The Mandalorian and Grogu

 

The first new Star Wars movie since 2019s The Rise of Skywalker has hit the big screen causing me to emerge from the shadows of real life and hit the theater to take it in. This time around the galaxy far, far away continues the story of the show and the latest adventure of Pedro Pascal’s Mandalorian and his apprentice/son Grogu, aka “Baby Yoda”, as they help stamp out the remains of the fallen Galactic Empire.

The Mandalorian and Grogu plays it safe and doesn’t try to reinvent the Star Wars wheel. Sticking close to the familiar and proven in what’s basically a two-hour and twelve-minute extended episode of the popular Disney show.  Proving to be a smart move on writers Dave Filoni, Noah Kloor, and writer/director Jon Favreau’s part as they’ve delivered a solid, entertaining, fun, humorous, and heartfelt addition to the Star Wars franchise. 

Beautiful cinematography. Stellar set designs. Plenty of action-packed sequences balanced with character moments/development. All the great special/visual effects/animatronics we’ve come to expect, a soaring score by Ludwig Göransson, and creatures both old and new galore make TM&G a film Star Wars fans will enjoy, and the simple straightforward storyline allows accessibility to the less hardcore movie goer to enjoy.

Interesting and fun new characters are introduced and open up future possibilities. Not gonna lie, while a little disappointed that Sigourney Weaver didn’t figure more prominently in the film. Love her Colonel Ward and hope this is a character that returns. Familiar characters ground this film in the “old school” feel. The tone is lighter, the pacing well executed, a thoroughly enjoyable watch from start to finish.

While The Mandalorian and Grogu doesn’t add much to the overall Star Wars lore, I really didn't care. It’s a highly entertaining film that brings thrills, joy, humor, heart, and a spark of hope for the future. I had a smile on my face and happiness in my heart the entire time. In my book, that makes it a good addition to the overall franchise and a stand-alone film worthy of a trip to the theater to view on the big screen as intended. 

I’m giving The Mandalorian and Grogu an 8.5 and hope this is just the beginning of more films to come. This is the way.

#TheMandalorianAndGrogu

The Devil Wears Prada 2

 

Movie Review: The Devil Wears Prada 2

I’m fashionably late with my emergence from real life with my impromptu trip to my local theater. Once again answering the call to gird my loins to catch up with Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) and the rest of the Runway gang (Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci) after a twenty-year absence in The Devil Wears Prada 2.  I’m no fashion maven, never have been, never will be but I adored the original film and had high hopes that this long-awaited sequel would be given the justice it deserves.

I’m thrilled to report that I was not disappointed.

David Frankel’s direction is spot on. The costuming and set design rich, textured, and lavish. Editing and pacing make for an enjoyable 1 hour 59-minute viewing experience that’s never boring and keeps you fully engaged.

Writers Aline Brosh McKenna and Lauren Weisberger have taken a very smart approach in this film in bringing the characters/backdrop we love up to date with the current times we’re living in and the trials and tribulations of culture, politics, and sensibilities. Giving us a sequel that’s truly a sequel, not simply a bigger more expensive rehash of what’s come before.

The characters of the original cast once again deliver across the board. Wonderful chemistry, witty dialogue, biting wit, warmth, and emotion all on full display wrapped in gorgeous trappings. 

Fun callbacks blend nicely with new characters and situations. Cameos galore and there’s even a nice little story twist at the end.

Some will be no doubt be upset that Streep’s Miranda has been cobbled somewhat in her blatant toxicity due to “modern sensibilities” but watching her try to navigate the PC landscape is a joy to behold. 

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is nostalgic yet fresh and opens up and expands the world of the original film in a way that feels accessible and relatable to everyone. It’s fun but less fantastical, grounded in reality and resonates accordingly. It doesn't recreate the magic of the original, it redefines it. That works for me, and it’s well worth a trip to the theater to see on the big screen. 

The Devil Wears Prada 2 gets a 9 from me and a sincere hope for a third film. 

That’s all.

#DevilWearsPrada2

Hoppers

 

Woo chile! 

It has been a minute. 

Three months into the new year and I've only now hit the movie theater for the first time in the new year. This week I ventured out to check out the newest original Disney/Pixar film Hoppers. The story about a 19-year-old animal loving student who hijacks experimental technology to download her consciousness into a robotic beaver. So, basically Avatar in animated Disney/Pixar form. Too cute and promising to pass up I headed to my local theater to check it out.

Hoppers clocks in with a good runtime of an hour forty-four minutes. While it starts a little slow, the stunning realistic visuals keep you engaged while you wait for the rest of the film to catch up. I never got bored or restless, just anxious for the story to gain traction. Once the story kicked it paid off in the form of a fun, emotional, and entertaining ride. 

Great creativity, vibrant colors and details leapt off the screen. The animation doesn't disappoint. Solid voice casting that brings the bluntness and brutality that is the harsh circle of life inherent to nature alive with humor and charm that keeps things “family friendly” but realistic.

There’s good messaging even if it can be a bit heavy handed in its delivery. Solid soundtrack and strong characterization. 

I admit the main character of Mabel played by Piper Curda challenged me throughout the film. She pissed me off a number of times and had me disliking her greatly at others. That’s one of the things that actually elevates the film for me. The complexity of her character and the ensuing roller coaster ride makes this one of the stronger, more emotional, and engaging animated films of late. Not to be outshone, Bobby Moynihan's King George is a perfect foil. 

Hoppers is entertaining, emotional, humorous, thoughtful, and well worth a look. It’s familiar in theme (e.g. Avatar/Over the Hedge) yet still feels fresh. The surprise villain origin story is epic in its simplicity. The charm and warmth will make you happy you took the initiative to see this one on the big screen. If you do, be warned there is a single post credit sequence that wraps things up nicely so pace your fluid intake, so you don’t miss it. 

I’m giving Hoppers an 8. 5.

#Hoppers

Avatar: Fire and Ash

 

Greetings from the movie theater depths once again. We’re in the wanning throws of the holidays, the year is quickly coming to an end, and I used my last freebie to take in my final film of the year. This week I polished off 2025 with James Cameron’s third installment in his Avatar franchise, Avatar: Fire and Ash.

While I’ve been a fan of the Avatar movies since seeing the original's opening weekend in 2009 (damn, I’m old) I admit that I’ve always found these films a bit basic and lacking in the actual stories themselves. I suffer from the ability to see/figure out the unfolding of most films (down to actual dialogue) from the jump more often than not and these haven’t been the exception. Enjoyable, yet highly predictable. However, Avatar: Fire and Ash really stands out for me as the best film yet.

As expected, the cinematography, visuals, SFX are stunning. The colors, textures are next level and in 3D really pull you into the world of Pandora like never before. Even with only a three-year gap between Fire and Ash and Way of Water the improvements in technology and technique are stunningly evident. Alone making it worthwhile to make a trip to the theater to see on the big screen as intended. 

Better still is Cameron really hitting his stride this go round in every aspect of the story telling. I wasn't painfully aware of where the story was going and was able to just sit back and enjoy the ride.

For 3 hours and 17 minutes I wasn’t just transported to Pandora, I was fully engaged and invested in the lives of the Sully family like never before. AFA picks up shortly after 2022s Avatar: The of Water dealing with the fallout from those events (be caught up on this one prior to seeing this). While there’s plenty of thrilling action, the characters take center stage with the focus on their relationships, emotions, and conflicts. The quieter moments' drive the film like never before.  

Avatar: Fire and Ash is a much deeper, much richer, much more impactful and devastating film in the best way possible. There are twists and turns, callbacks, returning favorites, hard hitting dialogue, and intriguing new characters. Everything and everyone (even the kids) work in harmony bringing the story alive. Characterization is king and had me glued to the screen from start to finish with more than a few verbal utterances along the way. Fire and Ash is a more personal and memorable film that’s elevated by the high-tech aspects instead of sacrificed for them. Cameron’s world-building has hit its stride, and it pays serious dividends.

 Avatar: Fire and Ash is bold, brash, and a cinematic statement. You’re immediately pulled into an immersive experience filled with vision and heart. It’s darker and more mature. Perfectly balanced between spectacle and substance. This is what the franchise has been missing but building towards and I’m all for it. 

Easily the best film of the franchise for me.

 Avatar: Fire and Ash finishes off the 2025film year with a 10 from me. 

#AvatarFireandAsh

Zootopia 2

Back in 2016, Disney delighted audiences with the animated hit Zootopia. Nine years later they’ve released the sequel Zootopia 2 just in time for the holiday season. Loving the original and wanting to hit the theaters before they’re overrun with young kids on break, I headed to my fave theater to see if the return of two of the three original writers/directors Jared Bush and Byron Howard and the bulk of the main cast could catch lightning in a bottle once again.

Lightning does indeed strike twice here but isn’t as finely targeted. 

Zootopia 2 is fun and enjoyable for sure overall, but I found myself struggling a bit to get into it for the first third of the film. The story doesn't grab you from the jump and struggles to find its footing figuring out how to expand the relationship between Judy and Nick and the world of Zootopia itself.  The story falls flat here. The pacing of the front third of the film is frankly clunky. The characters don’t completely mesh, the writers seem lost on how to get the ball rolling, incorporate the new with the original and it’s more of challenge to sink your teeth into and be invested in the story. 

Some of the new notable actors lending their voice talents in addition to the original cast members are Patrick Warburton, David Strathairn, Ke Huy Quan, Andy Samberg, Macaulay Culkin, Quinta Brunson, Fortune Feimster, and Danny Trejo just to name a few. All great in their own right, however, this may be where Z2 goes off the rails a bit. Having the same running time of an hour forty-eight minutes but adding so many voices both figuratively and literally becomes unwieldy. You feel cheated with some characters and underwhelmed with others.

Fortunately, once Zootopia 2 does find its footing and starts firing on all cylinders the ride does pay off in the back 2/3 of the film.

Tons of pop culture references. Great animation with attention to detail and eye-popping color. Nice world building. Solid soundtrack. Action and humor.

Zootopia 2 works well as a sequel and is definitely worth a viewing. The storytelling isn’t as strong as the original and the emotional weight/core of the film is more lackluster; it does pay off in the end. And yes, there is a small bonus scene after the final credits roll so stick around for that. It's another nice throwback as well as gives an idea where the franchise will go next.

Zootopia 2 gets a 6.5 from me.

#Zootopia2

Wicked: For Good

Oh chile, it’s been a minute for sure.

But as the 2025 movie season winds to a close and the film studios take advantage of the holidays being upon us, I once again found myself heading to my local movie theater. This time around it was to take in the Wicked: for Good the second half of last years’ movie version of Wicked. Given that I wasn’t one of the many completely blown away by the first film (I did enjoy it but was also disappointed) I went in more out of curiosity in how things were going to tie together with both the first half of the film and the original Wizard of Oz than anything else. So, with free ticket in hand, snacks successfully smuggled and surprised by the mostly empty parking lot and just under half full theater I took in the first matinee of the day.

Again, let me take a moment to mention I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the stage production of Wicked, so I went into Wicked: for Good with no knowledge of what would happen in part two, only suppositions, of what was going to unfold. I enjoyed Wicked: for Good: slightly more than Wicked.

WfG’s darker tonal shift definitely spoke to me more. This probably says more about me than the actual film. One of the sticking points for me the first time around was Ariana Grande’s performance not resonating with me. She came off to me as rather artificial/shallow and I never really got into it when she was on the screen. An issue I didn’t have here. Yay! The depth I felt was lacking is present and I wasn't distracted or disinterested this go 'round. Ditto for Jonathan Bailey. Jeff Goldblum’s wizard being more integral also brought joy. Once again, Cynthia Erivo slays and delivers a riveting performance across the board.

Another pro this time around is the films’ running time of 2 hours 17 minutes. Without the bloat I didn’t feel the film dragged unnecessarily with padded fluff to justify the splitting the movie in two. The pacing felt good and I never lost interest or got restless. It was easier to remain invested in the story from start to finish. The music soared and delivered. There are apparently two new added songs, but I can't tell you what they are. Nice callbacks to the first film make for nice connective tissue. The sets and costuming dazzle.

A few things remain that I have questions about/feel got glossed over (mainly with Tin Man and Cowardly Lion) and I still feel a bit of a disconnect, but all told I enjoyed Wicked: for Good and feel it was worth the trip to the theater to see.

Wicked: for Good gets an 8 from me.

#WickedForGood

The Long Walk

 

I hit the theater early this week to check out The Long Walk based on the 1979 Bachman book (Stephen King) of the same title. I read this story back in high school one summer after visiting my sister on vacation. It really messed me up for weeks. It also helped cement my status as a lifelong Stephen King fan. Going into this one I was both really excited and quite nervous. Hoping that director Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games franchise) along with writers JT Mollner and King himself would successfully encapsulate the story in this big screen adaptation and do it the justice it deserves.

Let me start by saying if you haven’t read the book or are already familiar with the story, fair warning: this movie is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. The Long Walk is one of King's most disturbing stories set in a dystopian near-future America ravaged by totalitarianism.  It’s bleak, brutal, intense, and graphic AF.  Like the book this film doesn’t pull its punches. You don’t so much as enjoy the story as endure it over its hour forty-eight-minute runtime.  The physical and psychological toll the competition takes on the participants becomes yours, step by grueling step and man it’s a rough. 

Even having read the book, knowing what to expect, this film stressed me to my limits and had me flinching, agonizing, dreading with anticipation, shocked and shook. The timing, brutality, and blocking of every ticket punch plays out masterfully.

The Long Walk is about as far from a summer popcorn movie as you can get. 

The harsh exploration of these young men's desperation, trying to cling on to life in hope of a better and more fulfilling existence on the other side of the finish line, and the knowledge that such a life may not be possible is grim. The atmosphere hangs heavy seeing people at their ugliest and most desperate.  Yet the fleeting bonds of friendship, brotherhood, and laughter make these personal, intimate stories of everyday people grappling with questions about mortality, religion, and what makes life worth living bearable. 

The cast is phenomenal. 

Other than Mark Hamill I had no idea who any of the actors are, save for a passing “he looks vaguely familiar” for Ben Wang (Karate Kid Legends). But after this movie, call me a fan of each one with Cooper Hoffman (son of Philip Seymour Hoffman) as Ray/#47 and David Jonsson Peter/#23 topping the list. They absolutely dazzle in their performances, and their chemistry is electric.  Garrett Wareing /Stebbins #38, Tut Nyuot/Arthur #6, Charlie Plummer/Barkovitch #5, and Joshua Odjick/Collie Parker #48, wow. Just wow. Amazing performances all.  

Strong direction. Great pacing, editing, and cinematography. The makeup and effects people worked their movie magic. 

The Long Walk is a relentless, tension filled, anxiety producing gut punch, misery that explores why we bother getting up each morning. To survive? To push others forward? To have a purpose? Because that’s all we know how to do? It’s bleak, harsh, emotional, cruel, and beautiful much like life itself. You laugh, you cry, you love and you lose. 

All in all, The Long Walk follows the book until it doesn’t but still delivers an amazing film worth watching, even with the Hollywoodification. I'm not sure I'd have been able to walk out of the theater if they stuck with the book. It may have been one blow too many.

I can’t say I loved, enjoyed, or was entertained by The Long Walk in a traditional sense because it’s not that kind of film. It's engaging for certain. Never boring. And damn good, I’m glad I went, it lived up to the original source material, and I’m more than satisfied with the end product. 

The Long Walk gets a 10 from me.

#TheLongWalk