INCREDIBLES 2 (Malaysia, 14 Jun 2018)

Genre: Animated

Running Length: 1:52

Cast: Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, Catherine Keener, Bob Odenkirk, Samuel L. Jackson

Director: Brad Bird

Screenplay: Brad Bird

What's this movie about?

The super family is back! This time Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible is left to care for the kids while Helen/Elastigirl is out saving the world. And we have a new supervillain this round - The Screenslaver.  

Highlights!

• Superior animation. The graphics somewhat do look the same as the 2004 debut but yet it's different in a good way. The characters are much richer and the backdrop is so much more photorealistic. 
• Immersive action sequences. There are many action scenes here the audience would feel like they are riding a roller coaster - yes, it's edge-of-your-seat stuff especially the sequence involving a runaway train! 
• The score. Michael Giacchino’s score is extremely catchy and really ups the action sequences all the way to its climax. Very classic James Bond-sy style.
• Baby Jack-Jack. The little one steals the show as he sprouts all sorts of unpredictable powers. There is this scene involving a raccoon which was totally LOL. Everytime he's on screen, the audience in the cinema I was in would laugh or go awww~~ 
• Mr. Incredible's arc. It's nice to see the softer side of him especially his struggle to be a good father. 

Lowlights

• Weak villain. In the first movie, Syndrome was a memorable superhero movie villain because he was cold, his motivations were realistic and he could inflict emotional pain to Mr. Incredible and his family. However, this follow-up lacks such a thoughtful villain. 
• Scripting issues. When it first came out in 2004, superhero movies were in its infancy and was starting to get popular. So, to tell a story that superheroes were a "menace" to society was a ballsy decision. Thus, re-telling the anti-superhero theme here didn't feel as fresh and the pacing suffered from its various sub-plots like raising kids in single-parent environment and a teenage crush. Eventhough the movie wasn't that long, it felt long and some moments were draggy.

In summary

INCREDIBLES 2 is a technically superior movie but the story is a little clumsy. It's action sequences are exhilarating, the colours are bright and the score is catchy. However, it lacks the ingenuity and freshness displayed by its predecessor from a narrative standpoint. (Instead, the opening shorty 'Bao' was so much fresher in re-telling a familiar story in a creative way; funny, moving and very relatable to Asians) 

RATING: 7/10

OCEAN'S 8 (Malaysia, 14 Jun 2018)

Genre: Thriller

Running Length: 1:47

Cast: Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett, Anne Hathaway, Helena Bonham-Carter, Sarah Paulson, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Awkwafina, Richard Armitage, James Corden

Director: Gary Ross

Screenplay: Gary Ross & Olivia Milch

What's this movie about?
A spinoff from the Ocean's franchise, OCEAN'S 8 is about Debbie Ocean (Bullock) and her right hand partner Lou (Blanchett) together with their motley crew attempting to pull off a heist to steal a US$150 million necklace during the glamorous annual Met Ball.

Highlights!

• The performances and interaction. It's fun to see eight talented actresses interacting through the proceedings of the film. They have great chemistry and the cast seems to be having fun making this movie! A special shout out to Anne Hathaway, one of the most underrated badass actress of her generation. 
• Stylish. Just like the original series, everything from the leads' performances to camerawork to editing oozes style. The jazzy and breezy score definitely ramps up the cool factor.  
• The final reveal. 

Lowlights

• A safe movie. As much as I enjoyed Ocean's 8, I felt it didn't take enough risk. It felt like a cash grab by the studio's male-dominated head honchos - make some quick money by switching the genders to ride on the current gender inequality movement in Hollywood. I personally feel the best example of a truly feminine movie is Wonder Woman by Patty Jenkins. It has love, strength and sensitivity. As a result, it made A LOT of money. The least they could have done here was to hire a female director.       
• Lacks tension. A memorable heist movie is defined by its edge-of-the-seat sequences but there's nothing like it here (except for one sequence). The execution part is fun to watch but it was underwhelmingly safe. Missing were moments where what was planned goes wrong and what wasn't turned out right in unexpected ways.
• The unnecessary bit at the end.  As much as I enjoyed the final reveal, the last act where James Corden's character is introduced was unnecessary. Instead of ending high, that bit caused the film to end low. 

In summary

OCEAN'S 8 is definitely from the same universe as the other Ocean’s movies. It's very watchable. It's fun, stylish and the leads are cool and confident. But I wished the filmmakers took more risk and made this film its own movie because conceptually, making an all-female version of an Ocean’s film sounded appealing.

RATING: 7.5/10

JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM (Malaysia, 07 Jun 2018)

Genre: Science Fiction / Adventure / Thriller

Running Length: 2:08

Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Jeff Goldblum, Ted Levine, James Cromwell, Toby Jones, Rafe Spall, Daniella Pineda, Justice Smith, Isabella Sermon, BD Wong

Director: J.A. Bayona

Screenplay: Derek Connolly & Colin Trevorrow, based on the novels by Michael Crichton

What's this movie about? 

Three years after the closure of the Jurassic World theme park, the island's dormant volcano threatens to erupt and would wipe off all the remaining dinosaurs there. Claire (Bryce) and Owen (Chris) return to rescue the dinosaurs but in the process, discover a group's unlawful secret plan.

Highlights!

• The first 1/3 of the movie. One of the best opening scenes ever in the Jurassic series leading to the erupting volcano sequence, as shown in the trailer. What a ride! 
• The movie direction. Director J.A. Bayona does a good job with shadows and silhouettes to create a horror-like atmosphere. He does a competent job in pushing the action forward too.
• The dinosaurs. I read that most of these dinosaurs were a mixed of animatronics + CGI. They look real and fantastic! And there is a variety of them in this outing. Ooo...the Indoraptor is one nasty predator.  
• Ethics and social commentary. Although some of these themes were heavy handed, I thought it was necessary. Some of it actually got me thinking.  
• The ending. Pandora's box. Wow. Enough said.    

Lowlights

• Nothing we haven't seen before action scenes. It was still a thrilling ride to see screaming people running away from hunting dinosaurs but after a while, it becomes predictable (except the escape from the erupting volcano sequence). Smart nasty dino goes around hunting for frightened kids? Seen that. Evil hearted villain deservingly gets eaten up? Check. 
• The performances. To be fair, they are not forgettable but just serviceable. Chris is more subdued in this sequel but still as charming as ever while Bryce has more to do this round. In fact, the interactions between the humans and dinosaurs were more believable than the human ones.  
• Humanizing the dinosaurs to tug at the heartstrings. I don't remember tearing at a Jurassic film but some of the scenes were designed to manipulatively open the floodgates. Animal lovers, you've been warned!   

In summary

I like how the filmmakers took the risk in this 5th installment (of the Jurassic series) to a brand new direction. Meant to be a trilogy, I have no idea where the filmmakers will take the third Jurassic World to - and that's a good thing. In my opinion, the overall Jurassic series has just been recycling itself but FALLEN KINGDOM felt fresh. This film managed to successfully mix nostalgia with a new story. 

   

RATING: 8.5/10

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (Malaysia, 24 May 2018)

Genre: Science Fiction / Adventure 

Running Length: 2:15

Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Joonas Suotamo, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Paul Bettany, Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Director: Ron Howard 

Screenplay: Jonathan Kasdan & Lawrence Kasdan, based on characters created by George Lucas

What's this movie about?

A prequel to the original trilogy, SOLO chronicles the adventures of young Han Solo; how he met Chewbacca, got his hands on the Millennium Falcon and his involvement in a heist. 

Highlights!

• Han and Chewie moments. When they are together on screen, it just lights up. The bromance is strong with these two.
• The action scenes. Most of the action scenes are well choreographed. There is one standout scene involving stealing an important cargo from a moving "train". 
• Performances. Everything you heard about Donald Glover's performance as Lando Calrissian...is true; he is so on point. Harrelson and Bettany's performances are commendable too. They definitely have screen presence.   
• Gambling scenes. Han and Lando's poker scenes are so much fun to watch.
• L3-37 droid. The droids from the standalone films are definitely more memorable than the Star Wars family saga. L3 is such a memorable character its performance is much more believable than most of the human actors in this movie. 

Lowlights

• Bad pacing. Some critics said the movie flowed really well eventhough there were different directors involved in the production (original directors duo Phil Lord and Christopher Miller left due to "creative differences"). But to me, I just felt that the overall movie pacing was off. As a result, it just couldn't generate sufficient energy to lift off. 
• No sense of danger, whatsoever. Eventhough we are familiar with the events of the original trilogy, prequel Rogue One still got me at the edge of my seat. Can't say the same for Solo as we know our protagonist and his furry sidekick would not die or get their faces smashed in from an oncoming mountain rock. 
• Poor casting. Throughout the movie I just wasn't convinced that Alden Ehrenreich was playing the same Han Solo character as Harrison Ford did. Although I have not watched a single episode of GOT (*gasp*), I am convinced Emilia Clarke really cannot act. She was terrible in Terminator Genisys and she is terrible-r here. 

In summary

A fun, breezy and light adventure. Predictably, it checks all the boxes of an origins story but doesn't add any depth to the Han Solo we know. 

RATING: 7.5/10

DEADPOOL 2 (Malaysia, 17 May 2018)

Genre: Action / Comedy
Running Length: 2:00
Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller,  Stefan Kapicic, Karan Soni, Leslie Uggams
Director: David Leitch
Screenplay: Rhett Reese & Paul Wernick & Ryan Reynolds

What's this movie about?

Mercenary Wade Wilson aka Deadpool, recruits a team of folks with supernatural abilities to protect a young mutant boy from a time-traveling cyborg, Cable. Sounds like Terminator, isn't it? 

Highlights!

• Not serious/serious approach. It doesn't take itself seriously, even when serious things happen especially the first and last 15 minutes of the movie. It delivers the seriousness and even tenderness of certain moments but in a funny Deadpool way. 
• The side characters. The middle act where Deadpool recruits a bunch of misfits and thereafter followed by parachute drop scene = highlight of the entire movie!
• The soundtrack. The intentionally mismatched use of songs for some scenes (eg. using a hopeful song during a bleak moment) really makes those moments memorable especially a super slo-mo scene.  

Lowlights

• Overly produced action scenes. Too long = boring
• Uneven comedy. Like most comedy movies, some will land and some won't. But there are some one-joke concept that keeps going it overstays its welcome. However, the movie redeems itself with its end-credit scenes (that's a particular one which had me in stitches!) 

In summary

I enjoyed DEADPOOL 2 much more than the first outing . I felt this one has got a more complete story, whereas the first one was just a series of gags and one-liners.

RATING: 7/10