MVictorPjinsiste

I am quite a fan of the "Borderlands" universe, a sort of cyber-space-western-punk setting taking place on a primordial planet ruined by the leftovers of consumerism, a world where forced labour, bounty hunters and corporate sharks abounds.

And on that aspect, the movie did well visually, capturing the spirit and the colours of Pandora, which are instantly recognizeable by the fandom. One can almost smell the place.

Alas, it also leaves us with a cosplay feeling, in spite of all the uselessly big stars they filled it with. The young actors are alright, and I feel the producers should have gone for newcomers of talents instead of the Hollywood veterans in there. At least we would have had some energy, some dynamism, maybe even some excesses, like those which are part of the universe.

The story itself isn't bad, but it is conducted with a clumsiness that permeates the dialogues as well as their delivery. I don't really know for whom this was intended for, public-wise. Maybe it's lack of success only parallels it's lack of focus...

But still it was quite entertaining to me. I recommend if you are either a fan of the game or a fan of some of the big names in there.

Expertly-filmed court drama with excellent actors, using a good story from Grisham (which I have not read yet).

It is filmed somewhat casually, as in a low-budget setting that hardly makes justice to the supposedly big judicial event it presents (lack of reporters, of policemen and even people in the courtroom), but otherwise it is very pleasant to follow, in all the directions it takes. In particular, Coppola uses a rather cool technique, filming a scene in the future interceded with one in the present, on which the later scene depends.

Many here are not too fond of the beaten wife subplot, but I think that while superfluous, the parts are really touching, and represent the main character's sole flaw, apart for being a fresh law novice. The landlady's subplot, equally 'superfluous', is also there to give the main character stability.

Many secondary characters are show-stealers, like the leukemia-affected boy's father, both angry and vulnerable; DeVito is a pleasure every moment he's on-screen. Even Cliff, the wife-beater, has been given recognizeable traits - we all knew someone like that. Actor direction is incredibly top-notch. Obviously done by experienced film makers.

As the viewer finishes "Rainmaker", that person is filled with hope and a sense of justice. Now, of course, this is a feel-good drama. It eschew all of the technical blather that makes up a real-life trial but for the most impactful parts, and even includes one initial miracle - The "rainmaking" event that makes it all possible. In real life, it would have been much harder, if not impossible.

When it got out, there was little to differentiate Robocop from its contemporaries, like Toxic the Ravager, on one extreme, and Terminator, on the other.... Classic toxcyborg-themed actions flicks typical to the eighties.

There was graphic violence, a social commentary, tech and crime, and a desire to be not taken that seriously. When one looks at the remake, it is striking how the new outlook is so damn serious... and drab...

But the best, like with fine wines, came much later, as this movie became prophetic of our times, here in the occident. Profits for profits' sake, the corporate model, the monopoly, the commercial coercion, the isolation, lack of humanity, lack of empathy... Makes one wonder if the producers were geniuses who knew what they were doing or if they were just plain lucky squonques.

So yes, like it's been said, ultra-violent yet laugh-inducing borg action drama, with great characters, well-played by talented, well-directed actors, with little to no CGI, one which knew how to focus on the right things.

And today, a classic.