Films Out This Week

Jun 8 2008

Mailmusic Reviews

GONE BABY GONE (15) *****

Ben Affleck has been called many things over the years - but the perception that he is simply Matt Damon's thick mate who rides on the coat tails of his clever pal is a million miles from the truth.

He makes his directorial debut with Gone Baby Gone - a tense, gritty adaptation of Dennis Lehane's crime novel - and shows a remarkable talent for helming a film.

He brings a stark realism to the story, set in his hometown of Boston, which no doubt helps him add a uniquely local flavour.

Affleck's younger brother Casey - of Ocean's 11,12 and 13 and The Assassination of Jesse James - stars as Detective Patrick Kenzie alongside Michelle Monaghan as his partner Angie Gennaro.

They are brought in to track down a missing child by the tot's uncle and aunt because her mother Helene (Amy Ryan) has been hiding information.

Before long even the concerned aunt and uncle start to look slightly fishy - was there anything good in this little girl's life?

Kenzie encounters countless potential suspects - including the local paedophile - while his boss, Captain Jack Doyle (Morgan Freeman), and his men seem to have their own agendas and are working against him.

The viewer endures revelation after revelation, each more disturbing than the last, as the truth gradually becomes apparent.

The complicated plot comes close to unravelling at times but manages to get there in the end. Casey Affleck is stunning, holding his own well alongside heavyweights such as Freeman and Ed Harris. An excellent film which will demand thought and discussion after its difficult ending.

SUPERHERO MOVIE (12A) *****

I hate spoof movies and this is one of the worst. Blockbusters such as Superman and Spider-Man are put through the usual meat grinder to produce a succession of lame, unfunny set pieces and gags.

Costumed fool The Crusader is the Spidey character, Leslie Nielsen plays his uncle, Drake Bell is The Dragonfly and there are riffs on X-Men, Fantastic Four and Batman. Rubbish.

PROM NIGHT (18) *****

More lame nonsense, this time a poor remake of the cult Jamie Lee Curtis slasher film. It's a dull, formulaic horror about Donna (Brittany Snow), who has survived a tragedy and is looking forward to her prom - until things turn murderous.