ASTRO BOY (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Astro Boy, surprisingly, is better than the first episodes of the 1980 Astro Boy television series with its little different twist than the television stories had. Nicolas Cage does a great job voicing Dr. Tenma while Freddie Highmore easily earns his place as an outstanding choice to voice Astro Boy. This film needs improvement in presentation and storyline.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Toby (voice of Freddie Highmore) is accidentally disintegrated by energy spheres and is reconstructed by his father, Dr. Tenma (voice of Nicolas Cage), into a robotic body.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director David Bowers for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Francis Kao, Cecil Kramer, Ken Tsumura, and Paul Wang for making the film possible. Cast include: Freddie Highmore, voice of Ryann Stiles, Eugene Levy, voice of Nicolas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Bill Nighy, David Alan Grier, and Alan Tudyk.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is an okay watch but not great. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

VALKYRIE (Released to Theaters USA 2008)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.5|5.0 Starsìììì

Valkyrie—one of the best directed World War II films—sits among Ben Meyers International Movie Critics favorite films of 2008. The storyline revolves around the Hitler assassination attempt by Germany’s highest ranking military leaders. Great acting and portrayal.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg (Tom Cruise) attempts to assassinate Hitler (David Bamber).

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Bryan Singer for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Ken Kamins, Chris Lee, John Ottman, Dwight C. Schar, Mark Shapiro, and Daniel M. Snyder; Music Composer John Ottman; and Script Writers Christopher McQuarrie and Nathan Alexander for making possible an outstanding film. Cast include: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Terence Stamp, Eddie Izzard and David Bamber.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. A wonderful presentation for Tom Cruise fans.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

THE WILD ROBOT (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì The Wild Robot—unique and colorful—flows with heart and sentiment. This movie is great for family share entertainment night. It has good portrayal and presentation. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline A shipping crate with a new robot inside washes up on a seashore. Forest animals  accidentally activate the robot after the crate breaks open.    Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Chris Sanders for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Jeff Hermann for making the film possible. Cast includes Lupita Nyong'o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor, Bill Nighy, Stephanie Hsu, Catherine O'Hara, Matt Berry, and Ving Rhames. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The film could be interpreted as an environmental film but if that was the intent, know that it is not preachy and has a sweet story to tell. The multiple animal interactions increase the interest factor. It is a good child/adult share. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DRAGONKEEPER (Released to Theaters Spain 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Dragonkeeper—slow and difficult to interpret—does not cross international borders well. It is a Spanish and Chinese collaboration that at times seems written for a teen audience. The movie seems boring and tiring to watch. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  A baby girl is given to an elderly servant woman to raise and the baby grows to a young girl who is a special one who can work with dragons.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Salvador Simo and Li Jianping for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Larry Levene for making the film possible. Cast includes Bill Nighy, Bill Bailey, Anthony Howell, and Mayalinee Griffiths. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. This film is intriguing but it does not cross international borders well. The story feels like it belongs in an anthology, a collection of stories.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

WRATH OF THE TITANS (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì

Wrath of the Titans has the same difficulty most movies about Greek and Roman mythology have: There is not enough time or a big enough screen to allow the impact. This movie relies on a good cast, realistic spectacularism, great animation of monsters such as Cyclopes and creatures like the flying Pegasus. More time needs to be invested in fleshing out the main characters’ personalities. The movie is not good enough to make it worth audience time to watch unless one is involved in the series and wants to finish the stories or is a hardcore Greek mythology fan. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Zeus is losing his power and asks Perseus to help him. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jonathan Liebesman for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Basil Iwanyk and Polly Cohen Johnsen for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sam Worthington, Rosamund Pike, Bill Nighy, Édgar Ramirez, Toby Kebbell, Danny Huston, Ralph Fiennes, and Liam Neeson. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The general audience may enjoy this movie for its animation effects and its basic storyline. For the hardcore lovers of the gods and their interactions on earth, then the outcome of Perseus’ interaction with his father, Zeus, will be interesting.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

FLUSHED AWAY (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Flushed Away—while other films like An American Tail or Teenage Mutant Turtles can get away with settings resting in the sewer, somehow this movie cannot manage that setting. The animation is good, but the setting of the entire movie keeps getting in the way of the story itself. The characters cannot establish lovability or likeableness and that lack hampers the story’s appeal. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

A pet rat gets a taste of living on the rougher side of town that includes not only rats but a toad with plans of its own. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Sam Fell and David Bowers for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Cecil Kramer, David Sproxton, and Peter Lord for making the film possible. Cast includes:   Hugh Jackman, Kate Winslet, Jean Reno, Bill Nighy, Andy Serkis, Shane Richie, and Ian McKellen. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The film lacks charm and basic appeal. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

STORMBREAKER (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Stormbreaker—great idea—uses Alex Pettyfer (I Am Number Four) as the lead actor. He has good screen presence and exhibits high potential for additional films. The movie works as B-grade, intrigue entertainment. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This spy action film is about a young man who is recruited by MI6 to infiltrate a supercomputer organization to discover any ulterior motive in donating high tech systems free of charge to British school systems. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Geoffrey Sax for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Marc Samuelson, Peter Samuelson, and Steve Christian for making the film possible. Cast includes: Sarah Bolger, Robbie Coltrane, Stephen Fry, Damian Lewis, Ewan McGregor, Bill Nighy, Sophie Okonedo, Alex Pettyfer, Missi Pyle, Andy Serkis, Alicia Silverstone, Ashley Walters, and Mickey Rourke.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Despite its initial failure in theaters, the movie follows the strict protocols of superior spy films and earns its watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

G-FORCE (Theatrical Release USA 2009)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì

G-Force almost lives up to its hype. It starts well and pretty much holds its own to the end credits. The audience gets a bonus at the end with a cool song that leaves the viewer with a good feeling that they have been fully entertained. Casting makes outstanding choices for the voices of the guinea pigs and the mole. All in all—good work.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

The government has equipped a team of small mammals to serve as special agents. When the government shuts down their special task unit, the animals find themselves on their way to a pet shop.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Hoyt Yeatman for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Duncan Henderson, David P.I. James, Chad Oman, and Mike Stenson for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Saber (Bill Nighy), Kip Killian (Will Arnett), Ben (Zach Galifianakis), Marcie (Kelli Garner), Connor (Tyler Patrick Jones), Penny (Piper Mackenzie Harris), Agent Carter (Gabriel Casseus), Agent Trigstad (Jack Conley), and Rosalita (Niecy Nash).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. It’s fresh, a novel concept, and a good adult/child share movie.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers