Release Date: May 24, 2013
Runtime: 2 hr. 10 min.
Director: Justin Lin
Cast: Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Sung Kang, Gal Gadot, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Luke Evans, Jordana Brewster, Elsa Pataky, Gina Carano.
If you've seen it once, you've seen it all; at least, that's what you would expect from a franchise running on fumes. But tinker with it enough and you might get something completely refurbished, and "Furious 6" affirms to do just that. 'All roads lead to this' seems appropriate as the tagline, as it took the culmination of all five films to get it to its best. While "Fast Five" was the turning point in rebranding the franchise, it was merely a stepping stone to create something larger on a global scale. As the cars and techs have evolved, so have the characters, forming a tight-knit family that has grown over the past decade. And that's fundamentally the basis of this ongoing series, the crew against the world in life or death situations. Fittingly, the opponents this time around are equally matched, nearly clones of Toretto and his car-wielding gang. Luke Evans as Owen Shaw is by far the most interesting villain, more calculative and cunning than just another drug lord. This makes for exhilarating chase scenes and explosive stunts, one of which includes a speeding aircraft on a never-ending runway. So much so that it's sensory overload from beginning to end – action locked and loaded. That's not to say these exploits are even remotely plausible, going from wild to kitschy in a matter of milliseconds. But director Justin Lin does have a flare for mobility, as camera movements and angles place you right in the action. As for the story, it gets kudos for tying it all together, relating back to the fourth film (a la Michelle Rodriguez), as well as another (hint: end credits.) If what they say is true, you save the best for last, and the finale should be nothing short of spectacular. But knowing how this industry works, the end may not be so near.
Rating: 4 stars
Release Date: May 23, 2013
Runtime: 1 hr. 40 min.
Director: Todd Phillips
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis, Justin Bartha, Ken Jeong, John Goodman, Heather Graham, Mike Epps, Melissa McCarthy.
They've gotten inebriated in Vegas and lost in Bangkok. Shot at, drugged up, and married to a stripper. And through it all the Wolfpack has maintained (at least) half of their sanity, only to return to the beginning...and inevitable scene of the crime. In the third entry of Phillips' gratuitous trilogy, the trio is back, uniting for their last great adventure in a string of misdeeds. When Alan comes in need of an emergency intervention, it's up to the guys to escort him on a deceivingly simple road trip. But things like these are never that easy; and once again it's utter chaos and bad news for Stu. While "Part II" was disappointing and lacking any originality, "Part III" takes an unexpected detour with a darker plot line. Not so much a 'hangover' but a rescue mission, the film is relatively detached from its preinstalled formula. As consequence, the context does feel new and favorably less repetitive, but at the same time offbeat in relation to the series. Ken Jeong's Leslie Chow is front and center as the film's antagonist, who's always stirring trouble for the hapless group. In minor doses he's vexing but a comic relief, unpredictable in nature of when he'll show up. But as the central figure, he detracts from the predisposed story line, reducing the Wolfpack down to just a couple of foragers. Though there are moments where there are glimpses of past hilarity, it comes too infrequently to really leave an impression. While "Part III" brings closure to the Vegas escapades, it's not necessarily a warranted one that anyone's ever asked for. But if there's anything to look forward to, it's the side-splitting end credits. Ed Helms will never look the same.
Rating: 2½ stars
Release Date: May 16, 2013
Runtime: 2 hr. 12 min.
Director: J.J. Abrams
Cast: Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Benedict Cumberbatch, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Anton Yelchin, Bruce Greenwood, Peter Weller, Alice Eve.
Four years ago, audiences returned to the final frontier, where the voyage of the starship Enterprise resumed for a new generation. Feeling contemporary for novices, and refreshingly original for Trekkies, "Star Trek" was a prime example of how to invigorate a series that was decrepitly out of touch. But if one man could do it, it was J.J. Abrams. And if "Star Trek" was merely the tantalizing appetizer, then "Darkness" is undoubtedly the satiating main course. Beginning with an intense escape from a newly-discovered world, the sequel feels immeasurably different from its aforementioned predecessor. Injected with warp speed and hand-to-hand combat, there's less trekking and passivity than is usually associated. Captain Kirk and his crew are now comfortably settled in, with the return of a cast that is exceedingly seamless. Pine, as the fearless leader, faces more personal provocations, while Quinto as Spock undergoes changes, both emotionally and physically. It's nuances like these that Abrams excels at, imbuing sentiment and empathy when scenes call for explosions. Alice Eve joins the cast as a vital character, but it's Benedict Cumberbatch who takes center stage as the ambiguous John Harrison. Mainly known for his work as BBC's "Sherlock," Cumberbatch proves to be a formidable villain for the Starfleet and Enterprise. His vindictive drive is apparent in his tactical pursuits, but it's his true motive that may come off (or not) as a familiar surprise. While some may have hoped for another original storyline after the time continuum shift, the film does give a modern update for those who are less acquainted. Filled with more action sequences than can possibly be imagined, "Into Darkness" feels almost more like "Star Wars" than "Star Trek"
— an irony in itself since Abrams is set to helm that as well. While he'll most likely not return for another "Trek" sequel, it's thrilling to see how he'll tackle George Lucas' world which is vastly different. Either way, he's set to go 'where no man has gone before.'
Rating: 4 stars
Release Date: May 03, 2013
Runtime: 2 hr. 20 min.
Director: Shane Black
Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Ben Kingsley, Jon Favreau, Rebecca Hall.
As franchises generally go, everything is in excess when it comes to raising the ante. Meaning, more action, more characters, more tech-savvy effects. And that's all in good fun when there's little else to be had – no qualms or expectations to undermine the enjoyment. But when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we've grown accustomed to a certain degree of ingenuity that derives from back-to-back successions, the last of which was "The Avengers" that achieved the highly implausible feat. With such indulgent presumptions, it was only a matter of time before reality set in, and with it, the unfamiliar ache of actually being letdown. For its inaugural kickoff, "Iron Man 3" is, by all definitions, a summer blockbuster, marking the return of Tony Stark who's as beloved as the star who portrays him. Armed with his wits and silver tongue, Robert Downey Jr. is undeniably the best thing about the series, never knowing what he'll do or think of next. But what makes a great hero is the adversary who challenges him, and unfortunately for Iron Man, the Mandarin just isn't one of them. While seemingly represented as a terrorist in the trailer, the film's interpretation is far from conjectured. What could have been the ultimate villain is facetiously altered, resulting in a punch line that feels ill-conceived and decidedly cheesy. The same goes for the bulk of the movie which plays more like a comedy, even during the trying times when Stark grapples with mental anxiety – the result from New York. What little reference to "The Avengers" seems forced at best, the film being more interested in the man inside the suit than the actual superhero. Resultantly, Iron Man himself is frequently MIA, save for the barrage of soldiers that cap off the epic battle scene. Given that this is Shane Black's only second feature, it might have helped if he had followed the template of Jon Favreau's more closely, rather than wander off the beaten path in hopes of transformation. Instead, "Iron Man 3," personally, feels to be the weakest of the bunch, overblown and comical to the point of being flippant. But with all said and done, this is only the beginning of 'Phase 2.' If Iron Man can't do it, maybe Thor will.
Rating: 2½ stars
