Ed's Review Dot Com

Marvel Studios, Walt Disney Pictures,

Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Kurt Russell, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Sylvester Stallone, Glenn Close, Sean Gunn, Chris Sullivan, Nathan Fillion, Laura Haddock, Tommy Flanagan

The Guardians are back in Volume two of this Marvel series, with all the usual characters. But Peter (Chris Pratt) is wondering about his true identity when a powerful godlike person named Ego (Kurt Russell) shows up claiming to be his real Father. He convinces Peter to travel back to his planet where he can explain the whole history of who Peter really is, while the rest of the team is left behind, being attacked and trying to fight off a new evil villain and his gang. If you’re a fan of the first movie this film is a must see.

This is a great adventure film, and very, very well done, as was the first film. The filmmakers have created a great cast of characters and have added to it with some clever new ones. There are also a lot of cameos in this movie as well that are fun to see. But the excitement and adventure level if very high, and it’s fast moving and perfectly paced to keep you into the whole film. Chris Pratt is excellent, and his under the surface relationship with Gamora (Zoe Saldana) is not only hysterically funny, but quite touching. Each of these characters who are now known to us are much better developed, and they play together better than any group I’ve seen. As you know, I’m not a big fan of comic book movies, but this one really breaks the usual mold and is a very interesting movie. I enjoyed the first one, and definitely found this one to be just as good. If somehow you managed to miss this sequel, since it’s out on DVD it’s a definite must see. I highly recommend this movie for young and old alike. Well done.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

B24, Columbia Pictures, Danjaq,

Daniel Craig, Christoph Waltz, Léa Seydoux, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Dave Bautista, Monica Bellucci, Ralph Fiennes

Bond is taking a much needed (wink, wink) vacation in Mexico City during the Day of the Dead festivities when he disrupts a terror plot about to take place. However big changes are happening back headquarters as the 00 agents are being retired and replaced by a multi-national spy system of information gathering and drone attacks. But of course, there is a far more sinister purpose as some of Bonds old nemeses are still alive and active in this high action, big suspense, old style Bond film. Bond is back.

I don’t think we’re going to see any more Daniel Craig Bond films, and if we don’t, at least he went out with a bang. This film goes back to the classic Bond, and I really enjoyed this one. The formula that Ian Flemming used in creating his characters and telling his stories was very good, and this one is very much like the original Bond films in many ways. This film takes place after the struggle at Skyfall. Judy Dench’s M was killed so we get to meet her replacement. Originally Bond used to use his wits and super intelligence to get himself out of scrapes (and some luck, let’s face it). He was always a bit cheeky, but once Connery left the role, Bond became quite the smart ass. He used fantastic inventions and gadgets to escape and was not very clever himself, but depended on tricks to survive. I hated the wise cracking Bond, and am glad this is back to the nitty gritty hard working and very clever Bond who can work his way out of these situations. And the situations he gets put into are alarming. The usual trek around the world puts him some real messes, and it is quite full of suspense, wonderful chases, a lot of gun play, and some really stressful moments. It’s a relatively long film, but I was sad when it is over. The best part is that in the very end there is a promise that “James Bond will return”. I’m sure he will. This was really a nod back to the early days, and I think it was excellently directed and filmed. Whether underground, on the streets, or in the air, the action is non-stop. There is some humor in this one, as there always is, and some of it was very funny, but at the same time, the shenanigans were limited. It was a good mix and the timing was just right. This is the best Bond film I have seen in a number of years, and I certainly urge you to see it.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

Marvel Studios, Marvel Enterprises, Moving Picture Company (MPC),

Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel, Bradley Cooper, Lee Pace, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Djimon Hounsou, John C. Reilly, Glenn Close, Benicio Del Toro

Out in space, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) learns that he is being chased after he finds an orb wanted by Ronin the Accuser. Peter is in a heap of trouble, but he puts together an unlikely group of heroes and before long they learn that they are all that stands between Ronin and the destruction of the Galaxy.

This is a very long awaited movie based on the Marvel comic books. This movie did not disappoint. Not only was it killing at the box office, which is good for the film business, but it capped off a rather bland summer movie season. This one has a lot of humor, is really good for both kids and adults. It has a PG-13 rating, but after reviewing it, we took my 6 year old grandson with us who really liked it. There is some violence and evil, but it’s an adventure movie at that and nothing you’d really suspect. But you need to make your own decision about kids 12 and under and how well they will accept it. The characters are perfect. Well I did have a little trouble with Chris Pratt as Peter Quill because I have a terrible time separating him from his character on Parks and Recreation. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t let that go. But that’s my fault, not his. Damn typecasting. Of course the giant walking tree, Shroot (Vin Diesel), and the raccoon are CGI, but very pleasant CGI that doesn’t interfere with the story. CGI can be touchy in a big film like this, and if it’s not done right, it’s very distracting. Here these characters are just as alive as the human characters and it’s done very well. Finally to top it off, I had the opportunity of watching this in 3D IMAX, and not the new IMAX where they throw a sheet over their regular screen and call it BIG SCREEN. I mean the original huge screen 7 stories tall and the huge theater with a true IMAX sound system. That part was AWESOME. I wouldn’t want to plunk down the extra fees for IMAX if it wasn’t a real IMAX projection system with the true IMAX screen. That made the whole experience extra special. This was definitely a big enough movie to see on the BIG SCREEN in 3D. The technical aspects were stunning, and the story was really good. This is probably the only MUST-SEE from this summer, and though school is back in and Labor Day is long gone, there is still a chance to see this film in the theater where you really ought to see it. I was highly impressed with the quality of this feature in every way.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog

One Race Productions, Radar Pictures, Riddick Canada Productions,

Vin Diesel, Karl Urban, Katee Sackhoff, Dave Bautista, Nolan Gerard Funk, Bokeem Woodbine, Jordi Mollà, Raoul Trujillo, Noah Danby, Neil Napier, Andreas Apergis, Matt Nable

Riddick (Vin Diesel) is left on an uninhabited planet and left for dead. In order to survive, he sets of an emergency beacon, but it attracts an alien race that wants to destroy him, and a ship full of mercenaries from Riddick’s past. This is the follow up to 2004’s “The Chronicles of Riddick”

Action movies are ok, if they’ve got a good story behind them. I’ve never been a big fan of Vin Diesel’s movies, although some of the Fast and Furious series has been rather interesting. The original movie didn’t strike my fancy, and neither did this one. The story isn’t interesting, so I just didn’t enjoy it. Vin Diesel kicks butt just for the sake of showing some good kicks and smashes and an explosion or two, but I was really bored through the whole thing. Now I’m sure there are fans out there, and they’re bound to like everything he does, but for me, this movie just couldn’t cut it. This could have been a half hour Twilight Zone episode and gotten the whole “story” told. It’s got tons of action, but no substance. I didn’t enjoy it very much at all.

EdG – EdsReview Dot Com – A Movie Review Blog