Movie Review: "Lightyear"

 

Overall Thoughts: Interesting concept starts very strong, but doesn't quite stick the landing.

When Disney and Pixar initially announced Lightyear back at their Disney Investor Day in 2020, I was intrigued by the idea. A spin-off origin story for its' popular Buzz Lightyear character. That being said, the marketing left a little bit to be desired. As it seemed like it was not trying to be anything genuinely original. Unfortunate controversies did not help it either.

The first half of Lightyear is almost The Incredibles in terms of how entertaining, fun and moving it is. The story moves at a good clip, and there's a few emotional tugs at the heartstrings that are earned. The action scenes have a solid level of excitement to them, and the characters are given enough development to make you care about what's going on.

The best character creation for this Pixar movie, a robot cat named Sox. Voiced terrifically by Pixar director and actor Peter Sohn (who is taking the helm for the studio's next movie, Elemental), Sox is absolutely the "Disney merchandise" character of the film. However, he's also funny, adorable and has several memorable moments. He also has a few surprises to share that earn their gasps or laughs, and a few heartfelt moments as well.

The supporting cast, led by Keke Palmer and Taika Watiti, are fine. Uzo Aduba does a solid job with her character as Buzz's best friend, Alisha. And as for Buzz himself, Chris Evans proves to mostly be up to the task. While not a versatile character here, Buzz here isn't exactly given the same cartoony presence that Tim Allen had for the character in the Toy Story movies.

That being said, a revealing twist about two-thirds of the way through the movie unfortunately throws things off. Does it somewhat nod to the Toy Story movies? Yes. But, the way it's executed does not live up to the hype or excitement that came before it. And, it leads to an ending that seems less interesting. It also has a bit of a convoluted explanation to it as well which does not help things either.

However, the animation is definitely Pixar in its' comfort zone. The work is nicely done, with the right amount of nods to what came before. And, the characters all work well in this universe as well with their animation styles. Michael Giacchino proves again that he can really nail a throwback vibe with his 80's sci-fi inspired score.

In the end, Lightyear is not as bad as I feared it would be. It's first half really does a great job setting up the stakes while not having too many roadbumps. However, it is sad to report that the film's last third really could have used a rewrite. It lacks the emotional sincerity, action, ambition and mystery of the remainder of the film.

So, yes, this is a film you could stream on a lazy afternoon. But it falls short of being the must-see entertainment that Pixar films usually are.

Grade: B-

Is this movie family friendly? Lightyear is rated PG for "action/peril". There are some intense moments of action involving guns and weapons, and some Star Wars-level action scenes. Shootouts and robot impalings/discombobulations are seen. No bloodshed, however. A couple of bathroom jokes (pulling someone's finger, for example). On another note, some families may be turned off by the discussion and inclusion of a same-gender couple in a few scenes involving one of the major characters, as well as a kiss between those characters at one moment. In the end, this is a movie that parents will widely have different opinions about, so I will leave the decision to them.

Review: "Secret Headquarters"

 

Overall Thoughts: As uninspired, inoffensive and meh as its title.

What do you expect out of a movie called Secret Headquarters? Not much. Jerry Bruckheimer and his crew attempted to create the next Spy Kids franchise here, and made the kids a little bit older. Will Ferrell as a superhero? Will that help parents tune in? With how popular superhero movies are these days (though they seem to have hit their peak), could this serve as a good gateway into the genre for older kids?

The answer to all of this is maybe. Because, Secret Headquarters may be watchable, but it's not a movie I don't think kids will be begging to watch multiple times. And it's not clever or written well enough to really make it worthwhile for adults. The actors are fine (well, all except one), and the visual effects are decent, but none of it comes together in an especially memorable package. If this movie would have come out maybe in the mid-2000's, it probably would have made a bigger splash.

What did I like about this movie? First, there's definitely a genuine father-son reconciliation story here. While it's not given the best emotional depth, there's still at least a couple of pretty decent moments here between Ferrell and Walker Scobell's Charlie. Second, I'm fine with the film not taking itself too seriously. While that has been the case with quite a few superhero movies, it keeps it from descending into too cheesy territory.

Ferrell is a solid out-of-the-box choice for the main superhero character. His humble, winsome personality creates a more sincere, "there's more to him than you think" execution to his character. His superhero backstory also works pretty well. Meanwhile, Michael Pena is given the villain role. And he hams it up, too much. It's to the point where he tries too hard to be funny, and it comes across a little bit annoying in places.

The preteen/early teen cast is fine. Scobell brings enough heart and emotion to make his character sympathetic. Meanwhile, the other characters don't quite fall into "kid gang" stereotypes (except for Charlie's best friend, affectionately known as "Burger"). There's also no "politically correct" elements here either. That being said, I didn't seem to appreciate this cast of kids being a little profane and slightly off-color at times. That could put some parents on alarm here.

On the real downside, the overall story lacks much-needed world-building. Spy Kids took the mission to other countries and made it a swooping James Bond story for kids. This one takes place 85% of the time in an underground lair, and the other 10% at the kids' middle school. And, unlike Sky High, which had a lot of interesting touches, this one is as bland and uninteresting as it comes.

Also, the script is relatively unfunny and stays predictable without taking any real risks. The "play it safe" approach might be enough for kids watching, but keeps it from becoming memorable at the same time. The Spy Kids movies were novelties and had elements that were surprising as well. This does not have any of that.

In the end, it was wise for Paramount to send this to streaming. Because this movie never quite rises to the challenge as must-see entertainment. It's too generic, too safe and too "tryhard" at times to really make it something worth your time. Kids will probably find it fun, and it has a few positive things working in its' favor. But, you could do better than this as well.

Grade: C-

Is this movie family-friendly? Secret Headquarters is rated PG for "violence, action, language and some rude humor." There's some explosions, people getting ransacked and thrown about, and some superpowered action violence here and there. A few mild gashes are seen, but other than that (and a few people sucked through a portal), there's almost no body count here (except for one henchman shot off-screen). A few moments of flirtatious, "she's hot" like behavior. Some language includes five uses of "h***" (all from children), one each of "d***", "crap" and "p***", one near s-word, and a handful of uses of "oh my g**". A few bathroom jokes include a villain farting, a comment asking about how superheroes go to the restroom and some burping. Kids make some irresponsible choices such as speeding past police in a superpowered car. In the end, this is OK for ages 9 and up depending on families' overall tolerance of content.

Movie Review: "Luck"

Overall Thoughts: Great idea and has great moments, but overall falls just short of being a great movie.

I had pretty high hopes for Luck. Skydance Animation was hyping itself up as a new flashy competitor in the animation arena. Also, the studio had former Disney/Pixar head John Lasseter spearheading the division. A great voice cast and solid trailers added further promise. Could this be the next modern animated classic?

And the final film is good, but not quite a classic. The problem, thankfully, however, isn't in the concept itself. Luck brings a refreshingly original story with well-developed characters. The problem here is in how the final story is constructed here. The film spends too little time in one area to convince the main character of a change of mind. The second act goes on for too long. The third act is rushed. And this causes the overall pacing to suffer as well. Luck ends up being 110 minutes long, and could have been at least 10 minutes shorter.

That being said, the film gets a lot right. It's heart is in the right place. And, in a handful of scenes, Lasseter's gift of pulling on the heartstrings with the story beats is evident. A very well-written scene between Sam and Bob at the beginning of the third act hearkens back to early 2000's Pixar. And, the resolution is both sweet and a little unexpected at the same time (even if its rushed).

The voice acting is strong across the board. Eva Noblezada (Yellow Rose) brings energy and a selfless, kind spirit to lead character Sam. Simon Pegg brings a multi-faceted approach to Bob that really works. Jane Fonda and Whoopi Goldberg give memorable turns in their roles. And John Ratzenberger is a familiar warm presence here in a minor role that could have been expanded in the third act.

The animation is terrific as well, with colorful characters and backgrounds. There's a couple of standout scenes that have some creative, clockwork-like creations in the Land of Luck. It felt like a modern theme park land on steroids, and it was a joy to see. You can tell that effort was put in here, and it works (Luck reportedly cost $140 million to make, on the level of an original Disney Animation project).

Luck isn't laugh out loud funny, but it's not meant to be a comedy per se either. It's meant to be a cute, family-friendly adventure with a heart on its' sleeve. And I did not mind that at all. I also appreciated that the filmmakers didn't want to push an adult edge on this one, and made a rare G-rated movie for everyone to enjoy. There are a couple of throwaway moments, including a somewhat unnecessary dance moment with a group of bunnies.

Ultimately, some pacing and plot construction problems do weigh down Luck and keep it from being a special film. But, some of that is made up from a terrific concept, some genuine heart, a few surprises, and some great animation, and I found it to be better than the other animated efforts this summer has had to offer. It's not going to be an awards contender, but its' a solid start for this promising new studio.

Grade: B

Is this movie family-friendly? Luck is bestowed a lucky and rare G rating. And it earns it. There's very little here to worry about. A little bit of dog poop talk (but only in terms of bad luck). Sam is accident-prone, but she never gets badly hurt from her hijinks. A few light perilous falls. The film does focus a bit on the topic of foster children, and their disappointment from not finding a "forever family". This could be upsetting for some younger children. Some lying. However, overall, the film is the cleanest I've seen animated fare these days. I think it's fine for ages 5 and up.

Review: "Ms. Marvel" (Disney+)

Overall Thoughts: Unique, lower-scale story is a refreshing throwback to Phase 1.

NOTE: Being a TV show, I will do my best to avoid spoilers!

In Marvel's latest series, 16-year old Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani) is planning to attend AvengerCon, against her parents' wishes. After pulling off an elaborate plan to sneak out of the house, she finds out she has powers. Of course, that entire plan goes to waste as Kamala's powers cause near destruction at the convention. But, why does she have powers? And, are there others who may take notice and hunt her down?

First, Vellani does a wonderful job with the lead character here. She brings much spunk and enthusiasm to this role. She might be the first "fanatic" character I've seen in the MCU get superpowers (unless you count Tom Holland's Spider-Man). In the more serious and dramatic moments, Vellani shines too with a subtle empathy. Matt Lintz and Yasmeen Fletcher are solid as Kamala's friends, while Zenobia Shroff is a solid addition as Kamala's mother.

The show does not rely on big name talent, which I found refreshing. After the first episode, there's also refreshingly little callbacks to the MCU. I thought that was a great approach to ensure Kamala was given her own story. Finally, I thought that the film's authentic depiction of Kamala's religious background was respectful and thoughtful, without treating it in a mocking or condemning fashion.

The series really picks up on emotional gravitas in the final two episodes. A couple of twists really do a nice job engaging emotionally. I do feel like the series' main arc comes to a close with Episode 5. Maybe a couple of the events from the last episode could have meshed into the fifth episode, but I didn't mind it too much.

The series has two antagonists, though the main one focused on comes into play in the third episode. Maybe the second one wasn't necessary, but it was more of a SHIELD/SWORD style villain trying to figure out the root of her powers. The secondary antagonist plays a bigger role in the final episode, but we don't get to know them enough to really understand what they are planning on doing.

As far as visual effects go, Ms. Marvel is refreshingly low-key. There's some comic book art-style effects early on and some superpowered moments, but it's not nearly as ambitious or extensive as Loki or WandaVision. The places where the visual effects are placed are organic and work well. The action scenes are solid too.

In the end, despite a few hiccups (including maybe one too many villains), Ms. Marvel is still a unique, interesting and overall refreshing throwback of a superhero movie. More often than not, it feels like the kind of story that would fit in the introductory Phase 1 slate, rather than the more ambitious, crossover, more convoluted storylines of Phase 4. And that is a good thing.

Grade: B+

Movie Review: "Marcel the Shell with Shoes On"

Overall Thoughts: Unique family film is quirky but sweet.

Based on a popular series of YouTube videos, Marcel the Shell with Shoes On flew under the radar, until it legitimately picked up some surprising critical acclaim. Could we be seeing a rare family film be a major Oscar contender next year? Maybe. Just maybe.

I would definitely be happy if a movie like this received major Oscar consideration. Because the concept of Marcel the Shell here is original, unique and really stands out in Hollywood these days (which are mostly driven by remakes and retreads). Director Dean Fleischer-Camp takes the mockumentary approach here, while putting together a sweet story about dealing with change, loss, and finding community.

As Marcel, Jenny Slate has definitely found the character that will define her career. She channels innocence, a little bit of winking adult wit, and a kind, considerate soul. It's a wonderful voice performance. Meanwhile, Fleischer-Camp acts as the filmmaker of Marcel's adventures, and is given a little bit of development himself. He complements the film well without stealing the show away from the our lead mollusk.

The animation work here (along with some strong cinematography choices) on Marcel and the other characters is wonderful. Part Rankin-Bass nostalgia in its' approach, and part Smurfs and Alvin and the Chipmunks in terms of character perspective; it's a style that feels like something that hasn't been accomplished before. Now, of course, the original videos showed this a little bit. But, at the same time, Fleischer-Camp didn't have a movie budget to ratchet everything up to an 11.

The film's central story does take a little bit to get going, and it does take a little too long to introduce its' world and characters. The opening 30 minutes also get a little sidetracked by some out-of-left field jokes. This throws the pace off in the first half hour. However, by the time we get to the characters' interview with 60 Minutes' Leslie Stahl, it really gets cooking. I also thought the film's ending really did a nice job in its' narrative choice to show the plot's overall resolution.

Ultimately, Marcel might have its quirky, wonky moments, but it's still an overall kind-hearted and fairly moving film families can definitely watch together.

Grade: B+

Is this film family-friendly? Marcel the Shell with Shoes On is rated PG for "some suggestive material and thematic elements". There are a few off-color jokes. For example, a bee flying into a window is said to have had "too much nectar" in an allusion to drunkenness. Curly hairs in the shower are considered "hardy hairs". A brief drug joke mentions "when the kush hits hard" when searching a meme on the internet (Marcel asks what it is but doesn't understand). Other than that, Marcel throws up in the car a few times. We hear Dean was in a recent divorce. We don't see it, but we hear one character fell off the dryer (we see a crack in the character's shell). One character dies. We hear about 10 uses of "oh my g**", and a possible s-word by Dean (it may have been censored by a loud computer type). In the end, I think this is appropriate for ages 7 and up, depending on how each family views the content.

Movie Review: "Zombies 3"

 

Overall Thoughts: Franchise finale ups the ante, but falls short of the original's heart.

Every recent generation has a Disney Channel franchise to love. For this current generation, the Zombies films have appealed thanks to it's music (of course), more kid-friendly twist on zombie genre films, and messages on diversity and inclusion. So, what happens when your franchise finale becomes a Disney+ exclusive, and not premiering on the channel where the first 2 landed?

Maybe it has to do with the budget, because it's clear that more effort was given in visual effects and presentation. The visual effects here are pretty strong for a franchise that started on television and may have been constrained by a TV-level budget. The spaceship is a solid creation, and there's a few nifty visual cues and touches that reminded me a little bit of Steven Spielberg's work on E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

The characters also have higher stakes, which makes them even more interesting this time around as well. Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly haven't lost a step here, and they are joined by some solid new castmembers as well. Terry Hu, Matt Cornett (EJ from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series) and Kyra Tantao fit in well with the film's high school comedy feel. That being said, the cast of characters is growing and starting to feel like a little much to keep up with. The filmmakers do try their best to switch between characters in a way that keeps us interesting.

This one also feels like a respectable conclusion to a three-film storyline that centered around Addison's yearning to find where she belongs. That being said, I did feel like the resolution was pretty rushed on this one. Instead of giving Addison a slow, more believable realization, the film pretty much does not pay much mind to it until close to the end of the second act. Then it rushes through the emotional stakes without really giving us much time to process. The only part of this that manages to work as well as it does is a reprise of the original film's song, "Someday".

The soundtrack, overall, isn't quite as memorable as the first two films either. The opening number, "Alien Invasion", works pretty well from a thematic point of view. And, I could see it being an opening Broadway number. But it does not work from a melodic point of view, and it's not the earworm that "Flesh and Bone" was. Other than the "Someday" cover, most of the other songs are serviceable, but do not seem like tunes kids will be singing for months.

Ultimately, I think that the first Zombies did the best job of developing its characters, present emotional stakes and deliver solid messages in a way that didn't feel forced or preachy. With each successive film, there has been more pressure to check these boxes, but the overall heart and soul has gotten a little lost in the process. It doesn't help that the resolution felt rushed here.

In the end, for its' target audience, Zombies 3 will certainly work as a serviceable, sometimes emotionally affecting finale. For me, it (along with Descendants) seems to be a franchise where the original film seemed to connect and work the best.

Grade: C+

Is this film family-friendly? Zombies 3 is rated TV-G. There are a few lightly intense scenes involving pummeling, electrocution and characters energy getting zapped. A few romantic moments, and a hinted same-gender attraction towards the end are also present. Zed and Addison kiss a few times. Some property damage. A few characters lie and deceive. In the end, I'm not sure if the film should have been rated G due to its' moments of peril and a few questionable choices. Families of very young kids should view the movie first. But, ages 8 or 9 and up may be OK with pre-movie discussions.

Movie Review: "Minions: The Rise of Gru"

 

Overall Thoughts: Solid improvement of a sequel is a true Despicable Me prequel.

I have to admit, the first Minions has not been a favorite, nor has it aged very well. Despite Sandra Bullock admirably trying very hard to bring Steve Carell's excellent comedic chops (with OK results), the characters didn't exactly bring a story that suitably filled a 90-minute movie. The Minions are fun characters, but they worked better as comic relief sidekicks to the sweet, character-driven and family-centric Despicable Me films.

Which makes me a little pleasantly surprised to say that Minions: The Rise of Gru works better than its' predecessor. And part of the reason why this one works better is because, thankfully, Gru is back in the mix. His story arc as a preteen villain looking for a mentor is a pretty solid one. And placing the Minions as heroes of this tale and giving them a storyline of equal importance here makes for a much better movie.

Another reason why Rise of Gru raises the bar here is in its' terrific casting. Alan Arkin is an inspired choice as an aging villain looking to show he's still got what it takes. Taraji P. Henson brings sass and fun to the take-no-prisoners Belle Bottom. Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All at Once) also shows to be having a lot of fun in her role as the Minions' kung fu teacher, Master Chow. Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Jean Claude-van-Damme, and Danny Trejo are also very much up for their roles (sometimes parodied from their names or prior roles), though they aren't given as much to do from a voice acting perspective.

Of course, Carell continues to do a wonderful job as Gru 12 years into the franchise, and playing a much younger version of him. Russell Brand, Julie Andrews and Steve Coogan all appear as younger versions of their characters as well.

There's also a solid 70's infused soundtrack here as well, including a fun original end credits song by the legendary Diana Ross ("Turn Up the Sunshine"). In fact, I would not be surprised if the song gets some awards season love. The animation is fun, vibrant, and carries some of the most outrageous art and style choices I've seen in awhile. The editing is sharp, and there's some clever references to James Bond and other franchises along the way. The pacing is quick and works with the 88 minute runtime. And, thankfully, it does pause for a little development and reflection for at least a couple of its' human characters. Maybe a little bit more of that would have been nice. 

On the downside, longtime franchise composer Heitor Pereira does get a little too carried away with references to the Despicable Me movies instrumental cues. Meanwhile, the beginning leans a little too generic, with an action scene involving too obvious nods to Tomb Raider. And, some of the gags don't land either.

In the end, however, Rise of Gru works more up to what I would expect from a prequel. For the franchise as a whole, it's not the strongest or most heartwarming entry, but it delivers just about everything else you would expect - escapist family entertainment at its zaniest.

Grade: B

Is this movie family friendly? Minions: The Rise of Gru is rated PG for "some action/violence and rude humor". That's an accurate rating. There's a lot of cartoonish violence and perilous situations here. Characters are hurt from time to time. One is burned. One is nearly stretched by being tied on moving clock hands. Of course, the Minions get bopped from time to time, but are relatively unharmed. Characters are crushed, cause some minor destruction here and there, etc. Cars crash. We see a Jaws poster and hear its' music. Other than that, there's a couple of moments of Minion rear nudity. A fart "grenade" is used in a theater. A minor explosion has a Minion blowing "smoke rings" as a reference to a 70's stereotype/trend. Minions cross-dress to disguise themselves, and we see tennis balls fall out meant to pose for women's figures. Song lyrics sometimes are a tad suggestive. Gru and the Minions do some "despicable" deeds (nothing too offensive, but nothing kids should be repeating). In the end, this is an OK choice for ages 7 and up, though some pre or post-movie conversations probably would be a good idea.

Movie Review: "Hollywood Stargirl"

Overall Thoughts: Not as interesting as the first one, but still manages to charm.

The first Stargirl movie came out as the pandemic was starting. As a teenage-focused movie, it felt like a movie aimed for the age group, and yet had an "old soul" sensibility about it. It was a gentle, intimate, yet wholesome look at high school life and peer pressure. And, of course, the main character was brought to life with grace and maturity by Grace Vanderwaal.

Upon learning of the sequel's plot, I was concerned not only that the story would lose its sense of "old school" soul, but also would fall into the generic "chase your dreams" story. Especially since it's not even based on the second book in the series at all. Thankfully, the first issue never happens. As for the second, it does manage follow the "chase your dreams" narrative (and falls into a few of those cliches), but it manages to still deliver it in an entertaining and personable fashion.

VanderWaal remains genuine and sincere as Stargirl, bringing her best qualities with wit and wisdom. Judy Greer has some strong moments as her Mom, Ana. Meanwhile, Uma Thurman and Judd Hirsch both do nicely as heart-hardened supporting characters who are helped tremendously by our lead. Elijah Richardson and Tyrel Jackson Williams are solid as Stargirl's new friends, Evan and Tyrell.

As for the music, the original songs are very solid (including "Figure it Out"). The cinematography (by Bryce Fortner) and scenery are all nicely-done, with a mix of close-ups along with some nice displays of the best of LA and California. And the script subtly touches on a few mature issues (including workplace harrassment) in a way that stays honest and real without going too far or too mature for younger audiences.

On the downside, the film does conclude a little on the corny and forced side. The resolution of the film's final conflict is handled a little bit sloppily. And also, I have to point out that the film's treatment of "reaching your dreams" (especially in filmmaking as shown here) is a little sanitized and a little on the unrealistic side.

That being said, Hollywood Stargirl is still a super charming sequel. What it lacks in uniqueness and interesting elements, it makes up for some in its inviting feel and overwhelming sense of wholesome sincerity. 

And it's the kind of positive, subtle, sincere film I hope we see more of for teenagers and families.

Grade: B+

Is this movie family-friendly? Hollywood Stargirl is rated PG for "some mild language". It earns the rating for one use of "d***!" and three uses of "G**!" Other than that, there's not much. We see a few low-cut outfits. We hear about directors being jerks and "investigations" conducted against them (though not in detail). One character lies. Alcoholic beverages are served at a nightclub, and those under 21 are not permitted in a "drinking section". In the end, this is a fine choice for ages 9 and up.

Review: "Obi-Wan Kenobi" (Disney+)

 

NOTE: Being a TV show, I have reviewed each individual episode in a couple of small paragraphs apiece. I will do my best to avoid spoilers!

Overall Thoughts: Character-driven anthology series has a few stumbles, but it overall delivers.

Part I

10 years after the betrayal of his apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi lives life as a factory worker on Tatooine. He keeps an eye on 10-year old Luke (to his uncle's dismay) and has pretty much put his Jedi life behind him. That is, until a call comes in from the leaders of Alderann, who have noted that their princess has been kidnapped. Obi Wan reluctantly decides to go and rescue her.

This episode kicks off with a terrific montage catching everyone up on what happened during the prequel trilogy. And, it sets the stage for a first episode that is short and helps set things up solidly. While not a lot happens on the action side of things, the visual effects are solid and there's some yesteryear practical effects in the mix as well. 

On the downside, flashbacks are seemingly overly-used, while Moses Ingram starts here off by overacting a little (though, I think that may have been a creative choice looking in hindsight). Ultimately, a nice set-up, but could have used a little more action.

Grade: B

Part II

Obi-Wan finds 10-year old Princess Leia on the planet Daiyu. He attempts to keep her in line and try to plot an escape, while Jedi-hating inquisitors hunt them down.

At just over 30 minutes, this episode is just the right length. There's a solid amount of character interaction and there's a little more action here as well. As Leia, Vivien Lyra Blair does a decent job portraying the character's inquisitiveness and determination. Meanwhile, Kumail Nainjani is cast as a conman pretending to be a Jedi. He seems a little off acting wise, but his character does seem like an interesting fit into this story, helping sell the idea of how "taboo" Jedi have become.

The episode ends strong, with a brief emotional pull at the heartstrings. While not too much happens overall and there's a few questions from this, overall it was in line with the first episode.

Grade: B

Part III

Having been directed to a mining planet, Obi-Wan and Leia wind up getting lost and not finding a point of contact. After nearly avoiding capture by Empire sympathizers, they are given aid by a double agent spy named Tala. As Tala hides them, Darth Vader appears sensing his former master's presence. Tala and Leia use secret passageways to try and escape, while Obi-Wan faces his estranged apprentice.

This simpler episode features some strong visual effects. There's some stormtrooper cluelessness (par for the course for this franchise), and a couple of strong heart-to-heart moments between Obi-Wan and Leia. The ending action scene might not be as impressive as some might would hope, but it does leave a hint at something even more impressive coming later in the series. The ending also has an appropriate cliffhanger.

Ultimately, there's some solid writing decisions here. It's a little uneven/slow at times, and the lighting is a little dark in areas. But, the suspense and anticipation behind some of the events unfolded here help this episode rise above the first two. 

Grade: B+ 

Part IV

With Leia intercepted by Reva (Ingram) and Obi-Wan badly injured, Kenobi and Tala regroup to figure out how to save Leia. They plot to rescue her by infiltrating the Inquisitors' base.

This episode is pretty much one long heist, which seems to be the case for at least one episode out of each Star Wars series. It's entertaining. It has some strong visual moments. And there's at least one surprising development. On the very positive side, the interrogation scenes with Leia and Reva are nicely-done, while revealing a little bit of a soft side to the captor.

I do think this episode drags a little bit in pacing, and could have been edited to combine with Episode 5. Not as good as the first three, despite some positives.

Grade: B-

Part V

Obi-Wan, Tala and Leia escape to Jublim to find a Jedi sympathizer group called the "Path". Meanwhile, Reva is hot on their tail thanks to a tracker attached to a droid in their company. Vader promotes her to Grand Inquisitor in the process.

This episode features some much-needed character development for Reva, which helps her become a more sympathetic character. There's also some weaved in training sequences between Obi-Wan and Anakin, which really help the episode proceed thematically. There's an action-packed standoff that results in at least one or two surprises.

The writing here is strong, thanks to an assist from Pixar veteran Andrew Stanton (who also helps write the finale). The pacing here is very solid, and the use of nostalgia and flashbacks help strengthen the episode's emotional core as well. Overall, the fifth episode does a great job of helping set the stage for the show's finale.

Grade: B+

Part VI

In the finale, Reva discovers an old transmission and finds out about Leia's brother (and Anakin's son), Luke. She heads to Tatooine to try and take him out as an "eye for an eye". Leia safely arrives back in Alderran, while Obi-Wan retreats alone to a planet to lure Vader.

This series sticks the landing with a terrific finale. First, it meshes two short storylines really nicely, while leading to an epic showdown between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader. And, while the outcome is predictable (come on, you didn't think anyone would die here would you?), it does lead to some surprising choices and an emotional conclusion. The episode also features a few surprise appearances/cameos, and a few other nods to classic Star Wars themes and cues. There's also a satisfying "come full circle" moment for one other character, which leaves a bit of a cliffhanger as well.

In the end, despite some predictability, this finale does a great job as a satisfying ending/bridge while also hinting at possible future adventures to come.

Grade: A-

Overall Analysis

Obi-Wan Kenobi was a spin-off idea many were hoping would come to fruition for years. However, following the flop that was Solo: A Star Wars Story, hopes were starting to be dashed for a movie. Then, came Disney+, and almost every idea that was in doubt for theatrical release was back in play! Of course, by the time this anticipated story hit the small screen, not only did it have some rewrites to go through, but it had to follow in the footsteps of The Mandalorian.

Since its' been three years since Disney+'s launch, is there a sense of Star Wars fatigue here? Maybe. But, after Book of Boba Fett was a bit of a disappointment, I was pretty surprised here (though I did have low expectations). Obi-Wan feels more developed with its characters. More subtle and less risky. More emotionally-grounded. And, more cinematic in its visual grandeur and scope. And for the most part, pacing and episode lengths are solid here.

Are there a few questionable choices here and there? Sure. Could two episodes have been combined with further editing? Probably wouldn't have hurt. And, is John Williams' classic feel missing at times? I don't think Natalie Holt (Loki) doesn't quite fill in his shoes, and doesn't craft something quite as memorable as Ludwig Goransson did for Mandalorian, but she's fine.

That being said, it's awesome to see Ewan MacGregor back as his most famous character. While he starts off surprisingly similar to Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi, his journey here is a more believable character study. Hayden Christensen also has some strong moments in his return to Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker. The supporting cast mostly does a nice job also bringing their A-game.

In the end, this may be my favorite Star Wars show to date. With a simpler focus, more cinematic feel, better pacing, and an engaging character study, it feels like it fits as a very worthy sequel to the prequel trilogy (and more immediate prequel to the original trilogy I might add). And while it's not without a few stumbling blocks here and there, they are certainly not enough to dim this light saber too much.

Grade: B+

Review: "Moon Knight" (Disney+)

 

Overall Thoughts: A little weird, a little undecided in tone, but an overall solid, unique entry.

NOTE: Being a TV show, I have reviewed each individual episode in a couple of small paragraphs apiece. I will do my best to avoid spoilers!

Episode 1: The Goldfish Problem

In this premiere, Steven is trying to figure out his job and his social life. Meanwhile, Marc is on a mission to try and stop a mysterious zealot named Arthur Harrow (an appropriately deceiving/sinister Ethan Hawke). Ultimately, Steven figures that something is wrong with his life, and cannot bring things into balance. Eventually, Steven finds out that he has a different "side" to himself that he needs to survive.

This well-paced premiere brings a strong sense of mystery, suspense and action. Isaac is immediately likable as Steven, while leading up to a strong reveal of Moon Knight. The visual effects are strong, and the mystery unraveling is intense. The end credits are also appealing.

On the downside, there are a couple of jarring "easy way out" moments that throw things off a bit. And there's a couple of intentional horror nods that don't exactly work either. However, this is a pretty impressive premiere overall, setting up the mystery and leading characters well.

Grade: B+

Episode 2: Summon the Suit

First, Steven is fired from his job. Second, he runs into Layla (May Calamawy), Marc's estranged wife, which leads to some confusion and drama. And finally, Marc reveals himself as an avatar for the Egyptian god Khonshu (voice of F. Murray Abraham). Both let Steven know that there's more to the story behind Arthur and what he's trying to do.

This episode keeps the overall suspense and mystery going, while giving solid amounts of exposition to Marc/Steven, as well as the underlying mystical and otherworldly underpinnings. There's also moments of humor that really do a nice job balancing things out as well. There's also a couple of strong action scenes with Moon Knight (including a strong distinction between both Marc and Steven's versions of the hero. Kudos to the costume design!).

The exposition goes on a little long, but it is necessary to help understand the stakes. And, the episode does attempt to do a little much with its' reveals and character study that could have been placed in the next episode. But altogether, this is just as entertaining and exciting as what came before.

Grade: B+

Episode 3: The Friendly Type

After being sent to Egypt, Marc/Stephen is asked by Khonshu to go to a meeting between the Egyptian gods to warn them of Arthur's intentions. The meeting does not go well as Arthur successfully reasons his way out of it, but Marc/Stephen is given sympathy from one of the gods to help him keep up with Arthur. This later leads Marc and Layla to a dealer who owns a key sarcophagus.

This episode does not quite reach the heights of the first two, as this feels more like a wild goose chase rather than a cohesive plot. However, the first act is strong. The meeting inside the pyramid of Giza is pretty nicely done, and there's an entertaining action scene towards the end.

At the same time, there are a couple of drawn-out slow scenes. And, there are a few things that are either unexplained or not explained enough to make it make sense. However, most of it remains fairly interesting.

Grade: B


Episode 4: The Tomb

Following Khonshu's unexpected capturing, Steven and Layla find the goddess Ammit's tomb, with the hope of finding information before Arthur does. The duo finds out that Ammit's last avatar was Alexander the Great by finding his tomb. Meanwhile, Arthur attempts to break Layla and Steven apart by getting into their heads.

This episode takes the series in a bit of a darker, more harrowing direction. The pace slows down, and there's some weird revelations that feel a little off. It feels quite a bit like an offshoot of The Mummy. There's even some creepy mummified priests in the mix that further reinforce this.

That being said, there's a few interesting revelations, and the overall proceedings become even more unpredictable. The ending is quite surprising (keeping in tune with the Episode 4 "shock and awe" for Marvel Disney+ shows), and has a weird element to it as well. Overall, I found this to be a step down from the first three episodes.

Grade: C+

Episode 5: The Asylum

Following a deadly encounter, Marc and Stephen both find themselves in crazy, weird locations with little hope of escape to stop Arthur from releasing Ammit.

This trippy episode features some weird, yet unique elements. Elements of the psychological thriller genre make their way into the proceedings. These work at times and confuse in others. There's a few solid visual effects, and the ending is surprising. It works emotionally, while also leaving things off in surprising, unpredictable fashion.

On the very positive side, this episode does give much-needed backstory to Marc/Steve's condition, which also works emotionally. The episode does drag at times, however, and is low on the action side. While this episode is an improvement on the last one, it's still not as good as the first two.

Grade: B-

Episode 6: Gods and Monsters

In the season (or perhaps series) finale, Marc and Stephen and others face off against Ammit and Arthur to save the world.

This finale definitely ups the ante. It's thrilling, carries cinematic visual effects, and brings the storyline full circle. It's also surprisingly short, coming in at about 40 minutes without credits. The ending action scenes do have "easy way" cutouts, but it does lead to a mid-credits scene that is nothing short of surprising and helps cover up plotholes at the same time.

One character's superhero armor is lazily-designed, with too much resemblance to Falcon. There are also some weirdly-placed transitions which make the overall plotline a little confusing. However, at the same time, there's also some soli emotional payoffs as well, which work well in the first half.

Ultimately, this one does manage to step up from the last two episodes, but is still not the best entry for the series.

Grade: B

Overall Thoughts

When I saw the trailer for Moon Knight, I thought it was a little "too DC". And, it seemed like it was too similar to the trailer for The Batman which came out pretty close to the trailer for this one. Thankfully, however, that didn't end up being the case. Moon Knight is more than an in-the-streets superhero, and there was a lot that it's trailer and marketing campaign was hiding.

Overall, I really liked the concept of this show. And I thought the story team did a terrific job developing Marc and Steven, and explaining their dynamic so incredibly well. Steven is an immediate winner of a character. And while it takes Marc some time to catch up, we do sympathize with the situation (the main character struggles with dissociative identity disorder, which is handled tastefully and sympathetically well here). Ultimately, Oscar Isaac gives a career-best performance here as two personalities inhibiting one body.

Tone-wise, the series sometimes struggles with figuring out what kind of show it is. The first two episodes are straight action/fantasy thrillers while remaining light on its' feet as some of the best Marvel shows/movies do. And then it turns full Mummy afterwards, and fully embraces a weirder, darker focus that works sometimes, and sometimes doesn't. The pacing also suffers a bit late in the game.

However, at the same time, I appreciate the show for embracing it's own sense of "weirdness", and for keeping things fairly unpredictable. I also liked how it did not rely on prior MCU entries or events to get stronger buzz or chatter. It developed it's own story and carved its own path as an origin story. The supporting cast is pretty solid, and the visual effects are very cinematic.

In the end, Moon Knight might not be the best MCU Disney+ effort, but it's certainly the strangest and most unique. And that's far from a criticism.

Grade: B