Life Review

     Life is the newest sci-fi, horror flick to hit theaters this weekend and going into it audiences were not quite sure what to expect. The trailers and marketing made the film seem very reminiscent of Alien but the cast that surrounds is what mostly had audiences interested. Although the story is very formulaic and the characters are not the most intriguing, Life thrives as a beautifully creepy, monster movie.

     Is this movie very much like Alien and multiple other sci-fi horror films? Yes, very much so. But I think what makes this film work well is the setup of tension, especially with the Mars alien that they refer to as Calvin. What makes Calvin so intriguing on-screen is the development that is presented. Calvin needs the food, oxygen, and water just like humans therefore it makes sense as to why he wants to eat everyone that is aboard the ship. The creature also doesn't necessarily look like a threatening at the beginning but develops into this terrifying monster throughout the film. There are truly creepy visuals in this movie and by the end of it, you're really hoping that this creature is killed... Like soon.
     The creepy visuals stem from the camerawork in this film. The cinematography is done by Seamus McGarvey and he does a wonderful job of making the audience feel isolated in this spaceship. Much like the original Alien, you truly feel the monster could be at any corner just lurking. There's also an opening shot in this movie that is awesome and really helps to display the setting.

     The characters in this movie don't necessarily bring anything new to the table. But the performances are not bad. The three stars that helm this movie are Jake Gyllenhaul, Ryan Reynolds, and Rebecca Ferguson. All of them do well in their roles but it's nothing to write home.
     The biggest problem this film has occurs within the final 15 minutes. The ending is one that audiences will be able to recognize from a mile away. Predictability within a movie isn't necessarily a bad thing but it needs to have a good setup and execution. This ending here feels very rushed and just seems like the writers decided to shake it up at the last minute.
     Life is an intriguing sci-fi, horror flick even though it does not necessarily bring anything new to the table. It's not one that has to be seen in theaters but if you would like to see it then I would advise against it.

Rating: 6.3 out of 10

Power Rangers Review

     Go Go Power Rangers! That was a term that heavily ruled my childhood. I was a huge fan of the old TV shows and the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers movie. When Lionsgate announced that they would be doing a new movie, I was very eager to see what type of film they would bring. I enjoyed most of the trailers but my biggest worry was that cheesiness from the original series would not fit well on the big screen today. Although it is far from a perfect movie, Power Rangers is a delightful film with a great blend of nostalgia and a story that will appeal to a new, younger generation.

     What's intriguing about this movie is how it's almost two separate movies. The first being the team setup and training, while the second is their action piece. The setup was something that pleasantly surprised me. The team dynamic is really easy to buy into because of the cast. The standout is RJ Cyler as the Blue Ranger. RJ caught my attention in Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and continues to show off his comedic chops in Power Rangers. The guy is fantastic. Some other standouts include Dacre Montgomery as the Red Ranger. They could have very easily made him just a stereotypical jock but he was actually a very well layered character with a great on-screen presence. I was not necessarily on board with Ludi Lin as the Black Ranger until around the second act when we got a little more depth to his character. There are also some really good performances from Bryan Cranston as Zordon and Naomi Scott as the Pink Ranger.

     The performance that took me out of the movie was Elizabeth Banks as Rita Repulsa. At first I was very intrigued because the director, Dean Israelite, portrayed her almost as this horror like figure at the beginning of the film. Unfortunately though it seemed to me she was a little over the top when she was delivering dialogue. Although she is miles more tamed then the Rita Repulsa in the original show, for me I felt they missed the mark to make her a great villain.

     I am not sure that this film will necessarily appeal to older people who were not a fan of the original show but fans of the old show and younger generations will really enjoy this movie. It blends nostalgia with an up to date story very well. Once we see the Rangers all suited up for the first time, that's when the influence of the older show is really on display. The pacing for this film is pretty good, although they probably could have cut around 20 minutes from the second act and thrown that into the third. The third act is satisfying that is definitely trying to appeal to the older fans. Although the fighting action isn't the best, it's solid and gets the job done. There are also some glaring plot holes within the story but that doesn't take away from the movie too much.
     This movie is far from perfect but is actually a delightful surprise. I think fans of the original will love this movie and I am hoping it will attract some new fans along the way. It's not necessarily a film you have to see in theaters but I hope you do because I would love to see sequels for this property.

Rating: 6.8 out of 10

   

Beauty and the Beast Review

     It's a tale as old as time but this is Disney's newest live adaptation of Beauty and the Beast. Disney has kind of been all over the place with their live adaptations from previous animated films. Some not so good while others such as Cinderella and The Jungle Book have really stuck well with the fans. So when Disney announced they would be adapting the 1991 Best Picture nom, Beauty and the Beast, audiences were eager to see how the studio would go about this classic. Fortunately not only is the live adaptation of Beauty and the Beast a great retelling of the original, animated film but also expands upon the story in a truly magical way.
     This is a star studded cast and they definitely deliver. The standout is Luke Evans who plays the handsome, egocentric villain, Gaston. Every time he is on screen, audiences are sure to get in a good laugh. He is not the only comedic superstar though. Josh Gad stars as his clingy sidekick LeFou and is quite the delight.

     The most credit for their performances though should go to Emma Watson and Dan Stevens for their performances of Belle and the Beast. If audiences do not buy into their performances and their love dynamic then this movie does not work at all. They are two of the most famous Disney characters of all time and Disney definitely delivered on the casting. The look of the Beast was something that kind of concerned me going into the movie and while it takes sometime for audiences to adjust to it, Stevens helps to add life to this CGI beast. The visual effects artists definitely could of tinkered with the character a lot more but it is serviceable.

     This is a musical and all the actors do very well on beloved classic songs such as Belle, Be Our Guest, and Beauty and the Beast. But they also add some new songs that don't quite resonate as well as the original songs but definitely help to serve to the story. The supporting cast includes Kevin Kline, Ewan McGregor, Ian McKellen, Emma Thompson, and many more that help add phenomenal performances for the film.
     The story is very beat for beat with the original, animated film with a few new additions. Without getting into spoilers, there's a certain aspect explored in Belle's story that helps the story and gives audiences a much better understanding of the character.
     I am not sure if this is the adaptation that should have been at the top of Disney's list but it is definitely one that will leave audiences smiling upon exiting the theater. This formula of retelling the originals while expanding upon them at the same time is something that hardcore Disney fans will greatly appreciate. This film is going to be a Box Office juggernaut that fans will probably go to multiple viewings.

Rating: 8.7 out of 10

Kong: Skull Island Review

     Kong: Skull Island is officially in theaters and bigger then ever. Directed by Kings of Summer helmer Jordan Vogt-Roberts, this is the next film in Kong and Godzilla shared universe. Although this film greatly differentiates itself from Godzilla (2014) in many ways, they both suffer from some the same flaws including character development and lack of intriguing story. Fortunately though, this movie is saved because of its incredible visuals and spectacular monster brawls.
     The overwhelming positivity of this movie are the monster fights. King Kong is bigger in size then ever (probably getting in shape for Kong vs. Godzilla (2020)). Having the movie take place in Skull Island enhances the film because we see all these different monsters that inhabit the island. Unlike Godzilla, we are introduced to Kong immediately in this movie and that greatly strengthens the movie because it helps audiences to root for him during all of his fights.

     It has monster vs. monster fights and human vs. monster so what more could you ask for? The biggest risk with making a monster centered movie is the visual work that comes with it and luckily this movie pulls it off quite well. Obviously your brain is going to associate the ape as CGI because 100 foot monkeys don't actually exist but there are some incredible sequences that will blow away audiences.
     It's a great movie to shove popcorn down your throat and turn your brain off. Unfortunately for me my expectations were more then that leading up and that's what led to my disappointment in some parts of the film.
     The biggest flaw with this movie is the character development. I understand when seeing a Kong movie you just want a great monster movie and that's perfectly understandable. Unfortunately for me, the marketing for this movie led me to believe that this movie could be so much more than that. This includes a star studded cast with Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hiddleston, John Goodman, Brie Larson, and Corey Hawkins. All their talent is fairly wasted though because the lack of character exploration. The only real character that is explored is Hank played by John C. Reilly. To me it just felt like a waste of the A-list talent that you had at your disposal.
     The dialogue in this movie is something that should also be noted as a flaw. There are moments when you can tell these stars are trying their best to deliver these lines and it will still make you cringe. It almost feels like a TV science fiction movie. The screenplay was written by Dan Gilroy who is a very talented writer but it seems as though he had a bad day at the office when writing Kong. Some the humor falls flat as well which is really surprising when you at how well Jordan Vogt-Roberts has done with humor in his previous films.
     I would recommend seeing this film in theaters because it suits the big screen very well. Unfortunately for me I built up my expectations too much to think it could be a lot better then just a monster movie in which you shut your brain off.

Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Logan Review

     When Hugh Jackman was cast as the iconic mutant Wolverine back in 1999, nerds everywhere cried out in panic. They thought there was no way that this tall, Australian guy could possibly pull off the beloved character. Well fast forward to 2017 and he's immensely loved by not only comic fans but movie fans as well. Unfortunately all good runs must come to an end though and James Mangold's Logan is believed to be Jackman's last appearance of the metal clawed, beast. Although the first solo Wolverine film, X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), was a disaster for fans even though Jackman did the role duty. Next time we saw Jackman in a solo movie was in The Wolverine (2013) and although the film was significantly better then its predecessor, fans still weren't completely fulfilled. Luckily, Logan is not only a brilliant superhero film and send off for Hugh Jackman but also an incredible film that should strike a chord with any audience that sees it.
     Logan takes place in 2029 in west Texas and things aren't quite what they used to be. Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) is struggling and needs Wolverine to help him get through the days. When a mysterious young girl arrives, Wolverine will learn there's much more to the girl then meets the eye.

     One of the best aspects of this film is how well it stands out on its own. Logan is a film that audiences will genuinely enjoy even if they've never seen any of the prior X-Men movies. It's truly a western film merged with the superhero genre and fires on all cylinders. This film is unlike all the other Wolverine films due to its R-rating and it definitely utilizes the benefits that come with. Although it takes some time to get used to all the cussing, the violence in this is what every fan has ever wanted with the character of Wolverine. The action choreography in this movie is fantastically done and the cinematography enhances it greatly. Seeing Wolverine fight with X-23 (not a spoiler since it was in the trailers) is a delight for any comic fan.
     The performances of this movie are amazing. This is Hugh Jackman and Patrick Stewart's last go around with these characters and they absolutely deliver. This is Jackman's best performance ever with the X-Men franchise and probably the best of his career overall. One of the surprise performances comes from the character of Laura or X-23 played by Dafne Keen. I am always worried with child actors and she was incredible in this. Although she doesn't have a lot of dialogue, her action scenes are incredible and from what I've gathered she did a lot of her own stunts.
     The pacing of the movie is very slow since it's ultimately a character piece but the payoff is well worth the wait. This is one of my Top 5 favorite movies within the superhero genre and I highly recommend you see it in the theaters.

Rating: 9.6 out of 10