The Grand Budapest Hotel

Wes Anderson is the Marmite of the film industry, you either love him or hate him. I have loved some of his films like Rushmore and The Life Aquatic of Steve Zissou but I was never a big fan of others such as The Royal Tenenbaums. I love the fact that Wes Anderson sticks to his guns and all his films feel wholly original but with his own unique style kept throughout. And once again Anderson has not given up what seems to work for him with his latest film The Grand Budapest Hotel which I can safely say is one of my favourite of his films.

The film follows the adventures of Gustave H, a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars, and Zero Moustafa, the lobby boy who becomes his more trusted friend. The film is a whole lot of fun and after its setting up of the story and its characters in the first act it turns into a hilariously brilliant adventure/heist/mystery film that runs at full speed without ever slowing down.

Ralph Fiennes plays Gustave H the flamboyant concierge. The casting of Fiennes is perfect and he really holds the film together, I can't imagine anyone else playing the character as brilliantly as he did, he is hilariously funny and over the top but with side to him that makes you care for him as much as his lobby boy does, also played brilliantly by Tony Revolori for the majority of the film. The pair together are a great comedy duo and really make this film something special whilst bringing a new take on the bromance that many films are trying to achieve these days. Supporting the pair are a bunch of the usual Anderson regulars as well a few new fresh faces.

The quirky and eccentric style of Anderson still remains without ever seeming to be toned down, however this may be more accessible for any newcomers to his work as the film is a lot more fun that some of his previous films and takes a lot of generic conventions of hollywood films whilst putting his own odd auteur twist on them, that being said it still is very odd, but in a good way.

The film looks great and with a lot of it being shot in real locations, with some of them looking too good to be true! I wanted to visit many of the locations shot at as they just looked like something you would find on a post card. Andersons use of practical effects still remain and really bring that arty creative feel to the film as well as his new unique take on the setting of time as the three time periods in the film are filmed in three different aspect ratios.

Although well structured for the most part, the film can be a little confusing to start off with, especially with its story within a story within a story concept. And although largely funny there are a few jokes that fall a bit flat. These few flaws do nothing to diminish the amount of fun and enjoyment you are going to get out of this film that really is a great piece of entertaining art and escapism. Anderson yet again brings a film full of charm and originality to the cinema that is a great alternative to your usual popcorn  flick. I am giving The Grand Budapest Hotel a rating of 4/5. I highly recommend trying to catch this film before it leaves the big screen.

Did you like The Grand Budapest Hotel? Let me know in the comments below.

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Skyfall

After a number of sold out screenings I have finally been able to catch the latest film in the James Bond franchise. A franchise which I am a fan of and could not wait to see where they went next with Agent 007. I am also a big fan Daniel Craig as the leading man, Casino Royale was my favourite Bond film, though unfortunately it was let down by Quantum of Solace. Though after going to the cinema today I believe my favourite Bond film may have just changed to Skyfall.

With Sam Mendes in the directer chair it was guaranteed Skyfall was going to have some class, and he did not disappoint. In Bond's latest outing his 'loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.' Skyfall is the return to form for Bond that's tone is a mix of Casino Royale and the earlier, more cheesier Bond films. So for me this was the perfect mix of old and new, which really suited it as this is the 50th year of Bond, we are reminded of this throughout the film with some really brilliant fan moments.

Bond as usual starts with a great action scene and Skyfall grips us well by giving us some of the best we have seen of Bond. The opening credits scene is also a return to form as Adele's song sounds like a classic theme tune and the visuals to go with it are also incredible. 

The whole film's visuals are beautiful, this is mainly because of the various exotic locations but the cinematography also works a treat to make this an amazing experience. The CGI is also good apart from a few dodgy looking lizards but because of the film's dominant use of practical effects this problem is not a common one.

The acting is also first class, with Craig reminding us why he is the best Bond yet and Ben Whishaw letting us know he could be the best Q yet. Other new great casting editions include Naomie Harris, Ralph Fiennes and Javier Bardem as one of Bond's most interesting villains yet. Judi Dench also has more screen time as M this time round and she also gets say 'bloody hell' a lot, because that is of course how us British speak.

I was however confused as to who was the Bond girl in this film. We had two women who had some kind of relationship with James but not enough to call either one of them a Bond girl. Either way they were both great actress's and both added something new and interesting to the film.

I really admire the action and set pieces in this film, they were done really well and this was one of the main reasons I loved the film so much! Some of the set pieces felt very much like they had been heavily influenced by The Dark Knight. But that is no bad thing! I also enjoyed the new angle on Bond and looking back into his past and finding out a little bit more about the man underneath the suit.

My only flaws with the film are the dodgy lizards and some strange cast additions in the last act. One cast addition that I very much think was intended for Sean Connery as a cameo. But apart from that I very much loved this film!

Skyfall is the perfect combination of old and new style Bond, and this made the film for me. 2012 has been full of great films and this is just another one to add to the list. Definitely one of the best Bond films I have seen and hopefully the next one will be just as good, if not better! If not, well at least we got Skyfall which I am rating a 5/5.

What did you think of Skyfall? Do you like the latest take on Bond or do you prefer the classics? Please comment below.

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