Think of this movie as a cross between Jaws and Sharknado, and you will know exactly what to expect going in. Of course, the plot is improbable to say the least. The Meg of the title is a prehistoric Megalodon, a gigantic ‘extinct’ shark that was said to grow up to 75 feet long, and could eat whales! The science (sort of) they use to establish how it survived all those millenia and is still around today is pretty farfetched, even for these kind of movies. Be that as it may, a group of scientists are trapped on the bottom of the ocean after The Meg trashes their submersible. It is up Jonas Taylor, played earnestly by Jason Statham, to rescue them. After he does, they of course have to go after it before it goes on a rampage at a beach so packed with people, it makes “Jaws”‘s Amity Island seem like a deserted beach. And of course, they don’t catch it – right away at any rate. Rainn Wilson is a really not that evil as the bad guy who funds all of the science. He’s nice, until he shows his true colors. Statham is also given a pretty improbable love interest. This movie is at its best when it shows the shark. It is at its worst when it tries to add humor and pathos. Nothing here gets too scary or too gorey – there were a lot of people in the audience with kids. Because of that, the whole thing plays like a 50’s movie. I almost expected to see giant crabs or maybe even Gargantua. Despite giving this movie an apple core, I say go see it if you want unadulterated mindless entertainment, not to mention a cute little dog that seems to swim forever. Sometimes, that is all we want out of a movie.
Mission:Impossible-Fallout
In this go-around, Ethan Hunt and the gang join forces with CIA assassin August Walker (Henry Cavill) to, as usual, save the world. A mysterious group calling themselves the Apostles plan to detonate three nuclear warheads under the control and direction of returning villain Solomon Lane (Sean Harris). This movie is jam-packed with action, plot twists and double, even triple, crosses. The nearly indestrucible Tom Cruise broke his ankle doing stunts for this movie, and even knowing the scene where the accident happens, you can barely make out the slight limp he runs through to complete the scene. It seems Mr. Cruise is really driven to give the utmost to make his movies action packed, intricate and entertaining, and with the touches of humor and humanity that make the whole team so likeable. The quality shows! Rebecca Ferguson is back as Ilsa Faust, delightful and deadly. What is her goal in this mission? Whose side is she really on? Ahhh, that would be telling! Simon Pegg and Ving Rhames are back and flawless in their usual supporting roles, while Alec Baldwin and Angela Bassett provide important parts in the twists. This movie is so full of action that by the time it is over, you will feel as though you completed this mission yourself, including the best helicopter chase scene I have ever seen. This is definitely the best Mission Impossible movie so far, and I believe just about everyone will thoroughly enjoy this action masterpiece.
Sicario: Day of the Soldado
You know a movie can’t miss with these two! Benicio Del Toro, as mysterious operative Alejandro Gillick, and Josh Brolin, as federal agent Matt Graver, are back for another go around with the Mexican drug cartels. The first ‘Sicario’ movie concentrated on the cartels, their influence over the U.S. drug trade and the gritty anti-drug task force’s missions. This newest entry deals with those too, but the main focus is the exploitation of illegal immigrants who try to cross the border to seek a better life. It also touches on how children are drawn into and affected by gang activity. The movie starts with a horrific scene of three Muslim extremists who blow up a super market, including a mom who unsuccessfully tries to protect her daughter. I am not fond of movies that harm kids; although I understand that the point is to depict the horror terrorism inflicts. Still, it was not easy to watch this scene and I found myself closing my eyes. The main plot driver is the U.S. government officials’, including the Secretary of Defense (Matthew Modine), belief that the terrorists must have entered our country from Mexico; and that starting a war between the cartels will help stop this from happening, as well as getting the cartels taking each other out. Graver’s character is given carte blanche to do what ever he sees as necessary. He recruits Gillick with the promise that he will be able to have his revenge on the head of the cartel who actually ordered the murder of his family (In the first movie. he got revenge on the man directly responsible for the murders). To start the cartel war, the daughter of this cartel head is kidnapped. Things do not go according to plan, of course, and when the government learns that the terrorists were actually homegrown, they decide to abort the mission. The civilian official controlling the mission (Catherine Keener) decides that the girl and Gillick know too much, and must be eliminated along with anyone else involved. She coldly tells Graver, sorry, but they are to become collateral damage. As you probably suspect, Gillick is not so easy to get rid of. How that all plays out is complex, violent and bloody; but: no spoilers! The move is bloody and violent throughout, this is not a movie for the squeamish! I do feel that it gives an honest and heartbreaking look at how terribly these poor immigrants are taken advange of and abused. Elijah Rodriguez gives an intriguing performance as an innocent school boy who is lured by the easy money to be made as a coyote and whose fate is unknown (but suspected) by the end of the movie. Beneath all the harsh action, this film asks us to take a hard look at the immigration problem while offering no solutions. Of course, that’s not the movie’s goal,, and there aren’t any easy answers anyway. I do like the way that both main characters are shown to ultimitely have a heart, and the end definitely screams sequel! Even though this is not my kind of movie, I found myself drawn in by Del Toro’s character. I would probably watch the next inevitable installment.
Avengers: Infinity War
This is 160 minutes of movie jam-packed with every possible thing you could ever want in a super hero movie. First of all, want to see your favorite Marvel character? Everyone from Teenage Groot and Dr. Strange to Vision and Black Panther are here. Want to see epic batles? You will see several, including an amazingly complex one that threatens Wakanda. Do you love witty banter? The script writers have your back. Long for a terrible villian who is complicated by a twisted reality in which he feels he is doing the universe a favor by almost destroying it? Josh Brolin’s Thanos will not disappoint you. One concern I would have about this much anticiapted movie would be for people who haven’t been following these movies in the Marvel Universe. You are going to be confused by the myriad of characters who are all following threads that started in their various earlier movies. But don’t worry too much, the screenwriters have tied together a pretty cogent, understandable story. It was fun to see the Avengers meet the Gauardians of the Galaxy for the first time. I loved seeing Bruce Banner have a problem turning into the Hulk. There is also a cute cameo by Peter Dinklage as a rather large dwarf. ********** SPOILER ALERT********** This is a very ejoyable movie, but be warned, there are major characer deaths that will upset some fans. In fact, the end of this movie will leave some of you very unsatisfied and disillusioned. But don’t be downhearted, this is only the first half of Infinity Wars. The conclusion will be released in March 2019. I have a feeling that all will be put right in the Avengers Universe (and Marvel’s future money earnings).
Black Panther
The Black Panther is the King and protector of the African Kingdom of Wakanda. Wakanda is a technologically advanced and wealthy country that no one knows about; they use their advanced technology to keep their kingdom hidden from the world. T’Challa (played in true regal form by Chadwick Boseman) becomes king following the death of his father. In the kingdom of Wakanda though, the king must fight any challenger before he is crowned. Once he does so, he must drink the juice of a special flower that gives him the super powers that enable him to protect his kingdom. Wakanda itself, is dazzling. A beautiful African country full of sophisticated 3D phones and bullet- fast and efficient transportation. The serenity and peace of this tranquil land is shattered by Ulysess Klaue (played with delicious evil by Andy Serkis), who sneaks into the kingdom to steal the precious metal vibranium, which is a seemingly magical metal only found in Wakanda. It all leads to a lot of superbly choreographed and exciting action, wonderful effects and some well played and emotional drama. T’Challa has a cool costume, some really badass warrior women guards and a sister who reminds me of James Bond’s Q concocting some very state of the art weapons. When an unexpected new enemy emerges, T’Challa faces some tough decisions; should Wakanda use it’s advanced technology to help man-kind or should they remain isolated and hidden from the world? You will want to know the answer! I loved this movie for the beautiful scenery, great direction. wonderful performances and a hopeful message for the future.
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