DVD Corner

Magic Magic DVD Review

Not even Juno Temple and Michael Cera can save “Magic Magic.”

The quiet Alicia travels to Chile to hang out with her cousin (Sara) and her pals. Right off the bat, Alicia looks uncomfortable with the whole trip and things only get worse when Sara strands Alicia with her friends in order to allegedly take some college exams. Alicia, who doesn’t know any of Sara’s friends, becomes increasingly paranoid and emotionally unstable while on her own and soon finds herself questioning what is real and what isn’t.

“Magic Magic” seems to have several things going for it early on. First off, the Chile setting is stunningly beautiful and atmospheric and it certainly feels like a character in this movie. Secondly, some of the cast is at the top of their game here (especially Michael Cera and rising star Juno Temple). For anyone that accuses Michael Cera of turning in the same performance over and over, I’d like to direct them to his hyper and eccentric turn as Sara’s friend Brink. As for Juno Temple, the always exciting actress jumps head first into this brave role and proves to be the highlight of the entire film. Unfortunately, these positives aren’t enough to make the movie work.

While I can forgive the fact that the movie tries to be yet another psychological thriller about someone having a mental breakdown at a remote location, I can’t forgive the movie for being hard to watch. If you’re going to make an unnerving thriller, it should at least be entertaining, but there’s nothing fun about seeing Alicia’s character falling apart. The movie becomes painful watch and it doesn’t help that the film contains a non-ending that makes you wonder why you even bothered watching this to begin with.   

Video/Audio:

The film, which is presented in 2.40:1, features some truly picturesque locals, but I’m a little puzzled as to why there isn’t a Blu-ray release for this. The cinematography definitely lends itself to a hi-def transfer.

The Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track is fine. Just a heads up though, there are quite a few subtitles in this film.

Extras:
* Sony trailers.
* “Making Magic Magic”- A great 16 minute making of docu that feels like a film in its own right. Striking location footage, behind-the-scenes footage, cast and crew interviews, and a look at the director at work.

Summary: With “Magic Magic,” writer/director Sebastian Silva proves to be a stellar director, but it’s clear he needs to work on developing his screenplays.

September 1, 2013 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Juno Temple, Magic Magic DVD Review, Michael Cera