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9/10
Contemporary humour, great stars on screen!
17 January 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I didn't know what to expect of the new movie starring my favourite ...petit Gaulois. So, I admit I was kind of skeptic when I got the invitation to the Athens premiere. Would it be as good as Mission Cleopatre? Would it keep up the great, refined humour? Would the CGI effects work properly in the context of the movie? But then I thought of it again: it was a red carpet event and Alain Delon, Gerard Depardieu and Vanessa Hessler were supposed to attend! It would be a fun event, nonetheless.

And so I went to see the movie, an excellent decision since I really had fun after a day of exams. The new Asterix installment was as funny and cute as its predecessors, and it's a good time guaranteed, especially if you are a child or a child at heart. The movie follows Asterix and Obelix as they try to win the Olympic Games in order for their friend, Alafolix to win the hand of Greek Princess Irina in marriage. In the meanwhile, Brutus sets up several conspiracies against Caesar, without much success but with hilarious results.

The acting was amazingly good in most cases. The "divas" of the show were Gerard Depardieu (as Obelix) who as always portrays a funny, romantic-at-heart and humane character with ease as well as Alain Delon in the role of a self-loving Jules Caesar. Even though he finally didn't attend the premiere, he made up for it on screen. His "Ave moi's" were just the greatest, making the audience laugh with their heart while his character's obsession with mirrors stood out! Vanessa Hessler was very pretty and quite good in her role while I have to admit I was kind of disappointed in the new Asterix, Clovis Cornillac whose acting I found rather crude compared to the smooth ability of Christian Clavier.

The minor cast was also good featuring appearances from Adriana Karembeu, Jamel Debbouze as well as famous athletes like Michael Schumacher, Zinedine Zidane, Amelie Mauresmo and Tony Parker. The humour was well contemporary (you'll even see a Star Wars reference and anti-doping) jokes and the plot runs smoothly. The parts of the actual games are really well done, while CGI compliments the picture in a subtle way.

Seeing the Olympic Games, even though as a comic on-screen adaptation, makes me feel proud to be Greek... So, you may question my objectivity when I give this a 9/10 but I assure you: if you want to have about one hour and three quarters of good fun and if you love the bande desinee of Asterix, be sure to check this out.
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High School Musical 2 (2007 TV Movie)
10/10
Talking About Phenomenon...
24 August 2007
We all know what HSM is like: fun, song and dance! For the second installment of the series, the action moves to a country club, known as Lava Springs which is owned by the rich and powerful Evans family. It's summer and new romance is blossoming. Need I say more? Nope, because I don't want to spoil it. Oh, I almost forgot. The annual Midsummer's Talent Show is fast approaching too, giving the chance to the cast, who in fact is able to decently sing, act and dance, to show off their stuff! The first movie had its tween star born: Zac Efron. Still, the actress who had grasped my attention from the first second was none other than Ashley Tisdale as Sharpay the crafty, catty diva and the biggest spotlight-seeker Disney has presented -ever! Yep, I am completely aware that the movie is all about the romance between bball player Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens). Still, I'm not so sure the real protagonist is the so called drama queen, Sharpay. Ashley Tisdale sparkles throughout the film and... no the glitter on her clothes is not to blame. She is fun and entertaining to watch as the clever, spoiled brat who wants her way. Another great actor who should totally be given credit is Lucas Grabeel, who plays Sharpay's fashionable brother, Ryan. His singing and dancing are awesome, especially in the number "I Don't Dance" which he shares with costar Corbin Blue (Chad). As to the songs, they are one step up from those of the previous film. Watch out for "Fabulous" which is visually... fabulous and has a comedic-Broadway feel to it, the catchy Sharpay's version of "You are the Music in Me", bittersweet Gabriella solo "Gotta Go My Own Way" and "Bet On It" which is in my opinion the best song in the soundtrack (and the most "not done justice" in the film...) To sum up, it's a great and fun movie to see! True, it doesn't have the sweetness of the first one but on the other side it's more mature and realistic. The magic and the colours are still there. Parents will appreciate the messages conveyed as well as the clean cut preppyness of it. Maybe I am doing it too much of a favour by giving it a perfect 10/10 but it's a Disney movie who suddenly made me too nostalgic about High School, even though I only graduated two months ago...
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