Movie review: Baby Driver

 

 Young car thief Baby is caught and turned into a getaway driver by a scheming crime boss. But a failed heist soon sends Baby on the drive of his life.

Ansel Elgort (Baby), Jon Bernthal (Griff), Jon Hamm (Buddy), Eiza Gonzalez (Darling), Michah Howard (Barista), Lily James (Debora), Kevin Spacey (Doc), Jamie Foxx (Bats), Flea (Eddie), Lanny Joon (JD), Paul Williams (Butcher).

Baby Driver begins by showing us the relationship between Baby and Doc along with his skills as a driver. With the plot launched the film then shifts into action mode with some dramatic bits along the way to give the film some depth. The approach works well and the film is entertaining and engaging. At the same time the story is a bit hard to swallow so allowing for a flexible reality and just enjoying the action will likely lead to better enjoyment of the movie.

Acting was pretty good with Elgort delivering nicely and appearing to work with others well. Bernthal, who seems to be in everything lately, still feels rough and lacking emotion at times. James did very well and seemed to work nicely with Elgort. Spacey and Foxx both delivered as usual, and it was nice to see Williams again.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds all felt solid and realistic. CGI and action was good, intense, and well blended. Dialogue was nice with some bits of humor and intense drama. Sound and soundtrack were wonderful with a nice mix of music throughout.

When the tire smoke finally clears Baby Driver turns out to be an enjoyable crime action flick with a good mix of drama and action coming from an interesting storyline. At the same time, the story is somewhat mindless and focused on blending action and drama so suspension of reality helps.

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

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 12.1.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Crime Action, Music, Crime Thriller, Heist Films

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Spider-Man: Homecoming

 

 After working with the Avengers, Peter Parker returns home where he struggles to keep his identity hidden from friends and high school classmates. But before long Peter finds himself hunting a new supervillain called Vulture.

Tom Holland (Peter/Spidey), Michael Keaton (Toomes/Vulture), Robert Downey Jr. (Tony/Iron Man), Marisa Tomei (May), Jon Favreau (Happy), Gwyneth Paltrow (Pepper), Zendaya (Michelle), Donald Glover (Aaron).

Spider-Man: Homecoming begins well enough with some brief refreshing of the storyline before laying down the main plot. As things begin to develop, so do the flaws in the film. Rather than the intelligent Peter we have come to know we are instead given a teenager that seems more naïve than anything. Storyline issues such as his suit being a gift from Tony Stark only serve to further complicate the storyline as it diverges from the original comics. The result is a lot of drama from a Spider-Man who looks more like a whiney child than a superhero.

Acting was mediocre with Holland doing a reasonable job despite his confusing character. Keaton was an enjoyable addition as antagonist and delivered well. Downey was okay with his cameo appearances, as was Paltrow. Tomei was fun and delivered well as always, while Favreau rounded things out quite nicely.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were good and blended well with CGI. That said, darker scenes and fast action were difficult at times. Dialogue was okay, if a bit soft. Sound and soundtrack were decent.

Overall Spider-Man: Homecoming hardly feels like a Spider-Man movie, instead feeling like more evidence the Marvel universe is simply pumping out films to make money. Spider-Man fans will likely be disappointed with this one.

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

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 11.30.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comic Book Superheroes

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Movie review: Allied

 

 French-Canadian operative Max falls in love with and marries French spy Marianne at the height of World War II. Years later evidence surfaces indicating she may be a Nazi double agent, prompting Max to launch an investigation of his wife.

Brad Pitt (Max), Marion Cotillard (Marianne), Camille Cottin (Monique), Xavier De Guillebon (Claude), Vincent Latorre (Vincent), August Diehl (Hobar), Daniel Betts (George), Sally Messham (Margaret), Jared Harris (Frank).

Allied begins by showing us the lives Max and Marianne are leading and how they met on the job. As things progress Max eventually proposes to Marianne, they have a child, and settle down into a somewhat normal, vanilla life. But their quiet life doesn't last long before Marianne is suspected of being a Nazi double agent. As Max launches his own investigation into Marianne the drama intensifies and the film finds a good pace that holds audience interest well through the end.

Acting was enjoyable with Pitt delivering nicely and working well with Cotillard. Cotillard also did well delivering solid emotion throughout. Harris fit well and presented good energy. The remainder of the supporting cast was enjoyable as well.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were nicely done with good variety and a solid feel. Action scenes were fitting and realistic feeling. Dialogue had nice depth and moved the story along well. Sound and soundtrack are both well done.

Allied ends up being an enjoyable Thriller with a good dose of drama which keeps the audience engaged through to the end. Fans of thrillers, drama, or spy films should enjoy this one.

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

Released: 2016
Reviewed: 11.16.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Espionage Thriller, Spy film, Romance

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel

Movie review: The Mummy (2017)

 

 Millennia after her life was cut short when her destiny was stolen, Egyptian princess Ahmanet is awakened in the labyrinths under London. Eager to regain her power and finally live her destiny, she raises an undead army and the terror begins.

Tom Cruise (Nick), Russell Crowe (Henry Jekyll), Annabelle Wallis (Jenny), Sofia Boutella (Ahmanet), Jake Johnson (Sgt. Vail), Courtney Vance (Col. Greenway), Marwan Kenzari (Malik).

The Mummy launches with a bit of backstory and creates the connection between Nick and Ahmanet before setting up the plot. As Ahmanet works to bring her love Set, the god of war, back to life, Nick realizes she is controlling his destiny and he may be the only one who can stop her. The story is presented with some good action, drama, and just a touch of humor. The film moves along at a nice pace and the story, while light, is enjoyable.

Acting was decent with Cruise doing better than usual in a less ethical role with a touch more humor and humility. Crowe did a nice job as Dr. Jekyll and showed he can still bring some energy despite his large presence on screen. Wallis was enjoyable if a bit rough at first, and Boutella stepped into her role well and appeared to manage it easily. The remainder of the cast was solid.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds are nicely done with a big budget feel. CGI and action scenes were nicely done, blended well, and added substantial depth to the film. Dialogue was good though a touch more humor would have been nice. Sound and soundtrack are well done.

The story of The Mummy never grows old but this entry in the genre probably will. While the film enjoys good acting and technical work, and brings something of a unique perspective to the story, there just isn't enough energy or new information to make the film exciting. Fans of the genre should enjoy this one, and forget it just as quickly.

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

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 11.23.17
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Adventure, Action Thrillers, Monsters, Fantasy

copyright ©2017 Dave Riedel