F9: THE FAST SAGA (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì 

F9: The Fast Saga—not as good as the previous three films—still consistently holds the expected story and serves action fans well. Casting did a great job of choosing John Cena as Dominic’s younger brother. Neither actor overshadows the other and the power balance is preserved. Good choice to move forward in future releases. A dip into Dominic Toretto's past in the introduction into the story is well done, but after that it seems almost run-of-the-mill until it gains pace as John Cena comes into the picture. The movie has a great conclusion and has already prepared the audience for Fast X  in the  mid-credit scene at the end of the movie. Good watch that revolves around family events in a racing world. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This action drama film is about: Dominic and crew are on a mission to save Mr. Nobody. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director Justin Lin for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin Lin, Jeffrey Kirshchenbaum, Joe Roth, Clayton Townsend, and Samantha Vincent for making the film possible. Cast includes: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris Bridges, John Cena, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Kurt Russell, and Charlize Theron. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. For Fast and Furious fans, this movie provides some background to Dominic’s family story to include his father and his brother. The movie earns its watch. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers 

THE SUICIDE SQUAD (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.6|5.0 Starsììì 

The Suicide Squad—better writing in some places than the last film—has over-the-top gore and violence that can cause an adult to feel queasy.  Almost every scene presents the unexpected mini-climax that keeps a viewer from being able to build toward a conclusion. It’s an unexpected presentation format that is interesting for its novelty but creates difficulty for the critic to find common ground to compare it to other movies within this genre. It’s like mixing evil with evil and then wondering how that cake is going to taste after baking. Casting chose an excellent cast that includes, but is not limited to: Idris Elba, John Cena, Margot Robbie who reprises her role as Harley Quinn, Michael Rooker, Viola Davis who reprises her role as Amanda Waller, and the voice of Sylvester Stallone (as King Shark), and Pete Davidson. This film may be watched best at home rather than the theater setting as free vetting of verbal ‘Uggghhh’ and averting of eyes can be done privately rather than publicly.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images

Storyline 

This spy action film is about Amanda Waller sending two new teams of super human criminals undercover to stop scientific work that does not serve United States’ interests. 

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Gunn for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Charles Roven and Peter Safran for making the film possible. Cast includes: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, and Viola Davis. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. The graphic, violent gore is over-the-top…enough to make a grown adult feel queasy. It definitely is not for children. But, to be fair, it is creative with a fresh story quite unlike any presented in previous superhero films.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers