SPIES IN DISGUISE (Released to Theaters USA 2019)

 

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.0|5.0 Starsìììì  Spies in Disguise—not spectacular—needs some improvement. While the animation is good, both the story and its presentation work more at the average level. Listen for Tom Holland's voice as Walter, the gadget inventor. Remember this actor played Spider-Man in the film, Spider-Man: Homecoming and Nathan Drake in the movie, Uncharted. Another 'cool' in this film is to hear Will Smith voicing one of the animated spies.  Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images Storyline The spy, Lance Sterling, is loved by his co-workers, and one of the best spies at the H.T.U.V. Spy Agency. He needs to talk to Walter Beckett, his gadget man; so, he locates Walter on GPS and walks in on Walter as he completes his new pigeon serum. Lance accidentally drinks the serum and Walter helplessly watches as Lance turns into a pigeon. Now Lance needs Walter's help to complete the new mission which becomes a bigger adventure than anticipated.  Additional Thanks Thank you to Directors Nick Bruno and Troy Quane for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Kori Adelson and Chris Wedge for making the film possible. Cast includes Rachel Brosnahan, Jarret Bruno, Claire Crosby, Toru Uchicado, Hisato Masuyama, Will Smith, Reba McEntire, Mark Ronson, Masi Oka, and Tom Holland.   Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?  Yes. This animated feature, while not spectacular, deserves its one-time watch.   Video Critique Available Here: Ben Meyers

ONWARD (Theatrical Release USA 2020)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 3.9|5.0 Starsììì 

Onward—good concept—has just the right amount of action with great animation and colorization.  The movie nicely presents the concept of older sibling endeavoring to take care of younger siblings in spite of not doing the ‘perfect’ job. It has its sentimental moments, suitably portrayed. The movie needs enhancement of soul. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Two brothers wish to spend a day with their deceased father. So, they try to bring him back with magic. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Dan Scanlon for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kori Rae for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Octavia Spencer. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. The movie serves as a child/adult share that involves the child a little more than the adult. 

 Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers

SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME (Theatrical Release USA 2019)

Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì 

Spider-Man: Far From Home—improves on previous attempts to tell Spiderman’s story—relies on actor Tom Holland to work the kinks out of interpreting Spiderman’s character in Spider-Man: Homecoming and succeeds. Jake Gyllenhaal performs a terrific rendition of Mysterio and Samuel L. Jackson, as Nick Fury, is always welcome in the Marvel universe. Jacob Batalon is a perfect offset as Peter Parker’s best friend. Superhero movie fans will not be disappointed in this film. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

Spiderman continues his long tradition of fighting evil. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Jon Watts for directing efforts. Thank you to Producers Kevin Feige and Amy Pascal for making the film possible. Cast includes: Tom Holland, Samuel L. Jackson, Zendaya, Cobie Smulders, Jon Favreau, J. B. Smoove, Jacob Batalon, Martin Starr, Tony Revolori, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Marisa Tomei. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie is one of the better Spidermen movies and will be much appreciated by superhero fans. Great work by all involved in production.

Video Critique Available Here:

 

Ben Meyers

CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (Theatrical Release USA 2016)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.1|5.0 Starsìììì 

Captain America: Civil War seems out of place from other Marvel stories. The story itself is well presented, well written, and well-acted but it seems odd to take these characters out of the hero role and place them in a role that seems more criminal than hero. While this movie is meant to be the 3^rd part of the Captain America series, it is so different that it can be watched as a stand-alone movie. It does not seem to relate to films like Avengers: infinity War because of different introductions to certain characters such as the Spiderman.  There is much more backstory on Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) which is quite welcome. Other than that, this is a movie that will satisfy the Marvel superhero fan. Just be prepared for an entirely different portrayal of superheroes. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The United Nations plans to ‘manage’ the Avengers. The Avengers divide opinion over whether this is a good action or a bad action. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Director Anthony Russo and Joe Russo for directing efforts. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Sebastian Stan, Anthony Mackie, Don Cheadle, Jeremy Renner, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Paul Rudd, Emily VanCamp, Marisa Tomei, Tom Holland, Frank Grillo, William Hurt, Daniel Bruhl, and Martin Freeman. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. This movie serves the Marvel superhero fan well. It is a stand-alone film that does not have to be sequentially watched and has a worthy storyline supported by good action scenes. 

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers 

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (Theatrical Release USA 2018)

 Ben Meyers’ Rating: 4.3|5.0 Starsìììì

Avengers: Infinity War is complicated because of all the A-list actors and actresses playing several of the Marvel characters in the Marvel Universe within the storyline. The exceptions to inclusion in this film are X-Men and Nick Fury and many more. Stan Lee gets his usual cameo. Watch for it as it is exceptionally easy to miss in this movie. Tom Holland is the British actor who takes on the Spiderman suit as was already established in several movies unrelated to Avengers. This movie is epic, takes viewers on a strongly themed good versus evil storyline, and leaves viewers hanging for the sequel, Avengers: End Game. It's a WOW! movie that earns its watch. 

Film Poster Courtesy of Google Images 

Storyline 

The movie is about acquiring the six stones that allow control of infinity. 

Additional Thanks 

Thank you to Directors Anthony and Joe Russo for directing effort. Thank you to Producer Kevin Feige for making the film possible. Cast includes: Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Don Cheadle, Tom Holland, Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Elizabeth Olsen, Anthony Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Dave Bautista, Josh Brolin, Chris Pratt, and Zoe Saldaňa. 

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe? 

Yes. While the movie complicates itself with a barrage of characters, it is precisely because nearly all the Marvel characters appear in the film and because the storyline is terrific and well executed that make it a WOW! movie. 

Video Critique Available Here: 

Ben Meyers

THE LOST CITY OF Z (Theatrical Release USA 2017)

Ben Meyers’ rating: 3.8|5.0 Starsììì

The Lost City of Z—based on the true story of jungle explorer Percy Fawcett—becomes worth watching for its interesting dip into little known history of this archaeologist and jungle explorer. There are some good scenes portraying action during World War I, Robert Pattinson looks good made up with a beard; but the film seems disconnected between its story and its actors.

Film Poster Courtesy of Wikipedia

Storyline

Percy Fawcett (Charlie Hunnam) searches for the lost city of Z in the jungles of Brazil.

Additional Thanks

Thank you to Director James Gray for directing effort. Thank you to Executive Producers Felipe Aljure, Marc Butan, Lew Horwitz, Mark Huffam, Michael Ilitch Jr., Julie B. May, Glenn Murray, and Brad Pitt for making the film possible. Additional characters/cast include: Henry Costin (Robert Pattinson), Nina Fawcett (Sienna Miller), Jack Fawcett (Tom Holland), Arthur Manley (Edward Ashley), James Murray (Angus Macfadyen), Sir George Goldie (Ian McDiarmid), and Sir John Scott Keltie (Clive Francis).

Buy a ticket? Yes? No? Maybe?

Yes. Overall, the film lacks realism, but serves to establish the persona and basic skills of explorers.

Video Critique Available Here:

Ben Meyers