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TEhe (gamecock opeuiai vj i nc uameweft The saving grace for “The Score,” which has a predictable plot, is the group of actors the film boasts as its leads — Robert DeNiro (Nick), Edward Norton (Jack) and Marlon Brando (Max). 'The Score' boasts good acting, not deep meaning by Andrew Mason The Gamecock “The Score” STARS: Robert DeNiro, Edward Norton, Marlon Brando PLOT: An aging thief hopes to retire and live off his ill-gotten wealth when a young kid blackmails him into doing one last heist. OVERALL: This movie has good acting, but everything else is fairly predictable. ☆☆☆ of ☆☆☆☆☆ If you ve had your doubts about ' I he Score,” one of the newest releases in a typical summer full of bombs and really bad movies, then rest assured that this flick stands out from the competition. However more appealing it seems compared with most other current movies, the concept -and story of “The Score” is old, bland and frankly a little tired. It’s a typical hi-tech crime adventure — full of cliched and outrageous ideas — but it simply leans on its star power so it won’t lull you to sleep in the first 90 minutes of its 120-minute running time. Robert DeNiro (Nick), Edward Norton (Jack) and Marlon Brando (Max) all turn in expectedly impressive performances, as you might think three wonderful performers would. Unlike most ordinary summer movies, the real pleasure is in the interaction between characters. At times, the actors performed well enough to emit a cockiness and posture that could have intimidated the audience without them saying a single word. It’s quite impressive. The characters played by the esteemed trio, however beautifully orchestrated, seem rushed into a slow-evolving story line. DeNiro plays a safe-cracking thug edging closer to retirement, agreeing to do one last heist for Max (Brando) before he settles down with his dysfunctional, flight stewardess girlfriend (Angela Bassett) while owning his own jazz night club. Brando’s screen presence is the only thing special about his performance. Off screen conflicts with director Frank Oz caused most of his scenes to be pure improvisation because he refused to listen to the director. Despite the offstage conflict, Norton seems to appear confident and very convincing in his role based on two separate personalities. One character (Jack) is employed by Max and seems almost overconfident, while the other shows the extent of Norton’s acting ability — while working at the Montreal customs house in order to set up the heist, he appears to be a lowly, cerebral-palsy stricken night janitor named Brian. No new takes or concepts in crime movies exist in this film — everything leading up to the heist is fairly predictable and mildly entertaining. Though “The Score” might seem mediocre in strength of overall story and plot, the storytellers are what makes this movie worth seeing. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com Fantasy CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5 fine job. Ming-Na is to be most commended for her portrayal of the heroine, and James Woods is devilishly diabolical as the scheming general. Despite all this, the real reason to go see “Final Fantasy” is just to be dazzled by the pure spectacle of it. The creators were in no way afraid of showing extreme close-ups of their characters because they know there’s no way anyone could not be impressed by their flawlessness. The characters’ movements were based on actual actors’ movements, and they look genuine the entire film through. The scenery and special effects are all brilliant and breathtaking. There’s something in the way the characters move their mouths when talking that doesn’t quite seem natural, but this is a miniscule complaint in a movie that’s obviously a contender for several technical awards at the next Oscars. Even though the story might lack in some spots and doesn’t appeal to everyone, it’s guaranteed that everyone will be in awe of the brazen new technology. While it doesn’t foretell a replacement of real actors with computer-generated ones, “Final Fantasy” does provide a new way to look at movie-making and, at the same time, is one of the most entertaining films of the summer. The spotlight desk can be reached at gamecockspotlight@hotmail.com Let the IjsJ revolution magazine begin... Send an e-mail to garnetandblack@hotmail.com for more information about our first meeting for fall.