Ladyhawke
|
Our Price: $47.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $13.99 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Canada
Movie Reviews of Ladyhawke
Movie Review: Ladyhawke Transcends Soundtrack
Summary: 5 Stars
This past weekend I watched Ladyhawke, a 1985 flick, again. I was drawn into the fantasy world of Etienne Navarre and Isabeau d'Anjou, two lovers cursed by the Cardinal whose love Isabeau had scorned. The only drawback to this wonderful film is the soundtrack. I'd love to see them re-score this film. I'd be in line to get a copy of it.
This emotion-drenched story is so compelling, so well-acted by the young and beautiful Rutger Hauer as Navarre and Michelle Pfeiffer as Isabeau, but the soundtrack is so jarring and inappropriate for a love story that sweeps you away to medieval times. You don't just suspend disbelief at the fantasy story so much as you fling it into oblivion. The desperation and despair of the two ill-fated lovers is wrenchingly believable.
Directed by Richard Donner, 7 years after he did the original Superman movie and 2 years before he directed the first Lethal Weapon film, the set of Ladyhawk was where Donner met Lauren Shuler who produced Ladyhawke. The couple subsequently married and remain married today. They were both honored with a double star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in October 2008. he shows why he's such an amazing director. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards and for several science fiction awards.
Edward Khmara wrote the story and the screenplay. (Writers, you can learn from Mr. Khmara's screenplay because it works on so many levels.) The Warner Brothers marketing department said the movie was based on a true medieval legend. Of course, Mr. Khmara, who created the story from his writer's imagination, took issue with that claim. He took his complaint to the Writers Guild Association and was awarded a cash settlement from Warners. However, the medieval legend claim had a life of its own by then.
Because of Ladyhawke, I decided to forgive Mr. Khmara for his other 1985 work, the horrendous Enemy Mine starring Dennis Quaid and Lou Gossett as a pregnant male alien. Mr. Khmara went on to write Dragon, The Bruce Lee Story, 1993, another of my favorite movies.
Ladyhawke has the tagline: Cursed for eternity. No force in Heaven will release them. No power on Earth can save them. The movie starred Matthew Broderick, fresh from his War Games star turn, as Philipe Gastone, a thief who escapes from the dungeon at Aquila. He's nearly captured, but Captain Navarre rescues and befriends him. Navarre has been hunted by the evil Bishop's men for two years, ever since he escaped with Isabeau, the object of the Bishop's lust. Since the Bishop couldn't have Isabeau, he cursed her and Navarre. By night, Navarre is a wolf; by day Isabeau is a hawk. They are always together, yet always separated. Navarre wants Philipe help him re-enter the city so he can kill the Bishop.
Broderick's character is am amusing distraction, but the real acting heavy hitters are Hauer and Pfeiffer. Rutger Hauer is so completely believable as the tortured knight in love with a woman he can only see when he's in the shape shifting form of a wolf. Pfeiffer is electric as the Isabeau who loves her knight. Wolves and hawks mate for life, just as these two cursed lovers.
Hauer's role was three years after his mortality-conscious android in Blade Runner, another favorite of mine. Michelle Pfeiffer played Isabeau after paying her dues through years of television performances and 3 previous movies: Grease 2, Into The Night, and the infamous Scarface. John Wood, also in War Games with Broderick, was the evil Bishop of Aquila. He's so good that you instantly hate him. Leo McKern, the late Australian actor who some always thought was English, played Father Imperius the Monk. He set the whole story in motion by betraying a confession to the Bishop who then cursed the lovers. Naturally, he's the one who knows how to break the curse.
Some movies transcend their flaws. The epic love story Ladyhawke is such a movie, and it possesses the power to win a new generation of viewers.
Movie Review: Enchanting Medievil Love Tale
Summary: 5 Stars
LadyHawke is a simply beautiful, enchanting and most romantic medievil tale of two lovers doomed by the darkened curse of an evil and jealous bishop. By day, the delicately exquisite Lady Isabeau (Michelle Pfeiffer) is transformed into a graceful Hawke, while her beloved and heroic Captain Ettienne Navarre(Rutger Hauer), takes on the form of a black Wolf through the night. Never the twain shall meet in human form, destined to never consummate their love. The devoted lovers can do nought but roam hopelessly, though never parted, waiting for a miracle and divine sign that the curse may somehow be broken. It comes in the form of a recently escaped prisoner, the quick and crafty theif, Phillipe 'The Mouse' Gaston(Matthew Broderick). Who, saved by Navarre and later assisted by a rougly eccentric and exiled Monk (played by veteran actor Leo Mckern), guides them to the key which will undo the curse and re-unite them, helping to ward off their attackers and enemies along the way.
LadyHawke handles the medievil genre with class and wit. Artfully directed and photogaphed, it is fast paced with plenty of action and thrills, whilst always maintaining the mystical and mythical poetry of the story beautifully. The script balances both modern comical elements with classic romance and imagery in a way which keeps the viewer both entertained and enchanted. Whilst the tragic dilemma of Navarre and Isabeau, along with their profound love for each other, is captured and presented in a way which is heartfelt and sublimely moving.
The actors are most suitably cast for this film. Pfeiffer; with her delicate, stunning classic beauty and refined grace, is perfect as Isabeau. And the lessor known 'Hauer', makes a most dashing and teutonically hansome Captain Navarre. Indeed an impressive and imposing, almost futuristic figure, all in black aloft his majestic, powerfull horse, 'Golaith'. But the film would not have been as successful or enjoyable without the delightful performance of Broderick as 'Phillipe'; who's character provides a comic lightness and suitable contrast within the story, that is cleverly subtle and droll. Added to this is an impressive supporting cast of very high class and calibre; including 'John Wood', who is just wonderful as the unsettlingly sinister and powerful Bishop.
The film, with its magical premise of the lovers' spirits being trapped within that of a beautiful bird of prey and majestic wild beast, has a very mystical feel and is quite visually stunning. The romantic and metaphorical imagery of this period and genre has always captivated me, I must admit. Part fairy tale/fantasy and romantic legend and part action packed adventure, it has all the ingredients to make it an enduring favourite and classic piece of cinema. My only criticism is that of the quite '80's' musical score which doesn't really capture the mood or emotion of the film. It is not one I would have chosen and does seem quite out of place. I realize that they chose it in order to give the story a more modern 'Hollywood action' kind of feel and undertone, but it didn't really work for me. I would have prefered some haunting celtish pipes and drums or suitable classical style. Apart from that, LadyHawke is a very well crafted, visually beautiful and riveting movie, perfect for watching on a rainy sunday.
Movie Review: Wonderful Fantasy Film
Summary: 5 Stars
In medieval times, a young thief named The Mouse (Matthew Broderick) escapes from the dungeons from Aquila, led by a menacing Bishop (John Wood). He is saved by a mysterious knight named Navarre (Rutger Hauer), who roams around with a hawk. By night, however, she is a charming beauty (Michelle Pfeiffer) and he is a wolf. The two are in love, but are cursed by the Bishop. So, with the help of a former priest (Leo McKern), The Mouse is determined to help them break the curse and destroy the evil Bishop.I really love this film. It's one of my top favorite fantasy films of all time. It's also a childhood favorite; they used to show it on the ol' family channel right after Neverending Story. Nostalgia aside, this is a wonderfully made film. You have a traditional medieval story about starcrossed lovers, epic battles, beautiful locales, and humor along the way. I especially liked The Mouse's misconceptions about God and towards the end of the film, he finally has an idea of what's going on. The acting is quite good, especially considering the main three stars were up-and-coming; Broderick just got off of doing WarGames and Ferris Fueller before taking the role. Hard to believe that Rutger Hauer wasn't the original choice for Navarre (it was reported that Kurt Russell was originally selected to play the part) because he makes the role all his own. It's also nice to see him play a hero role, too; for a long time I thought of him as the psychotic replicant from Blade Runner. Of course, Pfeiffer is excellent as she is beautiful, too.
Richard Donner, best known for helming the Lethal Weapon series, directed and co-produced. His wife, Lauren Shuler, produced the film. His directing style here is actually different from most of his films, allowing the beauty of the old landscapes and the fight scenes to be portrayed properly. The screenplay is top-notch, which is no surprise since one of the writers wrote Enemy Mine and the other contributed to the Superman series.
Probably the only quarrel I have with it is the music score by Andrew Powell (one of the members of the Alan Parsons Project). I actually liked the score, especially with its jaunting theme, but one critic described it as "disco-medieval." I can't agree more. It screams the 80s so well that a contemporary score set to a medieval picture seems very inappropriate. Still, a good score despite what people say.
Overall, I highly recommend this fantasy film to anyone that likes the genre. In fact, I recommend it even if you're not because it's such a beautiful film that must be seen. A must-see.
Movie Review: Romantic Medieval Legend: Add To Your Collection
Summary: 5 Stars
1985: I don't know much about actors/actresses film biographies but I believe this could be Matthew Broderick and Michelle Pfeiffer's debut roles on film. They look very young, especially Matthew Broderick. Broderick plays Phillipe Gaston, otherwise known as "The Mouse." In medieval France, Phillipe escapes an old dungeon prison and the forces of the sinister Bishop of Aquilla (played by John Wood) through the underground water sewage systems. Phillipe is an elusive thief who manages to escape being caught once again through the aid of the noble knight Etienne Navarre (Rutger Hauer). Navarre is traveling with his hawke. Eventually Phillipe discovers that Etienne Navarre is the victim of a dark spell cast upon him by the Bishop of Aquilla. Previously, Navarre had been the captain of the guard. He fell in love with the beautiful Isabeau (Michelle Pfeiffer) but met with the opposition of the Bishop, who was also in love with her. Jealous and enraged that Isabeau and Navarre were so much in love, he turned his back on God and called upon the Devil for a wicked black magic- Isabeau turns into a hawke by day and Navarre turns into a wolf by night. The lovers may only briefly glimpse each other as night turns into day. With the assistance of Phillipe, the heroes manage to break the spell during an eclipse. The Bishop is killed and the lovers are finally united in their human form. This fantasy romantic film is well done in cinematic terms. Visually stunning, great special effects (for the mid 80's anyhow) and great performances by Broderick, Hauer and Pfeiffer. The only complaint most viewers have is the music. The score is by Alan Parson, an 80's pop group, and the music inappropriately sounds brash, modern, more in the veins of disco or nightclub music of the 80's. It is out of place for a film set in medieval times. It would have been more appropriate if composer John Williams (of famed Star Wars and Indiana Jones films) made the music for this film, or any other composer that uses symphonic and orchestral treatment for film scores. Perhaps even Celtic music as one viewer suggested and since it is a love story, a love song could have been written and sung by, let's say- Enya.Movie Review: A great story!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of those "guilty pleasures" people talk about. Despite its many flaws, it still stands out as one of my favorite movies -- I watch it more often than I will admit. Yes, the story can get stilted. Yes, it's more full of authenticity errors than your average LARP. Yes, the soundtrack's electric guitars and synth sound ridiculous. Yes, the script forces the actors to say really stupid things. But you know what? It's still a great movie, in the tradition of the greatest medieval romances. It borrows shamelessly from many sources, ending up with a nearly archetypical story of a lady in love with a knight and a dreadful, awe-inspiringly-unpleasant curse preventing them from being together. Rutger Hauer makes his knight, Nevarre, brim with barely-controlled fury, tension, violence, and desire the entire movie. Michelle Pfeiffer's Isabeau is delicate and airy, but capable and somewhat irritated with (and resigned to) Nevarre's impulsiveness and violence, a welcome change from standard damsels-in-distress. Broderick's "Mouse" is a false note -- it's like Ferris Bueller got set down in 13th-century France. The whole "talking to yourself to illustrate motive" thing is annoying. But he does provide some welcome humor (the "she flew away, Your Honor!" line is one of the best in the movie). The sets are excellent, the scenery is incredible, the costumes are all right (with the exception of Isabeau's hair, which looks just flat-out WRONG the whole way through the movie, and Nevarre, whose black leather is totally cool, even makes squeaky leather noises when he walks), and I just love the horse, who is a character in his own right.
There are very few goodies on the DVD, but the few there are, and the widescreening, make it worthwhile as a purchase. I'm definitely glad I got mine. Incidentally, while it has no real sex or graphic violence, I don't think it'd be great for little kids to see due to some pretty mature ideas in it, including very naughty priests.