Category: Animation

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In 2018, Maggie Kang pitched an animated film idea to Aaron Warner during production of 2021’s Wish Dragon. Kang wanted to tell a story that mixed South Korean culture and mythology with K-pop, utilizing strong but flawed characters. Wish Dragon director Chris Appelhans came on board to co-direct with Kang after being impressed with her ideas. Production began in 2021 under Sony Pictures Imageworks, which also animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. The filmmakers drew inspiration from K-pop groups like BTS, Itzy, Blackpink, and BigBang, as well as anime and Korean dramas. Around this time, Sony entered a deal with Netflix to give first looks in exchange for potential joint development projects. Kang and Appelhans’ KPop Demon Hunters would be part of the direct-to-platform deal, with Netflix fronting the $100 million budget. Alongside a limited theatrical release, KPop Demon Hunters premiered on Netflix in June 2025.

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Synopsis

For years, groups of talented women have protected the world from demons by upholding the Honmoon magical barrier. The latest group is Huntr/x, a K-pop band featuring Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo). They’ve maintained the Honmoon through their songs and reached superstar status, with thousands of rabid fans. In the demon world, former human Jinu (Ahn Hyo-seop) proposes an idea to the demon king, Gwi-Ma (Lee Byung-hun). He suggests starting a rival band, The Saja Boys, to steal Huntr/x’s fans while also weakening the Honmoon. Huntr/x quickly sees through The Saja Boys and plans to attack them, but Rumi has second thoughts. Unbeknownst to Mira and Zoey, Rumi is a half-demon, which gives her a connection with Jinu on a personal level. With the Idol Awards approaching, the girls have to work through their struggles to save the world.

Review

When I first heard about KPop Demon Hunters, I had no idea what to expect given the title. Usually, I wouldn’t be interested in this type of movie, which is why it’s surprising how much I loved it. Much like the Spider-Verse movies, the animation is stylish, vivid, colorful, and energetic without feeling overwhelming to the senses. You can definitely see the influence of Korean mysticism in the animation, from the character designs to the visual aesthetics. Jinu’s pet tiger and crow, inspired by minhwa—a genre that highlights mischief and whimsy—align with the film’s style. There’s also an evident anime influence with the exaggerated facial expressions and body language, which leads to some great gags. It’s a pity this film had a limited theatrical release; the animation deserves a big screen viewing. Whether it’s the slow pedestrian scenes or the flashy action sequences, everything looks incredible.

All of the voice actors do a fantastic job bringing these characters to life and making them feel real. Arden Cho effectively shows doubt and false confidence through Rumi as she attempts to hide a regrettable secret. May Hong is great as Mira, switching between tough and aggressive and light-hearted and friendly. Ji-young Yoo brings an infectious level of energy to Zoey but also shows a more human side that feels natural. What helps these girls is that they’re not generic girlboss badasses, but relatively strong yet flawed people. Ahn Hyo-seop knocks it out of the park as Jinu, showing internal conflict while also putting on a false persona. Lee Byung-hun is excellent as the demon king, and Ken Jeong steals the show as the eccentric manager, Bobby. All in all, the cast does a fantastic job of making these characters feel like real people instead of stereotypes.

The songs are incredibly catchy, and each one serves a purpose beyond just being a good song. Each song is integral to telling the story and shows how each character grows throughout the film. For instance, Huntr/x starts confident in How It’s Done, but later Rumi shows her vulnerability with Free. The film also has some strong themes of friendship, community, acceptance, and coming to terms with one’s flaws. Rumi’s struggle with her demon side can apply to anyone dealing with mental illness, gender identity, or sexuality. If I had any complaints, some story elements don’t feel fleshed out, such as the Celine character. Still, even if you’re not a fan of K-pop, you’ll find something to like about this movie. Overall, KPop Demon Hunters is a fun, exciting, and emotional film with great characters, entertaining action, and a fantastic soundtrack.

Watch KPop Demon Hunters on Netflix: https://bit.ly/3JB0Ran.

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Where to watch KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

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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=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]After finishing his run on Uncle Grandpa in 2017, series creator Peter Browngardt expressed interest in Looney Tunes. This desire led him to create the Looney Tunes Cartoons series for HBO Max, which debuted in 2020. While developing the show in 2019, Browngardt offered feature film ideas, settling on a “sci-fi B-movie from the ’50s.” He also wanted to focus the film on Porky Pig and Daffy Duck, citing shorts like Duck Dodgers as references. To maintain the style of animators like Bob Clampett and Tex Avery, the filmmakers chose traditional animation over 3D animation. Though initially set for release on HBO Max and Cartoon Network, Warner Bros decided to pull the film indefinitely. Thankfully, indie studio Ketchup Entertainment acquired distribution rights after premiering in June 2024 and scheduled it for a theatrical release. March 2025 saw the release of The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie.[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_circle_counter title=”Rating” number=”85″ bar_bg_color=”#7CDA24″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_circle_counter][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

Synopsis

Since childhood, Porky Pig and Daffy Duck (both voiced by Eric Bauza) have been lifelong friends through thick and thin. Unfortunately, things worsen when home inspector Mrs. Grecht (Laraine Newman) deems their house unlivable and threatens to condemn it. Porky and Daffy try getting jobs to pay for home repairs, but Daffy’s antics get them fired from every job. Things seem hopeless when scientist Petunia Pig (Candi Milo) helps get them jobs at the Goodie Gum factory. Little do they know that an alien known as The Invader (Peter MacNicol) has contaminated the gum with mind-controlling goo. Daffy tries warning everyone that the gum turns people into mindless zombies, but no one believes him. Soon, the gum-chewing zombies swarm the town, and it’s up to Porky, Petunia, and Daffy to stop them. Will they save the world, or will The Invader’s plan come to fruition?

Review

It’s shameful that Warner Bros. seems disinterested because The Day the Earth Blew Up is one of the year’s best. In a time dominated by 3D animated movies, along comes a 2D animated movie that breathes life into the medium. The animation is breathtaking, fluid, and dynamic, perfectly capturing the spirit of classic Looney Tunes shorts. You can tell that the people working on this film love animation and put their hearts into the material. The style of animation combined with the 50’s sci-fi premise reminded me of The Iron Giant, which is not bad. Coincidentally, both movies underperformed at the box office despite receiving critical acclaim, showing that not much has changed. There are also some great visual gags, like the intentionally stiff movement of Farmer Jim or characters crying literal waterfalls. Admittedly, some more modern gags don’t land well, but they’re not enough to ruin the film.

One refreshing aspect of this movie is that the cast doesn’t include A-list actors shoehorned in for name recognition. Instead, you have talented voice actors like Eric Bauza, Candi Milo, Fred Tatasciore, Laraine Newman, and Wayne Knight. Each of them delivers an exceptional performance, especially Bauza, who provides the voice of both Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. He’s so good that you don’t even notice that it’s one person doing two different voices. Peter MacNicol is also fantastic as The Invader, playing an appropriately over-the-top villain while still playing it straight. Milo’s demure voice helps make Petunia that much more adorable, and her scenes with Porky are cute. None of the vocal performances fell flat; everyone delivered exceptional work, bringing these characters to life. Hollywood should take some lessons about casting an animated movie from this, but sadly, they most likely won’t.

Fans of old-school Looney Tunes cartoons, as well as kids not familiar with these characters, will enjoy this. Admittedly, the plot is somewhat generic and predictable, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. Sometimes, you don’t need complicated storylines, twists at every turn, and deep characterizations to make a good movie. Like the old shorts, this one has a simple storyline that’s plenty of fun without talking down to the audience. Plus, at only 91 minutes, the movie never overstays its welcome and gets in and out quickly. Unfortunately, so many people talk about the live-action Snow White that they ignore this genuinely good film. If you’re a parent deciding what to take your kids to see, please bring them to this. Overall, The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie is fantastic fun for all audiences, young and old.

Buy The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie from Amazon: https://amzn.to/48mYrVh.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at no additional cost, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and make a purchase.

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Where to watch The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024)

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After the release of Transformers: Age of Extinction, Paramount set up a writer’s room for future films in the franchise. One idea that gained traction was an animated prequel that explored the origins of the Autobot-Decepticon war. Following his departure from Pixar in 2020, the studio hired Toy Story 4 director Josh Cooley to helm the project. Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari signed on to write the story, and Eric Pearson joined in on co-writing the script. Like the ’86 animated movie, the cast included stars like Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, and Keegan-Michael Key. Industrial Light & Magic handled the animation, blending the look of the G1 cartoon with Art Deco. Paramount gave the film a $75 million budget, though some sources claimed it’s closer to $147 million. Regardless, Transformers One premiered in Sydney in September 2024, with its US release following soon after.

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Synopsis

On Cybertron, the inhabitants have been suffering from an energy crisis after their power source, the Matrix of Leadership, disappeared. Their leader, Sentinel Prime (Jon Hamm), has led expeditions to the planet’s surface to find the Matrix without much luck. Meanwhile, mining robots Orion Pax (Chris Hemsworth) and D-16 (Brian Tyree Henry) uncover a hidden message with embedded coordinates. Said coordinates lead to the last known location of The Primes, a group of robots tasked with guarding the Matrix. Along with Elita-1 (Scarlett Johansson) and B-127 (Keegan Michael-Key), Orion and D-16 explore the surface of Cybertron. They find Alpha Trion (Laurence Fishburne), the last of the Primes, who bestows great power on our heroes. Unfortunately, he also reveals truths that shatter their reality, with D-16 furious and declaring vengeance. Will Orion and D-16 remain friends, and how will their decisions shape the future of Cybertron?

Review

The last few years have been great for the Transformers film franchise, and Transformers: One is no exception. I’d put this film on par with The Transformers: The Movie from 1986, which shares many similarities. For one, they can tell their stories in under two hours, putting them above any of the Michael Bay movies. Also, while both have a young audience in mind, older audiences can enjoy aspects of the film. In some regards, I’d say this is even better than the ’86 movie, though not without some caveats. Despite the ’86 movie’s enjoyability, the story feels cobbled together, and unless you’re a fan, you’ll be lost entirely. Here, the story is much more cohesive, and general audiences can get invested without prior knowledge of the franchise. There are plenty of nods and references for the fans, but most are not so overt that they’re distracting.

Given that this was his first animated feature, Chris Hemsworth does a great job voicing Orion Pax. While there’s some influence of Peter Cullen, it’s clear that Hemsworth injected enough charisma to make the performance his own. Brian Tyree Henry is the biggest stand-out as the voice of D-16, bringing a side of Megatron never seen before. You see how he started as someone content with life and slowly grew to resent the authority he initially admired. The film shows how their lifelong friendship gradually deteriorates until it reaches a boiling point without feeling forced or sudden. Jon Hamm is also great playing an over-confident and smarmy Sentinel Prime, though it makes sense why he’s beloved. Scarlett Johansson and Keegan Michael-Key are solid in their respective roles, and Laurence Fishburne is excellent, as always. In general, the cast is great and helps to bring these characters to life.

While known more for their effects work than their animation, ILM did a fantastic job bringing Cybertron to life. It looks incredible between the bright and colorful Iacon City, the dark and dinghy mines, and the organically rich surface. One of my only complaints is that some of the humor overstays its welcome, with jokes repeated ad nauseam. Thankfully, the film never knows when to dial the jokes back and focus on the more dramatic moments. Also, it’s easy to get lost in the action sequences, between all the bright colors, quick cuts, and flashy visuals. Still, the story and characters are strong enough that you still care what happens during the more action-heavy scenes. Still, regardless of your knowledge of the franchise or how old you are, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Overall, Transformers: One will satisfy lifelong fans and newcomers to the ongoing franchise.

Transformers One is currently playing in theaters nationwide.

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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=”4.25.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]2015’s Inside Out grossed over $858 million worldwide against a $175 million budget, becoming the seventh-highest-grossing film of the year. The film also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay and won Best Animated Feature, which guaranteed a sequel. Original director Pete Docter had ideas for a sequel but stepped down when he became Pixar’s CCO in 2018. Pixar officially announced the sequel during the D23 Expo, with story supervisor Kelsey Mann making his directorial debut. While most of the original cast agreed to return, Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling declined due to a pay dispute. Like the last film, the filmmakers consulted numerous psychologists for research and even recruited nine teenagers to portray adolescence accurately. Due to diminishing returns from other recent Disney films, projections for the sequel were below $100 million. After premiering at the El Capitan Theater, Inside Out 2 opened nationwide in June 2024.

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Synopsis

Now 13 years old, Riley (Kensington Tallman) is about to enter high school, starting with a hockey camp. Meanwhile, Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Disgust (Liza Lapira), Fear (Tony Hale), and Anger (Lewis Black) maintain her mind. However, a wrench gets thrown when Riley enters puberty, and four new emotions enter HQ. Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), and Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser) take over from the original five. Thinking she knows best, Anxiety has Riley ditch her friends for new ones and push herself to make the team. Unfortunately, Anxiety’s choices disrupt Riley’s sense of self and throw things into chaos, so the original five must fix her. As the primary emotions try to return to HQ, Riley’s life worsens, and she loses her true self. Will Anxiety succeed in “helping” Riley, or will the original five restore her to how she was?

Review

Given the long gap between the original and the sequel, it’s impressive how good Inside Out 2 is. Sure, it doesn’t quite recapture the first film’s magic, but it’s incredible for a sequel made almost a decade later. Like any good sequel, this one effectively takes what worked in the original film and expands upon it. Much like how the original tackled the emotions of a developing child, this one tackles the emotional complexities of adolescence. This film deals with themes of insecurity, the identity of self, self-doubt, over-ambition, emotional repression, and even panic attacks. These themes would fall flat or seem distasteful in lesser hands, but Kelsey Mann and his team handle them expertly. There’s also some fun satire, such as a scene involving Riley’s embarrassing secrets hidden in a vault. You can tell the filmmakers cared about the material and tried making something more than just a product.

Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black return to their roles of Joy, Sadness, and Anger flawlessly. While it would’ve been better if Hader and Kaling also came back, Tony Hale and Liza Lapira are solid replacements. Maya Hawke is outstanding as Anxiety, perfectly capturing the emotion’s wild energy while making the character more sympathetic. Much like Fear, Disgust, and Fear in the original, Anxiety isn’t inherently evil but misguided in trying to help Riley. Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment have moments, but their characters aren’t developed as much to make them stand out. 16-year-old Kensington Tallman is perfectly cast as a teenage Riley, exhibiting the characteristics of a young person going through puberty. Lilimar stands out as the hotshot hockey player Valentina “Val” Ortiz, who Riley is trying to win over. The cast is fantastic, even if some roles are reduced from the original.

Since the original film’s release, Pixar’s movies have ebbed and flowed in quality, with some good and some not-so-good. For every Toy Story 4 and Soul, which were solid, some were decent, like Onward, and others lackluster, like Lightyear. On top of that, 2023 was not a great year for Disney, with most of their movies losing money. Hopefully, this film’s critical and commercial success will change things for the better for Disney, but probably not. Regardless, this is a phenomenal family film that, like any great Pixar movie, can be enjoyed by kids and adults. Kids will enjoy the bright colors and funny gags, while adults will resonate with the complex themes. Plus, at 96 minutes, the movie flies by quickly without rushing or dragging to the end. Overall, Inside Out 2 is another top-notch Pixar film with fantastic animation and a great story.

Buy Inside Out 2 from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4fuDjho.

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=”4.21.2″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Since its comic book debut in 1984, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles has been one of the most popular franchises ever. In 1987, creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird licensed the characters to Playmates Toys, who developed a multi-billion-dollar toy line. That same year, Playmates hired Murakami-Wolf-Swenson to create an animated series lasting for ten seasons from 1987 to 1996. Following the success of Batman, Golden Harvest produced a live-action movie that became a massive hit and spawned two sequels. A new animated series was created by 4Kids Entertainment in 2003, followed by a CG-animated film in 2007. By 2009, the franchise was sold to Viacom, producing two new animated series for Nickelodeon and two movies for Paramount. In 2020, Nickelodeon announced a new CG-animated film in development, with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg producing. After premiering at Annecy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem hit theaters in August 2023.

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Synopsis

Scientist Baxter Stockman (Giancarlo Esposito) creates a family of mutants when soldiers from the Techno Cosmic Research Institute (TCRI) invade. Stockman dies in an explosion, the mutants go free, and the mutagen that created them is dumped in the sewer. A rat named Splinter (Jackie Chan) finds four baby turtles contaminated by the mutagen and decides to raise them. Years later, the turtles – Leonardo (Nicolas Cantu), Donatello (Micah Abbey), Michaelangelo (Shamon Brown Jr.), and Raphael (Brady Noon) – are ninjas. While going out for supplies, the turtles run into April O’Neil (Ayo Edebiri), a would-be reporter investigating recent break-ins. The turtles offer to help track down the source, discovering a mutant housefly named SuperFly (Ice Cube). He and his army of mutants from Stockman want to enslave humanity by creating more mutants. It’s up to our young heroes in a half shell to save the world from a Mutant Mayhem.

Review

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is an animated film that both longtime fans and newcomers can enjoy. For one, Mikros Animation did an incredible job of bringing the film to life and giving it a unique aesthetic. How the characters, objects, city, etc., are designed reminds me of the doodles in a high school student’s notebook. It’s very similar to the art style of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, which isn’t bad if done differently. While this film has a similar look and feel, it does just enough to set itself apart to stand out. Also, the four teen actors hired to voice the turtles do a great job and feel like four brothers. Some of the film’s best moments are when the turtles banter back and forth or joke around with each other. Jackie Chan is a great anchor to the turtles as the sagelike yet uncertain Splinter.

Ayo Edebiri is also fun as a new take on April O’Neil and doesn’t come off as standoffish or snarky. Ice Cube was also a great choice as the villain SuperFly, making the character both fun and intense when needed. John Cena and Seth Rogen are good as Bebop and Rocksteady, even if they don’t do much in the movie. The other big standout is Paul Rudd as Mondo Gecko, whose “dude bro” attitude perfectly compliments Michaelangelo. The action sequences are big and chaotic but never overwhelming or confusing, punctuated by a fantastic soundtrack. Also, I appreciate that this movie is only 100 minutes long, which is refreshing nowadays. Admittedly, a few jokes don’t land, and some plot elements don’t work, but these don’t ruin the experience. Overall, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is a fun movie for kids and adults alike.

Buy Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3AcZbze.

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=”{}”]Against a $90 million budget, 2018’s Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse grossed over $384 million worldwide and received universal critical acclaim. The film earned a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, among other awards. Sony Pictures Animation officially announced a sequel was in production in November 2019, with writers/producers Lord and Miller returning. Directing duties would go to Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson, with Amy Pascal as executive producer. In addition to Shameik Moore and Hailee Steinfeld, almost all of the original cast returned for the sequel. Sony originally planned for an April 2022 release but was pushed back to October due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. That December, Lord and Miller announced the sequel would be split in two, labeled initially as Part 1 and 2. Finally, the retitled Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse swung into theaters in June 2023.

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Synopsis

Sixteen months after the last film, Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) struggles with being Spider-Woman and being hunted by the police. While fighting a Renaissance-era villain, she runs into Miguel O’Hara/Spider-Man 2099 (Oscar Isaac) and Jessica Drew/Spider-Woman (Issa Rae). Gwen hops throw a dimensional portal with them after revealing her identity to her father, Captain Stacy (Shea Whigham). Meanwhile, Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is learning to hone his powers while living up to his parent’s expectations. Gwen reunites with Miles one day, but she’s secretly tracking an interdimensional villain called The Spot (Jason Schwartzman). Miles follows her through a dimensional portal and meets the Spider Society, a collection of Spider-People led by Miguel O’Hara. Their mission is to keep the Spider-Verse in working order, but Miles objects when he learns what this entails. What other secrets will be unraveled as Miles Morales tries to untangle this giant web?

Review

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse had much to live up to, given how phenomenal the original film was. Thankfully, this sequel lives up to the original as another visually stunning superhero epic with love for the source material. From frame one, the animation is a sight to behold with its vivid colors, changes in style, and surreal imagery. Each universe is given a unique style that helps them stand apart from one another, and they look fantastic. Not only is the animation amazing, but there are tons of great action sequences, each crazier than the last. Thankfully, the action never gets in the way of the storytelling, and they move so fluidly that it’s never distracting. The movie balances out the big action scenes with much smaller, more character-driven scenes, which is not always easy. It helps that the acting is impressive, and the story is riveting.

Like the last film, Shameik Moore does a great job, this time playing an older yet still naive Miles Morales. Hailee Steinfeld similarly delivers an excellent performance as Gwen Stacy and has fantastic chemistry with Moore. Jake Johnson is a welcome return as Peter B. Parker, and Oscar Isaac is sympathetic and intense as Miguel O’Hara. Some other standouts are Jason Schwartzman as The Spot, Karan Soni as the Indian Spider-Man, and Daniel Kaluuya as Spider-Punk. Also, like the last film, this one is a giant love letter to everything Spider-Man, with cameos and references aplenty. Admittedly, some sequences can get too chaotic, and it can sometimes be hard to see what’s happening. Also, at two hours and twenty minutes, the film does feel a bit too long, but it’s still entertaining. Overall, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is another wonderfully animated superhero epic that similar movies should aspire to be.

Buy Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4efh2U7.

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 Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

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With a $48 million budget, the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie only made $38.9 million and received generally negative reviews. Because of this failure, Nintendo became more protective of its IPs and put future films on indefinite hold. In 2015, Nintendo announced a partnership with Universal Parks & Resorts to create Mario-themed attractions, ultimately creating Super Nintendo World. This partnership led to Mario creator Shigeru Miyamoto meeting with Illumination founder/CEO Chris Meledandri, and the two started collaborating. Miyamoto felt that Meledandri would be perfect for heading a Mario movie, with Nintendo making an official announcement in 2018. In 2021, Teen Titans Go! creators Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic were hired to direct, with Matthew Fogel writing. Fans became concerned about Chris Pratt and Seth Rogen voicing Mario and Donkey Kong, respectively, but the studio defended them. The Super Mario Bros. Movie hit the big screen in April 2023.

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Synopsis

Brothers Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) are Brooklyn plumbers struggling to find work after starting their own business. While trying to fix a sewer leak, the brothers are sucked into a pipe and get separated. Mario lands in the Mushroom Kingdom, while Luigi is in the Dark Lands, ruled over by King Bowser (Jack Black). After meeting Toad (Keegan-Michael Key), Mario is taken to Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), hoping she’ll help him rescue his brother. She agrees to bring Mario and Toad along as she travels to the Jungle Kingdom to ask for their help. Their leader, Cranky Kong (Fred Armisen), will help if Mario can beat his son, Donkey Kong (Seth Rogen), in combat. Mario wins, so Cranky agrees to lend his army to help Peach fend off Bowser from conquering the Mushroom Kingdom. Will they succeed, or will King Bowser win Peach’s hand in marriage?

Review

I’d compare The Super Mario Bros. Movie to the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie: it isn’t groundbreaking but entertaining. Honestly, that’s all I was hoping to get out of this, and this movie pulls it off. This feels like what Super Mario Bros. should’ve been like back in 1993, and it probably would’ve done better. I often find Illumination’s animation mid-tier at best, but it looks fantastic here and does the franchise justice. It’s very bright and colorful, and the locations are varied, from the fantastical Mushroom Kingdom to the realistic-looking Brooklyn. There are plenty of Mario references sprinkled in, but it’s from a love of the franchise rather than forced recognition. Further adding to this is the fantastic score by Brian Tyler, which includes remixes of classic songs from the games. They add to the feel that this is a Super Mario Bros. movie.

Despite how people initially reacted, Chris Pratt does a fine job as Mario, reserving the “Wahoos” to a minimum. If he had just done a typical Mario voice throughout, it would’ve gotten old quickly, so he was fine. Charlie Day is fantastic as Luigi and has excellent chemistry with Pratt, so it’s disappointing that they’re separated early on. Jack Black is another stand-out as the villainous Bowser, who has some hilarious musical interludes about pining over Princess Peach. Anya Taylor-Joy is another excellent casting choice for Princess Peach, as is Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong. I’d say Fred Armisen was the weakest as Cranky Kong, as he doesn’t sound as cranky as he should be. My only other complaint is that while Brian Tyler’s score is excellent, there’s some 80s rock that’s out of place. Overall, The Super Mario Bros. Movie isn’t perfect, but it’s a good time for fans.

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” link_option_url_new_window=”on” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]Buy Your Tickets on Sale to watch ” The Super Mario Bros Movie TOS Promo” playing in theaters starting March 10th[/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]

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One of the most popular characters from Toy Story was space ranger Buzz Lightyear, initially voiced by Tim Allen. In 2000, the spin-off series Buzz Lightyear of Star Command premiered on ABC, running for one season with 65 episodes. One of the show’s animators was Angus MacLane, who got his start working on several Pixar feature films and shorts. MacLane co-directed 2016’s Finding Dory with Andrew Stanton, which grossed over $1 billion worldwide, becoming the third-highest-grossing film of 2016. Following this success, he pitched a Buzz Lightyear movie after becoming interested in the character through his love of science-fiction. While Tim Allen expressed interest in returning to voice the character, Chris Evans was cast as the space ranger. Given MacLane’s love of the genre, the animators took inspiration from Star Wars for the overall look of the film. Finally, Lightyear premiered at the El Capitan Theater in June 2022.

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Synopsis

While piloting a ship housing thousands of personnel, Buzz Lightyear (Chris Evans) gets a signal to investigate a nearby planet. Accompanied by fellow space ranger and best friend Alisha Hawthorne (Uzo Aduba), he scans the terrain for intelligent life. Unfortunately, the ship gets badly damaged, forcing Buzz, Alisha, and the thousands of passengers to colonize the planet. After a year, the colony becomes a base, and Buzz volunteers to test new hyperspace fuel to return to Earth. Sadly, the test fails, and four years have passed, but Buzz insists on continuing until he gets it right. After years of failure, his robotic cat Sox (Peter Sohn) develops a formula for hyperspace fuel that works. Buzz successfully manages to travel to hyperspace, but when he returns, 22 years have passed, and robots have invaded. With help from Alisha’s granddaughter Izzy (Keke Palmer), it’s up to Buzz to stop the mechanical menace.

Review

Going into Lightyear, I had doubts about whether this spin-off could work, let alone be a good movie. Admittedly, the story is relatively basic, essentially an origin story that follows the standard beats you’d expect. You’ve got the protagonist who goes through an arc of working alone before realizing he needs help. There’s also the ragtag group of ambitious yet untrained rookies that step up to the challenge and ultimately succeed. However, while it has flaws, I’m happy to say that this is an entertaining and heartfelt sci-fi adventure worth watching. While the story isn’t revolutionary, it helps that the film has many characters you’ll come to love. Of course, there’s Buzz Lightyear, the heroic yet headstrong hero driven to prove himself and atone for his mistakes. Then there’s Sox, who I feared would be an annoying comic relief but ended up becoming endearing.

Even though she’s not introduced until halfway into the film, Izzy Hawthorne makes for a good sidekick alongside Buzz. Izzy’s teammates Mo Morrison (Taika Waititi) and Darby Steel (Dale Soules) have quirks that make them memorable. The animation is stunning, as with many Pixar movies, and the character design has a vintage 90s feel. Alisha helps add to the film’s heart, motivating Buzz to keep going despite getting older and eventually dying. Despite being a bit light on action, the action sequences we get are exciting and thrilling to watch. Though I mentioned how basic the story is, some genuine twists and turns here and there add to the drama. Before I forget, there is a same-sex kiss, but it’s incredibly brief and doesn’t amount to much. Overall, Lightyear may not be one of Pixar’s best movies, but it’s still a fun time worth checking out.

Buy Lightyear from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3JX8sQx.

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 Lightyear (2022)

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