Jumanji: The Next Level

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Jumanji: The Next Level!

Original image located here. Accessed 31th January 2020

Considering how Welcome to the Jungle ended, I didn't think that there would be room for a sequel but, as is often the case, the money one makes can have incredible persuasive power.

But who are they kidding? It's pretty much the same movie as the predecessor. However that's not necessarily a bad thing: Sure this movie is running off the same blueprint and certain jokes are repeated but at the same time there is enough new stuff added, like any good sequel. and the established is expanded upon, like any good sequel.
Plus the whole 'Ruby Roundhouse = Socially awkward Lara Croft' gag will never not be funny

Ultimately however, the strength of this movie, much like it's predecessor, lies in the acting and the chemistry of the cast. After all, the principles/avatars are acting like other members of the cast, same inflections and personalities all the way. The newcomers, Danny Devito and Danny Glover, both add a lot and even the actor playing the baddie is unrecognizable.
And, as surprising as it sounds, these movies prove an excellent showcase as to just how a talented actor Dwayne Johnson is. Who would've thunk it?

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle!

Original image located here. Accessed 24th January 2020

Of all the 90's IP, I never would've guessed that this would be given the resurrection / breath of life, let alone it being any good.

But somehow, against the odds, this movie succeeds. It's a superb action/adventure film movie on it's own but what really makes it shine is a) a delightful cast who are committed to their roles and have an excellent chemistry; b) some hilarious jokes and c) a commentary on video games and taking jabs at the various tropes associated with them (which, being the massive nerd that I am, found endlessly amusing).

So ultimately, this is movie that is way better than it should be.

That and I doubt I would never hear 'Baby I Love Your Way' the same way again.

Little Women

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Little Women!

Original image located here. Accessed 17th January 2020

This may seem like a curveball - but then again I have thrown many a curveball over the course of this series. But my reasoning for seeing this movie is that a) I have heard some good things about it and b) I have something of an attachment to this story.
When I was in high school, I saw the nineties version in class (the one that starred Winona Ryder, Kirsten Dunst, Samantha Mathis and Claire Danes). The movie must have made quite an impression because I do recall having an emotional response to it - only for my classmates, both male and female alike, deem me a wimp for it.
The swines.

As for this latest incarnation, it would appear the praise lauded on it is more than justified. Okay sure the jumps back and forth through time were indeed jarring and took some getting used to, but beyond that? The directing is superb, the photography is staggeringly beautiful and the cast give it their all. This may be an odd choice on paper but I am more than glad that I saw it.
Better than the 1994 movie? I think it might be.

All in all, a winner on all fronts
Here's hoping it wins best Picture at the Oscars....

Frozen 2

And this week's Friday night movie has been...Frozen 2!

Original image located here. Accessed 10th January 2020

Or, as my niece calls it, Elsa 2

No way around it: i have a lot to say about this movie so I may as well resort to bullet points.
- Given the monumental success of the original, perhaps it should come to as no surprise that this will lead to a franchise. We have a sequel and it would be anything but surprising if more Frozen movies are on the way.
- A lot of world building in this one, no doubt for laying down groundwork for afore-mentioned sequels.
- When i heard a sequel to Frozen was in development I was skeptical - to a point where the only way such a sequel would work would be if these characters took what they learned in the first movie and put it into practice. Now i won't give too much away but I did kinda get that vibe here - even if it was at odds with the impression that this movie seemed quite intent to undo the ending of it's predecessor.
- I've heard people complain that Kristoph didn't have much to do in the movie beyond being reduced to a joke sub-plot. True this isn't his movie, but personally, I'll let the matter slide as he does turn out to be quite supportive of Anna and Elsa when they need it.
- People want Elsa to have a girlfriend - personally I think that would go against a lot of character development she has been through and undermine the themes of this series. Thus it may be a better choice for Elsa to be asexual ( and I think my asexual friends would agree with me on that one)
- Grumbling aside, I did enjoy this movie. I like the autumn vibe going throughout and the use of colors. There are some strong ideas and, despite my cynicism over the potential franchising, I have some interest as to what these characters do next.
- I think I prefer Show Yourself over Let it Go.

Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker

And this week's Friday night movie has been... Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker!

Original image located here. Accessed 3rd January 2020

It would appear that assessing a Star Wars movie carries a degree of risk: It may be enjoyable in the moment but take a step back and you realize 'Hey, wait a minute...". Indeed it would appear that the Phantom Menace has a lot to answer for.

If I could describe this movie in a single word it would be breakneck: Everything is moving so quickly that it is difficult to keep up. Sure there's some great action pieces and some interesting character moments but I can't help but think if this movie would've benefited from being two movies. Or being a three hour epic. Like Avengers Endgame.

Speaking of which, the plan of this movie wrapping up all eight movies preceding does indeed draw similarities to Endgame. But whereas Endgame showed how to properly wrap up a movie serial, Rise of Skywalker seemed limp by comparison. I mean it was all right and, being the geek that I am, i did pick up various nods to the other movies scattered throughout, but this is not quite the 'sticking the landing' this movie was supposed to be.

This may sound kind of strange but I'm drawing a comparison with this movie to Close Encounters of the Third Kind. You see, the latter, i thought the movie was unremarkable UNTIL to awe-inspiring final quarter that completely vindicated the preceding three quarters. And that's the same vibe I'm getting with Rise of Skywalker: The last quarter was superb but somehow the journey there seemed somewhat underwhelming.

So in conclusion, I did gleam some enjoyment of this movie and I did pick up numerous nods to fans, but, much like a lot of the Disney-helmed Star Wars, the thought of what could've been is indeed a lingering one.