Mission Impossible 8 + John Wick: Ballerina

 

       

Mini-Reviews: Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning + Ballerina (from world of John Wick)

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning

Score:  A-/B+

Directed by Christopher McQuarrie

Starring Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Esai Morales, et al

Running time: 170 minutes

Rated PG-13

The final (probably?) movie in the Mission Impossible series, begun almost thirty years ago, goes out on a high note stunt-wise but is otherwise a bit shaky.  Whereas in most Missions, all we really know going in is that Ethan Hunt (Cruise) will lead a crack team of agents on a thrilling adventure to avert disaster, we already know a lot about what's likely to happen here, since it's the conclusion to Dead Reckoning's (2023) cliffhanger.  We also know, from the title, that this is probably the last one.  This leads to two elements that are mixed, at best.  First, there is little mystery as to the bad guy's (er, AI's) plot, or even what it's all leading to.  Not knowing those things in previous MIs was one of my favorite elements, so it felt strange and disappointing to know way more than usual about it.  Second, the film pays plenty of homage to Hunt/Cruise, especially in the beginning (including a montage from past movies), and the character interactions are unusually emotional, even sentimental.  At times, and to a certain degree, this is warranted, but I think it goes overboard.  It results in the movie being far too long, the beginning is very clunky and out of character for the franchise, and it's occasionally cringey.

Still, I give the movie fairly high marks despite all that because the stunts are as tremendous as ever.  There are two different extended, insanely gripping, well-choreographed/shot, and entertaining sequences.  One is underwater in a sunken submarine; despite no villains or dialogue, it is amazing.  Poor Hunt has to get past one obstacle after another, and you can deeply feel the danger and difficulty of his situation throughout.  The sets are awesome and the fairly minimal CGI is seamless; the you feel like you're underwater with Cruise, and his final escape is sweet release.  The second is quite a bit different, other than involving a vehicle: this time, Hunt is in midair hanging from and climbing between two vintage biplanes.  This is all real stunt work, done by Cruise himself.  I couldn't help but laugh a few times at the sheer ludicrousness of the action but you've never seen anything like it before.  These two stunts sequences are worth the price of admission alone, and demand a trip to the theater.  The parts in between you can put up with, and maybe say a fond farewell to this tireless group of actors, crew, and filmmakers who have entertained us for the last few decades.

Ballerina (from the World of John Wick)

Score:  B+

Directed by Len Wiseman

Starring Ana de Armas, Ian McShane, Keanu Reeves et al

Running time: 125 minutes

Rated R

This is the rare spin-off movie that is really good, both appropriate to the original John Wick's tone and world but also adding something new and not just a retread.  John Wick (2014) started an excellent new action franchise that stands way above most others in the genre thanks to its intriguing, detailed world building and, of course, the inventive, pulse-pounding, extremely well-choreographed battles.  Ana de Armas is a great choice for a new character in this world, with her experience in other action movies.  She is very convincing in the action scenes and, to my eyes, is about the ultimate femme fatale, quite gorgeous despite not being presented as such intentionally, and equally deadly.  Her character, Eve, doesn't get quite as effective a story as Wick, but it works well enough.  And as opposed to the new MI, the first third of the film is perhaps the best part, featuring an excellent sequence of training scenes that helps distinguish Eve from Wick and others like them.  The Wick world elements are seamlessly incorporated and expanded here, from use of the assassins' dens in the civilized guise of Continental hotels to the crime families with historical yet tense truces.  The action scenes are superbly done, pretty much on par with the other Wick movies, and Eve gets her own fighting style, separate from Wick's.  Like his, though, the fights are not simply effortless mowing down of bad guys: Eve takes plenty of licks, too, and it feels all the more impressive that she keeps on ticking and taking out the astonished baddies.  The only significant disappointment to me, in fact, was too much involvement from Reeves's Wick in the final part of the movie.  A small (dialogue-based) scene with him at the beginning is fine and appropriate, but it's as if the filmmakers (more likely, the studio) believed they had to include their big star more to satisfy the audience.  It's still a fun finale - especially with the flamethrowers, even if it's a bit overplayed - but it leans too much to the body count side, to my taste, whereas smaller scale, more intimate/intense fights would have better suited Eve.  Still, this is a great success both on its own as an individual action movie, and as a continuation of John Wick's tremendous movie franchise.

***

I was very pleased to get to see new entries of two of my favorite action/adventure franchises in Mission Impossible and John Wick this summer.  MI, bitter sweetly, is probably now (and should be) concluded - Tom Cruise is the franchise, his face and more importantly his astounding stunts that I doubt will ever be repeated.  That's fine - but I certainly hope that ambitious actors and filmmakers in Hollywood will come up with something new to take its place.  Something like Keanu Reeves's John Wick movies, which are my favorite new action franchise since, well, MI.  Reeves's own role is also probably now over - but in this case, the franchise is well-suited to new characters, as Ana de Armas definitely proved in Ballerina.  I would recommend going to see both of these movies in theaters - I encourage seeing all movies in theaters, but especially movies like these (and extra especially MI).  You'll get a bit more enjoyment out of each if you've seen the previous movies in their respective series.  But both are great by themselves, too (warning for Ballerina, though: it is quite a bit more violent than MI).  Until next time!

* By source http://www.impawards.com/2025/mission_impossible__the_final_reckoning_ver2_xxlg.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78335261

* By source 

Friendship

 

Score:  B

Directed by Andrew DeYoung

Starring Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara

Running time: 97 minutes

Rated R

Long Story Short:  In his first starring movie role, Tim Robinson brings his unique, jarring brand of humor to Hollywood, teamed with the more comfort-food familiarity of Paul Rudd.  As the title suggests, the movie focuses on the importance and deceptive difficulty of friendship in modern life.  Those who are familiar with Robinson’s sketches will be prepared for (though perhaps not predict) the surreal comical surprises as the main relationship goes off the rails.  Not for everyone’s tastes but if you know what you’re getting into or just want to try something new, go see this.

Craig (Robinson) is feeling down in life, ready to pull up stakes and start fresh.  One day by chance, however, he receives a package delivered to him in error.  When he walks it over to the correct home, Craig meets Austin (Rudd) who unexpectedly becomes an interesting new friend.  Craig, married with a son, is an introvert by nature, but Austin shows him the many simple pleasures of bonding.  However, no relationship, no matter how magical, is perfect, and Craig’s insecurities begin to come to the surface.  The way he handles the ups and downs of this friendship will have major ramifications for his entire life.

Friendship is at times pretty amusing and subtly insightful, but Robinson’s odd humor is a tricky fit in a full length film, and it ends up feeling somewhat scattered.  Robinson, if you haven’t seen him, has a unique blend of deadpan absurdity: he has a fun mini-sketch show on Netflix, if you want to get a taste. Friendship is an attempt to adapt this style from individual sketch scenes to the extended tone and themes of a full-length drama.  The narrative concept and several scenes and moments throughout the film are successful, but the overall cohesion and feel come up a bit short.  I liked the very simple premise: a lonely man whose life is slowly falling apart meets a neighbor and develops an unexpected friendship, helping him to bounce back.  It’s interesting how Craig then becomes obsessed and insecure, his flaws (and loosening inhibitions) hurting the friendship and leading to a downward spiral (Robinson is great as a put-upon every man which also leads to hilariously over-the-top scenes, such as a suddenly escalated confrontation at a party, and a marketing pitch to a politician gone awry).  Little moments can be quite funny or at least clever: delicately carrying a full mug of tea (I can relate!), carting a drum set to his friend’s house - and a secret sewer adventure is definitely a highlight.  

Despite a clever setup and some good moments, though, the film’s non-comedy threads fray as it goes on, and Craig’s complete collapse when his friendship goes sideways transforms the movie from sly social commentary to something closer to parody.  No comedies expect you to laugh at every turn (at least, they shouldn’t) but more often than usual for the genre, the moments or scenes here that are intended purely for plot or showing the characters’ “normal” lives come off a bit awkwardly, particularly when contrasted with the sudden, bizarre comedic moments.  Admittedly, the filmmakers manage to meld the drama early on somewhat well, but it stands out more and more frequently.  The build-up of Craig and Austin’s friendship is done well, both its humor and relatability, and even the moment of breakdown when Craig meets Austin’s larger friend group (though it starts to get weirder here).  Events turn more extreme as Craig’s desperation rises, and also fairly fragmented and inconsistent, plot-wise; while there are some good moments of humor from this, the story around it starts to fall apart.  Still, all in all, it’s a worthy attempt at a new kind of comedy with plenty of entertainment and some thought-provoking concepts surrounding modern, well, friendships.

***

Having seen and enjoyed Tim Robinson before, I was intrigued by the idea of his starring in a movie and so I’ve looked forward to Friendship for a little while now.  I’m not exactly disappointed by the results: sure, it could have been better, but it’s a perfectly solid effort and a nice change of pace.  I hope that we see Robinson in more movies.  Still, I’m mystified by some critics’ fawning over the movie, calling it (as seen in the movie’s marketing) the funniest movie they’ve seen in years or ever.  Slow down.  It provided some good variety for me at the movie theater this summer - since most of what I will see is probably going to be blockbuster action stuff.  I certainly don’t recommend this for everyone, but if you have a taste for modern humor, especially if you’re already familiar with (and fond of) Tim Robinson, you should give this a try.

* By source, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Friendship_poster.jpg#/media/File:Friendship_poster.jpg

Thunderbolts*

 

Score:  A-

Directed by Jake Schreier

Starring Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Lewis Pullman, Julia Louis Dreyfus, et al

Running time: 126 minutes

Rated PG-13

Long Story Short:  Thunderbolts* brings several minor Marvel characters into the spotlight for an Avengers-like team-up... only these guys are even less happy to do so, or even to fight for "good" in the first place.  The movie earns a place among Marvel's best entries, with a strong script, bevy of interesting characters (but not too many), and joyful humor.  This is another Marvel movie that turns away from simple, direct good guy-bad guy conflicts, too - a positive development.  Highly recommended for all, but especially superhero fans, of course.

Yelena (Pugh) is struggling to move on.  She was once a deadly assassin, or "Black Widow", trained as a young girl; while she escaped that life, soon after, her sister Widow, Natasha (Johansson) was killed.  So Yelena is putting her skills to use (somewhat) less lethally as a gun-for-hire for CIA director de Fontaine (Dreyfus), who has many projects of dubious origin on the side.  Yelena is not the only lost soul with special skills whom de Fontaine has recruited, however, and as she gets closer to some dirty secrets, Yelena finds herself hunted as much as the hunter.  With no Avengers available to save the day, however, Yelena must decide for whom - and what - she really wants to fight.

Thunderbolts* is one of the best Marvel superhero movies in recent years, notably returning to the franchise's trademark humor and fun, relatable characters rather than relying on spectacle.  The conceit is reminiscent of DC's Suicide Squad, which featured former villains forced to work together to save the day.  Thunderbolts instead uses "anti-heroes" - neither fully good nor bad, but all written off as defective or failed - and their teamwork is more organic and fitful.  Manipulating them is de Fontaine (Dreyfus), who is a clever mirror image of Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury; her motives are much more ambiguous and changing with circumstances.  There are few new characters, but all were formerly bit players and are more developed here and fit together well; it's nice to take a short break from the "stars".  

Yelena is the lead and Pugh is excellent.  Her expressions and tone can be numb, calloused (with a dry wit) due to her history - but she also flashes moments of compassion and tenderness that she has tried to suppress, and reluctantly takes on some leadership.  Stan as Winter Soldier is the most Avengers-adjacent and definitely gives a fun vibe as the "old hand" here; he steps back from the spotlight, though, instead making for a steady but quiet force for good.  It's great to see Russell as Walker/U.S. Agent (needs a better name?!?) again, and he gets a bit more back story.  His attitude is a great fit in Marvel land but it's also distinct.  Harbour's Red Guardian (Yelena's father) is basically here for comic relief, but he does a fantastic job of it, with his thick accent and larger-than-life presence.  Dreyfus is awesome and hilarious, of course, as de Fontaine, another perfect Marvel casting.  Introduced in previous stories, she gets a significant role here, singlehandedly fueling a Marvel present and (hopefully) future with compelling intrigue.  Pullman is also great casting as new guy "Bob"; his eyes are incredibly expressive, going from innocent and lost to joyful to crazed, etc.; he can fit in with a crowd or take center stage with ease.  

Thunderbolts' banter and odd-fellows relations are broadly similar to Avengers, but they also bring their own dynamic to that formula.  The essential ingredient of humor is definitely carried over, with fun one-liners and squabbles:  the writing is back to the level of the good old days, thanks to a Marvel veteran and TV comedian duo.  Genuine connections between the very different characters are also back.  There are no forced BFF vibes - rather, the characters are simply forced to count on each other and gradually, grudgingly appreciate their common backgrounds to develop a bit of affection or at least respect. Hopefully this "B-team" will get plenty more screen time in the future!

Thunderbolts* also has a fun, serviceable story with some good action scenes, though the overall world it builds is most interesting element.The main plot eventually comes around to introducing a new super-person:  not exactly new idea, but it's handled well (gently poking fun at the idea itself and allowing for a taste of spectacle, etc.).  It's briskly paced, too: no wasted time, only a handful of boring cliches.The action is good and varied, and surprisingly modest for a marquee superhero movie.  Yelena gets to show off her martial arts skills, especially in early skirmishes, and there's a well-choreographed "friendly fire" fight amongst the heroes (a la Avengers).  A cool chase scene with humor and a neat Terminator callback rounds it out.  And instead of a big melee to end the movie, we get a save-the-civilians scene (again, a la Avengers) and a sci-fi-like sequence in which the heroes confront their pasts and literally must get past them to defeat their own darker selves to save the day.  Overall, Thunderbolts presents an interesting setup in which there are no more "superheroes" as traditionally thought of, though government and society is clamoring for them.  The machinations of trying to create those superheroes - the why and the how - are the focus, and the ways that can either hurt or help the world.  Marvel is back in top form!

***

I had been looking forward to Thunderbolts* for some time, and was glad that it met my expectations.  Hell, even the critics, who have seemed sick of anything from Marvel for the last five years, give it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes!  To me, it's ultimately a great combination of the general things that make Marvel movies so fun - the humor, good characters, and interesting plot/action - with a fresh perspective, focusing on lesser-known (and highly flawed) heroes in a more complex world.  So the summer movie season is off to a great start!  There are a few other movies in May I'm looking forward to, and hopefully there will again be some surprises along the way, too.  Until next time!

* By http://www.impawards.com/2025/thunderbolts_ver10.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=76191780

Sinners

 

Score:  A-/B+

Directed by Ryan Coogler

Starring Michael B. Jordan, Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, Hailee Steinfeld, Delroy Lindo, et al

Running time: 138 minutes

Rated R

Long Story Short: Sinners is a period drama/horror picture, the brain child of writer and director Ryan Coogler (Creed, Black Panther).  His talent is on full display in illustrating an enterprising duo (both played by Michael B. Jordan) pushing through the challenges of Depression-Era Mississippi to open a bar.  Things get much more intriguing as they get closer to their dream, through both phenomenal music and nighttime terrors.  The dots don't all connect as perfectly as you might hope, but it's still an original, entertaining and well-made movie.  Highly recommended.

Twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Jordan) have returned to the Mississippi Delta in 1932, having tired of their lives in Chicago and craving a triumphant return home.  They decide to open a new bar with the last of their money, and their plan to strike gold is to employ the best musicians in the area: blues pianist Delta Slim (Lindo) and singer (Pearline), and a secret introduction, their young cousin and guitar prodigy Sammie (Caton).  The twins assemble a strong staff around them and celebrate with a packed-house opening night.  However, the joyful music attracts more menacing neighbors, and the innocent party soon takes on more deadly stakes.

Sinners is an enjoyable genre mashup, both period drama and horror, that features impressive music and visuals.  I had even less idea of what to expect from this than most movies; all I knew was that it was partly a horror movie, which I usually avoid, but I was drawn in by director Coogler and its high critics scores.  The movie ends up focusing primarily on the drama and relationships of developing the new bar, with the horror coming in relatively late.  I most enjoyed the dramatic parts, of course, although it was a bit frustrating not being able to tell where it was all going (a sense that was not helped by characters' hard-to-understand Southern accents).  The horror element is interesting at first, too, especially when it's tied directly to the drama, but it builds to a disappointingly standard action climax.  Lifting up all parts of the movie - featuring an especially excellent dream/hallucination-like scene near the middle - are the music and the visuals.  Great blues music is played by Delta Slim, Pearline, and Sammie.  We get samples of it as they are forming the bar, then fully unleashed on opening night.  Even the bad guys also have some pleasant music, though they use a very different musical style.  The cinematography and  visuals are also great, though more subtle for the most part (except, again, for the standout middle scene and as the horror ramps up).

The acting in Sinners is very strong overall, with a rich cast of a variety of characters.  Jordan has a lot of charisma and screen presence as always, although his persona - which is identical (to me) between the twins - is basically his standard tough/cool guy.  Caton's Sammie is the more interesting character to me, with good acting, great musical performance, and a more complex, conflicted personality - music isn't the only thing in his background.  All of the supporting characters are good, and I especially liked Lindo's Delta Slim and a Chinese couple with a small but distinctive role.  It was interesting to watch the details and difficulties of setting up the bar, with not only racism but the Depression to deal with; the twins are strong and savvy, but it's still not easy to recruit their talent, secure supplies, and land a location.  While watching I had a growing sense that Sinners was akin to Get Out, in producing a clever metaphor for the racial challenges of the time and place.  Instead, Sinners is more straightforward with its presentation of racial struggle.  While there is an interesting mystical element, it is tied more to the music; I feel it could have also tied in more strongly (and artistically) with race, too, if the action/gore was held in check and instead further develop character relations.  Although maybe I just missed it - I intentionally did not read anyone else's review yet!  But even if I did, I still found it to be a very good, well-made and entertaining movie.

***

Sinners is yet another original (aka, not a sequel or part of an existing franchise) that I've seen this year, which is an encouraging trend.  Especially when it's made by a proven filmmaker like Ryan Coogler, I jump at the chance to see these in the theater.  I admit that I didn't like it quite as much as what the stupendous reviews on Rotten Tomatoes suggest (98% from critics and 97% from audiences!).  That could be due partly to my aversion to horror, partly to my comparing it to Get Out.  But really, it's nitpicking.  I'm glad to see that it is doing well at the box office, hopefully encouraging studios to make more movies like it (not the specific topic/genre, but 1) creative original ideas, and 2) led by talented filmmakers).  With April almost over, that means it's almost time for summer movie season.  That surely means more sequels and franchise fare, but I'm mostly OK with that: particularly with a Marvel-version of Suicide Squad, a new Pixar, the final Mission Impossible, and a rebooted Jurassic Park.  Until next time!

* By IMP Awards, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=77948449

Warfare

Score:  A-

Directed by Ray Mendoza and Alex Garland

Starring Will Poulter, Cosmo Jarvis, D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, et al

Running time: 95 minutes 

Rated R

Long Story Short:  Warfare is among the most unique and striking war movies I've seen, as well as one of the best.  It is a realistic-as-possible recreation of a small scale battle for survival fought by a Navy SEAL platoon during the Iraq War.  While it lacks the ra-ra triumphalism of many war movies, it is incredibly tense and gripping as you watch this very intimate and real fight for survival, and it shows the SEALs' courage and sacrifice vividly.  Highly recommended.

A re-enactment from the Iraq War, the events of Warfare take place in November 2006, depicting a platoon's experiences during one mission of the Battle of Ramadi.  A team of Navy SEALs is stationed in an Iraqi family's home in order to provide cover and surveillance for other military units.  However, the enemy discovers them and they themselves become the target of a large, harrowing attack.  Warfare shows the full battle, with all its moments of terror, bloodshed, courage, and heroism.

Warfare is a gripping, well-made war movie that focuses on a sense of authenticity in depicting a small piece of a larger battle in the Iraq War.  The main director is Mendoza, who was himself part of the SEAL team (played in the movie by Woon-A-Tai).  His skill and unique perspective on the military and the battle itself combined with Garland's extensive film experience allow for both a very authentic experience as well as one that is very artistic and compelling, both visually and emotionally.  The plot and details are based entirely on the individual SEALs' memories; because of conflicting memories due to the trauma of battle, some interpretation/compromise was necessary.  That plot is tightly focused: other than brief scenes of the SEALs pumping themselves up at their base and a nighttime stealth entrance to the Iraqi neighborhood, it all takes place in virtually real-time - inside the commandeered home and just outside it.  While there is plenty of "action", it's not like even some of the most realistic-seeming other war movies: the SEALs are not superheroes, and you don't see them mow down bad guys like video game characters.  The SEALs are very skilled and well-trained, but they appear to shoot mostly to keep the enemy occupied or at bay.  Some gruesome injuries are suffered, but its filming is not overwhelming (and I'm squeamish).  The level of detail in the medical care for these injuries, and details to other functions like surveillance, communications, etc., are quite impressive and immersive.

Warfare is also a very well acted movie and benefits as well from great skill in filmmaking fundamentals from pacing to cinematography.  There are a few semi-recognizable actors (Poulter, James Gandolfini's son) but it's mostly no-names, which I think was a good choice.  They all do a very good job in a mix of more "casual" scenes (still on duty but show more personality shown-typical young male stuff as well as subtle tics, etc.) with the intensity of the action and being on alert/under duress.  We get only glimpses of each character, but it's still enough to make them distinctive and human, and make us fully concerned for their safety.  The tension in the movie just keeps ratcheting up, from the beginning to the end, although there are also smaller ups-and-downs in intensity - a little action, followed by quiet, etc. - making the 90 minute running time all the faster and more compact.  Warfare is a great tribute to the veterans of the Iraq War, it seems to me: the movie doesn't comment on the politics of the war, one way or the other, but focuses on the brotherhood of the SEALs - their courage and skill under fire, but even more so their unwavering devotion to each other, imperiling themselves to help their buddies without hesitation.  The overall message I take is that war is messy, chaotic, and extremely dangerous and destructive; we should take great care before waging war, and keep the individual troops as our priority when we do.

***

Warfare is a unique little gem of a movie that I'm glad that I got to see in theaters.  I'd say I was surprised by it, not knowing about it until I saw it in my theater's showtimes, but that seems to be the default these days (because of less/different marketing for movies than in the past, and my looking into upcoming movies less).  Combining a seasoned, versatile director in Alex Garland with a veteran of the battle itself (and developing filmmaker himself) in Ray Mendoza was a great idea and resulted in a compelling, watchable, and illuminating movie.  Hollywood, to its credit, does seem to be releasing more original movies this year - but unfortunately, audiences have not rewarded them with good box office results so far.  The runaway hit so far this year is... a (poorly-reviewed) video game-based movie.  Sigh.  C'mon, everyone, get out to the theaters!  I will definitely be going back again soon, for another original getting great reviews: Sinners.

* By http://www.impawards.com/2025/warfare_xxlg.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78619575

One of Them Days + Novocaine

     

Mini-Reviews: One of Them Days + Novocaine

One of Them Days

Score: B+

Directed by Lawrence Lamont

Starring Keke Palmer, SZA, Katt Williams, et al

Running time: 97 minutes

Rated R

One of Them Days is a buddy comedy in which two good friends in LA go on a day-long adventure to reclaim their stolen rent money.  The movie reminded me of a number of other silly, over-the-top comedies from years past - with the notable difference that this one stars two young black women (instead of two straight white dudes) and highlights (well, surely also exaggerates) their community and culture.  That made for an enjoyable, refreshing change of pace for me.  Both lead actresses do a great job: both are quite distinctive, at times even (entertainingly) flamboyant.  They are flawed, to the degree that you sometimes wonder how they've made it even as far as their modest lots in life, but also very sympathetic, hard-working, and ultimately good human beings.  The bright, sunny LA environment keeps the mood up, even as the movie shows the challenges of their neighborhood, from a (literally) falling to pieces apartment to a ruthless (and hilarious) payday loan center to the pair's many desperate attempts for cash from any source.  There are lots of funny supporting characters, from Katt Williams's hilariously "helpful" homeless man to Janelle James's (from Abbott Elementary) hapless nurse to the diverse, close-knit group of other residents at the apartment building.  The jokes don't always land, but this comedy has its heart in the right place and, once you get past some of the (intentionally) cringe-inducing antics, you come to love the characters.

Novocaine

Score:  B/B+

Directed by Dan Berk and Robert Olsen

Starring Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Jacob Batalon, et al

Running time: 110 minutes

Rated R

Novocaine is an action comedy whose main hook is that the lead, a mild-mannered banker, is aided in his improbable action rescue attempt by his inability to feel pain.  The movie follows a pretty standard plot and structure, with a short (but well-done) intro of Nathan's (Quaid) normal life followed by the plot trigger - a bank robbery gone wrong - after which Nathan goes on his mission, increasingly willing and able to use more violent means to defeat the bad guys and save the good guys.  Still, the movie does a better, more subtle and interesting job fleshing out Nathan's real life than most other movies in this genre, illustrating aspects from his everyday challenges because of his condition to his job to his relationships.  The action isn't too ridiculous, either: Nathan is not a natural fighter by any stretch, instead relying on his ability to shrug off tremendously painful injuries.  A number of those wounds made me wince and look away - a job well done by the filmmakers, actors, and staff, but not so gruesome that it's sadistic or nightmare-inducing.  In the end it's not a movie likely to stick with me for long (although its actual ending is also well done) - it's certainly not an action classic in the making.  But, short of being an awards-worthy movie or genre staple, this is exactly the kind of movie that I've been craving to see in theaters, and I'm glad that I did.

* By http://www.impawards.com/2025/one_of_them_days_xlg.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78204780

 * By Infrared Pictures / Safehouse Pictures / Circle of Confusion / Paramount Pictures - IMP Awards, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=78586924

2024 "On Your Left" Film Year-in-Review

2024 "On Your Left" Film Year-in-Review

It's that time again - celebrating a year's worth of movies!  While there were certainly some strong films this year, overall it was a down year, at least to me.  I didn't see even twenty movies in theaters this year (18), the first time in a (non-pandemic) year in a long time.  There were several reasons for this.  First, the actors' and writers' strike of 2023 had a big impact on what got released in 2024: it certainly seemed like there were even more horror movies (which I hardly ever see) and relatively few big releases or just many of the industry's biggest/best names absent.  Second, several of the genres I like best were particularly quiet: Marvel and DC had just one movie release each (and I skipped the Joker sequel); I was so desperate, I saw both (bad) Sony superhero movies.  My local theater also showed few of the Oscar nominees, and the ones it did show were either at a bad time for me or didn't interest me (3.5 hours of The Brutalist? Pass).

Still, I had plenty of fun in theaters in 2024, featuring both a wide array of films but also some recurring themes/genres.  Without further ado, these were the highlights (and a few lowlights).

Here is the format of this post, same as in years past:

• Top 10 films of the year!
• Most underrated/overrated films
• Most surprising/disappointing films
• Worst film of the year
• List of other films I saw in theaters (with links to my reviews)
• Films I saw on streaming

Please check out my companion post here, which is more like my Oscar-style awards.  I hope you'll check out some of these movies for yourself!

Top 10 Films of 2024

10. Fly Me to the Moon (directed by Greg Berlanti; starring Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Woody Harrelson, et. al.)

This rom-com lands in my top-10 list partly thanks to it being a down year, but it's still an impressive movie worth watching (Apple TV+).  A fictionalization of the lead up to the moon landing, it is light-hearted and often silly, yet funnier and more poignant than expected, and contains many accurate insights on the real political/cultural setting that work well and are not just thrown in.  Scarlett Johansson is excellent as the lead, an expert marketer NASA hires to gin up support (financial and otherwise) for the mission; Tatum is pretty bad (apparently Chris Evans was originally cast... if only!!).  The supporting cast is fantastic (Rash, Romano, etc.) and the "just-in-case" fake moon landing plot is great.  One of the stronger "old-fashioned" Hollywood movies in recent years. 

9. Wolfs (directed by Jon Watts; starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Amy Ryan)

It is a crying shame that this clever, funny, action-packed thriller was never put in theaters, instead forcing viewers to make do at home.  It's hard to go wrong when you start by reteaming Clooney and Pitt (Ocean's Eleven), veterans who could make this in their sleep but do seem to really enjoy this and give it their best effort.  They are certainly portrayed to be very capable fixers, but the movie's key ingredient is its level of surprise (to me, at least) and the heroes' foibles, both tactical and ethical.  As tense and violent as it can get, the movie is frequently funny, more so than most others.  The story confined to a matter of hours, it's also really well made and entertaining - unlike much other streaming-only content.

8. A Real Pain (directed by Jesse Eisenberg; starring Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin)

I saw this one on Hulu, one of the large number of Oscar nominees or contenders that just didn't come to theaters near me.  It's a very small-scale indie movie, focusing on the relationship of two cousins who were close when they were young but have since diverged significantly in their life paths.  The plot touches on the Holocaust, as the cousins tour their ancestors' Polish home, including a brief and quiet but powerful tour of a concentration camp.  But the cousins' push-and-pull is the main feature.  Eisenberg and especially Culkin are both tremendous, each of them with likable as well as maddening traits.  A great portrait of a realistic relationship, but it's not a classic that's likely to stick with me.

7. Unfrosted (directed by Jerry Seinfeld; starring Jerry Seinfeld, Melissa McCarthy, Jim Gaffigan, Amy Schumer, et al)

And now for something very different!  Yet similar, in that I had to stream it because it wasn't released in theaters (damn you, Netflix!!!).  This is a wonderfully bonkers "origin story" for the Pop-Tarts breakfast treat, with no bearing on the product's real development but plenty of clever parallels to other real events, both historical and current (from JFK to Jan. 6).  The cast is full of top-notch comedic talent, from Seinfeld himself (who seems like an odd fit but is great) to McCarthy, Max Greenfield, Peter Dinklage and so many more.  It is just stuffed full of gags; not all of them land, but the cheerful, uncynical attempts will still make you smile.  Ignore the critics: this is one of the best pure comedies in years and well worth your time when you need a laugh.

6. Dune Part Two (directed by Denis Villeneuve; starring Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, et al)

Dune Part Two was the biggest, most epic blockbuster of the year that I saw in theaters (thankfully!), a cinematic experience more impactful than all but a handful of peers.  This sequel is again directed by Villeneuve, a fantastic filmmaker who's shown he can handle the big scifi stuff but also ground it in specific, unique, strange-but-not-off-putting styles.  And Dune is certainly a big, strange story, especially the second half of the book which this movie covers.  Villeneuve capably translates a lot of abstract and mystical writing into a comprehensible, cohesive (mostly) structure.  But the real draw is the visual and aural presentation of the desert world, even more impressive than in Part One; from the sensory overloading sandwurm riding to the magical, hallucinatory effects of the sand itself, it's immersive.  The story and characters may be forgotten, but the world will stay with you for a long time.

5. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (directed by George Miller; starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Hemsworth)

Another desert-based epic, this one is even better!  George Miller improbably resurrected his 1980s scifi/ action franchise with 2015's Fury Road, and this one is nearly as good as that instant classic (better in some ways).  The female character introduced in 2015 is the star here, and Taylor-Joy, despite a slight frame, is sufficiently fierce and focused to resemble Theron's version.  Hemsworth is a great foil, perhaps the maddest of them all in the survival-of-the-fittest desert world, and is by turns humorous, villainous, and human.  As Dune is defined by its wondrous world, Furiosa is all about its virtuosic action sets.  There is some CGI, but most of it is practical effects (or looks it), and there are several ludicrously (in a good way) extended scenes.  Despite great critical reviews, it somehow bombed at the box office - make sure to see it now at home, at least.

4. The Order (directed by Justin Kurzel; starring Jude Law, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, et al)

This one came out of the blue for me, popping up in my theater's showtimes; fortunately, I looked it up, gave it a chance, and enjoyed one of the best films of the year.  The story is based on true events in rural Pacific Northwest in the 1980s revolving around a white supremacist group's terrorist plot.  The structure is straightforward and tightly focused around a new-in-town FBI agent's growing investigation.  Jude Law is unbelievably good in the role, a stoic individual, not a superhero but very competent with unassailable integrity and concern for the public.  Holt is nearly as good as the leader of the white supremacists, chilling in his combination of almost normal family life with charismatic villainy among his followers.  This is ultimately a tale of remarkable law enforcement, resisting the temptation to preach a message or add Hollywood action.  Watch it for both great entertainment and enlightenment.

3. Challengers (directed by Luca Guadagnino; starring Zendaya, Josh O'Connor, Mike Faist)

Here is another film that came as a surprise to me, but likewise rewarded me for giving it a try.  The director has made some other notable films (Call Me By Your Name was nominated for Best Picture) but this is the first I've seen.  And whoa, he has a distinctive style.  Challengers is essentially an athletically, emotionally, and sensually-charged tale of the tennis and romantic competition of two young men and a young woman.  The tennis scenes are riveting, filmed in a variety of clever ways that make you feel the power of the shots and the sheer exertion.  The love triangle is just as intense; nothing close to X-rated scenes, but the actors' fully convey their passions both verbally and in body language.  The story also makes good use of a non-linear sequencing, so the way you feel about each character in the present keeps shifting based on what you see in the past.  Extraordinarily entertaining and well-made.

2. Deadpool & Wolverine (directed by Shawn Levy; starring Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, et al)

This was the only Marvel superhero movie release of 2024, but fortunately, it also turned out to be among the studio's best productions.  Marvel had fallen on hard(er) times lately, with diminished critical scores and box office results for its films, so it took a detour from its regular storyline, instead featuring two megastars from other superhero "worlds".  Reynolds' Deadpool and Jackman's Wolverine turn out to be excellent, hilarious partners.  This is essentially a third Deadpool movie in its tone and style - irreverent but not quite parody, raunchy and bloody but not grossly so - but Jackman does a great job of adjusting his character to fit into it, while staying true to the Wolverine we've known from nine (!) previous movies.  If anything, D&W pokes fun at the Marvel franchise more than advancing its story, and instead focuses on being a great action-comedy for everyone (from boy band-scored battles to beef-settling in the family minivan).

1. Saturday Night (directed by Jason Reitman; starring Gabriel LaBelle, Rachel Sennott, Cory Michael Smith, Matt Wood, Cooper Hoffman, et al)

The best - and my favorite - movie of 2024 was about one of my favorite TV shows, Saturday Night Live.  Like many of the best historically-based films, this is focused on a very specific time frame - here, it is appropriately the 90 minutes leading up to the first episode of SNL (a show that runs 90 minutes).  The film deftly includes a variety of storylines and themes, but the main one tying it all together is the joyous chaos of bringing a creative production to life as a community.  We follow Lorne Michaels, the creator and producer of SNL, as he attempts to juggle the eccentric personalities of his stars, the high-pressure demands of his studio bosses, and the general chaos of the set.  Most of the action is behind the scenes, in the halls and offices of Studio 8H; there's plenty of compelling drama, both showbiz and personal, as well as much great humor.  We also get regular glimpses of the SNL sketches being rehearsed, and the actors portraying the original cast are top-notch.  The ending, which is technically the actual launch for SNL, is surprisingly tense with uncertainty and provides a poignant send off.  So well made from top to bottom, Saturday Night is highly recommended for all audiences and my favorite movie of the year.

Honorable mentions:  The Wild Robot, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Most Underrated Film of the Year:  Unfrosted

This made my top-10 of the year, and it's a crying shame that it was not released in theaters (damn you, Netflix!!).  Unfrosted got quite a chilly critical reception, with just a 40% Rotten Tomatoes score.  I'm not sure what they were expecting?  If you go into it looking for a remotely realistic founding story for the legendary Pop-Tarts breakfast treat, you will indeed be disappointed.  But if you are looking for a ridiculously silly and fun time, you will be hard-pressed to find anything better than this.  They throw a lot at the wall and sure, not all of it sticks, but its heart is in the right place.

  

Most Overrated Film of the Year:  Thelma

This movie offers a fascinating comparison to Unfrosted.  Thelma should have been much closer to Unfrosted in its silliness and fun than it was.  Was it bad?  No.  But it got a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, which is insane for a movie that is "meh" at best.  Maybe I simply had the wrong expectations going into this, like critics apparently did for Unfrosted.  But honestly, I can think of more situations where I would actively avoid this movie than those in which I would seek it out.  It has moments of silliness, sure, but it has about as many heavy or even depressing ones.  Be warned.

Most Surprisingly-Good Film of the Year:  Red One

I almost put this as my most underrated movie, and you could easily swap categories between this and Unfrosted.  Red One got an even more miserable critical score, at 30% on RT - BUT, it has a 90% score from audiences.  I mostly went to go see this in theaters (Amazon made this but they DID release it in theaters and not just streaming - see, you can do both, Netflix, wake up!!!) because I was desperate for something fun in what had been a pretty barren year.  I was fully prepared for this to be an action-comedy holiday with big stars cash-grab.  But... it wasn't.  Certainly there were better movies this year, but Red One is MUCH better than it has any right to be.  Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans are perfect for their roles and clearly are having fun and applying their considerable talents.  It's not quite a Christmas classic, but I can certainly see myself revisiting this in years to come.

Most Disappointing Film of the Year:  Gladiator II

Sequels are usually difficult, and sequels coming twenty-plus years after the original are even more so.  Still, the original Gladiator was so good that I had to try this, especially with director Ridley Scott returning.  Well, so much for my hopes that GII could pull off a successful reincarnation anything near the level of George Miller's new Mad Max movies.  This movie has many problems, most especially: way too beholden to the original (callback moments, characters and plotlines galore), and poor writing and acting (especially the new hero, Maximus's son, played by Paul Mescal).  The only thing saving it from being a complete failure is Denzel Washington, who is phenomenal as always.  He gives you hope that the movie might eventually get its act together (which it doesn't).

Worst Film of the Year:  Argylle

This was the first 2024 movie release that I saw in theaters, and fortunately, everything after it got better!  The previews made it seem like a fun action-comedy in the vein of 2014's Kingsman: The Secret Service which I loved.  This time, I agree with the critics (33% on RT) giving it a bad score - but I would have gone even further.  The acting and writing are both atrocious despite featuring people who we know have some talent.  It is so derivative, uncreative, and glaringly predictable that it is 2 hour-20 minute running time feels even more excruciating.  Apple has made some quality, fun movies (see Wolfs from my top-10, Napoleon from last year, etc.) but this was a complete, epic fail.

(other) Movies I Streamed in 2024:

• Roadhouse (B).  I haven't seen the original, but in its own this is quite a fun action movie, its story definitely reminiscent of other 80s flicks.  Gyllenhaal is good as always, and the movie elicits more human sympathy than most other in the genre.
• Jackpot! (B).  This is an uber-silly movie similar to Unfrosted, but not as good.  Still, Awkwafina (who can be a bit grating) is a good choice for a woman who wins the lottery - one that allows other people to kill you to take your winnings.  John Cena plays a silly but fun protector.
• Hit Man (B).  This was one of the hottest streaming movies of the year, though I think it's a bit overrated.  Yes, rising star Glen Powell is pretty fun and has some range as a professor turned police undercover disguise contractor.  But it could/should have been even better, and the ending was revolting to me.
• Will and Harper (B).  Will Ferrell stars as himself in this non-comedic documentary following him as he goes on a road trip with a recently-transitioned old friend.  There are some poignant moments but it felt a bit slow to me and somewhat directionless at times.
• IF (B-/C+).  Even Ryan Reynolds's considerable charm and talent can't save IF (Imaginary Friends) from drowning in a cloying story whose whimsy, which should be the main attraction, is really not that interesting.  Should have dumped the serious/sentimental elements and gone Unfrosted-style uber silly.
• Lift (C+). I honestly don't remember this one very well, which tells you something. But you could do worse for a different kind of action movie that has a few chuckles (though not nearly as many as you'd expect with Kevin Hart starring).
• The Beekeeper (C).  Typical Jason Statham action movie - if you've seen one, you'll pretty much know what to expect from this.  However, I'm downgrading it even from that modest standard since the finale felt to me like it was leaning way too much into MAGA-type conspiracies.

Other Movies I Saw in Theaters:

• The Fall Guy (B+)
• Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (B).  Saw this in a "cheap" theater, didn't write a review. It was fine with some interesting ideas and decent action; certainly better than the disappointing War of the PA (which seemed like it would be the final film in the series... I should know better!).
• Inside Out 2 (B)
• Kong x Godzilla: New Empire (C+).  Didn't write a review because there's not a lot to say.  It is even more ridiculous than the other new Godzilla movies.  But it certainly had some entertainment value from the sheer scope of the visuals and action.  If you didn't see it in the theater, though, don't bother.
• Venom 3 (C)
• Madame Web (C-).  This is a pretty terrible movie, as just about everyone seems to agree.  The director needed a "Spidey-sense" that this was going to be bad, and just made it one of those "so bad it's good" movies.  Instead, the awful acting, dialogue, story, etc. isn't balanced out at all by any fun zaniness.

* By source: https://images.app.goo.gl/smFHYfmgYVScLGpSA

2024 "On Your Left" Film Awards

 

2024 "On Your Left" Film Awards

As I do every year, I am writing about the best performances in film (that I saw).  Frankly, this was kind of a down year, both for my watching and the movies in general.  I have only seen one of the nominees for Best Picture this year, though I usually see at least half of the nominees.  Theaters around me simply have not been screening the nominees, and I haven't been in the mood to watch them at home.  Still, there were some impressive accomplishments to highlight from 2024.

For this Oscar-style awards post, I'm sticking with my rule that only films I've seen are eligible.  I will only bother to make note if I watched a performance but chose not to nominate it.  Otherwise, I'd be making a lot of "didn't see it" notes!  Other than that, if it's eligible at the Oscars this year, it's eligible for me.

Please also check out my year-in-review post with my top-10 movies of the year, most overrated and most surprising movies, and more, too!

Winners in bold

Runners-up underlined

Best Actor

Mike Faist (Challengers)

Hugh Jackman/Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool & Wolverine)

Gabriel LaBelle (Saturday Night)

Jude Law (The Order)

Josh O'Connor (Challengers)

Honorable mentions: George Clooney/Brad Pitt (Wolfs)

I didn't see any of the Best Actor nominees this year (this will be a trend), so it's a random assortment here.  One mini-theme was an emphasis on co-leads, or even just ensembles without a single clear lead.  Clooney and Pitt brought their Ocean's Eleven-style fun to Wolfs (which had its theatrical run nixed by Apple - BOOO!!!), but you can't top the delirious, irreverent joy of Jackman and Reynolds finally teaming up in Marvel's only 2024 movie.  Gabriel LaBelle was great as the put-upon but determined Lorne Michaels in a cinematic portrayal of the lead up to SNL's first episode.  And it's appropriate to return to duos for runner-up, which is a tie between the leads in Challengers, friends turned rivals (athletic and romantic) who exude raw emotion in every frame and keep you riveted.  But it's Jude Law who wins it for me, thanks to a committed but wonderfully understated role as an FBI agent hunting white supremacists in The Order.  He had to keep it subtle and he did, bringing a grim no-nonsense presence that is a tribute to real-life heroes.

Best Actress

Emily Blunt (The Fall Guy)

Scarlett Johansson (Fly Me to the Moon)

June Squibb (Thelma)

Anya Taylor-Joy (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga)

Zendaya (Challengers)

I must admit, my movie-going in 2024 featured a paucity of lead female roles.  June Squibb was fine in the (overrated) quasi-action-comedy Thelma, but qualifies for the list for lack of better options.  Emily Blunt was quite sharp, however, in The Fall Guy, perhaps sneakily the best part of the film; I only wish they'd given her even more to work with.  Scarlett Johansson did get a suitably large role, but also the added difficulty of having to cover for a God-awful performance from Channing Tatum; she is a bona-fide star leading lady, handling a wide range of demands with ease.  Anya Taylor-Joy gave a fully committed, fierce performance in the action epic Furiosa, proving herself worthy of Charlize Theron's earlier portrayal of the role.  And it was Zendaya in the actors showcase of Challengers who rose above them all.  She was completely believable in the role of tennis prodigy-turned-power broker.  She is powerful yet vulnerable, kind-hearted and forgiving yet flawed and at times ruthless.  She anchors the turbulent film and its emotions and is oh so human in doing so.

Best Supporting Actress

Adria Arjona (Hit Man)

Rebecca Ferguson (Dune Part Two)

Eiza Gonzalez (Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare)

Rachel Sennott (Saturday Night)

Hannah Waddingham (The Fall Guy)

Adria Arjona (Good Omens) showed again that she has charisma to spare in the action rom-com Hit Man, providing the film a crucial strong opposite to the undercover professor.  Eiza Gonzalez similarly helped Ungentlemanly Warfare rise above being just another WWII action flick with the subtle skill and professionalism of her spy - and ability to up the intensity to go toe-to-toe with Nazis.  Ferguson was just as good in Dune Part Two as she was last time as hero Paul Atreides' mystical mother; the story crowds her out more in this one, unfortunately, but she also gets some even stranger but fascinating scenes.  Waddingham, following her star turn in Ted Lasso, makes for an over-the-top but hilarious producer/ villain in The Fall Guy, joyfully subverting expectations for who the main baddie is in this type of film.  My favorite supporting role of the year was for the most dramatic, but also the funniest, in Rachel Sennott's Rosie, co-producer of SNL with her husband, Lorne Michaels.  She shows herself at least as competent and talented as her more famous spouse, with a well-honed skill for managing chaotic sets and personalities.  She and LaBelle's Michaels also share brief but poignant moments of a relationship on the rocks.

Best Supporting Actor

Chris Hemsworth (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga)

Nicholas Hoult (The Order)

Babs Olusanmokun (Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare)

Cory Michael Smith/Matt Wood (Saturday Night)

Denzel Washington (Gladiator II)

Honorable mentions: Hugh Grant (Unfrosted), Jim Rash (Fly Me to the Moon)

This was the richest acting category of the year, among films I saw.  I have to give shout-outs to Grant and Rash for their small but devastatingly hilarious roles in Unfrosted and Fly Me to the Moon, respectively; both movies are really funny overall (and much better than their critics' ratings) and these two are great examples why.  Olusanmokun is Gonzalez's counterpart in Ungentlemanly Warfare and a great one at that; he takes the secondary role in the pair but the combination is great.  Hemsworth, maybe inspired by being unleashed in the latest Thor movies, goes bonkers with the villain in Furiosa; twisted and cruel, he still makes the part nuanced enough that it's also fully human, too.  Speaking of twisted and cruel, Denzel Washington was the only great thing about the long-awaited Gladiator sequel; he provided a great tonal and quality level that the rest of the film sadly would/could not match.  Hoult is cementing himself as one of the very top actors in Hollywood today, this time with an absolutely chilling rendition of a real-life white supremacist in The Order; he makes the criminal seem almost normal at times, but shows all-too-much talent for drawing others to his vision and brutally carrying it out.  I am cheating with the winner, which is essentially the ensemble from Saturday Night (semi-led by Michael Smith's Chevy Chase and Wood's Belushi).  From the main cast of SNL stars we all know and love to a rich list of behind-the-scenes gophers, producers, and hustlers, they made this the best film of the year.

Best Director

Luca Guadagnino (Challengers)

Shawn Levy (Deadpool & Wolverine)

George Miller (Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga)

Jason Reitman (Saturday Night)

Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two)

Shawn Levy helped pull off two neat tricks in 2024's only Marvel movie: he combined two major (and fan-favorite) heroes cohesively, and he reassured fans that Marvel could still bring mega-entertainment by stretching the boundaries of the genre.  George Miller somehow keeps it up, almost fifty years after creating the Mad Max series; here he wisely focuses on the 2015 entry's best new character, but kept the stunning, extended practical-effects-based action scenes that are at the peak of blockbuster thrills.  Denis Villeneuve also continues to show his skill, as among the top auteurs of the past decade or so; he makes the abstract, almost hallucinatory second half of the classic Dune novel comprehensible but also keeps a lot of nuance in creating a more sophisticated blockbuster.  I am a newcomer to Guadagnino, a rising director, but he immediately showed how to supercharge the intensity of a cinematic drama, from coaxing riveting performances from his young trio to choreographing his sports (tennis) scenes in awesome new ways.  Topping them all is Jason Reitman, whose Saturday Night was my favorite film of the year.  Yes, I am an SNL fan anyway, but this film gave an extraordinary view of the creative chaos and enormous number of levels at which a production must function to succeed.  Yet Reitman holds it all together, and - crucially - keeps it funny throughout, as any SNL-based work should be.

* From https://images.app.goo.gl/LQVUsq5MkcJVkdWY9

Captain America: Brave New World

 

Score:  A-/B+

Directed by

Starring Anthony Mackie, Harrison Ford, Danny Ramirez, Shira Haas, Giancarlo Esposito

Running time: 118 minutes

Rated PG-13

Long Story Short:  Captain America: Brave New World is the fourth Captain America movie - but the first starring Sam Wilson (Mackie) in the role - and a very solid entry in the overall Marvel superhero world.  Mackie's Wilson is a worthy successor to the shield and red-white-and-blue, even if he needs more time to become an icon of his own.  The story has a gripping (fake) political element that carries over from earlier movies, and the action is top-notch (and fortunately, less fantasy-based).  Highly recommended for theater viewing, Marvel fans or otherwise.

Sam Wilson (Mackie) is getting used to his new status and responsibility as Captain America, a role he has taken up from his old friend, Steve Rogers.  Complicating the transition is a new President, the former General Thaddeus Ross (Ford) who has long been opposed to superheroes operating outside of government control.  So Wilson cautiously decides to work with President Ross, but an attack on the White House causes an international crisis.  Both Wilson and Ross have long histories in major world events, and in Ross's case, many skeletons in his closet, some of which are threatening to come out into the open.  Not superpowered like Rogers, and without a team of Avengers around him, Wilson must rely on his wits and courage to avert all-out war.

Captain America: Brave New World is a solid return to a more standard superhero movie for Marvel; not as good as some of the originals, but entertaining and well-made.  Even though it replaces Evans's Rogers for Mackie's Wilson in the title role, this sequel retains much of the tone and style of the earlier movies: political intrigue-based story with more grounded stakes yet pleasingly hard-hitting action.  It's a nice change of pace since much of post-Avengers Endgame (2019) Marvel has emphasized more of the fantasy or sci-fi elements.  The story also continues Marvel's interconnected themes: among others, Ross was first introduced seventeen (!) years ago in The Incredible Hulk and there is an artifact from Eternals (2021).  You'll get more out of movie if you have followed Marvel's oeuvre, but it's not essential.  The most interesting idea in Brave New World is making Ross - an ordinary man trying to keep the peace and order in a superhero/villain-filled world - a complex, nuanced figure, neither good nor bad though quite flawed.  Wilson's character, unfortunately, doesn't get quite the same attention but is still intriguing as both a Black man taking on an iconic white hero's role, not to mention being a "normal", one-time sidekick trying to do so.  Again though, if you've seen previous works (especially Disney+'s The Falcon and the Soldier), you'll have a very good foundation for the character.  Mackie is very good as Wilson in a tough role.  He has developed a distinct persona and has grown to meet his new role, but he's not (yet) as brilliant as the original cast of heroes (RDJ's Iron Man, etc.).  Ford is great too, of course; while it feels a little odd since Ross was previously played by William Hurt (who died 2022), it's also somewhat appropriate since the character is different and more central here.  Esposito is unsurprisingly awesome as a minor villain (who could and should return!); Lumbly is still excellent as an old veteran/super-powered mentor (a great partner for Wilson); and Haas is interesting as head of security, and neat that she's a former Black Widow assassin (another callback).  My only gripe with the cast is Ramirez as Torres.  He's OK at best, but the movie really could have used a great new sidekick for Wilson, someone much funnier and/or more distinct; too often Torres is merely kind of annoying.

Brave New World's action is very high-quality and creative, with several different varied set pieces that don't blur together or drag on so long as to get numbing or boring.  Wilson's Captain America is an interesting hybrid who is his own hero: he still has Falcon wings (now with Black Panther's vibranium metal), plus an Iron Man-lite suit for tech/armor, and of course the shield.  This setup is versatile for fight scenes both high-flying and hand-to-hand, powerful but not ridiculously so.  The first fight shows off his abilities and skills, but also gives him a serious challenge and we see more of this later sprinkled throughout, just the right amount.The final fight against Hulk - which is frequently shown in ads/ previews - is better than I expected, as it effectively reminds us how powerful Hulks are and leads to a tense showdown with Captain America that features plenty of damage but not utter disaster-level.  Humor, another Marvel trademark, is not as good here, though the movie provides some chuckles.  The writing just isn't quite as snappy as the originals with their great banter and memorable one-liners; the dramatic dialogue isn't fantastic, either, but at least it manages to avoid being bad or cheesy.  Overall, this is a strong Marvel film: one that stands on its own with a self-contained story, yet is also strengthened by movies/shows that came before it and provides seeds for future development.

***

Captain America: Brave New World met my hopes for Marvel's "return" in 2025 (2024 had Deadpool & Wolverine, which was fantastic, but felt separate from the rest of the so-called MCU).  I already had confidence in Mackie and his ability to be the new Captain America, but I wasn't sure if the movie around him would do him justice.  Fortunately, in just about every way, it did.  I'll admit that it feels like it comes up a bit short to movies like Iron Man and the first Captain America, though part of that could just be my nostalgia.  Now that we (at least, I) can rest assured that Marvel is just fine still on the fundamentals of movie making, I do hope that they'll continue pushing forward with new stories, themes, and ideas, like it did here with a Black man taking up Cap's shield.  With two more Marvel movies to come this year plus probably at least a series or two, we shall soon see.  In other movie news, I saw One of Them Days recently (very entertaining!) but haven't written a review yet; I hope to do a mini-review sometime soon.  With the fallout from the pandemic and the 2023 writers' and actors' strike well behind us now, I'm optimistic for the rest of 2025.  Until next time!

* By https://dam.gettyimages.com/thewaltdisneystudios/allaccess/#!asset/28ks3rpv49gp7cmxc48t8rt, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=73349947