Movie Review: Venom: The Last Dance

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

Three years ago, I’ve covered “Venom: Let there be Carnage” which while I like the inclusion of Carnage and some good moments, but it felt like its been recycled from the first movie, but going down during Eddie Brock’s second journey with his symbiote Venom. At first, I though its good, but looking back now, I wish this movie what would’ve been without trying to embarrassing itself. But as time goes on, since we’ve heard of couple of news when Sony is going downhill from flops, bad movie like Madame Web that I covered a months ago, to even their business are going to crack when some films were delayed like Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse to, worst of all, potentially using AI Generate for future projects, but I don’t wanna drag this out. Since Sony gives us three movie in their own Marvel Universe, im starting to feel doubtful for upcoming Kraven The Hunter and today’s review.

“Venom: The Last Dance” is a 2024 Marvel Superhero film that was written/produced/directed by Kelly Marcel (in her directorial Debut), co-produced/co-written by Tom Hardy (yes, he also worked as both writer and producer) and co-produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, Amy Pascal and Hutch Parker.

I like to mention that this movie was first started back in 2018 when Tom Hardy accepted to be playing as Venom, which they’ve been told that they’re gonna do a trilogy with everyone’s favorite Lethal Protector. Though despite the first movie was good, it managed to making money at the box-office, which its no stranger that they’re developing sequels, after been delayed from you know what in 2020. There’s the aforementioned “Let there be Carnage”, which like I said, its good, but could’ve gone better, but then again, they made a success at the box-office, but not as much as the first one. Though speaking of the latter, the movie had a cliffhanger to having Venom sees MCU Spider-Man at the end of “Spider-Man: Far From Home”, which you think that this will be a potential crossover between two British actors as their Spider-Man characters, right? Nope, instead (SPOILER ALERT), in the mid-credit of Spider-Man: No Way Home, the potential of Venom in MCU was thrown out of window to pretty much back to square one what we have here. Jeez, its like the same BS tease at the end of Morbius (even though I never seen it), or any DCEU’s cliffhangers that we’ll never get (but didn’t matter how DCEU was a complete Fuster Cluck, but again, long story).

So, with all that said, will Venom gives us an emotional farewell at the end of the trilogy, or is this another stupid film from Sony since what we’ve been like Madame Web?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

Like I said before, we were expecting to have a crossover of SonyVerse and MCU since we saw the mid-credit of “Let there be Carnage”. But alas, in the mid-credit of “Spider-Man: No Way Home”, it was pretty much flushed into a toilet after Dr. Strange restored the ripped multiverse, but I won’t drag this out long. But what about the story in this movie?

The movie begins a brief introduction of a new villain (as we assuming) name Knull, the ruler on his own dark void when he’s the creator of Klyntar (who’re happened to be Symbiotes) when he heard about the Codex. Which it turned out the Codex happened to be belong to none other than our main hero, Eddie Brock with Venom. Speaking of which, after being sent back to his home universe, he’s still a fugitive. But instead of punished of resisting arrest for not able to coop with Patrick Mulligan, Eddie is accused for murdering Mulligan (What??). So its up to Eddie for clearing his name over the death of Mulligan, but also hiding with Venom when Knull’s alien army called “Xenophage” due to Codex that Venom has when he revived Eddie when they first met.

Yeah, this whole false fugitive part is not only pretty cliché, but its also pretty dumb that, if you’ve seen “Let there be Carnage”, we all know Eddie/Venom didn’t even kill Patrick during the climatic battle with Cletus Kasady, what kind of sense does that make when he’s falsely accused of killing Mulligan, even though it was teased that he’s still alive that he has a Symbiote in his life while being “dead”, even if there’s a plotline that Eddie has to going into New York as a purpose to clearing his name, im not a lawyer expert, but maybe he could’ve going to the supreme court at Virginia, which is pretty close instead of going into the one in New York, im just saying, but its just a demonstration of easy direction. Aside that, there’s also build up in Area 55 (a secret base bellow the Area 51. Oh great, another cliché of a movie taking place in the most infamous forbidden location in US), they have more Symbiotes that they’ve been found from a long ago, which is pretty fascinating that its meant to have a build up battle between army of Symbiotes vs Knull’s Xenophage for saving Venom’s Codex, but as far as im concerned, the other Symbiotes are pretty much an afterthought that we focused too much on a potential ending relation between Eddie and Brock, which I will admit, while the writing is a broken down mess, at least il give an appreciation for small emotional relation between of two for the final time. But of course, I mentioned the writing is pretty weak, they still have some humors, but once again, it felt forced, which kinda did chuckle at some moments, but I felt both bored and annoyed that I just want to hearing some character/story developments and the action scenes.

While it may have an interesting inclusion of the Symbiotes, dealing with Xenophage and a final chemistry between Eddie and Venom, but the rest are just too cliché about false fugitive and some dumb writing.

The Presentation

The movie’s budget costs $120M, which is slightly more expensive compare to two previous films. But il give a fair credit that it looks good, for the most part.

For starter the filming locations are pretty nice, when we start in the middle of nowhere, in particular at Mexico before going to the South of US are filmed in Spain at Cartagena and even Calbanque Tegional Park. The filming background and set building are pretty nice for what they’ve done. Of course, for my best of knowledge, some scenes were either done on sets like the Area 51/55 (which is the most cliché pic for story setting) and the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas, though im pretty sure the latter is they spend to filming and replicating sets in Vegas, since filming Las Vegas are pretty expensive like New York and LA.

As for the effects, while the effects of the alien monsters like Xenophage and even Symbiotes like Venom are pretty cool (which is thanks to of course, Industrial Lights and Magic, along with couple other effect companies like DNEG, Digital Domain and some others), especially the latter that I like seeing those Symbiotes, as a fan of our Lethal Protector. But as far as im concerned while the Symbiotes are there that we like to see, but alas, they’re only showing up in a brief moments, even if they’ll get bonded, they’re still in brief moments. I guess its not hard to see why the focus are Xenophage, these shapeshifting beasts are pretty much the predators towards Symbiotes, they looks cool, but terrifying.

As for the action scenes, they’re pretty good too from Eddie/Venom first fight in Mexico that unlike the previous films, they’re cooperating, which is pretty nice what they’re going. But it was only the beginning, the rest is more of a chasing away from Xenophage and the military and researchers at Operation Imperium, which is rather lame that we wanna see a fight compare the first film when Venom attacking the police force one by one. But the action scenes are sadly minimal that we only got three, which makes it rather anti-climatic, sure, the movie focuses on a final journey with Eddie and Venom, but without more than three actions, it’ll be lackluster, especially with the aforementioned broken down writing and cheap humors. Not to mention, despite we may like the action scenes, but they tried hard to add the extra violence, even if the film is PG-13, but good lord, the way they put some violence is so dumb that its cartoony like no blood bursting from the neck when Venom bites the heads off and when Xenophage eats the humans, the blood coming out from the back is soo bad, like I know its easy to make fun of fake blood that its done by CG, but Jesus, I’ve seen better blood effects from 1990s video games… Aside the cheap violence and poorly fake blood, the other effects are not bad.

The presentation of this movie aren’t as perfect with some bad effects and brief moments of Symbiotes, but the filming and the location are pretty nice, aside the use of Area 51 felt like its been done before other movies back then.

The Characters

For the last ride, you think we’re gonna have some of our familiar characters back to hopefully gets better? Well, its more like 25% of yes, and 75% of No.

Lets start off with Eddie Brock and his trusty symbiote Venom (reprised by Tom Hardy), from before, he’s meant to make a comeback of his investigation journalist career in “Let there be Carnage”, but here, he’s unfortunately going to hiding himself with his symbiote due to now being a fugitive form what happened in a climatic battle at the church. But like I said before, rather being facing charge of resisting arrest and breaking out for uncooperating with Patrick Mulligan, but here, he’s falsely accused for murdering Mulligan, which not only its super cliché, but its also pretty dumb development in order to clearing his name. Despite all that, even if he’s nervous for being with Venom, but got used to be with him, until noticing about the Codex from Venom when he was revived. Broken writing aside, their chemistry are… Actually interesting, since this the final adventure, they give a respectful relation, even if they gotta hiding themselves from both Xenophage and the military of Imperium, seeing together in their final run is actually and slightly emotional. While they’re not perfect, but il give a credit for that, especially Tom Hardy is always did a good work of his role, despite the stupid writing.

Then there’s Patrick Mulligan (reprised by Stephen Graham), from before, he was a police detective that he was demanding at Eddie for finding evidence about the victims from Cletus, even if he takes his demand way too seriously before he’s taking too personal, even if he could be an A-Hole. Here, even though he’s meant to be killed off, but it was teased that he’s revived by a Carnage’s sample with his eyes opened with glowing blue. So about his appearance, he’s unfortunately having a minimal appearance, but he only showing up for plot development about the whole evidence about Venom’s secret with Codex and Eddie’s whereabouts. Its a damn shame that he had a small appearance, especially at one moment that we do get to see him in symbiote form, but alas, we’ll never see him in action, but they never named that symbiote…! In the comic version (according to my research), his symbiote is named “Toxin”, and yes, like in the movie, Toxin is created from Carnage’s sample, which is like the third generation since from Carnage to Venom. While Stephen did a fairly descent role, but he deserves better to have an action, instead of doing nothing than giving us a plot details.

And lastly, we have Mrs. Chen (reprised by Peggy Lu) who’s Eddie’s best pal and convenience store owner, but alas, even though its surprise to see her again, but like Mulligan, she’s just making a cameo appearance. Well then, this is worthless…

As for the new characters? Well, I find some new ones are okay at the best.

First is Rex Strickland (played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, aka Scar in a so-called “Remake” of The Lion King, ugh…), he’s the commander of Imperium project when based on heard about Eddie being fugitive, he’s tracking him with his symbiote for the purpose of researching about symbiotes. I find him okay at best, even though he’s not as over-the-top as Carlton Drake, but even though he oversees Imperium, he’s just there, though he’s not really a villain, but more like neutral. Though il give a credit for a nice performance to Chiwetel.

Next up, we have Dr. Teddy Payne (played by Juno Temple) she’s the scientist of Imperium that aside wants to learning about symbiotes too, but also had a personal trauma from the past when she was young, she got struck by lightning, not only having a scar on her arm, but also losing her beloved brother. I find her to be another okay character, she’s just showing up to sharing her tragic past that she wants to get over to working on Imperium, even though at some moment that it was hinted when she secretly stole a purple symbiote (probably one that its called “Agony”), though I won’t give a SPOILER if she letting her symbiote bonding or not. Aside her origin is just… There, but il also give a credit to Juno’s performance.

After that, we have Sadie Christmas (played by Clark Backo), another researcher of Imperium, but unlike Teddy, she’s much curious about the history and the life of symbiotes, especially if she wants to pick one of the symbiotes to bonding herself. This may sounds… Risky at best, when compare to Life Foundation for their testing, the symbiotes are possibly hostile to kill test subjects, unless if the symbiotes will considering which one will be the main host. Although she does got bonded, but again, no SPOILERS. I find her interesting, she’s almost relatable that she wants to know about the symbiotes, chocks up to Clark’s role.

Lastly, we we have Knull (played by Andy Serkis, aka the man with dozens of motion capture performance, and of course, the director of “Let there be Carnage”), the main villain of the movie for not only ruling his home planet, but also the creator of Symbiotes. However, he heard about the main symbiote, Venom, has a Codex that he wants to kill it for freeing himself by sending Xenophage to hunting it down, as long as he doesn’t wanting some defending Venom for… Reasonable of hostile against Venom’s Codex. This sounds like a potential plan to having the confrontation between Venom vs Knull, but it feels like he’s pretty much worthless and wasted potential, he’s just sit on his home world’s throne, looking to hunting down Venom over the Codex. Despite Andy did a nice work of his performance, but jeez, how weak he is for his development. I feel like I miss Carnage already…!

As for the rest, there aren’t much to tell, there’s the hippies family with Martin Moon (played by Rhys Ifans, aka Dr. Curt Connors or Lizard from The Amazing Spider-Man), who’s the father of Moon family who’s interested about aliens, despite living with nature, Nova Moon (played by Alanna Ubach, aka Mama Imelda from Coco) who’s Martin’s wife, Echo and Leaf Moon (played by Hala Finley and Dash McCloud) who’re the kids of the family, one of them who’s just nothing, but the other one is surprisingly have a sympathy to Eddie to cheer him up, let along with Venom.

Although, there was one character who’s the “Head of Imperium”, who’s surprisingly played by Reid Scott, the same guy who played Dr. Dan Lewis, who’s the wife of Anne Weying’s fiance. But in this movie, while he’s almost the villain in this movie, but alas, much like Knull, he’s nothing but a tease and downright questionable when they brought back the same actor from two previous movies under different role, kinda like when Robert Downey Jr. is coming back in MCU as Dr. Doom after playing as Iron Man.

While Eddie and Venom are like the main chemistry for the final run, but the characters are just mediocre for underdeveloped (minus Sadie, which I like), minimal appearance and plain overhype.

And now for my final opinion of this film.

Overall, “Venom: The Last Dance” is pretty mediocre one to end the trilogy, I would say its a mixed bag at best, but its just bellow mixed.

While I enjoy to see Eddie and Venom for the last time, the inclusion of symbiotes are promising, the actions are okay, but everything else is just poor from lame and cliché story, dumb writing, cheap violence (for being a PG-13 film), no special characters, and bellow average action.

While the first one is good for the most part, the second one is fine, but not great, though at least I enjoy Carnage, but the third and final one is probably the lamest way to end the trilogy, absolutely wasted opportunity to giving us the last ride with Venom. I don’t recommend the movie, but as far as I know, its only for die-hard fans of Venom to see it, im sure they’ll like it, but for me, its just weak to end the trilogy. Complete disappointment…

For my rating, im gonna give this one a 4/10.

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: Joker: Folie a Deux

 

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

Five years ago, I’ve covered Todd Philips’s Joker, when I first reviewing it, I thought it was good. But when looking back at it, I can definitely see the praise not just the critics, but the fans as well for the realistic approach of Joker, along with impressive performance of Joaquin Phoenix’s role that he won the Oscar of Best Actor, good for him. So much so that with the praise of this movie, along with the build up at the ending, its no stranger that we have a sequel to be even better… Right?

“Joker: Folie a Deux” is a 2024 psychological thriller… Jukebox musical…? Film that was written/produced/directed by Todd Philips, co-produced by Emma Tillinger Koskoff, and Joseph Garner, and co-written by Scott Silver.

Even though some people (yours truly included) like to have a sequel, but others prefer that Joker should stay as a standalone film. But because of the success that it earned more than One Billion Dollars, Warner Bros decided to building their own cinematic version of “DC Black”, a miniseries which is much more of darker tone. Though the potential express of sequel came from Phoenix himself that he doesn’t want to leave his Joker’s role behind, along with saying that he had a dream when his Joker role to be more menacingly evil with going on stage with jokes and singing. It was pretty skeptical for this film’s idea to having a DC R-Rated film with a mix of psychological thriller and musical, but like I said, with Phoenix’s came up that idea to Todd Philips, they went ahead, along with reuniting with the writer Scott Silver and the producer Emma Tillinger Koskoff. However, since this movie has musical, one person that made up both curious and doubtful is having Lady Gaga (yes, the modern famous Lady Gaga in musical to joining movie industry) playing as Harley Quinn, it was an odd report during the development, but hey, what can you do when Phoenix brought up to have a girlfriend element of “Female Joker”, since we already of Quinn.

So, with all that said, will Joker and Harley Quinn made a grandiose musical in their insanity, or is this idea that its just as broken down as Joker and Quinn’s relationships?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

Since Joker is in Arkham Asylum (or Arkham State Hospital as it called in the movie), you think that this will be another vengeful Joker against the society with Harley Quinn jump on a bandwagon, right? NOPE…!

The movie begins with… An inspired hand-drawn Looney Tunes inspired opening sequence that it picked up a reminder from the first movie? Okay…?? After that, taking place two years after the first film, Arthur Fleck is in a custody at Arkham, which they’re about to preparing the testimony about his killings, his mental disorder (mainly Dissociative Identity Disorder, or DID) and his Joker persona. While at the same time, he sees Harleen Quinzel (or Lee for short) that she’s rooting for him for the plan to escaping to be free together for the plan of chaos in Gotham. Its up to Arthur for his struggling decision for either admit his responsibility or doubling down against the society.

I find this one is fine at best that its all about a testimony for Joker’s action whether or not its his justification against the society or its all fantasy from mentally delusion. But unfortunately, the writing is so weak from beginning to end that the story is stuck in two things, chaos and even musical. And off boy, the musical parts are so forced to be the focus than the storytelling, but we’ll get to that later. Not to mention, this movie is so slow for a 2 hours long film that we wanted to see something interesting for the developments and a small action, but we got is pretty minimal due to its weak writing, though sure, the court scenes are rather fascinating to watch, but it wasn’t helping very much that the movie is trying to giving us a build up relation between Arthur and Lee, but alas, the relationship is not only lackluster, but its also downright hopeless that they’re split up from either get along or she’s going to watching a testimony, aside the fantasy scenes with, again, the forced musical. I get they’re meant to be together as neighbors, but again, because of weak writing, it feels like a cheap subplot what they’re promoting us, leaving the relationship between Joker and Harley Quinn is nothing more but a marketing over-hype.

Story is lacking and the writing is a broken down mess. Even if they gave us some interesting development, but its not helping how it feels so lacking for what we got, making it without a story and lack of development just playing boring, in fact, and im not joking, was falling asleep while watching this.

The Presentation

The movie budget is between $190M – $200M, which to be fair, despite the problematic of the writing, it looks okay at best.

For starter, the filming location is pretty good for the filming in mix of Los Angeles and New York City for their depiction of Gotham City, especially for keeping the old early 80s setting. Though there are only two locations that are focused in this movie, Arkham Asylum is filmed in the abandoned Essex County Isolated Hospital, located on Belleville, New Jersey, which is a nice place and kinda fit in. And the second is the New York County Courthouse, this courthouse in Manhattan had a couple of histories some of you know, even if im not familiar about the live filming in courthouse, but this place is famously used from Law and Order show, as well as movies like The Godfather, Goodfellas, TMNT movie in 1990 and Wall Street. And of course, they even brought back to modern famous location, the Joker Stairs, also known as “West 167th Street Step Stairs”, its located on Highbridge neighborhood of the Bronx in Manhattan, its famously first using it in the first Joker, here, while im glad it brought it back, but like the relationship between Joker and Quinn, its nothing but a tease.

While the filming outdoor and some fascinating buildings are nice, but the musical scenes either on the aforementioned two buildings focus or even on set, I will say for the latter the musical scene set are pretty good and colorful, even if it can be cheesy to play almost like a Broadway style, but still, looks pretty nice.

As for the some small effects and makeup, they’re fine, while Phoenix’s Joker is still looking nice since the first Joker, whereas Gaga’s Harley Quinn is pretty much normally with random clothing choice instead of classic jester bodysuit or even the modern top and bottom jester style, though im disappointed on her makeup that they could’ve gone with nearly similar to the Joker but in Harley Quinn fashion. Though sure, we never be able to see the action, sure we have blood or even attempted escaping asylum, but those actions and bloody moments are rather minimal, even if its still and R-Rated film.

But of course, lets not forget the biggest elephant in the room, its the musicals. Though im not gonna talk about the soundtrack done by Hildur Guonadottir, I think the soundtracks are fine, but the musical parts are the focus, but good lord, they’re like all over…! Most musical films like say, Disney films there have to be about 5 songs, or others like say, one of my favorite Grease, they have to be less than 10 songs, but at least Grease is a classic film, and those songs are great. But in this movie, there are 16 SONGS from beginning to end. And guess what? 90% of them are just nothing more but a cheap cover songs sung by both Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix. Though not going to be against them, Phoenix did a nice work of his singing performance, if you’re familiar with the 2005 “Walk the Line” in his movie version of Johnny Cash. As for Gaga, there no way to take shot on, considering how big Lady Gaga is when she first popping in with her successful album “The Fame” in 2008. And before you ask, yes, I do enjoy some of her songs, some are recognizable or some are underrated. Sure, her later albums have been changed and probably aren’t the same when she used to, but when she jumped into Hollywood with “A Star is Born”, man it was a HUGE deal for her mix of acting and musical (even though I never seen this movie), though sure House of Gucci is okay from I’ve heard. But again, you can’t make this stuff up that there are 16 SONGS in the whole movie that made the story and the action less focus, especially when almost EVERY songs are covers, with the exception of one original song written by Gaga herself. They’re all over, they’re boring and they’re downright forced…!

While the filming and the presentation are good, but Holy Balls the musicals are pretty much the endurance test of patience…!

The Characters

Since this is the sequel for return to the characters, as well as the new ones, you think this sequel will be a promising improvement? None… None can help because of weak writing…

Lets starts with our main titular character, Arthur Fleck, aka Joker (reprised by Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix), as we’ve seen from the first one, rather fell on a pool of chemical that bleached his skin and raising insanity for crime wave, here, he was born in mentally ill with uncontrollable laughter and his madness in nihilism for being abandoned by the society, its understandable for going realistic, but it makes a pretty good revision of Joker. But in this sequel on the other hand, it feels like the promise of becoming a “Clown Prince of Crime” is pretty much tossed out of window into a cheap sympathetic man who admits his responsibility for his dissociative identity disorder and mentally delusional as Joker. Talk about a major downgrade that we love Phoenix’s portrayal of Joker, ranging from a build up clowny criminal to a man who takes his responsibility, like good lord, it feels like its been retconned from the first movie. Again, I’ve nothing against Joaquin Phoenix, great and Oscar worthy over the first movie, its because how the execution from the writing and forced music is just weak and barely helped for his build up that we never gonna get it, I know he came up the idea in his dream to Todd Philips, but he should’ve think twice before the execution is done right.

Next up, we have Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (played by Lady Gaga) unlike many versions of Harley Quinn who’s a former psychiatrist of Arkham before likes to following footsteps with Joker or even turning against Mister J, here, she’s a patient of Arkham Asylum that she’s deeply falling in love to see Arthur for escape plan to live free. This may sounds like a build up for not just a chemistry between her and Arthur, but also build up crime in Gotham. But alas, we never get it, its more she wants to see him win free against the society that she’s inspired by it, but we never get a promising romantic between of two, instead, their romance is made for musical purpose with those cheap ass covers. It just doesn’t work on both her and the chemistry. Like Phoenix, I’ve nothing against Lady Gage, great and inspired singer and actress, but its the writing that its easy to blame for poor character development and the forced musical parts, make it the worst version of Harley Quinn we ever have, again, not gonna blaming Gaga, just blame the execution of the writing, what you see is what we got very badly…

Though the last one I like to give is Harvey Dent (played by Harry Lawtey), its quite surprising that he’s in the movie. While like many version, he started as a district attorney for Gotham’s peace before his duality is overtaking his mind. Here, while his district attorney is there as a newly elected, but he’s in a justice against Arthur, even if he could be cynical for putting Joker down for his personal gain, a little… Too personal. Even though he’s almost having a minor appearance, but at least he’s possibly the only good character in this movie, even if we already know for when he’ll becoming Two-Face, or not. But il give a credit for Harry’s pretty good role as Gotham’s district attorney.

But the rest of the characters aren’t as much as important. Sure they can give us a development, but many of them are either having a minimal appearance or just wasting the space.

There’s Jackie Sullivan (played by Brendan Gleeson, aka Hamish Campbell from Braveheart) who’s the abusive security against Arthur in Akrham, Maryanne Stewart (played by Catherine Keener) is Arthur’s lawyer for his defense, Sophie Dumond (reprised by Zazie Beetz) who’s Arthur’s neighbor that she’s originally his love interest, but never happened, Paddy Meyes (played by Steve Coogan) is a TV interviewer personality who made an interview towards Arthur, Gary Puddles (reprised by Leigh Gill) is Arthur’s former colleague when Joker is going madness to kill Randall, Ricky (played by Jacob Lofland) who’s inmate of Arkham and Herman Rothwax (played by Bill Smitrovich), who’s the judge of Arthur’s trial.

Its safe to say, this movie doesn’t have memorable characters with Joker being a complete downgrade, while the rest are both minimal and a waste of potential.

And now for my final opinion of this film

Overall, Joke Folie a Deux is a complete boring and worthless sequel what we’ve gotten.

While the presentation are good at best and the acting are also good, but everything else is a complete disaster for the final result with lackluster story, bad writing, hopeless characters and the musicals are forced down to our ears that ruining the story building.

Even though the first Joker was meant to be standalone, I was expecting to giving us a sequel if this will be a worth of watching with a new award worthy since earning two Oscars in the first movie, but instead, this movie is anything but award worthy for how bad they gave us! I get they wanna try something new, but the execution that failed this movie so bad that pretty much giving us a boredom for how worthless this sequel is!

This is definitely my regret of watching this. This is not worth of our time and money spending to watching this hopeless sequel, especially with those bad cover songs that it makes “Strange Magic” looks like an Oscar worthy film. So again, don’t even bother to watching this waste of potential movie, its not worth it…!

And for that reason, im giving this one a 2.5/10, along with earning the Dumpster Fire of FAILURE.

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: Transformers One

 

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

As a kid, there were three toys that I love to playing with, Hot Wheels, Lego and even Transformers. In case for the latter, its pretty cool to see a toys involving giant robots with their abilities to transforming into cars, jets, boombox, animals and more, its all about the good like Autobot fighting against the evil Decepticon for their power hungry to tanking over either Cybertron or even Earth for taking energy sources, they’re the flagship on Hasbro toy series, sitting next to My Little Pony (another favorite, but back when it was fun in 4th Gen with Friendship is Magic) for their ongoing run for competition next to Mattel with Barbies and the aforementioned Hot Wheels. Though unlike Mattel, Both Transformers and My Little Pony in the 1980s, while the ponies were introduced first in 1981, Transformers were debuted in 1984, three years after MLP. But I was born late as 1995 that I wish I could watching the first generation Transformers, instead I remember watching the anime Transformers from “Robots in Disguise” to “The Unicron Trilogy” from Armada, Energon to Cybertron (The latters are… Pretty cool, but a bit rich). But when Michael Bay shown up to giving us his take on Transformers, I felt underwhelmed for how BORING it is, which I was pretty much ignored them like nothing happened, or perhaps I should’ve watch more Transformers cartoons like “Tansformers Animated” or Prime. Though as I grown, I really want to get myself back into Transformers, not just for looking for toys, but also watching the shores in their different lore. But what they never have been is to have a theatrical animated Transformers after over decades.

“Transformers One” is a 2024 animated movie that was directed by Josh Cooley (the director of Toy Story 4), produced by Don Murphy, Tom DeSanto, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Michael Bay (Yup, its him again), Mark Vahradian and Aaron Dem, and written by Eric Pearson, Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari.

The idea of this movie cam after the release of Transformers: Age of Extinction, Paramount had a discussion with one of the writer Akiva Goldsman to do the work of Transformers for hope of its promise to Michael Bay’s version, but once he worked on Transformers: The Last Knight, it was a bust. Despite that, it seems Paramount wanted more when another writers Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari joined in. BUT, rather than making another Bay’s Transformers, they wanted to have a prequel story of Transformers, not just a prequel, but an animated film, which is something that we’ve never expected to having a theatrical animated movie based on Transformers, but it wasn’t the first. Back in 1986, when the first two seasons of Transformers was such a big deal, so much so they the people behind the show decided to go all in to making their own movie as a tie-in from the show with new characters and sadly, killing off Optimus Prime. Which despite it had a potential, it didn’t turned out both the reaction and the box-office, leaving the idea of animated Transformers movie left a shadow that made the G1 into a decline, despite of selling new toys for the sake of introducing new characters, but its a long story. Anyway, once Paramount has accepted to having an animated Transformers movie in a prequel story, it had a lot of promise, especially when they hired Josh Cooley as a director.

So, with all that said, will this movie will give us more than meets the eye, or is this film felt like it was created by Decepticon?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

Just to head up I may not be familiar of Transformers in Hardcore level, but I did learn for some since I briefly watched the G1 Transformers show. So with all that said, will the origin has a pretty good story? Well, for the most part, yeah, I definitely think so, sometimes for the writing.

The movie begins where it briefly explains Cybertron was born from the original kind name “Primus”. But due to Primus’s life came to at end, it transforms into a planetary form as Cybertron that we all know, along with birth of the population kind as “Cybertronian”, as well as giving cogs to the heroes that they were called “Primes”, but alas, they were gone without the most important thing in Cybertron what its called “The Matrix of Leadership” in order give more powers from planet’s energy resource called “Energon”. After the origin, we introduced Orion Pax (betefore he’ll be named Optimus Prime that we all know) who found the small documentary about the aforementioned origin, but after got himself into a hot water from being chased by Darkwing to get lost, he reunites his pal D-16 (before he’ll be named Megatron), even if they’re both working as miners to digging out Energon with Elita-1, despite after their freak accident with injuring one of worker Jazz, and weirdly demoting Elita (despite she didn’t do anything wrong). But after Orion and D been accidentally participating the race in celebration (despite they lost the race) they given a respect to heroic of Cybertron named Sentinel Prime, only didn’t last long that they’ve been thrown out by Darkwing and meet the eccentric B-127 (Even though he was named named “Bumblebee” in the movie, which il call him “Bee” for short) from down bellow. Despite thrown out, Orion found a map from Bee’s weirdly imaginary friend to finding the location that he assume there’s must be the way to seeking The Matrix. Its up to Orion Pax, D-16, Elita and Bee to find the way to finding The Matrix, along with hopefully having special cogs to transform and learn more truth.

I will say, its pretty nice to bring us back to the past where it all begin before we have Autobot and Decepticon, especially when our unlikely heroes are going out to seeking The Matrix, along with their character development build up. However, while I enjoy the origin, though it can be too simple and kinda cliché with some elements, such as being the chosen ones, the dark secret Sentinel (yeah, SPOILER ALERT, its a villain’s plot twist cliché) and it can be a bit complex in the movie throughout the movie. Even if I can be a bit nit-picky with some moments didn’t make any sense like why Elita got fired when she’s done nothing wrong, how Bee found the map without realization and why Sentinel congratulating Orion and D for nothing in Transformers version of Indy 500. Yeah, the writing can be questionable for some logic. But of course, what’s not better way to have a humors, which will say, I find some jokes are chuckle worthy that I laughed at some moments, but if only the jokes won’t get too much on Bee, sure I did chuckled some Bee’s humors, but once a limit needs to give him a limit than forced, not to mention, even though the movie is meant to be made for kids, but most of the jokes are kinda mature that we should’ve know that its a PG animated film, based toys involve robots turning into vehicles or others. However, while its not perfect, the movie also has a chemistry between Orion Pax and D-16, which I find the development between of two are like the focus and I can see why, since can feel these two are meant to be good friends, but the more you watch, the more separation build up they’re about to, which is exactly the difference between of two is day and night, you can fee Orion wants to be help in his lighter path, while D-16 is on a verge of losing respect and potentially twisted by the dark side. Especially with an appreciation about the world building about Cybertron from the aforementioned origin.

While the writing aren’t as perfect, and some jokes are mixed of chuckle worthy or forced, the story is pretty nice to bring us to the prologue that, while a bit slow, but the more we watch, the more fun and action impact it gets.

The Animation

The movie’s budget costs between $75M to $147M (though its estimated) and I will say, it looks pretty good and of course, for a theatrical film based on Transformers, its worth of update with going back to the old route.

For starter, the background is no stranger to going 80’s-like detail and the colorful chrome either inside or outside of Cybertron and I gotta say, they look colorful and amazing, the city in Cybertron looks pretty cool and probably creative for being a cite from normal side or weirdly upside down (kinda like the Hollow Earth in Monsterverse, but in futuristic city). Of course, outside of city, it also has a creative with a mix of metallic mountain formation, nature overgrown and other fascinating location design, sure it may not look vibrant, but the colors and even some effects are fascinating.

One thing that I give an appreciation is the character designs. First, I like to pointing out the animation of this movie is done by “Industrial Light and Magic”, they used to be involved with the live action character designs in Bayverse. This time, gone is the clutter with gears, pieces and stuff all over for the cheap sake of realism in Bay films, here, since this is an animated movie, they went back to the old route by having the character designs look more like they came from toys (You know what they said, movies or shows are made to selling toys since the 80s.), and I gotta say, not only its a right decision, but also the character designs are pretty good, almost like a mix of 80s and modern, sure their faces are metallic human-like, which is odd design, unless some of your are like “Hey, this is like the modern facial animation of Transformers: Beast Wars”, and you know what? By looking between of two, they kinda do. Though il give also a credit for the effects, for the characters, whether be their eyes with iris, a glowing chest once they have cogs to of course, seeing them transforming into vehicles that we love to see for obstacles and action. There’s also the Quintesson aliens, though these guys have nothing to do with the plot, but I will say, even though im not familiar with Quintisson aliens (even if they have nothing to do with the plot), but having born as an alien robot from its appearance, they look unique and kinda disturbing.

Of course, since this is Transformers movie, its no stranger that we have action scenes, I will say, those action scenes are fun to to watch, while we start out slow from Orion Pax chasing away from Darkwing, a racing with Orion and D-16, and even avoiding obstacles. But of course, like the story, the longer you watch, the more intense action impact we gotten into from creative battle with transformation, the impressive use of cinematography, to even some moments are brutal that some are either getting injured or even body counts. Keep in mind, while they gave us some cool action for kids, but its still rated PG, MCU style, but at least its a lot fun to watch than the current MCU.

Like I said, gone is the clutter and cheap stake from Bay’s films, the animation of this movie is outstanding for its bringing back to the old route, fun action and colorful design and presentation.

The Characters

When it comes to the characters, a lot are pretty much in a minor roles or minor developments, but I do enjoy the voice acting (even if its another one of those animated movies with all-star casts) along with some giving us a promising character development. I know when we saw them in a trailer, we were pretty doubtful for their roles, but keep in mind, this is the origin story of Transformers, which again, the longer we watch, the more fascination it goes.

Starting off with the main protagonist in the movie, Orion Pax, aka Optimus Prime (voiced by Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth), when we first introducing him, he’s more of a curious and adventurous miner, which he could causing troubles for being cocky that he wants to help, but as it goes on when he learns about The Matrix, he becomes mature and brave for his honor to Cybertron for peace, I know it sounds I like spoiled the movie, but easy to predict how our familiar characters will become after they learned, which is exactly how Orion grows, even though his development is more like an unlikely chosen one to be the hero, but il give a credit what they’re trying, sure its not like the same voice as legendary Peter Cullen, but Chris did a pretty good work of his role of Orion.

Next, we have D-16, aka Megatron (voiced by Brian Tyree Henry, aka Bernie Hayes from Monsterverse, and aka Jefferson Davis in Sony’s Spider-Verse), at first, he’s more of a regular Cybertronian who’s not looking for trouble, despite he’s more irritated from his fella Orion without hesitant to punishing and can be hotheaded, but unlike Orion, once he learned by about The Matrix, he’s potentially going down to the dark side, becoming injustice and menacing for his potential battle in genocide. He’s like Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars, but instead of being cocky or childish, he starts out rather realistic and down to earth to becoming ruthless and evil that we all know. Like before, sure its no stranger its not like the legendary Frank Welker, but Brian is really surprising me for his impressive role of Megatron, he goes from normal and sorta tragic to becoming pure evil after the secret is revealed.

After that, we have Elita-1 (voiced by Black Widow herself, Scarett Johansson), she’s more of a no-nonsense discipline and the only female ally of Orion’s group, despite she’s been wrongfully victimized. I find her to be not bad, she’s more of a strong and serious former superior of mining towards Orion and D-16, even if she has no problem to punishing some (without harmful). She’s almost like the Cybertronian version of Black Widow, I mean, what do you expect they’re both played by Johansson, but il give a credit for her voice as Elita, she did a nice role.

Lastly, there’s B-127, aka Bumblebee (voiced by Keegan-Michael Kay, aka Toad from The Super Mario Bros Movie, and aka Ducky from Toy Story 4), he’s pretty much the eccentric Cybertronian from bellow and the obvious comedic relief in the movie in KMK standards. Like I said, he did gave me chuckling moments, but its just the comedy is a bit too much on him in, again, fashion from Keegan-Michael Kay, sometimes it works like his hilarious rightful option of running away from mountain formation to “Badass-atron”, but other times, its too much and questionable development from the start, either that or maybe Michael Bay is not a fan of Bee, but that’s just me.

As for the rest, a lot of them are having a minor developments, some are fascinating, but some that I wish they could’ve give us more. There’s Alpha Prime (voiced by Morpheus himself, Lawrence Fishburn) who’s the last living Prime who gives us the truth about The Matrix and partially about his group and world building, Sentinel Prime (voiced by Jon Hamm) who’s the great hero of Cybertron right before we found out his dark secret. Yeah, like I said, he’s another one of those villain with a twist, though I wish they could’ve give us more screen like he’s watching over our main heroes, but again, its just me, Starscream (voiced by Steve Buscemi) is the leader of his High Guard that he’s surprisingly less cowardly and less selfish, nice touch to make him badass, then again, I would love to see him more, along with Soundwave (voiced by Jon Bailey) and Shockwave (voiced by Jason Konopisos-Alvarez). And there also some I appreciate their appearance, but in cameos (though with potential) like Jazz (voiced by Evan Michael Lee) and Arcee (voiced by Jinny Chung). If only we would like to see them in their cameos like Hotrod, Ultra-Magnus, Ironhide or some of the Decepticon’s Seekers. Aw well.

While most of almost all of them have a minor roles, but its nice for their casting, and even giving us the character developments, especially for two main characters.

And now for my final opinion of this film

Overall, Transformers One is surprisingly a pretty good Transformers movie that they gave us.

The story is pretty good for the build up of the secret truth, the writing is good, the characters are good too, especially for the main characters’ build up, the animation is outstanding and colorful, the action are great, the humors can be good and it has a nice heart.

Sure, while I like some, but the writing is nowhere perfect with some flaws with clichés and some nonsensical logic, some humor is forced and aside the main characters, I would like to see their build up that I like, for the most part.

And to be fair, I think its safe to say that I’d rather watching this more than those godawful Michael Bay versions, sure Bay’s version can be fun, but its just flat out boring and absolute cringe. The difference is day and night, which im glad both Paramount and Industrial Light and Magic have learned after what Bay gave us to bringing Transformers back to its old route.

Despite the problems, its no stranger to be a Must-Watch film for Transformers fans and even non-fans. as a fan of animation (unlike the godawful Bay ones), I think I enjoy this movie, not perfect, but at least I enjoy this movie for all the good reasons and even appreciation to both Paramount and Industrial Light and Magic. If you’re curious about Transformers, I’d say give this one a watch, and maybe you’ll love Transformers for either actions or learning about the origin.

For my rating, im gonna give this one an 8.5/10. This is movie is so close to earning the Trophy of Success, but if it doesn’t have flaws, it would’ve been either 9 or 10. Aw well, better luck next time.

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 and Happy early Canadian Thanksgiving though.

Movie Review: The Wild Robot

 

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

Remember last year when I was hoped when Dreamworks are going to giving us a promise, before they were tripped when they gave us Ruby Gillman? Yeah, last year was like a roller coaster ride, they gave us promising with The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, but then they went down to facing their own punishment when Ruby Gillman’s box-office got flopped. That is until when we have the next movie to giving us a hope for their return.

“The Wild Robot” is a 2024 animated sci-fi survival film that was written/directed by Chris Sanders and produced by Jeff Hermann.

If the name Chris Sanders sounds familiar to you all, its because he had been worked with classic movies, he started working at Disney as visual works and even character designs, he worked on a classic renaissance films like Beauty and The Beast, The Lion King and Mulan. Then in 2002, while Disney was in bad shape, he gave one his best work, Lilo and Stitch. But after the negotiation of American Dog didn’t go well, Sanders left Disney to Dreamworks for his passion project of The Croods (though with mixed result), he also gave us another one of his best, How To Train Your Dragon. Sanders’s next movie wouldn’t be until we have here today. Back in September 2023, they were announced to adapting from the book series with the same name by Peter Brown with Sanders brought in as both writer and director. Though this film’s idea came from Sanders’s curiosity when he found the book, he wasn’t sure at first, until he think that this will be the opportunity make a movie with Dreamworks, it wasn’t just a survival movie with a lone robot, but also feel that this will be fitting to have a heart to connect between robot and nature.

So, with all that said, will the robot lives in nature in peace, or is it unwelcoming to the wild life?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

While this movie is gonna be similar to Cast Away, but with a robot, but the story of this movie is actually both fun and actually heartwarming.

Taking place in a fictional future, we introduce the main robot named ROZZM unit 7134 who’s washed ashore to an island of wildlife from a typhoon (while unfortunately, the other ROZZUMs are broken in pieces), but after got activated by one otter out of nowhere, ROZZUM wakes up that, before discovering island, she’s pretty much in full on assistant mode with advertising services and asking for task to wild animals, which she unfortunately scaring them off and getting herself at risk from obstacles, getting attacked by a predator and worse, accidentally crushed a nest with a mother goose with one egg left. After it cracked open in birth, she’s curiously meets a baby goose as “Brightbill”, at first, she wasn’t so sure to figuring out how she’s being called a mother, until she meets a fox name Fink (despite she saw him before) to helping her for being adoptive mother to Brightbill for three task, eating, swimming and flying. However, due to bring a robot, its not easy to start to first meeting the other animals, especially for her chemistry with her and the wild animals, while at the same time, she wants to found out who she is. Its up to Roz to discovering nature to connect them and asking herself whether or not if she lives with nature or going back to the futuristic company called “Universal Dynamics”.

I find the story of this movie, again, while its similar many survival films like say, Cast Away, but the execution is actually pretty impressive and of course, well written. The movie goes to focus of Roz trying to connect with nature for her both curiosity and befriend with them without putting herself as risk, even if she’s a robot from greeting in advertising and assistant mode from the start. But the longer she stay to hanging out and helping the more emotion she’s developing that she’s interested live with, especially for her chemistry with herself, Brightbill and Fink, especially to have a mix of humor and heart. Especially with the latter, while I do have a chuckling moments, but the heart is the key to this movie, and I will say, they did a pretty good job how we can relate to her for both both outcast and castaway, along with a subplot that she needs to know who she’s supposed to be when her relationship with wild animals goes pretty difficult when they treating her as a monster, despite she’s meant to helping them without putting a harm, even if she didn’t even meant to kill Brightbill’s mother, even if without telling the terrible truth to him. Its easy to feel sorry for her that she just wants to be friend rather than being badly treated, even if when she found that she’s meant to be part of “Universal Dynamics”, leaving her an uneasy decision if she stays or got back where she belongs. Especially where she wants to be an adoptive mother to helping Brightbill for how to be like geese to eat, swimming and flying. However, if there’s a downside I have of this movie, is that the movie started pretty short when she’s quickly washed ashore of the island, which its been heard about a cargo ship was caught in a dangerous typhoon that left her, along with 5 others (but broken into pieces) left to the island, which find the opening is rather a rushed start, even if I understand that the movie’s length is less than 2 hours, but again, the opening is kinda rushed.

Aside of botched opening, the story and its writing are both outstanding for adventure to survive, a chemistry with wild animals and difficulty life with ROZZUM, especially for her developing her feeling towards animals for both helping and friendship.

The Animation

The movie’s budget is $78M, and by looks of this film’s animation, my god, its beautifully well done.

For the background design, they look pretty amazing for a movie taking place in an island of wildlife, though as I know, the forest and the landscape is done via inspiration from Claude Monet’s painting with all the nature with forest, river, a shore and others for concept background, making the background looking like painting comes to life, its beautifully amazing what they pulled with all the textures and even the effects.

Speaking of the animation and the effects, its no stranger that by looking at it, they took the same technique from previous films like The Bad Guys and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish, based on a CG with 2D-like animation that they took inspiration from Sony’s Spider-Verse, and out of the same technique they pulled, this is probably the strongest one they ever pulled. The effects of this movie is pretty good with the water effect its much more of a natural in 3D to even some lighting action like lightning and laser gun blast are like in 2D.

For animation, it goes like two roles, on one side is the full futuristic 3D with some robots, the future town, the vehicles to maybe even some humans, they’re looking pretty nice, especially with ROZZUM design. Though I know I kept saying “im not gonna do a comparison between the book and the film, cause I didn’t own a book”, but this might be an exception. If you look at the book version’s design, it looks way too simple and robotic, which I find this one to be… Too simple and kinda boring. The movie’s ROZZUM design is completely different, sure it has a same ling arms and legs, but they made her a round design and also made it simple, but also giving Roz a special ability like detachable limb and even developing her emotion, which I find Roz’s movie design look, while simple, but also giving innocent looking, which I find her pretty cute as a robot.

On the other side, there the nature and the wildlife are done in 3D with 2D concept comes to life, sure there are some may look like if they’re from other movies outside of Dreamworks, but il give a credit that they did this as an inspiration from classic Disney films to even Hayao Miyazaki films. Specically while Chris Sanders said, its an inspiration from both Bambi and My Neighbor Totoro. And I gotta say, for inspiration of the animals design and the animation, they look pretty good for the deisgn and even cute looking. Sure some action scenes with geese are done with 2D, but I can’t help but enjoy how the animation of the animals are pretty good, kinda like a Disney inspired concept arts comes to life.

Sadly, despite they did the best work and effort for the animation process and the same technique, this will be the last film when Dreamworks made their animation on their own, meaning that because of the flop from Ruby Gillman, they won’t be able to make another movie from scratch with laying off employees, which means Dreamworks need a helping hands for the outsiders for their future projects. Like I said in my list of worst movies in 2023, its pretty sad for what could’ve been their redemption, but because they’re losing money and their employees, gotta shifting away to making animated movies on outside studios at the end of 2024. Back then, Dreamworks used to be great for making best movies on their own hands, but for now on at the end of 2024, they gotta work with the outsiders for their helping hands for their future projects. Thanks a lot, Ruby Gillman…!

Despite this will be the last film that Dreamworks made an animated movies on their own, but they still did their best job for beautifully well crafted animation from the background and their inspired animation technique.

The Characters

In typical Dreamworks fashion, it has an all-star cast with past and modern names on, but based on a beautifully, fun and emotional writing, it makes the characters actually enjoy to hear and heartfelt.

Lets starts off with the wild robot herself, ROZZUM Unit 7134, or Roz for short (voiced by Lupita Nyong’o, aka Maz Kanata, aka Raksha, aka Nakia), the main robot who’s washed ashore to the wildlife island to discovering the environment to hanging out with wild animals to befriending to becoming adoptable mother, even if she may have a hard time to either live with wildlife or going back to futuristic city. While I find her design look simple, but cute, I find her pretty fascinating for her character driven, she started out as an unwelcoming outcast that they’ve name-calling her as a monster that left her difficult to get along from the start, especially when she wants to finding out who and what is she supposed to be, leaving her, again, questioning herself to either stay or go. But of course once she learns further, along with developing her emotion in her robotic mind, the more emotional and believable she’s become. That’s what makes her memorable for all of fun and tragic reason, she’s alone and being the only robot in a wildlife that she just wants to be welcomed and looking for friends or being a mother to the animals, but isn’t easy from the start in her Assistant mode, but the longer she stays, the more more character driven she’s become, and that makes her memorable and yet we feel sorry for being an outsider, and Lupita did a great job for her voice acting. Plus, this is Lupita’s first voice acting in animated film, so good for her.

Next we have Fink (voiced by Pedro Pascal, aka Mando from The Mandalorian), the red fox that, at first, when Roz tries to saving the egg, he wants to eat the newborn goose, since he’s a carnivorous like any foxes (for the most part), but he eventually get along with her to helping her for learning about the wildlife and kinda even teaching her to be an adoptive mother when she protects Brightbill. At first, we thought he could be a hostile fox from the start, but after seeing her adopting Brightbill, he chooses for not only being bad to good, but also helping her to discover the environment, which is actually pretty nice to help her as a robot. Though its also funny that he sounds almost like Nick Wylde from Zootopia, they’re both mischievous and well, they’re both red fox, though whereas Nick is being a small-time con-artist for her quick money goal before Judy Hopps shows up, while Fink is a typical carnivorous to teacher show Roz a whole new world in the island of wildlife. Which I find Fink being another memorable, he’s both funny and helpful to Roz to discover the world outside of future city. And of course, Pedro did a fun work of his voice acting.

Then there’s Brightbill (voiced by Kit Connor) a young goose who’s adopted by Roz follow her incident of her bumping and crushing ride on her discovering the land. At first, we may have a cute and sad start when Roz made a fatal accident of killing a mother goose (even though she didn’t even meant to) which Roz have not choice to be his mother to taking care of. At first, I find him to be a passable orphan that Roz teaches him with three tasks, but like Roz, he has a character driven for his build up finishing task to unfortunate revealing the dark truth for why he lost his original mother. At first with the truth revealed, it feels like he has no hope with Roz, which at least once he learns about flight and even migration, he has a motivation to live like geese with the help of Thunderbolt and even Longneck. He may have a typical cute and kinda boring starts, but once he’s developed, he eventually got motivated once he’s able to finishing the tasks from Roz to understand to be like geese and migration, which is actually nice, even I gave a pass, but again, still nice for his character driven from the execution, and Kit did a nice work of his voice role that we can rooting for and feel sorry for him for being an orphan.

As for the rest of the characters, even though they’re not much else to say, but at least they have a nice character developments to giving advice to our main wild robot as well with some surprising developments and even fun voice acting.

There’s Pinktail (voiced by Catherine O’Hara, aka Kate McCallister from Home Alone, and aka Delia Deetz from Beetlejuice) she’s the mother of her own Virginia opossum family to giving Roz an advice for how to be a mother of Brightbill and jeez, how many times Catherine plays a mother role in movies? Longneck (voiced by Bill Nighy, aka Davy Jones from Pirates of the Caribbean), an elder goose to gives an advice to Roz for teaching Brightbill to fly by having Thunderbolt (voiced by Ving Rhames) to be a strong coach to teaching Brightbill to flying (pretty interesting to having an advice given from freakin’ Davy Jones than finding souls), Thorn (voiced by Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill) who’s at first, a menacing grizzly bear before, like a teddy bear, changed his heart for Roz (despite he slashed her…), Paddler (voiced by Matt Berry) who’s a busy beaver for the river (like any beavers) and finally, there’s Vontra (voiced by Stephanie Hsu, aka Alma Milan from The Fall Guy) is a robot who’s looking after Roz to bring her back where she’s belong, she sounds pretty friendly, despite being strictly menace against nature.

While some have a minor appearances, but these guys are both good and well-written with humors, plot development and even characters driven for how we’re rooting and our sympathy. Along with great voice acting.

And now for my final opinion of this film.

Overall, The Wild Robot is probably the best Dreamworks’ film they’ve ever made and this film is probably my new favorite next to Shrek and even Kung Fu Panda.

Despite it has a minor flaw, but this film is impressive from its beautiful animation, a very good and emotional story based on writing’s execution, memorable characters, the voice acting is great, its has its humor and its also rather emotional for our heart to a main character and rooting for one of the geese.

While its a damn shame that this is the last film that Dreamworks worked the animation on their own hands before working with the outsiders, I mean, I think those people did the best job of this while they sacrifice their business before the end of 2024. I know its sad for their changing, they did their best work for this film.

This is no stranger that its a Must-Watch film for everyone and the fans of Dreamworks. So if you guys wanna see it, get your friends and family together to watching, im sure some of you guys will love it if you eventually watching it, cause this one is probably the biggest animated film of the year. Again, highly recommend to watch it, my friends.

Because of all of good reasons that I enjoyed of watching this for fun and heartwarming it is, im gonna give this one a PERFECT 10/10, along with earning the Trophy of Success.

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: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

 

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

You know, being dead is both tragic and terrifying fate for something unexpected or to the future. But sometimes, even we have to dealing with death, we may also have spirit in our mind, seeing ghost that we miss so much in our daydream or even looking back in either the dream or even old video tapes. However, it wasn’t just a looking back, there are some who have an unusual ability of talking to dead people, even though it didn’t make any sense, but sometimes ghost can telling us for the order for revenge or even asking the way to reviving, that is unless if there’s a bio-exorcist from modeling background to go crazy in action to call upon the name, Bloody Mary style, without the disturbance and violence ways.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” is a 2024 fantasy horror-comedy that was produced/directed by Tim Burton, co-produced by Marc Toberoff, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Tommy Harper, then written by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Seth Grahame-Smith.

Before we have this movie, here’s a brief history about Beetlejuice.

Following the success of “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure”, at first, Tim Burton is going to working on his take on Batman since he’s a bankable filmmaker back then, but it was an opposite that Burton is willing to pay with the writer Sam Hamm, causing a Burton’s caped crusader being less green-lit, which Burton wasn’t so keen for his vision, but that’s a long story, but then came Michael McDowell and Larry Wilson, when they came in to have a new concept about Beetlejuice, which Burton liked that idea, despite he had to putting his projects (including Batman) on hold work on it. Though it was originally going to be much darker and probably violent with graphical car crash and few others in their concept, while some are kept in a cut, though while some concept are kept, but Warren Skaaren stepped in when they had to changing the tone to be less violent to more focus on horror-comedy for various reason like having R&B music, the chaotic climax and even Michael Keaton as the titular character, and the rest, as they say, was history, its beloved by critics and the audience and the box-office was an instant hit, which of course, it eventually brought us a cartoon in 1989 to 1991 with Burton also involved the show as the executive producer. (As for me, yes I watched it from like, a months ago, it was insane, but I like it, maybe il review it in my future.)

Anyway, to the sequel’s origin. In fact, the sequel’s origin came back when Beetlejuice was a huge deal. So much so that the late production company called “The Geffen Film Company” were opened to have, not one, but two sequels, from “Beetlejuice In Love” which is like a horror romantic comedy when after the boyfriend died, the titular character goes after a girlfriend, and “Beetlejuice goes Hawaii” which a vacation movie with a mix of German Expressionism. However, despite Burton was interested to having another Beetlejuice movies, he’s been pretty busy with other projects with or without WB, ranging from working on Batman Returns or unfortunate canceled “Superman Lives”, leaving all of those crazy projects are pretty much thrown out with no hopes at all, even when they trying to get some new writers, including Kevin Smith. But it wouldn’t be until on February 2022, a new company “Plan B Entertainment” (founded by Brad Pitt, yes, THE Brad Pitt) came in to working with WB for second chance to having a new Beetlejuice project, though Tim Burton he had nothing to with Plan B, but he’s interested to coming back as a director, along with reuniting like Danny Elfman and even some casts, despite its all about next gen first witness Beetlejuice, due to having a new casts.

So, with all that said, will Beetlejuice deserves a welcome return for more chaotic journey, or should we not chanting his name ever again?

Well, lets find out.

The Story

While we have a welcome return to our old friends like Deetz family and the Juice, we expect to having something new and more chaotic as the first one? Well, for the most part, yes.

The movie begins where (after a nice replicating the first movie’s intro with Danny Elfman’s welcome return to compose) Lydia Deetz appears as a host of her own talk show called “Ghost House” to talking guest and showing a supernatural videos, while secretly having a relationship with the producer Rory, despite she lost her late husband Richard in his Amazon trip. Despite going on a new life, she still has psychic ability of seeing dead, including her old pal Betelgeuse, which is why she’s taking pills for clearing her mind, even if she sounds she has a trauma view from the past 36 years. She reunites with her mother Delia, while being the hostess of real art show at Soho, New York, she shares her struggling experience about her past, which Delia did shares the same problem from the past when her late husband Charles had a plane crash before gets eaten by a shark (Damn…!). So, they wanna going out to reuniting Lydia’s estranged daughter Astrid, however for Astrid, she’s not in a mood to believing about ghost stories, since she just wants to be in normal life. Even when they revisited the old house at Winter River, Connecticut, Astrid isn’t helping that she still refuses to believing ghosts, while at the same time, Rory goes to proposing Lydia for a new family life, while Astrid bikes away before she meets Jeremy, without realizing the dark secret about him (talk about a red flag for Wednesday).

While in afterlife world, Betelgeuse running his own office business of Bio-Exorcists, even though at the same times, he really misses Lydia for reuniting. However, the afterlife world got into a hot water when Juice’s late ex named Dolores has returned to going on a rampage, sucking souls of the dead to gaining her life ever since back in their good’ol days, they used to be together during the epidemic of Black Plague, right before they were killing each others from Dolores’s poison to Betelgeuse murdering her (though it was before he became ghostly immortal).

So its up for the Deetz family to get themselves back while also dealing with the return of Betelgeuse in a good’ol chaotic journey in real world and afterlife.

Basically, the movie goes into a double plot, one is where Lydia tries to get her family back to gathering like a lovable family, despite their tragic announcement of Charles’s passing with Rory becoming her new husband, while the other is when Betelgeuse wants to see Lydia again while also trying to hiding himself from vengeful Dolores. It sounds like an interesting idea to having a family reconciliation while having a funeral of Charles’s death until dealing with an evil spirit to reuniting Betelgeuse. It sounds like a good idea, if the execution could’ve done right, since this movie is mainly focuses on Deetz family for their gathering along for both the funeral and proposal from Rory, despite some doubts, along with a subplot when Astrid is getting along with Jeremy, but again. Without realizing the dark secrets, while the second plot with Betelgeuse is unfortunately didn’t get a focus, since we would love to see him trying to do a wacky setup in attempt to fighting against his ex Dolores, but alas, we never get a chance of a screen time, especially with Dolores (more on that later), especially it would’ve been great if its a little longer than less than 2 hours long film, im just saying for the length, but its the execution for what would’ve been for the idea of this movie, it has a promising idea, but didn’t get what I was expected. Im not saying its that bad, I like the story for the most part and the writing is good, but again, for the most part from the execution.

While its not as perfect, as for the dark humor in this movie, I will say, its quite of chuckle worthy that I enjoy, from surprise to laughing. I like some humors what it pulled, but its not as fresh as the first one, again, not saying its bad, its good with chuckle, but not as laugh out loud as the first one.

While I enjoy some humors in chaotic natures, but the story, while it has a promising idea for the chemistry and some development, but the execution could’ve been better what we have in this movie.

The Presentation

When it comes to the budget, its surprisingly quadrupled, in comparison, the first one costed $15M, here, it costed $100M. That’s quite of updated budget after 36 years. But does it looking great? Well hell yeah, it does for a bigger and better budget.

For the filming, they filmed on both US and UK, such as East Corinth, Vermont (the same location from the first film) and even Melrose Massachusetts (the latter was resumed in filming after the Hollywood Labor Strike in 2023) in US, then in UK, they filmed in Princess Helena College in Preston Hertfordshire, England. And I will say, their filming location with props setting are pretty good what they put. For real world, its a pretty nice place to film, especially for filming in Vermont that happens to be the same place when it was first filmed in the first Beetlejuice, which I though its just a replica, but nope, its the same location they filmed (especially I thought like “Its only a model” much like in the Maitlands’ house, but again, I was wrong.), but it looks beautiful for welcoming back, even the new location are also pretty nice. In the world of afterlife, they’re quite of trippy with colors all over with neon lights and random locations, like some kind of messed up dream world. Not to mention, along with the ways they’re built, they kinda remind of German Expressionism from the 1920 like The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari or even Nosferatu.

The effects of this movie is pretty good, freaky in Tim Burton’s fashion and well made. Aside the props in outdoor filming (instead filming on set) and of course, done with practical effects. Sure there were some part are done with CG, but practical effects are the most important things what Tim Burton (as well his crew) likes to pulled off, which is a good thing what we like to see to bring us back since the first film. The designs of the costumes in afterlife like the shrunken head employees are done in practical costume, which they’re quite unique and freaky looking with frown mouth and eyes wide open, then again, what do you expect of Tim Burton’s style, along with some others what they pulled for the costume design are pretty nice looking, as well as a nice reference from the past. But of course, they can also brought back one of my favorite animation style next to hand-drawn, which is the good’ol stopmotion ranging from the flashback of Charles’s death to return of Sandworm Titan, one of Saturn’s moons (still freaky as the original, eat your heart out, Dune’s sandworms…).

Another thing that I also like is some of the Easter Eggs, though I had a minimal of recognizable moments, but im sure some Beetlejuice fans will easily pointed up with several references, either from the first movie, the cartoon from 1989 to 1991, or even the musical from 2018.

Lastly, another welcome return is the soundtrack from our old friend Danny Elfman for giving us some spooky to chaotic moments, but of course, they add more fun to play with some songs from the reminder of Day-O to even chaotic music video with like Richard Marx’s Right Here Waiting, a theme song of Carrie (based on a reference that, again, not gonna SPOILING it) and even MacArthur Park by Richard Harris, along with the cover version by Donna Summer.

The presentation of this sequel is quite of chaotic work, but I enjoy it with the references, a welcome return to Vermont, and even the work of practical effects.

The Characters

Its no stranger that the reason why we have this sequel, we like to have a reunion of our familiar casts, but of course, in typical sequels, there’s gotta be a new characters, but sadly some that we all know won’t coming back.

So lets start off with Betelgeuse himself (played by Michael Keaton, aka Batman, aka The Vulture from Spider-Man Homecoming), before Beetlejuice, Michael had been into comedy movies from Night Shift and Mr. Mom, sure there are others that were mixed results, but those are two famous titles examples. But when he first played the Bio-Exorcist, he took a one heck of a comedic performance, both creepy and cartoony, its no stranger that he stole the show that he gave me a chuckle. As for this sequel, while he remains the same as before, but after 36 years, he’s like an old ex that he wants to see Lydia again, while also being the boss of his own office, and probably have a slight paranoid when her ex Dolores has returned. But he’s still being darkly humorous, which I will say, even Keaton’s pushed to his age of 70s, he’s still doing fun work of his performance for his delivery and even some timing. Sure, he had been away of comedic performance back then, but its nice to do his comedic performance, and again, Keaton did a fun work for his welcome return of his memorable role, especially reuniting with Tim Burton since two Batman movies.

Next up, we have Lydia Deetz (played by Winona Ryder), from before, Winona was around in teenage age to playing as Lydia (after having her debut from Lucas to Square Dance), she used to be a young Gothic daughter with her ability to talking ghosts to helping the Maitlands couple and made Betelgeuse attention to be with her so bad. Here in this sequel, while she’s working as a host of her own talk show, she’s pretty much a struggling mother, ever since she can’t stop seeing a familiar Bio-Exorcist in her mind, her struggling connection to her daughter and her unfortunate tragedy that she lost her husband Richard. Gone from being a Gothic little girl in her odd family, but as a mother who tries to moving on, sure she has a Gothic appearance, but her feeling has been changed that she cares about family, even if Betelgeuse is still in her mind. I will say, its quite of nice return for Winona for her role since her teenage life, sure she had been a difficulty life from losing her respectful young actress Polly Klaas to getting herself into legal trouble. But after many years, it feels like she made a comeback with successful film like Black Swan, a successful show like Stranger Things and even reuniting Tim Burton in Frankenweenie, and this film is the second reunion with Burton and I will say, its good to see her again after been in struggling life and Winona did a great job of her upgraded role of Lydia since her younger days.

Finally, we have Delia Deetz (played by Catherine O’Hara, aka Kaye McCallister from Home Alone), from before Home Alone, Delia started as a sculpture artist and probably an uneasy mother that she tries to connect for all of chaotic reason from her husband Charles to her daughter Lydia with all the arguments to overprotecting her daughter (talk about the earliest example of her motherly panicking role before Home Alone, eh?). In this sequel she got herself a sense of humor (since after the first film) and became a hostess of real art show, even though she likes to reuniting with Lydia, but she’s still an over-dramatic mother when something isn’t going on her way, especially for her loss of Charles. Even with her update and kinda remains the same, Catherine did a fun work of her performance as a mother/grandmother of Deetz family, especially for probably her overacting (though not as over the top, but still).

So what about the new characters in this movie? Well, they’re are good, despite there are some didn’t get well.

Lets start off with Astrid Deetz (played by Jenna Ortega, aka Wednesday Addams from Netflix’s Wednesday), she’s Lydia’s daughter in the movie. But unlike Lydia, Astrid wants to life in her normal day ever since she doesn’t want to hearing about a ghost story from her mother and/or even her grandma. Though sure, she tried to befriend with resident in Winter River, but again she should’ve picked the right person before the red flag some of them are… Too good to be related. Im not saying she’s a bad character, I’d say she’s just misunderstood and she probably taking it too personal she runs away with a bike before gets worse. But of course, Jenna did a great work of her performance and between this and her memorable role of Wednesday, I think Jenna is possibly my new favorite actress based on her delivery in her acting style.

Next, we have Rory (played by Justin Theroux) who’s Lydia’s new boyfriend for his wishful marriage to her, despite there’s probably a doubtful whether or not he’s a respectful TV producer or a manipulative man that he wants her to be with himself. I find him an okay character, I think he’s just another one of those rich villain who wants to using his advantage to marrying Lydia, despite she’s having a struggling experience of both Betelgeuse and her loss of Richard. Cause you know what they said “You can’t buy winning”. Anyway, I find him to be an okay new character due to predictable reason for why he wants to be with Lydia, but again, not gonna give you a SPOILER detail, even though he’s rich, but its easy to know his prediction. Despite the predictable, Justin did a fairly nice role, but even if he probably has less screen time in the second act.

Speaking of villain, we have Dolores (played by Monica Bellucci), an evil spirit who came back from the dead to absorbing souls for revenge on Betelgeuse since the days with Black Plague pandemic as a cult member. I think I find her to be a promising and beautiful villain in this movie, having an evil spirit is a promising concept to see her trying to hunting down the Juice in their deadly battle with ritual and poison. But sadly, we never get to see her more, due to the focus of a Deetz family struggle to re-connection, we’ll never be able to see her more in her rampage or maybe even coming out from Afterlife to murdering living people by absorbing souls, but alas, we never be able to see her more. Its just a shame that, again, I find her to be both beautiful and promising that she could’ve been a main villain, especially that I can’t help but thinking that she looks like Morticia Addams from The Addams Family (kinda ironic that Tim Burton really wanted to making his own take of The Addams Family, but then again, we have Wednesday. Aw well). Especially Monica did a nice work of her beautiful and villainous role.

After that, we have Wolf Jackson (played by Willem Dafoe, aka The Green Goblin), the late B movie actor turned ghostly detective for giving us a plot development about the origin of both Betelgeuse and Dolores, as well as giving us a warning about her, for the most part. Though he’s yet another minor appearance, but I also finding him fascinating, seeing to poke fun of B movie character and even film noir detective, nice touch. But of course, Dafoe is no stranger for my memorable performer for his delivery and some monologue, he always kicks ass.

Lastly is Jeremy Frazier (played by Arthur Conti), a teenager who we assuming to be a nice and innocent resident of Winter River when Astrid meets him. I find him okay, but easy to predict that when he meets someone like Astrid, this must be a dark setup who he is behind his normal teenage life, but again, no SPOILER detail further about him. I mean, that’s like three villains in the movie, cause we all know that having three villains is just too much to bare and confusing for who’s the main villain instead of mixing up to three (sounds like somebody has never learned since I covered Spider-Man 3… No offense). Even though he’s new since GOT’s House of the Dragon, and I think did a good work for say the least, il give it a pass.

Although one character that I do wanna give a factoid, is this blue skinned Janitor, played by Danny DeVito, has shown in a cameo for being Dolores’s first victim, which im guessing its meant to be an in-joke made that, from im aware, DeVito has been in Burton movies a couple times from Batman Returns as The Penguin or Mars Attack as a gambler.

And yes, im aware that two characters were originally intended to bringing back, are the Maitland couple Adam and Barbara (played by Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis in the first film), but because Burton wanted to make a sequel in practical effects, it will be unlikely to bring back in the cut, especially for their ages and/or even the focus of the Deetz family. Aw well.

While some characters are a welcome return for changing or remain the same that we enjoy, while the new characters are mixed bag from fascinating, could’ve been promising to predictable.

And now for my final opinion of this film

Overall, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is a fun movie for its welcome return, although its not as fresh as the first film.

The filming presentation looks amazing, the jokes are chuckle worthy, the old casts are welcoming, the new casts are good, the characters of some are good too, its chaotic that its silly and fun and even soundtrack and the songs are a nice use, especially with Danny Elfman’s return.

However, despite of its welcome return, the movie has problems from too much villains that its hard to which one is the focus, despite I like Dolores as the main villain, but barely shown, some characters are too predictable and some of the writing is poorly executed what we’d hoped for.

Even though its not a greater sequel that we expected for Tim Burton’s passion to bringing our favorite Bio-Exorcist back from the grave, but at least he tried with all due respect. For recommendation, I think its definitely for the fans of both Tim Burton’s projects and even Beetlejuice. As for me, while I may like this sequel, but its not as great as the first one, I’d say give it a watch for once if you like it or not, il let you draw your conclusion, despite I like the idea for what would’ve been.

For my rating, im gonna give this one a 7/10.

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.