An unfavourable film review

Last week we went to the cinema to see a new action film shot by a famous director. The trailer promised a smash hit with an all-star cast and the finest filmmaking techniques, imaginative direction and a plot written by a talented scriptwriter, an author of numerous blockbusters.

To say that we were disappointed upon seeing the film is to say nothing. Of course, nobody expects an action film to increase our appreciation of beauty. But we hoped to have found excitement and suspense in it, and found nothing.

To start with, the plot is tedious and clichéd. It lacks realism and makes the hero and the heroine look like characters of a Brazilian soap opera. The stars cast for the title roles are not as profound as usual, to say the least. Their acting is mediocre and leaves the audience unresponsive and unsympathetic. They don’t seem to have had any rehearsals before coming to speak their parts in front of the camera. Only Jack Smith is brilliant as always in his supporting part.

The film is set in London and was shot on location, in the streets of a busy city, which makes it look like a documentary. But this doesn’t help the director to make us believe the story. To make the matters worse, many of the dialogues delivered by the actors can hardly be heard through the traffic noise.

The cinematography deserves praising and some of the shots are a joy to see, but they don’t make up for the weak plot. The special effects which are essential for adventure films look amateurish and fail to impress the audience and make it gasp with admiration.

Having our seats at the back of the auditorium we could see the members of the audience stand up and walk out without waiting for the film to end. We stayed only because we sat in the middle of the row and didn’t want to disturb anybody. The auditorium which was filled to capacity in the beginning turned to be half empty when the lights went up after the final scene.

The film is on now at a number of our cinemas but it is unlikely to attract large audiences, especially after the poor reviews it got.

Advantages and disadvantages of different means of travel

In order to reach our destination we usually have to use some means of travelling. And we often have a choice between travelling by air, or by rail, or sometimes, by sea.

Nobody will argue that travelling by air is the fastest. Besides, there are no traffic jams which may drive you crazy. On the other hand, it is rather expensive, especially if you travel first class. You are to arrive at the airport at least an hour before the departure time in order to check in for the flight. It means that you will have your luggage checked-in and weighed, and sometimes you are to pay an excess luggage charge. Of course, you may choose a seat to your liking at the check-in counter when getting a boarding pass. I prefer having a window seat in the non-smoking section or sitting in the area with extra leg room. But if your flight is fully booked and you arrive late, all window seats and aisle seats may be occupied and you will have to sit in the middle.

After going through the security check where your carry-on luggage is searched, you go to the departure lounge and wait for your flight to be called. But if you think that all the troubles are over you are an incurable optimist. The flight may be delayed for hours or even cancelled because of the weather conditions. While waiting you can go to a duty-free shop and buy something duty-free, but how much time can you kill shopping? You can’t even leave the airport for fear of missing your flight!

After boarding the plane the flight attendant will remind you to fasten the seat belt. It will make you safe while taking off or touching down but it can’t do you any good if the flight is bumpy and you have to go through some turbulence. So, if you are airsick, think twice before travelling by air.

Fortunately, after landing the procedure is not very long, especially if you have nothing to declare. You just come into the Green Channel and go through passport control where a passport officer will ask you about the purpose and length of your visit.

As for me, there is nothing like travelling by train. First of all, railway fares are lower. Berths in the sleeping compartment are very comfortable. Even if the weather is bad trains usually leave and arrive on time. If your luggage is heavy a porter will help you with it and even go to the carriage with you and put your suitcases on the luggage rack. If nobody meets you when the train pulls into the station, you may leave the luggage in the left-luggage office and pick it up later on. If you feel hungry, go to the dining car.

Some may say that trains can’t cross the ocean and in this case you have to change from train to plane. Others may remember falling off an upper berth while travelling by an overnight train, but I won’t change my mind. Every time I get off a train I feel sorry that my journey is over.

As for travelling by sea, you may enjoy it unless you are a bad sailor. If the sea is not rough, come on deck and gaze at the sea renewing your energy and refreshing your spirits. If the ship calls at different ports, you may go ashore and promenade on the quay. Time spent on board a ship will definitely make you feel refreshed. However, few people can afford to go on a cruise, to say nothing of an around-the-world voyage.