Challengers Movie Review

 

Challengers

Synopsis: Former tennis prodigy turned coach helps her husband break his losing streak as must face off against his former best friend and her former boyfriend.

Director: Luca Guadagnino

Stars: Zendaya, Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor

Runtime: 2 hours 11m

Genre: Sport based Drama

Challengers is my 58th film of the year (nothing special there) but it also marks my 1,000th film since 2014!

It is also my second film starring Zendaya of 2024, my first being Dune: Part Two, this time the 27 year old Californian christened "Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman" takes centre stage in this tennis based drama. 

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

Following on from tennis based drama's such as Wimbledon and Match Point, Set over the course of 13 years, Challengers tells the story of Tashi (Zendaya) a tennis player turned coach. As she turns the ailing career of Art (Faist) her once grand slam winning husband around by entering him into a low level tournament on the pro tour. The problem is his opponent is Patrick (O'Connor) a once promising but now burnt out player that used to be Art's best friend and Tashi's former boyfriend.

Challengers sits at a 95% on RT and having just seen the movie, I can see why. This movie was fantastic. It gripped me from the first frame, cleverly interweaving on court action for a metaphor on what's going on off court. With a fantastic bitingly sharp script, Challengers is definitely more a love triangle drama, this is NOT a romantic movie. 

It starts in the present day and zig zags back in time, but unlike say Greta Gerwig's Little Women where you are never quite sure where you are on the characters timeline, Challengers nicely title cards each portion of the movie. The chemistry between the lead trio is electric, sexy, young and dynamic. Zendaya is very much the main star with Faist & O'Connor offering solid support. 

Cast

Since Zendaya's breakout role in HBO's Euphoria, her star has steadily been on the rise. Migrating to the silver screen, the 27 year old has covered a lot of ground in her short career so far, The Greatest Showman (Musical), Malcolm & Marie (Indie), Spider-Man trilogy (Comic book movies), and of course Dune Part One following up with this year's Dune Part Two. 

It is with Challengers however that audiences get to see the megastar powerhouse that is Zendaya. Make no mistake, this is her movie, and boy does she shine, she is superb. Seductive and driven in equal measure, Tashi lives and breathes tennis, even if that is to the detriment to those nearest to her. 

Attached to the project even before director, Guadagnino, Zendaya spent three months with pro tennis player-turned-coach Brad Gilbert to prepare for this role. This paid off as she is utterly convincing as a grand slam champion turned coach. 

Playing Tashi's husband is Mike Faist as Art. The 32 year old rising star hailing from Columbus, Ohio is best known as Riff in Steven Spielberg's West Side Story. He will be seen later this year in Jeff Nichol's The Bikeriders along side Austin Butler, Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy. Faist in Challengers is fantastic and proves he is an actor with a career to keep a close eye on.

Rounding out the trio is Josh' O Connor as Patrick, the former best friend to Art and boyfriend of Tashi. The 34 year old British actor hailing from Cheltenham is best known as portraying Prince Charles in the Netflix series The Crown. In Challengers, O'Connor continues to show us why he's a star to look out for. He plays Patrick as the lovable rogue with a twinkle in his eye and delivers a great performance.

The chemistry between the two male leads is equally fantastic as well, a firm friendship with a frisson of whether there could be something more.

Sound and Spectacle

Fantastic sound design for the on-court action. As for spectacle, more on the on screen action below and there is also an impressive storm that blow's it way through the latter part of the movie.

On screen Action

Well it's no surprise to learn that the on screen action in this movie is tennis court based, where this movie differs from previous tennis movies is the way director Guadagnino and his DP, Sayombhu Mukdeeprom shot the on-court action. As well as the matches being shot dynamically from the side-lines and above, the camera is sometimes from the POV of the players, the ball and even the net. The movie not only has adrenaline fuelled exciting almost gladiatorial matches in themselves, the action on court nicely propels the off court story as well, as mentioned above serving as a metaphor. It's often Break Point on and off the court. 

As for the other type of "action" well as Zendaya on various red carpet premiere events for the movie has said, "there are no sex scenes in this movie". She is correct, whilst just foreplay it does nothing to lessen the steamy and sexually charged atmosphere of the movie. As for that scene with the three on the bed from the trailer that promises more, well let's just say you'll be in for a surprise.

Music and Score

The score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross which is inspired by 80's techno electric is good, but at times is a little jarring with the on screen action, raising the adrenaline then eyebrows in equal measure. There are also some strange needle drops as well.

Challengers aces it. Zendaya firmly plants her "megastar" status with both Faist & O'Connor continuing to shine, the trio's chemistry is electric. It's sexy, thrilling with riveting plot twists and a banger script. Game - Set - Match.

Verdict  - Matched Expectations

Civil War Movie Review

  

Civil War

Synopsis: A journey across a dystopian future America, following a team of military-embedded journalists as they race against time to reach DC before rebel factions descend upon the White House

Director: Alex Garland

Stars: Kirsten Dunst, Cailee Spaeny, Nick Offerman and Jesse Plemons

Runtime: 1 hour 49 mins

Genre: Action Thriller

 

Alex Garland, who earlier this month said he has no new plans to direct after this movie (with the exception of co-directing next years Warfare with Ray Mendoza) wrote Civil War in the darkest depths of the lockdown. Surrounded by death and the breakdown of society together with an increasingly divided America, he came to write this movie. 

Civil War has a production budget of $50 million which represents a career high for both director and studio (A24) alike.

As for the movie, let's break it down...

 

Story and Plot

The movie, set in a not too distant future starts with the civil war already in progress as 19 states have seceded from the union. Now known as the Republic of California, the Second Republic of Texas, Western Forces and the Florida Alliance. The movie is told through the eyes of four journalists, Lee, Sammy, Joel and Jesse who are tracking rebel forces as they make their way across the Loyalist States and an ever divided America to the capital Washington D.C and the White House. 

If based on the trailer you are going into Civil War thinking it's going to be a dystopian action film, think again. Whilst there is action which is often shocking and bloody, this movie is firmly told through the eyes of the journalists. Politically, this movie is neutral, Garland is clear that he is not taking a stance on either side. He cleverly avoids getting into any details on what happened to America, it's the rubber hitting the road from the off.

This anti war movie which is basically a horror movie on a certain level is an intense thriller with many layers. It is as riveting as it is deeply unsettling. Unflinchingly told, the tension does not let up for a second. Even in the quieter moments (and at times it is a slow burn) the tension is palpable. I really enjoyed this movie, it is a riveting watch that will stay with me for a long time. The only two things I would say is fine the needle drop music choices (see below) I thought were odd and the movie ended way too abruptly. 

 

Cast

Dunst who plays Lee (essentially the movies main protagonist) soon contacted the director after she secured the role asking for the camera her character would be using. In a recent Total Film interview she said "As soon as I got the role I contacted Alex asking for the camera, as people who shoot all the time hold the camera like it is part of their body". She gives a fantastic performance as the battle hardened award winning war photographer.

 

Rising star Cailee Spaeny (Last seen in Priscilla in January) is the movie's MVP as the wet behind the ears photographer Jessie, who idolises Dunst's Lee. She is superb and is essentially the mirror to the audience through the horrors of their journey to the capital. The 25 year old (who looks much younger) is going to have a meteoric career.

 

Wagna Mourna (Best known as Pablo Escobar in Narcos) plays Joel the co-leader of the journalists. He is fantastic and an actor who I have not seen before. He bears more than a passing resemble to Pedro Pascal. 

 

Rounding out the journalists is Stephen McKinley Henderson as Sammy, who accompanies the team to Washington. He is excellent as the old sage offering advice to Jesse and the gang along the way.

 

Nick Offerman as the President is not in it that much, but he shines when he is, come on, it's Nick Offerman, legend.

 

Finally, Jesse Plemons (husband of Dunst), is as chilling as I'd hoped. Whilst his role is minor, the famous "What type of American are you?" part in the trailer makes the cut (Which I feared it might not) and represents a turning point in the movie. It is the scene of the movie for me and does not disappoint.

 

Sound and Spectacle

Garland relies on many of the key members of the production team from project to project, and no more so than on his DP, Rob Hardy. This movie looks fantastic and is beautifully shot. Whether it's the sweeping vistas, action set pieces or quieter moments it's a gorgeous looking movie. 

The sound design as well is phenomenal, whether its the impact from the fallout from bombs or the intense battles. 

 

On screen Action

In a recent interview in Empire film magazine, Garland said that one of his biggest bug bears of cinema is how violence (in particular when someone gets shot) is unrealistically depicted. He was determined with Civil War to show violence in a more realistic way, even if it meant it was less sensational than in the traditional movie sense.

In order to capture this action he used a new type of camera that melded handheld and Steadicam to capture the urgency of what was unfolding on screen.

This realism extends to the on-screen action and set pieces. With minimal use of CGI (to render Washington D.C monuments from the film sets in Atlanta, Georgia) Garland was determined to use real military hardware to depict the battles, ensuring the actors felt the military might first hand.

The heart racing battle scenes are universally superb and at times jaw dropping. Fantastically shot and thanks to the excellent camera work you feel you are there as the horrors play out on screen. 

 

Music and Score

Geoff Barrow, frequent collaborator with Garland provides the score which is very good. My only complaint with the music is there are many needle drops which I felt were overused. I would have liked to have heard a pulsating score come through during the intense action sequences. Instead Garland chose to overlay a wide arrange (and a frankly strange collection) of songs as many scenes throughout the movie played out.

As gripping as it is unflinching, Civil War is in essence a horror movie that has you on the edge from it's first frame and does not let you go until the end. It is an intense unsettling watch that needs to be seen. 

Verdict  - Matched Expectations

Back to Black Movie Review

  

Back to Black

Synopsis: The life and music of Amy Winehouse, through the journey of adolescence to adulthood and the creation of one of the best-selling albums of our time.

Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson

Stars: Marisa Abela, Eddie Marsan and Jack O'Connell

Runtime: 2 hours 2 mins

Genre: Music Biopic

 

Following on the heels of this year's first music biopic Bob Marley: One Love, Back to Black concentrates on the turbulent life of mega talented but very troubled singer songwriter Amy Winehouse. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson (Wife of Aaron), the movie received it's premiere at ODEON Leicester Square, London. 

Let's break it down..

 

Story and Plot

Taking a similar stance to One Love (On concentrating on a particular portion of it's main stars life), Back to Black concentrates on Winehouse's career from the early 2000's as she started as a North London jazz musician and weaves it's way through her meteoritic rise to fame and turbulent personal life that culminated in her Grammy award winning album Back to Black.  

Whilst I enjoyed parts of Back to Black it belongs very much in the second tier of music biopics. Much like One Love: Bob Marley, it chooses to paper over the cracks of its troubled star's life and in doing so very much cherry picks the facts. This is more a love story fairy-tale than a movie concentrating on the stars music. 

Taylor-Johnson's movie which bizarrely skips in time through Amy's life (One minute she can't sell a record, next the paps are hounding her) whilst a valiant effort fails to capture the darkness through addiction that enveloped the troubled singer's life. Offering us a glossy version of what could have been a heart wrenching biopic. 

 

Cast

Relative newcomer Abela whilst giving a solid performance with a killer voice (see music and score) is hampered by a weak script which means the actor is never able to get under the skin of the legendary singer. This will no doubt be seen as her breakout performance and rightly so, she gives it her everything. 

Bulimia is hinted at but it is clear that Abela's Winehouse is not suffering from the debilitating condition, despite her loosing weight in the 3rd act. Winehouse though was skeletal, but this movie offers us the air brushed version of the real person. Only when she has the bee hive hair and flecked eye liner does she bear a passing resemblance to Amy. Her likeness is more an approximation than facsimile. 

A quick aside, in passing away at the age of 27, Amy entered the tragic "27 Club" musician's who died at the age of 27, which includes Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison.

Anyway, get your air brush back out for Jack O'Connell as Amy's husband Blake Fielder-Civil. Amy and Blake in real life were drug addicts. Most of the time they were washed out, painfully thin and clearly victims of their own self abuse. 

O'Connell should have looked more akin to Ewan McGregor's Renton from Trainspotting but clearly did not have a physique of an addict. Whilst he gives a good performance in itself, his portrayal as a loveable barrel boy rogue is worlds away from the real man. As the romance is the central part of this part of this movie, Blake is portrayed in a very sympathetic light. O'Connell's Blake is too good looking, suave and charming whilst I'm given to understand the real Blake was a useless lying parasitical sack of shit. 

As for Eddie Marsan's Mitch (Amy's dad), he is painted very much as the saintly dad, there for "cuddles and jazz" as the "i" newspaper today so aptly put it. Which given the fact this movie was made with the blessing of the Winehouse estate is no surprise. I say this as the real Mitch Winehouse reportedly had a breakdown after his scathing portrayal in Asif Kapadia's BAFTA award winning documentary film Amy (2015). 

 

Sound and Spectacle

Some of the more notable concerts of Amy's career are faithfully re-created and the sound design is very good.

 

On screen Action

No real action to speak of in the traditional sense, given the type of movie.

 

Music and Score

Marisa Abela was adamant that she provided the voice for Winehouse's iconic songs, so it is her voice you hear sing throughout the movie and what a voice. By far the best thing about this movie is the performances she gives. Despite this movie being a misfire, she deserves to go a long way.

My issue however with the movie is whilst it is filled with Amy's best known hits, it doesn't dedicate any time to show the viewer how Amy created her iconic songs. Sitting on a bed or in a recording studio with a fully formed song felt very much like the "here's one we made earlier" route. It would have been great to see her come up with "Back to Black" like they did in Bohemian Rhapsody for say "We will Rock You" 

Good score though by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.

 

A disappointing surface level music biopic that offers a glossy take on the tragic singers life. Abela gives it her all with a powerhouse voice but it's hampered by a poor script and jarring shifts in time. In the right hands this could have left you breathless, turns out it's just passionless.

Verdict  - It's Fine

Ordinary Angels Movie Review

  

Ordinary Angels

Synopsis: Based on a true story of how a hairdresser single-handedly rallies her local community to help a widowed father save the life of his critically ill young daughter.

Director: Jon Gunn

Stars: Hilary Swank, Alan Ritchson & Emily Mitchell

Runtime: 1 hour 58 mins

Genre: Drama

Based on her memoir Ordinary Angels written by Sharon Stevens, the movie which is co-written by the same team behind the excellent God, Are You There It's Me Margaret (2023) was released back in February in the USA. At the time of writing it has an 84% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 99% audience score.

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

Set in the mid-nighties, this movie tells the story of Sharon Stevens (Swank) a hairdresser, who is also an alcoholic, she attends AA meetings and has to deal with her own demons. To stop her ever downward spiral she befriends widower Ed (Ritchson) and his young daughters, the youngest of which Michelle (Mitchell) is in desperate need of a liver transplant. Trouble is there is a huge snow storm rolling into Louisville, Kentucky and they have to battle the elements to find ways of transporting the little girl to hospital in time.

I really enjoyed Ordinary Angels, it's a feel good inspirational movie that puts your faith back in people, rather than a higher power. It tugs at the heart strings whilst never feeling too saccharine. It maybe based on a true story but that never diminishes it's impact. It cleverly contrasts the ordinary with the extraordinary. Swank and Ritchson were excellent in their respective roles. Make sure to stay during the end credits to get updates on the story and seeing the real people.   

Cast

Two time Oscar winner Hilary Swank shines centre stage as Sharon, portraying a character who oscillates between impulsiveness and capability. I found shades of Julia Robert's ballsy turn as Erin Brockovich in Swank's performance as Sharon.

Alan Ritchson, best known to audiences as Jack Reacher from the acclaimed Amazon Prime TV series of the same name continues to physically dominate the scenes he is in with his sheer presence. Take away his physicality it has been said that Ritchson may struggle to deviate much from his role in Reacher. Having said this, I found he gave an excellent stoic performance (sporting a killer moustache) as his character grapples with loss and uncertainty. 

I also liked Nancy Travis as Ed's mum Barbara, it did make me feel really old though given I still very clearly remember her as the cute 29 year old Sylvia in Three Men and a Little Lady but that was back in 1990!

Sound and Spectacle

Great sound design was employed in the movie as people zoned out after hearing bad news, and it was also used to good effect when Sharon experienced her drinking sessions. 

Although there is a credit for a VFX department, it must have had minimal use of CGI, perhaps with the snow storm at the end, if so it was very well done. 

On screen Action

Given the type of movie it is there is not a huge amount of action. What there is, is mainly in the third act as they race against the storm to get Michelle to the hospital. It's well shot as the tensions ramps up towards the end. They must have filmed in a real snowstorm. 

Music and Score

Pancho Burgos-Goizueta's score is beautiful as it weaves it way through the movie and the movie had some nice needle drops with an especially great rendition of Pretty Bird originally by Hazel Dickens. 

Ordinary Angels” is a heart warming movie that hooks you from the first scene and builds tension throughout its almost two-hour runtime. It may have a touch of made for streaming movie, but it’s well-made, inspiring, and guaranteed to leave you smiling through the tears.

Verdict  - Unexpected Surprise

Monkey Man Movie Review

  

Monkey Man

Synopsis: An Anonymous young man unleashes a campaign of vengeance against the corrupt leaders who murdered his mother.

Director: Dev Patel

Stars: Dev Patel, Sharlto Copley, Pitobash & Vipin Sharma

Runtime: 1 hour 53 mins

Genre: Action thriller

Monkey Man, the directorial debut from Dev Patel (who also co-wrote it) opened to rave reviews in the SXSW festival, last month. Acquiring a theatrical release thanks to producer Jordan Peele who saw it's potential on the big screen (having purchased it from Netflix) under his Monkeypaw Productions banner. Patel originally went to Neil Blomkamp to direct but Blomkamp said that Patel knew every inch of this movie so suggested he direct it himself.

How did he do? Let's break it down...

Story and Plot

Kid (Patel) is eking out a meagre living on the underground fight club scene, getting pounded night after night with nothing but a monkey mask to protect his identity. After suffering this for years he finds a way to infiltrate the city's sinister elite. With his childhood trauma coming to the fore he sets out on a revenge fuelled one-man-army bloody campaign to settle the score from those who took everything from him.  

I am a sucker for revenge movies and I enjoyed the hell out of Monkey Man. If you are going in thinking this is a pure action flick à la John Wick, think again. This movie takes it's time, but never feels slow. Whilst there is action in the first half of the movie it's really more of a drama as Patel nicely fills in the backstory on Kid. So when the violence and action comes in the second half (and boy does it come - see on screen action below) you feel that more invested. The action drives the story forward as you care about the character. 

I was also extremely impressed with how confident Patel is as a director, this movie feels like it is from a seasoned director who is as well versed in human emotion as they are action. I am sure he will be helming many of his own and other future projects. 

Cast

Dev Patel transformed himself for this movie and gives a fantastic performance in the lead role. The movie whilst a showcase for action also gives Patel ample time to show off his acting chops.

Sharlto Copley who has always been an actor who gives "unique" performances, once again turns in a suitably creepy performance as Tiger the ring master of the underground fight club. It's just a shame he had a bit part.

Pitobash as Alfonso, Kid's colleague is funny and provides the comic relief. 

Overall it's a good cast with special mention to Vipin Sharma as Alpha, the one responsible for Kid's transformation midway through the movie.

Sound and Spectacle

What sells the action is the sound. The sound design in Monkey Man is excellent. 

The movie also features good chase sequences, especially the Tuk Tuk chase with the police. 

On screen Action

Dev Patel passionately loves action cinema, but has never been offered the right roles, (he recently said himself) more seen as the comic sidekick or the boffin at HQ than in the title role. He transformed himself for this movie and it's hard to think it's the same actor as David Copperfield, Slumdog and Marigold Hotel.

He began training in Taekwondo when he was 10 years old. He earned a 1st dan black belt in March 2006 at the age of 16. 

Patel's dedication to this movie was Cruise level. He suffered a number of injuries during the filming of the movie which included a broken hand (after the first fight), two broken toes, a torn shoulder, and an eye infection.

The action in this movie is brutal, violent and bloody but never gory. Not holding back though from an 18 rating, Patel went for it with every scene, refusing to tone it down for a 15. The fighting style is similar to John Wick (which gets a reference early on) or Jason Bourne etc... but also has its own unique take. My favourite scene in the movie is the kitchen take down scene. 

The action is also superbly shot, you really feel you are there as the fights, which feel gritty, natural and organic rather than choreographed play out on screen. 

Music and Score

Jed Kurzel's score nicely weaves in and out which is supported with a great selection of needle drops as the chosen song acts as an allegory for what is unfolding on screen.

A supremely confident directorial debut from Patel & equally impressive action turn on screen. Thanks to the movie taking it's time the revenge when served is bloody brutal and bloody satisfying.  Monkey Man 2 anyone?...

Verdict  - Matched Expectations!