A Complete review of Ridley Scott's work

Prometheus

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 08:03:18 GMT

Cast : Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce

What was it about?
A team of explorers discover a clue to the origins of mankind on Earth, leading them on a journey to the darkest corners of the universe. There, they must fight a terrifying battle to save the future of the human race.

My two cents:
I had some huge expectations and it was pretty good but nothing amazing, in my opinion. I mean, Scott went way over his head with this metaphysical stuff. There are maybe a handful of directors who could tackle such a subject (Stanley Kubrick, Terrence Malick, Ingmar Bergman, Andrey Tarkovskiy) and Ridley Scott is not one of them, I'm afraid. Still, it is a visual marvel and a decent SF flick.

My rating: 07/10

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Robin Hood

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 08:17:42 GMT

Cast : Russell Crowe, Cate Blanchett, Max von Sydow, William Hurt, Mark Strong, Danny Huston, Matthew Macfadyen, Léa Seydoux

What was it about?
In 13th century England, Robin and his band of marauders confront corruption in a local village and lead an uprising against the crown that will forever alter the balance of world power.

My two cents:
Ridley Scott and Russel Crowe were talking about making this flick for years and some of the rumors were rather intriguing (Russell Crowe would play BOTH Robin Hood and the Sheriff of Nottingham!). But honestly, was any of us really expecting yet another movie about this 'iconic' character? Not really... They chose a rather grim look and atmosphere but the whole thing was never spellbinding. It was still watchable though.

My rating: 06/10

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Body of Lies

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 08:32:48 GMT

Cast : Leonardo DiCaprio, Russell Crowe, Mark Strong

What was it about?
CIA agent Roger Ferris uncovers a lead on a major terrorist leader suspected to be operating out of Jordan, but while he tries to capitalize on the intelligence he has uncovered he must also be wary of the double-dealings of his boss in America.

My two cents:
Ridley Scott + Leonardo DiCaprio + Russel Crowe! That sounded like a great combo!! And, indeed, I thought it was pretty good, even though it tends to loose its edge towards the end. It is something recurrent in Scott's work, in my opinion. Indeed, he spends so much time making sure his movie looks awesome when he should pay more attention on the story. Still, I thought it was still an entertaining spy movie.

My rating: 07/10

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American Gangster

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 08:40:55 GMT

Cast : Denzel Washington, Russell Crowe, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, RZA, Carla Gugino, Cuba Gooding Jr., Idris Elba, Common

What was it about?
In 1970s America, a detective works to bring down the drug empire of Frank Lucas, a heroin kingpin from Manhattan, who is smuggling the drug into the country from the Far East.

My two cents:
When I came out of the movie theater, I thought it was really awesome but then the more I thought about it, the more I thought it was a very well made crime drama but not much more than that. Still, there is a terrific cast, Ridley Scott rocks the directing and it remains a spellbinding story to watch.

My rating: 07/10

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A Good Year

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 08:50:13 GMT

Cast : Freddie Highmore, Albert Finney, Russell Crowe, Tom Hollander, Didier Bourdon, Marion Cotillard, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi, Abbie Cornish

What was it about?
A British investment broker inherits his uncle's chateau and vineyard in Provence, where he spent much of his childhood. He discovers a new laid-back lifestyle as he tries to renovate the estate to be sold.

My two cents:
Conversation between between Ridley Scott and Russel Crowe :

Scott : Russel, you know what I want to do ?
Crowe : No... what then?
Scott : I would like to spend a month in the South of France, drinking some wine, eating some good food...
Crowe: Sounds good to me. Actually, I'm tired being the tough guy with all those exhausting action scenes...
Scott : I know! Let's shoot a fluffy romantic comedy in France!

I know, I'm mean here but, honestly, the whole thing seems to be actually a good excuse for them to spend some time in France and for having a good time. Furthermore, the movie is full of annoying clichés about France and the French people but I have to admit that the story was entertaining enough. To conclude, it is a rather standard but well made romantic comedy.

My rating: 06/10

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Kingdom of Heaven

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 09:05:40 GMT

Cast : Orlando Bloom, Eva Green, Liam Neeson, Michael Sheen, David Thewlis, Edward Norton

What was it about?
Balian of Ibelin travels to Jerusalem during the crusades of the 12th century, and there he finds himself as the defender of the city and its people.

My two cents:
I'm maybe in the minority but I actually like the flick. As a matter of fact, I thought it was even better than 'Gladiator'. I know, Orlando Bloom is not really an amazing lead actor but this movie had more to offer than the famous sandal epic. Indeed, I thought it was pretty spectacular and rather well grounded in history (at least, it felt so). I'm always intrigued by movies dealing with religion and I thought this one was pretty good, even if it was a flop back then.

My rating: 07/10

Matchstick Men

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:36:41 GMT

Cast : Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman

What was it about?
A phobic con artist and his protégé are on the verge of pulling off a lucrative swindle when the former's teenage daughter arrives unexpectedly.

My two cents:
I have really a weak spot for this flick. Indeed, for once, Ridley Scott made this time an 'actor' movie. What I mean with this is that, instead of focusing on the directing and the visuals (which were pretty good though anyway), the strength of this movie were the performances of the 3 main actors. By the way, it is rather incredible that Sam Rockwell is still so underrated 10 years later... Of course, the story is not really amazing when you think about it but I still enjoyed it anyway.

My rating: 07/10

Black Hawk Down

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:46:35 GMT

Cast : Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Eric Bana, William Fichtner, Ewen Bremner, Sam Shepard, Hugh Dancy, Ron Eldard, Ioan Gruffudd, Jason Isaacs, Zeljko Ivanek, Jeremy Piven, Tom Hardy, Orlando Bloom

What was it about?
123 elite U.S. soldiers drop into Somalia to capture two top lieutenants of a renegade warlord and find themselves in a desperate battle with a large force of heavily-armed Somalis.

My two cents:
Back then, I saw it when it came out in theater. I did enjoy it but I kept hearing that it was an amazing war flick (check the IMDB rating) so I rewatched it a few years later but I still had the same opinion. The point is this, the cast is impressive (see above), it is visually awesome (one of Ridley Scott's best directing job) but the story was nothing great in my opinion.

My rating: 07/10

Hannibal

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 12:56:11 GMT

Cast : Anthony Hopkins, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Ray Liotta, Giancarlo Giannini, Francesca Neri, Zeljko Ivanek

What was it about?
Hannibal returns to America and attempts to make contact with disgraced Agent Starling and survive a vengeful victim's plan.

My two cents:
Before this came out, there was a huge buzz about it for years. Jonathan Demme and Jodie Foster had dropped the project but Ridley Scott was on board so I hoped it will still be impressive. I bought the tickets a week in advance and went to see it with 5 friends of mine. Eventually, it turned out to one of the biggest disappointment ever and the worst movie made by Ridley Scott. I'm not sure he or Anthony Hopkins should be blamed but the whole thing was just plain average and the ending was just downright ridiculous.

My rating: 05/10

Gladiator

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:04:27 GMT

Cast : Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Hemmings

What was it about?
When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by an emperor's corrupt son, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge

My two cents:
I saw it back then with my buddies in the theater and I thought it was allright but nothing amazing. Since then, I have re-watched it at least 3 times but I still don't get why everybody seems to think it is one of the best movies ever made. I mean, it looks awesome, the directing is off the chart, Russel Crowe delivers an impressive performance but what about the story? Yes, it is entertaining but nothing amazing in my opinion.

My rating: 06/10

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G.I. Jane

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:24:36 GMT

Cast : Demi Moore, Viggo Mortensen, Anne Bancroft, Jim Caviezel

What was it about?
A female Senator succeeds in enrolling a woman into Navy SEALS training where everyone expects her to fail.

My two cents:
Beforehand, I wasn't expecting much from this flick since it was a huge flop and received poor reviews. Eventually, I thought it was not bad at all. Indeed, the title and the marketing were rather misleading and they tried to sell it as a standard action flick which it is not. Of course, it is rather flawed but I think it is actually worth a look.

My rating: 06/10

White Squall

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:30:41 GMT

Cast : Jeff Bridges, John Savage, Scott Wolf, Jeremy Sisto, Ryan Phillippe, Zeljko Ivanek

What was it about?
Teenage boys discover discipline and camaraderie on an ill-fated sailing voyage.

My two cents:
It is definitely one of the most obscure movies directed by Ridley Scott and his career wasn't doing so well back then. I took me a few years to finally see this flick but I thought it was not bad at all. Granted, the story was rather generic but the cast was pretty good (Jeff Bridges never disappoints) and the directing was solid.

My rating: 06/10

1492: Conquest of Paradise

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:36:39 GMT

Cast : Gérard Depardieu, Sigourney Weaver, Loren Dean, Tchéky Karyo, Frank Langella

What was it about?
Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas and the effect this has on the indigenous people.

My two cents:
There was a huge buzz about this and the expectations were really high but many people thought it was a disappointment. Ok, it wasn't a masterpiece but I did like it. The directing was allright, the music by Vangelis was epic and I thought that Gérard Depardieu was a great casting choice. This movie definitely deserves a second chance.

My rating: 07/10

Thelma and Louise

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:43:09 GMT

Cast : Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Brad Pitt

What was it about?
An Arkansas waitress and a housewife shoot a rapist and take off in a '66 Thunderbird.

My two cents:
It was a surprise success back then and this flick received a lot of love but, honestly, it is just a standard buddy movie with a pseudo feministic message and an over-sentimental ending. Still, I have to admit, it is very well made and the cast was really good with a breakthrough performance by someone called Brad Pitt.

My rating: 06/10

Black Rain

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:49:35 GMT

Cast : Michael Douglas, Andy Garcia, Kate Capshaw

What was it about?
Two New York cops get involved in a gang war between members of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. They arrest one of their killers and are ordered to escort him back to Japan. In Japan, however, he manages to escape. As they try to track him down, they get deeper and deeper into the Japanese Mafia scene and they have to learn that they can only win by playing the game the Japanese way.

My two cents:
I had some rather low expectations about this one and it is probably why I enjoyed it. I mean, there is absolutely no substance about it but I thought it was very well made and pretty entertaining. There is a good mood it about it and it has actually nothing else to offer but it was enough for me.

My rating: 07/10

Someone to Watch Over Me

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 13:55:45 GMT

Cast : Tom Berenger, Mimi Rogers, Lorraine Bracco

What was it about?
A married New York cop falls for the socialite murder witness he's been assigned to protect.

My two cents:
It is probably the most obscure and forgotten movie directed by Ridley Scott and I'm afraid it does deserve its status. The title is rather lame, the story was pretty weak and the two main actors are now huge has-beens. Still, Ridley Scott managed thanks to his awesome directing to make the whole thing watchable and mostly entertaining.

My rating: 06/10

Legend

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:03:57 GMT

Cast : Tom Cruise, Tim Curry

What was it about?
A young man must stop the Lord of Darkness from both destroying daylight and marrying the woman he loves.

My two cents:
This flick usually doesn't get much love but I thought it was actually pretty good. It is basically a rather weak story with some awesome visuals (a trademark in most of Ridley Scott's work). In my opinion, he managed to create a fascinating world with a truelly badass villain. I also loved the introduction with a terrific speech by Darkness himself.

My rating: 07/10

Blade Runner

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:11:23 GMT

Cast : Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, M. Emmet Walsh, Daryl Hannah

What was it about?
Deckard, a blade runner, has to track down and terminate 4 replicants who hijacked a ship in space and have returned to earth seeking their maker.

My two cents:
Before watching 'Prometheus', I was hoping something from this caliber. Not some pseudo half-baked methaphysical tale, but just some solid, thought provoking and awe aspiring SF. This movie is so visually awesome, it could be released today and young viewers wouldn't even notice it is actually 30(!) years old. It is one of my favorite movies of all time and I'm still waiting something that good coming from Ridley Scott.

My rating: 09/10

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Alien

Sun, 15 Jul 2012 14:25:44 GMT

Cast : Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto

What was it about?
A mining ship, investigating a suspected SOS, lands on a distant planet. The crew discovers some strange creatures and investigates.

My two cents:
Personally, I'm more a 'Blade Runner' fan which I found more cerebral but it is still some really awesome SF. I mean, there are so many iconic landmarks here : Ripley, the Alien, the chest-burting scene, Ash,... Visually, it is really impressive and Ridley Scott has managed to create a really oppressive mood which has been copied so many times afterwards. It is a very good movie and better than 'Aliens', in my opinion.

My rating: 08/10

The Duellists

Mon, 16 Jul 2012 04:32:04 GMT

Cast : Keith Carradine, Harvey Keitel, Albert Finney, Edward Fox

What was it about?
Set during the grand, sweeping Napoleonic age, an officer in the French army insults another officer and sets off a life-long enmity. The two officers, D'Hubert and Feraud, cross swords time and time again in an attempt to achieve justice and preserve their honor.

My two cents:
Ridley Scott will be remembered for 'Alien', 'Blade Runner' and (unfortunately) 'Gladiator' but many people will forget that he actually started his career with this little gem. It is indeed an underrated and forgotten flick and it is actually pretty good. It seems to be a rather big and ambitious project for a debuting director and when you are watching it, it is difficult to believe that it is, in fact, his directing debut. It is not completely flawless and tends to drag along but the directing is really impressive and it is definitely worth a look.

My rating: 07/10