When Despicable Me 4 Attempts to Be Fantastic By Making It Marvel, There’s Something Missing

When Pierre Coffin is not co-directing, some of that early film charm is missing in Despicable Me 4.

Despicable Me 4 Movie Poster MinionsEven after five films, I am still asking where all the heroes have gone in Despicable Me 4? In this latest, Gru (Steve Carell) is an agent for the Anti-Villain League (AVL) and will go undercover to undo the criminal element. Whether his motive is to right all his past wrongs, this franchise rarely goes deep into his mind to understand why he is now what he is instead of the rascal from times gone by.

That also includes dealing with threats like Maxime Le Mal (Will Ferrel), whom he was once buddies with. This new character’s plan for world domination isn’t as crazy as what past films imagine. I wish they had dedicated more attention to Poppy Prescott’s (Joey King) attempts to convince Felonious to engage in criminal activities, instead of focusing on the other aspects.

Elsewhere, five Minions undergo mutation to become superheroes as part of the AVL’s attempt to give this world some heroes. Just like the previous films, their antics are fillers, and while they learn how to use their newfound powers, what’s presented is more slapstick moments than anything good. When these simple organisms have little purpose in life other than to serve Gru, well, all I have to ask is what happened to the prior team of Kevin, Stuart and Bob? Continue reading “When Despicable Me 4 Attempts to Be Fantastic By Making It Marvel, There’s Something Missing”

Just How Much Crazier Can Hunt’s Life Get after Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One?

Just what kind of crazy stunt we’ll see after Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One will require fans to wait more than a year for.

Mission Impossible Dead Reckoining Part One Movie PosterSpoiler Alert

After witnessing just how much crazier the stunts have become throughout the Mission Impossible movies, Dead Reckoning Part One is the most insane. As for whether that motorcycle stunt can be surpassed in part two, I have a prediction. There will be some nut bar oceanic test for Ethan Hunt to escape from, and he better be Harry Houdini. It’s easy to surmise that will happen in the next film when considering how part one begins.

What I enjoyed from this film concerns how the stakes get raised. This unit keeps on finding themselves in missions a single human can’t take on alone. In this series, Hunt’s team has each other’s back. And it’s great the stories never deviate from this fact. Also, from simple espionage narratives to global threats, I believe this latest is taking cues from past films. From Ghost Protocol to the team creating a Rogue Nation of their own, the latest motion picture has a nautical title that not everyone is talking about.

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It’s Probably A Good Idea to Get Caught Up. Mission Impossible on Steelbook.

In preparation of the upcoming film, Mission Impossible Dead Reckoining, we look back at the past films and review the steelbook releases as a whole.

Mission Impossible Steelbook GridThe re-release of Paramount Pictures / Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible films as collectable steelbooks is more than perfect to highlight what may be the end of a journey. There may be elements in the upcoming films which may recall the earlier adventures and challenge the team in new ways never thought of.

Even though the next two films hint a putting closure to the franchise, this actor has been quoted to say that he wishes to continue playing Ethan Hunt until he’s as old as Harrison Ford, on the Sydney Morning Herald.

To see these 4k prints offered alongside the Blu-ray and a separate disk with the bonus features will take at least a week to get through, and fortunately my break gave me the time to watch all the films again. The package design is fantastic. Although nothing new has been added to this release, there are IMF stickers to use, which are included in part 3 on up.

Starting today, the last two volumes of these metal box releases are available. They were released two at a time, building up to Dead Reckoning part one!

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When Fast X is Streaming, the Race is on to Keep this Franchise Afloat!

Although Mamoa carries Fast X, that’s a lot of responsibility to put on his shoulder.

Fast X Movie Poster - TeaserNow Available to Stream on Prime Video, iTunes, and Vudu

When I saw in the trailers that Jason Momoa is the spotlight in Fast X, I knew he’d have fun with however he’d get cast. As a result, I didn’t rush to go see it in theatres. Instead, I opted to wait for this latest entry to the Fast and Furious franchise to hit streaming services. Although what happens is very formulaic, I’m generally okay with the shift in focus from street-racing to super spy romps that James Bond would never say no to taking on.

And as for whether I’m still invested, I might as well enjoy the ride to the end. The post credits teaser was enough to keep me interested. Although that returning character won’t be part of the main films based on the latest industry reports, that can easily change as the script is still being crafted.

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James Bond’s Legacy Has No Time to Die

With the home video release, the tribute to Daniel Craig is a very worthwhile watch. I jumped to watching this full-length documentary rather than to see No Time to Die again.

No Time to Die is available to pre-order now4K Collector’s Edition available to purchase on Amazon USA

Everybody has their preferred actor for James Bond. When he has No Time to Die, just who can play him next depends. There’s no formal announcement yet, but the producers promises there’ll be more in the coming years. I firmly believe just why he’s so long lived is because he’s not just one person. The sixty year franchise isn’t a proper passage of time. When one mission puts a version into retirement in the span of a handful of adventures–Never Say Never Again included–another takes his place.

Yes, James Bond is code name, much like 007, rather than the identity of a specific person. 

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Snake-Eyes G.I. Joe: Origins From the Perspective of a Long Time Fan

At some point of this ronin’s journey, this warrior will become a mute and/or disfigured to make him decide to keep his signature armour on for the most part, and that’s when G.I. Joe will recruit him.

Snake-Eyes G.I. Joe Origins Movie Poster.jpgSpoiler Alert

Trying to rejuvenate interest in a more than a half century old toy line can be tough. Not even Snake-Eyes–the most popular character–can save the franchise. He’s not even a G.I. Joe in the self-titled Origins film. It may be the first in a series which redefines key characters, and giving them a history to make them edgier than the typical cartoon portrayal. 

Just where Snake-Eyes (Henry Golding) learned martial arts is still a mystery. This  movie shows him as a diamond in the rough and this actor certainly knows how to play that up. There’s a lot of emotional baggage he has to shed before he can be that Ultimate Ninja. He first has to learn the way of bushido, and perhaps his heritage too. The latter is quickly revealed, but I hoped for more. I find the story really odd since it barely scratches the surface in what this individual knows as honour.

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