MONSTER HUNTER (Released to Theaters China 2020)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  Monster Hunter—Milla Jovovich—needs better camerawork. The script is shallow and nothing is new or particularly creative. It works at the suitable to okay range and audiences may feel they lost their money on this one. Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images  Storyline   A female military officer, while on patrol with her crew, is sent to another world.    Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director and Producer Paul W.S. Anderson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Howard Chen, Edward Cheng, Hiro Matsuoka for making the film possible. Cast includes Milla Jovovich, Tony Jaa, Ron Perlman, Tip T.I. Harris, Diego Boneta, Meagan Good, Josh Helman, Jin Au-Yeung, Hirona Yamazaki, and Jannik Schümann.  Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Maybe. The movie may gain cult status and over time develop a solid fan base.  Milla Jovovich plays a strong role in the film and Tony Jaa has been well-chosen for his role.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

RESIDENT EVIL: THE FINAL CHAPTER (Released to Theaters Canada 2017)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.2|5.0 Starsìììì  Resident Evil: The Final Chapter—This movie is a great conclusion to the Resident Evil movie series and even though it says final chapter there is a type of cliff hanger at the end of the film that could provide for that later addition of another film. The acting, presentation, and portrayal are good. The storyline is great. Milla Jovovich reprises her role for this movie.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  Alice wraps things up on the Zombie apocalypse and additionally, finds some personal memories from her past.  Additional Thanks   Thank you to Director and Producer Paul W.S. Anderson for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Victor Hadida, Martin Moszkowicz, for making the film possible. Cast includes Milla Jovovich, Iain Glen, Ali Larter, Shawn Roberts, Eoin Macken, Fraser James, Ruby Rose, William Levy, Rola, Ever Anderson. Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This movie has a great concept and storyline. It deserves addition to the home video library as an anthology. This entire series of movies has been a fun ride. Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

 

ULTRAVIOLET (Released in Theaters USA 2006)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì  NOTE: This critique is on the extended cut, not the original movie cut. Ultraviolet—very creative—tells an odd story that is hard to decipher as there is so much violent and frequent fighting that the storyline itself, despite its straightforward presentation, gets lost in the action. The best of this film sits in its vibrant computer animation, its special effects, and stunt work. Milla Jovovich is the suitable/good choice for the character role of Violet. She plays her role with good acting. Watch for William Fichtner in the film. Read a plot line before going to enable finding the story's thread.    Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline  An outlaw lab tries to create super human soldiers but the plan back-fires and creates super humans with vampire-like fangs, enhanced minds and strength, and exceptionally fast movement capability. However, they live short lives because of their defective DNA.  Additional Thanks  Thank you to Director Kurt Wimmer for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producer Sue Jett, Tony Mark, Charles Wang, T.C. Wang for making the film possible. Cast includes Milla Jovovich, Cameron Bright, Nick Chinlund, Sabastien Andrieu, Ida Martin, William Fichtner, David E. Collier, Kieran O'Rorke, Digger Mesch, and Ryan Martin.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. Despite critics overall low rating of this film, it can easily become a cult classic and can be watched again mainly to find its storyline which hides behind the multiple action scenes.  Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

HELLBOY (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Hellboy is a better watch than the last two Hellboy films. The writing is stronger and David Harbour is the perfect casting choice for this movie. This film presents a grittier-looking Hellboy, but it also moves deeply into occult themes that can be slightly disturbing. The movie acts more like a sequel than a reboot and seems to ask for its sequel. The next film in production, Hellboy: The Crooked Man, looks like it changed the casting of the main character to Jack Kersey. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

An evil blood queen is destined to be active again and Hellboy becomes involved with a host of supernatural beings that surround this event. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Neil Marshall for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Mike Richardson, Philip Westgren, Carl Hampe, Matt O’Toole, Les Weldon, and Yariv Lerner. Cast includes: David Harbour, Milla Jovovich, Ian McShane, Sasha Lane, Daniel Dae Kim, and Thomas Haden Church. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The occult theme is noticeably on a different level and seems almost realistic. David Harbour plays a great Hellboy. The story itself is well written. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION (Theatrical Release USA 2012)

 Ben Meyers’ rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì 

Resident Evil: Retribution—typical ‘wild ride’ that the Resident Evil stories rely on—seems to contain more graphic portrayal of violent scenes than previous Resident Evil movies. However, the storyline is solid; the acting very good; and, the presentation is really good. Resident Evil: Retribution is the fifth movie with one more film to go before the series completes. There is no lack of fast movement and good engagement of audience in the movie.

 Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Alice fights zombies and other forces of evil to make it to a safe place. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Paul W. S. Anderson for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Jeremy Bolt, Paul W. S. Anderson, Robert Kulzer, Don Carmody, and Samuel Hadida for making the film possible. Cast includes: Milla Jovovich, Michelle Rodriguez, Kevin Durand, Sienna Guillory, Shawn Roberts, Aryana Engineer, Colin Salmon, Johann Urb, Boris Kodjoe, and Li Bingbing. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. Be aware that this film seem more violent than the other Resident Evil films. But, for Resident Evil fans, the movie lives up to expectations and will satisfy audiences who love horror thriller films. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers