Month: May 2018

Today’s quick review: Wild Wild West. When Dr. Arliss Loveless (Kenneth Branagh), a master of machinery, threatens the United States, James West (Will Smith), a trigger-happy Army captain, and Artemus Gordon (Kevin Kline), a U.S. Marshal and an eccentric inventor, are tasked with bringing him down. The unlikely duo must learn to work together to stop Loveless’ plan, all while competing for the affection of the lovely Rita (Salma Hayek).

Wild Wild West is an Western action comedy with a steampunk twist. The movie posits a post-Civil War America where a few brilliant inventors are ahead of their time, concocting impressive steam-powered devices. Wild Wild West pits the derring-do and eclectic gadgets of West and Gordon against the killing machines of Dr. Loveless. The result is a rollicking, quirky adventure with mixed execution.

Wild Wild West is a peculiar movie in several ways. The gadgetry runs the gamut from impressive to nifty to cartoonish to patently unbelievable. The sheer quantity of gadgets makes them interesting, but not all of them are hits, and a few are even macabre. Wild Wild West also sports the typical defiant banter of action comedies but makes the mistake of prolonging it. Rather than a few timely quips, the characters duel with wordplay that isn’t worth the slowdown.

As far as acting goes, Will Smith and Kevin Kline are good picks. Will Smith is in fine action hero form, although his one-liners suffer due to the writing. Kevin Kline isn’t used to his fullest, but he is amusing, plays off Will Smith well, and has a few good moments. Kenneth Branagh makes for a strange villain: a ruthless Southern inventor who is missing the lower half of his body, is prone to grand gestures, and is accompanied by a bizarre retinue.

As for its action, Wild Wild West is actually pretty good. The movie has a healthy mix of hand-to-hand combat, chase scenes, and slapstick, plus a few big machines to raise the stakes. The CGI also holds up quite well for the movie’s age. However, the plot takes a hit to accommodate the action, layering on pointless twists just to fit in a few more action scenes. Likewise, the logistics of the film don’t quite check out.

Watch Wild Wild West when you are in the mood for an action comedy that pushes genre boundaries. The film’s execution leaves plenty to be desired, with notable flaws in its action, comedy, and writing. But given a bit of slack, it does entertain, and no other movie has its ambitious premise. For a Will Smith action comedy with better execution from the same director, check out Men in Black. For a Western comedy with better writing, check out Shanghai Noon.

4.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for decent action and comedy held back by an experimental premise and mediocre writing.

“I am all that is Man!” —Thorny

Today’s quick review: Super Troopers. Thorny (Jay Chandrasekhar), Mac (Steve Lemme), Foster (Paul Soter), Rabbit (Erik Stolhanske), and Farva (Kevin Heffernan) are Vermont state troopers who spend their days fooling around and brawling with the local police. But when their captain (Brian Cox) informs them that their station will be shut down if they don’t get their act together, they must break up a drug smuggling operation to save their jobs.

Super Troopers is a raucous comedy that shows the irresponsible side of police work. Super Troopers has a few great scenes, a decent plot, and a cast that play off each other well. The humor takes an indirect approach, presenting overtly funny situations but rarely relying on a single punchline to sell them. As such, Super Troopers sacrifices some of the impact of a well-told joke to build up a comedic world where all of the movie’s jokes feel amusing and natural.

Super Troopers excels at a particular form of humor that includes practical jokes, ad hoc competitions, and general horsing around. The troopers have nothing better to do than abuse their authority, play pranks on potheads, and haze the new rookie, and they dive into these activities with unusual gusto. Most of the movie’s charm comes from seeing just what kind of antics the troopers can come up with when they apply themselves.

However, the humor is not for everyone. How much you enjoy the movie will depend heavily on how much you enjoy shenanigans as a source of humor; neither the plot nor the characters are enough to give the movie much depth. Those who dislike raunchy comedies may also be less than impressed. But if you are in the mood for a wild, quotable, and fairly well-executed comedy, give Super Troopers a try.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for reckless fun.

Today’s quick review: Spider-Man: Homecoming. Peter Parker (Tom Holland), a bright high school student, leads a double life as Spider-Man, an aspiring superhero mentored by Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.). When Peter encounters Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton), an arms dealer specializing in advanced weapons, he sees a chance to prove himself to Tony. But Toomes’ dangerous arsenal, Peter might have met his match.

Spider-Man: Homecoming is a superhero movie that marks Spider-Man’s solo debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Homecoming portrays a younger, more eager Peter Parker who is just finding his legs as a superhero. Spider-Man: Homecoming skips the origin story and jumps straight into Peter’s high school days, with a more fleshed out supporting cast, several ties to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a bevy of Easter eggs for Spider-Man fans.

Homecoming shares much of its appeal with the other Spider-Man films. The movie features an underdog hero, web-slinging action, a hefty dose of comedy, and moral themes about responsibility. Homecoming turns down the drama somewhat, opting for a more carefree Peter and smaller stakes. The execution is solid from start to finish, with all the polish of big-budget action film, great dialogue, and a fairly robust plot.

Spider-Man: Homecoming takes Peter Parker’s bad luck to new levels. Young, clumsy, and inexperienced, Peter’s crime-fighting escapades are almost as destructive as they are heroic. The chaos gives the movie a peculiar tone, successfully showing off Peter’s inexperience but puncturing the illusion that he has things under control. The sense of danger is sharper in Homecoming than in other Spider-Man movies, in spite of its otherwise lighter tone.

The movie’s cast is one of its biggest strengths. Tom Holland makes for a fine Peter Parker: fresh-faced, energetic, and likable. Jacob Batalon earns laughs as his best friend Ned Leeds, while a snappy supporting cast makes the high school side of the movie consistently entertaining. As for Michael Keaton, he has a surprisingly rich character arc as Adrian Toomes, and his interactions with Peter are the secret heart of the film.

Spider-Man: Homecoming does have a few drawbacks. Between Peter’s frequent mistakes and Tony’s justified disapproval, Spider-Man’s career seems almost counterproductive. The film’s shuffling of the Spider-Man canon generally works well, but a few elements may seem out of place, particularly to fans of the comic. And although the film’s action is quick, plentiful, and impressive, it is not as grandiose as the action in the Amazing Spider-Man movies.

Watch Spider-Man: Homecoming when you are in the mood for a refreshingly fun take on the superhero genre. The plot and themes should be familiar to anyone who has experience with the genre, but strong execution, likable characters, and great dialogue give the movie a place in a crowded field. Skip it if you dislike Spider-Man or you are looking for a grimmer take on the genre.

7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for action, fun, and good use of its changes to the canon.

Today’s quick review: Stripes. To shake up their dead-end lives, John Winger (Bill Murray), an underachieving cab driver, and Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis), his best friend, enlist in the Army. There they are subjected to the rigors of Basic Training under the hard-nosed Sergeant Hulka (Warren Oates). As the stress of training takes its toll, John, Russell, and fellow recruit Ox (John Candy) unwind with a wide array of creative mischief.

Stripes is a slacker comedy about the Army from director Ivan Reitman. Stripes follows John and Russell as they worm their way through Army training, trying to have as much fun as possible without getting kicked out. Stripes’ recipe is similar to other comedies of its era: a rebellious lead with a sharp wit, a few wild situations, a dash of slapstick, and a touch of nudity. The result is a tidy and entertaining, if conventional, film.

Compared to similar comedies, Stripes is decent but unexceptional. Bill Murray leads the movie with his excellent patter, and he plays well off of Harold Ramis and Warren Oates. John Candy provides backup humor, but the rest of the recruits are given brief introductions and little more. As such, Stripes is a simpler, more tightly focused comedy than ensemble pictures like Caddyshack or Animal House.

Watch Stripes when you are in the mood for a light comedy with decent execution. Stripes condenses its style of comedy to its core essence, delivering good dialogue, likable characters, and fairly strong moments without committing to a large cast, an elaborate plot, or excessive silliness. For a comedy in a similar vein that has better writing and more polish, check out Ghostbusters. For a wilder comedy with lots of iconic moments, check out Animal House.

6.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for solid comedy.

Today’s quick review: Justice League Dark. After a spate of supernatural murders, Batman (Jason O’Mara) seeks the help of John Constantine (Matt Ryan), an abrasive but talented magician, to track down the culprit. Although loners by nature, the two men cannot face the mystic threat alone, so they recruit the magician Zatanna (Camilla Luddington), the ghostly acrobat Deadman (Nicholas Turturro), and the demon-possessed knight Jason Blood (Ray Chase) to help.

Justice League Dark is an animated superhero film that explores the occult side of the DC Universe. Justice League Dark introduces Batman, a skeptic, to a world of magic and mystery. In addition to sporting the trademark polish of DC’s animated productions, Justice League Dark takes the opportunity to introduce a broad cast of DC’s supernatural characters, from John Constantine to the Swamp Thing and many others in between.

As the name implies, Justice League Dark has a darker tone than DC’s usual fare. The movie indulges in more violence, bleaker situations, and horror elements without losing the superhero genre’s traditional sense of optimism. The appeal of the movie is the same as ever: good action, colorful characters, and a passable plot accompanied by solid writing, voice acting, and overall production quality.

The lineup for Justice League Dark works surprisingly well. Batman serves as perspective character, John Constantine as team leader, Zatanna as conscience, Jason Blood as muscle, and Deadman as comic relief. Justice League Dark tours the lesser-known supernatural side of the DC Universe, showing off an impressive array of characters without requiring much prior knowledge. No character gets too much development, but what they get is effective.

Watch Justice League Dark when you are in the mood for a competent superhero movie with an uncommon cast. Though it can’t match the spectacle of modern live-action superhero films, Justice League Dark captures much of the appeal of the genre in a tidy package. Those looking for a superhero movie without the added horror should check out Justice League: War or Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, both set in the same universe.

7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 for a good cast of characters, a decent plot, and solid execution.

Today’s quick review: The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice. While on vacation in New Orleans, Flynn Carsen (Noah Wyle), the guardian of a secret collection of supernatural artifacts, stumbles onto a plot to steal the Judas Chalice, a relic capable of reviving vampires and increasing their strength. To save the world from an army of undead, Flynn must follow the clues and get to the Chalice first.

The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice is an action adventure movie and the third installment in the Librarian franchise. Now several years into his career as the Librarian, Flynn finds himself frustrated by the secrecy his job entails. He gets away to New Orleans for a vacation and finds not only danger, but Simone (Stana Katic), an enchanting nightclub singer who guards the route to the Chalice. Bob Newhart also returns as Judson, Flynn’s peculiar mentor.

Curse of the Judas Chalice offers the same brand of light adventure as the previous two films in the series. Flynn uses his brains to hunt down the world’s most valuable and dangerous artifacts. Neither the plot nor the characters are all that deep, and the movie’s main draw is its peril and charming but predictable sense of humor. Like its predecessors, Curse of the Judas Chalice is a popcorn flick, appealing in its own way but limited by its budget.

At the same time, Curse of the Judas Chalice is a slight step up from the other Librarian films. The tone is more consistent, the plot is more cohesive, and the action fits more smoothly into the rest of the film. Stana Katic makes for a more lively companion than usual, and she plays off Noah Wyle well. The changes aren’t drastic, but they are enough to make Curse of the Judas Chalice feel like the most polished of the three films.

Watch The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice when you’re in the mood for a light adventure with decent execution. As with the other entries in the series, viewing order doesn’t matter. For adventure films with better execution, check out the Indiana Jones series. For fans of The Librarian who are looking for more, The Librarians is a TV series set in the same universe.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 to 7.0 for a good premise, a pleasant tone, and decent execution.

Today’s quick review: The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines. After receiving a treasure map, Flynn Carsen (Noah Wyle), the protector of a secret collection of supernatural artifacts, travels to Africa in search of the key to King Solomon’s legendary mines. But Flynn is not the only one after the mines and the power they contain. To keep Solomon’s magic from falling into the wrong hands, he must uncover his own family’s legacy.

The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines is an adventure movie and the second entry in the Librarian series. Flynn has grown into the job of Librarian, learning to cope with the danger and making the most of his encyclopedic knowledge of the world. He is joined in his search for Solomon’s mines by Emily Davenport (Gabrielle Anwar), a brilliant archaeologist, and is guided once again by Judson (Bob Newhart), the Library’s enigmatic coordinator.

Like the first Librarian film, Return to King Solomon’s Mines is a television movie with a limited budget. As such, the writing, acting, and overall production quality are not on par with Hollywood’s best. A fruitful premise, a pleasant tone, and a likable lead make the movie an enjoyable watch, but its simple plot, basic humor, and mediocre action keep it from being anything more than a popcorn film.

For those who are into adventure and not picky about production values, The Librarian: Return to King Solomon’s Mines is a fun, if flawed, watch that has all the charm of the original. Those who want big-budget action, a cerebral plot, or refined humor should look elsewhere. Potential viewers who are concerned about the proper viewing order needn’t worry: the sequel has no real spoilers for the original.

6.2 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for unambitious but entertaining adventure.

Today’s quick review: The Librarian: Quest for the Spear. Flynn Carsen (Noah Wyle), an over-educated but inexperienced career student, takes an unusual job offer as the Librarian, the keeper of a secret collection of supernatural artifacts. When a piece of the Spear of Destiny is stolen, Flynn must venture into the Amazon to locate the other pieces before they can be reunited, granting the wielder the power to conquer the world.

The Librarian: Quest for the Spear is an action adventure movie with a light tone. Noah Wyle stars as Flynn Carson, a bookish man who must put his encyclopedic knowledge to a much more practical use than he ever imagined. He is joined by Sonya Walger as Nicole Noone, the Librarian’s tough, jaded protector, and Bob Newhart as Judson, an ex-Librarian who recruits Flynn for the job.

Quest for the Spear was produced for television, and the limited budget shows. The plot is a bare-bones treasure hunt, the script is packed with cute but obvious jokes, and the action is carefully arranged to disguise the film’s poor special effects. As such, Quest for the Spear can’t really compete with big-budget adventure films in terms of action or writing, but it occupies a comfortable niche as their pared-down cousin.

When taken on its own terms, The Librarian: Quest for the Spear is an enjoyable, if basic, popcorn flick. The characters are simple but likable, the humor is consistently amusing, and the premise is just enough of a twist on the genre to feel worthwhile. The lack of violence and easy-to-follow plot also make the movie perfect to relax to when a more involved film would be too daunting.

Watch The Librarian: Quest for the Spear when you are in the mood for a light adventure in the vein of Indiana Jones or Warehouse 13. Skip it if you are looking to be wowed rather than merely entertained. For a romantic adventure with a similar tone, check out Romancing the Stone. For an adventure with a touch more action, check out Sahara. Fans of the movie should also check out its sequels.

6.2 out of 10 IMDB. I give it a 6.5 for light, pure adventure with decent execution.

Today’s quick review: Kingsman: The Secret Service. Eggsy (Taron Egerton), a talented youth with a troubled home life, receives the opportunity of a lifetime when Galahad (Colin Firth) invites him to become a Kingsman, a member of a secretive international spy ring. While Eggsy trains in spycraft, Galahad races to unravel the plot of Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson), a technology magnate with a radical plan to “save” the world.

Kingsman: The Secret Service is a spy action comedy directed by Matthew Vaughn. Kingsman presents a modern twist on the spy film, combining genre staples with tongue-in-cheek humor, a neophyte protagonist, and a heaping serving of violence. The result is an entertaining, if polarizing, romp that injects a new style of fun into a time-tested genre. The supporting cast includes Mark Hamill, Mark Strong, and Michael Caine.

Kingsman: The Secret Service has a number of well-executed components that let the film function as well as it does. Taron Egerton makes for a likable protagonist in Eggsy, a streetwise troublemaker with a good heart and demonstrable loyalty. Colin Firth plays opposite him as Galahad, a veteran Kingsman who challenges Eggsy to become someone more. Samuel L. Jackson rounds out the lead trio as Valentine, a goofy and subversive take on the Bond supervillain.

The film’s action is as impressive as its characters. Kingsman agents show all the bloody martial prowess of a modern action hero and all the panache of a classic gentleman spy. The two flavors blend together well, at least for those who like them individually. The action sequences are hectic, explicit, and lethal, built on a foundation of flashy martial arts, clever use of spy gadgets, and brutally efficient use of bullets and knives.

Kingsman’s sense of humor is rooted in its love for the spy genre. The universe embraces all the genre’s excesses, from overblown plots to destroy the world to secret agents capable of mowing down dozens of men without breaking a sweat. Good characters and a well-defined plot help keep the movie grounded while its more absurd elements go to work, creating a quirky yet satisfying world that never loses its fun.

However, Kingsman’s quality comes at a price. The movie has much more gore, swearing, and crude humor than James Bond, Mission: Impossible, or any of the classic spy franchises. Old-school fans might find that these additions taint the very fun and sense of adventure they are meant to foster. Those who don’t mind gore in their action will enjoy Kingsman’s tone, but those looking for an unadulterated take on the genre may find it off-putting.

Watch Kingsman: The Secret Service if you are a fan of violent action that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Kingsman is a well-conceived and well-executed movie that only requires accepting its somewhat jarring tone to enjoy. Skip it if you are averse to violence, value the innocence of the spy genre, or are looking for realism in your action.

7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for a creative premise, solid execution, and sheer fun.

Today’s quick review: The Gunman. Eight years after killing a politician in the Congo, Jim Terrier (Sean Penn) has given up his life as an assassin in favor of honest work for an aid organization. But his fresh start is interrupted when he is targeted for death in connection with the Congo job. Fleeing to Europe, Jim pays a visit to Felix (Javier Bardem), an old associate and one of the only people who can find out who wants Jim dead.

The Gunman is an action thriller with a realistic tone. Anchored in the tumultuous situation in the Congo, The Gunman follows ex-assassin Jim Terrier as he struggles to escape the ghosts of his past. The movie features passable writing, solid action, and a capable cast that includes Sean Penn, Javier Bardem, and Idris Elba. However, slow pacing and a dour mood keep it from working well as a pure action film.

The Gunman takes a while to get going. The first half of the movie is just build-up, establishing who Jim is and who his allies are. Unfortunately, the mystery of who wants Jim dead is not that strong of a hook, and The Gunman must rely on its ill-established characters to keep the viewer watching. The performances are fine, but not even Jim is all that likable, and many of the points the movie lingers on prove unimportant in the end.

The second half of the movie is more interesting, as Jim is thrust into a series of conflicts with the men chasing him. The action here manages to be tense, crafty, and realistic, if not exceptional by action movie standards. The plot clears up some as Jim figures out who wants him dead and why, but neither the reveal nor the resolution are enough to justify the gratuitous amount of setup.

Watch The Gunman when you are in the mood for a thriller with decent execution hurt by a few crippling flaws. The Gunman has the setup of a cerebral political thriller and the payoff of a run-of-the-mill action thriller. While individual components, such as the action and acting, are fine, the whole package together is merely adequate. Skip it if you are looking for a more rewarding movie.

5.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for decent late-game action held back by a weak plot and poor pacing.