Cinema Review - High Heels and Low Lifes (From Western Telegraph)

Cinema Review - High Heels and Low Lifes

High Heels and Low Lifes Director: Mel Smith Starring: Minnie Driver, Mary McCormack and Michael Gambon Dur: 86 mins; Cert: 15 and Jurassic Park 3 Director: Joe Johnston Starring: Sam Neill, William H. Macy and Tea Leoni Dur: 100 mins; Cert: To Be Confirmed

Back in the good old 80s when comedy wasnt even the new rock and roll yet, funnyman Mel Smith was one quarter of TVs Not The Nine Oclock News and later one half of Alas Smith and Jones.

All good things come to an end however, and Mr Smith gave up the day job to become a film director, creating titles such as The Tall Guy and Bean.

He now gives us High Heels and Low Lifes a sort of Brit version of Thelma and Louise done as a crime-capering comedy. Our leading ladies (Driver and McCormack) stumble upon a big money safe-break and use their sass to swindle the loot from a half-witted thief which, of course, leads to chases, shoot outs and lots of snappy one liners, the likes of which we havent seen since... well, the last Brit-flick about a heist.

Although somewhat disappointing, Mel Smith manages to extract good comedy performances from his cast, especially in head baddie Kerrigan (Gambon), but overall the film fails to push the buttons that The Tall Guy and Bean did, simply because it lacks direction and pace.

And if its direction and pace your after from a film then may I point you towards Jurassic Park 3. I know, I know: Not another sequel, you cry, but believe me, you wont be disappointed with this one.

Spielberg steps sideways to allow Joe Johnston the job of directing this monster and Mr Johnston does excellently, delivering a somewhat darker and more menacing chapter of the franchise which is exactly what was needed in the previous instalments.

Here an expedition to survey the dreaded island from the air goes drastically wrong and a forced landing puts our human cast exactly where they didnt want to be. They discover that not only have the dinosaurs adapted and evolved but there are several species lurking in the undergrowth and if you thought T-Rex was terrifying then, as they say across the pond, you aint seen nothing yet.

Sam Neil reprises his role as Dr Alan Grant and still manages to look amazed when he watches the king-sized leaping lizards. I hear that in the US this film has been given a certificate PG-13 because its that much more frightening, well I can only say that the fear factor in Jurassic Park 3 warrants this precautionary move but lets face it, dinosaurs are meant to be scary so get out there and prepare to be scared.