Rampage pushes the PG-13 line

Movie Title:   Rampage

Grade:   B

Rating: PG-13, 
1 hour 47 minutes

In a Nutshell:   My 4 sons used to play the 1997 Midway Rampage video game, so I was curious to see how well director Brad Peyton would adapt the game to a movie for the fans. 

Historically, movies that take video games to the Big Screen are horrible.  Well, yeah.  This movie requires you to turn off your brain and not care.  If you just want to see some monsters destroy a city and watch the ROCK do his thing (he’s awesome), then this movie is for you.  If storytelling and character development is important to you, then you’re going to have trouble watching this.  The monsters look great; it’s the humans in the movie that feel more like they’re in a video game.

                                    

Tips for parents: 

• George , the silverback gorilla, flips the bird several times.
• There is a HUGE body count.  There are a lot of bloody bodies and some of the deaths are almost portrayed as a joke, which was a bit alarming.  Lots of blood splatter.
• Lots and lots of destruction and violence
• Some profanity
• People in perilous situations
• Talk of poachers.  You’ll need to explain to your little ones what poachers are and why they’re so bad.
• Cleavage
• Inappropriate joke at the end.

Uplifting theme: 

• Family
• Friendship
• Loyalty
• Animal protection

                                                  

Things I liked:

• Some humor, although there could have been more since the movie already feels like a cartoon.   
• According to IMDB, an original cabinet of the Rampage arcade game can be seen in Claire Wyden’s office.  That’s a fun Easter egg for fans, but it doesn’t make sense for her to have it. Midway Arcade Origins - Xbox 360
• The movie shows George, the gorilla, living in the San Diego Wildlife Sanctuary.  As far as I know, that doesn’t really exist, but the San Diego zoo is fantastic.  They actually have a really good gorilla habitat there.  About 40 minutes outside San Diego is the awesome Wild Animal Park.  I used to live in San Diego and can highly recommend both!
• I think Malin Akerman’s eyes are so pretty.  I hated her stiff hair that looked like plastic.  Her character, unfortunately, was ridiculous.  If you're a Billions: Season One fan, you'll like that she gets to finally play the boss.
• Well done CGI.  The monsters look really cool.
• You see Dwayne Johnson get out of some zip ties.  First of all, his biceps are soooo massive!  Second, you actually can do it and big biceps aren’t required.  A former CIA agent taught me how.  Make sure the zip lock thing faces up.  Then, lift up your arms above your head and quickly pull them down to your hips, pulling your elbows back as fast as you can.  Ta da!
• SPOILER: Jeffrey Dean Morgan does a bad guy so well.  He was so maniacal in The Walking Dead Season 7 [DVD] that I had to stop watching the show.  Seriously evil.  Luckily, he has a heart in this movie.
• You’ll actually learn a little bit of sign language.  My niece married a deaf man, so I’m always thrilled when sign language is used in movies.  Another movie that uses sign language and is currently in theaters is A Quiet Place.  I thought it was really good!  You can read my movie review of A QUIET PLACE by clicking here.
• I thought it was a respectful nod that the city rampage occurs in Chicago, the headquarters of Midway video games.

Things I didn’t like:

• There were quite a few differences in the movie and game, although George and Ralph keep their names in the movie.  Lizzie’s name is never mentioned as the crocodile.  George was never an albino in the game.  The biggest difference is that the monsters in the video game were mutated humans, not mutated animals.
• The villains are terrible, but not in a good way. 
• Some characters are introduced in the beginning, but completely disappear from the story.
• There are some really dumb details that could have been easily fixed if anyone working on the movie had been paying attention or cared.
• The young male gorilla that is new at the Sanctuary in the beginning of the movie looks totally fake.  George looks much better.
• Naomie Harris doesn’t really do anything, other than run around and rely on the ROCK to come up with a plan.
• The clip in the movie trailer that shows the gorilla crack the crocodile’s jaws open like King Kong does to the dinosaur in his movie didn’t actually make it into this movie.

Funny lines:

• “Of course the wolf flies!” – Davis Okoye (Dwayne Johnson) 
• “You know there are other ways of dealing with people, don’t you?” – Dr. Kate Caldwell (Naomie Harris)

“Of course I do, but that’s no fun.” – Davis

• “That’s a big arm.  Don’t fight it.” – Davis
• “Who are you?  Homeland? CIA?  Justice League?” – Dr. Kate Caldwell  
• “Girls love him.  I should shave my head.” -  Nelson  (P.J. Byrne)

         

  

                                        
                                         @trinaboice

Ready Player One celebrates video games over the decades

Movie Title:      Ready Player One

Grade:  A-

Rating: PG-13, 140 minutes

In a Nutshell:   The creator of the largest virtual reality world ever, called the OASIS, dies and leaves a challenge to anyone who can find three invisible keys that lead to a hidden Easter egg to win a fortune and ownership over the OASIS.  Directed by Steven Spielberg, it is full of imagination, fun, action, romance, humor, and a moral lesson.  Game on!

If you’re not into video games, this movie is probably not for you.  I don’t really play video games, but I still enjoyed it.  I have four sons who played video games for many years growing up, so I was exposed enough to most of the characters that make an appearance in this movie that I got a kick out of it all.  One of my sons is now living his dream as a 3D character artist for the hugely successful video game company Blizzard.

                                              

Tips for parents: 

·       Ready Player One is rated PG-13 for tons of violence, bloody images, partial nudity, profanity, and some suggestive material.  
   *  I was worried that the movie would glorify video games and encourage kids to plug into technology even more, but the message in the end is that we all need each other and real life.   I thought the ending was actually very sweet.

·       Some profanity and other crude language.

·       A character flips the bird.

·       It shows real people losing touch with reality as they play video games.

·       Several people have face and body tattoos.

·       The leading lady’s avatar (Art3mis) has a super skimpy outfit on.

·       You see the partial naked back side of a virtual reality woman. 
*   There is an important reference to “Rosebud” in the 1941 movie Citizen Kane that very few kids or even adults will catch.

·       

Uplifting theme: 

·       “People need to spend more time in the real world.” – Wade/Parzival

·       “It’s not about winning, but playing.” – Wade/Parzival

·       “As painful and terrifying as the real world can be, it’s the only place you can get a decent meal…because reality is real.” – Halliday

·       “No man is alone who has a friend.” – I-R0k

·       Illusion vs. reality

• Real world consequences

                             

Things I liked:

• The movie itself is classic Spielberg with absolutely fantastic action sequences and imagination.  
• The special effects are really well done and blend easily from virtual reality environments into scenes with people in reality. 
• The movie is overflowing with references that span several decades of movies, music, and pop culture, focusing mostly on the 1980’s.  While the main character (Wade Owen Watts) is looking for the grand prize, there are TONS of fun Easter eggs for the audience to look for and enjoy during the entire film.  At one point, there is a scene with a famous Anime motorcycle that Spielberg is notorious for having rejected 30 years ago, dismissing it as “unsalable” for film.  It’s fun to see how he now embraces and celebrates it on the big screen. 
• There is some humor and heart in the film with most of the comic relief provided by a scary-looking, yet hilarious character named I-R0k, voiced by T. J. Miller. 
• Alvin Silvestri offered an energizing and fun musical score.  Originally, Steven Spielberg’s favorite composer, John Williams, was going to tackle the project, but he had to step away to finish his work on another Spielberg film, The Post
• If you can, try to see the movie in 3D, but it’s still fun without the glasses and extra fee.  
• Climb Mt. Everest with Batman.  Ha ha
• I love Simon Pegg and Mark Rylance in anything.

Things I didn’t like:

·   Older folks will probably claim the movie is on sensory overload (they’re right), but the younger crowd will feel like they’re right in the middle of playing a video game.  A really old guy sitting near me in the theater got up and walked out.

• There are a LOT of exposition scenes that tell us what’s happening and the movie drags a little bit in the Third Act.  
• It’s a very long 2 hours 20 minutes flick, so Grandpa or Junior may fall asleep.
•  Sit farther back in the theater; otherwise, you won’t be able to focus on everything going on.  There is a LOT happening on the screen.

Funny lines:

• “There are only 3 things I hate in the world: Steam Punk, pirates, and Tabouli.” – I-R0k (T.J. Miller)
• “Am I being punked?” – Aech/Helen (Lea Waithe)
• “She wanted to go dancing, so we went to a movie.” – Halliday (Mark Rylance)
• “She could be a dude, a 300 pound dude who lives in his mother’s basement…and his name is Chuck.  Think about that!” – Aech/Helen
• “Voila….which is French for….” – I-R0k
• “Do you want it or not?” – Anorak (Mark Rylance)

Interesting lines:

• “People go to the Oasis for all the things they can do, but they stay because of all the things they can be.” – Wade
• “A fanboy knows a hater.” – Parzival
• “Things move forward whether you like it or not.” – Ogden Morrow (Simon Pegg)

If you loved it and want more, check out the book that it’s based on, Ready Player One ,written by Ernest Cline.  The movie adds to and deletes from the source material, frustrating true fanboys, but they both have something to offer.  Cline actually mentioned Steven Spielberg in the original novel.

     

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                                                              @trinaboice

Tomb Raider spotlights a super fit Alicia Vikander

Movie Title:      Tomb Raider

Grade:   B+

Rating: PG-13, 118 minutes

In a Nutshell: 
Based on the 2013 video game reboot, this origin story to the franchise shines a spotlight on the talented Oscar-winning Alicia Vikander who looks absolutely amazing.  

She does all kinds of ridiculous stunts, but they’re believable because she’s in such incredible shape.   Those abs!

The 2013 Tomb Raider video game won “Game of the Year.”  While this movie probably won't win any awards, it's fun family entertainment that I got a kick out of.

                                           

Tips for parents: 

• Some gross deaths
• Profanity, but no F-bombs
• Scary skeletons
• Some pretty violent fight scenes
• Guns and shooting
• Spiders.  EEK!
• A man gets drunk
• Perilous situations

Uplifting theme: 

• Family
• Good vs. evil
• Sacrifice for the good of others
• Female empowerment

                                       

Things I liked:

• Kristin Scott Thomas, Dominic West, and Walton Goggins join Alicia Vikander in rounding out the talented cast.
• This is the second time Dominic West has played Alicia Vikander’s father.  The first time was in the movie Testament Of Youth.
• There are some fun moments like in Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark .
• They filmed in South Africa and England.  Of course, there  were also green screens, but they were well done.
• Some good stunts, although I hate the fake leaping antics.
• Suspenseful torm scene in the ocean.
• A few clever clues to figure out.  I wish there had been more.  I really enjoyed the mystery of The Da Vinci Code.
• The beginning of the movie had two good scenes to introduce Lara's feisty character and skilled athleticism: the boxing match and the bike race.

Things I didn’t like:

• I thought it was hilarious when they were down in the tomb and the team kept whipping out ladders, big lights, and other equipment, yet no one was ever carrying anything.  Ha ha
• Some silly jumps and scares that were super cliché.
• You don’t have to see this in 3D.  The original is just fine.
• Lara made some dumb choices that drove me nuts.
• Lara hangs by one hand.  A lot.
• The logo doesn’t make sense…the arrow line starts halfway through the title image.

Funny lines:

• “I’ll take two.” – Lara, when shown some guns

Want to compare this one with the Angelina Jolie's version?

        

Interesting lines:

• “Usually when I see you on this island, it’s you who disappears.” – Lord Richard Croft (Dominic West)
• “It’s almost impossible to get here, even harder to leave.” – Mathias Vogel (Walton Goggins)
• “Some men like dangerous women.” – Lu Ren (Daniel Wu)

“Some men are foolish.” –Lara

• “All myths have foundation in reality.” – Lord Richard Croft
• “It’ll be an adventure.” – Lara

“Death is not an adventure.” – Lu Re

• “I haven’t seen you in a long time.” – Ana Miller (Kristin Scott Thomas)

“You’ve never seen me.” – Lara

• “Board rooms and business deals.  I’m just not that kind of Croft.” – Lara

                                       

@trinaboice

                       

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle offers a classic reboot for the video game generation

Movie Title:  Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle

Grade:  B+

Rating:  PG-13, 112 minutes

In a Nutshell:   This fun franchise is still alive and entertaining audiences!  Start with a cast of fresh faces and add in a hefty serving of Dwayne, The Rock, Johnson, with a half pint of Kevin Hart and a good dose of Jack Black and you get an entertaining third movie.

It pays respectful tribute to the popular first Jumanji movie, which I loved, and offers a video game twist with a soulful lesson for the young video game generation.  Dwayne Johnson explained that it’s not really a reboot, but a sequel to the original movie and a tribute to the wonderful Robin Williams.  There is a scene where the characters get to Seaplane McDonough’s camp with Robin Williams’ character’s name on it: Alan Parrish.  Sweet.  I sure miss Robin Williams and love that they tried to honor him with this movie.

Tips for parents: 

• Young children won’t understand a lot of the subtle references to other movies, but they’ll still really enjoy this one.
• The bad news is that some of the teens drink alcohol, but the good news is that most of them don’t like it!  Ha ha
• Two of the boys cheat and then lie about it.
• Some profanity.
• A LOT of discussion about male body parts.

 

Uplifting theme: 

• “We only have one life.  Which guy are you going to decide to be?” – Fridge/Kevin Hart
• Sacrifice for others, friendship, loyalty
• Confidence, self-esteem
• “You can’t waste lives.  Each one matters.  Like it or not, we have to do this together.” – Spencer/Dwayne Johnson    (TRUE!)

                             

Things I liked:

• Lots of humor.  The running joke is that these great comedic actors play against type.  Surprisingly, it doesn’t get old and makes for a fun ride.

• Dwayne, the Rock, Johnson.  I love him in everything he does.  Lots of smolder jokes.  I love that he can laugh at himself.
• I always get a kick out of movie references inside movies.  In this film, you’ll hear and see clever nods to classic kid movies like The Breakfast Club, Freaky Friday, and The Goonies   
• While Nick Jonas isn’t a great actor, he was just nominated for a Golden Globe for his song Home in the movie Ferdinand.  Good for him!  His character in Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle was going to be played by Tom Holland, but he was already busy filming Spider-Man: Homecoming .
• I LOVE LOVE LOVE Guardians of the Galaxy (Theatrical), but it was nice to see Karen Gillan’s real face instead of her completely covered in make-up as Nebula.  Her skimpy outfit was actually inspired by Lara Croft’s outfit from the original Tomb Raider: Definitive Edition - Xbox One video games.  She makes a joke about how ridiculous it was to wear such an outfit in the jungle.  Ha ha  Some people have been critical of her sexist outfit, yet it’s pretty true to how women are dressed in video games.  By the way, a remake of the Tomb Raider movie hits theaters in 2018!  
• The movie was filmed in beautiful Hawaii.

Things I didn’t like:

• You can’t always understand what Kevin Hart says.  Actually, he rarely “says” anything…he yells everything.  Hart is the personification of caffeine.  Sometimes it’s just too much.
• Funny gross kiss.  Bleh.
• Creepy, crawly bugs go in and out of Van Pelt’s ears and mouth.  Ick.  Van Pelt is the name of the villain in the first movie too, where he is an animal hunter.  In this one, the villain (Bobby Cannavale) has control over animals and insects in the jungle.
• Although necessary to bridge the gap between the last two movies and this one, there is a long expository scene to help you understand what is happening.
• It always bugs me a little bit when the lines in trailers are actually different from what plays in the movie.  Speaking of the trailer, the Guns N Roses song Welcome To The Junglenbsp;plays in it, which is one of the reasons why the film’s subtitle is Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle.
• The original Jumanji is much better and cleaner.

Funny lines:

• “The fact that I’m not Instagramming this right now is insane.” – Bethany/Jack Black
• “You don’t get in water with a backpack.  Everybody knows that!” – Fridge/Kevin Hart
• “That was so intense.  I like can’t even with this place!” – Bethany/Jack Black
• “Now sparkle like an anime character!” – Bethany/Jack Black
• “A nibble goes a long way, girlfriend.” – Bethany/Jack Black
• “There are so many diseases out here.” – Spencer/Dwayne Johnson
• “You’re aware there are other people in the world, right?” – Teacher (Maribeth Monroe)
• “Are you going to help or are you two pretty?” – Young Martha (Morgan Turner)

“I’m too pretty.” – Young Bethany (Madison Iseman)

                                         

Interesting lines:

• “I’m so focused on myself I don’t see what others are dealing with.” – Bethany/Jack Black
• “Board game? Who plays board games?” – Teenager (Mason Guccione)

                                             @trinaboice