Category: Adventure

Criminal

“Criminal” offers familiarity, but lacks cohesiveness.

Bill Pope (Ryan Reynolds) who is a CIA operative is kept alive so that his memories can be surgically implanted in a dangerous criminal (Kevin Costner) so that the CIA can use the knowledge to stop an International terrorist. The story unfolds from there…

The problem with “Criminal” is there is no basis or context for the actions and events that take place in the first 12 minutes of the film. The story does not start of right, so you are left to your own devices to try and figure out the “What’s”, the “Who’s” and the “Why’s”.

While “Criminal” isn’t great by any stretch of the imagination, it is better than the 2014 “3 Days to Kill” which also starred Kevin Costner.

“Criminal” will be an excellent watch on DVD or Blu-Ray.

This is a 2 Star Movie

Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice in 3D

“Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice” would have been a great story had it not had so much confusion and sub-plots that were not complete.

A young Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck) continues to be haunted by the death of his parents. He has continued nightmares even as an adult.

Superman (Henry Cavill) saves the metropolis from a space invader, but because there are some unforeseen casualties and injuries to some citizens, Superman is perceived by some as a bad super hero.

Lois Lane (Amy Adams) is forever chasing a story. She has to be saved by Superman from the middle-east when a village she is in is raided and most of its people are killed. This incident turns out to be staged, but it will be some time before this comes to light.

Lex Luther (Jesse Eisenberg) is an insane, crazy entrepreneur who will stop at nothing to take over the Metropolis. Lex tries to lobby with the Senator to get an export license to import an unknown substance into the Metropolis, but the Senator won’t bite. Lex Luther plots his revenge on the Senator and others including Superman and Batman. The story unfolds from there…
Overpowering mini stories destroy the bigger story in “Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice”. It’s a scenario of “You can’t see the Forest for the Trees.” The movie is just plain incoherent, over the top and way to long for what was presented.

Ben Affleck makes a horrible Batman. Ben Affleck is brilliant BEHIND the camera and that is where he should stay. The villain (Lex Luther) in this story is not very convincing. Other aspects of the movie are passable, but a bad Batman and not convincing villain destroys the credibility of the movie.
The one and only bright spot in the movie is that you get a glimpse of the “Justice League” who will be appearing in their own story soon.

This movie should have never come to pass. Christopher Nolan’s Batman Trilogy was the best and nothing can diminish that.

This is a 1 Star Movie!!

The Divergent Series:Allegiant – The IMAX Experience

“The Divergent Series: Allegiant” is the third and final installment in the NY Times Best Selling Novel series by Veronica Roth.

Picking up where Insurgent left off, Tris (Shailene Woodley) must escape with Four (Theo James) and go beyond the electronic wall that encloses Chicago. The team of six start out and are able to cross the wall, but on the way they lose one. For the first time the five that successfully make it down the other side of the wall are free and have left behind the only city and family they have ever known.

It becomes a ruthless battle as Tris and Four must determine who they can trust and who is telling the truth. Things they believed have turned out not to be true. Back home a battle rages in Chicago among all of the residents. Finding out that all of humanity is at stake, Four decides to go back to Chicago. The story unfolds from there…
I found “The Divergent Series: Allegiant” to be the worst third installment of any Best Selling Novel Series that has come to the big screen.

Things are not put into context appropriately. If you did not see Insurgent or Divergent, you would not know what is going on. The story is disjointed and the pieces do not make sense, nor do they come together. It’s difficult to bring best-selling novel series to the big screen. The one exception is the “Hunger Games”. Its third installment was very good.
I feel that the movie industry is only interested in the revenue that can possibly be generated from this movie. It’s just not any good.

Read “The Divergent” Series. I bet you will enjoy the books a lot more than the movies.

This is a 1 Star Movie!

Zootopia in 3D

I am enjoying a couple of days off so I decided to see the animated hit “Zootopia”!!

We should all be so lucky to live in a place like “Zootopia”. It’s a metropolis with neighborhoods like “Ritzy Sahara Square” and “Frigid Tundratown”. Animals from every environment live together and co-habitat without issues. Whether you are a HUGH Elephant to a small tiny mouse, you can be and do anything you like.

Rookie Office Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) wanted to be a police officer ever since she was a little bunny in school. She passes the police academy training at the top of her class. Judy is excited to get her assignment upon graduation day, but when she arrives at her newly assigned police precinct Judy discovers she is the first Bunny to become a police officer. She is not sure about this. There are HUGH animals as policemen. Judy is determined to prove her worth though, but she is assigned to Parking Meter Duty…The story unfolds from there…

“Zootopia” is entertaining, light-hearted and fun. While it’s potentially billed as a movie for the younger set. Adults can definitely enjoy “Zootopia”. There is a lesson in this movie for everyone!

The animation and cinematography are awesome! There is a story, plot and intrigue. If you are interested in something “Light-Hearted and Fun” I suggest “Zootopia”.

This is a 5 Star Movie!

London Has Fallen

“London has Fallen” is an “Action Junkie’s” Dream!

At the order of the US President a drone strike attempts to take out an internationally known Terrorist. It’s believed that the strike was successful, so no further Surveillance was ordered after the strike.

Fast forward two years, an announcement that the British Prime Minister has died causes a major stir among world leaders. Everyone makes plans to descend on London to pay their respects. Security is extremely high given the importance and severity of the situation. The leaders start to arrive in London. The story unfolds from there…

“London Has Fallen” is not quite as bad as the paid critics indicated.
There is a plot, a story, tons of action, suspense and intrigue.

The only problem is that a lot of the events couldn’t possibly happen in the real world. Agent Banning (Gerard Butler) tries to come across as a Presidential James Bond, but he lacks the charisma to pull it off and the movie is a bit short at 1:39.

The action is non-stop. You won’t be bored. I thought Morgan Freeman was pretty good as the Vice President. I still think the movie is worth at least 2 1/2 stars.

Deadpool

Marvel’s “Deadpool” is a fictional antihero that appears in Marvel’s Comics. Deadpool would fit in nicely with the Mutants from X-MEN.

“Deadpool” is a rather obnoxious, profanity riddled, irritating film. It has its good parts. The action scenes and camera angles are awesome, but there is so much irritation that the good parts get lost.

The story is about how “Deadpool” came to be. A former Special Forces operative turned Mercenary, Wade Wilson finds out he has Lung Cancer and may not live long. Wade is subjected to an experiment that leaves him with the ability to heal himself rapidly if injured. Because of his altered looks, he chooses the name “Deadpool”. “Deadpool” then goes on a mission to find the man who is responsible for nearly destroying his life. The story unfolds from there…

If there wasn’t so much profanity, nudity and irritation this would be an excellent first installment.

If you can get past the irritation of “Deadpool” it’s worth a look. The paid critics gave this movie 4 1/2 stars. It will only receive 3 stars from me.

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi

There is no subtlety in this Michael Bay Production!

Based on a true story, “13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi” provides the detailed account of what really happened in Benghazi in September 2012.
What’s really good about this movie is that there is no politics. The White House and Congress are not involved. This is purely a military and CIA covert operation.

Since this is a Michael Bay production (the Producer of such movies as Black Hawk Down and The Transformer Series), the action and combat sequences could be questioned as to whether there was more or less in the real events. You do get a thrilling ride from all of the action and combat, but who really wants to relive another person’s worst day in their lives. This is what we are treated to in these types of movies. The movie at times is very bloody.

Telling these stories is ok, but now we know who the “Secret Soldiers” are. In the credits the real Soldiers faces are not shown, but names are given. This movie does not make our soldiers look like Hero’s although it should have. Medals and awards were given, but in secret.

I would have to say that of all the Michael Bay Productions, this is probably his best effort.

This is a 3 Star Movie!

The Revenant

“The Revenant” is extremely harsh and brutal, but it was executed brilliantly!!

Based on factual events, Hugh Glass (Leonardo DiCaprio) a fur tradesman who is out on a fur expedition with a team of men gets mauled by a bear. The story centers-around Hugh’s brave and sometimes perilous survival in the wilderness of the 1820’s. The story unfolds from there…

“The Revenant” is definitely not my type of movie, but I had to see it since its receiving so many raves. It’s nominated for several Golden Globes and there is massive Oscar buzz about it and Leonardo Dicaprio’s acting in it.

DiCaprio was brilliant and he deserves any Oscar nod he receives. The movie is harsh and unforgiving. The story is told in painstaking fashion. All action is driven by revenge. The cinematography and camera angles are excellent.

If you can stand the harshness and brutality “The Revenant” is worth a look.

This is a 4 Star Movie!

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens – the 3D IMAX Experience

Star Wars is back with its seventh installment! This is the first of a Trilogy under the Walt Disney umbrella.

The events that occur started after the 1983 “Return of the Jedi” which was installment number six.
Its 30 years later and Luke Skywalker has disappeared. The First Order has risen and is out to eliminate Luke and destroy the Republic. The Resistance, a military force that is led by Princess Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher) Luke’s Sister, opposes the First Order while searching for Luke. The story unfolds from there…

There is never a dull moment in the movie. It’s entertaining, there is constant action, mayhem and a Sci-Fi extravaganza! The pick-up from the 1983 installment does an excellent job. You are duly reminded of what happened previously.

The cinematography is excellent, it’s definitely worth the 3D and IMAX Experience.
There is a nice lead-in to the next installment.

This is a 4 1/2 Star Movie!!

The Hunger Games: MockingJay Pt 2

At last the long awaited final installment in The Hunger Games Franchise has arrived!

This final installment picks up where the Mocking Jay Pt1 left off. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is recovering from her injuries. She wants desperately to speak with Peeta (Josh Hutcherson), but President Alma Coin (Julianne Moore) and others warn against it.

Once Katniss is well, the team is assembled. The goal is to go to the Capital and kill President Snow. Of Course the team runs into many obstacles, but this does not stop them. The story unfolds from there.

There is lots of action, special effects and mayhem. There are a lot of surprises. Jennifer Lawrence is flawless as Katniss Everdeen. It seems the role was made for her. She brings legitimacy to the story.
Sadly this is the last movie for Philip Seymour Hoffman. This franchise started off in 2012 with a bang, but now goes out quietly.

If you are a fan of “The Hunger Games” Franchise; this final installment should not be missed.

This is a 3 1/2 Star Movie!