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

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: THE LONG HAUL (Released to Theaters USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul is a suitable to okay film with its depiction of the next chapter in the Wimpy Kid movie series. The actors of the first through the third film did not reprise their roles for this film. It's a whole different ball game here. It just does not have the same feel and creativity of the previous movies. But the comedy is there despite the fact that at times, the new cast, instead of using their interpretations of the Wimpy Kid characters are deliberately working to live from the nostalgia of the last three films.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Greg Heffley and his family go on a road trip to attend Greg's Meemaw's birthday celebration.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer David Bowers for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Timothy M. Bourne, Jeff Kinney, Producer Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Associate Producer Heath Howard, for making the film possible. Cast include Jason Drucker, Alicia Silverstone, Tom Everett Scott, Charlie Wright, Owen Aztalos, Dylan, Walters, Wyatt Walters, and Chris Coppola.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The comedy makes it worth watching. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: DOG DAYS (Released to Theaters USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days is actually a good and worth watching film that enlarges on the Heffley family interrelationships, especially  Greg Heffley. The acting and story are good and the presentation is really good.   Zachary Gordon reprises his role for a third time as Greg Heffley, along with Robert Capron, Devon Bostick, Steve Zahn,  Rachael Harris, and others. This film is worth the one time watch and the three movies would be a good addition to the family home video library. WOW! This movie really improves over the second film in the series and provides good comedy.    

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

 Greg Heffley and Rowley endeavor to survive summer vacation. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director David Bowers for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeff Kinney, Jeramiah Samuels, for making the film possible. Cast includes: Zachary Gordon, Steve Zahn, Robert Capron, Devon Bostick, Rachael Harris, Peyton List, Greyson Russell, Karan Brar, Laine MacNeil, Connor Fielding, Owen Fielding, Melissa Roxburgh, Philip Maurice Hayes, and Terence Kelly, 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. This good watch reprises the roles of major cast members and improves over the second film in the series. Thank you to everyone who helped produce the movie.

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