Movie Review: Black Adam

Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to Movie Review in the last run of 2022.

Last time, i reviewed THE Suicide Squad, which is easily one of the best in DCEU film and the best superhero film of 2021, not before i reviewed “Spider-Man No Way Home” that it might mas well said “Hold my beer”. Anyway, it looks like DC films are about to make a comeback to having a new and better films are coming out for--

AZ-06 Ayla: Hey, im sorry to bothering you, but Warner Bros Discovery are in changing direction.

Anthony: Really, how’s that?

AZ-06 Ayla: By halting and cancelling some DCEU films for probably planning for reboots.

Anthony: Oh for F***’s sake...! No wonder why WBD is destroying itself since their cancellation of BatGirl for Nothing...!

AZ-06 Ayla: Yeah, im really sorry, il let you get back to your work... (walks away)

So yeah, we’re expecting Warner Bros Discovery could do something with future projects, but instead, they completely changed or canned the plans in the future, pretty much screwing or and WBD might as destroying itself for their decline. Now before il keep ranting about it, im still having our next movie in today’s review with the one that i was curiously anticipated after the success of Shazam.

“Black Adam” is a 2022 DC superhero film that was directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, produced by Beau Flynn, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcie and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson (Yup, The Rock also works as producer), and written by Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani.

Like any films before the company making into a big franchise, this idea came back in 2000s. Where New Line Cinema were planned to make a movie based on Captain Marv-- Uhh, i mean, Shazam, where they wanna make their taste of their own superhero movie in DC, involving Shazam fighting against Black Adam or other villains, the plan has been pushed over and over before the project (as well as retitle’d to “Shazam” due to legal reason for the name “Captain Marvel”), like Peter Segal as originally the director of this movie and of course, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is openly interested to playing Black Adam, but the downside is that much like his days in WWE, The Rock is too good to be the villain, so they decided to split the project, one for Shazam (but came out first) and the other for Black Adam, as well as using these two projects connected to DCEU and changing film roles from Peter Segal to Jaume Collet-Serra (since this isn’t the first time he directed the movie starring The Rock, they goes to Jungle Cruise in 2021). After the release of Shazam, it was a huge hit that they finally ready to making Black Adam to hopefully to having a second lightning strike at the box-office.

SPOILER ALERT, when it came out two months ago (as im writing this), it didn’t turned out well at the box-office, which despite the box-office is above the film’s budget, it was considered a flop, probably due to, either a poor timing for the upcoming release of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” came out a weeks later or even a good’ol they said/they said between critics and viewers (specially with Rottentomatoes.com).

So, with all that said, will Black Adam has another shine as Shazam, or he isn’t as worthy from to going after Justice Society?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

For a movie about an anti-hero like Black Adam, its basically like Shazam, but in a polar opposite.

The movie begins from the very past in the year 2600 BC, in a land called Kahndaq, a ruthless and tyrannical king named “Ahk-Ton” created a crown of Sabbac, but he’s looking for Stone of Eternity, so he used villagers to becoming his slaves to finding the stone, but one slave boy found the stone to freedom after his father was stabbed to death, but the boy was captured for execution before he abruptly disappeared to the Council of Wizards that he received to becoming a Champion in attempt to kill the king. Fast Forward to the present time, the land Kahndaq is there, but under oppression by the mercenary organization called “Intergang”, meanwhile, a resistance archaeologist named Adrianna Tomaz and her fellows are searching for the Crown of Sabbac for like any archaeologist, studying the artifacts from the secret message. However, while she got the crown, she was ambushed by Intergang troops to give the crown or death, not before Adrianna does an incantation to call about open the awake of the familiar Champion named “Teth-Adam”, which makes Adam going in slaughterhouse at the troops to save Adrianna and her brother Karim. This got attention from US Government official (and our old friend from two Suicide Squad movies) Amanda Waller, where she call emergency to Justice Society (with Hawkman, Doctor Fate, Cyclone and Atom Smasher) to going in Kahndaq based on Adam’s threat. Its up to Teth-Adam to figuring out when he was awaken from centuries from protecting himself from Justice Society and looking after the Crown of Sabbac.

I find the story itself is pretty fascinating that, like i said, its like Shazam but in completely opposite that Teth-Adam is more of an anti-hero that he always posing a threat in his own “justice”, while Justice Society are pretty much the group of heroes to scolding at Adam’s threat for either control his act or banished back where he was belong from centuries ago. Which i find the writing of this movie is rather good for say the least how we maybe rooting for Adam for his choice without going too menacing. Though sometimes, some moments could be questionable with some bad plan to our heroes and one anti-hero, and another example is Doctor Fate’s prediction that it kinda spoiled this movie (or not), which is kinda annoying that we don’t want to know or else, it will ruining the plot, but im not gonna spoil more details. Although, they also trying to add some humor in this movie, well, i find the joke is trying a bit hard Sure, i did had a chuckle to some moments, but some are trying, but felt like unnecessary, but at least they kinda tried that i had some chuckle.

While the writing isn’t as perfect, but at least its nice story for the focus of Black Adam that we like to see.

The Presentation

The movie’s budget costs between $190 – 230 million, the movie’s presence is surprisingly looks pretty good that they brought us, despite that as we all know, its a fest of CG of effects and backgrounds.

For starter, the background settings like Kahndaq, the dark site of Task Force X, Justice Society’s ship, the cave and others are pretty fascinating they created, however, since they filmed in 2021 in pandemic, they had to film in the studio called “Trilith Studios” in Atlanta Georgia, which they said they’re originally filmed in in late 2020, but rescheduled to next year for obvious reason. While Kahndaq looks pretty fascinating for done in CG, but sometimes, while the setting looks good, but its way too beige looking, i know its a fictional country in Middle Eastern, but sometimes beige is too much, im just saying.

For the designs, wow, the superheroes and villains designs are pretty impressive, some of them are created their own or even copying from the comic (either in the classic or in reboot known as “New 52”). For Black Adam (or Teth-Adam), his suit looks pretty impressive, with a darker, dirt texture and the lighting of his icon on his chest (similar to Shazam, but more darker from centuries), which makes him looks perfect to making him an anti-hero, one part that i like the inclusion is a sorta knuckle brass on his left hand, which is a nice extra of his outfit.

As for the other heroes like Justice Society, i find them pretty cool too, from Hawkman (which it was originally gonna have HawkGirl, but replaced by Hawkman) with red and gold outfit with his armor gives him a metal wings (which i like it more than either the comic or cartoons with his angel wings while wearing Hawkman’s outfit), Doctor Fate’s somewhat simile from the comic, with his bright blue and gold outfit, especially with his signature helmet, Atom Smasher looks nice with his nice texture outfit of red and blue outfit (though i notice he has a similar CG eyes from Deadpool) to Cyclone’s colorful green and purple.

Finally, there’s Sabbac who has a badass look, but not gonna spoil what he looks like.

As for the effects, they’re pretty good for the all the smokes, special powers and such others what they give, especially one effect that i like is the illusion ability from Doctor Fate, which is pretty impressive what he pulled, but hate to say for Fate, its not as powerful as Doctor Strange, but that’s a different story.

Finally, as for the actions, it seems that we may have like plenty of actions from Adam slaughtering troops when he was awake to Adam fighting against Justice Society when they scolding him based on his threat. Not to mention, Adam is quite of brutal anti-hero for assault to killing anybody on his way, which apparently, they wanted to be R-Rated much like we saw THE Suicide Squad, but had to toning down to PG-13 film (of course, its one of those much like Venom...!).

Which the filming is obviously in CG, but the actions and the costume/appearance designs are pretty good with similar look from the comic and creative to be nicely fitting.

The Characters

For the movie’s list of characters, you’ll assume that they have a unique personas either different or same from the comic? Well, even though im not gonna compare from the comics (you make your own conclusion), but they’re probably fascinating, even if some gets a bit over-the-top.

Lets start with our titular hero Teth-Adam (played by Dwayne The Rock Johnson), the main anti-hero who’s awake over centuries, he’s born vengeful and rather careless what the people nor even Justice Society based on his killing justice. He’s kinda an over-the-top anti-hero for slaughtering is his answer for fighting against either Intergang troops or even superheroes group. Despite the over-the-top persona, i think i liked this character for his action and of course, memorable performance from The Rock himself, like i said, The Rock as Black Adam is definitely a perfect fit for his role.

Next up is Adrianna Tomaz (played by Sarah Shahi) an archaeologist who’s fascinated of the history both Champion (aka Teth-Adam) and the Crown of Sabbac. She’s almost like Adam’s sidekick, based on her adventure to figuring out the villain’s secret about the crown, along with her responsible of waking Adam up with incantation. I find her ok, she’s obviously brought for the purpose of plot development for villain’s build up, even if she costs a lot of trouble for both getting a crown and awaking Black Adam for probably trying to put down Intergang. Despite this, Sarah did a nice work of her role.

Then we have Carter Hall, aka Hawkman (played by Aldis Hodge), he’s the leader of Justice Society and wields his mace and armour wings based on his origin in Egyptian themed planet. I find him fascinating for his action and his appearance, which like i said before, i like their concept with armours with wings than giving him an angel wings. While he’s fascinating, he’s sorta taking his leadership a bit serious from either Amanda Waller’s (once again, reprised by Viola Davis) order or scolding Adam for his brutality. Despite HawkGirl was cut in the original plan, but i find him fascinating as i said, and Hodge did a good work of his role too.

The second member of JS is Kent Nelson, aka Doctor Fate (played by former James Bond himself, Pierce Brosnan), a sorcery and sorta of a brain of the group based on wearing his signature “Helmet of Fate”. I really like this character based on combination of his appearance, his sorcery power and even Brosnan’s pretty good work of his role, its not hard to see why Doctor Fate is everyone’s underrated superhero in the community. Sure, the prediction plot element kinda ruins the movie, but hey, with all due respect, i like him as an underrated hero.

The third member is Maxine Hunkel, aka Cyclone (played by Quintessa Swindell), the only female member of the group who has the ability to creating tornado thanks to her injection from nanobot for experimental test to creating wind power. I find her ok, which she’s just there as a young sidekick to two main members of JS, despite this, Swindell did a nice work of their role, especially one point that they pulls a dancing technique for Cyclone’s movement. Oh btw, did i forgot to mentioning Swindell is actually a Cisgender? Yeah, back then before starting their acting career, they had a childhood struggle because of their race and gender. Its been one of those days, eh?

Lastly of JS member is Albert (or Al for short) Rothstein, aka Atom Smasher (played by Noah Centineo) a young member of the group with his ability to growing in giant size with strength. As far as i know, he’s there for having a comedic purpose, even though he’s meant for trying, but i find him didn’t work in order to make his own humour in this movie. Not only the character is weak, but Noah’s performance feels like he’s trying, i know he’s young, but it feels like he’s overpaid by his father for trying to make him a big deal as a young actor. Oh yeah, did i also mentioning his father is also a con-artist? Yeah, this is probably why he’s not a pro-actor with overpaid by his con-father since he produced one of the worst movie ever called “Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s return”.

Finally, we have Ishmael Gregor (played by Marwan Kenzari), the main villain and the mercenary leader of Intergang who’s said to be the last descendent of Ahk-Ton’s family from many centuries. I find him not bad, though he’s also sorta over-the-top for his threat to looking for the crown or even the hostage, even though he’s only just there to sending his troops for attempt to killing Adam before he’ll fight back, but not gonna spoil for the latter. Despite this, Marwan did a nice work for his role for my giving credit to him.

As for the rest of the characters, there’s not much to say when they shown.

There’s Amon Tomaz (played by young Bodhi Sabongui) is the young skate boarding brother of Adrianna and Karim (played by Mohammed Amer) is Adrianna’s party brother.

The characters are pretty good for showing up for action, but some are felt pretty much forgettable.

And now for my Final Opinion of this movie

Overall, Black Adam is not the worst movie I’ve ever seen what the critics said, cause i find some (like Rottentomatoes) just came off as exaggerated.

I mean, the story is good, the presentation looks impressive, despite the CG, the costumes are nicely work and perfect fitting the acting is also good and the characters are either memorable, another perfect fitting or fascinating.

Sure, the movie has flaws like a near spoiling plot element, the CG is all over due to obvious reason, the humor is trying but bellow average and some characters are forgettable for the aforementioned “Comedic” attempt.

Again, when it comes to reviews, this is one of those movies that im clearly don’t get from many critics despised this movie, like come on, its not THAT bad, and believe me, I’ve seen some of the worsts. I’d say its a recommended movie that you guys can check it out if you want to, even if im disappointed that the movie got flopped at the box-office... Aw well, you can check it out if you’re curious to seeking it.

For may rating, im gonna give this one 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.

Movie Review: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

 

Hey everyone, my name is Anthony and welcome back to my Movie Review.

Well guys, this is gonna be fascinatingly unique that this is the first time im reviewing a movie starring Nicolas Cage. For those you don't know, Nicolas Cage (aka Nicolas Kim Coppola, yep, he's a family member of Coppola family like Francis Ford Coppola) is one of the most.... Dare i say, famously unique actor for his over-the-top acting, where he played a broken man with losing his hand from Moonstruck, a con-artist with Tourette Syndrome from Matchstick Man, a father with his daughter in vigilantism in Kick-Ass (which i saw the movie back then) or a drunken man who wants to ending his life in Leaving Las Vegas, the latter of which that he actually won the Oscar of Best Actor for this movie. His 80s and 90s run are actually his nice run, but in his millennium and in 2010's are probably went down with hit or miss films, but in the end of 2010s and the beginning of 2020s, he's started to having a redemption with Mandy in 2018 and Pig in 2021. With his success, we have his next movie that have a sorta weird question: What if we have a action comedy movie with fictionalized Nick Cage?

"The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent" is a 2022 Action Comedy film that was written/directed by Tom Gormican, produced by Mike Nilon, Kristin Burr, Kevin Turen and Nick Cage himself (Yup, not only he acts, but also works as a producer) and co-written by Kevin Etten.

You know, making a movie starring celeb as themselves is either good or weird idea for different result, the most famous example that i know is Space Jam (first and second one), but having a movie starring Nicolas Cage as himself is rather unheard and got me curious to see after bought it on DVD.

So, with all that said, will this movie help Cage's third comeback, or is this film fell like like getting stung by the bees?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

So we expected to having an over-the-top movie with Nick Cage? Well, it kinda is, for the most part.

After many years of his success, things didn't went well for Cage that he's starting to probably having a mid-life crisis both his career and his imaginary himself as "Nicky", which they causing his neglectful relationship with his ex-wife Olivia and his daughter Addy, especially he was out of control during Addy's birthday that he was sent back home after got drunk. So, he decided to retiring his acting career, but also accepting an odd offer of $1 million to going on Majorca, Spain to meet up a playboy super fan named Javi Gutierrez to honoring the birthday. Little did he knows that Cage is caught by the CIA agents Vivian and Martin, where they told about a girl named Maria is kidnapped by the criminal group for attempt to drop the election from Catalan politician for peace, where some believing Javi is the culprit with the crime group, its up to Cage to figuring out about the crime, while he and Javi are planning together to make a movie in order to make his redemption.

I find the story itself is fine for say the least, its almost like we've been related that the more famous we become, the more struggling it gets that we're getting spiral out of control. Despite how we kinda related, but the story itself is sorta odd, its as if it tries to focus on Cage's recovering his career with the help of rich super fan by thinking for writing a story for the movie, which is a sorta movie about making a movie, but the movie decided to mixing in involving a child kidnap that Cage is ordered to question either his fan's responsibility of not, which the movie is kinda mixing up the direction, since this is the movie about Nicolas Cage trying to regain his career. Despite the flaws, what makes this movie has a good execution, is the chemistry between Nick Cage and Javi, despite the rumor's criminal activity, its nice to see them get along for their fun trip or even trying to figuring out how to make a story out of, whereas Cage is somewhat nice and curious for the idea, while Javi, being a rich fanboy, likes to helping him out to get off his struggle, despite he kinda put some dirty plan on his sleeve, like giving him an LSD (Kids, don't do drugs while either driving car or came up the idea to writing a script.).

And what about the humor in this movie, well, it could work or not, while some other actors are trying to make some jokes, they are mixed, sometimes i got a chuckle or even a laugh, but some didn't turned out. But the highlight of the humor is obviously Nick Cage himself, based on his overacting what he called "Nouveau Shamanic", it may sounds like weird name, but its his name style to showing us his true colors of overacting like you've seen many movies with Nick Cage himself, my friends.

While the story's direction kinda confuses me (unless we got the answer on the third act, but not gonna talk about from SPOILERS), its quite of nice writing and the humors could be a hit or miss, except for Cage's joke, cause well, you know Cage's acting style, more on the Characters later.

The Presentation

With the budget of $30M, you think the presentation will be look beautiful and rather standard, well, the answer is obviously, yes, but looks pretty good for say the least.

For starter, the movie takes place in Majorca, Spain, which is a nice place to go where it takes place on, it looks beautiful place to film, but it looks too good to be in beauty. When in reality, they filmed in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Im assuming they either A, filmed in Croatia to save their budget, or B, the virus rule is too risky and strict in Spain, just saying.

For the design and such, they're quite nice what they went through, the clothing and the sets (for the most part) are nicely done, especially with Nicky's appearance is based on when Cage weirdly appeared in the talk show Wogan to promote the movie "Wild at Heart", its a nice reference, but then again, seen him in Wogan is pretty weird how he... I think portraying his character from the movie in talk show. Speaking of reference, one set that im impressed, is the scene where Javi has a collection room with Nick Cage, with bunch of stuff if you're familiar with Cage's movies, including the wax figure of Cage's Castor Troy from Face/Off, looks pretty good, especially with holding two freakin' golden guns.

As for the action scenes, they're quite fun to see with good'ol fashion shoot outs, however, the action scenes are only in the third act, which is a shame, cause we expecting having some actions to be exciting rather than get slow for the most parts, which again, i know this movie mainly focus on the chemistry between Cage and Javi for their different personalities and their story ideas.

Speaking of which, while they have a fun time of acting, sometimes they have limits, for example, there's a scene where Cage and Javi from two men are spying then bumping each others, while its nice to go, but real life Cage and Pascal weren't available for the scene, so they're obviously replaced by stunt doubles, which im assuming is to do a quick work without reaching the deadline.

While its sorta slow at the time, but least it looks beautiful and the action scene in third act are pretty good for say the least.

The Characters

Now, its no stranger that the cast has one fictional celeb and bunch of fictional characters, so you expecting that some characters could be fascinating. Well, probably so for the main casts.

Lets start off with fictionalized Nicolas Cage, as we know, Cage is a famous actor who's been for decades from successful experience to going down from hill from difficulty ideas from the writing to falling apart with his fictional family. Its easy to relate that fame could easily made us into downward spiral, but i've never expected of leaving country from a some kinda vacation offer or even an order from the CIA. Despite this, Cage as fictional himself is quite nice for his role that we've never expected for, he did a good job of his main role as we all know, even if that, like i said before, he could be easily be a ticking timebomb for his overacting.

I should also he also playing his imagination self named "Nicky", whom, like i said, based on Cage's odd appearance in Wogan. But here, Nicky is his subconscious for who he is or figuring out what to do, but then again, he also going BatS*** insane, especially for his overt-the-top name call of Nick Cage in the bar scene. And i though "Not the bees!" or ABC are Cage's craziest moments before this.

Anyway, despite the difficulty, he's got a help from Javi Gutierrez (played by Mando himself, Pedro Pascal) a Spanish rich-man and a fan of Nicolas Cage for offering him for the birthday and even get along for new movie plan. I find him pretty fascinating sidekick that he's here to helping Cage to recovering his career based on his fell apart from his fame. And that makes so good, its the chemistry between Cage and Javi, like i said, whereas Cage is struggling to recover to accepting the idea, while Javi is a respectful friendly fan for helping out, though a bit too much friendly. But of course, Pascal did a good work of his role, which at least he deserves better than his appearance in Wonder Woman 1984.

Next up is Olivia Henson (played by Sharon Horgan), she's Cage's fictional ex-wife that she's isn't get along from Cage's struggling connection. I find her ok, even though we don't know if she has a purpose for the plot, but then again, it wouldn't be until the third act, she's pretty much having a brief appearance from beginning to middle, let along with fictional daughter Addy (played by Lily Sheen). Speaking of which, Addy is also there for what just happened when Cage tried to celebrating her birthday, that was until the plot element of child kidnapping that Addy will be her next target from criminal group. They did a nice work for their roles (for the most part), even if we questioning their appearance, but again, wouldn't be until the third act.

After that, we have Vivian and Martin Etten (played by Tiffany Haddish and Ike Barinholtz), they're the CIA agents that they give us plot convenience for the order that the offer to Spain might be a trap. They're alright, they're meant to be Cage's partners to fight against the crime group, but like the ex-wife and daughter, they just had a brief appearances, but in fairness, they did a nice work of their roles.

And we have Lucas Gutierrez (played by Paco Leon), he's Javi's cousin and a crime leader of the group for child kidnapping for the purpose of dropping out the election to put down the politician of peace. I find him a not bad villain, though he may not have over the top acting as Cage, but the downside is the purpose of child kidnapping for destroying the peace in Spain, does the political element has to do with the plot of Cage's redemption? Nothing, just a unnecessary plot element that has no purpose whatsoever. But in fairness, despite the motivation, Paco did a nice work of his role, again, not as over-the-top, but at least il give a credit.

As for the rest of the movie, they're there for the plot purpose or nothing, there's Richard Fink (played by Neil Patrick Harris) who's Cage's fictional agent for the movie plans or not, but at least Harris did a good role as a humble person, Gabriela (played by Alessandra Mastronardi) who's Javi's assistant, and Maria (played by Katrin Vankova) who's the first girl who got kidnapped by the crime group for... Something something political reasons.

While the characters may or may not as memorable, but its the chemistry of two main characters are pretty good and some actors did a nice work of their roles.

And now for my Final Opinion of this film.

Overall, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a pretty good movie for say the least.

The story is nice and can be related, the presentation looks beautiful and well done, the action scenes is fun, the main casts are fun for the chemistry, and the acting is also good.

However, even though its pretty good, but the movie has flaws with briefly characters, some actors could be limited at the time, some plot element is unnecessary and the pretty good action scenes wouldn't be until the third act.

Do i think its a pretty good Nicolas Cage movie? Well, i'd say that depends for your appeal, for me, its a fine movie, but could've gone better based on some writing and direction. It may not be one of my favorite movie with Nick Cage, but its not bad.

For my rating, im gonna give this one a 7.5/10.

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.

Movie Review: Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank

 

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

Back in the old days before i was born, my parents had a fond memory of a satirical black comedy film called "Blazing Saddles" by Mel Brooks in 1974. While the movie had some controversy, this is the movie to make fun of social commentary in wild west, but it didn't matter that the film is both classic and comedy gold from our veteran comedy genius Mel Brooks, though i remember seeing Spaceballs, its a fun one that i recommend to watch. So ok, we have Blazing Saddles, social commentary comedy film that was a classic, but what about when you made a similar content of Blazing Saddles into a family friendly animated movie? Well, that's exactly what we have in today's review.

"Paws of Fury: The legend of Hank" is a 2022 animated martial arts comedy film that produced and directed by Rob Minkoff, co-directed by Mark Koetsier and Chris Bailey, co-produced by Adam Nagle, Peter Nagle, Guy Collins, Yair Landau and Susan Purcell, then written by Ed Stone, Nate Hopper, Mel Brooks, Norman Steinberg, Andrew Bergman, Richard Pryor and Alan Uger.

The idea of this movie had a humble beginning at 2010, where Yair Landau was overly inspired from the aforementioned Blazing Saddles, but going into the opposite, instead of taking place in the old west, this one takes place in Asia and anthropomorphic animals with cats and dog. The film was originally going to be released on 2017 and originally called "Blazing Samurai", but the movie was constantly delayed from changing people who worked on this project (while some like Yair is still credited), changing distribution and of course, the F***ing virus in 2020. They finally released the film in the summer of 2022 at Amazon Prime Video.

When this movie came out, the result as mixed, some appreciated the idea of this movie, but its nowhere good nor funny as Blazing Saddles. But the box-office isn't worth of waiting with $29.5 million that its much bellow than $45 million budget, making it a flop as a hopeless film for been developed and delayed over a decade.

So, with all that said, will this movie treated as equal for the community, or is this film is desperate to be funny as Blazing Saddles?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

For a movie is meant to be like Blazing Saddles in furry, you think the story will be similar in a harmless well for a well-meaning message with comedy, right? Well, im afraid not...!

Taking place on Feudal age in Japan with population of cats, we introduce the main villain named Ika Chu, the warmongering conniving high rank from Shogun in attempt to expanding to palace to taking over lands by invasions like invading Kakamucho multiple times to removing the villagers out for their build up of “Super Bowl” (When in reality, its a big toilet... Haha...). Ika brought out a prisoner (originally setence to death) named Hank the dog to not only let him free, but to becoming a samurai to the village Kakamucho, but when he visits and greeting to the village, he didn’t have a welcome meeting to him, because he’s a dog in cat’s feudal Japan. So he goes to the temple to meet a samurai mentor named Jimbo, which at first, he refuses to training, not only Hank is a dog for villagers’ hostile reception, but Jim is also addicted to Catnip (but in drink than a drug), despite the difficulty relation to accepting, its up to Hank to training to not only becoming a samurai of the village, but to convincing the villagers that he’s not a bad dog.

Now, i gotta say, even though i haven’t seen Blazing Saddles (yet), i find the story is not bad for say the least, since this movie is about a foreign outsider for learn how to become a hero, whereas Blazing Saddles is about teaching to become a sheriff, here, its about training to become a samurai, it would’ve work... If the writing makes more sense...!

Yes i know, the writing is harmless unlike Blazing Saddles that has a some lines that are not suitable for kids, since its all about social commentary how white people are none too please to a black cowboy to coming a sheriff, here, its as if they tried to be like Saddles in harless way, but its just it fell flat very bad when it comes to the writing and even “the jokes”, its just way too safe that Mel Brooks didn’t do back then (since back then we all know he’s a comedic genius), rather than dealing with racism issue between cats and dog, the message is tossed out to more focus of “Be a hero” or a good’ol “be yourself” cliche, making it a lackluster message what this movie is meant to be the furry version of Blazing Saddles.

Now, what about the joke in this movie? Well, again, its extremely tone down what Saddles has, but sadly, this one is Barely funny, even though i had some chuckles to some moment, but everything else is also fall flat that i barely laugh, instead, i felt bored with all those same jokes that you’ve heard from 2000s, not an animated movie in 2020 with pop-culture references, fourth-wall breaking and the stupid gross gag...! Again, barely make more than one chuckle, but i was nothing but bored to watching when they trying to be “Funny”.

While i get the changing direction as a loose remake of Blazing Saddles, but the writing of the story, the message and the humor are barely trying to give us what’s about...!

The Animation

Despite the writing is terrible and too safe, you think the animation could save, despite a bunch of changing studios in their crunch time? Well, i find it pretty average at best.

For starter, the background are not bad, but rather generic, you got a feudal Japanese themed village and the big palace, as well with bamboo forest and others, they’re generic and ok at best for for its design.

As for the designs, the character designs are obviously made for what they portrayed, but i find them also ok for say the least, whether they made big and muscular (minus Jimbo for looking like in bad shape former samurai), skinny to be neutral (like Hank the dog or Ika Chu the villain) or obviously a small one for the purpose of being cute.

Then there’s the effect and the quality, which they’re surprisingly not bad for the effect of the actions as well as the quality types, whether being the opening in hand-drawn or a comic filter-like in Jimbo’s flashback, which i will give a credit what they did.

For the animations, well, they’re either alright to boring. Mainly whenever we’re in normal, a montage or even a comedy, it didn’t mesh due to the limitations for kinda going slow or trying too hard, making some of slapsticks and such are barely trying to be “funny” as i said before. But it doesn’t mean the animation is so bad its unwatchable, they have some good ones, mainly the action sequences, they’re surprisingly good at some part, especially with either a duel, fighting against bad guys or even on war against the palace men, Again, it doesn’t mean the animation is “all bad” that you gotta look away, the action scenes are good to watch, which again, il give a credit what they’re trying.

The animation of this movie is average at best, while some qualities, the effects and the action sequences are good to see, but everything else are either boring or fell flat what they’re trying, for the most part.

The Characters

I think the most focus of the budget, are picking the A-list celebs in this movie. You think these characters will be likeable for saving grace with familiar cele-- (burst of laugh) Oh who am i kidding? Its not gonna work in order to liking the characters...!

Lets start with our titular protagonist Hank the dog (voiced by Michael Cera), a bumbling and “unlikely hero” to becoming a samurai, but failed miserably in order to... You know, he’s a dog and learning samurai is pretty difficult to learn. Now you think he sould’ve act like the Sheriff Bart from Saddles in order to be a smart trickster to dealing with and learning, right? Nope, instead, Hank is trying so hard to be both funny and being a hero, but he’s almost barely do anything for being a samurai’s village, but rather getting himself into punishment or other times, being an idiot. Even though Cera did an ok work of his role, but i find it pretty unlikely to having Michael Cera as a main protagonist in animated movie, which it only works if he’s in live action comedy with fellows like Seth Rogen, James Franco or many others, but not like this.

Next up is Jimbo (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson), a former samurai and sensei of our main protagonist. I find him ok, while he could has some good humor, but, once again, with too safe and badly writing, its unlikely that we like him in this with some “joke” he can pulled. I appreciated for Jackson’s fun performance, but he’s nowhere safe from this movie, sorry Sam.

Then we have the main villain Ika Chu (voiced by Ricky Gervais), a warmongering for expanding his palace to put down the village. We expected that some villains has some comedic gimmick, but when it comes to Ika, for Hades from Disney’s Hercules, he’s not. He feels like he’s trying too hard to be less menacing with his monotone joke, but it feels Ricky got bored and didn’t like to be involved while reading the script of voice acting, look, I’ve nothing against Ricky Gervais, he’s a fine British comedian, but its just he doesn’t belong in this movie with his villain role.

After that, we have Sumo (voiced by Djimon Hounsou) a gigantic... Well, sumo with his strength and somewhat of being dim-wit, but later get some respect. Out of characters in this movie, i think Sumo is probably the most memorable which he actually made some comedy that he made me chuckle at the time. I think he’s more likeable that many other characters in this movie, and Djimon did a nice work of his role.

Then we have Emiko (played by young Kylie Kuioka) a young girl who’s confident to give plot convenience to Hank. I find her ok, but irritating that she would’ve been a main protagonist since she likes to learn or save the village, more than Hank, rather than being a minor character to just showing up to tell Hank to do something. Like before, I’ve nothing against Kylie, she did good work her role, but its just that the way she’s written just didn’t work to make her either out of place, or annoying. But i kinda give a credit that unlike most character that are based on Saddles, she’s a completely original.

And what better way to have a movie based on Blazing Saddles, why not having Mel Brooks in it too. This time we have Toshi (played by Brooks himself) is an understandable Shogun of Kakamucho, while its nice to have him, but his Toshi role isn’t as good as his governor role in Saddles.

As for the rest of the characters, they didn’t sit well comparing to Saddles, there’s Ohga (voiced by George Tekai, aka Hikaru Sulu from Star Trek) who’s the muscle and leader of Ika Chu’s army, Chuck (voiced by Gabriel Iglesia) who’s a dumb clumsy tabby cat and Ichiro (voiced by Aasif Madvi( who’s a slim tuxedo cat.

While some casts did a nice work of their role and Sumo is likeable, but they’re nowhere safe giving us all the bad characters in this movie in order to make something “Funny”.

And now for my final opinion of this movie

Overall, Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank is the worst animated movie I’ve ever watched, its is so bad that its downright boring to see.

While the animation are ok and one character that i liked, but the rest is pretty much a water ship down of Blazing Saddles with bad writing, a bad tiresome jokes, story with lack of identity from the original and the characters are forgettable, and pretty much lack of action before the final act.

Like i cannot believe that this movie took one decade to finishing and this is how we got here?! Talk about a hopeless movie that its no worth of waiting. I mean seriously, this is not worth of our time to recommended this movie, otherwise we might as well stick to Blazing Saddles, which at least it has class, but Paws of Fury is anything but unfunny and classless. But i will give a credit that its not the film that its “So bad its Unwatchable” like TTG’s movie, but this is the movie is just boringly bad and yet, no reason to cashing in over Mel Brooks’s classic.

And for those reason, im giving it a 3.5/10 and this movie might as well earning a “Dumpster fire of Failure”.

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

hanks for reading, and im Anthony, signing out.