Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed

Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini, Seth Green and Peter Boyle.

Director: Raja Gosnell

Release Date 2004

Running Time: 1hr 29 minutes

Genre: Family/Comedy

Rating: PG

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

The Mystery Inc gang must save Coolsville from an attack of past unmasked monsters brought to life by an evil masked figure trying to "unmask" the gang. 

After the success of the first film it was only natural that director Raja Gosnell would attempt a sequel. Is it as entertaining as the first? Unfortunately not. Although the storyline excellently stresses on the terrific imagination of the original cartoon, the idea to modernise it through the use of contemporary music has somewhat ruined it's authenticity. The characters have grown and developed since the first story. We can understand from the length of Fred's hair and their newly equipped lab that perhaps a few months have passed since the events that took place in the first film? The idea to use key references from the cartoon have worked excellently. It's unfortunate that the storyline is rather messy.

When Coolsville is attacked by past unmasked monsters, the Mystery Inc team must work together to find the culprit. Is their evil nemesis behind it, or is it the museum owner? It's unfortunate that Freddie Prinze Jr is the only actor to deliver a strong performance. Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard and Linda Cardellini all appeared to be rushing their lines. Matthew Lillard in particular really looked like he was forcing his character, instead of giving a very natural and genuine performance as Shaggy. Considering how excellent his performance was in the first film this was very disappointing. Seth Green delivers a somewhat interesting performance as museum owner Patrick Wisely.

Although the special effects in hindsight are very clever, they still don't look excellent. Scenes involving CGI unfortunatly look rushed and messy, giving the impression that a lot of effort didn't go into making it look good. The first film really took audiences back to the cartoon's original roots in terms of special effects and characterisation. More often than not, sequels work exceptionally well, however sometimes they are best left alone. The storyline really didn't need modernising. Really quite disappointing, it's no surprise really that another film wasn't made shortly after.

2.5 stars

Scooby-Doo: The Movie

Cast: Freddie Prinze Jr, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Rowan Atkinson, Matthew Lillard, Linda Cardellini and Isla Fisher.

Director: Raja Gosnell

Release Date: 2002

Running Time: 1hr 23 minutes

Genre: Family

Rating: PG

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

After an spontaneous break up, the Mystery Inc gang are individually brought to an island resort to investigate strange goings on.

Joe Ruby and Ken Spears hit animated cartoon series "Scooby-Doo" has been loved by fans across the globe for the past forty-nine years. In the early naughties it was announced that a live action version would be hitting our cinema screens. Director Brian Levant delivered a terrific live action adaptation of "The Flintstones" in 1994, proving that a great director really can bring a cartoon to life. The beauty of live action adaptations is that it allows younger viewers to see their favourite characters on the big screens. When the Mystery Inc spontaneously split, they find themselves reunited after two years boarding a plane to Spooky Island to investigate strange goings on! Daphne, Fred, Velma, Shaggy and Scooby must work together as a team to find out who the colporate is.

The entertaining storyline really brings back the imagination of the original cartoon series. Quick and fun it's everything you'd expect from a live adaptation. Freddie Prinze Jr, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Matthew Lillard and Linda Cardellini all deliver fantastic performances, with an uncanny likeness to their characters. Rowan Atkinson is excellent as Spooky Island owner Mondavarious. Wonderfully exaggerated, he adds a tremendous amount of humour to the storyline, with terrific witty one liners. Real life couple, Freddie Prinze Jr and Sarah Michelle Gellar work beautifully together as Fred and Daphne, making their characters all the more authentic.

Scooby-Doo looks wonderfully authentic, the CGI to create his character is really magnificent. Hardcore fans of the original show will not find themselves dissapointed. Although there are a couple of editing mishaps and continuity errors, the film itself looks terrific, with a real homage to the original cartoon series. Silly and fun, packed full of intricate details that reference the original characters, the story is perfectly suited for family's and children of all ages. Wonderfully funny and entertaining.

4/5 stars

Get Out

Cast: Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford, Marcus Henderson and Caleb Landry Jones.

Director: Jordan Peele

Release Date: 2017

Running Time: 1hr 40 minutes

Genre: Indie/Horror

Rating: 15

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

It's time for a young African-American to meet his white girlfriend's parents for a weekend in their secluded estate in the woods, but before long, the friendly and polite ambience will give way to a nightmare.

The premise behind a horror story is primarily to frighten or thrill an individual. Very few are as thought-provoking as this one. Jordan Peele's directorial debut not only scares you in all the right places it also allows you to think outside the box. The story doesn't frighten you through violence or gore, it hits you on a psychological level. Hopefully if your like myself, you won't be surprised until the end of the film when you understand what is actually going on. Daniel Kaluuya gives such a outstanding performance that he really allows you to come on this journey with him as Chris. This is so much more than a story about a cabin in the woods.

For a first time director, Jordan Peele has delivered a horror film, that experienced directors have always longed for. Allison Williams, Catherine Keener, Bradley Whitford and Caleb Landry Jones all give such fantastic performances you really find yourself hypnotised by their characters, their intentions, their purpose, only to find yourself proved wrong right at the very end. What has just happened? How did I not figure this out to be begin with? Figuring out what is happening is part of the fun. There is nothing predictable about the storyline. The idea to shoot the film all in one area is what makes the film all the more thought-provoking. Is Chris dreaming? Does his girlfriend and her family really exist? Who are these other people that we see?

As the story continues, you find yourself putting together pieces of the puzzle. As a film critic this is most definitely a film that you do not want to give the storyline away too anyone. It will undoubtedly ruin it for any individual who has no idea what to expect when they watch it for the first time. Beautifully shot and full of emotion, drama, humour and suspense. Director Jordan Peele has without a doubt delivered one of the most thought-provoking horror films to date. Full of surprises, absolutely outstanding!

5/5 stars

IT: Chapter One

Cast: Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Finn Wolfhard, Jack Dylan Grazer and Chosen Jacobs.

Director: Andy Muschietti

Release Date: 2017

Running Time: 2hrs 9 minutes

Genre: Horror/Thriller

Rating: 15

Synopsis:

A group of bullied kids come together when a shape-shifting creature, taking the appearance of a clown, begins hunting children.

Thirty-two years ago, author Stephen King released one of the most terrifying novels to ever enter bookstores! Unexpectedly making it a worldwide phenomenon success. The story begins in 1988, on a cold and stormy afternoon, little George Denbrough is killed by an insidious creature lurking in the sewers of Derry, Maine. Haunted by the death of his brother Bill is determined to find out who or what killed him. The creature presents itself differently to each individual. The first chapter is primarily about six friends Bill, Mike, Richie, Eddie, Stanley and Ben, who are determined once and for all to kill the malevolent creature.

The novel is incredibly hard to follow mainly due to the fantastic intricate details that Stephen King put into place to describe each character. It's unfortunate that many of these details were left out of the film. Understandably a film is never going to live up to the standards of a novel, as a filmmaker you are stuck with the challenge of interpreting someone's imagination on screen. What can be described in written work, cannot always be interpreted the same on screen. Director Andy Muschietti chose to modernise the story, choosing to set the story in 1988-1989 instead of 1957-1958 that was originally described in the book.

Terrifying in appearance and in character, Bill Skarsgard delivers a terrific performance as IT. It's unfortunate however that his character in the film is not quite as described in the book. His appearance has been slightly altered. The six main leads deliver very good performances, particularly "Stranger Things" star Finn Wolfhard. The characters are very accurately portrayed as they are described in the novel. It was however, a disappointment to see that certain characters have been removed from the story. This is was most likely put into place due to the length of the film. Although the film works well without these characters, it also meant a lot of suspense was removed from the storyline.

Hair-raising and electrifying, the setting and the special effects really meet the expectations of a successful horror film. The stunning landscape of Canada works excellently for the description of the town in which the story is set. Entertaining and thrilling, director Andy Muschietti has created a fantastic first chapter to this terrifying film. One of the best adaptations of Stephen King's frightening novel "IT", a story about fear, discovery and friendship. Audiences are anticipated in seeing what Muschietti has next in store for us in the second chapter later next year! Excellent.

4/5 stars

Kong: Skull Island

Cast: John Goodman, Tom Hiddleston, Samuel L.Jackson, Brie Larson, John C. Reilly and Corey Hawkins.

Director: Jordan Vogt-Roberts

Release Date: 2017

Running Time: 1hr 51 minutes

Genre: Action/Fantasy

Rating: 12

Format: Sky Cinema

Synopsis:

A brave team of scientists explore an uncharted island in the pacific, venturing into the domain of the mighty Kong, and must fight to escape a primal Eden.

In 2014, Warner Brothers announced the creation of the Monsterverse. A fictional universe that would be centered around monster films featuring King Kong and Godzilla. This is the second film in a series of instalments to enter the Monsterverse. This is a reboot, it is not connected to any previous films centered around the character of Kong. Set in 1973 a team of scientists and Vietnam war soldiers embark on a journey to Skull Island, an uncharted island in the Pacific, where they soon encounter hair raising creatures. Ancient species that were on Earth long before humans are standing strong to take over once again.

The concept of the storyline is very similar to that of Michael Crichton's "Jurassic Park", there is an uninhabited island full of ancient creatures. How was it that they came to be there? Why are they all so dominant? The storyline is not only interesting but thought provoking too. A real story of discovery. Are these ancient creatures really out to hurt them or are they simply trying to protect them from evil that lives on the island? The characters unfortunately are not so well executed. John Goodman, Samuel L.Jackson, John C.Reilly and Tom Hiddleston are the only four actors to portray their characters fantastically. The other characters unfortunately hold little to no significance to the storyline. One character in particular is seen on screen continuously, but to our disappointment doesn't speak a word. What is he doing there?

Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts has certainly taken some inspiration from  Francis Ford Coppola's hit war film "Apocalypse now", although the idea works very well with the storyline, in adding music to intense fighting scenes  it also leaves no room for originality. There is however a tremendous amount of humour that works terrifically to defuse the tension amid the chaos on the island. Reilly delivers particularly good comic timing, Reilly plays a a soldier who has been on the island since 1944, with no understanding that a man has stepped foot on the moon or as to why there is a cold war with Russia. It becomes apparent that the humans invading the island are the real enemies.

The special effects and CGI are very impressive, each creature has been very well thought out and presented on screen. Blending in some of the creatures to a natural habitat worked excellently, it allowed room for surprises when introducing these creatures to audiences. Primarily shot in Vietnam and Hawaii, both locations work well with the idea that the storyline takes place just after the end of the Vietnam war. Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts explained that he  wanted the film to feel like "Apocalypse now", with monsters. The score really allows this to come to fruition. A good start to the monsterverse, however there is certainly room for improvement.

4/5 stars

The Greatest Showman

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Zendaya and Rebecca Ferguson.

Director: Michael Gracey

Release Date: 2018

Running Time: 1hr 45 minutes

Genre: Drama/Musical

Rating: PG

Format: Theatrical Cinema Release

Synopsis:

Inspired by the imagination of P.T Barnum. An original musical that celebrates the beginning of show business and how it became a worldwide sensation.

Roll up! Roll up! Director Michael Gracey takes us into the magical and magnificent world of the circus! Inspired by the true story of P.T Barnum's sensational creation the Barnum and Bailey Circus and the lives of their incredible star attractions. Barnum takes a leap of faith when the company he works for goes bankrupt, with a bank loan he builds the Barnum American Museum. Enlisting in the help of unique artists including trapeze artists, a bearded lady and the dog boy, the museum soon becomes a hit making ringleader  P.T Barnum a household name. This marks the directorial debut of Michael Gracey who up until now was only an animator and visual effects supervisor. Gracey should be highly praised in his first effort as a director.

Directing a musical is a very risky move for any director, particularly those who are new to the art. Although it may have a "High School Musical" sound to it, it works very well as a modern musical. Wonderfully inspiring, the story and the musical numbers have been beautifully executed. Hugh Jackman has proved once again that he is more than just a Wolverine. Fully immersing himself into the role of P.T Barnum, Jackman delivers a tremendous performance. Michelle Williams stars as Barnum's wife Charity Barnum. Strained by the effort that Barnum puts into his circus, Charity remains by is side at all times with their two girls Caroline and Helen.

The characters are what really make this film work. The charming friendship that P.T Barnum forms with playwright Philip Carlyle (Efron), the troubles that each of the unique artists go through, tormented by locals who wish them rid of their town, there is a terrific amount of realism to the story. Jackman shows such true emotion in his eyes that really allows you to feel connected to his character. Efron and Jackman work fantastically alongside one another, sparking off each other brilliantly. You can really feel the magic in their performances. The dance choreography is stunning, it's fantastic to watch, it really makes you feel like you are sat there live watching these incredible artists.

Filled full of outstanding musical performances, "The Greatest Showman" shows true musical originality. Justin Paul and Benj Pasek deliver one of the most inspirational and uplifting scores to ever be heard on screen in recent years. A score so catchy audiences will find themselves rushing home to purchase the soundtrack. A risk worth taking. Beautifully heartwarming, inspiring and packed full of fun. A film you really don't want to miss this coming New Year!

5/5 stars

The Lost City of Z

Cast: Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Charlie Hunnam, Sienna Miller and Edward Ashley.

Director: James Gray

Release Date: 2016

Running Time: 2hrs 21 minutes

Genre: Adventure/Drama

Rating: 15

Format: Amazon Prime UK

Synopsis:

A true story about British explorer Col Percival Fawcett who dissapeared while searching for a mysterious city in the Amazon in the 1920's.

This is the incredible true story about British explorer Percival Fawcett (Hunman) who embarked into the Amazon at the beginning of the 20th century and discovered what he believed to be evidence of a previously unknown civilization that may have once inhabited there. Forced to leave his family, Fawcett enters the trenchtrious jungles of the Amazon Rainforest with fellow adventurer Henry Costin. Much to the belief of some audiences, the story primarily focuses on the characters not the adventure itself. Director James Gray has taken a very unique approach to shooting the film. Not only did Gray write the screenplay but he also took challenges and risks in ensuring that the film looked authentic and genuine.

The story goes into extensive detail about character relationship and development, spanning over a period of nearly twenty-years. The beauty of the storyline is that it shows the Amazon in its purest form, explaining the dangers of the forest and unknown territories. The Amazon is home to natives who are naturally very protective of their land. The time period has been captured beautifully with period costumes and interior. Charlie Hunnam delivers a very precise performance with strong characterisation as Major Percival Fawcett. Hunman not only looks the part, but sounds it too, with a very well spoken tone. Unfortunately Robert Pattinson's character Henry Costin was a little bit disappointing, although Pattinson took on the role of someone much older then himself exceptionally well, his character really didn't contribute to the storyline very much, Pattinson sadly didn't offer a great deal of characterisation.

The story explains the troubles between characters, they experience a "Cabin Fever" atmosphere whilst in search of the lost city, food is stollen and ruined, characters become very sick from the environment and humidity. Director James Gray made sure not to glamorise it in any shape or form for the sake of film. Despite the story spanning over a period of almost twenty-years, we don't see much of a difference in Percival Fawcett. Everyone ages gradually, but there would be some significant changes, Charlie Hunnam looks miraculously young for someone who has aged twenty odd years. His children have grown up? Why hasn't he?  Did he enter the fountain of youth in the Amazon?

The film is beautifully shot, James Gray deciding against digital formats have saved the film to some extent. Shooting in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta jungle in Columbia was a risky move for many a reason, however it really allowed the actors to act authentically in the environment. Their reactions to the environment around them are genuine and real, which adds a tremendous amount of realism to the story. There is a fantastic amount of mystery that surrounds the story, it's really quite thought provoking. The decision to not show the audience too much too soon is what really allows the audience to remain gripped. The excitement is in their journey, not what they come to find. A real adventure.

3.5/5 stars