I'm not usually a fan of the sport film genre but I was very interested in the story and I love biopic films so I saw it and I really liked it.
I wasn't overly interested in the racing scenes or the facts about cars but the story kept me interested throughout the whole film. Once I knew what direction the film was headed it, I understood the story perfectly. James Mangold nailed it as director and the direction he took it in felt like the perfect way to tell this story.
Christian Bale and Matt Damon give fantastic performances and portray their characters perfectly. Especially Bale. I also really liked the subtle humour subjected in places and the production of the 1960s setting. It was so believable and the car designs were spot on.
Now I know I said I wasn't particularly interested in the racing scenes but what I was really impressed by was how realistic they were. There were a lot of scenes which made me wonder how they made this film.
Now although I really like this film, there's one thing I didn't like and that was the ending. Now I know Ken Miles died in real life but the way it was executed so metaphorically cheap and out of place. They could have easily ended it after he finishes the final race then say he died in the fact cards that come up before the credits in biopic films. Instead what they did just felt cheap, unnecessary and out of place like they needed more scenes to make up for the remaining runtime.
Overall, besides the ending, this is a fantastically directed and acted film that I'd highly recommend to everyone.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friday, December 13, 2019
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Knives out
I love a good whodunit and mystery film so I was really looking forward to this film being released but what I did not realise was how brilliant it was going to be.
I'm very unfamiliar with Rian Johnson's previous work besides Star Wars: The Last Jedi (which by the way I didn't think was as bad as people say it is) but he has created one of the best films of this year.
If I had to describe this film in one word, it would be unique. The directing style; unique. The characters; unique. The twists; unique. It's a very unique and one of a kind film that we may never get again. I say that coz this was perfectly cast and just so fun to watch. There are characters who are just so unlikable but that also helps the film work. There's even a piece of scripting about a doughnut that is somehow written so hilariously.
What impressed me further was it twists it's own twists. Daniel Craig plays someone who's supposed to be an amazing investigator but comes across so naive and dumb but ends up showing how brilliant he is. The story seems to reveal the conclusion halfway through the film and ends up revealing not all is it seems. Everything this film does is so clever, so funny and it never ever comes off as unconvincing or forced.
For once I can't even say anything bad about this film. I enjoyed it so much and I couldn't find any bad moments in it. It doesn't over do it with the humour, it doesn't overdo the twists. It keeps the story simple whilst adding in the twists so it doesn't convolute the story.
Overall this is the most fun film of this year. It's fun, cleverly written, has a brilliant cast and is always entertaining. I'd highly recommend this.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I'm very unfamiliar with Rian Johnson's previous work besides Star Wars: The Last Jedi (which by the way I didn't think was as bad as people say it is) but he has created one of the best films of this year.
If I had to describe this film in one word, it would be unique. The directing style; unique. The characters; unique. The twists; unique. It's a very unique and one of a kind film that we may never get again. I say that coz this was perfectly cast and just so fun to watch. There are characters who are just so unlikable but that also helps the film work. There's even a piece of scripting about a doughnut that is somehow written so hilariously.
What impressed me further was it twists it's own twists. Daniel Craig plays someone who's supposed to be an amazing investigator but comes across so naive and dumb but ends up showing how brilliant he is. The story seems to reveal the conclusion halfway through the film and ends up revealing not all is it seems. Everything this film does is so clever, so funny and it never ever comes off as unconvincing or forced.
For once I can't even say anything bad about this film. I enjoyed it so much and I couldn't find any bad moments in it. It doesn't over do it with the humour, it doesn't overdo the twists. It keeps the story simple whilst adding in the twists so it doesn't convolute the story.
Overall this is the most fun film of this year. It's fun, cleverly written, has a brilliant cast and is always entertaining. I'd highly recommend this.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Wednesday, December 4, 2019
Frozen 2
Now I love frozen so when a sequel was announced, I really wasn't sure if it was necessary. The first one worked so well as a standalone film with a wonderful conclusion. Now before I give my verdict on Frozen 2, I want to give a brief verdict on the first frozen.
First the animation was just stunning, the themes explored in the film were powerfully executed, the songs were brilliantly written and fantastically sung and the final twist at the end was such a clever plot point that worked so well. Also surprisingly, my favourite song wasn't Let it go, it was actually For the first time in forever. I think Kristen bell sings it so beautifully whereas Let it go I feel is more impactful is you watch the film.
Now I do have one little criticism for the first film and that's the character of Olaf. He's so likable and sweet and Josh Gad plays him brilliantly but he's only used for comedy. He has no vital plot in the film. You could just take him out of the film and it would not have gone any different. We'd have got the exact same film without Olaf. Also Olaf got the weakest song in the whole film.
Now my verdict on frozen 2; I liked it but I didn't love it. As always the animation was just stunning, the vocal performances and voice acting was fantastic, especially Kristoff. He got one of the best songs in the whole film and he's got a fantastic voice. I also preferred Olaf in Frozen 2 because as well as some standout comedy, the main stand out is his unique interpretation of the first film, he also gets a nice subplot that a lot of young people can relate to.
I also like how it ended with Anna and Elsa's different new directions. Particularly with Elsa, it felt quite an interesting move and a move that also makes sense for the character.
Now it's time for the criticisms; First the plot definitely was not as strong as the first film. If I had to describe it in one word, I'd say underdeveloped. I say that because it feels like the whole film is building up to a climax that reaches the stakes of the first film but it ended up leaving me feel underwhelmed.
Another criticism for me are the songs. Whereas most of the songs in the first film were so memorable and impactful, the songs in this film just felt so forgettable. Also with some of them, it felt the actors put too much range into their vocal performances like they were trying too hard to make them standout and once again, Olaf gets the weakest song in the whole film.
One final critique is I felt we didn't got enough of Kristoff. In the first film, he had the right amount of screentime without feeling overused and was vital to the plot. This film Kristoff just didn't feel that needed for the plot. Like Olaf in Frozen, if you take Kristoff out of Frozen 2, we'd still get the exact same version of Frozen 2. Nothing would change.
Overall this is a fun, likable, beautifully animated and entertaining sequel that although isn't as good as the first film and has some flaws, it's still good enough to be enjoyed.
⭐⭐⭐
First the animation was just stunning, the themes explored in the film were powerfully executed, the songs were brilliantly written and fantastically sung and the final twist at the end was such a clever plot point that worked so well. Also surprisingly, my favourite song wasn't Let it go, it was actually For the first time in forever. I think Kristen bell sings it so beautifully whereas Let it go I feel is more impactful is you watch the film.
Now I do have one little criticism for the first film and that's the character of Olaf. He's so likable and sweet and Josh Gad plays him brilliantly but he's only used for comedy. He has no vital plot in the film. You could just take him out of the film and it would not have gone any different. We'd have got the exact same film without Olaf. Also Olaf got the weakest song in the whole film.
Now my verdict on frozen 2; I liked it but I didn't love it. As always the animation was just stunning, the vocal performances and voice acting was fantastic, especially Kristoff. He got one of the best songs in the whole film and he's got a fantastic voice. I also preferred Olaf in Frozen 2 because as well as some standout comedy, the main stand out is his unique interpretation of the first film, he also gets a nice subplot that a lot of young people can relate to.
I also like how it ended with Anna and Elsa's different new directions. Particularly with Elsa, it felt quite an interesting move and a move that also makes sense for the character.
Now it's time for the criticisms; First the plot definitely was not as strong as the first film. If I had to describe it in one word, I'd say underdeveloped. I say that because it feels like the whole film is building up to a climax that reaches the stakes of the first film but it ended up leaving me feel underwhelmed.
Another criticism for me are the songs. Whereas most of the songs in the first film were so memorable and impactful, the songs in this film just felt so forgettable. Also with some of them, it felt the actors put too much range into their vocal performances like they were trying too hard to make them standout and once again, Olaf gets the weakest song in the whole film.
One final critique is I felt we didn't got enough of Kristoff. In the first film, he had the right amount of screentime without feeling overused and was vital to the plot. This film Kristoff just didn't feel that needed for the plot. Like Olaf in Frozen, if you take Kristoff out of Frozen 2, we'd still get the exact same version of Frozen 2. Nothing would change.
Overall this is a fun, likable, beautifully animated and entertaining sequel that although isn't as good as the first film and has some flaws, it's still good enough to be enjoyed.
⭐⭐⭐
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