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Skull Island (2023)
Better then I expected
If you enjoyed Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous then you will enjoy the general stylisation that this offering gives you.
The animation is good without ever needing to be outstanding. The storyline shines through.
If you have seen the 2005 King Kong film then as you start watching, you wonder if it has the connection you think it does.
It is not a spoiler to say that it does and it will add to the appeal.
Like everything animated, all is larger than life in every way, just as you would want it to be.
No necessarily child friendly, although if I was 6 years old again, I would love every aspect of the natural violence that you would associate with this kind of thing but worth a quick watch before you let little Jack or Jill loose on their imagination (and potential nightmares).
Sisu (2022)
Makes Schwarzenegger and Stallone look like Barbie and Ken
If the trailer appealed to you, this is all and more that you could want.
Every minute is savoured because what it says on the tin is precisely what you get and that cannot be more satisfying.
There is gore galore but it is not gratuitous because it fits in with both the natural portrayal of some of the real horrors of war and the artistic licence required to make it entertaining to boot.
The characters are entirely believable, especially the Nazis, who drip with evil and the lead character who is not a hero, not an anti-hero, just kick bottom from top to tail.
There is even a strong female, with just the right amount of tongue in cheek to indicate that the character is not forced by some kind of diversity, equality and inclusion committee.
There are not enough superlatives to describe what was packed in to an hour and a half.
All you are left with is a big smile, no regrets and no unnecessary over analysis of society.
So refreshing to simply enjoy without having some agenda shoved down your throat and have a good old fashioned fun time.
Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)
A fun romp, nothing more or less
Nothing about this is spectacular in the sense of being original and having greater special effects or script.
It is just a good old fashioned romp, where you can leave your brain behind and enjoy it for what it is. It is unlikely to live long in the mind, so will not be winning any Oscars but you won't find yourself struggling yo wonder shy you spent your money. It is likely to appeal more to children but it is good value for general family entertainment, the guzzling of pop and munching of popcorn for a couple of throw away hours before departing for the obligatory Pizza parlour afterwards.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023)
Exactly what I expect from a Shazam sequel
You might be forgiven, from reading other reviews, that this should be on the level of a Citizen Kane or have he same tone as Batman.
Shazam is, without question, the lightest side of DC and that is exactly what you get.
Corny, goofy, no brain required, good fun.
You could argue that it lacks some cohesion at times but if you watch it for what it intends to be, you don't become disappointed.
In some ways, it is actually better than some DC offerings (The Suicide Squad 2021 was abysmal).
There s talk in the media about so called 'super hero fatigue', where I believe it more accurate to say that expectation has become unrealistic. There is only so far that the special effects can take something, so some acceptance of what we have being the norm should become the mindset, rather than wanting something that cannot be delivered.
In many ways we are spoiled by what can be created and are living in one form of a golden age of cinema, where any scenario can be created on screen.
But that very scope of creation has to be accepted as something that may well be a pinnacle, short of some extraordinary addition to the experience itself.
Apart from 4D and smellivision, the only thing left is for the viewer to be an actual part of the production, which is far off becoming any form of reality right now.
I enjoyed the addition of Lucy Liu and Helen Mirren. Happily playing tongue in cheek roles.
I look forward to a 3rd instalment, although I fear that James Gunn may actually end up damaging DC, so would not automatically expect one.
Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre (2023)
Writing and scripting that adds the magic to the mix
Just 10 minutes in I had a big smile on my face.
The interaction and connection that the actors and actresses have, greatly assisted by the script is something largely missing from recent movies of this ilk.
Take True Lies, a sprinkle of James Bond and a whole lot of corny fun, delivered in the right way and quantity and you have a good old fashioned comedy adventure oozing with charm.
What adds to the magical mix are the characters played by Hartnett, Elwes and Grant.
I was sceptical of the ability for Grant to bring home the kind of character and voicing antithetical to his normal casting but he pulls it off superbly.
I have often thought that Hartnett and Elwes were actors that never seemed to find that role which elevates them but both find that very thing here.
Elwes finds a perfect home playing the stereotypical British and often buffoonish intelligence chief that hits the mark perfectly and in an endearing fashion.
Hartnett's self parody one moment and dramatic action hero the next works so well.
True Lies had a chemistry that screamed sequel but alas did not get it.
Operation Fortune has the same chemistry across and between all of the lead characters and begs for a sequel, perhaps even the possibility of a franchise.
If I had to nit pick then I guess it was always going to be afar stretch to hope that the witty comedy and interaction would be perfect across the whole movie but then that would be me looking for perfection rather then more element of reality.
A great creation from Guy Richie too and one of his best.
More please.
Bupkis (2023)
Davidson finds maturity and knocks the right one out
There is no denying that Pete Davidson is a somewhat odd character, never seeming to know where his place is within the entertainment industry, seemingly always being one step away from self destruction and permanent obscurity.
So going into this, there is an entirely reasonable expectation of failure.
But the exact opposite is true.
Bupkis manages to combine the absurd (expected) with drama and a self parody that comes with charm, rather then a roll of the eyes and dismissal.
It doesn't hurt that along the way, a cornucopia of stars play both large and small roles agreed to take part.
Getting Joe Pesci onboard alone is a master stroke, let alone the glittering list of other actors and actresses.
This could be the start of something much bigger for Davidson and this serves as a good springboard from which to do so.