Movie review: The Fifth Element

 

 Things have changed quite a bit in the 23rd-century and flying cabs are just the beginning. Cabbie Korben picks up a beautiful woman and finds not only is she an alien, but she may hold the key to saving the planet from Zorg, a psychotic villain.

Bruce Willis (Korben), Gary Oldman (Zorg), Ian Holm (Cornelius), Milla Jovovich (Leeloo), Chris Tucker (Ruby), Luke Perry (Billy), Brion James (Munro), Tommy Lister (Pres. Lindberg), Lee Evans (Fog).

The Fifth Element begins nicely with a bit of setup before Korben runs across Leeloo and things go absolutely insane. There are four stones representing the four elements brought to Earth to protect it, with the fifth element being the key. Evil psychotic Zorg is determined to collect the elements and destroy Earth, but with Korben on her side Leeloo may be able to save the planet after all.

Acting was wonderful in this one. Willis was cast well in his role and pulled it off with solid delivery and some good laughs. Oldman was absolutely warped and executed his role perfectly. Jovovich also did nicely and delivered well. Holm, Tucker, Perry, and the remainder of the supporting cast were amusing and entertaining.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are heavily integrated with CGI and frequently over the top which actually fit the film well. Action scenes and graphics were a lot of fun with unusual details and intense color. Dialogue was funny, serious, sarcastic and anything but boring. Sound and soundtrack are good.

If you enjoy an unusual sci-fi action flick, this one should fit you well. If instead you are looking for realism, move along. Willis, Oldman, or Jovovich fans should enjoy this one as well.

With some partial nudity, sexuality, violence, gore, foul language, and potentially disturbing images, this should actually be fine for teens and above.

Released: 1997
Reviewed: 7.23.18
Star rating: 5 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi Action, Sci-Fi Adventure, Alien Sci-Fi, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Adventure

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Maze Runner: The Death Cure

 

 In this final chapter of the Maze Runner trilogy, Thomas and friends are back to continue their fight against WCKD and find a cure for the Flare pandemic. This time their journey will lead to the last city, a dangerous WCKD stronghold.

Dylan O'Brien (Thomas), Ki Hong Lee (Minho), Kaya Scodelario (Teresa), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Newt), Dexter Darden (Frypan), Will Poulter (Gally), Jaco Lofland (Aris), Rosa Salazar (Brenda), Giancarlo Esposito (Jorge), Patricia Clarkson (Ava), Aidan Gillen (Janson), Barry Pepper (Vince).

This third film in the Maze Runner trilogy finds Thomas and friends still fighting WCKD, which they believe has a cure for the Flare pandemic. What the film doesn't have is connectivity to previous films, coming almost 3 years since the last and offering no reminder of what has passed. The plot it pretty simple; save Minho, who has been captured, and take down WCKD by invading their last city. The remainder of the plot is a simple action adventure flick with little imagination. The ending is easily anticipated and an obvious setup for another film.

Acting was decent with O'Brien delivering as usual. Brodie-Sangster delivered very well throughout. Lee, Esposito, Darden, and the remainder of the supporting cast were solid. Gillen fit his role well and felt appropriately creepy. Clarkson felt flat and emotionless.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are decent but CGI and action scenes are what made this film. CGI was well done with good integration, fit, and a solid feel. Action scenes were intense and showed good detail. Dialogue was nice with good depth. Sound and soundtrack are fitting.

While the Maze Runner franchise started well, the time between episodes has likely caused some interest to fade. Combined with the lackluster plot in this entry and the franchise appears to be enjoying a slow death. While serious fans may enjoy this one, most will find it lacking depth and those who have not seen previous films will be completely lost.

With plenty of violence, gore, disturbing images, and foul language, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 7.21.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Drama based on a book, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Sci-Fi Action, Sci-Fi Fantasy

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: A Wrinkle in Time (2018)

 

 Although her scientist father has disappeared into the universe, Meg has never lost hope that he is alive and will return. A surprise visit by three strange beings who send her, her brother, and a friend into space to find him means Meg may finally get the answers she has always wanted.

Storm Reid (Meg), Oprah Winfrey (Mrs. Which), Reese Witherspoon (Mrs. Whatsit), Mindy Kaling (Mrs. Who), Levi Miller (Calvin), Deric McCabe (Charles Wallace), Chris Pine (Dad), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Mom).

This remake of the timeless classic begins with the story of Mr. Murray disappearing before shifting to Meg's perspective as she both misses him and keeps faith he is alive and will return. The rest of the film is a fun adventure with some very well done visual effects. Not having read the book I can't say if this film does it justice, but it is enjoyable.

Acting was good with the main cast doing quite well. Reid feels solid and authentic as does Miller, Pine, and Mbatha-Raw. Winfrey felt a bit full of herself but did okay, while Witherspoon was hysterical and Kaling delivered with nice depth. The remainder of the supporting cast was solid and enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good but the visual effects take center stage. CGI was well done throughout with a rich, deep feel that adds a lot to the film and story. Dialogue was good and moved the plot along well. Sound and soundtrack are nicely done.

While this one may not follow the book and upset some purists, younger viewers will not care and should enjoy this one quite a bit. Great choice for family movie night with the kids.

With some mild violence, this should be fine for most all viewing audiences.

Released: 2018
Reviewed: 7.13.18
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Family Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Family Adventures, Fantasy, Adventure, Films based on books

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Jigsaw

 

 Ten years ago John Kramer aka. Jigsaw was killed, ending his series of unusual and cruel murders. But a new series of unusual murders, all with Jigsaw's signature, lead the police to believe John may not be dead after all.

Matt Passmore (Logan), Tobin Bell (Jigsaw/John), Callum Rennie (Det. Halloran), Hannah Anderson (Eleanor), Cle Bennett (Det. Hunt), Laura Vandervoort (Anna), Paul Braunstein (Ryan), Mandela Van Peebles (Mitch).

Jigsaw 2017 is an unexpected continuation of the franchise which began in 2004 with the release of Saw. Despite the apparent death of Jigsaw in the last film, a new series of unusual murders all pointing to Jigsaw have police confused and questioning his death. As the bodies pile up, the murders become more unusual and intertwined. The story moves along fairly well despite some plot holes and continuity issues, finishing with the hint of more to come as expected.

Acting was decent with Passmore delivering a solid and interesting performance. Bell was good despite his roll being scaled back a bit. Rennie fit fairly well and did a good job. Anderson, Bennette, and the remainder of the supporting cast felt solid and interesting.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were well done as expected with this franchise. Action scenes and effects are solid with good detail and fit. Dialogue was pretty good, though filling of plot holes and respecting storyline continuity would be nice. Sound and soundtrack are enjoyable.

Overall Jigsaw is an enjoyable horror flick but a bit of a franchise disappointment. While the unexpected film seems to be trying to extend the franchise, fans may be disappointed not only with continuity issues, but with the lighter focus on Jigsaw's traps.

With some mild nudity, plenty of violence and gore, foul language, and disturbing images, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 7.9.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Horror, Serial Killers, Crime, Mystery, Psychological Thriller

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Man from Earth: Holocene

 

 Ten years ago college professor John revealed to his colleagues he was in fact a centuries-old caveman leading to a philosophical exploration in which John proved his claims. Now living a new life as a college professor once again, John has begun showing signs of aging and his students are becoming suspicious of his past.

David Smith (John), John Billingsley (Harry), Brittany Curran (Tara), William Katt (Art), Carlos Knight (Liko), Sterling Knight (Philip), Akemi Look (Isabel), Michael Dorn (Dr. Parker), Vanessa Williams (Carolyn).

The Man from Earth: Holocene picks up where the first film left off, finding John working once again as a college professor hiding in plain sight. Sadly, this film has none of the philosophical meditation found in the original and is instead a fairly simple sci-fi drama. While this may add to the story of John's life, it does nothing for those of us who were looking forward to more philosophical exploration. The film finally sputters out rather than providing any kind of real ending with value.

Acting was decent with Smith handling his role well once again, as did Billingsley in a much smaller part. Katt was okay but felt a bit rough. Curran, the Knight's, Look, and others playing students did well and delivered nicely. That said, Curran running around half-dressed through the entire film felt ridiculously pointless. Dorn and Williams rounded things out well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are fairly mild but fitting for the film and had a solid feel. Effects and action were enjoyable. Dialogue was okay but again, the deeper philosophical discussions were greatly missed. Sound and soundtrack were okay.

Overall this is a decent sci-fi drama by itself, but a huge disappointment in comparison to the original film. Those hoping for a continued examination of philosophy will not find it here. Those looking for a light sci-fi drama may enjoy it more but with unexplained references to the original film, they may also find it confusing.

With some mild sexuality and violence, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 7.5.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Sci-Fi, Drama, Sci-Fi Drama, Sci-Fi Fantasy, Sequels

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel