"Dolittle" Review: Do Little To See This One!
Dolittle is an example of a film that tries to save itself in post-production when it should have done it at the script level. Sometimes a known franchise name isn’t worthy of the dust being blown off of it. Well, a $175,000,000 budget with a dismal return on investment just may teach Universal Pictures the lesson!
After losing his wife, Dr. John Dolittle (Robert Downey Jr.) has become a recluse. Far from the famed doctor who could speak to animals and help the world, he lives alone (no humans) with some of his four legged friends in a sanctuary given to him by Queen Victoria. When the queen turns ill, a royal emissary named Rose (Carmel Laniado), calls on the doctor to save the queen. In the midst of the visit from Rose, Tommy Stubbins (Harry Collett), a “force sensitive animal whisperer”, brings Dr. Dolittle a squirrel he accidentally shot. Enamored by Dolittle’s ability to speak with the animals around him, Tommy wants to be Dolittle’s apprentice.
The threat of losing his home due to a clause in a contract forces Dolittle out of his self-imposed retirement. The adventure takes him, his new apprentice and his animal friends across seas to dangerous islands full of bandits and a dragon. Wait, a dragon!? You thought this was a Victorian era period piece? Of course it’s a fantasy, comedy, adventure…honestly, I don’t know what it wants to be.
The storyline and script is muddled enough, but it’s not the only thing that’s muddled. Downey Jr.’s whispery accent is one for the record books! It’s hard to understand what he’s saying as he does his best-worst Jack Sparrow impression. The accent doesn’t accentuate the character and makes for an already difficult view with the amount of ADR (Automated Dialog Replacement) that seemed to have gone on in this film. There are so many moments when characters are speaking with their backs to the camera or the editing quickly cuts around what they’re saying to mask their faces.
It’s movies like Dolittle that give January releases its storied rep. It never fails that plenty of duds get dropped in the beginning of the year as we anxiously await to hear what the best films coming out of Sundance are, who will win an Oscar and move into Spring. I hope everyone in the cast and crew got paid upfront, because this movie won’t make a return on the back end! Since the writers and producers did little to make this film charming and proper, I suggest you do little to see it as well!
Rating: F
"Spies In Disguise" Review: Great Message In A Fun Ride
There’s only one spy that we really focus on in Spies In Disguise. While the name may be misleading, you don’t really need more people in a film when you have the charismatic charm of Will Smith. It’s a fun, comedic, espionage animation that manages to pack a great message without hammering it home.
Lance Sterling (Will Smith) is the world’s number one spy. He’s so good, bad guys know him by name and shutter when he’s in their presence. His fellow secret agents and colleagues at work do as well in that rockstar kind of way. This includes a nerdy tech officer named Walter (Tom Holland). Walter’s latest gadget, kitty glitter, gets Lance out of a sticky situation in the field, but not in the particular loud style that Lance is accustomed to and demands. So the two meet under circumstances in which Lance attempts to give Walter a stern talking to with walking papers. Simultaneously, Lance is moved on the agency’s wanted list after a doppelgänger steals a top secret killer drone.
Forced on the run to clear his name, Lance enlists the help of Walter, who just happens to have made an elixir that can change a person into a pigeon for spy purposes. With a new identity, Lance goes after the villain who stole his identity. Along the way, he learns the value of teamwork while Walter learns to believe in himself.
There’s a message at the heart of Spies In Disguise that needs to be heard by everyone. You have to look past Will Smith’s animated charm, DJ Khaled’s interesting voice acting debut, and the humor. Be yourself and it’s ok to be weird are a couple of the messages, but the deeper message we can gain from the movie is that we should try our best to solve conflict without destroying the person or entity we’re in conflict with. All of Walter’s gadgets are non-lethal but are still effective. After Joyless (Reba McEntire) tells Walter that he’s the future of the organization, I couldn’t help but think she was talking to the young kids in the audience. They have the ability to change the world, but it may be too late for the generations currently in power.
Spies In Disguise is an enjoyable time at the movies for families. You’ve definitely seen the character archetypes before, but its messages are worth hearing. If there is a better way to resolve conflict, choose it! At the very least you’ll learn that pigeons fly as fast as ninety miles an hour!
Rating: B
"Frozen II" Review: Disney, Let It Go!
Perhaps much like the theme of the movie, the Frozen franchise is in its autumn. Frozen II offers up a change in its characters, settings and gives a form of growth to all. Suffering from the sophomore slump, while this film offers big numbers and beautiful scenery, it doesn’t quite capture the magic of its predecessor because it’s too busy trying to stand in the shadow of it.
Picking up shortly after the original, Anna (Kristen Bell) and Queen Elsa (Idina Menzel) are leading the kingdom of Arendelle with Kristoff (Jonathan Groff) and a newly permafrosted Olaf (Josh Gad) by their sides. Still trying to find herself, Elsa can’t ignore the voice she hears calling out to her. The voice may hold answers to the past as the kingdom tries to find answers to its future after the spirits of Earth, Fire, Wind and Water remove everyone from their homes.
Following the voice takes the group to an enchanted forest, which previously could not be entered by anyone. Inside they meet two factions that have been stuck inside for years and search for answers to the past to secure their future. Equipped with solo songs for each character throughout the film, like its songs, it’s forgettable. In fact, most of the songs help to move the struggling story along rather than being an extension of each characters’ inner feelings bursting out of them as musicals should do.
Another reason this outing isn’t as great as the last is because it’s missing heart and a true villain. The heart of the first film was the love between two sisters and the power that exists and can be cultivated from that love. Here, each character follows their own storyline and thus, as a whole, the movie suffers from meandering at times due to a seemingly forced narrative instead of the organic story in the first film. Without a true villain to physically go up against, these characters aren’t written well enough to display the true struggle of (wo)man vs. self that it whiffs at. There’s an opportunity for the film to explore what happens when a loved one smothers you with good intentions, but doesn’t realize they’re holding you back. There are decisions that some characters make that seem to be, well, out of character. It’s as though going from the beat sheet that five writers created for the story wasn’t quite filled in by Jennifer Lee’s screenplay.
On a positive note, Olaf steals the show as the lovable snowman who seems to be graduating from kindergarten to first grade metaphorically. He’s inquisitive about the world around him and his curiosity and zest for life is endearing. Olaf certainly provided most of the laughs that the children in the audience I saw the film with had.
Frozen II is an example of Disney’s machine over-cranking. While the film will undoubtedly be a money maker, lightning hasn’t struck twice. You won’t be able to name a single tune you heard upon exiting the theater. With glimpses of what could have been a solid, universal story, the writing is half baked and thus this film falls short. Your kids will love it though!
Rating: C
"Toy Story 4" Review: A Welcomed Finale...Hopefully
The announcement of Toy Story 4 was a shock to the system. Toy Story 3 was the perfect bow for the franchise. Pixar definitely can teach other studios how to keep a franchise going past its seemingly end. While the latest film has all the warm fuzzies, jokes, love, and deep storytelling that we’ve enjoyed in the past, I respectively and lovingly hope this is it.
The film picks up where the last left off but a few years down the line. Bonnie (Madeleine McGraw) is on her way to kindergarten. She still has Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the rest of the gang. While she’s not old enough to stop playing with all of her toys, Bonnie certainly has her favorites, and Woody is not one of them. He gets left in the closet and collects dust bunnies while everyone else gets played with. Since Woody has always been the leader, this change is something he’s grappling with.
After her first day of school, Bonnie comes back with a new toy she created named Forky (Tony Hale). Understanding how much a toy means to the human he serves, Woody makes it his mission to keep Forky from throwing himself in the trash and getting himself lost. This includes making sure he stays safe on the family road trip in the RV, which of course is a task in itself.
What Pixar does better than most is explain life to us with child-like simplicity. They take us back to the basics time and time again. In this film, the big lesson is how we evolve in our relationships with loved ones. Woody has had his time with Andy and got a second chance with Bonnie, but what happens when our metaphorical Bonnie moves on? What do we do with the feeling of no longer being needed? How do you overcome your mentality of finding your self-worth in someone else or the opinion of others? There are all kinds of deep lessons that can be learned when you dig past the surface of what’s presented, and of course it’s laced with gags and humor.
The adventure the gang goes on is a fun and comical ride. There certainly was another story that could be told with Toy Story. The directors have stated that this is a fitting end for Woody and possibly the franchise but they thought it would be over after Toy Story 2. I hope they let this be the end because they have squeezed all the juice out of the lemon to create the delicious pitcher of lemonade that is the franchise. Perhaps Toy Story 3 left us thirsty for more, but Toy Story 4 is the confirmation that we’re good to go.
Rating: B
"Aladdin" Review: It's Got Faults But Disney Charm Too!
To have seen Aladdin in theaters in 1992 as a child means that you will go into Aladdin 2019 with ice in your veins! At least I did. How many times did I rewatch the VHS with my brother? How do I still know all the words to the songs? It was the Disney magic and the incredible voice acting of Robin Williams that made the film so special. Don’t worry ice kings and queens, Disney hasn’t lost its magic and Will Smith knows how to create a new genie instead of trying to fill those unmatchable genie shoes! It will take a while for the ice to melt, but this film is charming enough to do it.
Aladdin (Mena Massoud) is a street thief with dreams of being somebody. He’s got a good heart but no money in his pocket. After a chance encounter with Jasmine (Naomi Scott), the Princess of Agrabah, Aladdin is smitten but knows he doesn’t stand a chance with her as a lowly street rat. So when the nefarious Jafar (Marwan Kenzari) forces him to retrieve a lamp from the Cave of Wonders that happens to hold a powerful genie, Aladdin’s windfall is significant. Genie (Will Smith) can make all his wishes come true, or at least three of them.
That previous paragraph was for anyone who was born in the last seven years. The beloved classic tale hasn’t changed much, but co-writers John August and Guy Ritchie are wise enough to know that making a live action version of a classic means that you need to deviate a little. The minor changes that they make to the film are the right shift in a new direction. Disney princesses are a lot stronger than they used to be. Princess Jasmine is more defined as a person than she was in the past. She’s crafted into a tangible character who shows real leadership, a zest for life and courage. Genie and Aladdin’s relationship is a little more intertwined as Genie has the ability to take on a human form outside of his usual blue, legless shape.
The film must lean on the nostalgia of the classic film and songs though. It asks you to forgive the fact that Will Smith can’t sing and that the musical arrangements of many of the songs are a bit of a step down from the originals. Perhaps because three new lyricists worked on this with one of the original songwriter, Alan Menken. Mena Massoud feels like he was casted for the smile and energy that Aladdin has in the animated version, but it not for his musical talent. In fact, much of the film’s musical numbers sound like they should be on Broadway and director Guy Ritchie shoots them like he’s covering a stage play.
While the film has its eyebrow raising, cringeworthy moments, when songs aren’t being sung, the drama is universally touching. The life lessons of being yourself, speaking up for yourself, and doing right by other people is clear. The budding romance between Princess Jasmine and Aladdin has all the right Disney feels. So while it has its faults, the bold step to recreate Aladdin may prove to be worth it this weekend. It will certainly be a good time for families, and at least we’ll get to hear DJ Khaled the next time we’re in a Disney theme park!
Rating: B-
"UglyDolls" Review: Bless Its Ugly Wittle Heart!
STX Entertainment isn’t necessarily a household studio name, but it’s quickly growing its portfolio. Giving us recent films like The Upside, The Best of Enemies, and the forthcoming 21 Bridges, the studio is slowly making a name for itself. UglyDolls is their move into family friendly films and like any first outing it has its bumps. While the film has the spirit of Trolls, its execution is disjointed and poor pacing makes for a difficult watch at times, but bless it’s ugly heart if the messaging isn’t the positivity the world needs right now!
The film starts with a positivity drenched ballad led by Moxy (Kelly Clarkson). She tells the story of how living in the town of UglyVille is great. UglyVille is where dolls go after being separated from the “perfect” dolls on the assembly line in the sky. While all the defected dolls enjoy live in the Ville, Moxy dreams that everyday may be the day that she gets picked by a kid to live in the big world.
After seeing a new ugly doll come out of the tube in the mountain, Moxy decides she wants to see where the tube leads. She takes her friends Ugly Dog (Pitbull), Babo (Gabriel Iglesias), Wage (Wanda Sykes), and Luck Bat (Leehom Wang) along for the adventure. The crew eventually finds the Institute of Perfection, where all the good looking dolls are tested before going to the big world to meet their child. A doll named Lou (Nick Jonas) runs the show and sings brutally frank ballads about being perfect versus ugly. Most of the dolls at the institute are obsessed with perfection and Lou or hiding flaws as not to be shamed.
The heart of this film is about not being afraid to be who you are and let the things that make you who you are shine. The opening number is so beautiful and you can quickly see the imperfect dolls are brimming with talent and happier than the dolls at the institute. It’s a great message, even if it’s overt. Messaging aside, the film limps along from musical number to musical number. While casting tons of talented singers and comedians may be great for social media tags and posts for marketing the film, the acting talent and chemistry that Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake in Trolls can’t be found here. It feels more like a dress rehearsal with understudies for a better film that could have come out of this movie.
Overall, the plot is noticeably Frankensteined from Trolls, Monsters Inc, Toy Story and other classic animation films. Which is kind of funny in a movie about ugly dolls. However, it doesn’t make for a creative, fresh film about being yourself. There’s no doubt that the conversation parents can have about the deeper meaning behind this film on the car ride home will be worth it, but you can’t escape the ugly truth!
Rating: C
"Missing Link" Review: Something's Missing Alright!
You may not know the name Laika Studios, but you know their work. Movies like Coraline, ParaNorman, The Boxtrolls and Kubo and the Two Strings are some their beloved prior films. While Missing Link is just as gorgeously handcrafted as their previous works, its missing the magic to elicit the warm fuzzies like its predecessors.
Sir Lionel Frost (Hugh Jackman) is an explorer and investigator of myths and monsters in the age of global exploration. He is fearless in his quest to find these creatures, but can’t seem to keep an assistant in doing so. After his latest assistant walks out, he receives a letter from Mr. Links (Zach Galifianakis), who turns out to be Big Foot. With the west being conquered by pioneers in North America, Mr. Links desires to find his long lost relatives, the Abominable Snowmen in Shangri-La. Not knowing how to get there, Frost and Links visit Adelina Fortnight (Zoe Saldana), a widow whose husband possessed a map to the mythical place.
Writer/Director Chris Butler is a master craftsman of the optics of the film. His attention to detail make for an entertaining watch. The light by the fireplace produces a warm orange on characters’ faces, an aerial shot in which the heroes travel by horse and carriage shows the shadows of the horses galloping along beside it, and the facial movements of the characters are so spot on that you can’t help but be swept away by the performances. The marriage between the actors’ delivery of lines to the crafting of their animated image is perfection! There is a grandmother the cast meets on the way to Shangri-La who is perhaps the funniest character in the film, but Butler shows her with a constant head tremor. It’s such a small detail, but it makes her character so authentic. The craftsmanship of the film must be honored!
While the visuals and voice acting is amazing in this film, the story is just plain dull. The screenplay doesn’t rise above stereotypical fare. You could argue that this is a film about the characters finding themselves on the harrowing journey to Shangri-La, but that’s boiler plate marketing. The screenplay gives little to care about by investing in the characters we see. So much of the film consists of watching the set production and waiting for the next bit of humor to break up the stodgy storyline.
Generally, I could give the stamp of approval for your kids enjoying the film more than you will, but I’m not so sure this time. The script and its’ jokes strike somewhere in between humor for kids and adult humor (and that doesn’t equal teenage humor), thus it gets lost in the middle of nowhere. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s some missing link to making this film great! As beautiful as it is, it may be best to catch this one after it gets out of the theaters.
Rating: C+
"The House With A Clock in its Walls" Review
The House with a Clock in its Walls is masterfully nostalgic; director Eli Roth reignites the forgotten appreciation Millennials have for Jack Black. Even though the film is technically created for kids, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the movie. The film is based on a mystery fiction novel written by John Bellairs in 1973. The House with a Clock in its Walls certainly pays homage to the book in its own unique ways, however books are rarely fully realized when adapted to the big screen. The story is not quite the same as the book, but the movie makes up for that with polished special effects, great acting, and multi-generational humor. The movie is reminiscent of such films like A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Golden Compass, and even Goosebumps.
Lewis Bernavelt (Owen Vaccaro) is a recently orphaned 10 year old who moves to the fictional town of New Zebedee, Michigan to live with his uncle Jonathan (Jack Black). His uncle happens to be a warlock with a best friend, Mrs. Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett), who is a powerful witch. This hodgepodge of characters form a makeshift family on a mission to do one thing, find a way to stop the doomsday clock left by an earlier tenant of the house!
The first notable thing about the film is the casting, Jack Black does an amazing job in his role as the creepy, misunderstood uncle. This role is the Jack Black we’ve come to expect to see on screen through and through; he creates such an interesting character within the storyline, it’s hard to look away. Owen Vaccaro steals the show with his ability to cry on cue, competency with linguistics, and charming character. He is the typical nerdy, misunderstood kid, but he certainly proves himself time and time again. Finally, sure to be a character favorite (she was mine) is Florence Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett), the platonic friend of Jack Black; their friendship is hilarious and wonderful. They truly care about each other as friends but they don’t waste a moment without dishing out a good insult towards one another. Overall, the acting truly carries the film, and the relationships between all of the actors feels genuine, adding to their creativity.
Alongside the quarrels and quips between characters, the storyline is incredibly intriguing. The plot is solid and engaging, yet you can never assume what will happen next. The House with a Clock in its Walls is a story that cannot be forgotten (not recommended for kids under age 8), and yet it is filled with humor for different generations. At one point during the screening I saw, an audience member nearby noted out loud that there were more adults laughing at the jokes within the audience than kids which truly speaks to the talent behind the writing by Eric Kripke. As was mentioned before, the character interactions are incredible, and the writing can partially be thanked for this. The actors are able to create palpable, genuine relationships on screen with the dialogue; some of the most impressive acting came from Owen Vaccaro, simply because of the way he “used his words,” (this is even commented on within the film).
The House With a Clock on it's Walls uses a variety of cinematic elements to give an entertaining final product. The production of the film is well thought out, the creativity shines, and the plot doesn’t falter. The dedication of the actors alongside the great writing help make these characters memorable. As stated earlier, the film is incredibly nostalgic for Millennials; it relates to so many movies in the past that are now reminiscent of our childhood. Hopefully, Jack Black’s role sparks the same sentimental value for the next generation that he created in past films like School of Rock; this film definitely has potential to become a Jack Black cult classic.
Rating: A-