The Lego Movie 2 - Movie Review - More magnificent mayhem?

This film is a U, was released on February 8th 2019 and this review will contain NO SPOILERS 

Introduction 

Lego is THE ABSOLUTE BEST. If there's one thing you need to know about me, it's that I adore Lego, it is my favourite creation in the whole wide world, and it's the only thing I love more than films. I've grown up with the toy and still collect it in my teenage years. It is actually the thing responsible for me becoming a fan of things like the Marvel films. So half of what I've rambled on about since last July is all because of Lego. There is something almost magical about the endless possibilities of the little bricks. It can be anything in the world, your imagination is literally the limit. But, because it's good, does that mean that it could be possible to make a good film out of it? YES. 

5 years ago, a film called The Lego Movie was released. Many people had concerns that it'd just be a 90 minute long commercial and have no aspect of quality to it. But how wrong they were. The Lego Movie is without a doubt the best animated film of the 2010s, even surpassing films like Toy Story 3. It had some of the most innovative animation, really clever jokes, solid voice-acting, and a story with a lot of heart and lots of originality. Since its release, the Lego franchise has had some subsequent entries - The Lego Batman Movie which was also terrific and the best Batman movie since The Dark Knight, and The Lego Ninjago Movie which didn't add much but still wasn't bad. So, we now have a return to the original film, following on from its events. 

Thoughts Going In 

If I'm completely honest, I was 95% sure that I'd like this film. I hadn't watched the trailers but based off the previous films and craziness of the sets and marketing, nothing was throwing me off. If I did have one concern, it would probably be linked to the fact that Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the directors of the original, weren't in the directors' seat. While they are still screenwriters, the reigns have been given to Mike Mitchell, someone who is no stranger to animation, but no stranger to bad animation too, having been behind Shrek 4 and Trolls. So, minor concerns but nothing really worrying. 

The Story 

The Lego Movie 2 takes place 5 years after the original, the city of Bricksburg has devolved into a post-apocalyptic wasteland 'Apocalypseburg' after the Duplo invaders arrived, and everyone has adopted a new lifestyle of being miserable and brooding, all except for Emmet. The hero of the first is still as naive and optimistic as before. This is a problem for his best friend, Lucy, but is especially an issue when a new spaceship arrives and kidnaps all his friends from the first film, taking them to the Systar system. So, it's up to Emmet along with a new character, Rex, to save them. 

What I Liked 

The best thing about The Lego Movie 2 was the story. Many people will probably just see this as a standard "save the good guys from the bad guys" story. But when peel back a few layers, you notice that there is something a bit more complex going on in the background. The first film was all about the relationship between a father and son through Lego, but this is the same but about a brother and sister. This especially struck a chord with me because I have a younger sister and when we were younger, she'd always interfere with my playtime and have different ideas compared to what I was doing and we often didn't get along and occasionally had a bit of a fight. The portrayal of this story in this film was very well done and I found it very relatable and understandable, more so than that of the original.

If you're familiar with the Lego franchise you probably expect some fantastic animation and great humour and this film delivers both. This is definitely one of the most consistent franchises as each installment does something different story-wise, but they all have the same overall feel and tone. The animation is beautiful, it captures every aspect of Lego remarkably. As the franchise progressed, there began to be a slight decrease in the amount of on-screen elements being made from Lego. Natural elements such as water or clouds began to just be that. However, when the film is in the Lego world, 99% of what you see is made from Lego, with minor exceptions. There is such a mesmeric whiz and energy to the animation of these films and it is really fun to watch, even when everything goes a bit bonkers and is unbelievably fast-paced. Then there are also little details such as fingerprints or scratches on the pieces which make the film look so tactile and realistic. There is also an observable contrast between the dusty and battered Lego the brother uses and the colourful, friendly Lego that the sister uses. The jokes are also great, there is a perfect balance of stuff for the youngsters and stuff for the older kids / adults. Not every joke lands, but name me a film where every joke does. So, this film keeps up the franchise's consistency from an animation and humour standpoint.

There are plenty of new things this film introduces that keep it from feeling like it's retreading familiar ground. The new characters are lots of fun, the most notable is Rex Dangervest, who is a tough and more masculine version of Emmet as well as being a satirical riff on characters that you'd typically see Chris Pratt play in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy or Jurassic World. The contrast between the two made for quite a funny dynamic and it kept his side of the story entertaining. There is a new villain called Queen Watevra Wa'Nabi who is an entertaining character because she is made up of literal Lego bricks and shape-shifts between different things like animals or just shapes. As for the returning characters, many of them like Benny, Unikitty or Metalbeard are just there but others do a bit more. Batman in particular is still as fun as before and I don't think he'll ever get boring, a comedic take on Batman is way better than the dark and serious ones we see in the actual DC films these days. I should also mention that the film is also a musical to some extent, there are a few musical numbers. They're obviously not songs of real quality because they're pop songs in an animated film from the 2010s, but because they're so catchy it doesn't matter. There's even a song called 'Catchy Song' and it is not falsely titled, a whole sequence in the film revolves around some characters trying to avoid the song, and you can tell how hard it is for them. So, lots of new things too.  

What I Didn't Like 

The thing that bothered me is that there seems to be a lack of logic in this film. Remember in the first film when Emmet moved on his own? Well that was just a little moment that bugged me in the first as no real explanation was provided as to how that was possible. The sequel doesn't help. The events in the Lego world are presented as the imagination of the children, but there are many times when Lego characters move on their own in the real world and we're just supposed to accept this. This is slightly annoying because it prevents the film from being the most clever it can be. That and there is also a plot-line involving time-travel which makes little to no sense either. They do try to get away with it by having a line about how time travel makes no sense but that doesn't solve the issue. Fortunately, these segments are quite entertaining so you can look past it. However, I would've preferred them to have been handled in a way that fits the established rules of the world. 

Conclusion 

5 years ago it was awesome, 5 years later it's still awesome. The Lego Movie 2 didn't disappoint in the slightest. It has a relatable and heartfelt story, some fun new characters and songs, and more of the same fantastic animation and hilarious jokes. Only a few illogical moments hold this film back from being as good as the original. Speaking of which, in terms of the Lego movies, the first is still the best, but I think this edges out the Batman movie slightly, so it's the second best in the franchise. Here's another thing, I've gone on for ages about how I think Pixar is the best animation studio. But now, I think they're in danger of being overtaken. The Lego films have adopted everything that made Pixar great for their own success. Some really complex narratives, amazing animation, heart and emotion, and funny jokes. Nothing Pixar has made this decade is better than The Lego Movie, so depending on how good Toy Story 4 is, we'll see who is the new king of animated films going into the 2020s. I loved this film and hope there's still more to see in the future. 

I'm going to give The Lego Movie 2 a 9/10 

Mary Queen of Scots - Movie Review - Insightful or uninteresting?

This film is a 15, was released on January 18th 2019, and this review will contain NO SPOILERS... but this is a film based on actual happenings so there's not really anything to be spoiled. 

Introduction 

Despite being in the middle of my GCSEs which are quickly approaching, I am still going to the cinema frequently. I don't want to stop doing something that I love just because I'd like to succeed in school. But, there are times when a cinema trip can actually be beneficial for your education. One of the many joys of a history GCSE is the wide expanse of stuff you have to know and be familiar with. In my course, there is a whole component dedicated to a specific queen, Elizabeth I, whom we just started learning about after Christmas. So is it merely coincidence that a film which could cover certain details of this queen is coming out at this time?

Thoughts Going In 

I didn't go into Mary Queen of Scots because it's a potential awards contender or because I was interested by the subject matter. I went in because I thought it'd be good to see this film as I am learning about some of the details in it in school at the moment. That said, I do still look for a good film whenever I watch them, so I was keen to see if this would be a good film in general, which was kind of dependant on me anyway because it received quite mixed reviews. 

The Story 

The film follows Mary Stuart as she rises in power, ruling alongside her cousin Elizabeth and face many struggles because of her Catholic nature and other hardships. 

What I Liked 

The very best thing about this film, and I think most people will agree with me on this, are the performances. Saorise Ronan and Margot Robbie as Mary and Elizabeth, respectively, were so terrific. The first thing is that they naturally sink into their roles so well. Like Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury, you don't think you're watching actors portray these people, it feels as if you're watching the people themselves. I'd also like to comment on their accents because neither of them are British nor Scottish and they seamlessly pull off convincing voices despite having thick Irish and Australian accents in reality. The other thing is that even when a scene isn't interesting or if it's dull, these two are still so watchable that what they're saying or doing doesn't matter, it's about how they say or do things, which they do very finely. So, solid, convincing and compelling leads. 

The other great thing about this film were certain technical aspects. Firstly, the cinematography and direction. This film looks beautiful and successfully captures the Tudor / Stuart era it is set in wonderfully. There were times when it felt a bit like a high budget, BBC 1, Sunday night drama, but in this case the good outweighs the bad. The other thing was the costumes and make up was all very well done and helps to further emphasise the time period. So, it's not just the two leads that make this film watchable, it's also great to look at. 

What I Didn't Like 

This might sound like an odd or invalid criticism when talking about a film in which the main character is Mary Stuart, but I thought she was a bit dull compared to Elizabeth. There have been many other cinematic versions of Elizabeth's story, and it shows. What she went through was much more interesting than that of Mary. Don't get me wrong, Mary's life is still one stuffed with elements that could make for a brilliant film, but when you have Elizabeth and her more intriguing life story playing out simultaneously, I couldn't help but feel like I wanted to see more of the latter.

I don't quite think the film told its story in the best possible way. This may just be because I have quite a short attention span and struggle to stay engaged in a film unless there's an explosion every 10 minutes, but I felt as if the film didn't do a great job of introducing characters, explaining who they are / their backstory, and various other elements. As a result, it ended up with the two queens being easily distinguishable, but everyone else mostly being bearded men talking medieval talk and such. So, I had a bit of trouble following along.  

Also, not a huge issue for me but something others may get annoyed about, I don't think the film is entirely accurate to history. There's one scene in particular towards the end which I think others may have touched upon, but I won't bother to discuss as I don't really have anything to add to the discussion. But if you are a bit of a pedant and want everything to match what actually happened, this film may irritate you slightly. 

Conclusion 

While it does suffer from a more interesting story being sidelined, some weak storytelling, and definitely not being the best recent film with 'Mary' in the title, Mary Queen of Scots is still a very admirable effort at telling a story about a very comlex part of England and Scotland's history through some great filmmaking aspects like cinematography, direction and overall design. And its best success is two thoroughly engaging portrayals of these characters, both of which I think are worth seeing the film for alone. For any other GCSE history students studying Elizabeth, this is still worth a watch but don't go in expecting it to be super helpful, just think you'll come out with enough necessary insight into these significant people, which I did. 

I'm going to give Mary Queen of Scots a 6/10

How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World - Movie Review - A high note to end on?

This film is a PG, was released on February 1st 2019, and this review will contain some spoilers, but will be highlighted.

Introduction 

I love the How To Train Your Dragon films. It's one of the franchises that I have seen grow and develop throughout its lifetime since 2010. The first film is one of the best animated films of the decade and one of my favourite animated films in general, definitely the best film from Dreamworks. I wasn't as mad about the second film but I still really enjoyed it, it was a great sequel for sure. The best thing about this franchise is that it has always struck the perfect balance between story, spectacle and emotion. This is especially good as you don't see much of this in modern animation, especially in the mainstream. But, we now have our third and probably last chapter in this trilogy. 

Thoughts Going In 

I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie. I love the first film and really like the second one as I said, so what could this bring? The thing I was most concerned about was whether this would sign off the franchise in an unsatisfying way. But, I was keen that it'd still have the amazing visuals. So, I had mixed expectations. 

The Story 

Hiccup has almost fulfilled his dream of a peaceful union between humans and dragons. However, the people around him begin to suggest that the village is becoming too crowded for both species alongside each other. Hiccup then remembers tales of a 'Hidden World' where dragons live in peace, and thinks about setting out to find it. But, a new dragon hunter, this one specifically out to catch Night Furies, is desperate to catch Toothless. And while all this goes down, Toothless meets a female 'Light Fury' who he begins to become close with. So, what will happen as all the narratives intertwine?

What I Liked 

The thing I absolutely loved about this film was the ending. I'll dive into spoiler territory later but all you need to know is this. It was such a satisfying and emotionally resonant ending that it almost felt perfect. We're talking on the same level as Toy Story 3, and that's saying something. That's all I'll say now, spoiler talk will come later. 

This film represents the absolute peak of computer animation. The visuals in this film are even better than that of a Pixar film. The Hidden World is such a wondrous setting and the mix of colours and shapes makes it absolutely beautiful to look at. Even small details like the dragon scales, the textures of clothes and hair, and natural elements like grass, sand and water are all so realistic that it almost looked like live-action, or the CGI you'd expect from a live-action film. This is a real reward because when you look back on the original How To Train Your Dragon, the animation is great, but it does look a little bit weak nowadays. It's wonderful to see how this franchise has developed not just story and character-wise, but from an animation standpoint. 

The story was also really good. More specifically, the storytelling with Toothless. He's just a dragon, he can't talk like many other Dreamworks sidekicks, so how is it possible to tell a story about him and his new relationship with a female dragon? Well, it's possible and successful. The team have really understood how to tell a visual story, Toothless has such expressive eyes and such a distinctive character that it felt really nice to see his story get told unlike many other animals / creatures in films. This wasn't a huge aspect, but definitely a stand-out among the minor ones. 

What I Didn't Like 

My biggest issue with this film series is that the jokes have always seemed to be the weakest part. Here, not only is it unfunny, but it can be cringeworthy at certain points. Some of the supporting cast deliver really irritating lines and it really bothered me. There's a whole sub-plot regarding Hiccup and Astrid getting married but everyone makes fun of Hiccup for being a bit of a screw up and not good enough. It wasn't funny to begin with and there are many sequences dedicated to it which made it worse. There are also some jokes that sound funny on paper but aren't executed so well. One sequence you may be familiar with from the trailers is when Toothless does some kind of mating dance to attract the female dragon. Some parts of it were funny but I feel like the joke was a bit too elongated and it lost its charm fairly quickly. So, the humour isn't really a strong point for the franchise and it isn't improved upon here. This may not seem like a huge issue but I like to have a laugh when I watch an animated film.

My only other issue was that the titular Hidden World felt like it wasn't explored to its huge potential. Sure, it is the driving force of the film, but we didn't see much of it. There was only one big scene in which we see it and all the dragons inside it, but that's it. I feel like we could've and should've spent more time there, especially considering how stunning it was. That said, this sequence is one of the best parts of the film. 

Conclusion 

Well, I'm really happy. There is another animated trilogy in which there isn't a bad installment. I can't believe I'm saying that. How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World may not feature much of the titular setting nor does it fix upon the flaws of its predecessors in the comedic department, but it has some of the best computer animation of the decade, some amazing visual storytelling, as well as being an overall satisfying conclusion to a great series. I am so glad I was able to watch this franchise develop and grow as I grew up. It is the best animated trilogy next to Toy Story (until June that is) and is some of Dreamworks' best work in ages. So, all I can say is that I'm really, truly pleased. BUT, there is another certain animated sequel coming out this year that I'm hearing is as good as its predecessors, so this may not be hold the title of the best animated film of the year for long, we've only got a week or two to see.....

I'm going to give How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World an 8/10

Spoiler Talk 

I don't usually do spoiler talk but I felt like I had no choice this time as my main argument for this film being great centres around some spoiler-tastic things. So, what are they?

The ending in which Hiccup and Toothless had to part ways was really moving. Because I've been on board with this franchise since the beginning, I've been on every step of the way so I feel as connected to these two characters as they are to each other. It felt like the most appropriate ending for this franchise as Toothless has found himself a mate and Hiccup is of course getting married to Astrid. So, the two of them going back to their respective people as the leaders was very satisfying. 

But, the cherry on top was the final sequence. Hiccup as an adult with his children going back to find Toothless was another very heartfelt moment. When Toothless didn't recognise Hiccup for a brief moment, I felt very sad. But, once he realises its him and Hiccup places the hands of his children onto Toothless' nose, it was another touching moment as it mirrors the iconic scene in the original, and suggests Hiccup passing the torch to a new generation in which unity with dragons will hopefully be achieved. As if that wasn't enough, we're signed off with some terrific flying sequences that only amplify my love for this film and this franchise. So, the ending did exactly what I wanted in the best possible way.

Bohemian Rhapsody - Movie Review - Majestic or treasonous?

This film is a 12A, was released on October 24th 2018, and this review will contain NO SPOILERS

Introduction

When it comes to music, my taste is generally all over the place. There's no specific band / artist that I admire but rather several that I admire. However, if I did have to pick one of those several bands, it'd probably be Queen. I love Queen. All their tunes are extremely catchy and have had a huge impact on the music industry, giving them a terrific legacy as probably one of the greatest bands in history. So, with a band that produced such extraordinary music, surely there's something fascinating behind the curtains for them? 

Thoughts Going In 

I didn't know what to expect going into Bohemian Rhapsody. It's a film that has had quite an interesting life despite the fact that it hasn't been around for long at all. When it first came out, it got very mixed reviews from critics, who criticised it for falsifying many elements of the band's history as well as poorly handling certain elements. But, it had a huge opening here in the UK, and has been bobbing around in the top 10 for around 11 weeks. But what peaked my interest to see this film was that it won the Golden Globe for best motion picture. This was a surprise. So, I finally had the urge to go and see what this film was.

The Story 

In 1970, a man named Freddie meets a rundown band who have just lost their lead singer. He quickly joins and they begin to turn out hit after hit. This of course becomes Queen and the film follows them as they face many hardships but eventually are met with huge amounts of success. 

What I Liked 

The thing I loved about Bohemian Rhapsody so much was that it felt so impactful. What kept me engaged were three things:

Firstly, Rami Malek's performance as Freddie Mercury. This is honestly one of the best performances of a real life figure that I have ever seen. It reminded me of a film called The Theory of Everything in which Eddie Redmayne plays Stephen Hawking, and you feel like you're watching the actual Stephen Hawking than an actor playing him. That's exactly how I felt here as it felt like I was watching the real Freddie. He got the character so perfect that I honestly don't think anyone else could've played him. Very deserving of the Golden Globe as well as any other awards that come his way. 

Secondly, the atmosphere. I was worried that the film wouldn't dedicate enough time to the actual performances or gigs that the band did, but luckily there was tons of it. What was also brilliant was how it showed the creations of several songs. Although I'm sure it's not entirely accurate, it was so much fun to watch. Seeing all the bonkers methods they used to create Bohemian Rhapsody, or watching them build their way up from a single tune to create Another One Bites the Dust, or my personal favourite, watching them create a beat to involve the audience and eventually leading to We Will Rock You. Then you get some scenes where you see these songs being performed to an audience, and it's just amazing. You want to stamp your feet to the beat, you want to sing along, it's just so so good. Then, when you get to the Live Aid performance, which is everything the film has been culminating to, it goes through the roof. There's such a sense of scale, a sense that this is an unbelievably large audience, so when they begin to sing songs like Radio Ga Ga, it feels so big and so grand and completely involving. 

Finally, the story. Before I saw the film, I did some research on Queen's history and it turns out that there are many things this film made up. But, it didn't bother me in the slightest and I think it actually worked to the film's advantage. They've taken a lot of true elements as well as some fictional ones and arranged them in a way that it gives the film a more narrative structure. I don't care if it is inaccurate to what really happened, but it was necessary. You get the sense that the four band members are misfits and don't fit in, you feel the tension between them when they have creative differences, you can understand their anger when not everyone gets a say regarding a certain matter, and because the actors are so good at conveying their characters, you want to see them succeed. So when we do arrive at the Live Aid performance and Freddie knows it'll be one of his last shots due to his unfortunate diagnosis of AIDS, you feel all the tension that you should, and when they start to sing We Are the Champions, you feel the sense of achievement and accomplishment. This was really the cherry on top despite how it ignores history. But in the end, it doesn't matter. I'll take a really well executed and emotionally resonant story over one that goes through history word for word and doesn't try to make it engaging. 

What I Didn't Like 

There are some things wrong with Bohemian Rhapsody but nothing disastrous. My biggest complaint is that there are some slower scenes which are either too long or they're badly executed. One scene involving Freddie firing one of his agents felt a bit too cold and flippant considering what it was trying to show. Another scene showing his early interactions with a man he later had a relationship with felt uncomfortable. Some people criticised how the film glosses over details of Freddie's sexuality or how it mishandles elements of it. Personally, I didn't get irritated by it and I don't think I would've liked any more of it because that stuff didn't really have me interested nor did it add much. I think what they did do was fine and got the message across just fine. That's really the only issue I have with this film, just a few scenes I think were boring, uninteresting or badly executed, which there weren't actually a lot of, looking back. 

Conclusion

Bohemian Rhapsody may not serve as an accurate biopic for those who are genuinely interested in the life story of Freddie Mercury, but I loved it. It has one of the best lead performances of the year, some really powerful and atmospheric song performances, as well as a story that had me engaged and entertained. But above all, this felt like a love letter to Queen. It captures the larger than life scale of their music and pays tons of respect to their legacy. It makes you really understand why they are considered one of the greatest bands of all time, and how upsetting it was that we lost Mercury so soon. This film definitely deserves those Golden Globes it received and hopefully it picks up a few more as we get deeper into awards season. As for me, I'm a really big fan of it and I'm sure it'll live on forever.....

I'm going to give Bohemian Rhapsody an 8/10

Top 10 Most Anticipated Films of 2019

Happy New Year Everyone!

2018 has just gone by in a flash and it was an interesting year for film. Many said it was filled with disappointments or films that didn't live up to expectations. I can see where they are coming from, but I can't say that the films I was looking forward to were let downs. All of my Top 5 of the year exceeded my expectations in some way. But, that's in the past. What will the next twelve months bring to the table? It's time to have a look...

To present my most anticipated films of the year, I will be sharing the 10 films I'm keen to see the most, with No. 1 being the one I'd like to see the most. So, lets have a look at them:

10. Star Wars: Episode IX (December)

I don't consider myself to be the hugest fan of Star Wars, I watch all the films as they come out because I think they're very entertaining and a lot of fun, but I don't particularly care about the decisions made concerning the direction of the franchise or the choices made regarding certain characters and such. I love The Force Awakens, I quite enjoyed The Last Jedi although I think it is worth seeing for a second time, and Rogue One and Solo are both decent despite being unnecessary to an extent. But, I am keen to see what happens next in the franchise and I'm sure it'll be another great addition, especially with JJ Abrams back in the director's seat.

9. How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World (February 1st)

I love the first How to Train Your Dragon film. It is one of the films I saw as a child that I really got a kick out of and became immediately fond of. I was less mad about the second one but still really enjoyed it. So, with the third installment looking like the final one, I am very keen to see this as I would like to see how they wrap up this great franchise and if it's possible for an animated film studio other than Pixar to make a perfect trilogy. Additionally, it looks amazing. 

8. Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon (October 18th) 

Aardman are such a wonderful animation studio. Their films have such a wonderful tactility with their signature claymation as well as a charming sense of humour. However, what excites me about this isn't just that it's a sequel to Shaun the Sheep Movie, which was such a terrific film due to its excellent use of silent cinema and expressive animation, it's the fact that Aardman's previous film, Early Man, came out in 2018. So, this could mean that we have an Aardman film annually, or at least more regularly than three years. That's an exciting thought. In terms of this film, it looks bonkers and far-fetched, but I'm sure it'll be just as brilliant as before, so I'm sure to see it. 

7. Kingsman 3 (November 8th) 

This may not immediately spring to mind when thinking about the most anticipated films of the year, but I'm really looking forward to this. I really loved the first Kingsman, it was such an entertaining take on the standard James Bond formula as well as launching the career of one of my favourite actors, Taron Egerton. The second one, while disappointing to some, was still a lot of fun for me. The whole over-the-top style with the action and overload of blood and swearing is enough to make me have a good time. But, with what looks like the conclusion coming this year, I'm excited to see how the franchise will be signed off and also just excited for another round of the same humour and fun. I hope all the criticisms with the second film are taken on board and the director will be able to pull it all together. 

6. Captain Marvel (March 8th)

One of three films you'd be expecting to see on the list. But, I'm not just looking forward to Captain Marvel because it's just another MCU outing or because I want another reason to be excited about a certain other film. I'm keen to see this because I don't actually know much about the character of Captain Marvel. One thing I've really liked about the MCU is that it has brought some really obscure / unknown characters into the spotlight. Hardly anyone could name who the Guardians of the Galaxy or Ant-Man or Doctor Strange were ten years ago, that's why I enjoy this franchise alongside all the popcorn wonder it offers. So, I hope this offers another introduction to a character I know little about as well as making me even more excited for April, you'll never guess why.  

5. Spider-Man: Far From Home (July) 

Once again, this isn't just on here because it's a Marvel movie. The reason I'm excited for this is because I love what recent films have been doing with Spider-Man. I loved Spider-Man: Homecoming because it was a funny and oddly relatable superhero movie, which isn't something you get everyday. Then, more recently, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse gave a visually stunning and hilarious film which gave a different perspective on the character's legacy. So, regardless of where the character is right now in the MCU, I am excited for another adventure with the web-slinger and hopefully we'll get more charming humour as well as cool action, just as long as Tom Holland can keep his mouth shut while doing press...

4. The Lion King (July 19th)

Well, I can't say I'm looking forward to this movie because I'm more obliged to see it. The Disney live-action remakes are not exactly the best of Disney's recent pieces. There are some great ones such as The Jungle Book or Cinderella, but they're good for one reason. That is that the originals are not perfect movies. They may be classics but there is still room for improvements. So, why is there a point of making a reboot of The Lion King? Just like Beauty and the Beast, this is one of Disney's greatest films ever. So why do we need another version? Is it because it's very profitable? Probably. I really hope that this film turns out to be good because The Lion King has a very special place in my heart as one of my favourites of the classic Disney movies. So, if this isn't good, I'll be very upset and the film will just spend its life in the shadow of the original. I don't care if the visuals are amazing and look photo-realistic, I don't care if Jon Favreau, the man most qualified at this point after The Jungle Book, is directing it. There is always a chance this will tip over and disappoint. So, my fingers are crossed very tightly. That said, I just can't wait for this movie.

3. Toy Story 4 (June 21st) 

If you thought I was concerned about The Lion King, you'd better be prepared. The reason I want to see this, other than it being another Pixar film, is because I want to see where the company is going. The Toy Story films are a definitive perfect trilogy. Each installment is better than the last one and expands upon themes / ideas as well as being just as entertaining. By the end, everything is wrapped up perfectly and you feel as if every chapter was necessary. In terms of Pixar's other sequels like Monsters University or Finding Dory, they seem to have been remembered more for financial gain than the story they tell. This is why Toy Story 4 has me worried. If the film does add another meaningful chapter to the Toy Story world as well as being an entertaining movie, I'll be satisfied. But, if it's just plainly good or even mediocre, I'll be disappointed for many reasons. Not only will it ruin the franchise's perfectness of each installment getting better as they progress, but it'll sadly cement Pixar as a company that no longer has any care for the art they put out and is more driven by the money they make in return. What's even more worrying is that the director isn't John Lasseter of the first two films nor is it Lee Unkrich of the third, which is odd because the people who know Toy Story best are not behind the wheel. So, there is a lot at stake here. This better be a great movie, as if not, there will be cataclysmic results. I sound a bit too serious today, don't I? I should make it clear that I am still really excited for this movie despite my concerns.

2. The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (February 8th) 

The fact that 2019 marks the fifth anniversary of The Lego Movie is terrifying. Stuff like that makes me feel old even though I'm only 15. The Lego franchise has been such a joy since then. They have consistently given lots of great jokes, entertaining characters and innovative animation. The first Lego Movie was a huge surprise with how creative and funny it was, as the idea sounded really corporate on paper. Subsequently, The Lego Batman Movie was just as awesome, and while it was flawed, The Lego Ninjago Movie was still a solid enough movie. So, with a return to the main franchise coming, of course I can't wait. I haven't watched any of the trailers, but from what I've seen in the posters and sets, it looks bonkers. And I love a good dose of bonkers! So, if this films gets the perfect balance between the heart and charm of the original with all the new craziness, I'll be very happy. I'm more keen to see this than Toy Story 4 simply because this won't have such a bad impact if it disappoints. Besides, I doubt it'll be a let down, how can it be?

1. Avengers: Endgame (April 26th) 

Well, you all knew it was coming, so what can I say? I cannot wait to see this film because I am simply loaded with questions. Can the snap be reversed? Did the people who turned to dust actually die? Is Thanos actually the hero? Can Hawkeye help? Can Ant-Man help? Will Captain Marvel be able to help? Will this film gross more than the last one? I don't know any of the answers to these and many more, but I want to know, so I can't wait to see what we get as a result of the game-changing thrills of the last film, A.K.A my favourite film of 2018. Endgame has such a tough act to follow but I have such a strong feeling that it'll all work out in the end. This is because nobody could've expected Infinity War to be as coherent, emotional, and generally satisfying as it was. If that film is anything to go by, then surely this will be just as good. I have no doubt this will be the biggest film of the year, but I can't say whether or not it'll top the standards set by it's predecessor. So, all I will say is that it's coming and I am extremely excited to see what direction this franchise goes next!  

Conclusion 

Obviously, there are some other films I am looking forward to, but I think those 10 are the ones I'll be keeping a close eye on. And like any other year, there will be films that pop up throughout that I may see. But from what I can see now, it looks like a very solid line-up indeed. Some risky films, some with a lot to live up to, and some that'll definitely be quality entertainment. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this year pans out, as well as how these films do. If previous years are anything to go by, I'm certain that this one will be awesome. So, I'm ready for 2019.  

Top 5 Films of 2018

End of the year already? Well, now we have a chance to look back on all the greatness the last year has offered us in terms of film. 2018 has been a terrific year. Despite trying to visit the cinema less frequently due to exams, I have managed to see 24 films. Even though there have been that many, I'm still sticking with a Top 5 because that way you can tell I'm talking about the very best. Also, there are only 3 films this year that I'd feel comfortable labeling as 'bad', so a 5 worst films of the year is not something I think I'll bother doing. Also, this is just my opinion, so it's fine if you disagree. You should also know that these are the films I enjoyed the most and not necessarily which ones I think are the best. So, let's have a look at my best films of the year!

5. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 

Animated films used to be the main thing I saw in the cinema, but this year it is evident that that is no longer apparent. That said, the animated films I've seen this year have all been really good. However, the best one came out in the last month of the year, and it was well worth waiting for it for so long. Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse delivers some top-notch action, fun and entertaining characters, along with some strong and powerful depth and heart, all wrapped up in visually-sumptuous, dazzling animation. I really enjoyed this film and it succeeded in all the ways a great animated film, superhero movie, and film in general, should. I advise you try to see this while it's still in cinemas, especially as it's sadly drifting out of the Top 10.

4. Mary Poppins Returns 

Probably the most anomalous film on this list as it's not an action / superhero film nor something you'd typically find me talking about. But that doesn't mean it can't be one of the best films of the whole year. Mary Poppins Returns, despite being a bit derivative when compared to the predecessor as well as not seeming nearly as iconic, is still an uplifting, jolly film that has some brilliant performances, excellent and catchy songs accompanied by mesmeric choreography, beautiful visuals, especially with the usage of 2D animation, and enough elements to be both a worthy sequel and its own thing. This is a film that upon second viewing still managed to give me the same rush of happiness and euphoria that the first did, so much so that my cheeks began to ache from smiling. I really enjoyed it and can't wait for it to be released on DVD so I can continuously be entertained by this spoonful of joy.

3. Deadpool 2 

Well, it hasn't moved an inch since July. Deadpool 2 is the perfect comedy in my eyes. Some hilarious and meta humour, equally entertaining performances, and some truly engaging action scenes to keep the film from feeling boring or lifeless. I don't really have that much to say other than this is one of the funniest films of the year, and one of the rare sequels to be better than the original. Because of how good this film is, the first Deadpool is now just seen as plainly good by me. So, I hope we get more comedic masterpieces like this in 2019, especially with the release of Kingsman 3 in November, which is another action franchise stuffed with great, gory action and a charming sense of humour. 

2. Ready Player One 

If you saw my best films of 2018 so far back in July, you may be wondering why this film is now at number 2. Well, I'll elaborate when I talk about number 1. As for this, I still absolutely love this film. Ready Player One is such a great concept and the way it was translated from page to screen is in a form which I can only say is the best that it possibly could've been. This was a tricky task, and the fact that they managed to keep to overall story structure and feel of the novel in this film is commendable. On top of that, it delivers some really inventive and exciting popcorn action along with some good performances too. I didn't mention this before but upon third and fourth viewing, I really began to appreciate the score too, which boasts some really exhilarating tunes as well as some nice subtle callbacks to other franchises like Back to the Future. This is overall a really good and really fun film. I think it delivers in many great ways and though there are some flaws with the storytelling and character developing, what works is more than enough to make up. 

1. Avengers: Infinity War 

Surprised? Me neither. When I did my 'so far' list in July, I'd only seen Infinity War once, and was basing what I said off what I remembered from that one viewing, most of my experience in which was skewed because the ending shocked me so much to the point where that was most if not all I could think about. However, upon second viewing, this all changed. As much as I love Ready Player One and Deadpool 2, upon re-watching there is always one little thing which bugs me. With the former, I find myself wondering how certain things in the world of the film work, and with the latter, I find myself not bursting with laughter, but lightly exhaling. With this film, I have barely any issues to mention when I re-watch it. All I get is the excitement from the action, I feel the tension of the stakes, I'm struck by the power of the emotions, I laugh at the jokes, I'm shokced by the twists despite knowing they're coming, and so much more. I almost considered boosting this film from an E to an EE. The only thing problematic about this film is that I can't recommend it on its own as it is essential for the viewer to have seen 18 other films. That said, my family all enjoyed it and they're almost alien to the MCU. With 2019 looking like it could be the most defining chapter for this franchise, I can't wait to continue watching and loving this film until the outcome arrives. This is why this film is my favourite film of the year, it's perfectly balanced, as all things should be...

So, with those 5 gems now behind us, what is there to come? Well there's a lot I need to highlight so stay tuned for my most anticipated films of 2019 which should hopefully be out soon. But until then, Happy New Year!

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse - Movie Review

This film is a PG, was released on December 12th 2018, and this review will contain NO SPOILERS

Introduction 

We're nearly at the end of 2018, and looking back on the year, superhero movies have been some of the highlights for me. There have been many ups, a fair share of downs, but overall it had been an impressive year and I'm pleased with how many of the films turned out. But, when we thought we were done with this genre, there's just one more.

Thoughts Going In 

I love superhero movies and I love animated movies, so in theory, this should be a match made in heaven for me. Well, there's a bit more to it. The trailers for this film had me conflicted. I was definitely going to see this film but I was concerned about it. The first two trailers were really fascinating, some terrific animation and some potential heart / depth. But, the third trailer made me think this film would be overstuffed with nonsensical plots, needlessly convoluted events, and comic relief characters. But, then the overwhelmingly positive reviews came out. Could I able able to put my concerns aside? Well, there was only one way to find out...

The Story 

Miles Morales lives in one of many versions of Brooklyn. In his one, he's an awkward teen who can't seem to fit in at a new school, has a crush on a girl, and doesn't get along well with his father. One day, he's bitten by a radioactive spider. This leads to him experiencing many odd body / personality changes. He then realizes that he is turning into Spider-Man. Coincidentally, he runs into the real Spider-Man who is in the middle of a showdown at a huge machine which brings together multiple universes. Suddenly, many versions of the Web-Slinger turn up. An alternate version of Peter Parker, who is fat, old and tired, Gwen-Stacey / Spider-Woman, Spider-Noir, Peni Parker and Spider-Ham. Soon, they have to all get home before the universes collide and cataclysmic events ensue. 

What I Liked 

The most astonishing thing about this film is the animation. My goodness, this is by far the best looking animated film of the year, and that's saying something because this year, we've had Isle of Dogs. The style is completely made to resemble a comic book, and it beautifully succeeds. But, it isn't the great big flashes and such which impressed me, it was the little things such as dividing the screen to show multiple angles of / reactions to the same event, thought boxes popping up whenever a character is literally thinking out loud, the attention to detail with the dots and scratches on the screen, much like that which you'd see on the printed page of comic strip, or the coloured outlines around a character when they're out of focus, or the additions of onomatopoeia during action scenes. All of these elements of the animation made this a great viewing experience. The character animation was also tremendous. It reminded me of the recent Lego movies, very frantic and kinetic action which is very fast paced and bonkers. And if you know me, you know I love bonkers. The animation in this film is definitive wonder, Pixar finally has some genuine competition.

The jokes are brilliant. It's absolutely laugh-out-loud funny. This is interesting considering it's from Sony Pictures Animation, who only make an occasionally funny film. It doesn't rely on stupid kids' humour to make the audience laugh, it's so much more clever than that. But, the best jokes were about the character of Spider-Man himself. Every time a new Spidey character is introduced to us, it is done in the exact same way and does the exact same things but specific for that character. I'm not sure if this was intentional, but this seemed like the studio was implicitly joking about how we've seen so many versions of this character that hit the same beats, it was a really fun recurring gag. There are plenty of other jokes linked to Spider-Man's history, referencing the original comics, the various other films such as Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield and Tom Holland, and so much more. I'm so happy I found this film as entertaining as I did. It felt a lot like The Lego Batman Movie but for Spider-Man.

But, what impressed me most, was that the story was very focused on its protagonist. It has so much going on both visually and plot-wise, but the story of Miles and his struggles of becoming Spider-Man on top of the rest of his life is always front and centre. It has a surprising amount of depth for an animated superhero movie. But not only does it work on an emotional level, but it is also really tense. You're so invested with this central character because of a really well drawn out relationship with his father and his peers, and when his life goes crazy as presented, the tension and excitement is present. What's also good is that it feels like things actually have consequences. As much as I enjoy the colossal conflicts in the MCU films, there is generally a lack of tension as we experience huge things happening with characters acting like it was nothing extraordinary. Well, it felt that way before we got to films like Civil War or Infinity War. Here, Miles is just a teen, that makes him so much more vulnerable than your average Marvel superhero. While he goes through all the events in the film, people get hurt, people think about how dangerous or scary certain things might be for him, some people even die. Even when things get a bit ludicrous towards the third act, you still feel something because of what you've seen this character go through and because of what we know about him. I was happy with this because it made me feel something more than just 'wow' or 'haha'. This is always an element that animated films struggle to achieve, because they tend to be too uncomfortable or unwilling to explore darker / more mature themes, and I'm glad this film was able to show it. 

What I Didn't Like 

Much like Sony's other recent Marvel outing, Venom, this film IS ALSO VERY LOUD!!!! But to be fair, it is justified here due to the stakes presented and the events occurring, so I can't get too annoyed, but I do prefer my films to not be like I'm being shouted at for 90 minutes. 

Another complaint is also something that isn't necessarily bad about the film, but the frantic nature is best in smaller doses. I loved the speed that the gags and action moved at, but sometimes it can be a bit of an overload. Either too much going on on screen that it is actually hard to find something to focus on, or there's a joke that doesn't land. The latter is less of a problem because many unfunny jokes don't have time to have an effect on the audience because a funnier one will most likely pop up immediately after wards, but it's only when an elongated joke is unfunny, which is rare. It can also be a bit hard to follow at points, but that's probably just me. That's really my only main issue, the film can sometimes get a little bit carried away and deliver a bit too much despite doing just fine. 

Conclusion 

I thought Isle of Dogs would be the best animated film of the year, then I thought it'd be Incredibles 2, and then I thought it'd be Ralph Breaks the Internet. But in the very last month, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse claimed that title, in typical saving the best until last fashion. This film has the best, most visually sumptuous animation of the year, some really clever and well-thought out jokes, and a story which has proper heart, depth and tension all because of such a well-executed main character. I really enjoyed this film. Despite being a little bit overloaded with gags and visuals, which is a very minor thing, it's still satisfying on a narrative, humour and visual level. It's the best Sony Pictures Animation film since Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs, which makes sense as it has Phil Lord and Chris Miller behind the scenes. So, if you were worried there wouldn't be enough quality entertainment this Christmas, this film further proves how much choice we have.

I'm going to give Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse an S