Cindy Prascik's Reviews of Heart of Stone & Red, White & Royal Blue

My dear reader(s), my movie diet this past weekend was cheesier than an extra-large Wisconsin six-cheese pie from Domino's, but unfortunately not all of it was quite so delicious.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers, aside from one non-plot-specific quote that earned itself a little spotlight.

First on my weekend agenda, Heart of Stone, starring Gal Gadot as a member of a shadowy agency charged with keeping a powerful weapon out of hackers' hands.

Boasting the wonderful Gadot and a likeable, familiar collection of supporting players, Heart of Stone had the potential to be the kind of dumb fun that passes a great summer afternoon. Unfortunately, the plot is lazy and predictable, the action is by the numbers, and much of the dialogue is so bad I was embarrassed for all involved. Top it with an overwrought score and excessive runtime, and, well, it's just a terrible waste of a solid cast and a good (if oft-used) premise.

Heart of Stone clocks in at 122 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of violence and action and some language."

Heart of Stone attempts to build a franchise atop an impossibly weak foundation. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Heart of Stone gets two.

Heart of Stone is now streaming on Netflix.

Next on my weekend agenda, the romcom Red, White & Royal Blue, a tale of forbidden romance between an English prince and the US President's son.

Me? Watching a romcom? Ye gods.

Red, White & Royal Blue is a sweet, funny tale that is no worse for being exactly what you expect at nearly every turn. Any romance rises and falls on its principals, and this one shines mainly due to the exceptional appeal and chemistry of its central couple, portrayed by Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez. 

They are a delight! The movie is often laugh-out-loud funny, with the bulk of the credit there going to Sarah Shahi as the President's harried Deputy Chief of Staff, and special mention to Uma Thurman, who had me on the floor with the President's "Mom" speech. There's no denying Red, White & Royal Blue is a bit Hallmarkey in its execution. The acting is a little rough at times, and some of the music placement feels awkward, but those are petty quibbles with a movie that left me with a smile that hasn't faded a day later. 

Finally, and maybe most importantly, "He grabbed my hair in a way that made me understand the difference between rugby and football" has to be in the running for movie quote of the year. I don't make the rules.

Red, White & Royal Blue runs 118 minutes and is rated R for "some sexual content, partial nudity, and language."

Red, White & Royal Blue is a predictable romantic comedy elevated by a charming cast and some hilarious dialogue. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Red, White & Royal Blue gets eight. (I'll be watching it again today.)

Fangirl points: Clifton Collins, Jr.!!

Red, White & Royal Blue is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: DEATH ON THE NILE

 

Belgian sleuth Hercule Poirot's Egyptian vacation aboard a glamorous river steamer turns into a terrifying search for a murderer when a picture-perfect couple's idyllic honeymoon is tragically cut short.

Director: Kenneth Branagh

Cast:  Kenneth Branagh, Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, Letitia Wright

Release Date: February 11, 2022 

Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery

Rated PG-13 for violence, some bloody images, and sexual material

Runtime: 2h 7m

Review:

Death on the Nile is another lavish follow up to Murder on the Orient Express stacked with stars and style.  Kenneth Branagh is again pulling double duty in front and behind the camera with his love of the material shining thru each moment.  Branagh for his part adds a bit of sensitivity and heart to his turn as Poirot this go around.  The cast is each given their moment to shine with Annette Bening, Sophie Okonedo and Emma Mackey leaving the biggest impression.  The film's pacing is meticulous and measured as we meet all the potential suspects but it falters as the film hits the third act and the bodies continue to pile up with Poirot failing to live up to his legendary detective status.  Death on the Nile is the type of film that works well with in parts but is ultimately an uneven experience especially considering the collected star power behind and in front of the camera.

B

Cindy Prascik's Reviews of The Harder They Fall & Red Notice

My dear reader(s), these past two weeks I'd have liked to go to the cinema and didn't get there, so I threw myself on the mercy of Netflix for a couple new releases. 

First on my agenda, the Harder They Fall. An outlaw puts his gang back together to seek revenge on an old enemy. The Harder They Fall is an okay movie with a cast it doesn't quite deserve. Idris Elba, Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield, and Edi Gathegi are standouts in a group that has no weak links. Outside the exceptional actors, the rest - story to humor to music - works about half the time. Sadly, any time the movie gets good enough to feel invested, it derails itself with hokey or contrived choices, and the overlong run time only exacerbates its problems. 

The Harder They Fall clocks in at 139 minutes and is rated R for "strong violence and language." The Harder They Fall is worth a look for its incredible cast, but otherwise is nothing special. 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Harder They Fall gets five. The Harder They Fall is now streaming on Netflix. 

Next on the docket, Red Notice. The world's greatest art thief attempts to steal a rare treasure while on the run from the law. Red Notice is the kind of dumb fun I feared Covid had cost me my ability to enjoy. I am well pleased to report that is not the case. The movie's goofy humor is pitch perfect for stars Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds, Action sequences are well choreographed and don't run on too long. Plenty of twists keep the story moving at a good clip, and Gal Gadot is simply a delight. Red Notice runs 118 minutes and is rated PG13 for "violence and action, some sexual references, and strong language." 

Red Notice is dopey good fun that will keep you smiling and won't overtax your brain. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Red Notice gets seven. Fangirl points: Red Notice earns some BIG fangirl points for something that might be considered a spoiler, so I'll just say keep your eyes open for a "perfect" cameo! 

Red Notice is now streaming on Netflix. Until next time...

Cindy Prascik's Review of Zack Snyder's Justice League

 

My dear reader(s), this weekend has brought us a great gift. No, it's not the first day of spring or even the (hopefully) impending end of Covid, but rather the long-awaited "Snyder Cut" of Justice League.

Spoiler level here will be...mild(ish), I guess.

Probably everybody - or at least everybody who'd bother to read this - knows the story of 2017's Justice League. Midway through building his DC Universe, a personal tragedy caused Snyder to exit the film. Joss Whedon stepped in and made a very Marvel-colored DC movie, maligned by critics and fans alike. In anticipation of the release of the Snyder Cut, I rewatched the original last week, and was reminded that I did enjoy it in a very Marvel-ish way, that is, I laughed at its goofiness and forgot it the minute it was over. The four-hour Snyder Cut...*that* I enjoyed in a very DC way, that is, I loved every minute and will hold it in my heart forever.

Let's start with Master Wayne. Batman is my favorite A-List hero (the Tick is my overall favorite, if anyone wondered), and Ben Affleck is my favorite Batman by far. Cocky but world weary, strong but fading, his take on the character wouldn't be out of place in any dramatic awards darling. In the theatrical release of Justice League, Batman was basically reduced to comic relief, an insult to the Caped Crusader's legacy. The Snyder Cut reinstates him as the quarterback of this team of heroes.

While the movie retains the darker tone for which DC is noted, there is a good bit of humor, mostly from Aquaman (Jason Momoa) and Flash (Ezra Miller). Gone are the Iron Man-esque wise cracks in every scene that were forced into the theatrical release. The movie does not miss them.

Gal Gadot shines as Wonder Woman, Diana doing her part to lead the team and perhaps temper Bruce Wayne's hardness and cynicism. It's also worth noting that Wonder Woman has the coolest musical cue of all the heroes.

Henry Cavill remains a perfect Superman, and maybe the very best news about the Snyder cut is that it's missing the awful CGI moustache erasure that made such a laughingstock of the theatrical cut from its very first moments.

Finally, we come to Victor Stone. Snyder has called him the heart of the film, and he definitely benefits from added screen time and a more fleshed-out backstory. A leader though he's just a kid, Ray Fisher's Cyborg is the glue that holds Justice League together. I know I speak for many when I say, if DC made a feature with Fisher's Cyborg and Miller's Flash, I'd be there with bells on.

The Snyder Cut boasts some super effects, especially on the villian Steppenwolf; in fact, its visuals are quite stunning nearly every step of the way. The film features an epic score by Junkie XL. There are plenty of surprises/Easter eggs for DC fans, and I don't mind admitting that I got a bit choked up by certain frames of the movie. If the picture has a fault, it's that all that super slo-mo does get a bit exhausting, but mostly it is, in every way, the epic big screen endeavor that the world's greatest heroes deserve.

Zack Snyder's Justice League runs a whopping 242 minutes and is rated R for "violence and some language."

As a DC fangirl, I am happy to report Zack Snyder's Justice League is everything I'd hoped for. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Zack Snyder's Justice League gets all nine...and I'm watching it again as I type this!

Fangirl points: Song to the Siren makes a brief appearance here, and even though it's a cover instead of Tim Buckley's original....I'll take it!

Zack Snyder's Justice League, along with his director's cut of Batman v Superman, is now streaming on HBO Max.

MOVIE REVIEW: ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE

 

In ZACK SNYDER'S JUSTICE LEAGUE, determined to ensure Superman's (Henry Cavill) ultimate sacrifice was not in vain, Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) aligns forces with Diana Prince (Gal Gadot) with plans to recruit a team of metahumans to protect the world from an approaching threat of catastrophic proportions.

Director: Zack Snyder

Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Amy Adams, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray 
Fisher, Ciarán Hinds

Release Date: March 18, 2021

Genres: Action, Adventure, Fantasy 

Rated R for violence and some language 

Runtime: 4h 2min 

Review:

Zack Snyder's Justice League had a long and tragic road to becoming a reality.  Joss Whedon's cobbled together Frankenstein film isn't terrible but it just reeks of shooting for the lowest common denominator, what works is mainly due to the cast.  Regardless of that, the Whedon film felt nothing like Snyder's lead in, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, an overstuffed film but one with a clear vision.  The last time we've been able to see two separate versions of the same film was in the early 2000's when both Renny Harlin's Exorcist: The Beginning and Paul Schrader's Dominion: Prequel to the Exorcist were both released with one film being the result of studio meddling, sadly both films were terrible for different reasons.  Against all odds, Zack Snyder's Justice League is a opus that hits all the right marks without any of cheesy one liners of the Whedon film.  Snyder's film is entirely his own entity from the start and fits in perfectly with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.  Perhaps the most interesting thing about the whole thing is that while it's much more serious than the Whedon film, it's never an overly dour affair.  There's well placed levity throughout with Ezra Miller's Flash carrying the comedic load and it never feels fake or forced.  Even more surprising is the amount of heart and character building on display in this film, something that's been lacking from the majority of Snyder's previous films.  

This film gave Ray Fisher's Cyborg a real emotional arch and the character himself feels more like a fully realized creation with understandable motivations and emotions.  Ciarán Hinds's villain Steppenwolf is given more depth than he did in the original which works in the character's and story's favor.  Likewise, Jason Momoa's Aquaman isn't the over the top dudebro from the original release which makes his character far more interesting and nuanced.  This approach gives Momoa the chance to actually display some real acting chops and he does incredibly well.  Ben Affleck's Batman is more hopeful in this version without having to use goofy one liners.  Henry Cavill's resurrected Superman is saved from bad facial CGI and it's nerdy fun to see him don the black suit but his story is more or less unchanged. Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman gets a far better shake in this version as well, those complaining about the lack of action in Wonder Woman 84 from the Amazonian will find plenty to love here.  The action sequences themselves are also a revelation, the major set pieces are more or less the same but Snyder's version are stylized 300 esque battles that deliver an appropriately epic scope.  Steppenwolf's attack on Themyscira early on serves as a prime example of how Snyder's action worked much better on multiple levels, it helps that Connie Nielsen's Hippolyta is given more screen.  Much like the action, the story itself is cleaner and more efficient here which makes you wonder why some of the changes were even made in the first place.  It's a testament to how engaging the story and characters are that its four hour runtime rarely feels oppressive.  There aren't many scenes that feel superfluous, instead they all serve the character's story.  Zack Snyder's Justice League is an achievement on multiple levels, it's both ground and personal but epic in scope.  Comic book fans will find plenty to love in this version while DC fans will finally get to see their hero's in film they deserve which makes the sequel set up all that more painful.

A-

My 10 Favorite Films of 2020

 

2020 was a strange year on many levels but for movie lovers it was a particularly strange one.  This year was probably the first time I didn’t lurk the halls of my beloved theaters for months at a time.  Still there were plenty of films that stood out, since I’m terrible at making and sticking with a top 10 ranking, here are my 10 favorite films of the year in no particular order. 

Birds of Prey

Cathy Yan’s Birds of Prey was one of the early victims of the Covid Pandemic which is a shame since the film is one of the comic book films that truly found its own voice.  Birds of Prey never feels formulaic or cookie cutter as we see Margot Robbie’s Harley evolve into her own. 

Gretel & Hansel

Oz Perkin’s film went under the radar but those looking for a striking horror film will find plenty to like with the mind bending remaining of the classic fairy tale.  Sophia Lillis continues to rack up impressive performances, films like this should make her big break feel like inevitable. 

The Invisible Man

Leigh Whannell’s remake of The Invisible Man seemed ready made for forgettable horror fodder.  What Leigh Whannel and Elisabeth Moss were able to accomplish is quite an impressive feat.  They take a fascinating angle on the concept which made it fresh and timely, paired with a stellar turn from Moss turned this retread into a taut thriller. 

Wonder Woman 1984

Patty Jenkin’s follow up is a overstuffed and unfocused but that doesn’t keep her film from being fun and trying for something meaningful.  Even if she didn’t quite stick the landing you have to respect Jenkin’s attempt to create a 80s superhero film in tone as opposed to just placing it in the 80s.  Gadot was born to play Diana but Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal both put in memorable turns.

Promising Young Woman

There are some films that just stick with you long after you’ve left the theater.  Emerald Fennell’s meticulously crafted debut film fits the bill in spades.  Carey Mulligan delivers a career best performance playing against type as the tragic protagonist.    

Palm Springs

Andy Samberg & Cristin Milioti time loop rom/com seemed tailor made for 2020.  The concept has been done plenty of times before but there’s a sweetness and reflective insight that makes this love story work. 

Sound of Metal

Riz Ahmed has built up a solid resume of strong performances but Sound of Metal might be his best.  Ahmed’s work here is a raw, gritty and authentic, so much so that he’s sure to earn best actor nods come award season. 

Soul

Pixar has tackled some big concepts over the years but Soul feels like another step up.  While the candy colored film still has the hallmarks of a kids movie this is the first one that feels like it’s aimed more at the parents than the kids. 

Freaky

Christopher Landon’s third film continues to show how much a horror fan he is while showing that it’s ok to have fun with some of the concepts.  Freaky’s body swap concept works because Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton both go all in with the concept to great effect.

Mank

David Fincher’s labor of love is sure to get plenty of awards nods when the season comes simply because Hollywood loves Hollywood.  Still Fincher’s film is a loving homage to the golden era of Hollywood led by strong performance from Gary Oldman who could make these kinds of films for the rest of his career as far as I’m concerned. 

Cindy Prascik’s Reviews of The Midnight Sky, Wonder Woman 1984, Soul, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom & The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

 Four Movies That Aren't What They Could Have Been...and One That Is Perfect

My dear reader(s): December has finally slowed to a pace that allows for catching up on movies. Sadly, that does not mean the cinema for me right now, but there are some promising titles available for home viewing. Herein I shall offer brief (for me) opinions on a few.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers or if you're familiar with actual events and/or the source material where applicable.

First on my Holiday Catch-Up Docket: The Midnight Sky.

Resigned to riding out the end of the world at his arctic outpost, Scientist!Clooney tries to keep a crew of astronauts from returning to a planet that's beyond saving.

The Midnight Sky is one of those movies that passes muster in 2020, but that might have been a more epic product in a normal year. With George Clooney at the helm (both starring and directing), and featuring decorated co-stars like Felicity Jones and David Oyelowo, I have to think somewhere along the line it was meant to be more than it is. What it is, is...fine, I guess? Clooney et al. are more than up to the challenges of their somewhat thinly painted roles. The story has been told before and undoubtedly will be told again and again as panic about the state of our planet sets firmly at the front of people's minds. It's not a new or different tale, but it's respectably told and not as dull as I expected from things I'd seen online before watching it. Neither is the movie's message as overtly heavy-handed as I anticipated, but sketchy effects, too many wasted minutes, and hokey ending make this a slow film without much impact.

The Midnight Sky clocks in at 118 minutes and is rated PG13 for "some bloody images and brief strong language."

If the daily news isn't satisfying your appetite for apocalyptic stories, and you like George Clooney, the Midnight Sky makes a decent bit of holiday viewing. Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Midnight Sky gets five and a half.

The Midnight Sky is now streaming on Netflix.

Next up, the week's big release: Wonder Woman 1984.

Diana Prince battles 80's fashion and a dangerous megalomaniac.

Regular reader(s) will know, I'm a DC girl. Wonder Woman gave us DC folks real hope that DC was getting back on track after a disastrous skid. Wonder Woman 1984 derails that hope almost entirely. A boring, repetitive opening sequence sets the tone by eating up far more time than it earns. The subsequent story is pointless, goofy, and all over the place. Most performances are cringe-worthy. There's even a full-on Macavity moment towards the end that channels last year's Christmas tragedy, Cats. The Wonder Woman brand is well-loved enough that many fans will find something to like here. For those people, I am happy. Me, I was more annoyed with each minute I wasted on this. Only the combined charm of Gal Gadot and Chris Pine, a rousing score by Hans Zimmer, and a delightful mid-credits scene keep Wonder Woman 1984 from being a total loss.

Wonder Woman 1984 runs a bloated 151 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of action and violence."

Wonder Woman 1984 represents yet another missed opportunity for DC. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Wonder Woman 1984 gets four.

Wonder Woman 1984 is now playing in cinemas, and streaming through mid-January on HBO Max.

The middle slot on my holiday catch-up is occupied by the Disney/Pixar offering Soul.

During a near-death experience, a man obsessed with jazz music tries to find his way back, and ends up helping a young soul along the way.

Soul is a solid movie that (lightly) ticks all the Disney/Pixar boxes, though it's missing the qualities that distinguish their truly special pictures. The diverse cast, led by Jamie Foxx and Tina Fey, is terrific. The focus on music is welcome. The art and animation are gorgeous. The story is engaging enough to teach its lessons organically. Still...I had a hard time figuring out exactly where Soul was aiming. Its premise seems too scary for kids, especially younger ones, but it never seems quite enough for anyone older. It's not as pretty as Finding Nemo. It's not as smart as WALL-E. It doesn't tug the heartstrings nearly as effectively as Coco. Ultimately, it's a good movie that just suffers by comparison to its predecessors.

Soul runs 100 minutes and is rated PG for "thematic elements and some language."

Soul is a heartwarming bit of family entertainment that deserves a spot in your 2020 holiday planner, even if it never quite finds its spark. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Soul gets six and a half.

Fangirl points: Graham Norton and Richard Ayoade!

Soul is now playing in theaters and streaming on Disney+.

My penultimate picture this weekend was the Netflix Original Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

In the sweltering Chicago summer of 1927, tensions run high during a recording session with the "Mother of the Blues," Ma Rainey.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom features exceptional performances by Viola Davis and (in his final role) Chadwick Boseman. When I say Davis is exactly as good as you'd expect, know that I mean you'd always expect her to be the best, and she is nothing less. Boseman, posthumously, is sure to earn some of the awards he's deserved since starring in 42. For a year that specialized in kicks to the gut, 2020 has given none more devastating than the loss of Chadwick Boseman. The story packs an emotional wallop — mostly due to the characters' efforts to buck a system designed to confine them — but the movie never really takes off, due, in my opinion, to its failure to focus on Ma Rainey's music. We're told Ma Rainey is the "Mother of the Blues." We're told many legends found their influence in her. Yet we don't hear much of the music that earned her this lofty status. What that leaves is an hour and a half of sweaty people yelling at each other. Good acting, though. Very good acting.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom clocks in at 94 minutes and is rated R for "language, some sexual content, and brief violence."

While Ma Rainey's Black Bottom isn't the movie it could have been, two of the year's best performances make it worth a look. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom gets six and a half.

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is now streaming on Netflix.

With no small bit of personal bias, I saved the best for last in my Holiday Picture Show: the Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart.

This documentary from director Frank Marshall serves not only to tell the story of the Brothers Gibb, but to justify and underscore their status in the pop music stratosphere. 

The film starts reflectively, with a pensive Barry Gibb noting that he is the only one left, the last surviving Gibb brother. It doesn't take long to shake off the melancholy mood with fantastic pictures and video clips of the very young brothers, and relies on such photos, film snippets, and interviews with the Gibbs and assorted spouses and associates to tell a mostly linear story of the trio's early days, rise to fame, meteoric success in the Saturday Night Fever era, fall from popular favor during the disco backlash of the early 80s, and subsequent success as songwriters and collaborators with other artists. It touches on difficulties with drink and drugs, but never wallows in misery or self-pity. The movie succeeds, not chiefly because this is a great story (though it is), but because it focuses on music, music, and more music. The genesis of songs. The backstory of songs. The creative process used in fashioning songs. So. Many. Great. Songs. Testimonials from artists — all kinds of artists, from every era in the Gibb brothers' musical lifetime — who felt and feel their influence to this day. The movie notes the passing of, and pays tribute to, Andy, Maurice, and Robin Gibb, coming full circle with Barry musing that he would "rather have them all back here and no hits at all." In between a somber start and finish, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart offers a joyful celebration of one of the greatest catalogues in music history, a special trip down memory lane for fans, and a timely reminder that being against anything will never matter as much as being for something. Oh, and To Love Somebody is legitimately one of the greatest songs ever written by anyone, anywhere. Don't forget that.

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart runs 111 minutes and is rated TVMA.

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart tells the story of the Brothers Gibb, focusing on their extraordinary musical legacy and unbreakable brotherly bond. Current Bee Gees fans and not-yet Bee Gees fans should consider it the year's must-watch documentary. Of a possible nine Weasleys, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart gets all nine.

Fangirl points: the Beatles and Ed Sheeran both turn up in this. Yay!

The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart is now streaming on HBO Max.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: WONDER WOMAN 1984

 

Diana Prince lives quietly among mortals in the vibrant, sleek 1980s -- an era of excess driven by the pursuit of having it all. Though she's come into her full powers, she maintains a low profile by curating ancient artifacts, and only performing heroic acts incognito. But soon, Diana will have to muster all of her strength, wisdom and courage as she finds herself squaring off against Maxwell Lord and the Cheetah, a villainess who possesses superhuman strength and agility.

Director: Patty Jenkins

Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig, Pedro Pascal, Robin Wright, Connie Nielsen

Release Date: December 25, 2020

Genre: Action, Adventure, Fantasy

Rated PG-13 for sequences of creature action and violence throughout

Runtime: 2 h 31 min

Review:

 Patty Jenkins follow up to the her wildly successful original is a film that has soaring ambitions but the execution doesn't land perfectly. That being said she accomplishes so much during her trek through the 80s.  She manages to hit on every 80s trope you can imagine while never losing focus on her characters.  It's a fun trek that's surprisingly light on actual superhero action outside of rousing action set pieces.  Jenkins focuses far more on the the characters as the work through living their wish fulfillment.  The trope that the script uses to bring back Pine is an interesting choice but it does sort of fit in with the goofy 80s vibe and it allows the film to explore more of the characters desires and wants.  In a weird way sort of plays out like a superhero version of the Last Temptation of Christ.  Kristen Wiig seemed like  a strange choice to play Barbara Minerva originally but it works as she plays the nerdy dork who turns into a fox of cheetah in this case.  Wiig and Gadot have great chemistry together which makes their friendship more believable and grounded.  Gadot at this point is just the walking embodiment of Diana Prince, she has the ability to pull off the mixture of grace, empathy and strength so effortlessly that you just have to sit back and appreciate it.   Pedro Pascal plays the primary villain and he does so with a crazy amount of gusto.  His turn as Lord has some overt Trumpian tones taken to the extreme which makes him more of a caricature than a fully realized character.  Its a shame since it would have have given the film's conflict a bit more heft than it has but you have to wonder if it's intentional since the overall theme is much more internal and personal.  The film was written and filmed more than a year ago but there is something in it's incredibly hopeful message about selflessness that seems incredibly precedent in 2020.  Once the required battle between Diana and Barbara's newly born Cheetah, the script sadly doesn't really explain this transformation so it feels like it's just checking a box, the story turns into one of the more interesting superhero finales.  Instead of a massive showdown it's more of a reflective message that grounds the story with its hopeful sense.  It's a lofty ambition which doesn't quite work as well as it should onscreen because the story has a hard time connecting it all together. Its easy to appreciate the intention but it doesn't quite stick the landing.  Still, Wonder Woman 1984 is very much on brand with ideal that they established in the original about what the character stands for.  Longtime fans will find plenty to love here like Diana sporting the Golden Eagle armor and other treats, be sure to stay through the credits for a fun surprise.   

B

April Sokol's Review of Justice League

Movie review: Justice League

Justice League is the latest DC Comic Universe offering. The story picks up shortly after the death of Superman has plunged the world into darkness, chaos and violence.

Directed by Zack Snyder

Starring: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fischer, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Connie Nielsen, JK Simmons, Amber Heard and Ciaran Hinds

My slightly spoilery review:

I feel like in the interest of full disclosure, I should mention before we go further into this review that I am not a DC fan usually. The big shiny exception being the incredible Wonder Woman. I have felt as though most of the DC movies have been dark and dreary and have taken themselves entirely too seriously. So my expectations for this movie were not what anyone would consider “high”. What a shock it was to find myself REALLY enjoying this movie.

Our story is nothing incredibly new or unique. The world is being threatened by the evil demon Steppenwolf (voiced by Hinds) who is set on total destruction. Batman (Affleck) and Wonder Woman (Gadot) realize that they are going to need more help if they hope to defeat him and save planet Earth. Enter the rest of the team: The Flash (Miller), Aquaman (Momoa) and Cyborg (Fisher). We get glimpses into each of their lives as they are being recruited. This is done without the repetition of Suicide Squad and in a way where I felt intrigued by what each new member will bring to the table. The slight spoiler here is in the resurrection of Superman (Cavill).

Where I feel this movie really scores is in the emotional components. There are some really wonky CGI problems which I was willing to overlook because I felt invested in the characters. The deep layered complexities of what it means to be a human are really explored here in a way that many superhero movies seem to miss. Adams and Lane are back as Lois Lane and Martha Kent respectively. They don't get an awful lot of red meat to work with, but they both do at the very least an adequate job in their roles. Jeremy Irons (Alfred) and JK Simmons (Commissioner Gordon) are good even though both characters are completely unnecessary.

The true winners of this movie have to be Miller and Fisher. They are complex and vulnerable and funny and I would have watched a 3 hour movie of just the two of them. Both are tasked with acting while a significant portion of their faces are covered by either a mask or cybernetic enhancements. Miller in particular really shines in this area. He is able to act with just the use of his eyes and I was thoroughly impressed with him throughout.

Justice League feels far more like a Marvel movie than any of it's predecessors. There is significantly more humor here than what's come before. Both of my showings had very vocal crowd applause and laughter. The villain being somewhat cartoonish and not actually “scary” makes this a family friendly option. My only other slight quibble would be a sort of muddy 3rd act. But my grade is a very solid 4 out of 5 stars.

Give me a Flash/Cyborg movie STAT!

MOVIE REVIEW: JUSTICE LEAGUE

Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman's selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists newfound ally Diana Prince to face an even greater threat. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to recruit a team to stand against this newly awakened enemy. Despite the formation of an unprecedented league of heroes -- Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash -- it may be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

Release Date: Nov 17, 2017
 
Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Director: Zack Snyder

Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Amy Adams, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ray 
Fisher

Rated PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action

Review:

Justice League gives DC fans the big superhero team up they’ve been waiting for.  It’s not a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination but it’s still incredibly fun.  The film had its share of behind the scenes issues, due to the death of Zack Snyder’s daughter that had Joss Whedon stepping in, and at times it does feel a bit like a Frankenstein mash up of Synder and Whedon’s styles.  The first act feels a tad clunky as we catch up or meet all the heroes and are introduced to the primary villain.  It feels like it could have used some smoothing out but it’s not really a huge detriment once the film finds its footing.  Once it does and the characters are fleshed out we get an enjoyable superhero romp that feels like a live action version of Bruce Timm’s animated Justice League show.  Established characters like Batman (Affleck is lighter and having more fun), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot is always on point) and Superman (Henry Cavill is still a great choice even with CGI weirdness on his mustache) all get their just due while intermixing with the newcomers.  The newcomers all leave a lasting impression.  Ezra Miller’s Flash is great fun every time he’s on screen.  His manic and energetic personality translates wonderfully on screen.  Miller’s got tangible chemistry with the entire cast which serves the film well.  Jason Momoa brings an unbridled macho swagger to Aquaman which is a fun take on the character and it works far better than expected.  Ray Fisher might be overlooked but he shouldn’t because he’s delivers one on better performances in the whole film.  Anyone who’s a fan of the character from Teen Titans will instantly recognize as soon as Fisher shows up.  It’s an impressive turn that can get lost in the overall shuffle but it really shouldn’t.  The villain, Steppenwolf who voiced by Ciarán Hinds, isn’t memorable or terribly deep, he’s more of a mechanism to the overall plot.  Hinds, to his credit, gives the character a commanding presence and he plays it loose enough that you can tell he’s enjoying the outlandish bombast of the character.  The action sequences are all fun and well plotted out with the arrival of Steppenwolf on Themyscira being an impressive high point.  Justice League is a film that checks all the boxes for fans and general audiences.  It’s hard to see anyone not having a good time with this film especially long time DC fans.

B+

Cindy Prascik's Review of Justice League

Dearest Blog: I have spent the better part of the last two days in three Justice League screenings at Marquee Cinemas, and I am now prepared to talk to you about it. This will probably get long, so grab a coffee and dive on in!

 

Spoiler level here will be moderate; if I talk about anything not explicitly revealed by the trailers, it will be something obvious from a quick check of the IMDB credits, or enough discussed (pre-release) to assume it was a not-actually-secret secret. Still, if you prefer to know nothing until you've seen the movie, read no further until you do.

 

When Superman's passing leaves the world lawless and without hope, Batman and Wonder Woman assemble a team of heroes to fill the super-sized gap.

 

Dear reader(s), as I so often mention, I approach every movie--whatever my predisposition towards it--with an open enough mind to be surprised to the good or to the bad. In the interest of full and fair disclosure, and to exactly no one's surprise, please note that the opinions hereafter shared are honest, but coming from a place of great affection. This movie would have had to work very hard to make me dislike it.

 

So let's begin at the beginning, shall we? More than a decade removed from that benchmark of superhero movie perfection, The Dark Knight, DC is trying to find its footing again. That is not my personal opinion--I love the way DC does things, and they have yet to produce a movie I didn't like--but, if the DC Universe officially rebooted following Christopher Nolan's directorial swan song, this movie represents at least an informal CTRL-ALT-DELETE, adopting an entirely different tone from the one to which we're accustomed. Even Wonder Woman, redeemer of heroic cinema and hope of all DC fans, didn't seem as much of a departure to me.

 

Though the future of the whole world is at stake, the tone here is light and cartoonish. It's not the choice I'd have made, but it is enjoyable and nearly all of the humor is spot on. Outside of a few missteps with Aquaman (more on that later), the funny bits are well-timed and often quite clever. (Look out for an exchange between Lois Lane and Martha Kent in the Daily Planet breakroom!) The film's overall appearance is very comic-bookish, and continues to overuse that super-slo-mo that annoyed me so much in Wonder Woman. The effects are mostly solid, but there is some oddly-dodgy CGI, most notably in scenes where the porn-stache Henry Cavill was wearing for another project was digitally removed in post production. Yes, you may utter those never-before-spoken words: "Henry Cavill's face looks bad!" and that will be why. A final note on the look of the film: for the first time in recent memory, I could actually see everything that was going on; nothing was overly dark, despite my not bothering with the 3D.

 

I was prepared to open this review by stating that Justice League could use more Batman. Truth be told, I got a LOT more Batman than I anticipated with such a large ensemble...though pretty much any movie could always use more Batman. (Lookin' at YOU, La La Land!) The lighter overall tone makes Ben Affleck's Bruce Wayne seem somewhat less world weary, but his perpetually bemused expression and self-imposed outsider status still make him a perfect Batman, in my opinion, the best ever. As expected, Gal Gadot's Wonder Woman is front and center throughout, and she is an absolute delight. Henry Cavill remains an ideal Superman, handsome, strong, and vanilla. Jason Momoa's Aquaman is a little too "bro" for my liking, but claims credit for some of the movie's funniest moments. Strictly for science purposes, here I shall inform you, dear and faithful reader(s), that there's a fair bit of gratuitous, but not unwelcome, shirtlessness on the parts of Messrs. Cavill and Momoa. Bring the galoshes! While all those big names are pretty terrific, the movie's highlights are Ezra Miller and Ray Fisher as The Flash and Cyborg. Miller brings a real sense of wonder and spot-on comedy skills to Barry Allen, an isolated kid who is as excited as he is overwhelmed to be asked to join such a super team. Fisher is extraordinary, turning in a natural performance that easily makes Victor Stone the most sympathetic and likable character in the film. Unsurprisingly, awards darlings Diane Lane, Jeremy Irons, and Amy Adams provide small bright spots in limited screen time. Oh, and there's Not-Gary-Oldman as the new Jim Gordon. I guess he's okay too.

 

Plot wise, Justice League seems a little scattered, especially at the start. Much like the whole of Suicide Squad, the early parts of JL are more like a bunch of small stories than one cohesive larger one. Ultimately the pieces start fitting together, but it's a feeling the movie never quite shakes. My personal taste leans strongly towards the grittier, more real Nolan-verse, but I think Justice League works well as an attempt to reinvent the DC Universe as more fun and less grim. Missteps in the humor are rare, and there's nothing that feels shoehorned in, as I so often complain of Marvel movies in general and Tony Stark's one-liners in particular. A well-defined message makes it easy to excuse a few ridiculously hokey lines. (Hokey lines, are, after all, a Super-staple!) There's a peripheral hint at possible romance between Bruce Wayne and Diana Prince, and--if I don't especially need romance in my superhero fare--I don't mind this pairing either. Justice League is more than accessible enough for a casual fan to enjoy, but there are plenty of fanboy moments too. Though the climactic battle scene bogs down just a hair, Justice League also succeeds in one way that no other costumed hero picture has in recent memory: It runs shy of the two-hour mark. This is a smart decision and a trend I hope both DC and Marvel will continue. There are two post credits scenes--one (far as I could tell) merely amusing and the other functional and thrilling. I enthusiastically encourage you to stay for both.

 

A few random thoughts that I couldn't weave in anywhere else:

 

Why is Wonder Woman always grunting like she's constipated? None of the men do that.

Momoa's Arthur Curry always sounds like a guy who's about to drop a Limp Bizkit track at karaoke.

 

Weird that Alfred spent this movie dressed like a member of the Newsies ensemble...??

 

Justice League runs 119 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of sci-fi (??) violence and action."

 

By now, you've probably seen a bunch of professional critics complaining about Justice League, but my Facebook feed is full of people saying they loved it and can't wait to see it again. I've seen it three times, and am proud to throw in my lot with the "can't wait to see it again" crowd. It may not be perfect, but it's pretty great. Of a possible nine Weasleys, Justice League gets eight and a half.

 

Fangirl points: Batman! (DUH!) Billy Crudup! Holt McCallany!

 

Until next time...

Cindy Prascik's Review of Wonder Woman

Dearest Blog, yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas to see Wonder Woman...with a side of Pirates of the Caribbean.

 

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

 

If your world (or your franchise) needs saving...ask a woman.

 

Regular reader(s) will know I generally don't read reviews until I've written mine, though of course I've seen headlines, most of which run along the lines of "DC Finally Gets It Right!" I'm of the rare opinion that DC always gets it right (yes, even Green Lantern!), so, if this review seems somewhat less gushing than most, it's only because the awesomeness was entirely expected.

 

Beginning with the obvious, our Wonder Woman is, indeed, a wonder. Strong and stunning, charming and smart, Gal Gadot carries this picture like it's old hat; she is perfect in every way. And how about Chris Pine?? I mean, if you're only catching onto the fact that he's more than just blue eyes and a dreamy smile, well...shame on you!! He's always great, but this might be his finest performance yet. The supporting cast is extremely solid, although...does Danny Huston play Nazis weirdly often, or does he just look like someone who does? How great to see Robin Wright in a badass role like this! As Wonder Woman's super support team, Said Taghmaoui, Ewen Bremner (yay!), and Eugene Brave Rock are the picture's unsung heroes, thoroughly engaging. I'm not a huge fan of all the super-slo-mo, but otherwise Wonder Woman's action sequences are well choreographed and don't run on too much. Thanks to spot-on humor, the movie never feels too dark, despite the high stakes, and I think we can all agree Wonder Woman has the coolest theme of any superhero! If I had one small complaint outside the overuse of slow-motion, it's that the movie definitely would have benefited from at least a small trim. It also feels a bit preachy at times, a side effect of its resolutely hopeful tone. 

 

Wonder Woman clocks in at 141 minutes and is rated PG13 for "sequences of violence and action, and some suggestive content."

 

Wonder Woman (movie) often debates whether humanity deserves Wonder Woman (hero). I guess we probably don't, but I'm sure glad we got her anyway. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Wonder Woman gets eight.

 

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: WONDER WOMAN

An Amazon princess (Gal Gadot) finds her idyllic life on an island occupied only by female warriors interrupted when a pilot (Chris Pine) crash-lands nearby. After rescuing him, she learns that World War I is engulfing the planet, and vows to use her superpowers to restore peace. Directed by Patty Jenkins (Patty Jenkins). ~ Violet LeVoit, Rovi

Director: Patty Jenkins

Cast: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Connie Nielsen, Robin Wright, David Thewlis

Release Date: Jun 02, 2017

Rated: Rated pg-13 Some Suggestive Content, Sequences of Violence and Action

Runtime: 2 hr. 21 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

I’ll start off by saying that I’m terribly biased when it comes to Wonder Woman thanks to reruns of Lynda Carter’s iteration from the 70’s which led to a lifelong fandom.  Wonder Woman has always been my favorite superhero and I’ve actually read a handful of comics and watched endless amounts of Bruce Timm produced animation.  Needless to say, I can understand why it’s so difficult to nail the character.  Patty Jenkins and Batman vs. Superman scene stealer Gal Gadot had a large task in front of them.  Thankfully they nailed it.  Wonder Woman’s first foray onto the big screen is a rousing success.  Patty Jenkins layers the film with a handful of themes but they are done subtly and organically throughout.  Most importantly, it’ll all feel right for long time fans of the character.  Wonder Woman is a tough blend since she’s a warrior but also incredibly compassionate and caring.  Gal Gadot is able convey all of this with relative ease throughout, all the while showing off glimpses of some fine comedic talent.  

Gadot has a magnetic energy about her that’s just incredibly infectious.  Moving the film’s setting to World War 1 is an incredibly smart move since it gives us and Gadot a chance to show off an innocence in Diana’s character as she explores man’s world for the first time.  Chris Pine comes off as a pleasant surprise, in what is easily my favorite performance from him.  Pine and Gadot have an undeniable and realistic chemistry that’s as playful as it’s heartfelt.  Once the action moves into the battlefield, Jenkins and her cast show off an excellent handle on how to do action sequences properly.  There are 2 sequences that are sure to give longtime fans goosebumps.  If there is a minor complaint, it’s a tab bit of overuse of slow mo.  The sequences would have been better served if they’d held back on that just a tad.  Some of the minor drawbacks are the villains, Danny Huston’s character is about as one note as they come and Dr. Maru aka Dr. Poison comes a bit too cartoony for my taste.  Additionally, the third act does fall into the big battle trope most superhero films use.  A tad bit of trimming could have helped it since it overstays its welcome by a few minutes.  Regardless, when the film is done you can’t help but be impressed by how fun, emotionally layered and loving crafted Wonder Woman is by all those involved.

A-

MOVIE REVIEW: KEEPING UP WITH THE JONES

An ordinary suburban couple (Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher) discover that their hospitable new neighbors (Jon Hamm and Gal Gadot) are actually government spies. Soon, all four of them are caught up in an international espionage imbroglio. Greg Mottola (Superbad, Adventureland) directed this action comedy. ~ Daniel Gelb, Rovi

Director:Greg Mottola 

Cast: Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, Isla Fisher, Gal Gadot, Matt Walsh

Release Date: Oct 21, 2016

Rated PG-13 for

Genres: Comedy

Review:

Keeping up with the Jones is a fun little comedy.  As a spy movie satire it’ll never live to last year’s Spy or even Mr. & Ms. Smith which it borrows heavily from as well.  Still, it’s light and breezy direction by Greg Mottola makes for an enjoyable if inconsequential comedy.  Its biggest strength is its cast.  The foursome of Zach Galifianakis, Jon Hamm, Isla Fisher & Gal Gadot are likeable throughout with each shining at one point or another. The plot in of itself is thread bare with nary a surprise in sight.  This oversight does leave the film lingering past its expiration point.  It’s a shame because with a slightly better script and plot this could have been something special. 

B-

Cindy Prascik's Review of Criminal

Dearest Blog: Yesterday it was off to Marquee Cinemas to see my main man Gary Oldman in his new movie, Criminal.

Spoiler level here will be mild, nothing you wouldn't know from the trailers.

In order to thwart a nefarious plot, an experimental procudure is used to transfer the mind of a murdered agent into a notorious criminal.

Dear Reader(s), I had genuinely high hopes for Criminal. It's been awhile (four years, to be exact) since Gary has had a critical and/or box office winner, and this one looked like it might break the chain of disappointments. Alas, it was not to be.

Right off the top, Criminal is saddled with one almost-insurmountable handicap, that is, Kevin Costner's acting abilities...or lack thereof. If he were a bit player, or in any supporting role, really, you might get around it, but not when he's the focal point of the whole picture. Sure, the lead character is meant to be a thug lacking social graces, but the way Costner grunts his way through the movie, he might as well be a gorilla...and that's probably not a very nice thing to say about the acting talent of gorillas.

The supporting cast is solid, in particular an under-used Ryan Reynolds, but it's just not enough. Gary's character does a lot of barking orders at people, a somewhat angrier and less honorable Jim Gordon. It's fine for what it is, but it hardly taxes his talent. (Though, for the record, he looks really, REALLY good!)

Criminal presents an interesting premise that fails in its execution. The writing is atrocious, with allegedly top-notch agents acting so stupidly you'll want to scream at the screen. There are a few laugh-out-loud bits prompted by Costner's character's inappropriate behavior. They're uncomfortable, but, curiously, still one of the more entertaining things about a movie that otherwise sleepwalks its way to one of the most insufferably hokey endings ever.

Criminal clocks in at 113 minutes and is rated R for "strong violence and language throughout."
In my book, Gary Oldman is reason enough to get out and see ANY movie, but, if you're looking for another reason to see Criminal, you won't find it.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Criminal gets three.

Until next time...

Cindy Prascik's Review of

Dearest Blog: With Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opening worldwide this weekend, it's a fair bet I'll be spending most of my holiday break at Marquee Cinemas. 

 

As goes the Bat, so go I. Probably the biggest spoiler here is that I loved this movie, otherwise nothing you wouldn't know from the many trailers and clips making the rounds. 

 

As the world wrestles with the pros and cons of Superman's protection versus his unchecked power, Gotham's most famous resident weighs in. 

 

 Dear Reader(s), if you have access to a computer or a tablet or a smartphone or a TV, you've probably already heard somebody say something bad about Dawn of Justice. I am here to tell you why the naysayers are wrong, and, though it may surprise you, I have more (if not better) reasons than: "Batman. Duh." Batman v Superman is an epic tale, crafted by a fan for fans. 

 

This picture is setting the table for what's to come, and, as such, it's got a lot of balls in the air, and plenty of appearances that earned applause from the crowd each of the three times I've seen the movie so far. Ben Affleck is not only a great Batman/Bruce Wayne, he is ideal for where the DC cinematic universe now finds itself. 

 

He's older and more jaded, but no less strong or purposeful (some might say pig-headed!). I was a little stunned by the vitriol directed at Affleck's casting--the guy's always seemed a bit benign to inspire such passion--but I confess, seeing him in the Batsuit gave me a mad crush that went from zero to Renner in exactly two hours and 31 minutes. 

 

Most of the supporting cast is equally terrific, with Jesse Eisenberg unsurprisingly the standout as super-villain Lex Luthor. Gal Gadot makes a fantastic Wonder Woman, and from the young men's reactions at Thursday night's sneak-peek...well...let's just say I'm glad I don't have to clean that theatre. Jeremy Irons, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, and Laurence Fishburne all contribute more than their fair share towards elevating the movie from good to great. Batman v Superman boasts sweet fight choreography, nice effects, some intense battles between good and good as well as good and evil, and a fair few chuckles, too. 

 

Dawn of Justice does have some flaws, and, lest I be accused of too much fangirling, it's only fair I mention those. Like so many movies these days, this one could have used a trim. Coming in at two hours or even two-fifteen wouldn't have cost the picture any massive cuts, just an edit here and there on those lengthy battles, chases, and flashbacks/dream sequences. 

 

The titular faceoff, in particular, though any fanboy's dream, strays a bit into overkill. Holly Hunter is a great actress, but listening to her speak is like nails on a blackboard; by her third line I'd have given anything to have ANY other actress in her role (except maybe Carey Mulligan, because we all know how I feel about that one). 

 

And then there's Henry Cavill, bless his perfect, perfect self. Cavill attempting to cob together memorized dialogue with the appropriate facial expression is nearly as difficult to watch as Charlie Hunnam desperately trying to cling to an accent for more than five minutes. 

 

I adore Cavill, and I think he's about as perfect a Superman as a person could want, but his acting chops could use some work. Truly, those are the only problems I had with Batman v. Superman. My bottom line on Dawn of Justice is this: Many people were determined to hate this movie before they ever saw it; that is the unfortunate reality of the Internet age. 

 

Many people are determined to compare the movie to Marvel in general, and to the upcoming Captain America movie in particular, but DC is DC; it is not trying to be Marvel (nor should it), and I'd rather enjoy each for what it is than pick either apart for what it isn't. 

 

At last check, there was about a fifty-percentage-point difference between critics' and fans' ratings of Batman v Superman over at Rotten Tomatoes, so I guess, you, dear Reader(s), can let somebody else tell you what to think about this movie, or you can go and see for yourself. If you go with an open mind, I think you'll enjoy what you see. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice clocks in at a whopping 151 minutes and is rated PG13 for "intense sequences of violence and action throughout, and some sensuality." 

 

While it's not *quite* as magnificent as The Dark Knight or Watchmen (each of which holds a spot in my top ten movies of all time), Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice is an entertaining epic and a perfect launchpad for DC's next phase. 

 

Of a possible nine Weasleys, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice gets eight and a half. 

 

Oh, and, for the record, I've got a milestone birthday coming up this year, so somebody be a dear and get me Affleck in that Batsuit, won't you? 

 

Please and thank you. 

 

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: BATMAN V SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE

Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) share the screen in this Warner Bros./DC Entertainment co-production penned by David S. Goyer and Chris Terrio, and directed by Zack Snyder. Amy Adams and Diane Lane return as Lois Lane and Martha Kent, respectively. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Director: Zack Snyder

Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Gal Gadot, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne

Release Date: Mar 25, 2016 

Rated: Rated pg-13 Intense sequences of violence and action throughout, and some sensuality.

Runtime: 2 hr. 31 min.

Genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Review:

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is a movie that’s got a lot going on both on screen and behind it.  Setting up an expanded DC movieverse along with being accessible to the general public and pleasing fans is an incredibly tricky thing to accomplish.  Needless to say, this film is an undertaking in every sense of the word and according to the professional critics it fails.  I went in expecting the worst and left scratching my head.  Not because the movie was awful, I was preparing for Sucker Punch level of Snyder bombast, but because I really don’t understand where most of the critics are coming from.    It’s a massive sprawling story appropriate for the icons on hand.  It isn’t perfect but it’s an impressive film that’s got some heft to it.  Since Snyder is a comic book fan so some of the fan service, particularly the dream sequences, will leave the uninitiated a tad lost.  It’s far from overkill but I can see how the complaint would be lodged against the story’s structure since some of the sequences feel abrupt.  As for the story itself, it feels like a traditional comic book narrative with nefarious plans at work to get our heroes to the titular battle.  There’s not a ton of surprises since the big turns are telegraphed in a fairly obvious manner along with all the oversharing via the prerelease trailers spoiling some of better reveals.  The cast does make the entire thing enjoyable even if the lofty themes can be a bit overbearing at times.  Henry Cavill seems far more comfortable in his role this time around.  Cavill gives the character some much need layers even though there is only so much room to maneuver given the characters traits.  Ben Affleck though has much more room to deliver a much more vicious, exacting and world weary Batman.  I had my doubts about Affleck when he was cast but he delivers the goods.  The biggest question mark, for me at least, was Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor.  On the surface his Luthor feels different that past iterations, especially on film, but once you get past all the ticks and speed talking, you’re left with an amalgam of the comic versions of Lex Luthor, the businessman and mad scientist. Jeremy Irons and Holly Hunter both have interesting supporting roles with each begging for more screen time, Irons in particular.  Gal Gadot leaves the biggest impression in her supporting role as Diana Prince aka Wonder Woman.  Gadot fits the role much better than expected and plays the character with a perfect mix of mystery, strength and confidence.  It’s impressive enough that it’ll leave you anticipating the solo Wonder Woman film even more.  Aside, some of the quibbles mentioned previously, there is a sense that the story needs some wrangling in.  A good 20 to 30 minutes could have been trimmed to make it a sleeker more effective film.  Its lack of focus is felt most in the final act where the film has built a massive head of steam leading to a massive showdown only to be bogged down by other secondary story threads.  It’s not fatal but noticeable.  As is, I find it hard to believe that comic fans especially DC fans wouldn’t find a lot to like here.  Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice doesn’t quite hit it out of the park but its pretty damn close.  

B