Film: Ralph Breaks the Internet

GENRE: Animation Adventure

RATING: PG for action & rude humour
RUNTIME: 1 hour and 52 minutes

STARRING: John C Reilly (Chicago, Kong: Skull Island, Walk Hard)

Sarah Silverman (School of Rock), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman)

DIRECTORS: Phil Johnston (newcomer) & Rich Moore (Zootopia)

WRITERS: Johnston (Zootopia) & Pamela Ribon (Moana)

PLOT: Ralph and Vanellope enter the internet to save her arcade game.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Really enjoyed the original film.

STORY STUFF: That was a lot of fun for the most part. The first three quarters of the film are awesome, then the plot changes to preach about the nature of friendship and living your dreams. Like the first film, the writing and visuals are incredibly clever and do a fantastic job creatively showing what happens behind the scenes.

ACTING STUFF: Reilly and Silverman are perfectly cast; their voices play well off each other and make their characters come alive. I was worried that Gadot’s Shank would be one-note but thankfully she got to have a bit more fun. The highlight, however, are the Disney princesses. I kind of wish I didn’t see one of their scenes in a trailer so I could be surprised. Their second appearance is awesome. It was also great that 11 of the 14 original voice actors return to their beloved characters. Disney contracts apparently are binding forever.

ARTISTIC STUFF: The art direction for this film is incredible. Their vision of the internet behind the scenes is impressive. So many great Easter eggs, I may have to watch it again to catch everything. Also, talk about corporate synergy. They may be sellouts but it was fun to watch anyway. I found the ‘monster’ at the end actually unsettling if you look closer at it and may frighten young children. Just sayin’.

VERDICT: Four stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You use the internet or play video games.

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Green Book

Film: Fantastic Beasts - The Crimes of Grindelwald

GENRE: Fantasy Adventure

RATING: PG13 for fantasy action
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 14 minutes

STARRING: Eddie Redmayne (Theory of Everything, The Danish Girl)

Katherine Waterston (Inherent Vice), Johnny Depp (Pirates . . . )

DIRECTOR: David Yates (Harry Potter 5-8, Fantastic Beasts)

WRITER: JK Rowling (Harry Potter novels, Fantastic Beasts)

PLOT: Newt and the gang try to recapture Gindelwald and find out the true identity of Credence Barebone.

FULL DISCLOSURE: Just a casual fan of this series.

STORY STUFF: I’m just not finding the story as captivating as I would like. I think the characters are interesting and there are some great moments throughout but I’m not on the edge of my seat. I’m glad after two films, I finally know who Credence really is (but wow, it took a long time to get there). I do like that they change locations and we get Paris instead of New York. I also really enjoyed the flashbacks to Hogwarts.

ACTING STUFF: Redmayne continues to delight in his twitchiness and Dan Folger is always fun to watch as Kowalski. Waterson’s Tina is fine and all but I’m not really rooting for her. Depp gets to be playful and menacing with Grindelwald but I found Jude Law just okay as Dumbledore. I assume he’ll get more awesome in the next films.

ARTISTIC STUFF: It’s on par with the first film and the Harry Potter series. Some amazing visuals that are both creative and mesmerizing. The dragon looks a little too close to Fuchur, Atreyu’s luck dragon from Neverending Story and I don’t know if that was intentional or not. Again, my favourite beasts are the nifflers.

VERDICT: Three stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You liked the first one and want more

UPCOMING REVIEWS: Ralph Breaks the Internet

Film: Bohemian Rhapsody

GENRE: Biography, Drama

RATING: PG13 for thematic elements, language, drugs, etc.
RUNTIME: 2 hours and 14 minutes

STARRING: Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, BoJack Horseman)

Gwilym Lee (Midsomer Murders), Ben Hardy (X-Men: Apocalypse)

DIRECTOR: Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, X-Men)

WRITER: Anthony McCarten (Darkest Hour, Theory of Everything)

PLOT: The classic rock group Queen from their start to Live Aid.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I enjoy Queen’s hits but not a die hard fan.

STORY STUFF: I found the behind the scene aspects of this bio really fascinating. I know the critics were hoping for something more salacious but I was fine with the PG-13 version (besides it was produced by band members Brian May & Roger Taylor and manager Jim ‘Miami’ Beach among others.) I was unaware of the collaborative spirit of the band, assuming Freddie was doing everything. The quick story behind the ‘I Want to Break Free’ music video surprised me as well. I was hoping for a little more about the inspiration behind some of the lyrics but was satisfied hearing the intentions behind their eclectic style.

ACTING STUFF: Malek is phenomenal as Freddie Mercury, I hope he gets an Oscar nomination for his efforts. He shines with his flamboyance as well as his quieter, contemplative moments. Also enjoyed the performance of the rest of the band. Lucy Boynton is just okay as Mary Austin. I wished Aidan Gillen (Game of Thrones, The Wire) had a bit more screen time and I loved the stunt casting of Mike Myers as Ray Foster, who doesn’t understand the brilliance of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.

ARTISTIC STUFF: I enjoyed the recreation of the concerts, especially the climactic Live Aid performance. Sure, there are a few green screen moments but it still is mesmerizing. Of course, the music is amazing. I dare you to not tap your feet during many of their hits. The make-up on Malek is also top-notch and helps sell his Mercury-ness.  

VERDICT: Four and a half stars out of five

SEE IT IF: You like some Queen songs and want an interesting bio

UPCOMING REVIEWS: The Grinch, Fantastic Beasts 2