Weapons (2025) Review 

Over the last few weeks, Weapons has been the most popular film in the world and though this usually wouldn't be a film that interests me, I decided to check it out and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees 18 students mysteriously disappear with a community looking to find out what exactly happened and why. 

Main Character

There are a lot of characters in this film but I would say Julia Garner as Justine is the main character here and she does a great job. She is the most interesting character and really struggles with the situation. Garner really shines and is quickly becoming a household name that we will see more and more of as the years go on. 

Supporting Characters

Josh Brolin plays Archer and he is also great. He is the main parent who is frustrated with the situation and he really delivers on this. Brolin really brings the intensity and it is great to see him in a role like this. 

Alden Ehrenreich plays Paul and even though I found his part in the film to be quite jarring, I thought he was very good in it. He plays a cop that is loosely linked to the overall plot but it is pretty interesting seeing this guys life go slowly downhill during his part of the film. 

Cary Christopher plays Alex, the only child in the class that doesn't go missing. He is great and really delivers especially for a child actor. As you learn more about him and what he is going for you see just how complex the predicament that he is put in and Christopher does it very well. 

Benedict Wong and Austin Abrams get their chapters as Marcus and James and though smaller roles they both did good jobs in their roles. 

Story

The story is segmented into chapters which focus on one of the characters and the film isn't in chronological order. This added some unique feeling to the storytelling and intrigue to what exactly was going on. The first act really had me sucked in and wondering what exactly was going on with the kids and the adults that are being focused on. But the second act gets a bit distracted in a sub plot and the third act falls flat with a pretty ridiculous and laughable ending that really went against the tone of the rest of the film. 

Script

The script was okay. Similar to the story, I feel like the writing for the first act was sharp and interesting but it definitely falls down in the later parts of the film as the film isn't quite sure how to resolve the situation they put themselves in. 

Style 

The film does a really good job of building suspense and intrigue with its filmmaking and style. There were some really tense scenes that you weren't sure what exactly was going to happen. However, I feel like the film was at its weakest when it went with the horror film tropes and they made me sigh as it took away all the intrigue and suspense. I also think the film could have cut one or two of the chapters and expand some of the more interesting ones to aid with the pacing of the film. 

Overall

Overall, Weapons is a good film that does a somewhat good job of building intrigue and suspense. Just don't expect this to be the film to revolutionize horror as it really isn't that. Probably one you can wait till it comes onto a streaming service. 

Rating - 7/10 

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025) Review

After many years, Marvel Studios finally have the rights back to The Fantastic Four. It is pretty well known that the history of The Fantastic Four on the big screen has been pretty poor, so in preparation I was hoping that this could be better. Here is my review for The Fantastic Four: First Steps. The premise of the film sees The Fantastic Four, who are celebrities and well liked facing their biggest test when a Herald arrives setting up their planet for destruction. 

Main Character

When Pedro Pascal was cast as Reed Richards I was sceptical as I have got a bit tired of him. But he was great in this role and really delivers as Reed. He nails the intelligence and darkness of the role and I think this is the most interesting that the character has been. Vanessa Kirby plays Sue Storm and she is also great, the film puts her front and centre and she really delivers. This is more of a co-leadership this time around and both of the actors nail it. 

Supporting Characters

Joseph Quinn plays Johnny Storm and he is great in the film. This is a very different performance to what we have seen in previous iterations. He really gets the chance to show his intelligence and value to the team, he also probably gets the most action scenes and it is cool to see his powers on show. 

Ebon Moss-Bachrach plays Ben Grimm and he is also very different, he probably has the least development of all of the characters. For the most part he seems to have accepted his transformation and is loved and enjoys it. It means there is less complexity but I can't help but say that this is a fun performance and a fun interpretation of the character. 

Ralph Ineson plays Galactus and after a disappointing previous version of the character, I am happy to report that he is awesome as Galactus. He isn't on screen loads but they nailed the design and the voice. He is an interesting character and a character I have been waiting to see on the big screen for a long time. 

Unfortunately, there is one element of the cast that I didn't care much for and that is Julia Garner as The Silver Surfer. The actress does a good enough job and the design is great but the character is super dull. They rush through her character arc and we don't spend anywhere near enough time with the character and the film doesn't give a good enough reason for me to care about her. 

Story

The story is good, I really liked how this version of the characters were really sold as a Family and felt like people who have been doing this for a while. The chemistry between the actors is great and I like how the film focused on the groups relationship with the people and how they really want to save them. However, I think this plot isn't as big as it wants to be, it falls flat in terms of conveying its stakes and I wanted to see there be more peril considering Galactus is planning on destroying the planet. 

Script

The Script is okay, there are some funny moments and occasionally the drama does work. However, similar to the plot I think that the writing just falls a little flat. There aren't too many memorable moments and huge character moments. 

Style

The film has a very colourful style and I really liked it, the costumes are great and the action sequences are well done. Especially when the team comes face to face with Galactus which feels like something straight out of a comic book. However, this film does have a pacing issue, it feels quite long and the first act is really slow which made it difficult to get into the film. 

Overall

Overall, The Fantastic Four: The First Steps is a good movie and is easily the best Fantastic Four film. It has a lot of enjoyable things and is worth a watch, but I don't think this is the ground-breaking film Marvel Studios wanted and would say it isn't one to rush out and go watch. 

Rating - 7/10

Superman (2025) Review

I don't think its too big to say that this is one of the biggest and most important films to come out in recent memory as a whole Studio really is bargaining on it to launch their new superhero universe that DC hope can finally rival their more successful rival Marvel Studios. I had the chance to see Superman on Friday and I wanted to reflect on the film and now here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees Superman attempt to prove that he is on Earth for Truth & Justice when Lex Luthor attempts to take him down by any means necessary. 

Main Character

David Corenswet takes over the role as The Man of Steel and he was amazing in this film and truly encapsulates what I imagine Superman to be. He is the most natural successor to Christopher Reeve and he balances the cheesy nature of the character with the more serious and darker elements of the character. I really enjoyed this portrayal of Superman and Cornswet really nailed it here. 

Supporting Characters

Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane and I thought she was also fantastic here. Her chemistry with Corenswet is great and I really believed in their relationship and their dynamic. Though she isn't the main part of the film she gets her time to show her journalistic prowess and she is great in the role.

Nicholas Hoult plays Lex Luthor and honestly this is probably my favourite depiction of the character. Hoult is amazing throughout and you really sense the hatred that he has for Superman and it doesn't come across as silly because of the awesome performance of Hoult. 

We also get The Justice Gang of Mr Terrific played by Edi Gathegi, Green Lantern played by Nathan Fillion and Hawkgirl played by Isabela Merced. They actually played a larger role then I thought they would. I thought Hawkgirl was cool but she has the least to do out of the three. Terrific & Lantern are real standouts here and are amazing additions to the film, this is the best versions of these characters that we have ever seen and they added way more here then I expected. 

This film has a lot of other smaller characters who all do great jobs, especially Pruitt Taylor Vance as Pa Kent who really delivers on his small role here to make it truly memorable. 

Story

The film makes some interesting choices in terms of Superman's story and they were all welcomed by me as I really enjoyed the story. It really focuses on the difference between Superman's Alien nature and his humanity and it does a great job at it. Lex as an antagonist really adds to this story and it just highlights that Superman may be god like but he has issues just like other people. It is a really satisfying narrative and I truly liked it. 

Script

I thought the film was really well written. This film isn't too cheesy but has some really funny moments in it that fits with the idea of the film. It also knows when it can pull on the heart strings and surprisingly it equally does well at this with some great character moments. 

Style

This film has some really entertaining action sequences. Especially the ones involving Superman, Mr Terrific & Green Lantern with some great variety. My only complaint, is that some of the actions CGI isn't that great and really shows the CGI. Also there is a slight pacing issue with the film, it takes a while to get going and drags a small bit in the middle but I am really picking at things now. 

Overall

Overall, Superman is a fantastic Super hero film that had me smiling from ear to ear while I watched it. I love the characters and the universe that James Gunn has built here. It really is worth a watch and is a fantastic start to this universe and it is now down to DC to keep this going. 

Rating - 9/10

Heads of State (2025) Review

This film has been making waves this last week and I have finally got around to watch Heads of State and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees The President of The United States & The Priminister of The United Kingdom go on the run after they are targeted by Terrorists. 

Main Character

John Cena plays Will Derringer and Idris Elba Plays Sam Clarke and they really fit this film well. Cena is the over the top American who really grinds on his British counterpart. Whereas Elba plays the straight man well and is clearly frustrated at dealing with Cena throughout the film. They have worked together before and their chemistry is great being the real highlight of the film. 

Supporting Characters

Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Noel and she is good in the film. It takes a while for her to properly get involved but she is an entertaining third wheel to the major protagonists. Her character takes part in some of the best action scenes and she was an effective fit for the role. 

Jack Quaid has a small role as a special agent here and I loved his performance. He was so much fun and he just showed that he is a great actor that he could take this already entertaining film and make himself a really memorable part, even with limited screen time. 

However, other actors don't get as much to work with. Paddy Considine plays the villain and he is bland here. He is a great actor and the story gives him some decent motivation but the film really fails to capitalise on it and he is just like many villains in comedy action films, bland. 

The rest of the cast just fill out their roles but offer nothing to really stand out Even Carla Gugino as The Vice President is a boring character. 

Story

Look, this film doesn't take itself too seriously and thus the story isn't exactly Citizen Kane. However, it does a good job showing the dynamic between these two guys who don't like each other and how they can learn from each other. But at the end of the day it is a really generic film that follows pretty much every trope known to man and that is a shame as I think there was some potential to make things a bit better with ideas that they half bake. 

Script

Similar to the point above, don't expect this amazing script. I mean it lacks real drama and does have some eye rolling comedy. But, overall this film is pretty funny and I laughed quite a few times during it which I believe was the point of this film, so I was happy with it. 

Style

The film has a really fun style. It has some genuinely great action sequences that range from the ridiculous to something you might see in more serious films. It is paced well and I was thoroughly enjoyed throughout and never got bored. 

Overall

Overall, Heads of State is a good film that is a lot of fun. You have to know that you are in for a silly action film but if that is right up your street then give Heads of State a watch. 

Rating - 7/10

Ironheart (2025) Review

After Black Panther: Wakanda Forever it was pretty clear that Marvel Studios had big plans for the character of Riri Williams. After a few years of development and waiting we finally have the Ironheart series and I have watched all the episodes, here is my review. The premise of the show sees Riri return to Chicago where she has to make money in order to become the hero that she believes she can be. 

Main Character

Dominique Thorne reprises her role as Williams and she is clearly a talented actor and I actually think she shows some real promise for the future of her career. The show does give her some good dramatic scenes and shows her charm. But the writing for the character is all over the place and Riri actually comes across as quite annoying and rude to everyone else on the show. They try and make her flawed and relatable but it fails for the most part. 

Supporting Characters

Alden Ehenreich is a really talented actor that just hasn't quite made it huge in Hollywood and he is probably my favourite character on this show. There is a real intrigue to his character and I did have some real sympathy for him. Though the show does rush through his story arc and it feels tacked on compared to the rest of the show. 

Anthony Ramos plays The Hood and is basically the villain here. He had real potential to be a great villain here, unfortunately it just fell flat for me. His motivations aren't explored enough and are incredibly basic and Ramos can't rise above this lacklustre writing.  

Lyric Ross plays Natalie who is an AI based on Riri's now deceased best friend and I found her really annoying. First, the fact that this is the first AI we have seen have a body and real personality with Iron tech feels like it doesn't work. What is worse though was that I didn't buy their chemistry and there wasn't a big enough reason given for me to care about their relationship. 

The rest of her support system and the other bad guys in the crew are all written poorly and not given enough time to really care about their characters and their performances. 

Though there is a character who debuts in the final episode played by a big actor who was highly entertaining and a really crucial part of this series and future MCU shenanigans. 

Story

The Story has some good concepts to it. It portrays Riri as a complex person and it is nice to see her dealing with human issues and not dealing with them well. But as a whole this story feels really rushed and doesn't give the characters real depth or development with an ending that feels underwhelming and kind of goes against the character of Riri. 

Script

As mentioned above, I have criticised the writing for the show. But, I will say there are some genuinely good moments which are both heartfelt and funny. Though, these are few and far between with the majority of the writing feeling incredibly weak and that they don't care about the story they are telling. 

Style

The show has a big budget and has some great action sequences. It is a genuine joy to see an Iron suit that isn't nanotech and feels old school. It is a shame that this show has terrible pacing, it only has 6 episodes and tries to cram everything in which causes nothing to get the time required to really hit the levels it needs. 

Overall

Overall, Ironheart is an Average Show. There has been highs and lows in Marvel Television and unfortunately, Ironheart is the latter. There are some good ideas here but they just weren't executed particularly well and this is one MCU Property you don't need to watch. 

Rating - 5/10

Ballerina (2025) Review

Following the very profitable and successful John Wick franchise we have started to see the franchise expand. First we got the Prime show The Continental and now we have the first film spinoff in Ballerina, I saw this film yesterday and here is my review for Ballerina. The premise of the film sees a young women trained in the world of assassination in order to get revenge on the man who killed her Father. 

Main Character

Ana De Armas takes over the lead role as Eve and she is great in the role. Her motivations were incredibly simple but it was well conveyed by Armas and I wanted to see her succeed. She is also great in the action scenes and is super believable in taking out these guys that are trying to kill her. Eve is a worthy addition of protagonists in this franchise. 

Supporting Characters

Might as well start with it, Keanu Reeves reprises his role as John Wick and it is so much fun to watch him back on screen. Though, I had some issues with how the character is used, you cannot deny that seeing The Boogeyman in action is a great sight. 

Ian McShane is back as Winston and he is fun to watch but he is a really small part of the film and doesn't have anywhere near as big a presence as he did in the previous films. Also a shoutout to Lance Reddick who has been in all of these films and this is his last appearance due to his untimely death. 

Angelica Huston reprises her role as The Director and I just think her role didn't hit the note that it could have done. I just think the relationship between her and Eve is kind of forgotten about and not given the real depth it deserved. 

Gabriel Bryne plays The Chancellor who is the main villain here and he is just such a weak character. There is nothing interesting about this guy and his motivations just didn't work for me and that is a shame. 

Also Norman Reedus is here in a role and he is really wasted and it just feels like he did this as a favour to someone while he was filming his latest Walking Dead show. 

Story

The story is a pretty simple revenge story and that is fine with me and I did like how that was conveyed. Also it was pretty cool to see some of the training that Eve had to go through, though I wish this had been a bit longer. Though, the film starts to try and throw twists at the film that make no sense and there is a bigger focus on John Wick that does take away from Eve's final revenge. There is also a big plot involving a young girl and it could have been completely removed from the film and it would have been no different. 

Script

The script is okay, there is enough drama and some dry humour here that makes Eve a cool character. But the overall writing isn't great, character motivations and those unnecessary twists feel forced and that they didn't need to be there. 

Style

The film has a really cool style to it. These John Wick films have been known for their amazing action scenes as one person destroys a group of enemies in creative ways and this film really delivers there. It is dumb and silly but it moves at a good pace and has some truly brutal kills here. 

Overall

Overall. Ballerina is a good action film and though it maybe doesn't reach the heights of the best John Wick films it is a worthy addition to the franchise and is a good action film to watch and turn your brain off for. 

Rating - 7/10

Karate Kid: Legends (2025) Review

After the fantastic Cobra Kai, The Karate Kid Franchise has a new lease on life and we get a new film to add to the lineage in Karate Kid: Legends. I managed to find the time to watch the film and here is my review for Karate Kid: Legends. The premise of the film sees a young martial artist move to New York, he needs mentorship by two Sensei's to aid him succeed. 

Main Character

Newcomer Ben Wang plays Li Fong and he is an okay main character. He is pretty charming and a likeable enough character that you do want to root for him. But we just don't spend enough quality time with his character to really get enough development. It isn't like the characters from Cobra Kai where we get loads of time with them and Li needed more care put into his character. 

Supporting Characters

Jackie Chan reprises his role as Mr. Han from The Karate Kid Reboot and he is fun to watch here and you can tell that he is having a great time in this film. I wish we got more of him here and more character development but it doesn't take away my joy of seeing Jackie Chan in action. 

Joshua Jackson plays Victor Lipani and he is fun here and actually out of all of the adults I liked his dynamic with Li more then the others. Jackson is really likeable and you want to see him succeed, but the film just forgets about him about half way through which is a shame. 

I love Ralph Macchio as Daniel LaRusso in the original films and Cobra Kai but he phones in his performance here and he really doesn't need to be here. He is nothing but a glorified cameo and it just feels like he is here so they can justify calling it a Karate Kid film. 

The rest of the cast is just forgotten about and not given time to shine. Ming-Na Wen plays Li's mother and she is just unlikeable and given no time to develop. Both Li's enemy and love interest are generic and they just couldn't be bothered to really right them. 

Story

The story has some interesting ideas in it and I liked how Li trains Victor for his fight, also some of the interactions between Chan & Macchio are fun. But this films plot is all over the place, the first act feels like a film that doesn't need The Karate Kid licence, then a rushed training montage leading to an incredibly rushed tournament that doesn't really have any stakes. The story is incredibly predictable and if the rest of the film was good then that would be fine but it just encapsulates the problems that are going on here. 

Script

The script has some chuckle worthy moments and some okay drama/emotional moments. But overall, it just falls really flat. It feels like the screenwriters wrote way too many subplots and had no idea how to put them together and that led to this messy script.

Style

There are some decent action scenes and in terms of action I thought the final fight did a pretty decent job of upping the intensity. But the film doesn't have enough fights here and the pacing is a disaster. This film has way too much going on in it and it barely has a 90 minute runtime meaning everything is just rushed and half baked. 

Overall

Overall, Karate Kid: Legends is the definition of average. It exists and will be forgotten incredibly quickly, it feels like an elongated episode of Cobra Kai that wasn't written or directed to the same level. It has some moments but you will have seen them all before so it is probably not worth the time. 

Rating - 5/10

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning (2025) Review

After 30 years, it seems like all the previous Mission Impossible films have been building to this film, The Final Reckoning. I have enjoyed this franchise overall and was excited to see this film, well yesterday I got that chance and here is my review for Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. The premise of the film sees Ethan Hunt and his team attempt to stop The Entity from destroying the world once and for all. 

Main Character

Tom Cruise is once again back as Ethan Hunt and he is fantastic. His dedication to this role is off of the charts and I just love his portrayal of the character. This film does a great job of showcasing the legacy of the character and Cruise really delivers here. 

Supporting Characters

Alongside Cruise, the only person to be in all of the Mission Impossible films is Ving Rhames who plays Luther Stickell and he is great in this film. The bond between him and Hunt is a real core of this film and I love the chemistry that the two of them have. 

Unfortunately, the rest of the cast doesn't actually have much to do here. Hayley Atwell is back as Grace, Simon Pegg as Benji & Pom Klementieff as Paris but none of them get a chance to shine. The actors really try their best but the material they are given is weak and none of them really get any character development. 

Esai Morales is back as the villain Gabriel and I feel very similar about him. I really like Morales and his performance is good enough but his character is a small part of this film and it just feels like he isn't given enough to interest the audience. 

All the characters in the US Military Team are dull. Angela Bassett as The President and Nick Offerman as a general isn't enough to make their plight interesting or something that needed to be here. 

Story

The story has some good themes to it and I liked the overall feeling of it, especially with a pretty satisfying ending that really fits the narrative of both this film and the franchise. But this film really loses its way with the actual plot. The entity is more dull then the previous film and Gabriel's motivations are half baked at best. The team gets split up and it feels like the focus is really on Ethan Hunt and taken away from other members of the team which is a shame. 

Script

The script is also a real mixed bag. There are some real heart-warming moments that make you really care about the situation that the characters are put in. I also liked how this film is linked to previous ones even if it does get a bit hand fisted at times. But the dialogue mostly feels really robotic and unrealistic that it just makes characters feel bland and not human, also as mentioned the villains whole plot is pointless and doesn't add anything. 

Style

Continuing in Mission Impossible fashion, this film has some fantastic action sequences. The last one in particular is amazing and one of the greatest set pieces I have ever seen on film and this film deserves huge credit for that. But this film has pretty terrible pacing, its nearly 3 hours long and I swear they could have cut almost an hour of stuff here. The first hour basically feels like a recap of previous films and it beats you over the head with exposition which means it takes way too long to really get going. 

Overall

Overall, Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning is an Above Average film that has amazing action scenes but is way too long and lacks interesting characters. If this is the final film in the franchise then it is disappointing that this film is just okay instead of fantastic. 

Rating - 6/10

Andor Season 2 (2025) Review

When Andor Season 1 was released, it was heavily praised for really grounding Star Wars and making it a real character study on these super interesting characters and the world that they are living in. A few years later we now have the 2nd and final season, with an accelerated release schedule it is now finished and here is my review for it. The premise of the season sees Cassian still working for Luthen while The Empire try and crush any resemblance of Rebellion while building The Death Star.

Main Character 

Diego Luna reprises his role as Cassian Andor and he continues to be fantastic. This season does a fantastic job in showing the lengths that Cassian will go to in order to protect the people he cares about and The Rebellion. It takes a bit of time to make him the centre piece of the show but when it does Luna nails it and gives us a fantastic protagonist. 

Supporting Characters

Denise Gough plays Dedra Meero and she is is great in her role. We see her inside The ISB and how her job is really affecting her life. As she gains more power she struggles with how to control all of these situations. Gough really delivers in creating a fascinating Imperial character. 

Stellan Skarsgard is back as Luthen Rael and this is still one of the most interesting characters in all of Star Wars. He is super illusive and despite being a good guy you see the ruthlessness that he is willing to commit in order to take down The Empire. In a long career, I think this might go down as Skarsgard's greatest ever role. 

Genevieve O'Reilly is back as Mon Mothma and she is also really good in her role. The political aspects of previous Star Wars projects has held it back but Andor manages to really deliver on it. O'Reilly is super crucial to this show and I love how we see her character progress over the season. 

All of the cast are amazing, Kyle Soller as Syril, Adria Arjona as Bix & Elizabeth Dulau as Kleya are real standouts and have so many memorable moments and I can't speak high enough of this fantastically assembled cast. 

Story

The show does a brilliant job of showing the real birth of The Rebellion and the true sacrifices that these characters went through in order for the success of the original trilogy. The show handles the character arcs really well and has an incredibly satisfying ending. However, I did have an issue with the structure of the storytelling. Each 3 episodes covers a year in the timeline which means certain story arcs are dropped and not really finalised in order to progress to the overall plot which was a slight shame for me. 

Script

The script is fantastic. This is probably the best writing in any Star Wars property and I love how dark and realistic this show is despite its sci-fi backdrop. It has many interesting and complex themes and it delivers on all them and really sets some high standards. 

Style

The show looks fantastic and the action scenes are incredibly well filmed and it really feels like a true pre-cursor to Rogue One. But the episodes are paced very well and understands that there is more then crazy action scenes and amazingly filmed scenes with no action. 

Overall

Overall, Andor Season 2 is a fantastic show that is so close to perfection. It really is the standard bearer of Star Wars projects currently and I really love the way it was made. In particular episodes 8,9 & 12 are some of the best Star Wars ever and if you are on the fence please watch Andor as I am sure it will not disappoint. 

Rating - 9/10

Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld (2025) Review

I wasn't around on May 4th so this review is definitely late and I wonder whether anyone is still even talking about Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld. I watched all 6 episodes today and here is my review for the show. The premise of the show sees Asajj Ventress trying to protect a young Jedi from the Empire, while we see the origins of Cad Bane. 

Main Character

Asajj Ventress is once again voiced by Nika Futterman and she could play this role in her sleep. Ventress is a cool character and it is good seeing her on screen. Honestly, I am not a huge fan of the way her character is treated but that isn't the problem with the performance. 

Corey Burton is back as Cad Bane and I just love this character. I mean, I am not sure if we needed an origin story for his character but I thought they did well enough with the material and Bane is still a really cool character. 

Supporting Characters

Niro is an old friend of Bane and he was easily the most interesting character other then the two protagonists. We see how his relationship sours with Bane and how that sets them both on the path that the show intended and I did like it. 

Lyco is a young Jedi that teams up with Ventress and I found him really annoying. I didn't care about his relationship with Ventress and it felt really underdeveloped which made it a forgettable character and storyline. 

The rest of the characters are forgettable and offer very little. Including a really stupid Inquisitor appearance that feels way overused in 2025. 

Story

Similar to Tales of the Jedi & Tales of the Empire this story is split into two halves and it is a mixed bag. I liked the Cad Bane story, the rivalry between Bane and Niro is well handled and I just thought it was pretty well done. But I really didn't care about The Ventress story, nothing really happens and it just feels like a waste of time. I don't like Ventress in this more good guy role and I just kind of wish we got 6 episodes about Cad Bane. 

Script

The script and writing isn't that great and honestly I think this is some pretty weak writing. There wasn't any real dramatic scenes that truly worked and the humour is poor or not even here. I never grew to care about anyone and the writing is a big part of that. 

Style

The show looks great, it continues the style from the other newer Star Wars animated shows and I do still enjoyed it with some decent action scenes. But the pacing of the show is terrible, I swear these episodes are getting shorter and shorter and with only 3 episodes per character it feels like everything is underdeveloped and not given a definitive ending. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars: Tales of The Underworld is a below average show that is a big let down. I think we are starting to get to the point that these animated shows are just being released for contents sake and this is a big example of it. If you are a Star Wars fan then you have already watched it, if you aren't then don't bother. 

Rating - 4/10

Thunderbolts* (2025) Review

With The MCU now into its 17th year we are getting new projects and new ideas and the newest of those is Thunderbolts* I saw the film today and here is my review. The premise of the film sees a group of dangerous operatives brought together in order to survive and potentially make themselves better. 

Main Character

Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova has become a much loved character in supporting roles but here she is given the real spotlight and is easily the main character here. She is given lots of the character development and the themes of the film really go through her. Pugh is fantastic and really deserved this opportunity and Yelena is a great lead character. 

Supporting Characters

Sebastian Stan as Bucky is the most experienced MCU actor here and he does a good job. It takes a while for him to actually get involved with the group but he becomes the driving force for the group and it was cool seeing Bucky in this leadership role. 

David Harbour is back as Red Guardian and he was a true joy here. He is clearly the comic relief character but he really embraces it and has so much fun. The relationship between Yelena and him is at the forefront of the film and Harbour adds plenty to that. 

Wyatt Russell reprises his role as John Walker and he was a fun addition here. He has great chemistry with the rest of the cast and I just enjoy him in this role. They kind of try to make you care about him but it doesn't really work and he is mostly just an entertaining loudmouth. 

Lewis Pullman plays Bob and he is also great. The trailers pretty much spoiled his role in the film but the film does a mostly good job in making you care about him and the struggles that he goes through and Pullman does his best with the material. 

Hannah John-Kamen plays Ghost again after her somewhat forgettable appearance in Ant-Man and The Wasp and although she does a good job, Ghost really gets put into the background as the film progresses and once again she just isn't given enough to do. 

Story

The story does a good job of bringing these dangerous and unlikeable people together and getting them to work together to bring the best out of each other. It really handles Yelena's character well and the theme of redemption being important for these characters. However, this film makes some weak creative decisions and the scenes between Val and Mel felt pointless and really drove down the overall feel of the film. Its ending also feels a bit rushed and I felt like there was more that they could have done with it. 

Script

The script is good. I laughed quite a bit throughout the film which means it is a return to form for MCU writers. I also believed in the emotional scenes and the development that the characters are going through. For a big superhero film it does an effective job at a character study and the emotional side of these people. 

Style

The film looks great, there are some great action scenes and they take advantage of having all these dangerous people who have different abilities to best effect. The film is also paced well and it kind of flew by but in a good way as I was never bored. 

Overall

Overall, Thunderbolts* is a real return to form for The Marvel Cinematic Universe. I really enjoyed this collection of characters and I think some of the more mature tones really worked and I would definitely recommend a watch. 

Rating - 9/10

The Accountant 2 (2025) Review

It took 9 years but we finally have a sequel to The Accountant. I went and watched the film today and here is my review. The premise of the film sees The Accountant team up with his brother Braxton in an attempt to uncover a conspiracy that might have a personal connection. 

Main Character

Ben Affleck reprises his role as The Accountant and he is once again great in the role. He is probably a bit less interesting as we learnt the majority about his character in the first film but he added some extra humour and humanity to the role and he was also great in the action scenes. If this franchise continues then it could end up being his John Wick. 

Supporting Characters

Jon Bernthal plays Braxton and he is given much more to do here and is great. The chemistry between him and Affleck is the best part and Bernthal really oozes charisma. There is an argument he is getting slightly type cast as The Punisher but he is just so entertaining that I didn't care. 

Cynthia Addai-Robinson is back as Marybeth Medina and she is better in this film. She gives a solid performance and it is much better seeing her actually with Affleck & Bernthal and part of the case that is going on. 

The cast definitely doesn't have the star power of the first one and it does suffer in terms of its villains. They are incredibly forgettable and a really weak part of the film. There is a female character that flutters in and out of the film who could have been really cool but I do think they fumble her. 

Story

The best part of the story is the relationship between Affleck & Bernthal and how their different personalities cause conflict but they do really care about each other and want to support each other. The clash of beliefs with Medina also works pretty well and is better then the previous film. But the actual plot is pretty dull and the motivations for our main characters feels lacklustre and it doesn't really have the interesting parts that the first film had. 

Script

The script is good. As I mentioned before this film has more comedy and though it wasn't hilarious it did enough to made me laugh a few times. It also had some decent drama between our main protagonists. But as mentioned the story wasn't that interesting and this film suffers with the exposition dump problems that the first film had. 

Style

The film really embraces its place as an action film and has way more action scenes in it then the previous film and all the action is really well filmed. It is just really enjoyable to watch and because of this choice the film just flows much better. 

Overall

Overall, The Accountant 2 is a good film with lots of action and enjoyable lead performances. It still has issues that it had in the first film that if there is a third film I hope it really improves in these areas. 

Rating - 7/10

Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 (2025) Review

Ever since Daredevil was cancelled at Netflix, I think everybody has been hoping for a revival of the show. We have seen Daredevil appear in other MCU Projects but now it is his time to once again get his own show and I have watched all of the first season of Daredevil: Born Again and here is my review for it. The premise of the show sees after a life changing event, Matt Murdoch stops being Daredevil, until arch enemy Wilson Fisk becomes the new mayor of New York. 

Main Character

Charlie Cox reprises his role as Matt Murdoch/Daredevil and he is literally perfect in the role, I literally can't imagine anybody playing this role. He adds so much depth to the role, whether he is in lawyer mode in the day or violent vigilante at night it just works and Cox deserves all the credit for playing one of the best superhero characters there is. 

Supporting Characters

Vincent D'Onofrio reprises his role as Wilson Fisk and he has been one of my favourite Marvel characters for the last few years and he continues his stellar work here. There are added layers here and D'Onofrio clearly loves playing Kingpin and I also can't see anybody else playing this role. 

Margarita Levieva plays Heather Glenn and I thought she was a great addition to the cast as Matt's new girlfriend. She really links to the world well and I actually really liked her story arc as she goes through the events of the season. 

Ayelet Zurera is also back as Vanessa Fisk and this is easily the most spotlight she has ever received and I love her character arc and dynamic with Wilson. She is more confident and involved with the bad guy stuff and it is really nailed this series. 

Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page, Wilson Bethel as Bullseye and Jon Bernthal as Punisher all makes their returns here and though their roles aren't huge they are super impactful and I don't think the show would have been as good if they weren't in it. 

Story

It was well documented that this shows narrative went through huge changes to make it closer to the original show and that was clearly the right decision. The story is fantastic really showing the development of both Matt & Wilson and I just love how it is a continuation but also feels fresh and new. It does enough to keep me invested throughout the show and that is because the story is really engaging. 

Script

The show is fantastically well written, the balance of darkness and emotion with the slight humour really added to the grittiness and slight realism that they wanted to include here. It feels like a flashback to the best written MCU Products. 

Style

The style of the show really doesn't hold back. It has the mature feeling that the original show had and it somewhat rises even above that. The show is really well paced too with each episode being interesting. However, I will say that the overuse of CGI did hurt some of the action scenes and I don't think that element was as strong as the previous show. 

Overall

Overall, Daredevil: Born Again Season 1 is a fantastic show and it really delivers. It lives up to the hype and is basically season 4 of the Netflix show. Everyone should watch this show and give it the attention that it deserves. 

Rating - 9/10

Adolescence (2025) Review

It seems like Adolescence is the biggest thing in The UK right now and it took me longer then I would have liked but I have watched the 4 episodes of the show and here is my review. The premise of the show sees a 13 year old boy accused of murdering a girl, we see how this news affects everybody involved. 

Main Character

I feel like Stephen Graham is basically the hardest working actor around, you see him in so many things but this will be up there with his best work yet as he is incredible. You really feel a vulnerability towards him as he plays the father of the accused boy. Graham absolutely nails it and delivers a powerhouse performance that should be commended for sure. 

Supporting Characters

This show introduces Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller, the boy who is accused of murder and this kid is fantastic. This is his first ever acting gig and if he wants to keep acting then he has huge potential to be a big star. You really feel the anger from him but a mix of youth that you want to care about and see him innocent. Cooper really delivers alongside these great actors and it sets him up well for the future. 

Ashley Walters plays the detective of the case and he is also really good. You can see the stress that he goes through. It was interesting seeing this experience from the polices point of view and Walters does a great job in his role. 

Erin Doherty is only in one episode but it is probably the best episode and she is fantastic as a psychiatrist. Her dynamic with Cooper is brilliant and it had me invested in the entire episode and she was a great addition. 

The rest of the cast are also fantastic, everybody understood how important it was to nail these roles and add depth to their characters and I credit everybody involved with the show. 

Story

The story is good, it really does an excellent job of showing how one major incident can affect so many people no matter their age or gender. It is a really moving piece of television and it looks at themes that are pretty tough and we just don't see this much. My only criticism, is the lack of finality and completion, it does this on purpose and I guess I just wanted to know slightly more about this whole situation but that is a minor criticism. 

Script 

The film is incredibly well written, it just feels real and that these people are just regular people that are going through a terrible thing and they are acting like regular people would. It doesn't feel over the top or Hollywood and that was absolutely necessary for this show. 

Style

One of the major things that people have been talking about is that this is a one shot show and that there are no camera cuts during the episodes and this makes everything feel alive and that we are in these closed locations that shows people go about their days. I think it did add something to this show and wasn't just here as a novelty. Its a slower paced show but the content here is so good that you won't mind. 

Overall

Overall, Adolescence is a fantastic show that seems like it is going to be really important in the short term. It can be a tough watch and I am not sure whether I will ever watch it again but I can't deny that it is a must see and I would highly recommend this show. 

Rating - 9/10

Black Bag (2025) Review

Recently, I saw the trailer for Black Bag and decided that I had to watch it. It has an all star cast and looked like a cool spy thriller so I went to the cinema today and watched the film and here is my review. The premise of the film sees a secret agent come under suspicion of betrayal, her husband who is also a secret agent must decide what is more important - his marriage or the world. 

Main Character

Michael Fassbender plays George and Cate Blanchett plays Kathryn and I think they were great together in the film. Fassbender in particular gets plenty of time to develop his character and I really like how they made him interesting. Their relationship is interesting and they have this really great subtle chemistry together that makes them great together on screen. 

Supporting Characters

As mentioned this film has a great cast including Marisa Abela who plays Clarissa, she is probably the one we spend the most time with and I think she was pretty fascinating to watch on screen and she had a real presence especially around these other bigger name actors. 

The issue is that this film doesn't really care too much about its supporting cast and wastes all this talent on screen. Tom Burke, Rege-Jean Page, Naomi Harris and Pierce Brosnan are all in this film and are all good in terms of their performances but I didn't care about any of their characters. They are incredibly generic and due to other issues with the film we never get enough with them to truly care. 

Story

The best parts of the story is when the film focuses on the intense talking situations such as a couple of group dinners and a polygraph sequence that I really liked and that is due to some good dialogue and acting. But the actual premise of the film is overly convoluted and had me not really caring. No spoilers but I found the ending really predictable and because of the short runtime I never grew to fully care and I felt like the film needed to be longer in order to tell its story fully. 

Script

This film was written by David Koepp who is a great writer and there is some great dialogue here and some really intense scenes that are the best parts of the film. However, the films plot is all over the place and it feels like it was an afterthought compared to the dialogue. 

Style

The film looks great and possibly my favourite part of the film is the music. It all really delivered on making this film feel like a spy thriller and something that you don't see very often these days. But as I have mentioned a few times, this film barely hits 90 mins and it is just too short to make you fully buy into the story that is being told here. Also, if you saw the trailer and thought this would be an action thriller you will be disappointed as this is a film all about dialogue and mystery. 

Overall

Overall, Black Bag is an above average spy film. Some great acting and dialogue rise this up but it falls below expectations due to some generic storytelling and short runtime. Probably one to watch when it ends up on a streaming service but I wouldn't rush to the cinema for it. 

Rating - 6/10

Star Wars: Episode 1 - Jedi Power Battles (2000/2025) Review

It seems in recent years that Star Wars games are getting remastered left, right and centre. The newest one is Star Wars: Episode 1 - Jedi Power Battles, I found the time to sit down and play this game and here is my review for it. The premise of the game sees iconic Star Wars characters going through the events of The Phantom Menace, taking down Battle Droids, Tusken Raiders & Mercenaries alike. 

Characters

Now, I won't deny that it is pretty entertaining playing as this roster of characters especially lesser used characters such as Ki-Adi Mundi and Plo Koon as it added something a bit more to this game. 

However, there isn't really any characterisation of these characters and it doesn't really matter who you are playing as, there is literally no real dialogue and no differentiation apart from a little bit of the combat.  

Story

As mentioned above, this game follows the story of The Phantom Menace, well kind of. It never really feels this way and it just feels like there is a background for these characters to go around and defeat enemies. The one thing to build to is the battle with Darth Maul but it sucks that this battle is underwhelming and incredibly cheap making it more frustrating then enjoyable. 

Side Content

There are some side activities that can be completed, like playing as a Droideka and capturing Jar Jar Binks. Yeah, these are awful and though I applaud them for trying with side content but it really feels like an afterthought and is dull. 

Gameplay

The gameplay is okay, I will give them credit that they gave all the characters unique combos and it did feel pretty unique depending on who you play as. But it felt like I was just hitting the bad guys with a stick and I just didn't feel like I was playing as a Jedi much. Also the blaster characters are pretty useless and you are never going to be able to complete the game with these characters. 

Graphics

The game has some okay graphics and most of the character models represent the characters well. The sound design is pretty good and takes most of it from the film. But some of the graphics are poor, especially for the villains and there is some annoying sounds such as Jar Jar screaming over and over again. 

Overall

Overall, Star Wars: Episode 1 - Jedi Power Battles is a bad game that is incredibly dull and boring in the modern day. It belongs to the past and I wouldn't bother spending your time and money on it. 

Rating - 3/10

Captain America: Brave New World (2025) Review

The biggest film in the world right new is Captain America: Brave New World and yesterday I had a chance to watch the film and here is my review for the first Sam Wilson Led Captain America Film. The premise of the film sees Captain America trying to work with the new president when a ruthless plan is put into place to take them both down. 

Main Character

As mentioned above, Anthony Mackie plays Sam Wilson and he fully embraces his role as Captain America and he is really great in this film. He slips into the role extremely well and is a really likeable character here. They do their best to progress his character and though it isn't perfect, I am happy with how it ended up for him in the role. 

Supporting Characters

Harrison Ford takes over the role as President Ross from the late William Hurt and is fantastic. He really adds a lot to the character and is given a great character arc which is enhanced by Ford really trying his best and being enthused in the project. 

Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres & Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley see their roles enhanced after the events of The Falcon & The Winter Soldier. Torres is trying to become the new Falcon and he is a good partner for Sam and has his own character arc. It is nice to see the position Bradley is in at the beginning of the film and he has a lot of adversity to face throughout the film. 

Tim Blake Nelson reprises his role as Samuel Sterns from The Incredible Hulk and he was a good villain here. They give him reasonable motivations for his actions and sells the creepy character that he has become. 

Shira Haas plays Ruth Bat-Seraph and her casting and character caused a lot of controversy but It didn't distract me from the film and didn't offend me. Her character was functional for the film but didn't really stand out. 

Giancarlo Espositio plays Sidewinder and usually I wouldn't mention him but Esposito is a tremendous actor and he nails it in this small bad guy role. 

Story

The story has good character development for its main characters and does a pretty good job of selling the espionage angle and keeps the audience guessing throughout. However, this film does feel more like a sequel to The Incredible Hulk then a Captain America Film, Sam Wilson sometimes feels like an afterthought in his own movie and that is a shame. Also the last act feels really rushed and doesn't hit the levels that I wanted with my high expectations. 

Script

This film takes itself more seriously then the majority of Marvel films but does have some chuckle worthy moments and some moments of drama that feel worthwhile. But it never hits the level where I really got invested or fully cared about the characters and story and that is encapsulated by the ending. 

Style

There are some excellent action sequences in this film. It feels really grand on screen and seeing Sam Wilson as Captain America allows for some different action scenes then previous Captain America films. As shown in the trailers we get Red Hulk and when he is on screen, he is awesome and causes plenty of destruction but he just isn't on screen enough. The film has an issue with pacing, the last act is really rushed and I think this film needed a longer runtime to really deliver on what it promised. Also, some of the VFX Effects leave a lot to be desired, especially for a big blockbuster action movie. 

Overall

Overall, Captain America: Brave New World is a good film that ahs plenty of positives. It maybe doesn't hit the really high expectations that I had for it but I would say if you are a fan of super-hero films then you will enjoy this film and what is here. 

Rating - 7/10

Cobra Kai Season 6 (2024/2025) Review

Ever since Netflix purchased the rights to Cobra Kai and put the series on Netflix. I have been a huge fan of the show and after 6 seasons and 65 episodes today saw the end of the show and I have watched all the episodes of the final season. I watched the first part when it was released in 2024 but the last two parts over the last week together and combining all of these parts, here is my review for the final season of the show. The premise of the season sees both Miyagi-Do and Cobra Kai preparing to take part in the World Karate Championships which sees all their friendships and relationships put into question. 

Main Character

William Zabka plays Johnny Lawrence and I really feel like this season focuses on him more and gives him the material to really help progress his character and give him the depth that this show has been truly building over the last few years. Zabka delivers his best work here and I really rooted for him. 

Ralph Macchio plays Daniel LaRusso and he is also great in the role. He also has his own journey and I really like how it links to Johnny. Over the seasons we have seen their uneasy relationship develop and this continues here but there is more depth added and Macchio does a good job at it. 

Supporting Characters

Martin Kove is back as Kreese and I really love watching him in this show. We get even more depth added to him by learning more of his backstory and Kove is clearly having a wonderful time playing the role and it makes him such a cool character to watch. 

Lewis Tan is cast as Professor Wolfe and is a sensei of The Iron Dragons who is a new dojo threatening the other dojos and I really liked him in his role. He owns this bad guy role and though it isn't a role with the largest screen time but when he is introduced he adds a new dynamic. 

The younger cast all return and again do great jobs, Xolo Mariduena as Miguel is great, Tanner Bucahanan as Robbie is great and Mary Mousser as Sam is great. But the star really is Peyton List as Tori. She really has great character development and shows how tough life can be, especially for someone from a poorer income. 

Overall, everybody is fantastic and they deserve great credit for their performances over the six seasons of the show. 

Story

The story is really effective, it gives its characters real development and the last few episodes really up the stakes and puts our characters through a lot. I felt real emotion for what was going on and realised that this was about more then just a Karate tournament with a very satisfying family. However, there are elements of the story that didn't quite hit towards the end of the film and felt either rushed or not given the importance that I thought it deserved. 

Script

The script is fantastic, yes it is really cheesy and you have to understand that when you get into watching this show but I have grown to love the cheesy humour and romance stuff. But the drama really delivers here and there are some really emotional scenes that is great.

Style

The style is great, this is such an easy show to watch. The episodes being only 30/40 mins means you can breeze through them pretty quickly and enjoy the time you watch it. The fight scenes are fantastic and just so well choreographed and feels fitting for the culmination of this show. 

Overall

Overall, Cobra Kai Season 6 is a fantastic final season of the show. It truly delivers and nails the feeling of Cobra Kai and the time we have spent with these people and this story. I am a huge fan of this franchise and I think people need to give it a watch and the love that this show deserves.

Rating - 9/10

Virdee (2025) Review

Going through the shows and films that are coming out, I saw this one advertised on the BBC and decided to watch the new crime drama Virdee. I got through the 6 episodes over the last couple of days and here is my review of the show. The premise of the shows sees a police detective attempt to find a killer who is targeting the Asian community while dealing with his own demons. 

Main Character

Staz Nair plays Harry Virdee and he is fantastic in this show. He absolutely nails it as this hard boiled cop and he was a character that I really wanted to root for. He gives a really strong well rounded performance that fits the overall feeling of the show. 

Supporting Characters

Vikash Bai plays Riaz Hyatt who is an unlikely ally of Harry and is also involved of the shady parts of Bradford. He is great and I really liked the dynamic between him and Harry and how the show does a great job of building their dynamic and relationship. 

Aysha Kala plays Saima Hyatt, who is Harrys wife on the show and she is also great. I really believed in their relationship and the two of them have great interactions and story progression that makes them both strong characters. 

The rest of the characters come from either Harrys work or both Harry and Saima's families who don't get along. Everyone does really great jobs in their roles whether they are big parts of the show or small parts. They make this feel like an authentic show that delivers on what it promises. 

Story

The Story is good. There is a real mystery about who Harry is chasing, mixed with family and personal situations that feel realistic and a bit fresher then expected. However, I didn't find the reveal who was the killer to be that interesting and certain elements of the plot didn't seem that important and like it kind of fizzled out. 

Script

The script has some smart writing and creates interesting characters to populate this show and aid in these great performances. But sort of linked above, I don't think the shows actual story and structure was great and was the part of the show that could have been improved. 

Style

The show looks great, it really encapsulates the city of Bradford. The show is violent and moves at a great pace that I kept wanting to watch and became hooked. The action scenes are well filmed and the grit really adds a lot to the show. 

Overall

Overall, Virdee is a great sleeper hit and a show that should be watched. I had a great time with Virdee and I hope we do get more from this show in the future and I would say, give this show a chance I think people will really enjoy it. 

Rating - 8/10

Surviving Black Hawk Down (2025) Review

I caught a clip for this show and I am a big fan of the film of the same subject matter. I decided to give the documentary Surviving Black Hawk Down and here is my review for the Limited series. The premise looks at the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993 where US & Somali forces battled which ended up being called Black Hawk Down. 

The show does a good job in interviewing Soldiers & Civilians from both The US & Somalia in a way to try and create a more equal argument and it somewhat works and I thought the people themselves were keen to discuss the topic. 

I did get a good sense of the brutality that took place on the days involving Black Hawk Down and adding the re-enactments actually did kind of help here. 

Though, this show does have some issues. Mainly the fact that if you have seen the film or any slight info surrounding this event then this documentary doesn't offer anything new. The only part I wasn't fully aware of gets briefly talked about towards the end of the last episode and that was a shame. 

There is a pacing issue here too, I just am not sure we needed 3 hours to tell this story. It could have been made into a film instead and really focused on the interesting parts, instead of dragging it out and having some big lulls. 

Overall, Surviving Black Hawk Down is an average Documentary. It just exists and offers incredibly little to this conflicts history or its story. Respect to all the soldiers who had to go through this awful situation but I think this a documentary worth skipping, maybe watch the film instead. 

Rating - 5/10