When we talk about Martin Campbell it is clear that we are not referring to an author. The most correct term, according to everyone, would be the craftsman, but this is a good opportunity to reiterate that this is not a negative concept, far from it. Throughout the history of cinema there have been numerous filmmakers who, starting from that aforementioned profession, have reached very high levels. And Campbell himself is an example of this theory.
All Martin Campbell’s films, from least to most
13 “Green Lantern (Green Lantern)”
It is very likely that, even before getting to this part of the special, you already knew that “Green Lantern (Green Lantern)” would occupy this position. Which, of course, if you had the great misfortune of seeing this absolute disaster, otherwise, live as if this film never existed. Seems to work for Martin Campbell, hey.
Green Lantern (Green Lantern) on eCartelera
12 ‘to love dangerously’
The best thing that has happened to ‘Loving Dangerously’ is that there is ‘Green Lantern (Green Lantern)’ to stop being the worst that Martin Campbell has directed in his long professional career. A disaster at all levels that has the ability to horrify both in its purely artistic aspect and in its human speech. We will talk about the terrible performances of Angelina Jolie and Clive Owen at another time. Or maybe not.
Loving dangerously in eCartelera
eleven ‘Helpless’
What could have been a legal drama of some height, the elements were there, ended up being something very much like a soap opera without a hint of soul or passion. Starting with Barbara Hershey and Sam Shepard, completely disconnected from the story, ‘Without Defense’ is a constant that I want and cannot only the address of a Martin Campbell capable of showing a certain technical expertise is saved among so much indifference. It is something.
Without defense in eCartelera
10 “The legend of Zorro”
Remember all the good things about “The Mask of Zorro”? How fun was that? His more than remarkable ability to entertain? What did their action scenes look like? The overwhelming charisma of its cast? How well did the script work and how much was it inspired by the direction of Martin Campbell?
Well, the opposite happens “The Legend of Zorro”, a prime example of a failed sequel.
The legend of Zorro on eCartelera
9 ‘Abroad’
Despite the elements there are, from the tight cast to a screenplay that bets both on the action and on the surprise plot, passing through a convincing direction by Martin Campbell, ‘El Extranjero’ has a problem as serious as it is insurmountable: it is extremely boring. And it matters little that, from time to time, desperate attempts are made to shake up history, the succession of yawns weighs more than that of events.
The stranger in eCartelera
8 ‘Up to the limit’
Led by a very dedicated Mel Gibson, the trademark of the house, “Allimit” is another one of those proposals directed by Martin Campbell that end up conveying the feeling of a missed opportunity. And that doesn’t mean we’re facing a bad movie, for nothing, but the bittersweet taste of what could have been remains, an action thriller and relentless violence, and what it ultimately is: a routine exhibition vehicle for the more impulsive Gibson.
At the limit in eCartelera
7 “Absolom’s Escape”
Unjustly treated by critics and the public at the time of its release, “Escape from Absolom” is one of those proposals that gives exactly what is asked of it. Not a little more, yes. That means, wild action, extreme performances, violent blows and goofy humor, and spectacular enough scenes to have fun. No, it’s not Martin Campbell’s best film, far from it, but it’s a far cry from the disaster it has always been associated with. Justice for her.
Absolom’s escape on eCartelera
6 ‘criminal law’
Precisely for the interpretations of Kevin Bacon and Gary Oldman, both fantastic, it is already worth saving from oblivion ‘Crime Law’, the first great artistic success of Martin Campbell. A well-told story, with great characters and some really effective surprises inside that conveys the essence of the best cinematic intrigues of the 1980s. The closest thing to a hidden gem we can find in the director’s filmography.
5 ‘vertical limit’
Okay, that’s nonsense from start to finish, but this “Vertical Limit” goes straight from its own prologue. Everything is ridiculous, loud, loud and grotesque, plus it has aged really badly visually, but you can’t stop looking at the screen. What about Martin Campbell? Well, have fun building the ultimate action and dizzy scenes. I can’t understand it, but it’s very close. A proposal to be claimed thanks to his love for excess.
Vertical limit in eCartelera
4 ‘The Protected’
Even if he has to drag a glaring casting mistake like Michael Keaton’s into a character the (great) actor can do little or nothing with, ‘The protégé’ it works more than amazing in its quality as an action thriller elegant in its forms and slightly funny in its comings and goings of plots. Martin Campbell is always at ease, coming close to becoming the best in the movie, but in the end it is a fabulous Maggie Q who is crowned as the total queen of this fun pastime.
Protected in eCartelera
3 ‘golden eye’
With ‘Goldeneye’, James Bond entered the 90s with renewed strength and an almost youthful enthusiasm. Directed by a wonderful Martin Campbell who would repeat the resurrection and renewal move a decade later with the wonderful ‘Casino Royale’, the installment that led to the premiere of Pierce Brosnan in the franchise is a high-speed train with clear ideas, precise delivery and the strength of a good punch on the table.
A proposal that mixed the classicism of the character, adding his most recognizable signs of identity, with a contemporary and intoxicating atmosphere capable of capturing the attention of even those spectators who have never shown much interest in this cinematic universe. ORnot the best and most important Bonds, the ones who always end up proving their essence of turning point.
Golden eye on eCartelera
Two ‘The Mask of Zorro’
After resurrecting James Bond himself with the formidable “Goldeneye”, Martin Campbell decided to bet on another legendary character as the masked hero called El Zorro. And the game, as with 007, is out. Five-star popcorn cinema led by a radiant Antonio Banderas, a wonderful Catherine Zeta Jones and the huge Anthony Hopkins, ‘The Mask of Zorro’ was an understandable blockbuster thanks to the combination of pure and simple adventure with fast-paced action, the soul of a great show, and a grateful sense of humor and romance that crossed the screen. An entertainment beyond the remarkable.
The mask of Zorro on eCartelera
1 “Royal Casino”
After the (very) unsuccessful ‘Die another day’, Daniel Craig replaced Pierce Brosnan in a decision by the makers of the saga that was met, what a surprise, with a mixture of surprise, controversy and indignation. However, even those who approached this ‘Casino Royale’ with a sharp knife and an absolute desire to skin the new James Bond found a film so formidable that they had no choice but to accept a resounding defeat.
Abandoning almost entirely the absurd sense of humor and the crazy action that had marked the last episodes starring Brosnan, the film directed with masterful pulsation from the best possible version of Martin Campbell is pure adrenaline and nervousness, dizziness and emotion, debauchery and spectacularity, sensuality and elegance. In short: Bond, Bond and Bond. And Craig confirming from the prologue that he was the best 007 since Sean Connery. Everything else? Yes: Eva Green, pure hypnosis.
Casino Royale on eCartelera
Specialized in the field of thriller and action, with punctual escapes to the superhero genre and classic adventure, Campbell has made in most of the proposals he has directed, and there are not a few, perform their duties satisfactorily. And it’s true that it’s hard to find masterpieces in his career, in fact none of his films reach that level, but it’s not that easy to spot too many artistic shipwrecks either. Although there are some that are worth different.
But, in any case, it is worth looking at the glass half full to delve into the filmography of a filmmaker who, for fairness and balance, professionalism and experience, has shaped an interesting career with occasional flashes of genius. And here’s good old Martin Campbell, devoted to the cause of cinematic craftsmanship.
Source: E Cartelera
