'I Am Legend' vs 'Dial M For Murder'
January 31st 2008 11:26
Is getting a thrill really too much to ask when you go to see a horror-thriller? If you, like me, was somewhat underwhelmed by the latest string of CGI and violence spawned by Hollywood, 'I Am Legend', you might wonder what has happened to good, ol' fashioned suspense.
Statistically speaking, it's more likely to be found in a cave with Bin Laden and those WMDs than on the silver screen. The potential high watermark of 'Legend' occurred when a wounded Will Smith was trapped and dangling from a rope less than ten feet above the ground, the sun setting fast and those pseudo-vampires about to emerge from their dens. To make matters worse, Smith's loyal dog and sole companion refused to leave him. It was a perfect setup for supreme suspense, a scene to potentially rival the skinny-dipping interlude in 'Jaws'. Instead, the nail-biting scenario fell flat, just like Will Smith when he cut the rope and promptly engaged a pair of canine vampire-zombies in combat. The end result: A predictable and, despite the action, boring sequence befitting 'Resident Evil'.
Which brings me to my real point. More than half a decade ago, filmmakers did not have the luxury of cramming their productions with city-sized UFOs blowing away the White House. They couldn't even create a remotely realistic giant ape vs dinosaur fight. The quality of the script had to carry the movie. And guess what? It often did.
'Dial M For Muder', 1954, is a perfect example of what can be accomplished with a meaty story and everyday props such as a curtain. Having started its life on the stage, the movie was visually spartan (being set almost entirely in a single room) but involving. For starters, the villain was so damn clever you couldn't help but wish him good luck! His counterpart, the veteran detective, was equally sharp and likable - think De Niro and Pacino in 'Heat' minus the guns. The movie contained less than 1% violence (which today's Tinseltown moguls believe renders a film flavourless), but there was never a danger that its viewers might lose interest and wander off. In contrast, disasters such as Tom Cruise's 'War of the Worlds' can't claim the same.
The fact is that classics gathering dust on video-rental shelves are often a better proposition than the latest "must-see" blockbuster. But don't take my word for it. Think back and try to remember when you last saw a cinematic "event" that didn't fall short of the hype. 'Spiderman 3'? Not really. 'Terminator 3'? Okay, so maybe I shouldn't list movies with numerals in the title. How about 'Transformers'? Close but no cigar; the humour was amusing, but the plot made very little sense, and the product placement was enough to make you regurgitate your dinner. The list of forgettable blockbusters goes on and on.
On the other hand, movies that were made almost a lifetime ago still stay in the consciousness of the viewing public, at the very least as a disembodied title. Who can honestly say that the words 'Dial M For Murder', in that particular order, doesn't ring a bell? They do for must of us, and there's a very good reason for that.
Do yourself a favour; scope the Classics section of your video store next time you're there to check out the new releases - you won't regret it.
(Tune in again in the near future for more reviews of classic movies.)
Statistically speaking, it's more likely to be found in a cave with Bin Laden and those WMDs than on the silver screen. The potential high watermark of 'Legend' occurred when a wounded Will Smith was trapped and dangling from a rope less than ten feet above the ground, the sun setting fast and those pseudo-vampires about to emerge from their dens. To make matters worse, Smith's loyal dog and sole companion refused to leave him. It was a perfect setup for supreme suspense, a scene to potentially rival the skinny-dipping interlude in 'Jaws'. Instead, the nail-biting scenario fell flat, just like Will Smith when he cut the rope and promptly engaged a pair of canine vampire-zombies in combat. The end result: A predictable and, despite the action, boring sequence befitting 'Resident Evil'.
'Dial M For Muder', 1954, is a perfect example of what can be accomplished with a meaty story and everyday props such as a curtain. Having started its life on the stage, the movie was visually spartan (being set almost entirely in a single room) but involving. For starters, the villain was so damn clever you couldn't help but wish him good luck! His counterpart, the veteran detective, was equally sharp and likable - think De Niro and Pacino in 'Heat' minus the guns. The movie contained less than 1% violence (which today's Tinseltown moguls believe renders a film flavourless), but there was never a danger that its viewers might lose interest and wander off. In contrast, disasters such as Tom Cruise's 'War of the Worlds' can't claim the same.
On the other hand, movies that were made almost a lifetime ago still stay in the consciousness of the viewing public, at the very least as a disembodied title. Who can honestly say that the words 'Dial M For Murder', in that particular order, doesn't ring a bell? They do for must of us, and there's a very good reason for that.
Do yourself a favour; scope the Classics section of your video store next time you're there to check out the new releases - you won't regret it.
(Tune in again in the near future for more reviews of classic movies.)
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