ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED (Released to Theaters USA 2011)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì  Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked—okay, suitable watch—has a cliched, stale storyline that borrows significantly from other marooned on an island films. Despite that, it still manages to keep its cute chipmunk charm.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Dave and the chipmunks go on vacation.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Mike Mitchell for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Janice Karman and Ross Bagdasarian Jr. for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Lee, David Cross, Jenny Slate, Justin Long, Matthew Gray Gubler, Jesse McCartney, Amy Poehler, Anna Faris, and Christina Applegate.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It may work well for hard core Alvin and the Chipmunks fans. It runs on a stale, cliched storyline. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE (Released to Theaters USA 2017)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì

The Lego Batman Movie—great animation—throws villains at the audience like raindrops falling from the sky once the Joker gets to the Phantom Zone. Scenes get messy and difficult to follow. Some villains are given prominence which helps and it is interesting to see which villains Warner Brothers sees as more significant than others. The movie is good, overall. It has a solid beginning and conclusion. The voice cast is well-chosen. The presentation and portrayal are good.

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline

 Batman fights Joker, again, in Lego form.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Chris McKay for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Will Allegra, Matthew Ashton, Bradford Lewis, Benjamin Melniker, Steven Mnuchin, Zareh Nalbandian, Michael E. Uslan, and Jill Wilfert for making the film possible. Cast includes: Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson, Ralph Fiennes, Siri, Zach Galifianakis, Jenny Slate, Jason Mantzoukas, Conan O'Brien, and Doug Benson.

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

 Yes. Overall, the movie tells a suitable to good story and throws in a little comedy as a bonus. At places it runs slow, but definitely works as a good child/adult share film for  a one-time watch.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers