SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3 (Released in Theaters USA 2024)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì  Sonic the Hedgehog 3—Jim Carrey returns as Doctor Robotnik and the grandfather of Doctor Robotnik—follows the Sonic story with the addition of an alter-ego of the lovable Sonic as the protagonist. The movie has a well written story.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Sonic becomes involved with his alter-ego and must fight for justice.  Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director Jeff Fowler for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara, and Hitoshi Okuno for making the film possible. Cast includes Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Krysten Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, James Marsden, Idris Elba, and Keanu Reeves. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie is not as good as the last two Sonic films but definitely follows the flavor and fun of the first two movies.   Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ENCHANTED (Released to Theaters USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Enchanted—rich costuming that does not bespeak stinginess in design or use of fabric—serves sweetness of heart on a very huge platter. Great concept that serves a child/adult share movie's needs very well. James Marsden plays the part of a prince well. Patrick Dempsey is great.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

 A Fairy Tale Princess gets thrown into the real world by an evil Queen before the princess can marry her prince. 

 Additional Thanks

 Thank you to Director Kevin Lima for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Christopher Chase, Sunil Perkash, and Ezra Swerdlow for making the film possible. Cast includes Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall, Idina Menzel, Rachel Covey, Susan Sarandon, Julie Andrews, Jeff Bennett, Kevin Lima, and Emma Rose Lima. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is a good one-time watch. Good work for all involved in production.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (Theatrical Release USA 2006)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

X-Men: The Last Stand—good concept, story quality fluctuates throughout the movie—reprises most of the actors and actresses for this final film in the series. The quality of entertainment is on par with the first two movies. The next movie about X-Men begins with prequel stories to the series and starts with X-Men Origins: Wolverine. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a time when mutants are offered an inoculation to cure mutantism. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Brett Ratner for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, and Ave Arad for making the film possible. Cast includes: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Kelsey Grammer, James Marsden, Rebecca Romin, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Patrick Stewart, and Vinnie Jones.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is a good/suitable watch and is comparable in entertainment quality to the first two X-Men movies. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

X2: X-MEN UNITED (Theatrical Release USA 2003)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

X2: X-Men United—elaborates on the X-Men story—reprises the roles of Hugh Jackman, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen. It adds Brian Cox and Alan Cumming. The  presentation needs more crafting but the movie is an enjoyable watch and quite entertaining…a good afternoon watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a machine that is developed to wipe out all Earth’s mutants. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Bryan Singer for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter for making the film possible. Cast includes: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, Bruce Davison, and Anna Paquin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is not as good as the first movie in the series, but it still earns a recommendation as watchable and entertaining.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

X-MEN (Theatrical Release USA 2000)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

X-Men—great concept—entertains and has great casting: Patrick Stewart, James Marsden, Ian McKellan, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Tyler Mane, and Ray Park (Darth Maul character in Star Wars: Episode I-The Phantom Menace and Toad in the X-Men).  Watch for Hugh Jackman in his first role as Wolverine. The movie is not the high quality one would expect, but it is suitable and particularly serves the superhero fan.  

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This superhero film is about a time when it becomes increasingly apparent that not all humans are the same…some are mutants with superhuman abilities…the government intervenes…mutants divide in opinion of how to integrate with humans so they can occupy the same environmental space safely. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Bryan Singer for directing efforts. Thank you to Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter for making the film possible. Cast includes: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Bruce Davison, Rebecca Romin, Ray Park, and Anna Paquin. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This is the first live-action X-Men film. It is watchable and will suit superhero fans well.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers 

ROBOT & FRANK (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.4|5.0 Starsììì

Robot & Frank, an easy-on-the-mind, fill-in-some-spare-time movie, shows Frank Langella's skill in depicting the role of an elderly, bored, and retired burglar. James Marsden superbly plays his concerned son while Liv Tyler plays his daughter. The movie follows a simple outline and leaves its viewers with the feeling of enjoying a good dessert.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Aging Frank Weld’s (Frank Langella) son Hunter (James Marsden) purchases his father a companion robot. When Frank discovers he can program the robot to do what he wants, he programs the robot to help pick locks and do heists.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Jake Schreier for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeremy Bailer, Bob Kelman, Bill Perry, Ann Porter, Danny Rifkin, Delaney Schultz, Jenna Schultz, Stefan Sonnenfeld, and Tom Valerio for making the film possible. Additional cast/characters include: Madison (Liv Tyler), Robot (voice of Peter Sarsgaard), Jennifer (Susan Sarandon), Jake (Jeremy Strong), Sheriff Rowlings (Jeremy Sisto), and Robot Performer (Rachael Ma).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The movie flows to a sweet and nice conclusion.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers