Review: Mic Macs

When Bazil discovers a pair of rival weapons manufacturers are responsible not only for his father’s death but also a stray bullet that has lodged in his own brain, he enlists his set of wonderfully odd friends to hand out some Gallic retribution.

Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s atmospheric dark palette calls to mind his previous films Amelie and Delicatessen and while this is a fun romp it doesn’t quite bare comparison to these classics of world cinema.

The cast all perform gamely, in particular Dominique Pinon who steals several scenes as the cheeky human cannonball Fracasse.

A satisfying dénouement delightfully blends comedy with stinging political satire and elevates Mic Macs above its nearest Hollywood comparison, Ocean’s Eleven. Both are pacy, light-hearted ensemble pieces featuring elaborate mission-based plots, but the added moral message brings a little extra depth to the events of the French film.

Review: Up in the Air

A film for these dark economic times, Up in the Air sees Academy Award-winner George Clooney perfectly cast as Ryan Bingham, a suave corporate consultant who travels from company to company firing swathes of employees.
Encased in an emotional vacuum created by his rootless existence Bingham is entirely content until Natalie Keener, a thrusting young executive, introduces a technological alternative that will jeopardise Bingham’s entire lifestyle and burgeoning relationship with fellow frequent flyer Alex.
Charismatic performances from the three leads allow director Jason Reitman to deliver a mainstream film with intelligence, edge and charm.
A message about the joy of human relationships is deftly handled and the film steers well away from the schmaltzy clichés so prevalent in other mainstream Hollywood offerings.
After directing the charming Juno and razor-sharp Thank You for Smoking Reitman’s third film establishes his credentials as one of Hollywood’s most promising directors, Oscar recognition may not be far away.