THE TIGER'S APPRENTICE (Released to Video on Demand USA 2024)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  The Tiger’s Apprentice—starts strongly—has a story that can be understood more by an eastern audience than a western audience. The movie delves strongly into Asian concepts of demonology and witches and begins to greatly complicate its story when Tom is taken in by Tiger to train. The computer animation and voicing are good.  Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia Storyline  A young, high school teen's world changes when his grandmother's friend visits and soon he becomes aware of witchery and shape shifters who claim they help him. Additional Thanks  Thank you to Directors Raman Hui, Jong Duk Jhun, and Paul Watling for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Carlos Baena, Maryann Garger, Kane Lee, and Roy Lee for making the film possible. Voice casting includes: Henry Golding, Brandan Soo Hoo, Lucy Liu, Sandra Oh, Michelle Yeoh, Bowen Yang. Leah Lewis, Kheng Hua Tan, Sherry Cola, and Deborah S. Craig.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. It is an interesting film. But the story and presentation are not clear enough for its viewers. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

MECHANIC: RESURRECTION (Released to Theaters USA 2016)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Mechanic: Resurrection—Jason Statham—has an easy-to-follow storyline with less adult content than the previous film. Statham is in the spotlight as a suitable/good action hero. The movie has its thrilling action moments and a good conclusion.   Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline   Arthur Bishop is back to save a Cambodian teacher.   Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Dennis Gansel for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Steven Chasman, Boaz Davidson, Frank DeMartini, Mark Gill, Avi Lerner, Brian Presley, and Trevor Short for making the film possible. Cast includes Jason Statham, Jessica Alba, Tommy Lee Jones, Michelle Yeoh, Sam Hazeldine, John Cenatiempo, Toby Eddington, Femi Elufowoju Jr. And Anteo Quintavalle, Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. The movie works on the usual action format for Statham films. This movie contains less adult content and increases its audience range. The storyline is easy to follow and may be predictable at times. The movie earns its watch. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0Starsììì

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has some terrific special effects such as the race through the bamboo forest. This movie serves up a novel story that relies heavily on its actors. Watch for appearances of Ben Kingsley near the end of the movie. The movie uniquely serves fans of the Shang Chi comic series and does a good job of bringing those comics to the big screen. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline

This Chinese fantasy film is about a young man who finds that his sister might be in danger, so he travels to China to find her.  

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Destin Daniel Cretton for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Kevin Feige and Jonathan Schwartz for making the film possible. Cast includes: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Yuen Wah, Michelle Yeoh, Ben Kingsley, and Tony Leung.    

 Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. The film shows a great deal of creativity both in storyline and in stage settings. This movie is very watchable for Marvel comic fans who are attracted to the Shang Chi comic book series. 

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