Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
The superheroes are back in full force! Fourteen years have passed for one of my favorite animated films to finally return with a long-awaited sequel. Seriously, why the long wait?! I love The Incredibles. So, when the news came that a sequel would be released after all these years, I eagerly waited for new developments. But, was the latest installment worth the wait?
The movie I will be reviewing today is the animated superhero flick: The Incredibles 2.
The Premise: After the return of superheroes were made public, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl join Frozone in a campaign to make superheroes legal again. However, a mysterious foe is brainwashing the world's most influential people and they could pose a problem in their plans.
The Results: 3.5/5!
The Incredibles 2 is a cheeky and heartwarming flick that still captures the tone from the original movie. All of the main cast members stayed true to the first film, and they each had a few quippy lines that made them shine. In some cases, certain characters (like Jack Jack) got more attention!
The problem, however, is that The Incredibles 2 pales in comparison to the plot of the first film. Whereas every member of the family is utilized together to stop the villain or embark on the mission in the original, The Incredibles 2 feels disjointed for a large majority of the plot. There are two completely different stories with contrasting tones happening at the same time - as a viewer, it felt exhausting jumping back and forth from excited to sad many times. Also, much of the cast were underutilized in their superhero elements; they basically were glorified supporting characters.
That's not to say The Incredibles 2 was a bad movie. I quite enjoyed the flick and appreciated the nostalgia of seeing this superhero family once again, as well as Edna Mode. You should check out this animated flick because it is fun, entertaining, and a good return to a refreshing series.
Blockbuster sequels have a huge hill to climb to conquer the shadow of their predecessor. Some films have broken through those barriers and continued the train of success while others failed to measure up. So, when a much-anticipated sequel is announced for an extremely popular movie, the expectations are usually set pretty high. Luckily, we didn't have anything to fear this time around.
The next installment for this campy superhero flick stuck to its style of raunchy jokes, quick wit, and its tradition of breaking the fourth wall. On the other hand, while the film had everything we wanted for this superhero series, the final product didn't stand out more than the original movie. The move I will be writing about today is the sequel to the foul-mouthed and fun superhero Deadpool series: Deadpool 2.
The Premise: After a shocking death shakes up his life, Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) assembles a group of misfit superheroes to do some good and save the life of a tortured Mutant. Unfortunately for him, the mysterious Cable (Josh Brolin) returns from the future to stop his plans.
The Good: Deadpool 2 is a movie defined by its raunchy attitude and quick-witted zingers. The sequel stuck to its style with plenty of fun moments that added a lot of humour and heart to this hilarious anti-hero. Ryan Reynolds excelled in his role as Deadpool. You could tell that he had a lot more fun revisiting this character now that he proved a Deadpool movie could work and that people loved the character.
In addition to Deadpool, a majority of the supporting cast did an excellent job rounding out the ensemble. Out of the new characters, Josh Brolin as Cable mixed the darkness of the character with a nice light-hearted approach to be a good hero/villain, Yukio (Shioli Kutsuna) offered funny gags, and Domino (Zazie Beetz) was the perfect new addition in her seriously underrated role. Plus, the return of returning favourites, like Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), were always a pleasure to see after their stand out portrayals in the first film.
The Bad: Whereas a large portion of the cast was on their A-game, some of the new characters fell flat. In particular, Firefist (Julian Dennison) didn't have the same punch. He's still pretty new to the world of acting, so we can give him some slack in this regard. However, there were times were he was over-acting or trying to measure up to the talent of his co-stars.
The biggest problem for Deadpool 2, however, is the plot. As compared to the first film, the stakes for the sequel were substantially lessened. There was no clear villain or threat for much of the film, and Deadpool was left adrift until he decided what mission he wanted to set himself on. For a superhero movie, Deadpool 2 didn't utilize the potential for what the character of Deadpool, and his group of heroes, could bring to the screen.
Also, the sequel presented a HUGE plot hole that did not make near the end of the film. Without giving too much away in spoilers, a certain action made by a character should have negated the events of the film. But, that's a debate for another day.
The Results: 4/5!
Deadpool 2 returned to offer fans an entertaining adventure. All of the tropes you've come to a expect from a Deadpool movie returned, like death, action, nudity, dirty jokes and zingers. When it came to the plot, there wasn't much substance to keep the story afloat and at times, the cast was left adrift waiting until a purpose was made. If you like superhero movies and mindless comedy, Deadpool 2 is the movie for you. Don't go into the theatre expecting anything groundbreaking, this is a popcorn blockbuster and you will get your laugh in the end.
Marvel's MCU is back at it again with the next hero in their long list of movie releases. After making his big debut in Captain America: Civil War, this superhero burst into the scene with one of the most anticipated films of the year. And, it was all worth the hype! The movie we will be discussing today is the action-packed superhero flick: Black Panther.
The Plot: After several Wakanda artifacts are stolen from a museum, Black Panther (played by Chadwick Boseman) and his allies' search for the robber leads them to a bigger mystery involving a powerful and deadly mastermind, Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan).
The Results: 5/5!
Black Panther is one of the best movies to be released by the MCU yet. If I could rate this film higher than a perfect score, I would. T'Challa/Black Panther was an inspiring and fun hero to follow through his adventure. The supporting characters were equally as amazing and well-written, with Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Lupito Nyong'o, and Winston Duke being some of the best additions to the MCU. In fact, every performer featured in Black Panther stood out as a great addition to the series!
When it came to the villain, Killmonger might be one of the best villains in the MCU. The only downside, however, was the strange plot treatment to Okoyo's (Danai Gurira) love interest - the story should have stuck to what was originally written in the first draft. If you like action films (or superhero films in general), you should check out Black Panther.
It's October and you know what that means: Horror movies! I love scary movies. In fact, this blog is filled with countless posts about horror movie reviews and lists. Slasher movies are my favourite from the genre. Even though it can be a little generic and cheesy, watching the Final Girl try to survive always pulls me into the story. This latest movie review is no exception. The film I will be reviewing today is the time-jumping slasher flick: Happy Death Day.
The Plot: University student "Tree" (played by Jessica Rothe) wakes up after a hard night of partying and lives her full day on campus, which just so happens to be her birthday. The problem, however, is that she's murdered by a mysterious masked individual. Instead of dying, she is forced to repeat the same day again and again to stop her death from happening.
The Results: 3/5!
Happy Death Day is exactly what it looks to be: A cheeky horror film inspired by the film, Groundhog Day. Beyond the rewind twist, this was a standard slasher flick with a killer going after the same one person. You're not going to get much originality from that. However, Tree was a fun and engaging lead character; I liked rooting for her to solve the murder and her interactions with all of the other supporting characters. She really carried the film and brought life to the adventure. Happy Death Day is a movie that won't change the horror genre, but it is one that you should check out and add to your slasher rotation. It's fun, cheeky, and adds a good bit of humour to the horror tone.
Period pieces, and especially films about war, are not my typical movie choices when heading to theatres. Give me horror movies, superhero flicks, and any endless array of sci-fi/fantasy/action/teen drama blockbusters to fill my time - you can never go wrong. So, it's surprising to see that I agreed to check out the biggest war movie of the summer this week. My hesitations were for naught. The movie I will be reviewing today is the WWII war drama: Dunkirk.
The Plot: Set through three interconnected stories at the Battle of Dunkirk, Dunkirk follows the devastating series of events as soldiers try to make their escape from the deadly battle.
The Results: 4/5!
Dunkirk is a visually beautiful war film. Not much is needed with words to show the extent of how terrifying and deadly the battle is for these soldiers. Starting from the beginning of the film to the end, viewers will be hooked as you follow the journey of these interconnected characters. I preferred the story of the foot soldiers and their many attempts to escape off the beach.
Whereas the film was beautifully edited and captured, I think it lacked in the plot direction. Dunkirk brings viewers right into the war and the early stages of the main character's arrival at the beach. However, it took a long time to realize what was going on, what these characters were trying to do and how it was all connected. There was no main overall plot except to escape and fight the enemy; it was pretty bare bones. If you like war films and a thrilling introduction to this period in history, you should check out Dunkirk. There's no doubt it will do well at this year's Academy Awards.
Bring on the superhero movies. I would watch them all day, every day if I could. Well, it depends on the superhero. This might surprise a lot of you to hear, but I haven’t watched every crime-fighting flick. The Hulk, Ant-Man, Doctor Strange, and the Iron Man films are some I’ve missed. I won’t be returning my Geek Card just yet – there’s still plenty of time to get this done. (Though, the Iron Man films are still near the bottom of my list. #SorryNotSorry)
Most recently, one of DC’s most notable superheroes has hit the big screen with their own solo adventure. We saw her cameo in Batman vs. Superman – and it was EVERYTHING! The movie I will be reviewing today is the action-packed time period piece: Wonder Woman.
The Plot: Diana (Gal Gadot) is an Amazonian trained to fight an unknown ensuing battle of the Gods. After a U.S. agent washes ashore on the island, she takes on the role of Wonder Woman and enters the battle of World War II to stop a potential apocalyptic destruction.
The Results: 5/5!
Wonder Woman is incredible! I don’t give out perfect scores often, but Wonder Woman earns it (and even more). Gal Gadot shines in her leading role and adds plenty of heart/depth to the character. The writing isn’t cheesy, the special effects and fight scenes are perfectly designed, and the supporting cast each have their own personality. Wonder Woman is the DC action movie we’ve needed in a long time – more films need to be created like this. You need to see it. We need another sequel. Let’s make it happen.
I grew up watching Power Rangers. I don't just mean Mighty Morphin Power Rangers...I watched A LOT of this show. Power Rangers meant a lot to me as a child since it showed me adventure, action and the chance to do good as a teenager. Let's just say I was hooked for many years. A big screen movie has already been created about five fighting teenagers, but that was a long time ago in the 90s. This time, a reboot was created to get new people invested in the series and for others (like me!), to relive the nostalgia. The movie I will be reviewing today is the teen action adventure: Power Rangers.
The Plot: Nestled in the quiet town of Angel Grove, five teenagers stumble upon magical glowing rocks that grant them superhero powers. Unbeknownst to them, the rocks have chosen them to become the Power Rangers, a group of evil-fighting heroes. When the villainous Rita Repulsa (Elizabeth Banks) plans to steal the Earth's life force, the team suits up to stop her.
The Results: 3.5/5!
Power Rangers is a guilty pleasure action movie. There are plenty of fighting scenes, teen drama and build-up included it that leads to the climactic battle. I liked the performances of the main five teenagers who make up the new team; we learned a lot about them to get their individual personalities and why we should care about them. Elizabeth Banks and Bryan Cranston also did a great job as Rita and Zordon, respectively.
The tone, on the other hand, does come across as too cheesy and teen angsty at times; the same can also be said for the special effects. It fits the Powers Rangers TV show feel, but for those new to the series, it may look weird. However, Power Rangers (the movie) is an addictive popcorn flick. The movie provides some genuine fun and a good start for a potential movie franchise. Though, some major tweaks will be needed to keep this series fresh and mature.
I've never been the biggest fan of the Wolverine movies. After the destruction of the first movie's timeline and the strange plot of the second movie, I didn't have high expectations for the third and final film in the series. In fact, I wasn't originally going to watch it. If it had not been out of sheer curiosity, who knows what would have happened. Though, based on my mini movie review today, I'm glad that I did. The movie I will be reviewing today is the last installment in the mutant superhero trilogy: Logan.
The Plot: Set in the near future, Logan (played by Hugh Jackman) is retired, a drunk, and works as a limo driver to make a living. After responding to a ride order, he encounters a mysterious woman with a small child, named Laura (played by Dafne Keen), who are being hunted by a military group. Logan teams up with familiar friends and new to protect Laura.
The Results: 5/5!
Logan is a dark and gritty action-filled thrill ride that will keep you hooked until the very end. The final part of the Wolverine trilogy makes up for the two lackluster films which proceeded it. Hugh Jackman brings emotional heart to this tired character we've seen for over a decade now, and this may be the first time an X-Men movie has reached a perfect mix of thoughtful drama and action. Dafne Keen does an amazing job of working alongside Jackman, especially with the few words she utters throughout the movie. The action is stunning, the pace is thought out, and the ending is emotionally gripping (there may have been some tears). However, if you're not one for bloody superhero fights and a grittier side to these X-Men characters, you may not initially enjoy the flick.
I would recommend to check out Logan. It's the last film in the trilogy and the last one featuring some of the iconic actors (this is Patrick Stewart's and Hugh Jackman's last X-Men role). This a fun popcorn flick to see in theatres.
I'm a HUGE Harry Potter fan. I've read the books, watched the films, bought the video and board games, signed up for Pottermore (proud Ravenclaw here!), and dressed up as Harry Potter one year for Halloween. Don't get me wrong, there are SO MANY more hardcore and diehard fans out there that I could never be on there level. I may be a Ravenclaw, but I probably would have trouble in Potions class (give me Charms or Transfiguration any day!). However, I love being part of this fandom.
When I heard a new movie was coming out for this world, you better believe I was excited. It's been a while since the last Harry Potter film and after finishing the play, I still don't want it to end. Now hearing the latest movie is going to be a trilogy, I'm left wondering what will be introduced and discussed. This review will be unbiased and will review the merits of the film as it is, regardless of any preference to the films/past. The movie I will be reviewing today is the magical adventure: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
The Premise: As creatures and a mysterious force cause destruction in 1920's New York City, British wizard Newt Scamander (played by Eddie Redmayne) is pulled into the adventure to solve the mystery and prevent magic from being exposed to the public. Aiding Newt is former Auror Tina (Katherine Waterston), non-magical Jacob (Dan Fogler), Tina's sister Queenie (Alison Sodul), and Newt's briefcase containing endless magical creatures.
The Good: There is no denying the fact that Fantastic Beasts is beautifully executed. The visual effects and design of the world - from the clothing to the sets to the magical spells - are perfected to every last detail. Simply watching the film and enjoying its appeal is enough to fill the two hour film. The same can also be said to the sheer mythology presented; Fantastic Beasts introduced so many new creatures, characters and background for the magical world that fans/viewers/readers never got to know outside of the British world in the Harry Potter books and movies. I learned a lot about the North American magical community.
Another positive to Fantastic Beasts is the choice of actors and characters selected for the film, for the most part. (I'll dive deeper into this point later on in the review.) I enjoyed following Newt as the main character and his relationships with the rest of the other characters, particularly with Jacob and Tina. Redmayne did a great job and I have no doubt he can lead the next two films; though, he was a bit spacey at times and I'll get into it later on as well.
The Bad: Now here comes the moment that some fans may debate me as there are some issues to the film. The first being the overwhelming content and information in Fantastic Beasts - A LOT was included. Like I said above, I loved learning all this new bit of information, but so much was introduced that it took a lot to follow everything. I doubt details about certain creatures or characters will be important later on in the trilogy. In fact, unless Jon Voight's side-story comes back into the picture as a main influence, I found these characters and story to be irrelevant and could've been removed to save space.
Let's talk about the acting for a second. I understand that this movie is set in the 1920s and it's a fantasy film, but it at times felt a bit too comical or "in persona" for the era. Queenie's accent was really thick and she came across as too airy/breathless, Tina felt a bit too dorky and earnest for someone who earned the title of Auror, and Newt seemed spacey with his eyes staring into the distance a lot. Since I'm not familiar with the backstory, I'm attributing this to the personality of the characters and I can overlook this. However, it is something I'm going to notice in the next installment if all three return.
The Results: 4.8/5
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an amazing film. I loved following Newt's adventure and exploring this new world of creatures and magic in North America. The special effects are excellently done; it clearly beats some of the films in the series that have preceded it in the past. For the casual watcher, there IS a lot to take in and you may get confused at times trying to figure out what is going on or who they're talking about. The acting is a bit cheesy at times; though, it may be part of the character's esthetic. This is a perfect film for any Harry Potter to jump right in and enjoy with a bag of popcorn. But for a new or casual fan, I would recommend taking a friend who is familiar or spend some time afterwards learning everything - you'll love being part of this world.
(Photos courtesy of The Guardian, Pottermore, and WB UK.)
The most anticipated movie I've been waiting for all year is finally here and it's...interesting. Take a splash of familiar villainous characters, add a bit of cheeky humour, set them all in the DC world and what you get is a highly debated comic book that nobody can agree on. I have my opinions (as well as the rest of you), so let's jump right into this review. Today's movie review will be on the DC super-villain blockbuster flick: Suicide Squad.
The Plot: Grouped together by the cold-hearted Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), a band of misfit and dangerous villains must make their way through the streets of Midway City to stop the Enchantress (Cara Delevigne) from eradicating humanity. Making up the eclectic group includes Deadshot (Will Smith), Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), El Diablo (Jay Hernandez) and Rick Flag (Joel Kinnamen) to name a few.
The Results: 3.5/5!
Suicide Squad isn't as bad as everyone says it is. Sure, there are some problems with the plot and the tone of the film goes all over the place (one minute it's a dark comedy, but the next it's a serious action flick). I'm still not sure the significance of banding the group together and the Enchantress didn't seem that menacing of a villain. However, I found the film to be enjoyable for what it is. Suicide Squad introduced some great characters to the DC film universe. Margot Robbie, Jared Leto as the Joker, Viola Davis and Will Smith did an amazing job in their parts; they stand out as highlights in this ensemble cast! I hope they return to future films or even have their own films. Though, Jared Leto as the Joker was seriously underutilized in Suicide Squad and, based on the rumours of the countless extra footage, he could've had his own movie with Harley Quinn. With a bit of editing for a Director's Cut or something along the lines, I think Suicide Squad could work as a great movie. For now, it's a popcorn flick you can enjoy for the time being until the next DC films are released.
If you didn't already know: I love gaming. Board games. Video games. Digital games. I can't help it; I grew up with it. And one of my guilty pleasures is watching movies that have a "gaming" theme to them, whether it's a video game-to-movie adaptation or simply part of the plot. Well, after having a lonely Friday night without friends around, I decided to check out a brand new movie in theatres. (Yes, I went to the theatre by myself. Don't judge, we all do it!) This movie review is about a competitive digital thriller: NERVE.
The Plot: Vee (Emma Roberts) is shy and unadventurous high school student in Staten Island who wants to go to school to be a photographer. After her friends joke that she's too safe, Vee signs up to play a new digital reality game called "NERVE," an app that challenges players to dares (ranging from embarrassing to life-threatening) to win cash. NERVE covers the events of one as Vee competes in this dangerous game.
The Results: 3.75/5!
I liked NERVE more than I probably should have. Blame the likable cast, the bright colours, the New York setting, or even the concept of the game itself, I enjoyed watching the film. Emma Roberts did a great job leading the movie and I liked the supporting characters; Dave Franco's character, though, rubbed me the wrong way, but he did have great chemistry with Roberts. The only fault to the movie I had may have to do with the plot itself. The movie tried to give as much background as it could to explain NERVE (the game), but there were some persistent plot holes. Like, for instance, is the winner the only one to get money or do people who fail challenges also get money? If the game is so popular, why do most people seem not to know of it? Regardless, that could be explored if there is a sequel. NERVE is digital, techo-colour ride that offers some laughs and a could teen thriller to watch while having popcorn.
Remakes/reboots can be a hit-or-miss in the movie world. I tend to be on the fence before I see the final product - it's always good to have an open mind. However, if the original movie is a classic or near perfect, there are a lot of expectations set against it. The same can be said for the movie that I will be reviewing today. The film is the remake of the supernatural buddy comedy flick: Ghostbusters.
The Plot: After being fired from their jobs for discussions of the paranormal, a rag tag group of friends open up a ghost-hunting business to prove the existence of the ghosts. However, when ghosts start to terrorize the city, it is up to them to save everyone.
The Results: 2/5!
Ghostbusters isn't a bad movie; in fact, it's a good film and offers a few laughs. Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy, Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones all shine in their characters as the main four leading this adventure. And with these four, there were moments where I did genuinely laugh. The problem I have with Ghostbusters is simply that it was unnecessary. The movie didn't provide anything new to the series but explain the cause of these ghosts appearing in the city. The design and special effects detracted from the scariness of the ghosts and made them feel non-threatening whereas in the original, it felt more like a horror-comedy. When it came to the supporting or side characters, they were funny but didn't come across as real people; they were more as comedic pieces (especially the Chris Hemsworth character). Ghostbusters is a fun flick and I would suggest checking it out, but if there came a choice between watching this film or the original, you should absolutely watch the original.
Horror trilogies are a rarity in the movie genre. Certain films have been lucky enough to reach the threshold to tell their story in three parts (the Scream series, which is now debatable after the release of Scream 4) while others are a "one-and-done" or falter in their sequel (I Know What You Did Last Summer). The latest movie that I will be reviewing today is the third part to the futuristic horror society series: The Purge: Election Year.
The Plot: Several years after the events of The Purge: Anarchy, a political candidate (Elizabeth Mitchell) is gaining momentum in her election campaign toward becoming the next president. Her main goal: Ending the Purge. Unfortunately for her, the current regime—The New Founding Fathers—don't want to eliminate the Purge and they will do whatever it takes to eliminate her on the deadliest night of the year.
The Results: 2.5/5!
The Purge: Election Year is what you would expect from a typical Purge flick. There is blood, violence, crazy costumes, and an intentional need to survive against deranged people out to kill the main characters. The strength of the film has to be the design and development of the characters. Each of the main characters, including some of the supporting villains, are fleshed out well enough that you get a sense of who they are and a bit of their backstory. I liked the political candidate and the core group of heroes.
The downside, however, is that the film is overloaded with cheese factor. The villains aren't simply evil—they're deranged and psychotic! The first and second film in the series at least had their villains grounded enough that they had some sense of humanity paired with their evil; there is no such limit in Election Year. Particularly the scenes with the psychotic teenagers—I couldn't believe people descended into THAT level of madness that quickly.
If you're a fan of bloody horror movies or a fan of the Purge series, this movie is for you. It's a good popcorn flick for a bit of action during the summer. However, you shouldn't go in expecting anything news or groundbreaking—it's a Purge movie.
Let's get this out of the way: I'm a bigger DC fan than Marvel. This may be due to being a diehard Batman fan or growing up with the films/TV shows that came from the DC world. However, that's not to say I'm not a Marvel fan. I am! It can happen. Who says I have to choose only one?! I'm a big X-Men fan and I've watched many Marvel series, which is why I am reviewing this film today. The latest movie I will be reviewing is the third adventure in this Marvel hero's series: Captain America: Civil War!
The Plot: The world has been divided in opinion on superheroes after the recent destruction caused in the previous Marvel movies. Captain America (Chris Evans) and Iron Man (Robert Downing Jr.) lead two factions of Avengers heroes against each other to determine what to do with a global crisis.
The Results: 4/5!
Captain America: Civil War is a thrilling blockbuster with captivating special effects and thought out dialogue. With such a big cast included in this one movie, it was great to see each character receive some form of character growth, resolution and screen time. The introduction of Black Panther, Spider-Man and Ant-Man didn't come across as heavy handed; it felt natural for their inclusion into the film. And I was surprised that I did leave the film with a clear, definitive choice on which superhero/group I would side with!
My problem with Captain America: Civil War is that it came across less of a Captain America movie but more of a mini-Avengers movie. There are SO MANY CHARACTERS in this film that sometimes I had to piece together who was siding with whom. There's a reason we go specifically to watch ensemble movies - I wished Captain America would've had his moment. Though, it was still great to see a clear focus and direction. Captain America: Civil War is fun, fresh and a good time. You should check it out and join in the chat on which side you would choose.
What happens when zombies invade the old English countryside and bring on the apocalypse? There's a whole lot of murder, mayhem and proper manners. I love Pride and Prejudice from Jane Austen. I've watched the movie and I've enjoyed reading the book - it's a classic that must be read. But mix in a horde of zombies and you've got yourself a campy horror-comedy. The movie I will be reviewing today is the zombie flick: Pride & Prejudice & Zombies.
The Plot: The zombie apocalypse has ravaged England and left the country in a state of panic. After the virus has been contained, life in the quaint countryside has returned to normal, but families have adapted their way of life to the everyday survival and training against the zombie horde. The Bennetts are one such family, who work to raise their five eligible daughters, including Elizabeth Bennett (Lily James), to find suitable husbands and combat the zombie threat.
The Results: 3.5/5!
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies is exactly what you would expect from a zombie flick. It's campy, it's cheeky and it doesn't take itself too seriously. The movie is adapted from the book of the same name, which is a parody of the Jane Austen novel. The cast does a great job of portraying the characters and integrating their personalities into the campy parody, particularly Lily James who shines in the lead role and Matt Smith as the bumbling Mr. Collins. Their fight scenes are few and far between but when they do occur, it is a highlight and they're greatly choreographed. On the negative side, the film doesn't really offer anything new and the special effects can come across as lazy or a bit cheesy. Like, for instance, the zombie heads exploding every time they get shot! If you're a fan of the original book or quite enjoy a zombie flick, this movie might be up your alley.
Not all film sequels are successful. Sometimes the long wait and anticipation for a follow-up to the original hit can overshadow any opinion of the sequel. Simply living up to the glory of the first film is too much for any potential next edition to craft their own place in the franchise. Many films (and especially TV shows in their second seasons) have suffered from this fatal flaw. The movie I will be reviewing today is the modelesque comedy flick: Zoolander 2.
The Plot: Attractive pop stars from around the world are being murdered and leaving a selfie behind of mimicking the signature look of iconic former male supermodel, Derek Zoolander (Ben Stiller). When Zoolander and his friend, Hansel (Owen Wilson), come out of retirement, they join Interpol's investigation to find the cause of the murders.
The Results: 1/5!
Zoolander 2 suffers from the sequel curse. The jokes aren't as funny, the film is filled with an overabundance of cameos, and it rests a little too much on reusing jokes from the original hit that made THAT film so special. As a fan of the original movie, I had high hopes that Zoolander 2 would share the same charm but still offer something new. However, as strange as it may sound, the movie didn't feel realistic anymore - almost as if it was a parody of what a Zoolander sequel could be. The first, while a campy over-exaggeration of the fashion world, still had a sense of reality too it that could be believable; in comparison, Zoolander 2 was just too much flash that didn't offer much of anything.
Most romantic-comedies usually follow the same formula:
1. Girl meets boy
2. Girl dates boy
3. Girl and boy hit a dramatic point
4. Girl and boy break-up
5. Boy makes a spectacular gesture for the pair to get back together
It's a sweet and touching moment that warms the heart. But what about the other side of the story? The good moments when we're just single and the only person we can rely on is ourselves? You don't see that too often in a rom-com; romance and love is the winning trend than a single love life. The latest movie I watched in theatres (just in time for Valentine's Day) focuses more on the latter than the tried and true former style. This movie review is for the cheeky and hilarious: How To Be Single.
The Premise: Alice (Dakota Johnson) is a recently graduated woman in her twenties who decides to take a break from her long-term boyfriend to experience the single life in New York. When things don't go as planned, Alice, along with her new wild friend Robin (Rebel Wilson), head out into the big city for nights of wild fun and personal growth.
The Results: 3.5/5!
How To Be Single is a fun and cheeky comedy that turns the single culture on its nose. The film isn't just about cheap laughs and disgusting moments to illicit comedy, there are some thought-provoking monologues about single life and about growing as a person because of it. If there was a film that reminded me of the comedy, Pitch Perfect would be the one. The one-liners are quick but effective, and the dialogue feels natural. The movie can come across as wordy at times and a little unbelievable about being 20-something single in a city (I mean...those New York apartments?! Come on!). Overall, if you need a good laugh and a little confidence booster about being single, this is for you.
Who else is surprised I watched ANOTHER SUPERHERO MOVIE? (Anyone?!) This is a film I've been eagerly waiting to see for a while. It might be due to the star cast, the humour or the fact this character was previously portrayed before to less than stellar results. Either way, this was a must for my friends and I. The movie I will be reviewing today is the less than serious (and proud of it!) superhero flick: Deadpool.
The Plot: Wade (Ryan Reynolds), a no nonsense gun for hire, is transformed into the crime-fighting mercenary Deadpool by a mysterious organization. After escaping the facility and years of tortured, Deadpool goes on a mission to hunt down everyone who might've been the cause for his pain and transformation.
The Results: 5/5!
To sum up everything: I loved Deadpool. It was fun, witty, cheeky, and completely self-aware about how ridiculous the movie is. It pokes fun at itself as well as the audience who is watching it. The fight scenes are excellently choreographed, the dialogue isn't too self-serving and the characters feel like real (and despicable) people. Ryan Reynolds works as the titular role and it's a great move that he returned to done the suit again after the terrible version used in the Wolverine movie. Deadpool is Ryan Reynolds and vice versa - they're a perfect mix and that's one of the reasons Deadpool the movie works as a whole. If you like superhero action movies or simply a funny popcorn movie to watch right now in theatres, Deadpool is the one you should see. I already can't wait for the sequel; let's hope they don't mess with success by going too far off course.
Oh 2016, it's a new year of movies and reviews. With plenty of sequels, blockbusters and guilty pleasure horror movies coming out, there's a lot to look forward to. And what better way to start off the year than with a quick horror movie review? The movie I will be reviewing today is the horror-thriller: The Boy.
The Premise: Set in the secluded forests of the U.K., Greta (Lauren Cohan) takes a job as a nanny to escape a mysterious situation back home. What is supposed to be a quiet and easy role turns into a terrifying nightmares as the child she's supposed to look after is, in fact, a doll.
The Results: 2.5/5!
The Boy is an interesting addition to the "toy" genre of horror. As compared to a movie like Annabelle, The Boy is more focused on the interactions between the characters than supernatural jump scares. Lauren Cohan does a great job as the main lead and shows off her acting chops to carry the film. The downside, however, is that the flick is surprisingly content-lite for a horror film. The action and the real drama of the film doesn't appear until the last quarter of the story where, dare I say, is the most worthwhile part to watch. I've watched many horror movies throughout the years and even I was surprised I got the twist wrong (I was kicking myself for not even considering it). I enjoyed the film, but I feel like it was missing a large chunk of footage to really complete a horror gem.
Long ago in a galaxy far, far away... well, more like our galaxy and on this planet, I watched a little sci-fi movie about lightsabers, space and Jedis. I was a kid and I didn't really understand what was going on - I was more inclined to Power Rangers, Buffy and Digimon at the time. As I grew up and continued to rewatch those movies on reruns, I started understanding the plot and enjoyed watching the films, especially the fourth and fifth episode. Soon the prequels came and while they weren't as great as the originals, they did soothe the tide until the future sequels came. I didn't hate them as most fans did; they were merely average.
Now at the end of 2015, Star Wars has released the next official sequel since the original trilogy. My friend purchased our tickets months in advance and we waited until the big day. I finally watched the film and it definitely earns its own blog post. The movie I will be writing about today is the seventh installment in the Star Wars franchise: Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
The Premise: Set many years into the future, the history of the Jedi and the events of the rebellion is now merely a legend. A new group of villains, The First Order, plans to take over the galaxy and destroy the last Jedi, Luke Skywalker (played by Mark Hamill). Luke has disappeared and in that time, the Resistance sets a plan to find Luke and stop The First Order.
The Good: Right out of the gate, Star Wars: The Force Awakens delivers the drama and action that fans love. The pace of the film was quick and there wasn't a single moment that felt like the movie dragged on in plot or dialogue. For a two hour movie, that is almost unheard of in today's world. Every camera shot, word and action made by the characters tied together in a seamless and effortless way. It's something that the prequel films were missing, especially in the first film - there was TOO MUCH quiet and slow time. This sequel learned from their mistakes.
Since this movie begins the start of a new trilogy, many new characters were introduced to the series. Most of them were a great addition, but Rey (played by Daisy Ridley) stands out above the others as the best new character. She's strong, quick-witted, and isn't a frail character who needs to be rescued by someone else. Rey was a fighter and I enjoyed every minute she was on the screen. Don't get me wrong, I like Princess Leia and Queen Amidala (played by Carrie Fisher and Natalie Portman, respectively), but Rey offered something new to the Star Wars universe.
The Bad: I don't have many negatives to say about the movie - it was overall really good. BUT, the only thing which irked me about the film were the similarities to Star Wars IV: A New Hope. As I watched the film and dissected many of the key plot points (as well as its structure), I couldn't help but notice that the two movie were quite similar.
Wait... before I hear the debate about how I'm wrong, hear me out! I'm not saying that both movies are a shot-by-shot copy of each other, I'm saying that there are a few plot points and scenes that felt too similar with how the films were structured. I want to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible, so all I will say to this topic is that after you've watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens, go back and watch A New Hope to compare certain elements and figure out how it matches. You might be surprised at which similarities pop up!
The Results: 5/5!
Star Wars: The Force Awakens is the movie fans have been waiting for after so long. The return to the galaxy offers a great story to get hooked back into the adventure and plenty of action if you're into lightsabers, lasers and the force. The movie introduces many interesting new characters that you would be excited to follow throughout the next trilogy, and they have the personality to match. The only downside may be the similarities to the fourth episode; however, be it intentional or not, A New Hope is a great movie and The Force Awakens is equally as amazing.