Month: May 2018

Today’s quick review: Wonder Woman. When Captain Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) crashes on the hidden Amazonian island of Themyscira, he brings with him news of World War I. Recognizing the war as the work of the Amazons’ ancient enemy Ares, Diana (Gal Gadot), the daughter of the queen and a talented warrior, strikes a deal with Steve: she will help him return to Britain if he will help her hunt down and kill the God of War.

Wonder Woman is a superhero war movie based on the DC Comics character. Wonder Woman features polished and creative action, an unusual flavor of superhero plot, and a pair of surprisingly likable leads. The story follows Diana as she ventures out into the world of Man and one of its greatest wars to pursue an enemy her people believe to be dead. Steve Trevor acts as her guide while looking for intelligence that could end the war.

Wonder Woman’s action is a delight to watch. As an Amazon, Diana has the speed and strength to go toe-to-toe with dozens of German soldiers at once, pitting her ancient weapons against modern bullets and explosives. Diana’s powers grow as she tests her limits, and the audience gets to watch her figure them out as the movie progresses, putting her lifetime of training into practice. The stunts are backed by all the polished CGI and wire work of a big-budget action movie.

Wonder Woman handles the characters of Diana Prince and Steve Trevor remarkably well. Gal Gadot strikes a delicate balance between the strength and unflinching bravery of an Amazon warrior and the innocence and naivety of a sheltered immortal. For his part, Chris Pine plays a charming, cynical, and nonetheless heroic spy, who must weigh his own duty against his promise to help Diana.

Impressively, neither character feels superfluous. Steve helps Diana navigate the complexities of the modern world, while Diana’s superhuman prowess tips the scales in the Allies’ favor on the battlefield. The focus of the film is not on comedy, but enough of it follows naturally from Steve and Diana’s relationship that the movie feels fun, in spite of its mature setting.

Wonder Woman also engages with interesting moral themes. Unusually for a superhero movie, Wonder Woman has a villain who may not even exist. Diana is convinced Ares is to blame for the horrors of World War I, but she does not understand what atrocities men are capable of on their own. Diana’s black and white approach to morality is a seemingly poor fit for the grey situation she finds herself in, an incongruity that the movie puts to good use.

Other moral questions include when to sacrifice a lesser good for a greater one, what moral compromises are acceptable, and the role of heroes in an impersonal war. Wonder Woman works these questions into the movie organically, with satisfying and thought-provoking results. As a result, Wonder Woman boasts a richer moral backbone than most superhero films, helping to distinguish it from its contemporaries.

The movie does have a few weaknesses, including flawed casting outside the leading duo, a few plot elements that are less than satisfying, and a couple of lines that miss the mark. These missteps are minor enough not to ruin the fun of anyone who already likes the film, but they are noticeable enough to hamstring the film for anyone who isn’t already impressed. As such, it’s best watched by those who like the genre, even a little, and not by skeptics.

Check out Wonder Woman if you are a fan of the superhero genre. Wonder Woman’s strong writing, characters, and action make it a solid entry into the genre, while its World War I setting and interesting moral themes help give it an identity of its own. Skip it if you dislike superhero stories or are picky about plot logic, since the movie’s handful of faults are enough to grate at discerning viewers.

7.9 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it an 8.0 for strong writing, characters, and action.

Today’s quick review: Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle. When the Witness Protection database is stolen and auctioned on the black market, the United States government hires Charlie’s Angels, a trio of talented crime-fighters, to recover it. With the help of Bosley (Bernie Mac), Angels Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Alex (Lucy Liu), and Dylan (Drew Barrymore) must fight their way through a gauntlet of assassins and criminals to catch the thief.

Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle is an action movie with a dose of comedy. Based on the classic TV series, Full Throttle is a sequel to the first Charlie’s Angels movie and follows the original’s recipe of light humor, exaggerated stunts, and improbable disguises. However, a weak plot, flat acting, and artificial action keep Full Throttle from living up to its full potential as a carefree spy romp.

Full Throttle ramps up the action compared to its predecessor. In addition to the usual slate of Hollywood martial arts, chase scenes, and explosions, the sequel has one or two stunts that are boldly conceived and potentially quite impressive. However, neither the CGI nor the cinematography is up to the challenge, and even the film’s best stunts lack credibility and polish.

On the comedy side, Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle offers one-liners, unintentional innuendo, and a fun attitude. None of the jokes are stellar, but they do succeed in keeping the tone light. Full Throttle suffers from the loss of Bill Murray, one of the highlights of the original film; Bernie Mac makes for a passable but somewhat weaker replacement. Notable cameos include Demi Moore, Crispin Glover, John Cleese, Shia LaBeouf, Matt LeBlanc, and Luke Wilson.

Check out Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle if you enjoyed the first film or are in the mood for a bit of mindless spectacle. The movie lacks the quality that the best action films bring to the table, but its playful tone and flashy action make it a passable popcorn flick. Skip it if you’re looking for a more impressive action comedy.

4.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 for fun but flawed entertainment that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

Today’s quick review: Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders. Batman (Adam West) and Robin (Burt Ward) face their most dangerous challenge yet when their greatest foes, the Joker (Jeff Bergman), the Penguin (William Salyers), the Riddler (Wally Wingert), and Catwoman (Julie Newmar), steal a replication ray and use it to wreak havoc in Gotham. But Catwoman has one extra trick up her sleeve and unleashes an unexpected foe on the Dynamic Duo.

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders is an animated superhero comedy. A modern continuation of the classic 1960s Batman TV show, Return of the Caped Crusaders captures the campy innocence of the original while telling a new story of its own. Adam West, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar reprise their iconic roles, while Jeff Bergman, William Salyers, and Wally Wingert fill out the rest of Batman’s rogues gallery.

Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders manages to seamlessly blend the tone of the original series with smart, subtle writing and modern shoutouts. The movie takes place in the stylized Gotham of the 1960s, a city of petty villains, abandoned buildings, and scrupulous law and order. Return of the Caped Crusaders is true to the spirit of show, from the profusion of Bat-gadgets to Batman’s strict moral compass.

But mixed in with the formula is an undercurrent of self-awareness that lets the film achieve a unique style of humor. The silliness of the world crosses the threshold into gentle but clever self-parody. Impressively, Return of the Caped Crusaders achieves all this without compromising the charm of the original. The tongue-in-cheek gags are played entirely straight, and the movie celebrates rather than mocks the quirks of the TV show.

Watch Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders when you are in the mood for light, cheesy, and self-aware superhero fare. The movie’s deft writing recreates the magic of the original, and its playful tone makes it an excellent breather from the serious side of the superhero genre. However, Return of the Caped Crusader’s peculiar blend of influences gives it a niche appeal; skip it if you don’t appreciate camp.

7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for being an entertaining, well-written tribute to a classic.

“Wiseguy’s always right. Even when he’s wrong, he’s right.” —Lefty

Today’s quick review: Donnie Brasco. When FBI agent Joe Pistone (Johnny Depp) goes undercover as Donnie Brasco, a jeweler with criminal potential, he catches the eye of Lefty (Al Pacino), a longtime member of the New York mob. Lefty inducts Donnie into the world of organized crime and, unknowingly, provides him with a wealth of incriminating information. But as his assignment drags on, Joe finds his personality and his priorities beginning to change.

Donnie Brasco is a crime drama with an emphasis on character and a strong pair of leads. Based on a true story, Donnie Brasco offers competent writing, a well-constructed plot, and the acting needed to make them sparkle. The movie has little that can’t be found in other crime movies, and its individual components are rough around the edges. But Donnie Brasco avoids any major mistakes, and its pieces come together in a satisfying and oddly sentimental way.

Donnie Brasco is notable for its impressive lead characters. Al Pacino plays Benjamin “Lefty” Ruggiero, an underappreciated member of the mob who takes Donnie under his wing. Lefty makes a bad first impression: argumentative, bad with money, an dan admitted murderer. But his loyalty to Donnie, his mistreatment by his crime family, and his troubled personal life gradually morph him into a sympathetic character, a transition that Pacino handles with skill.

For his part, Johnny Depp plays a similarly fascinating character in Joe Pistone, alias Donnie Brasco. Quiet, sharp, and helpful, he settles into an almost genuine friendship with Lefty. But his exposure to the criminal world begins to affect his speech, his attitude, and his temper, isolating him from his family and sending him down a dark path. The relationship between Donnie and Lefty is the single most rewarding aspect of the movie.

Watch Donnie Brasco when you are in the mood for a character-based crime drama. Although the film’s individual pieces are imperfect, enough quality shines through in the acting and writing for the viewer to actually invest, a property that sets Donnie Brasco apart from less successful crime dramas. Skip it if you are looking for action, a complicated plot, or an upbeat story.

7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for good writing and moving acting.

“Lady, I never walk into a place I don’t know how to walk out of.” —Sam

Today’s quick review: Ronin. To steal a valuable case from a crack security team, Deirdre (Natascha McElhone) hires a group of spies, soldiers, and criminals. The most skilled of the bunch turns out to be Sam (Robert De Niro), an enigmatic man with a cautious streak and undeniable talent. But Deirdre and her bosses are not the only party after the case, and Sam and his new team must improvise a way to both get the case and keep it.

Ronin is an action movie with a strong plot and fairly good action sequences. Robert De Niro stars as Sam, whose genial mannerisms mask a sharp mind and genuine experience. As he surveys the team he has joined, he stikes up a friendship with Vincent (Jean Reno), an easygoing and competent Frenchman. Their team also includes Spence (Sean Bean), an unruly ex-soldier, and Gregor (Stellan Skarsgard), a quietly dangerous ex-KGB agent.

Ronin does three things well: interesting characters, brutal plot twists, and frantic action sequences. Sam and Vincent shine in spite of their limited personal details. Their warm personalities and grounded professionalism stand out both in the crime genre and among the characters in Ronin itself. This solid base lets Ronin indulge in drastic plot twists without losing its sense of direction.

The action in Ronin is fairly strong by crime movie standards. Though the film’s focus is on skill and preparation, Sam and his team often resort to flying bullets and explosive distractions to get what they want. Between the cat-and-mouse gunplay, the lengthy and impressive chase scenes, and the odd explosion, Ronin has the action to back up its unpredictable, well-paced plot.

Ronin’s main flaw is its lack of context. Ronin deliberately plays its cards close to its chest, with no last names, uncertain motives, and a mysterious case at the heart of it all. The film’s point about the anonymous, fleeting nature of the spy business is well taken, but Ronin sacrifices some clarity to make it. However, the damage of unconstrained ambiguity is offset by likable characters in Sam and Vincent, good action, and a worthy plot.

Watch Ronin when you are in the mood for a crime movie with a dose of action. Ronin does not succeed in the higher points it tries to make, and its ambiguity is often to its detriment. But otherwise solid execution and a pair of surprisingly likable characters make the film a satisfying watch overall. Check it out if you are a fan of the genre and skip it otherwise.

7.3 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for good characters, action, and plot.

Today’s quick review: Heist. After his face is caught on camera during a heist, Joe (Gene Hackman) decides to retire from crime. But his partner Mickey (Danny DeVito) pressures Joe into pulling one last job: stealing a shipment of Swiss gold. To make sure everything goes smoothly, Mickey sends his rash nephew Jimmy (Sam Rockwell) to tag along. However, mistrust and misfortune threaten to tear the job apart.

Heist is a crime drama from writer and director David Mamet. Heist follows Joe and his partners as they attempt to thread the needle, pulling off their final job for Mickey while securing a healthy retirement package for Joe. The film features schemes within schemes as Joe puts his planning prowess to work, and the mechanics of the main heist are constructed well. However, flawed writing and mediocre characters keep Heist from being entirely satisfying.

Heist suffers from a dearth of likable characters. Joe earns some points for his clever planning, but he fails to charm as a person. His team are fine supporting characters but are not given much depth. For their part, Danny DeVito and Sam Rockwell play an unappealing pair of criminals, belying their acting talent. Between the unsympathetic characters and the frequent plot twists, Heist is a movie that is difficult to invest in and offers little emotional payoff.

Heist’s writing is another mark against it. The dialogue is abstractly clever but doesn’t hang together well on the screen. The lines have a realistic imperfection to them, but they are indirect and hard to follow. The plot indulges in too many false starts and fake outs, and while each individual twist is interesting, they are layered on too thickly to have much impact. As such, the story as a whole is less than the sum of its parts.

Still, for all its faults, Heist is a serviceable crime drama with a reputable cast and an interesting heist at its core. Those who like realistic dialogue and seedy characters will enjoy the film, while those who don’t will still get something from its twists and turns. Skip Heist if you’re looking for an emotionally rewarding or tightly plotted crime movie.

6.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for a decent plot let down by lackluster dialogue and mediocre characters.

“This is the best bad idea we have, sir. By far.” —Jack O’Donnell

Today’s quick review: Argo. In 1979, six diplomats escape the capture of the capture of the U.S. embassy in Iran and seek refuge in the Canadian ambassador’s residence. With the situation in Iran growing worse, Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck), a CIA agent specializing in exfiltration, proposes a risky plan to sneak the diplomats out of the country: have them pose as a Canadian film crew visiting Iran to scout for a location to shoot a fake science fiction movie.

Argo is a political thriller set during the Iran Hostage Crisis. Argo is based on the true story of a daring attempt to rescue six diplomats trapped in Iran. The movie features strong writing and directing, a star-studded cast, a tense tone, and a firm dedication to realism. Argo captures a particularly dramatic period in U.S. history, letting the uneasy political climate underscore the stakes of Tony Mendez’s far-fetched scheme.

As a drama, Argo relies heavily on realism to establish its tone. Real events and people are recreated in minute detail, and the movie never loses sight of its historical context. At the same time, the focus of the story is on the mechanics of the escape itself. Some attention is spared for the individual characters, particularly Tony’s struggle to put the operation together, but for the most part, Argo simply lets the events do the talking.

Argo also has a light dusting of comedy due to the absurd nature of the ruse. John Goodman and Alan Arkin play John Chambers and Lester Siegel, the Hollywood insiders who agree to help Tony stage his fake movie. Their performances are a breath of fresh air, a reprieve from the otherwise constant drama of the film. They are joined by Bryan Cranston as Jack O’Donnell, Tony’s superior at the CIA and the one ally he has in pitching his scheme.

Watch Argo when you are in the mood for a weighty, well-executed thriller with a solid grounding in historical fact. The political aspects of the film and its heavy tone make Argo a poor choice for those looking for escapism. But its strong craftsmanship and credible story make it a worthwhile watch for those who don’t mind some truth mixed in with their fiction.

7.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for strong craftsmanship; your score will be higher if you appreciate the film’s realistic approach to drama.

Today’s quick review: RED 2. Once again retired, former CIA operative Frank Moses (Bruce Willis) leads a quiet life with his girlfriend Sarah (Mary-Louise Parker). But when a leaked document connects Frank to Nightshade, a missing nuclear weapon smuggled into Moscow during the Cold War, the government makes the capture of Frank their top priority. With the help of Marvin (John Malkovich), Frank and Sarah must locate the device before it falls into the wrong hands.

RED 2 is an action comedy with an ensemble cast and a cavalier approach to the spy genre. The sequel to RED, RED 2 features solid action, entertaining characters, and a creative setting. Frank’s world is alive with spies and adventure, and the balance of slick stunts and casual banter gives the film a healthy sense of charm. RED 2 is a light romp with much of the quality of the original, missing only some of its novelty.

Like its predecessor, RED 2’s biggest selling point is its impressive cast. Bruce Willis returns as Frank Moses, a legendary CIA operative with an extensive network of contacts from the old days. He is joined again by Mary-Louise Parker as Sarah, his ordinary, adventure-loving girlfriend, and John Malkovich as Marvin, his paranoid best friend. The three characters make for an effective team and a satisfying comedy trio.

The supporting cast is also appealing. Helen Mirren reprises her role as Victoria, a polite but deadly British assassin. Brian Cox returns as Ivan, Frank’s sometime Russian ally. Anthony Hopkins joins them as Edward Bailey, the half-mad scientist who designed Nightshade. Byung-hun Lee plays Han, a world-class killer with a grudge against Frank, while Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Katja, a Russian agent who once loved Frank.

RED 2 has a few flaws not present in the original. The pacing is less deliberate, making the payoffs less satisfying, and the plot is a little less personal. The new characters also lack the punch of the original cast when they were first introduced. But beyond these slight issues, the new additions to the canon are a good tonal fit, the action is just as plentiful, and the humor just as entertaining, making RED 2 a worthy sequel.

Watch RED 2 when you are in the mood for an amusing, stylish action film. RED 2 is a great choice for those who appreciate the fun, ridiculous side of the action genre. It’s not a flawless film, but it is a well-rounded one that excels in terms of tone and humor. Skip it if you prefer serious or realistic action, or if you disliked the original.

6.7 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for good action and fun characters.

Today’s quick review: Charlie’s Angels. Natalie (Cameron Diaz), Alex (Lucy Liu), and Dylan (Drew Barrymore) are the members of Charlie’s Angels, a talented team of crime-fighters organized by a mysterious millionaire. When Bosley (Bill Murray), their loyal manager, brings them a kidnapping case, the Angels must don a series of disguises to rescue Eric Knox (Sam Rockwell), a tech magnate, from the clutches of his business rival Roger Corwin (Tim Curry).

Charlie’s Angels is an action movie based on the classic TV series. Charlie’s Angels aims to return the sense of fun to the action genre with its breezy plot, comedic elements, and lack of gore. The movie succeeds in keeping a light tone by never taking itself too seriously and mixing plenty of humor in with its action and intrigue. But its execution falls short, keeping the charming premise from living up to its full potential.

Charlie’s Angels offers up a healthy dose of Hollywood-style action. The phony kung fu and wire stunts can’t compete with the action of a dedicated martial arts film, but the fight scenes are entertaining nonetheless. The film finds a way to work in its fair share of big stunts, explosions, and exotic locales, and while none of these are all that impressive compared to the film’s competition, they succeed in giving Charlie’s Angels a sense of spectacle.

The action is supplemented with a steady stream of comedy. Bill Murray leads the comedy side of the movie as Bosley, the Angels’ good-natured but bumbling manager. Natalie’s innocent double entendres, Alex’s and Dylan’s doomed attempts to maintain normal relationships, and a colorful cast of supporting characters keep the humor coming. The jokes are not brilliant, but they help keep the movie interesting between action sequences.

However, the movie has a few core flaws that keep it from living up to its potential. The plot is more an excuse to drop the Angels into a series of tricky situations than a cohesive story. The dialogue is passable but not inspired, and the acting has a few rough spots. The film is packed with moments that are just slightly misjudged: stunts that are a little too fake, jokes that don’t quite land, and plot developments that don’t have quite enough impact.

The result is an entertaining but half-baked action film that makes for decent popcorn but little more. Watch Charlie’s Angels when you are in the mood to relax in front of something light. Just don’t expect too much in the way of storytelling. For an action comedy with a similar tone and better craftsmanship, check out RED.

5.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 6.0 to 6.5 for fun action without the quality of writing or acting to let it truly excel.

Today’s quick review: The Royal Tenenbaums. Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman), the estranged father of Chas (Ben Stiller), Margot (Gwyneth Paltrow), and Richie (Luke Wilson), returns home when his wife Etheline (Anjelica Huston) considers getting remarried. While Royal attempts to make amends for a lifetime of bad parenting, the rest of his family work through their own lingering issues.

The Royal Tenenbaums is a quirky comedy from director Wes Anderson. The Royal Tenenbaums features an interesting ensemble cast, a character-driven story, and the meticulous, stylized direction Wes Anderson is known for. The humor is tucked away in awkward moments and idiosyncrasies, a dry style of humor that rewards close attention from the viewer. The film makes excellent use of its soundtrack, a light but sentimental collection of familiar songs.

The Royal Tenenbaums is a surprisingly touching film. The Tenenbaums begin the story as cardboard cutouts, detached characters with eclectic and seemingly meaningless backstories. But as the film goes on, more of their character is revealed through conversations, recollections of the past, and the crises they face as a family. By the end of the film, they manage to make the leap from cerebrally interesting to emotionally engaging.

Beyond the Tenenbaums themselves, The Royal Tenenbaums is a well-crafted movie. The main cast is joined by Owen Wilson, Danny Glover, and Bill Murray in supporting roles. The plot is more character-driven than event-driven, but the subplots interact well with each other, and a few defining events help give the film a sense of momentum. The direction is top-notch, showcasing Wes Anderson’s penchant for symmetry, focused presentation, and tight writing.

Watch The Royal Tenenbaums if you are a fan of Wes Anderson’s other work or you are willing to take a chance on an unconventional movie. Its dry humor, mature themes, and peculiar style restrict the film’s appeal, but its smart writing, well-drawn characters, and curious style are more than enough to reward a patient viewer. Skip it if you are looking for an unadulterated comedy, admirable characters, or a linear plot.

7.6 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 for gorgeous presentation and surprisingly moving characters.