Review of A Star Is Born (2018) by Aaron C — 20 Oct 2018

A Star is Born.

2018.

Dir: Bradley Cooper.

Runtime: 2 hr 15 min.

Synopsis: In this new take on the tragic love story, Bradley Cooper plays seasoned musician Jackson Maine, who discovers and falls in love with struggling artist Ally (Gaga). She has just about given up her dream to make it as a big singer, until Jack coaxes her into the spotlight. But even as Ally's career begins taking off the personal side of their relationship begins breaking down as Jack fights an ongoing battle with his own personal demons.

So right before seeing this film I discovered that this is a remake but the story is its own. Similar story but with slightly different changes. The last film I watched that he directed was "American Sniper". Now that film was... okay. Great film but there are ALOT of super dry points that kind of drag. With a ridiculous runtime it's pretty much the book into film. With that being said this film was a 100x improvement to the fullest. Bradley Cooper is already an amazing actor and Lady Gaga being her first feature film she did amazing. Being a drama piece you can clearly tell that both stars full on lived this film. The story was written amazing given that I've never seen the original I can't say how close it is to the original. The start of the story is very straight forward and predictable but the ending was very unexpected. Midway through I was generally curious as to how they would end the film bc most music based films are a "rise and fall" style of a story but as you progress you really begin to hope that the story doesn't end with a fall of either characters. The way it was shot was amazing and I would absolutely recommend a theatre watch, have to be in a large theatre though, a rave cinema preferably or even RPX might work. Something with huge sound and a massive screen. The concert scenes are perfect with gaining the energy that is trying to be conveyed on screen. A nice theatre you almost feel like your there. Along with shakey camera work in drama films which portrays the realistic feel of the scene they have a lot of beautiful shots with still scenes. In the last act of the film there is a shot which I won't spoil because I don't do spoilers but whoever has already seen it; the shot outside of the garage very still and you can't really see what your looking for until you look through the window of the garage. That one scene has a lot of power without any noise or sound really instills the sense of what has happened. Then you get a solid 10 mins of no sound with transitions through different scenes. No sound is needed but they executed the feel of the scene soooo well. The characters were awesome seeing Gaga for the first time on the big screen she has amazing presence and a music film was perfect given her original profession. Bradley Cooper's character was so believable I literally forgot that the man doesn't actually have a country accent. He brought kind of a Rocket Raccoon comedic vibe to the character. Can't really say there are dry points through the film with every scene has a purpose so there's nothing that is just there to be there. This would be a film to add to your collection if you enjoy film for film and the beauty and art of it all.

5/5 ?????????? loved it, very long film but prior to going in your can expect a long drama story style of film. Nothing I can really complain about from the characters to the story and the dialogue. Theatre was full of old ladies which made it funny when a cheesy joke was cracked everyone laughed. The one overly dramatic lady in the front was sobbing by the end. ??????