Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 is the sequel to the widely successful first film from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film Returns to the rag-tag group of space criminals as they try to fight an inter-dimensional space monster and carries on from there in the same comedic action style that was fantastically done in the first film, with a great soundtrack and fun science fiction, but also adds a theme of friendship and family. This film focuses on Starlord meeting his father, and what that means for himself and the group, as well as the whole rest of the galaxy. All the same characters from the first film are back, with Yondu and Nebula having greater roles as Starlord’s surrogate father and Gamora’s rival sister, to greater support the theme of family. If you like marvel films, or even just sci-fi or comedy, then I think you already know that you’ll like this one. The Guardians of the Galaxy is currently my favourite sub-series in the MCU, and while Vol. 2 lacks in some areas when compared to the first film, it improves on it in others. The film is directed by James Gunn, and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Bradley Cooper and Vin Diesel as Starlord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Baby Groot, with supporting roles from Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, and Kurt Russell. Continue reading “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)- Film review”
Tag: comedy
The Lego Batman Movie (2017)- Film review
The Lego Batman Movie is a spin-off from the Lego Movie, and follows Lego Batman as voiced by Will Arnett. The style of the film is much like the style of the Lego Movie, being very fast paced and full of jokes and references to pop culture. The film is a spoof of everything we have seen from the character batman, from the 60s to the recent DC films, but also has a pretty sweet story amongst the gags about Batman dealing with loneliness and struggling with the concept of family. Batman is afraid of relationships and relying on other people, he resists working with the police and refuses to admit to the Joker that they have a connection, but when he accidentally adopts Dick Grayson he is forced to try to connect with the people who care about him. If you’re not a fan of referential humour and pop culture comedy, you didn’t like the Lego Movie, and don’t have a basic knowledge of the Batman franchise, then you probably won’t enjoy this film. I like all of those things though and I thought this film was an absolute blast. The Lego Batman Movie is directed by Chris McKay and stars the voices of Will Arnett. Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes and Zach Galifianakis. Continue reading “The Lego Batman Movie (2017)- Film review”
X-men: Apocalypse (2016)-Film review
X-men: Apocalypse is the latest film in the X-men franchise, featuring the younger cast from X-men: First Class. The film pits the X-men against the most dangerous villain to date: the ancient mutant Apocalypse, who sees himself as a God and seeks to purge Humanity and leave only the strongest mutants alive as his followers. The film also gives us younger versions of character’s we’ve seen before, such as Storm, Cyclops, Jean Grey, and Nightcrawler, and introduces several new characters as well. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Oscar Isaac and much more, and is directed once again by Bryan Singer. Continue reading “X-men: Apocalypse (2016)-Film review”
Eddie the Eagle (2016)-Film review
Eddie the Eagle is the true story about English Ski-jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards and his quest to achieve his lifelong ambition of become an Olympic athlete, despite not really being very good at sport. The film follows Eddie, played by Taron Egerton, as he tries relentlessly to achieve his dream of competing in the World famous event. The film is a feel-good story of determination and never giving up no matter how hard it can get which, while there are many films with similar morals, stood out amongst them as a very uplifting, motivational and an all-round enjoyable film; it didn’t try to be anything more than an entertaining story that makes you feel proud and full of excitement, which is something I don’t feel has been done as well as this in a while. The film is directed by Dexter Flecther and stars afore mentioned Taron Egerton, supported by Hugh Jackman as Bronson Peary, Eddies’ coach. Continue reading “Eddie the Eagle (2016)-Film review”
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)- Film review
Little Miss Sunshine is a road trip movie starring Greg Kinnear, Steve Carell, Toni Collette, Paul Dano, Abigail Breslin and Alan Arkin, directed by Jonathon Dayton and Valerie Faris, and written by Michael Arndt. The film follows a dysfunctional family as they travel cross-country in an old VW bus, determined to get their young daughter to the Little Miss Sunshine beauty pageant. It is an emotional journey as well as a physical one, as the film is tragic, heart-warming and really funny all at once. It’s important to note that while the story is about them trying to reach a beauty pageant, the meaning of the film is so much greater than that. It’s about the importance of family, and being confident and true in yourself, and, most importantly, finding happiness and love despite the difficulties of life. It’s actually quite anti-beauty pageant, and is a beautiful, touching film. Continue reading “Little Miss Sunshine (2006)- Film review”
American Ultra (2015)- Film review
American Ultra is a stoner action comedy directed by Nima Nourizade, starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kirsten Stewart, Topher Grace, John Leguizamo, and is written by Max Landis. It follows stoner couple Mike (Eisenberg) and Phoebe (Stewart) as they are hunted by government assassins after Mike is revealed to be a sleeper agent. The story of a normal person thrown into a crazy situation is a premise that has been done countless times, but this doesn’t feel cliché as it has a unique feeling. It is full of fun violence and a comedic style, along with well written characters and an energetic pace. Continue reading “American Ultra (2015)- Film review”
The Martian (2015)-Film review
The Martian is directed by Ridley Scott and stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Jeff Daniels, Sean Bean, Kristen Wig, Michael Pena and many more. Based on the novel by Andy Weir of the same name, the story follows Astronaut Mark Watney (Damon) who, while on a manned mission to Mars, is presumed dead and left behind after a viscious storm causes the crew to abort the mission. Watney must survive against the seemingly impossible Mars environment with a limited food supply and total reliance on systems that could break at any moment, using his willpower and skills as a Botanist to help. The story also follows everyone at NASA as they try to work out how to save Watney. The film is both a comedy and drama and it works very well on both levels. It is a touching story of the whole human race pulling together to save one man who is seemingly without hope. It is uplifting and funny while also showing extreme desperation and helplessness. Continue reading “The Martian (2015)-Film review”
Tremors (1990)-Film review
Tremors, staring Kevin Bacon and directed by Ron Underwood, is a survival monster movie with a similar premise to classic survival monster horror movies like Alien (1979) and the Thing (1982). Set in the small isolated town of ‘perfection’ in Nevada, tunnelling monsters start picking off the towns folk one by one and they must try to survive and escape. The film has a very simple premise and doesn’t try to make it more complicated than it is, it doesn’t take itself too seriously or get bogged down with explanations. It is in no way a perfect film and if you wanted to you could spend your time picking out all the plot holes, but then you’d miss the point as its just a fun monster horror movie and a great popcorn flick. Once you relax and get into the story it has some funny moments and is a very entertaining film.
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Super (2010)-Film review
Super is directed by James Gunn and stars Rainn Wilson, Ellen Page and Kevin Bacon. It is a dark and brutally violent comedy about a religious fanatic who believes God has chosen him to fight crime after his wife leaves him for a drug dealer. The film had some cool and funny moments, but is also very messed up and a bit depressing, so some of the comedy struggles to come through. The film has a very similar premise to Kick-Ass as its a normal person trying to be super hero, and a lot of similar things happen in the two films (although they came out in the same year so I wouldn’t say this was a rip off of Kick Ass). The big difference, though, is that Super keeps it feeling gritty. While being funny at times, it doesn’t have the fun tone of kick ass and is actually a bit of a downer throughout when you think about it. Continue reading “Super (2010)-Film review”
Grimsby (2016)- Film review
Grimsby is a new comedy by Sacha Baron Cohen, star of Borat, and is directed by Louis Leterrier and staring Sacha Baron Cohen and Mark Strong. The film is about two brothers, one an international super spy (Strong), the other an idiotic football fan from Grimsby London (Cohen), who must team up to stop an Eco-terrorist group. I can’t really say I was disappointed by the film because I wasn’t expecting much, but I’m sad to say that this film was a disaster!
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The UK Reviewer 