POINT BREAK : Friday 1st January 2016.

I went for nostalgic reasons to see 'POINT BREAK' on its 2016 release date with fond memories of  Kathryn Bigelow's action crime thriller of the same name and upon which this retelling is based. Released in 1991 that earlier film starred a young Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, Gary Busey, Lori Petty and John C McGinley and would rate as one of this Reviewer's favourite films of all time. I have seen the film more times than I can recall, and still love it after repeated viewings and not because of the stellar performances but because of the dialogue, the action, the energy and the spectacle of the film - it was made for just US$24M and went onto make US$84M in the final analysis. And now in 2015 and released on New Years Day in Australia 'Point Break' has been remade for a whole new audience who probably don't even know of its 'classic' predecessor. This new version was made for US$105M and has so far grossed US$62M following its initial release in China on December 4th.

This retelling Directed by Ericson Core, speaks of a similar story involving Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey in the Keanu Reeves role) as the FBI Agent with a penchant for extreme sports who seven years previously in the opening sequence sees a close friend plunge to his death off a mountain top pinnacle having ridden their dirt bikes along a previously unridden ridge. Fast forward to the present day and Utah is a graduating rookie FBI Agent having put those extreme sports days behind him, until a band of extreme sports crims are on the loose seemingly robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. So its not long before Utah persuades Instructor Hall (Delroy Lindo) to let him go undercover to thwart a bunch of professional criminals who masquerade as extreme sports enthusiasts . . . or is it the other way around?

These crims are headed by Bodhi (Edgar Ramirez in the Patrick Swayze role) whose sports agenda is to chase the path to enlightenment via 'The Oaski 8' - named after Ono Osaki, an eco-warrior who challenged the extreme sports world to a series of eight ordeals that honour the forces of nature. After a series of 'Robin Hood' type robberies the FBI close in whilst Bodhi and his group strive to complete the eight challenges dragging Utah along to prove himself, with Angelo Pappas (Ray Winston in the Gary Busey role) as the FBI grunt on the ground and Utah's international connection.

What follows is a series of action set pieces that all showcase some beautiful locations, stunning practical stunt work (especially the wing suit dive through the Swiss Alps) and extreme sports that is sure to be any teenage boys wet dream, as Bodhi and his crew chase their 'path' and the '8'. Does this really advance the plot? Well not really, because the plot is verbalised every step of the way in by the numbers dialogue as Utah pieces together the puzzle and Hall and Pappas look on very puzzled thinking WTF is this young upstart rookie talking about with all this Ozaki enlightenment nirvana BS. This naturally is underscored with big wave surfing, extreme snowboarding, wing suit diving, free climbing up a vertical mountain side, and parachuting through the world's deepest sink hole from 40,000 feet up as the '8' are progressively notched up and Utah goes along for the ride as part of his undercover investigations and to win Bodhi's confidence - really all quite predictable.

The action is impressive enough no doubt, but is it enough to carry the film that takes the story off in a different direction whilst retaining one or two touchstones from the original film? These include the end of the epic foot chase sequence where an injured Utah has Bodhi in his gun sights but rolls over and shoots off his final rounds into the air, and the final closing sequence where Bodhi jumps into a once in a decade swell during a big storm for his final surf never to be seen again, by which time all his close buddies also on their 'path' have perished because of it.

This film has a lot more polish than its original predecessor - the locations, the set pieces, and the fact that this bunch are 'sponsored' by a young multi-billionaire with more cash than sense. This is how Bodhi and his cronies have all the equipment they need to jet off to exotic locations around the world at a moments notice to complete their quest and live out their lives fully funded thank-you very much!

Compared to the original however, Bodhi and his rag tag gang of adrenalin junkies needed to fund their own exploits hence they robbed banks, but, there was more grit, rawness, energy and connection between the characters as a result, and the chemistry then between Reeves and Swayze on screen was spot-on whereas here, there is very little. Give me 'The Ex-Presidents' any day of the week!

Worth seeing on the big screen for the action sequences and the stunt work which were all mostly carried out practically in the locations as seen rather than using CGI green screen and Hollywood chicanery, but, that's the only reason.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-

What's new in Odeon's this week : Friday 1st January 2016.

Well another year has come to an end at the movies that has seen blockbusters aplenty with the likes of 'The Avengers : Age of Ultron', 'Jurassic World' and ending with 'Star Wars : The Force Awakens' that continues to notch-up the mega bucks even as you read this and is sure to become the biggest Box Office hit of this year . . . at least! In between we saw biographical offerings 'Foxcatcher', American Sniper', 'The Imitation Game', 'The Theory of Everything', 'Selma', 'Legend', 'Straight Outta Compton' and 'Bridge of Spies'; further Sci-Fi instalments including 'Mad Max : Fury Road', 'Terminator : Genysis' and the conclusion of the 'Hunger Games' saga; spy drama including the return of Bond in 'Spectre', the return of Hunt in 'Mission Impossible : Rogue Nation', and the enormously entertaining 'Kingsman : The Secret Service'; whilst not forgetting police dramas 'Sicario' and 'Black Mass' with 'The Martian', 'A Most Violent Year', 'Inherent Vice, 'Creed', 'The Gift', 'Ex Machina' and 'Crimson Peak' giving us plenty to like, and two of the more notable foreign language offerings 'Leviathan' and 'Wild Tales' rounding out this Reviewers more memorable movies of the past 12 months. If you missed any of these in the last year, get yourself off to your local DVD store or download when you can - you won't be disappointed . . . promise!

And so to 2016, and raising the curtain on a new cinematic year we have a big action remake of a classic cops & robbers film from the early 90's; a hugely successful and popular super sleuth character reimagined for the 21st Century but still grounded in his 19th Century origins; and a mid 20th Century loveable cartoon strip getting the full 3D CGI animation treatment and his first big screen outing in 35 years. Of course there's also a whole swathe of recently released films still doing the rounds that you can catch at your local multiplex too, and, as Reviewed and Previewed on these pages in previous weeks. Check them out too if you need some inspiration.

Whatever you decide to watch at your local Odeon to kick start your new year, you are once again cordially invited to leave your own feedback in the Comments section below this or any other Post - we'd love to hear from you! Meanwhile, enjoy your film!

POINT BREAK (Rated M) - Kathryn Bigelow's action crime thriller released in 1991starring a young Keanu Reeves, Patrick Swayze, Gary Busey, Lori Petty and John C McGinley would rate as one of this Reviewer's favourite films of all time. I have seen the film more times than I can recall, and still love it after repeated viewings and not because of the stellar performances but because of the dialogue, the action, the energy and the spectacle of the film - it was made for just US$24M and went onto make US$84M in the final analysis. And now in 2015, 'Point Break' has been remade for a whole new audience who probably don't even know of its 'classic' predecessor. This new version was made for US$105M and has so far grossed US$55M following its initial release in China on December 4th.

This retelling Directed by Ericson Core, speaks of a similar story involving Johnny Utah (Luke Bracey in the Keanu Reeves role) as the FBI Agent with a penchant for extreme sports who goes undercover to thwart a bunch of professional criminals who masquerade as extreme sports enthusiasts . . . or is it the other way around? These crims are headed by Bodhi (Edgar Ramirez in the Patrick Swayze role) whose sports agenda is to chase the path to enlightenment via 'The Oaski 8' - named after Ono Osaki, an eco-warrior who challenged the extreme sports world to a series of eight ordeals that honours the forces of nature. After a series of 'Robin Hood' type robberies the FBI close in whilst Bodhi and his group strive to complete the eight challenges dragging Utah along to prove himself, with Angelo Pappas (Ray Winston in the Gary Busey role) looking on closely. Watch out too for Bojesse Christopher who played young 'Grommet' in the 1991 film popping up again here as FBI Director Chapman. Delroy Lindo also stars. Featuring some breathtaking scenery and some jaw dropping stunts, will this be enough to live up to the high expectations set for this remake? I'll let you know!

SHERLOCK : THE ABOMINABLE BRIDE (Rated M) - No, this is not the next Guy Ritchie instalment in the Downey Jnr./Law franchise, but a Christmas Special of the hugely successful British television series starring Benedict Cumberbatch as Holmes himself and Martin Freeman as long suffering and fiercely loyal sidekick Watson. This film has a limited release only on the big screen and sees the duo in a 1905 London in what is a stand alone episode and not a continuation from where the last episode left off. All the characters are here from the TV Series that you'll recognise - just the era is different, a little more sinister and a little more conspiratorial with the web of intrigue coming a little closer to home for this dynamic duo.

 SNOOPY AND CHARLIE BROWN : THE PEANUTS MOVIE (Rated G) - The Charles M. Schulz much loved comic strip first appeared in October 1950 and ran for the next fifty years until early 2000 running through 17,897 strips during that time. This animated feature if the first film in 35 years and the fifth full length film in the series history. Directed by Steve Martino and made for US$99M the film has so far grossed US$173M, and stars the voice talents of Noah Schnapp as Charlie Brown and Bill Melendez as both Peanuts and Woodstock through archival recordings given that he died in 2008. Here, lovable beagle Snoopy embarks upon a heroic epic quest to thwart his arch nemesis, The Red Baron while Charlie Brown strives to win the heart and mind of The Little Red Haired Girl voiced by Francesca Capaldi, who has just moved into the neighbourhood and whom he has developed an instant attraction to. The film has already picked up several awards and a string on nominations - what's not to like about these long running lovable characters brought to the big screen in glorious 3D animation! One for all the family!

Three films to tempt you in the new year week ahead, and when you have done so share your thoughts and come back to our readership with your welcome commentary for all to share. In the meantime, best wishes to one and all for 2016, thanks for your ongoing interest in 2015, and keep watching the movies, at the movies.

See you at the Odeon.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-