MOVIE REVIEW: THE TOMORROW WAR

 

A man is drafted to fight in a future war where the fate of humanity relies on his ability to confront his past.

Director: Chris McKay

Cast: Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J. K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, Sam Richardson, Mary Lynn Rajskub

Release Date: July 2, 2021

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, language and some suggestive references.

Runtime: 2h 20min

Review:

The Tomorrow War, not to be confused with fantastic novel The Forever War by Joe Haldeman, is a hodgepodge of recycled parts that delivers a capable if forgettable sci-fi film.  Director Chris McKay seems to be channeling Starship Troopers sans the satire by way of early 2000s Michael Bay.  It’s a loud dumb movie that throws out some intriguing ideas but decides to go for the path of least resistance. The script is filled with clichés seasoned sci-fi fans haven’t seen before so don’t expect the story to surprise you at any turn, it predictable from start to finish.  Thankfully, the film isn’t an overly serious or grim affair so there is plenty of fun to be had in some of the film’s larger set pieces even if the CGI varies from top notch to video game cut scene quality.  Chris Pratt leads the film as best he can, but you get the feeling he needs somebody to work off in order to deliver his best work.  Early in the film, he has nice chemistry with Sam Richardson, but he disappears to the better part of the film.  He shares more dramatic moments with Yvonne Strahovsk and he can’t quite sell the emotional connection so your investment in the relationship isn’t nearly as important as it should be.  Strahovsk, for her part, delivers solid work with the character being right in her wheelhouse.  J.K. Simmons has a small but memorable supporting role, sadly Betty Gilpin is little more than window dressing in her few scenes.  The Tomorrow War ultimately ends up being a fun but disposable sci-fi film which is a shame since you get a strong sense that there is a better film somewhere in in the story. 

C+

MOVIE REVIEW: THE HUNT

Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don't know where they are -- or how they got there. In the shadow of a dark internet conspiracy theory, ruthless elitists gather at a remote location to hunt humans for sport. But their master plan is about to be derailed when one of the hunted, Crystal, turns the tables on her pursuers.

Director: Craig Zobel

Cast: Betty Gilpin, Ike Barinholtz, Emma Roberts, Hilary Swank, Ethan Suplee, Sturgill Simpson

Release Date: March 13, 2020

Action, Horror, Thriller

Rated R for strong bloody violence, and language throughout.

Runtime: 1 h 29 min

Review:

The Hunt is every bit as stupid as it looks and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  It’s over the top Twitter political comment fight come to gruesome life is goofy and ham handed.  A bit of subtleness would have made this film just a tad bit more meaningful but as it’s an Itchy and Scratchy cartoon come to life.  In the first few minutes you sense every strand of it’s Grindhouse origin, it owes a lot to the 80s splatterfest Turkey Shoot.  Taken in that context, it’s a fun lark with a goofy but fun script.  Craig Zobel and his cast all have their tongue firmly in cheek so it’s never overly serious which lets all the blood and gore play as funny.  The cast, especially at the beginning, is made of a round table of familiar faces from TV but don’t get to attached to anyone because only a few are long for this brisk film’s runtime.  At it’s center is Betty Gilpin who carries the whole film with her wonderful turn which will remind people of Samara Weaving in last years Ready or Not and Sharni Vinson in Your Next.  It’s a fun performance that makes you look past the fact that her character is a murder machine in a Victoria Secret body.  It’s nothing new for Gilpin whose mastered that type of dichotomy in Netflix’s GLOW but here she can just go all out and have fun.  There’s no subtlety to this film and you’ll probably enjoy it more than you’d willingly admit.


C+

MOVIE REVIEW: STUBER

When a mild-mannered Uber driver named Stu (Kumail Nanjiani) picks up a passenger (Dave Bautista) who turns out to be a cop hot on the trail of a brutal killer, he’s thrust into a harrowing ordeal where he desperately tries to hold onto his wits, his life and his five-star rating. Directed by Michael Dowse, this action-comedy from 20th Century Fox also stars Iko Uwais, Natalie Morales, Betty Gilpin, Jimmy Tatro, Mira Sorvino and Karen Gillan.

Director: Michael Dowse

Cast: Dave Bautista, Kumail Nanjiani, Iko Uwais, Natalie Morales, Betty Gilpin, Jimmy Tatro, Mira Sorvino, Karen Gillan

Release Date: June 28, 2019

Action, Comedy, Crime

Rated R for violence and language throughout, some sexual references and brief graphic nudity

Runtime: 1 h 33 min

Review:

Stuber is one of those stupid mindless action comedies that seemingly pops up every summer.  Michael Dowse’s film knows what it is and never really pretends to be anything else especially anything resembling serious.  The action is loud, kinetic and surprisingly bloody for some reason.  Still it all carries very little weight in terms of gravitas.  It’s all played for fun and both the leads are more than ready to go all in.  Dave Bautista, aka Mr Monotone, uses a schtick similar to his Guardians of the Galaxy routine which works well here.  His massive size compared to Kumail Nanjiani’s plays right into the film’s general hook.  Nanjiani is perfectly neurotic as the hapless uber driver who’s commandeered for the drive around the city.  Together they make for a fun pair delivering a low rent 48 Hrs. or Running Scared.  Ultimately, the film does sort of feel like a throwback to those 80’s buddy comedies even if doesn’t quite reach classic status.


B-