Review review

More reviews, slightly late again. Sorry but I guess, like people always say, good things are worth the wait! XP
Last week, I caught Angels & Demons and then Much Ado About Nothing! Totally different genres but each intriguing in its own ways.

Angels & Demons

WATCH IT. I have read neither The Da Vinci Code nor Angels and Demons. My sis gave me the latter book a few years ago for my birthday and it’s still in pristine condition, unwrapped from the plastic layer. Nevertheless, no prior knowledge is necessary for complete understanding of the movie. I found this movie a lot better than The Da Vinci Code, although it may be because I never really understood the earlier movie when I watched it.

Chair-gripping suspense, check. Unexpected twists, check. Visual effects that have you covering your face and peeking out of the gaps between your fingers, check (other than the artificial big blast, but then again, which big bomb we’ve seen hasn’t looked fake, other than the mushroom cloud). You really can feel your racing against time through Rome with Professor Langdon (Tom Hanks), willing the cars to zip around faster, the clock to tick slower, and getting annoyed by the stubborn, unhelpful cops (the Vatican Police). The issue of Science vs. Religion constantly hovers in the background, as the movie seems to portray rather accurately how religion may tend to react in the face of threats – with staunch conservatism, whether for better or worse. I’m not sure about the accuracy of the portrayal of Catholicism, but the movie sure does provide an interesting insight, at least to some of the traditional practices to the clueless like me, e.g. of the Vatican hierarchy or the process of selection of a new pope.

Well, I really hope there hasn’t been any spoilers here for anyone. I really found this a frightfully good movie in terms of being a highly compelling show that draws us into being a part of it. Surprisingly, I can’t really remember the ending exactly but the action-packed plot provides all the thrills we need. 4 / 5.

P.S. I only just found out that paying by NETS gets you cheaper movie tics at $6. Not sure if this only applies at Cathay Cineplexes, which was where I caught this. If I’m not the only slow one, I hope this allows you to enjoy your movie better! :D

Much Ado About Nothing

If some of you think this is a movie, like my deprived NS friend did, it’s actually an outdoor play put up by the Singapore Repertory Theatre. Much Ado About Nothing is something like our present-day romantic comedy written by Shakespeare, this time with a slight twist, what with the Peranakan setting. Played out in the open at Fort Canning, this little performance is charming and relaxing, just right for a good laugh and a happy time.

The oft-heard, super simplified background to this story would be that Claudio and the beautiful heiress Hero fall in love at first sight and soon get engaged, only to find out that they still have a lot to learn about each other. Meanwhile, their friends, the competitive duo, Beatrice and Benedict continue their bickering but fall into a matchmaking trap to fall in love with each other. Overcoming the odds, Shakespeare presents to you a happily ever after ending.

Setting. The Peranakan set that greets audiences from afar is awe-mazing. Elaborate and fanciful, with a sparkling swimming pool, it serves its purpose rather well, except for the rather major problem of confusing the setting of the entire play. We do not find everything in sync with the Peranakan backdrop; for example, we see a Christian wedding taking place amidst red Chinese lanterns or a funny Survivor tribal council-like funeral. So while the elaborate setting is pleasing, in fact, fascinating to the eye, it is rather confusing to the mind.

Atmosphere. Perhaps it is a difficulty presented by a big open-air space but sometimes the atmosphere was found to be lacking a little i.e. not joyous enough, not mournful enough, etc. With the rather large number of characters that may be found onstage in certain scenes, there seemed, more than once, to be awkward moments where certain characters just stood awkwardly around, not knowing how to react, or not reacting appropriately to the main happening and this rather dampened the atmosphere. Nevertheless, enjoyment of the lovely general atmosphere i.e. of the pretty night sky and happy fellow picnickers should make one content enough not to find fault with the fact that the play was not always compelling. Nothing like The Phantom of the Opera with its collapsing chandelier.

Acting. Adrian Pang playing the sworn bachelor Benedict was really the star of the show for me; indeed, I believe he was for almost everybody. Milking the role for all its worth, he was the character who brought the most laughs to the audience, other than the lines already written in by Shakespeare. Wendy Kweh delivered her lines well as Beatrice waged her never-ending war of words with Benedict, and also pulled off light flamboyance while Hero was a good refined but maligned heroine.

Overall. This is the SRT’s second Shakespeare in the Park performance, after A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which was put up last year. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to catch it last year so this outdoor play was a first for me. And a magical experience it was indeed, as you lose yourself in the wonder of it all, what with the city skyline in the distant background, the peacefulness of the park with a pretty night sky… and maybe the bliss of being with your loved one as you enjoy this show about falling in love. So pick a date (last 4 shows left, from this coming Thursday to Sunday, as it runs till 31st May), find some good company, bring along a picnic mat, some snacks and maybe a bottle of wine or two and get ready to enjoy a romantic treat!

Suggestions. Get your tickets from SISTIC early. There ought to be an early bird discount. Check SISTIC’s website for more details. By the way, the early bird discount supposedly ends by 6pm, not 10pm as claimed on the website and brochure, as I found out to great annoyance. Tickets can be obtained from Front of House on the day of the performance but it will cost quite a bit more at $51, which, to be frank, I don’t think is too worth it. Go early to select good spots, not just near the front so you can get closer to the action, but also remember to find a spot that is comfortable for prolonged sitting lest you find yourself fidgeting throughout to locate a comfortable sitting/lying-propped-up/craning-your-neck position.

3.5 / 5 for a sweet, lovely experience.