Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion

Grade: A

Well, it only took 7 years, but this movie has finally been commercially released in the US. (If you have any interest in seeing this, you may want to do so quickly. Some Asterix movies last on streaming for a while, but some disappear quickly.) In Asterix: The Secret of the Magic Potion (original title: Asterix: La Secret de la Potion Magique), based on the long-running French comics series, Getafix, the druid who makes the magic potion Asterix and the other Gauls in his village (the French version of Vikings) use to make themselves stronger and protect themselves from the Roman Empire, realizes he isn't getting any younger and decides to go in search of a successor. 

This is a worthy follow-up to the previous computer animated movie Mansion of the Gods. The script flows nicely and everything works well together. The story is slightly more complex than you think it might be and makes you invested in what will transpire. Comedy is good, able to please kids and adults and to bridge the gap to non-French audiences (more so than that recent live-action movie on Netflix if you've seen it.)

Secret Potion makes good use of distinct characters both old and new. Though Getafix is a main fixture of the comics, he often isn't center stage. His movie is a bit of a showcase on his wise and amiable values and nature. The movie introduces Pectin, a young schoolgirl in the village and budding inventor who looks up to Getafix. She's an earnest character and she and Getafix make a good team. 

If there are any complaints, I feel that Asterix is a little too quick to anger. Yeah, it's not like he's never gotten annoyed before, but he's one of the more level-headed characters, and it feels like he is losing his temper due to plot reasons.

One of the best parts is the new villain Demonix, a banished Druid and Getafix's former friend. With the exception of Julius Caesar, most of the Asterix villains are one-dimensional cartoon characters. You get a few cleverer ones, but even their personas are kept simple. Demonix has a little more personality too him and steals all his scenes. His desire to obtain the magic Potion is a selfish one, but there are moments where you say, "He does have a point." He's also a clever one. It takes a while to figure out his plan but when you do it all makes sense.

Animation is colorful and manages to keep the essence of the original 2D-illustrations intact. Unfortunately, they keep the original "larger lips" for the black crew member of the pirate crew Asterix and pals keep running into. They really should know better by now.

Highly recommended. This is honestly one of the best Asterix movies and even if you're unfamiliar with the character, it's easy to jump into the story.

Love Hurts

Grade: C

Hitman-turned-successful real estate agent Marvin Gable (played by Ke Huy Quan) has his past come back to haunt him when former love interest Rose Carlisle (The West Side Story remake's Ariana DeBose) returns from hiding.

LH has a story that looked like it could work in a Wikipedia synopsis, but doesn't work in execution. There are fun moments (including a couple-laugh-out-loud parts), but a lot of stuff doesn't pan out, and the filmmakers' can't understand how light or dark they want to make this. A lot of people say narration in a movie can be a crutch, but I don't usually have a problem. Here, it really does feel forced.

The action is good, I'll give you that. The movie has some impressive choreography. There's a blade-throwing villain in this, and he has some of the most entertaining blade-throwing combat I've seen.

Quan is the best part. Like in Everything, Everywhere, all at Once, the actor is really good at switching between generally nice guy and a person of violence. Unfortunately, only him and Sean Astin as Marvin's boss are able to make the poor dialogue work. Rose's character isn't really that likable and her actions come across as selfish rather than courageous, and you're not really rooting for Marvin and her to get together. DeBose tries to use the enthusiastic energy she used in WWS, but it feels disingenuous here. Football-player-turned-actor Marshawn Lynch has been demonstrating that he is a real comic talent. (Ever seen the Netflix show Murderville where celebrities are put in improv situations? Lynch blew everyone else away.) Here he just isn't shining as brightly as he has, because he doesn't have much to go with.

Not recommended. I mean LH can work as background noise or Quan fans may want to see his performance, but overall this isn't something you NEED to see.

Heart Eyes

Grade: A

The notorious Heart Eyes Killer (or HEK for short), who targets couples on Valentine's Day, mistakes co-workers Ally McCabe (Kickin' it/Cloak and Dagger's Olivia Holt) and Jay Simmonds (Scream 5+ 6/Love, Victor's Mason Gooding) as lovers and makes them their new quarry.

The trailers made this look like more of a traditional slasher film, but this is a horror comedy. (It's co-written by Happy Death Day's Christopher Langdon who might be the most prolific director/writer of horror comedy there is and directed by College Humor alumni Josh Ruben who directed the rather entertaining Werewolves Within). 

Heart Eyes is basically a romcom if it had a serial killer in it. The budding relationship between Ally and Jay is surprisingly well done, and the dialogue really has that traditional romcom vibe to it. Doesn't hurt that Holt and Gooding have great chemistry together and are both super likable. The lighting also feels more like that for a romcom than a horror movie. The jokes themselves fly fast and loose and work really well. The whole thing feels like a pastiche of romcoms but not a full on parody.

However, when the killer pops up, the movie takes the kills seriously. This isn't one of those horror comedies that are light on kills and are aiming for a PG-13 rating. The deaths are creative and can be really bloody. There is also one of the most effective jump scares I've seen in a while in this.

Besides the leads, the cast is pretty good. The Fast and the Furious' Jordana Brewster is given the chance to show that she has a sillier side as an eccentric cop.

I can't say I'm loving the look of the killer's mask. The heart-shaped eyes are an interesting idea, but I'm not loving the flesh-colored look of the thing. The mask feels a little too busy. On the plus side, the killer always does look intimidating. 

There are moments where the director/writers are a little inconsistent on how broad or understated they want the comedy to be. This has this typical horror movie habit of having plot holes. Also, it isn't too hard to guess who the killer is. But, I wouldn't consider any of these issues to be a deal breaker.

Highly recommended. This is such an astoundingly unique and funny film that manages to balance genres.