Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1

Director: Kevin Costner

Stars: Kevin Costner, Sienna Miller, Jena Malone, Sam Worthington, Luke Wilson & Abbey Lee

Runtime: 3 hours 1 minute

Genre: Western

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 which premiered at this years Cannes Film Festival to a 10-minute standing ovation, went on to largely split critics saying that is was "absorbing yet taxing". It currently sits at a 39% on Rotten Tomatoes. 

One things for sure it is arguably going to be my longest titled movie of this year. It may also actually be my longest movie of the year coming in at 3 hours 1 minute!! 

It is also the first movie directed (and co-written) by Kevin Costner for 21 years, with his last being Open Range, itself also a western. Considered very much a passion project on the back burner since 1988. The project saw the double Oscar winning 69 year old Californian controversially part ways with Taylor Sheridan's Paramount Plus flagship series Yellowstone to make this movie. (He has recently ruled out returning for the final season on that show).

It is also a movie that he has personal part financed, investing a cool $58 million dollars into the movie that took 52 days to shoot.

Another first for the project is that it is split into two initial movies spanning this summer with Chapter 2 slated to be released in August. He is currently filming Chapter 3 for a 2025 release.

The market is not exactly screaming out for western epics, but then again when did Costner ever care about that the box office wants.

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

Set during the era of the American Civil War and into the formation of the American West, it tells the story of how the old west was won and lost through blood, sweat and tears. The movie is split into three separate stories, a family headed by Frances Kitteridge (Miller) and her family who live in a small settlement under attack from Apache Indians. Hayes Ellison (Costner) a horse wrangler who befriends Marigold (Lee) a prostitute who is the carer of her friends little boy, and finally the story of a wagon train heading west led by Mathew Van Weyden (Wilson).

The movie also gives screentime to the native American point of view so it's not all one way traffic, they also talk in their native language. 

My overall thoughts...

Having just seen Horizon two words comes to mind - sprawling and mess. The movie is essentially an anthology set over Montana, Wyoming and Kansas navigating three separate plot strands that by close of play do not intersect. I'm not quite sure what Costner has in mind here but it was a strange movie. It's a head scratcher this one, because it never really dragged but also nothing of note really happened it meandered and ambled without any real aim in sight. 

It's well acted, looks gorgeous and has sweeping music so it's ticks the basic boxes of a western but I just wasn't connected to any of the characters or the stories. The movie also has a huge amount of characters which into the third act (where the movie is cross cutting between the three separate stories) get's a little tough to keep a handle on what is going on. 

The movie also at the end strangely cuts without mention to a highlight reel for Chapter 2, but as there is no title card to say "coming soon" it took a while for me get my head round what it was.

If you go in expecting another Dances with Wolves you will be disappointed. This movie is essentially a set up to Chapter 2 due in August (and subsequent future instalments). It plays out like three one-hour TV episodes and in doing so the question must be asked why this was not made into a Yellowstone type series. 

Cast

Kevin Costner who doesn't appear until a good fifty minutes into the movie has his usual stoic Western persona. Sienna Miller gives the movie heart as the doting mum dealing with tragic loss. Sam Worthington and Michael Rooker are part of the US cavalry who rescue Miller's family, they are good although I did find Rooker a little hard to understand at times. 

Abby Lee as the feisty Marigold adds glamour but it's a little disconcerting to see a relationship developing between her character and Costner's Hayes with about a 50 year age gap. 

Luke Wilson is well cast as the leader of the wagon train but doesn't have a huge amount to do. Danny Houston also adds gravitas as the US cavalry captain. 

On screen Action

Short of a shoot-out in a dusty wild west town, Horizon has many of the usual action elements of the genre. The movie though bizarrely carries a 15 rated certificate (as if this movie's audience isn't limited enough as it is). Although there are violent elements of the movie it in no way warrants a 15 certificate. The action is well shot though and the set pieces were exciting. 

Cinematography 

Despite it's overstuffed approach and narrative short comings, Horizon is a universally beautiful movie with sweeping vistas making use of the dramatic and iconic landscape. Costner very much takes a leaf out the book of the golden era of Westerns. As a fan of westerns throughout the years and an avid fan of the iconic game Red Dead Redemption 2, I lapped it up. 

One thing I would say though is Costner inexplicably filmed this movie in 1:85:1 aspect ratio, it's a western so why he did not choose to film it in 2:35:1 as he did Dances with Wolves, I have no idea. 

Score

Seasoned composer John Debny provides the score and decides to go full western with a swelling score that matches the stunning vistas.

Horizon is an over-stuffed meandering mess of a movie where nothing really happens for three hours. Whilst it looks gorgeous, has a great score and is well acted, I just didn't connect with the characters and the three stories told. With Chapter 2 heading our way in August, Costner is not yet riding off into the sunset.

Verdict  - It's Fine

A Quiet Place: Day One Movie Review

  

A Quiet Place: Day One

Director: Michael Sarnoski

Stars: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn & Djimon Hounsou

Runtime: 1 hour 40 mins

Genre: Sci-fi Horror Thriller

Taking over directorial duties from John Krasinski (Who was working on this year's IF), Michael Sarnoski makes his sophomore feature directorial debut (After Nic Cage's Pig) and first studio movie. Day One which is still written by Krasinski, was set to be directed by Jeff Nicholls who pulled out owing to this month's The Bikeriders. 

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

A prequel to the original movies, A Quiet Place: Day One takes place over a 100 days before the events of the original 2018 movie. Largely set in New York City it tells the story of when The Death Angels first landed on earth. It concentrates on Sam (Nyong'o), Eric (Quinn) and Henri (Hounsou) as they try to survive the alien invasion in the Big Apple.

My overall thoughts...

Whilst this movie is on the face it is an alien invasion of New York City, (of which we have seen an abundance of movies over the years), Day One is in fact a very intimate character driven human story. So if you're going in expecting Day After Tomorrow meets Independence Day think again. This movie is told very much from the human perspective and the devasting effect the invasion has on a city the size of New York City. Some therefore may feel that as the human element is so strong that there is a overly melancholic feel to the proceedings but I didn't find this myself. 

In the previous movies, one family's survival was threatened. In Day One it's an entire city, as a result instead of rooting for a single family we root for strangers who come together to face a common threat. Thanks to the universally excellent performances from Nyong'o, Quinn and Hounsou, root I did. They may be strangers, but they become family.

I thoroughly enjoyed this gripping movie. Which at 1 hour 40 including credits zips by in the blink of an eye. More thriller than horror (there are jump scares but not that many and gore is kept to a minimum).

Day One could have so easily have been seen as the castaway of the franchise, new director, new cast but thanks to Sarnoski's firm hand at the helm, engaging story, tight script, excellent performances and taut action, the movie had me in a vice like grip from the start, I was riveted to my seat from start to finish. 

My son's thoughts...

Accompanying me for this movie was my 15-year-old son Jack, and here is his take;

A Quiet Place Day One is an amazing addition to the Quiet Place franchise. this movie really allows the audience to connect with the characters and feel empathetic for them. It also sheds a new light into the effects of the Death Angels on major parts of the world such as New York compared to a small farm. 

Another great thing about this is film is that the CGI is fantastic and very immersive and the plot and script are amazing, very successful at creating a tense atmosphere that puts the watcher on the edge of their seats for the whole movie, as if the screen has a tight lock on them, gluing their eyes to the screen for the whole movie. to add to this, it is great to see the island leader from the second instalment again, as the character is reprised by Djimon Hounsou. Additionally, Joseph Quin and Lupita Nyong'o really bring their characters emotions to life when faced with the Death Angels, their acting is incredible and really makes you believe what you are watching is real. 

To finish off, I would have to say that my favourite shot of the film is when Eric is face to face with the alpha Death Angel in the steel yard and he is just one decibel away from death. This shot is a truly terrifying reality of how hopeless humans would be compared to these apex predators and really shows the size difference between humans and the Death Angels. 

Overall I would give the movie a 5/5 and my verdict would be Unmissable.

Cast

41 year-old Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o is without question the movie's main star. She plays Samira a poet and writer who is suffering from cancer. After venturing into the city from her hospice to grab one last slice of pizza, the movie kicks off. Thanks to the strong script and engaging story, Nyong'o is able to shine in the lead (making the movie at times feel more like an Indie than a tent-pole summer blockbuster), she show's you that she is one of the leading actresses of her generation, she was fantastic and effortlessly portrays the terror of what is happening.

Samira is accompanied throughout the movie by Frodo her adorable service cat who has more than one occasion to shine in the movie. 

British actor Joseph Quinn who is most famous for playing Eddie Munson in Stranger Things and has been cast as the Human Torch in next year's Fantastic Four plays Eric, an English law student who is thrown together with Samira. Quinn is excellent in the movie showing audiences his star is quickly on the rise. He also pays more than a passing resemblance to a young Robert Downey Jr. 

Veteran actor Djimon Hounsou plays Henri an enigmatic stranger who crosses paths with Samira and Eric. Henri seems to have a handle on the invaders and what makes them tick and in doing so discovers they have a possible weakness. His character is in the second movie. 

On screen Action

Whilst this movie is a "popcorn flick" thanks to the silent nature of this franchise there was not much popcorn eating going on! I was afraid to even adjust myself in my seat. For the large proportion of the movie I could hear a pin drop in the cinema. The action is this movie is superb, very realistic thanks to in camera affects and the work of ILM (more on that below). Whilst there are jump scares (of which I am not a huge fan) they are thankfully (at least for me!) few and far between, but when they happen it counts. The Death Angels are no less terrifying than in the previous instalments. 

The action as well takes place on a more intimate scale, we are spared the usual building crumbling post-apocalyptic look so very quickly adopted by other movies set in NYC (this is not to say the city does not looked ravaged by they invaders). Happily the beloved Chrysler Building stays in tact! As it is a human drama most of the action takes place at street level.

The set pieces are very well constructed and feel organic and not shoe horned in for the sake of it. The tension is ratcheted up to maximum throughout all the set pieces.  

Cinematography & Effects

Pat Scola who was the DP on Sarnoski's first feature Pig does a fantastic job on this movie, arguably his biggest project yet. Whilst Day One is at times a terrifying movie it is also a beautiful one. The city even though it is getting systematically destroyed is beautifully shot.

Industry titan's Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) continue to supply the very impressive effects for this franchise and Day One is no exception. This is an extremely impressive movie and serves as a level up for NYC alien invasion movies. Going hand in hand with superb production design helmed by Simon Bowles, this movie has a fantastic believable look. 

Music, Score & Sound

Alexis Grapsas used by Sarnoski on Pig provides a suitably intense score for the proceedings. It is fantastic, haunting and thrilling in equal measure.

The sound design as in previous movies in the franchise is superb, pin drop silences broken by eery clicking aliens and loud explosions.

Day One is an intelligent survival story that works both as a compelling human drama as well as an alien invasion flick. Nyong'o shines in the lead with very strong support from Quinn and Hounsou. Sarnoski puts himself firmly on the map. 

Verdict  - MATCHED EXPECTATIONS

The Bikeriders Movie Review

  

The Bikeriders

Director: Jeff Nichols

Stars: Austin Butler, Tom Hardy and Jodie Comer

Runtime: 1 hour 56 mins

Genre: Crime Drama

The Bikeriders which is based on a real life biker gang who are rivals to the Hell's Angels is directed by Jeff Nichols (Mud, Midnight Special). It marks my second film of the year starring Austin Butler and Jodie Comer. This movie which is also written by Nichols had been percolating in the directors mind for the past 5 years. He left this summer's A Quiet Place: Day One to direct this movie. 

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

The Bikeriders spans the late 1950s to 1970's and is set in the Midwest. After a chance encounter at a bar, headstrong Kathy (Comer) is drawn to Benny (Butler) a member of a motorcycle club the Vandals MC. From it's innocent beginnings, the club transforms into a dangerous underworld of violence and Benny must choose between Kathy and his loyalty to the club and it's founder Johnny (Hardy). 

My overall thoughts...

So, firstly if you are going into this movie thinking it's going to be an action movie, you need to re-adjust your expectations. This movie is more of a slow burn than a thrill ride, that is not to say it is not thrilling.

I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric movie. I could literally smell the endless cigarettes being lit with Zip lighters, the leather jackets, burning rubber and engines and of the motorbikes. 

Brilliantly directed by Nichols with a stellar cast who give their A-game in a movie that is beautifully shot with a sharp well written script and engaging story. The movie also never takes itself too seriously and features some funny parts.

Cast

The Bikeriders features a star studded cast. Headlining the movie is Austin Butler and Jodie Comer who firmly stamp their movie-star status with winning turns in this movie.

Butler, who came hot off the production of Dune Part 2, plays Benny a man who's actions speak louder than his words. Hit em' first, think later. Very much channelling James Dean (who I think he could nail in a biopic). He is excellent, brooding and always simmering like a pot on the stove.

Jodie Comer who equally had just finished filming The End We Start From (Cracking movie btw) as Kathy (Benny's girlfriend) serves as the movies narrator via voice over. The movie is largely told in flashback as Kathy recounts the life and times of The Vandals to Danny (Mike Faist) a journalist and photographer who in real life creates the book this movie is based on. Comer is excellent (what a surprise) and has a seamless accent.

Tom Hardy who plays the clubs enigmatic leader and founder Johnny is my favourite character in the movie. Despite the actor choosing a bizarre hard-to-place accent (which you can see in the movie is inspired by Marlon Brando in The Wild One), I found his performance to be thoroughly engrossing. With regards his accent Hardy has gone on record as saying his real accent sounds like a "bourgeois middle class t***" so maybe he chooses to adopt these voices to distance himself from his own? 

Michael Shannon, one of my favourite actors who I loved in Nichol's Midnight Special plays Zipco an unhinged member of the gang who has a hatred for Pinkos. (College kids)

Boyd Holbrook, last seen in Indy 5, is excellent Cal the gang mechanic. 

On screen Action

So as I say this is a slow burn so whilst there are action set pieces, they are organic and well woven into the story. Whilst there are some fights and motorbike & police chases, you in no way could call this an "action" movie.  

Cinematography & Effects

Adam Stone DP excels with the movies cinematography, it is beautifully shot. The whole look of the movie has an authentic washed colour palette and gritty visuals which makes you feel like it is a genuine period piece.

Music, Score & Sound

David Wingo once again collaborates with Nichols and creates a brilliant score that helps direct the audience as they watch the movie. There are some great 60's and early 70's needle drops that accompany some of the open road scenes, which work really well.  

The movie also features great sound design for the motorbikes, when the first bobbed 1956 Harley-Davidson FLH is fired up it was reminiscent of the Batmobile firing up in The Batman. In doing so you are under no illusion that motorbikes are at the heart of this movie.

Gritty, authentic and engaging. The Bikeriders may feel more slow burn than action thrill ride but it is thrilling non the less. A beautiful looking movie with an engaging story and fantastic central performances from Hardy, Butler & Comer. 

Verdict  - MATCHED EXPECTATIONS

Inside Out 2 Movie Review

  

Inside Out 2

No 9 on my Most Anticipated

Synopsis: Follow Riley, in her teenage years, encountering new emotions.

Director: Kelsey Mann

Stars: Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, Lewis Black and Maya Hawke

Runtime: 1 hour 36 mins

Genre: Family Comedy Adventure

Coming nine years after the original, and a lifetime after what many would consider a bone-fide hit for Pixar, Inside Out 2 hits cinemas today. This sequel has a lot to live up to, the first instalment earned over $850M worldwide, bagging Best Animated Feature at the Oscars and is largely regarded as Pixar's best single entry movie to date.

Going in to this movie I was excited to see more from this world and it's characters but also nervous as to whether this movie would live up to its predecessor. With Pixar veteran Pete Docter (director of Inside Out) returning as a producer on this movie and newcomer Kelsey Mann stepping in to the directors chair I was a little anxious.

So what feeling did this movie illicit? Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

It's been two years since the events of Inside Out. Riley however is now 13 years old, school's out for summer as she trials out at an ice hockey camp. With it Joy, Sadness, Anger and Fear (who have been living in relative harmony at Headquarters) suddenly have to make way for Anxiety, Embarrassment, Envy and Ennui. 

My overall thoughts...

Outside of Toy Story and Toy Story 2, Inside Out is my favourite Pixar movie. It was Pixar at it's height, seamlessly blending a heartfelt well written original idea, introducing us to new characters we really cared about with it all wrapped up in seamless and gorgeous animation.

I'm happy to report that Inside Out 2 joins it's predecessor in this rare category of Pixar's greatest movies blending heart, humour with cutting edge animation. Whilst it never reaches the height of the damn near perfect original, my overriding feeling watching this movie was definitely joy. The movie (which was essentially overhauled after negative test screenings in late 2023) is a true four-quadrant movie.

If the first film was a buddy road-trip across Riley's mind between Joy and Sadness, Inside Out 2 could be compared to a hijack movie, Joy is John McClane and Anxiety could be Hans Gruber, as Anxiety hijacks Riley's mind.

Inside Out 2 is not just a movie of what it is like to be a 13-year old teenage girl, it speaks to everyone, young and old alike as it is very much a coming-of-age tale. 

The movie will speak to very young children for the animation & slapstick nature of some it's jokes, whilst at the same time speaking to teenagers who will on some level be experiencing what Riley is going through and finally to the adults who remember what it was like at that age and will get some of the more nuanced jokes and references as well as empathise with the parents and adults in the movie.

As with it's predecessor, Inside Out 2 is genuinely really funny with some laugh out loud moments. Maya Hawke as Anxiety steals the movie with a strong voice cast of returning and new talent alike. The movie also looks stunning and has a great script, you really care about Riley's journey which of course is central to the movie. 

Cast

Amy Poehler anchors the returning cast as Joy with Phyllis Smith as Sadness and Lewis Black as Anger also returning. Tony Hale and Liza Lapira replace Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling as Fear and Disgust. 

The stand-out in this movie though is Maya Hawke as Anxiety, she is fantastic in this role and is a great new addition. She is joined by Paul Walter-Hauser as Embarrassment, Ayo Edebiri as Envy and finally Adele Exarchopoulos as Ennui (boredom). Each character get their time to shine to a greater or lesser extent.

Aside from the emotions I loved Pouchy (think Dora’s backpack) voiced by James Austin Johnson and Lance Flashblade (an heroic videogame character Riley had a crush on when she was younger), who is voiced by Yong Yea.

On screen Action

As Joy's gang travel to the deep dark depths of the back of Riley's mind to regain her sense of self, the movie is full of great action set pieces. My favourite was the tidal wave of memories and how the team have an hilarious conversation with construction workers across the sar-chasm. 

Sound and Effects

Inside Out 2 is uniformly beautiful. The animation giant yet again stamps it's mark on why it is the best in the business by setting a new bar for the level of animation and detail that goes into it's movies. It also cleverly utilises different styles of animation such as 2D and video game. 

The movie also features great sound design that helps to support the flawless animation.

Music and Score

Andrea Datzman provides the score for the movie, and it is her first feature length movie, having been composer on TV shows and shorts. It's a great score that helps the audience navigate Riley's complex emotions.

Pixar's best sequel since Toy Story 2. Emotionally intelligent whilst being funny and exciting with a well written truly heartfelt story. Featuring a fantastic cast with Maya Hawke stealing the movie. Treat yourself and your family, Pixar is back in town.

Verdict  - MATCHED EXPECTATIONS

Box Office 2024 Update

  

2024 So far...

We are just over half way through the year, so how does it look so far for 

worldwide box office?

The pre-summer season was off to a good start with Dune: Part Two and Godzilla x Kong. But it's been a tough year so far for the summer season. It was the lowest grossing month of May in decades. The Fall Guy, Furiosa and IF have all failed to perform as anticipated. Kingdom of the Planet of Apes has done well but studios are starting to scratch their head to see what they can do to find a hit. 

Here are the top 10 films of 2024, with worldwide grosses for each movie so far, production budgets and Rotten Tomatoes score.

1. Dune: Part Two ($711 Million) -  92% RT 

Est. Budget: $190 Million

 

2. Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire ($567 Million) - 54% RT

Est. Budget: $135 Million

  

3. Kung Fu Panda 4  ($542 Million) - 72% RT

Est. Budget: $85 Million

 

4. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes ($342 Million) - 80% RT

Est. Budget: $160 Million

  

5. Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire ($201 Million) - 42% RT

Est. Budget: $100 Million

  

6. Bob Marley: One Love ($179 Million) - 43% RT

Est. Budget: $70 Million

 

 7. The Fall Guy ($159 Million) - 81% RT

Est. Budget: $130 Million

  

8. The Garfield Movie ($152 Million) - 37% RT

Est. Budget: $60 Million

 

9. The Beekeeper ($152 Million) - 71% RT

Est. Budget: $40 Million

 

10. IF ($145 Million) - 49% RT

Est. Budget: $110 Million

I'll post an update at the end of August and let's see how Twisters, Deadpool & Wolverine, Inside Out 2 & Despicable Me 4 shake things up.

Sources: Box Office Mojo , IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes (RT)

Hit Man Movie Review

  

Hit Man

Synopsis: Gary a professor who is a moonlighting hit man gets into hot water when he is attracted to a new client.

Director: Richard Linklater

Stars: Glen Powell, Adria Arjona & Retta

Runtime: 1 hour 55 mins

Genre:  Rom-Com Noir

Hit Man, released on Netflix today is loosely inspired by an unbelievable true story, and based on a 2001 Texas Monthly magazine article of the same name by Skip Hollandsworth.

Helmed by seasoned director Richard Linklater (Boyhood, Last Flag Flying & School of Rock). The streaming service picked up the movie for $20M after it premiered to a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and TIFF. 

This movie marks the fourth collaboration between long standing friends Powell and Linklater.

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

Gary Johnson (Powell) is a buttoned down college psychology professor who has a side job of being the tech guy for the Houston police force on undercover stings. One day he is forced onto the front line to act as a fake hit man to get money and a confession out of a criminal. He soon discovers he has a hidden talent for it and happily don's different disguises and aliases to help the police. Then one day he meets a new client, Maddy (Arjona) who steals his heart and ignites a powder keg of deception, delight and mixed-up identities.

My overall thoughts...

I enjoyed Hit Man, it's a solid film just not a great one. The movie never quite hits the heights I thought it would (I'd heard nothing but positive vibes). Powell though is in full movie-star mode and is well matched by Adria Arjona. They have great chemistry.

It's an entertaining dark screwball comedy that is twisty as it is sexy. It's character not action driven. It also has shades of crime noir classics such as Double Indemnity with a sharp script from Linklater, Powell and Hollandsworth himself.

Cast

Thanks to projects such as Devotion, Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, Glen Powell's star is in the stratosphere. The 36 year old Texan looking 100% the movie star he is, will next be headlining in this summer's windy remake Twisters in July. In Hit Man, Powell is fantastic. It's a sign of not only a great actor but that he is Hollywood's new leading man that his chemistry with Arjona is as sizzling as it was with Sydney Sweeney in Anyone But You. The chemistry between Ray (Sorry Gary) and Maddy is central to the movie. 

Whilst Powell is rightly known as a good looking guy, in Hit Man he has many disguises and even went as far as to turn up to set in disguise fooling cast and crew alike. The movie is a fantastic showcase of his comedic talents.  

The movie is at it's best when Gary starts to tailor his look to each contract, insnaring disgruntled housewives, business partners in admitting to (and paying for) their other halves to be killed off. 

Starring alongside Powell is Adria Arjona (Andor). The 32 year old Puerto Rican beauty gives as good as she get's with Powell and more than holds her own. She is absolutely gorgeous and it was great to see her lighter side after the heavier role in Andor. 

On screen Action

As this is a character and story based movie, there is little to no action in the traditional sense. So if you are going in thinking it's a gun toting exciting action comedy you will be in for a shock. This movie is on the page, not on the stage.

Sound and Effects

Hand-in-hand with on screen action is the general lack of effects in the movie. Whilst there would have been a some element of special effects and VFX they are minimal. Sound design was good. 

Music and Score

Graham Reynolds provides the score which I enjoyed and helped keep the proceedings light and not become to heavy.

A sexy & twisty dark screwball comedy that is a showcase for Powell's considerable talent and charm. Adria Arjona is also a delight. Whilst it's not quite as good as I'd hoped, you'd do well to have it on your hit list.

Verdict  - Good not Great

Bad Boys: Ride or Die Movie Review

  

Bad Boys: Ride or Die

Synopsis: After their Captain is framed for being a drug dealer, Lowrey and Burnett do anything to clear their Captain's name, even if it means going on the run.

Director: Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah

Stars: Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Vanessa Hudgens & Joe Pantoliano

Runtime: 1 hour 50 mins

Genre: Action buddy-cop comedy

Coming four years after the franchise's previous entry Bad Boys for Life, this movie which see's directing duo Adil & Bilall return is Will Smith's first film in two years. The time it took between instalments was due to Smith & Lawrence making sure they had the right story, and a new story to tell. Let's see if it all worked out, or is it a slap in the face. 

Let's break it down..

Story and Plot

When Captain Conrad Howard (Pantoliano) gets linked to Miami drug cartels, wise cracking cops Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) embark on a dangerous mission to clear his name. 

My overall thoughts...

If memory serves I think I enjoyed Bad Boys for Life. Unfortunately I did not enjoy this movie. Whilst it had some funny moments, this movie just felt like a stab by Will Smith to re-invigorate his ailing career and has brought Lawrence along for the ride. 

It's a mess, it felt tired, formulaic, and tonally inconsistent (PTSD into raucous Bad Boy humour in a heartbeat). A dull script with the majority of the jokes falling flat and a story that's been told a thousand times. I very much had the feeling that I had seen this all before, it lacked originality and creativity.  

If you are a die-hard old school Bad Boys fan, you will (I'd say) like the movie but solely for the reason that you are well just that...a die-hard old school Bad Boys fan. If you just want to go and see an action comedy and are not particularly au fait with the franchise you will almost certainly be lost as to who some of the side characters (and their motivations) are. This is due to the plot hanging a lot of weight on characters from previous entries that if you are not up-to-speed with the franchise will leave you scratching your head. 

Cast

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence clearly love acting together but their performances were very stilted. It felt like the actors wanted to be anywhere else other than here. Whilst still in shape (He's 55 year's old) Smith it's getting a little long in the tooth to play the crack-shot hot cop routine. Lawrence who's character Burnett has a near death experience towards the start of the film is frankly a mess the entire movie. He tries to inject as much humour as possible but the jokes fall mostly flat, which is not surprising as the script is very poor.

As for the villain McGrath (Eric Dane) he is poorly defined and is an uninspired antagonist. 

On screen Action

The on-screen action in this movie is pretty chaotic. Hyper-kinetic photography, slo-motion and editing mask what are essentially very basic action set pieces that lack spontaneity. 

Filmed largely by drone or with the use of first person POV camera steadi-cams (Actually strapped onto the actors), the directors try to freshen up the franchise with unique camera angles. But the action is honestly pretty boring, and as I always say if I'm not involved in the story the action is just noise. 

Music and Score

Seasoned composer Lorne Balfe provides the score which is good and there were a few needle drops but no songs particularly come to mind.

 

Fans of the franchise will like it and whilst there are a few funny scenes and lines, Ride or Die felt like a cash grab to help Smith's ailing career. This movie is a mess. Formulaic, tonally inconsistent with it's main stars phoning their performances in. Mindless action with jokes that fall flat. Time will tell whether this movie will ride or die at the box office.

Verdict  - It's Fine

Sting (Guest) Movie Review

  

Sting

Synopsis: A young girls pet spider becomes a flesh eating monster.

Director: Kiah Roache-Turner

Stars: Jermaine Fowler, Ryan Corr, Alyla Browne

Runtime: 1 hour 32 mins

Genre: Sci-Fi Horror

This review has been provided by fellow movie reviewer Sunil Nijran.

'Your Biggest Fear just got even BIGGER' ... The phrase on this movie's poster!!

I did not want to see this movie.. for obvious reasons!! The feeling it gives is one of being a child, knowing you're terrified of going on a rollercoaster, but you do it anyway to chill with your mates and pretend you enjoyed it!! ... So, I chose to see it... ALONE!!

The average UK house spider has a leg span of 5cm and weighs as little as 10mg and yet these tiny creatures can induce more fear than even a lion for some. Is it because they have 8 legs? Because they move fast? Because they can invade your bedroom at night? Because they can crawl over you when you sleep? Even when you can't see them, you KNOW they're there? It is estimated that the average household living room has at least 70-80 spiders.. and you can't see any of them.. because they hide!!!

Sting is the story of a young girl who decides to keep a spider as a pet, not knowing what it actually is.. a species of alien spider that came to earth through a meteorite that crash landed on Earth!! It's initial home is that of a jam jar!!

The movie tells the story of a family dynamic that is both sad and heartwarming at the same time!! It centres around this disturbed little girl who is emotionally lost and seems to find an attachment to this spider, which doesn't work out well for her family!!

Combine this with a run down apartment block joined by crawl through air events, tenants that consist of an elderly lady with alzheimers, a deranged self-appointed scientist, a dysfunctional family and you have the makings of a movie which brings about a means to prey on your every fear when it comes to these tiny creatures. As one character so simply and coldly put... all SPIDERS do is EAT and KILL!! ... Devouring their prey while they're still alive!!

The style of movie making is very reminiscent of 90s Horror and makes full use of blood and gore and jump scares!! The lighting and picture is very dark and grainy, to fully convey the tone and haunting nature of the film!!

Very clever use has been made of camera work where you are sometimes put in the perspective of the spider itself as it moves from one area to another... quickly.. to find its next prey!!

There are very clever but subtle references to Alien and a sneaky dialogue put in from Predator. What starts as a tiny mystery manifests into a big one... because yes.. this spider grows and grows!!! And becomes a full on Monster Movie!! The movie preys on people's fears in ways that put viewers in a third person  perspective, making great use of shadows, plants, vents, lights and even pillows!! ... It does not shy away from exposing you to your worst fears regarding these tiny creatures. There is one scene which leaves you cringing thinking... No!! Please don't show me that!! ... But they DO!!!

The movie leads to its inevitable conclusion, making effective use of a very simple but clever technique of using the spider's weakness against it!!

This finishes with a typical ending that very very strongly hints at a sequel... think Godzilla 1998!!

Despite all this... as horrific and bloody and gory as it was, the film could have been much much scarier!! I felt that the movie makers held back and could have scared us even more!! As a reference, I only covered my eyes once!! (Pat on the back to me!!) ... And lucky for me.. it has not left any lingering tingling after effects like some horror movies do.. although I won't really know until I go to sleep tonight!!

A solid effort all the same and definitely worthy of a watch with surprising amount of humour to go with it!!

Whilst far from perfect, Sting nicely merges horror with humour. If you like them gory, bloody and full of jump scares Sting will have you in its web.

 

Verdict: Matched Expectations