Now, I missed this one at the cinema myself but luckily for you people out there in reader land Tom Pell managed to spot it.
So marking review number 2 for TRU, it’s over to Mr P for the details!
Vantage Point – Reviewed by Tom Pell
There’s a not so fine line between popcorn fuelled blockbusters and film buff masterpieces, and even though this line might seem thick enough to walk, run and make films on, it is one that should be tread with much trepidation.Everyone once in a while, we get a Bourne Identity. A Fight Club. A Lord of the Rings. Something that everyone just has to like. And on that note I’d like you to let me introduce, Vantage Point.
It just works. With interweaving eight person narratives combined with big bangs and a high tech Blackberry type contraption that makes the iPhone look as clever as Jade Goody doing a Sudoku, what’s not to like? Forest Whittaker, William Hurt and Matthew Fox play their parts well but it’s Dennis Quaid as the impossibly indestructible Thomas Barnes who steals the show. Rambo and John Mclane must look at this guy and think, ‘Wow, now that’s a real man.’
At 90 minutes it doesn’t outstay it’s welcome, and finishes before the somewhat repetitive storyline tires you out. Its ability to cross audiences relies upon the filmmaker’s decision to try out a fresh new way to tell a story, whilst backing these ideas with a solid, entertaining script.
Due to the twists and turns, I’ll leave the storyline up to you to explore at the cinema as one wouldn’t want to put one’s foot in it. But if it’s a Friday night flick or a bit of essay inspiration you need, try Vantage point and I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.
[rating:3]