Free Guy (2021) Review

Free Guy (2021)

Directed by Shawn Levy

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Joe Keery, Taika Waititi

Plot Synopsis: (via IMDb)
A bank teller discovers that he’s actually an NPC inside a brutal, open world video game.

My Opinion:

I still haven’t gone to the cinema through the whole pandemic & have no plans to anytime soon but, man, we’re SO missing going to new movies!!! The last thing we all saw in the cinema together (me, hubby & kid) was Onward, which was a “meh” one to end on. So we decided to end the summer school break with a trip to a drive-in.

I was very lucky growing up as there was a great drive-in not far from my tiny American Midwest town (with great pizza!) but I know it’s a novelty in the U.K. They do outdoor showings of older movies here sometimes (saw The Greatest Showman that way) but, seriously, who wants to sit outdoors in shitty U.K. weather?! Too risky in rainy England! So it’s cool that some small drive-ins have popped up during the pandemic. And it didn’t even rain during Free Guy! Yay! They just need to start doing double features – that’s what it always was at the one in America. And it was cheap, too (but it was the ’80s/’90s so I’m sure the cost has gone up). At £30 a car here, it’s good for a couple of trips but we can’t do that regularly. Was worth the cost to see one movie in a year & a half, though.

Anyway. Enough reminiscing about my high school drive-in days (I was so annoyed with my boyfriend wanting to make-out the whole time – I wanted to watch the damn movies). Suppose I should talk about Free Guy?? I probably enjoyed it slightly more than I might have as I needed a movie fix so bad but I thought it was a lot of fun. I even giggled a few times! I’m not a LOL person. Ryan Reynolds is always likeable, of course, but I also really liked Jodie Comer’s character. She’s also more than “just the love interest” – Her role is as big & as important as Ryan’s. The idea itself was good but, admittedly, not the most original. We’ve seen the whole “living in a video game” thing quite a lot. But this movie brought enough of a new spin to the idea plus the romance was surprisingly good (especially at the end). It managed to be slightly unpredictable, which was cool.

Ryan & Jodie are the characters we see the most by far but there were some really good smaller roles too. I can’t say much as I want to avoid spoilers but “Dude” was the best. That’s what got the most giggles out of me (but I’m a little immature). Also liked Ryan’s best friend and that guy from Stranger Things wasn’t too bad despite his always weird hair. And Taika Waititi was as entertaining as always, playing an evil game developer. Plus there are several cameos that I won’t spoil. Yeah, it was lightweight entertainment but that’s exactly what we all needed. Scary that it’s going to end up pretty high on my list of 2021 U.K. releases! But I can’t see absolutely loving many of the upcoming 2021 films. Let’s see how Dune turns out…

My Rating: 7/10

Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019) Review

Pokémon Detective Pikachu (2019)

Directed by Rob Letterman

Based on Detective Pikachu by The Pokémon Company

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Justice Smith, Kathryn Newton, Suki Waterhouse, Omar Chaparro, Chris Geere, Ken Watanabe, Bill Nighy

Plot Synopsis: (via IMDb)
In a world where people collect Pokémon to do battle, a boy comes across an intelligent talking Pikachu who seeks to be a detective.

My Opinion:

Oh man. When did this come out? A few weeks ago? I already barely remember it so am not sure what to say. The main thing to say is this: This movie is for Pokémon fans and Pokémon fans ONLY. The movie will gain no new fans. It’s not a very good film. If you absolutely love Pokémon, you’ll probably get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing so many of the characters. If you know nothing whatsoever about Pokémon, watching this will be a complete waste of your time.

Let’s see… What do I know about Pokémon?! Not much. I’m old so it’s not from my era. However, I have a young kid who was the right sort of age when Pokémon Go became a thing so she was a fan for a brief amount of time. Okay, I admit that I got into it a bit too. Okay, okay… I admit that I still have the app, although it doesn’t get opened all that often. Annnnnd…. okay, maaaaaaaybe I was the one who kind of pushed the kid into going to this film with me as she has sadly outgrown stuff like this. What can I say? I like Ryan Reynolds but I love Pikachu. Pikachu is adorable. Screw all those other weird-ass looking Pokémon! Pikachu is a great character. This is why there’s an entire damn annual festival dedicated to Pikachu in Japan. Not gonna lie – that looks adorably fun.

Um. This movie. Yeah. It’s a weird one. It’s sort of aimed at the original now twenty-something (or would they be 30?!) fans but is also very much a “kiddie” film. It’s too silly to be fully embraced by those who aren’t hardcore fans. I think my daughter was mostly bored. I could tell she was thinking “I’m too old for this shit!”.

I have almost no knowledge of Pokémon beyond playing the app sometimes so I know this movie isn’t aimed at casual or non-fans anyway. Pikachu talking is strange. The boy, Justice Smith, is perfectly fine but the love interest, Kathryn Newton, is annoying. Why am I still talking about this movie?! There’s nothing really wrong with it and I didn’t hate it (I enjoyed it more than my kid!). It was just a bit boring. Pikachu is still adorable, though. I guess it’s just a shame that the film couldn’t have been aimed at somehow attracting new fans while still keeping the original fans happy, but I’m sure that’s a hard balance to achieve.

My Rating: 5.5/10

Deadpool 2 (2018) Review

Deadpool 2 (2018)

Directed by David Leitch

Based on Deadpool by Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz, T.J. Miller, Brianna Hildebrand, Jack Kesy

Plot Synopsis: (via IMDb)
Foul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (AKA. Deadpool), brings together a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy with supernatural abilities from the brutal, time-traveling cyborg, Cable.

My Opinion:

Quick review! I never got around to reviewing this one but I try to review everything I see in the cinema. I don’t have much to say about Deadpool 2. That’s not because it’s bad, though. It was hilarious! I really enjoyed it. But, you know, it’s just more of the same stuff from the first film.

I’m so bored with the straightforward Marvel superhero movies with their formulaic plots, which is why I’ve enjoyed the much needed humor of Deadpool & especially Guardians Of The Galaxy (love those!). Oh, and Ragnarok (love Hemsworth!). Well, to be fair, I liked Infinity War quite a bit. Anyway, Ryan Reynolds is adorable & funny as hell (love his tweets!). I know nothing whatsoever about the Deadpool from comic books but I love the Reynolds version on the big screen. If you liked him in the first film, you’ll like him in this one. As I said, this is more of the same thing.

As for the new additions, Zazie Beetz was super cool as Domino and Rob Delaney was super uncool as Peter. They were the best. Josh Brolin was kind of boring, though. I mean, the whole plot in this one was a bit boring. The first film is definitely the better film storywise, although this one may be slightly more funny overall. That’s often the case with the superhero movies, though – I tend to enjoy the origin story more. Oh, the kid was kind of annoying (Julian Dennison – but I suppose he was meant to be annoying). He had funny moments but I far preferred his Hunt For The Wilderpeople character.

Hi Yukio!

Annnnd. That’s it. I don’t have much to say about this film. It’s very fun. It’s very funny. I loved the end credits scenes. There’s very little substance. The only downside with these Deadpool movies, for me, is that they’re kind of “one-time-watchers”. I don’t feel the need to actually watch either of these films again. I know the jokes. I laughed a lot. The first time. I can’t see laughing as much on a re-watch. I can’t explain why but these movies are a bit throwaway for me in a way that the Guardians Of The Galaxy movies aren’t. I’ve already watched those multiple times. But I’ll definitely and very happily watch Deadpool 3. Once. And then 4. Once.

My Rating: 7/10

Deadpool (2016) Review

Deadpool (2016)

Directed by Tim Miller

Based on Deadpool by Fabian Nicieza & Rob Liefeld

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Ed Skrein, T. J. Miller, Gina Carano, Brianna Hildebrand, Stefan Kapičić

Music by Junkie XL

Plot Synopsis: (via IMDB)
A former Special Forces operative turned mercenary is subjected to a rogue experiment that leaves him with accelerated healing powers, adopting the alter ego Deadpool.

My Opinion:

Another superhero movie! YAY!!! (I’m saying that sarcastically in my head – I suppose that doesn’t come across in text). Okay – I begin every one of these superhero movie reviews lately by saying “I’m getting a bit superheroed-out“. And I really really am. Deadpool is fun, though. I did a list of My Top Ten Superhero Movies ages ago, which I really should update as I’d most definitely move stuff around (I was too nice to Nolan’s Batman trilogy). I know, however, that since making that list, Guardians Of The Galaxy is now the firm number one for me. Deadpool doesn’t change that but I’d have to say it would probably make the top five. It’s a welcome break from the superhero films that take themselves far too seriously.

I’m not a huge fan of Ryan Reynolds (I had a really hard time choosing his best role for the Movie Reviews 101 Opinion Battle). Well, I can confirm that Deadpool is now by far his best role. His wisecracking smart ass thing worked perfectly. I loved the very adult humor and the dick jokes that were actually pretty funny (as far as dick jokes go). His girlfriend (Morena Baccarin) is a saucy minx making some great dirty jokes right along with him. Plus there are loads of movie references for all us geeky cinephiles and even a JUDY F*%KING BLUME joke especially for ME!!! (Pretty sure I was the only one there who got that one….)

I think the only downside to this film, for me, is that I don’t really see it as a “multiple-watcher”. Once you’ve seen it, you’ve seen it. You’ve heard all the jokes. I’d maybe watch it a second time as there are so many jokes that there’s no way you’d catch them all the first time but beyond that I’d rather just watch a Deadpool sequel with all new wisecracks I haven’t yet heard. I think that’s the nature of comedy, though. Or maybe that’s just me but, personally, very few of my all-time multiple-watcher favorites are comedies. I got a lot of laughs from this one viewing, though.

Sorry this is a short review but I don’t have much to say about this one. I really enjoyed it as far as this genre of movies goes but very few of these movies end up as all-time favorites of mine. This is a movie that’s definitely not for everyone – you’ll either like the humor & violence or you’ll hate it. I just really enjoyed watching a “superhero” movie that has some balls for a change.

My Rating: 7.5/10

Is There A Scene After The Credits? Obviously! At the very end after all the credits. The question is: Is it worth staying for? Well, it certainly was for me! But I’m old so I get and appreciate the reference. However, since starting this blog I have discovered that the younger generation sadly does NOT appreciate what the end credit scene references. So…. It’s up to you if you want to stay but you’ll probably only appreciate it if you’re over 35. I bet you’re curious now… 😉

The Croods (2013) Review

I get a little snobby about animated kids films. If it’s not Pixar, I’m usually not all that interested. DreamWorks make okay animated films that are decent enough & a way to switch off for a couple of hours while your kids are entertained. I even find Shrek a little overrated. Shrek isn’t bad but it’s certainly not something I’d ever consider a favorite movie of mine.

Pixar, on the other hand, manage to make what I see as proper “family” films that adults enjoy just as much as the kids do (well, I do at least!). Pixar films don’t treat kids like idiots – they’re not dumbed down for the kids but they’re still completely kid friendly and appropriate for all ages (without humor that’s a little TOO risqué being thrown in here & there to wake up the adults who are bored in the audience – I hate kids films that resort to that in a pathetic & unfunny way). And I think Pixar films are just much more “timeless” (I love that word – I use it a lot). Something like Finding Nemo will be just as loved 30 years from now whereas I don’t see most of the DreamWorks stuff aging as well (in my opinion!). I always take a long time to get to my point… My point is that I’ll review this movie for what it is – a DreamWorks movie aimed at kids. It’s not something I expected to be in the same league as Pixar films like Toy Story. Or even Despicable Me! (See? I can like a non-Pixar! Love that one). 🙂

The Croods is about a family of cavemen (or I suppose cavepeople as there are girls too). As it was a very dangerous time to live in, the father in the movie (voiced by Nicolas Cage) is very overprotective of his family and insists that they never stray far from their cave or leave it at all after dark. (So, he’s Marlin). His teenage daughter (voiced by Emma Stone) is becoming more and more curious about what’s out there in the world but her father won’t let her explore – he believes that curiosity is dangerous (so the daughter is Nemo). I’m sorry – I promise to try to shut up about Pixar but it really is Finding Nemo with ugly cavepeople instead of adorable little fish! 😉

Well, ugly cavepeople except for one – Enter teenage caveboy heart-throb (voiced by Ryan Reynolds). Seriously, he actually IS fairly hot – I think he’s even better looking than his voice actor. Check him out:

So, anyway, teenage cavegirl sees this light one night and leaves the safety of the cave to follow it. Turns out it’s something called fire, which hot caveboy (who is further evolved than the Croods) has discovered. Cavegirl instantly falls for caveboy. CaveDAD, of course, does NOT approve of this boy who has come along and made his daughter want to leave the safety of their cave. Caveboy wants her to join him as he follows the sun to what he thinks will be a safer place because he believes the world is ending.

Unfortunately (but fortunately for the sake of the story, of course), The Croods cave is destroyed in an earthquake. The Croods then have no choice but to follow caveboy to a safer place.

The story then goes exactly how you’d expect it to. Caveboy eventually earns cavedad’s trust as they make their way on their long journey to a safer land (That’s really not a spoiler to anyone who’s ever watched any movie EVER). And of course cavedad and cavedaughter end up bonding and cavedad learns that it’s important to live your life instead of always being scared & hiding away from everything (Again – not exactly a spoiler. We’ve all seen Finding Nemo!). 😉

In all honesty, though, The Croods isn’t bad & it’s even a bit better than I was expecting. It starts out a little slow and, of course, everything is very drab & colorless when they won’t stray far from their cave. Once they follow hot caveboy, though, they find a lovely green & colorful land filled with all kinds of strange & wonderful creatures. The movie was a lot more fun to watch once this happened.

As for the characters, the main three I mentioned are fine. As with any animated story, you need a main set of characters like these to drive the story along. But, as is very important in animated kids films, you need some fun extra characters to provide the comic relief. The other characters that make up The Croods are:

– The Cavegrandmother (voiced by Cloris Leachman). She’s the mother-in-law to cavedad so you get all your typical “I hate my mother-in-law” type jokes there. She’s fine. She’s crazy, of course. Cloris Leachman always does a great crazy-old-lady (love her as this in the TV show Raising Hope).

– The Cavemother (voiced by Catherine Keener). Not funny or anything – just a typical animated mother-type. Fine but a little boring. The voice of reason when Cavedad is being ridiculous (of course).

– The Cavebrother. Not much to say about him. He’s the most boring of the characters. He’s, of course, extremely dumb.

– The Baby Cavesister. She’s a fairly entertaining character. She’s like a rabid little dog, which is kind of cute.

– Belt. This was my favorite character. He’s a sloth who’s caveboy’s pet (and also acts as his belt, holding caveboy’s pants up). He does a funny little thing a few times in the movie – I won’t give it away (best bit in the movie- not sure if it’s been in trailers anyway). Best character – should have been used slightly more.

Summary: The Croods is pretty much exactly what you’d expect from DreamWorks. It’s not the best animated DreamWorks film but it’s not the worst – it’s probably somewhere in the middle. The kids will be entertained but the adults might lose interest a few times & zone out (I actually had to look up what destroyed their cave because I seemed to space out at that point in the movie – it was suddenly destroyed & I had NO idea why). It’s not gonna change the world. Go to it. Zone out. Eat some popcorn. Laugh at Belt. Be annoyed when sometimes Nicolas Cage sounds a bit too Nicolas Cage-y. 🙂

My Rating: 6/10