MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (Released to Theaters United States 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì  Maleficent: Mistress of Evil—much improved over the first Maleficent movie—wisely surrounds Angelina Jolie with enough background story distraction that her overpowering onscreen presence becomes balanced and provides a good movie watch. The story has a broader range, depth, and a sweet development of fantasy characters that provide welcome, bright, colorful movement from beginning to conclusion. The war scene is suitably done. The moral of the story is very good. The work effort for this sequel film shows and invites another sequel which, hopefully, will materialize.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Aurora and the prince of the local kingdom have decided to marry, but the queen of that kingdom has her own agenda running.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Director Joachim Rønning for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Jeff Kirchenbaum, Matt Smith, Michale Vieira, and Linda Woolverton, for making the film possible. Cast includes Angelina Jolie, Elle Fanning, Harris Dickinson, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sam Riley, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Ed Skrein, Robert Lindsay, David Gyasi, and Leslie Manville, Buy a ticket? Yes, No, Maybe? Yes. This sequel film has great animation effects and a much improved story over the last Maleficent movie.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

STARDUST (Theatrical Release USA 2007)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

Stardust—high potential—fails to deliver due to poor character development, lack of backstory, average acting, complicated storyline, and weak foundation. The movie begins with highly imaginative scenes that support themselves on high budget stage sets, but the excellent stage sets cannot establish the storyline and the meaning of each scene becomes quickly lost. The film deserves its 3.8 stars because of the highly imaginative scenes, but fails in its meaningful delivery.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Magical kingdoms, falling stars, kings, princes, witches, princesses, jewels, Babylon candles, and voodoo dolls work together to establish rightful rulers to thrones.

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Matthew Vaughn for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Stephen Marks, Peter Morton, Kris Thykier, and David Womark for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Yvaine (Claire Danes), Tristan Thorn (Charlie Cox), Lamia (Michelle Pfeiffer), Prince Septimus (Mark Strong), Captain Shakespeare (Robert De Niro), Prince Primus (Jason Flemyng), Princess Una/Slave Girl (Kate Magowan), Ditchwater Sal (Melanie Hill), and Narrator (voice of Ian McKellen).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. The film needs backstory to explain and fill in the gaps of its complicated story. Read a plotline before you go.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

BATMAN RETURNS (Theatrical Release USA 1992)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.5|5.0 Starsììì

Batman Returns—slightly better than the Batman movie—starts with a bang that creates high expectations and then settles out to a mediocre level. The film casts Danny DeVito as The Penguin and adds Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, and Pat Hingle to the cast. The costuming and makeup are quite good. The special effects perform at about the same level as the movie’s prequel.  Because the script consistently places Batman precisely at scenes of danger, the movie quickly positions itself within the ‘corny/comedic’ category. Whereas Director Christopher Nolan in Batman Begins elevates Batman's character to a realistic fighter of crime, the director of this film, Tim Burton, uses some of the old Adam West techniques when eradicating ‘bad guys’ except it does the audience the favor of disposing of the zap and bang power words splattered across action scenes to describe what a punch sounds like. This film has Michael Keaton reprising his role as Batman with Michael Gough serving as character Alfred Pennyworth.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Batman (Michael Keaton) fights The Penguin (Danny DeVito) and Catwoman (Michelle Pfeiffer).

Additional Thanks

Thank You to Director Tim Burton for directing efforts. Thank you to Executive Producers Peter Guber, Benjamin Melniker, Jon Peters, and Michael E. Uslan for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton), Oswald Cobblepot (Danny DeVito), Selina Kyle (Michelle Pfeiffer), Max Shreck (Christopher Walken), Alfred Pennyworth (Michael Gough), The Mayor (Michael Murphy), Ice Princess (Cristi Conaway), Charles ‘Chip’ Shreck (Andrew Bryniarski), Commissioner James Gordon (Pat Hingle), Organ Grinder (Vincent Schiavelli), and Josh (Steve Witting).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Maybe. It is worth watching Danny DeVito’s outstanding performance as the Penguin, but an overall better watch is The Dark Knight.

Video Critique Available Here

Ben Meyers