The Electric State (2025)

In an alternate timeline, Walt Disney's animatronics have given birth to the robot uprising, which leads to an all-out war between robots and humans, until Mr. Peanut (played by Woody Harrelson) signs a coalition with Bill Clinton. It sounds like I'm kidding, but I'm not. No wonder it cost $320 million for a direct-to-Netflix film. Most of that must have gone to keeping the lawsuits at bay.

While the above sounds like a wild premise, all that information is condensed within the first 7 minutes of the movie. The rest of the film involves a teenage girl and an affable cartoon robot on a mission to find her long-presumed-dead brother, alongside a scoundrel and his wisecracking sidekick. On paper, this all sounds awesome, but for some reason it doesn't really work. The execution is painfully average and somehow manages to feel slow and uneventful despite everything going on in it. There's just no reason some movies need to be over two hours long. Cut 30 minutes out and maybe it wouldn't feel so superfluous.

The graphic novel this was based on appears to be highly acclaimed however, so perhaps interested parties should seek that out instead.

2 Neural Bifurcation™s out of 5

Moana 2 (2024)

Disney is at its best when it transports you to another world. A world you would much rather be. The ocean calls out to Moana once more to set sail on another adventure and follow her destiny as a wayfinder. The plot may be thin, but ye gods, it's a marvelous feast for the eyes. Moana is such a likeable character and Auliʻi Cravalho is endlessly charming in her performance. This isn't a better movie than Moana by any measure, and the songs here aren't quite as strong or memorable as Lin's contributions to the original, but as a breathtaking visual spectacle full of magic and wonder, it's second to none.

3 Chee-Hoos out of 5

ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY [2016]

Taking a slight detour from the established Skywalker family Star Wars stories, director Gareth Edwards' Rogue One remains in the same universe but delivers a far darker and violent tone.
In what is essentially a footnote in the original saga, the film tells the story of the scoundrels rebelling against the Rebels, as they go on a dangerous mission to retrieve the plans of the infamous Death Star.
Filled with all sorts of familiar faces, bridging the gaps between the two sets of trilogies, the film clearly panders to it's fans and with a quality film like this it's easy to take in.  Edwards relishes in playing in an already well-established series but he gives it his own stamp of gritty chaos that feels fresh to the universe.  There's a bit much going on in the beginning but once the action starts up it all swiftly comes together as a damned fine pulpy sci-fi thriller.

4 not very nice days on the beach out of 5

MOANA [2016]

Inspired by a collection of Polynesian legends, Disney's Moana is another strong addition to the studios ever-growing library of animated films.
After her tribe is threatened by an ancient curse the soon-to-be chief sets out to sea to find a legendary demigod that can help her set things right.
With it's lively voice-acting and beautiful animation Moana is easy to enjoy even when it does a drag a bit here and there.  Flight of the Conchord fans will love Jemaine Clement's sequence, however it's Dwayne Johnson's demigod character that chews up each scene he's in.  I was afraid The Rock couldn't do voice-acting or musicals but he miraculously pulls it off with flying colors.  To add to all the fun is the rousing music from composer Mark Mancina, Hamilton writer Lin-Manuel Miranda and New Zealand's oceanic music act Te Vaka.  Anchored by some well-doing themes and messages Moana is Disney's second big animated winner of 2016.

4 stowaway roosters out of 5

ZOOTOPIA [2016]

aka Zootropolis

Directors Rich Moore & Byron Howard put together a colorfully thoughtful feast for the eyes (and brain) with their gorgeously animated Zootopia.
Like Disney's 1973 animated Robin Hood adaptation, the viewer is brought into a world of anthropomorphic animals, seemingly living side-by-side in peace and harmony.  That is until their differences are put to the test, forcing the society to question whether they are as enlightened as they think they are.
With your usual garden-variety talking animal films (usually featuring martial arts panda bears) it's refreshing to see this one add in some intelligence and a number of important themes to ponder upon, like racism, sexism, unfair hierarchys and a heavy dose of xenophobia in a time of terrorism.  As Animal Farm-ish as it sounds there's no shortage of gags, excitement and all around good fun to be had for all ages.    

4 law-enforcing bunnies out of 5

TRUMBO [2015]

Austin Powers director Jay Roach takes a more serious approach to film with the lively biographical period-drama Trumbo.  

Bryan Cranston shines as acclaimed 1940's screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was famously blacklisted from Hollywood, for his communist beliefs, but continued to work and win major awards under a pseudonym.
The script has a tough time justifying itself, with so much going on it never really gives us a clear example as to why Trumbo was such a genius, unless you're already quite familiar with his work.  It's riddled with tired clichés that are all thankfully made a little more digestible with an amazing ensemble cast that is boiling over the edge with appeal.

3 grumpy tubby times out of 5

MAZE RUNNER: THE SCORCH TRIALS [2015]

Director Wes Ball returns for more pulpy YA action in the second installment of the Maze Runner series, The Scorch Trials.
Picking up right after where the previous film left us, Thomas & his buddies are on the run from WCKD and this time must deal with the deadly desert, a horde of zombie-esque creatures and a slew of colorful stragglers with questionable motives.
Like the first film, the action is non-stop and doesn't actually give any room for any sort of character development but if you've seen the first one then you probably won't be surprised.  The action sequences all do a great job at keeping you at the edge of the seat, constantly questioning what is going to get thrown next and leaves no room to breathe.  Sadly, if when it does have some downtime you're given time to pick out all it's silliness, plot-holes and questionable decisions made by the point A-to-B characters.

3 killer songs out of 5

BIG HERO 6 [2014]

Disney finally milks the inevitable cashcow of using their ownership of Marvel and developing an animated film, based on the little known mini-series Sunfire & Big Hero 6.
The Disney-ized version of Big Hero 6 is notably cuter and not really at all like it's source material but still follows it's basic idea and characters, excluding Silver Samurai (who mostly sort of appeared in 2013's The Wolverine instead).  The changes will probably tick-off hardcore fans of the comics but, really, it's for the better because there's almost next to nothing wrong with this wonderfully crafted film.  It's cleverly tight pacing, refreshingly unique backdrop and beautifully rendered animation all compliment the big ol' heart that will touch even the oldest of souls.

4 inevitable after-credits Marvel scenes out of 5

Justice League: War (2014)

The first JL animation based on the New 52 reboot is also a reboot. It wastes no time with set-up for most of the heroes. Instead, it starts in the middle of a story and goes downhill from there.
Being called WAR there’ll be no surprise to find that there’s a lot of combat; so very, very much combat. My brain almost atrophied.
It earned my respect for addressing certain criticisms of failings that are almost inherent in superhero stories and turning them into strengths, but the characters are mostly awful. Batman is analytical; he’s okay. Superman is a two dimensional prick. They've ruined Capt. Marvel and changed his name. And what have they done to Wonder Woman? She’s a moron.

2½ boom tubes out of 5

FROZEN [2013]

Disney loosely adapts Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen for it's 53rd animated film, Frozen.
It goes without saying that it's visually astounding, the voice acting is energetically entertaining and several of the songs are very likeable.
However it lacks in a well-fleshed out story, that makes it very apparent that Disney tried to bury many of the darker undertones and conflicts of the characters underneath a heavy helping of animated glee.  The lack of a memorable villain hurts the impact of the tale as well and in that makes for a boring finale that leaves much to be desired when all is said and done.
Criticism aside, it's a perfectly fine film for the kids and I would gladly watch it again in the company of my niece and nephew.

3 trading posts...and saunas out of 5

I, Robot (2004)

A movie that's ‘suggested by Isaac Asimov’s book’. What that awkward wording actually means is we get the 3 Laws and a tiny bit of the Little Lost Robot story. The rest is new. If you can accept that prior to viewing then there’s a slick sci-fi actioner for your eyes to enjoy. It assaults you with real world advertising and the action scenes get OTT silly but the future world in which it takes place is very believable; Proyas and his team did a fine job with that aspect of it.

3 robot dreams out of 5

3:10 TO YUMA [2007]

James Mangold's adaptation of Elmore Leonard's Western novel 3:10 To Yuma is a tightly paced ride that has it's up and downs.
This film genre is a rarity in this day and age, so I welcome it with open arms and doesn't disappoint someone starving for a good ol' horseback ridin' shoot 'em up.  Although, as a lover of all film, it falls very short and seems more like a missed opportunity.  Russell Crowe's Big Bad is an interesting character study but never quite explores it's greater potential, while Christian Bale's moody good guy is dull, dull and more dull.  Possibly the best parts of the film are the  wonderful supporting cast, including Peter Fonda, Ben Foster, Alan Tudyk & Kevin Durand and composer Marco Beltrami's wonderfully fleshed out score.

3 flaming stagecoaches out of 5

WRECK-IT RALPH [2012]

Veteran The Simpsons & Futurama director Rich Moore colors the animated Disney film Wreck-It Ralph with enthusiastic nostalgia and energy.

A visual feast for the eyes and a high-octane thrill ride for the kids, Ralph is packed with video game character cameos and in-jokes for the older crowd to enjoy as well. The plot gets a little muddy in spots but it's so much damned fun it won't matter too much.  John C. Reilly and Sarah Silverman deliver some wonderful voice performances, complimented with the film's wild imagination and thoughtfulness. 

3½ Bad Anonymous meetings out of 5

BEAUTIFUL BOY [2010]

Beautiful Boy tells the tragic story of a mother & father suffering the aftermath of their son's mass shooting at his college before taking his own life.

Maria Bello and Michael Sheen are magnificent as the grieving parents, as are the rest of the cast but for some reason the film never really allows the viewer to get emotionally connected.  I'm not entirely sure but I think it has to do with Shawn Ku's direction.  Having only done two fluffy musical comedies I don't think he knew how to approach such a dramatically powerful project.  

It's sets itself up for something big and spits out something that simply fizzles out.

2½ vandalized graveplates out of 5

SERENITY [2005]

Joss Whedon's Serenity acts like a big screen series finale to his short-lived sci-fi western TV series, Firefly.
Wrapping up the loose ends, Serenity leaps right into the action. It should be noted that you don't have to watch the series to understand the story but you won't understand the characters and that's really the most important factor of Whedon's storytelling.
Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk & Adam Baldwin continue to entertain with their roles, while Summer Glau, who was the weakest part of the series, brings a surprisingly strong presence to the big screen.
It's darker, moodier and a little more violent than Firefly but it's a fitting farewell to the crew of the Serenity.

4 BIG DAMN Movies out of 5

TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON [2011]

I walked out of the theater at the hour and fifteen minute mark of this shitfest. So I figured if budarc could sit through Priest twice then I could sit through this beginning to end.
I'm not sorry I missed the remainder of the movie, however I would have liked to have seen the final hour in IMAX 3D, with the exception of the final showdown which is a HUGE letdown. Giant robots fight. Things go boom in slow-motion. Plenty of ass shots...and that's just Shia's face. Victoria Secret model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley gets plenty of exploitive shots as well.
As a CGI effect and sound effects film this is a work of art...for story, acting, direction and anything else is a steaming pile of shit.

1 "Missed It By That Much" out of 5

Tucker & Dale vs. Evil (2010)

Turns the genre on its head...in a good way. All the kids in this movie think they're in a slasher flick...the poor redneck hillbillies are just unlucky and misunderstood. It's a silly one-joke premise stretched out way too thin, but I give it credit for originality and black humor. Seems destined to become a cult favorite.

Let me also say that niceness is the most attractive quality in a woman.

3.5 spoilerific trailer moments out of 5