Category: Action

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.25.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]On a budget of around $150-190 million, 2017’s War for the Planet of the Apes grossed over $490 million worldwide. Critically, it was the best-received of the trilogy and earned an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects. Following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019, the studio announced a new installment was in development. While Mark Bomback and Matt Reeves expressed interest in returning, Wes Ball of the Maze Runner trilogy got the job. Ball wrote the screenplay with co-writer Josh Friedman during the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the actual production commenced in 2022. With a $160 million budget, the movie was shot in Disney Studios Australia from October 2022 to February 2023. The story would be set many years in the future with a whole new cast of characters. After premiering at the TLC Chinese Theater, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes hit theaters in May 2024.

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Synopsis

Many generations have passed, and apes are the dominant species while humanity has regressed to a feral stage. Noa (Owen Teague), a chimpanzee from a clan of bird experts, prepares for a coming-of-age ceremony when tragedy strikes. Ape raiders armed with electric staffs burn his village, kill Noa’s father, and take the rest of his clan prisoner. Having been left for dead, Noa journeys in search of the raiders to get revenge and rescue his clan. Along the way, he meets an orangutan named Rakka (Peter Macon), who teaches Noa about Caesar’s history and knowledge. They also meet a human they nickname Nova (Freya Allan), only to discover she speaks and her name is Mae. Eventually, Noa finds his clan, which is held captive by the self-proclaimed king Proximas Caesar (Kevin Durand). Will Noa save his clan, or will Proximas succeed in acquiring whatever is hiding behind a mysterious vault?

Review

I was surprised when I heard that a new Planet of the Apes movie was coming out. Given how War for the Planet of the Apes perfectly wrapped up the trilogy, I thought there wouldn’t be more. While Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes doesn’t quite live up to its predecessors, it’s still a decent movie. For one, seeing how far the ape’s civilization has grown since the last film is interesting. Like before, the apes are the best part of the movie, helped by outstanding visual effects and solid performances. While Andy Serkis is missed, Owen Teague does a great job as Noa, coming off as likable and strong-willed. Peter Macon also stands out as the wise orangutan Rakka, who imparts wisdom to Noa to disguise his exposition-laden dialogue. Though he doesn’t show up until halfway through, Kevin Durand’s Proximas is a great villain with a larger-than-life personality.

Unfortunately, like the other movies, the humans aren’t the greatest and feel more like plot devices than characters. Freya Allan isn’t terrible as the human lead Mae, but it seems overly convenient how she knows so much. It’s not adequately explained how she already knows so much about human civilization after its downfall hundreds of years ago. Also, William H. Macy feels wasted in a role that might as well be a glorified cameo. Granted, the idea of a human working alongside the apes is interesting, but it’s not executed well. On the other hand, the film explores ideas of one’s teachings being interpreted differently in a way that echoes religion. While Rakkas believes Caesar’s teachings of apes staying strong and united, Proximas uses his teachings to assert power. While it’s not as deep as the other installments, it’s still more insightful than your average blockbuster.

At its core, the film tells a straightforward story of revenge and awakening the hero within. Though derivative, it’s a storyline that generally works, and when the movie focuses on that, it’s engaging. Once the human characters and the vault are introduced, it’s not as engaging, and the story feels bogged down. If it had just been Proximas capturing Noa’s clan and forcing them into slavery, that would’ve been good motivation. Adding the vault feels like the filmmakers wanted to give Proximas more motivation when it wasn’t needed. Like Avatar: The Way of Water, this seems more interested in setting up sequels than being a good standalone movie. Thankfully, this isn’t nearly as long, though slightly over two and a half hours is pushing it. Overall, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is decent but not entirely up to par with the previous installments.

Buy Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes from Amazon: https://amzn.to/48wulOy.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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2014’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes grossed over $710 million, becoming the 8th-highest-grossing film of the year. The film earned widespread critical acclaim and even an Oscar nomination for Best Visual Effects, guaranteeing another sequel. 20th Century Fox was so impressed with Matt Reeves’ cut that they signed him onto direct one more installment. While the studio had a planned release date, they gave Reeves and writer Mark Bomback additional production time. Andy Serkis returned to play the ape leader, Caesar, with Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Gabriel Chavarria, and Amiah Miller joining. With a budget of around $150-152 million, filming took place in Vancouver from October 2015 until March 2016. While initially planned for a 2016 release, 20th Century Fox announced they’d delay it to the following year. After premiering at the SVA Theatre, War for the Planet of the Apes hit theaters in July 2017.

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Synopsis

Following the last film, the apes are at war with a human militia, the “Alpha-Omega,” searching for their colony. Specifically, they’re after the ape’s leader, Caesar (Andy Serkis), who’s searching for a new home for the apes. Unfortunately, a raid by the human militia leads to his wife and eldest son dying, so Caesar vows revenge. Caesar and a group of apes journey to the militia base to eliminate their leader, Colonel J. Wesley McCullough (Woody Harrelson). Along the way, the group meets a young mute girl (Amiah Miller) and an ape called “Bad Ape” (Steve Zahn). Eventually, they make it to the militia base, where they see several apes captured and forced into labor. In addition, it turns out that the Simian Flu has mutated to where those infected lose their intelligence and devolve. Will humanity reclaim its place in the world, or will the apes win the war?

Review

Often, the third part of a trilogy tends to stumble and fall rather than end things on a solid note. Films like The Godfather: Part III and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker are perfect examples of unsatisfying trilogy conclusions. Thankfully, War for the Planet of the Apes is one of those rare exceptions that ends the trilogy strong. First, the effects are easily the best since the first film, showing how much CGI has evolved in six years. The fur, textures, and muscles on the apes look so lifelike that you almost believe they’re real. Of course, it helps that they have great actors like Andy Serkis to make these feel more three-dimensional. Serkis perfectly plays an older, wiser Caesar trying to win a war he never wanted but has to fight. His is a great character arc that comes full circle by the end of this film.

Unlike the last two, this one focuses much more on the apes than the humans, which is a step up. However, that isn’t to say the movie lacks humans; they play a more minor role. While she has no speaking lines, Amiah Miller is memorable as the mute girl the apes name Nova. She shows how, despite conditions for humanity worsening, there’s still hope that they can coexist with the apes. On the opposite end, we have Woody Harrelson as Colonel McCullough, who’s ruthless in his efforts to save humanity. Harrelson does a great job playing such a horrible villain that you almost understand where he’s coming from. He’s not evil for the sake of evil but rather a man who thinks he’s doing good but is wrong. Also, Steven Zahn helps bring some fun as comic relief but never derails the tone.

Like the other two, this one delivers on the action while telling a tense, dramatic story that never lets up. It’s a thrill ride from the opening sequence of the militia hunting the apes to the attack on the compound. Admittedly, the film slows down after that opening sequence, but the pacing is solid enough that it never feels dull. It’s also interesting to see how things have progressed, such as the Simian Flu evolving and apes fighting alongside humans. Little details like this enhance the film while never feeling like they’re there just for the sake of being there. It’s the longest of the trilogy at two hours and twenty minutes, but there’s enough story to justify that runtime. Regardless of how this series continues, this film shows how the franchise lasted for decades. Overall, War for the Planet of the Apes is a fitting conclusion to the trilogy.

Buy War for the Planet of the Apes from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dA2FKQ.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.3″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In 2018, Oscar-nominated actor Dev Patel announced he’d be making his directorial debut as suggested by previous collaborator Neill Blomkamp. In addition to directing, Patel would be starring and sharing writing credits with Paul Angunawela and John Collee. Patel originally wanted to film in India in 2020 but had to postpone due to COVID-19, ultimately settling for Indonesia. Filming wrapped in 2021, and Netflix later acquired the distribution rights but considered canceling the release due to political concerns. At some point, Jordan Peele watched the film and loved it so much that he came on as a producer. Through his company, Monkeypaw Productions, Peele convinced Universal to buy the movie from Netflix for under $10 million. The film premiered at South by Southwest in March 2024 and received critical praise, generating an early buzz. Less than a month later, Dev Patel’s Monkey Man opened worldwide in April 2024.

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Synopsis

The film follows a young man (Dev Patel) who witnessed his village burned and his mother killed as a child. Years later, he’s trying to make ends meet in an underground fighting ring as “The Monkey Man.” Along the way, he plots revenge on religious leader Baba Shakti (Makarand Deshpande) and police chief Rana Singh (Sikandar Kher). Shakti orchestrated the village’s destruction to acquire the land, and he hired Singh to lead the massacre. Through his underground connections, our hero gets a job from Singh’s cohort, Queenie Kapoor (Ashwini Kalsekar), naming himself “Bobby.” Unfortunately, Bobby flies too close to the sun and nearly dies, though to be saved by spiritualist Alpha (Vipin Sharma). With help from Alpha and his transgender commune, Bobby trains with a newfound sense of purpose and makes his return. Now more driven and determined than ever, Bobby seeks vengeance and justice for those wronged.

Review

For his directorial debut, Dev Patel excelled and then some with Monkey Man, and I anticipate his next outing. Unlike many contemporary action movies, Patel isn’t afraid to go for the jugular and presents brutal, unflinching violence. You feel all the hits that are dealt, and the violence gets progressively bloodier and bloodier as it goes on. Admittedly, the editing can get choppy during the action sequences due to tight zooms, quick cuts, and shaky camerawork. While the editing does get better later on, parts of the first act are nearly incomprehensible because of the editing. Also, after a frantic first act, the film grinds to a near halt in the second act. The second act has plenty of story and character development, but it feels like tonal whiplash. Don’t get me wrong, Patel did an excellent job on his first outing, but there’s room for improvement.

In addition to doing a solid job directing, Patel delivers one of his best performances since The Green Knight. He does a great job playing the strong, silent type with a look of determination and focus on his face. Seeing how his revenge plan plays out is fascinating, and you feel for him when things start to go south for him. Though his screen time is limited, Sharlto Copley chews up all the scenery around him when he’s on screen. He steals every scene he’s in, and I wish Copley had been in the movie more. Another highlight is Sobhita Dhulipala as Sita, a sex worker whom Patel’s character forms a bond with. You feel the hurt and struggle she’s going through, and you get the sense that she’s lost faith in humanity. Sikandar Kher plays a great villain and even outshines Makarand Deshpande, who’s technically the real villain.

The fight choreography is excellent, and every hit feels visceral and natural, probably because a lot of it was. Amongst all the violence and fight scenes, there’s also plenty of political and social commentary that isn’t particularly subtle. From the look of Mumbai poverty to the subjugation of trans people, it makes sense why Netflix might’ve had reservations. The fact that a major studio like Universal was willing to take on a project like this says a lot. What’s also refreshing is the film’s short runtime of under two hours, a rarity in Hollywood today. Even if the second act somewhat drags, it’s not enough to make the experience feel longer than it is. Despite its flaws, this is an incredible action thriller worth your time, and I’m excited to see Patel’s next outing. Overall, Monkey Man is rough around the edges but has something special going for it.

Buy Monkey Man from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4fcKdZg.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]On a $160 million budget, Captain Marvel grossed over $1 billion worldwide, making it the 9th highest-grossing film of 2019. A few months after its release, Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige announced a sequel was in the works. In early 2020, Megan McDonnell was hired to write the sequel after working on the Disney+ series WandaVision. Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, who directed the first film, would not return, so Marvel sought a new director. After considering Olivia Wilde and Jamie Babbit, the studio hired Nia DaCosta, who previously helmed the Candyman remake. Brie Larson returned to the title role, with Teyonah Parris and newcomer Iman Vellani joining the cast. The movie was shot between July 2021 and May 2022 in Pinewood Studios, Longcross Studios, LA, and Tropea. After numerous delays, The Marvels premiered in Vegas on November 7, 2023, before its wide release three days later.

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Synopsis

In her quest to restore her homeworld, Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) acquires a Quantum Band, allowing her to create space rifts. These anomalies catch the attention of S.W.O.R.D., an intelligence agency headed by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). He asks Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) to investigate, but something goes wrong. The anomaly causes Carol, Monica, and Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani) to switch places when they use their powers. They deduce that their light-based powers are caught in a quantum entanglement caused by Dar-Benn creating jump points. It turns out that Dar-Benn is using the jump points to siphon resources to revive the Kree homeworld, Hala. With Dar-Benn’s jump points threatening to rupture existence, Carol, Monica, and Kamala team up to stop her. Will The Marvels save the universe, or will it fall apart while Dar-Benn tries restoring the Kree empire?

Review

At this point, it feels like I’m watching all the MCU movies out of obligation rather than genuine interest. With a few exceptions, most of them have been decent at best and mediocre at worst. While not as bad as Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania, The Marvels is another forgettable mediocre MCU movie. Part of it could be superhero fatigue, but that doesn’t change the fact that this movie is pretty dull. To start positively, I will say that some performances aren’t half bad, with Iman Vellani being a huge standout. Much like in Ms. Marvel, her energy and enthusiasm is infectious, and I look forward to what she does next. Brie Larson and Teyonah Parris are decent, though they come off slightly on the bland side. Samuel L. Jackson still has a commanding presence, even if he isn’t given much to do.

Unfortunately, that’s where most of the positives end, as this has all the elements of a weak MCU movie. Dar-Benn is right up there with Ronan the Conqueror and Malekith as one of the weakest villains in the series. While they try giving her a compelling motivation, she comes off as a stereotypical big bad wanting to destroy everything. It doesn’t help that Zawe Ashton’s performance mainly consists of wide-eyed expressions and delivering her lines in a whispering tone. Also, the whole “switching places when they use their powers” gimmick could’ve been fun, but it’s underutilized. Aside from a few action scenes and a decent training montage, the gimmick is hardly used and is mostly forgotten. There are also some out-of-place attempts at humor, like when the heroes visit a planet where people communicate through song. It’s on par with what Taika Waititi did on Thor: Love and Thunder.

The film’s best parts were the quieter, more character-driven scenes, like Kamala’s family or the main heroes bonding. It’s in the big, CGI-filled action sequences that the film feels generic and hollow, like most of the MCU recently. I’m glad Nia DaCosta got to direct a big-budget blockbuster, but I don’t know if she was the right choice. Not that the film is shot poorly or the editing is awful, but there’s no sense of style. Considering her last film had a $25 million budget, maybe she’s not ready for such a vast project. One thing I can credit this movie for is that it’s relatively short, at only an hour and 45 minutes. Still, Marvel Studios should take some time off, regroup, and commit to delivering better content than this. Overall, The Marvels has moments, but you can skip this one unless you’re a hardcore MCU fan.

Buy The Marvels from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Afde7n.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.22.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In 1939, comic book writer Charles Nicholas Wojtkoski introduced audiences to The Blue Beetle in Mystery Men Comics #1. While originally published by Fox Comics, the character would move to Charlton Comics, which DC Comics purchased in the 1980s. The first Blue Beetle was Dan Garret, followed by Ted Kord’s introduction in Captain Atom #83 in 1966. In 2006, DC introduced audiences to the third and final Blue Beetle, Jaime Reyes, in Infinite Crisis #3. In late 2018, Warner Bros. and DC started developing a Blue Beetle movie with Gareth Dunnet-Alcocer writing the script. The studio hired Ángel Manuel Soto, whose 2020 film Charm City Kings made a splash at Sundance, to direct. Though initially slated for an HBO Max release, the film was given a theatrical release in 2021. After an extensive shooting in mid-2022, Blue Beetle landed in theaters in August 2023.

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Synopsis

Returning home from graduating college, Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) finds his family has been struggling while he was away. It turns out his father, Alberto (Damián Alcázar), lost his car mechanic job, and the house is being foreclosed on. Unfortunately, the best job Jaime gets is working as wait staff at the mansion of Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon). While he and his sister Milagro (Belissa Escobedo) are fired, Jaime’s luck changes after meeting Victoria’s niece Jenny (Bruna Marquezine). She promises to meet him at Kord Tower, but when he does, she hands him a box to guard. Despite her warnings, Jaime opens it upon returning home, releasing a blue scarab that forms a suit around him. Victoria wants the scarab for her OMAC project and sends her bodyguard, Ignacio Carapax (Raoul Max Trujillo), to get it. With everything at stake, Jaime must accept his role as The Blue Beetle!

Review

Between Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Flash, 2023 has not been a good year for DC. And now comes Blue Beetle, a movie based on a niche superhero that only hardcore comic readers are familiar with. I didn’t have high expectations going into this one, especially given how recent superhero movies have been. While there’s nothing here that we haven’t seen before, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this one. For one, Xolo Maridueña makes for a stellar lead, having a quiet yet relatable charm that makes him instantly likable. You genuinely want to see him succeed, and he goes through a great arc of learning to be a hero. The rest of the family do a fine job, with the biggest standouts being George Lopez and Adriana Barraza. Lopez effectively balances the humor and drama, and Barraza has some memorable moments.

Bruna Marquezine makes for a decent love interest and has good chemistry with Maridueña, but she can be somewhat bland. Susan Sarandon is ok as the film’s sort-of villain, but Raoul Max Trujillo steals the show, especially with his backstory. Unfortunately, as great as Maridueña is, he loses his human quality once he’s in the suit and behind a mask. It doesn’t feel like he’s there, but more that we’re watching stunt performers or a CGI character with his voice. As fun as the superhero stuff was, the movie’s best parts were all the scenes with Jaime’s family. It helps that, in the film’s climax, the family gets involved in the action and works together to help Jaime. Some of the film’s runtime could’ve been trimmed, but you could say that about many movies today. Overall, Blue Beetle isn’t the next great superhero epic, but it’s a decent watch.

Buy Blue Beetle from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AoN81H.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]On a $178 million budget, Mission: Impossible – Fallout grossed over $790 million worldwide, becoming the eighth highest-grossing film of 2018. Additionally, the movie earned some of the franchise’s best reviews, topping off with a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In 2019, Tom Cruise announced that the next two installments would be shot back-to-back with Christopher McQuarrie returning to direct. Filming was supposed to start in February 2020, but production was pushed back due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Beginning in September 2020, the movie was shot in and around Italy, the UK, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates. With a roughly $291 million budget, this became one of the most expensive films ever made. The movie was initially supposed to come out in May 2022 but was replaced with Top Gun: Maverick. After five years, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One finally hit theaters in July 2023.

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Synopsis

IMF Agent Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) is tasked with retrieving half of a cruciform key from an old friend. Said old friend, Ilsa Faust (Rebecca Ferguson), has a huge bounty placed on her head, and Hunt rescues her. Later, he crashes a meeting with the U.S. Intelligence Community and confronts his superior, Eugene Kittridge (Henry Czerny). Kittridge explains that the key is somehow connected to “The Entity,” an advanced AI that’s gone rogue and become sentient. Hunt reunites with his old friends Luther Stickell (Ving Rhames) and Benji Dunn (Simon Pegg) to hunt down the key. Along the way, he runs into Grace (Hayley Atwell), a pickpocket who snatches the key before escaping to Rome. At the same time, The Entity has tasked Gabriel (Esai Morales) and his assassin Paris (Pom Klementieff) to stop Hunt. With everyone after him, Ethan is determined to get the key and kill The Entity.

Review

It’s incredible that the Mission: Impossible series has been going on for this long and keeps improving. Once again, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One delivers everything an excellent action movie should. You’ve got many great action sequences involving car chases, alleyway fights, desert shootouts, and a climax on a runaway train. As always, Tom Cruise delivers a charismatic performance and does some crazy, death-defying stunts that top what he did before. Series newcomer Hayley Atwell also does a great job and has fantastic chemistry with Cruise. Returning cast members Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, and Rebecca Ferguson are as dependable as ever and get their shining moments. It’s great to see Henry Czerny returning to play Kittridge after playing him in the original 1996 film. Pom Klementieff stands out as the silent but deadly assassin Paris, who comes off as intimidating without saying much.

Admittedly, the one outlier in the cast is Esai Morales as the villain Gabriel, a former ally of Ethan’s. His performance isn’t terrible, but there’s not much to the character that makes him very interesting or memorable. The plot has so many twists that it can be hard to follow, and several scenes are just exposition dialogue. In its defense, many other films in the series had convoluted stories, so it’s not exclusive to this one. Also, at two hours and forty-three minutes, the film runs longer than it should, and some scenes could’ve been trimmed. Regardless, this is still an excellent action film with huge stakes, big set pieces, and engaging characters you’re invested in. Considering this is part one, I’m curious and excited to see how the second half ties into this one. Overall, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One proves the franchise is still strong.

Buy Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4f97NWz.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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Where to watch Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]In 1940, Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert created Flash Comics #1, which debuted football star turned superhero, Jay Garrick. The books were canceled in 1951, but DC rebooted the series by introducing Barry Allen in Showcase #4 in 1956. While there have been other versions of The Flash, Barry Allen became the definitive version of The Scarlet Speedster. The character was first adapted in The Superman/Aquaman Hour of Adventure in 1967 before transitioning to Super Friends. John Wesley Shipp was the first live actor to play The Flash in the 1990s TV series. Since the late 1980s, plans for a live-action feature film had been floating around Hollywood with multiple directors attached. David S. Goyer, Shawn Levy, David Dobkin, Seth Grahame-Smith, and Rick Famuyiwa were involved before Andy Muschietti got the job. After numerous delays and behind-the-scenes controversies, The Flash finally hit theaters in June 2023.

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Synopsis

Barry Allen, aka The Flash (Ezra Miller), is still grieving over the death of his mother, Nora (Maribel Verdú). In his emotional state, Barry starts running faster and faster until he discovers he can travel back in time. Despite several warnings, Barry travels back and stops his mother’s death, only to get knocked into 2013. He meets his past self and gets him to get struck by lightning, which grants him powers but removes his. While Barry tries teaching his past self how to use his powers, General Zod (Michael Shannon) makes his presence known. Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and Aquaman don’t exist in this universe, but the Barrys find Bruce Wayne, aka Batman (Michael Keaton). With his help, they find a Kryptonian imprisoned in Siberia, but it turns out to be Kara Zor-El (Sasha Calle). It’s up to Batman, Supergirl, and The Flashes to stop Zod and save the Multiverse.

Review

Before going further, I’d like to state my feelings on The Flash are unrelated to the controversies surrounding Ezra Miller. My remarks towards Miller are strictly related to their performance and have nothing to do with the allegations against them. That said, Miller performs well playing a wiser, more sardonic Barry and a younger, more carefree Barry. The effects of conveying two Barrys are mind-blowing, and Miller does an excellent job of making both feel different. Of course, Michael Keaton steals the show, especially if you’re a fan of the 1989 Batman and its sequel. Relative newcomer Sasha Calle shows excellent potential as Supergirl, and I’m curious to see what she does next. Michael Shannon, one of the best aspects of Man of Steel, is solid in his few scenes as General Zod. The supporting cast all do a respectable job, and some fun cameos are sprinkled throughout.

Speaking of cameos, this movie is loaded with tons of fan service, perhaps a bit too much. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse also had plenty of fan service, but the filmmakers worked it into the story. It doesn’t help that while some of the visual effects are decent, there are some genuinely horrendous CG shots here. Without spoiling too much, much of the CGI looks about on par with Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, and it’s distracting. Also, the final act is another big, explosion-filled action sequence that drags out too long. To give Andy Muschietti credit, there are some fun action sequences, and the emotional scenes hit where it counts. Compared to Shazam! Fury of the Gods, which was a huge letdown, this one’s more of a mixed bag. Overall, The Flash has some glaring flaws but has enough decent performances and heart to keep it engaging.

Buy The Flash from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ABXbjU.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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Where to watch The Flash (2023)

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]With a $135 million budget, Bumblebee grossed over $460 million worldwide, making it the lowest-grossing of the series. Despite this, the film was the highest-rated entry in the franchise, earning a 91% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While it wasn’t as commercially successful, Paramount decided to move forward with another sequel, formally announcing it in 2019. Travis Knight chose to return to his animation studio, Laika, so Creed II director Steven Caple Jr. was hired instead. For this installment, the filmmakers incorporated characters from the highly regarded CG-animated series Transformers: Beast Wars. Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback played the human leads, with Peter Cullen, Ron Perlman, and Michelle Yeoh voicing the robots. The movie was shot in and around Los Angeles, Peru, Montreal, and Brooklyn from June to October 2021. After premiering in Singapore in May 2023, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts hit theaters worldwide in June.

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Synopsis

Noah Diaz (Anthony Ramos) is a tech expert looking for work to support his sick brother Kris (Dean Scott Vazquez). Desperate for money, Noah agrees to steal a Porsche for his friend Reek (Tobe Nwigwe), which doesn’t go as planned. The Porsche turns out to be Mirage (Pete Davidson), one of a handful of Autobots living on Earth. Meanwhile, museum intern Elena Wallace (Dominique Fishback) uncovers a mysterious object that releases a massive energy surge. It just so happens the artifact is part of a key that can open portals through time and space. Its reappearance triggers the arrival of Scourge (Peter Dinklage), leader of the Terrorcons, and the Maximal Airazor (Michelle Yeoh). Airazor leads the Autobots to Peru, where they meet the other Maximals, including their leader Optimus Primal (Ron Perlman). The Autobots and Maximals must stop Scourge before he can restore the key and summon his master, Unicron.

Review

If you asked me back in 2017 if I was excited about another live-action Transformers movie, I would’ve said “No.” However, after being surprised by how good Bumblebee was, I anxiously anticipated what would come next, hoping for the best. And while it’s not quite as good, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts is leagues above the Michael Bay movies. Like the last installment, the human characters are way more likable and not as insultingly unfunny as the Witwicky family. Anthony Ramos does a great job playing a guy struggling through life and trying to make the most of it. Dominique Fishback can sometimes get annoying, but she gets better and has solid chemistry with Ramos. Like always, Peter Cullen is excellent as Optimus Prime and Ron Perlman gives an equaling commanding performance as Optimus Primal. Michelle Yeoh is also great as Airazor, and Pete Davidson’s Mirage is hilarious.

Peter Dinklage is virtually unrecognizable as the voice of Scourge, though he does a decent job as the villainous Terrorcon. While the last film was more emotionally driven, this one is more focused on big action sequences. Granted, there are some dramatic moments, such as Noah and Kris’ relationship and the scenes featuring the Maximals. As cool as it is to see Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Rhinox, etc., on screen, they aren’t featured very prominently. Like the other films, this one ends in a big CG-fest of giant robots fighting and blasting each other. Thankfully, you can at least see the action on screen, and it never feels like it’s dragging. Plus, this movie clocks in at two hours and seven minutes, which makes it infinitely better than the Bay films. Overall, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts isn’t perfect, but it’s another step in the right direction.

Buy Transformers: Rise of the Beasts from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AsX0aF.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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