SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY (Theatrical Release USA 2021)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì 

Space Jam: A New Legacy—okay, not great—primarily suffers from writing failures. The discord between the father figure, LeBron James, and his son played by Cedric Joe does not work well. Don Cheadle as the antagonist does not come off well. The movie, overall, seems out of step with its audience and completely unrelatable. Even though it is nice to see the Looney Tune characters, it seems odd to throw so many Warner Brother characters up on the screen without a verifiable reference to the why question and the reason, purpose, question. There isn’t even time to think about the missing Pepe Le Pew and the movie comes off more as a 90% promotion of Warner Brothers rather than a movie meant to entertain the audience. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

LeBron James desires his son to follow in his footsteps and the son has other plans. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Malcolm D. Lee for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Ryan Coogler, LeBraon James, Maverick Carter, and Duncan Henderson for making the film possible. Cast includes: LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Khris Davis, Sonequa Martin-Green, Zendaya, Jeff Bergman, and Eric Bauza. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. This movie could almost be skipped unless following the Space Jam film story. Listen for a Michael Jordan gag.  The movie does provide a conclusion that ends on the happy note and the concept for the movie is creative.   

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (Theatrical Release USA 1973)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Battle for the Planet of the Apes—final film in the old movie series—serves fans of the original Planet of the Apes films well. This movie series has been a great ride to its end. WOW! What a concept! The story very nicely and creatively turns the mind inside out to contemplate a reversal of dominance. This movie series has a series of newer remakes, but this series certainly does not lack in storyline, portrayal, costuming, or background staging. This film is a very nice, nostalgic return for fans of the old series. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

This futuristic fantasy film is about: Apes battle humans for control of planet earth. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director J. Lee Thompson for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Arthur P. Jacobs for making the film possible. Cast includes: Roddy McDowall, Claude Akins, Natalie Trundy, Severn Darden, Lew Ayres, Paul Williams, and John Huston. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. WOW! What a ride this movie series has had. It is worth watching. 

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers 

LYLE, LYLE, CROCODILE (Theatrical Release USA 2022)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.7|5.0 Starsììì 

Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile—okay, not great—sports terrific animation of the crocodile but lacks in almost every other category. The movie advertises itself as a musical, but even the music seems displaced and not up to par.  The casting is ‘kind of generic’ with a ho-him feel. It’s lack of pizzaz positions this film as more of a child’s watch and not a high-quality child’s watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Will Speck and Josh Gordon for directing effort. Thank you to Producers Hutch Parker, Will Speck, and Josh Gordon for making the film possible. Cast includes: Javier Bardem, Constance Wu, Winslow Fegley, Scoot McNairy, Brett Gelman, Ego Nwodim, and Shawn Mendes. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Maybe. It has nothing new to add except the crocodile.

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers