STACK #147 Jan 2017

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CINEMA REVIEWS

MOANA

RELEASED: Now Showing DIRECTORS: Ron Clements, Don Hall CAST: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson RATING: PG Moana is a wholesome, beautiful tale of self- discovery and identity, complemented by a gorgeous soundtrack that could very well make it the next Frozen . It’s the heartfelt story of a Polynesian chief’s daughter who isn’t filling her father’s shoes. Moana (voiced by newcomer Auil’i Cravalho) is destined to take over from her dad, even if all she dreams about is to be out on the ocean. Her island home is in trouble, however, for long ago, the Demigod Maui (a cheerful Dwayne Johnson in his voice-acting debut) removed the Heart of Te Fiti – the life force of the region. Without the stone, the crops are failing, the plants are dying, and the fish are nowhere to be found. To restore the island, Moana must hunt down Maui and his enchanted fishhook, gifted to him by the gods. Moana is quintessential Disney, full of jokes for the parents and occasionally a real tear-jerker, as our young protagonist tries to work out her place in the world – through the preferred medium of song, of course. From the soundtrack by the great Lin-Manuel Miranda and Opetaia Foa'I to the joy of Dwayne Johnson in a Disney film, there’s a lot to love about the studio’s newest, instant classic. Keep an eye out, too, for a Johnson musical number and a post-credits scene that acknowledges a certain Disney/Pixar film set under the sea… Alesha Kolbe RED DOG: TRUE BLUE RELEASED: Now Showing DIRECTOR: Kriv Stenders CAST: Jason Isaacs, Levi Miller, Bryan Brown RATING: PG British actor Jason Isaacs, with a perfect Aussie accent, introduces and narrates this bright, heart- warming tale. He also plays the father, Michael, who reluctantly takes his two young sons to a Perth cinema to see Red Dog , circa 2011. This grumpy businessman softens during the screening of one of our country’s most beloved films; his eyes water and his nose is blown. There is a difference between this dad’s tears and the ones shed by everyone who saw Red Dog ; as a child, he was the original owner of the pooch (who was named Blue back then) and raised him from a pup. The connection is made and Red Dog’s origin story begins. Red Dog: True Blue flashes back to Michael’s youth in the 1960’s, when he was simply Mick (played by Levi Miller). Sent to stay on his grandfather’s cattle farm in desolate W.A., he finds himself surrounded by quirky characters that bring their own delightful brand of Aussie humour to the story. Friendships are formed, but none can compare with the bond that develops between the eleven-year-old and his canine best mate, Blue. Red Dog: True Blue is a different film from its predecessor, and doesn’t tug quite as hard at the heartstrings. Although targeted at a younger audience, the entire family will love it. And for those who’ve already been on the journey with Red Dog, it’s a chance to discover where the legendary Pilbara Wanderer’s journey really began. Sally Carlier-Hull

RELEASED: Now Showing DIRECTOR: Justin Kurzel CAST: Michael Fassbender, Marion Cotillard RATING: M

ASSASSIN'S CREED

Game changer.

A fter so many terrible translations from console to cinema, video game adaptations have a stigma attached to them. That's about to change this year, however, with the release of Assassin's Creed . Gamers, prepare to take a leap of faith... In bringing Ubisoft's best-selling game franchise to the screen, Australian director Justin Kurzel ( Snowtown , Macbeth ) has done for video game adaptations what Christopher Nolan did for Batman comics, delivering a dark and dazzling fantasy-adventure that's grounded in the real world and juxtaposes historical context with the contemporary problem of curbing violent behaviour. A fantastic cast adds further gravitas: Assassin's Creed reunites Kurzel with his Macbeth leads Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, and the supporting roles include Jeremy Irons, Brendan Gleeson and Charlotte Rampling. Yes, you read that correctly, Charlotte Rampling in a video game movie – Assassin's Creed means business! Convicted murderer Callum Lynch (Fassbender) is snatched from death row execution by Dr. Sofia Rikken (Cotillard), a scientist with Abstergo Industries, who have developed a machine called the Animus, which facilitates a DNA memory meld with a genetic ancestor. Lynch is thrust into the mind of 15th century assassin Aguilar to discover the whereabouts of the Apple of Eden, an ancient artifact that contains the "seeds of

disobedience" and could hold the key to eliminating human aggression. The Apple is also coveted by the Knights Templar for a more sinister purpose, one that will end their centuries-long conflict with the Assassins and eliminate free will. The action alternates between the Abstergo facility and 15th century Spain in thrall to the Inquisition, with the Animus allowing Lynch to manipulate his ancestor in much the same fashion a gamer will play their avatar – it's a cool nod to the movie's roots, with the finely choreographed parkour and fight sequences remaining true to the game's visual aesthetic. The mythology surrounding the Assassin bloodlines and their war with the Templars is also crucial – and dense, so you'll need to pay attention (another first for a video game movie). It's this blending of historical detail and frenetic action – coupled with a moody ambience – that distinguishes Assassin's Creed from its peers. It's got style and substance. With audiences becoming increasingly desensitised to all the generic FX-laden blockbusters of late, Assassin's Creed is the visual and creative departure that the genre needed. Kurzel has demonstrated that video game movies don't need to be vacuous action- fests, and having now triumphed with true crime, Shakespeare and Ubisoft's finest, it's exciting to contemplate what he'll do next. Scott Hocking

RATING KEY: Wow! Good Not bad Meh Woof!

JANUARY 2017

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