Film reviews

Bad Boys: Ride or Die Review

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The continued franchise made me wonder how many slaps there would be. Enough for a killer ride? Bad Boys: Ride or Die feels a bit repetitive. Fortunately, the chemistry between Will Smith and Martin Lawrence is thrilling and humorous. Both are in their fifties now and still delivering non-stop action with some of the funniest lines of dialogue. It is hard to believe that the previous film, Bad Boys for Life, was one of the highest-grossing films of 2020 before the COVID lockdowns. This time the duo is back with dazzling stunts, witty humor, and all kinds of antics that go flying off the rails.

The film again takes place in Miami, Florida. Officers Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence) are still in their cop and buddy vibe. They are under the assumption that their lives have found the peace they’ve been looking for. Then they receive evidence that their previous boss, Captain Conrad Howard (played by Joe Pantoliano), has been set up. With databases of falsehoods and fabricated theories, Lowrey and Burnett will not stop until they can find the truth. Their new boss, Captain Rita Secada (played by Paola Nunez), puts all her faith in Lowrey and Burnett. The enemy behind most of the dangerous operations is Banker (played by Eric Dane). The story is all about the curiosities behind who is working from within. Only this time the stakes are higher, the mission is obscure, and Lowrey and Burnett may have their lives on the line. Was Captain Conrad Howard a criminal? Was he involved in any other crimes? The faith and loyalty of Lowrey and Burnett fuel their search for redemption.

The elite team adds to the fun in this film. With Kelly (played by Vanessa Hudgens), Dorn (played by Alexander Ludwig), and Armando (played by Jacob Scipio), the teamwork is enthralling. If one goes down, they all go down. If one fights to dangerous heights, they all elevate their fight to that level. Can everyone be trusted? In Bad Boys: Ride or Die team dynamics are put to the test.

What lingered in my mind while watching this movie was Michael Bay who directed the first two films in the franchise. Even though he did not direct Bad Boys for Life, or the newest one, this film feels like Bay’s world of destruction. The technical factors keep growing in this franchise. There are drones, many monitors, and all kinds of accessories in Bad Boys: Ride or Die which showcases a classy use of modern technology. However, if Bay was still directing, I imagine the explosions and action being twice as gnarly as they are in this film. Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah know when and how to display explosivity and stylized action. They don’t overdo it like Bay would.

The mission improves on many levels in this fourth installment. Smith and Lawrence deliver that classy attitude of being BAD BOYS! This franchise keeps finding new routes to create a memorable grandeur of cops and destruction for the masses. How much damage will there be? Find out in Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Three-and-a-half out of four stars.

Film reviews

The Young Woman and the Sea Review

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The art of swimming is an important life skill. It requires agility, muscle strength, and persistence. Daisy Ridley possesses all these skills in The Young Woman and the Sea. Directed by Joachim Ronning, the film is presented with the message of never backing down. The true story of Trudy Ederle, played by Ridley, has a compelling momentum. The era of the 1924 Olympics creates a galore of amazement. However, in some ways, the film is only slightly above average. Challenges with the depth of the story and associated obstacles cause it to drag at times.

I had to take swimming lessons as a child, and I forgot how much effort it takes to learn this life skill. Becoming a skilled swimmer who can handle deep water and currents has life-changing benefits. The film begins with Trudy and her sister Margaret Ederle, played by Tilda Cobham-Hervey. They are the daughters of a German butcher, Henry Ederle, played by Kim Bodnia. Women as athletes in this era were frowned upon. Trudy sets a significant goal which is to swim across the English Channel. She believes this test of her endurance will give her life meaning.

The dynamics of the film make it a bit shaky. At times, it becomes more about the political issues and the use of computer-generated imagery (CGI) for dramatic effect. The acting is superb. The scenes where Trudy is dealing with what is given to her for her impossible task are particularly strong. Her first coach is Charlotte played by Sian Clifford, but she is not able to use her. The coach assigned to her is Jabez Wolffe,played by Christopher Eccleston. James Sullivan, played by Glenn Fleshler, oversees her contracts and sponsorship. Finally, there is Stephen Graham, played by Bill Burgess, the sailor who follows the progress of Trudy’s swimming. These characters and their issues result in mixed dynamics involving politics as well as how to handle an array of trials and errors.

The Young Woman and the Sea dives into surreal moments of peril. With water conditions and obstacles along the way, the story sometimes feels like a version of The Perfect Storm. The waves and the currents are too Hollywood-like. Overall, the film captures the imagination with the human element and persistent pursuit of a life accomplishments.

Even though I found the technical aspects lacking, this is Ridley’s most authentic role yet. She plays an icon whose story’s poke to the world. Her experience proves that it is not easy to achieve success the first time around. The inspiration of never quitting is where I found the film to be most invigorating. Ridley’s performance is an important reminder that being fearless is a key aspect of becoming a winner.

I left the movie with bodies of water on my mind due to the unpredictable obstacles Trudy was up against. The mist, the cold, and the currents added to her dangerous journey in The Young Woman and the Sea. Three out of four stars.

Film reviews

The Garfield Movie Review

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This is an animation film of heart at the finest level of connectivity. It does have its silly moments back and forth; however, it is joyful and creative. It is also in the correct context of what to expect with a character like Garfield. The Garfield Movie is fun, friendly and definitely for family. Directed by Mark Dindal, this is one of the most creative animation films in the direction of Garfield. The cat and the connecting vibes flow freely in The Garfield Movie. The writing seems fragmented at times, yet it still accomplishes a lot of joyful feelings in the genre of memorable family movies.

Chris Pratt is the voice of Garfield. In the film Garfield reconciles with his father Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson). The reconnection of Garfield and Vic is a moment of animated suspense as Garfield finds himself having to participate in a heist operation with Vic. Garfield’s other buddy Odie (voiced by Harvey Guillen). The heist is full of wicked voices including the evil cat Jinx (voiced by Hannah Waddingham) and the bull Otto (voiced by Ving Rhames). Otto is the guide to the heist for Garfield, Vic, and Odie. The heist takes place on a lactose farmwhich seems like a rather dim-witted plot, but it is intended for kids, so it works. It is silliness with a context of understanding.

I thought a lot about how the film is full of electric moments of surprises. Most of which are in the more adventurous moments. It is not too much, nor too little. It is just the right amount. Moments of Garfield and Vic in peril is where most of the convoluted situation comedy of animation is joyful. This is the heart of The Garfield Movie.

With Pratt and Jackson as the voices, this is seeing them take a break from superhero movies and just using their voices. Their words are quick and witty and quirky, yet with a friendly vibe. There must be a “friendliness vibe” with The Garfield Movie. An orange cat with a strange bipolar attitude and an intent to create a young fan base of positive laughter. Friendship, disconnect, and accomplishing a mission is a setup of a rhetorical conclusion…or is it?

With all the adventure, the setup, and the plot, the film creates an atmosphere where many ages will have a good time. First, thepredictability that once it goes in motion does not stop from the appropriate humor of all ages. Then it also modernizes in its animation. “Modernizes” with throwing in AI technology and slogans. The Garfield Movie is an animated feature that is looped into today’s everyday world with the addition of many fictional animals thrown into the mix. Fun for many ages. Three out of four stars.

Treating cinema in many forms of art!