Thanks entirely to the kindness of a stranger, last night I was able to see Ace Attorney at the Greater Union on Russell St in Melbourne, its showing a part of this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival. In a nutshell, I really enjoyed it… and I’m guessing a few readers took the opportunity to check it out also.
The lines to get in were nuts. I had an inkling it’d be popular, but I had no idea just how packed it would be. Fortunately, I had a seat right up the back, but I think I got sympathy neck pains from those in the front rows.
I’m not going to write a full review, that’s already been handled by the US guys, but I am happy to share my thoughts, from the perspective of someone who’s never played the games.
It was one of the better films I’ve seen this year, including the likes of The Dark Knight Rises and Prometheus. It wasn’t without its flaws, however — it could easily have been 30 minutes shorter with tighter editing.
The first half and a bit rocks along at a great pace; the humour, action and exposition are portioned scrumptiously. Then, perhaps two-thirds the way through, everything grinds to a near-halt and the once frantic and hilarious courtroom scenes are suffocated by layers of dialogue. The story, and eventual denouement, are hand-feed to the audience in painfully serial fashion. This wouldn’t be so bad, except each twist — and the ending itself — is easy to spot, long before it arrives on the screen.
That said, I haven’t laughed so hard at the cinema in a while and if given the chance, I’d watch it again. Anyone else head out last night to see it?
Thanks to the stranger who was able to provide me not only with a ticket, but a great seat also. Kudos to you, guy!
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