Rainbow Six Vegas - XBox 360 game review.

Having played Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell on the PS2 some time ago (see my previous review) I was not expecting too much from this Xbox 360 title.

My earlier experience was of a repetitive game which had a hard difficulty level which left me less than satified. As this game was in the same franchise I expected to be underwhelmed. I was wrong.

This time the game obviously has a lot more processing power behind it. That doesn't mean it has to be much better but this sure is!!

The plot revolves around Las Vegas being taken over by a well organised terrorist group and held hostage..With the threat of the Hoover Dam being released into the desert city your squad must move quickly! You play Logan, commander of the team, and armed to the teeth with modern technology you're flown into the action........

The game uses the Unreal Tournament engine and this makes for a great game.The visual aspect of a pitched gun battle becomes terrifyingly real (I'd imagine!). Smoke clears slowly after a grenade explosion...your vision is blurred for a few seconds after taking a hit or being around as a flashbang goes off......

The audio is great.....You really are immersed in the action. Explosions, shots, incoming radio chatter..all combine to form a frantic environment in which to fight for your life!

I also had a quick go on the multiplayer online version but to be honest I felt it was a large step down from the story mode (1 player). The graphics weren't as realistic and just felt me feeling I'd been playing Doom. Lots of running around without much happening until you're suddenly "tapped" by some more experienced player. Where's the fun in that?

So, playing in story mode, I would heartily recommend this to lovers of military shooters.

8/10.

Review: Mark Woods, 2009 (LordBeanpod@GMail.com)

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Film Review - The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.

A remarkable film. Hugely important material to work with, well-written script based on John Boyne's book, great direction from Mark Herman and superb performances from very gifted actors make this an experience as much as a film.

Without spoiling your enjoyment the plot follows Bruno, the son of a high-ranking Nazi during the Second World War. His father has been promoted to Camp Commandant of a newly formed concentration camp and the family must move there in order that Bruno's father completes his work.

David Thewlis is cast in the role of Bruno's father and is an excellent choice. I have liked his work since seeing "Naked" in 1993 and if you are familiar with this film you will know that Mr Thewlis is a fantastically emotive actor. The casting throughout is spot on with particular credit going to Asa Butterfield as Bruno and Jack Scanlon as Schmuel, the Jewish boy whom Bruno befriends.

How does the son of a Commandant befriend a Jewish boy? If I told you'd I'd spoil the suspense! You'll have to see the film.

We are taken through the trauma of the move to the countryside and the boredom that comes with it. We see the exploration that any young man must pursue to become acquainted with his new surroundings and the ferocious conclusion which I promise you will never forget.

We are plunged into the nightmare world of Nazi Germany and, as if this world is not horrific enough, we are forced into a bizarre scenario of double standards and piano-wire tension where the two immiscible worlds of Nazis and Jews are blended together.

Although I have not read the book I understand that there are slight differences which have been made but an interview with the director on Radio Four I listened to explained that this was to further the impetus on screen and not to detract from it. I can imagine what these were and would have done the same myself. The end result is a mesmerising film which will play on your mind for months, I expect.

So it should.

This was one of the most shameful chapters in human history and it surely does us all good to be shocked into thinking every now and then.

Highly recommended. 8/10

Review: Mark Woods, 2009 (LordBeanpod@GMail.com)

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