Ladyhawke

Rating:
Summary: Movies that inspire creativity are great for writers!
Review: I love Ladyhawke not only as a movie, but also because it gets my imagination going. Images and symbols are gateways to the imagination and this movie is filled with them. Watching it, made me think of possibilities for my own writing and encouraged me not to be shy about going to places in the writing of my new book that I sometimes feel shy about going. Wow, I think, this worked so well in the movie, I can do that in my writing, too. For example, the power of the wolf and the flight of the hawk and their always just missing each other were great expressions of love and longing and the power of passion. I also like the delving into the darkness of the human soul as in the character of the bishop. Great archetypical evil character. Speaking of archetypes, Matthew Broderick is a terrific court jester. And here's an idea... whenever I watch this movie, I think it would be so interesting to write a story from the point of view of the bishop and show in a story how he came to make the pact with the devil or darkside that allows him to set the curse or enchantment on the lovers.It's an idea free for the taking!

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful fantasy fable!
Review:
A pickpocket named " Mouse" ( Matthew Broderick)has escape from a dungeon and joins up with a knight named Navarre ( Rutger Hauer) and a beautiful woman named " Isabal" ( Michelle Pfeifer). The couple were once lovers but suddenly an evil clergy ( John Wood) puts a dark curse on them so they can be seperate on both day and night, by day the woman is a hawk and at night, Navarre is a wolf. The only way to break the curse is to destroy the dark clergy or else they will be that way forever.

A lush fantasy of pure beauty and rich imagination with good acting, an original idea, great photography, fine direction by Richard Donner and a cool music score by Andrew Powell. This is definitely one of the most original fairy tales to be put on film, i highly recommend this movie to fantasy lovers everywhere.

The DVD is quite good on picture & sound quality, the extras are production notes, cast and crew info and trailer.

Also recommended: The Nevernending Story, The Princess Bride, Conquest ( Lucio Fulci), Conan The Barbarian, Willow, The Dark Crystal, The Black Cauldron, Heavy Metal, Making Contact ( a.k.a. Joey), Shrek 1 & 2, Wizards and The Last Unicorn.

Rating:
Summary: Always Together, Eternally Apart
Review: Released a year before Ridley Scott's fantasy Legend, the merits of Ladyhawke got lost in the shuffle, due to the fact that then rising star Tom Cruise was in Legend. Personally, I like both films very much, and consider Ladyhawke to be one of director Richard Donner's most underated films.

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a beauty named Isabeau d'Anjou (Michelle Pfeiffer). She and Captain Etienne Navarre (Rutger Hauer), a knight were deeply in love. Thanks to the curse of the evil Bishop of Aquila (John Wood), the two are kept apart. By day she is a hawk, by night he is a wolf. To end the evil spell, the knight vows to break into the Bishop's stonghold, with help from his pickpocket friend Phillipe Gaston (Matthew Broderick), nicknamed the Mouse.

Donner's best asset here are the actors. They really make it work. Broderick's delivery as the film's comic relief is just great. Known for playing bad guys, it was nice to see Hauer playing a hero for once. I was also suprised at just how cool it was having Pfeiffer and Hauer play off one one another. They have good chemistry together. The screenplay from Edward Khmara, Michael Thomas, Tom Mankiewicz, (who collaborated with Donner on Superman The Movie) and David Peoples has action, magic, humor and romance. All of which, as I said, are elevated by the cast.

For anyone who happens to like Ladyhawke, the DVD extras will disappoint you for sure. The theatrical trailer and a few static production notes are all there is. I hope that Donner and Mankiewicz will sit down for an audio commentary, like they did for Superman...What do you say? Given the film's cult following...At least viewers can watch the film in either the widescreen or full frame formats.

Ladyhawke is a memorable fairy tale that most people seem to forget. The film is not perfect (the soundtrack--ugh!) but deserves a look and a special edition disc.

Rating:
Summary: I saw it in the theater...
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: Wasn't looking for it, glad I found it
Review: I saw this movie by accident because I would not normally seek out a fantasy; I'm glad I did. It captured my imagination in a thoroughly delightful way.

It's been a while since I've seen Ladyhawke, so I really can't remember the musical score which so many others complain about -- their complaints may be quite valid, but it does not detract from my memories of the film.

The theme of star-crossed lovers is as old as story telling, but it never goes away because it just keeps on working. The device used by this story to tell the tale is mystically enchanting. The drama of the rising and setting sun becomes a powerful metaphor.

These days there are too many movies that fall flat because underlying the superficialities of special effects, there is: Nothing. These films are quickly and readily assigned to the dust bin of your consciousness.

Ladyhawke is a completely charming story of enchantment that will engage your mind and your heart. That is why I remember it, and why I recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Ladyhawke
Review: This movie had an exciting plot and unlike many fantasy movies, was pretty easy to follow. I didn't mind the soundtrack- i mean, it was nothing special but it went with the movie and didn't bother me. I'm not normally a big fan of fantasy movies but I would definetly recommend this one.