Movie review: Fanboys

 A group of friends waiting years for release of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace sets out on a cross-country trek to steal a copy from the Skywalker Ranch when one of the is found to be terminally ill.

Dan Fogler (Hutch), Jay Baruchel (Windows), Kristen Bell (Zoe), Sam Huntington (Eric), Chris Marquette (Linus), David Denman (Chaz), Christopher McDonald (Big Chuck), Isaac Kappy (Garfunkel), Seth Rogen (Seasholtz).

Fanboys begins like a Star Wars film, with a rolling storyboard. From there we are introduced to the characters and before long the plot appears. Now the setup is done, the group of fanboy friends sets out on their crazy road trip to Skywalker Ranch to steal a copy of Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace. Along the way are more than a few pokes at the Star Wars franchise, George Lucas, and plenty of nods to Star Wars characters and actors with included laughs. The story wraps nicely with a fun ending for a fun film.

Acting was enjoyable, if a bit inexperienced. Fogler delivered well in a fun role, as did Baruchel. Bell and Huntington both did nicely, as did Marquette. The remainder of the supporting cast was fun and fitting.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are decent with reasonable detail for the film genre. Action scenes were fun and funny. Dialogue had some nice laughs alongside the drama, and presented decent depth. Sound and soundtrack were solid and well done.

Overall Fanboys is simply silly fun. The story is fun and has some laughs, and the cast was solid. Star Trek fans and those who enjoy lighter comedy should enjoy this one.

With some mild comedy sexuality, comedic violence, and foul language, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2008
Reviewed: 7.12.21
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Spoofs, Satire, Comedy, Late Night Comedy, Drama

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Breach

 Fleeing a plague on Earth, and interstellar ark is attached by a shape-shifting alien stow-away focused on eradicating humanity.

Cody Kearsley (Noah), Bruce Willis (Clay), Rachel Nichols (Chambers), Kassandra Clementi (Hayley), Johnny Messner (Blue), Corey Large (Lincoln), Callan Mulvey (Teek), Timothy Murphy (Stanley), Johann Urb (Shady).

Breach begins with the exodus from Earth and character introductions. From there the film builds depth with characters while slowly rolling out the main plot and a couple of distraction sub-plots. The action and intensity increases as the suspense builds, culminating in a final epic battle with the mother alien.

Acting was rough here. Kearsley felt out of place in his role half the time. Willis gave us reasonable delivery, but his character and lines were a mess. Messner, Large, Mulvey, Murphy, and Urb all did well. Nichols and Clementi was okay, as was the remainder of the supporting cast.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were a mess. Obvious green screens, out of focus shots, and a ridiculous creature at the end didn't help things. Action scenes were lacking detail and felt largely unrealistic. Dialogue was mediocre and more depth would have been better. Sound and soundtrack are flat and uninteresting.

Overall Breach was disappointing. Poor technical work coupled with lackluster acting and direction resulted in a low energy film that did little to hold audience interest. Even Willis fans will likely be disappointed.

With a fair amount of violence and potentially disturbing images, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2020
Reviewed: 7.12.21
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Sci-fi, Horror, Action, Sci-Fi Horror, Suspense

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Baytown Outlaws

 After being shot three times by her ex-husband Carlos, Celeste hires the Oodie boys to hunt him down and retrieve her godson. But before long the 3 brothers find they are being hunted by just about everyone.

Billy Bob Thornton (Carlos), Eva Longoria (Celeste), Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Rob), Clayne Crawford (Brick), Travis Fimmel (McQueen), Daniel Cudmore (Lincoln), Andre Braugher (Millard), Michael Rapaport (Lucky).

The Baytown Outlaws begins by introducing us to the Oodie boys and their current line of work. The boys are soon hired by Celeste to hunt down her abusive ex-husband, who shot her 3 times, and retrieve her godson. The Oodie's quickly find the boy, and almost as quickly find they are being hunted by multiple odd characters. The remainder of the film is an action packed mix of blood, guts, and drama through the conveniently happy ending.

Acting was pretty good with Thornton delivering his usual quirky performance. Longoria was solid in a smaller role. Crawford, Fimmel, and Cudmore all did very well and appeared to work well together. Brodie-Sangster was solid in his quiet role. The remainder of the supporting cast did well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are good with a fairly realistic, solid feel. Action and effects were good with nice detail and fit for film. Dialogue was okay, though some accents were challenging. Sound and soundtrack are nicely done.

Overall The Baytown Outlaws is an enjoyable, nicely done if a bit quirky, crime action flick. The film moves along well and holds audience attention nicely.

With some sexuality, fairly graphic violence, and foul language, save this one for older teens and above.

Released: 2014
Reviewed: 7.12.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Crime Action, Action & Adventure, Action Comedy

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Tomorrow War

 Thirty years in the future, in 2051, mankind is losing a war against an alien species. Sent back in time to 2021, a group of soldiers delivers the disturbing news, a plea for humanity to stand up and fight now, and institutes a draft to take soldiers back to 2051 to help fight in the war.

Chris Pratt (Dan), Yvonne Strahovski (Muri), J.K. Simmons (James), Betty Gilpin (Emmy), Sam Richardson (Charlie), Jasmine Mathews (Lt. Hart), Edwin Hodge (Dorian), Keith Powers (Maj. Greenwood), Mary Rajskub (Norah).

The Tomorrow War begins by showing us where Dan will end up before rolling back time 28 years for the arrival of soldiers from the future. The soldiers explain that humanity is losing a war against aliens in the future and must begin fighting now. That means drafting soldiers and taking them to the future to fight. When Dan is recruited, and realizes the war has already been lost, he joins forces with a scientist and his estranged father in hopes of rewriting the future for his daughter.

Acting was decent with Pratt delivering fairly well. Strahovski was solid, if a bit stiff. Simmons delivered his usual nicely. Richardson, Mathews, and the remainder of the supporting cast were pretty good.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were rough with poorly done CGI, VFX, and obviously apparent green screens. Creature effects were decent up until the final fight scenes at which point things got ridiculous. Dialogue was okay but could have used a bit more depth. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

Overall The Tomorrow War is an enjoyable Action & Adventure film if you don't dwell on the special effects. The story is interesting, the action keeps things moving, and acting is decent.

With some moderate violence, foul language, and potentially disturbing images, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2021
Reviewed: 7.12.21
Star rating: 4 out of 5
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Comedy

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Wonder Woman 1984

 Fast forwarding to 1984 after years of keeping a low-profile working at the Smithsonian, Princess Diana finds herself defending against the Soviet Union and the power-hungry Maxwell Lord who hopes to take over the world. As if that weren't enough, a new enemy known as Cheetah is revealed and adds to the complications.

Gal Gadot (Diana), Chris Pine (Steve), Kristen Wiig (Minerva/Cheetah), Pedro Pascal (Maxwell), Robin Wright (Antiope), Connie Nielsen (Hippolyta), Lilly Aspell (Young Diana), Amr Waked (Emir), Natasha Rothwell (Carol).

Wonder Woman 1984 begins with a bit of catch-up and plot setup before going off the rails. Essentially, Diana has been working under the radar at the Smithsonian since we last left her. At work, she comes across an artifact with incredible power. The artifact is quickly taken by a power-hungry madman with hopes of taking over the world. In the process, a new super-villain named Cheetah is created and only adds to Wonder Woman's problems.

Acting was lacking energy and fit. Gadot and Pine both felt like they phoned this one in to a point. Wiig was interesting until her elevation to super-villain at which point, the role felt like more than she could manage. Pascal felt out of place with overacting and a poor fit for the role. The remainder of the cast was okay.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were okay but could have had more attention to detail and a realistic feel. The film felt like it tried too hard to mimic 1984 much of the time. Effects and CGI were disappointing with completely unrealistic scenes. Dialogue was another failure with several plot points not explained at all, or requiring us to extrapolate what might have happened after the last film. Plot and storyline continuity was a mess. Sound and soundtrack are lethargic.

Overall Wonder Woman 1984 was simply disappointing. Technical work was poor, acting was disappointing, and the storyline was almost rendered unintelligible by direction. Those hoping for a solid continuation of the franchise will likely be disappointed.

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

Released: 2020
Reviewed: 7.12.21
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action & Adventure, Action Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Comic Books and Superheroes, Sci-Fi Action, Fantasy

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Willy's Wonderland

 

 

An anti-social drifter is tricked into a quick overnight janitorial job at Willy's Wonderland, a condemned amusement park. Once the sun goes down he quickly finds himself in a war for survival as the parks evil animatronics come to live with a taste for blood.

Nicolas Cage (Janitor), Emily Tosta (Liv), Beth Grant (Sheriff Lund), Ric Reitz (Tex), Chris Warner (Jed), Kai Kadlec (Chris), Caylee Cowan (Kathy), Jonathan Mercedes (Dan), Terayle Hill (Bob), Christian Delgrosso (Aaron).

Willy's Wonderland begins with a little plot setup for what little plot exists. A drifter driving through a small town becomes stranded when his tires are destroyed and takes a quick overnight janitorial cleanup job to pay the repair bill. Unfortunately abandoned amusement park Willy's Wonderland is the cleanup job and nobody told The Janitor that the furry animatronics come to life at night. The remainder of the film is The Janitor battling furry animatronics and saving a group of kids who snuck in to make trouble.

Acting was a bit of a mess here. Another role with Nic Cage not talking or acting like a normal human. Someone please tell him to stop taking these roles. Tosta was mildly interesting, as was Grant. The remainder of the supporting cast felt like they walked in off the street and found themselves in a movie.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are actually decent with fair attention to detail and good technical work. Action scenes were half a step from ridiculous unless you enjoy furry battles. Dialogue was thin, campy, and lacking any kind of depth. Sound and soundtrack feel as low budget as the rest of the film.

Willy's Wonderland amusement park was condemned in the movie, which should probably be condemned as well. With a ridiculous plot that is never well explained, lackluster acting, and mediocre technical work, furry lovers may be the only ones to find value here.

With some mild sexuality, violence, gore, and foul language, this should be fine for older teens and above.

Released: 2021
Reviewed: 7.1.21
Star rating: 1 out of 5
Genre: Comedy, Action, Horror, Sci-Fi Horror

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Greenland

 As a planet-killing comet races toward Earth the Garrity family races toward their only hope for survival. Encountering the best and worst of humanity amid destruction of the world, they hop a plane in a last-ditch effort to save their lives.

Gerard Butler (John), Morena Baccarin (Allison), Roger Floyd (Nathan), Scott Glenn (Dale), Randal Gonzalez (Bobby), Scott Pythress (Kenny), Claire Bronson (Debra), Gary Weeks (Ed), Tracey Bonner (Peggy).

Greenland begins with introduction of the comet, Clarke, which is expected to rain fragments down upon Earth. As character introductions roll-out, so does the plot when it is learned Clarke will instead be an extinction level event. Identified by the government as essential, the Garrity family races toward a government shelter only to lose their transportation and be forced to take a huge risk in hopes of saving their lives.

Acting was reasonably good with Butler and Baccarin both delivering fairly well. Floyd was decent and Glenn delivered with his usual gruff. Bronson, Week, Bonner and the remainder of the supporting cast were mild but good.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds feel pretty good with fair integration of CGI/VFX. A few scenes felt over-the-top but most were reasonably solid. Action scenes were entertaining but felt lacking and a bit lifeless. Dialogue was good with fitting depth. Sound and soundtrack are okay.

Greenland is a decent end-of-the-world action thriller with fair technical work and acting. Same as the numerous other movies of the same genre that are more engaging and exciting. While Greenland is not bad at all, it adds nothing to the genre and challenges none of the more popular catastrophe films.

Some mild gore and foul language but nothing here to keep teens and above away.

Released: 2020
Reviewed: 7.5.21
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Thriller, Action, Drama, Action Thriller, Disasters

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Ice Road

 Following the collapse of a mine in remote northern Canada, struggling ice road trucker Mike and his brother lead a rescue mission of semi-trucks loaded with heavy equipment across a frozen ocean to save trapped miners.

Liam Neeson (Mike), Marcus Thomas (Gurty), Laurence Fishburne (Goldenrod), Amber Midthunder (Tantoo), Benjamin Walker (Varnay), Holt McCallany (Lampard), Martin Sensmeier (Cody), Matt McCoy (Sickle).

The Ice Road begins with some character introductions and plot setup as we learn how Mike and Gurty are down on their luck and scraping to survive. Things quickly change with the mine collapse trapping most of the miners and the equipment needed to save them across a frozen ocean. Mike decides to take on the task of driving a load of heavy equipment across the ice after which the film is simply action and adventure with some bits of suspense and a thin sub-plot for distraction.

Acting was decent from Neeson, but the film was not. Liam, you make a good action hero but you need to stop taking these repetitive, plot deficient, roles trying to capitalize on your name. Thomas was decent as was Fishburne in a smallish role. Midthunder was okay while Walker delivered his usual. The remainder of the cast was okay.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are pretty good though integration with VFX was seriously lacking at times. Action scene CGI could have also used a bit of help. Dialogue was mediocre with reasonable depth and movement. Sound and soundtrack are fairly boring.

Overall The Ice Road is a solid Action & Adventure flick, if you have not seen many Action & Adventure flicks. The film never really develops energy or character engagement and feels like a generic cookie-cutter film with little depth or originality.

With some violence and foul language, this should be fine for teens and above.

Released: 2021
Reviewed: 7.1.21
Star rating: 2 out of 5
Genre: Action & Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Action Thriller, Action Drama

copyright ©2021 Dave Riedel