KUNG FU PANDA 4 (Released to Theaters USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì Kung Fu Panda 4—fourth film in this DreamWorks' series—tries to keep the quality of the third film in place, but this movie lacks the spirit of the third series' film. While it is much more fun than DreamWorks 2023 release of Ruby Gillman, the Teenage Kracken, it still borders on the edge of its final acid test. Voice actors reprise their roles and the animation maintains its quality. Overall, the movie earns its money and time for viewing.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Po fights a shape shifting, villainous chameleon who wants all power. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director and Executive Producer Mike Mitchell and Co-Director Stephanie Stine for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Rebecca Huntley for making the film possible. Cast includes Jack Black, Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, Bryan Cranston, James Hong, Ian McShane, Ke Huy Quan, Ronny Chieng, and Seth Rogen. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Overall, this is a good child/adult share movie. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ABOMINABLE (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Abominable—rehash of all stories based on human-animal interaction with a little animal superpower thrown in to save the day at critical junctures—has great animation and a few 'tear-jerking' moments deliberately placed to evoke that emotion. The story is well written but there is something that is missing...that indefinable spark that moves a story from feeling like an emotional manipulation to spontaneity of response...no feeling of 'real'. An almost mediocre film with a few inspired moments placed randomly in unexpected places, it's an E.T. story with a big furry mammal found on top of a roof who needs to get home and the children who help it. Listen for some terrific violin music played by Yi.   Film Poster Courtesy of IMDb Storyline  A young Abominable Snowman (Yeti) escapes a research laboratory and looks for a way back to its family. A Chinese girl and her friends tag along on its adventure to go home.   Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jill Coulton and Co-Director Todd Wilderman for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Tim Johnson, Ruigang Li, Christopher Meledandri, Jana Spotts, Frank Zhu, for making the film possible. Cast includes Chloe Bennet, Albert Tsai, Tensing Norgay Trainor, Joseph Izzo, Sarah Paulson, Eddie Izzard, Tsai Chin, Michelle Wong, Rich Dietl, and James Hong.    Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. It is a more-than-suitable entertainment piece for the new generation of children unfamiliar with E.T. No 'surprises' here. Can be watched by the unsupervised child and is interesting enough to be shared by the adult.

 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

MISSING IN ACTION (Theatrical Release USA 1984)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Missing in Action—run-of-the-mill action flick—uses high nudity and strong reliance on Vietnamese street scenes to drive its story. Watch for some poor stage settings at the beginning of the movie before it enters more realistic scenery later in the show. Lots of noise, violence, and general patronage to Chuck Norris-type grit completely satisfies the Chuck Norris action fan base and serves as an okay watch with its 1980s storyline. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This action war film is about: looking for and releasing prisoners of war in Vietnam. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Joseph Zito for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus for making the film possible. Cast includes: Chuck Norris, M. Emmett Walsh, David Tress, Lenore Kasdorf, James Hong, Ernie Ortega, Pierrino Mascarino, Erich Anderson, Joseph Carberry, Avi Kleinberger, Willie Williams, Ric Segreto, Bella Flores, and Gil Arceo.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie is a high action movie that has strong focus on street scenes and stage settings in Vietnam. It serves at the adult level due to high nudity and sexual themes and is an okay afternoon watch for the mature audience. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

TURNING RED (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì

Turning Red—great concept, okay story, great voicing—tries to make the best of the three but misses that essential POP so that it becomes completely lovable and worthy of putting in a home video collection. While the film is watchable (not terrible), by the time the ending credits roll, the film seems not fulfilled. There is a desire to see a different conclusion even though the ending is well presented. The movie does not live up to its trailer or its advertising. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

 Storyline

A young girl, after being embarrassed in public, turns into a red panda.

 Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Domee Shi for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Lindsey Collins for making the film possible. Cast includes: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Maittreyi Ramakrishnan, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho, Tristan Allerick Chen, and James Hong. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. For children, this movie may work for the animated flash and dash, and they may understand, at some level, the elements of this story. But the dialogue and basic story are built for an adult audience rather than the child audience.

 Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

KUNG FU PANDA 2 (Theatrical Release USA 2011)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.7|5.0 Stars ììì

Kung Fu Panda 2—a story one has heard so many times before—tells it again via the Kung Fu Panda. The movie has its emotional moments, works on about the same level as the first movie, and establishes the Kung Fu Panda stories as a series. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline Po (voice of Jack Black) discovers his Panda origins through a series of flashbacks, his teacher Shifu (voice of Dustin Hoffman), and a Court Soothsayer (Michelle Yeoh). Po is urged to find his inner peace through embracing his past. Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson for the directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Melissa Cobb for making the film possible. Voice cast include: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogan, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride, Dennis Haysbert, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Victor Garber, Mike Bell,

Additional Thanks

Good work for Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson. Thank you to Producer Melissa Cobb for making the film possible. Voice cast include: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogan, Lucy Liu, David Cross, James Hong, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride, Dennis Haysbert, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Victor Garber, and Mike Bell.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The movie follows a message about being peaceful and has a link to the movies that follow.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers