DESPICABLE ME 3 REVIEW

Gru meets his long-lost charming, cheerful, and more successful twin brother Dru who wants to team up with him for one last criminal heist. 

Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, and Trey Parker

Directed by: Eric Guillon, Kyle Balda, and Pierre Coffin

Written by: Cinco Paul, and Ken Daurio

  When “Despicable Me” hit theaters in 2010, Gru (Steve Carell) started out as one of the world’s best villains. It turned out that only the love for three little girls could change his evil ways. Now in “Despicable Me 3,” he finds himself working for the good guys, and trying to stop evil villains like his former self. However, after some hard times, he’s tempted to go back to a life of crime by an unexpected person.

   The movie opens with the introduction of Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker), and his mission to steal a giant diamond. Bratt is a former 80’s T.V. star turned evil villain because he can’t get over his show being cancelled. Only in an animated film could a villain like this exist. He wears a terrible 80’s purple outfit, and uses bubble gum as a go to weapon of choice. The only thing truly good about him is the 80’s music that plays when he has dance offs with Gru.

  When Gru fails to capture Bratt, he’s fired, but is more concerned with how the girls will take the news. Before the girls get too worked up by it, Gru finds out he has a brother and is invited to visit him. The family makes a trip to meet Dru, who is a much more successful version of Gru but just as awkward. To Gru’s surprise, Dru want him to return to the family roots, and be a villain again. What makes the brothers entertaining enough is that Dru knows nothing about being a good villain, and Gru has to carry them on their mission to steal back the diamond.

  Unfortunately, the minions play a minor role this time around. Yes, Gru is where this franchise started, but they add so much more to the comedic value of the films. Early on, most of the minions want Gru to return to his evil ways, but he refuses. This leads the minions to walk out on him, and get into some trouble of their own. As expected, the minions go on a pointless journey that just leads them back to Gru. Probably their best moment is when they’re in jail.

  “Despicable Me 3” will entertain the young audience it’s intended for. If the audience can’t get enough of Gru, they certainly will with the addition of Dru. The girls are still cute, and cause a little trouble of their own. The action is just enough, including a fun ending scene. Bratt will make kids laugh, and some of us older people dance in our seats. However there’s nothing that makes this more than just another sequel, which is short on minion action. With that, I give it 2.5 stars.

  HorrO

WONDER WOMAN REVIEW

Before she was Wonder Woman she was Diana, princess of the Amazons, trained warrior. When a pilot crashes and tells of conflict in the outside world, she leaves home to fight a war to end all wars, discovering her full power and true destiny.

Starring: Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Robin Wright

Directed by: Patty Jenkins

Written by: Allan Heinberg, Zack Snyder, and Jason Fuchs

  When it comes to DC vs. Marvel movies, it’s safe to say it hasn’t been a fair fight so far. Overall, the Marvel movies have just been better. While “Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice” didn’t do enough to change that view, there’s plenty of hope that “Wonder Woman” can. So did “Wonder Woman” live up to the hype?

  In typical first time super hero movie fashion, the audience has to be introduced to how the character came to be a hero. So most of the movie is a flashback, starting when Diana (Gal Gadot) is a little girl being raised by Amazon women. She has an urge to fight, and eventually finds out that she has something special in her. After saving a pilot, Steve Trevor (Chris Pine), who crashes lands in the water, she gets a chance to fight for real against the Nazis that shot down the pilot. Without a doubt, Diana and the Amazons taking on the Nazis on the beach is one of the best parts of the movie. The way they go on the attack is awesome, and leaves the audience wanting more.

  Unfortunately, that’s it for the Amazons, as Diana soon leaves the island with Steve. She wants to help Steve end the war, but for her own reasons. There are some funny moments when she gets a taste of the real world, including ditching her sword and shield for some new clothing. She actually has several awkward moments as she tries to fit into a strange new world for her. Besides for the humor, it’s nice to see this because it reminds the audience of her true human side.

  She also has an emotional side that brings out the hero in her like when she decides to run right into a battlefield. It’s really cool watching her fight off the bullets, and eventually go on a tear through the enemy. It might seem a little extreme but that’s why they call her Wonder Woman. Of course she has to meet up with her ultimate villain in the end, and again she goes to the extreme to win this fight.

  So there's nothing left to wonder about because “Wonder Woman” does live up to the hype, and finally puts DC on the map. Even though the movie is almost entirely a flashback, it’s good to see what makes Wonder Woman a true superhero. She’s born to fight, and shows it in some awesome scenes with her Amazon family. After adjusting to a new world, she brings the fight against the Nazis before facing her ultimate foe. Overall it’s a good mix of emotion, light humor, and superhero action. Most of all, it proves audiences can handle a woman superhero, and others deserve to come forward! With that, I give this movie 4 stars!

  HorrO

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 REVIEW

Set to the backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2’ continues the team’s adventures as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage.

Starring: Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Michael Rooker, and Kurt Russell

Directed by: James Gunn

Written by: James Gunn, Dan Abnett

  In the shadow of “The Avengers,” “Guardians of the Galaxy” was a pleasant surprise. They started off as strangers, and quickly became family. This time around the family appears to have gotten bigger. While Quill’s (Chris Pratt) mother is dead, his father, Ego (Kurt Russell), finally reunites with him. The two get a chance to catch up, and do some bonding. However that bonding is short lived, as The Guardians are forced to do what they do…save the galaxy.

  This time around saving the galaxy is filled with more humor than action. Even in the action there’s plenty of humor to be found. The movie opens with the Guardians fighting off a huge beast. While it appears they’re getting their butts kicked, Groot is busy playing DJ. Soon enough the action continues when they are forced to escape the planet because Rocket has stolen what they were protecting. The humor in this scene comes in the form of an argument between Rocket and Quill.

  After a crash landing, the group splits up leaving Rocket, Groot, and their prisoner on the planet, and the others going with Quill’s new found father. While lots of family bonding is happening on the planet, Rocket provides the best action scene until the final scene. He takes on Yondu’s (Michael Rooker) men in the forest in his own unique way. Unfortunately it doesn’t go well for Rocket, or Yondu, as his men turn on their leader. This sets up one of the funniest moments when Groot has to figure out out how to free them.

  During the bonding, Quill finds out about his parents’ relationship, and how special he is. While he’s doing this, Gamora (Zoe Saldana) is dealing with family issues of her own, and trying to figuring out what’s really going on. And Drax, well for being the big guy, he does a lot to laugh as hard as he can. He also forms an unusual friendship with Mantis (Pom Klementieff). Of course, everyone comes together in the end to save the galaxy in a fun ending action scene that even includes some surprise guest appearances.

  The Guardians are back proving that while they’re from different parts of the galaxy, they’ve truly become family. Basically, most of the action takes place in the opening and closing scenes, and is always accompanied by plenty of humor. While he’s now the small of the group, Groot is the cutest, and debatably the funniest. While it’s a good story the second time around, it just feels like there should have been more to it. With that, I give “The Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” 3 stars.

  I Am HorrO!

*Stay all the way to the end of the credits for multiple extra credit scenes*

THE FATE OF THE FURIOUS REVIEW

When a mysterious woman seduces Dom into the world of terrorism and a betrayal of those closest to him, the crew face trials that will test them as never before.

Starring: Vin Diesel, Jason Statham, Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, and Ludacris

Directed by: F. Gary Gary

Written by: Chris Morgan

  Topping the opening record and beating the recent Star Wars movie is definitely shocking. Yes, the Fast and the Furious franchise does well in the U.S., but it’s also driven by success overseas. With these kind of numbers, there may never be an end to them. However, did these huge numbers mean that “The Fate of the Furious” is any good?

  Well if you have a formula that’s working why change it right? First and foremost, it’s about the cars and the action, and there’s plenty of it. It must be a challenge at this point to find a new way to flip a car, or cause some destruction. The movie starts with the usual race, and this is definitely a fun one. The destruction hits big time with the good use of a wrecking ball. Later, they introduce autonomous cars to make an even bigger mess in a very creative way! To finish it off, they put the cars on ice, and throw in a submarine, which will be hard to beat next time around.

  The family is back driving these cars with each having their usual contributions to the group. Hercules, or rather Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) is clearly the brawn of the group, as he manhandles everyone in his way. There’s great tension between him and the ninja Deckard (Jason Statham), before and after they take on an entire prison. Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Ludacris) continue to provide the humor, and still are waiting for a date with Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel). Not family, but they add a newcomer, Owen (Luke Evans), who quickly becomes a target for many of their jokes. And back only to be a love interest is unfortunately Letty (Michelle Rodriguez). 

   Of course the leader of this family, Don (Vin Diesel), is the center of the story. Watching trailer after trailer the curiosity really set in. What could motivate him enough to turn his back on family? Without giving it away, lets say it makes plenty of sense, and is a good driver of the story. Cipher (Charlize Theron) turns out to be a pretty good villain, who pushes Dom to the limit.

  

Maybe not worthy of the record, but “The Fate of the Furious” does enough to make it worth movie goers money. As usually there’s a lot of unrealistic, but really awesome car tricks. The family is back, some funny and others way over the top. Turning Dom against the family becomes a very good way to go with the story. It sets up some interesting twists and turns all leading to another crazy finish. With that, I give it 3 stars, and look forward to more car chases in the future!

HorrO

THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN REVIEW

High-school life gets even more unbearable for Nadine when her best friend, Krista, starts dating her older brother.

Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, and Woody Harrelson

Directed and written by: Kelly Fremon Craig

  For some it seems like high-school is so easy. The star quarterback gets all the girls’ attention, and boys’ eyes are always on the prom queen. For some it’s the complete opposite. They’re almost invisible with nothing to do but their schoolwork. In the end, as easy or hard high-school is, every teen faces their own struggles at some point, and that’s what “The Edge of Seventeen” reminds audiences.

 Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) is the main struggling teen in this story. Actually, her difficulties might have started at an earlier age, as the audience gets a funny scene of her staging a revolt about getting out the car. Not long after another funny moment or two, things get serious as she loses her father. As she gets older, the only person she feels is truly on her side is her best friend Krista (Haley Lu Richardson). Like it happens to many best friends, a boy comes in-between them. In this case, that boy is Nadine’s brother, Darian (Blake Jenner).

 They do a good of making the audience really feel for what she’s going through. From the audience’s point of view, they can also see how she’s not doing her self any favors, including sending a boy she likes an embarrassing text. However, it’s not all bad for her whether she realizes it, or not. While she has her eyes on a boy way beyond her reach, Mr. Right, is sitting right next to her. There are several humorous moments between the two reminding some how awkward young love can be.

 Nadine also has some hilarious moments with her teacher, Mr. Bruner (Woody Harrelson). He kind of becomes her safety blanket, as she goes to him for advice, and sometimes just to get away from her classmates. What makes this student-teacher relationship different is how Mr. Bruner treats her in such a calm manner. He almost acts like he doesn’t care, but everyone knows he does. She feels free to speak her mind, and he says as little as possible.

 As previously hinted, while the story is about Nadine, the beauty of the story is fitting in how each of the teens featured have struggles of their own. In Nadine’s eyes her brother is the perfect one, but he struggles with having to be the man of the house after their father’s death. Krista doesn’t want to her hurt Nadine, but can’t help her new found feelings for Darian, and the new attention she gets. Even their mother proves that adults have struggles too!

This coming of age story is really a rollercoaster of emotions. They do an excellent job of getting the audience to feel for Nadine at first, and later for some of the other characters as well. There are several serious moments that probably hit home with many people. They manage to mix in the right amount of humor with Nadine’s interactions with Mr. Bruner, and her true love interest Erwin. The cast from top to bottom nails their roles. With that, I give “The Edge of Seventeen” 3 stars!

HorrO

FINDING DORY REVIEW

The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish reunites with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family along the way.

Starring: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, and Ed O’Neill

Directed by: Andrew Stanton, and Angus MacLane

Written by: Andrew Stanton  

  In 2003, Disney introduced audiences to a small clownfish named Nemo, his father Marlin, and their new friend Dory in the underwater adventure“Finding Nemo.” While Nemo won the hearts of many, it was clear Dory stole the show. The forgetful fish was down right hilarious mostly because she couldn’t remember much for more than a few seconds. Now the three fish are back in “Finding Dory,” where Dory is the center of the story.

 Nemo is a cute little clownfish, but nothing will prepare audiences for Dory as a child. She has a tiny body, which leaves audiences clued to her bright eyes. There is plenty of the young Dory, as the movie is filled with flashbacks to her childhood. Dory uses these flashbacks to help get her through her current adventure, which is to find her parents.

 Instead of traveling all over the ocean this time, the adventure quickly narrows to the Marine Life Institute. Along with her flashbacks, she gets some help from some new friends in order to navigate her way through the institute in search of her parents. Each of her new friends have some of the same silliness that Dory has, including Hank. Hank is a very serious octopus, who provides the most help to Dory because he’s on his own adventure. Oh and don’t worry, audiences will get to see some old friends too, including a certain bunch in a bonus scene after the credits.

  Overall, there are some similarities between “Finding Nemo,” and “Finding Dory,” especially in how this adventure begins. However, there are enough differences for the audience to enjoy. The only problem for this movie is that Dory isn’t quite as hilarious this time around mostly because she acts more aware of her memory loss, and tries harder to remember things. In turn, the new characters are asked to make up of some the comedic slack, and they do a decent job of it. Audiences waited a long time for this movie, and they won’t be disappointed. I give it 4 stars!

  HorrO