Mandy Review

Mandy
Director: Panos Cosmatos
Cast Headliners: Nicolas Cage, Andrea Riseborough, Linus Roache
Original Release Date: September 13th (limited), 2018

One shouldn't go into Mandy without both knowing what to expect within... and finding it potentially appealing. That applies to any movie but especially here. This is maxed out Nicolas Cage, surreal director Panos Cosmatos, neo-80s horror revenge mania. Mandy is a movie of extreme in all the best and at times disturbing ways. Yet through it all there's some genuine quality craft and heart within as well. It sure is something memorable.

It is likely with purpose that the film's two halfs are in some ways very distinct yet connected by being soaked in its stylized 1983 setting aesthetics. One part a slow trippy art burn and the other part a crazy bloodpacked ride. It sometimes makes sense in how it goes down . It makes the viewer go from saying “what the heck is this” to “heck yes!!!” in due time.

In what essence can be gained from (for what is actually a fairly predictable and if not even just bit more than the right amount of schlock of ) the plot a logger Red(Nicolas Cage) lives deep in the Shadow Mountains of California with his girlfriend the titular Mandy (Andrea Riseborough). Their mundane if even rugged lives are interspersed with visions that are occasionally horrific or surreal which are no doubt affected by their heavy metal and fantasy media they surround themselves with (this movie is classically “metal” as can be with even some small references here and there to other stalwarts of similar genres).

They soon find themselves dealing with a satanic cult of rednecks and their demonoid friends led by Jeremiah Sand(Linus Roache). One might infer that horror and mayhem follow , and it's not for the blood averse. Although due to its surreal nature it's also... different, a word describing so many aspects of what's taking place.

Performances are not always a must of this horror / thriller / (sci-fi / fantasy?) genre. However there's a couple decent things of note. Cage's Red is him at some of his most gloriously “Cageness” as he's ever been. He's hamming it up, he's being awesome, he's feeling pain and sorrow in all the right ways as he goes through it all. It's not a script with a lot of lines but he delivers on just the sheer fact of who he is and the way he emotes and does action. It's nothing that's not been totally undone before (Mr. Ash Williams would be proud) but it decently works. Riseborough's Mandy says about the same things but they have some melancholy moments together and does ok in her nature in what occurs. Bill Duke also has a memorable bit part in weapon seller Caruthers (and in a bit less regard Richard Brake as The Chemist) offering some plot additions and lore. To rival Cage in outlandishness is the almost reverend-like (yet still a hippie) cult leader in Roache's Jeremiah. He's delusional , bizarre, and threatening in ways one expects.

What sticks with the viewer and what will haunt and delight them far beyond the viewing of the experience are the things that make up “experience”. The atmosphere, aesthetics, ambiance, mood are all almost indescribable . They set things apart from similar genre equivalents. It's a mash of “killers in the wilderness” with an overwhelming 80s neon red and oranges and blacks look that's twisted through the surreal lens of the director Cosmatos. Colors make shots pop and terrify along with practical effects. The demons particularly have some great costumes and props in thrilling brutal (if short) action scenes. Lots of blood and liquids happening. There's also some very unique animated pieces and painting-like skybox backgrounds. Various other things add to the mix of frights, chuckles, and cheers that end up occurring if one “gets it”. There's also some interesting use of title cards and sequences in classic high form film style.

One should remember music when being “neon-80s” . Mandy delivers on this outstandingly. The synth and metal soundtrack helps to immerse greatly. Lush soundscapes range from pulse pounding to emotional or relaxing. Surreal and terror states are both achieved. This is aided by impeccable if at times unsettling sound design for both actions … and conversations. It's one of the last scores composed by the late Johan Johansson and his commendations are well deserved.

Nicolas Cage is in a lot of truly bad and silly movies. There comes times when he's in exactly the right kind of outlandish that turns out to be almost a masterpiece. Mandy is on the upper tier of that due to his involvement in the actions that occur around him. This is all set in that lush audiovisual journey of darkness that makes it feel like a classic and yet something on the cutting edge of the medium. If one can handle its approach, a wild ride. 8.71 out of 10

The Happytime Murders Review

The Happytime Murders
Director: Brian Henson
 Cast Headliners: Bill Barretta, Melissa Mccarthy , Leslie David Baker, Maya Rudolph, literal puppets
Original Release Date: August 24th, 2018

One can't help but be intrigued by the premise and approach of The Happytime Murders. A very hard R-rated, adult crime comedy...about Muppets (including being directed by Brian Henson of The Henson Company itself!) … or rather, “puppets” and “Henson Alternative” producing to perhaps not steer families wrong into this. This mix of an innocent exterior and an extremely dark interior is where the most successes happen. Just as others may feel on it and to that point don't judge a puppet by its cover.

This world's fascinating conceit is that humanity and puppets live side by side. Allegories to race and class lie between specialized buildings , bigotry, and amusing things like sugar standing in for cocaine, glitter for feces, and fluff for carnage. The latter few may also hint at what height the brow is for most of this humor.

Yet it's also an attempt at a hard-boiled world. Detective Phil Phillips (Bill Barretta who like essentially all of the other puppet cast is both maneuvered and voiced by Muppet experts..one may know him as the legendary Swedish Chef, Rowlf the Dog, and Pepe the Prawn) finds himself investigating a case for Sandra Jakoby (Dorien Davies) that may go down a much deeper literal rabbit hole then he'd imagine. This soon leads him to start again with his ex-cop partner in human Detective Edwards (Melissa Mccarthy) which leads to many fierce words and jokes given the bias and past.

This movie is really, really adult. One may imagine that it was on intent given what the audience may want since may as well be as edgy as possible. That means most of the humor relies upon this contrast in ways both good and bad. Expect plenty of shootouts, murder, sex (oh so much of it..), and drugs filtered through a felt lense. The writing and script are a mixed bag which often repeats things which are hilarious the first time but a bit less so the second or fifth. However the rapport of characters remains a decent if not stellar element.

These shine through those puppets. Phillips is as grumpy as they get (including a token narrating track) but has his charms. Most puppet people involved in the plot involve the old “The Happytime Gang” sitcom stars (which may evoke memories, aside the setting , of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? In addition to Death To Smoochy). These include playboy Larry Shenangins (Victor Yerrid), drug-dealing Lyle (Kevin Clash), and whatever Goofer (Drew Massey) is. All give that trademark Henson sense of zaniness here feeling surreal in a gritty place.

The strong puppeteer element lies in both their acting as well as their literal movement. Brian Henson's direction is actually quite solid with shots intricately following characters and locations. They make momentary action scenes a bit of riveting (When they're not silly) and conversations feel grounded. If this was entirely a puppet murder mystery it could have been respected even further as a use of the medium. However, its ironic that the parts that feel most real drag it down.

The use of human actors is something of a tradition for these films. Mccarthy's Edwards handles the most of this. Her work tends to be very hit or miss with more landing in the “miss” end to this author. However, here she is slightly “not as generic” due to the situation around her. She is truly a mean-spirited character and this adds to her comebacks. This is not to mention when she does dip to her trademark mania which works in moments here. Together with Phillips they're a decent team together. Other humans such as girly proper secretary Bubbles (Maya Rudolph), gritty FBI Agent Campbell (Joel Mchale), and stripper Jenny (Elizabeth Banks) don't do much aside a joke or two (another Henson tradition..) Of possible exception is their Lieutenant Banning (Leslie David Baker better known as “Stanley from The Office TV series”) who has some quality dry responses.

The plot is not much that hasn't been done before and technically neither is the whole movie. However it's been awhile and not exactly like this. For one willing to handle its crudeness and amount of puppet (And specifically still somehow, muppetness) it's a decent silly time. 7.75 out of 10

Ant-man and the Wasp Review

Ant-Man and the Wasp
Director: Peyton Reed
 Cast Headliners: Paul Rudd,  Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael Pena, others
Original Release Date: July 6th, 2018Seen: Mid July 2018

        The Marvel Cinematic Universe has reached it's peak and most epic possible heights. Just a few months ago Infinity War brought it all together to its darkest and largest limits yet reached or possibly that ever will be. What's next … well, something that in comparison is literally the smallest possible. Ant-Man and the Wasp brings back a street-level criminal silly corner of the MCU into something that can be viewed or mood whiplash with everything that's been going on lately. Maybe some simple joy is what's needed however.

Besides some references to his appearance in 2016's Captain America: Civil War, the movie picks up with the only main tie to the past in that Scott Lang / Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) is under house arrest from his past actions. It really is more about ties into the first 2015 Ant-Man film which is the foremost helpful viewing although as with most superhero films its enjoyable standalone as well. He spends his time loitering , heart-warmingly entertaining with imagination games his daughter Cassie (Abby Ryder Fortson) when she's not being watched by her mom Maggie (Judy Greer) or step-father Jim (Bobby Cannavale, delightfully wackily cheery after the last film's events) or otherwise dealing with the investigations of FBI parole officer Agent Woo (Randall Park). Events of course transpire to bring him back into the micro-world of the original Ant-man Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) , his daughter Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and crew.

Paul Rudd becomes even more of a highlight as Scott in this film. The writing can sometimes be dumb quips but often times causing a smile and much of it is through him. This is helped by the wacky situations he's put in including some surprising twists on how he is disguised as well as now-familiar Giant-Man shenanigans included amidst being small. Whether it's goofing off at home, teaming up with Hope on the field, or talking to his friends and family he offers charisma often.

Yet at times he's not the main protagonist anymore. In what is a first for Marvel a woman gets top billing in the title and one of the more increased roles in a film (all respect to Black Widow and Gamora and the like beforehand). Lilly's Hope gets the chance to step out of the training room this time to many places as she uses the teased Wasp suit. In many ways Wasp outdoes Ant-Man himself since she can fly and shoot energy blasts aside shrinking down. She brings her own charisma and dramatic moments as well, particularly with the arc around her family. Put together with Scott Lang it's twice the superheroics. She still feels limited in some ways in her humor and involvement with Lilly doing the best with what's given but it's good for her to have a role and one hopes for even some more in the future.

The friendly supporters don't usually astound but there's some good bit stuff. It usually comes from the new characters like jerkish, slightly odd and committed Park as Woo or the former colleague of Pym's Bill Foster (Laurence Fishburne). Fishburne's jump into THIS superhero universe is surprisingly great as he offers some quips and wise morals along his scientific grudges. Douglas' Pym even has a bit of an increased role (heck doesn't everyone) as he searches for his missing wife Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer). He brings back the wisdom and ant powers along some more emotion. Pfeiffer's Janet's whereabouts are best seen firsthand but via flashbacks (old re-used footage and new) and perhaps the present she brings grace , kindness, and her own sleek capabilities with wisdom. One can also expect the “Xcon” criminal friends to tag along at a point including spunky Dave (TI), mysterious Kurt (David Dastmalchian) and most of all Luis (Michael Pena) with his silly recap stories. It's a mix of been there done that yet also growing in entertaining new directions at times.

For all the general strengths in easy-breezy heart and humor the actual plot and villainous angles are a bit less fleshed out which is not to be unexpected for these films. There's certainly value however. The plot attempts to wrangle a lot of its own layers over its long runtime in ways that feel both attempted deep (landing on the mark at times) yet rushed / shallow in others. Aside the house arrest / search for Janet material there's the Quantum Realm-afflicted Ghost / Ava Starr (Hannah John-Kammen) with her reality shifting warp suit. She has an awesome design and fierce capabilities in-combat although that can trend generic. Outside of it, she ends up having some quality emotional feels and moral angles with her connections to other characters but it sometimes gets lost in the tapestry. Far more grounded of a threat are the generic mercenary thugs led by Sonny Burch (Walton Goggins) who have their own stake in the events. Goggins offers his charisma and laughs seen as ever in his ther film roles but this isn't his best stuff ever while his presence can sometimes be seen as a pointless nag along the ride.

Thrown all together it can be an exciting ride however. The action doesn't accomplish much new ground that hasn't been seen in prior films but director Peyton Reed does some fun stuff with the big and small ruckus at play, particularly whenever Wasp does things or there's a car chase involved. It's fast , snappy, and grounded but however in today's age one may want more grandoise experiences. For some of that, there's some incredible colorful CGI visuals in the Quantum Realm (seen even more than the first film... or perhaps its been elsewhere in other MCU before..) Christophe Beck's musical score is also punky pumping with some surprising areas it goes as well.

That sums up the experience as a whole. One knows what to expect, it's more of the same..but that's not an entirely bad thing. It's ANOTHER dose of a lightweight silly fun superhero snack between the bigger fare that's coming. Sprinkled throughout this is some more depth and chances for existing characters to shine while mostly smartly weaving in some new ones. For one so small, it packs plenty of fun at the end of the day. Not too bad of a use of summer blockbuster time by any means, never is wrong with Paul Rudd and crew. 8.35 out of 10

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Review

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
Director: J.A Bayona
 Cast Headliners: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rafe Spall, others
Original Release Date: June 22nd, 2018


How many ways can you skin a cat, or rather, how many ways can you make a Jurassic Park / World / what have you film. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom comes out after 2015's Jurassic World brought back the franchise for a more modern era with its own attempts. There is a sense that this is a true trilogy, more than Spielberg's own ones were. However what's inside is a range of excitement from the fascinating to the silly. However there's definitely some strides forward for every stumble back.

Picking up after the collapse of the functioning park in the last film, a situation arises on Isla Nublar when a volcano is erupting that threatens to destroy all of the dinosaurs on the island along itself. Previous heroes Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) are recruited by friends of the older film's Hammond in Sir Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell) and Eli Mills (Rafe Spall) to go to the island and rescue as many possible..including the last trained velociraptor Blue. They're joined by hip young recruits in technician Franklin Webb (Justice Smith) and Dr.Zia Rodriguez (Daniella Pineda) along head of security Ken Wheatley (Ted Levine).

To the film's credit, it does attempt to do some different things with the formula. Yes there's an island of these prehistoric giant lizards escaping containment as has been seen 4+ times before. But there are some exciting sequences involving escaping the lava. It's pure mania of natural disaster, running dinosaurs , and multiple ridiculous moments that all the heroes due. This film, even more than the last one, throws some of the “realism” out the window and goes for the extreme. There's cool visuals in the creatures and environments yet there's also some CGI special effects that are rough looking to the point of almost shame. For every cool creature, there's almost as much something cheesy. It's unknown how much this is due to J.A Bayona being in the director chair for this is a bit different to his more dramatic, smaller scale work before.

However, his horror film influence is felt by a strong point (when it appears). This movie brings back some of that literal , night-time rainy darkness that was missing from the last one. There's some true jump scares and creepy moments delivered of course through a soft PG-13 lense. The other deviation is that, in one of several things borrowed from Jurassic Park 2 The Lost World , a large part of this movie leaves the island behind. It has to be seen firsthand but be prepared for some surburbia and laboratories and a criminal human element that's almost nothing like what has been seen before. The action impresses although it does drag at times but when it's fresh it's fresh (get ready for yet another genetic variant dinosaur in the Indoraptor..). Michael Giacchino's score continues his June trend to both effective and melodramatic effects. There may even be some moments of emotion with these beasts, particularly when they suffer.

The scientific , dino elements are more of the same which is fine enough especially when it's fun. Where things are a bit more shaky is within the cast itself. Pratt's Owen and Howard's Claire have a nice rapport again although this time their relationship takes a bit of a step back to the shenanigans at play. It's more of the same.. whether Pratt with his Star-Lord-esque swashbuckling machismo or Howard with her courage and caring. Pratt, when he's not pulling off unbelievable jumps or rolling around for a laugh (you'll see) does have some slight deeper stuff with his connection to Blue the raptor... be ready for some baby flashbacks that may warm one's heart. The younger recruits in Smith's Franklin and Pineada's Rodriguez attempt comic relief but more often annoy. Cromwell gives an alright performance to share a franchise connection and sincerity but isn't around much. Spall's Mill's does what he needs to do but ends up coming off as cheesy in his own way once the context furthers. On that prior note, trailers showed the return of Dr.Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) from the old films. It's unfortunate that he does not have much more than minutes of screentime contrary to what one may think. He has some greatly deep and slightly odd lines that may or may not be ad-libs but these sentences may amount to more than what he has. The more gruff personnel like Levine's Wheatley, Dr.Wu (B.D Wong) , and an eccentric auctioneer Gunnar (Toby Jones..such a unique actor …) do little more than add momentary cheese and exposition to the plot. Some of this stuff even feels just like 2015 again to an extent. What young Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon) , the Sir's granddaughter, brings to the film and beyond may also land to a mixed reaction. 

This movie definitely delivers some more same old dinosaur, jungle fun amidst its sea of lava and cheese. Somehow a human element that's both increased to better and worse off amounts occurs. It could have tapped into its themes more, and shown us less or more truthful things before release, but it just about delivers on what one would want. Here's hoping the next one has even more steps forward than back... and is further fresh without being too derivative. 7.7 out of 10

Incredibles 2 Review

Incredibles 2
Director: Brad Bird
 Cast Headliners: Craig T Nelson, Holly Hunter, Samuel L Jackson,  Bob Odenkirk, Catherine Kenner, Jack-Jack, s 
Original Release Date: June 15th, 2018


Few Pixar, and even overall Disney animated films, are held to the same respect as The Incredibles.  That 2004 tale of superheroes and espionage stood apart from its CGI animated peers for its excellence as well as managing to balance humor, heart, and some of the most serious themes yet or since seen in “children’s” animation.  There’s been several many Pixar sequels since then, to varying success, but at last after 14 years Incredibles 2 is here. It’s a delight to say that it’s well worth the wait.
     The special feeling the original had is helped by the fact that the movie takes place more or less right after where the last thing picked up. An exciting opening sequence shows the teased showdown between the titular superhero family of strong Bob Parr / Mr.Incredible (Craig T Nelson), his malleable stretch-wielding wife Helen / Elastigirl (Holly Hunter), and kids invisible energy-blasting Violet(Sarah Vowell), hyperspeed Dash(Huck Milner, recast due to how much time has passed), and apparently bystanding baby Jack-Jack versus the evil mole-like supervillian Underminer(John Ratzenberger). Immediately the (even more improved to modern standards) slick visuals and action is present. There’s destruction and punching acrobatics, as the first, that would hold up against the best of the superhero genre today. 
    Of course, the situation doesn’t end there and ultimately through a pretty solid (if slightly inferior to the first and derivative of others) plot the family finds themselves both dealing with themselves and faces old and new.  This divides the movie into essentially two disparate plot lines.  The old cast is perfect at what they do (including the return of Lucius Best / Frozone (Samuel L Jackson) who appears in similar side-spots as last time around) but the new elements bring some benefit. 
On one hand, there’s the quest of an even more increased role for Elastigirl as she meets the superhero advocate business moguls of the Deavor siblings in Winston (Bob Odenkirk) and Evelyn (Catherine Keener) as they find a plot by the Screenslaver(Bill Wise) unfold.  The quality of the voice cast continues with these. Odenkirk’s Winston brings his trademark charisma into an animated realm with a bit of child-at-heart-superfan optimism Agent Coulson of the MCU would be proud of. She’s contrasted nicely with Keener’s Evelyn who is a laidback character of a bit of a new type to Pixar.  Of course the Screenslaver’s role has to be seen firsthand, but leads to some actually kind of chilling and scary sequences with his mind-control devices and serious radical ideologies (remember we’re still talking about a Disney film). 
Some cast fades to the side, mainly the new heroes who Elastigirl meets in portal-using Voyd (Sophia Bush), gravity crushing Krushauer(Phil LaMarr), eldery lava vomiting Reflux (Paul Eiding), an owl-man, a strong one etc who boil down to tropes and add to the worldbuilding that the first had but just act as mainly pieces within set-pieces. There’s not enough Underminer either but it seems there never was meant to be.  Government agent Rick Dicker brings the classic “government agent” angle in his new performer Jonathan Banks but too is a bit.
    Because this is a series, as many Pixar, about family and that succeeds in its funniness and drama. The other side of the film coin, ironic enough, is while Elastigirl goes on more of an adventure, Mr.Incredible has to face the large challenge of being a stay-at-home dad. This leads to some great laughs and the occasional charming motion as he deals with Dash’s math(unfortauntely some of his only memorable moments from him in the film ) and Violet’s boy problems etc. Most of all, he’s dealing with Jack-Jack.  Jack-Jack is an absolute standout in this film. Only seen before in a deleted scene / short film, the main thing here is his superheroic powers are active and known about. This leads to some of the best stuff, both at home and (to be seen firsthand, abroad) as he uses powers such as eye beams, fire, transformation, teleporting, and more. It’s a great combination that makes him both awesomely useful and humorous. Just wait till the family starts visiting old friend Edna Mode (Brad Bird) again.. She may have some wonderful new fashion and otherwise ideas.
The master touch of creator and director Brad Bird can be felt again. The different plots end up converging in an exciting way. Before, during, and after the action is snappy and fast-paced with ways that raise the spectacle more than ever.   This is helped by the brilliant soundtrack by Michael Giacchino again with all of its retro/ spy influence. With the jams, the retro-stylized aesthetic, and more it transports viewers into such a distinct, memorable and long-missed world.
    That’s the thing.. There’s really no complaints about the movie other than that it’s been mostly done before.  More of the same is what was wanted, and what works. This is while managing to raise itself to new visual and excitement spectacles with some slight boost to depth and nuance. Who knows where things will go from here, but this is what was wanted.. some of Pixar’s best as ever. 9 out of 10

Solo: A Star Wars Story Review

Solo: A Star Wars Story
Director: Ron Howard, mostly
 Cast Headliners: Alden Ehrenreich, Emilia Clarke,  Woody Harrelson, Donald Glover, Chewbacca
Original Release Date: May 25th, 2018

  Another year...no wait, another 5 and some days months and another Star Wars film is here already. Can the world handle it this quickly, can we still be stunned and excited.. and is there justification to know everything abut Han Solo's past in a film. Well, the answer is... mostly. Solo: A Star Wars Story marks Disney's second attempt at a non-”Skywalker Saga” film with something slightly lower stakes than ever. It's a different kind of feel and attempt on Star Wars while still sticking to a lot of families for better or worse.  But as with the smuggler, there's a lot of fun to be had.
Timeline wise, this film lies even earlier than Rogue One did but also after the Revenge Of The Sith in an lore era that Disney seems invested in more than any other which makes it about 13-10 years before Episode 4. After some kind of fusion of the main film's title crawl and R1's lack of one, the movie jumps (perhaps just  a bit too vaguely) into the life of a young Han (Alden Ehrenreich). On the famous lore but slummy construction yard city planet Corellia he steals cars for an alien gang along his first love Qi'Ra (Emilia Clarke).  Events transpire that send him on a galactic journey as he deals with the criminal underworld of  gangster Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany) and his rivals, the Empire, and meeting the likes of faces to audiences familiar (like Chewbacca(Joonas Suotamo) and Lando Calrissian(Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover)) along unfamiliar like Tobias Beckett( Woody Harrelson), Val(Thandie Newton), Rio(Jon Favreau), and L3(Phoebe Waller-Bridge).
It's a cast that ends up having a heart as tight-knit as any other famous crew to ride the Millenium Falcon and others, after that vehicle's inaugural and clean-looking voyage. Now sincehe movie is about Han an incredibly important question is how good is his younger replacement and what is his arc like. He's far from a Harrison Ford, but Alden E tries his best. He only vaguely looks like him (we can hope 10 more years in the Stars changed his face somehow) and his voice drifts between being nothing at all like Ford to an admirable impression attempt. However, there are times where he captures just a fraction of the right kind of charisma. It may make sense that he's a bit of a incompetent person and broken as he's this youth thrust into the world like some of his other peers in the franchise. This allows for moments both touching... and foolish. Stripping away the fact that he's Han Solo (one will see the, perhaps silly,  importance of his last name) he'd be an alright lead in anything else. But when comparing to a character so iconic, he certainly falls just a bit short. 
It's good that (some) of the cast around him make up for this. Particularly, in his classic friendships with Chewbacca and Lando who are each great for different reasons. Joonas S' time as Chewie has been firmly put in place, as the younger agile actor moves all over the place as the walking furbag to great action and smiles. His introduction , his bickering and bonds with Han are swiftly and gladly put in place just like the old times and its neat to see them first get to know each other. This is honestly some of the best awesome and humorous Chewie moments of all the films. Likewise, Glover's Lando has some uneasy connections to Han once he shows up(deep timewise into the film at that). Glover gives a fantastic impression as Billy Dee Williams, looking and even moreso dressing the stylish part dripping with swagger. He's not perfect as he lacks some punch in moments, but he his slightly cheese of hamming it up leads to some great humor and memorable moments.
The entirely new allies  and foes are.. a mixed bag. Harrelson's Beckett is arguably one of the most important characters of the film to Han. He's... decent at Woody just being typical Woody but that's rarely a bad thing. He's got some wise words, quips  and is fearsome in battle but ultimately his importance both to Han and the film is just to a middling extent. Clarke's Emilia is in similar turf luckily offering some more of her charming side than what the rest of Hollywood has attempted to user her for. It's most likely due to a kind of rocky script for this whether humorous or romantic...not the Star Wars best.  Newton's Val and Favreau's monkey alien Rio have some laughs and heroic moments but aren't around enough for much impact.  It doesn't help that there's all kinds of (admittedly cool looking ) aliens and criminals that do the same. Lastly in the most center,  Waller-Bridge's L3 brings some of the most humorous lines as well , a sort of radical droid-pride unhinged character (and the most prominent female droid to date).  She has some of the most memorable jokes yet also some of the most awkward ones and may not land with every viewer.  I also must be noted that this “sassy AI “ stereotype has been done before both in R1's K2 and the game's HK not to mention Bender from Futurama. While it can be enjoyable (and she has some slight dramatic stuff to share with her owner Lando) it's familiar turf.
The villianous roles tie to the arguably scatter brained, shenanginsy nature of the plot. Its hard to call anyone a strong central antagonist (if this is to be compared to R1 as well, perhaps a pattern of a weaker point when compared to the legends old like Vader and newer like Kylo Ren). Bettany's Dryden  is.... there. He has some threats, some suave quips and has a uniquely fancy side to him that wouldn't feel out of place in a James Bond film (although, once again seen even as recently as Episode 8's Canto Bight.. the patterns start to become more clear as the frequency goes on). He actually doesn't appear that often or in too central of scenes, perhaps a victim of reshoots.  But it's more of a film about the beats along the way then the story itself. Trailers have also hinted at surprises including the heavily armored warrior Enfys Nest and their gang. This character and some others mainly act as additives to the action but have some alright greater meanings.  It's also neat to see the Empire in just a tertiary role with the stakes being more personal than galaxy saving.
On direction and reshoots, that must be noted. After controversy Ron Howard ended up being the one to do most of the directorial work on this film and cross the finish line after the Christopher Lord and Phil Miller duo departed. Luckily, this does not feel like a film of clashing visual ideologies. It feels like, aside from being very typical Star Wars (as it's hard not to be), general Howard..... basic but effective.  There are some crisp practical effects and close shot along with some nice vistas and CGI effects amidst the various alien worlds (if high in quantity, a bit low in imagination with some very big exceptions). 
This is a movie that becomes more about the action than the characters or started. A film in broad strokes more than much other Star Wars. There's great battles and thrilling sequences, from train heists in snowy mountains to war torn Empire frontlines. Even some “sabacc” card games offer unique excitement.  The film manages to be both smaller than ever and also some of the biggest spectacle to date.  And of course the “Kessel Run” is every bit as exciting of a space sequence as any.  The music by John Powell is , like his peers in other Star Wars works who aren't the legend, just an attempt at repeating the style John Williams has done but nothing non-commendable. There's some extra good sound editing and vocal filters than ever.
To a layman, this is bit of a more simple and standalone Star Wars film. To a fan however, its neat to see how many references and lore appear here. It's not just in ways that are logical (and smartly not in non-logical ways as has happened in some of the other Disney works) but in subtle things. The planets and occasions have been mentioned, but keep an ear out for names and such that will excite how things are so connected.  There's sequel hints that may mean this is not the end of the “Solo” era, with some more exciting than others.
As a whole, Solo is mostly well worth it. There's always the question of why it needed to exist since Harrison Ford gave the character such a cinematic career. However, the swagger related to what Han is and the formative unseen parts of his life give a seed that more things can be worked off of. Here this is to some great and also more mundane things, but it is interesting and fun. Don't expect a new favorite or something crazy cooly fresh but the Star Wars itch is scratched. Now , the long wait ahead to the next isn't minded..and may the edges be pushed to more than less success as well. 7.95 out of 10

Deadpool 2 Review

Deadpool 2
Director: David Leitch
 Cast Headliners: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Zazzie Beatz, Julian Dennison, Stefan Kapcic, several others
Original Release Date: May 18th, 2018


    The Deadpool film that released just a couple years back was such an event of its own way and so eventfully wonderful that news of a sequel of course brings excitement but also a solidly high bar to live up to.  It showed that R-rated  blockbuster / superhero films can be just as successful and mainstream as their less ...colorfully worded compatriots and gave nothing but nigh-perfect respect for the source while delivering a film that was well made in so many ways. The sequel decides to take that and make things just as crude and rude while dialing the action, spectacle, meta-nature and laughs even more higher than ever before. It's certainly noticed for a rush of a time in all ways.
Note that it helps to have seen most X-Men, MCU, DC movies around before viewing this aside the first of course. Not in that the plots connect but moreso in that the humor is that much more enjoyable for it. Within minutes Deadpool / Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) mocks the details of 2017's Logan as he attempts to do something drastic so as expected the manic mood is set once again.   Essentially after various (action and blood packed of course) shenanigans with mercenaries and his girlfriend Vanessa (Morena Baccarin) he finds himself brought into the  (obviously just as small in number as the last Deadpool outing had) “X-Men” once again for an even more series of shenanigans.
If there's one drawback in this film compared to the first, others,  and objectively on its own is that the plot kind of has tenuous things keeping it all together. That may fit, as the first did, the erratic nature of the insane merc and wacky friends but some elements come through as half-thought.  Essentially, Deadpool and supporting friends find themselves dealing with a mutant “Firefist” boy Russel (Julian Dennison) with dangerous potential and a fierce cyborg warrior from the future Cable (Josh Brolin) with a quest of his own.
Of course the highlight of the film is its humor. The laughs are plentiful and certainly R-rated with swears and obscene content almost constantly. The script and writing is so sharp and wacky and nearly every moment has a memorable silly line or occurrence. As mentioned it helps to know X-Men and etc related otherwise other pop culture but the delivery makes it all work.  The cast helps this from faces old and new.
Of course front and center is Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool. He continues to give a perfect performance with enthusiastic , spastic voicing and one-liners. There's also a dosage of emotion and drama as well although there's often even laughs through those. The movement, the costume, the action and etc continues to be perfect to what one would want although a big portion has been seen before.  This multiplication nature is present in his friends too. Minor roles like his former roommate Blind Al (Leslie Uggams) and bar owning friend Weasel (TJ Miller) bring some typical kind of laughs with a bit less of a role this time. The same applies to X-Men Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand) who now has a joke of a partner in Yukio (Shiolo Kitsuna). Wade's own girlfriend in Baccarin's Vanessa has some good rapport again although joins the lessened crowd . It's greatly pleasing to see the roles of X-Men member Colossus (Stefan Kapcic) and taxi-driver Dopinder (Karan Soni) increase to brilliant comedic effect this time.
  Now the promotional materials sells Deadpool 2's “X-Force... totally derivative” team that he ends up forming as a bit more of a focus this time but ultimately they're not given much focus beyond aiding in the action and having some lines with one exception. It works fine for the context to no loss really but it's good to have these further supporting roles via mutant recruits electric-using Bedlam (Terry Crews), acid-spitting Zeitgeist (Bill Skarsgard), acrobatic alien Shatterstar (Lewis Tan), and … one has to see what the “Vanisher” and Peter (Rob Delaney) can do.  A highlight, and fittingly most important to the comics , member is Domino (Zazzie Beatz) who's suave nature , sarcasm, and luck-based aura give many great moments once she appears in the late game. There may be some more surprise people that must be seen firsthand from cool to hilarious.
On the side of well anyone who's not Deadpool's direct friend there is much less in both quantity and effectiveness.  Aside various thugs and the anti-mutant Headmaster(Eddie Marsan) who are fittingly generic there's the importance of both Russel and Cable. Dennison's Russel gives some great laughs and even for a youth has some of the most cusses and grit of anyone around although at times its a bit of extreme / hamming it up overload.  It's good to see some of his stuff with Deadpool but due to circumstances he ends up being mainly a MacGuffin on the move.  Now, Josh Brolin  as Cable is arguably one of the most important things to Deadpool as a character from the X-Men universe due to their many, many comic issues together as foe like here and otherwise. Brolin gives a committed performance as always with a powerful demeanor not too dissimilar to  Thanos from Infinity War (ironically two Marvel films released by different studios weeks apart... perhaps expect a joke on this somewhere ). He's got a slick cyborg arm and technology and drives most of the film's action. His serious nature is a great canvas to pair off on with others for humor and its great once and whenever he is featured more and more. It's just only minor unfortunate that due to everything else going on his backstory, motivations, and chance to shine by himself are glanced over a moderate bit. But he does what he can to bring justice to what the character is and should be. All of these elements and additional characters begin to drive Deadpool 2 into slightly new turf for ambience more like his other superhero film peers but its an increase that mostly works and makes sense.
Previous director Tim Miller stepped away for this one, with his replacement being David Leitch. Leitch does a solid and nigh-spot on replacement job for this. Everything is brisk and snappy with action sequences feeling as they should with many sweet moments whether viscerally realistic or fantastical mixed between the typical kind of stuff. At only moments there's some rough CGI but as with the first film that kind of adds to its charm and occurs with most effects-heavy genre films these days.  For music, the most notable thing is that there is much more licensed retro, pop, rap, rock etc classic songs used here (almost like the rate of MCU's Guardians of the Galaxy but with an understandably more comedy bent). It does nothing but aid to the laughs although this cinematic technique is far from fresh anymore. There could have also been some more stretching the bar of how surreal imagery happens but that is a minuscule presence or lack thereof.  Although that "insert franchise sequence) was a great parodic fusion of those elements.
As a whole, fans are going to love this once again. It delivers more of the same and expanded Deadpool hard R action and laughs with the amount of everything doubled up on for mostly better and seldom worse. As the trailers say “they probably won't even do a third one” and if that's the element of what one is looking for it certainly does its best to aim for and meet it. Walk away with a smile, after the credits of course, having enjoyed the fun both dumb and brilliant ..intentional and just the way it turns out again .  8.75 out of 10