MOVIE REVIEW: ZOOTOPIA 2

 

Detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who turns the mammal metropolis of Zootopia upside down. Testing their growing partnership like never before, they go under cover in new parts of town to crack the case.

Director: Jared Bush, Byron Howard

Cast: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, Ke Huy Quan, Fortune Feimster, Andy Samberg, David Strathairn, Patrick Warburton, Quinta Brunson, Danny Trejo

Release Date: November 26, 2025

Genre: Animation, Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Family, Mystery

Rated PG for action/violence and rude humor.

Runtime: 1h 48m

Review:

Zootopia 2 returns with an endless amount of animal puns, a fun crime mystery paired with a buddy/romantic comedy brought to life in a lushly animated kid’s movie which is powered by the chemistry of Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman.  Jared Bush and Byron Howard take over behind the camera with Bush also writing the script for this sequel which has an infectious energy from the start as we reintroduced into  the Zootopia world.  Each action set piece is packed with an impressive level of detail and depth splashed onscreen that gives the film a palatable vibrancy throughout.  There is plenty to see as we follow our central duo try to solve another large-scale mystery that has them on the run from the police and a wealthy family who’s desperate to hide family secrets.  The plot is far more layered and thoughtful than most family films with it switching gears fairly seamlessly between its central mystery and the duo opposites attract partnership dynamic.  The mystery does offer up some heady allusions to the history being erased along with smatterings of societal and racial inequalities.  Younger kids are sure to miss most of these story threads but you have to appreciate the thoughtful approach which make the story feel a bit more meaningful than just something more mindless.  It all works because of Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman natural chemistry together as mismatched partners who try to find a way to appreciate their differences in order to become a better pair.  Goodwin easily jumps back into Judy Hopps overachieving, optimistic bunny fur which still feels like a riff on Leslie Knopp from Parks and Recreation.  Jason Bateman has perfected his deadpan delivery now which is perfectly suited for his reformed con artist red fox.  Their back and forth are playful but heartfelt thanks to a sharp script with gives them plenty of emotional depth as they come to terms to the depth of their connection.  They do an excellent job of making it all feel organic and natural even amongst the zaniness going on around them.  Ke Huy Quan and Fortune Feimster join the fray here as Gary De'Snake a pit viper trying to help his family and a beaver conspiracy theorist who joins Hopps and Wilde solve the mystery.  They both make the most of their screen time with Quan bringing his usual earnestness to the role with Feimster providing a sort of manic energy that’s hilarious.  The cast and story make Zootopia 2 a fun journey but it does start to lag a bit in the final act with some plot devices coming off a retread which could have been less noticeable with the help of with a few edits here and there to make it a more efficient experience overall.    

B+

Cindy Prascik’s reviews of Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 and Machete Kills

Dearest Blog, this weekend's cinema schedule left me with two options: act like a real grownup with a movie blog and catch a pair of bonafide awards season hopefuls (Rush and Captain Phillips), or watch a cartoon and a splattery action flick with lots of cleavage and bad language.

Dear Blog, I think we both know where this is heading.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you haven't seen in the trailers.

First on today's agenda was Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.

When scientist Flint Lockwood (voice of Bill Hader) finds out his most famous invention is wreaking havoc, he teams with his childhood hero Chester V. (voice of Will Forte) to put a stop to the chaos...with surprising results.

So...I half-remember seeing the first Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. I'm pretty sure I liked it, because I was reasonably eager to see the sequel, but I don't remember much about it. Now I'm sorta remembering why. Cloudy 2 is passable entertainment that's safe for the kids, but doesn't offer much for anyone else.

The voice talent in Cloudy is a bunch of folks I generally find pretty funny. In addition to Hader and Forte, there's Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy Samberg, Benjamin Bratt, Neil Patrick Harris, Kristin Schaal, and Terry Crews. I don't think the cast is to blame for a lackluster picture, but I can't say anybody jumps out and saves it, either. It's not unheard of for really beautiful art to salvage a so-so animated flick, but this unfortunately falls flat in that regard as well. There are some imaginative creations, but nothing all that memorable or special.

It may be that my expectations of "family" entertainment have become unreasonable, but when I see a family movie these days, I expect it to be just that: something for the whole family, not just something that's suitable for kids. I expect the gorgeous art and clever humor of Finding Nemo, Elton John's hit parade in Gnomeo & Juliet (which had me and all the other grownups in the room dancing and singing along), or something truly special like How to Train Your Dragon, a spectacular film that compares favorably to any other movie, animated or not. The kids in my cinema today seemed to be getting a real charge out of the goofiness and bodily-function humor in Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2, but I think I only chuckled once...and I checked the clock three times. There's no invention that can turn that into anything good.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 clocks in at 95 minutes and is rated PG for "mild rude humor." It's suitable for kids, but is likely to bore adults to tears.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 gets four.

Next on my agenda was a sequel I more eagerly anticipated, Machete Kills.

Machete is recruited by the US President himself when an ex-Cartel leader points a missile at the good ole U.S. of A.

Machete Kills is a smorgasbord of familiar faces, cartoonish violence, and uber-hot babes. Dear reader(s), you know how I'm always saying an honest trailer is the key to a good movie-going experience? Well, a trailer whose lynchpin is Sofia Vergara firing giant boob guns tells you all you need to know about this one.

Danny Trejo is enjoyable as always, sticking with the less talk and more action plan.

Charlie Sheen is a hoot as the President, and Oscar nominee Demien Bichir is way over the top as the guy with his finger on the trigger. It's always a pleasure to see Walton Goggins, however briefly. Michelle Rodriguez, Amber Heard, Sofia Vergara, and Lady Gaga are so hot I'm surprised the screen didn't melt. There's blood and silliness aplenty, and...did I mention boob guns? While the movie's not grossly overlong, I do think it would have been better had they trimmed it to 90 minutes.

Machete Kills runs 107 minutes and is rated R for "strong bloody violence throughout, language, and some sexual content." It is exactly as advertised: an explosive, silly bit of brain candy.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Machete Kills gets six. Oh, and...boob guns.

Until next time...



No, seriously...boob guns!

MOVIE REVIEW MACHETE KILLS

The President of the United States (Charlie Sheen) tasks indomitable ex-Federale Machete (Danny Trejo) with silencing a dangerous radical and taking out a wealthy arms dealer who seeks to destabilize the entire globe. Michelle Rodriguez, Mel Gibson, Lady Gaga, Sofía Vergara, and Amber Heard co-star. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Robert Rodriguez

Cast: Danny Trejo, Michelle Rodriguez, Sofía Vergara, Charlie Sheen, Lady Gaga, Amber Heard, Demián Bichir, Jessica Alba

Release Date: Oct 11, 2013

Rated R for strong Bloody Violence, Some Sexual Content and Language

Runtime: 1 hr. 48 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure

Review:

If Robert Rodriguez’s Machete offended your sensibility or stretched credulity then be forewarned to stay as far away from Machete Kills as possible. Rodriguez’s follow up is more insane and over the top than the original. It still works as an homage to Grindhouse films but with everything set to eleven. Honestly, the script is mostly secondary as it moves from one crazy action set piece to another, each more hilarious than the other. Rodriguez gives his film a steady vigor through the first 2 acts keeping you laughing at the manic insanity on screen. The third act hits a tad bit of a snag, bringing the film’s energy to a grinding halt because of Mel Gibson and his characters needless exposition. The third act may lose some people because it takes a sudden turn into slightly unexpected territory, they kind of tell you at the beginning of the film actually. It tries to recapture the energy of the first 2 acts but doesn’t quite pull it off. The cast lead by the granite faced Trejo is in fine form. Trejo, again, plays it all straight, regardless of how ridiculous the situation. Thankfully, Jessica Alba just stops buy for a cup of coffee and disappears quickly replaced by Amber Heard. Heard is having all kinds of fun in her role and naturally fits into her role. That being said, Demián Bichir and Sofia Vergara are the real standouts. Demián Bichir has always impressed me as an actor in dramatic roles but here he just lets loose. Bichir is clearly enjoying himself but he brings that extra bit in his delivery that makes his performance so much fun. The film sorely misses him the moment he’s gone. Sofia Vergara is underused while other actors got more to do in the last act; it’s a shame because she’s a screeching Colombian Valkyrie ready made for this type of film. The strange part about it is that the film overstays its welcome by about 15 minutes or so and probably could have worked better with a sleeker plot with less characters. That being said it’s a bloody mindless bit of good fun.

B-

[Trailer 2] Machete Kills

The new trailer for Machete Kills gives you a better idea of the general plot in all its goofy glory. We also get our first glimpses of the cast and who they’ll be playing including Mel Gibson’s villain. I’m looking forward to this more and more with each passing day.

[Trailer] Machete Kills!

If you liked the over the top silliness of the first film, the sequel looks like it gets even more outlandish. I enjoyed the first one even though it had an unexpected political undercurrent which didn’t seem appropriate for an homage to Grindhouse films.

Sequel sounds a lot more straight forward and this trailer sure does give us a taste of what’s in store even if doesn’t tell us much about the plot.

MOVIE REVIEW: PREDATORS

IN THEATERS

PREDATORS



A group of hardened killers are hunted on an alien planet in producer Robert Rodriguez and director Nimród Antal's entry into the popular sci-fi action franchise. Mercenaries, murderers, gangsters, and convicts, they were the most feared men on Earth. But now they're a long way from home, and when the predators become the prey, fearless mercenary Royce (Adrien Brody) prepares for the fight of his life. And he's not alone, because Mexican gangster Cuchillo (Danny Trejo), Israeli Defense Forces veteran Isabelle (Alice Braga), notorious mass murderer Stans (Walton Goggins), Russian Special Forces operative Nikolai (Oleg Taktarov), RUF death squad member Mombasa (Mahershalalhashbaz Ali), and sword-wielding Yakuza Hanzo (Louis Ozawa Changchien) are all armed to the teeth, and out for blood. The odd man out is Edwin (Topher Grace), a once-prominent physician whose career came to an end following a big scandal. When the motley crew encounters Noland (Lawrence Fishburne), a resourceful human who has somehow managed to survive on the alien's hunting grounds for some time, they prepare to take the ultimate stand against the most powerful Predators yet. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Director: Nimród Antal

Cast: Adrien Brody, Alice Braga, Laurence Fishburne , Topher Grace , Danny Trejo

Release Date: Jul 09, 2010

Rated R for pervasive language, gore and strong creature violence

Runtime: 106 min

Genres: Action/Adventure, Suspense/Thriller

Review:

The sequel that should have been made 20 years ago Predators hits the screen feeling like a throwback from the start. Nimrod Antal makes his intentions clear from the start and he delivers the action filled sci-fi follow up you’d expect needless to say it’s predictable in everyway you can imagine but it’s still good fun. Once you get past the face that you’re watching a movie directed by someone named Nimrod, he also directed Vacancy, you’ll find that he directs the action well and hits all the key points for the suspense needed for this type of fare. Taking cues directly from the 1987 John McTiernan Arnold Schwarzenegger testosterone filled classic, Antal uses everything that made the original so enjoyable with a mild twist. When I say twist I should clarify in that Antal uses so much from the original that it almost feels like a remake but it could be worse, see either of the Alien v Predators movies. Adrien Brody is dutifully self serious and self centered as the “leader” of this group of predatory victims, yes the title has double meaning. I couldn’t help but notice that Brody, while passable, is taking himself way too serious throughout. Alice Braga does what she can with a thinly written role and she has one too many damsel in distress moments for my taste especially considering she’s supposed to be a trained killer. The supporting cast is underused which is a sham since there are so many impressive character actors on the cast. Of them only Fishburn and Walton Goggins make an impression. Once we reach the final reel, with the people you know would still be alive, you can feel Antal spreading his wings a little having more fun after a commendable effort of righting what was wrong with the thrown together sequels of the past 20 years.

C+