Mini Film Reviews Volume 57

Sr. (2022)

Follow the tender but appropriately irreverent account of the life and career of Robert Downey Sr., the fearless and visionary American director who set the standard for countercultural comedy in the 1960s and 1970s. Firstly I really wanted to like this and I thought I might connect with this documentary, but unfortunately it’s the pacing as it doesn’t hold my interest and it doesn’t delve deeper as it should be, for me personally it lacking the emotional aspect as it doesn’t deliver.

Sonic The Hedgehog 2

When the manic Dr Robotnik returns to Earth with a new ally, Knuckles the Echidna, Sonic and his new friend Tails is all that stands in their ways. The visual for this film is amazing and it is entertaining, it definitely an improvement on the first film and Jim Carrey is absolutely hilarious as the villain, the rest of the casting is rather bland. This film also feel rushed and overall it is too overlong and rather unfunny, it doesn’t flow and it doesn’t gel together as it is too inconsistent.

Strange World

The legendary Clades are a family of explorers whose differences threaten to topple their latest and most crucial mission. Personally I don’t really get the hate for this film as the characters are great, it got a wonderful simple story and it can be funny as the animation itself look gorgeous. It doesn’t reach the height of other animation films and it can be too safe and too predictable, as it doesn’t offer you anything new but despite that it is enjoyable and it is well meaning.

The Duke

In 1961, Kempton Bunton, a 60-year-old taxi driver, steals Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. A likeable film which is well meaning and the casting is convincing, the chemistry between Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren is certainly spot on and the final third to this film is generally moving, it doesn’t always flows and gel together in the first hour but despite that it got a brilliant story and it is watchable.

Operation Mincemeat

During WWII, two intelligence officers named Ewen Montagu and Charles Cholmondeley use a corpse and false papers to outwit German troops. It is one of those film that is really intriguing and once the film get going it actually really good, the final third of this film is generally moving and it has got a fantastic ending, personally it’s the first hour that is rather unfocused and slightly inconsistent, despite that it is well casted and it is well made and overall this is an effective film.

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

Five long-time friends are invited to the Greek island home of billionaire Miles Bron, the main event is a murder weekend game but it ends badly, plus Benoit Blanc is on the case to find the real killer. With an all-star cast and they are really convincing and this is generally funny plus this is really clever, it got stunning scenery and the story is there but the pacing of this film isn’t quite there, also the ending is also the weakest for me personally but this still an enjoyable film.

The Bad Guys

To avoid prison, a gang of notorious animal criminals pretend to seek being rehabilitated, only for their leader to secretly find that he genuinely wants to change his ways. Too be honest with you I was actually surprised with this film, I also admire this as it try to be something different as this is funny and heartfelt, it has got a good moral of being different and appearances and that is an important message, I personally connect to that message and this is memorable and the vocal talent in this film is spot on, it is suitable for all ages as it is superbly made.