Movie Review: The Secret Life of Pets 2

Who doesn't love pets? We all own dogs, cats, bunny rabbits, and just about any critter or four-legged friend we can think of to have as a companion in our lives and indispensable member of our family unit as well. However, what if those very same pets had "secret lives" we are completely unaware of? They'd go off in their own adventures, have conversations with one another, and pretty much see us humans as their own pets - to love, protect, and of course brag around like it's their own property. That's what Universal Pictures and Illumination illustrated with their lovable 2016 film "The Secret Life of Pets" - which featured a ragtag group of pets who are pals and have their own blissful yet sometimes complicated lives in the apartment building they all reside in.

Thanks to UIP Philippines, I got to see the long awaited sequel in "The Secret Life of Pets 2", and it was actually an unexpected viewing! I barely watched the original film when it was released in home video, and was actually walking into this movie with no clear expectations - but that was probably the best thing as this adventure stands on its own two or rather four-legged feet! Mainstays like Max the Jack Russell Terrier, Duke the shaggy mix dog, Snowball the rabbit, Chloe the cat, and the other familiar pets return - along with a new mix of characters that include Daisy the Shih Tzu and Rooster the Welsh Sheepdog. The latter character is voiced by none other than Harrison Ford, and he's arguably my favorite character in the movie thanks to his serious yet benevolent nature in protecting his farm and his friends. In fact I got the Happy Meal, which is now available thanks to Mcdonald's Philippines.


The Secret Life of Pets 2 | International Trailer
Certainly geared to pet loves and kids of all ages, The Secret Life of Pets 2 is an adventure that will make you realize why our furry and little companions are very important figures in our lives. This adventure sees Max and Duke adjusting to new family life as their owner Katie gets married and has a baby, while the rest of their bunch tries to keep their lives as "normal" as possible - until Snowball develops a superhero identity and is tasked with rescuing a white tiger from a cruel zookeeper. This entire adventure illustrates how much fun it is to appreciate the animals in our lives - though in a more exaggerated and dynamic way than what could ever happen in real life. Illumination are masters of their art as proven in the "Despicable Me" movies, and this is no exception. If you love pets and animals, "The Secret Life of Pets 2" will make you love them even more - and spark the imagination of what it means to see the world through their eyes to boot.

The Secret Life of Pets 2 is now showing in theaters c/o UIP Philippines and Universal Pictures, distributed through Columbia Pictures Philippines.

Rating - 4/5

Movie Review: Godzilla: King of the Monsters

After five years of laying dormant and biding time for the big smackdown promised at the end of the first film - the king has FINALLY returned to take on monsters that would dare oppose his rule as Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary, and Toho team up once again to bring back Godzilla and expand the Monsterverse with "Godzilla: King of the Monsters". The long awaited sequel to the 2014 Godzilla film is nothing short of a welcome sight and is pretty much a triumphant roar that fans of the iconic Japanese giant monster can bring out when they walk into this film. It is BIGGER, BETTER, and MUCH MORE EPIC compared to its predecessor by unleashing the rest of the "Titans" on our planet, bringing forth one of the most awaited confrontations in this saga that will test the Big G as he asserts his rule as one of the most dominant creatures Earth has ever witnessed.

Thanks to the folks at Warner Bros. Philippines, I got to watch Godzilla's long awaited comeback in the big screen (and on IMAX 3D no less), and all I can tell you before moving on to the review proper is that it's the BIG BLOCKBUSTER MONSTER MOVIE that I have waited for since the 2014 Hollywood reboot and sets things up for the inevitable clash "Gojira" will have against Kong next year! We FINALLY get to see the long awaited debuts of Mothra, Rodan, and Godzilla's ultimate nemesis King Ghidorah in this film - so there is no shortage of Kaiju/ Monster action in the sequel! As Godzilla celebrates his 65th anniversary this year, prepare to be wowed and in awe for what this sequel five years in the making brings following "Godzilla" and "Kong: Skull Island"!

Movie Review: Brightburn

What would happen if one of the most famous and well known superhero origin stories turned out to be something twisted and horrific instead? That's exactly the question "Brightburn" answers - an eerie and evil interpretation of the Superman archetype during his young formative years where a child from another world is raised and adopted by loving parents who live in a rural farm setting. However instead of becoming a hero to the world, what if this boy with amazing abilities becomes something more sinister?

Thanks to director David Yarovesky and producers James Gunn and Kenneth Huang, we are treated to a vicious and perverted Superboy story that shows a kid willing to do whatever he wants and has the power to shape the world. Starring Elizabeth Banks and David Denman as a mother and father who think their alien son is a blessing - this rollercoaster superhero horror story will no doubt bring the comic book and Superman fans out there together to watch this "Elseworlds" tale where "absolute power corrupts absolutely" and a young boy's rage is left unchecked.

I got to see Brightburn a few days before it opened in theaters thanks to the folks at Columbia Pictures Philippines, and let me tell you that I walked into this with a fresh mind despite the similarities and obvious nods the film gives to Superman (and I wore a shirt too!). This is a movie that explores the flipside of that life where a "Strange Visitor from another planet" doesn't turn out as a kid with a moral compass to guide him in using his powers. Young actor Jackson A. Dunn embodies that very well in playing 12 year old Brandon Bryer -  who is seemingly a young and quiet everyday boy who goes to school and excels in class, yet somewhere in the inside festers a growing curiosity that soon turns into a path of disaster and destruction. Upon discovering his alien powers and heritage, Brandon develops into a frightening, disrespectful, and disobedient kid who starts scaring his classmates and those close to him. Even with the love and support his family especially his mother gives him - it's not enough to turn him away from the dark path that this film already knows you're prepared to witness.


BRIGHTBURN- Official Trailer #2
There's a reason why we enjoy superhero movies - we get to see the good guys become symbols of hope, freedom, and save the day for everyone who needs help. However "Brightburn" is a stern reminder that there is always a flipside to that, and a supervillain's origin story can be just as impactful and shaped by the events they experience in their own respective lives. While the theme is familiar, the circumstances and scenario are not. It's definitely worth the watch.

Rating - 4/5