Movies & TV series

Top Movies – Wonder Movie Review (Spoiler Free) – Movie Reviews Sites

Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson are fantastic in this powerful drama but the star is Jacob Tremblay, who manages to open up the hearts of the audience.

Genre: Drama

Director: Stephen Chbosky

Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Izabela Vidovic, Noah Jupe, Bryce Gheisar, Nadji Jeter, Danielle Rose Russell, Millie Davis, Elle McKinnon, Daveed Diggs, Ty Consiglio, Kyle Breitkopf & Mandy Patinkin.

Run Time: 113 min.

US Release: 17 November 2017

UK Release: 01 December 2017

German Release: 25 January 2018

Stephen Chbosky, writer and director of the great drama The Perks of Being a Wallflower is the director of Wonder. It is an adaptation of the book of the same name, written by author Raquel Jaramillo under the pseudonym R.J. Palacio. I was looking forward to seeing this film, as I read the book beforehand and was absolutely fascinated by its premise and the understanding of societal issues, which Palacio described in detail. Chbosky, together with writer Stephen Conrad, proved once again to be capable of transforming a book into a great script and directed a brilliant feel-good flick.

August ‘Auggie’ Pullman (Tremblay) was born with a rare facial deformity that has prevented him to go to a normal school. This changes, when his parents (Roberts & Owen) decide to enrol him in 5th grade at Beecher Prep School. As his new classmates and the larger community struggle to accept Auggie and the way he looks, the boy manages to surprise with intelligence, heart and wit. While mean, Auggie’s sister Olivia (Vidovic) is going through some struggles herself.

Wonder mostly stays true to the novel, with the exception of some of the heavier story-threads, which are toned down for the movie. A shame because it could have given it more depth and a bigger emotional punch. Other than that, this is a marvellous scripted piece with a great message for the audience – young and old – a reason why this adaptation works so well! I find it important to have films like these screening in theatres, as it teaches about flaws in our society, in this case the issue of perceptive beauty, as in the end, it is not about the way we look but what we do that finally defines us. It also touches upon the fact that making jokes about someone might emotionally hurt them no matter how harmless.

One of the biggest positives the script has is that even though the narrative is focused on Auggie, it also explores how he himself as a person has effects on the life of others, which ironically enough is also touched upon the last scene before the screen fades to black. Seeing the wider picture from different characters perspective does widen the emotional spectrum, making it easier to reach the viewers’ emotions.

This takes me to the only issue I have storywise. While it explores several side plots and concentrates on those characters point of views, at least two of those arcs are left without real resolution but are simply brushed over.

This is Jacob Tremblay’s movie and he plays the role of Auggie to perfection. He showcased his skill as an actor in Room and knocks it out of the park once again in this picture. Auggie himself is a really intriguing character and the reason why this tale works so well. He is burdened by his appearance and the way it makes others feel, yet he has so much energy and love, which affects his family and friends around him. I was really astounded at the effect the character had on me!

Izabela Vidovic plays Auggie’s sister Oliva ‘Via’ Pullman, adding another astounding performance to this adaptation. I only had one problem with Via’s arc, bringing me back to what I mentioned before about unfinished side-stories. Along the first 30 to 40 minutes we get to see what the Pullman family is like from Olivia’s eyes, as well as opening up to the viewer about feeling sidelined. That arc is never closed though.

Julia Roberts is as always phenomenal; her appearance as Isabel Pullman was charismatic and empathetic and Owen Wilson gives one of his best performances since Midnight in Paris. The way he went on to play Nate Pullman was warm and relatable, teaching Auggie about how the world works and giving him advice. He also has impeccable chemistry with Roberts but what I did respect the most, is that both actors never tried to steal the show from Jacob Tremblay, knowing that he is the star of this drama.

Wonder looks simple but gorgeous from a cinematographic standpoint. It contains a couple of scenes that use camera-trickery, which I found to be highly effective. These are when Auggie fantasizes about being someone else while being at school, especially during his first day. The sequences playing in reality, are more centred on Auggie with the other children staring at him, blurred into the background. Those that play in his fantasy are wider shots that include Auggie and his schoolmates. I also liked the colours used, they are strong and vivid and don’t get me started on the great job done by the makeup department.

Verdict: For a drama, this is one hell of a feel-good flick! The plot, adapted from R.J. Palacio’s novel, has a beautiful and important message about perception and interior ugliness that resides in each one of us. The narrative, but especially the characters, managed to pull heavily at my heartstrings and the performances by Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson are some of the best I have seen in awhile. The true stars, though, are the child actors who are all tremendous, especially the performance by Jacob Tremblay. The only issues I have, are the downplaying of some of the book’s dramatic points as well as the arcs of some of the side characters, which aren’t properly rounded up. This is one of the better book adaptations I have seen in recent years, which is why I will give Wonder a 9 out of 10.

If you haven’t seen this film yet than do me a favour and go see it in cinemas. It is worth your time! Thank you for reading and if you enjoyed this review, don’t forget to like and share.

Top Movies – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Movie Review (Spoiler Free) – Movie Reviews Sites

Original, absolutely hilarious, shockingly brutal and yet so spontaneous. McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a thrilling ride of rage and sarcasm!

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Director: Martin McDonagh

Cast: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Lucas Hedges, Caleb Landry Jones, Peter Dinklage, Abbie Cornish, Kerry Condon, John Hawkes, Darrell Britt-Gibson, Amanda Warren, Samara Weaving & Zeljko Ivanek.

Run Time: 115 min.

US Release: 10 November 2017

UK Release: 12 January 2018

German Release: 25 January 2018

It’s Oscar time, which means that the rest of the world living outside the US gets to see all the good movies in theatres, and this is one of them! Going into the screening I knew nothing about Three Billboards, as I stayed away from trailers and other reviews but what I couldn’t get away from, was the hype this film building. So I was naturally nervous because my expectation rocketed through the roof. In the end, though, it surprised the hell out of me; especially by going in without knowing exactly what Three Billboard was all about. This is a motion picture that will surprise even the biggest cinephiles, as it follows no specific story or structure. It is even better if you go in without watching any trailers or spoil yourself with vital information, which is why this review will be completely spoiler free!

Martin McDonagh, director of the fantastic In Bruges, is writer and regisseur of this darkly comedic drama, managing to create something that has been unseen as of yet. Driven by absolute anger and despair, Mildred Hayes (McDormand) rents three billboards standing on a small road in Ebbing, Missouri. The town police and its people soon start campaigning against those placards, with Sheriff Willoughby (Harrelson) trying to bring some sense to the middle-aged mother. While mean, Willoughby’s second-in-command Officer Dixon (Rockwell) starts his own movement against the billboards.

The plot is, among others, one of the strongest points this movie has. It contains an original idea, has a unique way of telling the story and is completely unprecedented in the paths it chooses to take. Although that same combination did not fair well for last week’s Downsizing, this black comedy uses it successfully as it still follows a story. McDonagh does not shy away from showing small-town life in the US in all its colourful facets, which makes the overall effectiveness of the narration so successful. The bleak and sometimes macabre comedy merges really well with the more dramatic aspects of the film. All of these attributes let the story flow incredibly frantic but natural.

I couldn’t help notice, though, that the plot has some issues as well. The resolution at the end is not satisfying enough, which did make me yearn for a longer runtime, to be able to give the audience a much deserved better ending.

The dialogues, on the other hand, are some of the boldest I have heard in a movie for a long time, which makes it equally one of the best. None of the talks between characters are censored, out of fear of political correctness; everything said and done reflects the mentality of the people living in that small fictional town. It is also the dialogue that carries most of the morbid comedy. I really do applaud the director, for having the balls to write it.

Frances McDormand, one of the great actresses in Hollywood, has given her best performance in this piece. She plays Mildred Hayes, a mother and divorced wife, who went through several traumas in her life. McDormand reflected all of the pain and suffering, as well as the persona’s inner struggle, perfectly by just handing out devious looks. Mildred can come off as a real pain in societies butt, still, there is a reason for her cold facade and sarcastic comments, she is a broken woman trying to regain a little bit of control over her life.

The character of Dixon, portrayed by Sam Rockwell, is one of the scummiest cops I have seen in a film. He is everything you don’t want to see in an officer of the law; a racist and bigot mother’s boy, who uses his badge to assault people for no reason. Rockwell did a great acting job, really the only issue I have with Dixon is not due to his performance but rather the fast-paced redemption that the character is given.

Woody Harrelson is as always grand. There is nothing I could say about his performance, that wouldn’t do the man enough justice! His role is complex and managed to amaze me with character twists I didn’t see coming, and that is all I will say about him. Finally, I want to pay recognition to Peter Dinklage, who just as the rest of the cast gave a magnificent performance.

The cinematography is pretty much contrasting the storytelling and Ben Davis did a wonderful job as director of photography. The movie consists just of steady shots, which oppose the disarrayed life of the town’s folk in Ebbing, and makes for a fantastic balance. It is beautiful to look at, with its panoramic takes and the wide shots. I also noticed that McDonagh did not include many close-ups, focusing more on the town as a whole, rather than one single inhabitant. I had no issue whatsoever with the way this piece of art was filmed and cut!

Verdict: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is a tour de force, using the character’s emotions of anger and helplessness to drive the narration forward. Each minute was a surprise, as the story doesn’t follow a straight path and the raw and unexpurgated small-town life is displayed in all its details. A big portion of the backstory is told through these billboards, which is absolutely unique storytelling. In fact, this complete motion picture was original. All performances are marvellous, with McDormand, Rockwell and Harrelson leading the impeccable cast; especially McDormand, who gives the greatest performance of her career. The dialogues are uncomfortable to hear at times but nevertheless brilliant, as they are the source of much of the comedy. There are a few aspects that could have been better realised but overall this is an exceptional film that deserves an 8 out of 10.

Have you seen McDonagh’s new picture yet? What did you think of it? Leave a comment below and if you liked this review don’t forget to share it with friends and family. Thank you very much for reading!

Top Movies – Darkest Hour Movie Review (Spoiler Free) – Movie Reviews Sites

A powerful biographical film, depicting the first month of Churchill’s tenure as Prime Minister. Gary Oldman is brilliant and the supporting cast couldn’t be stronger!

Genre: Biography/Drama/War

Director: Joe Wright

Cast: Gary Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Lily James, Ben Mendelsohn, Ronald Pickup, Stephen Dillane, Nicholas Jones, Samuel West & David Schofield.

Run Time: 125 min.
US Release: 22 December 2017

UK Release: 12 January 2018

German Release: 18 January 2018

This is a biopic I was really looking forward to seeing in theatres since the first trailer hit the net. I need to confess that I am not the biggest fan of World War II movies, as it is a topic that has been chewed on for years and I do believe that there is little left we have not seen until now. A biography about Churchill, though, is something entirely different! It is a historical figure that I am in interested in, playing during the first month of his first term as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, a topic I simply could not pass on, especially with Gary Oldman in the lead role.

May 1940, British parliament is torn and the opposing Labour Party demands the resignation of PM Chamberlain (Pickup). Winston Churchill (Oldman) is chosen as his successor because he is the only man other parties will accept, even though he is not trusted by King George VI (Mendelsohn) and his own party. Meanwhile, the Nazi forces move across Europe, invading most of the western and eastern countries. With the threat of invasion imminent, Churchill must decide if to enter peace negotiations or stay firm against tyranny.

The only issue I have with Darkest Hour, and this is just minor nitpicking, is the fact that the story doesn’t show us anything different. At its core, it still is a re-telling of the events that occurred during the 1940’s, which we have seen so many times before. What is new, however, is the point of view we get it told from because while the Second World War is the central component of the plot, the focus lies on Churchill himself; focusing on the type of person he was and how he treated his family and the people that surrounded him. This angle in storytelling made for some surprisingly emotional moments that managed to squeeze a tear or two out of my eyes.

This film also gave a pretty decent inside look of the English parliament and the circus it can become when Labour and Tories are at each other’s throats. Equally, the audience obtains an inside view of the interior friction within the Tory party during that period. But what truly makes this a grand history epos is the little moments displayed in Churchill’s life. His discussions between the Prime Minister and his wife, who gave him strength, as well as the small chats with his assistant, who believed in him strongly. These components reminded me of another biopic, that being Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln

Gary Oldman was phenomenal as Winston Churchill! This is one of the best performances I have seen from him and he had given quite a few of them in his career. He won the Golden Globe for best actor rightly so, and it would be a shame if the Academy didn’t nominate him for an Oscar. His adaptation of Churchill’s speech patterns and mannerisms are perfect, in fact, while watching this film I never saw Oldman playing a role, but rather the great Prime Minister himself on screen. The picture does glorify the character but it also doesn’t shy away to show his rougher side. Churchill was a man with a short fuse and no patience, and we get to see those traits a lot, although, we also get to see some surprisingly softer nuances of his personality. These came to shine mostly during scenes with his wife.

Kristin Scott Thomas plays Churchill’s wife Clementine, Winston’s voice of reason and the only person that can calm his temper. He confides in her and she advises him on social engagement. Scott Thomas is warm and lovely, giving a marvellous rendition of the woman.

I am most impressed with Lily James, though, who plays Churchill’s new secretary Elizabeth Layton. At first timid and afraid of the Prime Minister, her character makes a grand development, becoming one of the Churchill’s most trusted advisors.

I need to give props to the makeup artist team, especially Kazuhiro Tsuji who worked on Oldman’s prosthetics, transforming him into Winston Churchill. The world looks fantastically true to the early 1940’s and that was mostly thanks to the set stages, costume designs and the design production. Cinematographically, it was simple but effective. The close-ups and different wide-shots heightened the sense of urgency and drama. One of my favourite scenes is when Churchill meets with King George VI; the room is dark, except for two windows letting in beams of light from the outside. Both characters are standing on those two beams, opposing each other, with nothing but shadow between them.

Verdict: The Darkest Hour is a well-directed, dramatic biopic, which depicts one of the biggest influential UK politicians, as well as a period that was most critical in British history. The speeches are historically correct and the plot interesting, since it focuses on Churchill as a human being, rather than using that historical figure to tell “another” World War II story. Gary Oldman is as brilliant as ever, carrying the film nearly by himself. Kristin Scott Thomas is wonderful as Clementine and Lily James gives her best performance to date. I was truly impressed by all the renditions! The makeup and costume design looked great, with Kazuhiro’s prosthetic mask of Churchill being the tip of the iceberg. The cinematography was good; especially the desaturated colour palette that complemented the period the movie played in. I’ll give The Darkest Hour an 8.5 out of 10.

I can only advise you to go see this biographical drama! Thank you for reading my review and if you enjoyed it, give it a like and share it with friends.

Top Movies – Downsizing Movie Review (Spoiler Free) – Movie Reviews Sites

January finally shows its ugly face! Payne’s sci-fi satire is lukewarm at best, a shame because the subject had so much potential!

Genre: Comedy/Drama/Sci-Fi

Director: Alexander Payne

Cast: Matt Damon, Christoph Waltz, Hong Chau, Udo Kier, Kristen Wiig, Jason Sudeikis, Rolf Lassgård, Ingjerd Egeberg, Maribeth Monroe, James Van Der Beek, Jayne Houdyshell & Neil Patrick Harris.
Run Time: 135 min.

US Release: 22 December 2017

UK Release: 24 January 2018

German Release: 18 January 2018

So, I went to watch this movie due to the aggressive marketing that was splattered all over Munich. I saw the first trailer at every other showing from September last year until January, as well as it being constantly played on YouTube. Then came the posters, which were plastered all around the city and I need to confess that all of those marketing schemes worked on me. The trailer looked funny, offering something new and unique, and the fact that Christoph Waltz participated in it practically sold me. Then came the day of the screening.

Occupational therapist Paul Safranek (Damon) desperately tries to give his wife Audrey (Wiig) the life she deserves. He is a good guy, helping his neighbourhood and co-workers with health issues, and always tries to keep a positive attitude. When he meets an old friend (Sudeikis) of his who underwent a new medical procedure known as “downsizing”, Paul realises that he can do something good for the world and afford a better lifestyle all at once.

This dramatic satire starts intriguing, if not a little slow. It explains how and for what reason “downsizing” is developed in the near future and how the people gradually come to accept it. As fun as it is to see that first half, I must admit that it could have been filmed and edited more compact. From the moment Paul gets downsized, though, this movie becomes a total bore! The narrative path it follows the first hour is completely abandoned, trying to be too many things at once and none of these at the same time. The core message of this sci-fi comedy is constantly shifting, making it a structural mess with no clear trail.

The whole premise had a lot of potential and could have flourished under a better script. For instance, even though I admire that Payne did not make the size issue the plot’s sole focus such as it is in many other films, that element is criminally underused. Matters such as climate and overpopulation are touched upon but never really explored, yet the dialogue beats you over the head with it during the first, and especially during the third act. All in all, the story is nothing more than strings of “what if’s” and “maybe’s”; a frustrating and disappointing way to entertain an audience!

There are a lot of big names attached to this project, amongst others Kristen Wiig and Jason Sudeikis. Funny enough, the people they play are nothing more than mere side characters. I also find it very stereotypical the way Europeans and Asians are represented. While I know it is meant to be a humorous aspect of the plot, it rather comes off as annoying, shameless and a little bit insulting.

Matt Damon does a good job of portraying Paul Safranek, an Everyman the audience the viewers can connect with. While I have no issue with Damon’s performance, I do have a problem with the way his character was written. Safranek is a person who is amazed by each new thing happening in the world since his life is in contrast rather bland and uneventful. He tries to be a good human being by helping those that are in pain but also wants a life of luxury he can’t afford. It is this characterisation of the typical man that gets caught in an irregular situation that does not work for the film, as Damon’s role underperforms next to Waltz’s and Chau’s.

Hong Chau plays Ngoc Lan Tran, a Vietnamese refugee who shows Paul the ugly side of the small people’s village Leisureland. She is supposed to be the voice of reason of the main character, by opening his eyes and pushing him on a self-finding path. Narrative issued arise, as Chau’s acting overshadows that of Damon’s and disturbs the balance of the story. I can see why she was nominated for a Golden Globe, even though I found her to be irritating at first she managed to grow on me at the end. Still, I can understand why the persona of Lan Tran is not liked by a lot of viewers.

Christoph Waltz’s performance also knocks it out of the park and his character, although despicable and partially unlikeable, is the second most interesting character after Ngoc Lan Tran. Again, this causes a feeling of unevenness when watching this picture, as we are supposed to be interested in the main person.

The cinematography is the only redeeming aspect of this picture. The colour palette varies from different sterile whites to vibrant neon-colours and each of them represents a different stage of the film’s story. The few jokes about size difference are told through visual interpretation and the wide shots displaying the urban, or natural, sceneries are gorgeously vivid. This is a beautiful movie to look at, a shame that the rest of it is underwhelming. I have just one issue concerning the effects. Once normal and small sized people are shown together on screen, there is obvious computer trickery going on.

Verdict: In all honesty, I don’t see the appeal of Downsizing. Director and co-writer Alexander Payne managed to waste what could have been a remarkable comedic sci-fi drama. The plot begins interesting but turns absolutely dull during its second half, and drags from beginning to end. The story does not explore any of the aspects it sets-up, brushing mildly over them and then jumping to something else, same goes for the characters, which are barely developed at all. Paul Safranek, the main character, is a nice Everyman with a boring personality; he is in fact so boring that the side characters steal most of his show. The only part of the movie that I believe to be extraordinary is the cinematography and for that reason, I will grant it a 4 out of 10.

Let me save you money and time; this is not a film you want to go watch in theatres. If you already did see this, leave a comment below and let me know what you thought of Downsizing. Thank you very much for reading my review and if you liked it, don’t forget to give it a thumbs up!

Top Movies – The Commuter Movie Review (Spoiler Free) – Movie Reviews Sites

A criminal conspiracy on a train, an insurance salesman with a particular set of skills and a lazily written plot that includes a horrible supporting cast. Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke!

Genre: Action/Thriller

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra

Cast: Liam Neeson, Jonathan Banks, Andy Nyman, Roland Møller, Florence Pugh, Clara Lago Colin McFarlane, Adam Nagaitis, Shazad Latif, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Zaak Conway, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Ella-Rae Smith, Killian Scott, Sam Neill, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth McGovern, Dean-Charles Chapman & Vera Farmiga.
Run Time: 105 min.

US Release: 12 January 2018

UK Release: 19 January 2018

German Release: 11 January 2018

From the director of Run All Night, Non-Stop and Unknown, comes the fourth entry in the Liam Neeson action-thriller series. Until now I had no real problems with any of those flicks, I enjoyed all of them, as they had something unique to give, even though the plots had been similar to other action hits. With The Commuter, however, I started experiencing Liam Neeson fatigue while sitting through half of its runtime. It’s not that he is terrible, but after watching three films that star the same actor and is directed by the same man, you can’t help but feeling that you have seen it all before.

Michael McCauley (Neeson) is an insurance agent and commutes daily from his home in the outskirts, into the city and back. A mysterious stranger (Farmiga) approaches him and offers $100,000 if he identifies a passenger on the train before the last stop. Realising that he is caught in the middle of a deadly cat and mouse game, with the life of his family and the other commuters at risk, McCauley works against time to find that one passenger.

Sitting through The Commuter felt as if watching two different stories stitched into one movie. The opening sequence showing McCauley’s daily routine in quick cuts is absolutely astonishing and very effective. The flick keeps one invested during the first 20-30 minutes until the scene with Vera Farmiga ends. From there on, the plot changes to a spy-esq thriller that reminds a little of Strangers on a Train and Murder on the Orient Express, but without the gripping tension. From there on each scene becomes more ridiculous, even rehashing elements of Collet-Serra’s previous action blockbuster Non-Stop.

The narration tries to keep the viewer guessing who the bad guys, behind the conspiracy that is going on, are. I figured out who one of them was around the middle. Worst of all, the film ends on a huge weak note that manages to drag it down into the pits of forgetfulness. The dialogue is also very weak, especially once the cat and mouse game ensues. None of the lines sound like actual conversations between people, there is no natural flow and each talk becomes cheesier by the minute.

The dialogue is not the only issue this movie has. None of the characters, especially the larger supporting cast, behaved like normal persons and the quality of their performances was partially atrocious. It is obvious that writers Byron Willinger and Philip de Blasi were trying to represent the different subcultures of this age’s New York, and while that is a noble try, it was the acting of that supporting cast playing those different people, which brought the movie down to a substandard level.

Michael McCauley is a family man with a wife and a son. He works for an insurance company, taking the train every day from the suburbs to New York. He is befriended with most daily commuters on his line and gives them advice on problems they have. This brings me to the biggest gripe I have with the character because as things start going down, Michael does not react compassionate or shocked, when some of the people he knows get hurt. Liam Neeson basically impersonates the persona he usually does in these films. He is a man with a past that gave him a particular set of skills, but truly, there is nothing groundbreaking about Michael McCauley that we haven’t seen in other characters as of yet.

Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson where barley on camera, even though both are starring in this movie. Their added screen time would not even amount to ten minutes. Then there are Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Karen McCauley, and Dean-Charles Chapman as Danny McCauley (and also played Tommen in Game of Thrones). Both their performances are unforgivably bad.

Paul Cameron, director of photography for this movie, has done a good job. The fantastic opening surprised me, consisting of those quick cuts that show McCauley’s routine life, and I was especially mesmerized by the Grand Central Station sequence at the end of the opening. Collet-Serra makes use of interesting angles inside the train, which compile to some really beautiful looking shots. The one scene I did not like was a sped-up, fake “one-shot”, of a fight in an empty wagon. Then there was also a CGI heavy scene close to the end, which looked absolutely horrific.

Verdict: In a nutshell, this action-thriller does have quite a few things going for it. The opening sequence looks fantastic and informs the audience via quick shots of the main characters daily life. I was invested in this man’s story for the first 20 to 30 minutes, as he is a down-on-luck everyday man, trying to keep him and his family above water. I liked quite a few of the shots and editing styles in this flick, as well as the colour palette used but that is about it. Problems, directorial and script-wise, arise as soon as the thrill-ride begins. The dialogue goes down the drain, the action sequences become more and more ludicrous, there is no character development and the ending is a complete let-down. One can’t shake the feeling to have seen all of this before but done much better, which is why I am giving The Commuter a 5.5 out of 10.

Thank you for reading this review. If you enjoyed reading it, please like and share it and leave a comment below if you want to add something.

Top Movies – Your Name (Kimi no Na Wa) – Spoiler Free Movie Review – Movie Reviews Sites

Incredibly detailed, beautifully drawn and handsomely written. This anime is already one of my favourites of the year!

Original Title: 君の名は。(Kimi no Na Wa)

Genre: Animation/Drama/Fantasy/Romance

Director: Makoto Shinkai

Cast: Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Masami Nagasawa, Etsuko Ichihara, Ryô Narita, Aoi Yūki, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Kaito Ishikawa, Kanon Tani, Masaki Terasoma, Sayaka Ohara, Kazuhiko Inoue & Kana Hanazawa.

Run Time: 106 min.

Japan Release: 26 August 2016

US Release: 7 April 2017

German Release: 11 January 2018

Your Name is the latest film from Japanese director Makoto Shinkai and an anime that I was longing to see since it became an international sensation last year. A shame, as Germany is the last country to release this picture in theatres. On the other hand, I was rewarded for my patience with one of the most beautiful romantic-comedies I have seen in a very long time. Kimi no Na Wa is not just one of the most exceptional anime I have ever seen, it is by far one of the best movies I have seen to date!

I wanted to review anime on this blog for quite some time, as it is one of my favourite categories in motion picture and television. I grew up watching Ganbare! Kikkāzu, Captain Tsubasa, Attack No. 1, Sailor Moon and of course the Dragonball series, before and after school. Leaving this screening I could not have been more pleased and grateful, for this to be the first anime to be reviewed on my blog.

Kimi no Na Wa is based on Shinkai’s novel of the same name and intertwines a lot of themes into one of the best stories I have seen on the silver screen. Shinkai centres the plot on the human urge to “search for something, someone” and thus manages to reach a large percentage of its audience, as we all have felt disconnected from society at some point. It is not only that urge of finding something or someone, though that entices the viewer. He also reflects the setting, society, family values, and traditions, in which his movie plays to perfection, making this a richly emotional tale with unending depths that packs a powerful punch, breaking my heart and peacing it back together several times.

Incredibly unique is the way in which this romance is displayed, as we experience the story through the eyes of two teenagers that swap bodies every now and then. Let me assure you that this is not the typical teenage-drama displayed in so many American rom-coms, but an emotionally mature film that manages to balance comedy and drama like nothing I saw before. Shinkai mixes grounded reality and dream-like fantasy (The cold and concrete city of Tokyo vs. The warmth and mystery of the countryside) gorgeously and enforced my own longing, to go visit Japan and experience its culture and people.

I would recommend watching this movie in Japanese, with subtitles, as the language is very complex and passionate. I made the experience early on that a lot of anime lose meaning when being dubbed into different languages, and Your Name lays a lot of weight on the dialogue. The voice-acting of Ryûnosuke Kamiki and Mone Kamishiraishi is perfect, one can sense them having fun during the comedic aspects of the plot while switching suave to a more emotional tone, when the drama is amped-up.

Both main characters are relatable and vastly likeable and have a chemistry that is off the charts. Taki Tachibana – voiced by Kamiki – is a high school teenager living in Tokyo. He has friends, works after school and is a talented artist. Yet something is missing in his life. He does not know what it is but he is searching for it drastically. Mitsuha Miyamizu – voiced by Kamishiraishi – is a high school girl living in the fictional town of Itomori, but dreams of leaving town and living a big life in Tokyo. When these two, highly contrasting characters, are connected through a shocking experience of body swapping, they learn of each other’s lives and try to help each other out without knowing each other that well.

The animation in Your Name is another component that makes this movie so unforgettable. Makoto Shinkai used real-life location as inspiration and drew them, using a mix of traditional and modern cel animation. This gave the picture that breathtaking composition of realism and fantasy. I was especially impressed by Shinkai’s eye for detail, which makes every frame look as if it is a living organism with purpose. This film is proof that 2D animation is far from being a dead form of art, even beating some of the best computer animated flicks.

Finally, the music for this romantic-comedy was just as powerful as the narration itself. In fact, the score managed to be the braid that bound the story’s raw emotions with the audience. The piano and string instrument pieces are hauntingly beautiful and suit the emotional spectrum of each scene, while the three songs; Dream Lantern, Zen Zen Zense and Sparkle pack an unprecedented punch. The music was the icing on a delicious cake!

Verdict: I was blown away by this anime, emotionally as well as visually, and felt revitalised after the screening. The plot is unconventional and fresh, telling the story of two star-crossed lovers through body swapping. The dialogue and core message are full of passion and reach deep, spiritual depths. The two main characters are very likeable and the voice acting is fantastic. The animation is gorgeous and out-of-this-world, while the soundtrack compliments the stories emotional beats. Honestly, there is not one bit I found to be wrong with this movie! To conclude my review I would like to quote a friend of mine, who watched this film with me and explained in words what I felt when the credits were rolling: “I have been watching a lot of different anime lately, making it routine. But this reminded me why I love the genre.” That is the reason why Your Name deserves a 10 out of 10.

I implore everyone, who read this review, to give it a try. Even if you have never seen an anime before or aren’t a big fan of the genre. I promise, if you are a fan of the art of filmmaking and enjoy well-written and directed movies, you will love Kimi no Na Wa!

Top Movies – The Greatest Showman Movie Review (Spoiler Free) – Movie Reviews Sites

Well choreographed dance scenes, catchy songs and a lot of gloss turn The Greatest Showman into a fun time at theatres but it ultimately fails to impress, as this musical has neither depth nor soul.

Genre: Biopic/Drama/Musical/Romance

Director: Michael Gracey

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Ellis Rubin, Skylar Dunn, Michelle Williams, Austyn Johnson, Cameron Seely, Sam Humphrey, Keala, Settle Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Zendaya, Paul Sparks, Zac Efron, Gayle Rankin, Eric Anderson & Fredric Lehne.

Run Time: 105 min.

US Release: 20 December 2017

UK Release: 26 December 2017

German Release: 04 January 2018

I have stated several times before, in other reviews, that I am not the greatest fan of musical pictures. For one part, I seldom can connect to the story and characters but then there is also the fact that if done wrong, no matter how good the actors are, they always come out looking like fools. That is not to say that I can’t respect a musical if it is good. Done well, no matter if it appealed to me personally or not, I will give it a good rating, and there have been quite a few ones in the past that not only captivated me but were darn good movies in general. I am talking about films like Les Miserable, La La Land or the Disney live-action adaptations (and don’t get me talking about their fantastic animations).

I was really looking forward to seeing The Greatest Showman in theatres and couldn’t wait for it to be released here in Germany. My interest for it was raised, when I saw that it polarised critics and audiences. When the credits rolled, though, I left the cinema with an empty and disappointed feeling, due to the following reasons…

This has been promoted as being a shiny and polished biographical sing-a-long picture, about P.T. Barnum. I would rather say that it took B.T. Barnum’s showmanship as an idea and presented that on screen because in no way is this a biography. I am not saying that it should have followed Barnum’s true-life story to a beat, but to completely rewrite this man’s history and personality, just to create a PG family-friendly flick, is in my opinion wrong.

The weakest aspect this flick has is the story and development of its characters. It is overstuffed with subsidiary-narrations, popping up left and right but never explored and thus missing its chance of creating an emotionally deep plot. The trailer sells it as being a film about the relationship between P.T. Barnum and the “freaks” he employees, but that aspect of the story is just being glanced over quickly, while focusing fast on the next catchy song and Barnum’s following step in his business. Wrong choices that were made by Barnum are being solved in the last 15 minutes, using a lame apologetic song to which everything he did is forgotten and forgiven. The plot does not even focus on Barnum’s chequered past, but rather sells his persona as having been that of a charming sly fox.

It does have one positive quality narrative-wise, being the fact that this musical does manage to properly entertain, even if it is at a very shallow level. The Greatest Showman is a perfect throwaway film to watch with the family at matinee times.

Hugh Jackman is as charismatic as ever, playing B.T. Barnum. He gives a good performance and is very likeable but that is also part of the problem, as the personality of Barnum is diluted to that of a friendly scoundrel, who cheats banks into giving him loans for his businesses ideas. His relationship with his wife Charity is used as a springboard to explain his motivation to become successful. Michelle Williams, who portrays Charity, gives a very strong and believable performance as the voice of reason that Barnum ignores. Her role, however, is sidelined in the second act and demoted to nothing more than a side character.

Then there are the characters of Zac Efron and Zendaya, who are completely fictional. Efron’s Phillip Carlyle is a composite character, partially based on Barnum’s partner James Anthony Bailey, while Zendaya plays the beautiful trapeze artist Anne Wheeler. Both give amazing performances, especially Efron, and their chemistry is good but I was disappointed at the amount of attention this flick gives the two most attractive persons of the circus. The focus should have been equally split between their growing relationship and the bond that formed between all circus performers, as they were outcasts of society.

Rebecca Ferguson was possibly the weakest link in this ensemble of stars. She portrayed the “Swedish Nightingale” Jenny Lind and her character was dismissed just as fast as being introduced. I wish that her music-act would have been more in terms of that periodic timeline, than the modern pop song we obtained.

Gracey and director of photography Seamus McGarvey made use of some very unique shots for this film, that added to the awe and wonder of Barnum’s mystical world, and most of this musical feels as if it was performed on stage, thanks to the cinematography. What bugged me was the computer imagery, which is lacking in quality, especially when used on background scenery. The animals (tigers and elephants) that were shown at the end of the movie, also looked unrealistic.

Every musical stands or falls with the songs and music picked and performed by its actors, and The Greatest Showman does contain a number of impressive vocal performances and catchy numbers, developed by La La Land’s Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. In fact, this managed to successfully do what 2013th Great Gatsby miserably failed to, and that is to merge modern music with a period piece. The only issue with the music is that, since the story was incredibly shallow, the songs that were meant to carry most of the emotional weight, fell flat.

Verdict: I am extremely torn about The Greatest Showman, on one hand, it is a movie that manages to entertain at an incredible level, no questions there. On the other hand, it doesn’t have to offer much else; there are no memorable scenes or dialogues and while the songs are catchy, they lose all meaning once you leave the theatre. A shame, because all the performances are great and one can feel the joy that these actors brought to the set while filming. This is a musical that should have worked but the lousy written plot, as well as the watering down of P.T. Barnum’s persona and the emotional shallowness, brought it down to sheer mediocracy. This is why, as much as it pains me to write it, I can’t give this movie more than a 5 out of 10.

If you are looking for an enjoyable flick to go see with your family and don’t mind singing, by all means, go in the morning and be entertained. For all of those that are looking for a quality movie, with depth and meaning, I recommend you better pass on this musical.

Top Movies – Insidious: The Last Key Movie Review (Spoiler Free) – Movie Reviews Sites

The fourth entry of this horror-mystery series surprises with tragic events but disappoints with bad comedic moments.

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Director: Adam Robitel

Cast: Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Ava Kolker, Josh Steward, Tessa Ferrer, Pierce Pope, Kirk Acevedo, Hanna Hayes, Thomas Robie, Caitlin Gerard, Spencer Locke, Bruce Davison & Javier Botet.

Run Time: 103 min.

US Release: 05 January 2018

UK Release: 12 January 2018

German Release: 04 January 2018

The first movie for me to review this new year and it is a horror film. We all know what that usually means… Hollywood is dumping their garbage on us and yet, there is something about the Insidious franchise that did let me hope this might be more than just a quick cash grab with jump scares. I am a fan of the Insidious series; the first one was great, personally, I thought that the second was even better and the third one was okay, which is saying something for a horror franchise. So, I went to see this in theatres, cautious but still expecting more than the average January dump, and I am happy to report that Insidious: The Last Key is as good as the third chapter.

The plot takes place chronologically between the third and first flick and concentrates on the childhood home of the medium Elise Rainier (Shaye). Her family was haunted during her childhood by a demon that returns to torment the new owner (Acevedo) of the house. Elise decides to help the man, with the help of her two partners Specs and Tucker, confronting the ghosts of her past.

I’ll begin with the biggest gripe I have with this horror flick, which is the humour. The characters of Specs and Tucker always served as a form of comic relief in this franchise, and while their humoristic interaction and dialogues worked well in the first two movies because it was tertiary to the plot and horror aspects, the comedy started becoming more of a secondary focus in the third chapter. Here it is annoying and really cringeworthy, as it doesn’t mesh well with the darker and more dramatic horror elements.

Still, the narrative is all right for the largest part. What makes the Insidious films so satisfactory, is its formula that always consisted of a family drama surrounded by horror components, and this new installment follows that receipt to the beat. This is not the typical dumb teenager gory slasher that nearly every horror flick is nowadays, but rather an adult and competently written paranormal story. There might be a little more drama that overweighs the horror element this time around but it is effective nonetheless, even if the beginning does drag a little.

This fourth installment rests entirely on Lin Shaye’s shoulders, as it is the story of her character, Elise Rainier, and her family’s tragic past that left a traumatic mark on Elise. Shaye, who usually played a secondary role in the other movies, was amazing as the lead character and brought more depth to the usually cryptic and mysterious Elise. I also want to note that the two child actors, who played the young and teenage Elise did a good job.

Then there are the characters of Specs and Tucker, played by Leigh Whannell (who wrote the script for this film and directed the third Insidious chapter) and Angus Sampson respectively. I never really had anything against both of them; they lighten up Elise’s dark world full of ghosts and are generally likeable personas… maybe not so much Tucker. In this film, though, both of them are extremely annoying, while at the same time being of much help to Elise, a mixed bag so to say. There was also a short romantic subplot for Specs, which did not really fit into the story and felt awkward as well as forced.

The Demon is the weakest of the characters, a fact that came as a bit of a surprise for me because the entities in these flicks are usually very terrifying. Here though, it appears in its complete form during the third act and doesn’t look or act that menacing after all. It was rather the people under the spell of that demon that was truly frightening.

Adam Robitel did a good and efficient job of directing this movie. The horror sequences are well shot; in fact, Robitel and cinematographer Toby Oliver manage to induce a claustrophobic atmosphere to a lot of the scary sequences. One of the most effective scenes includes a couple of suitcases dumped into a ventilation shaft and while this flick does rely heavily on jump scares, there is not one that was a false. The special effects are okay, but since most of this picture plays in the dark it isn’t really an issue.

Verdict: In the end, The Last Key is an all right horror flick, especially when considering that it is the fourth chapter of a franchise. The story is intriguing, even though the beginning can drag a little until something truly scary happens. Lin Shaye is terrific in her lead role, managing to carry the film by herself and the cinematography and effects are good enough. What drags this film down are the characters of Specs and Tucker and their unfunny dialogues, as well as the build-up to a romance that doesn’t feel natural at all. Other than that, this fourth Insidious movie is a good enough, and possibly last part of the series. Due to that reason I will give Insidious: The Last Key a 7.0 out of 10.

If you liked the previous Insidious movies you will probably like this one, otherwise I would recommend you stay away from this film. Thank you for reading my review and if you liked it, please share and give it a thumbs up.

Top Movies – Star Wars: The Last Jedi Movie Review (Spoiler Free) – Movie Reviews Sites

Director Rian Johnson pays a lot of homage to previous Star Wars installments, while also breaking with tradition. The Last Jedi is very unconventional but entrancing.

Genre: Action/Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Director: Rian Johnson

Cast:Daisy Ridley, Mark Hamill, Oscar Isaac, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Kelly Marie Tran, Domhnall Gleeson Andy Serkis, Andy Serkis, Anthony Daniels, Joonas Suotamo, Laura Dern, Gwendoline Christie, Frank Oz, Benicio del Toro & Carrie Fisher.

Run Time: 152 min.

US Release: 15 December 2017

UK Release: 14 December 2017

German Release: 14 December 2017

Well here is something I didn’t expect… I actually needed to go see this sci-fi flick twice, before being able to make up my mind about The Last Jedi. This is a new situation for me because until now I either loved a Star Wars film or simply disliked it. This new installment in the franchise, though, takes the plot into an unfamiliar direction and plays with the nostalgic formula we obtained in The Force Awakens, making it work for the longest part but also included aspects that didn’t fit into the story and dragged. So ladies and gentlemen, put on your helmets, jump into your X-Wing fighters and let me tour you through my review of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

The film begins where the last one ended. The First Order, having decimated most planets of the New Republic with the Starkiller base in The Force Awakens, is now hunting down what remains of the Resistance. Poe Dameron (Isaac) and Princess Leia (Fisher) are struggling to escape from Snoke’s (Serkis) fleet. Whilemean Rey (Ridley) found Luke (Hamill) and asks him to return with her and stand against his former pupil Kylo Ren (Driver). But the old Jedi is not what she expected and that is all I will say about the plot.

The story has Rian Johnson’s fingerprints all over it but that isn’t a bad thing, as he took the liberty to guide the narrative into directions that were unexplored in any previous Star Wars installment. Usually, all Star Wars movies follow a simple formula and thus are predictable plot-wise. In this film, though, there was never one moment in which I knew the outcome of a sequence and that gives The Last Jedi a sense of freshness, which I loved when watching it. Johnson uses a lot of visual references from The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, to build the tale around it but ultimately breaks with tradition, which I found a ballsy and intriguing move, contrary to other hardcore Star Wars fans.

The tone of the story varies from light-hearted to dark and serious but it is always infused with humour, which at times works fabulously and other times is completely misplaced and cringeworthy. My biggest grudge with The Last Jedi though, is a side arc – about 30 minutes long – that really slows down the pacing to a near stop. There are also a couple of inconsistencies in a few scenes, but nothing major that would distract from the plot. In the end, this new installment has a solid narrative with a few hiccups here and there.

Moving away from the story and focusing on the different characters, this Star Wars sequel managed to create amazing new arcs for some of the beloved personas of the franchise, while also disappointing at developing some good backgrounds for some of the second-class level characters.

Mark Hamill was fantastic! It was so good to see him as Luke in a Star Wars movie again. Master Luke has gone through a traumatising experience while building a new doctrine of Jedi, in fact, it hit him so hard that he went into hiding, becoming extremely bitter with the Jedi and his failure as a teacher. Daisy Ridley also returns as Rey and just as in the previous film, her charisma and positive aura define her character. We find out a little more about her family and her chemistry with Luke and Kylo Ren was beautiful. This brings me to Kylo, who truly grows as a character and villain since The Force Awakens.

It was hard for me to see Carrie Fisher on screen, knowing that she passed away in 2016. I loved how her character, that of Leia, had grown and we finally get to see her use the force, though she does get sidelined for most of the runtime. I am also curious as to how her character will be used in the ninth episode. We finally get more insight into the mind of Poe Dameron, played by the great Oscar Isaac. He is a hothead, who likes to shoot before asking questions and nearly puts the fleet at risk.

Just as with Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, who embodies Finn, is oozing with energy and likeability. Sadly, and contrary to his fantastic performance, his story arc is not that interesting. He is sharing most of the screen time with Kelly Mary Tran’s new character Rose and I found her to be quite annoying.

Finally, there are the characters of Snoke, Vice Admiral Holdo and Captain Phasma. Snoke’s connection with the force is finally displayed and, although I didn’t like where his character arc was taken while watching it the first time, I found it to be suiting the second time around. I also didn’t care much for Captain Phasma in the previous episode, so her short scenes left me pretty cold. What annoyed me was the way Laura Dern’s Vice Admiral Holdo was build up; when in the end she was just a filler during Leia’s absence.

This is one gorgeous film to look at, the cinematography is breathtaking and the effects out of this world. The action sequences are intense and captivating, I watched this movie twice in cinemas and the space battle sequences always left me feeling as if I were right there, watching from a bubble floating in space. The lightsaber fight choreography was smooth and included beautiful wide shots, making it the Star Wars flick with the best lightsaber battles I have seen as of yet. Then there is of course the music, which is mesmerising and a big step-up from The Force Awakens.

Verdict: Star Wars: The Last Jedi is an extremely polarising flick, critics enjoyed it while hardcore Star Wars fans seem to mostly hate it, and I say mostly because I am one of them but contrary to the majority I loved every minute of it. I have read that some think it is the worst installment of the franchise and that Ryan Johnson was disrespectful to the saga and the fans, yet I couldn’t disagree more. There is more fan service in this movie than in Episode VII, the difference is that the director decided to shine a different light on it and I personally found that very refreshing. The plot is great but not perfect, the characters and performances are the best they have ever been, with the exception of some minor or exposable ones. I will give The Last Jedi a 9.0 out of 10.

Do me a favour and give this film another chance, because it does get better with each viewing, I personally have pre-ordered my copy of the Blu-Ray already and is my fourth favourite Star Wars movie right after Force Awakens and before Return of the Jedi. If you are interested in my other Star Wars reviews, click on the following link: http://axelmovrev.blogspot.de/search/label/Star%20Wars%20Reviews

I wish all of you a happy New Year and of course, thank you as always for reading my review.

Top Movies – Justice League Movie Review (Spoiler Free) – Movie Reviews Sites

Justice League surprised many by the sudden change of tone in the DCEU. It is funny, clever and has a lot of heart, yet it suffers from a few flaws.

Genre: Action/Fantasy/Sci-Fi

Director: Zack Snyder (Joss Whedon)

Cast: Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Ray Fisher, Ezra Miller, Jason Momoa, Ciaran Hinds, Amy Adams, Joe Morton, J.K. Simmons, Jeremy Irons, Connie Nielsen, Amber Heard, Diane Lane & Henry Cavill.

Run Time: 120 min.

US Release: 17 November 2017

UK Release: 17 November 2017

German Release: 16 November 2017

Should I be asked were the DCEU stands now, I would answer that it finally has its footing on solid ground – solid but shaky. I liked Man of Steel quite a bid, it took the tale of Superman and modernized it for cinema audiences. Batman v Superman was a narrative mess, at least the cinematic version, but I enjoyed it nonetheless and Ben Affleck gave a fantastic rendition of both, the Dark Knight and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne. The Ultimate Cut of BvS, released on Blu-ray, was a hell of a step-up story wise but a little too long for my taste. And then there was Suicide Squad… what a crock of horse manure it was, and why WB decided to hire a trailer company to make the final cuts on a big scale theatrical movie and even thought of it as a good idea, is beyond me.

So until then, it didn’t fare well for Warner, DC and their cinematic future. This all changed with Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman this summer – a movie I didn’t review as of yet, but I still will! The heroine’s solo debut film was fun, had a nostalgic touch and opted to send the right message for a strong female-led superhero flick. Simply put, I loved Wonder Woman! This blockbuster, though, is another calibre that tries to cram five superheroes into one sitting and with all the media criticism it obtained behind the scenes, the change of director due to Snyder’s family tragedy and all the reshoots that had been going on, I was worried a lot! But Justice League, as it turned out, is a good and entertaining superhero team-up story.

Synopsis: Inspired by Superman’s (Cavill) selfless act and with the world in danger of falling into the hands of the powerful alien Steppenwolf (Hinds), Bruce Wayne (Affleck) sets his path on finding more Metahumans to form an alliance and protect Earth. With the help of Diana Prince (Gadot), the strong Amazonian warrior known as Wonder Woman, Bruce finds Barry Allen (Miller) a.k.a. The Flash, Victor Stone (Fisher) a.k.a. Cyborg and Atlantean Arthur Curry (Momoa). But are they enough to stand against their new enemy and his army of Parademons?

As far as the structure of the story goes; for a movie that went through extensive reshoots and was written and directed by two different people, it has barely any inconsistencies. The tone has changed drastically when comparing it to the darker and grittier atmosphere of the previous films, and the humour has been amped up. Yes, that’s right, Justice League is genuinely funny and has more of a light-hearted tone but it suits the narrative. The dialogues contain a good amount of jokes, most coming from Barry Allen, that feel most often natural. However, the biggest compliment I can give it is that it has a heart at the centre of its story and respects the source material.

Sadly, it also has some narrative issues. Not all of the jokes land and some feel forced. Then there is also the fact that for a blockbuster of this magnitude, two hours are not enough. I perceived it as too short and rushed and could have definitely done with a little more of the Justice League on screen. The last act is a mixed bag, while I enjoyed watching the team fight as a group, it never really crossed my mind that any of the heroes are in immediate danger, which took out some of the third act’s tension.

The main characters that construct the League are all very well portrayed. Affleck gives once again a grand performance as Bruce Wayne (Batman) and his growing relationship with Diana Prince (Gadot) a.k.a. Wonder Woman is a central focus point. Out of the newbies, it is Miller’s Barry Allen (Flash) and Fisher’s Victor Stone (Cyborg) that get most of the screen time. The respective actors play both heroes very well. Allen is obviously the quirkier one, making him the comedic anchor of the group. Aquaman, portrayed by Jason Momoa, is the bad boy and obtained some good one-liners.

The down part of having this mammoth of a story told in a two-hour screening, is the fact that Aquaman’s story was left sitting on the bench. You don’t know anything about the character, except that he is a badass. Same goes for the villain Steppenwolf, played by veteran actor Ciaran Hinds. Putting it mildly, he was uninteresting and a little bit lame!

The cinematography for Justice League is mostly good looking and the action scenes are a lot of fun. Each hero and his city obtained a different colour filter, which made the DCEU world look big and diverse. There are at times shots included that were taken from strange angles, to enhance the 3D effects that distracted a little bit from the film itself. The CGI is good enough, although there are times when you can tell that Cyborg is 90% computer generated and even the background doesn’t always sync in as well as it should, especially during character close-ups.

My personal highlight though was the inclusion of Danny Elfman’s original Batman theme being intermixed with a more modern soundtrack. Perfect use of fan-service there!

Verdict: Justice League is more than I expected and deserves far more than what critics are giving it. The production might have been a mess, with director Zack Snyder dropping out and Whedon replacing him, the re-shooting of a lot of scenes, as well as the demand from Warner to hold it at a two hours maximum run-time. Nevertheless, the film itself turned out well, with likeable and interesting characters, a solid story and fun action scenes. Snyder, as well as Whedon, respected the source material, the acting is great – even though the limited time does not offer full character development for all our heroes. The weakest aspect this movie has is the villain. All in all, I was very pleased with Justice League and will give it a 7.5 out of 10.

Do me a favour and go watch it in cinemas if you are interested, because it is struggling at the box office. You won’t regret it! Thank you very much for reading and as always, if you want to leave a comment below, go ahead and do so.