Reviews

This was Norway's attempt at producing an NYPD Blue-series back home. It failed in every way.

The production value is very low and the dialogue is embarrassing at best. I don't understand how so many (quite) famous actors in Norway agreed to perform the lines as presented in the script. It is not even remotely realistic, and it is, as mentioned, painfully embarrassing to watch. I bet the real policemen and women of Oslo watch this at their annual Christmas parties and laugh at it.

It is for the best to forget that this show was ever produced.

1/10

King Kong is, as I've already said in the cliché-summary, a gigantic adventure. Not only because of the over-sized monkey, but because of..well..everything.

The story we all know. A failed movie director Carl Denham (Jack Black) and his crew sets off to an Island to shoot the one film that will be his renaissance in the business. With him, he has, amongst others, a struggling cabaret-actress Ann Darrow (Naomi Watts) and the writer Jack Driscoll (Adrien Brody). When they finally get to the island, we get introduced to our monkey, and the adventure begins.

But this isn't just your average monster-flick. You can see Peter Jackson truly loves this material, and I can honestly say that I've never felt like crying for anything computer generated until now. Jackson's Kong, (played by Andy Serkis) shows a specter of feelings that actually is better than most of the live actors. Although Jackson uses quite some time on it, establishing the relationship between Ann Darrow and Kong really pays off. It is simple screen magic, and superior acting by Watts (concidering she's playing a blue screen). Jack Black is also great in his role, although his part is at times parodic, he manages to give the guy real depth. I'm waiting eagerly to see him in other non-comedic roles after this one.

Now, it was one thing that bugged me a bit. And it's not the length. As we know, Jackson has the craft of CGI in his hand. And it's actually this that stops me from giving this one a full score. It's like "look, I've got the best CGI in the world and loads of money, and I shall use this for everything it is worth". But Pete, sometimes we just need to breathe a little bit. But I bet you'll get your Oscar for them.

The score and cinematography is brilliant, and so are the sound. This is a wonderful adventure, but I wouldn't bring my youngest kids to go see it.

This is a movie quite unique in Norwegian film-history. We follow five stories in Oslo through 24 hours. Through the movie, they are all brought together, and it all ends in a climactic scene in the end.

As a Norwegian movie, this is unique. This kind of storytelling is unusual in movies from this country. The editing is also ground-breaking.

Starring some of the best TV/movie/theatre-actors in the country, this becomes a thrilling ride through the streets of Oslo, and through the mind of the characters. Especially Stig Henrik Hoff as the desperate father of a death-sick child need mentioning. Another is the young actor who plays the oldest of the two orphan brothers. Excellent performance! Director Erik Poppe (Schpaaa) shows that he is a man worthy of his position with this one.

A few things though. First, the music needs improvement. When will Norwegian movie-makers understand this? It's just too simple for the complex plots and scenes.

Some of the symbolism could have been a little clearer. Like the "wise newspaper delivery girl" - What's that all about?

This has just been chosen as Norway's contribution to the 2005 Academy Awards. It clearly deserves a nomination. Let's hope the academy gives it one!

8/10

I'm sorry for ever supporting the morons who produced this movie. This was one insanely moronic movie from start to end. How can actors say yes to doing a movie like this? If Hilary Swank had any respect at all, she won't after this crap. I bet she and everybody else in the cast of "the Core" was just very broke. Im not going to list up all the things I found bad about this movie, it would probably take like a week. The only fun about this movie is that it fails so unbelievably to create any exciting scene. You just wish the characters die fast, so that you can go home and watch something with more quality. Like a Steven Seagal-film, or even a porno-flick. (I bet it's not very hard to find a porno-movie with a better screenplay than "The Core".)

As a norwegian film-rewiewer so wonderfully put it: "In the last scene I just waited for the camera to zoom out and show us the director with a sign that says "Just Kidding". That would have been something, and I'm not sure why they didn't. After all, it seems like a bad, bad parody. Do NOT see this! (The FX aren't even that good)

This movie is a genious peace of work, as an all-round joke, pointed at "boy-bands" and that type of music, it's a laugh-cracker! Espen Eckbo is genious in his roles, and plays them very well. As do the other members of the cast. Funny that famous artists like Morten Abel and Espen Lind plays themselves in this movie.

Recommended!!