Jurassic World: Rebirth

 

(MAJOR SPOILERS) Jurassic Park and World both have their triumphs and flaws, the latter trilogy receiving the most criticism for bringing the dinosaurs into civilisation and as others have pointed out, forced this entire franchise into a corner with little room to develop. From the outset, Rebirth is exactly that. Negating all that has come before and summing up the current situation in a few short paragraphs to set the scene. The scene is set, dinosaurs are dying, those alive are thriving in one specific area, again and have been left there, again, to their own devices. There was hope that maybe the franchise will turn an intriguing corner.

The Jurassic franchise does seem to back peddle at every turn. When in doubt, claim there was yet another island where nefarious things were happening. Need a bad guy? Who does society as a whole despise? Pharmaceutical companies, perfect. What’s the bizarre reason for travelling into the danger zone? Some dinosaurs could be key to curing a life-threatening disease (but not cancer), great, so we just need some samples. This entire set up is near perfect, if formulaic, but would have provided enough entertainment as well as the usual peril that comes with dinosaurs. We may have even got more information on what exactly was happening on the island and more than just that one off speech about how humans are terrible and we’re killing the planet. But unfortunately, for some ridiculous reason, the studio (I’m sure) decided we HAVE to have kids appear in the film. Enter the biggest problem, aside from the design of the D-Rex, the family on the boat.

There were two films going on here, one was the film we all wanted and expected, the other was a pointless family survival story where you didn’t care about the characters or what happened to them. The Delgado family were a distraction and rather ruined the flow of the entire film. The raft scene in the river was excited BUT this easily could have been with the other characters of the film. The team trying get the samples could have been bigger and not just consisted of characters you expected to be killed off one by one so that the three named actors would live. But we only needed one team – as we have with previous films – except Dominion of course, as that cast was huge.

Its such a shame that Rebirth couldn’t deliver a on such an open premise. There was so much opportunity to avoid doing what was done before but unfortunately the need to homage absolutely everything was too much, not to mention the whole other movie shoehorned into the film. Story problems aside, although we got to have a few classic dinosaur moments, the second the D-Rex comes into view looking like the spawn of the Cloverfield monster and the Rancor from Star Wars, the disappointment levels hit the roof. It didn’t look like a dinosaur. Was it meant to? Was the entire purpose that they weren’t creating dinosaurs but just, monsters instead? Who knows!

For love of dinosaurs, Rebirth might just be ok, but if you’re hoping the story will hold, it doesn’t. The characters are also nothing to hold on to, with very one note back stories and in all honestly, Scarlett Johansson, barely making an impression on screen. The heavy character lifting is left to Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey who just about manage to keep the film going. I won’t mention the family as they did not make an impression, they should have been in a different film altogether.

As someone who loves Jurassic Park (and sequels) and Jurassic World, and will even defend Fallen Kingdom and Dominion if I have to, I was sorely disappointed. With a supposedly great cast, great director, great set up, the film falls flat.

Swordfish

 

The early 2000s were a wild time, in reality but most definitely in the cinema. With the classic 90s blockbuster being ever so slightly being moved aside for the more bombastic stylised, heavy on the CGI and a much bigger emphasis on technology version of the blockbuster. Computers, hacking and cyber crimes were becoming more popular themes and almost all had a touch of The Matrix about them. Combing action with thrills and a computer screen with that impossible code that only that one special person could crack, Swordfish takes it’s place amongst the collection of titles that have this familiar set up. Finally, enough time has passed we can look back at these films with fond memories. Move over 90s nostalgia, the 2000s are having their day. Again.

Full review over at Filmhounds. 

Thelma

 

True crime stories no longer exclusively belong to horrific murders and serial killers. Scammer revenge stories have come to the forefront more recently on the small screen and are making their way to the big screen. In the last few years, we’ve seen the likes of Inventing Anna and The Tinder Swindler detailing real crimes. We’ve also had the likes of The Beekeeper appear which heavily features scammers along with intrigue, excitement, tragedy, and full-blown action. Thelma is the latest in this sub-genre, and its quite unlike anything that’s come before. 

After getting scammed out of a hefty amount of her savings, 93-year-old Thelma decides to go out seeking justice, against her family’s advice. Enlisting the help of an old friend, Ben, who owns a scooter, the two try to track down the criminals responsible, meeting a few characters along the way. 

Full review over at Filmhounds.

The Retirement Plan

 

A crime thriller starring Nicolas Cage as a beach bum with a secret government past sounds enticing enough. There are most likely going to be entertaining fight scenes, amusing dialogue, and no doubt another iconic look created for Cage himself. Unfortunately, The Retirement Plan, slips into the worn-out predictable film category where there is very little to redeem itself. 

After getting caught up with dangerous criminals, Ashley and her daughter Sarah seek out help from her estranged father, Matt. But when crime boss Donnie and his henchman Bobo catch up with them, Ashley soon finds out that her father had a secret violent past she knew nothing about.

Full review over at Filmhounds.

How to Blow Up a Pipeline

 

Best friends Xochitl and Theo, having grown up together next to an oil refinery, have each suffered pain and loss; Xochitl’s mum dying in a heatwave and Theo being diagnosed with leukaemia. Disillusioned with the lack of action taken towards oil companies, Xochitl proposes a more radical and disruptive move. Bringing together a group of strangers, all with their own reasons for taking part, the group plan to blow up an oil pipeline in West Texas. But it isn’t long before one the members in the group is compromised.

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE.

Interview with Screenwriters Pen Densham and John Watson

 

As the 90s is the current era we are all nostalgic for, it seems only right that we take a look back at the second highest grossing film of 1991, Kevin Costner starring Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Despite there being two other versions of the legendary noble who robbed from the rich to give to the poor, the 90s classic will be remembered and celebrated for far longer. But before there fights in the forest, Bryan Adams’ theme song and Alan Rickman delivering some of the best lines of his career as the Sheriff of Nottingham, there were Pen Densham and John Watson who write the now classic Robin Hood film. We talked with Densham and Watson about how the script came into being, the hero’s journey, balancing humour and drama and who came up with the famous spoon line.

Full interview over at Filmhounds HERE.

Cop Secret - BFI Flare

We all know the genre action thriller featuring two cops or agents, working together to bring down the powerful violent criminal wreaking havoc through a city. We know it so well from years of Hollywood spinning out these stories time over time. Rarely do we get a taste from outside the studios and from around the globe. Iceland may seem like an unlikely location for such a film, usually exporting low key comedies and art house films. But Cop Secret, based on a fake trailer, directed by an ex-Footballer, is a hilarious brilliantly underplayed action-comedy romance.

Full review over at Filmhounds HERE.

Seal Team

Animated films are usually thrown into four different categories; those that are Disney/Pixar, those that are considered Anime, those from major studios and those that are none of the above. Just like independent film, animation also struggles to get a look in. When films appear on the streaming platforms you subscribe to, there is no doubt going to be a fair few animated films aimed at across the ages, unceremoniously dumped there alongside the latest films, TV series and documentaries. One of these films, caught my eye. 

Seal Team is about a colony of Cape Fur Seals (that look very much like sea lions, but fur seals are a separate species of pinnipeds) who go on a mission to defeat sharks threatening their home. But it plays out like an 80s action film and its actually really entertaining. 

Why am I writing about a film about command unit of seals? Firstly, I love seals but I’ll settle for an action film about fur seals. There’s even a basking shark that goes on the radio wanting to discuss how sharks are portrayed in the media. Plus, singer Seal is featured playing Seal Seal and as an added bonus Dolph Lundgren plays a dolphin named Dolph who smokes cigars and has ridiculous catchphrase. How could you resist this? 

When his best friend is taunted then eaten (off screen) by an extra evil great white shark named Grimes, Quinn stumbles about grizzled commando-esque Claggert who used to run navy missions (alongside humans) until he made an error blowing up the ship he now haunts. Quinn brings together a crack team of seals, with Claggert’s guidance, to defeat the sharks once and for all and defend their colony. 

As promised, this is an 80s action film, complete with weird ocean related gadgets, amusing backstories, fool proof plans and an over-the-top military plan that goes wrong until it goes spectacularly right. The comedy mixed with the comradery of the team works amazingly well. Each team member brings something bizarre and unique to the team and the film as a whole. Granted there are more laughs adults would get rather than the children watching who will just enjoy the seals being seals (but then, who doesn’t enjoy watching seals flop around on land?) but the smaller touches, more obvious jokes (Seal Seal of course and its actually him) and the homages to the typical action genre are for the older viewers. I would go as far to say this is a spoof but that would be taking away the essence that this film is, pure joy. 

Why aren’t there more films like this random gem?

Red Notice

As we’ve all come to know and either love/hate Hallmark films, so have we grown accustom to a Netflix film. There are those originals that leave the same taste in your mouth after watching, then there are those that Netflix have acquired. The latest to hit our small screen is Red Notice, about an art thief and FBI agent who team up to try and capture another art thief while trekking across the globe to various exciting places. But there is something that feels incredibly off about this blockbuster. It feels as if it was made several years ago and the no one, including Netflix got the memo that this type of action film was, old news. 

Apparently, the critics have been bashing the film but applauding the cast. But I think the cast are also part of the reason why this film isn’t good. On the surface, the film, the story, is very basic. FBI Agent tries to track down the ‘most wanted art thief in the world’ and succeeds but then is framed by an even better art thief, The Bishop. The code name I think is a Chess reference for some reason those who don’t play Chess won’t know. Then an unlikely buddy action comedy emerges as the real core plot. Then The Bishop swings in at every location to just to cause problems and snatch everything away from them at the last moment. As I’ve said, we’ve seen this sort of this before, many times and depending on how interesting the characters are its worth the ride. However, casting problematic Gal Gadot in the lead as the suave elegant pretty female might not have been the best casting. With Dwayne Johnson and Ryan Reynolds as the odd couple, there was a possibility that this could have been saved BUT over the years Reynolds has progressed far beyond the snarky slick sidekick-eques lead and this role feels like a major step backwards to the mid 2010s. As for Johnson, he just seems bored. Even when it comes to the twist that everyone saw a mile off. The story about the McGuffin’s that aren’t McGuffins, Cleopatra’s eggs feel oddly fake and of course these eggs are fictious. The fact that these Egyptian eggs could have been inspired by the famed Fabergé eggs of the Russian Tsars, really does make you wonder why they chose Cleopatra and her possible treasure. I’d rather see that film. 

 Globe trotting stories about thieves chasing a fake treasure overall seems old hat but there are several moments throughout the film that recycled or not executed well. Such as the one-dimensional Interpol agent, Das who is not developed, she is just there to chase everyone else which is a missed opportunity. The twist we all saw coming, Johnson and Gadot are actually working together which is what the film leads up to and is crashes and burns like the Nazi car they gang drives through mine shafts. The fact that Nazis are somehow involved, even if its just all the art and treasure they stole, they made an appearance. Even the way plans are made with the heists planned out using overly exaggerated technology that doesn’t screw up. The weird billionaire who has a theatrical voice and likes to make a point how he murdered his father in every interaction. The list goes on, sadly. 

 However, amidst this stale film, some of the jokes Reynolds comes out with is actually funny, but that’s it. If I were to critique this film in depth, I would go on to say that Reynold’s character, Booth is actually the greatest art thief as he does all the stealing and planning. The Bishops just wonder in at the end and steal it, without really doing any work. The director, Rawson Marshall Thurber knows how to follow a formula, going by his filmography. It’s a shame that left-field choices for these generic films are given a chance as they could really create something, interesting. Thurber is as basic as his films and that’s all we’re treated to. I wonder what Netflix will bring out next.

Fantasia Film Festival - Indemnity

 

Intense thrillers involving the government and the military conspiracies sounds like something straight out of Hollywood blockbuster, but this time, the focus is on Africa. The one man against the world, trying to save his family is a trope that is used across all genres and we’re all very familiar with it, but this is refreshing take from South African writer/director, Travis Taute who is getting flex his feature film muscles.

Full review can be read over at Filmhounds HERE.

Watch List: August & September

Apartment 1BR

Full review can be read HERE. 3/5 

 

The Boondock Saints 2: All Saints Day 

The first film is a cult classic and is just such a brilliant film, how do you top that? Well, you make a sequel that makes nearly no sense whatsoever and you bring back familiar faces and replace Willem Dafoe because he was most likely busy. This time, a hitman is hired by the mafia to murder a priest to bring the Saints back to Boston so they can have revenge BUT of course when The Saints arrive, with new pal Romeo as their sidekick, things do not go according to plan. There are moments of hilarity and ridiculous scenarios as well as amsuing details such as the emphasis on the hitman's height but this is the world of The Saints here so you have to expect the weird stuff. 3/5

 

Room

The harrowing story of a woman kept captive for years in a shed with the only positive part of her life, her young son is a film I didn't run to see at the cinema. Mainly because of the story and the real-life story that inspired it. Brie Larson is brilliant in the film as is the breakout star Jacob Tremblay as Jack, their bond and chemistry is the obviously the heart and soul of the film. Seeing the story unfold through Jack's eyes brings a new perspective on this type of story and I can see why there was so much hype around the film when it was first released. Waiting all this time to see it, I don't think took anything away, but the kidnapping and the strain everything put upon Larson's Ma is so painful to watch. Jack has his life ahead of him but Ma will be forever scarred and forever in pain and fear, even with time and I can't let that go. 4/5

 

12 Monkeys

 After years of this film sitting in my ‘to watch’ pile (in my mind) I finally got the film I had heard so much about. A science fiction thriller from Terry Gilliam, when he was making great films, is hard to resist. Of course, this is a film that resonates now more than ever, revolving round a disease that was spread in 1996 driving what remained of the human race underground. Future man Bruce Willis is time travelled back in time to find out who is responsible for the virus getting out and, in that time, makes friends with crazy Brad Pitt and scientist Madelaine Stowe with fixed effects. It’s a pretty damn good film despite making me feel uneasy in the state we all find ourselves in. 3/5

Tenet

I went to support the film that was meant to welcome people back to cinemas and I still stand by this, but, this film, was not a masterpiece. Nolan has some great ideas but how executes them is with varying success. Inception was about dreams and our perception of reality, here he cross the time travel line but it isn’t really a time travel story, it’s about time inverted….WHAT?! Starting with a fantastic opening scene pumped full of adrenalin but then quickly morphed into a sequence of fast dialogue heavy scenes that do not set up the story and does not explain anything. Literally, nothing. The only hint, a drawing but that is actually pointless too. There were too many scenes you can’t hear dialogue whether that was part of it all or not. Granted, there are some fantastic visuals but the overall reason for why things are happening is just, weak. There were also quite a few plot holes which I felt were set up in a film set before this one which we will never get to see. 2/5

Beanpole

 Full review can be read HERE. 4/5

 

Schemers

 Full review can be read HERE. 2/5

 

Night School

 I usually avoid Kevin Hart vehicles but this has Tiffany Haddish in it so I needed to see it. A fun silly comedy about a guy who struggled with school loses his job and can’t get another without a GED so he goes to night school to get one, meets group of kooky characters each with their own personalities and stories, hides his schooling from his successful girlfriend, is taught by the brilliant Haddish and has to overcome an old rivalry with a guy who knew in and now is the principle of their old high school. It’s all fun and games and dramatically plays down the fact that his character has learning difficulties that had gone unnoticed by his teachers when he was at school, but I suppose that would have been a whole other film with less laughs. 3/5

The Babysitter: Killer Queen

I have a habit of seeing sequels first but with this Netflix film, I didn’t think I needed to see the first film, but now I’ve seen this, I will go back to the start. As far as horror comedies go, this was very fun, ridiculous and I could immediately get into it despite everything that was going on. Picking up a few years later and Cole, still traumatised and trying to move on from the last film’s events decides it’s a great idea to go with his ‘best friend’ knock off blonde from next door and her friends to a lake. Of course, things go very wrong when the ghosts of the cult rise up and try and kill him again. There are flashbacks to how and why everyone joined the cult that are very amusing and silly as well as a very excellent dance scene in place of a sex scene that is better left watched and unspoiled. Cole also has a buddy along for the night of terrors, the equally mysterious and traumatised Phoebe which means our troubled boy has someone to share his story with. 3/5

 

Scottish Mussel

A wholesome British rom-com that is both impossibly sweet, slightly predictable and something rare all at the same time. Directed (and starring) Talulah Riley, her debut as the former is what you’d expect from the genre but just feels like a new voice that barely got heard. I don’t think this gem enjoyed enough if any attention at the cinema beyond the UK borders (please correct me if I’m wrong). When Ritchie and his friends end up mistaken for pearl thieves, the small-time criminal decides stealing rare Scottish pearls might be a way to make money. But after volunteering at the wild life centre to gain access prime mussel spots, he starts spending more time with Beth, the very passionate conservationist and he begins to change his mind. Unlucky for him, local gangsters have also taken an interest in the pearls too. 4/5

Gamera and Stockhom Syndrome

To review the latest limited edition boxset  I had immerse myself into the world of Gamera. All I knew was that Gamera was a gigantic turtle and was created in rivalry to Godzilla, basically a 'rip off' of the king of monsters. Little did I know once I was in too deep with this weird kaiju monster, I would soon turn from sceptic to actual fan of the monster films. 

Despite balancing between the ridiculous and pure action, I started to see a pattern in the films, not just the fights scenes between people in costumes, which I started to appreciate more and more as the films progressed, but there were patterns in Gamera's behaviour and its evolution. There was more to this franchise that I initally thought. But this might because I spent a whole week and one very intense day watching all the Gamera films, I may have just convinced myself that Gamera and all its weird ticks are amazing. For anyone wanting to explore the franchise, I would suggest the first film, Gamera, the Giant Monster, then possibly skip the 'vs' films as they are very similiar, and go straight to the 90s trilogy as these are hidden gems in the action film world.

For my full review of the boxset, you can read it over at Vulturehound HERE.

Watch List: July

EuroVision

In all honesty, I am not the biggest Will Ferrell fan but I do love Eurovision so I thought, what's to lose watching a comedy written by an American who doesn't really understand the European singing contest as, yes, it is, very European. Despite Australia literally buying its way into a contest it has no place in. Euro, it’s in the title of the contest. For a Netflix original, the quality is very good as those originals tend you have a certain aesthetic now. Icelandic singing duo, Fire Saga have big dreams of representing Iceland at Eurovison and despite their home town not being the biggest fans and through a series of strange events, they make it to the promised land, Scotland as that is where the contest is being held. On their way to stardom, humiliation and triumph they both realise that they had the wrong priorities. The music is amazing, the costumes and supporting cast are also very entertaining and amusing, even Pierce Brosnan’s very dodgy accent is entertaining. If you love Euroviosn, you’ll love this and if you don’t, you will be the end. Even though there are some liberties taken such as, Iceland being bankrupt, that is very untrue and the contest would never be held in Scotland as they are part of the UK and its VERY unlikely that the UK will ever win again AND the semi-finals are not televised. I had to get that out as that bothered me.  4/5

Paradise Hills

A fantastical science fiction story about classes, beauty, oppression and deception all wrapped up in a very extravagantly visual film. Everything about this film is visually intriguing or disturbing, in particular the carousel horse ‘therapy’ sessions and the opening wedding scene. There is so much detail that it was actually quite difficult to hone in on one genre this film could be and on ways prepares you for the knife twist even though you may suspect it. Set in a futuristic society where the upper classes send their disobedient young women to be taught how to act. However, there is something more sinister on the island, ruled over by a striking and again, disturbing being played by Milla Jovovich. The style is so bizarre and, in some ways, misleading in terms of narrative, it reminds me of Tarsem’s films (which I loved). As director Alice Waddington’s previous work is a short film, I’m hoping we see more of her work. 3/5

The Beach House

Full review can be read HERE. 3/5

The Old Guard

My post about the film can be read HERE. 3/5

Mission Impossible: Fallout

Ethan Hunt is at it again and ‘it’ I mean taking on another impossible mission and going against his boss again too. Seeing how brilliantly executed Rogue Nation was, I was eagerly awaiting to see what happening next. But I was very disappointed. The plot is only created when Ethan makes a mistake that could have been avoided and then from there, the story, along with new and old characters, very weak and only as entertaining as it is to watch Henry Cavill in fight scenes, which is usually entertaining but this time, even Cavill couldn’t save the MI crew. 2/5

Desperados

Just when you needed a fun ridiculous rom-com, Netflix provides. This time round, the story is the same old same old. Down on her luck Westly (best name for a girl) is without a job, behind on bills and all she really wants is a boyfriend. She meets a ‘perfect guy’ but instead of being herself, she holds back her personality, don’t try this at home girls and believes she’s happy. But the real story begins when she thinks she’s been ghosted by the perfect guy so sends him a horrible email (don’t know why email – that’s just odd) but it turns out he didn’t ghost her, he was in an accident, in Mexico. So she drags her two friends to Mexico to delete the email. That’s it, that’s the premise. The two friends get a fair share of story but its dull, one wants a kid, the other wants sex, the end. It is funny and silly and you can get carried away with it but it’s nothing ground-breaking. The script is not worthy of the cast’s talent either. 2/5

Come As You Are

My full review is over at Vulturehound and can be read HERE. 4/5

Black Rainbow

A gem from the cusp of the 90s about a spiritual medium who can communicate with the dead but things take a disturbing turn when she starts predicting deaths. Having worked as a medium for years, a gift inherited by her mother, Martha travels the country with her alcoholic father from town to town connecting people with loved ones. She spends her nights at engagements and days hooking up with random strangers, including the very eager sceptic journalist looking for a story. Not quite a murder mystery or crime thriller but a spiritual thriller where ghosts don’t appear but their presence is felt. Sounds more like buzz words but the character of Martha is fascinating, a true dark horse that never really reveals how she does what she does, her powers go beyond speaking to the dead and maybe even time. 3/5

How to Build a Girl

My post about the film can be read HERE. 3/5

The Truth

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s first non-Japanese language film is not quite a story about living in the shadow of a successful parent but more about coming to terms with the emotions that one builds up over time. The bitterness and painful memories cloud over the true intentions someone is trying to convey. Screenwriter Lumir arrives back in France with her daughter and husband to visit her very famous actress mother, Fabienne. They are distant yet close with each other, the daughter still not able to forgive her mother for neglecting her all those years and her mother not caring about being a bad mother only being a good actress. All set against the release of a Fabienne’s memoir which is full of lies and the set of her latest role. Its wonderful mother daughter relationship story that flows with anger and resentment as well as an emotional bond that won’t break. With two fantastic leads, Catherine Deneuve and Juilette Binoche, the film is a delight. 3/5

We need to talk about 'The Old Guard'

We need to talk about 'The Old Guard'.

 

When it first appeared in the 'coming soon' section on Netflix I saw that Charlize Theron and Matthias Schoenaerts were in an action film and automatically added it to my watch list. However, when I finally saw the film, there was something that didn't sit quite right with me. It's rare that I watch a film with no prior knowledge or reading up on it. I saw the trailer and nothing else so I knew what to expect in terms of the genre but no details. My first impressions are very different to my opinion now. The Old Guard is both like any other action film in the genre and something entirely new.

 

SPOILERS WARNING

 

Imagine the disappointment of watching yet another American action film and the villains, the antagonists are British. This is probably the most annoying stereotype (aside those left over for female characters) in the modern genre book.

 

The actual plot of the film is over taken by the fascinating nature of this group of immortal warriors who have been working together for decades, centuries even. A longer intro to each member of the guard would have be beneficial, maybe with flashbacks? But instead we jump right into the story. The Old Guard in modern day are a special ops team for hire working various high-profile covert missions, but they are gunned down by the CIA in an attempt to reveal their real nature. Then, while in hiding, they have a vision of a new member, Nile, a US Marine who they must find. No sooner do they pick her up and begin initiating her into her new life, the real plot takes shape. An evil tech genius what the immortals to use as guinea pigs for a new drug to battle alzheimer's disease but really he just wants to pick them apart, constantly saying they could cure the world. Of course, the guard won’t go willingly.

 

 

The mythology and history behind the characters is fascinating and most likely explored differently in the comic books, but here on film, the visual and imagination take over. The attention to detail and the loyalty to the source material is very much unlike any other comic book adaption out there. Some changes that come with bringing a comic to the screen make sense in that things won’t translate well from the page but some are pointlessly changed, however ‘The Old Guard’ only seems to have change a few things, but the biggest being Andy losing her ability to heal again. It makes sense within the story and gives a decent explanation for Nile’s appearance and excuse for Andy to realise her humanity again. Realise instead of discover as she has doesn’t need to find it again, she just needs to realise why she is the way she is.

 

Discovering that the film was a comic book adaptation and that it was a very faithful one, changed the perspective of the film. It was not a stereotypical action film, as everything that happens, how the characters are presented, this is all part of the story and not a genre check list, which makes it’s more difficult to be satisfied with the way Nile and Andy are portrayed, especially Andy. She is the leader, but she’s the leader of a group consisting of all men and she herself blends into this all-male group. Her haircut, her clothes, her stance are all very masculine. If this wasn’t an action film, this wouldn’t feel like such an issue but because it is, it feels as if Andy is only accepted into this group because she exudes masculine qualities. Who do the women in action films always have to be this way? Having Nile join the group, she is just like Andy, except new to the whole immortal life, but she also exudes masculine qualities, but only once she’s joined the group. The fact that these are who and what the characters are like in the comic, there is praise for the accuracy and staying true to the original natures but I can’t help but think that ALL action films follow this trait in female characters, even the ones who wear dresses and high heels while they fight. The idea that a woman must be masculine to fit into the genre norm is something that really needs to change. But we must take solace in the fact that two of the main characters in this action film are women and even better, neither is involved in a side romance plot with a man. That’s progress.

 

Refreshing representation that is an integral part of the film is the love story between guard members Joe and Nicky, Yusuf Al-Kaysani, a Muslim warrior and Nicoló di Genova, a former Crusader. They are the heart of the group and something to hope for. Joe’s speech in response to their captors asking if Nicky is his boyfriend is over the top and out of the blue but is one of the best moments in the film as even Nicky looks stunned by this declaration of love. Having a gay couple as two of the central and main characters in an action film is a huge leap and it’s about time too.

 

Upon a second look at the film, there is far more to celebrate than worry about in terms of tired genre tropes, this is a step in the right direction as well as the director herself, Gina Prince-Bythewood, lets hope we see more films from her. The only part of the film that I really think could be reworked was that darn soundtrack. Amazing fight scenes, terrible music choices.