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Aside from the story, "Phoenix Down" often works as a nine minute
example on the special effects and director Hernandez's eye for detail.
The rich special effects can not be ignored though because Hernandez
plays it wise by giving us some truly top notch effects which sets in
motion the actual premise before our eyes.
It's just a shame
that within the gloss and gold, there's really not much of a story.
I've seen nine minute movies that have told more gripping stories
than Mr. Hernandez has here and his intent toward the movie seems to
be his knack for special effects rather than giving us some trace of
a story.
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We're
instead handed a five minute meaningless (even if gritty)
air show involving fighter jets and rival airmen along with
the fight being taken down on to an island where the nemeses
have been forced to cooperate with one another. Then before
the story can even begin, we're given literally nothing to
take away in the form of substance and characterization. For
someone with such an eye for detail, Hernandez doesn't know if
he's coming or going and opts for a middle of the road
concept that only feels like a story has been told to us.
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Before anyone can even settle in the journey has ended and we're
left with a head scratching climax that leaves a path of questions
that are never answered. "Phoenix Down" has the potential to be
better but instead opts for middle of the road when all is said and
done.
While the effects are
fine, "Phoenix Down" has no story and possesses an insanely anemic form
of characterization that turns Hernandez's action from an adventure with
a shot at success to a failure lacking in story, characterization and
clear substance.
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