It turns out I have begun to realise that going to the movies is an expensive habit. Over the past two weeks of break I managed to catch over four different films, two of which were actually the same.
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation was a solid 7/10 for me. Having gone for multiple viewings I am confident in my original critique that it was a basic Tom Cruise flick. The only thing I got out of the film was that IMF stands for Impossible Missions Force. While it was definitely a fun flick, the story seemed all too convenient for my own expectations of a spy movie. The plot moved along smoothly, but only because everything fell into place when it needed to. It was almost clinical. However, the brother, the lady friend, and the bro-friend all seemed to like this film little more than me, with each of them ranking it a star higher. All film is subjective I guess?
"Hold on, the title says two films, but you've mentioned three? What are these two films?"Here are my reviews on Southpaw and Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.
My apologies if you were expecting lengthy and detailed reviews. While my audience does contain a few invested readers, thank you parents, I have realised that the time allocated to review making and formatting does not warrant the responses I get. Do not fear. This just means more conciseness and less waffling.
Southpaw - Antoine Fuqua 7/10
While Jake Gyllenhaal gives us an outstanding performances as the down on his luck champion boxer Billy Hope, the story fails to push itself past mediocrity. The film is so ridden with cliché and predictable plot points that it does not stimulate any sense of awe. I felt the first act of the film was adequately engaging, but then the clichés started to roll in.
Most of the plot felt disjointed as it built up into the third act of the film. For instance, Forest Whitaker's character is meant to train Gyllenhaal to get him back on his game, while at the same time training him to be a better person and father. The blending of these two aspects of Whitaker's character seemed really disjointed, and that took me out of the film at some parts. However, the third act really does deliver the knock out punch in the best way possible.
The final match at the end was the most engaging part of the film. It showcased how much Gyllenhaal's character had developed over the film as to ultimately become a better fighter, father and person. The knock out performances and well coordinated fight sequences brings this movie up to a 7 score for me. I would not expect any oscars though.
Most of the plot felt disjointed as it built up into the third act of the film. For instance, Forest Whitaker's character is meant to train Gyllenhaal to get him back on his game, while at the same time training him to be a better person and father. The blending of these two aspects of Whitaker's character seemed really disjointed, and that took me out of the film at some parts. However, the third act really does deliver the knock out punch in the best way possible.
The final match at the end was the most engaging part of the film. It showcased how much Gyllenhaal's character had developed over the film as to ultimately become a better fighter, father and person. The knock out performances and well coordinated fight sequences brings this movie up to a 7 score for me. I would not expect any oscars though.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials - Wes Ball 6/10
The Scorch Trials was actually really fun. The opening to the film was impressive enough to not make me disregard it as another YA novel to film adaptation. All of the cast from the first instalment really shone as their respective characters. The film did not take itself too seriously, but at the same time it refrained from parodying itself.
The only problem with this film was that it was too long. Not only did the story seem lengthy, but the pacing of the filming just kept me wondering when this trial would end. They did not use their time wisely when it came to developing newer characters. They were just sort of chucked in there because they advanced the plot, or because they were in the books. The third act felt overly extended as if they were trying to start new storylines while the film was drawing to a close.
Overall, the lengthiness and unbalanced character focus put this film down to a 6 score for me. I think my date liked it more than I did. All film is subjective I guess?
What are your thoughts? Did I pull some sucker punches on Southpaw? Did you last almost three hours in The Scorch? What have I missed with Mission Impossible? Let me know in the comments!
The only problem with this film was that it was too long. Not only did the story seem lengthy, but the pacing of the filming just kept me wondering when this trial would end. They did not use their time wisely when it came to developing newer characters. They were just sort of chucked in there because they advanced the plot, or because they were in the books. The third act felt overly extended as if they were trying to start new storylines while the film was drawing to a close.
Overall, the lengthiness and unbalanced character focus put this film down to a 6 score for me. I think my date liked it more than I did. All film is subjective I guess?
What are your thoughts? Did I pull some sucker punches on Southpaw? Did you last almost three hours in The Scorch? What have I missed with Mission Impossible? Let me know in the comments!
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