Scoob! Movie Review

“A modern Scooby-Doo for kids and general audiences to enjoy and die hard fans to complain about”

When this film was announced back in 2015/2016 at Comic-Con, I was very curious as to why and how it would this all turn out. Skip to 2020 and during this whole pandemic with COVID-19 and theaters being closed and studios releasing certain films on VOD, I actually had the chance to see it for myself. My general impression: I enjoyed it.

SCOOB! is of coarse about the origins of the Scooby-Doo gang but now being apart of a whole universe of other Hanna-Barbera properties from Blue Falcon and Dynomut to even Captain Caveman with many more to come in the foreseeable future.

To many people, including all the reviews I’ve read so far, they all comparing this as the wanna-be attempt to start up a universe similar to how Iron Man did for Marvel. Sure, you can say that studios are copying off of each other to start up shared universes, but how else are you gonna start one then? To anyone who reads this first prior to watching or even after watching the film: TOSS THE MARVEL CRAP OUT THE WINDOW! It is understandable that Marvel had become the staple of cinematic universes, but that shouldn’t be the base comparison to everything that wants to attempt starting their own universes.

All the die hard Scooby-Doo fans, my favorites being the Cyber Chase, Zombie Island and even that recent television series Mystery Inc, this is a modern take of these characters for younger audiences with sly jokes for us now mature people to say “ah-ha I see what you did there”. I didn’t go in expecting the usual tropes of the franchise because that’s not how the film marketed itself and I was expecting to enjoy a cartoon for once besides always watching anime.

The film is filled with pop culture references and music that I will admit at first I was like bruh, but after awhile it was funny. The director, Tony Cervone, who actually directed many Hanna Barbara animations alongside Spike Brandt including the Supernatural crossover, said in an interview this film is about Scooby and Shaggy and that shows. In all honesty whenever we see Scooby-Doo (show or any movie), Fred, Velma, and Daphne are the ones we usually follow in the story while Shaggy and Scooby are the comedic relief and gags, but I never realized this till now that despite that we always pay attention to Shaggy and Scooby more so it made sense that this film was mainly about them and the bond they share. Similar to the many guest appearances the series has it was interesting this felt different by including other characters from Hanna-Barbara like Blue Falcon (Mark Wahlberg) who in this SPOILER ALERT is actually the son of the original Blue Falcon and is more hip and so forth which I thought was funny cause it subtly reflects today’s time which the real audience is for. Dick Dastardly was my favorite addition to the cast cause both him and Scooby never really met before and he was a funny snarky old time villain instead of some Ultron or Loki (just to take a jab at some reviewers who want to compare to Marvel) What I really enjoyed what even though this is a 3D animated movie they still added the flare and visual gags from the 2D animations (even adding the good ol’ sound effects).

If I was director, the only things I would really have done is maybe tone down the music part of the pop culture references (mainly the scene when the Mystery Machine gets pulled over and Fred sees the female cop) it did feel overbearing, but if you stash away the pride and hardcore fan shit, its funny. Captain Caveman I do feel was the only part that felt like was just put in there to be the keeper of the third skull and I actually had the impression he would’ve been some keeper who knows more about Scooby’s origins but I’m kinda glad they didn’t do that.

Scoob! is a modern take on the franchise in some cases that puts the two characters we usually follow whenever we watch them in the spotlight. Basically Velma sums it up well in the film, those two are the heart of the franchise which now is filled with other Hanna-Barbara characters to interact with. I’m really curious on what the next film in the cinematic universe will be cause it’s chock full of references to other characters all throughout that many will find fun to see. All you have to do is watch it and think: did I enjoy it or did I not. I will say, I DID.

7.5/10

Now to clear up some things many reviewers I’ve watched say:

It’s no hiding the fact the film isn’t the usual mystery solving besides solving Scooby’s origins, which took almost till about ACT 3 to figure out which is fine, but that’s not the overall thing of this film. You can say it’s a superhero film, but that’s cause Blue Falcon is in there and he’s a superhero. The Mystery Team had crossovers with Batman! Wonder Woman! and many other superheroes even WWE where John Cena stopped a giant boulder so it’s not like it’s the first time, but I’ll admit I haven’t seen that film entirely but it still doesn’t create a difference.
Some want to compare this to Marvel and blah blah blah, JUST STOP. We get it no one can catch up to Marvel and that’s because Marvel has been in the game since 2008 and are already on the ball with a typical formula for success and instead of planting seeds to a whole mash-up movie, Scoob! doesn’t do that at all. This film has a plot that goes from Act 1 to 3 with a B-Story with no “infinity stone mcguffin” that’s suppose to set up a franchise team-up in the future. If they did we would’ve known what the next movie is about now would we? (That’s how Marvel does it and that’s coming from a fan who loved the movies all the way through and lost interest after Endgame but has his interest slightly back)
Second part about the Marvel thing, the beam in the sky shit people complain was nothing but Athens reverting to what it was as the gates to the Underworld where Muttley was trapped and Dick was trying to get back (well more for the treasure within which had a hilarious flashback by the way). I personally didn’t notice the beam cause I was immersed by the fact Fred was sad his van was totaled. If you want to compare beam in the sky go back to when Avengers and Transformers Dark of the Moon came out and TMNT reboot. See now if actual demons were coming out and they had to fight them off and there was major Michael Bay explosions then yeah I agree but Scooby-Doo gang and Blue Falcon Squad was just pushing Cerberus back through the gate and then a beam shot up to revert Athens back to the present state it was in.
Huge thing I understand is the fact they didn’t have Matthew Lillard voice shaggy or Frank Welker also voice Fred. At first, I wondered why too cause we grew up with those voices, but as I watched the film I couldn’t really see those voices working with the way the characters looked (how they were animated). Will Forte, I’ll admit took me a minute to get use to his Shaggy voice, but I can’t hold that against him cause he was hired for the job and he enjoyed it. Let it be. The others I felt were a good fit for what the writers and directors were going for. Velma is more Spanish which was a neat subtextual feature. If they got Frank Welker to voice Scooby I think they were considering him to do Fred, but that Fred’s voice is more late 20s voice than a teenager. See now if someone else voiced Scooby, then you can out roar all you want.

Terminator: Dark Fate Review

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“T1 and T2 just had a baby and it’s definitely a sequel that is worthy to be after Judgement Day”

I will say this confession for the review: I’ve never seen the first Terminator, but I saw all the sequels that came after it. Crazy right?! Well anyway, besides that, I do know the entire lore and what basically the first film all the way to now is like. Overall, this movie does feel like the true sequel to T2: Judgement Day regardless whether James Cameron did deem it so or not.

Terminator: Dark Fate is the sixth installment in the franchise that acts as the true sequel to Terminator 2: Judgement Day. It’s set 22 years after 1997 (when T2 took place) in Mexico City where a newly modified liquid Terminator — the Rev-9 model — arrives from the future to kill a young factory worker named Dani Ramos. Also sent back in time is Grace, a hybrid cyborg human who must protect Ramos from the seemingly indestructible robotic assassin. But the two women soon find some much-needed help from a pair of unexpected allies — seasoned warrior Sarah Connor and the T-800 Terminator.

Seeing this movie made me understand the Terminator franchise was never about John Connor, but his mother Sarah. In the original we follow her, in the second one sure we focus on John’s relationship with the T-800 programmed to protect him but we see some certain scenes through Sarah’s eyes. Dark Fate proves that it’s Sarah’s story as she moves throughout this war between humans and machines. I’ll be sure to keep my spoilers after my score but I do want to say here she has destroyed Skynet but something else took it’s place. Arnie as the T-800 is a staple to the series and here he doesn’t feel just placed in for returning star power either. Dark Fate is meant to be the start of a new trilogy (of coarse like any franchise) but it does work on it’s own while still leaving room and questions you hope to see answered in the future two installments. The new characters don’t feel awkwardly placed either in my opinion and it was nice to see some diversity even if it’s set in Mexico the most of it. I will admit that this film I don’t believe was written to convey parallels to today’s time, besides our addiction and digital imprints left behind by technology, but it does show a bit of immigration and struggles immigrants face trying to get across the boarder. It’s a small detail/element that does raise awareness but not too much it takes over the film. One of the things I liked was the fact Dani Ramo’s brother he had a job in a car factory with his sister and he lost it essentially due to a machine taking his place. Automation is taking over and that’s a theme that’s playing even in our time right now. The Rev-9 played by Gabriel Luna (who played Ghost Rider in the MCU) is a definite force to be reckoned with as he’s basically a combination of a T-800 and a T-1000 and the one terminator from T3 essentially. What I liked besides his cool features and menacing force throughout chasing Dani and Sarah, he also has personality unlike Terminator’s before and he can blend in really well to get his job done. Now the T-800 named Carl is one of Arnie’s best performances yet as he brings character to machine very similar to how Pops was in Genisys. It was really funny seeing the dynamic between him and Sarah and gradually her view on him changes throughout the Act 2 and 3. I would say more but that leads to some spoilers.

If I was director, I wouldn’t really change much at all except I do feel the final battle part did diminish the Rev-9. I do understand though he fought Grace, T-800, Sarah, and Dani at the same time but before he was killing it against them. Then, again it was four against one. I really wished when both terminators met there was some sort of assurance between them. What I mean is when a Terminator from a timeline that no longer exists meets a Terminator from a new timeline that took it’s place that be some cool dialogue much like how the T-3000 in Genisys called Pops a relic from a forgotten timeline. This film was fast paced it wasn’t some happens over the span of a few months type deal so the pacing was fine and gave the audience sometime to think and catch up. I do hope the future installments (if any) doesn’t try to retcon or get too complicated from what this film brought forth.

Terminator Dark Fate I feel is the true T3 (no offense) and I do enjoy the other installments for they all have their strong points in each film, but here the story is simple and it takes elements from both T1 and T2 to accomplish a story that we can follow and comprehend without saying “wait so if that happens then that means….”.It’s like the Force Awakens of the franchise.

8/10

SPOILERS!!!!

Okay so one thing I want to say and I don’t care who hates me for it or says “oh you’re not a terminator fan” or whatever but the fact John Connor dies in the first 30 seconds to a minute says so much and again recalls to my statement that this franchise is about Sarah, not John. I know we all believe this franchise is about John Connor being the leader of the resistance and everything but I felt it started becoming redundant and boring after awhile like “okay we get it what next”. So seeing him die I’m like oh shit now that’s interesting. Fun Fact: It was James Cameron idea right off the bat when helping develop the story. Hate it if you want but after a while what you wanna see? John Connor’s son be the actual true leader of the resistance or something? John Connor say “shit here we go again” or “yeah you’re back, heard that before”. It was different and also signifies that anyone can be a leader of the resistance. I’ve heard people compare to Newt death in Alien 3 and I get what you mean, but Newt’s death wasn’t significant compared to John’s. John’s death was the driving force for Sarah the real star while Newt dies in some stupid space accident in cryosleep…that was stupid.

I feel this is also should be Arnie’s final turn as the T-800. I say that not only cause his character sacrifices himself to kill the Rev-9 but it was a nice send-off and an end to an era. Skynet no longer exists in the future only Legion so I highly doubt they just gonna take Skynet’s schematics of the 101 Model of the T-800 and make more. Skynet barely made it from it’s conception. Sure they can go the route of having one of the many Terminators that was sent back to kill John, but with the deed already done, they just lived some normal life, but how long can you really rehash that before it gets old?

Legion is not fully explained here which is okay cause all we needed to know is Skynet was destroyed in T2, but something else took it’s place instead and in future installments it will be revealed how. If this trilogy does go off hopefully by the 3rd one (8th in the franchise) ends it once and for all.

Joker Review

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“A character analysis that speaks truth of the descent into madness”

When they announced the Joker solo film years ago I was unsure what to think at first of it. Maybe it was due to the amount of Joker related projects in development I wasn’t interested until things started rolling with the first trailer.

Joker is an origin story of the infamous Batman villain as he seeks connection in the streets of Gotham City. Arthur is his name who wears two masks — the one he paints for his day job as a clown, and the guise he projects in a futile attempt to feel like he’s part of the world around him. Isolated, bullied and disregarded by society, Fleck begins a slow descent into madness as he transforms into the criminal mastermind we all know.

From off the bat (no pun intended) I can easily see why this is a defining Oscar contender. Joaquin Phoenix personifies the character in such a way that is tragic and broken which is different from the iterations we seen before. The most similar if I was to compare is close to Heath Ledger as far as charisma and fanaticism mixed with Mark Hamill’s heart he brings in the animated series. Todd Philips (fun fact Directed the Hangover series) really emphasizes the themes of mental illness and violence and all for good reasons. One line that struck with me was one Arthur wrote in his book about society treating those with mental illness to obey as if they weren’t before. The tone of violence I felt was not over the top as people have been saying it was and it’s justified with its use and each time it did, I was shocked (in a good way I loved it). This doesn’t condone violence, but in the world we live in now is much like the very setting we find our protagonist reside within as he transforms into what he will infamously be. It was to a point I even sympathized with the character deeply and the reason for his motives. For those who know the film Taxi Driver, you’ll see where Joker has taken some inspiration to craft its story.

If I was Director, I wouldn’t really change anything at all. I would’ve delve a bit deeper into the characters madness only because the themes and emotions told in the film I know that feeling very well (I’m luckily I haven’t gone mad like that). Another aspect would’ve been Zazie Beetz character and Arthur’s relation even tho (SPOILER!!!) there’s little to none it was all a fixation in his head. As much as I fell for the trick, if she was given more of a history for the audience to feel for when the Twist happens it be a super huge payoff. I loved every second of it either way.

Joker is a character analysis film that dives deep into the sanity of the titular character. Compared to other superhero movies coming out, this is one of art and I for one am all for it despite the controversies that sprouted due to its violence. This I would vouch for Best Picture nominee for sure. Joker is a comedy based on a man’s tragic faults and all he wants the world to do is smile.

10/10 HAHAHAHAHA

IT Chapter Two Review

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“A faithful adaptation that brings more suspense than horror but still lives up the first movie”

When the first movie ended by saying “IT: Chapter One” I remember the audience going crazy and we all were like oh sh*t what the next one going to be like. I never read a Stephen King novel in my life (too long for me in all honesty) but I was aware of it all from the original miniseries. Overall, this film does live up in my opinion but brings more suspense than horror compared to Chapter One.

IT: Chapter Two is pretty much the second half of Stephen King’s novel where Pennywise returns 27 years after being defeated the first time in Chapter One to terrorize the town of Derry, Maine, once again. Now adults, the Loser’s Club have long gone their separate ways, but when people start disappearing, Mike Hanlon calls the others home for one final stand. Damaged by scars from the past, the united Losers must conquer their deepest fears to destroy the shape-shifting entity who is now more powerful than ever.

I was excited to see this film when it was first announced and I gotta say even when the cast announcement happened I was glad who they casted as the Adult Losers. Andy (the director) admitted he got all his first choices and he did a phenomenal job because each actor was the right choice. They even looked like the younger versions and that worked out great. Many people who went to see this movie was looking for the scares and peeing their pants but this time around I didn’t feel that as much. The horror element was there and I felt a small chill down my spine with certain moments such as Beverly and Mrs.Kersh/Old Witch or the Fortune Cookie. However, most of the scary elements was more suspenseful and to my friends who have seen thought it was funny. It’s a very aware criticism but I felt shouldn’t diminish the opinion of the movie overall. IT: Chapter Two is about searching for what’s forgotten and the Adult Losers finding the missing part of themselves. It’s when Pennywise shows up are when we are treated to the horror. One of my favorite scenes from the film is the funhouse and Bill trying to save the kid in the maze. That scene I enjoyed because of how taunting and the atmosphere of the funhouse really plays to the feeling of being trapped while Pennywise is inside with you. I can go on praising Bill Skarsgard for his performance as Pennywise but we all know how great he is.

If I was Director, I guess one thing I would change, for the sake of those who criticized it, would be the scares. I feel the aspect, again, is there but could be amplified. What made Chapter One so scary was the fact Pennywise was there a lot and preyed on not what the Loser feared but what the audience would fear watching. Chapter Two there were scary parts that were either audience expected, were funny, or were let down. For me, I believe Chapter Two had the scares more subtle and focused on the story at hand. I’m not sure if Pennywise was around a lot in the Adult time but I did feel a bit of lack seeing Pennywise prey on victims compared to the first movie which also made Chapter One feel more scarier than two.

Chapter Two is a great movie overall with an amazing cast, faithful to the source material, and finishes the story of Pennywise and The Losers Club 27 years (in story) started in Chapter One. It wasn’t as scary as the first but it makes sense since the Losers are now adults not much can scare them compared to being a kid. I get why people would feel the movie is too long but when you think about how long the book is it makes sense. Leave something out and it’s like a film removing a pivotal scene just keep a certain runtime: it makes the whole plot confusing. It’s a story of catching up with the Losers 27 years later…I wonder if 27 years from now we’ll get another iteration (hope not).

8/10

Hustlers Review

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“We are all Hustlers at the End of the Day”

When I first heard about this movie I didn’t pay much attention to it until my girlfriend had said she wanted to see it. Based on the trailer alone I thought it was about strippers and a heist, which I’m technically not wrong about, but at the same time I was impressed on how the film presented itself.

Hustlers is a film about a stripper named Destiny (names changed for security purposes) trying to make ends meet until she befriends the club’s top money earner named Ramona (Jennifer Lopez). Ramona shows her the ins and outs of the stripper life and how to finagle with the wealthy Wall Street who come for a good show. It’s when the 2008 recession happens the two and several other dancers devise a scheme that turns itself upside down.

The film is based on a true story and that’s what shocked me. After the first opening minutes being introduced to Destiny (her stage name) and her life as a stripper I thought this was a film about a stripper getting out of the stripper life (I didn’t know the plot prior to seeing) but once the scene came she was speaking to the interviewer, I said oh okay this is not what I was expecting. The story recalls the events explained in an article and the interview with the real Destiny. It even included a scene where the audio was from the actual investigation where one of them acted as a mole to catch them for the police. It had some very heart to heart moments that I was actually touched by especially one part I felt sad to see (no spoils! let’s just say my girlfriend cried). Hustlers is a film that creatively tackles a true story in a way that makes you feel for the characters especially the one we follow the most, Destiny, played by Constance Wu. A definite sell for the movie was JLo and Cardi B for sure and they play their parts really well for general viewers drawn to see it by their stardom. Fare warning Cardi B has a small part but it does have significance especially due to her background prior to her known music fame and I thought that was pretty cool. Speaking of music, I noticed a lot of throw backs thrown into the mix especially one I haven’t heard since my early high school years by Lorde (Royals) and it really tied well with the early 2000s/2010s era that my life was molded within.

If I was Director, story-wise and the actors casted were on the money and each beat of the story keeps you engaged so nothing there I felt I would do differently. My girlfriend on the other hand had one piece of the character she felt was like an “okay that’s enough” and that was Lili Reinheart’s character who suffers from a weak stomach that causes her to involuntarily vomit when stressed. She felt it was too much for even her stomach. The overall portrayal of real events was phenomenal mixing humor, heart, and the elements of the real world with smooth transitions, there’s not much you could do differently. That’s my opinion.

Hustlers is a film that doesn’t just show the stripper life but what life is like for them beyond the pole. It presents a clear message that strippers are hustlers as much as a Wall Street journalist or a screenwriter would hustle for a good buck by any means necessary. One line that stuck with me that is true to everyone is said by Ramona, “in this world there are two types of people: the ones who toss the money and ones who dance for it.” That applies to not just the Stripper Life but to the way the world works in general, except I’m writing and throwing things out there in hopes money is tossed my way to keep on going. Hustle the way the world works for you.

9/10

True Story: https://www.vulture.com/2019/09/hustlers-the-real-story-behind-the-movie.html

Dora and the Lost City of Gold Review

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“A fun twist of adventure for all the family to enjoy”

When I first heard about this film when it was announced, I honestly just let out a sigh because why in the world is this movie being made. Then, I heard Isabela Moner was starring (she was in Transformers The Last Knight) and I was like okay, but again why and how would they do it. After that, the first trailer released. I was like okay this is stupid, but looks like they enjoyed filming it. However, once the latest trailer came out and the segment of the child version of Dora was on screen talking to the audience if they could say “delicioso” and her parents were so confused who she was talking to, I literally laughed in my bed early in the morning that day. It was right then I was interested in checking it out and all I have to say is…never judge a film by first impression.

Dora and the Lost City of Gold is obviously a live action adaptation of Dora, but with her in her teenage years. Having spent most of her life exploring the jungle, she gets taken to California to experience high school. However, her parents get kidnapped by mercenaries so she, her cousin Diego, and two friends, embark on a quest to save her parents while trying to find a lost Incan civilization.

This film is a family film all the way, for anyone who read this, and one that was different for me after literally seeing Hobbs & Shaw with my girl. I actually grew up watching Dora as a kid when I wasn’t always on Cartoon Network, watching Ed, Edd and Eddy or Code Lyoko, so seeing this obviously you hope the film at least is faithful or pays homage to it. The opening segment does not disappoint in that at all it was like watching the intro to the show and I was like “whoa, oh word? that was a good job.” The comedy of it was light hearted and funny that I will admit at times I was like I’m not cringing, but I feel embarrassed watching this character, even though I’m not legitimately there in the scene. For me, the jokes landed and they didn’t take everything so seriously either. An easier way to picture this film is this: Dora is real, but the adventures she went on in the show were all in her childish imagination (Boots talking, backpack talking or map and other animals) and that this film is about her trying to live a real life. The only talking animal was Benicio Del Toro (The Collector for MCU fans) as Swiper who was funny himself. Danny Trejo does voice Boots but in a very heartwarming segment and that’s it. For those who watched, I’ll share two of my favorite parts at the bottom cause you know…SPOILERS for those who care.

If I was director making this, in all honesty the way this was done, I can’t see anyway else and it could’ve been worse if anything. I’m surprised by how much I enjoyed watching it and the amount of laughing I did cause usually it’s rare for most family films I’d laugh at more than a few parts. The way they payed homage to the show was brilliant and she literally does have everything in that backpack even a knife I said “whoa that’s funny” (I like dark humor fyi). It’s a kid friendly film that has things also for adults to enjoy too. I guess only one thing I was skeptical about at first was the casting of older Diego, I felt like someone else could’ve played him but he grew onto me as the version who grew away from imagination and felt more ‘highschool grown-up’ and it was funny. There’s a scene where Dora says ‘you don’t look like you at all’ and I laughed cause that’s how I felt. Also Swiper, I felt was added in randomly with the mercenaries but the dialogue plays on itself mentioning that which is why this film, I felt didn’t take itself seriously which is great.

Dora and the Lost City of Gold is a fun film for the whole family to enjoy towards the end of the summer fun. It was a nice wind down from all the real high-octane action I be seeing a lot and this film pulled off a feat of adapting Dora that I didn’t believe was possible. It was like Indiana Jones in premise and I personally liked the representation of hispanics (being half hispanic myself) shown. Usually hispanics in media are always associated with the cartel, drugs, killing, violence, deportation and so on, but here it’s fun, family, adventure, laughter, enjoyment. All I can say is if there’s a sequel, I’d be skeptical cause it’s a sequel, but I’d be for it because again….never judge a film by first impression, until you see it all the way through. It’s crazy how it released the same day the show concluded its 20 year run.

9/10

SPOILERS!!

Okay so the first scene that had me laugh was the exact scene from the trailer. I loved how they riffed off the fourth wall break as a joke of who is Dora talking to. Like imagine in real life you just decide to break fourth wall in front of a group of people, they all gonna be like “who you talking to?”

The second scene was when Dora, Diego and the guy who helps break them out of the crate saying he’s a friend of her parents, traversing through a huge flower patch that releases a spore. The spore turns out to be a hallucinogen that makes them see themselves as their cartoon versions. I literally shouted “Yooooooo!!!!” and was wowed because that was a very clever that even Dora says “the gang’s all here” and all the characters from the show appear like the Benny the Bull, Big Red Chicken, the Troll and more. To me right there I said that is a way to pay homage to something besides hidden ‘easter eggs’.

Bonus: The guy who helps Dora escape capture in the beginning turns out to be the bad guy and it was funny because after surviving the quicksand he started crying at the fact he was alive and was shouting “I’m a bad guy. I’m a bad guy” and Dora says “you’re not a bad guy…” That was clever, took me a minute to pick that up.

Just check it out even if it’s online.

Spiderman: Far From Home Review

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“An epilogue to the Infinity Saga that was a change of pace”

I would like to admit, as I did in the Avengers: Endgame Review with Improvatory, after that film I was done with superhero movies. I’ve spent almost half of my life dedicated much like anyone following the storyline comic by comic and I think it’s time to move on. Then, Spiderman: Far From Home was released. I knew this movie coming for several years now and now that it’s out after Endgame, it was a nice epilogue to everything while bringing the question: What’s Next?

Spiderman: Far From Home follows Peter Parker on vacation post-Snap (aka The Blip in film) when he is enlisted by Nick Fury and Mysterio to battle The Elementals. All in all, the film I felt gave a good change of pace for Spiderman and the setting at large. Majority of the Spidey films we’ve gotten so far, they were all centered within NYC and after a time it gets old but here he’s traveling across the water and it was fun (sure he went to space too) and the scenery was beautiful that it makes me want to go travel too. Mysterio was by far the coolest part of the whole film in all honesty and I’ll be sure to keep the spoilers for the very bottom for those reading this. Jake Gyllenhaal was what got me into seeing this movie (it’s crazy cause he almost replaced Tobey Maguire for Spiderman 2) and he does not disappoint at all. The action was cool, per usual with superhero flicks, but Mysterio’s illusions are what made me as a filmmaker want to know how they shot it. Of coarse it’s CGI but camera movements and the direction in scriptwriting, that’s what makes me curious how they do it. Samuel L. Jackson’s performance as Nick Fury is well…it’s Nick Fury but for those who know his previous performances will notice something slightly different with him and that will be explained in the spoilers down below. For an epilogue to the Infinity Saga, Sony and Marvel’s shared deal did it again.

If I was directing this film, I personally feel that instead of Nick Fury as the big superhero name to help Parker, I feel like Doctor Strange would’ve been better. I’m not saying in a sense Nick Fury was a poor choice and Jon Watts and Marvel made a smart decision for the foreseeable next saga with reasons, but Mysterio being a master of illusions and magic calls for the Master of the Mystic Arts himself to show him his place. Imagine, Doctor Strange mentoring Parker to be who he needs to be while helping him realize that Mysterio was a fraud. I just felt Nick Fury wasn’t utilized as ‘Nick Fury’ much like he was in Avengers (2012) and Age of Ultron and also The Winter Soldier being the person to make Parker step up as a hero. I would’ve maybe reduced the Iron Man memorials too. I kinda got it after the third one he was dead and gone. As much as he’s the heart of the MCU, there were other fallen too they got brief mention. Again this segment of the review is my own opinion.

Spiderman: Far From Home was a change of pace after Avengers: Endgame and felt like a much needed vacation in setting and in real life from the 11 years of MCU and the question is what comes after. Black Widow is start of Phase 4 followed by The Eternals and Shang Chi so expect a taste of things to come.

9/10 Now…

SPOILERS!!!!:

First off to get this off the table as much as we all knew, Mysterio was the main baddie and the Elementals and the Multiverse were all made up shit that ironically like Quentin Beck says a lot of people would buy and we did. I felt that haha you got me moment, but I was lowkey wishing the multiverse would be a major point to show up. His illusions against Spiderman especially the first one in Germany was crazy I’m like oh shit and whoa the whole time. I liked how the guy from the very first Iron Man movie who got yelled at by Obediah Stane came back after all these years since the first Iron Man movie (you know this film wrapped up loose ends in a way). I love how J.K Simmons came back as J Jonah Jameson cause he’s only person I can see being the live action version and the fact Spiderman’s identity is revealed to the world, expect some major Sinister Six or even Peter trying to play off Mysterio lied and such about his identity cause he can’t snap that away. I wonder if Tom Hardy’s Venom would be included since Sony hasn’t ruled out that possibility in MCU. That be cool so there’s no recasts. Now, Nick Fury…he’s Talos the skrull from Captain Marvel (Soren, Talos’s wife impersonated Maria Hill). There’s hints throughout of this but it’ll be a surprise for people to go “whaaaa??!!”

In all honesty for me it begs a theory of when did Nick Fury and Talos switched places. I feel like it happened either during Winter Soldier or Age of Ultron specifically (most likely Age of Ultron) and it was Talos impersonating Fury that was decimated during Infinity War while Fury was hard at work overseeing the future with his project in space. I’m curious what Marvel Studios is gonna come up with as an explanation.

Aladdin (2019) Review

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“A remake we all didn’t want, however enjoyable and fun when you give it a chance.”

Aladdin, back in 1992, was one of the Disney animations that was out long before I was born, however as a late 90s child, along with majority of the late 90s babies, still grew up with Aladdin. Who couldn’t adore the fact of the late great Robin Williams voicing a Genie who grants three wishes. Flash forward to 2019 and we now are seeing it in live action with Will Smith in the role.

The biggest controversies with this movie is the fact that for one it’s a remake of a Disney classic and the second is the fact Will Smith was casted as Genie and from everyone who wanted to bad mouth the movie they all say the same thing: “Robin Williams is Genie and no one else can be.”

Directed by Guy Ritchie, who gives the very stylized action flicks you see from Man From Uncle or Sherlock Holmes, Aladdin in my opinion was an enjoyable film and loads of fun when you don’t constantly remind yourself that it’s a remake of an animated Disney classic. Now, for me, I have a current problem with Disney’s desire to create live action adaptations of animated classics (they’re seriously making a live action Lady and the Tramp, luckily with live dogs, and Lilo and Stitch for Disney+) when honestly there’s no need for it at all, clearly done for money. It’s not something we needed nor wanted, but I choose to willingly accept since it did look entertaining, especially after the controversial Genie first look.

As I watched the film, I for one haven’t seen the original in so long but the story beats were all there, Aladdin is a thief, gets enlisted by Jafar to get the lamp, Aladdin meets the Genie, and well you know the rest. There are few parts that were expanded and some were minimized such as the addition of Genie’s love interest and Jafar and Iago’s relationship being only master and parrot. I for one likened what Guy Ritchie had done and I know who filmmakers who know of Guy Ritchie’s work it’s an odd project for him you wouldn’t really expect. After seeing the film, I can tell why, he adds that action to keep things interesting and you can tell when it comes to the chase scenes and high intensity. Despite this, I felt the movie itself got more interesting, much like the original, when the genie first appears and onward. Will Smith is no Robin Williams, but here’s the thing, he’s not suppose to be. Robin Williams made his mark as the animated version of Genie while Will Smith makes his mark as the live action version and he does exactly that. Here’s a fun fact: there are more than just Will Smith and Robin William’s who even played the role, check out broadway and Aladdin 2 and other animated Aladdin projects with Genie, Robin was only in the first/third movie and the series. Soon I’m update this article with my girlfriend’s take as well when she sees it.

As far as if I was director, my only things I would change is mainly Jafar. I feel the actor, no offense to him, was miscasted. Jafar is menacing and this one I felt was too childish in a sense, too bitchy (pardon my term). I would’ve casted someone not too old but one who would make the role menacing. I also felt the climactic part of the movie where Aladdin is in a tight situation when he figures his way out is tricking Jafar into becoming a Genie didn’t feel much was at stake. Maybe figuring out how to make Aladdin have things more at risk would’ve kept me from saying okay keep going but thats just minor. I also missed the Iago and Jafar dynamic that the two had in the animation. Majority of this movie is on Aladdin, Jasmine and Genie so it’s understandable but that would’ve been a relatable dynamic that could’ve lessened my disliking and desire to fix Jafar in this film. Again this is my opinion.

Aladdin 2019 is a remake we didn’t need but one I enjoyed none the less and it was enjoyable by not comparing it to the original. That’s how remakes should go by not comparing so much to the original but seeing if the remake brings something new to the table or expands on the original concept not cash grabs. Will Smith and the other costars like Naomi Scott play their parts well and overall could’ve been worse let’s be honest but it wasn’t. Now let’s pray these live action Disney remakes come to an end before we actually get Aladdin 4: Jafar May Need Glasses.

8/10