This weekend we did two things: head out to Jasper and see the movie Transporter 2. The movie review is in the last four paragraphs.
This being a long weekend, we figured we would take the time to (finally!) go to Jasper, in Jasper National Park. Not to be confused with Jasper, Wyoming, like my New York co-worker did. Oddly enough, when we talk of going camping for the weekend we head out to one of Canada's many national parks, not some town in the US. But it's easy to confuse the two.
The trip from Calgary to Jasper is something like 430km. We're not entirely sure because every map gave us a different value; and I didn't think to reset the trip odometer when we left. Bottom line: it takes about 4 1/2 hours, with few stops.
Jasper National Park is the Rockies' most northerly and largest national park in Canada. It also has the distinction, in my mind, of having just the one town in it and no other settlements whatsoever. So you get to drive for a loooong time in the middle of nowhere, and just around the corner is more lack of civilization, until you reach the town at the complete end of the highway. I love that park!
But if you think Banff and Lake Louise are busy, you ain't seen nothing yet! This was the first week of September, the last weekend for the national campgrounds (they are now closed for the winter) and the place was booked solid. Places that showed vacancy when we got there were full only hours later. So here's the lesson, kids: if you want to go there, leave early! (Or do the smart thing and make a reservation.)
We only stayed for two days and we were lucky enough to get rained on the whole time. Great. So the town and trails looked kinda ordinary with no mountains around (they were all hidden in the clouds). But we did get some breaks in the clouds and got to see some really neat stuff -- not the least of which was a lake filled with little icebergs!
You can see our pictures in our Jasper National Park album.
Even though the weather wasn't cooperating, we had a great time. We will definitely go back next summer! And we do recommend the trip to anyone interested, although we don't yet have a lot of specifics on what to see and where to go. But we're working on it!
That's all for the park for today. Now for the movie bit.
Back home, on holiday Monday, we went to the theatre to see Transporter 2. Although the story holds on its own without having seen the first movie, I still recommend renting it if only because it's a really entertaining movie. I wasn't sure what to expect of the second one, as I figured Hollywood would step in with its own view of what makes a good movie...
As expected, our hero now lives in the US. They make that clear right from the beginning with the intro scene that matches the one from the first movie, except this time the license plate of the car is really obvious. But what surprised me, in a good way, is to see Luc Besson's name in the opening credits. Lucky for us, they kept him on board.
It's a very entertaining movie. Very much over-the-top, of course, but quite funny, with spectacular fight scenes and a lot of references to the first movie (but in subtle ways, like fight moves). Only two things get a bad grade from me: the way the bomb is removed from the car (I won't spoil that) and the evil chick. You see her on the first page of the web site. She's probably an attractive lady, but with the make up and silly costume it just doesn't work. I don't think "silly" is strong enough a word for her "costume". Go see the movie, you'll know what I mean...
In the end, I give this movie a good grade. Turn your brain off and enjoy the show -- and don't be afraid to laugh! So find yourself a babysitter, John, and get yer ass to a theatre. Oh! and I will buy the DVD.
