Barbie

 

9.5/10

In this new film, Stereotypical Barbie (played by Margot Robbie) lives in the idyllic Barbieland where all the Barbie dolls live. One day, Barbie starts having dark thoughts and becoming more realistic. In order to go back to normal, she goes on a journey to the real world.

Barbie is one of the funniest movies this year. They're so many delightful lines in this. This is one of those movies like the original Enchanted or Return of the Killer Tomatoes that jumps straight into the deep end of the inherent silliness of the whole basic concept. 

Director-writer team Greta Gerwig (Ladybird/Little Women) and Noah Bambauch mine all the known details about Barbie they can, like Weird Barbie (SNL's Kate McKinnon), the Barbie that's damaged by having her owner play with her too much, or ractual ecalled/controversial Barbies (they have a lot of fun with this, and I won't spoil how misconceived some of these were), or lesser known Barbies like Ken's pal Allan (Michael Cera). There's an unexpected whole subplot about the Kens basically being considered Barbie's accessories and second-hand citizens in a world where women can and do all the jobs. 

When I heard Barbie was going to the real world, I was worried that this would be like the live-action Smurfs movies or the He-Man movie where the potential of the fantasy world is sacrificed for more mundane goings-ons. However, I'm pleased to say that this takes place more in Barbieland than the real world. The movie sort of has a magic realism feel to it, and I like that they treat Barbies coming to reality as something that's happened and is a secret kept by Mattel rather than something everyone has to wrap their heads around for the first time.

Despite the filmmakers clearly having fun with the whole concept, at times the movie can be surprisingly poignant. There's like four or so emotional moments that play off better than you expect. Besides being a movie that celebrates Barbie, the movie also analyzes the pros and cons of the character's influence, and compares the idealistic women-dominated world of Barbieland to reality. I was surprised with a couple scenes that though they don't go to the darkest places are completely candid with how men can treat women as objects. Be prepared that some of these moments could make certain people uncomfortable. I have to applaud Mattel for giving Gerwig sheer range and not shying away from some of the more regretful aspects of Barbie over the years.

Barbieland looks fantastic as it is the plastic world of Barbie brought to life and feels authentic.  Not to mention that Gerwig just generally has a great design sense. Really, I haven't seen such bright and simply fun visuals in a major motion picture in a while. Costumes also appear accurate to those actually worn by Barbie dolls. Also, we get a great soundtrack that perfectly accentuates what's going, including four new solid songs, including entries from Lizzo, Dua Lipa, and Billie Eilish.

Margot Robbie was the perfect choice for Barbie. She has such a wide range in this and nails all of the character's various emotions. Considering that Ryan isn't know for comedy, his casting as Ken was a surprise, but he gives the funniest performance in the entire film as kinda a big child. Unfortunately, there isn't enough time to list the entire great cast in this. (Gerwig really had the magic touch when it came to casting each Barbie). I will give a quick shout out to Ugly Betty/Superstore's America Ferrera who's likable as the human who aids Barbie and Michael Cera who's Allan is so darn watchable as the unpopular doll who can be equally awkward but is also one of the saner characters and an underdog you root for. 

I found this but to be highly enjoyable, but the ending has a few nitpicks for me. I thought the last scene of the Kens' storyline could've been cut down for time and could've been handled better. Also, they make you like Allan, but the character doesn't really have a final destination.

Though Barbie is a child's toy, this movie feels more written for teens and adults (it's PG-13). That having been said, I wouldn't say your kid can't watch it, I just can't guarantee if they'll keep up with the plot. (They'll probably like the visuals, though.) Barbie is a girl's toy, but I feel the jokes and messages in this can appeal to anyone.

Highly recommended. This is like The Lego Movie or the Paddington movies where they really manage to elevate and make a good film out of an existing IP.

Nimona

 

7.5/10

The new Netflix movie Nimona, based on the graphic novel by ND Stevenson (who also helmed the recent She-Ra reboot) takes place in a city-state that is partly medieval and partly futuristic. In it, Ballister Boldheart (voiced by Rix Ahmed) is on the run after being framed. He's surprised to find himself aided by the mysterious shapeshifter Nimona (Chloe Grace Moretz) who wants to be Ballister's sidekick because he's the city's number one villain. 

This almost never got released. Nimona's previous studio was owned by 20th Century Fox and was acquired by Disney due to the purchase. Disney didn't see the need for another animation studio and shut it down (sorry kids, no more Ice Age movies.) The movie was 70-something% complete at the time. Luckily, Annapurna picked it up and completed it.  

Ballister and Nimona are both well-defined and likeable characters who work well together. It's especially fun seeing average guy Ballister reacting to the general chaos he keeps being thrown into.

The movie does a good job of teaching not to judge those who are different and being proud of who you are without feeling it's talking down to the audience. Props should be given to the movie for probably being the first feature-length major animated children's film to feature a gay character (Ballister) as the lead. Sure, we've seen gay characters in other films, but this is the first one where it's front and center.

Humor's pretty good here, and the writers do well in making it fit naturally.

Movie looks sleek, uses a 2D-image-made-3d effect like with the Spider-verse movies. The futuristic/medieval look is unique and it looked like thought was given to the design of the whole place.

You can predict a good portion of where the plot movie is going. The villain feels especially by-the-book. Also there is too much of recycling back-and-forth between the same two scenarios: Ballister and Nimona fighting the city's knights and them regrouping back at their hideout.

If you were a fan of the original graphic novel, which was more YA, you might be disappointed by the fact that the story was altered to make itself simpler and more family friendly.

Recommended. The general story is a little obvious but the world and characters are charming. It's not a perfect film, but it's pretty good. Your kids will probably like it. 

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

7.5/10

In this the seventh entry of the long-running film series based on the 60s/70s TV show, Ethan Hunt (played by Tom Cruise) and his IMF (Impossible Missions Force) team are on the search for two parts of a key to a new and very dangerous weapon.

It's surprising how consistently entertaining the MI movies have been over the years (yeah, 2 might be the weakest, but it still had its value), especially the more recent ones. Director Christopher McQuarrie, who did the last two entries as well, retains his emphasis on practical effects over digital. This gives more weight to the action scenes and the suspense. There is one tense moment in particular that though short kept me captivated more than I've felt in a long time. Doesn't help that the action is really well thought out and shot here. This movie really dominates the new Transformers, Indiana Jones, and Fast and Furious movies in action scenes.

I won't go into much detail about what the threat in this one is, but it definitely is unique in the MI-verse. Dead Reckoning also has some of the better villains in this franchise. Some comedy was added this time which I felt worked well.

The two hour and forty-three minute run-time focusing on long action scenes and double-crossing may not be for everyone. Considering that this is part one, the drawing out of the plot could be frustrating to some. There are a couple MI tropes that have been used once too often in this (I'll get to one in a minute). There are also a couple scenes where a group of people deliver exposition in the exact same tone and delivery which feels a little unnatural.

Cast remains good. Hayley Atwell joins the cast as thief Grace. She's Hayley Atwell, so she's naturally enjoyable. Admittedly after the last two movies, the whole Ethan-works-with-a-woman-whose-goals-don't-always-align schtick has gotten old. Cruise works well with Atwell, but it is surprising to see Ethan become protective of Grace so early when she hasn't proved she can be trusted. Shea Wigham (who's always great with whatever he's in) and Greg Tarzan Davis are a couple of US agents who also become involved in the goings-ons and those two are so watchable in this. They're new but they're delivery and actions feel so natural. Guardians of the Galaxy's Pom Klementieff is the henchwoman Paris in this and she's the kind of villain who loves action for the sake of action. She's clearly having fun whenever she's let off the leash.

Recommended. This has the best action scenes of the summer. The only reason I'm not rating this higher is that all the intrigue is a bit much and there is a smidge of formula fatigue. However, this is still a well-done film. I'd rank this below the fourth and fifth entries and above the rest.

Insidious: The Red Door

8/10

(Note: Contains no spoilers about Red Door, but contains a brief reference to the conclusion of the second film.)

After them being absent in the third and fourth installments, which were prequels, we revisit the Lambert family. The psychic father and son Josh and Dalton Lambert (played by Patrick Wilson and Ty Simpkins) had their memories wiped of their abilities in order to prevent the residents of the Further from gaining access to our world. Dalton's going to college now (credit should be given to bringing back the original actors who were kids instead of recasting them, (looking at you Independence Day sequel; Mae Whitman starred in The Duff, but she wasn't good enough to come back for you?!)). The hypnosis has left Joshua with a foggy mind and there's a rift now between the two. Soon, events cause the two to again investigate the dark and dangerous world of the Further. 

This is Wilson's directorial debut and he does a decent job of keeping up Insidious' distinct feel. It doesn't quite have the scare and cinematic quality of the first film but in fairness, none of the sequels quite manage it. Important thing is you still get a good heaping of creepy imagery and ghosts.

Like in the previous entries, this has a few jokes. It's rather one of the funnier entries (without damaging the atmosphere.) 

Patrick again does an excellent job as the Josh and he really sells his difficulty but also willingness to connect with his son and his mental struggles in general. Sinclair Daniel plays Dalton's new college friend Chris Winslow and is one of the hightlights, serving as the snarky comic relief as well as the voice of reason. Sadly, Lin Shaye as psychic Elise Rainier and Leigh Wannell and Angus Sampson as her assistants (who'd been promoted to leads in the last two films) barely appear in this.  

Unfortunately, the movie continues the sequel-that-came-out-some-time-later-than-the-last-story  trend of having the heroes end up in a far worse place than when we last saw them which has become really tiring. I think Dalton's mother Renai Lambert (Rose Byrne) was basically character assassinated in this piece as I didn't agree with her choices or root for her.

I'm not loving the lack of creative ambition when it came to the forces of darkness here. The Insidious movies have always been known for the distinct style of their supernatural entities. However, Red Door has lost that distinctness. Don't get me wrong, the ghosts and such are still scary, they just don't have that Insidious brand look to them. I was disappointed there is no new big bad here. I've always felt that a strong point of the films were that had new villain with a new look and gimmick rather than recycling. 

The scares are separated by lengthy scenes of people just talking to each other, which to be fair also kinda happened in the first film (I liked that three and four felt a lot faster), but it feels more obvious here. Some may get bored, but for me it wasn't a deal breaker, and I thought the dialogue mostly worked.

Kinda recommended. Many will enjoy another Insidious movie and this continues to deliver what we want. However, some may be bored by the pacing or disappointed that it doesn't 100% quite have that Insidious feel to it. I'd rank this above Insidious 2 and below the other movies.

Joy Ride

8/10

In Joy Ride, Audrey (played by Emily in Paris' Regina Park), a Chinese American who was adopted by a white couple. goes on a business trip with her best friend Lolo (Good Trouble's Cherry Cola) to China which turns into a search for Audrey's birth mother. Coming along are Lolo's cousin Deadeye (Sabrina Wu) and Audrey's friend from college Kat (Everything Everywhere all at Once's Stephanie Hsu).

This was a pretty funny film. (It may help not to watch the trailer. Some of the best jokes aren't in it, but a lot of the A-material is.) The screenwriters both wrote for Family Guy and Nora from Queens, which may give you a hint as to the type of humor. The movie earns its R rating and goes for broke with the raunchiness, including a couple bits that are definitely bold.

Though the advertising for this has definitely focused on the comedy, the dramatic underpinnings of Audrey's search for her identity work really well. The end destination of Audrey's journey is very satisfying.

It's nice to see this movie provide a spotlight for some talented actresses, who except for Academy Award nominee Hsu, naturally, whodr stock could still rise. This is practically Wu's first acting gig. All the actresses are talented and their characters well-defined. My favorite performance is from Hsu, who as the kinda fancy one who's an actress really nails her mannerisms and facial expressions all the time and never misses a beat.

There are a few weaknesses. Some of the plot points are very predictable and indicative of friendship-based movies. Wu is definitely funny as the socially awkward member of the group, but there is a little too much of the writers throwing in scenes where she does something random. There is part of the film where it definitely feels like a scene got cut and it feels a little awkward.

Recommended. Joy Ride's one of the better comedies this year and there will be moments that surprise you.

Asteroid City

9/10

During the 1950's or 60's, a group of people assemble at the titular Asteroid City, a very small desert tourist trap with a motel out in the middle of nowhere, for the Junior Stargazer convention. Soon everyone is affected by a strange change in events.

Wes Anderson is known for utilizing the same distinct style in all his films. (This movie in particular recycles his "precocious kids" dialogue from Moonrise Kingdom.) But, he's never gotten old for me, because the plots for his story are always different enough. This is no exception. Asteroid City is a very interesting film complete with a wide cast of striking characters , solid jokes (i laughed thrice, which doesn't sound a lot for some but for me it's a lot), and an intelligent script that hides beneath the humorous moments drama and an analysis of the human condition. 

The trailer for this is surprisingly deceptive. There's a lot more to the movie than meets the eye. Asteroid City is probably Anderson's most artsy and philosophical film and that's saying something. A person in the theater said "I don't know what it means, but I loved it." That's a pretty good summation. I wouldn't say you won't understand any of it, but it is a movie that requires interpretation, and there's enough witty dialogue that you won't be drowning in it anyway. The movie's weird but in a fun way.  

Like the majority of Anderson's movies, this is a visual smorgasboard. The cinematography and color scheme is made to make this look like a technicolor movie, maybe one of the best uses of color in film this year. I loved the orange-ish look of the desert. The sets have that unique retro feel Anderson brings. I also loved the look of the desert rocks. Asteroid City takes place in the U.S.A., but the location feels a little alien.

Anderson has a wonderful cast that's a who's who of acting including some of his regular players. Some of the new faces who he's never used before are Scarlett Johanson, Tom Hanks, and Steve Carrel, all of whom are obvious choices for this type of movie. Carrel in particular does a great job as the always civil and courteous motel owner. A face I wouldn't expect in this is Liev Schreiber as a parent of one of the Junior Stargazers. He doesn't usually get cast in stuff like this, making this a nice change of pace. Crash's Matt Dillon is also in this. He's only got one important scene, but he has such excellent delivery. 

Highly recommend. The story may frustrate some, but it's such an enjoyable ride. This may be my favorite of Anderson's works after Grand Budapest Hotel.

Blood & Gold

8.5/10

This German film now out on Netflix is about a Waffe-SS troop searching for hidden gold in a German village near the end of War World II. Caught in the middle of it all is a deserter from the unit Heinrich (played by Robert Maaser) and local woman Elsa (Marie Hacke).   

Between this and Sisu, it's has been quite the year for foreign-made WWII movies. This is a Tarantino-esque pic but unlike most of its kind it stands out. This is one of those movies where I can't say the entire story is unpredictable, but there are moments you can't see coming. The history of the gold is rather well thought out. I especially appreciate how natural a lot of the exposition about the gold and the village and characters in this is laid out without too much being shoved in at once or becoming boring and taking up screentime. 

The movie doesn't skimp on violence. Maybe not quite on the level of Sisu, but doesn't miss by that much either with a big Nazi body count. Going back to my previous comment about moments of unpredictability, there are a couple of inventive or surprise kills that'll get your attention. This includes probably one of the most unique assassinations I've seen in an admittedly macabre but clever scene that you definitely won't forget.

The movie's packed with well-defined characters in this movie of survival. Heinrich makes for a relatable protagonist and Maaser definitely has the build for an action hero. The two main Nazis in this, the determined and unsettling commander von Starnfeld (Alexander Scheer, the psychotic hijacker in vampires on a plane movie Blood Red Sky) and his nasty but capable second-in-command (whose name and actor I had trouble pinpointing afterwards, sorry) make for effective, albeit not original, Nazi bad guys.

Be forewarned that there is an attempted sex crime in this. If you don't want to see this sort of thing, then you'd best avoid. Also to the movie's credit, it seemed to be trying to be at least fairly accurate to history. However, we international viewers could be confused about more specific references without much context given in regards to the history of the Nazi reign in Germany. They don't happen often, though.

Highly recommended. Not for you naturally if you're not big on violent movies, but if you like this sort of thing it's a very entertaining film.