Vin Diesel. © 2023 Universal Pictures, Original Film, One Race Films, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films, and Perfect Storm Entertainment. Directed by Louis Leterrier.
Watched it in IMAX @ AMC Theaters
The End of the Road Begins It's 2023. Cinema is thriving, I graduated from my community college and transferred to a private college to finish my film degree, the Cannes Film Festival is happening, life is normal, and there's Fast X. Another Fast & the Furious film, couldn't get much better than this. This time, it's finally coming to an end...but there are two more movies left. However, this film definitely hits the mark in the franchise where the steam is almost over and I can't deny saying this but it was dumb action fun. Why now? Well, join me with the car crew and travel across the world while trying not to get killed by Aquaman himself. Story: Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto and his family have outsmarted and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they must confront the most lethal opponent they've ever faced. Fueled by revenge, a terrifying threat emerges from the shadows of the past to shatter Dom's world and destroy everything -- and everyone -- he loves. This franchise never stops doing their good old dumb action fun and I love that this film goes insane. However, it's not about all the action, it's about family. The cast ensemble is pretty good and there are more characters in this film than any other movie in the franchise. However, that's a good thing because it balances the characters and their acres well by not being too convoluted and sticking each character with one main centric goal throughout the film. Vin Diesel leading the crew as Dominic Toretto was solid but his character progression throughout the film is so uncanny. His presence seems relaxed yet awaiting something dangerous. He's the leader of the wolf pack for sure and his personality shines, but he does become a cartoon character sometimes. The other side characters are also good alongside the newcomers in the franchise. It's nice to see Brie Larson in another big franchise alongside rising new stars Daniela Melchior and Alan Ritchson in this blowing franchise. This time, the team is separated into different areas of the world and it makes the stakes more higher and entertaining. The biggest standout character in the film is Dante Reyes played by Jason Momoa. He is the big bad and he definitely is the big bad wolf of the franchise. He doesn't care if someone dies or does ruthless things to people. He's straight-up a villain with a motivation behind it. His performance is so wacky yet fun and great. His character personality really shines and whenever he pops on screen, I'm going to get a good scene of cinema. Besides the cast, the story is very simple to follow but there are interesting plot points that make this story much better than the last entry.
The plot isn't short but there are plot points that make the story more intense and the final act really made it more clear that this plot is going bigger. It's a messy plot for sure but I was following it along like it's a piece of cake. The action sequences are plain fun. I really like the Rome action sequence with the mix of practical and visual effects in play. The other action sequences are pretty entertaining and the laws of gravity and physics are out of the window at this point. It's very hilarious that even the fighting scenes are now unrealistic. Can't lie that I enjoyed the hell out of it. The production is pretty solid and I liked the placement of licensed songs in each scene. Overall, it's a trip of a film but there are problems that I found within the trip.
One of the main issues I encounter is the editing itself. Holy shit, it's so bad and over the top. There are a lot of continuity errors during the action scenes including during the dialogue scenes with the characters just talking. That is hilarious. I got so pissed off immediately that my friend who watched this film with me noticed the bad editing in the first half. I know it's a blockbuster studio film but please, it's too much for my eyes. The cinematography is pretty lacking in some scenes which is unfortunate. The plot is simple but there are too many plot holes within the script that makes the dialogue seem empty at some points. It's a soap opera with cars at this point. There are moments in the film where it shocked me but it made me question extensively why did it happen or what will happen next. Plus, there were unnecessary scenes including the fight scene within the lab that made no sense to the plot and it dragged out the runtime. However, I give props to the film by not making me bored and kept me entertained. It didn't feel long which is a good thing. However, it did add unnecessary time to make the drama more intense. The ending is questionable in a good and bad way. Without spoilers, the ending made me excited for the next entry but also made me worry about how plain this script is and the drama behind the scenes. The script could've used more work but was I entertained? Hell yeah. Would I watch it again? Maybe not. Still, I had a good time even with these problems. The heat of this franchise is about to close but this was still a good entry in the long-running franchise. As the 10th film in a series, it's not that bad but the problems are still lurking in the shadows and it's catching up very fast. However, the characters and action kept me entertained throughout the film and when the film wrapped, I wanted more. It's a fun dumb ride and it took me back to the good moments of Fast Five and I hope we actually get to finish this franchise for good. Plus, more Jason Momoa, please! Now Playing Only in Theaters in IMAX and Digital. Vizeit Score: "B-" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for continuing supporting my indie film website.) Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
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Nicholas Hoult and Nicolas Cage. © 2023 Universal Pictures, Skybound Entertainment, and Giant Wildcat. Directed by Chris McKay.
Watched it at AMC Theaters
Dracula Sometimes Needs A Helper... Quick Review: Vampire films seem to be nonexistent now in modern cinema but it's good to have one in a while. Especially if it's a Nicolas Cage feature because that would slap. Well, we have one and it indeed slaps but with some issues along the way. This film is pretty campy and I feel like the tone really fits with this film. The campy vibes alongside the horror aspects and action were pretty entertaining. I really like the action set-pieces and it felt refreshing seeing good old bloody action scenes that are just plain fun. However, it can be overedited a lot and sometimes way too much. Still, I enjoyed it. The characters are solid. I liked Nicholas Hoult's performance as Renfield and his character is quite interesting. Throughout his character arc, we see him balance between good and bad but more on the good side. The character tropes were very present in the film, especially some of those tropes interacting with the story by making it feel cliché. Renfield as a character is still good and his soft personality really stands him out throughout the film. Nicolas Cage as Dracula is so funny and very good. I loved his campy performance and his character was well done. I loved how his character didn't give a crap about anything and just wanted world domination like any other villain. The side characters are good. Seeing Ben Schwartz as a gangster is not what I imagined and his performance was hilarious. Awkwafina was cool in her supporting role but her character was weak because it felt we have seen this type of character a lot in comedy films. Plus, the way it was set up was totally weak. It could've been much more strongly written and that's where I find my main issue. The film was pretty weak in its character set-up besides Renfield and Dracula. I couldn't find my footing until the second act. However, the performances still kept me entertained till the end. Overall, it's a solid vampire film with good performances and fun bloody action sequences. The set-up was weak with cliché tropes and a story that felt familiar yet not. Still, I had a good time watching Nicolas Cage go berserk. Now Playing in Theaters and on VOD. Vizeit Score: "B-" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for continuing supporting my indie film website.) Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
Joaquin Phoenix. © 2023 A24 and Square Peg. Directed by Ari Aster.
Watched it at AMC Theaters
In This World, Afraid Is Just A Stage. Quick Review: If Ari Aster makes a three-hour weird-fest with full of excitement, weirdness, and scope, I'm totally in. This film fucked my expectations in a good way due to its weird direction from Aster. This is such a weird film that not even other studios won't make but I'm glad this film exists. There is a lot of creativity and weirdness put into the film and I can tell that they put every penny into this film. The plot of this film is so weird and everywhere. Without any spoilers, it fucks with your mind and there are a lot of unexplained sequences that are well shot with huge scope, but at the same time, there's no explanation. Even with the metaphors presented in almost every scene, there are moments where I'm lost which takes me out of the film. However, the performances in the film are pretty great. I really loved Joaquin Phoenix's performance and his commitment to his character is insane. He goes from the adult side to the child side to the manic side in seconds. The side characters are also pretty good with their performances being amazing. I really liked the "antagonist" in the film and her motivations are very strong and explainable. However, some of the protagonist's motivations are pretty confusing and I was completely lost during the most important scenes in the film, unfortunately. I would say the film wasn't that long, however, some parts were really slow and unfortunately, there were some scenes that they could've cut out. However, the visuals in this film are really fantastic. I love the use of practical effects in the film including VFX. The cinematography in this film is very well done and the score is also memorable during some of the weirdest scenes in the film. Overall, it's a well-made film with great directing but with a confusing plot that will leave you sour or wanting more. The images in this film are some of the most fucked up since Men and it left me in a confusing state of mind. It's a well-made film for sure, however, if you expected a Odyssey film that will be fun, you got it, but try to set your expectations as low as possible. It's an Odyssey epic film for sure, but it will fuck up your mind. Ari needs some mental help. Now Playing in Theaters. Vizeit Score: "A-" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for continuing supporting my indie film website.) Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Vin Diesel, and Bradley Cooper. © 2023 Marvel Studios. Directed by James Gunn.
Watched it in IMAX @ AMC Theaters
It's Time to Face the Music. After almost 10 years since the first film in the trilogy, the final film in the Guardians franchise is here and it delivers every aspect. Filled with emotional stakes, amazing action, and a wonderful cast that truly deliver a jam-packed superhero film. This is the film that Marvel Studios really needed since Spider-Man: No Way Home and I'm happy to say that it delivered and exceeded my expectations. James Gunn is really going to kill it at DC Studios. Let's hop on onto the Bowie ship and let's explore the galaxy one more time before Adam Warlock smashes into us. Story: Still reeling from the loss of Gamora, Peter Quill must rally his team to defend the universe and protect one of their own. If the mission is not completely successful, it could possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them. Right from the beginning of this film, we knew we were going to be on a wild ride. However, we all knew we went into this film expecting emotional stakes and high action because of the wonderful directing from James Gunn. Gunn cares about his characters and wants every character to be developed with emotional depth including his smaller side characters and animals. The animals' man. Gunn really loves animals and this film really served a message about animal cruelty. Even PETA approves this film which says something a lot. Besides the animals, the characters in this film are amazing and every character gets a satisfying conclusion or receives a distinct send-off in this trilogy finale. Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) is so much better developed here than the second entry. I really loved how he owned up to his mistakes but he is still a complete douchebag in serious situations. However, he always helps his crew no matter what the cost. His arc from the beginning to now is satisfying and with Pratt's performance, his ultimate decision in the film is unexpected yet natural to his character. Without any spoilers, the whole cast really gets a chance to make their own decision which affects the team in a negative and positive way. However, it's done very well and when the team is together, they shine together and bring out their team's energy on the screen. Obviously, the biggest member that stood out in the film was Rocket Raccoon (Bradley Cooper). His character backstory is so tragic that is filled with every emotion that makes his arc so devastating yet hopeful. I really loved Cooper's voice acting performance and while Cooper doesn't get a lot of VA time in this film, the character is centralized throughout this story. Without any spoilers, he's one of the few characters in the MCU including Star-Lord that really affect the MCU as a whole. The other side characters are amazing including Mantis, Nebula, Drax, Gamora, and newcomers like Adam Warlock and the High Evolutionary.
The side characters really grew over time since the first or second entry in the series. Mantis really grew a lot as a character and she really has a lot of screen time in this final entry and she delivers the emotions throughout the story. Her relationship with Drax is so sweet and I love their duo-dynamic. Drax is also great in the film and while he doesn't do much in the first half, he gets to grow more as a character in the second half. Nebula was also great and I loved that she got used to the Guardians and her relationship with Rocket has grown expediently. She feels like a co-leader in certain sequences and her ending is very satisfying from the beginning we met her until the ending of this film. She really grew as a character and I love that everyone in the cast grew more positively in the end. However, there's one new character that really stood out which is the High Evolutionary. He's very evil. Like straight-up evil. He doesn't flinch on one positivity and he's very cruel with his actions. His character is so interesting from a psychological standpoint and his small backstory really made me hate him a lot. Chukwudi Iwuji gives a chilling performance and with his performance makes this character more believable and chilling. He's easily the best villain in the trilogy without a doubt. Adam Warlock (Will Poulter) is also pretty good and I like his quirky humor and weirdness of the world. However, he receives little screen time in the film until the end. Overall, all the characters are amazing and they were developed very well with everyone having a shining moment and a satisfying ending.
The plot of this film is also well-developed. A lot of unique set pieces and plot points that connect to the end of the film. Plus, a lot of flashbacks that some of it worked and there are some unique moments that keep you guessing on who's going to die. Without any spoilers, it's heartbreaking and the film twists your expectations very often in a good and bad way. James Gunn's writing and directing are very strong in this film and I loved his interesting coverage of the action. The writing is definitely the strongest since his first film and I'm glad he focuses this film as a James Gunn film rather than a MCU film. There are barely any Marvel easter eggs which are great and the risks here are greater. This is definitely the darkest MCU film to date and we finally got the historic first F-bomb in a Marvel Studios project. The film's tone isn't that dark but the way the scenes were directed was pretty edgy and brutal. The action sequences are very entertaining and the hallway sequence is one of the best action sequences in the MCU. The cinematography is very good with interesting coverage. The CGI is finally not dogshit but very great. I loved the prosthetics and practical effects used in the film and the music is pretty good. I really liked the song choices in the film and it fits well in every scene. The pacing felt fast which is good since the film is almost two hours and thirty minutes long. Overall, the film delivered on the technical side, and James Gunn really went in a great direction to end off the trilogy and make first a superhero film rather than an MCU film. Love to see it. However, I still had some small issues. Some of the issues that I noticed at the end of the film was the underutilization of Adam Warlock. He felt like a McGuffin but not really a McGuffin. He just pops out of nowhere and leaves until he is needed in the end. I feel like James Gunn had to put him in there last second but I still liked his character but a little bit disappointed. Some of the jokes here didn't land with me. Some were force-laugh jokes and jokes that were supposed to be funny but not really, unfortunately. We all have our own comedy taste so it's on me. However, I felt like Gamora had a little bit of a downgrade. Even though she's a completely different character from the last time we've seen her, her character development was weak in the first half. In the second half, however, she really had a full 180 and her final moments with Quill were sad yet real. Also, the film felt bloated at some points with the tone and flashbacks in certain scenes. However, the performances really dust off the issues and I was fully engaged in the scenes. Some writing issues overall but I still had a great time with this film. This is a satisfying conclusion for the Guardians and I loved every second of this film. Filled with great action, great character development, amazing visuals, heartbreaking moments, and an ending that really feels like a true ending. I was crying by the end and I'm happy we got a true trilogy from Marvel. James Gunn really delivered every expectation and I cannot wait to see him handle DC Studios. I'm definitely going to miss this superhero team, but I want to see more of Cosmo in the future tho. Now Playing in IMAX and 3D. Vizeit Score: "A" (Share this review with your film friends and on social media! Thank you for continuing supporting my indie film website.) Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews / Vizeit Studios. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC]) |
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