Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Netflix Reviews

  • REVIEW: ‘Nimona’ is a Movie Worth the Wait

    REVIEW: ‘Nimona’ is a Movie Worth the Wait

    Nimona is based on a graphic novel of the same name by ND Stevenson. The book was originally published as a webtoon by Stevenson in 2012, before being collected as a single graphic novel by Harpercollins in 2015. That same year, the graphic novel was optioned for film by Fox. Unfortunately, though, the film’s adaptation would take a long time to come to fruition – and following the Disney-Fox merger, the movie’s release looked rather grim. The movie was well into production, but Disney ended up shuttering the movie. Shapeshifter Films would later team up with Annapurna Pictures, though, after finishing production on the film to find a new home for the film with Netflix.

    Nimona tells the story of Ballister Boldheart, voiced by Riz Ahmed, and the titular character, Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz). Growing up as a outsider in a futuristic medieval world, Ballister is framed for the murder of Queen Valerin. Deemed a murderer, Ballister spends his days in the shadows, eager to clear his name but failing to do so… until he meets the mysterious, mischievous teen, Nimona. The duo couldn’t be more different from one another – with Nimona constantly threatening to kill and Ballister eager to do anything but kill someone. But she seems to be the only person capable of helping him, so together, the duo form an unlikely friendship that’ll force them to reevaluate everything they thought they knew.

    Fans that have been eagerly awaiting the release of the Nimona film will find the wait well worth it. The road to the screen might’ve been bumpy, but the final product successfully captures the feel and tone of the comic and features a hell of a cast. Joining Ahmed and Moretz in the film are Eugene Lee Yang (The Try Guys), Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under), Beck Bennett (The Mitchells vs. the Machines), RuPaul and Indya Moore (Pose). Each actor is perfectly cast in their roles, with Yang and Conroy, specifically, both delivering noteworthy performances.

    It’s hard to really find an issue with Nimona. The film is full of action, charm and humor. It’s delightful from start to finish, filled with excellent voice performances and a wonderful message. If one were to find any fault with Nimona, it would be the art style as it is very similar to Stevenson’s animated She-Ra series, which drew criticism from fans for its art style. But even if you’re not a fan of the style, the film is well-crafted and full of love.

    Nimona is everything audiences can want in an animated movie. There’s humor, there’s plenty of action, there’s heart and there’s a story everyone can relate to. It’s ultimately about finding your place in the world and finding your people. That’s something we can all truly understand.

    (Side Note: There is a pretty great use of Metric‘s “Gold Gun Girls” in the movie.)

  • REVIEW: Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson’s ‘Pinocchio’

    REVIEW: Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson’s ‘Pinocchio’

    Pinocchio, once a beloved animated classic from Disney, was given new life this year thanks to a hybrid live-action film from Disney and director Robert Zemeckis and a stop-motion take from Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson. Disney’s take, which starred Tom Hanks as Geppetto, was considered a misfire by both audiences and critics alike. While featuring an all-star cast, the movie itself often felt wooden. There was no charm to it, no spark, so it’s not entirely surprising then that many have been curious about Del Toro’s take on the legendary tale, especially given he has called the fable one close to his heart. While it’s often uneven, Del Toro and Gustafson have crafted a visually stunning adaptation that is incredibly emotional and worthy of a watch.

    When it comes to the tale of Pinocchio, the story basics of the story are well-known. A boy puppet eager to become a real boy, and who must prove himself worthy of doing so. That story is still at the center of this take, but Del Toro and Gustafson manage to craft an even more compelling tale around it. While the Disney remake suggested Geppetto had a son, we never really learned much about him or what happened to him. In this version of Pinocchio, though, we get to see Geppetto and his son, Carlo, and their relationship before a tragedy cuts their time together short. It’s an incredibly heartbreaking moment that is handled with such care. It’s this particular scene that separates this version of Pinocchio from those before it – this isn’t a sugar-coated child’s tale. The emotion radiates off the screen thanks to the beautifully done stop-motion and the agony in the voice work.

    That isn’t to say this adaptation of Pinocchio is without its flaws. This stop-motion take often feels like it drags, while somehow also managing to jump all over the place. It can be incredibly off-putting, but those able to make it beyond those moments will find that the uneven journey results in a beautifully told story. In a letter to the press, Del Toro explained that when crafting this take on Pinocchio, he wanted to showcase just how “brief and significant we are in our time with each other.” And although the film sometimes stumbles over its handling of death, it ultimately does highlight the heartbreaking reality of life and death.

    I longed to do a film full of light, that would explain how brief and significant we are in our time with each other – and I wanted to do it with heartbreaking beauty and rendered by the most human craftsmanship. So, I chose one of the most delicate, artisanal forms of our art form – stop motion animation – and pushed it as much as possible.

    Del Toro

    The classic Disney songs will, obviously, not be present in this take. And that does, unfortunately, hurt the movie as the songs introduced in their place are forgettable and don’t really add much to the film overall. In fact, most of them go on far longer than necessary. Much like the film itself. While a visual feast packed with an emotional story, the movie’s nearly two-hour runtime is definitely felt by the end.

    All in all: Pinocchio is a heartfelt movie that welcomes its viewers to reconsider what we leave in our wake upon death. It’s a heartbreaking tale meant to remind us to live.

  • REVIEW: ‘Christmas with You’

    REVIEW: ‘Christmas with You’

    November marks that time of year when networks and retailers begin their seasonal push for the holidays. The Hallmark Channel essentially becomes the Christmas movie channel, and commercials seek to remind customers the Holidays are fast approaching. Over the years, Netflix has sought to try and capture some of that Christmas magic. And the streaming giant has successfully done so with The Princess Switch films and the Christmas Prince series. Now, Netflix is looking to expand its holiday collection even further with the addition of Christmas with You.

    Christmas with You follows the usual Christmas movie formula. One party forgets why Christmas is special, while the other party helps to remind them after they return “home” or “to their roots” for answers. It’s a popular trope because it works so wonderfully with the holidays. This movie, however, decides to throw in a teeny-tiny hiccup into the mix as it includes the harsh realities of the music industry. Christmas with You opens with a very early 2000s pop-star sequence as our leading lady, Angelina (Aimee Garcia), films a video for one of her songs. She’s had a long music career and has done everything in her power to stay relevant in a constantly changing climate – including restricting her diet, faking a relationship and changing up her look and sound as needed. But when she’s told she needs to deliver a hit Christmas song in order to stay relevant, Angelina decides it is time to do something different and truly connect with her fans. What happens next will change everything for the pop star.

    Simple premise, absolutely, and yet, Christmas with You still manages to be a delight to watch. Garcia delivers a great performance – and a believable one at that – while her leading man, played by Freddy Prinze Jr., seems to struggle from start to finish. Despite Prinze Jr. overacting each and every scene he’s in, Christmas with You is somehow captivating. Is any of it realistic? No. But is it a nice escapist fantasy? Yes. It’s a movie about family, love, and allowing oneself to be authentic.

    It also tackles the realities female artists face within the music industry – things we’ve seen mentioned by some of pop’s biggest stars. Angelina struggles with eating, fearful of gaining weight. She struggles with being perceived as older or old, knowing how quickly the industry will write her off in favor of a younger star. She also seems keen to forgo her own happiness in favor of appeasing the record label because she spent so long trying to build her career, she’s fearful of losing it. It’s a rather depressing topic to take in with such a cheerful movie, but the two blend together wonderfully. Realistic or not, the fact that Christmas with You exists as more than a Christmas movie is notable. The cheese factor is there, yes, and that only makes it all the better — but there’s also heart in this movie, a whole lot of it.

    Final verdict: Netflix’s Christmas with You is an adorable Christmas movie that is a million times better than anything Hallmark has to offer.

  • REVIEW: ‘The Dragon Prince’ Journeys Into ‘Mystery of Aaravos’

    REVIEW: ‘The Dragon Prince’ Journeys Into ‘Mystery of Aaravos’

    After a three-year hiatus, The Dragon Prince has returned – and this time, things aren’t exactly the same. Now dubbed The Dragon Prince: Mystery of Aaravos, the fantastically animated series from creators Aaron Ehasz and Justin Richmond is shifting gears to a fresh story arc. Once about the journey of an unlikely trio through magical, foreign lands, the latest season features its protagonists settled into new roles after completing their former goal. Alas, peace can never remain for long, as a dormant threat hinted at in previous seasons finally makes itself known to the entirety of Xadia. Now, the realm’s greatest, and youngest, heroes must reembark on another adventure to stop the evil of Aaravos in a complicated social climate they’re still trying to mold.

    The Dragon Prince has always quietly been a wonderful educational tool for children, and young adults, who may have only tuned in for the dragons and magic. The series has a marked history of using its fantasy world to parallel the political strife of Earth’s own, and the Mystery of Aaravos is decidedly no different. For all the story elements that have changed in the show’s time away from air, its commitment to commenting on the ethics of governing and world war is admirably still intact. For any parent reading this, whose kids have not yet picked up The Dragon Prince – this is a gem of a project flying just under the pop culture radar. Its first three seasons are often thrilling, with genuine moments of suspense and certifiably cool action sequences, and its chock-full of characters both adorable and valiant. Its messages, a mix of subtle and on-the-nose, are also the exact kind that the youth of today should be hearing. Love and humanity are more important than anything else, and The Dragon Prince believes this wholeheartedly.

    That is what stays the same in Mystery of Aaravos, the show’s upcoming fourth season, which doubles down on its wholesomeness from the very beginning. What’s changed is the primary goal of the series’ main characters, who have successfully brought back the dragons and begun the process of uniting the realm. Now skilled in their respective crafts, the young heroes must figure out how to tackle an insurgence of dark magic with the help of other magic users, instead of on their own. It’s actually quite refreshing to see the fruits of previous season’s labors paying off, and brings a warm sense of progress to The Dragon Prince as a whole. The latest episodes do an excellent job of bringing their characters to exciting new places, developmentally speaking, without forcefully betraying anything established in prior installments. Natural development is a wildly underrated aspect of storytelling, and it’s nice to see The Dragon Prince handle it so well here.

    With its new conflict also comes a new sense of drama, and the ending to the first quarter of the season indicates the series might be headed toward darker alleys than it’s ever explored before. This is something seen in Ehasz projects in the past, as Avatar: The Last Airbender also matured with its audience. Of course, as previously stated, the lightheartedness of The Dragon Prince is still there in the latest season, it’s just packaged with moments that were surprisingly brooding. It would seem that mental health will play a larger role in Mystery of Aaravos, with multiple characters not finished reeling over the events of years past. In only the first few episodes, this topic is addressed with the same reassuring grace that continues to make The Dragon Prince a must-watch for little ones.

    Ultimately, the latest season of The Dragon Prince offers a delightful mix of old and new. It’s exactly what longtime viewers hoped they’d find upon their return, with enough differences to justify a four-season renewal. Although only four episodes were made available for review, the velocity of the season makes it easy to be confident in its continued high-quality. Fans should be excited to dive back into Xadia, because so far, it’s been worth every minute.

  • REVIEW: ‘The School For Good & Evil’

    REVIEW: ‘The School For Good & Evil’

    Netflix’s The School For Good and Evil is based on the bestselling series of novels by author Soman Chainani and illustrator Iacopo Bruno. It tells the story of two young girls – Sophia and Agatha – who soon find their less-than-stellar lives changed forever once they’re transported to the School of Good and Evil. It’s a simple plot, one that isn’t exactly brand new, and yet, it was given the movie treatment by Netflix with some huge stars attached. It should’ve been incredibly exciting, right? Sadly, that wasn’t necessarily the case.

    The School For Good and Evil stars Sophia Anne Caruso as Sophie and Sofia Wylie as Agatha/Auggie. The young girls are the best of friends, having formed a bond after the death of Sophie’s mother when they were both younger. They’re both outcasts in their small town of Gavaldon; Sophie is teased because of her love of fairy tales while Auggie is deemed a witch by the folks in her town. After one bad day too many, Sophie seeks to escape to The School of Good and Evil, a school she’s heard about where she believes she’ll have a chance at the life she’s longed for. But Auggie isn’t willing to let her leave, not wanting to be left behind in Gavaldon where she’ll be tormented daily with no one to confide in without Sophie. This leads to both girls being pulled to the School of Good and Evil, but with surprising results.

    The movie isn’t entirely bad. In fact, most of the film is rather delightful, but it is quite messy. From so-so CGI work to off-putting music choices, The School For Good and Evil often feels rushed. With a cast that includes the likes of Charlize Theron, Kerry Washington and Laurence Fishburne, it’s hard not to enjoy the absurdity of it all. Theron and Washington are a delight and deserve far more screentime than they are allotted. Theron chews the scenery as the headmistress of the School of Evil, while Washington charms as the headmistress of the School of Good. And in the very limited time she’s on screen, Michelle Yeoh as Professor Anemone is fantastic. Perhaps the best surprise, though, is how great Fishburne is as the School Master. He’s charming, mysterious and can sometimes be conniving. With a stellar adult cast, it’s a shame that the younger cast is so inconsistent. Wylie’s Agatha carries the movie, and Caruso’s performance often wavers. The emotional moments the duo share, though, are great and help to sell the story of friendship at the film’s core.

    While The School For Good and Evil often feels like a poor Disney Channel Original Movie, it does pack a hell of an emotional punch. The movie is ultimately about the complexities of humanity – people are not merely good or bad, and the movie explores this with ease. All in all, The School For Good & Evil can often be uneven, but it’s still an enjoyable watch in the end. For young tweens struggling to understand themselves, The School For Good & Evil offers a positive message of friendship and learning to love ourselves. So, despite the bad, there’s plenty of good in The School For Good and Evil… but the good doesn’t come without the bad.

  • REVIEW: ‘The Curse of Bridge Hollow’

    REVIEW: ‘The Curse of Bridge Hollow’

    When Disney released Halloweentown in 1998, it’s safe to say no one imagined how believed the Disney Channel Original Movie would be over twenty years later. It wasn’t a spooky film, and sometimes the acting was subpar, but there was something charming about the film and the inclusion of the iconic Debbie Reynolds as a witch didn’t hurt, either. A town with a supernatural secret. And an evil determined to take over the world if a young girl and her family don’t do something to stop it. Simple enough plot, right? Sure, but it was a charming movie that continues to delight even now. And Netflix’s latest movie, The Curse of Bridge Hollow feels like it could become the streaming giant’s Halloweentown.

    The Curse of Bridge Hollow focuses on Sydney and her family as they move from Brooklyn to a small town called Bridge Hollow. It’s a safe small town, which Syd’s mother adores. For Sydney, though, she quickly finds herself enthralled by the town’s love of Halloween, especially as her father has always refused to let the family celebrate it. After hearing a rumor that her new house is hunted, Syd sets out to find the truth and ends up unleashing chaos upon the small little town.

    Here’s the thing, there’s nothing super special about The Curse of Bridge Hollow. The plot is simple, the acting is sometimes so-so, and the writing can leave something to be desired. But! It’s a delight that families are sure to eat up. A charming tale of a daughter and her father as they uncover supernatural secrets of their new town? Perhaps it’s not the easiest of sells, especially when that father despises Halloween, but Marlon Wayans and Priah Ferguson are a dynamic duo. The movie’s tone feels reminiscent of Halloweentown, and that’s far from a bad thing. In fact, like that Disney movie, Bridge Hollow isn’t trying to be a masterpiece, it’s simply trying to entertain, and it does so with ease. Those looking for a spooky Halloween title will be disappointed, but those in search of something more light-hearted with an occasional thrill with delight in Bridge Hollow.

    The Curse of Bridge Hollow knows what it wants to be and thrives on its willingness to let loose. It doesn’t try to take itself seriously, and it’s a refreshing change of pace. There are some legitimately creepy character designs – let’s just say Clowns – but most of the haunted decorations are family-friendly. Kids will adore this Halloween movie that feels like a classic in the making. It’s far from perfect, but the occasional hiccup is acceptable with a movie that understands how to have fun.

    Those with children should definitely give The Curse of Bridge Hollow a watch as Halloween nears.

  • REVIEW: ‘Luckiest Girl Alive’

    REVIEW: ‘Luckiest Girl Alive’

    Editor’s Note: Luckiest Girl Alive features many triggering topics, including sexual assault and gun violence.

    When a book becomes a best-seller these days, it’s often followed by news that it has been optioned for film or television. So, it wasn’t too surprising then when the 2015 New York Times Bestseller Luckiest Girl Alive was optioned for film. Unfortunately, though, not every book is meant to be adapted in other forms of media. Luckiest Girl Alive seems to be one of those titles.

    Luckiest Girl Alive is based on the novel of the same name by author Jessica Knoll. It tells the story of TifAni “Ani” FaNelli and her mysterious past at the prestigious Bradley School. After being bullied and humiliated during high school, Ani sought to reinvent herself in adulthood, crafting a perfect life with a notable job, an expensive wardrobe, and a handsome bluebloods fiancé. Except, she has a big secret that could easily destroy it all. In the Netflix adaptation of Luckiest Girl Alive, Mila Kunis stars as adult Ani and Chiara Aurelia (Cruel Summer) as young Ani. The movie switches back and forth between past and present as viewers slowly begin to learn more about the secret(s) that Ani is hiding from those around her.

    Luckiest Girl Alive isn’t a film for everyone. The constant switching between past and present can be rather frustrating, and the narration isn’t much better. And it’s at no fault because of the cast – they do their best with the material provided to them, especially when it comes to Kunis. From anger to charm, Kunis perfects Ani’s character. Although Ani is often insufferable, Kunis is great and makes the film watchable. While the first hour admittedly drags, the final forty minutes or so manages to redeem itself. It’s not an easy watch given the subject matter. Sexual assault is something that occurs daily in our world and is often ignored despite victims coming forward. If there’s one thing Luckiest Girl Alive does correctly is it tries to capture the harsh reality victims often face.

    The decision to have Knoll pen the screenplay for the film was probably both good and bad. Knoll knows her characters, and she knows Ani’s story better than anyone. Unfortunately, though, the movie does often feel bogged down. It’s one of those instances where having Knoll work with a more experienced screenwriter could’ve been beneficial. Director Mike Barker, who has directed episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale and Broadchurch, does a good job directing Luckiest Girl Alive, although there were some questionable choices made when it came to lingering on some of the more graphic scenes.

    While Luckiest Girl Alive isn’t necessarily a bad film, it’s not exactly great either. Kunis deserves plenty of praise for her performance. She’s excellent in a role that could’ve otherwise been one note. The problem is Kunis can only carry the project so far; the script is uneven and the constant switching between past and present is frustrating. While it’s vital to understand Ani’s past before we can truly understand her as an adult, the transitions were not handled all that well and it often felt like a bad case of whiplash. Those that loved the book? Luckiest Girl Alive is a faithful adaptation thanks to Knoll. Those unfamiliar with the novel, however, might struggle to retain interest.

  • REVIEW: ‘Lou’ Turns Allison Janney into an Action Star

    REVIEW: ‘Lou’ Turns Allison Janney into an Action Star

    Allison Janney might’ve kicked off her career back in 1989, but her star has only continued to rise in recent years thanks to roles like Bonnie in Mom and Margaret Scully in Masters of Sex. And now, Netflix’s Lou looks to let Janney shine in brand new ways, turning the usually comedic actress into an action hero in her own right.

    Lou tells the story of Janney’s Lou, a mysterious woman who spends her days with her dog, Jax, hunting in the nearby woods and renting out a nearby property to a single mom named Hannah (Jurnee Smollett). Very little is known about Lou at first. In fact, it isn’t about until the half-hour mark that the mysterious layers of Lou begin to be unraveled. She’s a tough as nails woman who doesn’t mince her words. Outside of Jax, she seems incapable of caring about anything or anyone, but when Hannah’s daughter mysteriously disappears during a major storm, Lou steps in to help without little to no questions asked. What soon unfolds is a story of troubled pasts and how far people are willing to go to right their wrongs.

    Lou is a character that, had she been written poorly, could’ve easily been one-note, but Janney excels in tackling this multi-layered character. She’s flawed and doesn’t shy away from her mistakes, but she’s also driven by guilt and love. Her actions might be unorthodox, but she always succeeds in doing what is right, no matter the cost. Janney is perfect casting and her on-screen chemistry with Smollett is fascinating. The two characters could not be more difficult from one another, and yet, the moments they share on screen are some of the best in the film. More impressive is how well the ladies work off of Logan Marshall-Green, who delivers yet another terrifying performance as the mysterious Peter. It’s such a small cast for such a massive story, and the three actors help to sell this action flick with such ease. From the emotional moments to the big action moments, Janney, Smollett and Marshall-Green are a top-notch cast that deliver a hell of a film.

    It’s honestly a bit frustrating that Lou is going straight to Netflix because this is the type of film that deserves to be seen on a large screen. It’s fast-paced and action-packed, and will surely keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Yet, despite the film being a blast, the cinematography in Lou is hit or miss. More often than not, it leaves something to be desired. While the island is meant to be dreary and dull, the imagery doesn’t always match the tone of what is occurring onscreen. Thankfully, this is a very minor problem and during the action sequences, the fights are shot with a skilled eye which makes them more enjoyable.

    Honestly, the only bad thing about Lou is the film’s name. It’s not really memorable, nor does it really offer much intrigue for those unsure whether to give the film a chance. It’s all the more frustrating because this is clearly meant to be the start of a potential franchise. Lou isn’t a catchy name compared to the likes of John Wick or even Atomic Blonde.

    All in all, Lou is a thrilling action movie that is worthy of a watch.

  • REVIEW: Netflix’s ‘Resident Evil’ is Surprisingly Enjoyable

    REVIEW: Netflix’s ‘Resident Evil’ is Surprisingly Enjoyable

    SPOILER-FREE REVIEW!

    When it comes to video games, Resident Evil is one of the most beloved video game franchises. It is also one of the worst-reviewed film franchises, which, unlike its inspiration, continued to see a decline in profit throughout the years. So, knowing that Netflix’s adaptation of Resident Evil would draw inspiration from both the games and the films was worrisome, to say the least. And yet, the series manages to be everything that the films were not. Yes, there are drastic changes from the characters fans have come to love – or hate – in the games. Yet, they somehow work.

    Fans of Resident Evil will most likely know Albert Wesker as one of the most memorable villains of the video game series. He’s the captain of the Raccoon City Police Department’s Special Tactics And Rescue Service unit in the video games. In the series, however, Wesker is a scientist who works for Umbrella and has been working with them to develop a product called Joy that can present some issues for those that take it. While fans are sure to expect the asshole Wesker from the games, the Wesker presented in the series – at least, initially – is a much more levelheaded character who is eager to protect his kids: Billie Wesker and Jade Wesker.

    The first episode of Resident Evil is a bit of a slog at times. In fact, it almost feels like it wants to be a Resident Evil take on The Walking Dead. However, as the story progresses, it becomes an exciting story of family, deception, love and pain. It is of note that Resident Evil moves between the past and present frequently and often without warning. While it can be frustrating, there is a reason the story is told this way. It allows for the world and its characters to be established quickly, while also propelling the story forward. It’s an odd choice, sure, but by each episode’s end, the story manages to come together with ease.

    Ella Balinska is wonderful as Jade Wesker. As frustrating as the character’s choices can be from time to time, Balinska proves to be a star in the making. She commands the screen and often outshines the rest of the cast, including her “twin.” The character is reckless, but operates from a good place and when Balinska nails those moments of conflict within Jade? She does so wonderfully. Then there’s the always excellent Lance Reddick who is a force to be reckoned with in Resident Evil. Not only is his casting in the series stellar, but Reddick delivers some of his best work in the series.

    This is very much a story about a father and his daughters, but it’s also a story about the Umbrella Corporation, the T-virus, and corruption. Perhaps that is one of the best things Resident Evil manages to successfully do: craft two connecting stories that blend seamlessly when all is said and done. The story of the girls and their father is just as vital to the story as are the various creatures that occupy the screen. It’s the perfect blend of horror and heart. Especially when the series introduces some of the most iconic elements from the video games.

    The series serves as an origin story. Not just for the characters, but also the world of Umbrella and the T-Virus. It tells a cohesive story that weaves together into one larger-scale story that moves between timelines. It’s massive in scope, and yet grounded at the same time. Perhaps not a phrase one expects to hear when referencing a horror video game franchise, but it’s the most accurate description. And while these characters and their stories are only getting started, Netflix’s Resident Evil doesn’t waste any time teasing its future.

    The only place where Resident Evil stumbles occasionally is with its cinematography. That isn’t to say all of the shots are muted and unaesthetically pleasing – in fact, that’s far from the case. The set pieces are so well constructed that, when shot appropriately, the imagery can be stunning. As for the music, Resident Evil does a great job incorporating music here and there, and even manages to include some of the piano music from the video games.

    The first season of Netflix’s Resident Evil proves a good adaptation of these games is entirely possible. The films might’ve been a disaster, but Andrew Dabb has been very vocal about his love for the games and, despite some changes, that love is evident in the final product. From the well-thought-out Easter eggs, to the inclusion of key story points, Netflix’s Resident Evil is the only adaptation of the video games that matters. (Sorry, Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City… this is a Resident Evil story worth watching.)

  • REVIEW: ‘Marmaduke’ is a Giant Misstep

    REVIEW: ‘Marmaduke’ is a Giant Misstep

    Marmaduke first debuted in June 1954 from creator Brad Anderson. Since then, the character has managed to endure and has received a live-action take starring Own Wilson. That film proved to be semi-successful, pulling in over $80 million worldwide on a $50 million budget. Which is why it isn’t surprising that Netflix decided to make a new, animated Marmaduke film for all-ages. Unfortunately, though, it often stumbles over itself as it struggles to decide if it wants to go for heart or entertainment.

    The story itself is pretty typical for Marmaduke. Wherever he goes, chaos ensues. Which is why in the beginning of the movie, he’s left inside of the house as the family celebrates the youngest child’s birthday. In typical Marmaduke fashion, however, he soon finds himself at the center of the party and not necessarily for the best reason. Sure, it’s amusing, but it loses its appeal quickly. It feels as though the movie tries to sell a joke every other second, and it forgets to remember to have heart.

    After causing a massive scene at the son’s party, Marmaduke somehow makes it onto the local news due to a “pool flop fail.” As the news anchor dubs the dog impossible to train, we see the world’s best dog trainer, Guy Hilton, decide to take on the ‘impossible’ task as a means to win a dog competition. It’s ridiculous, and the training montage that follows shortly after is even less entertaining. Perhaps it is Pete Davidson‘s voice work, or maybe it is the script, but the movie falls apart at this point. The entire casting for the film is a choice, but Davidson is an odd choice to voice Marmaduke. While he undoubtedly is comfortable with comedy thanks to his work on Saturday Night Live, he just feels miscast as Marmaduke.

    The one thing the film did right was cast J.K. Simmons as Zeus, the movie’s big bad. Sure, the character is annoying, but Simmons does such a great job in his vocal delivery. It’s one of the better performances in an otherwise stilted film. But even with Zeus, it feels like the film took the easy way out in handling the bad guy.

    Overall, Marmaduke makes a lot of odd choices throughout its one hour and sixteen minute runtime. There are moments that are heartfelt, and those moments are great. It’s just a shame that the film never truly knows what it wants to be, because had there been a tighter hold on the story? Marmaduke could’ve been a homerun for Netflix. That isn’t to say Marmaduke is completely terrible – it’s likely children will enjoy it, which is perhaps the most important thing. Unfortunately, though, Marmaduke is easily forgettable and feels as though it was rushed into production.