Mini Movie Reviews: US and Dumbo (2019)

Wow... March went by so fast! There's been a LOT of stories and events to cover (which you can follow in my other blog Pop Culture Crusader), as well as celebrating the 80th Anniversary of a certain Caped Crusader - but I haven't found the time to write my thoughts for two movies that are currently out in theaters as of this writing - Jordan Peele's fantastic new horror flick "Us" and Disney's live-action reimagination of the flying elephant story Dumbo. I enjoyed each of these movies for presenting fresh and unique film experiences in their respective genres, and I think it needs to be expressed in this batch of mini reviews I need to get out there.

Movie: US 
Distributed by: UIP Philippines through Columbia Pictures Philippines

Not your ordinary kind of horror film, director Jordan Peele's second outing in the genre is psychological as it is brilliant - with Lupita Nyong'o and Winston Duke leading the charge in this thriller that explores a family taking a vacation only to encounter doppelgangers of themselves. This is something straight out of The Twilight Zone (which Peele is helming too!), and this is the kind of movie that does not emphasize special effects and action - but rather the serious acting chops of its cast which Lupita embodies in both of her characters Adelaide and Red. DEFINITELY A MUST SEE for horror fans and those looking for something VERY UNIQUE - and it's littered with lots of 80's references and easter eggs.

Us - Official Trailer [HD]
You can also check my Quick Reaction video here!

Rating - 5/5

Movie: Dumbo (2019) 
Distributed by: Walt Disney Studios Philippines

A live-action remake of the 1941 Disney animated classic of the same name, "Dumbo" is a very similar yet different take on the story of a young elephant with huge ears who has the ability to fly - something that changes the lives of those around him in the circus and the audience he entertains with his unique gift. Gone are the talking elephants, mice, and other animals though - instead this Tim Burton directed film powers on with a magnificent cast led by Colin Farrell, Eva Green, Danny DeVito, and Michael Keaton. It's a very different movie altogether when compared to its cartoon counterpart - but I enjoyed the family friendly message, production values, and energy only a Burton production combined with Disney magic can give!

Disney's Dumbo | Courage Trailer

You can also check my Quick Reaction video here!

Rating - 4/5

Movie Review: Captain Marvel

It's always a celebration and joy whenever a Marvel Studios film makes its debut into theaters, and today marks the release of the first 2019 entry in the long running Marvel Cinematic Universe that not only sets up a new hero to join Earth's Mightiest Heroes in their final stand against Thanos in April's "Avengers: Endgame", but also takes us back to the 90's and introduces us to a cosmic powered heroine like no other. That lady is Carol Danvers - also known as the Kree powered human superhero called "Captain Marvel"!

Thanks to Walt Disney Studios PH and Marvel Philippines, I got to see an EARLY GLIMPSE of this fantastic film last February 27 at a private viewing of the movie for the press (which you can view my QUICK REACTIONS VIDEO here!). It was intimate, exciting, and certainly something I've been looking forward to since we saw the post-credits scene of Infinity War last year - where Nick Fury activated a secret beeper that showed us the familiar logo of Captain Marvel when everything was going dark and dust (literally thanks to the Snappening). Of course, I've always known Carol Danvers as the hero "Ms. Marvel" - following her adventures with the Avengers, X-Men, and of course her storied rivalry and complicated relationship with the X-Man Rogue (who stole her powers and life, but that's for the internet to explain). This film gives us a very fresh take on the character, while also staying true to her roots and adding a bit of nostalgia at the same time by bringing us another period superhero film after "Captain America: The First Avenger" that perfectly recreates the era and soaps it up with RnB songs, Blockbuster Video stores, and all that 1990's flavor we love to hate or miss.

So without further ado, here is my review for CAPTAIN MARVEL - which is now playing in theaters in the Philippines and opens in the US Friday! SPOILER ALERT for those who want to avoid any surprises, as I may be talking about some key points about the film below!

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