Ready Player One (2018) Review

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

Main Character 

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

Supporting Characters

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

Story

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

Script

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

Style

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

Overall

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

Rating - 8/10 

Code 404 Season 1 (2020) Review

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

Main Character

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

Supporting Characters

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

Story

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

Script

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

Style

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

Overall

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

Rating - 3/10 

The Man From Uncle (2015) Review 

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

Main Character

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

Supporting Characters

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

Story

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

Script

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

Style

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

Overall

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

Rating - 6/10 

My Spy (2020) Review

 So this was one of the films that was meant to come out around March time but due to the current pandemic could not, but now it is on Amazon so I have now watched My Spy and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees a CIA agent get caught on operation by a 9 year old girl so she makes him teach her how to be a spy.

Main Character

Dave Bautista is an actor who we have seen plenty of over the last few years and I think he has the potential to really be as important as The Rock for wrestlers turned actors as he is really good in this film. He is an obvious fit for an action star due to his size and when he is required for this it works but it is the funnier and sweeter scenes where he really shines. His scenes with Chloe Coleman are very heartwarming and I thought they had good chemistry together. Even though his character development is nothing suprising it works for him and he does a good job with the role. 

Supporting Characters

As mentioned Chloe Coleman is the 9 year old girl and I thought she did a good job in the film, she actually comes across as a likeable character and her chemistry with Bautista is a real highlight for the film and obviously the relationship is the thing we are meant to most care about and unless you have a heart of stone you will do at least to some extent. I also think her mother in the film gave a good performance, her chemistry with Bautista is well handled and I thought she was just a good addition to the cast. But I didn't care about anybody else in the film, I get what they going for with the character of Bobbi but I found her annoying which made me struggle about her arc in the film and honestly it didn't feel important to say the least. Speaking of not important is the villain in this film who is one of the most generic bad guys in recent memory and he is a part of the film that really doesn't matter. 

Story

The plot is enjoyable enough, it s really sweet to see the main characters bond and you care about their relationship and it is nice to see. But this films plot is really generic, if you read the premise of this movie you can predict every thing that will happen and it happens exactly that way which holds it back. Plus the villain plot just goes away for ages and you actually forget why these characters are in their places due to this. 

Script

The script actually has a few good pop culture references that I thought worked mixed with a good bit of humour and a good bit of drama. It's just there isn't anything that really stands out and some of the drama doesn't really work as you know where the film is going so it feels like a waste of drama. 

Style

One of the biggest compliments I can give to the film is that it knows what it is, it is a silly action comedy film and it really knows it and embraces it which is fun to watch and a bit cheesy but in the good ways. Though this film does have a bit of a pacing issue basically forgetting about the bad guy plot for the majority of the film. It also doesn't have very interesting action scenes and it isn't a highlight of the film. 

Overall 

Overall, this is a film where you get what you expect, it is entertaining and charming but there is nothing special about it and it won't be a film that you will remember much in the future. I would say it is more of a family film but could be worth a watch but don't rush to watch it. 

Rating - 6/10

Star Wars: Rebels Season 1 (2014) Review

 After watching The Clone Wars all the way through I have decided to go through and watch the sequel show all the way through, starting with the first season of Star Wars Rebels, here is my review for this season. The premise of the season sees 15 years after the death of The Republic a group of misfit rebels come together in order to stop The Empire's hold on the planet Lothal.

Main Character

A new character is introduced on this show and that is Ezra Bridger voiced by Taylor Gray and I really liked this character. He feels like a young kid bought into this crazy world and you do sympathise with him. He has a really interesting story and has a real personal reason to get involved in the story of the show. They leave some mysterious things to be revealed later and it makes you interested in the character and I did end up caring about him. 

Supporting Characters

The best part of this show is possibly the supporting cast, the great thing about the crew is that they are all so different and you grow to really like them all in there unique ways. Freddie Prinze Jnr voices Kanan Jarrus and he was a great part of the show, there is a big reveal early on about his character and it leads to a really interesting dynamic between him and Ezra, there characters go through alot during the season and you see Kanan really face his reality and be made into a better person. Hera, Sabine & Zeb are all great characters, the chemistry between the crew is a real highlight and it works, they all even have small story arcs to themselves to flesh there characters out and give you a reason to care about them. The Inquisitor is the main villain and I thought he worked for this season, he is a great foil especially for Kanan and feels like a perfect first season villain and he feels like a natural villain. 

Story

This show is often compared to The Clone Wars and one thing this show does better is that of its characters story as it feels much more focused. It focuses on its crew and develops them well and doesn't try to do too much, all the characters are given interesting stories and pretty much every episode contributes to the main plot so it all feels like it has to be there. Also the finale is a truly great episode with two twists at the end that makes you really want to keep watching and gets you even more excited for a 2nd season. 

Script

The script actually has some suprisingly touching and dramatic moments that was a nice suprise considering this show was made as a kids show. These characters have real problems and the show does a truly great job of showing that effectively. One of my issues is that the humour doesn't quite work, it is here where you notice the childish elements of the show and that it feels a bit more kid friendly and not a way to make the characters more interesting. 

Style

The action scenes are pretty exciting, they keep you interested even though they don't do anything to push the boat too much in this first season. The season has 15 episodes and this was a really good length as I said the episodes are pretty much all interesting and important to the plot which makes it move by very quickly in the right way. However, this show's animation isn't particularly strong, it works for a childrens show but for me it doesn't quite do enough to hit the darker tone The Clone Wars, I know they are different shows but this show does it sometimes but not enough to really hit the levels it needs to. 

Overall

Overall, this is a great first season of the show, it is a fun show to watch with a great selection of characters that you care about. Definitley makes you want to watch a 2nd season and that makes it very affective. 

Rating - 8/10 

Ocean's Eight (2018) Review

Ocean's Eight (2018) Review

 After watching the previous three Ocean's films and the newest film Ocean's Eight which is the first one I am reviewing from scratch as I have never seen this film before and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees the sister of Danny Ocean released from prison where she teams up with a group of criminals to attempt a large heist in New York.

Main Character

In this film they are clearly going for a George Clooney and Brad Pitt chemistry between Sandra Bullock and Cate Blanchett and it sort of works. Bullock is the main character and she has the most time devoted to her and has a bit of a personal reason for the heist and I guess you kind of care about her character but there isn't that much to keep you invested. I felt like Blanchett was really wasted in the film and honestly it feels like she could have been played by anybody in the film. The chemistry just wasn't quite there for me and I didn't buy that these people had a meaningful relationship in the film. 

Supporting Characters

Anne Hathaway plays the person they are robbing and I thought she was a real highlight of this film, she is meant to play an over the top actress and she does a great job. She is so over the top drama queen that she is meant to be and for me she is the funniest character in the film. Out of the crew Sarah Poulsen was the best one for me, she actually had a bit of a character to her and obviously she is a great actress which helps. The rest of the cast though were just pretty dull, Helena Bonham Carter, Awkwafina and Rihanna are just here and I didn't care about any of them and I felt like this was a pretty dull crew of people which doesn't help the film at all.

Story

As I said in my Ocean's Thirteen review it is really hard to make a heist plot boring and not exciting and this film does a bit to make this film exciting. It has some clever moments to it and a clever piece of writing at the end that actually was better then some of the other films plans. Though this story is pretty generic and dull during it, the planning for the heist just isn't very interesting and without the great characters from before it comes across as weak. And I also have to mention the terrible marketing for this film, the trailer and posters spoil the biggest twists in the movie and it really makes it feel predictable at times and like you are waiting for certain parts of the film to happen. 

Script

As mentioned, when it comes to the actual heisting there is some pretty clever writing and the payoff is pretty unique and unexpected which was nice to see. But this is easily the least funny Ocean's film and the drama just isn't there to make you care at all. 

Style

The style of the film like the story is hard to mess up with a heist and this film does an okay job in making it exciting and keeping you on your toes. It's just there aren't really many issues with the heist which makes it less interesting and the pacing of the film is poor, the last 20 minutes really feel messy and like there were parts of the film that shouldn't be there.

Overall

Overall, this film epitomises average, there are some good parts about it for sure, but I watched it only a few hours ago and I have already forgotten most of the film and that makes it not worth a watch at all. 

Rating 5/10 

Ocean's Thirteen (2007) Review

Ocean's Thirteen (2007) Review

 Now I have finished the original Ocean's trilogy with the film Ocean's Thirteen and here is my review for the film. The premise of the film sees the crew aim to complete a heist for revenge, to do this they must team up with former enemy Tony Benedict. 

Main Character

George Clooney and Brad Pitt are back as Danny Ocean and Rusty and it is easy to see they are having a great time in their roles and there great chemistry is still here for all to see. The reason I have put them together this time is that neither character is really given much development to work with. There is one scene together that works well but there isn't enough and like I said in my Ocean's Twelve review it feels like there characters aren't interesting but you like them because of who the actors are. 

Supporting Characters

Matt Damon is given more to do in this film and the film actually gives him a bit of a character amd personality and it is nice to see, he has a story throughout the three films and it is nice to see it conclude in this film. Al Pacino plays the bad guy in the film and he is really fun to watch, he is a dastardly buisnessman but he is very entertaining and it is really fun seeing him react to what exactly is going on in his hotel. Elliot Gould, Don Cheadle and Casey Affleck also do good jobs in there role in the team and it is entertaining to watch them with the crew. Andy Garcia back as Tony Benedict is pretty entertaining to watch, I mean he doesn't do that much in the film but I like watching him interact with the crew.

Story

The story has a more personal feel to it, there is a real reason for them attempting the heist and especially at the beginning of the film I was behind the crew in there plans. But honestly the rest of the story is a bit of a mess, it is just way too convoluted, the crew are split up with their prep work and it just takes ages. The first film was intelligent with its story but doesn't make it absurd, this film is even worse then the 2nd film for this, it is crazy and actually a bit hard to follow. It also becomes ridiculous that they could even have planned for certain things that take place. Also this film has the generic idea with the good guys teaming up with a former foe to take down a new bad guy but it isn't the worst part of the film. 

Script

The script for me is the worst one in the series so far, the comedy is at the lowest comedy yet. I don't think I laughed at all even when the film really tries and goes overboard with it, plus the drama is thrown out after a time and you actually forget why this is so personal to the crew after a while. Also this film tries to be too smart and just becomes really convoluted and too much to care about and get invested in.

Style

The style of the film returns to Las Vegas which is nice to see, it feels like an homage to the first film and at times it sometimes has that feel to it. But as mentioned the pacing is a bit all over the place it just takes too long to plan and then takes a long time to execute and that makes this film feel a bit boring at times.

Overall

Overall, I actually think this is an above average film it has some entertaining moments but doesn't live up to Ocean's 11 and is only really worth a watch if you really love the first film. 

Rating - 6/10