"What Did I Just See?": Z for Zachariah

Well that was a pretty gripping trailer. Z for Zachariah’s first trailer was pretty intense, but oddly pretty. The scenery was great, dichotomy between Chris Pine and Chiwetel Ejiofor, Margo Robbie’s innocence and willpower, and just the overall premise had me sitting up in my bed with my eyes glued to the screen. So, let’s break this end of the world thriller down and look at what did and didn’t work in this trailer, and then I’ll give you my overall impression.

What Worked?

That Valley Location

A lot of the time people don’t realize how important a location can be for the success of a film. Even though the film presented itself as a post-apocalyptic thriller, the scenery gives you a sense of hope and wonderment within a world that you assume is devastated. However, as we can see in the trailer, the scenery is used to hint at larger problems the characters are having. I’m a sucker for filmmakers personifying their locations to foreshadow what is to come.

The Pure Talent

It speaks volume to the actors involved with this movie that they are going to be able to carry this film with just each other. These actors are more than well equipped to do that though. Let’s start with Margo Robbie. Much doesn’t need to be said about her. She has raw talent and is on a hot streak right out of the gates. She knows how to be cunning and independent, which is great to see when you pit her against two great male actors. Chiwetel delivers another emotional performance. I think that there might be some underlying villainous intentions, but I will have to wait to see another trailer to really come to a better conclusion. Finally, Chris Pine is looking psycho. I’m admittedly not a big Chris Pine fan but he is looking like he’s stepping away from the whole suave, pretty-boy persona he’s usually associated with. I love that, and I think it’s necessary when going up against Chiwetel who is known for playing cunning villains and honorable heroes.

The Plot So Far

We obviously don’t know everything about where the movie is headed, but the picture that was painted for us in the trailer is fantastic. It’s biblical undertones are very present, but welcomed. You can tell that the movie is going to focus on the destruction of an oasis, much like the Garden of Eden. I’m always interested in different versions of a post-apocalyptic world, and I applaud this film for showing much more of the spared part of the world than the devastation. Instead, it seems like that pain and devastation will be creeping into the area of salvation on the backs of Pine and Ejiofor. I can’t tell yet if Ejiofor will turn out to be bad as well or if Pine is the clear cut villain here. I’m just really interested in seeing how each persuade Robbie to be on either side and what that means for this oasis.

What Didn’t Work?

The Last Sequence of the Trailer

The ending montage of short clips seems a little too focused on the romance rather than the survival to me. I know it is just the first trailer and I’m sure there is a lot more to see, but I just wish it didn’t refocus so much on the love triangle at the end. I would have rather it kept with the bleakness and wonderment with what the world is now and how this valley survived. The ending felt a bit like season 2 of the Walking Dead with Shane and Rick. Other than this minor detail though, it was a very fine trailer.

Overall Assessment

I’m sold. I had never heard of this movie before today, and now I can’t wait to see it. The trailer painted a lovely picture of this world for us, while giving us enough plot that we have an idea of what will happen without knowing everything. I think there are still plenty more twists and turns left in the movie that we won’t see coming, and I can’t wait for that. So, you should now be excited for this movie by this trailer.

Score: Stoked/Stoked

As always, let me know what you thought about the trailer in the comments below. Did it excite you? Did you know this movie even existed before this? Do you like the premise of the film? Thank you for reading and please follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey and keep an eye out for mine and Richard’s podcast coming out soon on Youtube.

"What Did I Just See?": Mission Impossible Rogue Nation Trailer 2

Take a deep breath. I know that trailer was one hell of a thrill ride, but let’s take a moment to step back and do what we film nerds do best: over analyze (If you haven’t seen the newest trailer yet go here, courtesy of Variety). I’m going to break the newest trailer down and address what worked, what didn’t, and give you my overall assessment. Hang on to the side of your plane, and let’s take off.

What Worked?

The Music

I want to start off with a smaller detail to the trailer, but I think it’s worth mentioning because any trailer that can incorporate a Led Zeppelin song into it deserves a metaphorical high five! Beside me just being a huge Zeppelin fan, the song they chose, “Whole Lotta Love” is a rollercoaster of musical precision just like Mission Impossible is an orchestra of stunts and action. I also love how they mixed it into the standard spy song at the end that we’re accustomed to hearing with this franchise.

The Band is Back Together

Not that the band was really broken up, but everyone is back and ready to play their part. As my previous metaphor alluded to, each person plays their selective instrument, or role, perfectly. We have Jeremy Renner getting Washington in order, Simon Pegg being a computer nerd while screaming frantically, Ving Rhames looking suave as always, and motorcycles. I know motorcycles aren’t a character or characters for that matter, but damn they might as well be! They’re in every damn one of these movies and they do all of their own stunts just like Tom Cruise. Oh yeah, did I mention he’s in this too? He’s just doing Tom Cruise-y things like holding on to planes, driving motorcycles, blowing stuff up, swimming, and talking about Scientology I’m pretty sure.. Ok no he didn’t do that last one, but who knows, maybe in the next trailer he will. Overall, it’s great to see them all back together and working the same dynamics they’ve had before. If somethings not broken…..then it wouldn’t be a Mission Impossible film...everything always blows up.

The Stunts...All of Them

Holy balls. I think the key to doing all of these crazy stunts might be Scientology. I’m kidding. Tom Cruise’s massive balls are thanks to him just being a complete crazy person. However, he is one entertaining crazy person to watch. Regardless of him being the legal size of a Hobbit, he can really hold his own in action scenes. Every explosion just grabs you by the face and screams pure awesomeness right at you. Then it grabs you again and asks if you can hear it. It’s that intense. This movie is basically Nitro Circus with a sky high budget and Tom Cruise. Both this and Nitro Circus have copious amounts of motorcycles though so I guess they’re even more alike than I previously thought.

What Didn’t Work?

Simon Pegg

Simon…(I get to call him Simon because we’re best friends...we’re not) you can’t seem to act very well in areas of intense action. You’re great in dire situations of a small capacity, i.e. Shaun of the Dead, but when your boy “Tommy Cruising Through the Sky On a Fucking Airplane” needs you to open the damn door you seem to clam up like a teenage girl deciding if she wants to go to prom with Rick or Bobby. It just doesn’t seem like your reactions are very on point, and your acting seems to be affected by the scope of the film. Don’t get me wrong, I love you, but in these big budget films you seem better served with more intimate scenes rather than being the catalyst in a scene.

Anti-IMF

Really? It seems like someone on the team created the awesome name “The Syndicate” but the bosses douchebag son was like, “No let’s call them Anti-IMF,” and they just compromised by saying both because the boss can do whatever he wants. The use of this actual term just seems so on the nose. It’s like tattooing the word “Damaged” on let’s say the Joker’s head. Like who would even do that? Come on people. Let’s just stick with the Syndicate. It’s objectively way more badass, and doesn’t sound too classy like Spectre.

Assessment

Overall, I was jamming to this badass trailer with badass music. It got me pumped for one of my most anticipated summer movies this year and gave me everything I have come to expect from this franchise. So, did this trailer do its job? Hell yes.

Score: Hell Yes/Hell Yes

Let me know what your thoughts were about this trailer and sound of below in the comments. Don’t forget to like, share, and follow me on Twitter @HaneyCasey. Thanks for reading!