Exit Through the Gift Shop

Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

Director: Banksy

Running Time: 87 minutes 

Starring: Thierry Guetta, Banksy, Invader, Shepard Fairey

The master of conjuring up public discussion and debate, Banksy doesn’t disappoint with his first feature length film about the increasingly popular street art culture. A true insight into the underground sensation by the man who knows it best.

Exit Through the Gift Shop is an account of the life of Thierry Guetta, a French filmmaker who becomes entranced by the world of street art. His obsession leads him to working with some of the big names in the industry such as Invader and Shepard Fairey, following them around at night when they are creating their work, documenting every moment on film. Rapidly his tape collection grows, as does his desire to meet the top name in the business, Banksy. Finally his dream comes true as by chance he is hooked up with him and continues to work with the anonymous artist. Guetta later becomes involved in the business himself under the name of ‘Mr Brainwash’ and much to the others annoyance becomes highly successful selling his work for thousands. It is filmed in a documentary style with the artists involved, including the disguised Banksy, giving their recollection of the events that took place.

Not only is Exit Through the Gift Shop filled with hilarious one-liners from Banksy but it also introduces the audience to the culture of street art and the skill involved, although this is questioned throughout by the analogy of Mr Brainwash. Despite the masked face and altered voice, after years of being completely personality-less, Banksy is finally shown as an individual, ‘real’ person, with his sense of humour being not only displayed through his voiceovers but also through the plot and direction of the film itself. Brilliant publicity for not only Banksy himself, with him coming across a likeable character, who is easily warmed to with his humble attitude about the work he produces, but for street art itself. Packed with real footage of what art goes on at night in worldwide cities, the documentary manages to accurately put across why people get involved with street art and crushes any skeptics without turning it into an hour long lecture, the images speak for themselves

Of course no Banksy piece comes without room for debate and this is no exception. The questions surrounding the authenticity of Mr Brainwash came through fast. Some described it as a ‘mockumentary’, it all being a grand hoax used in order to mock the money making business of the art industry and lack of originality within modern art. Thierry Guetta symbolizing the ordinary man who too believes they can crack the art world just by copying the work of others. Whether it was all a hoax or if Guetta and Mr Brainwash really do exist, it doesn’t matter because Banksy achieved what he wanted, to once again spark debate and controversy whilst presenting his message at the same time.

It is a cleverly crafted piece of film, with the audience being drawn into this somewhat unreported world of street art from the very beginning, watching everything spiral out of control.  Whether you are a fan of this modern art form or not quite understanding the hype behind it, Exit Through the Gift Shop is well worth the watch. Not only do you feel as if you’ve personally tapped into a world that is so far away from the 9-5 job lifestyle, but is an interesting story about ambition and greed. If you choose to watch it as a documentary or a mockumentary it doesn’t matter, Banksy has managed to produced a thought-provoking entertaining film for the masses.

9/10

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

 Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Running Time: 105 minutes

Starring: James Franco, Freida Pinto, Andy Serkis, John Lithgow

Closing in at 105 minutes, the Rise of the Planet of the Apes was packed with promising action from the start but dwindled to an anti-climatic finish.

Will Rodman, played by James Franco, is a scientist researching into cures for Alzheimer’s disease when all hell breaks lose as one of the apes being tested on causes havoc within the company. He finds himself taking home the rather adorable chimpanzee’s offspring named Caesar, who from an early age shows signs of increased intelligence. The first half of the film shows the connection between the abnormally bright Caesar and his owner Will as the chimp grows older. An unbreakable bond forms between the two as well as introducing several more characters along the way such as Will’s father Charles and Caroline, his girlfriend, Frieda Pinto.  With years passing by the ape begins to grow bigger and stronger and after a brutal attack on a citizen is sent to an facility to stay in where he and the other animals are abused by the workers.  The latter half of the film shows Caesar’s rebellion against the conditions he is forced to live in and an uprising from the apes.

The winning point from this blockbuster is the superb visual effects. It is the first of the ‘ape’ films to use digital rather than makeup and costumes but this does not make it feel any less ‘tactile’ than the original films and instead gives it a new modern lease of life. The effects are especially shown off well on the Golden Gate Bridge scene where the film reaches full action.

Despite the brilliant effects, the end felt somewhat rushed and anti-climatic. After watching years worth of Caesar growing up and adjusting to his ever changing surroundings, supposedly building up tension and aggression within him towards the human race, it felt as if his mood changed overnight and from being this cute chimp went to an aggressive ape who I struggled to sympathize with. Although James Franco did a convincing job of being the naïve scientist whose idea was corrupted by big business and money, John Lithgow, playing the part of Rodman’s father with Alzheimer’s disease, outshined his performance. The connection between Charles and Caesar was stronger, with them both sharing a common interest of taking the ‘cure’ and the respect and love the chimpanzee had for the human was shown when he was trying to protect him from the angry neighbour. This same bond wasn’t formed between Franco and the ape, or even Franco and his father; there was no convincing sense of devotion between them. Caroline played by Frieda Pinto was also a weak character with her making no real impact on the plot or atmosphere, producing a generally forgettable performance.

Overall, the stunning effects and well-thought out plotline dramatically overshadowed the few character flaws. Genuine anger towards the facility handlers was felt throughout the film, bringing issues of animal cruelty and testing back to the foreground. This was a convincing prequel to the much-loved original films and left several hints for future ‘ape’ movies which although no desperate anticipation would be felt would be well worth the watch, even if just for the visuals. 


7/10