Ben Stiller

Video Game Review: ‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’

BrianTT — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:35:37 -0600

CHICAGO – Majesco’s odd Nintendo DS version of “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” is a movie tie-in that uses the term more loosely than any in a very long time. Guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller in the movie), Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), and Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) all make appearances, but what the rest of this title has to do with the movie is beyond me.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Photo credit: Majesco

It feels like the game version of “Battle of the Smithsonian” was developed not only without the assistance of anyone involved in the production of the feature film but only with the most distant awareness of what it was about. What’s ironic is that the movie plays a lot like a child’s game and could have easily been tied to a handheld experience.

The DS version of the “Battle of the Smithsonian” plays like someone was given a set of words related to the film and then instructed to do whatever they want. I may not have the memory I used to, but I certainly don’t remember Larry finding magic ingots that gave him the power to fly, grow, shrink, or super jump. And the villains/story are mere shadows of the film, if you can even make out what they are.

In “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” the players guides Larry through a series of side-scrolling levels. To fight enemies, he shines his flashlight on them, and he gains the aforementioned powers through the finding of ingots that he can switch as the situation demands it.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Photo credit: Majesco

Clearly designed for kids, the story of “Battle of the Smithsonian” is paper-thin with players supposedly going through different sections of the Smithsonian but without enough background detail or design elements to really tell the difference. The prehistoric section sort of comes to life, players visit ancient China, and even fly through Space. It’s SO barely related to the movie that all it really has in common is a night guard and a museum setting.

Which brings us to the biggest problem with “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” - the presentation. The back of the box advertises Ben Stiller’s likeness. If you saw the polygon creation in the game without knowing which celebrity it was supposed to be, you would never guess that it’s Stiller. The graphics are abominable.

I know, I know, it’s a kid’s DS game, who cares if the it doesn’t look great? Because kids are getting savvier about these kinds of things and they deserve better than something that pales next to most Gameboy titles. I know the DS is not a graphics giant, but “Museum” is still disappointing, looking nearly incomplete at times.

Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian
Photo credit: Majesco

It may not look great and it may have very little to do with the actual film, but how does it play? I have to admit that this old-school platformer addict found the gameplay relatively easy to master and clearly developed with a child’s enjoyment in mind. It’s repetitive - jump, flash, special power, switch, learn a little lesson about history, repeat. But platformers are usually repetitive, especially kid’s ones, so it shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise.

The fact is that so many of these movie tie-in games get dull quickly and even though I had serious problems with the “Museum 2” title (most relating to story and graphics), I must admit that I was never bored. For most parents looking for a game to give their kids, “never bored” is about all they need to hear to justify a purchase for a long road trip.

And that’s what we need to keep in perspective. Just as the film was designed for families more than film critics, the game is designed to give the babysitter a break or give Jimmy something to do on the way to his grandparents again. Judged on that level, it could have been a lot worse. Judged with a critical eye or the gameplay experience of an adult, it should have been a lot better.

‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’ was released by Majesco Entertainment and developed by Fizz Factor. It is rated E (Everyone). The version reviewed was for the Nintendo DS but the title is also available for the Wii and XBox 360. It was released on May 5th, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’ is Predictable, Clustered Drivel

Ebeth — Fri, 22 May 2009 13:26:56 -0600

CHICAGO – The sequel “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” is, presumably, an effort by director Shawn Levy (“Night at the Museum” in 2006 and “The Pink Panther”) and writers Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon (who both wrote the first film) to weave together an exciting and educational film.

Rating: 2.0/5.0

After all, the concept remains clever and plot endless in possibilities. Museum exhibits come to life through ancient magic with wildlife running amuck, significant historical figures repossessed and left to interact as well as all sorts of artifacts renewed and at the disposal of all.

Add to this formula a knockout cast – with Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria, Robin Williams, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Bill Hader and Jonah Hill – and one can expect hilarity and stimulation.

Instead, the filmgoer will quite amazingly find little engagement in this movie and instead will be confronted with a predictable, “when’s it going to end?” storyline that amounts to little but clustered drivel. The opposite of stimulating, the film simply numbs and dumbs the mind.

Read Elizabeth Oppriecht’s full review of “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” in our reviews section.

Upon opening, we find that former museum guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) has left his job at the Museum of Natural History to pursue a more lucrative career: inventor and infomercial personality.

It becomes clear through rushed and skipped-about scenes that he’s unfulfilled in his new life and is quickly led back to wander the halls of his former museum-guard dwellings.

Upon his return to the Museum of Natural History, Larry finds that the majority of the exhibits he came to know in the original “Night at the Museum” are being shipped for storage in the basement of the Smithsonian.

“Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian,” which stars Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria, Robin Williams, Steve Coogan, Ricky Gervais, Bill Hader and Jonah Hill from director Shawn Levy and writers Robert Ben Garant and Thomas Lennon, opened everywhere on May 22, 2009. The film is rated PG for mild action and brief language.

Read Elizabeth Oppriecht’s full review of “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” in our reviews section.

Ben Stiller returns as heroic museum guard Larry Daley in “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian”.
Photo credit: Doane Gregory, Fox Pictures

Read Elizabeth Oppriecht’s full review of “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” in our reviews section.

Slideshow: 29-Image Gallery For ‘Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian’

BrianTT — Wed, 20 May 2009 11:11:57 -0600

CHICAGO – This 29-image slideshow contains the official press images for “Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian” starring Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Steve Coogan, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais, Bill Hader, Hank Azaria, and Christopher Guest. The film, written by Thomas Lennon & Robert Ben Garant and directed by Shawn Levy, opens on May 22nd, 2009.

Synopsis:

“Night has fallen upon the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. The guides have gone home, the lights are out, the school kids are tucked in their beds … yet something incredible is stirring as former night guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) finds himself lured into his biggest, most imagination-boggling adventure yet in which history truly comes alive. In this second installment of the Night at the Museum saga, Larry faces a battle so epic it could only unfold in the corridors of the world’s largest museum. Now, Larry must try to save his formerly inanimate friends from what could be their last stand amid the wonders of the Smithsonian, all of which, from the famous paintings on the walls to the rocket ships in the halls, suddenly have a mind of their own.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos credited to Doane Gregory and Fox Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

NATM2-01: Ben Stiller returns as heroic museum guard Larry Daley.
NATM2-02: Ben Stiller returns as heroic museum guard Larry Daley.
NATM2-03: Amy Adams is famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart.
NATM2-04: Amy Adams is famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart.
NATM2-05: Amy Adams is famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart.
NATM2-06: Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) strikes an appropriately villainous pose.
NATM2-07: Museum of Natural History official Dr. McPhee (Ricky Gervais) doesn’t seem perturbed by the antics of the Capuchin monkey Dexter.
NATM2-08: General Custer (Bill Hader) and Able the Space Monkey are pleased by the events unfolding during the epic Battle of the Smithsonian.
NATM2-09: Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) and Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) behold the wonders of exhibits that have come to life inside the Smithsonian.
NATM2-10: Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) and Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) behold the wonders of exhibits that have come to life inside the Smithsonian.
NATM2-11: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) has a showdown with evil Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria).
NATM2-12: Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams) again offers sage advice to beleaguered museum guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller).
NATM2-13: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) sizes up matters with Napoleon Bonaparte (Alain Chabat).
NATM2-14: Three of history’s greatest henchmen – Ivan the Terrible (Christopher Guest, left), Al Capone (Jon Bernthal) and Napoleon Bonaparte (Alain Chabat) pause during the epic Battle of the Smithsonian.
NATM2-15: Director Shawn Levy on the set of Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian.
NATM2-16: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) gets a helping hand from a statue of Abraham Lincoln, which has magically come to life in The Lincoln Memorial.
NATM2-17: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) wreak havoc in the Smithsonian as they take a thrilling ride through its historic corridors.
NATM2-18: A statue come to life triggers a flight of fancy from Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams), as Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) looks on.
NATM2-19: A bobble-head Einstein entrances Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams).
NATM2-20: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) consult a bust of Theodore Roosevelt (Robin Williams).
NATM2-21: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) plan their next move in their epic “Battle of the Smithsonian.”
NATM2-22: A giant octopus presents yet another challenge to Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) and Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) in their epic “Battle of the Smithsonian.”
NATM2-23: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) think it’s time to get help from The Thinker.
NATM2-24: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and museum official Dr. McPhee (Ricky Gervais) marvel at the new holographic exhibit of Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams).
NATM2-25: Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah (Hank Azaria) watches the sands of time run out for miniature cowboy Jedediah (Owen Wilson).
NATM2-26: Trapped in an hourglass, miniature cowboy Jedediah (Owen Wilson) is seemingly helpless as the sands of time run out on him.
NATM2-27: Miniature cowboy Jedediah (Owen Wilson), diminutive gladiator Octavius (Steve Coogan) and friends emerge from the crate in which they traveled from New York to the Smithsonian.
NATM2-28: Jedediah (Owen Wilson) and comrade-in-arms Octavius (Steve Coogan) prepare for battle.
NATM2-29: The massive statue of Abraham Lincoln comes to life – and to the rescue during the epic Battle of the Smithsonian.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 22-Image Gallery For Fox Summer 2009: ‘Night at the Museum 2,’ ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’

BrianTT — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:32:08 -0600

CHICAGO – This 22-image slideshow contains the official images provided by Twentieth Century Fox for their exciting Summer 2009 slate including “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “Night at the Musem: Battle of the Smithsonian,” “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs,” “I Love You, Beth Cooper,” and “They Came From Upstairs”.

Stars included in this slideshow are Hugh Jackman, Ryan Reynolds, Liev Schreiber, Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Ricky Gervais, Amy Adams, Hayden Panettiere, Ashley Tisdale, and more.

Synopsis information:

“X-Men Origins: Wolverine”
Action-Thriller
Release: May 1
Director: Gavin Hood
Screenplay by: David Benioff and Skip Woods (writing credits not yet final)
Producers: Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, Hugh Jackman, John Palermo
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Liev Schreiber, Danny Huston, Dominic Monaghan, and Ryan Reynolds

“X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the first chapter in the X-Men saga, unites Wolverine with several other legends of the X-Men universe, in an epic revolution that pits the mutants against powerful forces determined to eliminate them.”

“Night At The Museum: Battle Of The Smithsonian”
Comedy-Adventure
Release: May 22
Director: Shawn Levy
Screenplay by: Robert Ben Garant & Thomas Lennon
Cast: Ben Stiller, Amy Adams, Owen Wilson, Hank Azaria, Christopher Guest, Alain Chabat, and Robin Williams

“It’s a new “Night” and “Museum” for Ben Stiller, who is joined by several other stars from the original film, as well as new characters from history — including Amy Adams as famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart, Hank Azaria as villainous Egyptian pharaoh Kahmunrah, Christopher Guest as Russian tyrant Ivan the Terrible and Alain Chabat as Napoleon. Owen Wilson is back as cowboy Jedediah, and Robin Williams again rides into history as Teddy Roosevelt. The centerpiece of the film will be bringing to life the Smithsonian Institution, which houses the world’s largest museum complex with more than 136 million items in its collections, ranging from the plane Amelia Earhart flew on her nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic and Al Capone’s rap sheet and mug shot to Dorothy’s ruby red slippers and Archie Bunker’s lounge chair. No major film has ever shot inside the Smithsonian in Washington…until Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. The “Battle” begins in theaters everywhere May 22.”

“Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs”
CGI Animation
Release: July 1
Director: Carlos Saldanha
Co-Director: Michael Thurmeier
Screenplay by: TBD
Producers: Lori Forte, John C. Donkin
Cast: (voices of): Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Simon Pegg, and Queen Latifah

“The sub-zero heroes from the worldwide blockbusters “Ice Age” and “Ice Age: The Meldown” are back, on an incredible adventure…for the ages. Scrat is still trying to nab the ever-elusive nut (while, maybe, finding true love); Manny and Ellie await the birth of their mini-mammoth, Sid the sloth gets into trouble when he creates his own makeshift family by hijacking some dinosaur eggs; and Diego the saber-toothed tiger wonders if he’s growing too “soft” hanging with his pals. On a mission to rescue the hapless Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world, where they have some close encounters with dinosaurs, battle flora and fauna run amuck - and meet a relentless, one-eyed, dino-hunting weasel named Buck.”

“I Love You, Beth Cooper”
Comedy
Release: July 10
Director: Chris Columbus
Screenplay by Larry Doyle, based on his novel
Produced by Chris Columbus, Mark Radcliffe, Michael Barnathan
Cast: Hayden Panettiere, Paul Rust, Jack T. Carpenter, Lauren London

“I Love You, Beth Cooper chronicles the story of a nerdy valedictorian who proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school - Beth Cooper - during his graduation speech. Much to his surprise, Beth shows up at his door that very night and decides to show him the best night of his life.”

“They Came From Upstairs”
Comedy-Adventure
Release: July 31
Director: John Schultz
Story by: Mark Burton; Screenplay by: Mark Burton and Adam F. Goldberg
Produced by: Barry Josephson
Cast: Kevin Nealon, Robert Hoffman, Doris Roberts, Tim Meadows and Ashley Tisdale

“They Came From Upstairs, co-scripted by one of the writers of Madagascar and the Academy Award®-winning Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were Rabbits, is an adventure/comedy about kids on a family vacation who must fight off an attack by knee-high alien invaders with world-destroying ambitions—while the youngsters’ parents remain clueless about the battle.”

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos individually credited and courtesy of Fox. All Rights Reserved.

ice_age3_1: Mammoths Manny and Ellie, along with possums Crash and Eddie, traverse a dangerous underground world of dinosaurs. Credit: Blue Sky Studios.
ice_age3_2: New priorities test the friendship between Manny the mammoth and Diego the saber-toothed tiger. Credit: Blue Sky Studios.
ice_age3_3: The pregnant Ellie the mammoth is tended to by her brothers - possums Crash and Eddie. Credit: Blue Sky Studios.
love_you_1: Denis (Paul Rust) and Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere). Credit: Joe Lederer.
love_you_2: A long night together gets off to a rocky start for (l-r) Denis (Paul Rust), Treece (Lauren Storm), Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere), Rich (Jack T. Carpenter) and Cammy (Lauren Landon). Credit: Joe Lederer.
night_museum2_1: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) and Amelia Earhart (Amy Adams) face a battle so epic, it could only unfold in the corridors of the worlds largest museum and receptacle of human knowledge - the Smithsonian Institution. Credit: Doane Gregory.
night_museum2_2: Amy Adams is famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart. Credit: Doane Gregory.
night_museum2_3: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) has a heart-to-heart with Napoleon (Alain Chabat) about the latter’s plans for world domination. Credit: Doane Gregory.
night_museum2_4: Ben Stiller returns as heroic museum guard Larry Daley. Credit: Doane Gregory.
night_museum2_5: Musuem night guard Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is reunited with his ex-boss, museum executive Dr. McPhee (Ricky Gervais). Credit: Doane Gregory.
night_museum2_6: Larry Daley (Ben Stiller) is reunited with Teddy Roosevelt (Robin Williams). Credit: Doane Gregory.
night_museum2_7: Miniature cowboy Jedediah (Owen Wilson) and the equally diminutive Roman General Octavius, (Steve Coogan) again join forces. Credit: Doane Gregory.
they_came_1: Ashley Tisdale and Robert Hoffman share a quiet moment — just minutes before knee-high alien invaders land in the attic of their vacation home. Credit: Kirsty Griffin.
they_came_2: Ashley Tisdale (far right) — along with Carter Jenkins, Henri Young, Regan Young, Ashley Boettcher and Austin Butler — prepares to fight off an attack by knee-high alien invaders with world-destroying ambitions. Credit: Kirsty Griffin.
xmen_wolverine_1: Ryan Reynolds is Wade Wilson, later to be known as Deadpool, a highly-efficient killing machine whose weapons of choice are katana swords. Credit: James Fisher.
xmen_wolverine_2: Logan (Hugh Jackman) and Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber) face off for the ultimate battle – against each other. Credit: James Fisher.
xmen_wolverine_3: Logan (Hugh Jackman) and Victor (Liev Schreiber) are defiant as they face a firing squad. Credit: James Fisher.
xmen_wolverine_4: Young James Howlet’s (Troye Sivan) mutant powers are unleashed in the aftermath of a family tragedy. Credit: James Fisher.
xmen_wolverine_5: Gambit (Taylor Kitsch), who also goes by the name Remy LeBeau, has the ability to charge matter with volatile kinetic energy, causing the object in question to explosively release its charge on impact. Credit: James Fisher.
xmen_wolverine_6: Hugh Jackman reprises the role that made him a superstar, as the fierce fighting machine Wolverine, who possesses amazing healing powers, adamantium claws, and a primal fury known as berserker rage. Credit: James Fisher.
xmen_wolverine_7: Wolverine’s (Hugh Jackman) berserker rage is unleashed in the Canadian backwoods. Credit: James Fisher.
xmen_wolverine_8: Liev Schreiber is Victor Creed, aka Sabretooth, a feral being of unimaginable power – and who is Wolverine’s step-brother. Credit: James Fisher.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Slideshow: 27-Image Oscar Gallery From on Stage at 81st Annual Academy Awards

BrianTT — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 17:15:25 -0700

CHICAGO – This 27-image slideshow contains a selection of the award-winners and presenters at “The 81st Annual Academy Awards,” which aired on ABC on Sunday, February 22nd, 2009.

Winners and presenters include Hugh Jackman, Penelope Cruz, Kate Winslet, Sean Penn, Anne Hathaway, Ben Stiller, Natalie Portman, Jessica Biel, Beyonce Knowles, Jerry Lewis, A.R. Rahman, Reese Witherspoon, Zac Efron, Alicia Keys, Robert Pattinson “Twilight” and “The Twilight Saga’s New Moon,” Amanda Seyfried of “Mamma Mia,” Danny Boyle, and Steven Spielberg

You can click “Next” and “Previous” to scan through this slideshow or jump directly to individual photos with the captioned links below. All photos are credited to Michael Yada and courtesy of ABC. All Rights Reserved.

oscars2009_stage_01: Host Hugh Jackman
oscars2009_stage_02: Host Hugh Jackman and Performer/Nominee Anne Hathaway
oscars2009_stage_03: Host Hugh Jackman
oscars2009_stage_04: Penelope Cruz Wins Best Supporting Actress
oscars2009_stage_05: Kate Winslet Wins Best Actress
oscars2009_stage_06: Sean Penn Wins Best Actor
oscars2009_stage_07: Host Hugh Jackman
oscars2009_stage_08: Host Hugh Jackman and Performer/Nominee Anne Hathaway
oscars2009_stage_09: Presenters Robert Pattinson and Amanda Seyfried
oscars2009_stage_10: Presenters Ben Stiller and Natalie Portman
oscars2009_stage_11: Presenter Jessica Biel
oscars2009_stage_12: Performer Beyonce Knowles
oscars2009_stage_13: Performer Beyonce Knowles
oscars2009_stage_14: The Family of Heath Ledger Accepts Best Supporting Actor
oscars2009_stage_15: The Family of Heath Ledger Accepts Best Supporting Actor
oscars2009_stage_16: Phillippe Petit Accepts Best Documentary
oscars2009_stage_17: Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Jerry Lewis
oscars2009_stage_18: Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Jerry Lewis
oscars2009_stage_19: Zac Efron and Alicia Keys Present Best Score to A.R. Rahman
oscars2009_stage_20: Performer/Winner A.R. Rahman
oscars2009_stage_21: Presenter Reese Witherspoon
oscars2009_stage_22: Danny Boyle Wins Best Director
oscars2009_stage_23: Kate Winslet Wins Best Actress
oscars2009_stage_24: Kate Winslet Wins Best Actress
oscars2009_stage_25: Sean Penn Wins Best Actor
oscars2009_stage_26: Presenter Steven Spielberg
oscars2009_stage_27: Producer Christian Colson and the Cast and Crew of Slumdog Millionaire Win Best Picture

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Blu-Ray Review: ‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ Continues DreamWorks Blu-Ray Dominance

BrianTT — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:26:49 -0700

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – The DreamWorks Blu-Ray releases for “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” “Kung Fu Panda,” and “Transformers” are some of the most technically remarkable titles on the next-gen format and you can now add “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” to the list of Blu-Ray discs that you can use to show off your HD TV and surround sound system. The movie is far from great, but the Blu-Ray is one of the best of the year to date.

The Blu-Ray menu for “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” features King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen) singing “Move It, Move It” while the four lead characters spastically dance. If you tap your feet or smile, “Escape 2 Africa” is the movie for you. If the song makes you want to shoot your television, then you’re not ready for this over-the-top, shticky comedy that often feels like a bit “2 much 2 take”.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa was released by DreamWorks Home Video on February 6th, 2009.
Photo credit: DreamWorks

Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer, and Andy Richter return in “Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa,” joined by Alec Baldwin, will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, Bernie Mac and Sherri Shepherd.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa was released by DreamWorks Home Video on February 6th, 2009.
Photo credit: DreamWorks

The four characters from the original “Madagascar” - Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo, and Melman the giraffe - are getting ready to return to Manhattan in a rickety plane piloted by the quartet of inventive penguins when they crash land in the African savannah.

The group happens to land in the backyard of Alex’s long lost parents (Bernie Mac and Sherri Shepherd) and is forced to deal with life in the wild. Meanwhile, Marty has an identity crisis when he finds a herd of his wild brethren and Gloria enters into an unusual love triangle with the long-enamored Melman and a new hippo Casanova (will.i,am). Of course, King Julien (Sacha Baron Cohen) and every other character from the first film has a few scenes as well.

Great animated sequels like “Toy Story 2” take themes from the original and make them deeper, exploring the ideas instead of just repeating the same jokes. It feels like the creative impetus behind “Escape 2 Africa” was to take everything that worked from the first film and pound it into your head like a kid with a mallet. Kids will be drawn in by the pretty pictures and the excellent voice work, but parents are likely to think that it’s all 2 much.

Even though “Escape 2 Africa” may be a two-star film, it’s a four-star Blu-Ray. The video transfer is stunning. CGI animated films usually look good in 1080P, but “Madagascar 2” looks even richer than a lot of its peers. The video is flawless and the audio tracks - English 5.1 Dolby True HD, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital - are perfectly mixed. The technical presentation is so remarkable that it honestly made me like the film more. That’s an accomplishment.

The special features are just as remarkable with a dense, interesting variety of extras that has something for each member of the family. People interested in the making of “Escape 2 Africa” will love the “Animator’s Corner,” which allows viewers to watch the filmmakers’ commentary and see early animatics, actors recording their voice work, and more behind-the-scenes material as the movie plays.

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa was released by DreamWorks Home Video on February 6th, 2009.
Photo credit: DreamWorks

Parents and adult fans will burn through the behind-the-scenes featurettes, all presented in HD, including “It’s a Family Affair: The Cast of Escape 2 Africa,” “The Making of Escape 2 Africa,” “Crash Landing,” and “African Adventure”.

“Jambo Jambo: Swahili Speak” is a brief lesson about the language of Swahili. Ninakupenda means “I Love You”. Never say we didn’t try to teach you anything in our Blu-Ray reviews. “The Bronx Zoo: Madagascar” looks at an actual exhibit at the New York zoo.

The real draw, especially for the kids, will be the two new penguin short films - “Popcorn Panic” and “Gone in a Flash”. The first is a 12-minute comedy in which the penguins try to stop a zookeeper from snapping down on zoo patrons feeding the animals. They like their popcorn. This silly little short is for the kids only. “Gone in a Flash” runs the same time and features another adventures with the penguins and King Julien. Once again, little ones will smile, adults will probably be bored.

The rest of the bonus features for “Madagascar 2,” excluding the easter eggs, are of the musical variety. Kids can bounce to short videos for each of the songs from the movie and then enter the DreamWorks Animation jukebox and watch fifteen minutes of musical clips from several of the studio’s films.

“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa” is another case of a better Blu-Ray release than the movie itself. DreamWorks has done everything they to do with this title including a perfect video/audio transfer and features for both kids and adults.

‘Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa’ is released by DreamWorks Home Video and stars Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Jada Pinkett Smith, David Schwimmer, Bernie Mac, Alec Baldwin, will.i.am, Sacha Baron Cohen, Andy Richter, and Sherri Shepherd. It was written by Etan Cohen and directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath. It was released on February 6th, 2009.

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

Interview: Brandon T. Jackson of ‘Tropic Thunder’ Breaks Out With ‘Booty Sweat’ Calling Card

HollywoodChicago.com — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 22:30:45 -0600

CHICAGO – For “Tropic Thunder” star and Chris Tucker protégé Brandon T. Jackson, the fictional Booty Sweat literally is his Hollywood calling card.

The Red Bull-like energy drink is a scripted creation of writer, director, producer and star actor Ben Stiller in the new comedy. The film’s talent list, which includes both “A”-list actors and up-and-coming actors, is longer than two or three typical films today combined.

Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller, left) and Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr., right) are shooting an epic war movie and wind up in a real battle in the action-comedy “Tropic Thunder”.
Photo credit: Merie Weismiller Wallace

Rapper Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson) tackles his first serious acting role in “Tropic Thunder”.
Photo credit: Merie Weismiller Wallace

Along with recognized actors Robert Downey Jr. (who plays the memorable role of an actor who surgically blackens his skin), Ben Stiller, Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black, Nick Nolte and rising actors Danny McBride, Bill Hader and Steve Coogan, director Stiller takes a chance on newcomers Brandon T. Jackson and Jay Baruchel.

“Tropic Thunder” serves as the first major roles for both Jackson and Baruchel. The film also features cameos from Jason Bateman, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Alicia Silverstone, Jon Voight and Tyra Banks.

While the film is an offensively complicated picture that certainly has figured out how to whirl about a laugh around every corner, so does its complication sometimes force the story to tug about in many different directions.

“Tropic Thunder” sometimes feels like it clearly knows where it’s going and at other times is completely lost in the black hole of Stiller’s uniquely melodramatic brain.

Along with Justin Theroux and Stiller, the film also lists Etan Cohen as a co-writer of the film’s screenplay. This Cohen is not to be confused with Oscar-winning phenomenon Ethan Coen (the brother of Joel Coen) of “No Country for Old Men,” “The Big Lebowski” and “Fargo” fame.

Left to right: Alpa Chino (Brandon T. Jackson), Tugg Speedman (Ben Stiller) and Kirk Lazarus (Robert Downey Jr.) are actors shooting a war movie who get caught up in a real battle in the action-comedy “Tropic Thunder”.
Photo credit: Merie Weismiller Wallace

Rating: 4.0/5.0

While the drink Booty Sweat is a smash hit in the film and merely serves as one of its comedic asides, in real life the liquid isn’t nearly as renowned. It’s currently selling at novelty stores such as Spencer’s Gifts (as well as Amazon.com) and is one of many ways the movie is drumming up buzz.

Still, it’s trying to explode virally for the film at BootySweat.com and Alpa-Chino.com. Clearly borrowed from actor Al Pacino, Alpa Chino is Jackson’s character name in the film. In addition to Chris Tucker, Jackson names Jim Carrey as another comic inspiration.

HollywoodChicago.com recently interviewed the 24-year-old Jackson about his breakout role, today’s struggle to best the masses competing for Hollywood work and why he’s trying to build his own “star brand” that’s nothing like Kanye West.

“I know how to be funny to black audiences,” Jackson told HollywoodChicago.com, “but the challenge in ‘Tropic Thunder’ was having universal appeal.” He added: “It’s very difficult getting work in Hollywood right now especially for a young black comic. I’m trying to build a brand. I’m not just doing one-off projects. I’m always doing comedy and will never hit up a 9-to-5 desk job.”

Cody (Danny McBride) is a trigger-happy explosions expert on an epic war film that goes awry in the action-comedy “Tropic Thunder”.
Photo credit: Merie Weismiller Wallace

The Detroit born and bred Jackson makes the clear differentiation between how he’s crafting his nascent “star brand” as a “young black comic” in stark contrast to “all that hip-hop stuff” in which people like Kanye West are rolling in fat rolls of dough.

Jackson also says he’s continuing to use the concept of a “class clown” in his branding that he just hasn’t been able to shake since high school.

In 2005, Jackson was also seen in the lesser-known, coming-of-age comedy “Roll Bounce” about rollerskating, which was filmed in Chicago and also starred Mike Epps, Bow Wow and Meagan Good.

The young comic describes his first role of prime Hollywood prominence in “Tropic Thunder” as his “most proud and challenging role” thus far. As for working for director Stiller (who also directed 2001’s “Zoolander,” “Reality Bites” and a few others), Jackson said: “Ben knows what he wants. You’d better be funny or go home.”

RELATED IMAGE GALLERY
View our full, high-resolution “Tropic Thunder” image gallery.

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More film reviews from critic Adam Fendelman.

We spoke with Jackson at a time in his career where he describes being in “mystery mode”. He’s attempting to delicately navigate a balance between “taking any work I can just to get paid” and “being selective” with the roles like in “Tropic Thunder” that’d get him the biggest bang for Hollywood’s buck.

While 2008 still has many more performances left to see, in Jackson’s view the two he’d pick for an Oscar would be Robert Downey Jr.’s role in “Tropic Thunder” (yes, he’s biased) and Heath Ledger’s role as the Joker in the epic film “The Dark Knight”.

While Jackson was mostly business in our Chicago interview, he also enjoyed lounging about in the hotel room’s plush couches. He left us with the following line in describing his favorite aspect of being in film as compared to stand-up comedy: “The best thing about doing film is the food. It’s just magical.”

“Tropic Thunder,” which is directed by Ben Stiller, stars Stiller, Robert Downey Jr., Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey, Jack Black, Nick Nolte, Danny McBride, Bill Hader, Steve Coogan, Brandon T. Jackson and Jay Baruchel with cameos from Jason Bateman, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Alicia Silverstone, Jon Voight and Tyra Banks. The film opened everywhere on Aug. 13, 2008.

By ADAM FENDELMAN
Editor-in-Chief
HollywoodChicago.com
adam@hollywoodchicago.com