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

INFERNO (2016)

Genre: Thriller/Adventure

Running Length: 2:01

Cast: Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Irrfan Khan, Omar Sy, Ben Foster, Ana Ularu

Director: Ron Howard

Screenplay: David Koepp, adapted from the novel by Dan Brown

INFERNO; how could so many well meaning and experienced talent (David Koepp who wrote Jurassic Park, The Hans Zimmer, The Ron Howard and The Tom Hanks) produced such a convoluted movie? Probably the source of the material is to be blamed. It seems to ring true that Dan Brown's novels offers his readers excitement and always something to learn but it just doesn't hold up well under scrutiny.  

So when it's adapted to the big screen, the plot holes and logic (or the lack of it) are amplified. And to be honest, right from the very first movie, the casting of Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon (the hero in Brown's books) was a big mistake. Hanks doesn't come across as charming or learned but instead, he comes off as your regular nice guy in a suit with a perpetual frown. Even after three movies, Hanks hasn't grown into Langdon's shoes.

As for Inferno's plot, a billionaire mad scientist with a cult following is trying to save the world from overpopulation by culling off 50% of its population. He believes by doing so, beauty will rise from the ashes just like how the Black Plague sparked the Renaissance. And so, he created an apocalyptic airborne virus that will wipe out a good portion of the population in no time. 

What's puzzling is instead of releasing it himself, he has left clues for his followers to find it and set it off. Yepp...And that's where our code breaker expert + history buff uncle comes in. Langdon's mission is to go on a scavenger hunt to locate the virus before our mad man's followers reach it first. His first clue is Botticelli's famed Map Of Hell painting, inspired by Dante's epic poem Inferno. And off he goes with Felicity Jones' character into a race against time + sight-seeing trip of sorts (Florence, Venice, Istanbul) by following the breadcrumbs.

To be fair, it has its fun moments and it has Irrfan Khan, who steals the show whenever he's on screen. I would suggest for you to read the book instead. At least, the book's resolution did not have a Hollywood ending like what they did to this movie. Or just re-watch Indiana Jones or even Nicholas Cage's National Treasure.  

Rating: 5.5/10

SULLY (2016)

Genre: Drama

Running Length: 1:36

Cast:  Tom Hanks, Aaron Eckhart, Laura Linney

Director: Clint Eastwood 

Screenplay: Todd Komarnicki, based on the book by Chesley Sullenberger and Jeffrey Zaslow 

Can a 3.5 mins incident made into a full length 90 mins movie? The answer is "Yes!". Despite padding it up with backstories, side stories and the aftermath, SULLY doesn't feel bloated and the end result is an uplifting movie. Kudos to director Eastwood for his pacing and his team of editors. 

The movie is about the true story of the US Airways plane that landed safely on the Hudson river, New York in the freezing cold of Jan 2009. Known as the "Miracle on the Hudson", all 155 passengers and crew on board were safe. This film focuses on captain Chelsey ‘Sully’ Sullenberger, the emergency landing itself and an aviation board inquiry thereafter. 

Clint Eastwood movies are always simple to follow and completely engaging but somehow feels "shallow" much later after you have walked out from the cinema hall. It's like eating a box of popcorn; it's so delicious and filling but somehow you just don't feel "full" thereafter.  

In fact, I felt the narrative is over simplified and some of the scenes were heavily handed. Everyone involved in the rescue mission was surprisingly calm and knew exactly what to do. The stories from side characters especially the passengers came across as plasticky and OTT in sentimentalism. 

 

The film is at its strongest when it focuses on Hanks' character doubting his decision and dealing with "What if I have made a mistake?" when he was presented with data, algorithms and flight simulations during the inquiry. Another big highlight is the emergency landing scene itself; it's actually a miracle to be feeling anxious and on the edge of my seat when I jolly well knew all will be ok. 

Hanks have somewhat mastered such a character - the ordinary family man demonstrating courage under fire and is self-sacrificing when subjected to extraordinary danger. I call it the good old-fashioned American heroism. He practically played the same character in Captain Phillips. 

All in all, although Sully is a stretch in some scenes, it is still a feel good movie that showcases the triumph of the human spirit that will instantly make your day better. 

Rating: 8.5/10