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Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure, Fantasy
Finally it's over
When the Star Wars films first came out again I was super excited, especially as The Force Awakens and Rogue One were quite good. But after the total letdowns that were Last Jedi and Solo, I've completely lost interest in all things Star Wars and am really quite bored of it all. I went into Rise of Skywalker not feeling particularly interested, and I came out feeling pretty much the same.

Overall this looks good which shouldn't be a surprise ,although there are some dodgy CGI moments with Luke and Leia. There are some great nods to the original episodes and some returning characters too, which are a refreshing sight as I really think putting Carrie Fisher in this was a bad idea. Leia has no purpose whatsoever and looks out of place, and you can really see how badly they've cobbled her part together. The droids prove very welcome in every scene they're in, which is good as without them I wouldn't have been able to cope. The majority of returning characters in this suffer a lot: Finn, Poe, Rose, Chewie etc, they barely have anything to do. Whilst Kylo Ren has a decent storyline and character arc, and I loved his development the most (despite that terrible ending), this film is basically the Rey show. And 3 films in, I'm pretty sick of it. The reveal of Rey's heritage is laughable, and the ending for her is just so ridiculous. I found her a very irritating character and I'm just so bored of the back and forth between her and Kylo.

The plot itself is basic and seems very similar to every other Star Wars film that has come before it. There are a lot of unexplainable character actions, and some moments where you're surprised (pleasantly) about what has happened only to find out not very long later that it isn't what you thought. Bummer.

I was going to rate this lower, but I appreciate my general negativity towards Star Wars at the moment may have impacted on my review. Still I didn't particularly enjoy this and i really don't think it's a fitting final part. I'm so glad this is the last Star Wars film we'll see (for now).
  
The Lion King (2019)
The Lion King (2019)
2019 | Adventure, Animation, Family
Timon and pumbaa, songs, visuals (0 more)
Wooden voice acting, humour removed (0 more)
Nothing will beat the original
Contains spoilers, click to show
As a lover of the original movie i was dubious about watching this one. I eventually gave in and watched it at our local independant cinema.
As soon as the first 'Naaaaa' started i felt chills as it sounded very much like the original, the whole circle of life opening scene was actually spectacular and mesmerising to watch and i thought "wow this is gonna be fantastic", but then the movie properly started............
We see a longer than neccesary scene of a mouse making his way towards scar before he captures it, again visual effects was superb but as soon as the talking started i cringed, it was spoken with no real emotion and no expression, it seemed all one tone.
Mufasas death scene was over quicker than it started. In the original there's more build up to simba realising he's dead and in all honesty i cry like a baby every single time, but in the new one nothing! They could have at least given simba some tears or lowered his ears or something but nope.
The hyenas didn't have much humour and are much darker in this than the original, they don't have the same connection with scar.
Admittedly once timon and pumbaa came on the scene i started to enjoy it, their humour is spot on and i laughed every time they were on screen. Though i was disappointed they didn't do the hula song.
The fight scene at the end was amazing to watch, it went on a lot longer than the original but it was good it showed more of a fight rather being over in a flash.
I enjoyed the songs in the movie although i did think beyonce way over sung in can you feel the love tonight, it started off lovely but there are some songs you shouldn't wail.
All in all it wasn't great but it wasn't terrible either. Would i watch it again? Not on purpose no, but maybe if it came on tv and there was nothing else on. I'll stick to the original.
  
Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)
Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015)
2015 | Horror
Some of us at one time or another have considered contacting a loved one who has passed away or making contact with the “other side” through séances, Ouija boards, or even the recent trend “Charlie, Charlie.” We don’t consider the ramifications of our decisions and what the outcome could be. With the third installment of the Insidious franchise we bear witness to this possibility for one young lady. Quinn Brenner is suffering from the recent loss of her mother and desperately wants to contact her. In her attempts to contact the departed, she reaches out to Elise Rainier, a medium who reluctantly assists her, yet warns her of the dangers in pursuing this endeavor. Unfortunately for Quinn, the warning comes too late as her attempts to reach out to her mother have opened up the opportunity to be contacted by other spirits. As a result, Quinn finds herself being pursued by a dark entity whose only purpose is obtaining her soul. With the help of Elise and Quinn’s father, it becomes a fight to rescue her soul from the clutches of this dark and mysterious figure.

The film’s story and plot are very simple to follow and with it being a prequel has a few connections to the other movies within the Insidious franchise. Viewers of the other two films will catch on to some of the references and allusions to the previous movies. With this being said, it makes for a good stand-alone film and does not require its audience to watch the other films in order to understand the issues and follow along with the story. There are more than enough suspenseful moments in the film and it will keep audiences at the edge of their seats waiting to see what awaits them in each scene. Despite its PG-13 rating, it does a great job in finding a balance with the suspense and gore. There are a multitude of misdirections applied and creative moves to frighten the viewers which will have audiences looking over their shoulders as they walk back to their cars from the theater, questioning every sound that they hear, and keeping all of the lights on in their homes for safe measure.

4/5
  
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
Rise of the Guardians (2012)
2012 | Action, Animation, Family
9
8.0 (41 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Remember what it was like when you were in elementary school and it snowed? Remember that feeling of anticipation waiting for your mom to say, “No school today kids”, and once she did you just knew you were going to have a blast? If not, you will when you see “Rise of the Guardians”, The newest animated movie from Dreamworks casts Jack Frost (Chris Pine), the Sand Man, Santa Claus (Alec Baldwin), the Tooth Fairy (Isla Fisher), the Easter Bunny (Hugh Jackman), and the Boogie Man (Jude Law). The later four, except the Boogie Man, all fulfill their individual roles and come together as a group to protect children as the Guardians.

Cast out centuries ago; Pitch (Law) concocts a plan to bring fear back into children’s hearts by turning their dreams into nightmares. This fear will make him more powerful and, as the Guardian’s lose children’s belief, they become less powerful and are not as able to fight him off. Around the same time that Pitch was cast out, the Man in the Moon picks Jack to be the newest Guardian. Jack is literally left out in the cold for the next 300 years which he spends having fun, creating mischief, and causing snow days. However, he is also on a search for what he is meant to do in life, and why he is here. Something that people of all ages can understand. Through helping the Guardians he finds his purpose.

You know you are at a good show when you sit in an audience consisting mostly of children and hear nothing but the movie. This was a great movie for kids of all ages; I laughed through the whole thing! I loved Santa Claus and his Yetis. They added comic relief that any adult will enjoy. The voice casting was spot on, and each character is relatable in some way. The story of finding one’s self will capture children’s attention and remind adults that they are always on that journey, but it is supposed to be fun. Both children and adults alike will be captivated by the dreams, wonder, memories, hope, and fun this movie provides.