The original King Kong was released all the way back in 1933,
since then there have been 3 different reboots (to my knowledge). I distinctly
remember watching each of these versions, the original in an old VHS tape my
grandparents owned in my childhood, the 1970s version through sporadic TV
reruns, and the 2006 version featuring Jack Black and a licensed video game I
enjoyed more than I should’ve. This new Kong is part of Legendary films new
“Monsterverse” canon, sharing a connection with 2014’s Godzilla. Ironic because
much like 2014’s Godzilla, there’s not a lot to this film. It’s nice to get a
different Kong story instead of the traditional “Kong travels to NY” story. Yet
it’s never enough to make this movie feel fun, it all feels like a dud, a monstrous
dud.
Guardians of the Galaxy was a pleasant surprise when I saw it
in theaters, I enjoyed it so much I called it the best sci-fi film to come out
in 2016(take that Chewbacca). The characters are fun, the dialogue is
entertaining, and the special effects and costumes look amazing. Marvel would
seem to have the easiest job in coming up with a sequel, repeat the same
formula, this time with known characters and personalities, and rake in the
cash. That’s pretty much what Marvel does with Guardians 2. The special effects
look amazing with vibrant colors and interesting designs for different types of
aliens yet nothing here really blows me away.
Kurt Russell as Ego was a great choice and the way it was executed was
something I particularly liked from this sequel. An enjoyable film just don’t
expect it to be a life changing sci fi epic, or even better than the original
Guardians.
It seems Xenomorphs needed to be stuffed as quick as possible
into the Prometheus story, I understand why yet I can’t help feel that this
film is somehow a rushed project. While not a huge fan of Prometheus I would’ve
like to see that story keep developing without going into full blown Alien story
territory. The cast was solid with great performances from Danny McBride and a
stand out Michael Fassbender. Ridley Scott continues to be a master of
cinematography when it comes to shooting sci fi films, with breathtaking views
hinged with a bit of uneasiness and classic Alien series claustrophobia.
Despite all the great qualities in the film, it still feels like a retread of “Aliens”
plot. There is nothing fresh to this film and overall it with a bit feeling of
staleness to this series overall.
Seeing Michael Keaton in an abundance of films lately is
something that brings me great joy. As a huge fan of his it’s nice to see him
bring his quirkiness to characters throughout different films. The Founder is
no different for Keaton, this time portraying McDonalds “founder” Ray Kroc.
Keaton is amazing in the role, grasping full attention of every scene he is in,
which is pretty much the whole movie. The film seems to drag a bit at the end with
some less developed characters, yet Keaton’s performance as Kroc is more than
enough to make this an entertaining flick.
