The Grinch [2018] ★★½
I’ve been around long enough to remember seeing the 1966 short “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” on TV and in “Home Alone 2” in the 90’s. And I still have fond memories of Christmas 2000, when my mom took me and my brother to see the live action version starring Jim Carrey (Yes, it sucked, you don’t have to remind me. But I didn’t know better back then). The worst thing I can say about this new animated version is that it doesn’t add anything “new” to the table. If you’re familiar with the older versions or Dr. Seuss’ classic book, then you probably know what to expect here. Benedict Cumberbatch assumes the role of the Grinch this time around, the green creature who hates Christmas so much. The plot thickens on Christmas eve, when Mr. Grinch decides to ruin it for everyone. It has always been a fun premise, and it’s always good to revisit this story every Christmas season, which is why I’m willing to cut this movie some slack. There are plenty of funny moments, courtesy of Cumberbatch himself, and I’m positive that kids will most certainly be entertained. But if I had to choose between this and the 1966 short, I’d probably go with the latter. It’s simply irreplaceable.
It goes like this: if you enjoyed the first two “Hotel Transylvania” movies, then you have no reason not to enjoy this one. It follows the same formula we’ve come to expect from this colorful series, while adding a few characters to spice things up a little bit. Among the newcomers is Count Dracula’s arch nemesis, Dr. Van Helsing, who has been plotting his revenge for centuries. But first, Drac (once again voiced by Adam Sandler) and his family are planning an exotic summer trip, the kind that every normal family would usually do. Except, there’s nothing truly normal about this trip, which turns into a nightmare, but the fun kind. That’s why despite its “monster” roots, “Hotel Transylvania” remains a family-friendly animated film that kids and their parents can enjoy. The harshest criticism I can level at this otherwise enjoyable film is that it’s more of the same. But despite all that, “A Monster Vacation” has a relaxed feel and is easy to take. Everyone and their parents will have a good time watching it, without asking too much from it.
It took 14 years for writer-director Brad Bird to cook-up a sequel to his smash hit “The Incredibles”, but as a fan of the first film, it was well worth the wait. “Incredibles 2” is just as funny, fast-paced and entertaining as its predecessor. Like every Disney/Pixar film, this one relies on several key elements that make the overall experience memorable: a completely immersive environment, colorful characters, and an intriguing plot. In terms of story, there isn’t a better movie right now that expresses family values the way this film does. Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) is called in to save the world, leaving Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) to face his biggest challenge yet: to take care of his three children. I won’t say more, but get ready for some of the funniest sequences you’ll see in an animated film. The movie’s strongest asset is, of course, its familiar characters. It’s good to spend quality time, once again, with a family that we haven’t seen since 2004. There are some newcomers, and they all deliver the goods. But “Incredibles 2” never feels like a rehash of the first film. On the contrary, it works perfectly well as a standalone film, and opens the door for more installments (let’s just hope it doesn’t take another 14 years). At the screening I attended, adults and kids alike were all laughing and cheering. If you grew up with the first film, you can’t go wrong with “Incredibles 2”. Consider it one of the films that you MUST see this summer.
Anyone who’s been following this blog for the past few years probably knows that I love Wes Anderson and stop-motion animation. Anderson explored this territory before in 2009’s “Fantastic Mr. Fox”, and he’s at it again with the beautiful “Isle of Dogs”, a love letter to dogs and Japan. From “Rushmore” to “The Grand Budapest Hotel”, Anderson never stopped experimenting with his films, introducing us to an array of colorful characters and taking us to lands filled with history. In “Isle of Dogs”, it’s all about Japan; the city of Megasaki is fictional, of course, but the roots are there. We’re in the future and Mayor Kobayashi, a form of dictator, asks to deport all dogs to trash island, following a pandemic. But 12-year old Atari (Koyu Rankin), whose dog Spots was deported, isn’t having it, so he decides to travel to the island and rescue his beloved dog. In true Anderson fashion, everything about this film feels organic, from the production design to the use of colors and costumes. Told in a series of flashbacks, the movie is breathtaking to behold. No one else working in films today would dare use miniatures or stop-motion animation in such a witty and original way. That’s why Anderson is a unique filmmaker, working at the top of his creative form. And his “Isle of Dogs” is truly a wonder: a perfect synthesis of concept and execution, fueled with a terrific score by the legendary Alexandre Desplat. If you love Wes Anderson as much as I do, this is a movie that you will definitely want to savor, from start to finish. It’s a gift.
You can think of “Loving Vincent” as a gift for art lovers and movie buffs alike. It’s a mesmerizing look at Vincent Van Gogh’s final days, as elegantly interpreted by a team of 100 professional painters who hand painted every single frame of this truly unique film. That’s right, you’re not just watching a story here, you’re getting lost in its surreal world, making it the world’s first ever fully painted movie. How can you miss that? That’s not to say that the film doesn’t hit a few rough patches along the way, as we follow a man who is seeking the truth behind Van Gogh’s final days. People say that he shot himself, but there might be more to it. Part of the fun is trying to recognize the actors who portray all the characters in the story, but at its heart, “Loving Vincent” is a passionate tribute to one of the most influential artists of all time. As someone who didn’t know much about his personal life, I was intrigued at every turn. Indeed, “Loving Vincent” grabs you from the word go and never lets go. There’s magic in it.
I feel bad for missing out on “Coco” on the week of its release, but now that I’ve seen it I can finally weigh in on this extraordinary film from Disney/Pixar. The concept itself is unprecedented, which makes “Coco” even more original than any animated film I’ve seen this year. Without spoiling the movie’s many mysteries, I can tell you that Miguel is an aspiring young musician living with a family that forbids music. Why? That’s because Miguel’s great-great-grand father abandoned his wife and daughter in order to become a singer. That’s the plot, in a nutshell. But nothing could have prepared for what happens next, a breathtaking carpet ride into the realm of pure imagination. You can feel a lifetime of creativity being injected into every frame, thanks to a group of wizards at Disney/Pixar. And like many of their films, “Coco” depicts a world full of life, but also full of pain. Too much for kids? Perhaps. But from the opening sequence, the movie is wonderfully entertaining and deeply touching. It may be some time before we find another piece of entertainment that offers an experience this rich and rewarding, so whatever you do, do not miss it. The Oscar for best animated feature belongs right here.
It’s not “The LEGO Batman Movie”, but “Ninjago” has enough charm and memorable characters to justify its own feature film. Justin Theroux may have found the role of his career, voicing the evil Garmadon, an ego-centric villain who may remind you of a certain Darth Vader. His plan? To take over the city of Ninjago. Garmadon also has a son, Lloyd (a hilarious Dave Franco), who is tasked to defend the city, along with 5 other teenage ninjas. And who better than Jackie Chan’s Master Wu to train them? The kids are gonna love it, even when it gets hectic at times. As for grown-ups, there’s plenty to enjoy here, including some pop culture references and hilarious one-liners. Even when the movie spins out of control, it’s still a family-friendly environment that rises on its own goofball spirits. Theroux steals the show, naturally, but everyone gets the chance to shine in this funny and entertaining addition to the LEGO cinematic universe. Sign me up for more!
It pains me to write a negative review about a “Despicable Me” movie, but it seems that third time isn’t the charm for Gru and his Minions. I was charmed, and pleasantly surprised, when I saw the first movie back in 2010. Its enormous success has spawned 2 sequels and an enjoyable Minions spin-off back in 2015. So basically, this new installment is 100% critic-proof and will most probably make tons of money anyway. But I still have to give an honest opinion: everything I liked about the original and its sequel has been worn down. Even the Minions seem overly familiar by now, mainly because we’ve seen them in a standalone movie and the element of surprise is completely gone. The people behind this movie seem to know that, that’s why the main focus here is on Gru’s long-lost twin brother Dru (also voiced by Steve Carell), who desperately wants to be a villain and pull-off a heist. The result is a movie that is jam-packed with recycled jokes and non-stop action scenes. As a long-time fan of the series, I expected something more original. As much as I like Gru, I thought Dru added nothing new and was completely forgettable. Will kids be bored? Probably not. Never mind that the freshness of the original is gone or that a movie buff like myself is complaining. As long as families pay to see these movies, I’m sure there will be more sequels. Let’s hope they manage to create something better next time.
Despite its paper-thin plot, there’s something charming and irresistible about “The Boss Baby”, starring Alec Baldwin as a baby spy on a secret mission. Sent from a company called “Baby Corp” as the newborn baby brother of 7 year old Tim, Boss Baby must keep his identity safe in order to stop a dangerous plot involving…puppies! What hooked me up right from the beginning is the clever and appealing character design. I can’t remember the last time I watched an animated movie involving such an unusual baby. What’s more, he is voiced by Alec Baldwin, and he makes the most of it, with clever dialogue and witty references. But “The Boss Baby” doesn’t exactly know what to do with its clever premise, so after a while, it runs out of steam and never truly recovers. So while I enjoyed watching Baldwin go crazy with his script, I can’t say the same about the overall result. Some animated features have staying power (at least for me). This one-joke feature is worth watching, no doubt about that, but it is very much like fast food, easily digested and just as easily forgotten.
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