Sonic: The Hedgehog 3

 

Movie Review: Sonic the Hedgehog 3

A bit of housekeeping first. 

Standard gamer disclaimer applies. Not a gamer. Have been aware of Sonic but know nothing of the characters beyond what’s appeared in the films. I only got into this film franchise after streaming the original 2020 film out of pure boredom one weekend and loved what I saw.

Anywho. Moving on.

As the 2024 film season draws to a close, I headed to the theater for what will probably be the last time this year, to take in Sonic the Hedgehog 3. Loved the original and its sequel and had high hopes for a three-peat, especially with Jim Carrey returning (retirement my @$$) and Keanu Reeves joining the fun.  I was pleasantly surprised and reassured to see the theater parking lot and more importantly the theater itself full so early in the morning.  Both boded well.

Getting down to tacks of brass, I’m thrilled to report that Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is definitely a winner! Yes!

This hour and forty-nine-minute movie is easily the best film in the franchise which says quite a bit given the strength of the previous two films. From the opening shot through the final credit sequence, I was not only fully engaged, entertained, and emotionally invested, but delighted as the story unfolded.

The music is great. Yes, there was seat dancing and quiet singing to be had. I apologize to no one for either of those things.

The upgraded CGI work delivers a powerful visual punch that allows you to just get lost in the world of Sonic and be swept up in the story. 

Score! 

Speaking of the story, Sonic 3 has a solid script with snappy dialogue, humor, heart, inside jokes, and pop cultural reference that work. Emotion coupled with well-balanced storylines, which do justice to both new and returning characters. 

Great action sequences which thrill and expansive world building without skimping on characterization. Ahhh, the characters...kudos all the way around. The returning crew are at the top of their game and deliver once again in spades. The performances are complex, nuanced, dark, emotional, fun, heartbreaking etc. Three dimensional performances from top to bottom and everyone gets a chance to shine.

Adding Keanu Reeves in the mix as Shadow? A chef’s kiss of casting. Think John Wick as a brooding, vengeful hedgehog. It works. 

As for Jim Carrey returning? He definitely brings his A game. There’s a reason he has the additional credit of “artistic consultant” after becoming more involved in this project than ever before. His impact is significant and power up the entire production.

Sonic 3 is simply a joy from beginning to end. Appealing to young kids up through grandparents. I and everyone in my showing had a blast. There were cheers, applause, speculation on a fourth film, and consternation of having to wait at least a couple of years for any hope of a new installment.  

According to overheard conversations in the bathroom after, the fan service is on point. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 does sequels right. 

Obviously, all involved in this project really care about the product they put out. They’ve taken feedback from the fans, their own love for the characters, and have delivered the goods. No one is resting on the franchise name alone to carry the project, and it shows.  Very refreshing.

Sonic 3 made me glad I made the effort to venture to the theater and see it on the big screen in a packed house. Check it out if you have the need for speed and be sure to stick around for the 2 credit sequences, one mid, one end.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in three words.

Fun. 

Feels. 

Fantastic. 

A satisfying end to my 2024 film season which had me grinning ear to ear. A true Christmas treat. Looking forward to watching this again,

As such Sonic the Hedgehog 3 gets a 10 from me.

#sonicmovie3

Mufasa: The Lion King

 

Since the release of the original animated film in 1994, I’ve been a huge fan of The Lion King. Upon seeing the first trailer for Mufasa: The Lion King, I was choked up with emotion and stoked to see it in the theater. The opportunity to see the origin story of the lion who would become king and would go on to be part of one of my favorite Disney movies filled me with joy.  As the release date neared, rumblings of less than stellar reviews began, and I started to get anxious about the film living up to my hopes. I still showed up at y local theater opening day, with an open mind and high expectations.

Upon arrival, I was nervous seeing how the showing was largely empty. I caught the first show which happened to be in 3D (not that anything in the film was enhanced in my opinion), but even later and cheaper showings were sparsely attended when I checked online. 

Almost 24 hours later and I’m still mulling over and sorting out my feelings/views on this one. Here's where I'm landing and I'm sorry it's not more positive.

Visually, with the exception of a couple of instances, Mufasa: The Lion King is stunning and another triumph in photorealistic animation. It's really beautiful to look at. The actual premise is solid and does well functioning as both a prequel and a sequel. However, that’s pretty much the highlights of the film and also where the wheels fall off.

The execution of Mufasa just falls short and definitely left me wanting. 

Crafting a prequel is a daunting task since we already know the outcome going in, but Mufasa feels clumsier in its handling than most.  The storytelling through flashbacks is disjointed and uneven with seemingly random bouncing around between past and present continually pulling you out of the narrative. The use of Pumbaa and Timon is distracting to say the least and downright annoying. 

While the plot is solid, the narrative fails to fully get and keep you engaged, especially during the first half of the film.  Forty minutes into the 2-hour runtime, multiple checks of my watch, and I pretty much resigned myself to the fact I really didn’t care about any of these characters.  I wasn't given any real reason to. I know where the story is heading, give me a reason to care about the characters and where they started. That doesn't happen and the character development is cursory at best. 

There’s a lack of heart, emotion, or depth across the board, which left me disappointed. I really wanted to be drawn in, involved, and to care, but other than a handful of brief moments here and there, none of that happened. The second half of the film is better, but even with that, overall, I never got fully invested in the story.

Even the music fell short this time around. There were a couple of songs I enjoyed but the rest were...meh. Nothing too memorable when all is said and done.

And that right there is the crux of it for me. 

Mufasa: The Lion King isn’t awful, but it isn’t memorable either. It’s shiny and eye catching, but bland and uninspired. It’s telling that James Earl Jones himself passed on the opportunity to reprise his role in this film when offered the chance. It’s dedicated to him nonetheless but doesn’t live up to the legacy he helped create with this character. There's just no meat on the bones of this story and it's a crying shame.

Mufasa: The Lion King gets a 6.5 from me, mostly due to visuals and nostalgia.

#Mufasa

Moana 2

 Movie Review: Moana 2

Back in 2016, Disney worked its animation magic and delivered the endearing film Moana. This week they went back to the well to deliver its sequel, Moana 2.  This time around, after receiving the call from her sea faring ancestors, Moana must assemble a crew and journey to the far seas of Oceania.  I again, hit the theater to check it out on the big screen.

Not surprising the animation and visuals are stunning. The colors and textures really leap off the screen.

 The world building both figuratively and literally works well. The expansion of cultural elements, myths/stories, and themes lend themselves to the storyline. The returning characters/actors are on point. I do wish, however, Moana and Maui reunited sooner. The pacing and direction are fine. Plenty of music including a couple of real bangers. 

All good, right?

Well, here's the thing. Moana 2 was originally conceived as a television series in 2020, with plans for the series to air on Disney+. In February 2024, the series was transformed into a theatrical sequel. A move I think caused Moana 2 to fall a bit short overall.  

All the beautiful animation and other positives aside, Moana 2 is watered down.  

The new characters are underdeveloped and definitely feel like they were meant to be explored and fleshed out over a longer period of time. The hour and forty-minute runtime don’t do justice for so many new characters. So, they’re sadly generic and don't add much depth to the story.

While the song offerings encompass something for various musical taste, their execution is uneven and many lack the spirit and “wow” factor. There's also a certain lack of cohesiveness to the score.

The humor is more hit and miss. Some of the running gags have grown stale. There are still good laughs to be had though. 

Moana 2 gives an overall impression of being a prequel or a series spinoff, especially given the mid credit sequence (stick around for that) than a full-fledged standalone film. But, given that Disney pivoted on this, it’s understandable. Speaking of Disney, fair warning, they do go dark and some of the action sequences get intense for younger/sensitive viewers. 

My take, while Moana 2 isn’t as inspired as the original, it is still a delightful and colorful adventure worth seeing on the big screen. The feels don’t run as deep, but they’re there and the film finished strong and left me curious and wanting more.

Moana 2 gets a 7 from me.

#Moana2

Wicked part I

 

I’ve always been one to enjoy a good musical. My mother imparted in me a love for theater as well. Thanks, mom. And the twist-ory that comes with deconstructing a familiar tale is a special treat that never grows old. So, it’s unexpected given all these things that I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing/hearing the tale that is Wicked. I’ve been interested in the stage production for years but never had the opportunity to see it. Never heard a single song. And never saw more than the initial teaser and original trailer for the film.  To say that I’ve been stoked to finally see a version of Wicked on the big screen is an understatement. The excitement was enough for me to once again break protocol this weekend and venture to my local theater, along with half the city seemingly, to pop my Wicked cherry.

I enjoyed the film, but upon reflection I must admit I wasn’t blown away as much as I expected or hoped to be. Based on what’s in the movie and having no other basis for comparison, I’m sad to say I'm left a bit underwhelmed.  

The commitment to practical sets and a reduction in green screen technology is noticeable and it does create a more engaging look to the film. The costumes and set design are rich and textured. The musical numbers solid and well-choreographed. There’s a lot of fun and charm with a nice touch of whimsy. Good direction and cinematography.  

The surprise passing of the torch was a welcome, happy bonus.

The casting.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda are a mixed bag for me. Both definitely have the singing chops without a doubt. But for me Grande’s acting didn’t exactly blow my skirt up. There are definite moments that really work for me, but overall, there’s just something flat and superficial in her performance I found off putting. Cynthia Erivo's performance is one of the most effective things in the entire film and the contrast between the two upset the film’s balance and undercut the chemistry between the two actors/characters.  It could’ve been much worse, but I wish it had been better.

The biggest issue with Wicked by far is the length and pacing. The two-hour forty-minute runtime is excessive. Especially given this is part one of two films.  I’m fine with long films if that’s what’s needed to effectively tell a story. But here there’s a lot of padding with little payoff. More character development, less fluff. 

Please and thank you.

The editing in Wicked was done with love rather than with an eye to creating a tight film. There were many scenes that would have benefitted from some cuts, without losing any of the overall delight and making for a better narrative altogether.

For instance, the plot points around the animals and also of Elphaba wanting to meet the wizard, just didn't carry as much weight as they should. There was just too much time between the emotional beats of the story due to the added run time, which lessened their impact. You easily forget about these, and they become more throwaway than story. The connective tissue doesn’t hold up as well as it could as a result.

While Wicked I wasn’t the slam dunk hit, I hoped for, it’s good and worth seeing on the big screen if you’re interested. You’ll definitely want/need to pace your beverage intake to make it through comfortably.  While I’m not really sure why they split this one into two movies short of a money grab, I’m glad I went and look forward to seeing what they do in part II. 

For this previously uninitiated movie goer Wicked gets a 7 from me.

#Wicked

Gladiator II

 

Twenty-four years ago, Ridley Scott brought his epic sword and sandal film, Gladiator, to the big screen.  After numerous attempts to write a sequel, writers David Scarpa, Peter Craig, and David Franzoni have delivered the newest installment, Gladiator II to the franchise. This week, the story of what happened in Rome following the sixteen years since the death of Maximus.  Scott once again takes the helm as director, and I headed to my local theater to check out the result.

Gladiator II is definitely a companion piece to the original. Yet, you can’t help but be reminded and compare every element to its original. Complete with returning characters, flashbacks in the form of original film scenes, continuing themes and setups.   Here they’ve taken the original and doubled down. Hard. To the point of having twin emperors. The comparisons quickly make it clear that while Gladiator II is solid, it’s by no means Gladiator.

Gladiator II while solid, just isn’t epic.

It’s engaging. It’s entertaining. It’s also generic. We’ve pretty much been there and seen that at this point. Combined with an overall lack of depth to this film’s characters and storyline, Gladiator II is rather bland. If the film were a meal, it needs more salt, oregano, or something. 

The battles are brutal, thrilling with plenty of carnage to spare, but somehow never come across as being high stakes because most of the characters are merely underdeveloped background characters, largely expendable, and unremarkable. With a two-hour twenty-eight-minute running time, you know nothing is going to happen to the main character until the end so there’s very little tension to create drama. 

They don’t establish the identity of the main character early enough in the movie and that also works against the overall story. I knew going in but was left feeling blase towards whether or not he lives or dies because it all felt so inconsequential the way the movie unfolds. Peter Mensah plays Jubartha and without giving away any spoilers the attitude of his character sums up the feeling I had toward the film as a whole.

While the sets, costuming, cinematography, direction, and score are homeruns, some of the CGI work is bad enough it distracts and takes you out of the story. 

Something that very well be a “me” issue this time around is the politics. While politics was at the heart of the first film, this time round it’s the primary focus. I wanted/expected it to be more of a backdrop to a film about a gladiator, but it was front and center and shoved down our throats at every turn.  

Gladiator II looks and feels expensive. It’s visually impactful and exciting. But struggles with the character development and storytelling aspect.  There are sparks of gravitas here and there, just not enough to truly satisfy. 

Maximus once posed the question, “Are you not entertained?” After much consideration, my answer is somewhat. 

Gladiator II gets a 6.5 from me.

#GladiatorII

Red One

After an absolutely horrendous week that left me feeling gutted and the holidays barreling down upon us, I needed a mind cleanser. So, I made the rare decision to hit my local theater over the weekend.  Opting to rip the holiday band-aid off early I checked out Red One’s early access release. Starring Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson, Red One is the newest film from Amazon, originally intended to be released on streaming,  

I went into this one with no expectations and while I wasn’t blown away, I did find the film enjoyable, nonetheless. 

The pacing is slow at the beginning, and I feel they really dragged out the who/what aspect of the plot much longer than necessary for my tastes, but the storyline is there and works. The dialogue and some of the acting is a bit on the “meh” side and is hard to get past and the two-hour three-minute runtime definitely felt longer. 

While watching Red One there’s quite a bit that’s cut and paste from various other films, but the packaging with Evans and Johnson makes for a fun watch. Added bonus of good, if underutilized casting with J.K. Simmons (wanted so much more of him), Lucy Liu, Bonnie Hunt, and Kristofer Hivju. 

The humor isn’t rib tickling but is solid. Some of the CGI work gets a bit messy here and there but is easy enough to ignore.

The biggest and brightest aspect of Red One for me is all the behind-the-scenes, technical aspects, and imagination of how Santa and the North Pole operations really work. The creativity and execution are joyous.

Speaking of joyous. The theater was packed with a good mix of young kids (even a baby) up through grandparents. All were engaged and no one seemed fussy or bored.  The elderly woman sitting next to me was laughing, clapping, and bouncing with joy. Seeing her reaction made me happy.

I personally wasn’t as enamored with Red One, but that may just be me being in a funk personally. It’s generic and derivative, but appealing. Not necessarily a need to see in the theater film, but a I don’t regret having done so film. Make sense? Ultimately, Red One has it flaws. But it also has enough pluses, so it isn’t a total waste of time.

Red One gets a 6.5 from me.

#RedOne

Venom: The Last Dance

 

Movie Review: Venom: The Last Dance

Another work week has drawn to a close and has ushered in another set of new film offerings. After a three year wait, this week I headed out to see Tom Hardy return in his final(?) appearance as Eddie Brock in Venom: The Last Dance.  

My standard comic book disclaimer applies, yadda, yadda, yadda.

I’ve enjoyed the last two films to varying degrees and went in just hoping this one wasn’t a total disaster.  On that account, Venom: The Last Dance pretty much delivers. It’s nothing mind-blowing or earth shattering by any means. It’s pretty much more of the same old same old with everyone involved not trying to reinvent the wheel.

The beginning of the film is a bit long in the tooth setting up everything and getting all the players in place, so it takes too long getting to the point and letting us know where the film is heading. However, at least there is a point and a direction that actually gets established. Yeah, I’m looking at you Joker: Folie a Poo. 

Anywho, once all the setup is done, the rest of the film is enjoyable.

Hardy is again fun to watch as he plays against himself. There are the expected Venom moments/tropes we expect to see. The humor is solid. The soundtrack brings joy. Fast-paced action sequences are nicely juxtaposed with the emotional, character moments. 

The Bromance between Eddie and Venom is the star attraction.

The biggest downside of VLD are characters and events that are never developed/explained or give much of a payoff.  I was really hoping for more on Spidey among other things. It’s also predictable and suffers from the same issues many films, especially comic book films have these days. Too much emphasis on setting up for the next phase of the Whatever-verse to the detriment of the current film. A shadowy villain who is nothing more than a generic plot point which weakens the threat factor.

Venom: The Last Dance is also a lot like life. It’s a loud, messy, random hot mess. The film is dumb, fun, emotional, and an entertaining ride for what it is, a popcorn movie that’s a fine way to spend a couple of hours outside of the house.  If you’ve watched and enjoyed the first two films, it’s worth catching a matinee and seeing on the big screen, otherwise, waiting for home viewing is just fine.  If you do head to the theater, there’s a mid-credit sequence and an end credit sequence to catch.  

I’m giving Venom: The Last Dance a 6.5 - 7.

Joker: Folie a Deux

No.

Just no.

Apologies, but this is one of the rare, “I can’t even rate this” movies.

When The Joker came out in 2019, while there were a number of aspects of the film that I liked and/or was intrigued by, overall, I didn’t like the film. So much so that until this week it was a “one and done” viewing for me. Despite that, with Joker: Folie a Deux hitting the theaters this weekend I felt almost obligated to see it nonetheless and begrudgingly went to the theater to check it out.

:Sigh:

Even with an open mind and a smidgeon of hope that J2 would make my venturing out in 105-degree heat worthwhile, it didn’t take me long to regret my decision.

Once again, I found myself feeling that Joker: Folie a Deux has some positives going for it, yet it falls flat. With a resounding thud.

Beautiful cinematography/visuals. Good music. A great cast. Loved seeing Catherine Keener, Steve Coogan, and Brendan Gleeson (beautiful pipes on this man) joining the cast along with returning cast members. Lady Gaga sings her butt off as well, but otherwise seems like a pointless add-on through no fault of her own.

Which brings me to the issue with the entire film.

What’s the point?

Seriously.

Two hours and 18 minutes of my life. $2.34 out of pocket for my ticket (damn my opting for the XD upgrade on my freebie). And what I believe to have been a relatively short nap; the head bashing during a fantasy vignette woke me up (yes, I actually fell asleep, and I never sleep at the movies) later, and the first thing I said when the credits rolled was, “what the hell did I just watch? And why? What was the point of that bull$#@!”!?

Joker: Folie a Deux doesn’t really have a storyline. At least none that’s discernible let alone even mildly engaging. The entire film plays out as nothing more than a piss poor attempt at a money grab from people who really didn't want to do the movie and a long ass ad promoting the Warner Bros. property catalogue.

Or maybe like so much of the Joker films, it’s just me. Either way, I can’t recommend this one. I'll be doing a The Dark Knight palate cleanse this weekend for sure.

#JokerFolieADeux

Transformers One

 

Greetings once again.  It has been a minute. Hope you had a wonderful summer.

Now, with summer movie season behind us and the Fall films are hitting the big screen, I ventured out to see the latest Hasbro Entertainment offering in the animated film Transformers One. Back in the day, I never watched the old cartoons and only really got into the Transformers back in 2007 through the live action films.  While those films have had varying degrees of success for me, I nonetheless didn’t want to miss the opportunity to see Transformers One's untold origin story of Optimus Prime and Megatron, friends bonded as brothers now sworn enemies, splashed across the big screen.

I happily report this PG rated, 1 hour 44-minute film proved to be a major winner.

Transformers One delivers on all fronts.  

The animation is gorgeous, the storyline solid and engaging, great soundtrack, and perfect pacing. The voice cast is stellar, and they do an amazing job breathing life into these characters, filling the film with heart, humor, emotion, and dare I say? Yes, humanity.  The action sequences pack a punch and couldn’t be more thrilling. While the quieter character moments are perfectly balanced and not only ground the movie but really keep you invested.  

I was completely captivated throughout the entire film, emerged in the story, and riveted to the screen. Apologies to anyone I may have offended with any of my “oh sh*t”, “damn, “and “holy crap” outbursts that slipped out, but I was totally into this film, and I couldn’t help it. Actually, no. I don't apologize. It was warranted.

Transformers One looks and feels more like a live action than animated film. It’s intense and I’m all for it. I will say that the fight sequences are fast paced, action packed, and brutal so may not be for younger and or more sensitive kids, but I was certainly all about them.

There’s no doubt for me that Transformers One certainly is more than meets the eye in the best way possible. It’s wholesome and heartbreaking, funny and tragic, thrilling and dramatic.  Total badassery all the way.  

Do yourself a favor and roll out to see this one at the theater in all its glory. it's a breath of fresh air. When you do, be sure to stay ALL the way through the end credits as not to miss the second little sequence that’s sure to have you as excited for this franchise as I am. I definitely want to add this one to my collection.

Transformers One gets a 10 from me.

#transformersone

Deadpool and Wolverine

 

Standard non comic book reader disclaimer applies for the following. 

After what seems like an eternity, Deadpool and Wolverine has FINALLY hit theaters. 

To say that I’ve been looking forward to this one is a bit of an understatement.  For maximum viewing enjoyment I purposely avoided watching or reading anything about the film to avoid spoilers, to the point of even limiting my trailer watching to the original teaser and last trailer.  Even with that I did see headlines from real critics and review sites decrying the film as trash. Not gonna lie, that made me quite anxious, and I thought about bailing on the movie. Nervously, I went anyway and all I can say is...damn!

For me there were a couple of scenes were the pacing dragged and I’m certainly feeling some kind of way about the Cassandra Nova character (I do thank my niece for filling in some key point(s) with that character), but I do declare my overall feeling is YES! It has been too long since a highly anticipated movie delivered the goods like Deadpool and Wolverine.

Apologies for any incoherence as I continue, but I really don’t want to spoil any of the joy to be had seeing this film.

Despite Deadpool and Wolverine writer’s/actor’s strike, superhero fatigue, and whatever else people are complaining about has accomplished what has been lacking in so many films, especially the ‘big” ones of late.  A well-balanced, strong script chock-full of wit, humor, heart, action, three dimensional characters, character development and drama. An absolutely killer soundtrack.  Well placed, surprising cameos that actually elevate the film.  Off the charts meta quotient. Purely chef’s kiss jabs and commentary.  Irreverent sass. Original actors from over a 24 year plus period once again bringing their characters back to the screen as well as new characters we'd like to see. Killer costumes. Action and fight sequences that are worth the wait. Hugh Jackman donning the claws once again and not missing a beat. OMG. Squee! I can go on and on. Believe me I want to, but you’d be better off just seeing the film for yourself.

Does Deadpool and Wolverine pander? Yes. Yes, it does, and I couldn't be happier. It's done in the best, most enjoyable way possible.  D&W is the now rare event movie where the excitement and anticipation are there before, during, and is sustained throughout the film. I was in a packed theater and the “shared experience” vibe was perfect. The entire audience was engaged. We all laughed, ooh and ahh-ed, exclaimed, pointed, cheered, clapped and marveled.  

Deadpool and Wolverine definitely needs to be seen on the big screen. I do, however, warn those of you with kids. This being an R-rated film the theater I went to was stringently enforcing the must be accompanied by parent or guardian rule so keep that in mind. Also, yes, you do need to stay through the entire end credits.  

I really want to see this one again and will be adding it to my person film library when possible.

Deadpool and Wolverine slaps hard, like a Honda Odyssey. It’s a 10 from me.

#DeadpoolandWolverine

Despicable Me 4

 

It’s too friggin’ hot to think so, getting down to tacks of brass for this one.

I’m a fan of the franchise and absolutely love the Minions so I was very excited to see this one. Having braved the 111-degree temps to get to the theater to watch Despicable Me 4 I was left sweaty and with the overall feeling of, “meh.” 

DM4 has its moments: the gas station scene, the pit crew minions, the final prison scene for instance, but overall, the film is flat.  Definite “pockets” of interest over the hour thirty-five-minute runtime, but they’re inconsistent at best. All of this makes the pacing slow as you wait for the interesting tidbits you get here and there in between the dull parts. I’d say maybe it was a “me” thing, but even the kids in the audience weren’t engaged and showed signs of boredom and listlessness throughout the movie.

There’s are multiple plots and themes that are or at least would be interesting except they are underdeveloped, and I was left feeling cheated with each as a result. The lack of focus, story, and character development made for a bland viewing experience.

Once again, here’s another movie where the villain isn’t really worthy of being considered a villain. A weak and forgettable antagonist. New and old characters alike are pretty much glossed over, lacking motivation and interest. A fact that hits the Gru family hard. The premise isn’t leaned into enough to spark much interest into their plight, so you basically don’t care about them.  

The bulk of the entertainment generated watching Despicable Me 4 comes in the form of the minions. Even more so than in the other films. However, that’s not enough. The been there seen that and lack of inspiration keeps even the minions and their antics from be able to save this film completely.  

Once again Pharrell Williams delivers another soundtrack that will bring a smile to your face and have you singing along. Good animation although I do wonder who Sofía Vergara ticked off to have her character look that way. 

Yikes. Scary.

For my time and money Despicable Me 4 is the weakest film in the franchise to date. It’s not horrible, but it’s definitely lacking and a disappointment for me. The few sprinkles of characterization, humor, relatability, and creativity aren’t enough to save this film from being a so-so movie experience easily enjoyed in the comfort of your own home down the line. 

For me, Despicable Me 4 wasn’t worth the effort of actually going to the theater to see, especially not in this heat.

Despicable Me 4 gets a 5.5 from me.

#DespicableMe4

A Quiet Place: Day 1

Time once again to head back to the movie theater to catch one of this weeks’ newest offerings. For me, that meant checking out A Quiet Place: Day 1. This prequel to the popular Quiet Place franchise is a more expansive look at what went down the day the world went quiet. Instead of centering on a backstory of the alien(s), the invasion or any of the things you’d eerily to “get up to speed” with the films, you have a new cast of characters (save for one), new locale, and a new take on how things went down from a metropolitan perspective. Instead of a family, we follow the story of Lupita Nyong'o’s Sam as a seemingly “average day” in New York erupts into fight for survival. 

A Quiet Place: Day 1 has a different feel altogether from the previous films with Michael Sarnoski one of the writers and taking over as director. The larger scope of having events take place in New York, one of the loudest cities in the world and focusing on an urban environment makes an impact. The “sounds”, the crowds, and increased dialogue throughout, undercut the overall tone of the film by comparison. 

The tension, stress, and anxiety are present throughout, but isn’t as concentrated or intense. Not having as much built in silence doesn’t allow for as much of the edge of your seat anxiety. It also draws more attention to the inconsistencies in what noise level draws attention (especially that final climax). That being said, the audience I watched with was still eerily quiet and tense, so much so that when a man a couple of seats away coughed, we all freaked. 

The overall sound design is key and delivers nicely. The CGI is pretty solid, although I will admit I don’t care as much for the redesigned aliens.  There’s a nice tie in with A Quiet Place II which is a nice touch.  Nyong'o and Joseph Quinn’s performances strong and emotional. Plenty of good action even if some of it is a bit silly or springs from "seriously?" moments.

Frodo.

I’m feeling some kind of way about Frodo, not all of it necessarily positive. Though I do admit Schnitzel and Rico killed it with award winning performances.

Not wanting to give too much away, I do feel that A Quiet Place: Day 1 while not as layered or nuanced as the previous films, is still a worthwhile prequel which entertains and keeps you engaged for the runtime of an hour forty minutes.  Questions still remain so a follow-up to this prequel wouldn’t be surprising if the box office numbers deliver. 

A Quiet Place: Day 1 delivers the thrills and is worth seeing on the big screen, however, it’s going to be a toss-up for those who like the simplicity and feel of the first two films. 

For me, I enjoyed it enough to give A Quiet Place: Day 1 a solid 7.

#quietplaceday1

 

Inside Out 2

 

Back in 2015 I fell in love with the charm and heart of Pixar’s Inside Out. Nine years later I’ve been anxiously awaiting the sequel Inside Out 2 to hit the big screen.  Returning voice cast members include Amy Poehler (Joy), Lewis Black (Anger), Phyllis Smith (Sadness), Diane Lane (Mom), and Kyle MacLachlan (Dad).  The story picks up a year after events in the original story as Riley becomes a teenager, hits puberty, and begins the transition from middle to high school. Adding the new emotions of Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) into the mix.

Due to unexpected circumstances, by the time I actually sat down to watch this film, I was over the whole movie going experience and wanting to just go home. Not really an attitude conducive for being open to the film experience. Adding to my pissy mindset, the huge crowd filled with screaming kids running around and I was ready to bolt before the previews were over. However, not wanting to brave the 100 degrees plus heat to get back to the car, I opted to power through my growing aggravation.   

I am so glad I did. Inside Out 2 delivers. Even the baby three seats away, crying for a good hour of the hour thirty-six-minute runtime of the film didn’t manage to dampen my enjoyment of this film.

As expected, the animation and visuals are outstanding. The world building/expansion excellent. And the complexity between the old emotions dealing with, integrating, and balancing with the new ones is beautifully executed. 

Yes, you get all the feels. Pun both intended and not intended.  

Inside Out 2 offers plenty of callbacks, references, and homages that delight. Good humor and relatable cringe moments that will make you smile.

While lacking a bit more in charm and heart than the original, and some of the new characters aren’t as well developed, Inside Out 2 is still a solid, enjoyable film and a worthy sequel. The kids in the audience were engaged (sans baby) and the adults were captivated as well. IO2 is another animated film firmly in the category of kids and adults will both enjoy, but hits differently for adults.

And it hits hard.  

Anxiety is a motengator.  

You will feel seen and validated across the board with this one. The poignant line, "Maybe this is what happens when you grow up, you feel less joy”?  Yeah. Wow. Chef’s kiss. Definitely my “damn” moment where I wanted/needed a hug. 

Adulting is hard.

Bravo Pixar. 

You once again came through and delivered a winner. Inside Out 2 is worth a trip to your local movie theater to check out on the big screen.  FYI, there is a bonus scene after the very end of the credits so check it out if you can. 

Inside Out 2 gets a 9 from me.

#InsideOut2

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

Another week, another trip to the theater to check out the latest movie release.  Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, the latest from writer-director George Miller.  As the prequel to 2015s highly successful Mad Max: Fury Road, I looked forward to seeing Furiosa on the big screen with great anticipation.

Furiosa for me turns out to be the latest film I’m split on.

The cinematography is a solid, plenty of over-the-top action sequences, and a nice smattering of returning characters/actors over a familiar backdrop highlight this one.  Unfortunately, those are the only true highlights or enjoyment to be had.

Over the course of the two-hour twenty-eight-minute run-time, which felt much, much longer, nothing much happens.  Anya Taylor-Joy as the main character Furiosa doesn’t even appear until an hour into the film as we watch the younger version grow up. Even when she does make her appearance, nothing really occurs.  

Essentially what we know about the character from the previous film is rehashed over the course of this one without adding any kind of new information or character development.  A problem that plagues all the characters across the film.

All the characters, old and new, this time are generic, wooden and lifeless.  There really isn’t anyone to hold on/relate to in any meaningful way.  They just slip past with as much impact as anonymous faces in a crowd. 

They as well as the movie itself is pretty forgettable, which I largely did by the time I got home.  A couple of action sequences came to mind but as a whole thinking about this one isn’t bringing up much in recall.

The pacing in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is rough.  The film is shown as chapters and plods along unevenly at best and is just tedious at worst. I spent the bulk of the film bored, fidgeting, and checked my watch at least half a dozen times wanting it to be over.  By the end of chapter 4 I was done with the whole thing so when chapter 5 appeared on screen I wanted to not only cry but do the one thing I don’t do. Walk out of a film. Yes, a big part of that was the call of nature, but an equal if not bigger part was just wanting to go home, get dinner, and knock out a season finale or two of “my shows”.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is at its best during the action sequences although they don’t pack the punch as in Fury Road with the reliance on more in studio filming and CGI. Furiosa definitely pales by comparison not only to previous films in the franchise but is a missed opportunity. It lacks the magic and excitement of a Mad Max film and is as dry and unwelcoming as the wastelands it features.

My split decision:

Visually - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is an 8.

Overall - Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a 5.5.

#Furiosa

IF

 

Greetings once again from the darkened recesses of my local movie theater. This week I took in the latest offering from writer/director John Krasinski, IF, starring Ryan Reynolds and Cailey Fleming.  I went into this one being a fan of Krasinski and Reynolds figuring this would be a fun, lighthearted, innocuous romp.  IF turned out to be more than I bargained for.

IF is a bittersweet, poignant, funny, imaginative, creative, and emotional coming-of-age film that isn’t a coming-of-age film. It’s a film for everyone that won’t necessarily appeal to everyone.  It’s charming and witty, joyful and dark. IF is one of those seemingly innocent “kid” films that’s subversive, grabs you in and by the feels and doesn’t let go. Definitely a film that appeals to kids with its characterization, but the real audience is adults.

The impact of watching IF hits similar to Christopher Robin, Up, or Encanto to name a few.  As an adult I found myself delighted, entertained, and traumatized from start to finish. 

You laugh, you cry, rinse and repeat. 

If you don’t find yourself thinking and feeling deeply there’s something wrong with you. This one got and has stayed in my head, even costing me an unbroken night’s sleep.

In addition to the previously mentioned stars, IF has an embarrassment of riches in its casting. The Michael Giacchino score is perfection. The production design is amazing. The CGI work beautiful and effective.

Krasinski set out to create a live action Pixar film and he definitely succeeded. IF is a film that is hard to pin down in many respects, but works masterfully, nonetheless. It’s contradictory, meandering, whimsical, inspirational, tough, hopeful, and painful. IF is life summed up in one hour and forty-four-minute snapshot. One that deserves to be seen on the big screen.  And certainly, will benefit from multiple viewings, so I look forward to adding this one to my personal film collection.

IF gets an emotional 10 from me.

 #IFMovie

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

 

The weather is starting to heat up (boo) and so are the summer film releases.  This week’s trip to the movie theater had me taking in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the fourth installment in the Planet of the Apes reboot franchise.  Kingdom picks up briefly where War for the Planets of the Apes leaves off then picks up many generations later as we find out what Caesar’s legacy has wrought.

The good news is with a two-hour twenty-five-minute runtime, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes succeeds in delivering a visually rich, drama punctuated with great action filled sequences. The cinematography is stunning, and the film pops off the screen making for a rich world building experience. 

Overall, I feel Kingdom delivers an entertaining sequel worthy of the previous trilogy. 

Worthy but a lesser film for my money.

The film does drag, and you feel the slow pacing throughout.  There’s also a basic lack of reason/explanation.  I’m not sure why this has become a trend, but Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the latest film to through a bunch a stuff at the audience leaving you wondering about the who, what, why, how for seventy-five percent of the film only to give you a rushed, unsatisfactory answer during the last twenty-five percent of the movie. The result makes for a much thinner, less gratifying storyline.

Adding to this issue for me is the lack of characterization this go around.  We have an all-new group of characters but there isn’t much development or depth given to them.  Things are left very surface level and there’s not a lot to grab on to make you invested in their plight other than the setup of this is our hero so care about him. This is our villain so root against him. A couple of characters started to really pique my interest but are too quickly disposed of so ultimately don’t go anywhere. They’re too flat and generic. 

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes definitely feels like the beginning of a new trilogy and while it works well as an introduction for what lies ahead, it definitely feels hollow.  I liked it but didn’t love it and find that the more I think about it the less taken I am with the film as a whole. This is a tricky one for me.

Taking into consideration for the potential for the franchise as well as the actual film itself, I’m going to give Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes a generous 7 - 7.5

#kingdomoftheplanetoftheapes

The Fall Guy

 

After another long lull in the action, this week I once again ventured to my local movie theater to check out the latest film release.  The Fall Guy is the latest film from stuntman turned director David Leitch starring Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling, loosely (very loosely) based on the 1980s tv series from Glen A. Larson.  I went into this one not knowing what to expect and just hoping for a couple of hours of worthwhile entertainment that justified leaving the house.

Mission accomplished.

While it took me a bit to completely get into this two-hour and six-minute film, it did feel longer, I nonetheless got there and enjoyed myself.  All told, The Fall Guy is light-hearted, action packed, humorous fun. 

The chemistry between Gosling and Blunt makes the film.  The movie within the movie and the “behind-the-scenes” stunt work as well as the actual film’s stunt work is an endearing love letter to all the unsung heroes who make our favorite films so much more.

An absolutely kickass soundtrack, wonderful supporting cast in Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, and Stephanie Hsu add to the joy and fun of this film. As a fan of the original series the nods of homage and the revamped theme song really brought joy. 

There’s not much more I feel I can say without getting into spoiler neighborhood other than while not perfect, The Fall Guy solidly ushers in 2024's summer popcorn flicks. If you’re looking to get out of the house/heat, need to shut off your mind, and just enjoy yourself, The Fall Guy is a good choice. Be sure to stay for the credits to see all the fun behind, behind-the-scenes fun.

The Fall Guy gets a 7 from me.

#TheFallGuy

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire

 

Greeting and salutations.

Once again, I’ve emerged from the darkened confines of my local movie theater.  After a great deal of anticipation on my part, I took in an early showing of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. Getting down to tacks of brass I’m going to make this review short if not so sweet.

I had been eagerly awaiting the release of GFE since the first trailer drop. After the bang-up job done with Ghostbusters: After Life I expected/hoped for another home run. For my money though, this time around the Ghostbuster franchise has hit a double at best.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is a film that weirdly has all the elements you can want in a Ghostbuster film in spades to make it work, yet sadly, it doesn't. Everything from cast, sets, costumes, props, locales etc. are there but never quite combine in a satisfying manner.

OGs, callbacks, homages, new faves, upgrades, great visuals.  It’s all there. But like much of the film’s humor it falls flat and fails to resonate in a manner greater than the sum of its individual parts. 

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire has a runtime of only an hour fifty-five minutes, but I swear it felt closer to two and a half easily.  The pacing is rough. It pains me to say, yes, I got bored on and off throughout the film and struggled staying invested.  

Frozen Empire’s storyline is directionless and unbalanced. Many of the characters are undeveloped and have little to no cohesion with one another let alone plot.  People and things are dropped in randomly, never explained and glossed over. There’s really nothing to sink your teeth into.  

The biggest draw of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire is the nostalgia. As such there’s plenty of fan service which is wonderful.  The issue is there isn’t anything done with that fan service to bolster the film or move the franchise forward. You get all the elements you want except for a good story and a fun ride. Making GFE another prime example of a huge film that's all sizzle with little to no substance. Something which needs to be desperately rectified moving forward.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire the film gets a 6 from me.  The merchandising is a solid 10+

#GhostbustersFrozenEmpire

Madame Web

 

Aaaannnd, I’m back.

 Once again, I’ve emerged from the shadows, two months into the new year, and hit the movie theater for the first time.  My latest outing was to take in Marvel’s Madame Web.  

First and foremost, standard disclaimer applies.  I’m unfamiliar with the comics, know nothing of this character/story beyond what’s in the film.  Blah, blah, blah.

Anywho, moving on.

I’m starting 2024 not with a bang, but a resounding thud.  

The short and not so sweet of Madame Web is this film is total trash.

Madame Web is one hour-fifty-six minutes (felt infinitely longer) of bad writing, bad acting, excruciatingly bad dialogue wrapped up in a nonsensical plot (I’m using plot in the loosest sense) filled with holes the size of the Grand Canyon which had me questioning the point of the entire exercise from roughly six or seven minutes in until the last credit rolled. 

Speaking of credits, mercifully there is no end credit sequence(s).

It can’t be all bad, can it? 

Actually no, the soundtrack is good. Bless Tiffany, The Cranberries, Britney and others for small favors. That’s it. There's nothing else to recommend this crapfest.

Madame Web is definitely not worth the gas, effort to go to the theater, or price of admission. Do yourself a favor and skip this one altogether or if you feel you must see it, wait until it hits streaming (shouldn't take long) because this is two hours of your life you won’t get back. 

Madame Web gets a 3 from me.