chrisgavidia Reviews

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

Entertaining enough for a movie theatre trip

[7/10 · 29 March 2024]

This film was a solid 7 out of 10 for me. I actually found myself enjoying it more then Godzilla vs Kong

The Good: King Kong was awesome. This might be my favorite portrayal of Kong on the big screen. I've never thought him interesting but he actually was awesome in this film.

The human characters were on screen just long enough to care about but short enough not to get annoyed by them. In Godzilla vs Kong the human characters scenes went on for way to long.

The giant monsters were actually pretty funny. At one point King throws a rock at a monster that is trying to runaway. Also Godzilla takes a nap if a pretty iconic location.

The Bad: Didn't really feel like the giant monsters were a real threat especially once the inevitable team up between the two title characters happened.

Overall the film was solid and works best on a big movie theatre screen. Overall It was better then Transformers 2-5 , Pacific Rim Uprising, Godzilla vs Kong. I would say it aligns with my score for Transformers Rise of the Beast and Pacific Rim.

Madame Web (2024)

This was not a terrible movie. Entertaining enough if open minded

[6/10 · 19 February 2024]

This movie really doesn't deserve the hate its getting. Its a passable entertaining enough film. I actually appreciated that it was a little more grounded and not a CGI splat fest. Now there were some problems with the movie and bad dialogue but the film overall was entertaining. It for sure centers more on a female perspective then a male one. I would say this one was ahead of Morbius and Venom 2 for me. Also more bearable then The Marvels which really jumped the shark with the cats in the space station.

Don't go in expecting a bunch of heros running around in costumes. Theres been far far worse comic book movies like The Fantastic Four films, The Marvels, IronMan 3 etc.

Star Trek: Voyager: Distant Origin (1997) Season 3, Episode 23

One of the best and coolest Voyager episodes in its entire run.

[9/10 · 25 January 2024]

This episode is amazingly well written and featured one of the more interesting Delta Quadrant races in my opinion. The Voth species originally evolved on prehistoric Earth and left the planet millions of years ago.

The episode also really gets to the "new worlds and civilizations" core of Star Trek.

Chakotay of course is a standout in the last half of the episode and he delivers some of his strongest monologues in Chakotay's character during Voyagers run.

My only complaint was that the show-runners introduced an awesome interesting alien race and they never revisited them and instead leaned into so heavily the Borg. The Voth along with Hirogen and Species 8472 i felt had the best potential.

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (2023)

A entertaining followup to Bumblebee

[8/10 · 11 June 2023]

Overall this film was very enjoyable. I wouldnt say it was the top film in the franchise but it certainly was much better then the any of Bayformers sequels. The autobot action is very good and the fight scenes are choreographed well. They arent big messes of robot cgi thrown onto the screen. Overall here are my rankings for the franchise:

1. Transformers 1 2. The Transformers 86 animated movie 3. Bumblebee 4. Rise of the Beasts 5. Dark of the Moon 6. Age of Extinction 7. Revenge of the Fallen 8. Last Knight

I recommend this film for a fun entertaining matinee popcorn film. This film falls on the top half of hasbro universe films and other similar movies.

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023)

Fun movie for February

[7/10 · 19 February 2023]

Doesnt deserve the 50-55 percent its getting by critics. Its a fun movie to see in theatres. I loved seeing the Pym family on the big screen together. Hank Pym, Kang, and Scott Lang were all fun characters. The plot wasnt a masterpiece but ive seen much worse big tentpole blockbusters like Transformers that i felt empty after watching. This movie is solid entertainment with a somewhat meddling middle act but a very fun final act. Picture Tron: Legacy and thats this movie. Its a single story part of a bigger continuing universe. See this because its a solid scfi somewhat family mcu movie. Thor Love and Thunder had a bad final act but I really enjoyed the final act in this one.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze (1991)

Easily best TMNT live action movie

[7/10 · 20 January 2023]

Easily the most fun and entertaining TMNT live action film out of the original trilogy and the Michael Bay produced TMNT films. This version captures the spirit of the classic original cartoon series.

The lighter tone and voice acting in this film is my favorite of the original trilogy and this is a fun film for any age groups from kids to adults. Costumes are really well done. Probably only knock on this film is its super short like the original X-Men live action film.

Rewatching this now that I'm in my late 30's and only 8 when it came out I for sure enjoy the jokes a ton more. If you're going to rewatch s TMNT movie this is the one.

Puss in Boots: The Last Wish (2022)

Best family orientated film of 2022 and solid alternative to Avatar 2

[8/10 · 1 January 2023]

There's been some uneven family & animated films in 2022: Sonic 2 was big screen fun junk food, Lightyear while good missed the mark and dragged, and Rise of Gru was not a good film and was carried by the Minions.

Puss N Boots though was a very pleasant surprise. Had some really great characters like Goldilocks and the 3 bears, the little doggie, and of course Puss. Film had some solid animation and decent story that felt a combo of Shrek and Kung Fu Panda

Unfortunate that Universal/Dreamsworks didnt time this films release better or market it better. Mid October / early Thanksgiving would had been better.

Very good alternative to Avatar 2.

She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022)

Enjoyable 1st episode

[7/10 · 19 August 2022]

Somewhat surprisingly I enjoyed the 1st episode. I'm for sure interested in where the show is going. Take the negative reviews with a grain of salt. The humor level is just right so far and feels very MCU.

The Orville: Midnight Blue (2022) Season 3, Episode 8

This show gets better and better with being on Hulu

[9/10 · 8 August 2022]

What a great episode. Kelly and Topa have really been the heart of the show this season. With The Orville being on HULU i love the episodes being extended so the stories can really breathe more. The Orville joins TNG, DS9, BSG, and The Mandalorian as great space opera tv series.

The Orville: A Tale of Two Topas (2022) Season 3, Episode 5

Wow- the most peak TNG like episode in nearly 30 years

[9/10 · 7 August 2022]

I grew up on TNG, I loved DS9, and i enjoyed middle seasons of Voyager and dang this episode made feel like i was watching a new episode of TNG all over again. Great episode and I am fully in love with The Orville.

Westworld: Fidelity (2022) Season 4, Episode 6

Another thought provoking edge of your seat episode

[9/10 · 1 August 2022]

A great episode of a show is one where you don't want it to end and this episode was just that. This weeks installment continues an amazingly strong string of episodes that really gets you engaged and invested into the story. Finish up the season strong Westworld !

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (2022)

Second favorite film in Phase 4

[8/10 · 27 July 2022]

This movie left some ground not covered however some superb acting led by Elizabeth Olsen really carries this film. I would say this one is 2nd best of Phase 4 behind No Way Home. Seeing Dr Strange vs Scarlett Witch was for sure epic.

Westworld: Zhuangzi (2022) Season 4, Episode 5

Season 1 meets first half of The Matrix

[10/10 · 25 July 2022]

Combine the plot elements of Season 1 with the first 30-40 minutes of "The Matrix" and thats what this episode resembles. So far easily the standout episode of Season 4 and truly at its core what I feel fans have been yearning for since Season 1.

Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)

Awesome fun seeing favorite characters but rough story execution.

[7/10 · 8 July 2022]

There was a ton I enjoyed about the film but there was a fair amount of cringe worthy moments that will be too campy for many viewers. Ragnarok was a slicker film that walked the fine line of being serious and too overly jokey and didnt fall. Love&Thunder has a difficult job not stumbling. Love&Thunder story decisions especially with the children plot elements was tough to digest. Overall a very enjoyable film and if you are an MCU fan. If you enjoy Thor, Jane, and Valkeryie as characters you will enjoy it even if the film doesnt quite reach its full potential.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022)

Not a fun movie and little heart

[6/10 · 17 April 2022]

One reviewer said if best: nothing felt earned.

Huge story moments just sort of happened with no anticipation or build up. It was a very blah film. Now i actually enjoyed FB's 1 and 2. This one though was a huge letdown.

Spoilers follow......

1. I don't understand why they zombified the baby bambi magical creature. That was not freakin needed. There wasnt even build up to the scene. Just Newt showing up to bambi twins birth. This plot line really left a bad taste

2. Credence vs Dumbledore fight was short and underwhelming. A huge battle was teased and we got an underwhelming scene.

3. The changing of actors from Johnny Depp really hurt from a continuity standpoint. As a viewer i just couldnt buy into the character.

4. So the film ended with the election of some fill in the blanks candidate because the non zombi bambi sibling chose it? I felt nothing for the elected leader.

Just a bad film i have no interest in seeing again.

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022)

More enjoyable then 1st film ; really solid video game film

[7/10 · 7 April 2022]

Saw this on advance screening today and I actually enjoyed it much more then the first one. Without giving away spoilers this film doesnt meander around during the first act. Jumps into the action and story right away.

Felt like more call backs and references to the video games. There were enough laughs for adult and it was tame enough for almost any age group.

The last 3 video game movies ive seen were Tomb Raider, Sonic 1, and Uncharted.....Sonic 2 is more entertaining then any of those.

X-Men (2000)

Start of Golden Age for Comic Book Movies

[8/10 · 1 March 2022]

This movie in my opinion kicked off the amazing comic book adaptations that we've had the last 20 years. This film showed that with a great cast, solid effects, and a decent enough plot that comic book movies could reach wide-stream audiences. The great casting for this film laid the foundation for the new wave of film franchises that followed with Spiderman, Batman, and the MCU.

Peacemaker: A Whole New Whirled (2022) Season 1, Episode 1

Pleasantly surprised

[9/10 · 20 January 2022]

In all honesty I had more anticipation for the premiere of Book of Boba Fett but this first episode of Peacemaker blew the first 4 episodes of Fett out of the water. Freakin hilarious first episode of Peacemaker and well worth your viewing time. If you loved The Suicide Squad humor you'll love this first episode.

Eternals (2021)

A different flavor for the MCU

[9/10 · 5 November 2021]

I really enjoyed this different pace MCU film. So many questions left at the end. It will be interesting to see where the MCU goes from here and how everything is tied together. The film had me on the edge of my seat. Amazing visuals and a great cast.

Dune (2021)

Best movie of 2021

[9/10 · 24 October 2021]

Epic film and best of 2021 for me. I loved The Suicide Squad. I throughly enjoyed Shang-Chi. Black Widow, No Time to Die, and Godzilla vs Kong were entertaining but all hail Dune for 2021. Epic film that must be seen on the big screen.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021)

Solid MCU character origin film

[8/10 · 4 September 2021]

While not in the class of Iron Man, GOTG, or Black Panther as top MCU origin films this film was extremely fun and offered a different type of MCU film. I would put this film above the first Dr. Strange & Ant-man movies and perhaps right on the level of the first Captain America & Black Widow films. IronMan, GOTG, Black Panther, Thor, and Spiderman Homecoming had better plots but Shang-Chi offered a ton of heart.

The fight scenes were amazingly done and the climax of the film was actually visually beautiful. Some reviews said it was CGI heavy but i actually felt it was just right.

When comparing this to other recent Asian led cast and stories i like this film a ton more then Mulan, SnakeEye, and Crazy Rich Asians. Highly recommend!!!'

G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra (2009)

Better then Transformers 2-5

[6/10 · 22 July 2021]

Like most reviewers said this movie wasnt great but its entertaining. For a Hasbro movie its better then any of the Transformers live action sequels (though TF1 and Bumblebee were good). This movie was fun to watch in theaters atleast once and also at home once.

The Mandalorian: Chapter 16: The Rescue (2020) Season 2, Episode 8

Fans can rejoice - This is the way

[10/10 · 18 December 2020]

Best episode of TV since Game of Thrones "BotB" & "Winds of Winter". Everything a Star Wars fan was hoping for after "The Force Awakens" but didn't receive. Thank you Jon F. & Dave F. This is way

The Mandalorian: Chapter 15: The Believer (2020) Season 2, Episode 7

No Season 2 slump

[9/10 · 12 December 2020]

Sci-fi genre fans should rejoice. Star Wars is back for real. There were flashes of brilliance within Force Awakens and Rogue One but their storylines were either abruptly ended (Rogue One) or mishandled (Kennedy/JJ/Rian dropped the ball big time after TFA).

Jon & Fioli have not allowed for a 2nd season slump. This season has been consistently great and show has been allowed time to breathe and develop. "The Believer" is an extremely good redemption story with a different twist.

Westworld had a great 1st season but inconsistent followup seasons. The Orville is a nice homage to TNG but has struggle to stand on its own. Star Trek Discovery might be the most mediocere prequel of all times. The Mandalorian joins great SCI-fi series like TNG, DS9, and BSG. Welcome fully back Star Wars.

The Mandalorian: Chapter 13: The Jedi (2020) Season 2, Episode 5

Why oh why couldn't the sequel trilogy been this good ?!??

[10/10 · 28 November 2020]

Answer is Jon & Fioli have laid a great story foundation. Too bad this wasn't developed before the sequel trilogy which could of led into it beautifully. Abrahams chose the dark and quick path...... Jon/Fioli went down the light path. I havent felt so jazzed for a tv series since peak Game of Thrones.