Passengers

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This film is essentially about Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt being stuck on a spaceship. With no one else around. And with no way off. That's pretty much it (up until the more action based third act). They were on a spaceship, they woke up earlier than they were supposed to and now they are trapped. However, a lot of the film is more interesting than this initial plot description would suggest.

Passengers' core concept actually provides a great opportunity for some really interesting narrative. For example, the way in which they delve into the more emotional side of the protagonist's situation is very effective, especially in the first act. These character's lives have been taken from them and that fact is never glossed over. When they do focus on the psychological impact of the film's events, it makes for some of the best sequences in the movie as a whole. This is also helped by good performances from the two leads, particularly Chris Pratt in the first half.

On a more superficial level, there are also some really nice looking special effects, so it works on a visual level throughout.

But the biggest problem is also a major one- the writing. It's just very clunky. Although there are some great opportunities within the script, there are obviously going to be some hitches in a narrative that involves putting two characters in one place with no escape and nobody else around. And these hitches happen over and over again. They have an interesting plot point, but then it peters out and they clearly have no idea where to go next. They write themselves into endless corners and then they have to randomly swerve out and into  the next part of the story. And you can clearly see the points at which said swerving occurs. All in all, the progression of the plot just feels very stilted and in addition is often a bit predictable.

Overall, Passengers has good performances and a decent concept, in spite of how it looks on paper. It does do some good things with said concept but it is ultimately let down by bad writing and the flaws of it's narrative.

Moana

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Disney’s latest animated film is a beautiful one, with fantastic songs, animation and brilliant characterisation. The story itself focuses on a young girl named Moana, who travels across the Ocean with the legendary demi-god Maui, to save her island from destruction.

First of all, this is a visually incredible movie- it just looks stunning. It’s one of those films where you owe it to yourself to see it on the big screen. In addition to incredible computer animation, there are also certain scenes that blend hand drawn animation and CGI in a unique and wonderful way, which is something very creative and rarely seen in animated films.

It is also really funny, with a witty script and some great characters. It gets very meta at times, in terms of it’s references to Disney tropes and this feels very refreshing.

Something else not yet mentioned is probably the movie’s greatest strength- it’s wonderful music, written by Lin Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and Operaia Foa’i. It is everything you could want from a Disney film- highlights include ‘How Far I’ll Go’, a great, ‘I want’ song with a rousing reprise or two, a brilliant (oddly enough David Bowie inspired) villain song, ‘Shiny’, and the infectiously catchy ‘You’re Welcome’.     

The only criticism thrown against it could be that (in terms of the plot) it is a rather by the numbers Princess film. But something about the characters and the way they interact makes the whole story believable in a way that overrides this.

This is also helped by the brilliant voice acting. Dwayne Johnston does a brilliant job playing Maui, just as you would expect. But the nicest surprise is newcomer Auli'i Cravalho, who does a fantastic job as Moana, especially considering that this is her first film role and that she is only 16.

Overall, this is a great Disney movie, and I could not recommend it more.

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

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As this Eddie Redmayne fronted Harry Potter spinoff once again treks back into the much expanded ‘Potterverse’, one question sticks out; it is really necessary? The answer is surprisingly yes, as it is ultimately a fun little trip back into the world of Harry Potter that manages to expand on its origins effectively.

One of the film’s greatest assets is the way in which it develops upon those aforementioned origins, whilst not relying on them too heavily. It takes what it needs, (just enough to be satisfying to fans) whilst being an entertaining story all on its own. It is close enough to Harry Potter, whilst being different enough to stand on its own two (metaphorical) feet.

I especially love the film’s antagonist and the way in which that particular storyline is developed. It’s brilliant, if more than a tad predictable, which is disappointing considering how well done that aspect of the film is on the whole.  

Structurally, the way in which the film attempts to develop two separate storylines that are eventually weaved together works both for and against it. Through these two tales, lighter and darker aspects are balanced well and it helps to flesh the film out as a whole. However, until the point where they come together, there is little to no connection between them and it can feel a bit bitty up to the third act. 

Even then, they don’t really connect all that much. If they had, it would have made for a more cohesive whole, but as it is, both storylines are entertaining enough.  

Eddie Redmayne does a fine job as Newt Scamander, developing his more awkward traits well when he is around the film’s human characters. This then makes him more interesting as a character, in addition to strengthening his bond with the ‘Fantastic Beasts’ of the title, as he really comes out of his shell when he is around them.

Speaking of these creatures, they all very entertaining, ranging from completely adorable to epically awesome. They are also very well animated, never once straying into the uncanny valley.

In terms of actors not made out of pixels, Dan Fogler gives the standout performance of the movie as the ‘No-Maj’ Kowalski, a term which still makes me want to shake anyone who actually says it out loud. He is funny, charming and provides a heck of a lot of heart. Alison Sudol and Katherine Waterson also do a good job as the Goldstein sisters.  

Overall, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an entertaining adventure that is well worth a watch.

   

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

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As an adaptation of Ransom Riggs’ young adult novel, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children couldn’t be better. Both the book and the film focus on a house in a 1940s time loop, which is a safe place for children with extraordinary abilities.

Some book purists may deride the (admittedly numerous) changes made to the plot and characters. 

But they are all most certainly to the film’s overall benefit, either making it more visually interesting, or allowing the story to stand on its own two feet on the big screen. Essentially, it is a masterclass in how to adapt a book effectively, as it keeps to the spirit of its source material whilst changing aspects that wouldn’t have worked had they been kept in. Much of the exposition also feels very natural, which is refreshing.

There is some fantastic cinematography, as Tim Burton’s visual style really suits the more gothic aspects of the book. At the same time, there is a lot of brighter lighting in the house itself, perfectly mirroring its warmth.

Whilst the score is not outstanding overall, it does have its moments. This is particularly obvious in the film’s brilliantly effective opening sequence, which builds and builds with various images related to the book and the film, but ultimately culminates in the protagonist’s ordinary life, setting up the story very well.

Eva Green feels fresh off the page as Miss Peregrine, striking a good balance between being authoritative, motherly and slightly batty. However, there is a bit of a wasted opportunity present, as Judi Dench, who is cast within the film, would have made a brilliant Miss Peregrine, even more accurate to the book.                                                                        

The kids also do a good job- and Asa Butterfield gives a slightly generic performance, but he is by no means terrible. This could also be a result of the slightly dull protagonist he is playing. Jacob, the teenager who discovers the house, is not the most interesting of characters, as he is designed to be the audience’s way into this world, rather than an interesting character on his own, but this does make him rather underdeveloped. On the other hand, Samuel L. Jackson is clearly having a fantastic time hamming it up as the resident ‘big bad’, doing a great job as one of the most entertaining characters in the film.

One other minor complaint relates to some pacing issues. The third act, whilst entertaining on its own, is dragged out far too long within the film’s overall context. It would have really benefitted from certain elements being cut down or taken out entirely.

However, overall Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children is a wonderful film, brilliantly adapted and with great cinematography. 

Finding Dory

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When it comes to animated sequels, there is often a lot that can go wrong. If a movie is good enough to warrant a sequel (which seems to be around 80% of animated movies these days), it can be difficult, if not impossible, for a second film to measure up to its predecessor. This is not the case with Finding Dory.

The first and most striking thing about this film is the way in which it is able to build upon the plot of the original, whilst not feeling like a copy of it. It also has just the right amount of nostalgia thrown in, whilst still focusing on developing its own story first and foremost.

Obviously, there is more of a focus on Dory as she attempts to find her parents in this film. This time around her character is really developed and built upon. In addition to this, the plot is able to encapsulate everything that makes Dory a great character in the first place. “What would Dory do?” is a common phrase uttered throughout the film and overcoming disabilities is a running theme expressed through several characters.

Also similar to Dory herself, the film is really really funny. The humour of the film is just a sharp as the original. Another similarity to the original is the beauty of the animation, which actually looks a lot better than Finding Nemo due to obvious advancements in technology.

Finally, the film is incredibly heart-warming, as the film is chock-a-block with incredibly sweet moments between both old characters and new.

We may have waited 13 years for this film, but it was most definitely worth waiting for. 

The BFG

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This adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book the BFG is able to capture the spirit of its source material very well. In spite of being a bit too syrupy-sweet in certain areas, the effects and acting are also so masterful that it is barely noticeable.

Mark Rylance is wonderful as the BFG, who seems to have stepped right off the page in terms of both his voice and physical appearance. The animation on both the large protagonist and his fellow giants is also fantastic, especially when compared to the uncanny valley we could have been thrown into. Young Ruby Barnhill also does a great job as Sophie.

The cinematography is beautiful and adds to a sense of magic which permeates the entire film. This is then added to by the score, which creates a child-like sense of wonder when blended with the cinematography. Sometimes this atmosphere can be a good thing, as it allows them to consistently be in keeping the tone of the book and it goes very well with some scenes.

The film can occasionally feel a bit too full of whimsy and wonder, like they are trying to stuff in as many ‘wow’ moments as possible. Maybe it would have been better if it was a bit more subtle, but as I said such scenes do make for some lovely cinematography.

Overall, this is an immensely enjoyable adaptation of a classic book, which is well worth a watch. 

Ricki and The Flash

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This film is worth watching for one reason and one reason alone- it is a testament to Meryl Streep’s abilities as an actress. Her performance brings up a clichéd and to be honest quite predictable film, meaning it is actually rather enjoyable, in spite of its many, many issues.

The primary reason is the way in which she evokes sympathy within a decidedly unsympathetic role. The film itself focusses on a musician who essentially abandoned her family to pursue her dreams of music stardom and now wants to make amends following her (now adult) daughter’s breakdown. 

Said abandonment for her own selfish ambitions initially makes it very hard to be on her side. However, you can really see through Streep’s performance that she deeply regrets her actions and desperately wants to reconnect with her family. Therefore, the character is actually redeemed throughout the film.

However, Streep’s performance does not change the fact that the film is very clichéd, as mentioned earlier. This is essentially the basic premise of 70% of Indie movies, with someone returning to somewhere to try and reconnect with some people who they were once close to. It doesn’t matter how well done this particular re-hashing is, the audience knows exactly how this story is going to go, they can predict every move the story will make.

In spite of this, this type of story has been done to death for a reason. It does make for a sweet film. Even if you do know exactly what is going to happen, it is still vaguely enjoyable due to a combination of this and Meryl Streep’s performance as the main character.   

The Jungle Book (2016)

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Whilst it is a classic with some brilliant music, I’ve always felt that Disney’s 1967 animated film was not one of their best. It was always just a fun bit of fluff, but not anything particularly outstanding. 

This new adaptation adds more meat to the bones of the film on which it is based, whilst still allowing for just enough nostalgia to seep through, adding more substance than Disney’s first adaptation, whilst keeping its best aspects. Twists are added and they are also effective, although the film does become a bit heavy handed in its desperation to set up certain story elements.

The most striking thing about this film are its visual effects. The animals look fantastic, but the film’s greatest triumph is the incredibly immersive Jungle, which looks unbelievable. This is also shown through some stunning cinematography, as they take every opportunity to show off the marvellous world they have created. This is one of those movies that has to be seen on the big screen, it can’t possibly have the same effect on DVD.    

The voice actors are also remarkably well cast. Bill Murray and Ben Kingsley fit the roles of Baloo and Bagheera perfectly, whilst Idris Elba is appropriately threatening as Shere Khan and Lupita Nyong'o is wonderful as Mowgli’s adoptive wolf-mother, Raksha. Christopher Walken is also surprisingly well cast in the role of King Louis. One of the only issues is Scarlett Johansen’s slightly stiff performance as Kaa, although her scene does not last long.  The actor playing Mowgli also does a good job considering that this is his first role and that he (literally) had nothing to work with.   

Overall, ‘The Jungle Book’ effectively adds a fresh perspective to a classic, whilst being a stunning film in it’s own right. 

Zootropolis

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Ironically, it is very easy to look at Zootopia and immediately judge it as just another animated animal movie with a (possibly cliched) message about predjudice. But the great thing about this film is that it takes all of the things that should drag it down and turns them into it’s greatest truimphs. The primary aspects I am referring to here are the film’s premise and it’s message.

A film about a Fox and a Rabbit solving crimes in a world populated by animals doesn’t sound particularly interesting on paper. But the brilliantly creative ways that all of the animals are intergrated into one city not only saves it, but makes an outstanding film as a whole. The various ways in which the concept at the heart of the film is executed are so intricatley detailed that it elevates the film into the category of brilliance. This is also helped by the often beautiful animation, making it visually appealing on more than one level.

This sense of cleverness also makes it’s way into the humour of the movie, as all of the jokes feel intelligent, in addition to being hilarious. As I previously mentioned, stories about prejudice, whilst important and well intentioned, can often feel old hat if handled badly. But this film explores the issue so deeply that the message comes across very effectivley. In addition, the way in which the story twists and turns really messes with the audience’s expectations on how the story will go, whilst making the story all the more effective.

Any issues I have with this movie are minor nitpicks, one being the way in which Shakira’s cameo is shoehorned in. However, issues such as this are tiny annoyances in an overall fantastic film.       

Deadpool

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When films have an intense fan following and/or are heavily linked to a major franchise, it is always important to examine them from a neutral perspective, in addition to a fan perspective. This is especially true of ‘Deadpool’, as it is clear that the level of enjoyment you will gain from this movie is (at least partially) based on how well you know its protagonist. Having said this, it is vaguely entertaining for all.

As one of these aforementioned ‘outsiders’, I can really see the appeal of Deadpool as the ultimate edgy anti-hero. And if all you want to see from this movie is this character being well…this character (in addition to some admittedly thrilling action), then you will adore this film. Ryan Renyolds does a great job and some of the film’s best points are its more humorous moments. All of the character’s fourth-wall breaking and continuous jokes make the film feel very unique and fresh. In addition to this, the aforementioned action is very well done, with a very effective mixture of slow motion shots, close ups and mid shots also providing some appeal to a wider audience.

However, other than the film’s protagonist, there is not much in the film that particularly makes it stand out to that general audience. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it, but there is nothing else that makes it particularly brilliant either.

If you are a fan of this character, you will love this movie and if you don’t, it will probably keep you entertained, without being spectacular.