Pacific Rim Uprising is more of the same for fans of the franchise

Movie Title:    
  Pacific Rim Uprising

Grade:   C+

Rating: PG-13, 111 minutes

In a Nutshell:  If you liked the first Pacific Rim movie, this is more of the same, but even bigger, louder, and chaotic.

Tips for parents: 

• Some subtitles when people speak Mandarin.  By the way, have you noticed that more and more movies have Chinese characters in them?  That's because American movie studios are trying to get more of their movies into the extremely lucrative Chinese market.  In fact, this movie exists mainly because the first one in the franchise did so well in China.
• Some Russian profanity with subtitles.
• One of the Jaeger robots flips the bird.
• If your kids love the Transformers or even the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie movies, they’ll like the fighting robot action of this franchise too.
• Some profanity.
• Tons of destruction and fighting.

Uplifting theme: 

• “We make our own luck.” – Hologram
• Never give up.
• Family and friendships

                                    

Things I liked:

• Good special effects for the most part.
• I loved the respectful nod to Idris Alba’s character from the first Pacific Rim movie, as well as the funny line when Dr. Newton Gottlieb says, “Your father was a great speech writer.  Did you hear the one where he canceled the apocalypse?”   ha ha 
• I always appreciate some humor.
• The sound effects are really good.  You can hear the weight of the heavy footsteps of the various machines and monsters.
• I loved Tian Jing’s outfits, especially her long, white coat towards the beginning of the movie.
• I thought John Boyega did a great job and I loved his hair cut. 
• If you can, see it in 3D, but sit farther back in the theater.

Things I didn’t like:

• Some people may actually want to wear ear plugs while they watch this because it’s so loud.
• Super clichéd beginning where a teenage genius builds something incredible and races off with a covered face for the big reveal later.  In fact, the whole movie was super predictable.
• Jake Pentecost’s rotten attitude was annoying and tiring.
• Jake Pentecost and Amara Namani constantly bicker.  It’s supposed to be endearing, but it was just annoying.  Several times he yells, “Shut up!” which is a phrase I really dislike.
• If you haven’t seen the first movie, you might be a little bit lost in the story; however, there is a quick recap to bring you up to speed at the very beginning of the movie.
• The character development seems super contrived and cliche.
• It actually becomes boring watching robots fight each other and smash everything around them over and over and over.
• Yep, this movie leads into another sequel.  (sigh)
• I heard another movie critic explain that this movie felt way too corporate for his taste.  It's true.  Everything seems very calculated and researched to profit the most from cultural tastes.  For example, the two main pilots are Jake and Nate.  Those are the top two baby boy names in America.
• Robots often fight monsters, but when the rogue Jaegers fight the good Yaegers, it looks like just another Transformers movie.
• Guillermo del Toro was going to direct this movie, but he stepped away from it in order to direct The Shape of Water, which he ended up winning an Academy Award for as Best Picture in 2017.

Funny lines:

• “Stay focused and try not to fall over.” – Chinese guy
• “Speak in English.  Your Mandarin makes you sound like an idiot.” – Liwen Shao (Tian Jing)
• “In theory, what does that mean?” – Jake (John Boyega)

“Today, it means YES!” – Dr. Hermann Gottlieb (Burn Gorman)

• “Well, THAT’S confusing.” – Jake after Cadet Jinhai kisses him and Nate Lambert
• “I can’t believe she just hologrammed me.” - Jake

  

                                            @trinaboice

Kong Skull Island showcases a new scary Kong and other imaginative monsters

Movie Title:   Kong: Skull Island

Grade:  B

Rating:   PG-13, 118 minutes

In a Nutshell:  This is an entertaining re-imagining of the King Kong story and takes place where John Goodman’s character describes as “The place where myth and science meet.”  

In its debut weekend, Kong: Skull Island took in about $61 million in domestic theaters.  Warner Bros. head of domestic distribution, said, “The world of mouth is really kicking in,” adding that the weekend earnings “far exceeded everyone’s expectations.” 

It's a fun popcorn movie if you're looking for lots of thick action with thin characters.

Uplifting theme: 

• Respect nature.
• “The world is bigger than this.” – Mason Weaver (Brie Larson) 

Things I liked:

• The entertaining cast includes Samuel L. Jackson (who made the audience laugh every time he appeared on screen), John Goodman, John C. Reilly, Brie Larson, Tom Hiddleston, and Tian Jing (whose movie The Great Wall is still playing in theaters.)
• The special effects are pretty amazing.  There are some pretty impressive and beautiful shots.
• Kong is the perfect blend of super scary and endearing.
• Some of the monsters are very imaginative with impressive action sequences.
• Here’s to indie directors who are given the opportunity to direct big name franchises.
• Keep watching after the rolling credits for another scene.
• There are a few interesting transitions.
• 3D enhances the images, but isn’t necessary to be entertained.

Things I didn’t like:

• When Kong started to break that other monster’s mouth, I thought for sure it was going to be an ode to the original King Kong, but I was disappointed when Kong couldn’t actually crack it open like in the original movie.
• Most of the humans are pretty bland with very little character development.  The only interesting characters with a back story and internal motivation are Preston Packard (Samuel L. Jackson) and Hank Marlow (John C. Reilly.
• Quite a few scenes look like they’re filmed with a green screen.
• Not all of the humor lands well.
• Check out Tom Hiddleston.  In every single frame, he’s flexing his muscles and standing in a macho hero pose.

Funny lines:

• “I call ‘em skull crawlers.” – Hank Marlow (John C. Reilly)

“Why?”

“I’ve never said that out loud before.  Now that I’ve said it, it sounds stupid.  You call ‘em whatever you want.” – Hank Marlow

• “Hold on to your butts!” – Preston Packard (Haven’t we heard Samuel L. Jackson say this like a thousand times?)
• “I should be sitting at a desk.” – Victor Nieves (John Ortiz)
• “You’re a good group of guys.  We’re all gonna die.  You shouldn’t have come here.” – Hank Marlow
• “Mark my words.  There will never be a more screwed up time in Washington.” – Bill Randa (talking about the Vietnam period.  Aw, he should see us now!”  ha ha
• “I AM the calvalry!” – Preston Packard

Things that really take you back in time to the 1970’s:

• Nixon bobblehead
• Great soundtrack
• Slide projector
• Brie Larson’s hairdo and clothes
• Snoopy
• Green rotary telephones
• Life magazine

Stupid lines:

• “There’s something going on here, something no one is talking about.” – Mason Weaver (Brie Larson)
• “It’s time to show Kong that man is king!” – Preston Packard

Interesting lines:

• The camera is way more dangerous than a gun.” – Preston Packard
• “The right photos can change opinions.” – Mason Weaver
• “Men go to war in search of something, Mr. Conrad.  If you had found it, you’d be home by now.” – Bill Randa

Tips for parents: 

• It’s extremely violent with a lot of gruesome deaths.  There is a lot of brutal hand-to-hand combat scenes among humans and animals.
• 1 F-bomb and some other profanity.
• Some of the monsters are pretty scary and vicious.

@trinaboice