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

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

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

The Accountant (2016) Review

I am going to see The Accountant 2 tomorrow but it has been a long time since I have seen the first film so I decided to re-watch it and here is my review for The Accountant. The premise of the film sees a unique accountant hired by a company to go through their books which leads to some violent consequences. 

Main Character

Ben Affleck plays The Accountant and I thought he was great in the film. His character has plenty of quirks about him and he seems to encapsulate the role really well. He is fantastic in the action scenes and though I didn't feel loads of sympathy for him I enjoyed watching his journey and performance in the film. 

Supporting Characters 

Anna Kendrick plays Dana and I really liked her performance. She is pretty high energy and the chemistry between her and Affleck is great and they really bounce off of each other well which aids both of their characters. 

JK Simmons plays Ray King and he was fantastic in this film. He really cares about his performance and he really rises this quite generic character and makes him one of the best parts of the film and that is due to the quality of the acting. 

Cynthia Addai-Robinson plays Medina and she is good in the film. I don't really care about her part in the plot but I think Robinson adds to the scenes that she is in and does a decent enough job. 

Jon Bernthal, Jeffery Tambor & John Lithgow are all in this film in smaller roles but they are all entertaining to watch. Especially Bernthal who has been doing some great work over the years. 

Story

The story of The Accountant is fascinating, as we see and find out more about him he becomes way more interesting and I really enjoyed this aspect of the film. I also really liked the dynamic between Affleck & Kendrick and I think it was a great part of the film. However, this films complete plot of the bad guys is super generic and was clearly the afterthought. Also, the investigation by Simmons & Robinson really goes nowhere and I do think if that part of the film was cut then it would be no different. 

Script

The script actually has some pretty good dialogue, even some little chuckle worthy moments that I wasn't expecting. But this film really suffers with an exposition problem and the way that it is presented is really weak and affects how the film flows. 

Style

The film has some great action to it. It rivals top action films like John Wick and seeing Affleck take down bad guys is really satisfying. However. the film has some real pacing issues and makes it feeling longer then it is. 

Overall

Overall, The Accountant is a good film that has some great performances and action scenes. It does have some issues but is a fun watch and I hope the sequel is at least as good if not better. 

Rating - 7/10

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

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

Back in Action (2025) Review

Netflix release a bunch of films every year and this is the first real big budget film that they have released in Back To Action and I watched the film today, so here is my review. The premise of the film sees two parents who are former spies forced back into action when their identities are exposed. 

Main Character

There are two main characters here in Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz as Matt & Emily are they are really great here. Especially considering this is Diaz first film in 11 Years and some serious medical issues that became of Foxx. They know what film they are in and they are just really fun to watch, their chemistry is really there and it carries this really basic film. 

Supporting Characters

Glen Close plays Ginny and I thought she was also having a great time with the film and the fun character that she is given. She is allowed to be a part of some action scenes and it is just fun to watch her here. 

However, this doesn't always work and an example of this is Jamie Demetriou who plays Nigel. He is just overdoing it a lot and I thought he wasn't very funny which was a shame because he was clearly enjoying himself. 

Andrew Scott plays Baron and though he is a fantastic character I just didn't care for him in this film. He plays the most generic agent and I just think it seemed like he wasn't particularly comfortable with the role and it didn't quite work. 

Then onto the two kids Alice & Leo, they were both really annoying and to be honest when they were in danger I just really didn't care and that was the problem when that was supposed to be the emotional part of the film but it doesn't work. 

Story

The story of the film is just so bland and boring with a lot of it not making any sense. I didn't really buy the family bond that is supposed to being built between the characters and the arcs that they all go through. There are twists and turns that are staggering and feel like they were just thrown in here with no real thought with an ending that was kind of insulting. 

Script

The script is also really bad. Foxx and Diaz have to work throughout the film to make the most of of this pretty dire script with cringeworthy dialogue and story beats that a teenager could have wrote. 

Style

The film does have some pretty entertaining action scenes that are very nice to look at visually. However, none of these scenes particularly stand out and there is a bit too much use of slow-mo and action scenes with pop songs which got a bit annoying after the third one. 

Overall

Overall, Back in Action is a Below Average Action Film that feels as generic as it comes. It is great to see Jamir Foxx & Cameron Diaz deliver fun performances with great chemistry but the rest of the film falls flat and is one you can skip. 

Rating - 4/10

Nosferatu (2025) Review

This film came out in the United States in 2024, however Nosferatu was only released in The UK in 2025 and I have watched it, so here is my review for this film. The premise of the film sees a newly married man travel to meet a count who is looking to buy a house, he doesn't realise that there are other things at play. 

Main Character

Lily Rose-Depp & Nicholas Hoult play Ellen & Thomas Hunter and they are the main characters here and they are both very good in their roles. We spend the majority of the first act with Thomas and the mental torture that he is going through and Hoult does a great job in selling this for an audience. The second act more focuses on Ellen and you see her go through her own mental trauma and she really fits into the film and does a great job. Then the final act shows them both together and they both really shine in their roles. 

Supporting Characters

After Kraven the Hunter, it was nice seeing Aaron Taylor-Johnson do a great job in Nosferatu in the role of Friedrich Harding. He is the most sceptical character here and Johnson nails being that slightly mistrusting character and he deserves real credit here. 

Willem Dafoe plays Professor Von Franz and he is a lot of fun here. He is introduced quite late in the film but you can see that Dafoe is really enjoying his work and embraces with the absurdity of the premise of the film. 

Unfortunately, though I was disappointed in the performance of Bill Skarsgard as Count Orlok. He is just a weirdo with no real depth or intrigue to him and when he is on screen I find him pretty weird to look at and that the idea of taking him down is more interesting then him as a whole. 

Story

The film does a great job of building intrigue and atmosphere for its story. Seeing the journey that Thomas goes through is pretty interesting and as the threat grows I liked the group that was trying to stop Orlok. But this film has a really dull ending that feels rushed and ends abruptly, we are left with more questions then answers and considering how this film is made I think that was the wrong way to go. 

Script

The script was okay in terms of dialogue, there was nothing truly memorable for me but it was written well enough. It is just character decisions and motivations aren't written particularly well and it doesn't quite match with some of the really good performances that are on show here. 

Style

The style of the film looks really good and does a great job of building the tone and atmosphere that the film wanted. I was creeped out throughout and the excellent score and sounding played a big part of that. But this film is sometimes overly violent for violence sakes and the film is pretty poorly paced and we could have cut some runtime off of the film to make it more cohesive. 

Overall

Overall, Nosferatu is an above average film and a pretty big disappointment for me. If you are a big horror fan then you might love this film but for me there just wasn't enough here and I think this is just an okay film that could have been a lot better. 

Rating - 6/10

Kraven The Hunter (2024) Review

Over the last few years, we have seen Sony attempt to make their own shared universe using Spider-Man villains and here is their latest and probably last attempt for the time being - Kraven The Hunter. With a lack of interest, I found the will to go and watch the film today and here is my review. The premise of the film sees after receiving super powers, Kraven goes on the hunt after people that do bad deeds. 

Main Character

Aaron Talyor-Johnson plays Kraven and unfortunately he is incredibly boring in the role. He just seems to not really care about the role and that he is sleep walking through it just to get his pay check. I always thought he was a weird choice for the role and that is what came to pass. A big issue is the writing, the people who wrote this film know nothing about the character and changed him so much that he doesn't even feel like Kraven anymore and that is a big shame. 

Supporting Characters

Fred Hechinger plays Dmitri Kravenoff and he does a decent job here. This film is built on family and the family relationships here and pretty much all of the heavy lifting comes from Hechinger and the next actor I will mention. 

Russell Crowe plays Nikolai Kravenoff and though he has a slightly silly accent it works and Crowe shows he has star power. He is clearly the person who really cares about the film and his role which hasn't always been the case so credit to him for that. 

Ariana DeBose plays Calypso and she is the most useless character in this film and I don't know why she was included. It just seemed like they needed a companion for Kraven, she never helps him and there is no real development and backstory for her character. 

In the trailer it was revealed that Alessandro Nivola would be playing Aleksei Sytsevich AKA The Rhino, but this was not a version of The Rhino that comes across well at all. He is a bit of a weirdo and that actor really overplays it, it just feels nothing like the character in the comics which adds to the idea that the people making this film didn't really understand the characters. 

Story

The story is completely nonsensical and is awful. They are forced to turn Kraven into this hero for justice which goes against the traditional nature of the character but the film is just dull and convoluted. They spend 30 mins trying to explain how he got his powers but they do it in such a poor way that I still don't understand it. The film rushes way too much and doesn't explain any of the characters and why I should care about what is going on. 

Script

The Script is really bad. It tries some really bad humour, they try and make Kraven a bit funny which is again not like his character in the comics but none of it works and Taylor-Johnson doesn't deliver them very well. I didn't care about any of the characters or the situation they are put in and that makes it feel pretty lifeless. 

Style

The film has some entertaining action sequences and a big part of that is the level of violence incorporated which makes it stands out, which is funny that is R-Rated but none of the Venom films were. But some of the action scenes are very short and just as they get going they stop and the CGI is pretty terrible throughout, especially that of Rhino, who looks like a cartoon character. 

Overall 

Overall, Kraven The Hunter is a really bad film. It has everything poor about it in a comic book film and it should never have been made. The action isn't good enough and the characters are not well realised leaving this an utter mess and one of the worst comic book films that you will ever see. 

Rating - 2/10

 Moana 2 (2024) Review

After a big release in 2016, we now have the sequel for the hit Disney animated film Moana. I watched the film today and here is my review for Moana 2. The premise of the film sees Moana forced to go on a journey to unite the people of the ocean. 

Main Character

Auli'i Cravalho plays Moana and she is great again as she was in the first film. She has a bit more of an arc in this film and Cravalho does deliver in this role. Moana is a great lead character and one that is pretty easy to root for and care about. 

Supporting Characters

Dwayne Johnson is back as Maui and though his role is slightly reduced he is still really fun to watch and he is also given a bit more depth towards him. He just oozes charisma on film and Maui is a great character. 

Unfortunately, the rest of the cast really does suffer. This film sees Moana take on a crew of characters called Moni, Loto & Kele but they are all pretty boring and offer very little in this film except being a reason for Moana's development which is a shame. 

There is a villain, but they are really underdeveloped and it just doesn't have enough to really make you care or understand them. 

Story

The story is okay, there is some better development for Moana & Maui in this film which I can give credit to. But overall, similar to the original this film is incredibly paint by numbers and doesn't offer much new. In fact if you examine it, the plot of the first film and this one are pretty much identical and it did make me sigh and notice the predictable nature of the film. 

Script

The film probably does have a bit more drama to it but in the end it does come across as a bit forced and lacks the stakes to deserve it. Also the humour just doesn't have the same feel to it here and definitely feels like it has been dumbed down to younger children. 

Style

The film continues to look beautiful, the colours are really well realised and it is lovely to see such fantastic animation on the big screen. However, the pacing is a little bit off and there were some large lulls in the film. Also the songs are just not as good here, the departure of the great Lin Manuel Miranda is sorely missed. 

Overall

Overall, Moana 2 is an Above Average Sequel. It is a decent film and will fill its job of being great for young children and families. But it doesn't do enough to make it stand out and lacks the joy and feel of the first film which means this a less enjoyable time. 

Rating - 6/10

Moana (2016) Review

I am going to see Moana 2 tomorrow, so I thought it would be a good idea to finally find the time to watch the original film and review it here. Well, now I have done that and here is my review for Moana. The premise of the film sees a young girl attempt to find a demigod to try and stop a curse on her people that he caused. 

Main Character

Auli'i Cravalho plays Moana and she is great in this film. This character was strong, smart but also funny. She was a great protagonist for this film and I think it was the perfect time to have a great character for young girls to root for and see succeed without any love interest to be seen here. 

Supporting Characters

Dwayne Johnson Plays Maui and he brings all his charisma and enjoyment to the role and he was a blast to watch. The film mostly focuses on the dynamic between Maui & Moana and Johnson added a lot to this and the dynamic between the two of them is a great highlight. 

The rest of the cast aren't in this film much but a big part of the film is Rachel House who plays Gramma Tala. Their is a really sweet relationship between her and Moana and it really catapults the films plot well. 

Temuera Morrison plays Chief Tui and he is good in his role. We see how he is an overprotective father but also the head of his tribe and how the two things kind of conflict and leads Moana onto her journey. 

Story

The film does an effective job with showing Moana on this journey and having Maui along for the ride with them continuously interacting. However, the film is a bit generic with its storytelling and I don't think it does quite enough with its characters to make me care enough unfortunately. 

Script

The script is alright, I chuckled throughout the film and some of the drama is really well handled. But as I mentioned above, the film doesn't quite do enough with the writing of the film or the characters to make them really stand out. 

Style

The film looks beautiful, it really nails the colour pallet and makes it come across as this beautiful and exotic place. The animation is really well done and the film flows very nicely and didn't overstay its welcome. The film doesn't have loads of songs but the ones it has are great and memorable. 

Overall

Overall, Moana is a great film that delivers as a fun family friendly film. It isn't exactly ground-breaking but does enough to keep you interested and entertained throughout. 

Rating - 8/10 

Wicked (2024) Review

I wasn't planning on seeing Wicked, but my mum and sister are big fans of the stage musical and with the global marketing, I decided to go see the film and here is my review. The premise of the film sees two people with very different upbringings and personalities forced to come together and accept each other. 

Main Character

Cynthia Ervio plays Elphaba and she is fantastic in this film. She really makes you care about her and support her in the role. She is obviously great in the singing scenes but she really encapsulates this performance and Ervio deserves great credit on taking this iconic character and making it really work. 

Supporting Characters

Ariana Grande plays Galinda and she was also fantastic in the film. She has great charisma and chews up every scene that she is in. The chemistry between her and Ervio is really great and it is the bedrock of the film.. She is also obviously great at the signing sequences and overall a great performance from Grande. 

Jonathan Bailey plays Fiyero and wow I really enjoyed this guy in this film. He comes in as the film does start to slightly lull and adds so much energy and charisma to the film. He is magnetic on film and he has an incredibly bright future and we will see him in many more big projects in the future. 

Michelle Yeoh plays Madame Morrible and she is good in the role. She isn't in the film a huge amount but plays an effective role in the film and Yeoh does bring her star power to the role 

Jeff Goldblum plays The Wizard of and this is really a glorified cameo but I can't help but enjoy watching Goldblum on screen and he does great work with the limited screen time he is given. 

Story

The main story of the film is the relationship being built between Elphaba & Galinda and I think the film did a great job at it and the actors really delivered in making us feel the emotion and heartfelt interactions between the two. I couldn't decide whether I liked the ending because it does feel mostly like set up for the sequel, but the more I think about it the more I am fine of it because it does end at an effective moment and feels more complete the I expected. 

Script

The script is pretty well written and there was plenty of emotion in the relationship between the two main characters. Obviously, there is plenty of singing and it is really well realised here. But this film doesn't quite nail the dialogue and some of it is cringey and that is a shame. 

Style

The style of the film has had some big discussion but I personally thought the look of the film really complimented the story that they were trying to tell. It doesn't look real but that is kind of the point and the fantastical element is really well realised. But the film has some pacing issues, for me the 2nd act of the film does drag a bit and it made the film feel a bit longer then I would have liked. 

Overall

Overall, Wicked is a great film that really delivers for fans of the franchise. It is a film you need to see in the cinema and it is a big blockbuster movie with exciting potential for its 2nd part that comes out next year. 

Rating - 8/10

 Gladiator 2 (2024) Review

After 24 years, Ridley Scott has decided to release a sequel to his much acclaimed film Gladiator. It is an amazing film and I was very excited to go watch this film and here is my review for Gladiator 2. The premise of the film follows a man see his homeland invaded by Romans and everything taken from him. To get revenge he is recruited to become a Gladiator. 

Main Character

Paul Mescal plays the lead and he is good in his role. He can't quite live up to Russel Crowe but he does a decent job and really gets better as the film progresses. I liked his characters development throughout the film and he was a good protagonist here. 

Supporting Characters

Denzel Washington plays Macrinus and he is a lot of fun to watch, I mean he just plays himself but he is super charismatic and entertaining to watch. He oozes charisma on the screen and I really loved watching this generational actor do his thing. 

Connie Nielsen reprises her role as Lucilla from the first film and she does a great job. She has clearly gone through a lot since the first film and it is really easy to sympathise with her in the situation she has been put in and it is nice to see her back here. 

Pedro Pascal plays Marcus Acacius and I thought he was fantastic. I was expecting him to be this generic Roman General but he really wasn't. They give so much character to him and Pascal absolutely nailed it making the most of his screen time. 

Joseph Quinn & Fred Hechinger play the two Emperors and they are a lot of fun to watch. They aren't as good as Joaquin Phoenix was as Commodus but they were fun and crazy. 

Story

The story does a good job with Pescal's character and thought it is pretty simple it is handled really effectively and aided with his development. The film does embrace its more political side and I think this story was handled well and showed that these fights are about more then just bloodshed. But this film does have a slight issue with really nailing the emotion in the story, it has the right ideas but just misses the mark. I also thought this films ending is a bit abrupt and doesn't quite deliver on what I was hoping for. 

Script

The script is a mixed bag and does feel like it is written by two different people. There are some cool speeches and as I mentioned they deal with the political side of Rome really well. But there is some silly writing here and some moments just don't work and don't add to the film. 

Style

For the most part the film looks fantastic, the action scenes are really well realised and the violence is on point if not a little bit stylised. Despite the film being pretty long it flowed nicely and I was never bored throughout. But the film has some really noticeable CGI and it really took me out of the film and I just wish there could have been a bit more practicality and grit to the film. 

Overall

Overall, Gladiator 2 is a good film but falls flat compared to its predecessor. It is still an enjoyable film and I think it is a worthy film to see at the cinema and can recommend it but maybe just slightly lower your expectations. 

Rating - 7/10

Gladiator (2000) Review

I am a bit late to the party, but I am going to see Gladiator 2 today, so I decided to watch the first film in the franchise Gladiator and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a Roman General betrayed and on the hunt for revenge after being sold to slavery. 

Main Character

Russel Crowe plays Maximus and he is fantastic in this film, this is such an iconic role and he absolutely nails it. He plays this gladiator so well and makes it so believable in the action scenes but there is a real depth to Maximus and Crowe really delivered in making us care about his character and the situation he is in. Crowe won the Oscar for this role and that is truly deserved here. 

Supporting Characters

Joaquin Phoenix plays Commodus and he is truly amazing and deserves real credit for playing one of the biggest scumbags I have seen in film. He is a petulant and angry man who just wants power and recognition. He contrasts Maximus so well and this is an iconic performance and up there with his very best. 

Connie Nielsen plays Lucilla and I really liked her performance. She is introduced as a strong character but you really see her problems and how she is treated throughout the film drives her to drastic decisions and Nielsen is a good addition to the cast. 

Oliver Reed plays Proximo and it is sad that Reed died before the end of filming so he never got to see the film and it caused the production to have to adapt to keep him in the film. He is great and I loved him as the gladiator owner here, he truly believed in Maximus and their relationship is a highlight of the film. 

Richard Harris and Djimon Hounsou play small roles here but they also add to the quality of the cast and show that the film is full of great performers. 

Story

The film does a fantastic job with its story. In theory, it is quite a simple revenge story but there is just so much more to it and the film does a fantastic job at it. There are political machinations going on that links to Maximus plan to take down Commodus and they contrast really well and adds to the depth of the story. The ending is also great and truly fits the story and tone of the overall film. 

Script

The script is fantastic, there are quite a few really memorable quotes here that people use in every day life. There are so many memorable scenes and even a bit of charm and humour to Maximus and this really fleshes the character out. 

Style

The film has a fantastic style, the cinematography is brilliant. The actions scenes are really well filmed and the landscapes and backgrounds are beautiful. The film is paced really well and I thought it flowed between action and dialogue incredibly well. The score and all the music adds so much to the film and is really iconic. 

Overall

Overall, Gladiator is an Epic Film and needs to be seen by every person. It is really well directed has great action and is acted brilliantly so this is a must watch and a film that is truly legendary. 

Rating - 10/10