Clayface (2026) Review

We have arrived with the third film in the DC Universe with Clayface and I saw the film yesterday so here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees an accomplished actor get his face ruined and turns to experimental science in order to attempt to get his old life back. 

Main Character

Tom Rhys Harries plays Matt Hagen and he is fantastic in the role. He really sells the desperation in Hagen and how his life really starts to crumble in front of his eyes. But then a progression as he starts to get his powers and gets more confident and Hagen is great at this too. This is the definition of a performance that truly encapsulates the character. 

Supporting Characters

Naomi Ackie plays Caitlyn Corr and I thought she was really good in the film. She is the doctor looking after Matt and their chemistry is really good and she gives a strong performance that rises her above just generic love interest. 

Joshua James plays Corey Bowery and though he isn't in the film that much, I liked his performance. I believed in his and Matt's friendship and I thought it was another effective relationship for Matt in the film. 

Though not all the performances were great, David Dencik plays the villain Szabo and I just felt like he was super cheesy and kind of felt out of place. I appreciate the need for the character but it just didn't quite work for me. 

Max Minghella plays John Borrelli and I just didn't care about his character and overall part of the film. It felt like they realised they needed a police detective and another enemy to Hagen and so he was written into the film. 

Story

The story involving Matt Hagen is excellent. We really see the journey of this character and how when he receives abilities he goes about using them and a simple revenge plot is really well done and has some really satisfying moments. However, there are some dull parts of the narrative mainly involving the police angle and how it doesn't really go anywhere and feels like it was just added to pad out the runtime. 

Script

The script is really good. There are some really good dramatic moments here and I really liked how suspense was built and it is what I would describe as smart horror instead of just jump scares everywhere which is definitely more my flavour. 

Style

As I mentioned above, despite this being a horror film. I was a big fan of the way it portrayed horror and wasn't too over the top or gory. There are some great and creative actions scenes that add plenty to the film and utilises the characters powers effectively. The issue is that the pacing isn't great, I think it just took a bit too long to get going and if the first act had been a bit quicker I would have enjoyed it a bit more. 

Overall

Overall, Clayface is a good film that delivered for me. It has a great lead performance and some strong horror elements but it just falls flat in a few areas that stops it from being a truly great film. 

Rating - 7/10

Street Fighter (2026) Review

It seems that 2026 is the year for Video Game adaptations of fighting games. We had the Mortal Kombat sequel earlier this year and now we have Street Fighter. I watched the film yesterday and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a pair of fighters recruited to take part in a tournament where they aim to take down a criminal overlord. 

Main Character

Noah Centineo plays Ken and he is fine. For the first half of the film I found myself rooting for Ken and wanting to see him succeed and that is a lot down to the performance over the material. However, the 2nd half of the film just sees his character arc super rushed and feel unearned. 

Andrew Koji plays Ryu and though his story is well laid out, I actually thought he was pretty bland in the role. He is very monotone and soft spoken which compared to Ken made him a pretty dull main character. 

Supporting Characters

Callina Lang plays Chun-Li and I thought she was one of the better characters. She gives one of the stronger performances and her character arc, though rushed is actually portrayed well and I enjoyed watching her on screen. 

The real star of this film is Guile played by Cody Rhodes. He is so lively and energetic and is the one person who really seemed to care about his character and the film. He really isn't in the film enough as he is easily my favourite person in the film. 

David Dastmalchian plays Lord Bison and this was just a weird performance. I think this was a performance that was close to working but it is just too much and way too cheesy. He isn't a particularly interesting villain and some elements just didn't work for me. 

Jason Mamoa plays Blanka and he gives a truly bizarre performance. It is this massive CGI creature and he is just a weird addition that offers very little and to be honest didn't need to be included here. 

Story

The story does a pretty good job of explaining the origins of the Street Fighter tournament and the relationship between Ken and Ryu, this is done through beautifully animated flashbacks which are a highlight of the film. But the overall plot is incredibly dull and convoluted. The tournament is barely shown and even addressed that it isn't important, then other storylines are introduced and then dropped for no reason. It is fully concluded with a frustrating ending that feels like it cares more about setting up a sequel instead of giving this film a conclusive ending. 

Script

The script is easily the worst part of the film. It has no real memorable dramatic scenes and sometimes the actors rise above the shoddy material that is written for them. Also the film isn't really funny, if you are going to be ridiculous and over the top, then you better be funny and this film just isn't. 

Style

For a franchise that focuses on fighting, I actually thought the fight scenes were really fun and a real highlight for the film. I also mentioned how the animated flashbacks were used and they were really well rendered and added plenty to the feel of the film. Unfortunately, this film has pretty poor pacing. We barely see any of the actual tournament and it feels really rushed in places and dragging at others which means this film has pretty poor direction. 

Overall

Overall, Street Fighter is a below average film. I think for die hard fans of Street Fighter, you might enjoy this film but I can't look past some weak acting, poor writing and dull storytelling. It has good fight scenes but there isn't really much meat to the film here which is a big shame. 

Rating - 4/10

Lanterns (2026) Review

The DCU's next piece of media is Lanterns which has been streaming on HBO Max over the last 8 weeks. Though this review is a bit late, I have been watching with great interest and am now ready to review the show, so here it is. The premise of the show sees two intergalactic police officers, one a veteran, one a protégé as they investigate a murder in a small town in Nebraska. 

Main Character

Kyle Chandler plays Hal Jordan and he is amazing in this show. People criticised picking an older acter for this legendary character but Chandler is absolutely perfect for this role and his charisma is oozing off of the screen. I don't think I overexaggerate when I say that this is an iconic comic book role that will be inspiration for the character going forward. 

Aaron Pierre Plays John Stewart and he is also brilliant in the show. He is the quieter, more intense character but his development is really well handled and Pierre really delves into the complexity of the role. 

The two of them have excellent chemistry and it is easily the best part of the show.

Supporting Characters 

Kelly Macdonald plays Sherriff Kerry Kane and she is really good. You can just see how frustrated she is dealing with both Jordan & Stewart and she has her own interesting story arc throughout the show. 

We spend plenty of time with John's parents played by J. Alphonse Nicholson & Jasmine Cephas Jones and the scenes involving them are super intense and though they are pretty unlikeable they are so well performed and made the scenes super interesting. 

There are a bunch of other characters and there is genuinely not a bad performance among them. This is a truly fantastically acted show. 

Story

The story is pretty great for the majority. The rivalry between Hal & Jordan is at the forefront and it really works with two fascinating characters. The investigation is good week on week and definitely kept me interested and invested. However, I think the finale does take some wrong directions and it made the story feel a bit flat by the end. The ideas are well thought but not exactly well executed which is a huge shame. 

Script

The script is really great, the banter between Hal & John is so well done and it is a big part of the show so thank goodness for that. There is also some great drama between all the characters and it made this feel like pretty big, despite taking place in a small location. 

Style

The show has an interesting style. It doesn't have too many big CGI Scenes, which left people disappointed but for me I found it a less is more approach. When these CGI scenes happen it is really cool and I never took it for granted seeing them. The pacing of the show is slower but well done and I was glued to every episode that I watched. 

Overall

Overall, Lanterns is a Fantastic Show and I loved watching it. It doesn't quite stick the landing but it is a must watch to see some awesome performances and an intriguing story, especially involving comic book characters. 

Rating - 9/10

Wolverine (2026) Review

It feels like Wolverine has been in development for a long time now and with the very popular Spider-Man games setting the benchmark for Insomniacs comic book games there are high standards for this game. I have played through the game and here is my review for Wolverine. The premise of the game sees Wolverine team up with his former mutant allies to save his friends and maybe find a new purpose. 

Characters

The great Liam McIntyre takes on the role as Wolverine/Logan and he is superb. He really nails the character of Wolverine and the depth that comes to the character. He has super character development and really nailed the nuance of the character. But he also is brilliant when he unleashes the violent ferocity of the character and this was a character that I found really easy to support. 

Jean Grey plays a big part in the game and I thought this is maybe the best depiction I have seen of the character. Krizia Bajos does a wonderful job showing a more aggressive side of the character and I love the dynamic between her and Logan in the game. 

The busiest voice actor in gaming Troy Baker plays Nathaniel Essex and he is great in the role. He kind of fills the Professor X role in bringing mutants together and Baker really nails it with his depiction of the character. 

Mystique is seen as more of an ally to Logan this time and though she doesn't have a tonne of screen time, I thought she was a pretty memorable part of the game and you really do understand her motivations as the game progresses and how desperate she truly gets. 

Story

The story is good. I loved the dynamic between Logan and Jean, it has been forced in films before but it really works here and feels appropriate for the story that they are telling. It has some great emotional moments and it does have some pretty high stakes and some pretty interesting storytelling with a worthy ending. 

Side Activities

The main side activity in this game is the nightmare rooms that are basically just challenge maps and they are fun and just fine, adding a little bit of variation to the game. But this game feels pretty devoid of content and I think it had so much potential to have more open world elements and side content to make this game feel longer and more worthy of the value. 

Gameplay

The gameplay is really violent and on a base level is really fun. There is no doubt that it feels like you are Wolverine and you are brutally killing bad guys in some pretty glorious ways. However, one thing the critics did great right is that it does get a bit repetitive and becomes extremely hand holding making it lacking any real challenge which is a shame because what is here is good. 

Style

The style has some good elements to it. The violence is incredibly well handled and the Cutscenes are great and really makes the story better with how it is visualised. But the game is just too short and it didn't even clock in at 15 hours which makes elements of the game feel underdeveloped. 

Overall

Overall, Wolverine is a good game with a lot of positives. It is better then the critics say and has great characters and a good story but it does fall short in other elements. I think if they ever make another game they just need to make slight adjustments and this could be truly legendary. 

Rating - 7/10

Star Wars Zero Company (2026) Review

It has been a really interesting time for Star Wars Video Games and I think it is fair to say that it has been a mixed bag.  I am a big fan of strategy games and this is the most strategy turn based game we have had with Star Wars so I had to play Zero Company and here is my review for the game. The premise of the game sees a rogue group of criminals hired by the republic to take down a dangerous separatist cult. 

Characters

You play as a character called Hawks, I chose to make a human male character and I really enjoyed his characterisation. He is a really interesting character and as the game progresses you learn more and more about his history and why he feels personally connected to the narrative. 

There are 6 main squad mates and I will go through a few of them and why they are so good. You have Trick who is a former clone trooper and I really enjoyed his journey in the game and his relationship with Hawks. If you know anything about Star Wars Lore, you will know that bad things happen to the clones and I love how this affects Trick.

Kabb Uppercut is the old man of the team and I loved the way he spoke in the game and how much of a grandad he feels to the group. He is a fun character and a great addition. 

Tel-Rea is a former Jedi Padawan who ends up joining the team and I think her addition really added another side of the Jedi and how a young padawan feels about what exactly goes on with the order. 

Jae, Cly and Luco are the other 3 teammates and though they maybe don't have as much of a presence they are all fantastic. Jae is probably the most dull but even she has a good character and motivation. Cly is a bounty hunter, who's reasons for being on the team are what makes her interesting. Similar with Luco who is a former Separatist but is hell bent on revenge. 

I give huge credit to this game for all of the original operators that it has in the game, so many interesting characters that are fully voiced and makes the game feel alive and really makes you want to keep them alive throughout. 

 Story

I really liked the individual stories for the characters and how you get to know your crew and their strengths and weaknesses. The story has some truly emotional moments and its links to The Clone Wars TV Show really strengthens its lore to bug fans of the franchise. But the overall narrative is pretty weak and the villains are easily the dullest part of the game. The game has a lacklustre ending and feels like its story should continue after the main story, but it just doesn't. 

Side Content

While you are going through the main story, you have options to complete other missions that don't link to the main story but are just to gain resources. It isn't the most creative but it is fun to just play the game. But it just feels like there was more they could have done with side content, for example there is no multiplayer which feels like a missed opportunity and it just feels like the team either run out of time or didn't have the resources to do this. 

Gameplay

The gameplay is excellent. The different characters and powers mean you have to think about your decisions and how to get the best out of your team. You have to use all your characters to your advantage against a good variety of opponents who offer different challenges. 

Style

The game looks pretty good and has numerous species both as allies and enemies. A good customisation system in both looks and weapons adds a lot and there are some really crisp cutscenes. The really sad part is that the game has way too many bugs and glitches. I suffered from 7 game ending bugs which made me replay large portions of the game which was super frustrating. 

Overall 

Overall, Star Wars Zero Company is a good game. It is a really fun experience and really gets you engrossed in the characters and the interesting gameplay. However, it just feels like the game was rushed out of the door and just didn't get the chance to be legendary like I think it really could have been. 

Rating - 7/10

Chad Powers Season 2 (2026) Review

I was one of the people that quite enjoyed the first season of Chad Powers but also accepting it wasn't exactly a show that you had to rush out and watch. But the second season of the show came out last week and with this season dropping all the episodes at once, I have watched the whole season and here is my review. The premise of the season sees Chad attempt to continue his success while deceiving his team and dealing with his new relationships. 

Main Character

Glen Powell is back as Russ Holiday/Chad Powers and he once again shows why he is one of the best leading men in Hollywood with a truly brilliant performance. We get more Russ this season and it really allows Powell to show his acting chops and really deliver both elements of the character to make this somehow one of the more interesting characters on TV. 

Supporting Characters

Perry Matfield plays Ricky and her character development is really good. Following the dramatic finale from last season, I am glad that it does feel pretty natural with their development and it isn't something that is just pretty generic and she is a great character in her own right. 

I found Danny Cruz played by Frankie A. Rodriguez really annoying in the first season but I am happy to say that he is much better here. I think they tone the character down a bit and give him proper development, especially with his relationship with Chad which is really well handled. 

Steve Zahn is back as Coach Hudson and his development is fantastic and he has real character development. He provides so much emotion to his performance and provides real heart as his character goes through a lot of issues himself. 

But the real surprise this season was the extended role for Gerry played by Colton Ryan. He becomes more of an antagonist to Chad and though he is clearly deluded and a bit crazy, there is some real sympathy for him and understanding of why he goes about his actions and Ryan deserves a lot of credit for that. 

Story

The show really changes its story from this silly comedy on whether Chad will be caught but into a story about people and the struggles they really go through and this is when the show is at its best. There is real character development and this is better then anything the comedy could ever do and I am really happy the show went in this direction. However, the show does occasionally have something that is just so ridiculous that it takes you out of the show or a generic plot point that isn't really necessary and that is a shame. 

Script

As I have alluded to above, the show moves more towards the dramatic nature and it knocks it out of the park and creates some truly emotional moments and dialogue that really makes these characters great. But, in its essence it wants to be a comedy and I just didn't really dig that much of it and only chuckled a few times. 

Style

The tone of the show is just a remarkable change into the dramatic and it is just what it needed and made it a better show. The American Football is still well made and the pacing of the show is excellent, especially with it all being dropped at the same time. 

Overall

Overall, Chad Powers Season 2 is a Great Season of Television. It is a huge improvement on the first season and makes this must watch TV, I had such a great time with it and I genuinely think it is the surprise of the year so far and I give it great credit for that and hope we see more Chad in the future. 

Rating - 8/10

The Dog Stars (2026) Review

Whenever Ridley Scott directs a movie, it is one that should be seen and I found the time to watch The Dog Stars in the cinema and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a virus destroy the majority of humanity, but a grieving mechanic aims to look for a better life. 

Main Character

Jacob Elordi plays Hig and I thought he did a great job. It definitely took its time to make me care but as you learn more about the character and see Elordi's confidence grow it makes this a good lead character. 

Supporting Characters

Margaret Qualley plays Cima and I thought she was really good. We meet her character a bit later into the film but she adds some much needed energy and her chemistry with Elordi is really good. 

Josh Brolin plays Bangley here and he was just awesome. Brolin was clearly having a great time filming this and I thought he showed the most charisma. To be honest, I kind of wish he was in the film less but he is still entertaining when he is here. 

Guy Pearce plays Pops and he is also a great part of the cast. He comes in alongside Cima and I think he added a lot an had a strong relationship and dynamic with both Elordi and Qualley. 

Story

The story is a real mixed bag and that is going to be something to be said for the next three sections. 

It does a really good job of exploring grief and how humans react in a post apocalyptic world. However, the overall story is very drab and not cohesive at all. The side plot with Brolin is bizarre to say the least and at the end I wasn't really sure what exactly the point of the overall journey. 

Script

The script is okay, it does have some good emotional writing and makes you care about a few of the characters. But it just doesn't create a great story and it felt like a bit of a drab script that lacked a real punch which had the potential to really deliver. 

Style

The film looks good, but the style is easily the weakest part of the film. The pacing is incredibly slow and it felt like a much longer film then it actually is. It has a weird conflict of tone and it was just a weird watch in terms of its direction. 

Overall 

Overall, The Dog Stars is an Above Average Film. It has really good acting but falls pretty short on everything else. It is one of Ridley Scott's weakest films and it is a disappointment that is only worth giving a go when it comes to streaming and you like the book. 

Rating - 6/10