Cindy Prascik's Reviews of The Tomorrow War & No Sudden Move

My dear reader(s): Still having no access to the Sparks Brothers, the long holiday weekend just passed offered nothing to draw me to the cinema, so I checked out a couple new streaming options. On my agenda: the Tomorrow War and No Sudden Move.

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

First on the docket: the Tomorrow War.

A high-school teacher is drafted into a future alien war.

The Tomorrow War is a hodge-podge of over-used tricks, our muscle-bound hero and his cliched family awkwardly facing a world of aliens and time travel. Chris Pratt is really good at playing a likable goof, and this role is neither likable nor goofy enough to suit him. The rest of the cast is unremarkable, the story offers no surprises, and  — for an effects driven movie — the effects are actually kind of sketchy. I had hoped this might be good, dumb fun, but sadly it's just dumb.

The Tomorrow War clocks in at 140 minutes and is rated PG13 for "intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, language, and some suggestive references."

The Tomorrow War is the movie equivalent of those recipes that use up whatever's left in your 'fridge. All the stuff is in there, but that doesn't necessarily make the finished product very good.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, the Tomorrow War gets one.

The Tomorrow War is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

Next up: No Sudden Move.

A pair of criminals becomes reluctant partners when a job goes wrong.

Written by Ed Solomon and directed by Steven Soderbergh, No Sudden Move is a sharp heist film with surprises around every corner. The cast — led by Don Cheadle and Benicio del Toro — is exceptional, with nary a weak link among them. At times it's tricky keeping up with all the twists and turns, but smart writing and well-crafted dialogue make the journey a treat and the finish worthwhile.

No Sudden Move runs 115 minutes and is rated R for "language throughout, some violence, and sexual references."

No Sudden Move is a smart movie with a great cast, a nice surprise for a summer holiday weekend.

Of a possible nine Weasleys, No Sudden Move gets seven and a half.

No Sudden Move is now streaming on HBO Max.

Until next time...

MOVIE REVIEW: THE FOREVER PURGE

 

Adela and her husband, Juan, live in Texas, where he works as a ranch hand for the wealthy Tucker family. On the morning after the Purge, a masked gang of killers attacks the Tuckers, forcing both families to band together and fight back.

Director: Everardo Valerio Gout

Cast: Ana de la Reguera, Tenoch Huerta, Josh Lucas, Cassidy Freeman, Leven Rambin, Alejandro Edda, Will Patton

Release Date: July 2, 2021

Genre: Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Rated R for strong/bloody violence, and language throughout

Runtime: 1 h 43 min

Review:

The Purge films have always bore the hallmarks of being decedents of 70’s exploitation films like Soylent Green or Logan’s Run.  High concept sci-fi films with politically timely ideas addressed in less than subtle means.  The Purge series has always been one of the bluntest objects since it hit the scene with each film capturing a moment in time.  Each film has had solid conceits but none of them have been able to nail the execution with the latest and likely final film, The Forever Purge, continuing that trend.  The Forever Purge delivers its social political commentary with the subtly of a sledgehammer.  This entry somehow manages to be even less subtle than previous entries, which is saying something.  Amid all the bloodshed and mayhem the most frightening thing about the film is that some of insanity on display veers incredibly close to real life events.  A better script could have made some incredibly nascent points about our current environment but this film just isn’t up to the task.  It makes its points in the most obvious and overt ways possible even spelling it in case it wasn’t abundantly clear.  They do manage to keep things fresh by refocusing the story on a Mexican couple in Texas after focusing on various other classes or races.   Ana de la Reguera and Tenoch Huerta turn in capable performances as the leads.  Both are able to handle action and emotional moments with ease making the film more watchable than it deserves to be.  Josh Lucas and Leven Rambin round out the main cast and turn in solid supporting roles even if the film doesn’t ask much of them.  The Forever Purge isn’t close to being the best in the series but the cast ultimately makes it watchable in spite of its shortcomings.  

C

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: WEREWOLVES WITHIN

 

A snowstorm traps town residents together inside the local inn, where newly arrived forest ranger Finn and postal worker Cecily must try to keep the peace and uncover the truth behind a mysterious creature that has begun terrorizing the community.

Director: Josh Ruben

Cast: Sam Richardson, Milana Vayntrub, George Basil, Sarah Burns, Michael Chernus, Catherine Curtin, Wayne Duvall, Harvey Guillén, Rebecca Henderson, Cheyenne Jackson, Michaela Watkins, Glenn Fleshler

Release Date: June 16, 2021

Genre: Comedy, Horror

Rated R for some bloody violence, sexual references and language throughout

Runtime: 1 h 37 min

Review:

Werewolves Within is the rare horror comedy that hits the delicate balance between scares and laughs successfully.  Director Josh Ruben smartly emulates beats from Clue and The Thing to deliver a fun amalgam that rarely misses a beat.  Ruben establishes a strong comedic rhythm from the start and manages to maintain that energy throughout.  It helps that script is smartly written with some great subtext lingering below the comedic exterior.  The cast is stacked with familiar faces even if they don’t have instant name recognition.   Sam Richardson and Milana Vayntrub make up the central duo and their comedic chemistry is what makes the whole thing run.  Richardson and his nice guy persona make him perfect for this role.  Milana Vaynturb’s comedic talent might surprise some viewers but those who know her from other things beside her AT&T gig like the little seen Paul Feig show Other Space know she’s more than capable.  The supporting cast is equally strong with What We Do In Shawdow’s Harvey Guillén and Michaela Watkins having some memorable moments.  The film’s central mystery isn’t that hard to figure out but it’s hardly a major drawback in a film that’s delivers some of the best laughs in recent memory.  

B+