Kung Fu Panda 3 is the latest installment in the computer-animated movie franchise that stars Jack Black as the voice of Po. The franchise also features the voices of Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogan, and David Cross.
Kung Fu Panda 3 tells the story of Po and the Furious Five going up against the evil Kai, who was once Grand Master Oogway's friend. To defeat Kai, Po must discover his chi. Po's dad, Li Shan (voiced by Bryan Cranston) finds Po and lets him know that there are other pandas hidden in a secret location. If you've seen the other Kung Fu Panda movies you will know that Po is thought to be the last panda. Master Shifu tells Po that pandas once held the secret to mastering true chi. That leads Po to go with his dad to learn how to be a panda, hopefully discover his chi, and to defeat Kai before he destroys all of China.
What I like most about Kung Fu Panda 3 is the visuals. When you watch the movie you can't help but look around the screen at all the little things on screen and be blown away about how it looks. I found myself often looking at the fur on Po and his dad and enjoying the finer details that made them unique.
Another highlight of Kung Fu Panda 3 is the action. Like the other movies in the franchise, the fighting scenes in Kung Fu Panda 3 are spectacular. The movement is so fluid between the characters as they fight. I often found myself with my jaw open or with a smile on my face as these scenes play out.
One problem I have with Kung Fu Panda 3 is the lack of any story elements that supplied any sort of emotional gut punch. Nothing happens that left me stunned or emotionally distraught. Maybe that's what the Kung Fu Panda movies try to do since none of them have these types of moments, but I feel that's what keeps them from being truly memorable.
To me Kung Fu Panda 3 is like the previous movies in the franchise. It contains bright and vibrant visuals, great action and moments of hilarious comedy. It also is pretty forgettable. Nothing in the movie stands out. Kung Fu Panda is a solid family movie that both kids and adults will enjoy, but don't expect it to stay with you like other animated classics that have been released in the past decade.
3 1/2 stars
Sunday, January 31, 2016
The Finest Hours Review
The Finest Hours is a movie based on the true story about the sinking of the SS Pendleton and the US Coast Guards attempt to rescue it's crew. The movie does a decent job of showing both sides of this epic rescue. You get to see how the crew of the SS Pendleton, led by Casey Affleck, had to stick together and try to keep the boat afloat as long as possible so they could hopefully get off the ship. On the other side you see Chris Pine and the Coast Guard brave hard weather conditions to try and save the SS Pendleton's crew.
What I liked most about The Finest Hours was the story. It was just a simple rescue movie. They didn't try to over complicate it with someone evil trying to stop the heroes from saving the day. I enjoyed getting to see what the crew on the SS Pendleton had to go through while waiting for someone to save them. They didn't just sit around. Casey Affleck's character had to convince those on board to work together to determine a way to keep the boat afloat. With Chris Pine's character you got to watch him try to get over his lack of confidence when it came to getting in a boat to try and save someone. But this is also one aspect of the story I felt that was lacking. They hinted a lot about Pine's character having experienced a tragic event where he failed to rescue someone. I felt like it would have been better if they had actually started the movie by showing that event. It would have been great to allow us, the audience, to experience what he went through so we can emotionally understand what happened and go through the journey of overcoming that ordeal.
Another part of the story I didn't like was the love story between Pine's character and Holliday Grainger. I felt that they both did a solid job acting in the movie, I just didn't care much for their romance. They didn't share enough screen time to get invested in their relationship.
The special effects in The Finest Hours were a mixed bag for me. I felt that when Pine and his crew were on their little boat going out to rescue the SS Pendleton, the special effects were great when they zoomed out and showed the boat going across the ocean and trying to get over the giant waves. But when they zoomed in on the boat itself and showed the crew getting splashed with water it just felt like a Hollywood backlot. I think overall though that's a problem for all films that involve a water rescue.
Overall I thought The Finest Hours was an entertaining rescue movie. The story was simple yet very important when it comes to the history of the US Coast Guard and showing what they experience when trying to rescue people even in the harshest of conditions. I feel that emotionally the movie could have done a better job but I was still on the edge of my seat during the main rescue scenes. I think that if you were looking for a movie to see in the theaters, you can't go wrong with picking The Finest Hours.
3 1/2 Stars
What I liked most about The Finest Hours was the story. It was just a simple rescue movie. They didn't try to over complicate it with someone evil trying to stop the heroes from saving the day. I enjoyed getting to see what the crew on the SS Pendleton had to go through while waiting for someone to save them. They didn't just sit around. Casey Affleck's character had to convince those on board to work together to determine a way to keep the boat afloat. With Chris Pine's character you got to watch him try to get over his lack of confidence when it came to getting in a boat to try and save someone. But this is also one aspect of the story I felt that was lacking. They hinted a lot about Pine's character having experienced a tragic event where he failed to rescue someone. I felt like it would have been better if they had actually started the movie by showing that event. It would have been great to allow us, the audience, to experience what he went through so we can emotionally understand what happened and go through the journey of overcoming that ordeal.
Another part of the story I didn't like was the love story between Pine's character and Holliday Grainger. I felt that they both did a solid job acting in the movie, I just didn't care much for their romance. They didn't share enough screen time to get invested in their relationship.
The special effects in The Finest Hours were a mixed bag for me. I felt that when Pine and his crew were on their little boat going out to rescue the SS Pendleton, the special effects were great when they zoomed out and showed the boat going across the ocean and trying to get over the giant waves. But when they zoomed in on the boat itself and showed the crew getting splashed with water it just felt like a Hollywood backlot. I think overall though that's a problem for all films that involve a water rescue.
Overall I thought The Finest Hours was an entertaining rescue movie. The story was simple yet very important when it comes to the history of the US Coast Guard and showing what they experience when trying to rescue people even in the harshest of conditions. I feel that emotionally the movie could have done a better job but I was still on the edge of my seat during the main rescue scenes. I think that if you were looking for a movie to see in the theaters, you can't go wrong with picking The Finest Hours.
3 1/2 Stars
Friday, January 1, 2016
Carol Review
Carol is the story of a woman named Carol, played by Cate Blanchette, that is going through a divorce. While Christmas shopping for her daughter she meets Therese, played by Rooney Mara. Carol ends up leaving her gloves at the store and when Therese returns the gloves their relationship starts to flourish. The problem for Carol is that her soon to be ex-husband, played by Kyle Chandler, is not happy about this relationship and will do all he can to keep Carol for himself.
I found that the chemistry between Cate Blanchette and Rooney Mara was incredible. They really felt like two people starting a new relationship where both are shy yet curious about each other. Their performances were outstanding and both will/should be nominated for an Oscar. I thought that director Todd Hayes did a wonderful job. The film felt like it was filmed in the 50's, where it takes place. It had a wonderful grainy look to it. Scenes throughout the film were beautifully shot.
The only problem I had with the film was the story. It didn't hit me emotionally like I was hoping it would. The relationship between Carol and Therese was both beautiful and depressing but I felt like they didn't experience enough together to get me too invested in it.
Carol is a film that will get a lot of talk come Oscar time and deservedly so. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara both give outstanding performances that make this movie worth seeing.
4 out of 5 Stars
I found that the chemistry between Cate Blanchette and Rooney Mara was incredible. They really felt like two people starting a new relationship where both are shy yet curious about each other. Their performances were outstanding and both will/should be nominated for an Oscar. I thought that director Todd Hayes did a wonderful job. The film felt like it was filmed in the 50's, where it takes place. It had a wonderful grainy look to it. Scenes throughout the film were beautifully shot.
The only problem I had with the film was the story. It didn't hit me emotionally like I was hoping it would. The relationship between Carol and Therese was both beautiful and depressing but I felt like they didn't experience enough together to get me too invested in it.
Carol is a film that will get a lot of talk come Oscar time and deservedly so. Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara both give outstanding performances that make this movie worth seeing.
4 out of 5 Stars
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