Movie Review: Fighting with my family

Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my movie review.

Let me start off by saying that, i love Pro-wrestling, for over decades, we've seen a lot of wrestling shows that we like to see our familiar faces in the history, like Hulk Hogan, Sting, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, John Cena, Trish Stratus, Becky Lynch and so much more in wrestling businesses.

For movies about wrestling, its not easy to make a plot, which most of them about the obvious underdog or even difference between fiction and reality. They're some good like "The Wrestler" starring Mickey Rourke or some that are mediocre like "Ready to Rumble", a movie during the dying era of WCW (World Championship Wrestling) with an F minus grade jokes. However, there's one film that happens to be an adaptation of true story. Yup, we're doing another one.

"Fighting with my family" is a 2019 biographical sport comedy film written/directed by Stephen Merchant (yup, Wheatley from Portal 2 is also writing and directing) and produced by Kevin Misher and Michael J. Luis.

Even though this the film based on the true story about a recognizable female wrestler name "Paige", but it also said that it was on the documentary called "The Wrestlers: Fighting with My Family", though i never watched the documentary, but i was quiet curious and interested to see of our familiar former Divas wrestler for where did she began and her wrestling debut.

So, with all that said, will this movie will building up that you wish to be a pro-wrestler, or is it really a "Shoot" for a poor excuse to the fans?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

Since we've heard about wrestlers origin, we expected to have a nice and clean backstory, unlike some wrestler who used to wrestle in backyard. But for Paige, she has a nice and yet difficulty time before joining the main roster.

It tells where Paige started as "Britani Knight" in indie wrestling with her parents and her brother Zak Zodiac in order to bring more wrestlers to train for their promotion. Despite the promotion, they always calling WWE trainer Hutch Morgan to have Britani and Zak for tryouts, until he accepted before taping the episode of SmackDown on O2 Arena. In the tryouts with various wrestlers, Morgan chooses Britani as "Paige" (due to someone who already have a same name), leaving her prepared for going in US at Florida without her brother, causing her difficulty goal that she can't stop thinking about her family while training in NXT training. Its up to her whether she keeps training to WWE or giving up to stay with her family.

I find the story itself is was fascinating and rather too real, since we always like to training to be a wrestler, its not easy for doing by herself with the help of her brother or even the family, which she has no choice to find some new friend who's in training of wrestling like Jeri-Lynn, Kirsten, & Maddison (despite that they didn't have wrestling experience since some of them are used to be a model or a cheerleader). It also has a subplot that without Paige, we Zak went desperate to be in WWE, leaving him in depression with alcohol and probably went far for wrestling, which is rather understandable whether the company will ruining him or perhaps refuses to bring some random stranger. But the one thing that i like as a wrestling fan, is the plot element to be a pro-wrestler, i since i enjoy seeing some wrestling shows or even seeing indie wrestling, it is pretty tough to be an entertaining athlete that we're rooting for to be in either bigger indie wrestling or even wrestling shows like either WWE, TNA or even NJPW, it always got the attention for the dream that we like to be a wrestler, whether playing babyface or heel personality. Like in true story, i enjoyed watching wrestling shows like WWE or even indie wrestling on Christmas, i wanted to be a wrestler, but failed quickly due to my laziness, but i digress. One thing that they wanted to include is have some comedy, i find them to be pretty low brow and unnecessary for a biographical film, i did chuckle at time, but in the end, the comedy element is a waste of time since "The Chaperone". (Zing!)

But i have some problems, which is the setting, some inaccurate and missing parts, for example, the movie somewhat taking place in nowadays, due to the current stage of the shows like RAW and SmackDown Live, because her past taking place in 2005 to 2014, where she wrestled in independent with her family, then she went to "Shimmer Women Athletes" and finally picked up in development-territory called "Florida Championship Wrestling" in 2011. But the one im not proud for missing element is they didn't include her NXT women's championship reign in NXT before going to the main roster, which it would've been awesome that we rooting her, instead it changed to NXT live even with her and three female wrestlers. But some moment that im fine is the inclusion of The Rock himself, which in reality, he never met her before saw the documentary.

The story is pretty good and relate-able when it comes to be a pro-wrestler, but it had a problem with some inaccuracies and the missing elements.

The Presentation
Since this is a wrestling movie, you think that the production is rather simple and nice cinematography. But i find this movie looks pretty cool.

For starter, the filming location around in UK and in US. Though my guess is where they try to find the location for where did she began. The setting of wrestling show in indie are rather fascinated since most moments taking place on WAW (World Association of Wrestling) and indie wrestling school. But of course there's the WWE stage like RAW and SmackDown Live look rather fascinating, even though il miss the old times that they have a screen (called Titantron) above the entrance, but the downside is that as i mentioned, they kept the current logo and stages than borrow the old stages, since in 2014. But of course, the cinematography are beautiful show for showing the arena, the park and the action scene of wrestling and training.

As for the wrestlings, i always enjoy seeing some choreograph to show us some wrestling moves and some finishing moves, its entertaining and challenging if anyone likes to trying it in training, especially Paige's wrestling was performed by Tessa Blanchard.

The presentation are pretty good for say the least, since the budget was over $11 million, which it may sounds like low budget, but hey, at least they did a nice work.

The Characters
Since we follow the story, i can say the characters are fascinated and rather emotional for again, related for similar reasons.

Lets starts with Saraya Bevis, aka Paige (played by Florence Pugh), its is no secret that she's the main focus in the movie, despite of typical underdog, but pretty common that she started as a wrestling with stage freeze when it comes to her promo for the first time in NXT/WWE. But at least she does get better to be comfortable for her action, since as i mentioned, she can't stop thinking about her family, which her biggest weakness that we can relate for. But at least Florence did a nice work of her role, even if she may or may not look like Paige in real life.

Then we have Zak Bevis, aka Zak Zodiac (played by Jack Lowden), he's Paige's brother with flaws that he wanted to be in WWE, but ended up stuck on her own indie wrestling with his parents and married with his baby. Its understandable that he wants to wrestle with his sister, but didn't picked up after the tryout. Though Jack did a nice work for his role, but i careless about him, since Paige was my favorite Divas for the most part.

Then we have WWE trainer Hutch Morgan (played by Vince Vaughn), even though he's a fictional trainer in the movie, but i find him to be rather an ok character, even if he may have a sympathy to Paige, but he's more of a typical serious coach in wrestling. Though Vince did a nice work of his role, but like Zak, i felt careless that he's sorta like a main antagonist for his seriousness.

As for Paige's family, they're shown for not only their wrestling promotion, but also rooting for her, even if they're rather limited. Rowdy Ricky Knight (played by Nick Frost) is Paige's father that i can'\t help but looks kinda like "Giant Haystacks", and there's Sweet Saraya (played by Lena Headey) who's Paige's mother with messed up passed, though she has a nice hair style.

But the most notable one who's in the movie is Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson himself, though he appeared as cameo, but his execution are pretty good, he's basically a semi-wrestler to giving the advice and gave a respect to Paige and he always "The most electrifying man of all of entertainment" that he uses his catchphrase that we all know in the "Attitude Era". They even brought some wrestlers like Sheamus and Big show, but they basically showing up on backstage purpose.

The characters are rather interesting, even if most of them that are rather average and careless. But at least The Rock's cameo is more fascinating.

And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall "Fighting with my family" is rather a pretty good film that i can say, the story is pretty good and feels real that, the presentation is very nice for the location and wrestling moments and some characters are rather good. Even if the story that despite its good, but it has an inaccuracies with WWE stage and missing plot element to follow her origin of her timeline and well some characters are limited and rather forgettable. But at least some wrestling moments are a lot fun and entertaining, which is exactly what WWE is all about.

If you're curious about Paige's origin or a fan of wrestling, i'd say check this out, for the most part. Otherwise, stick to 2008 movie "The Wrestler".

For my rating, i give this movie 7/10. I wanted to give it 8 if without the comedy and maybe an accurate moment, but its seven out of ten for me.

So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.

Movie Review: The Lego movie 2: The Second Part

Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome everyone to my very first movie review of 2019! So after done talking about some movies in 2018 (which is a heck of a roller coaster), it is time to checking the first film of 2019, especially avoiding movies in January, but i digress.

From five years ago, i remembered watching "The Lego Movie", which i liked this movie for a fun adventure story, the setting, colorful presentation and some likable characters, since not only i love Hot Wheels, but i love Lego too since my childhood, its like my childhood dream come true after many years, but with a good execution. And so, they decided to bring it back for a sequel.

"The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part" is a 2019 animated sci-fi adventure Lego movie directed by Mike Mitchell, produced by Dan Lin, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller (both of them also as a writers), Roy Lee and Jinko Gotoh, then co-written by Matthew Fogel (specifically story).

This is the film that i really like to see to figure out after the cliffhanging ending of the first movie (Spoiler Alert), and with a box-office success, it spawned into a franchise with spin-off movies (like Batman and Ninjago) a spin-off show with Unikitty and even an upcoming spin-off 4D film called "The Billion Brick Race" (which sounds like the answer of "Lego Racers" spiritual success). and this film came out closely the same time of the the release of the first movie, which it sounds like a 5th anniversary.

So, with all that said, will this movie holds up for bringing back the positive for "Everything is Awesome", or is this film deserved to be in disaster by Duplo?

Well, lets find out.

The Story
After the battle against the authority for freedom, you'll think that the story is gonna be different? Actually, yeah. Instead of fighting for freedom, its about trying to share together from different sides.

It picks up right after the cliffhanging ending from the first movie where a baby Lego brand called "Duplo" from Finn's sister Bianca wants to play it, causing Duplo went invading the city "Bricksburg" and probably ruining Lego universe. Five years later, the city turned post-apocalyptic wasteland "Apocalypseburg", where anyone went hardened and serious, but except for Emmet, where he always like to cheering up everyone, however, he has a nightmare about the end of the universe known as Our-Mom-Ageddon, but pretending it will never happen. But then, an unidentified ship came from other world of Lego universe named "Sweet Mayhem" who;s looking for the leader of master builder (specifically Batman, but not either Lucy or Emmet) in order to have a wedding with Princess Watevra Wa'Nabi from Systar System, by kidnapping Lucy Wyldstyle, Batman, MetalBeard, Benny the spaceman and Unikitty to Systar System. Its up to Emmet travels to the galaxy to teaming up with Rex Dangervest to rescuing his friends, once and for all.

I technically find it an interesting story, i like the idea to expanding the universe of Lego for which they belong, likely Finn's world "Bricksburg/Apocalypseburg and Bianca's world "Systar System", even if there's a subplot about dealing siblings went wrong that they need to share, rather than blaming each other, but i don't wanna spoil the rest for what's happening. Speaking of Subplot, they even give a backstory about Rex for why he turned into a badass hero and why he has an army of raptors, its pretty cool character development what he has. As for the jokes, they're rather 50/50, which i did laugh some jokes that they work, but others didn't work for same old gag and probably some obvious pop-culture reference.

The story has a pretty good setting and some expanding universe, even though it may or may not as fresh than the first one.

The Animation
As a fourth animated Lego movie, its no secret that the animation remains the same and it still looks good.

For starter, the animation is obviously done in CG for stopmotion style in Lego for the movements and the effects, its tricky that we though it was done in traditional stopmotion like Laika, but the stopmotion is done on CG. And of course, the animation of facials was done in 2D, which it nicely done how it feels, but again, pretty tricky with CG stopmotion. But unlike the first movie, this one is brighter and more colorful what they show us, including Systar System, it looks stunning, colorful and probably cute, since this world is like gear towards girls, i mean Lego was already made their theme for little girls, eh? Speaking of theme, the designs are pretty simple and even pretty cool, since this is Lego movie.

Not to mention, they even adding live action scene, but this time, they add more through out the movie from beginning to third act, which i find the live action sequence that despite it has to be on purpose for the story, but i kinda didn't care pretty much, unless it has a heart moment in the live action sequence.

And lastly, they also add more musical moments in the movie, while the first one only has "Everything is Awesome" which is my favorite song of the film, this one has more than one, there's "Not Evil" is about where Watevra Wa'Nabi isn't posing a threat, but wanting to change the world, thanks to the wedding, "Catchy Song" is about a song that its too much upbeat that its gonna stuck in our head, i like this song that it feels more of self-aware that we can't stop thinking about it or even head-pumping, and then there's "Everything's Not Awesome" is the polar opposite that without Lego universe, it won't be the same, which i like this song too, because i like that they want to have emotional that we want more for fun and sharing, i mean when i heard it, i was nearly about to cry if we're losing the universe of Lego. And no, i didn't cry while watching a movie, i was just calm.

The presentation of animation is pretty good like before and the music are quiet fun and entertaining. Even though the live action are "meh".

The Characters
Though im sure some of you are familiar of characters in the first movie. If not, not only il give an explanation about them, but also my thoughts. but of course, the old casts may changed a bit and also introducing the new ones.

Lets start with the old casts, such as  Emmet Brickowski (voiced by my favorite actor Chris Pratt) is an everyday construction worker that he likes to have fun, building and the rookie of master builder. I find him to be a fun character for not just the personality, but also his humor and fun voice acting from Star-Lord himself.

The second main hero is Lucy Wyldstyle (voiced by Elizabeth Banks) is a female badass master builder thanks to her "tough as nails" personality and probably nearly steal the show for her actions and building plan. Even though i like Emmet, but i like her too, which i guess it explained why she's rather more likable than Emmet from the fans.

Batman (voiced by Will Arnett) is a DC hero turned into a master builder and probably a former love interest of Lucy. Although he maybe cool, which i guess it explained why he has his own spin-off movie.

Unikitty (voiced by Allison Brie) is a hybrid of cat and unicorn who likes cute and fun stuff from her playful personality, unless that she turns red in raging killing machine, especially growing bigger. I like her too for how cute she is, which like Batman, i guess it explained that she has her own show in Cartoon Network (but her voiced was changed to my favorite voice actress Tara Strong.)

Benny (voiced by Charlie Day) is an 80's spaceman that he wants to build a spaceship. Even though he's rather fun one, but not sure he's using as a hero for spaceship purpose, cause he seems to be out of place for only with jokes.

And lastly MetalBeard (voiced by Nick Offerman) is a robotic pirate who lost his body from Lord Business. Like Benny, not sure he's there for purpose. I don't know, maybe they like to show off the character to see how cool he is, i like the design, but not sure whether he's there for purpose.

As for the new casts, i find them to be rather fascinated, even if some are typical.

First is Watevra Wa-Nabi (voiced by Tiffany Haddish), a shapeshifter queen of Systar System for the love of Batman for wedding to change everything. I find her to be rather fascinated that not just her shapeshifting appearance, its where she wants to change the universe by brainwashing with songs and and her songs for her truth. Although she's a cool villain, but she's not as great than Lord Business from the first film.

Next there's Sweet Mayhem (voiced by Stephanie Beatriz) is a general mini-doll (probably Watevra's henchwoman) for the orders and i find her to be an interesting side villain. I mean i though she's gonna be the main villain, but 50%. I like her design that instead of typical cute mini-doll figures of Lego, they made her as a badass intergalactic mini-doll figure. But here's an ironic fact (spoiler warning!!!), when i bought the set with Wyldstyle, Sweet Mayhem and Watevra, the box clearly shows Mayhem's face, Lego totally spoiled her face reveal, which her face didn't shown until the third act. Aw well, at least she looks cool.

And there's Rex Dangervest (also voiced by Chris Pratt) is a typical badass hero to working with Emmet to save our main hero's friends. He's self-declared, tough and rather a cool guy. Here's another fact about Rex, he's actually a combination of Chris Pratt's characters like Star-Lord from MCU, Owen Grady from Jurassic Park series, Burt Macklin from the show  Parks and Recreation and Joshua Faraday from the 2016 remake of The Magnificent Seven. Even though he reference about Pratt's rumored role of Indiana Jones, not sure why he referencing it. Even though he maybe an interesting badass hero, but il easily stick to Emmet his fun personality.

As for the rest, there's aren't much else to say that they shown for purpose or even the gags like the derpy jester banana named Banarnar (voiced by Ben Schwartz) and Balthazar (voiced by Noel Fielding) who's basically a sparkled teen vampire, but i think he looks a lot cooler than the lame vampire hero named "Edward Cullen" from Twilight. Even though they may like to show more characters like Superman, three types of Wonder woman, Abraham Lincoln, Harley Quinn, Aquaman and a lot more on the list.

The previous characters are a welcome return that they've been changed a bit, while the new ones are either fascinated or even typical badass one.

And now for my final opinion of this film.
Overall, "The Lego movie 2: The Second Part" is a good sequel i might say, it has an interesting story, some fun characters, catchy songs, a fascinating expending universe and the animation is outstanding like before. But does that mean its better than the first one, sadly no, because even though its a nice sequel, but we can all agree that its not as fresh than the first movie for some mixed bag jokes and the villain aren't as better than President Business.

But in fairness, if you're a fan of Lego and curious to see after watching the first movie, i'd say check this out if you want or not. Man, talk about a positive start for my 2019 movie review.

For my rating, i give this movie an 8/10.

So this ends of my movie review, if you guys have your opinion or any suggestions, let me know at comment bellow and support me on KO-FI.com/blackevil.

Thanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.