Author: Alexander Hawk

Dumbo

I’ve been staying away from the Disney live action remakes. It’s crazy how a studio can even do this. Remaking so many films, and having them accepted so well. The good will might not extend to this film however. As a kid, I loved Dumbo. Having both elephants and flight together was just about as good as I could ask for. So, I decided to gives this remake a chance.

It’s fascinating that this movie was directed by Tim Burton, I didn’t peg him for a project like this. His visual flair is definitely present, but isn’t nearly as unique as we’ve come to expect from him.

It does an impressive job of including a lot of elements that were in the first one, and hits all the memorable scenes. It does, however, tell a completely different story (which is probably necessary due to the brevity of the source material). There are definitely good moments throughout, but it never entirely hits home.

The cast by and large does well, and the CGI for the elephants is impressive. There are more flying elephant scenes in this than the original, and that is always entertaining. Michael Keaton did the best he could with his villain portrayal, but the character never felt convincing.

Dumbo had potential, but was ultimately disappointing.

Rating: 3/5

Bumblebee

There’s a lot to like in this film, especially considering the rough slog that this franchise had turned into. The transformers are given a little more personality, and it’s not just mindless explosions for no reason. That being said, it’s missing that extra spark to push it over the line and make it a great movie. The actors are decent but not exceptional, and the storyline different from the other movies, but not unique. Overall a step up for the franchise, but there is still room for improvement.

Rating: 3/5

Mary Queen of Scots

Even with stellar leads, this period drama doesn’t impress. The script takes away the power of Ronan and Robbie with its anachronistic retelling of history. It thrusts modern questions and ideas into a story that could have easily thrived with its own intrigue. The rivalry between Mary and Elizabeth, the biggest point stressed by the marketing, is only touched on at the very beginning and very end of the film.

Score: 1.5/5

Mortal Engines

Interesting, unique, and fun film. The strongest parts of the film are the effects and world building. It’s not the most expensive blockbuster but looks simnifically better than most. The story thrusts you into a refreshing new world that hasn’t been seen a thousand times already, and builds a unique experience. It is not perfect, but definitely worth the watch.

Rating: 4.5/5