A Very Much Deserved Second Chance -- NEW YEAR'S EVE Movie Review

POTATO ON THE GO:

We are fascinated with all-star cast movies.  There's a long list in our movie shelves.  Unfortunately though, there's only a few which are able to transform the stellar casting to an acting ensemble and excellent movie.  I was not quite impressed previously with Gary Marshall's Valentine's Day but this time, he nailed it big time with NEW YEAR'S EVE!

NEW YEAR'S EVE is a movie created for this holiday season that narrates the lives of the people from different walks of life  and how they are intertwined and changed by the most magical place in the world (New York City) during the most dazzling night of the year.  It stars Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Jon Bon Jovi, Abigail Breslin, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Robert De Niro, Josh Duhamel, Zac Efron, Hector Elizondo, Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Seth Meyers, Lea Michele, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michelle Pfeiffer, Til Schweiger, Hilary Swank, Sofia Vergara

At first, I wished that NEW YEAR'S EVE turns out to be good as it talks about one of the happiest occasions in the world.  The trailer and the song hooked me and I really hoped that I would have a good time with the movie.  'But it's more than what I expected!  More than it being entertaining, the film is refreshing, enlightening and inspiring.  It's too much to say that it's life changing, but actually, I think, it is possible.

NEW YEAR'S EVE is a movie which main protagonist is not a human nor an animal.  The lead is also the setting -- the time and the place, New Year's Eve and New York City.  The characters, whom I consider as support this time around, are well told and played.  They represent almost all of human dimensions and relationships.

It has a well written script and superb editing and direction that perfectly weaved in the characters, situations and subplots in a creative, non-traditional but logical and relevant way.  The story and the characters are well told.  The characters may not have the full movie to be narrated but in their brief yet lasting scenes, Gary Marshall was able to effectively share their stories and their meaning and importance in the film, and its relevance to the audience as the characters and their situations represent each of us.

Musical score is moving and Production Design is magical yet realistic!  Cinematography is not too extraordinary which makes it fit for a movie like this; it's basic yet done in an edgy way.

Each of the actors performed very well but my favorites are Michelle Pfeiffer, Sarah Jessica Parker, Zac Efron, Halle Berry and Robert De Niro.  'BUT, the movie's scene stealer goes to Sofia Vergara!  :D

And from Sofia Vergara, NEW YEAR'S EVE may be full of meaning but, it is also full of fun!  As we are driven to real life situations, aspirations and triumphs, the audience were also treated to a full fun with the powerful punchlines, outrageous yet still very real situations and wacky characters!  And it's not just within the movie!  Stay until the end credits and witness it for yourself!  :)

My build is some parts of the story should have been established or planted well so that when they are played off and revealed towards the end, the audience will be able to connect the dots and not just end up surprised.  Of course, I like the magic at the end, it's New Year, but a little play at the beginning could have been of help.  Examples are the subplots on Hillary Swank's and Sarah Jessica Parker's characters.

'But ultimately, NEW YEAR'S EVE is also a very much deserved second chance, for the audience and for Gary Marshall.  Living to its title, NEW YEAR'S EVE is the perfect movie to watch before the year ends as it celebrates life, love, hope, forgiveness, second chances and new beginnings.  And seriously, if we put the story's lessons into our heart, it could really be life changing.  NEW YEAR'S EVE is one holiday movie that is destined to be everyone's favorite. It became mine in an instant!  :)

From a scale of 1 to 10 claps, I'm giving NEW YEAR's EVE an 8 1/2 together with fireworks display in the sky!  From Warner Bros. Pictures, NEW YEAR'S EVE opens in theaters starting December 09!