Stormbreaker (2006)

Alex Rider thinks he is a normal school boy, until his uncle is killed. He discovers that his uncle was actually then redirected up a mountain in his coffin for burial. Alex is recruited by Alan Blunt to continue the mission. He is sent to Cornwall to investigate a new computer system, which Darrius Sayle has created. He plans to give the new computer systems to every school in the country, but Mr. Blunt has other ideas and Alex must find out what it is. If you enjoyed the 2nd Cody Banks movie? You will probably enjoy this teen by the numbers spy spoof too. (5/10)

Stormbreaker is a 2006 film about a 15 year old, Alex Rider, who is recruited into the MI6 spy agency and assigned a mission to expose the plot of an evil mastermind billionaire.This British film, based off a novel, was a decent watch. The basic premise is of a teenage James Bond. The film can be applauded for a decent plot centering around the main character, although this plot is far from perfect as I will mention later on. But issues in the production of the film are quite clear. Fighting scenes were poorly choreographed, with the apparent use of quick camera pans completely overloading and confusing these scenes. The colour scheme seems ever so slightly saturated throughout the film, which seems strange seeing as though this is a fairly recent 2006 movie.The plot too wasn't perfect. The main character Alex is whisked from his normal life to spy training, and then his mission, all in a few weeks. It makes absolutely no sense that MI6 would choose to send a new teenage recruit on this risky mission in place of an experienced spy. This, alongside other glaring plot holes, make the film rather unbelievable.The plot is fairly predictable, and hardly has you on the edge of your seat. Clearly in writing the screenplay adaptation of the novel, key elements were skimmed over or overlooked, creating a strangely paced film plot.While the acting of Alex Rider is done very well by actor Alex Pettyfer, one notable misfire was in the character of Alan Blunt, playing the MI6 director. However, perhaps the error was not in the abilities of actor Bill Nighly, but rather in the poor characterisation of his character by the writers. This character comes off as harsh, insensitive, and interestingly enough blunt, after his name, potentially leading me to believe this character was intentionally written as such. Regardless, his character is definitely unpleasant. This film cannot qualify as a notable or impressive spy film, but it has the foundations of a good movie. While predictable, the plot definitely has potential, and had more time been spent on its development it would have vastly improved. Clearly more care needed to be taken in choreography of the fight scenes.However, the film isn't a horrible watch. There are definitely worse ways to spend one and a half hours.

Alex Rider (Alex Pettyfer) is a regular teenager with a regular uncle. However when his uncle is killed, he finds that his uncle was actually a British super spy. He reluctantly joins MI6 in the footstep of his uncle. Wealthy Darrius Sayle (Mickey Rourke) proposes to donate super computers called Stormbreaker to the schools, but MI6 suspects foul play.This is definitely some sort of James Bond jr. It just does it so badly. Alex Pettyfer is a pretty boy for the screaming girldom. However he is little more than that. And he joins so reluctantly that it grates. Alicia Silverstone is misused here as a nanny. It may be better if she was actually the mom. Mickey Rourke is playing the villain with glee. He's a cartoon, but considering the kiddie fare, it may be a good thing. All of it is rather too silly to watch.

Imagine the genes of Harry Potter (including the dedicated British production) and Brosnan-period Bond spliced for the teen market and you have it. This film is a welcome romp from the navel-gazing of Craig-Bond (that's navel-gazing on the part of the successive production teams, trying with mixed success to updtae the franchise). It's light but slick fun and frothy. It has no unnecessary sexual encounters too - a very interesting point for the Broccolis to take note of, perhaps.I found the London = Chelsea and Routemasters thing tiring but I enjoyed the cast. Stephen Fry is a self-casting Q and I liked the mix-up of Sophie Okonedo as the straight 'guy' to Bill Nighy's Basil Exposition-a-like. Mickey Rourke finds Guignol a bit tiresome, clearly, but he's still fun. Fine 5/10