Ice Age: Collision Course
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
Scrat’s epic pursuit of his elusive acorn catapults him outside of Earth, where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the planet. To save themselves from peril, Manny, Sid, Diego, and the rest of the herd leave their home and embark on a quest full of thrills and spills.
What did we think?
We’re now five Ice Age instalments in and we’re sadly reaching the point where adults are praying for the exinction of the prehistorics. What was once, at its heart, a sweet family story is now a frenetic ADD children’s film with character numbers and guest stars put ahead of what little plot there is. The sheer number of animals – new and old – makes it difficult to keep track of but at least distracts you from the idea that a woolly mammoth can save the world from an asteroid collision.
High-quality animation helps and there’s more than enough there for the kids and during school holidays that’s all you need. I’d suggest getting your partner to take them though.
Warcraft
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
The peaceful realm of Azeroth stands on the brink of war as its civilisation faces a fearsome race of invaders: orc warriors fleeing their dying home to colonise another. If that sentence alone doesn’t excite you then stop reading here and run far away: this movie won’t be for you.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: With the vision of Lord Of The Rings but the delivery of Dungeons and Dragons the cartoon series, Warcraft doesn’t manage to hit the mainstream target. Perhaps the 5 million or so subscribers to the game will get more out of it than I, but this fantasy film – a genre I DO enjoy – feels more wearisome than exciting.
Impressive effects can’t hide the weak script that feels like it’s written by the computer game writers themselves: lots of ambiguity and open threads that don’t really get answered. Just like the open-ended game. Only for die-hards of the game.
Finding Dory
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish from Finding Nemo remembers her family and sets out to find them.
What did we think?
Anthony Sherratt says: Sequels are usually a tough thing, but Finding Dory is more of a logical procession from the first film which only strengthens the story. But be warned – Finding Dory is significantly more emotional than its predecessor and don’t be surprised if a tear or two leaks out. Kids will marvel at the colours and animals while adults will feel for the absent-minded Dory. Great voice acting, heartwarming story, wonderful new characters complementing the familiar ones all wrapped together with Pixar’s usual top-notch animation. You can’t ask for more really.
Me Before You
- By Elizabeth Best
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
Quirky, “chatty” Lou (Emilia Clarke) is hired as a carer for a cynical, wealthy young man who feels he lost everything when he was paralysed in an accident
What did we think?
Elizabeth Best says: If you get a bit weepy in sad films (like me *sniff sniff*) then get ready for the deluge. If you don’t, then you’re probably not going even get as far as handing over your cash at the box office for this heartfelt sobfest… Unless you’re forced to on a date, in which case get ready for your date to look all red and splotchy when the credits roll.
Clarke is so infectiously chipper here, she’s almost like a (slightly overacting) British Jessica Day (New Girl), while Clafin smoulders as a wheelchair bound Mr Darcy type. Ultimately it’s a solid romantic drama that will punch those so inclined right in the feels, and leave everyone else wishing all the emotional stuff was over so they can get back to the latest superhero flick.
Mr Right
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
A girl coming out of a breakup falls for the “perfect” guy, who happens to have a very fatal flaw: he’s a hitman. Well, former hitman who still kills people. And who is on the run from the mob. It’s complicated.
What did we think?
A delightfully quirky film that has most of the makings of a great cult movie, Mr Right just doesn’t quite get there. Anna Kendrick and Sam Rockwell’s chemistry is palpable and has you entranced whenever they share the screen. Unfortunately the over-the-top performances from the rest of the cast not only steal a lot of the impact of our lovers’ quirkiness they detract from the overall feel. More realistic bad guys and this is the best ever action-rom-com of all time. As it is it’s still a pleasure and worthy of re-watching. The premise behind Rockwell’s amazing abilities and Kendrick’s cuteness alone has me looking forward to a second go already.
Now You See Me 2
- By Anthony Sherratt
- 9 years ago
What’s it about?
Your favourite vigilante illusionists are back out of hiding but they’re quickly leveraged into pulling off a big heist.
What did we think?
Dan says: Disclaimer: I enjoyed Highlander 2 when I first saw it because I’d never seen the first and didn’t realise what it was destroying. This could also be the case with this sequel.
Heist films have had to become more and more fanciful since Simon Dermott activated an alarm with a boomerang in ‘How to steal a million’. Now they seem to require back-flipping samurai or driving Mini Coopers down hallways. Ed Solomon (Bill and Ted) pens absurd levels of silliness in this caper. It’s delightful and joyous, but try not to work out how they did the tricks… or in fact anything… during their escapades. Best to allow them to make your brain disappear, then reappear after the credits roll.
Ta DA!