Wednesday, August 28, 2024

Twisters (2024) Review

Twisters (2024) Review


I happened to be away travelling when this film came out, but due to its success it is still in the cinema and I managed to watch Twisters today and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a retired tornado chaser convinced to come back to Oklahoma and work to find out ways to stop the impact that Tornados have on people. 

Main Character

Despite what the marketing told everyone the main character is Kate played by Daisy Edgar Jones and she was great in the film. Her character is really great and Edgar Jones manages to do the best with the material and I really rooted for her character and wanted to see her succeed as she is just so likeable in this role. 

Supporting Characters

Glenn Powell plays Tyler and I love his character in this film. Powell is super charismatic and charming mixed with the obnoxious nature of his character. He is just having a blast here and seeing a guy enjoying himself so much is really nice and I genuinely think Powell can be the biggest name in Hollywood over the next few years if he keeps on going the way he is. 

Anthony Ramos plays Javi and he has a big connection with Kate and I really thought their chemistry was great. He kind of gets relegated once Powell appears but I think Ramos does the best with what he has and delivers a good performance. 

The rest of the cast are great too. David Corenswet who will be the next Superman plays Scott and does a good job as an annoying antagonist and it was nice seeing Katy O'Brian in a different role that we have seen her lately in recent franchises. 

Story

The story does its job solid enough, it showcases its characters really well and makes you care about them as these massive tornadoes are after them and causing havoc. They dip into the real problems that natural disasters like this affect people with death and destruction. But this film is pretty one dimensional with its storytelling and there is a sub plot that doesn't really go anywhere and kind of feels like it was added to the script to make the film a bit longer. 

Script

The script has some genuinely really funny dialogue and moments and these characters do feel like real people. I mostly cared about the drama and I wanted to see these characters get through these situations, but some of the writing doesn't quite work and that does kind of link to narrative in the film. 

Style 

The film looks fantastic, with modern technology it allows us to see Tornadoes in all of their CGI glory and really put these people under threat. The film is paced really well and balanced the action and character work very well. 

Overall

Overall, Twisters is a great film. It is a genuine surprise for me and I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anybody and I can't wait to watch it again. 

Rating - 8/10

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

Game of Thrones Season 2 (2012) Review

Game of Thrones Season 2 (2012) Review


I continue my re-watching of Game of Thrones with the second season. I have managed to watch the entire season and here is my review. The premise of the show sees after the deaths of Robert Baratheon & Ned Stark, war rages amongst the 7 kingdoms with many parties looking to stake their claim and take The Iron Throne. 

Main Character

After Ned Stark's death, the show definitely became more ensemble. But I think the character that steps up is Tyrion Lannister played by the fantastic Peter Dinklage, he is the hand of the king this season and it means he gets way more interactions with main characters and he is great. He is charming and charismatic with his character truly developing over the season and Dinklage deserves a tonne of credit for that. 

Supporting Characters

Just like the first season, this show has a load of characters and everyone is fantastic, probably even better then the first season but there are way too many to talk about so I will only be talking about some that really stood out to me. 

Lena Headey reprises her role as Cersei Lannister and she continues to be brilliant on screen. She is manipulative and just pure evil but Headey is such a good actress that at times you even start to feel a bit of sympathy for this clear villain. 

We get way more time this season with Charles Dance as Tywin Lannister and he shares a lot of scenes with Arya Stark played by Maisie Williams. Williams is so much better this season then she was previously and Dance is always amazing. Their interactions are genuinely some of the best moments of the season and just simple conversations were captivating. 

Jerome Flynn as Bron is one of my favourite characters on the show and he really gets time to shine here alongside Tyrion. As he is in Kings Landing, he also gets to interact with other main characters and it gives him real time to shine.

Jack Gleeson has become more grown up as Joffrey Baratheon and this is easily one of the most evil and sadistic characters put onto a screen. He is just so arrogant and annoying and a whole fanbase unites in wanting to see him dealt with. 

Story

This season certainly has way more storylines then the previous season and some of them are really great. Everything that happens at Kings Landing is fantastic, the intrigue and politics mixed with action makes it my favourite part of the show alongside Tywin & Arya's storyline at Harrenhall. But there are some story arcs that I just didn't find as interesting, mainly being Jon Snow at the wall and Daenerys at Qarth. I understand that they fit a purpose but I just felt like they weren't that interesting here and was just focus for future seasons. 

Script

The script is still fantastic, the blend between drama and humour is fantastically managed and makes the majority of theses characters feel like real people that are just in crazy situations. The writing is top notch and even though it is an extravagant show, that is probably the best part of the show. 

Style

The show has very clearly had a budget increase and it uses it superbly. Everything feels more crisp and polished, culminating with The Battle of Blackwater Bay which is one of the greatest episodes of the entire series run. The pacing of the show is well done, despite the amount of balancing of stories and I was thoroughly engaged. 

Overall

Overall, the second season of Game of Thrones is fantastic. It is still at the high level of writing and the larger budget allows them to show battles that we didn't get in the previous season. There are just a few stories that don't quite work which holds it back from being truly epic but it is a fantastic season that continues the strong quality of the show. 

Rating - 9/10

Thursday, August 22, 2024

Alien: Romulus (2024) Review

Alien: Romulus (2024) Review


After a few years, we have a new Alien film and though inspiration from Ridley Scott, the franchise is in new hands and we get a film that is made my new people who are passionate about the franchise. I saw Alien: Romulus yesterday and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film is set between Alien and Aliens and sees a group of young people trapped on a station with organisms that are out to get them. 

Main Character

Cailee Spaeny plays Rain and she is the main character of the film and I thought she was great here. I know very little of her work but she definitely gives a strong performance here and is a great lead character that we are meant to care about and I think that I did for sure. 

Supporting Characters

My favourite character in the film is Andy played by David Jonsson. Early on we find out that he is a synthetic and I think the film is really clever in the way that it handles his character and his role amongst the group of young people. He deserves a lot of credit for playing this pretty emotionless character and manage to make him one of the most interesting parts of the film. 

Unfortunately, the rest of the group fair a bit worse and I really didn't care about any of them. The young cast come across as annoying especially the one played by Spike Fearn who feels like he should be in a completely different film. 

There is an appearance that is a big spoiler but made the film much more interesting and I thought it added a lot to the film but yeah I can't really talk about it so you will have to see the film to find out what I am talking about. 

Story 

The story is interesting, the reason for these kids being on the station isn't that deep but when they get there, these characters encounter interesting things and there are valid and logical reasons as to why these Aliens are on the station. However, this film has a twist towards the end of the film and it just felt really weird and out of place for this film and that took me out of this pretty enjoyable experience. 

Script

The script is okay, there are some good dramatic dialogue and moments that made at least some of the characters interesting and made me care about them. However, there was a lot of weak dialogue, the build-up of the side characters and the introduction of our gang isn't handled particularly well. 

Style

The film takes stylistic choices of a mixture of Alien, Aliens & even a bit of Prometheus and I thought it really worked. The action is fast paced, but there are those slower more horror based elements and the fact that the film has both makes it more interesting. But the film does have a bit of a pacing issue and that is mainly from the first and last act that don't quite work and I wish they could have been handled differently. 

Overall

Overall, Alien: Romulus is an above average film that when it is at its best it is really good. However, there was enough that I didn't like to hold the film back from hitting the heights that I think it was capable of. I do hope that this franchise can continue but improvements will be needed for sure. 

Rating - 6/10

Tuesday, August 20, 2024

Alien (1979) Review

Alien (1979) Review


I am off to see Alien: Romulus tomorrow, so I thought it was about time to rewatch the film that started the franchise and the film that takes place before Alien: Romulus chronologically in Alien. So I watched it today and here is my review for a film considered a classic. The premise of the film sees a crew answer a distress call which ends up with them encountering a deadly lifeform.  

Main Character

Sigourney Weaver plays Ripley and she is great in this film. She is a strong character and is one of the most famous female lead characters of all time and this film introduces us to the awesome performance. She gets plenty of time to shine in this film and she was a great lead character. 

Supporting Characters

A young Ian Holm plays Ash and for me he is the most interesting member of the Nostromo crew and Holm absolutely nails it in the role. He is the science officer of the crew and there is just a lot of intrigue about his character and Holm really excels here. 

The rest of the crew are good and involve some big actors such as Tom Skerritt as Dallas & John Hurt as Kane. They are decent but their characters are never really fleshed out but they fill the roles well and do well with what they are given. 

The Alien itself is such an interesting design and I love how this film conveyed The Alien as a true threat to the crew and its lack of screen time actually added to that effect and made every time it does appear feel special. 

Story

The story does a really great job of showcasing a predator hunting down its prey and these humans really struggling to deal with it. There is another interesting story that comes into play in the film which is pretty interesting but isn't particularly the focus here. The issue is that the film doesn't really make you care too much about the majority of the characters and spends a bit too long building atmosphere and tone instead of a plot. 

Script

The script is fine, there are one or two scenes that are pretty memorable and have some good dramatic dialogue. But I never really felt the relationship between the characters and as I mentioned above I never really cared about anyone and the lack of interesting dialogue plays its part. 

Style

The film does a really great job of building tension and atmosphere. You have no idea when The Alien is going to strike next and the film really delves into its horror vibe in order to keep the viewer on edge. But, I have to be honest this film is really slow, especially for the first act. It takes way too long to get going and doesn't do enough in that build up to add to the complexity of the majority of the characters. 

Overall

Overall, Alien is a good film that nails its atmosphere and the objective that it wanted. I know it is probably a controversial opinion to say this film is a bit overrated but I kind of feel like it is, but it is still a good watch especially if you are a fan of horror. 

Rating - 7/10

Monday, August 19, 2024

Game of Thrones Season 1 (2011) Review

Game of Thrones Season 1 (2011) Review


After watching season 2 of House of the Dragon and seeing numerous clips of the original show online, I decided to go back and re-watch Game of Thrones and I have just got through the first season of the show and here is my review. The premise of the show sees noble families attempt to put themselves on top through war, politics and backstabbing. 

Main Character

Sean Bean plays Ned Stark and he is fantastic on this show and is the clear protagonist. This show is full of morally grey characters but Ned is just a good guy and Bean is fantastic in the role. He is a strong presence and I really loved seeing his character having to deal with the politics of the kingdom. 

Supporting Characters

This show has a massive cast, so there is no way I will be able to talk about them all and apart from some of the child actors, everyone is fantastic and really truly cares about their performances and trying to make this the best show possible. 

Peter Dinklage plays Tyrion Lannister and for me he is the best character on the show, he is so charismatic and you can't help but support his devilish side. Dinklage revels in this role and he just owns every scene that he is in. 

Emilia Clarke plays Daenerys Targaryen and her story is very separate from the other characters and she does a fantastic job. She really develops over the season and I think Clarke really grows in her performance. 

Lena Headey as Cersei Lannister is a truly fantastic character, she is so unlikeable but there is definitely reasons to sympathise for her and the nuance of Cersei is a big part of the show and Headey knocks it out of the park. 

Aidan Gillen as Peter Baelish and Conleth Hill as Varys are two characters that revel in their screen time and the chemistry that they have together produces some of the best scenes in the entire show. Their characters are really well written and seeing their philosophies clash is fantastic. 

Story

The story is fantastic, you get a bit of everything from this show and there is a lot going on. But unlike some other shows it manages to make all of it interesting and make you care about it. Seeing the political debates and issues at Kings Landing with the supernatural elements with The Wall mixed with the war conflict between characters makes it feel like we get everything. The end of the season really pulls no punches and takes risks that I think makes it stand out and truly makes it legendary. 

Script

The script is incredibly well written and every character is written well to make you care and interested in their stories. The dialogue is so sharp and the blend between drama and humour is so well done that you literally just see people talking and it is some of the most interesting scenes in the show. 

Style

The shows look is fantastic, I love the costume design and the clear budget that Game of Thrones has. But it knows how to film scenes effectively that makes you realise that in this season it isn't too over the top and full of CGI, it feels gritty and dark. The different stories bounce together really well and they all are interesting and make you want to continue watching. 

Overall

Overall, Game of Thrones Season 1 is an Epic season of television and one that will go down in the history books and one that everybody should see. It shows the true quality of the franchise and how high the standards are. 

Rating - 10/10

Tuesday, August 13, 2024

Borderlands (2024) Review

Borderlands (2024) Review


It seems that video game based TV Shows have finally started to get a bit of traction but I still think video game based films haven't quite found their feet and the next to try its go is Borderlands and I saw it today and here is my review for Borderlands. The premise of the film sees a group of misfits attempting to open a vault and keep it away from an evil corporation. 

Main Character

Cate Blanchett plays Lilith and boy she really tries to make the best out of this role and the reason I am giving her some praise is just because of the care that Blanchett clearly has. However, Lilith is a dull character and one that becomes kind of absurd as the film progresses. I just didn't care about her and for your main protagonist that is not a good thing. 

Supporting Characters

Ariana Greenblatt plays Tiny Tina and similar to Blanchett, you can see that she really cares and enjoying herself on screen and that makes her somewhat enjoyable. But her character is super unlikeable and I didn't really care much about her. 

Kevin Hart plays Roland and this is probably the biggest miscast in the film. If you get a comedian like Kevin Hart then I would expect him to make me laugh but he was so boring and dull, his character is pretty serious and Hart offers literally nothing to the performance. 

Jamie Lee Curtis plays Tannis and she gives a truly awful performance, her character is all over the place and just makes weird noises and has strange delivery of dialogue throughout. She is a terrible person but the film wants you to care, but you really won't. 

Edgar Ramirez plays the villain Atlas and he is so dull its unbelievable. I honestly, can't believe this guy gets big roles as I don't think he has ever been good and that continues here. He is such a boring and generic bad guy that offers nothing to the film. 

Jack Black voices the iconic character Claptrap and I found him super annoying in this film. I think if it had been in moderation it could have worked but he is all over this film and he just doesn't stop talking and the majority of his dialogue isn't funny which takes away from the whole thing. 

Story

The story of the film is just garbage, it is the most boring and predictable plot line that you will see in a film. It is your traditional misfit gang that starts enemies and grow as the film progresses but it is really forced and I didn't care about any of the characters or their struggles. The final act is really stupid and predictable which encapsulates this film. 

Script

The script has absolutely nothing to it. I don't think I laughed once and I didn't care about any of the characters through the drama and emotion. With this cast it needed good writing but it just isn't here and it adds to the overall woes of the film.

Style

The film has some decent action sequences, they are fun and do a somewhat good job of representing the games but there just aren't enough of them. The CGI is varied during the film, some of it is okay and some of it is rubbish. The film is really short and feels a bit rushed for sure, though with the quality I am glad it was shorter. 

Overall

Overall, Borderlands is a truly awful movie which is such a shame because I really think there was potential here, really do avoid this film and with so much to watch in the cinema at the moment pick one of the other films which is hopefully better. 

Rating - 2/10

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

House of the Dragon Season 2 (2024) Review

House of the Dragon Season 2 (2024) Review


Over the last 8 weeks, House of the Dragon has been the biggest show in the world and now the second season has finished and here is my review for the show. The premise of the season sees both factions preparing for a great war and attempt to find advantage to their claims to the Iron Throne. 

Main Character

Matt Smith reprises his role as Daemon Targaryen and he is just fantastic in his role. I must admit that his storyline isn't the best this season but Smith has so much charisma and absolutely owns every scene that he has on screen. 

Emma D'Arcy has a greater role as Rhaenyra Targaryen and it is great to see the character really come into their own and D'Arcy is fantastic. The character is struggling with her claim to the iron throne and I felt like there was greater depth added to Rhaenyra. 

Supporting Characters  

Olivia Cook is back as Alicent Hightower and I really liked the juxtaposition between her and Rhaenyra. She is struggling in King's Landing dealing with her sons causing chaos and the friction that she has caused in the majority of the relationships in her life. 

Even though he doesn't have as large a role Rhys Ifans as Otto Hightower is one of my favourite characters on this show and he nails it once again. He is just thinking a few steps ahead of all the other characters and I just love seeing him in work. 

Tom Glynn-Carney as Aegon Targaryen is a real shining light this season. He really steps up this season and gives a fantastic performance, there is a lot of nuance to his character and at times I even felt a bit sorry for him which shows his quality as an actor. 

Ewan Mitchell also does a great job as Aemond Targaryen and I really found this character interesting. He is very cool and calculated and you see his character develop over the season, Aemond has conflict with the other characters but seems to have a side of him that does want to rule. 

There are so many characters in this show that I won't have any time to talk about them all but everybody does a fantastic job and the acting is probably the best part of the season. 

Story

There are elements that I really enjoyed in the story. The conflict that goes on within Alicent and Rhaenyra is a great part of the show and I really enjoyed both sides taking different political risks in order to put themselves in a stronger position. However, there are some elements of the story that don't work as well. Daemon's story in Harrenhall is pretty bizarre and even though it has a good payoff, it takes way too long and could have bene completed in a few episodes. Also the season kind of doesn't have a true ending, it just feels like setup for next season which is a big let down. 

Script

The script is okay, there is some interesting dialogue and a lot of the drama does hit in the right way and make you care about the main story that is being told. But this show still lacks some charm that Game of Thrones had, it is incredibly bleak and this just doesn't make it as enjoyable a watch. 

Style 

Visually, the show looks amazing. It is clear the budget is extremely large and that really gives it this epic scale, some of the action scenes are breath-taking and seeing dragons in full flight is still amazing to see. But the pacing of the show is off, there are too many story arcs and some of them are really not given the time for an audience to care and again it just feels like set up for the next season. 

Overall

Overall, House of the Dragon Season 2 is good, it still has a lot of the great things that the previous season had. However, I do think this is a step down and Season 3 really needs to step it up and deliver on the promises this season makes. It is definitely a good watch and should be watched, I just don't want the standards to drop lower. 

Rating - 7/10

Sunday, August 4, 2024

Sherlock Holmes (2009) Review

Sherlock Holmes (2009) Review


On my flight back from Malaysia, the last film that I decided to watch was Sherlock Holmes, I have seen this film a few times and was looking forward to seeing it again so is here my review for the film. The premise of the film sees Sherlock Holmes attempt to stop a sinister plot from destroying London at its core. 

Main Character

Robert Downey Jr plays the titular character and he is fantastic in the role. You really see his intelligence and the way his mind works and I thought Downey really nailed the feel of an investigator that Holmes clearly is. It is hard to take your eyes off of him on screen and that is great to see in this film. 

Supporting Characters

Jude Law plays Doctor Watson and he is really great too. The chemistry between him and Downey is off the charts and they just blend incredibly well and it is one of the real driving forces of the film and his performance drives that. 

Rachel McAdams plays Irene Adler and she is a lot of fun here. She is a very quick witted character and she also had great chemistry with Downey. The inclusion of her character is mainly to set up the sequel but she is fun to watch. 

Mark Strong plays the villain Lord Blackwood and though the character isn't particularly interesting Strong does enough to deliver a fun performance and makes him the appropriate adversary for Holmes in this film. 

Kelly Reilly plays Mary Morstan who is Watson's Fiancé and even though she isn't in the film a huge amount but she is a fun addition and the constant arguing with Holmes is pretty entertaining. 

Story

The story is really interesting, it is a genuine mystery and watching Holmes and Watson try to figure it out with all the twists and turns is interesting. There is also clearly a development in their partnership and that grows as the film progresses, the villains motivation isn't the best but the way the film explains it makes it sound really cool and interesting. 

Script

The script has some really quick and charming dialogue. The characters interact really well and the dialogue makes them more interesting. Though I will say that this film does fall short on its dramatic moments and dialogue, I never felt fear for the characters or really care about them being in peril even though the film does try. 

Style

I really liked the visual style of this film, old school London looks really great and it just feels like a world that director Guy Ritchie would create and it very much fit this interpretation of Sherlock Holmes. The action scenes were also really good, they use some unique techniques to explain the action and I really liked it. 

Overall

Overall, Sherlock Holmes is a fantastic film that is a really fun watch. The cast do a great job and I loved the investigative nature of the film. Definitely give this film a go and I am pretty sure you will really enjoy it like I do.

Rating - 9/10


Saturday, August 3, 2024

Mothers' Instinct (2024) Review

Mothers' Instinct (2024) Review


I saw a trailer for this film earlier this year and I found the time to watch Mothers' Instinct and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees after a tragic accident, two lifelong friends lives seem to change and cause more suspicion. 

Main Character

Anne Hathaway plays Celine and Jessica Chastain plays Alice and they are both really great in this film. The chemistry between them really drives the film forward and even though their actual characters aren't the best the quality of these two performers really drives it up and makes these great performances. 

Supporting Characters

Anders Danielson Lee plays Simon & Josh Charles plays Damian who are the husbands of the two lead characters. They both have smaller roles but they are both very good and give strong performances in this film. 

Young actor Eamon Patrick O'Connell plays Theo and I don't want to be too harsh but I thought this was a weird and weak performance. This kid is really strange and I don't think he was strong enough to fit the role he was given. 

Story

There is no denying that this story is interesting, it has twists and turns throughout keeping you guessing. Both Celine & Alice have good character arcs and the performers do a good job with it. But the film is a little bit confusing and doesn't quite work, the ending of the film falls a little flat and doesn't have quite the impact that they think it does. 

Script

The script is okay, there are some really good dramatic scenes that made me care about the situation that the characters are put into. This film is really grim though and at times a tough watch, it also doesn't exactly deliver on all of its twists which is a bit of a shame. 

Style

The film is directed by Benoit Delhomme who is mainly known for his cinematography which is shown by this film being very beautiful and well shot to keep the suspense up throughout the film. But this is also the 1st film he has directed which is probably why the film isn't paced that well and was actually pretty boring throughout. 

Overall

Overall, Mothers' Instinct is an above average film. It has plenty of intrigue and suspense to it with two fantastic lead performances. It's not one to rush out to find but I think down the line it could be a good watch for people. 

Rating - 6/10

Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) Review

Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) Review


When growing up I was a big fan of The Kung Fu Panda films and this year we have the fourth film in the franchise and recently I found the time to watch it and here is my review for Kung Fu Panda 4. The premise of the film sees Po needing to train a new Dragon Warrior while attempting to stop a sorceress looking to seize the powers of Kung Fu Masters. 

Main Character

Jack Black is once again back as Po and I feel like he could play this role in his sleep and he does a good job here, it is just like he has done in the previous films. The character does clearly go through a character arc and I felt like the film did a good job in conveying that and he feels like a different character by the end of the film. 

Supporting Characters

Viola Davis voices the villain The Chameleon and this is a pretty cool villain and it seemed like she enjoyed her work in the role. I mean there isn't much depth to her character but her motivations were fleshed out just well enough that it worked for me. 

Dustin Hoffman is back as Shifu and his chemistry with Jack Black is great and Hoffman is enjoying himself. I do wish he had been in the film a bit more as his role is largely reduced compared to what it was before. 

Awkwafina plays Zhen and she spends the majority of the film alongside Po and I really found her annoying. She is meant to also go through a character arc but hers just did not work for me, she isn't funny and I did not like Zhen as a character. 

James Hong as Mr Ping and Bryan Cranston as Li are back in their roles and I enjoyed seeing them but their characters were more annoying in this film and they get way more screen time then they should. I just found myself annoyed watching them go on their journey compared to the main story. 

Story

The story is functional, the best part is clearly Po's character arc and how he develops over the film which I did enjoy but there is plenty wrong. Zhen's character arc was dull and predictable and the story involving Mr Ping & Li is frustratingly mediocre and takes up way too much screen time. The ending manages to bring things together but it just doesn't make you feel much. 

Script

The script has some funny and heartful moments that are mainly aimed at children and when it does that it works. But there is an equal amount that just don't pay off and I think that is because the writing for some of the characters and the fact that this film doesn't have the detail that other films in this franchise have. 

Style

The film keeps up the similar style from the previous films and it does work. The action scenes flow really nicely and if you have been a fan of the franchises action scenes then you will enjoy this. But the pacing of the film isn't that great, despite the fact it clocks in at 90 mins the order of certain scenes doesn't allow the film to flow that well which is a shame. 

Overall

Overall, Kung Fu Panda 4 is an above average film. It continues the legacy of this franchise well and does just about enough to be watchable, if you are a fan of the franchise then you will like this film, if not then it is one to skip. 

Rating - 6/10

Morbius (2022) Review

Morbius (2022) Review


I have wanted to watch Morbius for years and never found the time, but a 13 hour flight was the perfect chance to watch this film that I have heard so much about in the past and here is my review for Morbius. The premise of the film sees a doctor try to cure himself of a blood disease but accidentally infects himself with Vampire Blood. 

Main Character

Jared Leto plays Michael Morbius and I really didn't like him in this role. He is obviously a good actor but between Morbius and The Joker, I think he should stay away from comic book roles for the rest of time. I don't think he is helped by other things going on but he is really bland and there is just no reason to care or support Morbius and that is a shame. 

Supporting Characters

Matt Smith plays Milo and he is so over the top that it is really cringe, but he is clearly really enjoying his screen time and giving it his all and he is the only person who can actually say this. His dynamic with Leto isn't particularly good but Smith has so much charisma that I couldn't stop watching it. 

Adria Arjona plays Martine Bancroft and is basically here just to give a romance for Morbius. She is a talented actress but she offers nothing here and she is one of the duller characters that you will meet in any comic book film. 

Jared Harris plays Emile Nicholas and I think he was okay here but he barely has any screen time. He feels like he is just a plot device for the story but I feel like Harris could have been a better part of the film and how he is used is a disappointment. 

Tyrese Gibson plays Simon Stroud and this might be the most offensive performance in the film. Gibson is mainly known for his energetic role in The Fast & Furious films but here he is so boring and monotone that it makes me wonder why they even bothered casting him and he felt really out of place. 

Story

The story is all over the place. The ideas presented here could have worked but they tried to do them all together which meant they didn't work. The focus should have been more on the relationship between Morbius and Milo and I mean it should have been written a lot better but it has a romantic story and seeing Morbius against the police. The plot doesn't make much sense and is another low point for the film. 

Script

The script is also pretty bad, the drama didn't make me care about anybody in this film and the humour is super cringy. The blend of the two isn't handled well and the writing of the plot just makes no sense and it fits this films rubbish tone. 

Style

Now there are a few decent action scenes and I enjoyed the fact that it pushed the envelope for its 12 rating which I do appreciate. But a lot of the CGI is rubbish and some of the action scenes are lacklustre. The films pacing is all over the place too, it felt really long even though it is actually a normal length film. 

Overall

Overall, Morbius is a pretty terrible film that lives up to the expectations that I have been told. No good things come from this film and should be avoided at all cost. 

Rating - 2/10

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) Review

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) Review


So, I recently went on a long trip so on the plane I had plenty of time to watch some films with the first one being Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire as I missed the chance to watch it when it came out in the cinema, now here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees Kong trying to survive and find his place, when a new being comes into his life he must seek Godzilla to take down his enemies. 

Main Character

Do not let the title of the film confuse you as this is more a Kong film then a Godzilla film. Kong is handled really well here, it was awesome to see him in action and I actually cared about his character wanting to see him succeed. But Godzilla is barely in this film, he is so poorly used and it was frustrating that this character gets nothing to do, but I guess that is due to Godzilla having way more screen time then Kong in this franchise. 

Supporting Characters

Luckily this film has less focus on the human characters but they are still here. Rebecca Ferguson is back as Ilene Andrews and she is functional here, her character isn't particularly interesting but Ferguson is a good enough actor to make it pretty much work. 

Brian Tyree Henry also reprises his role as Bernie Hayes and I actually found him pretty annoying here, he is so over the top and ridiculous that it took me out of certain scenes. It just feels like he is trying to do his best Ryan Reynolds impression and it doesn't work. 

This is funny because Dan Stevens plays Trapper and he is also annoying. I love Stevens, but he is also ridiculous here and it is really jarring to watch as he really isn't funny despite the film thinking that he really is. 

Story

I liked Kong's story, seeing him going through the natural world was pretty cool and how the other members of this world react to him which leads him on a journey to fully become a hero. But again Godzilla doesn't really have a story and feels like he is dragged into the plot because he is in the title of the film. It is a bit of a cliché ending and it doesn't do that much for the franchise or for me. 

Script

The scripts in these Monsterverse films have never been the strong suit and that follows here. The writing is poor, the humour is way too forced and the jokes just didn't make me laugh and I never cared enough about the drama because of the way it was conveyed on screen. 

Style

The film looks fantastic, if you like your Monster action scenes then you will be happy with these as they are over the top and exciting as you would want from a film of this style. The film is also paced well enough and shows more of Kong then has been in certain previous films. 

Overall

Overall, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire is an average film. It is fun watching the Monsters fight but this film offers very little new and it just feels like an easy and lazy film that hits the beats that you would expect and I think this is a film you watch in the background and don't really hunt out. 

Rating - 5/10

Thursday, August 1, 2024

The Acolyte Season 1 (2024) Review

The Acolyte Season 1 (2024) Review


The Acolyte is probably the most talked about TV show in the world recently and mostly for not good reasons but I have watched the show and will only give me own opinions and give the show a fair shot unlike most review bombers, so here is my review for the first season of The Acolyte. The premise of the show is set in The High Republic Era, when a Jedi is murdered it leads to the start of a new mysterious force. 

Main Character

The show focuses on the twin sisters of Mae and Osha played by Amandla Stenberg and I have mixed feelings about these characters. I actually liked some of the performances and the direction that the show takes with both of their characters, the issue is that some of the acting is pretty wooden and they are easily not the most interesting part of the show which is a big let down. 

Supporting Characters

Lee Jung-Jae plays Master Sol and for me he is the best character in the show and the person who seems to care the most about his character. The fact he learned English for this role and then knocked it out of the park says everything about his passion. Sol is a mysterious but likeable Jedi and I kind of wish he had been the main focus of the show instead of the twins. 

The villain is a mystery for a large part of the show so I won't go into detail about who it is but I thought this was a really interesting villain. The way they are portrayed is fantastic and feels like a dark threat to the rest of The Jedi. 

Vernestra Rwoh is a character from the books and is played by Rebecca Henderson and I thought this was an interesting supporting character. She has a different view to the Jedi then Sol and I think it showed some of the more shady elements of the Order and she did a good job with it. 

Charlie Bennett as Yord and Dafne Keene as Jecki are decent characters too that were fun to watch on screen but they did have limited development over the shows run. 

Story

There are elements of the story that I do enjoy. There are mysteries about The Jedi Order which makes you question how good they are and elements that aren't fitting with what we have been told. But the show misses the mark on certain things, mainly the story regarding the twins and their origins, the show spends ages on this but it falls flat and really flatters to deceive. 

Script

Unfortunately, the writing for the show is where it really falls flat. There is some really cringey dialogue and the actors are clearly working really hard to make it work. The dramatic writing doesn't work and there is no humour which does make it a tough watch at times. 

Style

The action scenes in The Acolyte are genuinely some of the best Star Wars action I have ever seen, it rivals iconic lightsabre duels such as Phantom Menace and Revenge of The Sith. I did actually like the feeling of The High Republic and how it felt different to the other eras of Star Wars that we have watched. But the show has real pacing issues, it spends a few episodes on flashbacks which weren't really needed and made other elements of the show feel a bit rushed. 

Overall

Overall, The Acolyte is an Average Show. I liked it more then others but I cannot deny that this show does struggle to find its way to improve its quality. I think there is potential here if they do future seasons but this show isn't one you have to watch whether a Star Wars fan or not. 

Rating - 5/10