GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (2017)

Genre: Action / Adventure
Running Length: 2:16
Cast: Chris Pratt, Michael Rooker, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Elizabeth Debicki, Pom Klementieff, Kurt Russell, Karen Gillan, Sean Gunn, Sylvester Stallone
Director: James Gunn
Screenplay: James Gunn

When Vol 1 was first released in Aug 2014, I was probably the minority who didn't really enjoy it. No doubt it was a fun and bright outing but I didn't find it as humourous and engaging as most laud it to be. That's perhaps why I enjoyed GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 better as I went in with very low expectations. It's still not a very good movie but it's not terrible either.

I realised it's probably because I am unable to appreciate writer and director James Gunn's sense of humour. His jokes are politically incorrect and somewhat childish (just check out his YouTube's shorts - PG Porn). Eventhough it has more pointless gags this round, fortunately, some of it does lead somewhere when it's explained at a later stage (like why Cooper's Rocket always behaves likes an a-hole)

Although Vol. 2 is significantly more CGI heavy, I'm glad Gunn also doubled down on the character development too. Vol. 1 focused on assembling a group of misfits to save the galaxy and as a result, I didn't know much back story of most of the team. But this round, there are more quite moments where the characters are given more breathing space to reveal their vulnerabilities. As a result, I care more for the characters especially Michael Rooker's Yondu and Karen Gillan's Nebula.

The final emotional scene with Cat Steven's Father And Son soundtrack - that was where everything landed beautifully.

There are a few standout action set pieces especially the introduction scene with Baby Groot doing an impromptu dance routine and Yondu's escape. As I'm not too familiar with the songs used here compared to Vol. 1, I didn't really dig it much here. In conclusion, eventhough Vol. 2 delivers more of the same provided by its predecessor, it doesn't feel like a retread. 

RATING: 6.5/10

THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E (2015)

Genre: Action/Comedy
Running Length: 1:56
Cast: Henry Cavill, Armie Hammer, Alicia Vikander, Elizabeth Debicki, Hugh Grant,
Director: Guy Ritchie
Screenplay: Guy Ritchie & Lionel Wigram

There was a sense of deja vu when THE MAN FROM U.N.C.L.E ended. It felt like The Lone Ranger (the motion picture) all over again: Both films were once popular TV series. Armie Hammer appears in both the remake for the big screen. And both features an unlikely partnership. Although the trailer for both the big screen adaptation looked really promising and fun, the actual output was somewhat unsatisfying.

However, from a visual perspective, this film looks really classy and stylish. The production design is detailed and the use of split-screen for some action scenes feels fresh. And speaking of action sequences, Ritchie uses a more restrained approach for some of these scenes compared to the standard wall-to-wall in-your-face blockbuster action movies. For example, an important boat chase scene unfolds completely in the background while Cavill's character is having a snack. That scene left me in stitches! And there are a few of such played for laughs offscreen moments peppered throughout the movie. Also, the use of a classy jazz score is an inspired choice.

If only the narrative was more interesting. Strangely, the story is both simplistic and convoluted at the same time - which ends up "talking alot but actually saying nothing". Both Cavill and Hammer definitely have screen presence as the duo spends most of their time bantering back and forth and trying to one-up each other. Cavill is the debonair "brainy" chap while Hammer is the no nonsense "brawny" lad. That said, with their well-cut suits and dapper berets, they appear more like mannequins than real flesh and blood men.

Just like both our gentlemen who appears to be more preoccupied with their outlook, The Man From U.N.C.L.E is all style, but no substance.

Rating: 6.5/10