Fluorescent Adolescent

It's early on a Saturday morning and I'm convinced an alien has taken control of my body.

Well,not really la-but it'd be really cool if that actually happened.Well,I woke up unwillingly to the noise of construction outside-but it's a Saturday,and as the old wives and gossipy makciks selling nasi lemak peppered with homemade cocaine behind dirty alleys that wreak the stench of diseased urine in Kampung Baru always say-No good waking up late on a Saturday morning,who knows what awaits you in the world outside?

Mae,Mimi and I went to see Shrek 3 yesterday.At first I was really reluctant to watch it,after practically every single review I read had mentioned at least 10 reasons each why they simply hated the film.And there are advantages and disadvantages of reading film reviews before a film-one of the most notable disadvantage I experienced was that as the film progressed,I started noticing every godamn flaw I had read about in those reviews and couldn't simply ignore them.But one good thing,I came in prepared with low expectations-reminding myself that the first two Shrek films were separate and far beyond,and the film I was going to walk into wasn't going to be as great.

To the film itself,shall we?

Shrek,lovable as the ugly ogre we've come to know from the past two installments-is usually likable for the fact that even with his flaws,is a modest and selfless person,always putting himself before others and morally a saint compared to most of the Far Far Away citizens.But in Shrek 3,he sounds annoyed.He sounds frustrated.Throughout the whole movie-he's ranting,complaining,protesting-I don't want to be king.I don't want children.At first it's hilarious and interesting even (maybe because we hadn't been given much insight into this part of Shrek's personality before)-but very quickly it becomes tiresome to watch,and then it's just boring.The jokes are far too light and wispy,half of them the type of easy physical gags that are safely enjoyable in small quantities,but feel juvenile when done excessively.The whole movie felt like it lacked a focus/a real plot-yes there's the story of Shrek getting cousin Arthur (lethargically voiced by Justin Timberlake) to fill in the throne,but it seem this time the entire film was being carried through by all the small jokes and "hilarious" incidents,and both Shrek and Princess Fiona are separated for a large time in the film that neither their relationship nor individual characters were invested enough screen time or attention.Even Puss in Boots and Donkey look like they're merely supporting characters added for easy laughs,not really adding anything to the story.As movies usually go,they start off with a quick pace and eventually find the right speed to continue on once they've chosen a direction to pursue-and then the action,suspense and humour are all escalated along with the building plot that eventually arrives at an exhilarating ending.But the whole journey of Shrek 3 felt lifeless and flat,like I was waiting for something big that never came.

I'm giving it 2/5 stars.

After much searching for one song-Damien Rice '9 Crimes',which was the only song I remembered from the movie (aside from Wolfmother's 'Joker & The Thief')-I was surprised to find at amazon the fact that the Damien Rice song's excluded from the soundtrack.I wonder why they left it out,considering that all the other songs were not as memorable.

Arctic Monkeys-Fluorescent Adolescent
Battles-Atlas
Badly Drawn Boy-Four Leaf Cover
RHCP-Otherside
Dinosaur Jr-Feel The Pain
The Strokes-You Only Live Once
Interpol-Stella was a Diver

Knocked Up comes out July 5 here!Must must must must Watch!

HAPPY B'DAY CLARICE!

Wah wah,the big 18 already-cue to play Neil Diamond's Girl,You'll be a Woman Soon.Altho that song's far too out of context for this occasion,the title will do!Will see you very very soon!

I have a feeling it's going to be a good week ahead for everyone.

Think Happy!