J.R. Hudson
Spirit Animal
I finally got around to watching this film. I am huge fan of Alejandro González Iñárritu and his DP Rodrigo Prieto . If you haven't already, I reccomend seeing Amores perros , Powder Keg and 21 Grams .
As expected, visually, this is such a treat too watch. Beautifully shot cinema verite. These guys just have it down. I was relieved to see them show much more restraint than what seems to be the 'in-thing' in giving us snap zooms every other shot.
As is their style, the film is told through intwining sub-stories that all have a relationship too each other. But after 3 previous flms that do essentially the same thing, I felt tired with this one. Inarritu has done this before and seems to continue with it without making it seem fresh. As enjoyable it can be too watch and be in these character's world, it just felt tired.
The concept is simple enough
Husband and Wife - Wife is shot by stray bullet
Two Afghan Children - Shoot at a tour bus with a rifle
Japanese Girl and her father -The father gave the rifle to an Afghan guide on a hunting trip
The Mexican Nanny - Watches the two children of the Husband and Wife.
Each of these stories all take place in their own worlds. I've seen it before with each of their films and this time it seems too discconnected as much as they try to correlate the stories. The story of the Nanny seems a wasted one as really, it is the rifle that serves as the universe to the film. One could insert any combination of storyline and human conflict and essentially come out with the same result.
Take a page from Tarantino and one can dissect his film and rearrange it into a complete storyline, whereas in Babel, there is no storyline, just seperate stories. Amorres Perros and 21 Grams were complete stories where the characters eventually merge but with this, there never is a connection. Just a rifle and a pointless storyline about the Nanny.
I found the film wonderfully cast and felt particualry drawn to the Japanese girl storyline, a deaf girl. This was a sad story with an even sadder ending. One thing I started to have reservations about was the lack of faith in mankind, or humankind in each story. Is Innaritu really this pessimistic about people ? From the Afghan soldiers, to the Japanese girls social atmosphere, to the Border Patrol and Customs Agent's to the other touring people on the bus, no one seems real, but mere cutouts and cliched 'mean people' who simply do not care.
Cate Blanchett is expectedly awesome in this film. She is quickly becoming my favorite actress based on talent alone. But, Brad Pitt, once again gives us one dimensional. I will say that this is his best film since Se7en but I still am left scratching my head on his acting ability. Not a bad actor and definatley competent, but just lacking in any range.
Visually, stunning photography and a killer score. But I think Inarritu needs to do something different next time out. He perfected this style on 21 Grams, so why keep doing it ?
I give 3 of 5 Stars on the Hudson Meter if not for lack of story, but all of the other elements come together perfectly, as is expected as we've seen it before.
As expected, visually, this is such a treat too watch. Beautifully shot cinema verite. These guys just have it down. I was relieved to see them show much more restraint than what seems to be the 'in-thing' in giving us snap zooms every other shot.
As is their style, the film is told through intwining sub-stories that all have a relationship too each other. But after 3 previous flms that do essentially the same thing, I felt tired with this one. Inarritu has done this before and seems to continue with it without making it seem fresh. As enjoyable it can be too watch and be in these character's world, it just felt tired.
The concept is simple enough
Husband and Wife - Wife is shot by stray bullet
Two Afghan Children - Shoot at a tour bus with a rifle
Japanese Girl and her father -The father gave the rifle to an Afghan guide on a hunting trip
The Mexican Nanny - Watches the two children of the Husband and Wife.
Each of these stories all take place in their own worlds. I've seen it before with each of their films and this time it seems too discconnected as much as they try to correlate the stories. The story of the Nanny seems a wasted one as really, it is the rifle that serves as the universe to the film. One could insert any combination of storyline and human conflict and essentially come out with the same result.
Take a page from Tarantino and one can dissect his film and rearrange it into a complete storyline, whereas in Babel, there is no storyline, just seperate stories. Amorres Perros and 21 Grams were complete stories where the characters eventually merge but with this, there never is a connection. Just a rifle and a pointless storyline about the Nanny.
I found the film wonderfully cast and felt particualry drawn to the Japanese girl storyline, a deaf girl. This was a sad story with an even sadder ending. One thing I started to have reservations about was the lack of faith in mankind, or humankind in each story. Is Innaritu really this pessimistic about people ? From the Afghan soldiers, to the Japanese girls social atmosphere, to the Border Patrol and Customs Agent's to the other touring people on the bus, no one seems real, but mere cutouts and cliched 'mean people' who simply do not care.
Cate Blanchett is expectedly awesome in this film. She is quickly becoming my favorite actress based on talent alone. But, Brad Pitt, once again gives us one dimensional. I will say that this is his best film since Se7en but I still am left scratching my head on his acting ability. Not a bad actor and definatley competent, but just lacking in any range.
Visually, stunning photography and a killer score. But I think Inarritu needs to do something different next time out. He perfected this style on 21 Grams, so why keep doing it ?
I give 3 of 5 Stars on the Hudson Meter if not for lack of story, but all of the other elements come together perfectly, as is expected as we've seen it before.
