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Reviews
Sherlock Holmes (2009)
A Fantastic Investigative Story
On my flight back from Malaysia, the last film that I decided to watch was Sherlock Holmes, I have seen this film a few times and was looking forward to seeing it again so is here my review for the film. The premise of the film sees Sherlock Holmes attempt to stop a sinister plot from destroying London at its core.
Main Character
Robert Downey Jr plays the titular character and he is fantastic in the role. You really see his intelligence and the way his mind works and I thought Downey really nailed the feel of an investigator that Holmes clearly is. It is hard to take your eyes off of him on screen and that is great to see in this film.
Supporting Characters
Jude Law plays Doctor Watson and he is really great too. The chemistry between him and Downey is off the charts and they just blend incredibly well and it is one of the real driving forces of the film and his performance drives that.
Rachel McAdams plays Irene Adler and she is a lot of fun here. She is a very quick witted character and she also had great chemistry with Downey. The inclusion of her character is mainly to set up the sequel but she is fun to watch.
Mark Strong plays the villain Lord Blackwood and though the character isn't particularly interesting Strong does enough to deliver a fun performance and makes him the appropriate adversary for Holmes in this film.
Kelly Reilly plays Mary Morstan who is Watson's Fiancé and even though she isn't in the film a huge amount but she is a fun addition and the constant arguing with Holmes is pretty entertaining.
Story
The story is really interesting, it is a genuine mystery and watching Holmes and Watson try to figure it out with all the twists and turns is interesting. There is also clearly a development in their partnership and that grows as the film progresses, the villains motivation isn't the best but the way the film explains it makes it sound really cool and interesting.
Script
The script has some really quick and charming dialogue. The characters interact really well and the dialogue makes them more interesting. Though I will say that this film does fall short on its dramatic moments and dialogue, I never felt fear for the characters or really care about them being in peril even though the film does try.
Style
I really liked the visual style of this film, old school London looks really great and it just feels like a world that director Guy Ritchie would create and it very much fit this interpretation of Sherlock Holmes. The action scenes were also really good, they use some unique techniques to explain the action and I really liked it.
Overall
Overall, Sherlock Holmes is a fantastic film that is a really fun watch. The cast do a great job and I loved the investigative nature of the film. Definitely give this film a go and I am pretty sure you will really enjoy it like I do.
Rating - 9/10.
Mothers' Instinct (2024)
An Above Average Suspense Film
I saw a trailer for this film earlier this year and I found the time to watch Mothers' Instinct and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees after a tragic accident, two lifelong friends lives seem to change and cause more suspicion.
Main Character
Anne Hathaway plays Celine and Jessica Chastain plays Alice and they are both really great in this film. The chemistry between them really drives the film forward and even though their actual characters aren't the best the quality of these two performers really drives it up and makes these great performances.
Supporting Characters
Anders Danielson Lee plays Simon & Josh Charles plays Damian who are the husbands of the two lead characters. They both have smaller roles but they are both very good and give strong performances in this film.
Young actor Eamon Patrick O'Connell plays Theo and I don't want to be too harsh but I thought this was a weird and weak performance. This kid is really strange and I don't think he was strong enough to fit the role he was given.
Story
There is no denying that this story is interesting, it has twists and turns throughout keeping you guessing. Both Celine & Alice have good character arcs and the performers do a good job with it. But the film is a little bit confusing and doesn't quite work, the ending of the film falls a little flat and doesn't have quite the impact that they think it does.
Script
The script is okay, there are some really good dramatic scenes that made me care about the situation that the characters are put into. This film is really grim though and at times a tough watch, it also doesn't exactly deliver on all of its twists which is a bit of a shame.
Style
The film is directed by Benoit Delhomme who is mainly known for his cinematography which is shown by this film being very beautiful and well shot to keep the suspense up throughout the film. But this is also the 1st film he has directed which is probably why the film isn't paced that well and was actually pretty boring throughout.
Overall
Overall, Mothers' Instinct is an above average film. It has plenty of intrigue and suspense to it with two fantastic lead performances. It's not one to rush out to find but I think down the line it could be a good watch for people.
Rating - 6/10.
Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024)
An Above Average 4th Film
When growing up I was a big fan of The Kung Fu Panda films and this year we have the fourth film in the franchise and recently I found the time to watch it and here is my review for Kung Fu Panda 4. The premise of the film sees Po needing to train a new Dragon Warrior while attempting to stop a sorceress looking to seize the powers of Kung Fu Masters.
Main Character
Jack Black is once again back as Po and I feel like he could play this role in his sleep and he does a good job here, it is just like he has done in the previous films. The character does clearly go through a character arc and I felt like the film did a good job in conveying that and he feels like a different character by the end of the film.
Supporting Characters
Viola Davis voices the villain The Chameleon and this is a pretty cool villain and it seemed like she enjoyed her work in the role. I mean there isn't much depth to her character but her motivations were fleshed out just well enough that it worked for me.
Dustin Hoffman is back as Shifu and his chemistry with Jack Black is great and Hoffman is enjoying himself. I do wish he had been in the film a bit more as his role is largely reduced compared to what it was before.
Awkwafina plays Zhen and she spends the majority of the film alongside Po and I really found her annoying. She is meant to also go through a character arc but hers just did not work for me, she isn't funny and I did not like Zhen as a character.
James Hong as Mr Ping and Bryan Cranston as Li are back in their roles and I enjoyed seeing them but their characters were more annoying in this film and they get way more screen time then they should. I just found myself annoyed watching them go on their journey compared to the main story.
Story
The story is functional, the best part is clearly Po's character arc and how he develops over the film which I did enjoy but there is plenty wrong. Zhen's character arc was dull and predictable and the story involving Mr Ping & Li is frustratingly mediocre and takes up way too much screen time. The ending manages to bring things together but it just doesn't make you feel much.
Script
The script has some funny and heartful moments that are mainly aimed at children and when it does that it works. But there is an equal amount that just don't pay off and I think that is because the writing for some of the characters and the fact that this film doesn't have the detail that other films in this franchise have.
Style
The film keeps up the similar style from the previous films and it does work. The action scenes flow really nicely and if you have been a fan of the franchises action scenes then you will enjoy this. But the pacing of the film isn't that great, despite the fact it clocks in at 90 mins the order of certain scenes doesn't allow the film to flow that well which is a shame.
Overall
Overall, Kung Fu Panda 4 is an above average film. It continues the legacy of this franchise well and does just about enough to be watchable, if you are a fan of the franchise then you will like this film, if not then it is one to skip.
Rating - 6/10.
Morbius (2022)
An Awful Meme of a Movie
I have wanted to watch Morbius for years and never found the time, but a 13 hour flight was the perfect chance to watch this film that I have heard so much about in the past and here is my review for Morbius. The premise of the film sees a doctor try to cure himself of a blood disease but accidentally infects himself with Vampire Blood.
Main Character
Jared Leto plays Michael Morbius and I really didn't like him in this role. He is obviously a good actor but between Morbius and The Joker, I think he should stay away from comic book roles for the rest of time. I don't think he is helped by other things going on but he is really bland and there is just no reason to care or support Morbius and that is a shame.
Supporting Characters
Matt Smith plays Milo and he is so over the top that it is really cringe, but he is clearly really enjoying his screen time and giving it his all and he is the only person who can actually say this. His dynamic with Leto isn't particularly good but Smith has so much charisma that I couldn't stop watching it.
Adria Arjona plays Martine Bancroft and is basically here just to give a romance for Morbius. She is a talented actress but she offers nothing here and she is one of the duller characters that you will meet in any comic book film.
Jared Harris plays Emile Nicholas and I think he was okay here but he barely has any screen time. He feels like he is just a plot device for the story but I feel like Harris could have been a better part of the film and how he is used is a disappointment.
Tyrese Gibson plays Simon Stroud and this might be the most offensive performance in the film. Gibson is mainly known for his energetic role in The Fast & Furious films but here he is so boring and monotone that it makes me wonder why they even bothered casting him and he felt really out of place.
Story
The story is all over the place. The ideas presented here could have worked but they tried to do them all together which meant they didn't work. The focus should have been more on the relationship between Morbius and Milo and I mean it should have been written a lot better but it has a romantic story and seeing Morbius against the police. The plot doesn't make much sense and is another low point for the film.
Script
The script is also pretty bad, the drama didn't make me care about anybody in this film and the humour is super cringy. The blend of the two isn't handled well and the writing of the plot just makes no sense and it fits this films rubbish tone.
Style
Now there are a few decent action scenes and I enjoyed the fact that it pushed the envelope for its 12 rating which I do appreciate. But a lot of the CGI is rubbish and some of the action scenes are lacklustre. The films pacing is all over the place too, it felt really long even though it is actually a normal length film.
Overall
Overall, Morbius is a pretty terrible film that lives up to the expectations that I have been told. No good things come from this film and should be avoided at all cost.
Rating - 2/10.
Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)
An Average Lazy Film
So, I recently went on a long trip so on the plane I had plenty of time to watch some films with the first one being Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire as I missed the chance to watch it when it came out in the cinema, now here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees Kong trying to survive and find his place, when a new being comes into his life he must seek Godzilla to take down his enemies.
Main Character
Do not let the title of the film confuse you as this is more a Kong film then a Godzilla film. Kong is handled really well here, it was awesome to see him in action and I actually cared about his character wanting to see him succeed. But Godzilla is barely in this film, he is so poorly used and it was frustrating that this character gets nothing to do, but I guess that is due to Godzilla having way more screen time then Kong in this franchise.
Supporting Characters
Luckily this film has less focus on the human characters but they are still here. Rebecca Ferguson is back as Ilene Andrews and she is functional here, her character isn't particularly interesting but Ferguson is a good enough actor to make it pretty much work.
Brian Tyree Henry also reprises his role as Bernie Hayes and I actually found him pretty annoying here, he is so over the top and ridiculous that it took me out of certain scenes. It just feels like he is trying to do his best Ryan Reynolds impression and it doesn't work.
This is funny because Dan Stevens plays Trapper and he is also annoying. I love Stevens, but he is also ridiculous here and it is really jarring to watch as he really isn't funny despite the film thinking that he really is.
Story
I liked Kong's story, seeing him going through the natural world was pretty cool and how the other members of this world react to him which leads him on a journey to fully become a hero. But again Godzilla doesn't really have a story and feels like he is dragged into the plot because he is in the title of the film. It is a bit of a cliché ending and it doesn't do that much for the franchise or for me.
Script
The scripts in these Monsterverse films have never been the strong suit and that follows here. The writing is poor, the humour is way too forced and the jokes just didn't make me laugh and I never cared enough about the drama because of the way it was conveyed on screen.
Style
The film looks fantastic, if you like your Monster action scenes then you will be happy with these as they are over the top and exciting as you would want from a film of this style. The film is also paced well enough and shows more of Kong then has been in certain previous films.
Overall
Overall, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is an average film. It is fun watching the Monsters fight but this film offers very little new and it just feels like an easy and lazy film that hits the beats that you would expect and I think this is a film you watch in the background and don't really hunt out.
Rating - 5/10.
The Acolyte (2024)
An Average Star Wars Show
The Acolyte is probably the most talked about TV show in the world recently and mostly for not good reasons but I have watched the show and will only give me own opinions and give the show a fair shot unlike most review bombers, so here is my review for the first season of The Acolyte. The premise of the show is set in The High Republic Era, when a Jedi is murdered it leads to the start of a new mysterious force.
Main Character
The show focuses on the twin sisters of Mae and Osha played by Amandla Stenberg and I have mixed feelings about these characters. I actually liked some of the performances and the direction that the show takes with both of their characters, the issue is that some of the acting is pretty wooden and they are easily not the most interesting part of the show which is a big let down.
Supporting Characters
Lee Jung-Jae plays Master Sol and for me he is the best character in the show and the person who seems to care the most about his character. The fact he learned English for this role and then knocked it out of the park says everything about his passion. Sol is a mysterious but likeable Jedi and I kind of wish he had been the main focus of the show instead of the twins.
The villain is a mystery for a large part of the show so I won't go into detail about who it is but I thought this was a really interesting villain. The way they are portrayed is fantastic and feels like a dark threat to the rest of The Jedi.
Vernestra Rwoh is a character from the books and is played by Rebecca Henderson and I thought this was an interesting supporting character. She has a different view to the Jedi then Sol and I think it showed some of the more shady elements of the Order and she did a good job with it.
Charlie Bennett as Yord and Dafne Keene as Jecki are decent characters too that were fun to watch on screen but they did have limited development over the shows run.
Story
There are elements of the story that I do enjoy. There are mysteries about The Jedi Order which makes you question how good they are and elements that aren't fitting with what we have been told. But the show misses the mark on certain things, mainly the story regarding the twins and their origins, the show spends ages on this but it falls flat and really flatters to deceive.
Script
Unfortunately, the writing for the show is where it really falls flat. There is some really cringey dialogue and the actors are clearly working really hard to make it work. The dramatic writing doesn't work and there is no humour which does make it a tough watch at times.
Style
The action scenes in The Acolyte are genuinely some of the best Star Wars action I have ever seen, it rivals iconic lightsabre duels such as Phantom Menace and Revenge of The Sith. I did actually like the feeling of The High Republic and how it felt different to the other eras of Star Wars that we have watched. But the show has real pacing issues, it spends a few episodes on flashbacks which weren't really needed and made other elements of the show feel a bit rushed.
Overall
Overall, The Acolyte is an Average Show. I liked it more then others but I cannot deny that this show does struggle to find its way to improve its quality. I think there is potential here if they do future seasons but this show isn't one you have to watch whether a Star Wars fan or not.
Rating - 5/10.
Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)
A Great Summer Blockbuster
With Marvel Studios trimming back on its film releases in 2024 it made Deadpool & Wolverine the most anticipated film of the year. Today, I managed to watch it and here is my review for Deadpool & Wolverine. After rejecting an offer to join The Marvel Cinematic Universe, Deadpool must find Wolverine in order to save his timeline.
Main Character
Ryan Reynolds plays Wade Wilson/Deadpool and he is just born to play the role and he does give a great performance in this film. He is just really funny and does manage to deliver on the occasional emotional scenes that are required. Hugh Jackman also makes his return as Logan/Wolverine and he is just fantastic here and I love watching him in this role. The chemistry between Jackman & Reynolds is
off the charts and easily carries this film and seeing them together is great.
Supporting Characters
Emma Corrin plays Cassandra Nova and she is a fun addition to the film. She is clearly revelling in her role and I liked how her powers were shown. I wish she had a little more screen time and her motivations were better but I think she does enough to create a fun villain.
Matthew Macfayden plays Paradox who is the TVA Agent in charge of the situation and it is a lot of fun to watch him on screen with these other performers as he is incredibly charming and quick witted with his dialogue.
The film has a bunch of decently sized roles from people not announced before the film so I will not mention them here but they are good fun. Though if you are a fan of the supporting cast from the first two films then you will be disappointed because they play minimal roles here.
Story
The story does a really good job of progressing the characters of both Deadpool & Wolverine and the relationship that they have and I very much felt satisfied by the end of the film. However, this film does really lack plot and interesting motivations for the villain. It does sometimes feel like Deadpool and Wolverine are just meeting people for comedic value and not necessarily for narrative reasons.
Script
The script is really funny, there is so much material to work with for Deadpool to break the fourth wall and he uses it to the maximum amount and it usually nails it. The drama is also pretty well done and it manages to flesh out the two main protagonists.
Style
When Deadpool moved to Marvel Studios there was a fear that it would be nurtured a little bit but that is not the case. The violence is huge mixed with the bad language and the action scenes are fantastic with some really creative battles on the screen. But, I actually thought the pacing of the film was a little off, it rams so much into it and the first act is a bit slow that I did find it a bit disjointed at times.
Overall
Overall, Deadpool & Wolverine is a great film. If you are a Marvel or Deadpool fan then you will enjoy this film and I am glad that the essence of this franchise still exists and that this film does deliver in being a fun summer blockbuster.
Rating - 8/10.
Star Wars: Squadrons (2020)
An Average Star Wars Experience
Continuing my theme of playing Next Gen Star Wars Games, I went back and replayed Star Wars: Squadrons and here is my review for the game. The premise of the game focuses on Vanguard Squadron of the New Republic & Titan Squadron of The Empire as they attempt to win the war after the battle of Endor.
Characters
Now you play as Vanguard 5 & Titan 3 but your character is silent and you see the game through your point of view so what your character looks like doesn't really matter. I personally feel like the age of silent protagonists should be over and it is pretty lazy. I never cared about my character and the game did nothing to make me care.
This is even more frustrating because this game is filled of really interesting characters. Phil Morris plays Lindon Javes who is an Imperial defector and the new leader of Vanguard Squadron. Lindon is a cool character and I thought he was a good leader of the group here.
On the other side we have Terisa Kerrill played by Peta Sergeant and she is your typical Imperial Captain, she is angry and out for revenge and she seems to revel in the role and has a clear objective for the imperial side of the story.
The two squadrons are really fun. Vanguard Squadron has Gunny, Frisk, Keo & Grace. They're fun and layered characters, Frisk is a trandoshan who are usually villains in the Star Wars universe so it is cool to seeing him on the light side. The other members of the team are great too and have distinct personalities.
Titan Squadron has Grey, Shen, Vonreg & Sol. They are truly loyal to the Empire and it is actually refreshing to have characters who are fully committed to this side. Shen is basically half droid and his backstory is really fascinating. The rest of the team have their uniqueness too and that is really cool when before we have just seen generic imperials.
Story
The story is okay, I like the two squadrons and the fact that it is the New Republic who are the ones building a new super weapon when in the past that has been more of an Empire thing. But the game does lack some depth and the ending is pretty terrible, it doesn't give much indication on what happened to any of the characters and is just an excuse to try and get DLC or a sequel that is just lazy.
Side Content
The issue with this part of the review is that in 2024 nobody is playing the online of this game, I tried to find matches online for ages and I couldn't find any. Though I do remember that this games online wasn't that impressive to me to be honest. There aren't enough modes to sink your teeth into and the offline side content is even less which is a big shame. Especially as this game really focuses on its multiplayer it is well below the expectations of other games.
Gameplay
I cannot deny that it is fun taking control of iconic Star Wars ships from inside of the cockpit. There is so much satisfaction when you take down an enemy fighter or a capital ship. Though I don't feel like it was as good as I wanted, The ships are quite slow and at times it feels like the game revolves on you banking left and not much more. Also, maybe I am the only one who found it harder to play as the imperials due to the fact that the TIE fighters don't have shields, I know that is the same as the lore but it made me not really want to use them as much. Lastly, I don't know what it is with recent Star Wars games but at one point this game has a huge difficulty spike that really feels out of place and makes the game truly unforgivable.
Graphics
Easily the best part of this game are the graphics, this game really nails the Star Wars feeling and is really made by people who love the franchise. You get to fly lots of iconic ships and just the sound design makes you fall in love with the feeling of the game.
Overall
Overall, Star Wars: Squadrons is an average game that fall short of what it set out to do. The single player is okay but in 2024 the online is worthless so I think this games life cycle has truly ended and is not worth the money.
Rating - 5/10.
Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
A Great Fun Film
On Wednesday, Netflix are releasing the fourth Beverly Hills Cop Film: Axel F, so I thought before I watch that film, I would go back and watch the other 3 films in the franchise and here is my review for the first film Beverly Hills Cop. The premise of the film sees a detective from Detroit find his way in Beverly Hills where he looks to solve a murder.
Main Character
Eddie Murphy plays Axel Foley and he is fantastic in this film. He is so charismatic and you can tell he is really enjoying himself in this role. He became a huge movie star after this and he just oozes big movie star here and I love how fun he is to watch and lead this film.
Supporting Characters
Judge Reinhold and John Ashton play Billy Rosewood & Sgt Taggart respectively and I really liked them. They are just a fun duo and they do have development throughout the film, you see how their journey with Foley affects them and in the end makes them better police officers.
Lisa Eilbacher plays Axel's friend and I really like the chemistry that she was with Eddie Murphy. They really sell that they are old friends who haven't seen each other in a while and she was a good part of the film and she isn't just your typical romance for him.
Ronny Cox plays Lt Bogomil and he is similar to the other cops in that he is tough with Foley but he also has some charm and grows to like him and he gives a strong performance.
Steven Berkoff plays Viktor Mainland and he is a fun villain, there isn't much nuance about his character but he delivers a fun performance that rises above the content. It is also really fun seeing a young Jonathan Banks as a villain here too after seeing how great he is in Breaking Bad & Better Call Saul.
Story
The story is really simple and it knows that and hits all the cliches but at least they do it in a pretty fun way and enjoyable way. But it has to be reinforced that if this films plot was shown in 2024 then I would criticise it so I will do it here and say that the film offers little surprise and is cliché which is a slight shame.
Script
The film is pretty funny, Murphy has some great one liners and he is riffing for the majority of the film and nailing pretty much everything. But this film does lack a little heart and emotion to it, we are meant to believe that Foley is on this revenge mission but I don't think it is properly conveyed and the film goes the comedy route.
Style
The film looks great, it really feels like an 80's action film. The soundtrack is really great and the action sequences are well filmed. The film flows well and it never slows down or feels boring making it a really enjoyable watch.
Overall
Overall, Beverly Hills Cop is a great action/comedy film and was a lot of fun to watch. It definitely fits its era and I think it is a film that if you haven't you need to find a chance to watch it at some point.
Rating - 8/10.
A Quiet Place: Day One (2024)
A Great Prequel
I am not usually a huge fan of Horror films, but an exception are the two A Quiet Place films and now we have the prequel A Quiet Place: Day One, I managed to see it today and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees two people attempt to survive an alien invasion where they must be quiet in order to live.
Main Character
Lupita Nyong'o plays Sam and I thought she was fantastic in this film. She absolutely nails this performance and is a fantastic protagonist that you want to support. Obviously, there isn't much dialogue here so she has to act through her body language and emotion and she totally nails it and hits the heights that Emily Blunt did in the other films.
Supporting Characters
Joseph Quinn plays Eric and I really liked him in this film. He is a charming kind of nerdy character but he did a great job with it. The chemistry between him and Lupita was great here and I really liked how their characters progressed in this film and dealt with this situation that they are in,
Alex Wolff plays Reuben and even though it is a smaller role he did a great job, the dialogue and witty banter between him and Lupita made it a great start to the film and did a really good job of establishing her character.
Djimon Hounsou reprises his role from A Quiet Place Part 2 and he is really good when he is on screen. He doesn't do that much but I have to be honest I had forgotten he was even in a previous film in the franchise, once I remembered that his role actually works in this film.
Before moving on though a big star of this film is the cat called Frodo. This cat is pretty adorable and a loyal companion to our protagonist, seeing the cat in danger made me really care about the film.
Story
The story is decent, there is no doubt that the film really nails it with the dynamic between Sam & Eric and made you care about these people and hoping that they can escape this crazy situation. Also the ending of the film is handled really well and I am glad that they went the route that they did. Unfortunately, the film doesn't offer much new. With it being a prequel, I was hoping to learn more about these Aliens and there motivations or backstory but we get none of that and we just see these people try and escape, which we have already seen in previous films.
Script
With the other A Quiet Place films, dialogue isn't very important but as this film takes place at the beginning of the invasion there is slightly more dialogue and it is really good. There is some on point humour which is then matched by some real emotion that made me care about the characters.
Style
The film looks great and is shot fantastically. The tension is massive and I was at the edge of my seat for the majority of the film, waiting for someone to make a noise and draw the aliens in. The issue is with the pacing, the first act just didn't do that much for me and I think it overshows the Aliens and makes them feel less special. The 2nd and 3rd act are great, it is just the first act is a bit repetitive in its storytelling.
Overall
Overall, A Quiet Place: Day One is a Great film that is worthy of being a part of this franchise. It doesn't revolutionise anything but it is a great watch and I think it is a film that everybody will like including people who aren't huge horror fans.
Rating - 8/10.
Gen V (2023)
A Fantastic Spin-off
With The Boys Season 4 ongoing weekly it seemed appropriate to go back and watch Gen V for the first time, especially as characters from the spinoff are set to appear on the main show. I manage to watch the whole first season pretty quickly and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees a group of students who are at superhero school deal with student life while attempting to expose a darker secret.
Main Character
Jaz Sinclair plays Marie Moraeu and I really liked her character. We learn a lot about her during the show and how she differs from the other students that are kind of already in the system with Vought and used to the superhero culture. She definitely develops over the season and gives a strong performance, it also helps that her powers are some of the more unique ones in The Boys universe and adds some real creativity.
Supporting Characters
Lizze Broadway plays Emma who is Marie's roommate and the two of them have really good chemistry together, at first I thought she was going to be a shallow character but no, they give her a fantastic character arc and I really did care about her as the season went on.
Maddie Phillips plays Cate, who is kind of treated like the popular girl in school but ends up by chance as part of this group of friends. She delivers a really good performance and the majority of her development happened towards the back end of the season but I thought it was really effective.
Jordan Li is an intetesting character and is a Bi-Gender Super Hero played by both London Thor & Derek Luh and the character really fits this universe. They are a determined individual and she was clearly the one who cared most about their hierarchy in the school but that is developed throughout the show.
Unfortunately, earlier this year Chance Perdomo died in a Motorbike accident with Gen V being one of his last roles as Andre and it is a shame that we won't see any more of this character in the future. Perdomo is great as Andre and he is another really well written character that was charming throughout.
This is a large cast and everybody does a fantastic job of delivering great performances that flesh out the universe of this spin off.
Story
The story is good. This show does have some teenage angst stories but in this environment, I didn't really mind and it flowed nicely. There is plenty of intrigue and mystery to the plot and I remained invested as the season went on. The only issue that I had was the very ending of the show, it feels like lazy writing and someone enters the show that feels like a lazy excuse to set up Boys Season 4 instead of giving Gen V a true fulfilling ending.
Script
The script is good, it has that familiar feeling to The Boys. I did think at first that there was just too much profanity but the more I think about it, that is how kids at schools act so it isn't that crazy and the fact that all films in school don't act like this is more crazy. I also liked the drama and did care about plenty of the characters which is great.
Style
The style of the show is great, if you are a fan of The Boys then you will be expecting an over the top style and it is here in abundance. The show was paced really well too, with episodes flying by and having me intrigued throughout.
Overall
Overall, Gen V is a fantastic spin-off and easily does enough to stand out on its own and become a must watch. Similar, to The Boys it is an acquired taste but if you can handle it Gen V is definitely worth a watch.
Rating - 9/10.
Inside Out 2 (2024)
A Great Sequel
After 9 years and many films under their belt, Pixar and Disney have finally released the sequel to the fantastic Inside Out and today, I found the time to watch Inside Out 2 and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees Riley tuning into a teenager, this introduces new emotions to Riley's mind which causes a conflict between the older emotions and these new ones.
Main Character
Amy Poehler reprises her role as Joy and she is really good in the role. She has her own story arc throughout the film and though I don't think it was quite as good as it was in the first film, by the end of the film I did appreciate it and think it was well done. I preferred her interactions with the other older emotions and think Joy was a better overall character here.
Supporting Characters
Maya Hawke plays the main new emotion Anxiety. She is kind of an antagonist of the film and though it is kind of by the numbers, I did enjoy the character and her development. She is trying to do her best for Riley but struggles with how exactly to do that.
Phyllis Smith reprises her role as Sadness and she is nowhere near as important in this film as she was the first but that is okay and I think it actually better for this film as Sadness worked in her slightly smaller role. But once again the MVP of the film is Anger played by Lewis Black and he was so much fun and his fits of anger are hilarious, they even give him a bit more depth and it worked for me.
I was very surprised that both Fear and Disgust were recast for this film. Bill Hader & Mindy Kaling are gone and this time we get Tony Hale and Liza Lapira in their places and they just aren't as good. They are kind of given bigger roles here but they do very little with it and I think it would have been better had we had the original actors.
I also didn't really care for the new emotions (except for Anxiety). We get Envy, Embarrassment & Ennui. They just don't offer that much and are completely overshined by Anxiety who owns every scene that involves this group which is a shame given the potential that all these new emotions have.
Story
The story is good, it focuses way more on Riley and events that take place in her life and how hitting puberty and the lead up to high school really affects her. By the end of the film, I did like the story and the emotions story does have some real heart and care to it. But, a criticism I give this film is the fact that there is some re-treading from the previous films story just involving different emotions and though it was done well it did affect the overall quality of the story.
Script
I am happy to report that the clever writing from the first film is back here and this is one of the major reasons that this film is accessible to adults. The comedy is still well written and there were laughs here and when the emotion is put into it, this film really nails it and does it really well.
Style
The style of the film is very similar to the previous one and there is no problem with that. It is colourful and has great visuals for sure. The film is also 90 mins, just like the first film and it flows by really well and is a really easy watch.
Overall
Overall, Inside Out 2 is a great sequel. I didn't quite enjoy it as much as the first film but this is a really great film and a worthy sequel that is once again a great family film.
Rating - 8/10.
Inside Out (2015)
An Epic Family Film
I am going to see Inside Out 2 tomorrow, so I decided to go back and rewatch the first film and here is my review for Inside Out. The premise of the film focuses on a young girl and the different emotions in her head, as she makes a move, the emotions must react and try to help her be happy.
Main Character
Amy Poehler plays Joy and she is so full of energy in this film, at first I thought she might have been a bit annoying but the film really pulls it around and Joy is a great character. She really goes through a character arc and by the end of the film you really feel like it was earned and Poehler adds a lot here.
Supporting Characters
The main characters here are the emotions and they are played by some big names, the main one being Phyllis Smith who plays Sadness. It was similar to Joy, that she is really annoying to begin with but once again the film brings it around with a good character arc throughout and by the end she was fun to watch.
The other emotions include fear who is played by the brilliant Bill Hader and I really loved him in this film. He just has true comedic timing and he uses that to his best ability here to really shine. We also have Disgust played by Mindy Kaling and she was a lot of fun, I think she is probably the emotion that does the least here by Kaling is a talented actress and adds something to the character. But the standout for me was Anger played by Lewis Black. He is every grumpy old man and his rants are hilarious and some of my favourite bits of the film.
Richard Kind plays Riley's imaginary friend Bing Bong and he is great, he is there as kind of a guide for Joy & Sadness and he felt like a great addition. He also has a pretty subtle story arc and it is handled expertly well and makes you really care about him.
Story
The story is really great, it is a really creative idea and I love how they turn a young girls mind into this cartoony world but it all makes sense and though it is ridiculous it just feels right. I think the film is really relatable because every human feels these emotions and by giving the emotions arcs further adds to us caring about what is going on.
Script
The film is really well written, it has some incredibly smart dialogue and was a pretty funny film that had me laughing quite a bit. There is also some real emotion here which is key considering the concept of the film and they really deliver with it.
Style
The film is really great visually. Pixar has never struggled when it comes to the look of there films and this film is very exuberant and colourful showcasing the mind of a human being. Also the film is only 90 minutes long and is paced brilliantly, it never loses its pace and is fun throughout.
Overall
Overall, Inside Out is an Epic Family Film that totally ticks all the boxes for the whole family and it really delivers. This is a must watch for everyone and I think anybody will enjoy it.
Rating - 10/10.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (2019)
A Good Single Player Game
While playing the newer Star Wars games, I realised that I actually hadn't reviewed Jedi: Fallen Order even though I have reviewed the Sequel Jedi: Survivor so it is time to review it after playing through the game. The premise of the games sees a young Jedi escape Order 66 and when he discovered he must find his true identity and a reason to fight.
Characters
Cameron Monaghan plays Cal Kestis and I love this performance and it was a true pleasure to play as the character. Cal's development throughout the game is fantastic and we really see him develop and come to realise how important he can be to the galaxy. You see him gain more confidence and it feels like we are on a journey with him which is fantastic.
Cal's main companion of the game is BD-1, a little droid who is full of character. I don't think it is an overreaction to put him on a similar level to R2-D2 & BB-8 and the development of their friendship is so charming and I love watching it on screen.
Debra Wilson plays Cere Junda, a former Jedi who is helping Cal and she is a fascinating character. She is shrouded in mystery throughout the game and we learn little things throughout that makes things complicated between her and Cal and adds this layer of character.
Greez played by Daniel Roebuck and Tina Ivlev plays Nightsister Merrin and they are great additions to the crew of The Mantis. Greez is the pilot and is charming and funny, clearly being the comedy relief but it really works. Merrin is a fascinating character, she gives a look at the Nightsisters that we have never seen before and I just wish we could have spent more time with her in the game.
The villains are also really well written, there are spoilers involving one of the villains identity so I won't go into too much detail but they are well written and kept interesting throughout the game.
Story
The story is really heavily emphasised here and I really enjoyed it. Cal is a fantastic lead character and I love how they handled his character development. The crew of The Mantis are great together and I love the banter and emotion between the three/four of them. The ending is also really rewarding and the last 10 mins of the game is just peak Star Wars.
Side Content
Now this game heavily focused on its story but that means there is literally no side content and that is not good enough. The game tries to trick you to go back to planets to find things but there is no point, sure there are collectibles but they aren't particularly interesting and it just feels like the amount of content here is not good enough and it makes the game feel a little empty and I completed it pretty quickly.
Gameplay
The gameplay is a lot of fun, the lightsaber combat is fresh and exciting and there are plenty of enemies to face off with that feels unique. There are cool climbing sequences and the missions feel different throughout with some great locations. However, this game had an issue and that was the final boss, I am happy to have a challenge but the final boss is really cheap and it became more of a chore to complete then actually a fun challenge.
Graphics
The game looks beautiful, the character models look life like and credit to these real performances that bring them to life. It was great revisiting some planets we already know and some new ones and every one was designed fantastically well.
Overall
Overall, Jedi: Survivor is a good game but I can't lie that I was a little disappointed playing it through. I just remember the game being better and I truly feel like the sequel Survivor is a huge improvement. But Jedi Fallen Order is a good game that focuses on its story and characters and if you are a fan of Star Wars and Single Player Games, then it should be played.
Rating - 7/10.
Star Wars: Battlefront II (2017)
An Above Average Game that Nails the Multiplayer
Ahead of the upcoming Star Wars: Outlaws, I thought I would go back and play some other Star Wars games, especially those that have come out on the next gen consoles PS4 & PS5. Over the last few days I have been playing my way through the 2nd incarnation of Star Wars Battlefront 2 that was released in 2017 and here is my review for the game. The premise of the story sees an elite Imperial squad attempt to fulfil the will of The Emperor after the destruction of The Death Star.
Characters
The main character of the game that you play as is Iden Versio played Janina Gavankar and unfortunately, she is a pretty boring lead character. There just isn't anything particularly interesting about Iden and her character development doesn't really make much sense and feels incredibly rushed which fits the theme of this game. I think Gavankar really cares about the role and really wanted to make it work but the writing truly lets her down.
A slight issue is that her partner Del Meeko played by T. J. Ramini has a better story arc then she does. It still feels rushed but there is an event that happens to him at the beginning of the game's story where he is on his own that at least makes it make sense and he does a decent enough job with that.
Shriv played by Dan Donohue is a Rebel soldier and the comic relief of the game. He is really funny and has the best one liners of the game, its a shame the rest of the characters didn't have the charisma that he had throughout.
The Awesome Paul Blackthore plays Gideon Hask and even though his character is a pretty generic Imperial, he revels in it and owns the majority of his scenes with how over the top villainy he possesses. He knows the role he is given and plays it really well.
Throughout the story mode you get the chance to play as heroes such as Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo and these are fun detours from the journey of Inferno Squad. Though not the film actors, these voice actors all do stellar jobs and it does feel like the characters you are playing as.
Story
Quite controversially, the reboot of Star Wars: Battlefront had no campaign which was a terrible decision. This game has both a campaign and a DLC Campaign so that is a step in the right direction, however, the campaign isn't that great. The parts I enjoyed were the fact that you get to play as these heroes in fun missions and that you get to play at the Battle of Jakku and see how the DLC campaign links to the events of The Force Awakens & The Last Jedi. However, the story is really frustrating, we were promised that we would get an Empire story where we would see their point of view but that is just a lie and doesn't happen and you are frustratingly a good guy after like an hour in. The story is also too short, I finished the main campaign and Resurrection (The DLC Campaign) in around 5 hours and it rushed by without much substance.
Side Content
So the single player campaign isn't great but the multiplayer is fantastic. It is so much fun playing on these iconic locations in huge battles both on the ground and in Space. The Starfighter Assault mode is really fun and Supremacy feels like this epic battles between two factions. Heroes vs Villains is here and it is always fun playing as these iconic Star Wars characters and even though some are better then others there is no denying that it is fun.
There is other single player content with Arcade missions where you have to complete tasks as certain characters to earn rewards. These are satisfying enough and I like that the game bothered to include them but they won't be overly remembered.
Gameplay
The actual gameplay is really good, using these iconic weapons from Star Wars and playing in these iconic locations is a lot of fun. Alongside the different abilities and classes it makes everybody's experience feel a little bit different and unique which is really fun to see. The battles feel really large in scale and that the game does a great job of showing that.
However, in the campaign the AI is some of the worst I have seen. The partner AI are useless and they just don't help you at all and they might as well not be there. But the enemy AI is even worse, either they just run at you with no tactics or care for their lives or they spawn out of nowhere. The only reason I ever died was due to the sheer amount of enemies that you face and not due to the AI actually being smart or well programmed.
Graphics
The game looks fantastic, seeing such planets as Endor, Takodana & Naboo in all its glory is a sight to behold and that is continued with the brilliant visuals of the Starfighter missions which all feel slightly different and unique. The character models all look really great too with plenty of customisation alongside less but still worthwhile vehicle and Ship Design.
But during the campaign I suffered from a lot of graphical glitches mainly involving the enemies moving through walls and magically floating in mid air after I killed them. It just took me out of the game and made the entire thing feel a bit cheap and weak.
Overall
Overall, Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is an above average game. If you only play games for the single player then give this one a miss as it doesn't offer enough. But if you are a Star Wars fan who loves multiplayer then this is a must play, it is so much fun playing these huge battles in multiplayer. If they make a Battlefront 3 I hope they focus a bit more on the campaign and keep the great multiplayer.
Rating - 6/10.
Hit Man (2023)
An Average Romance Film
This film has been gaining plenty of traction on Netflix and has been the number 1 film this week and I have been a little late to the party but I have watched Hit Man and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a professor pretending to be a hitman in order to aid the police, he gets wrapped up in one of his cases which changes his life.
Main Character
Glen Powell has been an actor on the rise and he plays the lead here and he is really good. He has such charisma on screen and he really does nail the duality of his role and the crazy situation that his character has been put in. He clearly has a bright future as a leading man and it will be interesting to see the projects he picks over the next few years.
Supporting Characters
Adria Arjona plays Madison and does a really good job as Powell's love interest. The two of them have insane chemistry here and it does really feel like watching one of those crazy couples and her performance is a big part of that.
Austin Amelio plays Jasper who is a colleague of Powell's character and I also liked his performance. He just plays the scumbag really well and I just really didn't like his character and Amelio nails it in this film.
Unfortunately, the other members of the cast aren't that great. This film could have done with a few more interesting characters to add further intrigue to the story, especially some from his school life which seems to mostly be ignored.
Story
The story is quite interesting, seeing how this man manages to manoeuvre himself between these multiple lives and identities is pretty fun. I must admit I was quite surprised that this is basically a romance film and the romantic story works really well. But this film is pretty cliché and isn't exactly doing anything that isn't seen before, it does squander its interesting premise and with a few tweaks could have been a really interesting story. Also the ending, while interesting is pretty abrupt with little explanation.
Script
This film has some pretty quick dialogue and interaction between the performers, it also has some twists and turns that are pretty well written. But I heard this film was hilarious and I maybe chuckled once, it just isn't very funny and the drama doesn't really hit either.
Style
Unfortunately, this is where the film really fails. The film is actually quite boring and that is due to the really slow pacing and the length of time it takes for the main plot to get going. There is just nothing really special about the way it is filmed and with a director like Richard Linklater I just expected more.
Overall
Overall, Hit Man is an average film that falls way below the expectations that I had after some really good reviews. I would say give this one a miss unless you are a huge Glen Powell fan, though I am sure he will be involved with better in the future.
Rating - 5/10.
Mass Effect: Andromeda (2017)
A Below Average Let Down of a Game
After reviewing the original Mass Effect trilogy, I thought it would be appropriate to play the 4th game in the franchise Mass Effect: Andromeda and I have finally finished the game and here is my review. The premise of the game is set 600 years after the Mass Effect trilogy and sees a group of people travelling to a new galaxy in order to start over.
Characters
Commander Shepard is gone and this time we play as Pathfinder Ryder, this time I decided to play as the female version of the character played by Fryda Wolff and wow this is a terrible main character. Ryder is a weak character and doesn't have that presence that Shepard had. The writing for her character is pretty terrible and I did not care about her at all. When the main character is bad, it doesn't stand well for the rest of the game.
Luckily the majority of your squad mates are entertaining and good characters. My favourite characters are Nakmor Drack and Jaal Ama Darav. Drack is a really old Krogan and feels like a bit of a father figure to Ryder, he isn't as good as Wrex or Grunt but he is a great addition here. We are introduced to a new species called The Angaran and Jaal is our main view into them and is a really cool character. He is both charming and sensitive and is a great alien companion and something new for this game.
Cora, Vetra and Peebee are also fun squad mates despite the fact that they aren't as good as the two already mentioned. They are different versions of Humans, Turians and Asari that we saw in the original trilogy so that was nice to see. Unfortunately, Liam is possibly the worst squad mate in all of Mass Effect and is so annoying throughout this game.
We are also introduced to new villains in The Kett and they are really boring, this is encapsulated by the main villain The Archon. He is incredibly dull and his motivations are as generic and stereotypical and we have seen it done so much better.
Story
The story has so much potential and with proper care and time it could have been amazing but the story sucks. The villain sucks, the main hero sucks and the missions suck. Nothing really matters and if you just do the main story missions you can rush through the main story and not care about anything. There isn't enough new here for a new galaxy and doesn't do enough to raise it above the basic feel here. It's so convoluted and I really don't like this story and the a lack of important decisions which is what the franchise has been built on.
Side Content
This game has so much side content it is unreal but the best is easily the loyalty missions that you have to do for all of your squad mates and I really liked all of them. It helped flesh out your allies and make you care about them more. But this game goes for a quantity over quality approach and it fails, so many dull side missions and fetch quests that you will end up skipping the majority of them because they are an absolute chore.
Gameplay
There is no doubt that the gameplay is fun and the combat has its moments. The fact that you can change between the different classes on the fly is a fantastic decision and allows people to play classes that they would never do in the original trilogy. However, the gunplay feels a bit of an afterthought and I just didn't feel like it really hit the way I wanted, also the return of the weapon weight is here and really restricts player with what weapons they can use which sucks.
Graphics
This game sees Ryder and the crew go to many exotic planets and I will say that I liked the variety here and the beautiful time that had been taken on these. The rest of the graphics are poor, when this game was first released there was a load of controversy regarding the graphics and 7 years later they are still poor and peoples faces look so uneven. Also, I still come across plenty of bugs and glitches, some that were game crashing.
Overall
Overall, Mass Effect: Andromeda is a Below Average Game that falls super flat and is pretty disrespectful to its licence. I am a huge fan of this franchise but I felt like it was a job to play this game and didn't particularly enjoy it.
Rating - 4/10.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024)
A Below Average Probable End To This Franchise
After the entertaining Bad Boys: For Life came out a few years ago it was guaranteed that we would be getting a fourth film in the franchise and here it is in Bad Boys: Ride or Die and I saw it today with this being my review. The premise of the film sees Mike & Marcus on the run after their former Captain is accused of working with the Cartels.
Main Character
Will Smith as Mike Lowry and Martin Lawrence as Marcus Burnett are what carries this film and the chemistry that they have together. They both look like they are having a blast and their enthusiasm and energy is what I really enjoyed. Though, I can't deny that both characters have story arcs and they both come out of nowhere and are a bit bizarre and hold the movie and these characters back.
Supporting Characters
Paola Nunez makes her return as Rita and I enjoyed her character, she is an old ally of Mike's and she has taken over the captains role and I thought she gave a pretty solid performance and I enjoyed watching her.
But the rest of the cast aren't great, Jacob Scipio is back as Armando and this guy has very little charisma and intrigue about him. This comes after a bland performance in the previous film and it just seems this guy can't live up to the hype of taking over from Will Smith which this film possibly wants.
Vanessa Hudgens as Kelly and Alexander Ludwig as Dorn return for this film in a clearly reduced role and they are pretty much given nothing to do except being some low level comic relief which doesn't really work when the main duo are way more entertaining.
The film really wastes the talent of Ioan Gruffudd and Rhea Seehorn with these generic characters when they are capable of so much better. Seehorn in particular is an amazing actress with her work as Kim Wexler in Better Call Saul being Emmy worthy, hopefully she gets better roles then this in the future.
Story
The previous film tries to tell a more personal story and had some success but this film falls flat on its face. There is one scene at the beginning of the film that takes away the whole intrigue for the film and I wish it never happened as it would make the film much better. Both main characters story arcs are dumb and the villains motivation is basically money which is super dull and made me not really care about anything that happened to anybody in this film as it was incredibly predictable.
Script
There is no denying that this film has some pretty chuckle worthy moments and I think I was doing this pretty consistently throughout the film which was nice to see. But some repetitive jokes fall a bit flat and really aren't as funny as the writers think they are. Also the drama is really not there, as I said I never really cared about any of the characters towards the end and the weaker script doesn't help.
Style
The style of the film is pretty similar, there are some good high octane action scenes that are a lot of fun and in particular I love the sound of the guns and loud they are, it makes it feel like you are in the action scenes. However, there are other action scenes where the camera is shaking everywhere and I couldn't tell what was going on, there is also one scene where for some reason they try to make it look like a video game and it looks incredibly cheap and tacky.
Overall
Overall, Bad Boys: Ride or Die is a below average film that for me is the worst of the franchise. It can't follow up from the previous film and this is probably the end of this franchise and that is probably a good thing. If you are a fan of this franchise, maybe wait until it goes on streaming, if not then give it a miss.
Rating - 4/10.
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)
A Good Prequel about a Great Character
9 years after the release of Mad Max: Fury Road we finally have the release of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, unfortunately it has been suffering at the box office but I managed to watch it last night and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees the origin of Furiosa and how she would grow into the character we meet in Fury Road.
Main Character
Anya Taylor Joy takes over the role of Furiosa and I thought she encapsulated the role perfectly. I truly believed that she was a younger version of Charlize Theron's interpretation of the character. It does take a while to introduce her in the film and she doesn't have too many lines here but similar to Tom Hardy's performance as Max she gives a very physical performance which just works. Also credit to Alyla Browne who plays the even younger version of the character for the first hour and she she does a great job too.
Supporting Characters
But the star of this show has to be Chris Hemsworth playing the villain Dementus. He absolutely owns every scene that he is in and is this over the top Australian leader who is oozing charisma and charm and Hemsworth is clearly having a load of fun and he gives one of his best performances here.
We get Immortan Joe back here, though he is played by a different actor called Lachy Hulme but you wouldn't realise that from the film. It is cool seeing a younger version of the character and you do realise why he has all the devoted troops to his cause.
But the rest of the cast aren't particularly great. Tom Burke plays Jack and he is incredibly dull, he is kind of introduced as a companion of Furiosa but he adds nothing to the film and this guy delivers his lines in super boring fashion and I did not care about him at all.
Story
The story is really good, I criticised Mad Max: Fury Road for its lack of story but this film is totally different and tells a really engaging story where we grow to really care and support Furiosa even if we didn't know her from a previous film. This is clearly a revenge tale and it does slightly take its time but I appreciate how Furiosa develops and becomes an interesting character.
Script
The script is okay and I would say that it is better then the previous film especially when Hemsworth is just monologuing and giving these great moments. But the film lacks true dramatic moments and moments that will make a viewer care.
Style
The film once again looks fantastic, the visuals are some of the best you will see in any film out there. The action scenes are good and do their job effectively, though they do feel like they have been lessened and aren't anywhere near as grand and crazy as Fury Road. The film also has some slight pacing issues in its first act which means it takes a while to get going.
Overall
Overall, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is a good film and serves the character of Furiosa well. If you are a fan of that character and this universe then you will like this film. I would say go support this film as it needs to be doing better at the box office as I wouldn't mind seeing more stories in the Mad Max universe in the future.
Rating - 7/10.
Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
A Great Action Packed Film
In preparation for watch Furiosa, I went back and rewatched Mad Max: Fury Road which serves as the film that introduced the character to the big screen and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a drifter and rebel attempt to escape from a tyrant and his crazed forces.
Main Character
Tom Hardy plays Max and he is exactly what this film requires. He is incredibly gruff and is a man of few words but he delivers a really physical performance here and it works for Fury Road. They give him somewhat a story arc that kind of gets forgotten about but Hardy does the best with the material he is given.
But the real main character here us Furiosa played by Charlize Theron, she is easily the most interesting character here and the film really puts her at the forefront of the film and she was great to follow. Despite the off screen issues with Hardy & Theron it didn't affect their performances and Theron is great here.
Supporting Characters
Nicholas Hoult plays Nux who is a worshiper of the villain of the film and he is totally unhinged in the film and Hoult gives a great performance. His character does have a good enough story arc and I just really liked the effort he put into the character.
Hugh Keays-Byrne plays Immortan Joe who is the main villain of the film and I just liked this character. He is menacing and it is just the way he is presented that it made him feel like a big threat to the heroes and someone who would have this following from a cult.
There are a bunch of female characters on the run from Joe and they all get some time to shine which was nice to see. Zoey Kravitz & Rosie Huntington-Whiteley are the ones who get the most to work with and they did a good job.
Story
The story is fascinating, it is basically an extended chase sequence and that sounds really dull but it really works. The characters are always on edge and you feel like they are on edge and the story progresses really well with this. Though, I mean there is no denying that there is a lack of meat on the story and I kind of wish Max had been fleshed out a little bit more to make me care about him a bit more.
Script
The script is okay, it is a bit unhinged like the film itself. There is some good dialogue involving Furiosa but Max has few words which is fine for the film. But this film isn't really about the script so I feel like dialogue in particular was a bit of an afterthought.
Style
The style of the film is where this film truly flourishes, everything is high octane and looks insane. It is hard to explain the crazy things that happens in these epic chase sequences. Great action sequences that really benefit from the lack of CGI and focus on practical effects and boy does it rise the level of this film.
Overall
Overall, Mad Max: Fury Road is a great action film. It has some of the best action scenes of all time and if that is all you are looking for then you must see this film. It slightly lacks in some other areas but it is a great watch for sure.
Rating - 8/10.
The Fall Guy (2024)
A Fun Action Film
So even though it has been out for a bit of time I have finally found the time to watch The Fall Guy and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a failed stuntman sent to find the big movie star of his ex lovers film.
Main Character
Ryan Gosling has been on quite a role lately and he plays Colt Seavers and he is just great here. He basically plays himself and is clearly having a great time with it, Colt is a fun character and Gosling oozes charisma and charm throughout the film. His character does have a story arc and it kind of works but Gosling takes everything he has and just makes it work.
Supporting Characters
Emily Blunt plays Jody Moreno and is the main love interest and she is great too. The chemistry between herself and Gosling is amazing and it makes every scene they have together really entertaining and Blunt adds a lot to it.
Winston Duke plays Dan Tucker and is basically Gosling's Stunt Boss and he was really funny here. He is constantly quoting films and it just gave me a chuckle with how many he chucked in here and Duke has the natural charisma that just makes it work.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Tom Ryder who is the film star that goes missing and he is entertaining when on screen though he doesn't really have too much to do but he feels like a natural part of the film.
The one performance that annoyed me was Hannah Waddingham as Gail Meyer, she is a talented actress but she as really annoying here and not for the right reasons. It seemed like she saw everyone else having a great time and thought she would raise it even higher and become even more of a parody then this film actually is.
Story
The story is fun, it is a good love story between Gosling & Blunts character and their chemistry together makes it easy to care about them and really believe in their dynamic. But the rest of the film kind of falls flat, there is no meat to the story and it becomes a bit too convoluted and like they were writing the film as they were shooting it as the film's last act just doesn't quite work.
Script
The dialogue in the script is quick and sharp, it makes these characters seem more interesting and helps build the relationship between the two main characters and fun references to other works. But the film again lacks the drama and has quite a few different twists which doesn't really make sense and kind of over complicates this film.
Style
The film looks great, it really puts the spotlight on the role of the Stunt performer and it does prove that these guys deserve way more credit for the work they do. The action scenes are absurd and over the top but there is no denying that they were very fun. But this films pacing is all over the place, it takes too long to get going and then goes on way too long. The 2nd act is strong but the 1st and 3rd don't live up to those levels.
Overall
Overall, The Fall Guy is a good film. It is just an exciting film that showcases the unsung heroes of film and even though it isn't overly memorable it was a fun time at the cinema and I think if you get the chance and enjoy fun action films then maybe give it a chance.
Rating - 7/10.
Baby Reindeer (2024)
A Great but disturbing show
So it has taken me a while to get around and watch what is probably the most talked about show in the world Baby Reindeer. Over the bank holiday weekend, I decided to sit down and watch this series and it was tough but I managed to get through it and here is my review for Baby Reindeer. The premise of the show is based on a true story and sees a man who is down on his luck start to get stalked and the impact that it has on both of them.
Main Character
There has been quite a bit of controversy about Richard Gadd who plays Donny and is the writer and producer of this show as well. But I am not going to look at that and just study him on his performance and he is truly brilliant in this show. I truly felt sorry for Donny and Gadd managed to encapsulate that really well. But their was some underlaying issues with Donny that actually makes him quite unlikeable and made him a more rounded character. The final 10/15 mins of Episode 6 is some of the best acting you will see in anything and he deserves real credit for it.
Supporting Characters
There has also been massive controversy about Martha played by Jessica Gunning and the real life implications but she is also great. She comes across as this crazy lady that is stalking Donny and you feel that way but she also has moments where you do feel sorry for her despite the crazy things that she is doing and has done.
Nava Mau plays Donny's love interest Teri and she is really good. They have good chemistry together and she feels like a realistic part of this show and how she reacts to finding out about Martha and the whole situation and I think she was good.
The rest of the cast also do fantastic jobs despite being less important parts. Tom Goodman-Hill as Darren & Mark Lewis Jones as Gerry were the best with one really unnerving performance and one hilarious performance.
Story
The story is incredibly difficult to sit through as it really deals with some serious subject matter. It is fascinating though and it really kept my attention to see the twists and turns would be taken next and how it would deal with its really difficult subject matter and it deals with it really well and makes it hit you. I did have a slight problem with the ending though, I understand what they were going for but it felt a bit cheesy and it didn't give me the validation that I think the show should have.
Script
The show is really well written. Donny's aspiration is to be a top comedian so the show has to deal with comedy well and it does, especially when Donny delivers poor performances but has some pretty decent comedy in other circumstances. The drama is obviously heavy and it is handled well with some great monologues and narrating from Donny.
Style
The show has a very grim and dark style that fits the overall feel of the show. I mentioned earlier that it is a hard watch and I know the show was going for that and they did a good job with it. But this isn't a show that that I would watch all at once, have breaks to realise the real issues that are being shown. The pacing isn't that great and sometimes the issues gets a little repetitive but it doesn't take too much away from the show.
Overall
Overall, Baby Reindeer is a great show. If you can deal with the really heavy subject matter then I would say give it a watch, but if you get triggered easily then I would skip this one as it can be hard to watch. But Overall, I really appreciate what Baby Reindeer gave as a show.
Rating - 8/10.
Mass Effect 3 (2012)
A Great end to the trilogy
It has finally happened that I have finished playing the Mass Effect trilogy and after two really good games we will have to see if the trilogy can finish it off in style and here is my review for Mass Effect 3. The premise of the game sees The Reapers finally invade the galaxy, Shepard must recruit the other species to work together to ensure they stand a chance against the greatest threat of all time.
Characters
For the final time, we get to play as Commander Shepard and once again I am a Male Shepard voiced by the excellent Mark Meer and he absolutely nails it in this game. You really feel the wear and tear that goes on this character as he has to deal with this war. He has great emotional moments and quick humour that makes this a legendary character that encapsulates this overall franchise.
This game has an insanely large cast bringing characters back from the previous two games and they are all pretty much the same as they have been but a lot have them have way less time to shine here which sucks. One character that gets plenty of time is Liara T'soni played by Ali Hillis, she is back as a full time squad member this time around and she is a great character that sees progression here. She was my romance choice and I think she is one of the most fleshed out romances of the franchise.
Brandon Keener is back as Garrus Vakarian and once again he is awesome, he is just such a cool character and I really like how they show how the war affects people through him. He is a bit more ruthless with his thinking and is dealing with the greater responsibility that he is given.
Ash Sroka is also back as Tali and her story is actually quite similar to Garrus. She is given more responsibility in her government and she really struggles with it and isn't sure exactly what the best way to help her people is. She is once again a great character and even though she isn't introduced till later there is still plenty of time for her.
There's some new squad mates in this game. Starting with James Vega played by Freddie Prinze Jnr and I must say I enjoyed having him around more in this playthrough then I have previously. He is quite charming and I like his relationship with Shepard, he is probably the best Alliance squad member that we have had in the franchise. EDI played by Tricia Helfer gets a body this time and joins the squad and similar to James I enjoyed her more here, she has a dark sense of humour and her development is really clear and I thought it was well handled. Ike Amadi plays Javik the last Prothean, he was originally DLC but in the Legendary edition he is in the game proper and he is fantastic. He is a very angry and violent character that also has a clear development over the course of the game.
One last character to mention is The Illusive Man played by Martin Sheen, I forgot to mention how amazing a character he was in the previous game so I am going to mention it here and say that I love this character and the performance of Sheen. They make some questionable character decisions with him here but Sheen still delivers an effective performance.
Story
The story is a real mixed bag. I love the feeling of this game and the tone of just how massive this war is and how it totally affects everybody in the galaxy. I also really liked how the two big storylines involve the Genophage & The Quarian/Geth war which are two things that have been talked about since the first game. However, it is the last act of storytelling is where it falls off a cliff. Turning Cerberus into moustache twirling villains was a real mistake and the ending just falls incredibly flat which is such a shame for this amazing franchise.
Side Content
This game has lots of side content and for the most part it is very good. This is where you meet the majority of characters from previous games including squad mates from Mass Effect 2 such as Jack, Grunt & Samara. There are some annoying mini games where you cna collect objects to help the war effort, but these aren't essential and can be skipped. The 3 DLC's Leviathan, Omega & The Citadel are all brilliant and worthwhile editions that are now a part of the game due to Legendary Edition.
Gameplay
From a pure gameplay perspective this is the best game so far in the franchise. Shepard is way more athletic and he can move a lot better which allows you to execute different moves. There is also a way better melee weapon which sometimes encourages play that gets you close to the enemy. The dialogue is also at its best and characters usually have something to say and actually interact with each other which is a big upgrade on the previous games. However, this game tries to limit how much fun you can have to play. For example, they add weight to the weapons which means you are incredibly limited to what weapons you can use as it affects your power use which I need being a Biotic.
Graphics
The game looks beautiful, the new weapons and armour really adds plenty to the game. The vast battlefields that shows the destruction by The Reapers is realised really well for the majority of the game. The character models also look great and I really enjoyed the look of the universe that is plagued by war.
Overall
Overall, Mass Effect 3 is a great finish to the Mass Effect trilogy, it just falls a little short of expectations. I had a great time playing a game and think it still has plenty of merit despite its poor ending.
Rating - 8/10.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
A Good Addition to the Franchise
Probably one of the most anticipated films of the year sees the fourth film in the new Planet of the Apes franchise as we get Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and I saw it yesterday and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film is set hundreds of years after the previous films event and sees an ape go on a journey to try and rescue his clan.
Main Character
Owen Teague plays Noa who is the main Ape here and I thought he was fantastic. It was big shoes to fill after the great work of Andy Serkis as Caesar but I thought Teague knocked it out of the park. You see him really learning and having to step out of his comfort scene in order to help the other apes and forge his own personality. There is a clear character development and Noa's journey is easily the most interesting part of this film.
Supporting Characters
Freya Allen plays Mae and I thought she did a good job in the film. I do think there were issues with her character and the way she was written but Allen did good work with the material. She had good chemistry with Teague and I thought she was decent.
Peter Macon plays Raka and I thought he was an enjoyable character. He was mainly used as an exposition dump but he managed to do it in a fun way and again I thought Noa & Raka had good chemistry together and his charm was a welcome addition.
Kevin Durand plays Proximus and is an awesome villain here. He isn't really in the film enough but he is so charismatic and intimidating in all the scenes that he is in. Durand absolutely nails it and feels like this cult leader really has control and is actually pretty scary.
The rest of the apes are all really cool too. The apes that are part of Noa's clan are really fun and the chemistry between Noa and his two friends is one of the best in the film and I feel like the film missed an opportunity to keep them together more. There is also a villain ape that was awesome too and a real threat in all of the action scenes.
Story
The story of Noa and the apes is really good. Noa goes on this journey as a reluctant hero and I really thought his development was well handled. I also liked the villains psychology and how they use Caesar's beliefs in order to push their own agenda which I really liked. But this film has an issue with the whole human story, it is confused about how much it really wants to push the human story and trying to make it overshadow the ape story. It doesn't make much sense and it was less interesting and it makes me kind of wish there were no humans in this film and the focus was fully on the apes.
Script
The script is okay, I thought the drama was sometimes conveyed well and there was actually a few chuckle worthy moments which I enjoyed. But this film doesn't have too many stand out emotional moments that rise it above and this film has like 15 mins that is just a huge exposition drop about the previous films and it just wasn't handled very well at all.
Style
This film looks amazing, the CGI for the Apes has improved so much and the apes looks life like and it really helps in making you care about the apes on screen. The settings are great too and the film just is beautifully shot and looks fantastic. But this film has a real problem with its pacing, the final act is really good but it is a bit of a a slog to get there and I feel like the film would have been better had it cut a good 10 mins off of it and sped up the second act.
Overall
Overall, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a good film and an enjoyable addition to the franchise. It falls a bit short of previous films of the franchise but it was a good watch and I think fans of the franchise will enjoy it and it is even a good launching pad for people who are new to the franchise.
Rating - 7/10.
The Idea of You (2024)
An Above Average Problematic Romance
The Idea of You has been one of the most popular films this week and with being available on Amazon Prime, I decided to sit down today and watch the film and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a 40 year old woman unexpectedly end up in a relationship with a 24 year old lead singer of a world famous boy band.
Main Character
Anne Hathaway is a great actress and plays the lead character Solene here and I thought she did a really great job in this film and really added a lot to this film. Hathaway adds to the real emotion of her character and takes this one dimensional person and turns her into an interesting character that you actually can care about.
Supporting Characters
Nicholas Galitzine plays Hayes who is the love interest in the film and I actually thought he did a really good job too. He was a charming young man and I really saw the depth of his character and that he truly cared about Solene in the film. Hathaway & him had great chemistry in the film and I genuinely felt like these were two people who cared about each other.
The rest of the cast don't really offer a lot because the film doesn't really care about them. Ella Rubin as the daughter Izzy & Reid Scott plays the ex husband Daniel and they are both okay but the film doesn't give enough reason to care about them or give them much to work with.
Story
The story is interesting and I think the chemistry of the two main leads made this story a lot better and easier to understand and follow. It also briefly looks at how something like this affects others but doesn't go far enough with it. I do wonder what the response to this film would be if the genders were reversed of the two characters but it wasn't an issue to me. However, this film is pretty predictable and at times pretty cheesy. It holds the film back and makes it feel like one of those romance films that you see released all the time which is a shame and the ending totally nails this.
Script
This script is similar to the story in terms that it has promise but ultimately gives into the basic nature of romantic films. There is some dramatic moments that are good and some funny moments but it overall falls a bit flat and again feels pretty cliché.
Style
The film looks decent in terms of how it is presented, there isn't really anything special about it but it just comes across as a nice looking film. But this film has serious pacing issues, it goes on for way longer then it should and really drags. It doesn't give some interesting ideas the weight it needs and focuses on silly parts of the relationship.
Overall
Overall, The Idea of You is an okay film. The two main characters have really good chemistry but the film is let down by just being quite formulaic and not really adding anything new to the genre.
Rating - 6/10.