KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE (2017)

Genre: Action / Thriller
Running Length: 2:21
Cast: Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Pedro Pascal, Edward Holcroft, Julianne Moore, Jeff Bridges, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum, Emily Watson, Bruce Greenwood, Hanna Alstrom
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Screenplay: Jane Goldman & Matthew Vaughn, based on the comic book “The Secret Service” by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons

I never really did enjoy the predecessor Kingsman: The Secret Service because of its wanton violence, excessive swearing and crude humour. However, there were some quiet tender moments between Firth's character being a father figure to Egerton's Eggsy, which was pretty powerful. The sequel KINGSMAN: THE GOLDEN CIRCLE doesn't really do anything much different from the first film but just to make it bigger and louder, thanks to a bigger budget.

Everything just feels like a 'one-up'; more CGI-heavy action sequences, more characters, more swearing. As meh as the first film was to me, at least it had an element of surprise. But this latest outing just feels safe. As OTT as some of the action sequences were, I actually felt bored.

Thankfully, there are enough gags and humour to save this film from totally unwatchable. To be fair, there are more comedic moments in this sequel, especially the ones involving a British singer. And Egerton proves he's not a one-hit wonder but is indeed capable of playing the lead. Firth is OK but at times it feels like he's not really invested in this movie. The rest of the cast is serviceable (a big shout out to Mark Strong's emotional rendition of John Denver's Take Me Home, Country Roads).

RATING: 5.5/10

22 JUMP STREET (2014)

Genre: Action/Comedy
Running Length: 1:52
Cast: Jonah Hill, Channing Tatum, Ice Cube, Peter Stormare, Wyatt Russell, Amber Stevens, Jillian Bell
Director: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Screenplay: Michael Bacall and Oren Uziel and Rodney Rothman, based on a story by Michael Bacall & Jonah Hill

As I've not watched 21 Jump Street and very little of the TV series, I had no expectations at all going into 22 JUMP STREET and it turned out to be an entertaining ride. The narrative isn't much but a series of humourous situations strung together. Some of the sequences are outright laugh-aloud funny (and borderline brilliant and bizarre) but there were also a few hits-and-misses. The movie could have benefited more if they had more action sequences. But beneath all its craziness, 22 Jump Street is first and foremost a buddy film. And Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum on-screen chemistry is ridiculously great; especially poking fun of the modern day bromance bordering on homo-eroticism. It is impossible to imagine both Hill and Tatum not having fun during the filming process. A special shout out to Ice Cube who deliciously plays (or more of overplays) the "angry black captain" role - he steals every scene in which he appears. The end credits sequence is worth staying for as it pokes fun at just about everything.

Rating: 6/10

FOXCATCHER (2015)

 

Genre: Drama
Running Length: 2:14
Cast: Channing Tatum, Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, Sienna Miller, Vanessa Redgrave
Director: Bennett Miller
Screenplay: E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman


"The father figure is something I love, but also suffocate from and want to work against." Ang Lee

FOXCATCHER is not your typical inspirational sports movie. In fact, it's quite the opposite. It's a dark drama which explores the effects of isolation, the search for significance and the absence of a strong father figure on human nature. What's really disturbing about this film is that it's based on true events. Although the setting is based on the Olympic sports of wrestling, but the narrative focuses more on the relationship among the principals' played by Steve Carell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo. Carell plays Mr Du Pont, one the wealthiest man in America - and I must say, he deserved to be nominated as Best Actor this year. At times, the shoddy make-up was a little distracting but nevertheless, "Carell the comedian" completely disappeared into his character here. He is pathetic, awkward and unpredictable - a coiled serpent waiting to strike. In fact, Foxcatcher's main draw is its dreadful atmosphere - the whole time, I felt that something bad is going to happen anytime. And that's a testament to great filmmaking. Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo are equally solid here. Those looking for a feel-good sports movie about an underdog who overcomes all odds is recommended to look elsewhere as this is a very mysterious but fascinating psychological study on the warped side of human beings. 

Rating: 8/10

 

THE BOOK OF LIFE (2014)

Genre: Animated
Running Length: 1:35
Cast (Voice): Diego Luna, Zoe Saldana, Channing Tatum, Ron Perlman, Christina Applegate, Ice Cube, Kate del Castillo, Hector Elizondo
Director: Jorge R. Gutierrez

Ahhh..."death", one of my favourite subjects. To be specific, it's actually the concept of mortality explored in films that has always fascinated me. So it was with great expectations I went into THE BOOK OF LIFE, an animated film (targeted at young audiences) which used Mexico's Day of the Dead celebration as the canvas to paint its story. Although it's heavily sugar coated, I must say this movie is surprisingly effective in exploring the serious subject of death. Although the narrative has many layers; the main story is actually told by a museum tour guide to a group of kids and the story narrated has 3 worlds with many characters crossing over from one world to another, it was actually quite easy to follow. However, the plot could have benefited with a "less is more" treatment as towards the second half, it was trying very hard to jam packed the remaining minutes with almost everything from the Pixar playbook; being true to yourself, sacrifice, friendship, forgiveness etc. If the writers could have just focused on the romantic triangle plot and perhaps dive deeper into the subject of mortality, it would have been a much better viewing experience. And speaking of that, this is indeed an experiential movie. The landscape is bright and colorful even though it's filled with skeletons and skulls. The characters (especially the supporting cast) are strangely shaped and odd-sized but compelling nevertheless. And the song choices are inspired and creative, especially the recognizable pop songs which are sung with a dash of Mexican flair and passion.

(The desire to experience Mexico's Day of the Dead celebrations has just gone up a few notch in my bucket list!)

Rating: 7/10