Category: Adventure

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 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!!

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!!

Thunderbolts in AMC Dolby

Thunderbolts in AMC Dolby

The Marvel Universe goes back to its roots of true Adventure. “Thunderbolts” is an assembly of underdogs who constantly insist they are not Super-Heros.

The team find themselves in a death trap that was set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Dreyfus).

To free themselves they must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to each confront the darkest corners of their pasts. The team struggles with either tearing themselves apart or finding redemption and uniting for the better good. The story unfolds from there…

The story is very heavy. There is a lot of action, but not as much as I would have liked. There is some intrigue, but not a lot. The story at times is confusing because there are so many alternate paths that get dipped into briefly. You really have to pay attention or you will be more confused. 

There is a lot of uncertainty around whether you can consider this a comic book superhero story. You are somehow led to believe that “The Thunderbolts” are the team that came before The Avengers.

I am disappointed that there wasn’t more action, but that does not diminish the fact that the movie was executed very well. The Dolby / IMAX aspects are very good. The cinematography is excellent.

If you are a Marvel Universe Fan, You should check out “Thunderbolts”. 

This is a 4 Star Move!!

Disney’s Snow White in AMC Dolby

Disney’s Snow White in AMC Dolby

This is the third of potentially 4 Movie Reviews that I will post before March 31st.

Disney comes to us with another Live-Action/Musical Production of their classic film from 1937, Snow White.

This Live Action / Musical Version of the Classic is not as bad as the paid critics stated. The movie is a bit flat in some areas and some of the characters seem a bit flat and not as engaging or entertaining as you would expect in a movie like Snow White. The best character in the movie is Snow White who is played by Rachel Zegler, The Seven Dwarfs were cute and funny. I wanted to see the movie because Actress Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) plays the Evil Queen. I really like her as an actress and was excited to learn she was in the movie. I felt she was a bit flat in her role. I was hoping for a bit more from her.

The cinematography and special effects were very nice. The Costumes were definitely on point.

For Die-Hard Disney Fans this Rendition of “Snow White” is worth a look. Otherwise, you can wait for it to come out in Pay-Per-View or Stream it.

This is a 3 Star Movie!!

Captain America: Brave New World in IMAX

Captain America: Brave New World in IMAX

Anthony Mackie returns as the high-flying hero Sam Wilson who officially takes the mantle of Captain America and runs with it.

It’s a new day and a new President of the United States has been elected.

Captain America meets with the newly elected President, Thaddeus Ross. After the meeting, Sam finds himself in the middle of an International Incident. He must find out what the reason behind this nefarious global plot is before substantial lives are lost and the mastermind behind the plot has everyone seeing RED. The story unfolds from there…

This installment starts off ok, but then somewhere in the middle it tanks badly. I feel this is because of the lack of backstory related to the supposed plot. The story pieces don’t come together until close to the end.

You will be dazzled by the action, special effects and the cinematography. This Captain America has more artillery at his disposal along with a handsome sidekick.

The door was left open and there will be more installments with this new Captain America. This installment is a catalyst for the Hulk. I feel that Anthony Mackie did an excellent job with what was given to him. He is as adept with words as he is with his fists.

The IMAX Aspects are very good as well.

If you are a Marvel Universe Fan, then by all means do see “Captain America: Brave New World”

This is a 3 ½ Star Movie!!