Category: Action

Zootopia 2 In IMAX

Zootopia 2 In IMAX

In this 2nd installment detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde find themselves on the wild twisting trail of a mysterious reptile who arrives in Zootopia and turns the Mammal Metropolis upside down. 

In order for Judy and Nick to crack the case, they must go undercover to unexpected new parts of town, where their growing partnership is tested like never before. The story unfolds from there…

Zootopia 2 is another Crackerjack Caper that is action filled and hilarious! The cinematography, action and suspense were spot on.

What makes the Zootopia Franchise so fun and interesting is that there is a Message, a Back Story, a Plot, Bad Guys, Good Guys and Heroes.  These are elements that are often left out or not clear in regular non-animated movies.

I did not feel that the IMAX aspects were worth the ticket price, but Zootopia 2 is definitely worth a look.

If you saw the 1st installment you will definitely want to see this one because there is a nice lead-in reminder of what previously happened…

BTW… There were tons of Adults without Children in the Theater.

This is a 5 Star Movie!!

Wicked for Good in AMC Dolby

Wicked for Good in AMC Dolby

This final installment is darker and gloomier than its predecessor and a lot less dazzling, but that does not diminish the movie.

Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo still dazzle.

This installment finds the Wicked Witch, Elphaba living in exile, hidden within the Ozian forest while continuing her fight for freedom of the silenced animals and desperately trying to expose the truth that she knows about the Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum).

Meanwhile Glinda has become the glamorous symbol of all things good for the Land of Oz. She lives at the Palace in Emerald City and revels in the perks of fame and popularity. Madame Morrible deploys Glinda to serve as an effervescent comfort to Oz. Reassuring the masses that all is right with the World, but is it really… The Story unfolds from there…

It’s a good story; the music, costumes and set designs are breath-taking at times. The cinematography is on point. If you saw the first installment, then you do not want to miss the finale.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

The Running Man in AMC Dolby

The Running Man in AMC Dolby

In a near future society, The Running Man TV Show is the top-rated show on Television. It’s a show of survival, not surviving is not an option because if you don’t survive the 30 days necessary you are dead. The participating contestants are Runners that are hunted by Assassins on live broadcast TV. This does not deter people from wanting to sign up. Contestants still line up to take the required tests to see if they will pass because the millions of dollars that can be made represent a “Way Out” to a better life.  

Ben Richards (Glen Powell) needs a better life for his family. His baby daughter is sick and the prescription medication is unaffordable. So, Ben is determined to get on “The Running Man” TV Show. He believes he can survive the 30-day requirement. The story unfolds from there…

The movie starts off great. The execution is on point and then half way through the movie the story derails. It does pick up again, but by that time the movie is almost over and some of the scenes are ridiculous. There is tons of action and intrigue. The movie is very bloody at times.

Unfortunately, Edgar Wright’s The Running Man does not live up to its predecessor or the action extravaganza that was displayed in the trailers.

If you saw the first Running Man from the 80’s, this installment is worth a look.

This is a 3 Star Movie!!

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t in AMC Dolby

Now You See Me: Now You Don’t in AMC Dolby

This was a “Highly Anticipated” movie for me. I scheduled 11/14 off 8 months ago just so that I could see this movie because Morgan Freeman had reprised his role along with the other original members from previous installments, plus there is a new generation of illusionists who join the team.

This installment does get the gang (The Four Horseman) back together and you get a repeat of the franchise’s familiar tricks along with some mind-blowing illusions, mind-melding twists, turns, surprises and magic not previously seen in any of the other installments.  

There is an interesting story. The movie is fast paced, but the plot is weak. The cinematography and camera angles are breath-taking. There are some nice scenes in Brussels and Antwerp Belgium.

I was very disappointed that Morgan Freeman’s role was very limited in this installment compared to previous installments. 

If you are a fan of the “Now You See Me” Franchise this installment should not be missed. There is an open door for a 4th installment.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!

The Naked Gun

The Naked Gun

Liam Neeson brings his “Particular Set of Skills” to lead the Police Squad and ultimately save the world.

Following in the footsteps of his Father Frank Drebin Sr. (Leslie Nielsen), Liam Neeson plays Frank Drebin Jr, Leader of the Police Squad. Each Squad member is following in their Father’s footsteps.

Frank Drebin Jr, foils a Bank Heist that is masked for a bigger plot that can destroy mankind as we know it. The story unfolds from there…

The movie is full of “Deadpan Humor” with Laugh Out Loud moments and also includes some very silly and crazy moments.

If you were a fan of the Leslie Nielsen Naked Gun series, then you should check out this re-boot starring Liam Neeson.

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!!

The Fantastic Four: First Steps in IMAX

The Fantastic Four: First Steps in IMAX

It’s been 10 years since the last attempt to bring the Fantastic Four to the big screen. You know the saying “Third Times a Charm”. Well, this is the third time since 2005 that there has been a Fantastic Four movie and YES!! This one is a Charm.

The movie back drop is set in the early 1960’s. It’s very retro-futuristic and cool. 

This installment introduces the “The First Family” Mr. Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch and The Thing. The team finds themselves trying to balance family, life and also protecting Earth. They are called upon to save the Planet from a Ravenous Space God known as Galactus and his enigmatic Herald the Silver Surfer. If Galactus’s plan to gobble up the entire planet and everyone on it isn’t enough, it suddenly gets very personal. The story unfolds from there…

The movie contains tons of action, suspense, intrigue and fantastic cinematography. There is also a fair amount of special effects, but they are tastefully executed. The IMAX Aspects are on Point!!

There are very few dead spots. The movie will keep you engaged.

I love the chemistry between the cast. I look forward to another installment. I hope it does not take another 10 years before there is another one.

Fantastic Four First Steps is worth a look!!

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Jurassic World Rebirth in IMAX

Jurassic World Rebirth in IMAX

The Dinosaurs are back once again! It’s been 3 years since the last installment “Jurassic World Dominion” which was supposed to be the Epic conclusion, but here we are 3 years later with “Rebirth”. 

A team of Scientists who are Dinosaur Enthusiasts decide they should travel to a forbidden island near the Equator and try to retrieve DNA samples. It is believed that the Dinosaur DNA may hold the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind. Their trip starts out perfectly fine, but once they get closer to the forbidden island near the Equator the reasons they should not go rise up literally.

From that point on its every person for him or herself. The Dinosaurs do not like humans and they have good reasons not to because 18 years prior there was a complete facility on the forbidden island that was performing experiments with DNA testing and incubating new “Designer Breeds” of Dinosaurs.

There are Dinosaurs that can swim, fly, walk, crawl, dive and they are highly intelligent making it extremely difficult for the humans who are invading their territory. The story unfolds from there…

There are a few interesting scenes and I found myself to be rooting for the Dinosaurs briefly as I wanted one of the Scientist to meet his demise. I was not disappointed in that regard…

There is great cinematography and lots of suspense, but beyond that, the movie is dry and a bit boring. I found myself checking my watch several times. That is not a good sign. The IMAX aspects are NON-Existent…

If you have seen any of the previous installments, you will notice that in this installment there is an attempt to get back to its roots, but it falls a bit short. The Jurassic World installments that have come after the 2018 installment Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom miss the mark that the 1993, 1997 and 2001 Jurassic Park installments bring to the table. I have seen all of the installments and beyond the 2015 Jurassic World my ratings have not been any higher than 2 1/2 stars.

The trailers for this movie are great and that’s the best part. 

If you are a fan of the Jurassic Franchise, then Jurassic World Rebirth is a must see, otherwise wait to stream it

This is a 2 ½ Star Movie!!

F1: The Movie in IMAX

F1: The Movie in IMAX

Wow! It’s been a while since I have seen a movie starring Brad Pitt.  

Brad Pitt comes to us as Sonny Hayes FORMULA 1’s most promising Phenom of the 1990’s. But an accident on the track nearly ended his career.

Fast forward 30 years and Sonny is a Nomad Race-for-Hire moving from event to event living out of a Van. Soon he is approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem) who is an owner of a struggling FORUMLA 1 team. Ruben convinces Sonny he should come join his team for one last shot at saving his career, helping the team and winning big. Sonny is informed that he would be driving alongside Joshua Pearce (Damon Idris) who is the team’s hotshot rookie, intent on setting his own pace. 

As the engines start to roar Sonny’s past catches up with him. He learns that in FORMULA 1 your teammate is your fiercest competition. The story unfolds from there…

If you are a fan of FORUMLA 1 Car Racing events, this is a must see. The movie is very authentic. The race cars are super cool and the sponsor names you see are real.

There is great cinematography and the IMAX aspects are awesome. You will feel like you are in the race cars on the track. 

The running time of the movie is a bit long. There were a few dead spots. All in all, the movie is worth the ticket. I really enjoyed seeing Javier Bardem. He was awesome in his role. Damson Idris as the hot shot Rookie Joshua Pearce is easy on the eyes.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Ballerina

Ballerina

From the World of John Wick comes a new installment that introduces and focuses on a new Assassin in training known as “Ballerina”.

After watching her father fight for his life, but ultimately is killed, Eve (Ballerina) is thrust into the world of a Ballerina or so she thought… 

Once Eve finds her footing figuratively and literally, she is sent out on a few “training” missions that ultimately prepare her for her ultimate challenge… Kill the Man who killed her father. The story unfolds from there…

Once out of training Eve (Ballerina) is a BAD ASS!!  

The action is brutal and bloody, but is non-stop. The stunts are spectacular. The suspense is “Edge of Your Seat”. 

The world of Assassins is a bit amazing as they carry on without Police interference. The story and plot are fresh and some parts are a bit familiar.

I am excited to see where this goes as the door is open. I expect another installment sometime in the future.

If you are a fan of the John Wick Franchise, “Ballerina” should not be missed.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning in IMAX

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning in IMAX

We have waited 2 years for this mission to continue and it does not disappoint.

This installment not only picks up where its predecessor leaves off, but also incorporates parts of all previous missions starting with the 1st Mission Impossible from May 22, 1996. 

This installment is HUGE on Action, the Plot, Intrigue and Running Time. It’s “Edge of Your Seat, Nail-Biting, Heart-Racing Suspenseful.” The IMAX aspects are Awesome!! You will feel like you are involved in every action scene. The Cinematography is astounding. 

Also, great casting with Angela Bassett as Madam President. She does not disappoint.

This is definitely The Final Reckoning with a sentimental send off for Ethan Hunt with a dramatic flair for the Impossible. 

Tom Cruise says it best, “Our Lives are the Sum of Our Choices”.

If you did not see the very first installment, I would advise taking a look. There are many references / flashbacks to that 1st Mission (known as M:1), along with all of the other Missions.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning should not be missed.

This is a 4 Star Movie!!