TOY STORY 4

Release Date: Malaysia, 20 June 2019

Genre: Animated

Running Length: 1:40

Cast (Voices): Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Madeleine McGraw, Christina Hendricks, Jordan Peele, Keanu Reeves

Director: Josh Cooley

Screenplay: Andrew Stanton & Stephany Folsom

A couple of years ago when Pixar announced they are going to do another Toy Story, the first words that dropped into my mind were, "cash grab". And when the trailer to TOY STORY 4 was released, I wasn't impressed. The plot macam same-same with the rest of the other Toy Story episodes and it kinda looked...boring.

I had a similar feeling towards Finding Dory, the sequel to Finding Nemo. But I still watched it then because it's Pixar yo. Unfortunately, I was underwhelmed with Dory because it felt the same.

So with all these precedents, I walked into Toy Story 4 with my bar set very low.

And I'm glad to say I really enjoyed this movie! Here's why

In terms of the plot for all the Toy Story movies, I never really could remember much of it. It all somewhat blend into one because it usually involves Woody (Hanks) and Buzz (Allen) fighting for their owner's attention. And somehow a toy or two will get stranded and the whole gang will go on a rescue mission.

However, what I do care about this series is its characters, especially Woody and Buzz. And in this movie, eventhough it involves another rescue mission, something more happens to a major character. And because I care for this character, the heart-wrenching conclusion ripped me to shreds.

And speaking of characters, there are some new ones introduced in this installment and I absolutely love them especially Forky, Ducky and Bunny and Duke Caboom (voiced by the ever reliable Keanu "Woah" Reeves). They are super funny!

Oh, and don't forget to stay till the end after the final end-credits involving Duke Caboom and a G.I. Joe-like action figure.

And finally, as for the themes explored here, it's beautifully bleak. More mature kids watching this may be affected by real-world themes such as being unlovable, losing one's purpose and making a difficult decision to follow your heart. (There are some horror elements too, so those bringing kids, you've been warned)

In conclusion, I'm glad Toy Story 4 wasn't a cash grab. Even if it was, I felt a sense of relief that the filmmakers put in so much care in these characters and the superior photo-realistic animation.

RATING: 8.5/10

US

Release Date: Malaysia, 21 Mar 2019

Genre: Horror / Thriller

Running Length: 1:56

Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Evan Alex, Elisabeth Moss, Tim Heidecker

Director: Jordan Peele 

Screenplay: Jordan Peele 

Get Out was my #02 film of 2017 so I was naturally excited to see Jordan Peele's next film. Eventhough I was told that his follow-up US has more horror elements compared to his directorial debut, I dragged myself to watch it. 

For those who know me, I don't enjoy the straight out horror genre (I HATE JUMP SCARES!). I would only go watch one if the filmmakers have something fresh and creative to tell. For example, Get Out is a social commentary in the horror genre. 

So was Us fresh?

Packed with symbolism and metaphors, this movie is trying to say something...but I don't know what. 

"Kids, don't play with fire"

Whereas Get Out was a focused movie, I felt that Jordan Peele was too busy preaching a variety of topics to the viewers in this one; the current political red-blue divide in US ("US" get it??), the marginalized, free will etc. 

What's the plot about? 

A family of four wishing to spend some pleasant vacation time together is disrupted when a group of four people who look like them showed up on their front door and start terrorizing them. I mean, "terrorizing" is an understatement because halfway through the movie, things just go absolute bonkers. 

"Hello neighbour, can we borrow some salt?"

This is a horror movie after all. So was it terrifying? 

Well, there are some memorable moments like the home invasion sequence but overall, it's actually pretty tame. There are some mild gory moments played for laughs.   

As for the performances, both Lupita and Winston are very good here as the couple (they both appeared in Black Panther). Lupita is very believable as the anxious and paranoid mother while Winston is the comic relief. 

In summary, despite its puzzling and thought-provoking premise (I was pondering about it over two days), Us was somewhat mixed for me. That said, I will still be anticipating Jordan Peele's next movie as I admire his "social thriller" approach to his creations. 

RATING: 7/10

GET OUT (2017)

Genre: Horror / Thriller
Running Length: 1:43
Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener, Caleb Landry Jones, LilRel Howery
Director: Jordan Peele
Screenplay: Jordan Peele

Those expecting Jordan Peele's directorial debut to be a full blown Key & Peele goofy comedy will be sorely disappointed because GET OUT is one hell of a creepy movie. Yes, thankfully there are some comedic elements to balance out the scares.

Get Out is more a thriller than a horror which shares the same tonality as Scream and the strangeness of The Stepford Wives. Peele borrows elements from various horror classics but yet he's able to deliver a satisfying outcome without coming across as a copycat.

This movie tells the tale of a black man (Kaluuya, who is very good at playing sympathetic characters as seen in Sicario and that one episode in Black Mirror) who visits his white girlfriend’s (Williams) parents in the deep country for the first time. Of course, he senses something is off - something sinister - with her parents and their black helpers.

What's exceptional about this movie is how clever the filmmakers blend a social commentary within a horror genre. As a result, the insights of the post-racial America showcased here is authentic and sharp. But thankfully Peele doesn't venture too deeply into racism but instead uses the black/white phobia to mess with the audience's mind at the start, right to the crowd-pleasing gory finale.

Get Out is tight and funnier than expected. And it's one of those films that will make you go, "Oh! That's why she did that!" way after you have left the cinema hall. It just gets better the more you think about it. It's still too early in the year but this movie is a strong contender to emerge in my top 10 of 2017 because it's one of those rare movies that would appeal to both horror fans and those who avoid this genre.

RATING: 8.5/10

STORKS (2016)

Genre: Animated
Running Length: 1:27
Cast (Voices): Andy Samberg, Katie Crown, Kelsey Grammer, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele, Jennifer Aniston, Ty Burrell, Danny Trejo, Stephen Kramer Glickman
Director: Nicholas Stoller, Doug Sweetland
Screenplay: Nicholas Stoller

I've never laughed our loud so much recently in the cinema but STORKS brand of humour did it for me - it just hit me in all the right spots. From the same studio that gave us the very clever, fun and touching The Lego Movie, Storks is not as deep but it is equally enjoyable with its over-the-top random and ridiculous visual gags.

But it's not all just comedy as the themes explored here work for both adults and kids. There are hints of corporate culture (not as direct as The Lego Movie) and finding one's roots (similiar as Finding Dory), but in the end, this movie is really about parenthood.

Young parents will fully understand the situations presented in the movie; A male stork bickering with a human girl on who should get some sleep while the other stays up with the baby, an alpha and beta wolf fight each other for the custody of the baby and a scene involving our heroes fighting off evil penguins silently in order not to wake the baby.
 
Yes, it sounds very absurd but this is one hilarious and yet emotionally satisfying 90 minutes film thanks to its well written script and manic energy it brings to the screen.

Rating: 8.5/10