The Lion King

This review may contain spoilers!

This is a true marvel of special effects technology but a relatively boring remake to watch. I would give The Lion King a 6/10.

The Lion King is a remake of the 1994 film of the same name; it focuses on young cub Simba who will one day grow to be the king of the Pridelands. However, when his father is betrayed and killed by his jealous brother, Scar, Simba must flee his home and lives a life of exile until he finds the courage to face his uncle and claim his destiny. The overarching plot of this film is still really strong, the life lessons Simba gains as a young cub are still powerfully delivered and the premise behind the Circle of Life and what it means to the natural order is a powerful theme. When Scar and the hyenas chaotically disrupt that and force Simba to flee you see what happens when the Circle of Life is abused which felt oddly relevant to watch. Ultimately Simba facing his call back to being King of the Pridelands is a worthy one and the films ends in a fairly satisfying way. However, the true triumph of the feature is the visual effects, all of the animal characters look so realistic and are presented in a manner that really showcases how far we have come visually. The score for the film is very similar to the 1994 one but it is still as powerful to hear as ever, the setting of the feature is honoured and the intense, dramatic scenes are heightened.

Chiwetel Ejiofor, who voiced Scar, really holds a malevolent sense of power in how he delivers his lines that holds up to what Jeremy Irons did first with the role; Ejiofor is a master at exuding sinister energy and becoming the most threatening presence in a scene. James Earl Jones, who voiced Mufasa, will always excel at returning to his two most famous roles: Darth Vader and Mufasa; this might not be new territory for him but he hits every note and every emotion from this character as perfectly as he did the first time. JD McCrary and Shahadi Wright Joseph, who voiced Young Simba and Young Nala respectively, were great bundles of energy in the first half of the film; McCrary in particular shows all the wonder and overconfidence that young Simba is famous for rather well. Keegan-Michael Key and Eric Andre, who voiced Kamari and Azizi respectively, do some great work as minor antagonists who facilitate a good deal of humour; this pair can switch out from menacing to bumbling in all the right moments. Seth Rogen, who voiced Pumbaa, really is quite believable as the quick to act, slow to think partner of Timon; Rogen brings all the charm that this character is so well-known for. Billy Eichner, who voiced Timon, is one of the few cast members who really gets creative with the role and tries some new material; for this reason alone I found Eichner to be one of the funniest characters in the film. Beyoncé, who voiced Nala, comes across as a strong warrior of a character and certainly feels more active in this story; Beyonce is well-placed as more of a leader role and gives this character a bit more purpose. 

However, the best performance came from John Oliver, who voiced Zazu. This film has an incredible cast that mostly nails these famous animated roles, of which one of my favourites has always been the uppity bird, Zazu. John Oliver really takes this character with a good degree of seriousness but also takes the time to have some fun. Zazu is a character bound by the rules and the structured monarchy in place, he is incredibly self-important and entirely unapologetic about it. This is a role that is very loyal and serves many of the protagonists fearlessly, he often puts his own self in the way of danger to ensure the safety of others. Ultimately I love how Oliver gets to make some fun anecdotes about the ridiculous hour of tweeting birds or his 'woodpecker' obsessed relative.

Disney has really doubled down on their live action remakes these past few years and they've nearly all managed to stand out so well due to their ability to tell the classic stories so well while bringing something new and original to the remake. The Lion King doesn't seem particularly motivated to do that, if anything The Lion King is a complete imitation that falls flat on several key plot points. The conflict between the hyenas and lions is extremely melodramatic and the film doesn't really know how to treat the hyena roles, at times they come from a serious place but more often than not they come off as goofballs. The entire death scene of Mufasa is one of the most iconic in the original film but it comes across as rushed here and none of the original emotion stems from it, the younger Simba just rushes through his display of grief. The fact that Simba as an adult takes so long to answer the call to be king creates pacing issues and ultimately his inspiration from Rafiki and his deceased father just don't have the same degree of impact; probably because they don't get creative with how they recreate Mufasa. Even the increased screentime with Nala and how she finds Simba is an interesting idea but one that is poorly executed, it ultimately just eats up valuable time the film didn't necessarily have to spare. The cinematography throughout the film never has a bead of original creative thought, the shots are either straight copies from the original or they aren't dynamic due to the nature of filming such a special effects heavy feature. The soundtrack for this film is a hollow shell of the original, this mainly stems from the fact a lot of the cast just can't manage the singing aspect that well; but I couldn't see rhyme nor reason for shoving that Beyoncé song into the mix.

John Kani, who voiced Rafiki, pretty much misses the opportunity to present this role constantly; Kani gets to tie his character back to his African roots which is brilliant but it means we get no dialogue from the character that the audience can relate to or understand until the third act. Alfre Woodard, who voiced Sarabi, is quite a featureless member of this particular cast; her stoic manner and delivery makes a lot of her scenes rather flat to watch. Florence Kasumba, who voiced Shenzi, crafts her hyena leader role as this harsh and vindictive presence that doesn't really work well alongside some of the stronger performers; Kasumba pushes things over the top and doesn't make an effort to fit alongside some of the things Key and Andre are doing. Donald Glover, who voiced Simba, just doesn't even bother to do any voice acting and it shows; Glover gives a performance that feels indifferent and lazy.

Stuber

This review may contain spoilers!

Uber driver and cop buddy/action film is a fun concept but in practice it never really found its sticking point. I would give Stuber a 2.5/10.

Stuber follows Detective Vic Manning, a cop who doesn't play by the rules with a big vendetta against a local crime boss. When a tip turns up about the location of the crime boss after Vic has eye surgery he has to rely on his Uber driver to help him solve the case. This film basically thrives when it acknowledges and has fun with just how absurd the concept behind this action/comedy is. The further away the plot goes from playing things straight or by what's expected the more you start enjoying yourself and the more comedic dialogue really starts to emerge.

Dave Bautista, who played Vic Manning, has really come along way with his acting career and it's nice to see him lend what he's learned to a purely comedic film; Bautista really plays well to stoic and straight-edged mannerisms that turn to bursts of extreme emotion at the drop of a hat. Betty Gilpin, who played Becca, is an actress who has really come onto my radar in a big way this year and I find her immensely funny; Gilpin plays this whole rollercoaster of a night after a break-up throughout this film and it's a progression that manages to make you laugh and rings true somewhat. Karen Gillan, who played Sara Morris, isn't in the film for long but certainly leaves her impression; Gillan's kickass cop is a thrill to see onscreen and she makes the opening scene a proper thrill. Steve Howey, who played Felix, has a great stand out scene as the stripper with a strong sense of worldly wisdom and a knack for advice; Howey sells this role by coming across as so good-natured and genuine all while playing in the backdrop of an absurd setting.

However, the best performance came from Kumail Nanjiani, who played Stu. At this point I am convinced that Nanjiani has the sheer talent to bring humour to any type of script; he's already been the saving grace of Men In Black this year and now he does it all again in Stuber. I really feel like this character is so genuinely grounded in the experience of an average day to day job, trying to find success with his crush that it becomes quite a relatable role. Throughout the film Nanjiani really handles an awkward, blunt style of comedic delivery that plays well against Bautista's stoic to over the top displays. I enjoy watching this character navigate action sequences or gritty moments, he immediately steals the show and cuts right to the funniest angle of a moment.

The film really is wacky but that just means it can be fun, it doesn't necessarily mean you're watching a well-constructed plot or film. The major flaw with this film is that one of the two main characters is constantly trying to exit the narrative right up to the final act. Stu is probably the best part of the movie and in almost every scene he bemoans that he doesn't want to be there, and really it does get hard to see why he sticks around after awhile. The flaw here isn't that Stu is a reluctant hero, it's more that we as an audience can see how ordinary he is and the film really squirms to find excuses for why he stays caught in this crime narrative. The film also seems to place Vic as the leading protagonist, a questionable choice because of the pair he is probably the hardest one for the audience to relate to. The film is extremely empty and doesn't really work to give any detail, the main antagonist is never explored and relationships with most side characters is only mildly handled. The cinematography for the film is actually extremely boring to watch for an action comedy, every scene feels constructed and what is being presented never reaches a point where you feel thrilled. The editing for the film sets a slow pace, which is a lethal choice for a film with as short a runtime as a comedy like this. The score is practically non-existent and the soundtrack if probably as confused as the story, a couple of cool moments but overall directionless.

Mira Sorvino, who played Angie McHenry, is in this film to craft a surprise antagonist when there wasn't really any demand for one; Sorvino just seems unattached to her role and uninterested by her character's motivations. Natalie Morales, who played Nicole, tries a lot to find a point of connection with Bautista but the pair just don't work as father and daughter; Morales plays comfortably in the areas of conflict but when scenes move from there she seems lost by her role in the film. Iko Uwais, who played Oka Tedjo, is the main antagonist for the whole film and has zero personality to him; outside of a physical presence in chase and fight scenes this is a role who is only really here in name only. Jimmy Tatro, who played Richie Sandusky, is this awkward side character pinned to Nanjiani's subplot; Tatro goes through some weird moments of characterisation in this film and completely flops as a source of comedy. Rene Moran, who played Amo Cortez, is a minor antagonist in the film that gets tossed around like a plot piece; Moran doesn't even attempt to create a low tier gangster role that is any different from other gang bosses we've seen onscreen before. Amber Chardae Robinson, who played Amber, gives the complete opposite performance to that Howey is achieving in his scenes; Robinson just plays her character too straight-edged and serious following some of the antics we're getting from Howey. Scott Lawrence, who played Dr Branch, feels like he is an important contact to Bautista in the film yet there friendship/alliance is never given any context or explored; Lawrence is quite a stoic figure who seems misplaced in this type of comedy.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

This review may contain spoilers!

If Endgame was a phenomenal end of an era, then Spider-Man: Far From Home is the MCU proudly announcing that it is here to stay for a long, long time. I would give Spider-Man: Far From Home a 9/10.

Spider-Man: Far From Home is the latest MCU film and follows Peter Parker as he balances an overseas summer vacation and being a superhero agent in the field for Nick Fury and newcomer hero, Mysterio. This film succeeds so well because it takes the time to recognise all that Peter has gone through in recent years/films and then takes him to his breaking point. Throughout the plot Peter is desperately clinging to the thought that he can have a moment of his life that is normal, in which he can tell MJ that he has romantic feelings for her. Sadly Peter is unable to find his normal moment in amongst the appearance of Nick Fury, the threat of an elemental invasion, a team-up with Mysterio and a gift from now-deceased Tony Stark that takes a turn for the worst. Our hero has to suffer a lot in this film, and one of the big points in all this is a betrayal from a newfound ally that leads to the near-destruction of London and Peter's loved ones. This is a high intensity blockbuster that manages to find a way to ground us after the scale of Endgame but at the same time propels Spider-Man into his best solo film yet. The cinematography for this film is absolutely breathtaking, the action scenes carry you along for the ride and each scene feels very effectively framed. The special effects for this film had me stunned; the design for Mysterio and a number of other new and old characters looks fantastic, but the real triumph is the hallucination sequence in Berlin which ultimately was a visual pinnacle in this film. The score for Far From Home has some really well-performed blends of sinister and thrilling; while the soundtrack managed to guide us between settings and add a little bit of light humour.

Tom Holland, who played Spider-Man, has only improved in this role over the years and it's all the more clear now that he's back as the leading protagonist; one of Holland's strongest scenes is when he finally lets his hurt and frustration show in a very moving moment with Favreau's Happy. Samuel L. Jackson, who played Nick Fury, gives a fairly good performance as this international man of espionage; Jackson has a habit of finding a way to make Fury the coolest and toughest guy in the room in most scenes he's in. Jon Favreau, who played Happy Hogan, has some really nice comedic moments playing to his character's infatuation with Tomei's May; in this film you get to see Favreau really act as a guide for Spider-Man and help him in a way that Happy once did alongside Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark. Zendaya, who played MJ, is this incredibly intelligent, resourceful role that stands out strongly; Zendaya really fleshes out her role's own awkward approach to forming relationships in this film and it's a good contrast to the journey Peter is on too. Jacob Batalon, who played Ned Leeds, is still incredibly solid as one of the film's main points of humour; Batalon and Holland have a bond that makes for unbelievably good best friend chemistry on-screen. Martin Starr, who played Mr. Harrington, is still amazingly fun to watch as the nervous, overly protective teacher and chaperone; Starr's ability to present a very highly strung man who is comically tragic works wonders in several scenes. Jorge Lendeborg Jr., who played Jason Ionello, returns to this sequel for one scene that is a seriously funny callback to Homecoming; the way Lendeborg Jr. manages to bounce off Rice and provide a very wry delivery of exposition about the events of Infinity War and Endgame is great. Cobie Smulders, who played Maria Hill, very nearly eclipsed Jackson in this film if it wasn't for the amount of dialogue she had; Smulders really played to Hill's hard edge which lead to an incredible scene with her wielding an RPG. 

However, the best performance came from Jake Gyllenhaal, who played Mysterio. There have been a number of antagonists in the MCU that I really love but Mysterio has found himself a place high up near the top. Gyllenhaal is an extremely versatile performer who has often proven himself to flesh out roles extremely thoroughly, and this is no exception. His first act portrayal draws you in with this incredibly charismatic, fearless hero who becomes a friend and pillar of support for Holland's Peter. Yet it soon becomes apparent that this 'hero' role has to be so convincing so that when it becomes time for the audience to look behind the curtain and learn that Mysterio is a team of people creating illusions, we truly are surprised. From there Gyllenhaal relishes in crafting a showman who is smug and maniacally vindictive; taking any opportunity he can to bask in the power he has created for himself. Gyllenhaal succeeds with this role because he finds an antagonist who is capabale of manipulating perception and as his plan unravels and we grow closer to the end you can see the desperate lengths he is willing to go to maintain his lie.

This film struggles with incorporating some of the secondary subplots that are intertwined throughout the film, most significantly being Nick Fury and 'SHIELD''s involvement. There is a point in this film in which Nick Fury starts to become important and at first this is interesting but then secret agents start to get inserted for bit moments of humour, or Nick Fury really slams Peter with some out of character tough love. The entire payoff here is explained in the last end credit scene of the film, which is a great scene but wasn't necessarily worth creating such a jarring element of the film for. The editing for the film sometimes supported the subplot issues I've mentioned, chiefly that there are several scenes (some of which are high action moments) in which shots cut away at a point that interrupts the flow or doesn't add strongly to the moment itself.

Marisa Tomei, who played May Parker, still doesn't feel very convincing as a caregiver role for Holland's Peter; Tomei takes a strong backseat in this film and given a relatively boring subplot. Tony Revolori, who played Flash Thompson, still just does not work as the arrogant rick kid bully; Revolori finds a way to make this character even more over the top and unbearable with his livestreaming antics and weird butler interaction at the end of the film. Angourie Rice, who played Betty Brant, is given a significant amount of screen time in this sequel which just feels unwarranted; forcing a high school romance between Rice and Batalon's characters added nothing to this film at all. Remy Hii, who played Brad Davis, is a pretty forgettable minor antagonist; Hii is the 'rival' for MJ's affection but he gives such a generic popular kid performance that often enough you forget about this role. J.B. Smoove, who played Mr Dell, just felt like another teacher role too many; Smoove did his best for some funny moments but he was consistently eclipsed by Starr.

Toy Story 4

This review may contain spoilers!

I thought Toy Story 3 was the perfect conclusion but boy am I glad to be proven wrong. I would give Toy Story 4 a 9/10.

Toy Story 4 follows Woody and the rest of the toy gang as they adjust to life with their 'new kid', Bonnie and the newly brought to life spork, Forky, who has become her favourite toy. Over the course of the film Woody reunites with Bo Peep and learns that just because a toy doesn't have a home doesn't mean that it's lost. This story is an exploration in character that few live-action films are capable of achieving or living up to. Over the course of the story Woody finds himself a toy who is no longer loved as much as he used to by Andy, yet he feels a responsibility to Bonnie and wants to make her happy. By becoming Forky's caretaker and guide he thinks he is starting to find his place and it's clear Woody is driven by a newfound calling. Yet upon spotting Bo Peep's lamp he finds himself torn between his newfound purpose and his lost connection with an old friend. This results in Woody losing Forky to Gabby Gabby, a doll who is desperate to unite with a child of her own. Barely escaping this new antagonist Woody and Bo finally get their chance to reunite; Woody is surprised to discover that Bo Peep has become a lost toy, which means she roams from place to place and only occasionally becomes the centre of a child's entertainment. The rest of the film pushes Woody to decide if he wants to continue staying with one kid or if he wants to experience the life Bo has been leading. It's a really emotional journey and the scene in which Woody has to say farewell at the end marks the perfect conclusion to the third act. The animation shows just how far these films have come, with the level of detail to the toys and the range of toys that can be involved now quite surprising to see. The score for the film just feeds the tone and really helps draw out the emotional response from the audience; the soundtrack is more placed for generating a fun degree of humour that lands well.

Tom Hanks, who voiced Woody, is the charismatic heart of these films who has always been so driven by being a 'good toy' to Andy and Bonnie; Hanks does a really great job of showing the conflict Woody faces between staying with his friends or with Bo throughout the feature. Tony Hale, who voiced Forky, is a very frenzied character who is strange and random when he is first introduced; Hale's bizarre role is full of humour and a great new addition to the cast. Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, who voiced Ducky and Bunny respectively, are some of the most inspired and practiced figures of comedy in this film; the scenes in which these toys come up with grand plans are absolutely side-splitting. Madeleine McGraw, who voiced Bonnie, is a loveable kid in many of the same ways Andy was; McGraw just fits the wonder and awe that a child has with her toys. Christina Hendricks, who voiced Gabby Gabby, is a role who seems fairly sweet but she is so desperate for her goal that she turns swiftly sinister; Hendricks has a brilliant redemption arc for her role that really had me hooked.Keanu Reeves, who voiced Duke Caboom, clearly got to play with a role he really enjoyed here; Reeves' overemotional Canadian stuntman is another stand out new entry to the series. Ally Maki, who voiced Giggle McDimples, is a real point of energy; Maki has a fast-paced comedic delivery and a strong chemistry with Potts' Bo Peep. Maliah Bargas-Good, who voiced Lost Girl, is a character who only really holds one scene but it is one of the most emotional moments in the film; the way Bargas-Good has to conduct the conclusion to Gabby Gabby's redemption arc is masterfully handled.

However, the best performance came from Annie Potts, who voiced Bo Peep. In a Toy Story film you tend to expect the show to be stolen from either Woody or Buzz but this film makes a real point of showcasing Bo Peep's journey as a character since last we saw her. The whole film begins by reminding you of the chemistry shared between Bo and Woody and you realise how dynamic and synergetic this pair is. What the film does so well is separate these two and show the pain that brings and the divide that was created. Potts then moulds Bo into a fierce survivor, a toy who is comfortable without having her own kid, even if that did pain her for a time. Bo Peep is this incredible resourceful character who leaps into danger and can repair any damage doen to herself and others. Annie Potts takes this role and makes her one of the most memorable female leads Disney/Pixar has done of late.

The film does suffer a bit in the late first act and early second due to how it treats Buzz and some of the supporting characters. Buzz Lightyear has always been a series staple when it comes to the Toy Story films and it is just so abundantly clear that the writers had no idea what to do with him this time around. His story isn't interesting and he just gets tacked on to the main plot when it works; often the supporting cast and Buzz are treated as disposable ensemble roles that can be brought in and out when convenient.

Tim Allen, who voiced Buzz Lightyear, seems bored voicing a character who has so little purpose; you can tell that Allen doesn't really seem to have much sense of what to do with Buzz this time around. Jay Hernandez and Lori Alan, who voiced Bonnie's Dad and Bonnie's Mum respectively, are quite comfortable with giving generic performances to these characters; the parent roles tend to fall into the background in Toy Story and the fourth time seems to keep that on track. Joan Cusack, Bonnie Hunt, Kristen Schaal, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Blake Clark, Don Rickles, Jeff Garlin and Estelle Harris, who played Jessie, Dolly, Trixie, Rex, Hamm, Slinky Dog, Mr Potato Head, Buttercup and Mrs Potato Head respectively, all at some point really felt like roles within this story but some shoved out of the spotlight into a featureless background ensemble; the addition of new cast members to this group only makes the mass of voices here harder to distinguish from the bunch.