in how bad it is.
The original movie had enough character development that you could relate to each of the kids and the adults. This remake does not take the time for character development and instead seems to rely on the viewers knowledge of the previous movie. The kids characters made the first movie interesting but this one chooses to ignore that fact and tries to focus on Buttermaker (Thornton). Tanner Boyle, Lupus, and Engelberg were main characters originally but are uninteresting and one dimensional in this version. While I'm sure these kids are fine actors they aren't given much of a chance to act in this film.
There is no originality in this new version. I assume a couple of very small changes, such as changing the team sponsor, were thrown in so the writers, producers and directors could claim they had not just blatantly ripped off the old movie.
Billy Bob Thornton turns in the same old performance we have seen from him before. When he is given a part that challenges him, Billy Bob seems to rise to the occasion. It is clear this part does not challenge him and his acting can only be described as "the usual."
Jeffrey Davies plays Kelly Leak and Sammi Kane Kraft is Amanda Whurlitzer. Their characters are downplayed to the point that it would be easy to forget they were even in the movie. Again, character development is non-existent and the two actors are not given anything to work with.
If you have not seen the original movie then this might not be a complete waste of your time. It is such a copy of the original movie, although not a good copy, that you might find some humor. Most, if not all, of the politically incorrect humor from the first version has been eliminated in an apparent effort to not offend.
In short, go and rent the 1976 version and enjoy the original for what it is. If you are a die hard Billy Bob Thornton fan and absolutely must see this film then wait for it on DVD and save yourself the trip to a theater.
The Incredibles (2004)
Incredibly boring!
This movie could have been so much more. Unless you're a fan of the technical aspects of animation this movie is a real letdown for all but the preteens. If you take your 8 year old to see this movie I'm sure they will enjoy it and want to see it a million more times, just look at the box office for Yûgiô. Unlike the feeling you get from the trailers and promos, that is the audience that will be attracted to this movie. I left the theater with my brain feeling numb, you know, that feeling you can get when you've spent a whole Saturday morning in front of the TV watching cartoons. The feel of the animation is better than Saturday morning cartoons but the plot is the same. The characters don't develop and the inconsistencies in the plot are horrible. It is very obvious that the creators have hopes for a long running series for these characters. I couldn't shake the thought that I was watching a pilot for a bad "Simpsons" instead of a feature length movie.
For parents of young children this movie will be great as your children will be entertained. This is doomed though to be one of those movies you will buy for your children when it comes out on DVD and then have to watch with them thousands of times. It lacks the "smart" type of humor that can transcend between both child and adult so prepare to be bored.
All in all, this is a good movie to entertain your small children but don't expect much on an adult level. 2 of 10 for the nice animation work.
Raise Your Voice (2004)
Could this have been any worse?
I don't normally comment on movies here but this one is an exception. This movie was so bad I can't believe I watched the whole thing. It is a ripoff of "Fame" and a VERY poor one at that. If they were going to make a movie about singing and music they could have at least gotten someone, anyone, who could sing. This movie is full of nothing but sour notes and predictable plot. The characters don't develop and you could care less about them. Hilary Duff does well with what she has to work with but this is bound to be her "Gigli". The voice dubs are horrible, the music bad, and the plot even worse. Avoid this stinker at all costs. 1/10