Genres

Visitors Review

kluseba 2012-05-24 19:35:14

Old-fashioned but charming and entertaining

This film tells the story of a young thief who gets involved in thestory of an ancient curse: an ancient military hero got cursed by ajealous and egoistic priest to live as a wolf by night and hisbeautiful girlfriend as a hawk by day so that they could never meet ashumans as long as the sun rises and goes down.Well, the story is nothing really original or surprising and of course,there is a dramatic ending with happy end. But the whole movie is quitecharming and entertaining and tells a beautiful fantasy story filledwith clichés. The young and charismatic Matthew plays a nice role as anaive and annoying thief, Rutger Hauer incorporates the tough guywaiting for his vengeance and Michelle Pfeiffer the charming younglady. The key message of the film that one has never to give up andwait for a good twist or idea to solve one's problems instead of usingviolence is a typical, but nice idea. The ancient traitor who wants tocorrect his errors in an innersight experience is a nice gadget of thisfilm, too. The films has a quite large type of genres, beginning withfantasy elements (the curse of the hawk and wolf), romantic elements(theor faithful love), dramatic elements (as the hawk is heavilyinjured and as the wolf seems to commit a huge mistake), actionelements (as the young thief escapes from prison and military) andphilosophical elements (love, religion, faith) with some interestingtwists (the change of mood of the monk, the eclipse).The only negative elements are that the movie deals with a lot ofclichés, that the end is quite predictable. Another bad point is thatthe film has been turned in 1985, but that the graphics are rather oldfashioned and that there is a lack of special effects or interestingdirector's ideas. This lack of ideas makes the film quite ordinarywhich is quite sad as the actors are doing a good job and as the wholething could have been better as many interesting basis elements arethere but not no profound or surprising aspects based on it. It allrests quite superficial, very diversified, but with no specialconcentration on one of the different genre elements. A bit lessdiversity, but a more profound analysis could have made the film a lotbetter.All in all, the movie is quite entertaining and is especiallyinteresting for its young main actors who have all become well knownactors in their later careers. If you're seeking for a reallyinnovating blockbuster, you may be disappointed, as it is a verytraditional and old fashioned fantasy movie. I would recommend you towatch this and to have a nice two hours with it but not buy it.

Brian Rollins 2012-05-24 17:23:01

My Favorite Movie

This movie is, hands down, my absolute favorite. It doesn't have a littleofeverything, it has a lot! Action, drama, comedy, suspense, even romance!Thecharacters are wonderful and fully realized all the way down to the"bit-parts." The story is a fantastic concept that truly shows off thewriters' imaginations. If you haven't seen it yet, rent it now! Also outonDVD!

2012-05-21 01:42:28

Not your typical lycanthropic horror flick!!

This has got to be the best werewolf movie I've ever seen! It has a great plot, it's not just your typical werewolf movie with a savage bloodthirsty lycanthropic killer, its one of few that uses real animals. Its about a couple who are cursed by the arch bishop of Aquila to spend their days sepparated not by distance but by species, isabel is a hawk by day and her mate Navar is a wolf by night. the main downer to this movie is the use of bad special effects during the transformation scenes, but you'll be seeing plenty of wolf and hawk, as where with most werewolf movies I've seen they rarley show the beast. a must see for all shapeshifters!! END

olylance1 2012-05-20 22:45:57

OK, OK, Alright Already....(No spoilers).

I just slogged my way through quite a few reviews here and its quite amixed bag. Seems you either love it or hate it. But whats to hate?I saw this in '87 around the same time "Sweet Liberty" and "ThePrincess Bride" came out(both great faves of mine and both grosslyunderrated), and and fell immediately and hopelessly in love with Ms.Pfeiffer. I was enthralled, caught up in the enchantment. That was 27years ago. I just watched it again for the umpteenth time last nightand it hasn't lost its sweet, almost painful, heart-breaking, funnymagic. I'm not going to repeat what others have said, but there is ONETHING I differ in with most reviewers!!: I LOVE THE SOUNDTRACK! AlanParsons Project is one of my all time favorites groups and the musicjust drives the story forward and up, and does it at a relentlesspace.Its a perfect match to this movie. Hand in glove. Without it, itwouldn't have worked (not for me anyway.) I put this movie right upalongside "The Princess Bride" (1987, with Meathead, aka Rob Reiner) asdirector, "Star Wars IV: A New Hope", "Sweet Liberty", and "Superman:The Movie". Watch it!!! And laugh, and cry, and be spellbound!I just took some time and read some MORE reviews and I almost laughedout loud at the ones that gave this superb movie 1 star or no stars,relegating to the status of THE WORST MOVIE EVER. I'm not quite surewhat planet these people live on but it sure ain't earth. Us trueromantics will never be swayed. Long live Philippe Gaston, "The Mouse"!Long live "Etienne of Navarre"! Long live "Isabeau d'Anjou"! Long live"Ladyhawke"! (OK, I'm done)

2012-05-12 10:55:43

Great movie!

This review is from: Ladyhawke (DVD) The music is a bit different than some might expect and thus it might throw you off. But this movie has a great tragic storyline and a great message about the power of Good. Suffice it to say, the movie ends with a happy note. This turned out to be somewhat of a chick flick that my wifed liked because the basic premise of the movie is one big love story. Thus, men and women alike should enjoy this one.

wsbutler 2012-05-12 00:58:42

My Ash Wednesday staple.

This movie has my all time favorite line of any movie, book, or practicallyanything else ever written. I have to hear Leo McKern say, "What...Oh myGod, is it Lent again, already?" every Ash Wednesday before I go toworship.Apart from that, I love Matthew Broderick's ongoing conversation with Godthroughout the movie. To my lay mind this was his best work up to "Glory".It was honest, funny, and great sermon material. Evil clerics are not myfavorite villains in the world, but this movie does a good job of makingtheBishop of Aquila villainous without making all of Christianity his partnerincrime.

2012-05-10 18:24:31

Ladyhawke-probably the best movie ever done

This is the best movie I ever seen- I saw it first when I was only 10 (I didn' t see the end, the first time!), but I fell in love with this movie! The actors are very very able (expecially Rutger Hauer), and I liked very much the idea of Duality, which I think is inside every man. I liked also the role of Imperius (a monk cursed by his duty to the Bishop- a very sad, sad person), although many people aren' t of my same idea!

2012-05-10 13:23:21

Excellent romantic adventure.

This review is from: Ladyhawke (DVD) It's hard to imagine a romantic adventure of this caliber being made today. In fact, it was somewhat anachronistic when it was made in the mid 1980s. But I wish that there were more movies this good being made today. I don't know how many times I've seen Ladyhawke but it's been quite a few, and I never seem to tire of it. In fact, although I already had it on videocassette, I bought the DVD version even before I had a DVD player because I din't want to take a chance that it would become unavailable. This movie is that good.The title, LadyHawke, comes from the fact that the lady (Michelle Pfeiffer) is a hawk by day and a woman only at night as the result of a curse placed by a jealous bishop. Because of the curse, her lover (Rutger Hauer) is a wolf at night and a man by day. Thus, although the lover's are always together, they are also always apart. An old priest (Leo Kern) comes up with a plan to break the curse and enlists the help of a young thief (Matthew Broderick) in implementing it. This is a truly wonderful movie with a great script, fine acting, and great atmosphere and photography plus lots of action, suspense, and romance. A winner that's on my top dozen films list.

2012-05-06 22:31:31

A great adventure / love story .

This movie is my favorite in this line of films. No one is quite as luminous or lovely as Michelle Pfeiffer is in this role. Rutger Hauer is great as her knight. Matthew Broderick is a fantastic "Mouse". "Ladyhawke" has it all-adventure,love, mystery,action-you name it. It is truly a love story for the ages, and I would take my young child to see it. I cannot recommend it any more highly than that.

2012-05-06 10:57:26

This is the sort of film

This review is from: Ladyhawke [VHS] (VHS Tape) This is the sort of film "they don't make any more" but really should. In Ladyhawke, horses just don't gallop or trot, they prance. The story, based upon a Medieval legend of a pair of cursed lovers-a knight who is a wolf by night, and a lady who is a hawk by day-is gorgeous to watch, not just for the fine acting, but for the wonderful Italian countryside. Rutger Hauer is a starwart as Etienne of Navarre, a man who can fight off battlions of the Bishop's Guards one moment, just ache so heartbreakingly for his lost love the next. Michelle Pfieffer, as Isabeau of Anjou, comports herself with touching vunerability, yet with a strength which sometimes takes ones breath away. And then, as now, hers is an etherial beauty for which men would go to war. Even Matthew Broderick, as the comedy relief thief Phillipe the Mouse, can bring a smile or a tear with equal ease. His charector oftentimes seems on the edge of madness as he slowly realizes what he had gotten himself into by escaping the dungeons of Aquiela. And the last scenes, with the battle in the Church, and the final confrontation with the evil bishop (and gentlemen, upon getting married, how would you like to see Michelle Pfieffer down the aisle?) is the big payoff. I wish this one had a sequal, if only so that I could see what happened next to these wonderful charectors.(...)

2012-05-01 22:22:56

happy customer

This review is from: Ladyhawke (Region 2) (DVD) I was really over joyed by how quick I recevied the item and very pleased with how the movie played.

brendans 2012-05-01 13:16:52

Ladyhawke

I liked this movie.I thought it was good.It had good acting.It had a bird in it.It had knights riding horses in the movie.

2012-04-29 04:30:23

Ladyhawke

The first time I saw this movie was in school, 7th grade but since then I've seen it more than I can count. It's a great story-line and has it's share of climaxes. In my opinion it's a wonderful movie and I recomend it...

2012-04-28 15:37:24

A mystical, comedic, sad, fairy-tail-like love story

This is a marvelous film, highly recommendable, even to people who aren't particularly intrigued by fantasy films. This is the story of two lovers separated by night and day-the man turns into a wolf at night, and the woman into a hawke during the day. Matthew Broderick instills a true comedic sense to this film, and Pfeiffer and Hauer are extroardinarily believable. This is a lovely tale, and allthough it is obvious fantasy, the viewer will watch it as though these type of problems- magicians and things- actually happened a long time ago. Well acted, good script, and beautiful visuals...that says it all.

2012-04-26 23:07:03

A Medieval Legend comes to Life

A young thief named Philippe (Matthew Broderick) escapes being hanged and is embroiled in a supernatural tale of love and betrayal. He is rescued from the evil bishop's guards by Navarre (Rutger Hauer) who travels with his trusty steed and his graceful hawk. At night Navarre disappears, leaving Phillipe who meets a beautiful woman (Michelle Pfieffer) and her dangerous wolf. As the bishop's guards close in on them, Navarre and his hawk are wounded. It is then that Philippe meets a drunken monk (Leo McKern) and discovers the horrifying tale that joins the man and woman together. The scenery in this movie is magnificent and the lighting, which was a terrible problem in video versions of this film, has greatly improved making the night scenes enjoyable. Matthew Broderick provides wonderful comic relief. Rutger Hauer is handsome, strong, and plays Navarre perfectly. Michelle Pfieffer is beautiful and graceful. And Leo McKern is.. well Leo McKern, fantastic no matter what he does. A wonderful, magical story of love and friendship triumphing over evil.

2012-04-26 05:12:14

One of the Greatest Movies Of All Time

You know that it is a beautifully written movie if it will make a guy tear up, and the main theme song alone does that to me. The story is very personal, meaning that if you have ever been in love, you can relate to any character on the movie. The score for the film is a little dated, but it doesn't stop it from being fantastic. Like I said, it makes me tear up every time I hear the theme. The movie itself is wonderful to look at. The scenery is amazing. Overall, an amazing film.

2012-04-24 21:30:27

I saw it in the theater...

when I was in high school. And I STILL love this movie. I don't get why everyone is critical of the soundtrack. IT WAS THE 80S!! Of course it's cheesy! Other than that, I fell in love with Rutger Hauer then, and still love him today. (Sigh) The setting, the romance, the passion and the laughs are as good today as they were to a high school junior then.S

2012-04-24 03:43:35

Scifi/fantasy/love story all in one

This review is from: Ladyhawke (DVD) My favorite love story/scifi/fantasy movie. Pfeiffer and Hauer respectively play Isabeau and Navarre convincingly as lovers who suffer the anguish of cursed separation. Watch Hauer's face as he listens to Gaston(Broderick) speak of Isabeau---you will be captivated by his expressions of powerful disdain and bitterness changing to expressions of delight and longing. Feel the gravity of tragedy when Gaston asks Isabeau who she is and she answers "I am Sorrow." Pfeiffer is perfect as Isabeau and Rutger Hauer as Navarre. I still swoom when I see his riding scenes on that magnificent black stallion...in those black nobleman's riding clothes on a lean and muscular body. Whew! Someone let some air in, please! (And I don't usually like the blonde and tan type.) The scene at dawn---for that fleeting moment when they are both human and they achingly reach out to touch hands...I could almost feel the ache too. Hauer's roar of frustration---whoah. And yes, the music can get strong and corny at times, but there are other moments when the disco medieval works out just fine. The fighting scenes are good, and Broderick sets off an element of humour well. The scene when the lovers confront the evil bishop are satisfying for an ending. And, honestly, the only thing that I DID NOT like about the movie was the very last scene---it could have been a little different. Here's why: Navarre holds Isabeau up in the air and twirls her around in the church hall while sunshine streams over them...Pfeiffer lifts her arms up like she's flying...Okay I could stomach that part, but the part where she cries out "I love you" over and over again. Puhleeeze! For me, this is the one lame scene and week cinematic treatment of the story. Otherwise, aside from the last few seconds of that ending scene, the rest of the movie is strong and I just can't resist the whole effect it has on me. It's a special hybrid of fairytale/fantasy and romance.

2012-04-19 11:50:28

One of the Greatest movies ever.

This movie shows the meaning of true love that was meant to be. They would have waited the rest of their lives just to see eachother one more time.

2012-04-18 22:50:27

Great move with a great musical score.

This review is from: Ladyhawke (DVD) First off, this is a great family film. The video is not the best but that said, this movie works and will stay a viewable movie for many years. It's romantic, funny, dark, with danger and sadness but is hopeful. And for me, the musical score just tied it together. Composer Andrew Powell of the Alan Parsons Project fame, teamed up with producer Alan Parsons to write a clasical/rock music score with orchestral interludes that hits and brings out the enhanced emotions that the move unleashes.