‘Batman Begins’ reviews
John’s “Batman Begins” flashback review, Jan. 14, 2019 “Batman Begins” – This prequel sets aside the grandiose stunts long enough that we actually get a sense of who Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is – like […]
Action
‘Team America: World Police’ review
“Team America: World Police” – In an oversized puppet show, “South Park” creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone slam Jerry Bruckheimer efforts such as “Armageddon” and “Pearl Harbor,” while also delivering smart political jabs. Parker […]
‘National Treasure’ review
“National Treasure” – Ever since the last “Indiana Jones” movie 15 years ago, Hollywood has floundered in attempts to recapture the adventurous spirit with the likes of “The Mummy” and “Tomb Raider.” The Jerry Bruckheimer-produced […]
‘XXX’ review
“XXX” — I avoided “MIB II” and “Austin Powers 3,” but somehow got sucked in by the allure of Vin Diesel re-teaming with “Fast and the Furious” director Rob Cohen. But “XXX” pales next to […]
‘Spider-Man’ reviews
John’s “Spider-Man” flashback review, May 18, 2019 “Spider-Man” — This is a colorful start to a new film franchise, but it has some nagging flaws: The Green Goblin, despite the best efforts of Willem Dafoe, […]
‘The Fast and the Furious’ reviews
John’s “The Fast and the Furious” flashback review, May 16, 2020 “The Fast and the Furious” — The latest in the recent spate of car movies is quite stupid, but surprisingly, it’s also quite entertaining. […]
‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ reviews
John’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider” flashback review, March 19, 2018 “Tomb Raider” — Some really fun action sequences and eye-popping scenery (mansions, temples, ice caves) make up for the boring expositional parts of what’s sure […]
‘Planet of the Apes’ (2001) reviews
John’s “Planet of the Apes” (2001) flashback review, April 13, 2018 “Planet of the Apes” — Director Tim Burton and writer William Broyles’s re-imagining of the 1968 sci-fi classic isn’t exactly an intellectual exercise, but […]
‘Jurassic Park III’ reviews and commentary
John’s “Jurassic Park III” flashback review, johnvhansen.com, Jan. 29, 2015 “Jurassic Park III” — Director Joe Johnston cuts out the fat and gets right to the meat, giving ample screen time to up-and-coming stars Spinosaurus […]
‘Pearl Harbor’ review
“Pearl Harbor” — Saying that “Pearl Harbor” features horrific war scenes, strong acting from an all-star cast and a bit of a history lesson is stating the obvious. However, the obvious can be quite powerful […]