Release Date: Dec 20, 2017
Runtime: 1 hr. 45 min.
Director: Michael Gracey
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson.
I should probably preface this review with the fact that I'm a sucker for musicals. It's subjective and not everyone's cup of tea but throw in a good soundtrack and I'm usually intrigued. Loosely based on the life of P.T. Barnum, "The Greatest Showman" is a dreamer's story of rags to riches. Hugh Jackman stars as the man himself, bringing all of the charm and star power that we've come to love about him. After seeing his talents at the Oscars and in "Les Mis," it's great to see him flex his vocal chords with some original songs. Touted as featuring the lyricists of "La La Land," it's hard not to make any comparisons in this new age of modern musicals. While "Showman" does have its array of catchy numbers, they come off as sounding more generic and 'pop' than being original. The so-called show-stoppers are good examples of this, but that's not to say they aren't enjoyable in the least. The ballads offer up memorable moments, with "Rewrite the Stars," featuring Zendaya and Zac Efron, being a personal favorite. Where songs meets spectacles is when the film really soars – getting us lost in the wonder and magic of being at the circus. It's this escapism that I've come to love about musicals and "Greatest Showman" does not disappoint. The choreography and cinematography are absolutely gorgeous, whereas the whole cast looks to be thoroughly enjoying themselves. In lieu of this, the story falls into the ways of being conventional, ignoring the darker and less favorable aspects of Barnum's life. But honestly, that shouldn't be the take away of the film, as its main message stretches far deeper than that. At the heart of it all, "The Greatest Showman" revels in celebrating individuality and diversity. After all, given the current circumstances, what's more culturally relevant than that?
Rating: 4 stars
Release Date: Dec 15, 2017
Runtime: 2 hr. 32 min.
Director: Rian Johnson
Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Kelly Marie Tran, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Laura Dern, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Benicio del Toro, Lupita Nyong'o.
It's been well over 20 years since I first experienced the grandeur of George Lucas' Star Wars, yet hearing that familiar overture still gives me the chills. Continuing on in what is to be the second to last of the Skywalker Saga, Rian Johnson takes on the insurmountable task of appeasing the fans. If there was one criticism of "The Force Awakens," it was the overwhelming similarities it possessed with "A New Hope." Taking cue, Johnson deliberately breaks the mold, but it's a decision that's rather divisive in nature. While some may argue that "Last Jedi" is a weak link in the canon, it just proves that fans are wary of change. The main issue seems to lie in the attachment to these characters, especially to the originals who have sparked a renewed interest. As standards run incredibly high, the film has no chance but to fall short of expectations. Is it the best since "The Empire Strikes Back?" Probably not. But there are still redeeming qualities that make this a respectable entry. The music, for one, is a return to familiarity – a mix of nostalgia and excitement that only John Williams can offer. Mark Hamill gets grittier in his portrayal of Luke Skywalker, delivering a stoic yet seasoned performance. The late Carrie Fisher takes a final bow as one of the most beloved characters to emerge from the series. Though her presence is bittersweet and left open-ended, one can't help but wonder what could've been in the climactic finale. The rest of the cast is rounded out by the returning members from "The Force Awakens," with the addition of Kelly Marie Tran as an ambitious engineer. If there's one thing I appreciate about this updated Star Wars universe, it's the diversity it brings to characters both big and small. The increase in humor, however, seems off for the series, which is usually expressed in minimal doses. At times it would feel forced and longwinded, causing moments of bemusement and disconnect. In addition, some of the characters don't feel fully fleshed out, or given trivial storylines to fill in the gaps. Still, there is a good amount of surprise to be held, albeit different from what many have theorized and speculated. The mysteries surrounding Rey and Kylo Ren are considerably unraveled, but as to how much of it is true is yet to be determined. With J.J. Abrams coming back for Episode 9, it should be interesting to see how this trilogy concludes. After years of ostracizing those questionable prequels, it will be gratifying to bid farewell in a more reputable manner.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Release Date: May 05, 2017
Runtime: 2 hr. 15 min.
Director: James Gunn
Cast: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, David Bautista, Bradley Cooper, Vin Diesel, Karen Gillan, Michael Rooker,
Kurt Russell.
We've seen more than our fair share of Marvel movies, the last being the psychedelic and egocentric "Doctor Strange." But if you think of a ragtime team of quirky misfits, only one series easily rises to the top. Kicking off the first of three MCU outings to release this year, "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" is, unsurprisingly, another surefire hit. Banding together Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Baby Groot, it's a welcome reunion of unrestrained comedy and adventure. Known ubiquitously as the 'Guardians,' we find our heroes tasked by a group called the 'Sovereign' to protect valuable batteries from an inter-dimensional creature. <Cue music> Like its predecessor, the film thrives on classic oldies, some intentionally less familiar than others. But this time around, Gunn opts for slower ballads, in turn missing a level of energy that emboldened the first one. Fortunately for us, the humor remains intact, utilizing each character to the best of their strengths, or in some cases, their weaknesses. Despite a cynical raccoon (aka "trash panda") and newly reborn tree being, the funniest of the bunch is none other than Drax the Destroyer. David Bautista is an irrepressible riot, becoming the bedrock that coincidentally unifies the characters. As relations are ultimately tested and frayed, 'family' becomes the overarching thematic, particularly for our lead hero. Kurt Russell joins the cast as Quill's (Star- Lord) father Ego, a seemingly remorseful yet powerful being. With motives unknown and a strained reconciliation, the film gradually becomes a retrospect of father and son. As a result, it's a slower build-up than before, spotlighting again the problem with most Marvel flicks: uninteresting villains. But Gunn makes up for it with spectacular visual effects, expanding the unexplored universe with colorful imagination. The aging effect, notably, is probably the best we've seen yet, and a stellar indication of just how far we've come in technology. While "Vol. 2" may not be the superior sequel that we hoped for, it definitely substantiates it's not just a one hit wonder. Note to the wise: hang tight until the very end to be treated by not 1, not 2 but 5 end credit scenes. (Thanks James Gunn.)
Rating: 4 stars
Release Date: Dec 16, 2016
Runtime: 2 hr. 13 min.
Director: Gareth Edwards
Cast: Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Jiang Wen, Alan Tudyk, Mads Mikkelsen,
Forest Whitaker.
It goes without saying there's always a palpable energy when it comes to anything "Star Wars:" the intro, the score, and of course, the conflict. And if "The Force Awakens" was any indication of renewed nostalgia, "Rogue One" is the next best thing in this ongoing saga. Being the first in a planned anthology series, the film has its advantages of being independent from the canon. While it is technically a prequel to "A New Hope," "Rogue One" delivers an untold narrative – ultimately feeling fresh and new as a solid stand-alone feature. Centering on the Rebels who led the first successful battle against the Galactic Empire, it is, in all essence, a war movie. Packed with action sequences and aerial combat, Director Gareth Edwards pulls out all the stops in this intergalactic adventure. Felicity Jones as the headstrong protagonist is another step forward in gender/diverse casting. Along with the addition of Diego Luna, Donnie Yen and Forest Whitaker, to name a few, "Rogue One" boasts and exceeds much needed diversification. As is such the case, however, the most interesting character is none other than a droid. K-2SO, played by Alan Tudyk, is as cynical and droll as C3PO is affable. His passive aggressive demeanor is a fun counter to Jyn's more defiant nature and, as a result, he receives some of the best lines of the film. A few familiar faces also make timely appearances, as obvious connections to linear storytelling. While the use of CGI is generally beneficial, some scenes can be unnerving and noticeably artificial. Still, "Rogue One" offers a gratifying experience, even if it's a filler before Episode 8. With plenty more stories coming down the pipeline, this will be one that's hard to beat.
Rating: 4.5 stars
