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Review: Alice, Darling
Review: Alice, Darling
Alice, Darling (2023)
R ‧ Psychological Drama/Thriller ‧ 1 Hour 30 Minutes
Written by Alanna Francis
Directed by Mary Nighy
THE CAST
Anna Kendrick, Kaniehtiio Horn, Charlie Carrick, and Wunmi Mosaku.
THE STORY
(In their own words) In ALICE, DARLING, Oscar® nominee Anna Kendrick (Up in the Air) is Alice in this taut thriller about a woman pushed to the breaking point by her psychologically abusive boyfriend, Simon. While on vacation with two close girlfriends, Alice rediscovers the essence of herself and gains some much-needed perspective. Slowly, she starts to fray the cords of codependency that bind her. But Simon’s vengeance is as inevitable as it is shattering – and, once unleashed, it tests Alice’s strength, her courage, and the bonds of her deep-rooted friendships.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- Seeing Anna Kendrick in a very different role. I haven’t seen her do this emotional of a role before, one where she gets to dive into a character that is suffering from her current extremely unhealthy relationship. I think she does a fine job.
- It jumps right in the middle of Alice’s story. You don’t see a lot of films that choose to do this part of an emotionally abusive story. Usually you see the start of the relationship and watch some of the time together and then watch them get out. Which really rushes the film. By starting with her in the midst of it, you are forced to focus on the after effects of the relationship without concern about why she got into it in the first place. It’s a refreshingly different choice for this type of movie and makes it stand out from the trappings of an often-told story.
- The intimacy of the film. This is a small cast. I really enjoy watching films with not a lot of actors as the main focus. There are other people in the film, but they are incidental interactions. This film gives a lot of opportunity for the actors to really play and act off of each other in longer scenes.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- We never really get a chance to find out “why”. We want to know why Alice got into this situation and the steps it took to find herself in it. We get hints about what she was like before, but never learn what attracted her to Simon in the first place. In this type of film, we as the audience are looking for a clear lesson or warning that others can take away to not end up in the situation. But this isn’t a film that shows us the red flags early on, we are already in battle when the film starts.
- The film tries to bill itself as a thriller, but the way it plays out, it really feels more like a psychological drama. A lot of the ‘thrill” of it is a misdirection from the marketing and trailer. While Alice is definitely heightened in her nervousness and intensity, I wouldn’t call the film or story itself a thriller.
THE LESSON
Friendships remind you of not just who you were, but how safe you feel when you are able to be yourself.
IS IT REWATCHABLE
Yes.
THE FINAL WORD
Anna Kendrick does a fine job in an unexpected role playing a woman trying to reconnect with friends while in the midst of an emotionally abusive relationship. The film is very honest, accurate, tense, and at times, uncomfortable to watch. While it isn’t a profound film, its importance lies in seeing the trauma that this kind of relationship can have on someone. The film will be very triggering for some but possibly cathartic in watching a shared experience. There’s a lot to like about this film; the writing, the performances, yet somehow I ended feeling like I only got half a story. I’m unsure whether that is the fault of the script or the fault of my expectations for what the story should be.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Alice, Darling gets a Like It.
THE TRAILER
THE MEME REVIEW
Review – The Whale
The Whale(2022)
R ‧ Psychological Drama ‧ 1 H 57 M
Written by Samuel D. Hunter
Directed by Darren Aronofsky
THE CAST
Brendan Fraser, Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Ty Simpkins, and Samantha Morton.
THE STORY
(In their own words) From Darren Aronofsky comes The Whale, the story of a reclusive English teacher living with severe obesity who attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter for one last chance at redemption. Starring Brendan Fraser and based on the acclaimed play by Samuel D. Hunter
WHAT SHOULD YOU KNOW ABOUT THIS
- It’s adapted from a play.
- There’s a lot of criticism about the film right now because some people are claiming it is “fatphobic” due to its depiction of the over 600 lbs English teacher. So perhaps a trigger warning for this for people who have or are dealing with issues around weight and food.
- The film premiered at the Venice International Film Festival.
- Brendon Fraser has already been nominated for a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award for his performance.
- Most of the film is shot in 4:3 ratio, which is what pre-wide screen televisions were.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- The writing. Just great writing. The dialogue, it’s grounded, it’s honest, and draws you into the story.
- Brendon Fraser’s performance is magnificent. Definitely Oscar worthy.
- It’s impactful. Both myself and my guest were moved to tears.
- It’s honest. From the writing to the acting, the whole film feels very honest. It’s even a theme of the film.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- Its single location makes it feel like a play, in that the story isn’t a grand story. Often people want movies to change locations a lot. This just isn’t that kind of story.
- It can be hard to watch, but I think that is part of the point. It’s hard because you empathize with how hard of a time the main character, Charlie, is going through. I’ve myself had a complicated and difficult relationship with food. The story hit home in many, many ways.
COMMENTS
I feel like many of the complaints about the fatphobia in the film are coming from many people who don’t suffer from weight issues. They are accusing the film of making someone feel bad for being fat. This film isn’t just about him being overweight, at 600 lbs he’s not just needing to lose weight. The character in the film is someone who has suffered severe emotional trauma that he needs to cope with. He’s not dealing well with it. This is closer to a mental health issue than a body issue. In some ways, I feel like the fatphobia comments are being misdirected by some people who themselves may have it.
THE LESSON
Honesty matters.
IS IT REWATCHABLE
Certainly for the performances and the writing. It’s not necessarily a pleasant film. It will likely be one I reference to people quite a bit.
THE FINAL WORD
The Whale is a wonderfully written, emotional, and moving tale starring Brandan Fraser, who deserves an Oscar for his performance in this film. Adapted from the play, restrained to mostly one setting, and then presented in mostly 4:3 aspect ratio, the cinematography gives you the feeling of being trapped, as is the main character, Charlie. While much of the film is dealing with Charlie’s 600+ lb weight health related issues, it is really more about the mental health issues that manifested in his size. The weight holding Charlie down is the emotional baggage from his past, something we can all connect with.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
I am a sucker for a film that combines incredible acting with great writing. For this, The Whale gets a Love It.
THE TRAILER
THE MEME REVIEW
Review – Avatar: The Way of Water
Review – Avatar: The Way of Water
Posted in Action, Fantasy, Film Reviews, Film Reviews 2022, Genre, Scifi by Silas Lindenstein – December 13, 2022
Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022)
PG-13 ‧ Sci-fi/Action ‧ 3 Hours 12 Minutes
Written by James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver
Directed by James Cameron
THE CAST
Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang
THE STORY
(In their own words)
Jake Sully lives with his newfound family formed on the extrasolar moon Pandora. Once a familiar threat returns to finish what was previously started, Jake must work with Neytiri and the army of the Na’vi race to protect their home.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- Imaginative.
- Visually stunning at times.
- Creative world building at a massive level.
- Probably the best 3D effects ever made yet.
- Best motion capture ever made.
- I surprisingly ended up caring for more of the characters than I thought I would.
- Pacing is decently quick.
- I haven’t been to Imax in a long time. I really liked the 3D – glasses.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- It’s really, really long.
- Most of the time, the film is being shown at 48 frames per second. Which basically gives that soap opera effect to a film. It’s that over-smoothing effect you see on a television when someone has the refresh rate too high. It’s awful. It should be illegal. I hated every moment I could see it. It isn’t in the whole movie but it is a lot. It does help with 3D looking better. But if your film is relying on 3D to be good, it’s not a good film. I really would only look to watch a film in 3D as a novelty or as a second viewing if I have a choice. I don’t have a choice for this film. I don’t watch movies to see obvious special effects. I watch to see shot composition tell a story. 3D distracts from that. The 48 frames per second, just distracts from the entirety of the experience.
- Story is super predictable.
- The dialogue is horrid at times, mediocre at its best.
- I’ve never been so thoroughly entertained and bored at the same time at this level.
- Going to a movie, I prefer my characters three dimensional over the characters.
- There are no surprises about character, plot, or emotion.
THE REVIEW
Every film and every filmmaker makes a choice on what a movie should focus on. James Cameron clearly chose to focus Spectacle and action. If that is what you like to watch in a movie, you’ll probably like this.
I have no doubt that most people will like this film. I’m just not one of those people. It is more of an experience. Bad film, good experience, maybe? Cause if you strip away all the special effects, it’s just a kind of boring, predictable story. Maybe it would be considered an imaginative book?
Sometimes people are worried about going into a 3 hour movie and don’t know if or when to use the bathroom because they don’t want to miss anything. In this film, go whenever you want. You won’t miss any of the plot. You’ll get it. Honestly, After the first thirty minutes, you can probably predict everything that will happen in the next 30. Once the seeming ending starts, maybe stick around. The last hour is the most interesting.
This movie plays like a 3 hour cut scene of a video game.
If there was a mute button for the dialogue, you could press that, miss everything said, and still enjoy the movie the same if not better. I don’t think you’d miss much of the plot. Cameron is a visual storyteller, so he does a good job with telling a story visually. It’s just that his dialogue is crap and his story is mediocre and predictable.
THE LESSON
Family sticks together.
IS IT REWATCHABLE
Watchable. Yes. If you have time. SO LONG.
FAVORITE LINES THAT AREN’T SPOILERS
Not one memorable line was spoken in the film.
THE FINAL WORD
Director James Cameron delivers a stunning visual feast that will make viewers salivate at the spectacle so much that they won’t take a bite and see how bland and hollow the food in front of them is. The most impressive part of this movie is that it is over three hours long but lacks one single memorable line of dialogue. The fact that you can predict almost every minor and major event that happens manages to make this one of the most entertaining films I’ve ever been bored watching. If you like spectacle, you’ll see the film in the theater, because it doesn’t have much to offer without the 3D effects. Great Technical achievements, good experience, mediocre film.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Avatar: The Way Of Water is a mixed bag.
I Like It as an experience.
I Lose It as a film.
THE TRAILER
THE MEME REVIEW
Review – Empire Of Light
Empire of Light (2022)
Rated R ‧ Romance/Drama ‧ 1h 59m
Written by Sam Mendes
Directed by Sam Mendes
THE CAST
Olivia Colman, Micheal Ward, Monica Dolan, Tom Brooke, Tanya Moodie, Hannah Onslow, Crystal Clarke, Toby Jones, and Colin Firth.
THE STORY
(In their own words) A romance develops in a beautiful old cinema In the south coast of England in the 1980s.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- Character Driven – This is a character driven piece. It was very nice examining these characters.
- Olivia Coleman is great. She’s a magnificent actor and her roller coaster of emotions in this film seem spot on.
- Well directed. The pacing and the moments are really nice.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- The story feels like it meanders a bit.
- No oomph. There is no feeling at the end of it like we accomplished anything big with the film.
MY THOUGHTS
Most films are about one or two elements. This is really a character driven piece about an unlikely romance between a middle-aged white woman and a college age young black man in the 1980s. The film seems relatively simple, but I think it’s a lot more complex than most people will give it credit for. This film delved into mental health, workplace sexual harassment, racism, and taboo matters of the heart. At first it seems like it’s just going to be another film about the joy of cinema, when there’s actually more discussion about how the main character won’t take time to go sit and watch a movie. The story moves swiftly and your affection for each of the characters grows in complex ways, much like what happens between the characters.
THE LESSON
If you move fast enough you can’t see the darkness
IS IT REWATCHABLE
Yes
THE FINAL WORD
Olivia Coleman shines as the lead actress is this character driven romance drama set at a film house in 1980s England. Sam Mendes directs this film with much care and attention to careful pacing and tender moments between characters. Very much a character driven piece it is interesting, thoughtful and full of partial explorations of the challenges within a complicated relationship and mental health issues. A well-done film that meanders at times and lacks a huge understanding of why we are seeing this story. Nonetheless, it is worth seeing for Coleman’s performance, insight into the 80s in England, and exemplary film direction.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Empire Of Light gets a Like It.
THE TRAILER
THE MEME REVIEW
Review – The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry
THE STORIED LIFE OF A.J. FIKRY (2022)
PG-13 ‧ Drama ‧ 1 Hour 45 Minutes
Written by Gabrielle Zevin
Directed by Hans Canosa
THE CAST
Kunal Nayyar, Lucy Hale, Christina Hendricks, Blaire Brown, Lauren Stamile, with David Arquette and Scott Foley
THE STORY
(In their own words) Based on the New York Times best-selling novel, bookstore owner A.J.Fikry’s (Kunal Nayyar) life is not turning out as he expected as he struggles both emotionally and financially. After his wife’s tragic death, he feels lost and left behind in the rapidly evolving world of today. As he tries to keep his store afloat, he begins to drink his sorrows away, ultimately hitting rock bottom when his most prized possession, a series of Edgar Allen Poe poems, are stolen. But when a mysterious package appears at the bookstore, the unexpected arrival gives Fikry a new lease on life, and love, that are greater than he ever imagined. The film also stars Lucy Hale, Christina Hendricks, Scott Foley, and David Arquette.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- The characters are likable. Everyone in the film has a bit of charisma that you kind of like. Even the characters that maybe you aren’t supposed to that much. It really did succeed in getting me interested in the characters in film.
- The art direction. The film did a really great job of bringing to life this quaint little island town.
- The messages – The messages involving finding something to live for and putting love first in your life make for enjoyable stories.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- Didn’t show the most exciting things. The most interesting things in the story seem to happen during the times of AJ’s life that we don’t see. He finds the baby, decides to foster her, then they jump forward in time like 8 years. Whoa, when do we get to see him learn how to parent and learn how to love after losing love. You know how a good movie trailer is supposed to show you enough of a film to get you interested in the movie, but not show you the exciting parts. It was almost like this film was a trailer for the book. It made me want to read the book so I can experience the exciting things that happened. I hope they are in the book, otherwise I don’t know why I’m reading it.
- Films should be about what’s happening. This film is more about what happened since the last time you saw them. I watch movies to see how people deal with life, not to hear a summary from years later. That’s an epilogue. It’s like this film is just a bunch of epilogues.
THE LESSON
Never give up on finding love. In all its forms.
IS IT REWATCHABLE
Yes. It isn’t bad. It’s kind of pleasant. I would watch it again if someone wanted to see it for some reason. But I’m more likely on my own to give the book a try.
THE FINAL WORD
It’s a pleasant enough film. The characters are likable and the set up for the story is interesting. This film adaptation of the book of the same name feels more like a trailer for the book because it skips over the most interesting moments of the characters lives, making it feel more like a series of epilogues. It’s not a bad film, it just feels incomplete. I would rewatch it, but I’d rather read the book and see if it offers anything more.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
I give a The Storied Life Of AJ Firkry a tentative Like It.
THE TRAILER
THE MEME REVIEW
Review – The Fabelmans
The Fablemens (2022)
PG-13 ‧ Drama/Coming Of Age ‧ 2 Hours 31 Minutes
Written by Steven Spielberg & Tony Kushner
Directed by Steven Spielberg
THE CAST
Gabriel LaBelle as Sammy, with Michelle Williams, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, and Judd Hirsch
THE STORY
This is a semi-autobiographical film loosely based on the adolescents of Steven Spielberg. It’s the story of a young aspiring filmmaker Sammy Fabelman, as he discovers the power of film in creating emotional moments and feelings in those around him and how he can see into people deeper through his lens than most can in real life.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- Overall Quality – it’s just a really well made film. Steven Spielberg is obviously a master of his craft. Everything about this film is excellent; cinematography, direction, acting.
- Direction – Well paced, emotional moments are there that give you the right feelings at the right times. Spielberg is a master. He knows how to get you emotionally through the camera movement to the music, he knows how to make you feel in that very moment.
- Timeline – I really liked that when choosing something autobiogrpahical, Spielberg chose to pick a relatively short amount of time. Too often filmmakers try to craft biopics covering way too many decades of their or other people’s lives and it always ends up feeling flat. Picking this one influential time allowed us to get a full satisfying story.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- It doesn’t stay with you. While great in the moment, I question whether this is a film or story that gives you a long term emotional impact. The next day, I honestly forgot I saw the movie until someone asked me how it was. Still I was like, “oh,it’s really well done, Spielberg really executes it flawlessly, there’s some really neat discussion points about art vs science, and honestly I wish I was just 10% as good at anything as Spielberg is at directing.” And then immediately I forgot I watched the film.
THE LESSON
I think the lesson from a film is also a line from the film:
You can’t just love something, you also have to take care of it.
IS IT REWATCHABLE?
Yes. It’s really good. I don’t think it has that huge, “ I can’t wait to see this again feeling, but it’s solid.
FAVORITE LINES THAT AREN’T SPOILERS
You can’t just love something, you also have to take care of it.
We mashuga for art
Movies are dreams you never forget.
Guilt is a wasted emotion.
Sometimes we can’t just fix things and we have to suffer.
THE FINAL WORD
A beautifully filmed, well-paced, and very nice story. This semi autobiographical film is about a semi-dysfunctional family and Sammy Fabelman’s discovery in the power of film making during his adolescence. It raises semi-timeless questions such as pursuing a life in science vs a life of art. Despite being incredibly well made, the film doesn’t leave a lasting impact on the viewer, making it semi-memorable.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
The Fabelmans gets a Like It.
THE TRAILER
THE MEME REVIEW
Review – Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022)
PG-13 ‧ Mystery/Crime ‧ 2 Hours 19 Minutes
Directed by Rian Johnson
Written by Rian Johnson
THE CAST
Daniel Craig, Edward Norton, Janelle Monáe, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr., Jessica Henwick, Madelyn Cline, Kate Hudson, and Dave Bautista.
THE STORY
(In their own words)
Tech billionaire Miles Bron invites his friends for a getaway on his private Greek island. When someone turns up dead, Detective Benoit Blanc is put on the case.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- The Mystery – It’s unpredictable, which is very ideal in a mystery, but I feel like that has become too hard for films without some supernatural element. This film managed to surprise us with each turn. It’s grounded and real and the motivations all make sense. I will go as far as to say that director Rian Johnson has helped me fall in love with mysteries again.
- The writing is really just exceptional. Well crafted, thought out, wonderful dialogue, and takes us to places we don’t expect. Rian Johnson has a great ability to flesh out characters to be both believable and ludicrous at the same time. He’s definitely a master storyteller.
- Daniel Craig is a comedic gem – Daniel Craig reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc from the first Knives out film. I was so glad to discover that his comedic chops from that film weren’t a one hit wonder for him. I never expected the man who played James Bond for so long to end up being a fantastic comedic actor, but he is. He’s authentic, natural, specific, focused, puts on the jacket of a character without playing a character, which is the difference between being a character and a real person put into a funny situation.
- Terrific Ensemble – While I am giving special props out to Daniel Craig, the whole ensemble works well together. From top to bottom the cast is full of really talented actors who have great screen chemistry together.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- There is one scene that has some just awful green screen happening. At this production level, we shouldn’t be seeing that. I get that special effects scenes are expensive, but you’ve gone this far with the production, have it happen with stunt people or something. It just looked silly.
BEST NON-SPOILER LINES
Be careful not to confuse speaking without thought with speaking the truth.
THE LESSON
A friend that “owes you” isn’t really a friend.
THE FINAL WORD
This stand alone sequel to knives out will keep you guessing through the whole film. If you liked the first Knives Out, you will like this one. It is funny, fresh, and inventive in its storytelling. Easily one of the top four most fun films I’ve seen this year. Daniel Craig is a comedic gem. Dave Batista is becoming another ex-wrestler turned actor that when I see them in a film, I know that I’m going to have a good time. Rian Johnson shows again that he is an excellent craftsman in writing, directing, and overall storytelling. He is making me fall in love with murder mysteries again. If you can watch this film with a crowd, but whatever you do, don’t miss it.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery gets a Love It
THE MEME REVIEW
THE TRAILER
THE VIDEO REVIEW
THE PODCAST REVIEW
Watch in theaters for one week starting November 23rd and on Netflix December 23rd. www.Netflix.com/GlassOnion
Review: The Menu
The Menu (2022)
R‧ Horror Comedy ‧ 1 Hour 46 Minutes
Written by Seth Reiss, Will Tracy
Directed by Mark Mylod
THE CAST
- Ralph Fiennes as Julian Slowik
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Margot
- Nicholas Hoult as Tyler
- Hong Chau as Elsa
- Janet McTeer as Lillian Bloom
- Judith Light as Anne
- John Leguizamo as Movie Star
- Reed Birney as Richard Liebbrandt
- Paul Adelstein as Ted. Lillian’s editor
- Aimee Carrero as Felicity
- Arturo Castro as Soren
- Mark St. Cyr as Dave
- Rob Yang as Bryce
- Rebecca Koon as Linda
- Peter Grosz as Sommelier
THE STORY
“Young couple Margot and Tyler travel to a remote island to eat at Hawthorne, an exclusive restaurant run by celebrity chef Julian Slowik, who has prepared a lavish molecular gastronomy menu where food is treated as conceptual art, although his approach to cuisine has some shocking surprises for the wealthy guests.”
MORE DETAILED STORY
(In their own words) A couple, Margot (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Tyler (Nicholas Hoult), travel to a coastal island in the Pacific Northwest to eat at an exclusive restaurant, Hawthorn, where the reclusive, globally celebrated Chef Julian Slowik (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish tasting menu for select special guests. Joining the couple are three young, already inebriated tech bros, Bryce (Rob Yang), Soren (Arturo Castro) and Dave (Mark St. Cyr), an older wealthy couple and repeat clients, Anne and Richard (Judith Light and Reed Birney), renowned restaurant critic Lillian Bloom (Janet McTeer) and her slavish magazine editor Ted (Paul Adelstein), and a famous middle-aged movie star (John Leguizamo) with his assistant Felicity (Aimee Carrero). Hosted by the immaculately dressed front of house staff led by general Elsa (Hong Chau), the evening unfolds with increasing tension at each of the guest tables as secrets are revealed and unexpected courses are served. With wild and violent events occurring, Slowik’s motivation begins to rattle the diners as it becomes increasingly apparent that his elaborate menu is designed to catalyze to a shocking finale.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- The story – It’s a very creative story, one that I don’t think I’ve heard before. It’s suspenseful, thrilling, really funny, and you have trouble predicting where it’s going to go. Wonderful satire.
- The themes – There are just so many wonderful themes about class warfare. Rich vs Poor, Have vs Have Nots, Givers vs Takers. There are so many underlying themes, the more you talk about it, the more you see.
- The writing – This is a really well written film. Subtle, great dialogue, and layers upon layer of meaning behind everything.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- More backstory of most of the cooks would have really helped understand more.
THE LESSON
The rich don’t deserve bread.
THE FINAL WORD
This is a film that the audience should really devour. It is a tasting menu of satire, horror, comedy, thrills, and terror. Wonderfully written and speaks volumes about the role of class and the divide between the rich and the poor. This is not just another horror movie, it’s a warning that there is a breaking point and a message to the servant class about the power of saying ‘No.” Ralph Fiennes is a stand out as the celebrity chef Julian Slowik.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
The Menu gets a ‘Love It”
THE MEME REVIEW
THE TRAILER
Review- Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022)
PG-13 ‧ Action/Adventure ‧ 2 H 41 M
Written by Ryan Cooglar And Joe Robert Cole
Directed by Ryan Cooglar
THE CAST
Sars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Dominique Thorne, Florence Kasumba, Michaela Coel, Tenoch Huerta, Martin Freeman, and Angela Bassett.
THE STORY
(In their own words)
The leaders of the kingdom of Wakanda fight to protect their nation from invading forces in the wake of King T’Challa’s death, while a new threat emerges from the hidden undersea nation of Talokan ruled by Namor.
THE BEST
The BEST things about the film
- The Feel – It doesn’t feel like a standard Marvel film. It has so much heart. They take these heartfelt moments and lean into them without the traditional Marvel, “I’m about the have an emotional experience and I can’t handle that as a human with a smart phone, so let’s make a funny quip to diffuse a connection to humanity.”
- The Tributes to T’Challa/Chadwick Boseman are wonderfully done.
- Love the female centric storyline.
- It exceeded expectations. Let’s face it, Boseman’s death made us really skeptical how they would handle the next film, they didn’t just make the best of the situation, they leaned into it and made a fine film.
THE WORST
The WORST things about the Film
- There were some silly unnecessary attempted comedy quips in the beginning that didn’t feel like they worked. It had me worried early on but they didn’t go back to that which was really a relief.
- Final Battle – the numbers didn’t make sense. How many people are there?
- Long. This film is a whopping 2 hours and 40 minutes. There’s a lot of story in here.
THE LESSON
How you handle loss can determine if you are a good guy or a bad guy.
THE FINAL WORD
From the opening credits, we know that we are in safe hands with the director as he pays respect to Boseman’s Black Panther. While the film is long, it is full of new action sequences, weapons, and a formidable, well-motivated nemesis. This film has a refreshingly different tone than other Marvel films, as it has moments of heart that it leans into without cracking jokes, finally allowing us to savor the moments of human feelings they create inside us. This film is a great finish to Marvel’s Phase 4.
THE VERDICT
My 3L system gives me the choice to Love It, Like It, or Lose It.
Really strong Like It, prepared for it to go higher.
MEME REVIEW
THE TRAILER
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