Harry here... and next Friday when this and ROAD TO PERDITION open up, we get the weekend we really deserve to begin getting today. What the hell is up with this 4th of July? An 88 minute MIB flick is the big July 4th thing? Bollocks on the forehead of that! Meanwhile, I'm up on seeing this one baaaaad! I see it this Tuesday, and I'm quite excited. Still can't believe that Moriarty was as jonesed as he was coming out of that HALLOWEEN screening of his... Do we have 3 great ones this next friday? Can't imagine! Here ya go...
Hiya Harry.
Just got back from a covert operation to see Reign of Fire this evening in L.A. Actually, I had bought a ticket to see Lilo and Stitch, but after walking into the megaplex, I heard whispers of a private screening. Grabbing some corn and a Coke, I headed in unknowing to....ROF.
I had little expectations for Reign of Fire. I dislike Matthew McConaughey. I think his best work was in Dazed and Confused. That was a very long time ago. I do like Christian Bale. His work in Empire of the Sun is great. Also a very long time ago.
But in their current movie. I like them both.
Reign of Fire is a kickass monster/action movie if I've ever seen one. Although not everything works, I found myself comparing it to Aliens.
The basic story goes like this: A boy and his mother uncover a dormant dragon present day. This dragon escapes and begins to populate the world. By the year 2030 (give or take) dragons have destroyed civilization. They need ash to survive and ash is created through destruction. That little boy grow up to be Christian Bales character, Quinn. He leads a group of rebels in the English countryside. Hiding and just trying to survive, they hold strong in an abandoned castle. Along comes McConaughey's character VanZant. VanZant is a leader of American military forces also combatting the dragons. Eventually, the two see eye to eye and wage war together.
If it doesn't sound deep, it isn't. But it is fun. Dragons soar in the hundreds. And to date, no one has fought a dragon with explosive tipped arrows and Panzer tanks. You see it here.
I really dug the film. Anyone looking to be surprised will probably do so here. Congrats to Rob Bowman on pulling off quite a trick in a summer season full of them.
Toasting marshmallows on dragon fire...
Mr. Paisley
