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Alien Romulus: Alien Isolation Brought to Life!
Posted a year agoI'm not stressing diddly when I tell you that Alien Romulus is both bone-chilling and intensely directed to greatness by Fede Alvarez to where it feels like the game Alien Isolation with heart-stopping chills and thrills that I can't believe how fast those two hours in the movie went by!
With the movie set between Alien and Aliens, this cast is led by Rain Carradine, she, her adopted malfunctioning android brother Andy, and a group made of her ex Tyler, his pregnant sister Kay, their hotheaded cousin Bjorn (said by Alvarez to be the father of Kay's kid) and his adopted sister Navarro mount a mission to savage a Weyland-Yutani station for their goals of a better life and like one would guess, it all goes horribly wrong.
Cailee Spaeny heads the cast as Rain, who is depicted as a kid in over her head in this situation but comes into her own like Ellen Ripley did in facing the Xenomorphs and whatever lies in her path (i;e, she earns her badass stripes over being a girlboss that does everything right) while David Jonsson portrays Andy with his malfunctioning resembling Autism (I've been on the spectrum borderline my whole life so that's the first thing I noticed) but eventually becomes like Ash from the first Alien and Bishop from Aliens and Alien 3; even quoting them word for word.
There's also Rook, an android based on the same model as Ash and even has the late Ian Holm's face via AI technology (like Carrie Fisher in Rogue One though given this is after Holm's passing, I'm not sure how to feel about it even though his family is said to have given permission to Alvarez). Like you can guess, Rook is ambitious as Ash and proves how they're of the same model in more ways than one.
Though everyone does a great job with making their characters stick, I give special praise to Isabela Merced as Kay, who even pregnant, does plenty to get her friends out of tight spots and let's just say that once the movie ends, you'll never get her out of your head for a long time.
As for the Xenomorphs and facehuggers, they feel more in line with the first movie and Alien Isolation in being intelligent killing machines that outsmart their prey and making sure they suffer in the worst ways possible while tracking them down with the quickness.
Like the Predator and Terminator movies do, the movie features several throwbacks to past Alien movies and even some of their lines which will either annoy you or make you chuckle.
Though I haven't seen anything else from Fede Alvarez, his directing puts the Alien series back on track after Ridley Scott's odd prequels (I only just remembered after seeing Romulus this week that I ever saw Alien Covenant on TV once) and hopefully he gets to make his dream Alien vs Predator movie with Prey's Dan Trachtenberg (a friend of his to boot!).
As with Deadpool and Wolverine this year, this proves Disney can make quality films (which, naturally showcases they can give us quality even with half their movies bombing like no's business when they stop their lousy pandering) and hopefully there's more to the Alien series just around the corner with this heart-stopping thriller in theaters doing numbers.
With the movie set between Alien and Aliens, this cast is led by Rain Carradine, she, her adopted malfunctioning android brother Andy, and a group made of her ex Tyler, his pregnant sister Kay, their hotheaded cousin Bjorn (said by Alvarez to be the father of Kay's kid) and his adopted sister Navarro mount a mission to savage a Weyland-Yutani station for their goals of a better life and like one would guess, it all goes horribly wrong.
Cailee Spaeny heads the cast as Rain, who is depicted as a kid in over her head in this situation but comes into her own like Ellen Ripley did in facing the Xenomorphs and whatever lies in her path (i;e, she earns her badass stripes over being a girlboss that does everything right) while David Jonsson portrays Andy with his malfunctioning resembling Autism (I've been on the spectrum borderline my whole life so that's the first thing I noticed) but eventually becomes like Ash from the first Alien and Bishop from Aliens and Alien 3; even quoting them word for word.
There's also Rook, an android based on the same model as Ash and even has the late Ian Holm's face via AI technology (like Carrie Fisher in Rogue One though given this is after Holm's passing, I'm not sure how to feel about it even though his family is said to have given permission to Alvarez). Like you can guess, Rook is ambitious as Ash and proves how they're of the same model in more ways than one.
Though everyone does a great job with making their characters stick, I give special praise to Isabela Merced as Kay, who even pregnant, does plenty to get her friends out of tight spots and let's just say that once the movie ends, you'll never get her out of your head for a long time.
As for the Xenomorphs and facehuggers, they feel more in line with the first movie and Alien Isolation in being intelligent killing machines that outsmart their prey and making sure they suffer in the worst ways possible while tracking them down with the quickness.
Like the Predator and Terminator movies do, the movie features several throwbacks to past Alien movies and even some of their lines which will either annoy you or make you chuckle.
Though I haven't seen anything else from Fede Alvarez, his directing puts the Alien series back on track after Ridley Scott's odd prequels (I only just remembered after seeing Romulus this week that I ever saw Alien Covenant on TV once) and hopefully he gets to make his dream Alien vs Predator movie with Prey's Dan Trachtenberg (a friend of his to boot!).
As with Deadpool and Wolverine this year, this proves Disney can make quality films (which, naturally showcases they can give us quality even with half their movies bombing like no's business when they stop their lousy pandering) and hopefully there's more to the Alien series just around the corner with this heart-stopping thriller in theaters doing numbers.
Godzilla x Kong Spoiler Free Review: Fun-Packed
Posted a year agoFinally got to see Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire on opening day and wanted you guys to know it's chock full of fun and action that can't be missed so here's a non-spoiler review from a life-long G-fan.
Taking place after Godzilla vs. Kong, we see Kong struggling with being the last member of his kind until he encounters a young sub-species (?) member by the name of Suko only to soon find himself dealing the ape-like-monster Skar King and his conquest for destruction where as Godzilla gathers energy with seismic activity in the Hollow Earth building on the surface.
Adam Wingard returns to the Monsterverse for his second outing with non-stop action and comedy still going strong though it bears mentioning some characters aren't as excessive as the previous time like Bernie for instant. Speaking of Bernie, he's along for the ride with Monarch and still funny as ever though not bombastic as last time.
Josh and Madison aren't around this time (probably grounded forever from their Hong Kong trip.) but Jia (Kaylee Hottle knocking it out of the park with her acting) is still thriving in being older and like so many of us at that age, trying to find her place in the world as the last Iwi tribe member around and she's in for a few surprises as is her adoptive Mom, Dr. Ilene Andrews (once again played by Rebecca Hall) trying to figure out what's going on with the Hollow Earth and Jia having visions messing up her mind.
The show-stealer of the human cast is without a doubt is Dan Stevens as Trapper, a 80s throwback (said beat for beat in the movie itself!) member and technician from MONARCH with the most personality in the series since John C. Reilly in Kong Skull Island.
Getting to the monsters, Kong is the star of the movie as he finds he's not the last of his kind as long thought and going off of his Kratos-style of fighting (even fights like Dale Gribble in one scene and you'll know when you see for yourself) seen last time, he even has a God of War style vibe with young Suko.
As for the Big G, he's taken a backseat in being shown keeping the world in check by combating other Titans that step out of line and gathering energy to evolve into his new form before coming into contact with Kong yet again. True to Godzilla's nature, he and Kong aren't friends but he knows there's trouble brewing and is notably quicker in certain aspects.
It's worth noting there are some familiar titans that show up in the movie and they make their time count where they can.
Getting to the main threats, Skar King is not as threatening as Ghidorah or even the MUTOS at their worst but still radiates a sense of being vile enough to the other Kong-like creatures that Kong has no qualms throwing hands with him and alongside him is his warhorse of sorts in Shimo the Ice Titan, who reminded me a lot of Titanosaurus from Terror of MechaGodzilla storywise.
The action is fast-paced with some aspects filling glossed over but still entertaining and Junkie XL is back to compose another score (some tracks are alright to listen to though his attitude on Godzilla's Japanese theme rubs me the wrong way)
While my favorite Monsterverse picture is still KOTM, you won't want to miss out on this fun-factor of a movie (in other words from a lifelong Godzilla fan, ignore the Minus One fanboys trashing this movie and go form your own opinion)
Taking place after Godzilla vs. Kong, we see Kong struggling with being the last member of his kind until he encounters a young sub-species (?) member by the name of Suko only to soon find himself dealing the ape-like-monster Skar King and his conquest for destruction where as Godzilla gathers energy with seismic activity in the Hollow Earth building on the surface.
Adam Wingard returns to the Monsterverse for his second outing with non-stop action and comedy still going strong though it bears mentioning some characters aren't as excessive as the previous time like Bernie for instant. Speaking of Bernie, he's along for the ride with Monarch and still funny as ever though not bombastic as last time.
Josh and Madison aren't around this time (probably grounded forever from their Hong Kong trip.) but Jia (Kaylee Hottle knocking it out of the park with her acting) is still thriving in being older and like so many of us at that age, trying to find her place in the world as the last Iwi tribe member around and she's in for a few surprises as is her adoptive Mom, Dr. Ilene Andrews (once again played by Rebecca Hall) trying to figure out what's going on with the Hollow Earth and Jia having visions messing up her mind.
The show-stealer of the human cast is without a doubt is Dan Stevens as Trapper, a 80s throwback (said beat for beat in the movie itself!) member and technician from MONARCH with the most personality in the series since John C. Reilly in Kong Skull Island.
Getting to the monsters, Kong is the star of the movie as he finds he's not the last of his kind as long thought and going off of his Kratos-style of fighting (even fights like Dale Gribble in one scene and you'll know when you see for yourself) seen last time, he even has a God of War style vibe with young Suko.
As for the Big G, he's taken a backseat in being shown keeping the world in check by combating other Titans that step out of line and gathering energy to evolve into his new form before coming into contact with Kong yet again. True to Godzilla's nature, he and Kong aren't friends but he knows there's trouble brewing and is notably quicker in certain aspects.
It's worth noting there are some familiar titans that show up in the movie and they make their time count where they can.
Getting to the main threats, Skar King is not as threatening as Ghidorah or even the MUTOS at their worst but still radiates a sense of being vile enough to the other Kong-like creatures that Kong has no qualms throwing hands with him and alongside him is his warhorse of sorts in Shimo the Ice Titan, who reminded me a lot of Titanosaurus from Terror of MechaGodzilla storywise.
The action is fast-paced with some aspects filling glossed over but still entertaining and Junkie XL is back to compose another score (some tracks are alright to listen to though his attitude on Godzilla's Japanese theme rubs me the wrong way)
While my favorite Monsterverse picture is still KOTM, you won't want to miss out on this fun-factor of a movie (in other words from a lifelong Godzilla fan, ignore the Minus One fanboys trashing this movie and go form your own opinion)
Godzilla vs. Kong: Hail to the Monster Kings
Posted 4 years agoAfter King Kong and Godzilla first clashed in 1962's King Kong vs Godzilla, they go head to head again for the title of Alpha Titan in one of the best-non comic-based crossovers in generations.
Now I won't spoil anything but I will promise the real winners are us fans for getting such a movie remade for the first time in 59 years. One fun fact I feel the need to mention is that one of the key script writers is Terry Rossio, who wrote the script for the Jan De Bont version of the '98 Tristar picture which is referenced in this picture if you've ever read it or the fan made comic based off it.
Kong for example is older than last seen in Kong Skull Island and still has just as much heart given to his character as before; here he has a friend in a young Iwi girl named Jia and their connection is what could be called the heart of the movie as it has a good deal of focus if not the focus outside of his conflicts with the Big G. Fitting enough, this is the first Kaiju flick Kong's been in where he doesn't look an ounce ridiculous and his fighting style reminds me of Kratos from God of War in some scenes.
Godzilla is the muscle of the bunch while his arc involves him suddenly attacking mankind and Madison Russell and Monarch working around the clock to figure out what's bugging him all of a sudden. While Kong's fighting reminds me of Kratos, the Big G's style is what can best be called a combination of how every Godzilla did battle in the past and wild animals at their most hostile.
As for music, Junkie XL gets the job done as his main Godzilla theme both references Akira Ifukube's classic theme while juxtaposes Bear McCreary's pulse-pounding version as ominous and foreboding akin to the King's haunting themes in the 1954 original. Kong's theme on the other hand is more tribal and peaceful akin to spa music in certain notes.
While the only returning characters are the Russell family from KOTM but only Madison takes center stage in looking into Godzilla's latest rampages alongside friend Josh played by Julian Dennison and odd but funny conspiracy podcaster Bernie played by Brian Tyree Henry while her dad Mark doesn't have as key a role as he was previously.
Jia is portrayed by actress Kaylee Hottle whose real-life deafness comes into play via her communications with Kong in some fascinating sign language display and her guardian/mother figure Dr Illene Andrews works with Monarch agent Nathan Lind to explore the hollow earth talked about in the previous two entries with Kong taking center stage. In fact, one could call Kong the center monster while Godzilla only appears when his character needs to which is a rare balance for crossover films.
Other characters that appear are Demián Bichir APEX CEO Walter Simmons and Shun Oguri as scientist Ren Serizawa; son of Dr. Serizawa but that connection isn't mentioned at all in the movie nor is anything said about his father's sacrifice. While their characters aren't deeply written, they make their mark in the film in a certain project they're working on having deadly consequences and a familiar angle you'll recognize right off the bat.
But this movie delivers what it promises in the title in having an all-out battle to the finish between Godzilla and Kong not seen in decades with my guarantee that the ending is essentially the best way to end any kind of crossover action movie. My advice is to see it on HBO Max if you have it like I do or catch in the movies if you're careful (personally I'm waiting to get vaccinated and then venture out to the movies to see it again on the big screen for the thrill)
Now I won't spoil anything but I will promise the real winners are us fans for getting such a movie remade for the first time in 59 years. One fun fact I feel the need to mention is that one of the key script writers is Terry Rossio, who wrote the script for the Jan De Bont version of the '98 Tristar picture which is referenced in this picture if you've ever read it or the fan made comic based off it.
Kong for example is older than last seen in Kong Skull Island and still has just as much heart given to his character as before; here he has a friend in a young Iwi girl named Jia and their connection is what could be called the heart of the movie as it has a good deal of focus if not the focus outside of his conflicts with the Big G. Fitting enough, this is the first Kaiju flick Kong's been in where he doesn't look an ounce ridiculous and his fighting style reminds me of Kratos from God of War in some scenes.
Godzilla is the muscle of the bunch while his arc involves him suddenly attacking mankind and Madison Russell and Monarch working around the clock to figure out what's bugging him all of a sudden. While Kong's fighting reminds me of Kratos, the Big G's style is what can best be called a combination of how every Godzilla did battle in the past and wild animals at their most hostile.
As for music, Junkie XL gets the job done as his main Godzilla theme both references Akira Ifukube's classic theme while juxtaposes Bear McCreary's pulse-pounding version as ominous and foreboding akin to the King's haunting themes in the 1954 original. Kong's theme on the other hand is more tribal and peaceful akin to spa music in certain notes.
While the only returning characters are the Russell family from KOTM but only Madison takes center stage in looking into Godzilla's latest rampages alongside friend Josh played by Julian Dennison and odd but funny conspiracy podcaster Bernie played by Brian Tyree Henry while her dad Mark doesn't have as key a role as he was previously.
Jia is portrayed by actress Kaylee Hottle whose real-life deafness comes into play via her communications with Kong in some fascinating sign language display and her guardian/mother figure Dr Illene Andrews works with Monarch agent Nathan Lind to explore the hollow earth talked about in the previous two entries with Kong taking center stage. In fact, one could call Kong the center monster while Godzilla only appears when his character needs to which is a rare balance for crossover films.
Other characters that appear are Demián Bichir APEX CEO Walter Simmons and Shun Oguri as scientist Ren Serizawa; son of Dr. Serizawa but that connection isn't mentioned at all in the movie nor is anything said about his father's sacrifice. While their characters aren't deeply written, they make their mark in the film in a certain project they're working on having deadly consequences and a familiar angle you'll recognize right off the bat.
But this movie delivers what it promises in the title in having an all-out battle to the finish between Godzilla and Kong not seen in decades with my guarantee that the ending is essentially the best way to end any kind of crossover action movie. My advice is to see it on HBO Max if you have it like I do or catch in the movies if you're careful (personally I'm waiting to get vaccinated and then venture out to the movies to see it again on the big screen for the thrill)
