Godzilla: Planet of the Monsters Review

Directed by: Hiroyuki Seshita and Kobun Shizuno (Knights of Sidonia)

Starring: Chris Niosi, Martin Billany, Edward Bosco


Written by: Gen Urobuchi, Sadayuki Murai, Yusuke Kozaki

Review: Godzilla's latest outing shows that he can be a menacing force in an animated format. It's a shame that it couldn't have been in a more interesting movie.
The movie is being distributed in America and several other countries via Netflix. It may initially look like a series, because it will ask to play "Part 1, Episode 1", but it is just one ninety minute movie that was released theatrically in Japan. It is expected to become a trilogy, which may be the reason it is shown like this, with Parts 2 and 3 to be added afterward.
This movie has a different feel from previous Godzilla movies. It starts after the monsters have rampaged the cities. Humanity has fled the Earth with help from an alien species, after giant monsters have taken over the world. Now, they have returned to kill the worst monster there was, Godzilla. The movie feels more like a space anime, even when Godzilla shows up near the end.
The animated format suits the monster, keeping him from looking as fake as he does in certain live-action outings. The scenes also show him in an effectively menacing light. He is a very powerful force, and the animation style emphasizes that.
But the rest of the movie is not as good. Before the final Godzilla fight scene, there is over an hour of things that are not as interesting. The concept is kind of intriguing, but the characters feel flat. This is not helped by the fact that there is very little action, and a lot of space jargon.
That is not to say that it was completely boring. It still has some great science fiction visuals, and a unique take on the Godzilla story. It just doesn't have the pull that it should. But the climax is really good, and the ending, while it is obvious sequel bait, did make me interested in seeing what happens next. Hopefully, the sequels would have more interesting characters.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars

Bright Review

Directed by: David Ayer (Suicide Squad, End of Watch, Fury)

Starring: Will Smith, Joel Edgerton, Noomi Rapace

Written by: Max Landis (Chronicle, Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, American Ultra)

Review: I went into this movie not knowing what to expect in terms of quality. While most critics have panned it, it seems to be much better received among other viewers. I guess I am in the latter group.
This movie takes place in an alternate world where humans and fantasy creatures live together in a modern day setting. This world is very intriguing and is shown in a way that feels real. The elves make up the richest class, and the orcs are often discriminated against. This offers up some admittedly not-so-subtle commentary on racism. My main complaint with it is that the movie never lets us explore it more.
The story revolves around a cop played by Will Smith, who is partnered up with an orc, played by Joel Edgerton. At the scene of a crime, they find a magic wand which they need to keep out of the hands of an evil organization. The result is a unique mix of Training Day and Lord of the Rings, that works better than that combination may sound.
The action and visual effects are good, and while it's rarely hilarious, it does have a few good moments of comedy. But unfortunately, there are also a few lines of dialogue that sound cheesy or cliche. However, it does an overall great job of taking the viewer into an interesting new world, even if it does leave you wanting more.
Despite its flaws, this is something that is rarely seen in theaters anymore. A good, original, R-rated blockbuster. It kept me consistently interested, and I'm actually interested in seeing a sequel.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Also, from this point on I've decided that I would try to upload my reviews every Saturday afternoon (Pacific Standard Time). I just want to keep my reviews on a consistent basis.

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Review

Written and Directed by: Martin McDonagh (In Bruges, Seven Psychopaths)

Starring: Frances McDormand, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, John Hawkes, Peter Dinklage

Review: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is the perfect mixture of dark comedy and very dark drama.
It follows Frances McDormand's character who rents... well, three billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri, to shame the chief of police (Woody Harrelson) for not being able to find the man who raped and murdered her daughter. Although the chief is making it clear that he is doing his best, she is blinded by anger, and is persistent, even though he is dying of cancer.
This is not like In Bruges or Seven Psychopaths, the director's two other movies. While the Coen Brothers style comedy is still there, it also has a heavy dosage of effective melodrama. The story is unpredictable, and the characters are likable. Even Sam Rockwell's character, who is initially not a very good person, is sympathetic near the end. It is, at its core, a story of the grieving process, compassion, and redemption.
I will admit that even though I was definitely interested in seeing it before, it took the movie being the big winner at the Golden Globes this Sunday to actually get me to see it before it left theaters. But I am very glad I did. It is an incredible dark comedy-drama, and the best movie of 2017 that I've seen so far.

Rating: 5 stars

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Review

Directed by: Jake Kasdan (Walk Hard: The Dewy Cox Story, Zero Effect, The TV Set)

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black

Written by: Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg, Jeff Pinkner, Based on the book by Chris Van Allsberg

Review: As you might be able to tell from the ads for this movie, this is not the same Jumanji from the original nineties movie, but it does a good job at its own thing while still staying true to the original's spirit.
This is still a sequel though. It is the same board game, but there's a scene at the beginning where it turns itself into a game cartridge after a kid decides he'd rather play video games. The story begins when four teenagers find the game, play it, and are put into the bodies of their avatars.
This is a very fun movie filled with lots of action and comedy. But the real show-stealer is Jack Black, who plays a teenage girl in the body of a middle-aged man. His performance is hilarious, and the funniest character in the movie. Dwayne Johnson and Karen Gillan are also convincing as meek characters in strong bodies. Kevin Hart's character is similar to his characters in his other movies. Whether or not that's a good thing is up to you.
There probably weren't a lot of people who were dying to see a new Jumanji movie before they found out that it was happening. But now that it's here, it's a very fun time. It's a little more inappropriate than the mostly family-friendly original (hence the PG-13 rating), but older kids should be okay with watching it. All in all it's a fun, funny, and exciting surprise.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars