Crawl (2019) Review

This film recently made it's way to Sky and I saw it was only 80 minutes long so I decided to quickly watch the film Crawl and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a young girl have to go back to her home during a tornado to find her Father when Aligators attack causing her to use her skills to attempt to survive.

Main Character

Kaya Scodelario plays the lead in the film and she is fine, she plays the strong female lead well and you can't help but want to root for her to succeed against the Gators so she does her role fine. I mean there is no depth to her character at all and I get a film like this isn't meant to be an interesting character study but it could have done with something to make the character better and give you an even bigger reason to care and support her. 

Supporting Characters

Barry Pepper plays her father in the film and again I thought he did a fine job, they have pretty good chemistry here and he has the funniest most cheesy parts of the film down. Though there are certain aspects of the character explained but never really explored and you wonder why exactly it was here but when it is here you have to do something with it. Their really aren't anybody else of note here, just some people kind of set up as sacrificial lambs for the gators but you don't care because the characters don't care all too much. The Gators as a threat are fine, but Jaws they are not, they are sometimes terrifying and sometimes idiots plus the film really can't make its mind up how many gators there actually are as it changes throughout the film.

Story

The story again isn't what is important here, I mean it does a successful job in making you care about the lead character so in there it works and deserves credit. But as mentioned it introduces certain story aspects that feel forced and don't play out at all and the film doesn't really do much for a while in the film with the characters just staying in a basement. Also this film ends really abruptly, I wasn't asking for much more but maybe 5 minutes more to wrap up some of these things but we didn't get it. 

Script

The script has the cheesy one liners you would expect here and a bit of the drama works. But there is too much wasted dialogue about certain things that don't matter to the situation they are in, they think it's fleshing out the characters but it isn't doing anything at least not for me. 

Style

One thing this film deserves credit for is that it's style is very suspensful, you are on edge like the characters and you feel like you are in the basement too. Also, this film knows what it is and is like I said only 80 minutes long, it doesn't try and force a 2 hour runtime because it knows it shouldn't. But as I said there are some boring parts of the film for me and the characters interactions feel like they could have just been cut out or made better. Plus the CGI for the gators is poor, I get they didn't have a huge budget but they just look really fake. 

Overall

Overall, this is exactly what you would expect. An over the top silly monster film that knows what it is, if you have 80 minutes and want something dumb and loud to have on the background then why not just don't expect the next Jaws here.

Rating - 5/10  

Dangerous Lies (2020) Review

This film hit Netflix recently and I have now had the chance to watch the film Dangerous Lies and here is my review for it. The premise of the film a caregiver recieve her elderly patients estate which leads her into mistrusting everybody that she comes into contact with. 

Main Character

Camila Mendes from the hit American show Riverdale plays the lead character here and she is okay. She is the most likeable person here and the character with the most logic to her even though there isn't that much. The problem is there is nothing remarkable about her character at all, her performance is actually quite wooden and even though she is a bit likeable the film doesn't give you a real reason to care about her or the plight that she is in.

Supporting Characters

It is nice to see Elliot Gould here, though he is not a large part I always enjoy seeing him on screen, the same could be said Jamie Chung from The Gifted a show I have good memories of. But the problem is that they have no characters, there is nobody interesting here and some characters do things that just make no sense, honestly pretty much every character in this film is an idiot it just depends how large an idiot that they are.

Story

Well here we go, this story is absolutley insane, it is one of the most unfocused and stupid films I have ever seen. There are plot points that are never finished, character motivations that make no sense and an ending that is laughable because of how bad it is. This is one of those films that tries to be really clever but ends up coming across as stupid and overcomplicated for no real reason. 

Script

The script has nothing about, I didn't laugh at all and I didn't care about the drama. As I said the characters are boring but an interesting script could have made them better but it fails to do that. 

Style

The film is just really boring, it feels really slow and tries to throw all these misdirects at you that you question why it is there. I even wonder why the first part of the film is even there as it doesn't add anything to the film and doesn't do anything to add to anything.

Overall

Overall, this is a really bad attempt at a suspenseful and who done it but if you want something to make you laugh then watch this film for the last act alone as it is stupidly funny, but try to avoid this one at all cost. 

Rating - 2/10

Space Force Season 1 (2020) Review

This show has hit Netflix today and sees Steve Carrell reunite with the creators of the much acclaimed US Office to make Space Force and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees a US military Genreal set the task of leading the US Space Force and everything that leads with that job. 

Main Character

As mentioned Steve Carrell plays the lead character on the show and he is fine in the role. He still has moments of humour and at times did make me laugh, he is also fine in the dramatic scenes that are here even though they are not seen as a priority here. But I think this show showed me that Carrell isn't at his prime anymore when it comes to comedy, it doesn't help this character is a complete idiot. Considering some of his really strong dramatic performances over the last few years maybe that should be where he looks to go for the next few years. 

Supporting Characters

Now we get to the star of the show which is John Malkovich, he acts rings around every character on this show. He is funny and dramatic making him the most interesting character, his relationship and chemistry with Carrell does work well with Malkovich being the standout. Lisa Kudrow has a smaller role on the show but she does a good job here providing some good moments with a pretty basic character. But the rest of the cast didn't really stand out for me, they weren't particularly funny and honestly I didn't care much for Carrell's daughter on the show, she came across as whiny and pretentious.

Story 

Now the only real highlight of the story of the show is the chemistry and relationship between Carrell & Malkovic which literally carries anything of interest but everything else is super weak. It isn't crazy enough and at times it comes across as pretty political which holds it back from actually making its only identity. There is plenty of plot points going on and the majority of them are underdeveloped and you won't care about them, plus this show has a pretty offensive cliffhanger which it doesn't earn and it feels like they just didn't come up with an ending for the season.

Script

This show as a comedy does it's job to a mediocre level, there are some funny lines and parts for the show there just aren't enough of them. The show isn't consistently funny enough over the 10 episode season and the drama they try and force doesn't work or make you care about the characters.

Style

The style of the show is the biggest disappointment, if you are expecting an Office type show you are going to be upset as this show sets itself up to be more dramatised. It doesn't quite go far enough in its craziness and it suffers from parodying a ridiculous real world idea that couldn't be as crazy on this show. Also 10 episodes is way too much for this show, it could have been done in 8 or even 6 and it might have been better.

Overall

Overall, this show was a real disappointment, with the cast and creative minds I expected a really funny show but just got a very mediocre attempt at comedy that really fails to stick it's landing.

Rating - 4/10

Shazam! (2019) Review

So I have now caught up with the DCEU films and here is my review for the film called Shazam! The premise of the film sees a young boy given the powers of a Wizard which transforms him into an adult where he has to take down an enemy alligned with The 7 Deadly Sins.

Main Character

The main character is split into two parts, the first one is that of Zachary Levi who plays the adult version of Billy Batson and he does a great job, he seems to have finally found a great superhero role for him. He is really funny in the role and he truly does a great job in playing an adult version of a 14 year old, he does a great job with the drama and the humour of the role. Then onto the young version of the character played by Asher Angel who I also thought did a good job. He is the character we see through for the first half of the film and he was really good especially for a child actor, his character goes through plenty in the film and it is in the emotional scenes where he does a great job.

Supporting Characters

Mark Strong plays the villain Dr Sivana and I thought he did a good job in the role, he has an interesting backstory and you kind of understand his motivations despite him being presented as a bit of a generic villain. Jack Dylan Grazer plays Billy's foster brother Freddy and he starts off as quite annoying but their relationship grows and you actually grow to care about it and it is one of the most important parts of the film. The rest of the foster family are fun enough, even though you don't learn that much about them they are fun additions to the film. Also Djimon Hounsou does a good job in his small role as The Wizard.

Story

The story does a good job in showing how important family is for everyone and showing how a person can start off one way and grow to become better by the end. Also as I mentioned the villain's motivation are actually handled pretty well here which is a nice thing to see in a film like this. The crticism for the story is that it is pretty generic, you know exactly how things are going to go and it pretty much ends that way. It doesn't make it less fun or entertaining but it does make it predictable and lacking anything that really stands out to raise it to really top level.

Script

The script is good in this film, as mentioned it really focuses on humour and I actually found this film really funny. It is an easy film to like as it is very funny and focuses on a truly likeable main character. Plus there are actually some really emotional moments in this film that further fleshes out Billy for sure as a character.

Style

The style of the film has some great action sequences, they are fun and it fits the overall tone of the film. There are some really great character designs especially for The 7 Deadly Sins who are pretty terrifying to look at, especially for a young audience. Though, I felt like there was a slight pacing issue here, it's fun seeing the training montages but it literally takes an hour which is half of the film for the hero and villain to meet which just felt too long for me. 

Overall

Overall, this is a great fun film that has plenty too it to like. It is a bit generic but it does it's stuff really well and is a fun watch especially for comic book films.

Rating - 8/10

The Gentlemen (2020) Review

This film was one of those that came out earlier this year and actually made it to the cinema but I missed it and now I have seen The Gentlemen and here is my review for the film. The premise sees an American drug manufacturer looking to sell his business in London which leads to many different parties looking to get involved.

Main Character

Matthew McConaughey plays the lead in this film and you can tell he really thrives in this role. He is intimdiating and charming mixed into one to make him this interesting character, you don't learn too much about him but that adds a bit to the mystique to his performance and he is just fun to watch.

Supporting Characters

This film has a big cast and everyone does a good job, Charlie Hunnam plays a big part in the film and I thought he was good. He has his usual gruff here but he actually had quite a bit of personality in this film and again he just looked like he was having plenty of fun here. Hugh Grant has a big role and he is brilliant here, he like transforms here, if nobody told me this was Hugh Grant I would not have suspected it at all. He is funny and sarcastic with him really guiding us the audience through the film and really does a great job in leading us through the journey. Colin Farrell is also really good in this film, he is incredibly funny and charming, plus he is a really menacing but likeable presence which adds plenty to the film. 

Story

The positives for the story is that it is presented and told in a pretty unique way which suprised me and kept me on my toes. It also moves very quickly making you wonder what crazy thing is going to happen next which is something most films can't do. However, the actual plot is pretty basic, there isn't much unique about it, there are some gangsters and deals and backstabbings that you aren't that unpredictable plus a few of them could have been cut out in order to make the better parts of the plot more interesting. 

Script

The script has plenty of quick witted and sharp dialogue, the humour is there to make these funny characters and add to the hyper reality that is on show. Though the dramatic dialogue was lacking for me, I wasn't sure why the characters fully cared about each other or felt there lives were in danger because the film doesn't take the time to focus on it.

Style

The style of the film is great, it is ridiculous and over the top, it has violence throughout which is to be expected and as mentioned it moves really quickly which does keep you interested throughout. 

Overall

Overall, this is a real return ro form for Guy Ritchie and it is a great watch which is full of fun and worth a watch if you like this style of film.

Rating - 8/10

 

Aquaman (2018) Review

After Justice League, the first solo movie we got was Aquaman and I have now rewatched the film and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees Arthur Curry forced to travel to Atlantis in order to attempt to stop his half brother Orm from starting a war with the surface.

Main Character

Jason Mamoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman and he is really good in this film, I enjoyed him in Justice League and he is further fleshed out in this film. He has plenty of personality and charisma to him to play a leading superhero but there is an added depth here that makes you care about him and want to see him succeed.

Supporting Characters

There has been plenty of controversy about Amber Heard but this film came out before it so I will judge her on her performance and I thought she was a good character. You can see how she is different to Mamoa and that leads them to have good chemistry in the film and makes them a fun pair to watch. Patrick Wilson plays Orm and he is a really interesting character, you can tell he is not evil an that he really wants what he believes is best for Atlantis. His dynamic with Aquaman is great to see and it leads to an above average antagonist who we can kind of see the point of view of. Nicole Kidman, Dolph Lundgren & Willem Dafoe play roles in the film and are all good, they play important parts and fit their roles very well. I have to talk about Black Manta though, the character was heavily marketed and his costume looks amazing but it feels like he was just here to possibly set up a sequel. He has interesting motivations but he is basically a cool looking henchman here and I wanted a bit more if we were going to see him.

Story

The story is well done, it's a story that has been seen before with the reluctant hero having to step up but it is done well enough. The dynamic between our hero and villain is well done and rises the story above other comic book films. Though the story has a bit of a pacing issue, it gets a lot less interesting in the middle act, the first and last arcs are great but the middle arc isn't as interesting or at least wasn't for me.

Script

The script is great here, the humour is well done and fits Mamoa's naturally funny personality in making Aquaman a fun hero to watch. It was also suprising to see how well done the drama was done as I felt something in the dramatic scenes and cared about Aquaman's personal relationship's in the film.

Style

Now after Justice League people were worried about the style of Atlantis but it is so much better here. The underwater scenes look great and the bright colours make this feel like a different style of DC film in recent memories. The action scenes are also very good, the underwater and land scenes feel very different and it makes them feel appropriate to the situation. Though as mentioned there is an issue with pacing here, the film could have cut like 15 mins off to make it an even better 2 hour film.

Overall

Overall, this is a great film, it is truly unique with the underwater scenes and is visually a film to be watched. It doesn't do anything really new but what it does it does well and is worth a watch.

Rating - 8/10 

Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich (2020) TV Mini Series Review 

This documentary hit Netflix today and here is my review for Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich. The premise of the show looks at the victims of Jeffrey Epstein's sexual abuse and prostitution ring and there stories to expose him and ensure the truth is revealed. 

Now this show has a really sensitive subject matter, it can be uncomfortable and you hear just how many terrible things this guy did because he thought he could get away with it. It does a respectful job in showing the victims stories and shows how similar but personal all of there abuse was.

The show attempts to get both sides of the story, and when it does it tries to remain neutral even though there are clearly some terrible things that going on. The fact that some of the people linked to Epstein refused to take part tells you just how bad this situation was.

The show also does a good job in showing just how big this issue was and still is. It makes you think that if these people didn't come forward how many more people could still be under his influence and others who are in positions of power. 

It's hard though because the subject matter is so personal and the show does a good job in making you care but I must admit it wasn't the most interestingly depicted documentary I have ever seen. It still caught my eye and kept me watching but I wasn't engaged as much as other docs I have seen. 

Overall, this is a great documentary series that shows how bad this man was and how these woman recovered and eventually got some sort of payback and could move on. I would advise that if you are ready for some serious subjects and acts of evil then this is worth a watch but if you are a bit nervous about these subjects then this may not be the documentary for you.

Rating - 8/10

Star Wars: Rebels Season 2 (2015) Review

I started rewatching the Star Wars Rebels show and now I just finished watching the 2nd season and here is my review. The premise of the season sees the crew of The Ghost become a part of a Rebel fleet, with the help of Ahsoka Tano they aim to put dents into The Empire which causes the ire of Darth Vader himself. 

Main Character

Ezra Bridger is back as the lead character and he is once again a great character. He has that youth about him that makes him vulnerable but you see his power growing and you see him becoming more and more capable. He is written well aswell, you can tell they have a long term plan for the character and this start is really well executed and you are interested to see where it is going next. 

Supporting Characters

Freddie Prinze Jnr plays Kanan and both of the characters work really well together, you learn more about his history as a Jedi and how he isn't like the majority of Jedi we have seen on screen. The bond between him and Ezra has grown this season and it is better to watch and you feel the loyalty and connection there. The rest of the Ghost crew Hera, Zeb, Chooper & Sabine are more fleshed out this season and they are just a really likeable group and you care about all of them which is really helpful for a show like this. The show brings back Captain Rex and Ahsoka Tano from The Clone Wars and the legendary Darth Vader and even though used sparingly it is great to see. You know all season you are waiting for the clash between Ahsoka and Vader and when it comes it does not disappoint and lives up to the billing.

Story

The story is interesting, seeing are rag tag group as part of The Rebel Alliance changes there characters and the way they act. As mentioned the characters are fleshed out and most of the stories are made more personal. The final episode is brilliant, it is breathtaking and some of the best Star Wars that has been seen ever. The problem is this season, that the story is bit all over the place, because there was more episodes they stray away from the main plot too much and some characters have to take a back seat in order to keep the mystique of them alive.

Script

The script has some really good drama, better then the previous season. There is much more emotion and it is really well handled. But the humour is once again pretty childish and doesn't really work, I mean I have to accept it is designed for kids but humour should still work making the characters more natural.

Style

The style of the show has some exciting action scenes and really epic moments leading to the final episodes. But for some reason this season has 22 episodes, 8 more then last season and it is just way too many. It leads to a lull in the middle of the season where if some episodes were cut it would be a better flowing show. 

Overall

Overall, this is a good second season, I feel like if it had the same amount of episodes as the previous season it would have been better but it is only decent. If you are a fan this is a worthy follow up for sure. 

Rating - 7/10

Hollywood (2020) Mini Series Review

As a big fan of the film industry I was looking forward to watching the Netflix miniseries Hollywood and now I have got around to watch it and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees a group of actors and filmakers try to get there big break in Hollywood after World War 2 and what exactly that requires. 

Main Character

There are plenty of characters on the show but the one we mainly follow is Jack Castello played by relatively unknown actor David Corenswet and I really liked him on this show. He plays the leading man very well, he mixes the cheesiness and the dramatic aspects of the character, he should come across as generic but I didn't find this because of his strong performance. He manages to get sympathy but also feel flawed making him an interesting protagonist for this show.

Supporting Characters

As I said there are plenty of characters here but I will talk about a few of them, first Dylan Mcdermott plays Ernie and this guy is so charming and charismatic on this show. He tries to help Jack and because of that we like him but you just can't help it, even when he does questionable things you just want to like Ernie and that is a highlight of the show. Jim Parsons plays the agent in this show and he is brilliant, for those that just think of him in The Big Bang Theory then watch this show, he plays a slimy and powerful agent and you see this interesting character and how his mind works throughout the show. There are a bunch of younger actors on this show and they are all great, Jeremy Pope as Archie in particular could have a big future after this show as he really nails his performance. 

Story

The story is somewhat interesting seeing these different people literally doing just about anything to get into the limelight of Hollywood. It also does a great job of showing just how important cinema can be and how it can really inspire people and change society. But this show's story is also a little boring especially for the first few episodes, plus it sometimes feel's really forced. You would not believe how many people in Hollywood are gay according to this show, I get the message they were going for and it does work, it just feels a bit forced and over done. Also there are just too many characters that the show wants you to care about, it could have done with less characters and less plotlines to give things more depth. 

Script

The script for this show is good, if you can accept some of the cheesiness that is here then it works, I accept it because from the start the show lets you know what kind of show you are getting and it works. The drama starts off slow but by the time you get to the final episode I would be suprised if you weren't moved and emotional then you have a heart of stone. 

Style

The style of the show as mentioned is very glitz and glamour, if you are a fan of film you will love the setting of Hollywood and it does a great job in nailing its Hollywood style here. But there is an issue with tone here, it goes from a cheesy over the top situation to an emotional really serious subject and it does feel a bit jarring at times.

Overall

Overall, I was enjoying this show and then the final episode pushed it further, for a fan of film this is a great show worth the watch. It is over the top and deals with some serious subject matter but it is an entertaining and maybe even an important watch.

Rating - 8/10

Justice League (2017) Review

With the Snyder Cut being announced this previous week I have now rewatched the original version of the film and here is my review for Justice League. The premise of the film sees after Superman's death Batman and Wonder Woman set out to form a team to save the world from the forces of Apokolips.

Main Character

Ben Affleck is back as Batman for the last time and I thought he did a good job in the film. As I mentioned in my Batman V Superman review I really like Affleck as Bruce Wayne and I feel like his character develops a bit this film. You see him as more of a team leader, and a bit more light hearted which felt natural and made him easy to root for in this film, though he doesn't lose his edge as Batman needs to have that. Gal Gadot is back as Wonder Woman and she is great in this film, she is really strong in the role and is a character you can get behind, the dynamic between her and Batman is a highlight of the film and feels like a natural progression from their relationship in the previous film. 

Supporting Characters

Ezra Miller plays The Flash and he did a really good job, his character is nothing new to me due to the character being used in the TV show but it was done effectivley enough. He is clearly the comic relief character and he was funny, I also liked his dynamic of the new hero and you just see his confidence grow in the film which felt like some character depth. Jason Mamoa plays Aquaman here and he isn't given lots of character development but he is no doubt fun to watch, especially in the action scenes. It was a good start for the character which would obviously be further expanded in his own solo movie. Ray Fisher plays Cyborg and he might be the most interesting character in the film, you see how his changes have really affected him as a person, for a big part of this film he feels more like machine then man but working with the other characters brings the best out of him. Now this one could be considered a spoiler but lets face it this was revealed way before the film came out, Henry Cavill is back as Superman and this is The Superman that we should have got in Batman V Superman, he is actually likeable and more charming. He is still great in the action scenes and has the necessary mix of humour and drama that this franchise finally got on track with the character.

Story

The story of seeing this dysfunctional team of special individuals having to come together is fun, I mean we have seen it in The Avengers but it is done fine here and seeing each characters personality come out when together to make a fun dysfunctional group. But the story is kind of all over the place, first the villain, Steppenwolf has really bland motivations and you know he is basically just a glorified henchman for Darkseid. Also due to three of the main characters don't have movies before this, the film has to rush there origins and it feels like we don't really know that much about them except if you are a comic book expert. 

Script

The script is much better here, it has a really good blend of drama and humour to it. It has the Joss Wheddon feel about it which when he took over this film it seems like he added a bit more of a balanced tone instead of Zack Synders very moody tone that had been in his previous films. 

Style 

The style has some interesting action scenes, it had a great representation of the new characters powers especially The Flash which made this a fun film for sure. But there is some CGI issues, especially in the final act, it just seems like it was made in a bit of a rush and without care. Also the first act is choppy and the pacing is off which makes it hard to focus on the important parts. 

Overall

Overall, I was suprised by how much I enjoyed this film, it is a great fun experience with a good set of characters and set up hoepfully the first of more installments of this franchise. If it can get a bit more focused and get a better villain a future Justice League Film could be up there with The Avengers films. 

Rating - 8/10

Little Fires Everywhere (2020) Mini Series Review

This show hit Amazon on friday and I have watched Little Fires Everywhere and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees a seemingly perfect family come into contact with a struggling mother and daughter which changes there life forever.

Main Character

Reese Witherspoon has become a seriously great dramatic actor over the last few years and she is brilliant on this show, she is charming when she needs to be and intense when she needs to be. I love how she is seen as this lovely lady but there are so many issues with her and this show really brings out just how this so called perfect woman is really damaged and a seriously controlling person. Kerry Washington plays the other mother and she also does a really good job, not as good as Witherspoon but still a strong performance. She clearly loves her daughter but there are plenty of issues with her as a person and the show forces you to look at whether she is good enough to be a mother. Seeing the conflict between these two characters is fascinating and easily the best part of the show due to these two really powerful characters.

Supporting Characters

The rest of the cast also do a great job, in particular Lexi Underwood who plays Washington's daughter and gives a strong performance. She gives a very mature performance for her age and she is easily the most likeable character on the show even though she isn't perfect. Everybody else is great aswell, every character is shady and has there issues, but you also see there point of views and you even care about some of them. 

Story

The story is all about motherhood, you see these different stories involving motherhood and how these different people believe it should work, this show must be more interesting if you are a mother but it is still interesting anyway. Most of the character arcs are interesting and feel real, except one. There is a forced love triangle and honestly it felt like lazy writing and a part of the show I didn't care about that dragged down the overall story. 

Script

The script is really good, there is some great dramatic dialogue and clever storytelling. The performers take the script and make it even better but it is a really well written show overall. Also there are some fun bits that feel very natural and even some really unique and clever parts about subjects that are usually very abusive.

Style

The show has a good style showing how human beings act around each other. You see how these people coming together effects everyody involved and it is presented very well. The only thing is that this show is a bit slow paced at times, it feels longer then it is and that drags it down a bit.

Overall

Overall, this is a really well acted great show that focuses on some serious subjects, maybe an epsiode or two less would have made it even better but if you want an interesting show about social divides then this is worth a watch.

Rating - 8/10 

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019) Review 

 

This film has come to Sky so I decided to rewatch Hobbs & Shaw and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees Luke Hobbs & Deckard Shaw from The Fast & Furious films being forced to team up in order to save Shaw's sister and stop an evil corporation. 

Main Character 

Dwayne Johnson & Jason Statham reprise there roles as Hobbs and Shaw in this film and I thought they were fun to watch. Johnson uses his large amounts of charisma to get him through this film, even though he feels more like The Rock then Luke Hobbs in this film but he is fun to watch for sure. Shaw is Statham at his best with the great action scenes and cockiness making him fun aswell, but most importantly they have good chemistry together which is really the driving force in this film. 

Supporting Characters

Vanessa Kirby plays Shaw's sister and I thought she did a good job, she is a strong female character who fits the film well and is a welcome addition to the lead duo and a fun part of the film. Idris Elba plays the bad guy in the film and it feels like he is having a really fun time, he has an interesting character and was a really good choice for the villain in this film. Cliff Curtis has a small role in the film and he does a good job, his relationship with Hobbs again isn't given lots of screen time but hits the appropriate notes and works well. 

Story

The story has some personal stories to it, the theme of the Fast and Furious franchise has always been that of family and this film continues that theme to success and it is the most in depth part of the film and well done part. The villain plot has some legs but isn't really explored that much to make it stand out and honestly this story is pretty generic, you know where the film is going to go and it doesn't do anything to make it stand out. 

Script

The script has some fun humour in it and some decent drama but it never quite hits the high levels. Plus this film really focuses on the humour and it feels like a full blown comedy at times which can take you out of the film that you are watching.

Style

The style is what you come to expect from a Fast and Furious film to this point, over the top but exciting action sequences. It goes against all the laws of physics but so do the other films so it is fine and they are enjoyable and fun to watch. But my main issue with the style is that of the length of the film, it just is and feels way too long, the second and third acts of the film don't really connect that well and drag out too much. 

Overall

Overall, this is a fun popcorn flick, if you want to turn your brain off for just over two hours then this film is worth a watch. But know you aren't going to get an overly deep film but if you like things exploding this is another decent addition to this franchise. 

Rating - 7/10 

The Lovebirds (2020) Review 

This film hit Netflix and with plenty of time on my hands I had the chance to watch it and here is my review for the Netflix film The Lovebirds. The premise of the film sees a dysfunctional couple get embroiled in a Murder Case where they think they are suspects. 

Main Character

Kumail Nanjiani and Issa Rae are the stars of this film and I think they did a really job together, their chemistry is great together, they were individually funny and together were very funny. Yes there characters were pretty cliche but they rise above it with just how entertaining they are. 

Supporting Characters

Honestly this film is owned by the main characters as everybody else is not given anything to do, they are the most generic characters possible and honestly it makes the film weaker as they don't hit the levels of the other main performances and drag the film down. Also the motivations of the villains is all over the place and not really explained well at all.

Story

The story of the film is pretty generic, but again the romance between the main two characters and their journey is so entertaining that it works and you actually feel some of the emotion and you really root for them in this film. Though as mentioned this film is exactly what you would expect and doesn't do anything to make it stand out at all, plus the ending feels a little rushed to me and feels very one dimensional.

Script

For me the script was really great, as mentioned the humour really worked for me and I found myself laughing quite a bit throughout, which for me is the most important thing in a comedy. Also the drama worked for me for reasons I mentioned above as I do want to see our protagonists succeed. 

Style

The style mostly worked, the over the top ridiculous comedy hit for me in this film mainly because of how funny I found the main characters. Though in this film I actually think it could have done with like 10 minutes extra in order to wrap the film up a bit better with some extra depth and it does feel a bit short actually

Overall

Overall, this is an above average comedy it is funny but also one of those films that you will have seen before. If you need a fun film to watch then this is one to spend 90 minutes watching but don't expect one of the best comedies in recent memory.

Rating - 6/10

Blood & Water Season 1 (2020) Review

This show hit Netflix on Wednesday and the premise interested me so I decided to watch the 6 episode first season of South African show Blood & Water and here is my review. The premise of the show sees a teenage attempt to track down her long lost sister who was kidnapped before she was born, she thinks she makes a breakthrough when she meets a girl who fits the profile.

Main Character

The main character is a girl called Puleng and I thought she was fine as a lead, obviously with the subject matter you are rooting for her and it is interesting to see her try and work out the mystery and you want her too. It's just as a character there isn't much to her, she even does some questionable actions which makes you question whether you are meant to like her as she does use people just for her investigation and not really to be friends with.

Supporting Characters

The main supporting character is Fikale and she is the generic popular girl at the school, she is important to the show but the show tries to make you feel sympathy for her but I just found it really difficult. The rest of the cast just aren't particularly interesting, they are as cliche as they get and none of them are very likeable. It's a shame as there is some potential but the characters aren't wriiten well enough for you to care about any of them. 

Story

The story again has plenty of potential, the investigatory stuff by Puleng is interesting at times, you find out things pretty much the same time as she does and you are with her most of the way on her journey until her character does some questionable things. The problem is that this show is full of high school drama, there are like 3 or 4 love triangles and they just aren't done very well, I don't hat all love triangles if they are executed well but this show tries too many and doesn't really do them well. Again there is one storyline in particular involving her father but it isn't highlighted enough or explored enough and if there is a second season that is something I would like to see futher developed.

Script

The script is okay, there is actually some decent dramatic moments in the show that rises it up a bit, it's just there is not enough of these moments. Also for a bunch of teenagers they are really not that funny which feels weird in a group especially the popular kids as you would feel in a school situation at least one of them would be funny to a certain extent.

Style

I always like seeing shows or films with different settings and a highlight for me was for sure the South African setting as for someone who isn't from there it added something for sure and made this pretty generic show feel a bit less generic. Though even though it is only 6 episodes the pacing is pretty slow and maybe could have done with only four episodes to streamline it a bit which I think would have improved it.

Overall

Overall, this is a forgettable show, there is some real potential here but it feels very generic and by the numbers in its current format and I would say this is one you can avoid for now.

Rating - 4/10 

 

Wonder Woman (2017) Review

With the news about Justice League coming last night I only have this film left before watching Justice League so today I watched Wonder Woman and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film is set 100 years before Batman V Superman and sees Diana have to leave her home in order to track down The God Of War Ares and attempt to stop World War 1.

Main Character

Gal Gadot is back as Wonder Woman in this film and she does a great job in this film, I kind of wish this film was her introduction as it is a great character piece and you see her develop so much throughout the film. She looks the part and fills the role very well, she is charming and stubborn but you grow to care about and I must say to this point she was easily the most fleshed out character in this universe after the job they did with Superman in Dawn Of Justice. 

Supporting Characters

Chris Pine plays Steve Trevor in this film and I thought he did a really good job, he usually plays the macho charismatic male lead so it is nice seeing him in this role where he is the less dominant character on screen. He is an interesting character aswell, the dynamic between him and Gadot is fantastic and it is one of the most believable partnerships that I have seen recently. There is also a character in this film Charlie played by Ewan Bremner who is a fascinating character and leads to some dark moments in this film that makes him a more interesting characters. The film falls down though on it's villains, they are all so over the top, they feel like they are from a different movie, everybody else feels like they are in an important dramatic film but they came from an over the top 80's film. 

Story

The film has a really interesting story, it is about a character from a paradise learn about the real world and how men aren't perfect and everybody makes mistakes. Learning about this character and her motivations is really fascinating as you see her deal with men for the first time and the huge thing that is World War 1. I know some people crticise the last act but I thought the story elements worked for the film and provided some really emotional moments and you see why she is the character she is in present day. 

Script

The script is really good, it is the first film in the DCEU to this point to really hit the blend between drama and humour, I laughed when I was supposed to, the drama hit some emotional moments and it really did a great job of improving this film. 

Style

The style of the film has some good action scenes and has a really effective setting. There is some issues though, the overuse of slow motion is a detriment, every action scene has some sort of slow motion and it feels lazy. Also the last act of the film goes down to the generic CGI action scene and it is really genric. Though I will say this film includes one of the greatest moments in Comic Book films ever in my opinion, if you have seen this film you know what moment I am talking about. 

Overall

Overall, this is a great origin film and does a great job in building up the character of Wonder Woman. There are some things that can be improved in the future but this is a great start.

Rating - 8/10 

The Last Dance (2020) Series Review 

This is the documentary that has been taking over the world the last few months and I have now finished The Last Dance and here is my review for it. The premise of the show focuses on the final season of the dominant Chicago Bulls Basketball team as they went for a sixth championship, it mainly focuses on the superstar Michael Jordan but also gives some of the backstory of his teammates and the history of the team towards there previous championships. 

As mentioned the show focuses on Michael Jordan and I thought they did a great job of portraying him, he was at the time this show was set the biggest sports star in the world and I thought they got that across really well. You really see how crazy this guys lifestyle was and how it was pretty much impossible for him to be an average guy just playing Basketball. He also has a mentality that for me was fascinating, he is a born winner and you see just how passionate and determined he is, any young sportsperson can really learn from especially the first few episodes how he became the great player that he is.

I also thought, even though Jordan was involved in making the show he allowed quite a bit of a mixed review of himself, you see that he is not perfect and has some issues but he doesn't hide away from them and realises that sometimes his demand for perfection hurts his relationships with people. 

You also see some really interesting parts about his teammates mainly Scotty Pippin and Dennis Rodman, we learn a bit about them and the show does a really good job in putting across that it wasn't just the Jordan team and that these guys and others contributed to the teams major success. 

The look in history and through the games, is great. If you don't know all the details like me it sends you on journeys throughout the games and does a brilliant job in showcasing the magnitude of them.

The only negatives I had about the show is that I always think 10 episodes can be a few too many for a documentary series and that is the case here, with maybe 8 episodes being a better length. Also the show jumps back and forwards a lot and it can be a little jarring at times to work out exactly what point in the timeline we are in.

Overall, this is a truly fantastic documentary, that if you are a fan of sports is a must watch and even if you aren't you will probably enjoy this series.

Rating - 9/10

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice (2016) Review

After watching Man Of Steel I knew I was coming to this film, I remember when this film was announced and I must say this had to be one of the most anticipated films of all time as it finally saw Batman and Superman on screen together, so here is my review for Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice. The premise of the film sees after the destruction Of Metropolis in Man Of Steel, Bruce Wayne comes out of retirement as Batman and decides he must take down Superman, while Lex Luthor comes up with his plan to manipulate both of the heroes. 

Main Character

Ben Affleck was cast as Bruce Wayne/Batman for this film and I thought he did a brilliant job, he totally owns the role of Batman in this film and for me maybe even became my favourite Batman in this film. Even though his motivations are harsh I totally understood where he came from and why he felt the need to do the things he does. He is also fantastic in the action scenes and is easily the best Batman in terms of action that we have ever seen. Henry Cavill reprises his role as Superman and I was really disappointed with his character in this film, Cavill tries but you can tell Zack Synder cared more about Batman and basically saw Superman as a side attraction. His character doesn't have as much to do and you don't get a fair amount of a story compared to Batman and I wish he had been better treated after Man Of Steel.

Supporting Characters

Jeremy Irons plays Alfred in this film and I thought he nailed it in the film, he is a more hardcore and militarised version of the character and his relationship with Affleck is really well handled and I thought they had great chemistry. Diane Lane and Laurence Fishburne has smaller roles in the film and they add some real humans in the film which was nice to see, but the rest of the characters didn't really work. I liked Amy Adams in Man Of Steel but I thought she was poorly used in this film, her whole side plot is incredibly mundaine and it feels like she was more of a damsel in distress whch didn't suit her character. Gal Gadot makes her first appearance as Wonder Woman and she is fine in the film, the issue I had was that her character didn't need to be in the film and felt a bit out of place. Then we get to the performance that really annoyed me and that is Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, he is just an over the top joke of a character. The character of Lex Luthor is a commanding intelligent presence but this version is an awkward, socially inept character that feels out of place in this pretty serious film. 

Story

The story involving everything to do with Batman is interesting, he gets the time to shine and the interesting motivations in the film, making everything he does the best part of the film. But everything to do with Superman wasn't very interesting at all and dragged the movie down, plus the Luthor's plot is insane and literally makes no sense at all. But the worst part is that this film tries to do so much with its story that it tries to set up future films to the detriment of the story, it reminds me of Iron Man 2 in that it has greater moments but is just really unfocused and all over the place, plus the ending of the film felt like a cheap move that didn't quite work for me. 

Script

Again like the other parts of the film the drama involving Batman works in the film, mainly because he is known for being a darker character, I know I said I liked the tone of Man Of Steel but I thought the Superman in this film would be a bit more hopeful but he is probably more depressing in this film then he was in the first film. Also this film tried humour with Lex Luthor and it really doesn't work, as I said earlier he feels like he is in a different film and it doesn't work. 

Style

The one thing I will say about this film is that the film's style looks incredible, the action scenes are brilliant. The fight between Batman and Superman is handled in a really great way and it involves easily the greatest Batman action scene in any movie ever, plus this film has my favourite Batman suit in it. Yes this film has over the top action scenes compared to other Batman films but it works for this film and feels appropriate for what we are watching. 

Overall

Overall, this is a very disappointing film, it has its moments of utter quality in it but the best way I can describe it is an enjoyable mess. For me if you are a fan of Batman then this film is worth a watch but other then that it may not be exactly a film to rush to watch.

Rating - 6/10 

Alita: Battle Angel (2019) Review

This film has recently been added to Sky I have rewatched the film Alita: Battle Angel and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film is set in the future and sees a man remake a Cyborg who ends up being a warrior attempting to stop a group of evil forces. 

Main Character 

There was some controversy before this film came out about the lead character as actress Rosa Salazar was chosen to perform the mo cap and voice of the character Alita but she was a human being and I honestly think it worked. At first it was a bit jarring but what it does really well is make Alita stand out to every other character in the film, she is great in the action scenes and is a character you care about. You learn some things about her character and you do want to see her succeed and that makes her a very likeable protagonist in the film. 

Supporting Characters

Christoph Waltz plays the man who finds her in this film and he does a really good job, he is a trememendous actor and his character is really interesting with some interesting takes in the film. But the rest of the cast do not fair as well, Mahershala ali is one of the best actors around but he is literally given nothing to work with in this film, the writing for his character is completley generic and it doesn't allow him to stretch his acting muscles. Jennifer Connelly & Ed Skrein are both in this film but they also don't really work for the film as there characters aren't given time to develop to make you interested in their roles. 

Story

The story of Alita's character is interesting, as you see her piece together her life you root for her and grow to care about her. Even the romance in the film isn't too bad even though I think the film didn't exactly need it, it was handled well. It is just that the story in this film is a bit all over the place, they try and include so much cool stuff but things end up not being explored enough and leaves you feeling like things weren't fully explained and were just being saved for a future sequel. Also the ending is very abrupt, the last 10 minutes move extremely quickly and leaves a few characters ending untold which hurts the ending as a whole.

Script

The script has some decent drama in it, the relationship between Alita and Waltz's character is handled well and lead to a pretty dramatic story. Though the film at times tried humour and it didn't really work, also as mentioned the writing tries so much that the film feels really jimbled at times. 

Style

The style of the film is where this film hangs and for the most part it reall works. Alita looks great, the action scenes are really exciting in a world well built. There are a few cases of poor CGI but the majority is really well handled, well enough to rise above the few characters who have poor animation. 

Overall

Overallm this is a good film, with some great and exciting concepts and action scenes. It is worth a watch if you like stylish films with good action scenes.

Rating - 7/10 

 

Man Of Steel (2013) Review 

With Zack Snyder hosting a watchalong tomorrow and Justice League coming to Netflix next week I decided it was about time to catch up on my DCEU films starting with the Superman origin film Man Of Steel. The premise of the film sees a young man who finds out he is an alien with special powers as he must stop members of his race from destroying his new home of Earth. 

Main Character

Henry Cavill plays Kal El/Superman and I think he is great in the role, to start off he really looks the part as Superman, he is very believable in the role and does a great job. Through flashbak scenes and his cureent day story you see his character really develop, I think the issue in the past is that Superman has been seen as above humans which makes him hard to root for and that is here but he just feels more human. He seems to be on the back foot for the majority of the film and as it's his first days on the job he struggles throughout which helps build his character.

Supporting Characters

This film has a legit supporting characters, Amy Adams plays Lois Lane in the film and I thought she did a good job, she is a pretty strong independent character and her relationship with Superman feels more mature then the average comic book romances and feels appropriate for this film. Michael Shannon plays General Zod and he was a great villain in this film, he is menacing and strong but also has interesting motivations that made him a memorable villain for me. Laurence Fishburne, Kevin Costner & Russell Crowe have smaller but memorable roles and really add something to the film.

Story

The story is a really interesting origin story for Superman, it looks at how the world would really react to a superbeing if they came to Earth in an effective way. The flashbacks documenting his earlier life do a great job of fleshing this part of the story and really adding dome emotion to the characters and the film. The characters motivation's are all well done and as mentioned seeing the average person react to Superman this way is really something we haven't seen before. Now there is something that happens towards the end of the film that has proven controversial amongst the fandom but I thought it reall worked effectively if you accept this is a new type of Superman for a new generation.

Script

The script has some great drama in it, it deals with things in a more complicated way then you would accept in a Superman film but it works very well. Though I will say this film is incredibly somber, there is pretty much no humour at all which feels weird in a Superman film and sometimes the dialogue is a bit rigid but overall it does a decent job.

Style

This film's style is the most action packed of any Superman film ever, the action scenes are really exciting and fit the God like characters really well, there is plenty of destruction but it fits the story well and can lead to stories in the future. 

Overall

Overall, this is a fantastic origin film, it takes Superman in a different direction and does a great job in setting up a future for the character. 

Rating - 9/10 

The Wrong Missy (2020) Review

 

This film was recently added to Netflix and is the film most people are watching so I decided to watch The Wrong Missy and here is my review for the film. The premise sees a man meet his perfect woman in an airport but accidentally invites a disastrous blind date by the same name to his work retreat in Hawaii. 

Main Character

David Spade plays the main character and he doesn't really do anything for me in this film. He plays the straight man in the comedic duo and you do sympathise with him a little bit because he is getting annoyed by Missy like we the audience are but there is nothing that stand out about him at all. His character is really boring and yes he has a bit of an arc in the film but it feels incredibly generic and unrealistic which really hurts the film.

Supporting Characters 

Lauren Lapkus plays Missy and wow this is one of the most annoying characters I have ever seen in a film or TV Show. She is so annoying it is incredible, it is absolutley absurd and there isn't one likeable trait about her whatsoever. She makes Spade's life miserable and you really want her to go away with her story being so forced it cannot be understated. The rest of the cast are all the stereotypes you could imagine in a film like this, the ex wife, the abnoxious new boyfriend, the work rival and the older rich boss and none of them are interesting at all. 

Story

If you read the premise of the film you can guess exactly where the film is going, I sat down before watching the film and predicted a few things that a generic film would have and this film hits every single one but does it really poorly. As mentioned there are no reedemable elements to the character with Missy so her relationship Spade's character is really weak and feels really underdeveloped and just forced. Plus there are some things that take place in this film that if a man did them to a woman this film would never have been made or it would be causing controversy but because it is the other way round people just don't care. 

Script

The script is reall bad, this is a comedy but I don't think I laughed once during this film which is an automatic failure for a film trying to make me laugh. The drama is attempted but also falls down flat and feels stupid and trivial for this weak film. 

Style

This film tries to go for shock comedy, I mean this is my least favourite comedy and this film follows that trend, it just doesn't do anything interesting enough to make it funny. Luckily this film is only about 90 minutes long which means you don't have to sit through it for that long, but they spend so much time on the Spade not liking Missy there is not enough time for the film convincingly to hit its landing. 

Overall

Overall, I feel like I truly wasted my time watching this film, these bad comedies made by this group really are bad and are not worth the time of day and should just stop being made. 

Rating - 1/10 

The American (2010) Review

 This film is one of the most watched on Netflix at the moment so I thought I would give The American a watch and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a Spy have to move to Italy to take part in his final mission.

Main Character

George Clooney plays the main character in this film and he does an okay job, he isn't his usual charismatic self, with a more dramatic character and he does okay at times, you see he is trying to give a good performance even if that isn't totally possible. Though I have to say his character is incredibly boring, there is no depth to him at all, you learn nothing about his character or his motivations. He is a really poor spy and you even question how he even got this role in the first place. 

Supporting Characters

The other characters are just as dull, it is pretty much a foreign supporting cast but none of them have any development either. There is a generic love interest and I swear every female character feels like they were created by a teenage boy as all they do is get naked and spend the film trying to get Clooney's attention. 

Story

The story is so boring it is hard to explain, I have finished watching the film and I am still not sure what the plot was about. Why clooney is doing this job and why people are after him is never explained. Certain characters motivation including Clooney are so wishy washy and hard to understand, which is added even more with a very abrupt and lackluster ending. 

Script

The script is incredibly bland, this film takes itself so seriously but provides nothing interesting, the fact is that Clooney's character has very little dialogue and nothing of interest to say, no in depth drama or comedy making this a boring script.

Style 

The style for the film has some good cinematography and location, seeing Italy as the backdrop is nice and interesting but also a little quiet in terms of population. Now onto the pacing which is so slow, I get what they were going for with a slower more methodical pacing instead of an action heavy film but it doesn't work and makes this film feel incredibly slow and a drag to get to the end. 

Overall

Overall, I don't understand why people have been watching this film as I think it is really bad, it is just really slow and an absolute drag to get through making this a film you should avoid. 

Rating - 2/10

White Lines Season 1 (2020) Review

 This show hit Netflix on Friday and I have spent the last few days watching White Lines and here is my review for the first and only so far season of the show. The premise is 20 years ago an English young man was killed in Ibiza, when his body resurfaces his sister goes on a hunt in Ibiza to find the killer. 

Main Character

Laura Haddock plays Zoe are main character on this show and I thought she did a really good job, the issues people have is that she isn't the most likeable character and I get that but this is a story about her finding out who she is meant to be. It is not about being likeable but you care about her story and you see how this one event really shaped her life, it feels real and even though things don't always feel real on this show I felt like her arc and character was one of those things I could get emotionally invested in. 

Supporting Characters

There are plenty of supporting characters on this show but I will only talk about the main ones starting with possibly my favourite character on this show called Boxer played by Nuno Lopes. He was so cool and charming on the show, he also has an emotional arc that you can do care about and seeing his chemistry with Haddock is one of the best part of the shows and he comes across as the coolest character on the show for sure. I recently watched Daniel Mays in Code 404 and he is on this show and I thought he was better on this show, his character arc is especially great in the first few episodes of the season and you see again just how that one event 20 years ago really screwed him up. His arc ends well too and he has a great season long story on the show. You have a powerful family involved and I thought they were all pretty interesting characters, especially the character of Oriol who was really interesting for me and has plenty of depth to his performance.

Story

Judging by the premise of the show you would think this is a simple murder investigation plot and that is a huge part of the show and is done really well but there is just much more to it. This is a story about how every character is affected by this person's death and it is fascinating seeing how they are all dealing with it, especially Zoe who goes through plenty in the season. Also there are plenty of flashback scenes involving the incident that happened 20 years ago and they give you a better insight into the characters and there motivations even though I think we could have done with a few less of them as they become a bit repetitive at times. Though I did have a little issue with the story, there are a few less interesting story arcs that take up too much time and play into the more genric ideas such as at least a few love triangles and of course there is a gang war between two families because of course there is. 

Script

The script is really good, the drama is handled really well, leading to some uncomfortable scenes between the characters because they are so dramatic. It shows the strength of the performers and really does a great job with them, the humour also worked for me when it was used and helped make this show more interesting. 

Style

This show is heavily set in Ibiza and it is a reall good setting for the show, it makes the show feel pretty unique and exciting, it even feels like the location is a character on this show as it affects so much on the show and it makes the world feel more alive. This show has some very adult themes that not many shows would go with but it feels appropriate and adds to the show as a whole.

Overall

Overall, this show has been getting mixed reviews but I must say I was pretty fixated on this show and loved watching it. If you are a fan of crime shows with in depth character study then this is a show for you and for me a must watch. 

Rating - 9/10

Ready Player One (2018) Review

 This film came onto Amazon Prime today so I thought I would rewatch the film Ready Player One and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film is set in the future where people spend there life in a video game world, when a test is set to gain control of the game players aim to win the challenge. 

Main Character 

Ty Sheridan who plays Cyclops in the newer X-Men films plays the lead in this film and I thought he did a good job. His scenes in the real world are interesting enough and you do root for him but it is his character in the Oasis called Percival where he really shines. You see his love for the game and how his character represnts him, it has an important moral story about games and people and I thought he did a good job in delivering it. 

Supporting Characters

Sheirdan's friends in the Oasis are all interesting characters, I don't want to go into too much detail about them as learning their identities are an important part of the film but they all worked for the film. Ben Mendelsohn plays the main villain in the film and even though his character was pretty generic his acting ability manages to rise above it and makes him a villain that is entertaining to watch. Mark Rylance, Simon Pegg & Hannah John-Kamen all have small roles in the film and they all did really good jobs and stood out enough to mention for sure. 

Story

The story in the gaming world of The Oasis is fascinating to me, seeing this world is brilliant and the amount of pop culture references keeps you entertained throughout especially somebody like me who is a fan of those things. The criticism I have is the real world story, it is pretty bland and generic, seeing the common people against the big evil corporation has been seen plenty of times and this film does nothing new with this trope and it makes the film weaker. 

Script

The script is fine, the film has some funny moments and some okay drama, it just never hits the level that maybe it should. It tries to really make you care and you do a little bit but just enough, even though towards the end of the film you are really meant to.

Style

This is easily the best part of the film, the style looks great, the amount of pop culture references, characters and locations is mindblowing and makes you keep your eyes out for them. An homage to The Shining is a real stand out and the CGI used is real top tech which is very eyecatching.

Overall

Overall, this is a great film, if you are a fan of pop culture then this film will be more enjoyable to you. It is a real fun time and gamers and film fans will especially want to watch this film. 

Rating - 8/10 

Code 404 Season 1 (2020) Review

 This show recently debuted on Sky and I have now had the chance to watch the first season of Code 404 and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a policeman killed, when he is bought back to life he and his partner go on the hunt for his killer. 

Main Character

Daniel Mays and Stephen Graham play the main characters on this show and I thought they both did a good job in their role, Graham more then Mays. Mays is the character the show is about and I thought he was quite charming and funny at times, there are times also when he just becomes too much and becomes irritating more then funny. Stephen Graham is a fantatsic actor and he gives his best in everything and he really carries this show in my opinion, he is clearly the best actor and it is great to see him work. Their chemistry is pretty good together and it is the best part of the show to be honest. 

Supporting Characters

And now onto the weaker parts of the show, the supporting cast is probably the biggest one, I just don't care about anybody else in this show. Whether it being May's wife on the show or the villains or the police officers nobody stands out at all as somebody you should like or care about and it does drag the show down. 

Story

The story is pretty generic, imagine Robocop meets Hot Fuzz but in all the wrong ways. The dysfunctional partners are here, the forced love triangle is here, the crooked cops are here, the useless police chief is here. It is the most basic plot there is, it is predictable and just dull, there is nothing new here at all and the twists towards the end of the season you can see from a million miles away even though the show thinks it is really clever. 

Script

The script is also not the most unique, it has some decent humour and drama in it that improves the show but again nothing you haven't seen before. The characters aren't made more interestiing by it and the plot isn't made smarter by the writing. 

Style

The style of the show again is very basic, the action scenes are a particular weak point. When you have Artificial Intelligence involved it can lead to interesting fight scenes but this show doesn't do it and leaves it being very generic. It only has 6 episodes and feels like maybe it could have done with an episode more or two to really focus on the overall villain but it doesn't and leads to more questions then answers. 

Overall

Overall, I didn't enjoy this season, apart from the lead performances there isn't really anything here. There are much better shows out there to watch at the minute so I would just ignore this one and not give it the 3 hours it takes to watch it. 

Rating - 3/10 

The Man From Uncle (2015) Review 

 This film seems to be gaining a bit more popularity during lockdown as it is one of the most poular films on Netflix and I have rewatched  the film The Man From Uncle and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees an American and Russian agent have to work together in an aim to stop a nucleur bomb from being detonated. 

Main Character

Armie Hammer is the Russian agent and Henry Cavill is the brilliantly named Napoleon Solo who is the American agent and they are both fine in this movie. I like Cavill and I think Hammer is okay and that is all I feel coming out of the movie. They are functional and have okay chemistry but there just isn't anything that really stands out in this film, Cavill plays the loud and obnoxious American but there isn't much depth and Hammer plays the stoic Russian but again its a pretty generic character but both performers try it's just they aren't very memorable characters. 

Supporting Characters

Alicia Vikander is in this film and I thought she did a good job in the film, she is just a great actress and she does some good work here, her character keeps you guessing and is entertaining to watch. But again like the lead characters there isn't much to her character but she is a good actress who works in this film. Hugh Grant plays a small role in the film and he is very entertaining here but he isn't given a large role but when he is on screen he is a very likeable person. But nobody else does much in this film Jared Harris does very little and is a pretty dull character and Elizabeth Debicki plays the villain and there is nothing to her in this film and she can't rise above her very bland character. 

Story

Easily the worst part of the film here is the story, if you read the premise of the film you know exactly what you are getting from the plot of the film but the film just doesn't nail it as well as it should. I was entertained watching the film but there was no depth to anything in the film, none of the characters progress in an interesting way and it feels like just an excuse for some cool action sequences and an homage to old spy films. 

Script

The script is very cheesy, but that isn't a problem really at all because as mentioned this is an homage to old spy films, I laughed a bit and thought for this film it did work. It's just the drama doesn't work, the film tries to make you care and I just didn't really, if it didn't try you could maybe excuse it but it really tries to make you care and just fails for me. 

Style

Here is the best part of the film though, this film is directed by Guy Ritchie and yoy can really tell as this film has his fingerprints all over it. It is one of those films that come across as very cool, the action scenes were decent but nothing that stood out but it is just the way it is presented it comes across very well and is memorable for sure. 

Overall

Overall, this film for sure is entertaining to watch and I think people who watch this film will enjoy it, just for me it was an okay spy film and if maybe given a bit more depth we could have had a truly brilliant film but it does fall short. 

Rating - 6/10