House of the Dragon Season 2 (2024) Review

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

Main Character

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

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

Supporting Characters  

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

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

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

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

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

Story

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

Script

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

Style 

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

Overall

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

Rating - 7/10

Sherlock Holmes (2009) Review

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

Main Character

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

Supporting Characters

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

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

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

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

Story

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

Script

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

Style

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

Overall

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

Rating - 9/10

Mothers' Instinct (2024) Review

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

Main Character

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

Supporting Characters

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

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

Story

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

Script

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

Style

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

Overall

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

Rating - 6/10

Kung Fu Panda 4 (2024) Review

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

Main Character

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

Supporting Characters

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

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

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

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

Story

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

Script

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

Style

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

Overall

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

Rating - 6/10

Morbius (2022) Review

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

Main Character

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

Supporting Characters

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

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

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

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

Story

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

Script

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

Style

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

Overall

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

Rating - 2/10

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024) Review

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

Main Character

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

Supporting Characters

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

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

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

Story

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

Script

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

Style

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

Overall

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

Rating - 5/10

The Acolyte Season 1 (2024) Review

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

Main Character

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

Supporting Characters

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

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

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

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

Story

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

Script

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

Style

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

Overall

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

Rating - 5/10