Mini Movie Reviews: The Lego Movie 2 and How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

February has been a BUSY MONTH, and there's been plenty of good films this Oscar season that have come out in theaters to generate buzz and bring some good festive and family fun to audiences across the globe. Two of those of course are sequels to critically acclaimed films that have come out in the past couple of years - one about a group of bricks and the other about vikings and dragons co-existing that finally sees chapters of their lives and adventures end for the better. I was fortunate enough to see them thanks to the respective studios that invited me to these screenings, and now here's a little post talking about them in small detail and my thoughts regarding each animated film!

Movie: The LEGO Movie 2
Distributed by: Warner Bros. Philippines

I REALLY ENJOYED "The LEGO Movie" back in 2014. It was fresh, action packed, insane, and featured a lot of cameos and appearances by blocky versions of our favorite popculture characters  - including of course LEGO Batman who would go on to have his own spin-off film in "The LEGO Batman Movie" in 2017! That being said, The LEGO Movie Part II tries and moderately succeeds in delivering a good follow-up to its predecessor, reuniting Chris Pratt, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, and the rest of the gang five years later to face a new threat that could spell the end of their world of Bricksburg - which is a "Mad Max" styled post-apocalyptic shell of its former self. The adventure takes them to a different universe from their own and interstellar hijinks ensue that introduces new characters that includes the macho adveturer Rex Dangervest.


The LEGO® Movie 2 - International Trailer
While it certainly does not surpass the sequel in terms of freshness and presentation, The LEGO Movie 2 was still a heck of a lot of fun - albeit predictable and truly an animated flick built for kids and sending a family friendly message as well. I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys LEGO life and what the toy line means to anyone whether they be a kid or adult. There are also songs that are awesome and will get stuck inside your head too.

Rating - 4/5

Movie: How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World
Distributed by: UIP Philippines through Columbia Pictures Philippines

Hiccup and Toothless journey finally reaches its satisfying conclusion, as the HTTYD film series wraps up neatly in a third film that satisfies fans hearts and makes the movies one of the best animated trilogies of recent memory to exist. We've seen these guys grow up, face many trials and dangers, losses and heartaches, and now something that is truly a coming of age story that not only progresses both characters stories - but their loved ones in the vikings and dragons that have learned to co-exist because of the example these two have set.


How To Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World | Official Trailer 2
In addition to finding a new home and facing a new baddie, Toothless finds a mate in Light Fury - which reflects Hiccups own relationship with his best friend Astrid. It's cute and a natural progression of what fans of the series expect when they want to see a happy ending in their stories. The Hidden World is a great way to cap things off, and you won't regret seeing it in theaters at all.

Rating - 5/5

Mini Reviews: It's a DC Christmas!

Just a few days left before Christmas, and I've gotten these DC Comics items up on my list...

With the relaunch going on full swing and the next year heralding the final chapter in the saga of Christopher Nolan's Batman films, these books and DVD limited edition set compliment my 2011 sentiments and good wishes for the holiday season and new year. Here's a couple of notes on the items:

*Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes! - The one-shot to end the first volume of Grant Morrison's ambitious and awesome new Batman series sees the revelation Batfans and readers have all been waiting for: the identity of Leviathan. Of course, I'm telling who exactly the mystery opponent of The Dark Knight and his posse is, but rest assured it keeps in line with what Morrison has done since he began his run with the Batbooks in 2006. All I'm going to say is the book is packed with all the things that made the series kick-ass: mystery, convoluted plotlines, and the kind of action that makes Batman the greatest hero he is. If you've stuck around since Batman Inc. started, you owe it to yourself to pick this baby up.

*Catwoman #4 - Despite the controversial beginnings and sexual undertones this book plays off, I have to admit that Judd Winick and Guillem March have perked my interest with Selina Kyle's new ongoing series for The New 52 era. The style of storytelling reminds me a lot of the Ed Brubaker Catwoman series, and March has proven himself a fan favorite artist with his time in Gotham City Sirens. This issue adds more fuel to the fire Selina has already started, and she's tangled up in more trouble than she could ever get out of. Also, the debut of a new villain, so if you want to get your mittens on this series, best to backtrack and start from #1.

*Justice League #4 - Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's flagship title for the New 52 rocks on action and artwise. This issue spotlights the abilities of one Arthur Curry, better known to the world as Aquaman. Anyone who has ever made fun of the superhero for his "questionable powers" will get a big wake up call when they see how he dishes out his stuff against the baddies. More exposition is added with the birth of Cyborg, and all hell breaks loose when the Big Cheese himself, Darkseid, makes a personal splash appearance at the end. Again, get this if you love all the heavy hitters in one book.

*The Dark Knight Two-Disc DVD Limited Edition Set - A Package containing the 2008 smash hit superhero movie sequel by Christopher Nolan, and a replica of the Bat-Pod. It's currently on sale now for the holiday season, so what more can be said?

That pretty much sums up the package review here. Enjoy the holidays folks, and a Merry Christmas again to all!