The Little Mermaid (2023)

This weeks’ trip to the theater had me checking out the latest Disney live-action adaptation The Little Mermaid. I remember reading the story as a kid and like so many, absolutely love the 1989 animated version so I’ve been looking forward to seeing this take for the last couple of years. As I do with every film I see, I went in with an open mind and hopes for a positive movie experience.  However, despite my best efforts to ignore, avoid, and otherwise tune out all the “controversy” and haterade, I also went in with a large pit in my stomach and a sense of dread instead of excitement. I wanted/needed this one to be good.

Disney’s live-action remakes have been hit or miss to put it kindly.  They’ve been really good or total garbage, nothing in between. While The Little Mermaid didn't blow me away it has bucked that trend, so yay! The Little Mermaid (2023) is a solid and overall enjoying film. It’s also a mixed bag.

The expansion of the story by fleshing out Eric’s character and motivations is a welcome change as is giving Ariel more depth in hers as well. However, with a running time clocking in at 2 hours and 15 minutes there’s definite room to cut things. The Little Mermaid (2023) is too long. I never tuned out, but I did get antsy and felt the film dragged in places. The younger kids in the audience certainly got squirmy as well.  

One of the most beloved aspects from the animated is the Alan Menken and Howard Ashman soundtrack.  With Menken returning and the addition of Lin-Manuel Miranda I once again had high expectations.  I hate to admit it, but again it was a mixed bag.  Bailey has a beautiful singing voice and while I got actual chills when she belts out Part of Your World there are a few spots I wanted her to rein it in a bit.  And having her sing during Under the Sea not only undercut the song thematically, frankly it messed it up for me. The Scuttlebutt I can go either way on. It’s a bit of fun, but really unnecessary and easily can go.  Kiss the Girl remains stellar.  Eric’s Wild Uncharted Waters...wow.  The politest way I can put it is, it’s a hard pass.  

The casting for the most part is strong.  Halle Bailey, Jonah Hauer-King, and Javier Bardem deliver strong performances as Ariel, Eric, and King Triton. Kudos all around. For me it’s Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula and Daveed Diggs’ Sebastian that had really big shoes to fill and definitely delivered bang for the buck.  Awkwafina and Jacob Tremblay didn’t add much to the mix.  Scuttle and Flounder are "just there" in a more limited capacity this time around.

Great direction, wonderful costumes, and overall good visuals with a few hitches.  Speaking of the visuals, I do want to know what the deal was with the Ursula/Ariel/Eric showdown. I don’t know if it was the print of the film I was viewing or an intentional decision, but I went from watching a Disney film to something straight out of DC.  Things went dark.  Literally.  Super-sized Ursula in all her evil glory can barely be seen in the lighting, clouds, and rain.  A disappointment for sure.

This is not your childhood The Little Mermaid. It’s an updated, expanded, inclusive, retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen tale.  There’s nothing wrong with that.  

Just like the original story the 1989 animated movie still exists and can continued to be enjoyed. The Little Mermaid (2023) isn’t perfect but has its merits, is enjoyable and entertaining.  I do have my issues with the film, but I’m also glad I took the time to go see it in the theaters.  

I’m giving The Little Mermaid (2023) a 7.

#thelittlemermaid

Fast X

 

Summer is officially just around the corner and the blockbuster film releases are picking up steam. This week at the theater it’s all about family.  Yep, Dom and company are back on the screen in what’s being billed as the beginning of the end of The Fast and Furious franchise. So, I hit the theater, buckled up, and turned off my brain to indulge in the ridiculous, over-the-top 2 hours and twenty-one-minute End Game-esque spectacle that is Fast X.

Real talk. 

This franchise and the movies within them aren’t regarded as master pieces of fine cinema.  I’m well aware of that and I’m completely fine with it.  These films are full of eye-rolling dialogue, unbelievable action sequence that hit absurd and keep going, and CGI work that can be truly terrible. Yet, with the notable exception (mandatory dis here) of Tokyo Drift I love these films and get a kick out of them.  Why?  They’re fun and entertaining.  There's also something comforting about their predictability and mindlessness. The formula they follow is simplistic and it works.  And yes, while not being anywhere near Citizen Kane, the Furious films have brought the feels along with the fun and funny and produced characters to like and care about. 

Popcorn movies through and through.

Fast X is no exception. 

From the jump Fast X does a great job reworking the events from 2011s Fast Five into the setup for what unfolds in this film.  So yes, if you aren’t up to date, have forgotten, or just didn’t care but are watching Fast X it all makes sense.  As much as any of these make sense. In fact, they did a great job summarizing key points from the entire franchise.  The call backs, homages, references, and flashbacks bring joy.  

Part of that joy comes from the return of so many of the characters that have appeared throughout the franchise as well as the new additions. In the latter category while Rita Moreno, Brie Larson, and Alan Ritchson are nice additions to the mix, it’s Jason Momoa that steals the show. And how. Momoa’s Dante is unhinged, overly dramatic, and bigger than life in the best way possible.  It’s clear Momoa had a blast with this part, and you can’t help enjoying watching him having fun chewing the scenery.  

As usual there's a bumping soundtrack, lots of action sequences, a few twists making for a good beginning of the end. Along with the standard Furious tropes are surprise cameos and a mid-credit scene not to be missed. 

Fast X doesn’t cover any new territory and sticks to the tried-and-true Furious formula, buy hey if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  The big exception here is like Infinity War/Endgame, Fast X ends by not ending. Yes, folks we get an old-fashioned cliffhanger. The next installment is currently scheduled for a 2025 release, so we have a bit of a wait to find out what happens next. I for one look forward to seeing what’s next for the family.

Fast X gets an 8 from me.

#FastX

Book Club: The Next Chapter

 

In 2018 Bill Holderman introduced me to the pure delight that is Book Club.  Five years later he’s reunited the ladies in a new, international adventure Book Club: The Next Chapter.  I couldn’t wait to see what shenanigans Candice Bergen, Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, and Mary Steenburgen got into this time around.  Snacks at hand I settled into my seat at my local theater ready to be entertained.

No point in dragging it out, Book Club: The Next Chapter is not the delightful sequel I hoped.  

The first half of this one hour forty-seven-minute comedy is a letdown.  

The humor is subpar at best with few of the jokes landing.  The chemistry between the characters is lacking.  The story just lies there lifeless.  Other than my snacks the only saving grace that kept me watching is the absolutely beautiful cinematography that makes for a gorgeous travel log and the terrific soundtrack of jaunty tunes that not only had me bobbing along and seat dancing but brought the bonus of being done in Italian.  Always fun to hear familiar pop tunes in another language.

On a positive note, halfway through the film, Book Club: The Next Chapter does find its footing and rhythm and the movie clicks, finishing strong.  Like a flick of a switch, the heart, humor, and characters pulled me in and I found myself completely entertained and engaged.  I suddenly cared about what was happening and was invested in the story.  While the conclusion is predictable it’s nonetheless satisfying and had me wanting to see more of these characters going forward.

Only wish it hadn’t taken half the movie to get there.

Book Club: The Next Chapter isn’t a film I can recommend you take the time or make the effort to see at the theater, unless you want to see the scenery.  It’s definitely a stream from home on a lazy day viewing.  If you do so, be sure to watch the first half of the credit roll for all the behind-the-scenes photos.  Those are fun and even feature an unexpected famous face.

Book Club: The Next Chapter gets a 5.5 from me.

#bookclubnext chapter

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

 

With the temperatures continuing to rise we have the start of summer movie season in Marvel Studios much hyped and eagerly anticipated Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.  The final film in James Gunn’s trilogy got my butt to my local theater ready for an emotional send off to much beloved characters. I’ve taken a little extra time mulling over my thoughts and feelings on this one, and it’s admittedly still a work in progress.  

Apologies for my unfocused ramble.

I love Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. They’re the perfect blend of action, humor, emotion, sentimentality, and drama so I saw no reason for Vol. 3 not to deliver the goods one more time.  For me, while Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 delivers an entertaining and enjoyable movie experience it isn’t the slam-dunk I wanted, hoped for, or expected.  The balance just isn’t there?  I’m still trying to put my finger on it, but the film is just a bit off.

Rocket’s storyline is as deep, heartbreaking, and emotional as anticipated, doing justice to his character.  The High Evolutionary makes for a wonderfully awful villain that’s truly reprehensible, so yay!  Good bad guy.  Quill’s a bit hit and miss for me this time around as is, dare I say it? Gamora.  Nebula is solid.  Sadly, for me Mantis and Drax don’t evolve or bring anything new to the table until the end and their characters get cheated as does the audience.  Kraglin also falls into the category.  Worse of all are The Sovereign and Adam Warlock.  Neither pays off and definitely left me underwhelmed and disappointed.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 has a runtime of 2 hours and 30-minutes and while it doesn't feel too long, story wise it’s either too much. Things needed to be pared down and focused.  Or not long enough, expand the scope, give more time and development to the characters we’ve come to care about.  As is I find this one a bit frustrating.

The throwbacks, Easter eggs, and homages are great.  The humor is more hit and miss.  Pacing overall is good. Tonally things are a bit wonky, and the film just doesn’t flow as smoothly as its predecessors.  Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is also more violent and dark than previous films, disturbingly so in places.  A bit of a heads up for folks taking their kids to this one.  

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is easily my least favorite film in the trilogy.  That being said, it’s still a fun watch, especially on the big screen.  While I don’t think Gunn stuck the landing on this, I do appreciate his bringing these characters and their adventures to life and thank him and all involved for their hard work and dedication.  Vol. 3 is largely a success and is a messy, but good ending to the trilogy.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 gets a 7 from me.

Oh, yeah.  Almost forgot.  There are 2 end credit scenes.

#guardiansofthegalaxyvol3