Gen V Season 1 (2023) Review

With The Boys Season 4 ongoing weekly it seemed appropriate to go back and watch Gen V for the first time, especially as characters from the spinoff are set to appear on the main show. I manage to watch the whole first season pretty quickly and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees a group of students who are at superhero school deal with student life while attempting to expose a darker secret. 

Main Character

Jaz Sinclair plays Marie Moraeu and I really liked her character. We learn a lot about her during the show and how she differs from the other students that are kind of already in the system with Vought and used to the superhero culture. She definitely develops over the season and gives a strong performance, it also helps that her powers are some of the more unique ones in The Boys universe and adds some real creativity. 

Supporting Characters

Lizze Broadway plays Emma who is Marie's roommate and the two of them have really good chemistry together, at first I thought she was going to be a shallow character but no, they give her a fantastic character arc and I really did care about her as the season went on. 

Maddie Phillips plays Cate, who is kind of treated like the popular girl in school but ends up by chance as part of this group of friends. She delivers a really good performance and the majority of her development happened towards the back end of the season but I thought it was really effective. 

Jordan Li is an intetesting character and is a Bi-Gender Super Hero played by both London Thor & Derek Luh and the character really fits this universe. They are a determined individual and she was clearly the one who cared most about their hierarchy in the school but that is developed throughout the show. 

Unfortunately, earlier this year Chance Perdomo died in a Motorbike accident with Gen V being one of his last roles as Andre and it is a shame that we won't see any more of this character in the future. Perdomo is great as Andre and he is another really well written character that was charming throughout.  

This is a large cast and everybody does a fantastic job of delivering great performances that flesh out the universe of this spin off. 

Story 

The story is good. This show does have some teenage angst stories but in this environment, I didn't really mind and it flowed nicely. There is plenty of intrigue and mystery to the plot and I remained invested as the season went on. The only issue that I had was the very ending of the show, it feels like lazy writing and someone enters the show that feels like a lazy excuse to set up Boys Season 4 instead of giving Gen V a true fulfilling ending. 

Script

The script is good, it has that familiar feeling to The Boys. I did think at first that there was just too much profanity but the more I think about it, that is how kids at schools act so it isn't that crazy and the fact that all films in school don't act like this is more crazy. I also liked the drama and did care about plenty of the characters which is great. 

Style

The style of the show is great, if you are a fan of The Boys then you will be expecting an over the top style and it is here in abundance. The show was paced really well too, with episodes flying by and having me intrigued throughout. 

Overall

Overall, Gen V is a fantastic spin-off and easily does enough to stand out on its own and become a must watch. Similar, to The Boys it is an acquired taste but if you can handle it Gen V is definitely worth a watch. 

Rating - 9/10

Barbie (2023) Review

It has been almost a year since Barbie was released and I have finally found the time to give it a watch and here is my review for this global phenomenon that I didn't watch at the cinema. The premise of the film sees Barbie and Ken living their best life in Barbie Land, but when they go to the real world they see how that world affects both of them. 

Main Character

Margot Robbie plays Barbie and she is fantastic in her role, she is literally what I would expect when somebody was cast as Barbie and I think she knew that. She has that natural charisma and star power about her that means she owns the screen and plays the over the top Barbie well. But there are some dramatic scenes here where she takes this ridiculous character and makes you care about her and the situation that she is in. Though I don't think it defines her performance I think it was a shame that she didn't get an Oscar nomination for this role when others were given that honour. 

Supporting Characters

Ryan Gosling plays Ken and he is also brilliant in this film. He just understands what was required to take on this role and his chemistry with Robbie is fantastic. He is his own character and does have a character arc which I liked though it is definitely not a big priority of the film. 

America Ferrera plays someone from the real world who has a real connection with Barbie and she is really good in the role. She feels like a real person and she seemed to really enjoy her role in the film and it feels like she adds something to the overall feel of the film. 

Issa Rae, Kate Mckinnon & Emma Mackey are great as other Barbies as are Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir & Ncuti Gatwa as other Kens. These are some great performers and they bring life to some of these smaller roles. 

Special shout out to Will Ferrell who really had me laughing throughout the film and maybe was the best pure comedic outlet for this film. 

Story

The story has way more weight and depth to it that you would expect from a film called Barbie. It looks at the human issues that women go through and the imposter syndrome that both Barbie and Ken experience in their different roles and it is mostly well handled. However, it does get a bit too much at times. I think the film could have benefited a bit more from being a bit more subtle at times instead of beating the message over our heads throughout the film. 

Script

The script is well written, this is actually a pretty funny film. It is pretty nuanced and adult humour which I very much enjoyed. It also does a great job with the drama and made me care about these characters and the plight that they were in. 

Style 

The film looks great, Barbie Land is incredibly vibrant and colourful and it does an effective job of contrasting with the scenes that take place in the real world. The musical numbers are all well done too and all the music in the film is well used and pretty catchy. I do think the film has a bit of a pacing problem, the film doesn't spend that much time in the real world and it just takes a bit to get going after a rather long first act. 

Overall

Overall, Barbie is a great film. It is a fun film that does a good job at sending a message and it is nice to see an original idea get the love and attention that this film got. 

Rating - 8/10

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023) Review

After 10 years the DCEU has finally come to its end with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. The first film was a big success both in terms of quality and financially but lots has happened since then and I watched the film today and here is my review. The premise of the film is set four years after the first with Arthur Curry as the King of Atlantis and a new father when a ghost from his past in Black Manta returns to try and destroy his world. 

Main Character

Jason Momoa is back as Arthur Curry/Aquaman and once again he is really good here. He is just clearly having a blast in the role and I think that really helps in terms of making you like the character. You can see that Arthur is really struggling with all of his responsibilities and though that is kind of pushed aside at certain parts I did like that it was included. With this probably being his last time playing the role, it is easy to say that Momoa has been great in this role and has added much needed freshness to the DC universe. 

Supporting Characters 

Patrick Wilson reprises his role as Orm and he is a real highlight here. Momoa and Wilson's chemistry is easily the best thing about this film, there is charm but anger still there from the first film and both of them deliver there. I mean it is way to similar to Thor & Loki but that isn't Wilson's fault and he does an admirable job in the role. 

Randall Park made his return as Dr Stephen Shin from the post credit scene in the first Aquaman and he gets a sizeable role here which is great and he is a fun aspect of the film. He gets plenty of screen time and Park chews up the screen and just conveys his character really well. 

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II gets a bigger role as the main villain Black Manta this time and I have really mixed feelings here. I think Abdul-Mateen is doing his best and has a real presence on screen it is just the writing for his character that doesn't quite work. Black Manta is given plenty of screen time here but the film never evolves his motivations and his link to a certain object makes him feel like a secondary part of the film. 

Nicole Kidman and the much maligned Amber Heard are back from the first film as Atlanna and Mera but there roles are basically cut in half which in Heard's case makes complete sense. But it means they are really insignificant here and feel like they are just here because they were in the first film and not for any narrative reason. 

Story

The main factor of the story is the dynamic and relationship between Arthur & Orm and that is handled pretty well to be honest. The two of them have good chemistry together and it does feel like they are genuinely growing as people and with their relationship. The rest of the story is a mess, as mentioned above Black Manta's character is all over the place and isn't well written. Other characters are given nothing to do and it has an ending that is literally ripped from another comic book film. 

Script

This film isn't as serious as some of the other films in the DCEU. It has that banter in it and it is chuckle worthy for sure, but falls flat of really funny moments and writing that makes these characters really fun. The emotion also falls short and actually comes across as quite cringy which is a shame because there was quite a bit of potential here. 

Style 

Recent comic book films have had some poor CGI but this films CGI is pretty good especially with the difficulties that come with a film that takes place underwater for a majority of it. Black Manta's costume in particular is awesome and one of the better designs in any recent comic book film. But the film is paced poorly, it was just pretty boring at times, especially in the first act. I felt like the film was way longer then it actually was and that is never a good thing. 

Overall

Overall, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is an above average sequel. It is a big drop off from the first film but it still is a pretty fun time at the cinema and has all the things you would expect from a superhero film in 2023. It certainly isn't one to rush out too but maybe down the line it could be worth a watch. 

Rating - 6/10

Wonka (2023) Review 

This film has been in the making for a while now, but Wonka has finally come out and I have watched it so here is my review for the film. The premise of the film shows the origins of Willy Wonka as he looks to create a chocolate shop that will brighten up everybody's life. 

Main Character

Timothee Chalamet plays the titular character and he does a fantastic job in the role. You can just see that he is having a blast in the role and for a film like this it really helps having a protagonist that you care about and an actor that clearly cares about it. Without comparing him to previous incarnations of the character, I thought Chalamet was charming and charismatic as Willy Wonka. 

Supporting Characters

This cast is huge, which means I won't be able to go through everybody but I will say everybody seemed to have a blast here and it adds to the film. 

Calah Lane plays Noodle, a character that works with Wonka in order to try and achieve success together and she gives a really strong performance. The chemistry between her and Chalamet is really good and believable, it feels like two siblings working together and it is executed well. 

Paterson Joseph plays the villain Slugworth and I thought he was a fun villain. I mean he is over the top and ridiculous but he knows it and decides to make it more campy and cheesy but for this film it just works and he is a fun part of the film. 

Olivia Coleman & British Comedian Tom Davies plays some of the more minor villains but they are a highlight of the film and really do a great job of treating Noodle and Wonka poorly to make you sympathise for the protagonists. 

One of the highlights of the film was the performance of Keegan-Michael Key as the Police Chief. The guy is super funny and the way his character progresses throughout the film is the funniest gag for me and Key nails it. 

Lastly, even though its a smaller role Hugh Grant makes a pretty memorable performance as the Oompa Loompa. It was controversial casting and Grant himself wasn't overly happy with the role but I liked his character and the fact that he isn't in the film that much probably makes it better. 

Story

The story is okay, it does a good job in setting up the character of Willy Wonka and what we all imagine he will become as he gets older. It is a simple good vs bad and you care about the protagonists and dislike the antagonists so works for the family film it is. It does get a bit much towards the end of the film and slightly convoluted, it also takes a bit of time to wrap up the film when it could have been a little shorter. 

Script

The script has some pretty funny and heartfelt moments that fit the overall feel of the film and I was enjoying it. But it definitely has some weaker bits that look at the lowest common denominator of humour and some reveals at the end don't quite hit like the film wants it too. 

Style 

The film looks fantastic, it is incredibly colourful and vibrant which is really fitting for the character of Willy Wonka and the vibe of the film. One thing that I haven't mentioned is that this film is a musical with lots of singing. I found it a bit of a mixed bag, some good musical numbers but some not so great ones that won't be very memorable. 

Overall

Overall, Wonka is a good film that was definitely a fun watch. This is a great family film and I think young kids will enjoy watching Wonka for sure. 

Rating - 7/10

Loki Season 2 (2023) Review

Out of all the MCU Disney+ shows Loki was the best for me and it is also the only one so far to have a second season. The second season has finally finished and I have watched all 6 episodes and here is my review for it. The premise of the season picks up right where the last one finished with Loki trying to figure out what is going on with the branching timelines while trying to save the TVA from He Who Remains and his variants. 

Main Character

Tom Hiddleston has been playing Loki for so long now but this is easily his best performance in the role. He nails every aspect of this character to make him on of the most interesting in any film or TV show. Loki isn't the villain he once was but he still has those traits and the inner conflict is there and it is shown beautifully. He is scared after the events of the previous season and Hiddleston does an amazing job of conveying all types of emotion and he deserves awards for this amazing performance. 

Supporting Characters

I remember when it was revealed that Owen Wilson was cast as Mobius that I didn't understand how it would work. But he gives the best performance of his career here, the dynamic between himself and Loki is fantastic and is one of my favourite parts of the show. He has a real arc here and I loved seeing it progress throughout the season with Wilson nailing it. 

Sophia Di Martino is back as Sylvie and though this season doesn't revolve around her as much as the previous one does she still plays an important role and Di Martino nails it. She is clearly conflicted over her actions in the first season and throughout the show it puts that at the forefront of the performance and she does a great job. 

The only really major addition to the cast for this season was Ke Huy Quan as OB, an inventor at the TVA who helps Loki and Mobius. He is so energetic and adds so much to this show, he just really fits in with the crew and it is really cool seeing him in great roles lately. 

I am not going to mention his legal issues but Jonathan Majors is back in a larger role this season and he is fantastic, he plays a few different roles and I love how he is projected throughout the show and how he has been making all the variants feel very different despite being played by the same man. 

Story

The story is fantastically created. It follows on from the major cliff-hanger of the previous season and makes it even better. It improves on all of the characters and makes us care about them, especially with Loki himself who goes on a great character journey leading to the final which is an amazing episode of television. 

Script

The show is really written well, people criticise Marvel for an overuse of comedy sometimes but that is not present here. Here we have a brilliant blend with great characters being written really well and I can't stop praising it. 

Style 

The show looks beautiful, you can clearly see the care that has been put into it and the huge budget behind it. No matter what time period it is showing it nails it and kept me engaged throughout. It flowed really well and I was never bored during the 6 episodes. 

Overall

Overall, the 2nd season of Loki is a masterpiece and should be seen by everybody. They have taken this supporting character and turned him into the best character in the franchise, it feels like a fulfilling story arc over 2 seasons and I think this is one of the best things Marvel has ever done. 

Rating - 10/10

The Marvels (2023) Review

I think most people can agree that this isn't currently the best time for the Marvel Cinematic Universe and some of their projects haven't got the best responses. The next film to come out under this banner is The Marvels and I saw it the other day and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees Captain Marvel get her powers entangled with Kamala Khan & Monica Rambeau forcing them to work together in order to try and save the world. 

Main Character

Ever since she was cast as Captain Marvel it feels like Brie Larson has received a bunch of unnecessary criticism and I am going to say that I thought she was really good here. It seemed that she was actually having a lot of fun here and she made Carol Danvers a likeable character and one that I actually cared about. She has progressed as a character and the film does a good job in making her less over powered then she has been in previous films. 

Supporting Characters

I wasn't a huge fan of the Disney+ show Ms Marvel but I can't deny that I really enjoyed Iman Vellani's performance as Kamala Khan in this film. She is a complete fangirl here and she added so much energy to the film and was really fun as part of this larger project. 

Teyonah Parris reprises her role as Monica Rambeau and I thought she was very good too, she is the most serious of the three characters and the film does an okay job of showing that but Parris sells it well and makes you care about how her character has been affected by other characters actions. The chemistry between these three characters is what carries this film. 

Samuel L Jackson is once again back in the role of Nick Fury and he is clearly having the blast. The serious character from Secret Invasion is gone and he is here for comedic relief and though that is a little frustrating I can't deny that it was fun watching him here. 

Zawe Ashton plays the main villain Dar-Benn and she does a decent job, this won't be one of the most memorable MCU villains but I thought the character was pretty well written and Ashton did the best she could with the amount of screen time she had. 

Story

The story is okay, I think it does a really good job of establishing the three characters in case you haven't seen the Disney+ shows that Kamala & Monica are in. It establishes a bond between the three main characters and the issues that concern them, they also give the villain an interesting motivation that makes some sense. But the issue is that none of it is developed enough, it feels a bit rushed and like certain arcs aren't given enough time to shine and that holds the film back a bit. 

Script

The script is also just okay. There is some pretty good humour and some moments of conflict that hit hard but there just isn't quite enough. It doesn't take many gambles and is quite generic which leaves it a little short. 

Style 

The film looks pretty good it avoids the CGI issues of some previous MCU films and has some fun action sequences that due to some certain story choices allows for some real creativity. It's more of a pacing issue that the film has, it takes a bit of time to get going and then seems to rush at other times which makes it a little jarring. 

Overall

Overall, The Marvels is a good fun film. It will not save the MCU but it is a quick and easy fun film to go see, I think the reviews have been pretty harsh and I think it is worth a viewing especially for comic book fans. 

Rating - 7/10

A Haunting in Venice (2023) Review

I was a fan of the Murder on the Orient Express that came out a few years ago so I finally got around to watching A Haunting in Venice and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees Hercule Poirot in retirement, reluctantly accept to go to a seance. When a murder takes place it is up to Poirot to figure out who the killer is and whether they are from this realm or beyond. 

Main Character

Sir Kenneth Branagh plays Hercule Poirot for the third time and he also directs the movie. He is clearly passionate about the role and I thought he was great in the film, he encapsulates what I would expect from Poirot with his intelligence and the way he deduces crimes. But this film also looks into his character and how he is dealing with something new and how it makes him really question his faith which I thought was a nice addition here. 

Supporting Characters

Like the other films in this franchise it has a big cast and they pretty much all do a really good job. I was really surprised that Tina Fey was in this film and is actually a major part of the film. She has good chemistry with Branagh and doesn't go too much into the comedic area which was nice to see from her. 

Jamie Dornan plays a doctor here and they do a good job in showing his character off and spending time in making us care about the situation he has been in. Dornan is a really good actor and it is nice to see him move on from his 50 Shades of Grey stigma. 

Kelly Reilly is an actress that I haven't seen do enough but she is great in this film. She is the owner of the house that the seance takes place in and Reilly's character has plenty of depth to her and she does a good job with it. 

The rest of the cast are also effective and as you see Poirot interviewing everybody you learn more about them and the motivations they have for being there and why they might be the killer. 

Story

The film is a good old fashioned whodunnit and when it comes to that style of film it really works and kept me intrigued throughout. There are many suspects and all of them are intriguing and the film keeps you on your toes as it goes on. It also nails the final reveal in my opinion, it is explained really well and makes sense with the overall arc of the film. However, there is one specific element of the story that falls a bit flat and by the end of the film I kind of felt like it wasn't resolved which was a bit frustrating. 

Script

The script in the film is okay. The drama was well delivered and as I mentioned above the actual writing for all the twists and turns was well done and well realised. But without going into spoilers I felt like the more supernatural stuff wasn't particularly well written and was my least favourite part of the film. 

Style

The film looks really good, it is pretty creepy and Venice as a setting feels like a character on its own. The film is also paced well, it is a pretty short film but it is slower paced and makes you pay attention to what is going on in the film. However, like most films that have an horror element there is an overuse of jump scares here. I am fine with 1 or 2 but there were just too many and it loss its value as the film progressed. 

Overall

Overall, A Haunting in Venice is a good film that did its job effectively. It is a solid whodunnit and if you are a fan of films like that with a bit of horror chucked in there then this is a film for you. 

Rating - 7/10

Spider-Man 2 (2023) Review

Over the last few years Insomniac have released two fantastic Spider-Man games. This has led to much anticipation for the sequel to the original game and its spinoff Miles Morales. I have played through this entire game and here is my review for Spider-Man 2. The premise of the game is set a few years after the original game, both Peter Parker and Miles Morales are Spider-Man and using their powers to help New York but not succeeding in their personal lives. However, the return of an old friend and a new powerful enemy forces them to work together to face their biggest enemies. 

Characters

Yuri Lowenthal reprises his role as Peter Parker and he is fantastic, to me he is an absolute perfect choice for this video game Spider-Man. He plays the experienced version of the character well and this game pushes him in different ways that the previous one does. He is brilliant here and I think he deserves to be in the same discussion as the iconic film versions of the character. I have even got used to his new face here and I am totally fine with it. 

Nadji Jeter also reprises his role as Miles Morales and he is also great in the role. We have really seen his journey over the three games and the chemistry between him and Peter is fantastic. He is given a really interesting story here and it shows a more serious side that maybe his game slightly missed. The game does ebb and flow but it does feel like two equal lead characters and that is fantastic to see. 

Laura Bailey is back as Mary Jane Watson and she is once again great in her role. She supports both the Spider-Men really well and they give her a story herself but it doesn't overshadow the main plot and she does the character real justice. 

Graham Phillips is here as Harry Osbourne and he is fantastic, it feels like these characters have known each other for years and credit to Phillips who has joined the cast and felt like he has always been there. He also has a really interesting character arc and it follows up really well with what we have been told about him in the previous games. 

Jim Pirri plays Kraven The Hunter and I love this portrayal of the character. He is physically intimidating but you see how his mind works throughout the game and what his motivations are for the actions that he takes. He is a great villain that is perfect for the story that is being told here. 

Also he was in the trailer so I will say Venom is fantastic when he is used here and that is all I will say. 

Story 

This story is fantastic, it does a fantastic job of showing Peter and Miles in their own difficult situations but also situations that affect both of them in their personal life and as Spider-Man. It weaves characters into the story and provides plenty of emotion throughout with a solid ending here. Personally, I actually think I preferred the story in the first game but that doesn't mean this one isn't fantastic in its own way. Some are arguing that it isn't long enough and I kind of get that, but I think it uses everything effectively and it still took me around 18-20 hours to complete which for me is plenty for a video game.

Side Activities

The game has plenty of side content and it is a bit of a mixed bag. There are some excellent side missions, one in particular really hit me and made me realise that the game developers really cared. They also do a really good job of setting up future threats for Peter & Miles which is something a bit fresh here. But the majority of the side missions end up seeing either Spider-Man doing the same activity multiple times and it just gets a bit repetitive. I know most open world games has this but it felt like it here and I wasn't a huge fan of it this time. 

Gameplay

Insomniac decided to go with a more revolution over evolution of the gameplay. It is pretty similar to what we received in the previous two games. This game is pretty clear that Miles & Peter play differently and it provides fresh gameplay in different activities. It provides fantastic action and web swinging along with the web wings allowed for easier traverse across New York. Also yes the MJ missions are back and at first I sighed but they are way better here and I didn't actually mind them and appreciated that Insomniac decided to improve this factor instead of just getting rid of it. 

Graphics

This game looks beautiful. The character models are great and I love how both Spider-Men look in their costumes and it is great to see them in action. The other villains also look fantastic with Kraven, Lizard and Venom all being beautifully represented here. It shows New York in a fantastic way and made me care about it, overall it is a great looking game. 

Overall

Overall, Spider-Man 2 is a fantastic game and one of the best superhero games that has ever been made. It tells an amazing story and manages to showcase both Peter Parker and Miles Morales in a really great way. It falls a little short with its side content and overall length but It is still absolutely worth a purchase and anyone with a PS5 must give it a playthrough. 

Rating - 9/10

Mortal Kombat 1 (2023) Review

Over the last few years I have become a fan of Mortal Kombat, the first few trailers for the new game Mortal Kombat 1 had me super excited for this sequel/reboot and I have now played enough of it to review it, so here is my review for Mortal Kombat 1. The premise of the game is set after the events of Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath. Liu Kang has created a new timeline which sees legendary characters reimagined and able to make their own decisions in the new era. 

Characters

After the events of the previous game Lord Liu Kang is now the protector of Earthrealm and I really like his character progression. He is now the god in this universe and he plays the role really well, he has clearly tried to help as many characters get a fresh start and his new timeline is interesting. 

There are some iconic characters who are changed up such as Raiden, Kung Lao, Scorpion & Sub-Zero. They are all so different from the previous timeline and I like how the game really doubled down on it and gave them the attention that they deserve. 

But some of the lesser known characters also got time to shine with Reptile, Baraka & Mileena all having way more to do then they have in previous titles. It makes this game feel fresh and new to fans of the franchise and I give the game real credit for that. 

Pretty much every character is great (apart from Nitara) and I really give credit for to the developers for fleshing them out and making them more interesting then they have ever been. 

Story

The story is a reboot/sequel and it does a brilliant job changing up establish characters and setting this up as a new but exciting timeline. It gives lesser characters important roles and is a fresh story that kept me guessing throughout. However, I do have a complaint and it is one I had in Mortal Kombat X. There are 2 characters here who play major roles in the story but are paid DLC, it means they are complete and Neatherealm are making us pay extra for characters that should already be a part of the roster. Also I am used to having dialogue between the characters in the other modes but it isn't here and it makes the game feel a bit lifeless. 

Side Activities

The game adds a new mode called invasions. It is basically a board game type simulation where you go between short fights with modifiers and gaining unlocks. I actually enjoyed it and switching between characters for tactical advantages. I mean, I couldn't play it for long spells because it becomes repetitive and dull but in short doses its pretty fun. I also had quite a lot of fun with multiplayer, I am not great at the game but for the most part I managed to hold my own and get some wins. Towers is the same as usual and does a decent job in keeping me interested with some good character endings. However, it just feels like something is missing. The lack of creativity in the customisation and the lack of a Krypt this time does make certain aspects feel a little under developed. 

Gameplay

The one thing that hasn't let Mortal Kombat games down is the gameplay. The game is a lot of fun and flows really nicely. All the characters feel unique and that time has really been taken to craft them and make them play really well. This game introduces Kameo Fighters, they assist you in battle and all feel different, its a fantastic addition to the game and adds more layers to the gameplay. Fatalities are brutal as always and violence is definitely still here in the bucketloads. 

Graphics

The game looks fanatastic and continues the great graphics from the previous game. It looks incredibly life like and full of colour. The Stages that the battles take place on are so in depth and it is clear that care has been put in to make it all unique. As I mentioned Fatalities and Brutalities are over the top and the violence is still at the forefront of the franchise. 

Overall

Overall, Mortal Kombat 1 is a great game that I thoroughly enjoyed, It feels like a great fresh start for the franchise and though I still think improvements can be made this is a great step in the right direction. 

Rating - 8/10

Ahsoka Season 1 (2023) Review

Ever since her live action debut in The Mandalorian Season 2, I have been hyped to see Ahsoka get her time to shine in her own show and yesterday the final episode of the first season of Ahsoka came to Disney+ so it is time to review it. The premise of the show sees Ahsoka on the hunt to locate Grand Admiral Thrawn and prevent his return, others are looking for him too both allies and enemies of the former Jedi. 

Main Character

Rosario Dawson is once again back as the titular character and she is really good. I have seen some people complaining about her stoic behaviour but I think that is all to do with where her character is during this story. Dawson, has that playful nature that we know Ahsoka has but it is fascinating seeing how she has grown over the years and where she is in terms of her faith in the Jedi. I really liked Rosario in the role and felt she encapsulated what Ahsoka is like for live action. 

Supporting Characters

This is a big cast and there are some characters that I am intentionally not going to talk about because of their roles in the show. A major surprise here was the use of Huyang with David Tennant reprising his role from The Clone Wars. I thought this was going to be a minor role but he is one of the most important characters on the show and he is brilliant. He is the perfect partner to Ahsoka and his use of sarcasm is really funny and I am really happy he was included here. 

Natasha Liu Bordizzo takes over the role of Sabine Wren and they do a lot with her character to show progression from her appearance in Rebels. There is more of a defined relationship between Sabine & Ashoka then there was in that show. Sabine has clearly struggled since the finale of Rebels and Bordizzo portrays that really well adding more depth to her character. 

Similarly, Mary Elizabeth Winstead takes over the role of Hera Syndulla and I thought this was a good representation of her. They give her a side story and it was actually pretty interesting and Winstead does a good job as Hera and is solid in continuing this characters legacy from Rebels. 

Unfortunately, before the show came out Ray Stevenson passed away. It was tragic then and after watching this show it feels even worse here as I think his portrayal of Baylon Skoll is the best part of this whole show and he is amazing. Baylon is one of the most interesting antagonists in any film or show in recent years. The way Stevenson carries himself makes himself believable and an intimidating presence but with that sense of calmness and understanding, it is a shame we won't see Stevenson get a chance to show his amazing ability on screen again. 

There are other characters here, especially ones seen in other Star Wars projects and all I will say is that they are all handled really well and I give credit to all the performers who nailed it here. 

Story

The story is really good. The show manages to balance the stories of older characters while bringing in new ones such as Baylon. It opens up new areas for Star Wars and does an excellent job in getting me invested in these characters and the time of Star Wars that we are in which is largely unexplored in canon. However, the only issue is that there isn't really much finality to this season, everybody is set up for the future and it kind of makes this feel like build up to future projects and I think at least a few story elements could have been completed here. 

Script

The show is really well written, I think it balances those who have watched Rebels and Clone Wars and those who haven't. It is funny at times but pretty serious and I like how these characters are developed and the ones who are now live action are as I would imagine from their animated counterparts. 

Style

The show looks fantastic. The action scenes feel new and fresh, there are a few lightsaber duels and they all feel different and all are awesome. It shows areas of Star Wars that we have never seen before and it is shown really well with a very clear big budget. It is also paced well and every episode feels slightly different with a solid structure. 

Overall

Overall, Disney gets plenty of criticism for its handling of Star Wars. But I have really enjoyed a lot of the stuff and Ahsoka is a top tier show that as a huge fan of the lore satisfied me for sure. For me, this is a must watch and one that will deliver for the fans. 

Rating - 9/10

One Piece Season 1 (2023) Review

This show has been a worldwide phenomenon the last few weeks and I have now watched the live action version of One Piece. I have never watched the animated version of the show so I am going in blind and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees a group of pirates come together in order to attempt to look for a long lost treasure. 

Main Character

Inaki Godoy plays Monkey D Luffy and he is a great lead character here. He is a lot of fun and he is so energetic that you can't help yourself but become interested in him. Sometimes it can be a bit much but overall I really liked Luffy and felt like this was a genuine performance. There is some development here for sure and this is a fun lead performance. 

Supporting Characters

The best character on this show is Zoro played by Mackenyu. He is an awesome character and is easily the best part of the action sequences, his sword play is ridiculously entertaining and his deadpan comedy really worked for me. 

Emily Rudd plays Nami and she is a good character too, she is a focal point of the show and her character gets time to shine. There are flashbacks about her that explains the more mysterious parts of her character and along with Luffy & Zoro are a great trio of characters. 

Garp played by Vincent Regan is a great antagonist, he is the vice admiral of the marines and is trying to eradicate piracy, in particular Luffy. He is a nuanced character and there is more to him then some moustache twiddling bad guy. 

There are so many other great performances that I will just say that everybody is great and I had a fun time seeing them all do their thing and clearly care about their characters. 

Story

The story is great, it especially does a fantastic job in building up the main characters and building this whole universe up. It has the pirates story and the marines story and I thought both were great and linked to each other very well. It is also great at having individual stories in the episodes while having a larger narrative. The finale really delivers and sets up a bright future for live action One Piece. 

Script

This show delivers with some dramatic moments and some genuinely funny moments. The chemistry and delivery is pretty spot on by all the performers. However, this show does get a little too cheesy and ridiculous for me. The show thrives on being over the top but there are a few moments where it took me out of the show. 

Style

This show looks amazing. It is full of colour and brightness and I love some of the designs here, whether that be costumes, locations or weapons and it all nailed it. The pacing of the show is fantastic and each episode did a great job in introducing and developing multiple characters on this show. 

Overall

Overall, One Piece is a fantastic show, It looks amazing and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I recommend that everybody watches it, especially those who are fans of fantasy shows as this is one of the better ones of the last few years. 

Rating - 9/10

Hatton (2023) Review

A documentary about famous British Boxer Ricky Hatton has been marketed heavily by Sky and has been released. I sat down today and decided to watch it and here is my review for the documentary. The premise of the documentary looks at the long career of Ricky Hatton as he faces the highs and lows that came out of his career. 

This documentary should receive praise for the fact that it doesn't really hide back from the dark times that Hatton has gone through and makes it clear that at least in his eyes he kind of sees himself as a bit of a failure despite the fact that he was a World Champion in Boxing. But seeing his drinking and drug abuse issues brings it into the light just how tough being this figure can be. 

It does a good job in showing the rise of Ricky Hatton from an amateur to being the world champion. We see the relationships he builds up such as with his trainer, his parents and his ex fiance and how they are all affected by things that happen in his life. 

Though my biggest criticism of this documentary is that it is a bit short, with the adverts it only clocks in at 90 minutes. This means that they try and go through so much but the majority of it just feels a bit undercooked and like we only get the minimal of information from it. 

Overall, Hatton is a pretty simple and short review because it is an above average documentary that is a quick watch. It deals with some pretty dark stuff and shows how Hatton's life was affected by big events but it needed to be longer or even turned into a 3 or 4 episode series to really give you more depth on certain factors. 

Rating - 6/10

 The Equalizer 3 (2023) Review

I have enjoyed the previous Equalizer films and finally we have a third film in this franchise and possibly the final film of the trilogy and here is my review for The Equalizer 3. The premise of the film sees McCall end up in Southern Italy where he becomes a part of the community, it ends up this community is run by the mafia which springs him into action. 

Main Character

Denzel Washington once again reprises his role as Robert McCall and he is fantastic. I feel like there are few true movie stars left and Denzel is one of them and oozes charisma in this role. He is believable in both the nice guy and as this menacing killing machine. This film is truly elevated by the performance of Denzel Washington and I am glad he agreed to do this film. 

Supporting Characters

Dakota Fanning plays a CIA agent and she is good in the role, she has good chemistry with Washington and it is nice to once again see her acting. Her role and character aren't particularly interesting but Fanning is good here. 

The rest of the cast suffer a bit though, everyone just feels incredibly generic with no character. All the people, protagonists and antagonists in Italy are by the numbers and they offer very little to this film, though everyone is really trying their best. 

Story 

The story is okay, I do like the story that involves the development of Robert McCall and it is always fun seeing Denzel Washington taking down bad guys in the pursuit of justice. It is just a bit like we go through the motions here and don't get much that is new here. Plus they have a story involving terrorists and it brings Dakota Fanning's character into the film and it doesn't need to be here, it doesn't really affect the film and I wonder what the whole point of it was. 

Script

The script is functional, there are some alright dramatic scenes and humour, though I think it was raised by Denzel Washington's performance. There isn't much meat here and it dulls it down to your pretty generic action film. 

Style

This film is easily the most violent of the trilogy and when the action is taking place it is very cool and seeing Washington take down these mobsters is very fun. But the pacing of the film is a bit all over the place, after the first action sequence there is a big lull and it really took me out of the film. 

Overall

Overall, The Equalizer 3 is an above average film. It is one of those generic action films that works well for the fans of the franchise but isn't one that you need to rush out and see. 

Rating - 6/10

Blue Beetle (2023) Review

DC is in a bit of a flux right now as they are between the end of DCEU and the start of the new DCU, but we have Blue Beetle now and I saw it last night and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a young man become combined with an alien scarab that gives him special powers, this causes him to be hunted down by nefarious enemies. 

Main Character

Xolo Mariduena has been a young actor mainly known for his really good work on Cobra Kai. He plays Jaime Reyes here and he is great in the role. He brings plenty of vibrance to the role of Jaime and he nails the emotional scenes too. This is just a really likeable main character and I thought he did a really good job of being a lead for a character that I am pretty sure the majority of mainstream viewers no very little about. 

Supporting Characters

This has a large group of supporting characters and some of them work, some of them don't. Bruna Marquenzie plays Jenny Kord and is a big ally to Jaime Reyes, she was good in the film and I liked the chemistry between the two of them. It was nothing special, but it worked in this film and I think she has a pretty decent future ahead of her. 

This story really focuses on family, the main one being the Reyes family and all of them do a fantastic job in really building that bond. George Lopez is probably my favourite as his uncle and he provided the most laughs in the film. But all of them were great in their roles. 

But the villains of this film fell flat for me. Susan Sarandon plays Victoria Kord and she is just really dull, she doesn't really add much to this role. It's not that she is terrible or anything like that it is just she is the most forgettable part of the film. They try to give the other villain Carapax some character but it is way too late to get the impact that I think people wanted. 

Story

The best thing I can say about the story is that it is pretty functional. It does a good job with the Reyes family and how their bond strengthens Jaime and his ability as Blue Beetle with this linked to Jenny and her family it works too. But this is a really generic story, it would have been way better if it came out 15 years ago but we have seen everything here before in other films. It tries something towards the end of the film to rise it up but it doesn't quite work and makes the film feel a bit cheesy and predictable. 

Script

The script is okay, there is some decent humour and drama in there that makes this an entertaining watch. But sometimes, the humour feels a bit forced, I mean it feels like some of the weaker MCU films with comedy that doesn't quite work. The drama also is a mixed bag with some of it not really working in the context that they want. 

Style

The film looks pretty good. I like the design of the Blue Beetle suit, especially with it being a mostly practical suit, the film has some real exuberant colour and feel to it which is really great to see. Though, as I kind of mentioned before, the pacing and structure of the film doesn't quite work and is quite generic with a few lacklustre action scenes. 

Overall

Overall, Blue Beetle is an above average film. This is an entertaining watch, especially for a new character on the big screen, but it plays it pretty safe and never does enough to push itself into a better film. If you are interested in this film then I would say give it a chance, just don't expect the next Dark Knight. 

Rating - 6/10

Gran Turismo (2023) Review

I have an interest in all sport and that includes motor sport as that is a big thing going on in my household. So when Gran Turismo was announced to be made into a film, I knew I was going to be watching it. Yesterday, I watched it and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees a young man who is one of the greatest Gran Turismo players in the world given the chance to become a professional race car driver. 

Main Character

Archie Madekwe plays the real life person of Jann Mardenborough and he is okay in this film. He is a pretty easy person to relate to and want to see succeed. The whole premise of this persons life is insane and I think Archie managed to convey that and he had some really good scenes with some of the stronger actors. But I also think there were a few missed opportunities, where he is meant to take charge and it doesn't quite work, he mumbles and you can tell he hasn't quite nailed it yet as a leading man. I think this is a good step for him and hopefully we can see more of him in the future. 

Supporting Characters

There is an experienced but small supporting cast. Dave Harbour plays Jack Salter, the chief engineer of the team and he is truly fantastic in this role, you can tell he is super passionate about this film and this role and he delivers a memorable performance and one that shows his strength as an actor. 

Orlando Bloom hasn't done much the last few years but he is good here playing Danny Moore who is the marketing and head of the programme. He is charismatic and also looks like he is having a great time, he doesn't have as much depth as some of the other characters but he is just a fun addition of the film. 

Djimon Hounsou plays Jann's father and he is great in his smaller role. There is a clear conflict between the two of them in terms of Jann's aspirations and dreams. But Hounsou delivers some strong scenes and even though he isn't in the film a lot he is pretty memorable. 

Story

The story is pretty crazy and the fact that the majority is true is even crazier. Don't let the title of the film trick you, this is not a video game movie. It has a strong story that sees this young man look to get his dream, it is a pretty simple underdog story but it is done well enough for sure. They squeeze his rise into this one film and I am sure there is more to the plot but I appreciated how the story was told. But I felt like everything not involving the racing was a bit dull, for example there is a romance which is really underdeveloped and the two characters barely share scenes together so it made me wonder why I should care. 

Script

The script is a bit of a mixed bag. This film takes itself very seriously and for the most part it is done effectively, you care about the people and the situations they are in. The humour is chuckle worthy and it doesn't overstep and the balance is well down. There are just parts of the film that aren't written as well and that I didn't care about as much. 

Style

The film looks great, all the driving scenes are well filmed and make it feel like you are in the car with the characters. It incorporated the video game aspects well that it didn't overbear the film and allowed the focus to be on the actual driving. The film was paced pretty well too, keeping me interested for the majority of the film. 

Overall

Overall, Gran Turismo is a good film. It doesn't matter if you have ever played the video game or even are a fan of the sport, I think this could be a film you enjoy and should give a chance. 

Rating - 7/10

Meg 2: The Trench (2023) Review

One of the more popular monster films in previous years has its sequel Meg 2: The Trench and yesterday I had the chance to watch it and here is my review for it. The premise of the film is years after the events of the first film, the group of scientists look to explore more of the ocean and this leads to the ire of many different enemies. 

Main Character

Jason Statham is back to reprise his role as Jonas Taylor and he gives a very similar performance to the one he gave in the first film. He is pretty stoic with a deadpan humour but there hasn't seemed to have been too much character progression between the two films. Statham works in this role but it isn't the most interesting character ever. 

Supporting Characters

Jing Wu plays Jiuming and he may be my favourite character in this film. He is just filled with so much enthusiasm and excitement during the film, I liked his chemistry with the other characters and he was a real star here for me. 

Shuya Sophia Cal reprises her role as Meiying. I didn't talk about her in my last review but she was an okay child actor, but she is slightly older here and I thought she was much better. She has good chemistry with the other actors and I think this could be the start of a longer successful career for her. 

Cliff Curtis reprises his role from the first film and gets way more to do here and you can tell he is having so much fun in this film. He is very entertaining and is clearly a great part of this film and I am glad there was more for him to do here. 

Page Kennedy reprises his role as DJ and I found him really annoying in the first film but he was really funny in this film. He has learnt from the experiences of the first film and it leads to some really funny sequences. Just in general, this group of characters together is way more entertaining then the people that was in the first film. 

Story 

I criticised the story of the first film but at least that story was pretty simple and focused on The Meg. This film is all over the place and tries to focus on way too much, it does the worst thing a film this can do, it takes itself seriously. The film is at its best when it is just silly but whoever decided on these plot points missed a lot of that. 

Script

The script was funnier then the first film. The last half of the film had me laughing pretty consistently and everything was so over the top that it just worked. The drama is hammered onto the first half of the film especially and it just does not work, even though I enjoyed the performances, it was hard to truly care about what was going on. 

Style 

The style of the film is more mixed this time, the film looks great. The film spends more time exploring the ocean so is forced to use more CGI and I think the majority of it looks really great. The action scenes are fun and the last 20/30 mins of the film were the absurd action that I wanted. But the pacing was just off, the first half of the film was a bit boring and dull and then the 2nd half was ridiculously fast paced and it made the film feel a bit unbalanced. 

Overall

Overall, Meg 2: The Trench is an average film. It is similar to its predecessor that if you want to watch a film that sees a lot of crazy action and funny one liners then this is the film for you but as a film it really isn't that great. 

Rating - 5/10

Secret Invasion Season 1 (2023) Review

Over the last few years Disney+ has released Marvel shows to different levels of quality. The next one is Secret Invasion and it finished up its run today and here is my review for it. The premise of the show is set after the events of Avengers Endgame, Nick Fury has returned to Earth and attempts to aid his allies in order to stop a potential World War 3. 

Main Character

Samuel L Jackson makes his return as Nick Fury and he is fantastic in the role. The is easily the most development this character has ever gotten and Jackson has been playing it for 15 years. Fury is clearly older and weaker but he still has his tactics and plans, Fury has always been a slightly morally grey character and that does continue here. It is nice to see him open up a bit more and you can tell that Samuel L Jackson is really enjoying the performance. 

Supporting Characters

Ben Mendelsohn reprises his role as Talos from Captain Marvel and he is brilliant. The chemistry between himself and Jackson is superb and easily one of the highlights of the show. He has been clearly affected by working for Fury all of these years and he is really split by his loyalty. 

Emilia Clarke plays his on screen daughter Gi'ah who we met in Captain Marvel. Clarke is really good, especially in the first few episodes of the show. Clarke clearly cares about the role and there is depth with the relationship between herself and her father Talos. 

Don Cheadle has played Rhodey for over 10 years now and I just feel like he has never really been given a time to really shine, but here this is his best performance as the character. He is actually given depth to his performance instead of just cracking jokes and seeing his performances alongside Samuel L Jackson is great to see. 

Kingsley Ben-Adir plays the villain Gravik and I think he is great. You really see this interesting character develop over the show and Ben-Adir is very captivating in this role. His character has gone through some traumatic things and he is using that to aid his plans and it is interesting to see how he leads the Skrulls. 

For me the real start was Olivia Coleman as Sonya Falsworth. She is clearly having a blast here and her character is pretty mysterious and intriguing here. The show really needed her energy because this is a pretty serious show and she manages to make these serious scenes more entertaining. 

Story

The story starts really strong, it is this more espionage thriller more in line with Captain America Winter Soldier and it really had me invested into where we are going with the show. Seeing these great performances with these good characters makes it worthwhile and I cared about all of them and their fates. The problem is that the show's plot comes across as quite predictable and rushed, it needed more episodes and the 2nd half of the season kind of falls back into Marvel habits. Also, Secret Invasion was one of the biggest comic arcs of all time, this could have been an Avengers film threat but it doesn't feel like there are huge stakes here. 

Script 

Again, the first few episodes are written really well with the intrigue and espionage. Gone are the jokes at awkward times that the Marvel Cinematic Universe can beheld by and replaced with interesting character work. But the show starts to fall, the longer the show goes and some things just doesn't make too much sense. Things become more generic and typical MCU which lets this interesting show down. 

Style

The show has some pretty big action sequences which are pretty fun to watch. It is filmed to make everything seem to be sceptical and untrustworthy with a good use of action. But it does end up becoming very generic to other Marvel films which again is a shame. Also this show just needed a few more episodes to tell its story in a really effective way, it just feels a bit rushed at times. 

Overall

Overall, Secret Invasion is a good show that feels like wasted potential. The acting is great and the set up for the show is really done well. But the show becomes too slow and generic as it goes on, focusing on setting up future MCU projects and not so much itself. But I did enjoy it, so would say if you love this franchise then it is worth a watch. 

Rating - 7/10

 Oppenheimer (2023) Review

This week has seen one of the craziest times for cinema with the release of both Barbie and this film Oppenheimer. Hopefully, this gives cinema the shot in the arm that it needs and truly provides some great cinema. I have seen Oppenheimer and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film examines the life of Robert Oppenheimer, the man who was behind the development of the atomic bomb. 

Main Character

Cillian Murphy and director Christopher Nolan have been linked for many years and it is finally time for him to be the lead performance as Oppenheimer and he is incredible. This is easily one of the best performances of 2023 and I guarantee that he will be getting an Oscar nomination for this performance. He depicts the role perfectly, he is arrogant but so intelligent, you can tell he is the smartest person in the room and this is amazing to see. Murphy shows different sides to this amazing person and this is a role of a lifetime for him and I am glad that we get the chance to see it. 

Supporting Characters

Emily Blunt plays his wife Kitty Oppenheimer and she is great in this role. She has one scene in particular where she owns the screen and makes you watch and pay attention to her. She is a strong character and the chemistry between her and Murphy is really good. 

Matt Damon plays General Leslie Groves and I really liked his character. You see the difference between himself and Oppenheimer but also that given everything that is required that they can work together. He oozed charisma and added some bit of humour which just made this film even better. 

It is great seeing Robert Downey Jnr in a film that isn't made by Marvel Studios and I swear he is also going to be up for an Oscar nomination for his role as Lewis Strauss. He is in a unique part of the film but delivers a masterful performance and sees how his character is affected by the actions of other characters and how he is losing grip on his lifestyle. 

Florence Pugh as Jean Tatlock is a smaller role in the film but also a really effective role. She is a strong part of the film and I thought she was pretty powerful in all the scenes that she is in and this is another really solid performance for her young career. 

This film is full of well known actors in smaller roles with my favourites being Jason Clark, Josh Hartnett & Alden Ehrenreich who do really great jobs and maximise the ability with the small amount of minutes that they get. 

Story 

The story is fascinating, it examines different times of Oppenheimers life and how it affects not just himself but the other people around him. There is a lot going on here and the film doesn't really hold back on trying to tell you as much as possible but it really works because of how the story is moulded and performed. I knew very little about Oppenheimer before the film but I am now super interested about him and the life that he led. 

Script

This film is expertly written. It is very serious due to the subject matter and it doesn't dumb the film down and shows us all the science that is involved in the film. The film has slithers of dark humour in this as well, especially through Damon's performance and that really balances the film well and kept me engaged. 

Style

The film looks incredible. The cinematography and showing how the bomb can truly affect anything is mesmerising. Christopher Nolan has become such a pivotal and amazing director that the way he makes this film feels like a crucial part of the film. The score by Ludwig Goransson is incredible and adds so much to every scene making it feel like this who amazing experience. The film may be 3 hours but I was never bored here and I thought every scene added something to the film and that is as great as it is. 

Overall

Overall, Oppenheimer is one of the best films of the year and will be truly remembered. We have been treated to a true cinematic experience and should be experienced on the big screen and I hope people see this film because of the hard work put in by everybody involved. 

Rating - 10/10

Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023) Review

Over the last few years, The Mission Impossible films have been some of the best action films in Cinema. Now the 7th film in the franchise Dead Reckoning Part One has been released and I watched it yesterday, here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees Ethan Hunt and his team have to track down a device that could cause World War 3. 

Main Character

Tom Cruise is back as Ethan Hunt and he continues his career renaissance with a fantastic performance here. Even though the man is 60 years old, he is brilliant in all the action sequences and there is no inkling that he has any plans on slowing down. His character has also developed really well, you see how the previous films have affected him and it is cool seeing his view on being a member of IMF. 

Supporting Characters

Hayley Atwell is new to the franchise and plays Grace. She is an exciting supporting character and has a really good dynamic with Cruise, it is a major part of the film and I liked how her character was used here as it really felt different to other female characters in this franchise. 

Ving Rhames & Simon Pegg are back in their roles as Luther and Benji and they are both great. This has been a great team together over the last few films and they continue to be a fun duo in this film too. Luther ends up having a larger role then I expected and that was a nice surprise for sure. 

Esai Morales plays the villain Gabriel and I really liked his portrayal. He is physically an equal to Ethan Hunt but he also plays the psychological game and it makes him stand out. His motivations are a little blurry but Morales has the chemistry to make it work. 

Vanessa Kirby & Pom Klementieff do really good jobs in their roles and I thought they were enjoyable to watch depsite not being an integral part of the plot. 

The one character they do treat a bit poorly is Ilsa Faust played by Rebecca Ferguson. She was a major part of the previous 2 films but feels underutilised here, she is just a background character and unfortunately gets no development which is a bit of a let down. 

Story

The story is alright. I liked how it showed how much technology has become a part of our everyday life and once it stops working or even works against us it can really affect people. Also the story of Ethan Hunt as a character is pretty well written and actually shows some development. But it also feels very much like a Part one, in terms that everything feels like build up for the next film, I mean its fun but definitely build up. Also there are certain story elements that aren't really explored or explained and it makes things a bit uninspired and generic. 

Script

The script is pretty well written. The film is pretty serious and that is conveyed well by the actors and the writers. There are dribbles of humour in there and when used appropriately they certainly gave a chuckle and I am glad it doesn't overuse this. 

Style

The film looks fantastic and there are some awesome action sequences. The film travels all over the world and it is really cool seeing these different locations and these sequences used in these environments. Knowing Cruise does his own stunts makes it even more crazy considering some of the stuff that is done in this film. Though I did feel like this film was a little long, it could have shaved 15 mins off and would have been a better film for sure. 

Overall

Overall, Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One is a great film that continues the really good work that the franchise has been doing. It isn't perfect but certainly has me excited for the 2nd part of this film and see if it really hits the spot. 

Rating - 8/10

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023) Review

I was always a fan of the original Indiana Jones trilogy, they are some of my favourite films ever made and then Kingdom of the Crystal Skull came out and was just really bad. But after all these years we finally have the 5th film in the franchise The Dial of Destiny and here is my review for it. The premise of the film sees Indiana Jones race against time to find an artifact that could change the course of history.

Main Character 

Harrison Ford once again reprises his role as Indiana Jones and I thought he was really good here. In Kingdom of The Crystal Skull he sometimes looked like he wasn't interested but here he does really seem to care. It's a really great showing of an old school action hero, it very much brings back memories of previous films of the franchise and Ford provides plenty to this performance despite his age. 

Supporting Characters

Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays Helena and she is fantastic in this film. Over the films there has been a mixed bag of associates with Jones but Waller-Bridge's character has to be one of the better one. She is fun and comedic but a strong character, the dynamic and chemistry between her and ford are excellent and to me the real highlight of the film. 

Ethan Isidore plays plays Teddy and he kind of reminds me of Short Round from The Temple of Doom. He gives a decent child performance and the group dynamic between the three protagonists works and I am glad he was an addition to the film. 

Mads Mikkelsen is a great actor and he plays the villain here, I just didn't find his character to be particularly interesting. He tries his best but he is just an evil doctor that I feel like plenty of actors could have filled the role. I feel similar to Boyd Holbrook who plays his henchmen, they just could have been played by other characters and aren't that interesting. 

The film also underutilises certain characters and performers such as Toby Jones and Antonio Banderas. They are a fun part of the film but they are barely in it which is a shame. 

Story 

The story feels very familiar to Indiana Jones fans, it focuses on history and archaeology while being a fun adventure film. It does a pretty decent job of showing relationships between the main heroes and there is some development for sure, the last 20 mins or so are great and feel like a fitting finale for the film. It is just some of the greater aspects of the film that don't quite work, the whole thing involving the villains is dull and is overcomplicated for no real reason. Also, I just feel like parts of the film went on a bit longer then they needed to which could have trimmed the overall story. 

Script

The script has some funny moments in it, the character banter mostly works and I felt like it was a return to form for the franchise in that way. Also when the film wanted us to care about the characters, I did. It was well done and established how much Indiana Jones has been through in all these films. Though some of the films writing falls flat, it adds unnecessary things to the film that clog it down and hold it back a bit. 

Style 

The film looks pretty good. There are some really fun action sequences that take place in interesting locations all across the world. Despite Harrison Ford being the age that he is, they do a good job of hiding it and having him involved in these scenes. This is also probably the most I have ever seen the de-aging technology used and for the most part I think it is used well but shows there is still a bit of a way to go. My issue is that the pacing isn't quite there, some of the scenes are exciting but they could have had some time taken off of them that would have trimmed it down a little and made it a superior film. 

Overall

Overall, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is an above average film. For fans of this franchise this will be a fun experience but there are some issues that it can't quite get over. It is a positive film which is something I am happy with despite not being as good as I wanted. 

Rating - 6/10