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chrismalone164
Reviews
Dashing Through the Snow (2023)
Surprisingly brilliant
We just finished watching this with the kids and we all absolutely loved it. I wasn't expecting much as I hadn't heard of it but what a great Christmas movie it was. We only really watch made for tv Xmas movies at this time of year as we keep all the good movies for nearer Christmas but this was so good it's definitely making our Christmas Eve movie list for next year. It's similar to a christmas chronicles but in my opinion does it even better as all of the cast in this movie have stuff to do and do it well. This movie has plenty of action. Comedy and Christmas magic that will keep kids and adults entertained.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
My favourite franchise however....
***SPOILERS***
Off the bat I want say I love the M. I franchise (probably my favourite franchise) and the last few have been exceptional in my opinion.
This we watched the newest one in theatre last night but for the first in about 10 years I left the a MI movie feeling a bit let down.
The action scenes are awesome as we've all come to expect and the cast are excellent too. Haley Atwell is tremendous especially but the storyline wow, it just felt so forced. Toms character spend so much time talking about how he will save people before himself because he cares for everyone it actually felt like a fast x speech.
There's so many scenes that don't make sense why they are there in the movie then it includes an action scene and it becomes clear they added the scene that made no sense only so they could add the action scene.
There's a part where Ethan uses a mask to break into a high security government building then a meeting with top brass so he can knock them out to tell one guy he will do the thing they already asked him to do and he had already started to do. That's just one example of a scene that was written around an action scene just to include it. Another is the hench woman who works for the main villain is kick ass in a few scenes but does nothing of any importance. She's only there for Ethan to spare so she can return as a good guy later. I would much rather see her be a good baddie than another hot chick who's joined Ethan because they see the good in him (was just sick in my mouth a bit)
The movies main villain is the computer from Shia Labeoufs movie Eagle Eye which quite frankly did it better. The main human villain is a guy from Ethan's past that played such a huge part in Ethan's professional and real life that he's never been mentioned and the guy although is a handsome older man (like cruise I suppose) doesn't really do much but again this could be fixed in the next part.
Haley Atwels character is a master pick pocket who Ethan needs to use her skills as an essential part of the plot but the problem is Ethan proves several times in that airport scene that he's an even better pick pocket so why doesn't he just do himself? Because they needed Haley in an action sequence that's why.
Look this wasn't all negative despite what I've said. The action scenes were among the best in movie history and that alone should carry the movie. I dumping on this movie so much because I loved the other movies in the franchise so much.
Tom cruise is a machine and is the fittest pensioner about, but constantly talking about how only he can save the world and how much family and friends are important to him feels too much like a fast and furious rip off and that's something MI didn't need to do as the one of the reasons it's far superior that franchise is that MI always felt more grounded compared to movies like fast x. The action scenes didn't look fake (because they are not ) but the fulfilling scenes and characters arcs never seemed forced or cheesy until now.
Its probably not fair that I'm judging this movie the way, especially as it's a two parter. It wouldn't be fair to stop a movie half way through and critique it as the second part may right all the wrongs I found with it and I really hope it does but if I'm honest I can't see how. Please don't turn this into a far fetched action movie about a superhero who is the only one who can save his family we already have that.
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023)
Dial of dementia
Spoiler alert! This movie is getting slated! I genuinely thought it was okay. Better than crystal skull at least. However I've been to the dentist lately that was more fun than both of the latest Indy movies which pains me to say as I love the originals. I can't understand why Disney have to make every new hero a brunette British woman who's as exciting as a beige Volvo (Kathleen Kennedy chooses these people) I've never seen fleabag but hear it's good, however it takes a certain kind of star to fill Indy's shoes, even though own is about 9 feet tall she still can't fill them shoes. Why they chose to replace Shia (who I didn't love) with PWB and short round with a shorter rounder character who is very annoying and straight up murders someone by drowning them us beyond me. The CGI is dodgy at best but I loved the start of this movie which features a de-aged Ford and I did love the fact that it embraced his age later in the movie rather than make home a machine who can do anything like in crystal skull. This movie loses points from me when Force pwb as this arrogant history buff who's tough as nails ( should work as that's basically Indy) but it doesn't gel well as pwb character just isn't likeable enough. I did like the storyline and loved that it's based on a real mystery. Look this movie is about Indy getting and keeping an ancient mystical Artefact from nazis. So it definitely plays on nostalgia but fails to impact the way it should have mostly due to the new cast members. I've given 7 stars but it was 8 yesterday when I planned to write it. By next week it could be a 5 as rather than thinking about the good parts I'm only remembering the ones that annoyed me. On a plus Harrison Ford was excellent and played a sad alcoholic depressed Indy who struggles with grief very well and gives Indy a bit of realism in the latest movie. I never thought I would say this but I hope they reboot rather than continue with PWB.
Conan the Destroyer (1984)
What's not to like?
Completely different tone from the first movie but I loved this sequel as a kid, and after rewatching it today I still love it. Sure there's problems with the plot and the acting skills if some of the cast but I think it adds to its charm. It's an 80's fantasy movie it's not supposed to be a perfect movie! I was never a fan of will chamberlain in this movie until my most recent rewatch but he does actually play the part really well. The movie looks great and Arnold looks even better. The movie is shot amazingly and even at night the scenery and actors look great. I only really have 2 complaints about the movie. The first is conans sidekick who doesn't really serve any purpose other than his weakness and cowardness highlighting conans strength and bravery lol. The other which I only just realised after checking IMDB is that Jenna, who as a kid I was very smitten with, was only 14 when she made the movie! The special effects hold up for the best parts but doesn't look great for the final battle it has to be said. There seems to be a lot of doors that need opened in this movie and thank krom for mako and his magic constipation faces that enable them to progress through the video game storyline. Although this movie isn't as good as the first it is far more suitable for the entire family and makes a great Sunday movie. I loved it when I was 10 years old and still live it now I'm pushing 40.
Aladdin (2019)
A pleasant surprise
I really wasnt looking forward to this movie, especially after watching the new lion king last week which I felt looked amazing but was a carbon copy of the original. I was pleasantly surprised by Aladdin as it was very good. It has all of the good stuff from the animated version for the fans but is different enough that it doesn't get boring. It was well acted by all but especially by will Smith who had big pointy shoes to fill, which he did and some. The musical numbers are good and the visuals are awesome. Well done to all involved