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Directed by : Linda Cohen, Anastas N. Michos, Michele Weisler, Joey King, Patrick Kirst, Jay Arnold, Vince Marcello, Vince Marcello, Vince Marcello, Iñigo Navarro

Produced by : Linda Cohen, Anastas N. Michos, Michele Weisler, Joey King, Patrick Kirst, Jay Arnold, Vince Marcello, Vince Marcello, Vince Marcello, Iñigo Navarro

Starring : Joey King, Jacob Elordi, Joel Courtney, Molly Ringwald, Taylor Zakhar Perez, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Meganne Young, Stephen Jennings, Carson White, Bianca Bosch

Company : Komixx Entertainment

Release date(s) : 2020-07-24

Running time :132 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget : 

Storyline : This was more annoying than enjoyable. I don’t understand how these kids are being accepted into the top schools in America. They don’t appear to take school seriously whatsoever. Maybe they all pay someone to take the SAT? That’s the only thing that makes sense. Everything is about partying, lifting weights, playing video games and having sex. Meanwhile, they all live in gigantic mansions. I want a Kissing Booth 3 where everybody is sheltering in place, wearing masks, social distancing and becoming suicidal. I want every other scene taking place in a cemetery. Then if there is a Kissing Booth 4, it can be in post-Trump America, where anybody who survives the pandemic stops being a narcissistic sociopath.

Directed by : Jeanne McCarthy, David Arnold, Sean Haworth, Neal H. Moritz, Debra Neil-Fisher, Grant Van Der Slagt, Peter Lyons Collister, Pete Antico, Tim Miller, Junkie XL

Produced by : Jeanne McCarthy, David Arnold, Sean Haworth, Neal H. Moritz, Debra Neil-Fisher, Grant Van Der Slagt, Peter Lyons Collister, Pete Antico, Tim Miller, Junkie XL

Starring : Ben Schwartz, James Marsden, Jim Carrey, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Lee Majdoub, Neal McDonough, Tom Butler, Frank C. Turner

Company : Original Film, Blur Studios, Marza Animation Planet, Paramount, SEGA, DJ2 Entertainment, Digital Makeup Group, Stories International

Release date(s) : 2020-02-12

Running time :99 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English, हिन्दी, Italiano, 日本語

Budget :  $85,000,000

Storyline : I had high expectation for Sonic, simply because I love the concept of "super-speed" but it didn't deliver. The latest trailer had all the good scenes. A lot of scenes involving super-speed are incoherent and made no sense. You cannot have a missile frozen in time and a the same time a button push going faster (that's just one example). Jim Carrey nailed the role as Eggman.

https://wefishmovies.herokuapp.com/views/movie-info.php?tmdb_id=454626
In what could only be a dead-of-winter miracle in the Upside Down, I just saw an inspired-by a video game movie that wasn’t absolutely terrible. There is nothing about “Sonic the Hedgehog” that seems like it will be watchable, much less actually good, but I’ve been proven wrong by this lively, wacky, and campy family film. There’s oodles of fun to be had here by both adults and kids.

This live action adventure comedy is based on the blockbuster SEGA game that centers around a speedy bright blue hedgehog named Sonic. Basing a movie on a flimsy gaming character will be ill-advised at least 95% of the time, but this movie finds the ideal balance between a lively (if basic) original story and well-placed Easter eggs for fans. Here, Sonic (voiced by Ben Schwartz) has a series of misadventures on Earth with his newfound human friend Tom (James Marsden), a small-town police officer. The two have to work together to stop the villainous Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey) from capturing Sonic for his evil experiments.

The themes of friendship and loneliness are at play, and the cast does a great job keeping things fun. Marsden is ridiculously likable and goofy as an everyman, and Schwartz brings an empathy that carries the majority of the film with his voice performance. Best of all is Carrey, hamming it up with a manic stamina that’ll remind you why you always loved him in the first place.

There are plenty of action scenes and rude humor (and a couple of strange, over-the-top scenes that read as advertisements for Olive Garden), which are all entertaining enough to recommend “Sonic” for a fun family night out at the movies.
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Sonic the Hedgehog was one of my Most Anticipated Movies of 2020, not because I expected it to be one of the best films of the year, but due to the controversy that surrounded it. The original design of Sonic was awful, and a lot of people still blame the VFX artists/animators unfairly. These people work extra hours, they're underpaid, and they were given an impossible schedule to deliver a masterful work. Fortunately, most people now recognize that the studio and all of its execs are the ones to blame.

The Internet voiced its opinion in a very polite manner (as usual), but this time, an unprecedented event occurred: the studio actually listened and decided to delay the movie until Sonic received a better treatment visually. Now, I firmly believe that, in any other case, this would be extremely dangerous. I don't think the audience should have this much power over the studios, especially through social media. I mean, if studios changed their films every time people criticized a design or an adaptation decision, movies would be constantly delayed. However…

In this particular case, I'm super glad they did it. One question a lot of people might ask is, "how would this film perform with the old design?". It would be horrible. There's absolutely no chance of people enjoying this movie with the previous Sonic. This new design not only honors the character's visuals, but it complements the film's tone. Jim Carrey delivers an incredibly cartoonish performance, which would become way too out-of-place if Sonic looked (awfully) real. Having both the hero and villain being/acting like a cartoon, that awkwardness doesn't exist.

Sonic truly is the best part of the whole thing. If you've played the games and if you carry an emotional connection to this character, there are tons of scenes for you to enjoy. Sonic looks wonderful, sounds fantastic (excellent voice work from Ben Schwartz), and best of all, his personality resembles the videogame character. Everything that's directly Sonic-related is perfectly faithful to the source material, which will definitely please every Sonic fan. That's pretty much my main message: if you're a fan of the little blue guy, I can't imagine anyone being disappointed.

Unfortunately, he's honestly the only great aspect of the movie. It's really cool to watch Jim Carrey going back to his roots and having so much fun with his role. However, he's very hit-and-miss. When he's condescending someone, he's quite funny, but Carrey's mannerisms don't always work. Still, once again, I believe he's very faithful to the original Dr. Robotnik, who was by no means a "normal" person. James Marsden is really good as Tom, but his character never goes beyond "Sonic's pal".

My main issues are regarding the screenplay. No, I never expected it to be an Oscar-worthy narrative. I just wanted a simple story that allowed Sonic to shine, and in the film's defense, it's indeed a basic plot. However, the sheer abundance of cliches, the lack of any surprises, and the logical questions raised by some narrative decisions are too much to handle, in my opinion. There are three product placement scenes that are some of the laziest, obvious, cringe-worthy examples since the Transformers' movies. It feels like the film stops to have a few commercials.

Subplots that serve as tension-building during the movie fail to have a resolution by the end. Storylines that were once important are entirely forgotten and never addressed again. Every single character serves as comic-relief, everyone gets to be the "clown". I repeat: I never expected a brilliant screenplay. But is it too much to ask the writers to have as much dedication and creativity as the VFX artists who handled Sonic? The latter group worked like crazy to deliver a perfect design. Why can't the writers try harder to offer a more compelling, unique, and rational story?

The way Dr. Robotnik comes into play and the level of permission he has to do whatever he desires to is laughable. Everything human-related raises too many eyebrows and rolls too many eyes. I've commented about the film online, and some people addressed me by saying, "you're overanalyzing /you're expecting too much from it". I wholeheartedly understand these observations, I genuinely do. The thing is: I don't believe I'm overthinking, let alone expecting it to be a masterpiece. Why should people simply accept that a movie "can't be better than what it is"? Why can't people ask for the potential that a Sonic film has? Why should I be content that it's "not bad"?

I'm completely honest: I wanted to like this movie way more than most people. The whole controversy concerning Sonic's design and the unfair blame that the VFX artists received, left me with an overwhelming desire to absolutely love this film, so I could support the massive work that these people went through. I love everything that's Sonic-related in the movie. His design, voice, and personality are spot-on, and I can't imagine a single fan of the little blue hedgehog being disappointed. However, even with a really good cast and a 90s' Jim Carrey, Sonic the Hedgehog is packed with extreme cliches and narrative decisions that roll too many eyes. Some of the most obvious and cringe-worthy product placement since Michael Bay's Transformers. Characters built from Hollywood's recycling box and side stories are thrown away with no resolution. It's a fun adventure that any family can enjoy on a Sunday afternoon, but I can't lie to myself: I wish it could have been more entertaining and less frustrating story-wise.

Rating: C+
The world needed a hero -- it got a hedgehog. Powered with incredible speed, Sonic embraces his new home on Earth -- until he accidentally knocks out the power grid, sparking the attention of uncool evil genius Dr. Robotnik. Now, it's supervillain vs. supersonic in an all-out race across the globe to stop Robotnik from using Sonic's unique power to achieve world domination.
Jim Carrey as a bad guy... great bad guy, full of zeal for being the worst bad character ever, and not being his usual self. Sonic - the main character is fun, even if his backround story sucks when compared to other characters. Still, it is fun, full of energy, and a good movie to share with kids.
Cute, family-friendly, comedy that's entertaining enough and sees Jim Carrey back in whacky, over-the-top form that's been missing the past decade plus it seems, and he works so well in this kind of film. Nothing innovative and the visual effects are hit or miss, however Sonic's design was well done (so thankfully the initial version was scrapped and redone from scratch). **3.5/5**
My roommate is a **huge** Sonic fan, and she loved it. I never really cared for the games as a kid, but I liked them a lot more than I did this movie.

_Final rating:★½: - Boring/disappointing. Avoid where possible._

Directed by : Michael Andrews, Robert Elswit, David Rubin, Barry Mendel, Jay Cassidy, Gayle Keller, Kevin Thompson, Judd Apatow, Judd Apatow, Judd Apatow

Produced by : Michael Andrews, Robert Elswit, David Rubin, Barry Mendel, Jay Cassidy, Gayle Keller, Kevin Thompson, Judd Apatow, Judd Apatow, Judd Apatow

Starring : Pete Davidson, Marisa Tomei, Bill Burr, Bel Powley, Maude Apatow, Steve Buscemi, Pamela Adlon, Action Bronson, Kevin Corrigan, Ricky Velez

Company : Universal Pictures, Apatow Productions, Perfect World Pictures

Release date(s) : 2020-07-22

Running time :137 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget : 

Storyline : Pete Davidson has had a rough career and is viewed in a somewhat bad light, mainly due to terrible “cancel culture“ trends. If you go in wanting hate him, you will, but that defeats the heart of the film. 'The King of Staten Island' shines as both as semi-autobiographical film and another fantastic entry in Judd Apatow's ever-growing filmography.
- Chris dos Santos

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https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-the-king-of-staten-island-judd-apatow-and-pete-davidson-team-up-is-a-match-made-in-heaven
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Judd Apatow has directed/produced some hilarious pieces of cinema: Trainwreck, Bridesmaids, Superbad, Knocked Up, The 40 Year Old Virgin... He's got quite the filmography, there's no way of denying it. Therefore, his name alone is enough to grab my attention when a comedy co-written and directed by him comes along. Add Pete Davidson as a co-writer and the main star, plus a really fascinating cast with Marisa Tomei and Bill Burr, and I'm definitely interested. The King of Staten Island holds a formulaic premise (the whole "dead parent entails a bad kid who needs to learn how to be a better person" has been done to exhaustion), but is it able to elevate it in some way?

First of all, the dark humor really works for me. For anyone who doesn't appreciate this type of comedy, Apatow's film might be too excessive. Tons of unrestrained jokes about the most sensitive subjects, and characters with no limits to where they can go with their wicked sense of humor. So, if you're not a fan of dark comedy, this movie might turn out to be a very unpleasant experience. However, if you have no issues with laughing at a "bad joke", this comedy might just work well enough for you to have a good time. I had really good laughs.

Scott takes the "bad kid who does bad stuff" to a quite terrible (and sometimes illegal) level. He possesses all kinds of psychological issues that you can think of plus some more. He says the most depressing, sad, offensive things to anyone that crosses his path. Pete Davidson absolutely shines in this role, it really feels like he's having an outstanding amount of fun. However, his character goes through such an overlong and exaggerated route that I could neither relate to nor feel sorry for him. This will make or break the film for any viewer: your emotional connection with the protagonist.

As I said in the beginning, the narrative follows a pretty cliche story that people have seen thousands of times. So, from the get-go, it's fairly easy to understand where the movie is going, what's going to change within the characters, and how it's going to end. Screenplay surprises don't come often in this genre, and even when they do, very rarely, they're able to impact the audience in a way that completely changes our perspective on the film or its characters. The King of Staten Island is a movie that tells its viewers everything they need to know in the first ten to fifteen minutes, and then there's nothing remotely new throughout.

It's just way too long. A bit over two hours seeing someone trying to figure out what he's going to do with his life is not exactly the best entertainment ever. There's more than one way to try to relate to Pete Davidson's character, but I really needed to dig deep to find one. As people probably know, Davidson's father was also a firefighter who died in the 9/11 attacks, and this film clearly takes inspiration from Davidson's life. It's not his biography, but he definitely puts a lot of his own personal issues into Scott's personality. Some people even state that he's just portraying himself, and that's not that far from the truth.

In my opinion, the best aspect of the movie is undoubtedly the incredibly realistic dialogues. It genuinely feels like the characters are having real conversations. The editing is so impeccable that I forgot I was watching a film for a couple of moments. The chemistry between every member of the cast is so vibrant that every single dialogue between any two characters always feels extremely lifelike. Marisa Tomei and Bill Burr are astonishing, they truly are. I wish more time was given to develop a bit more of Bel Powley's personal subplot, but I understand that she's far from being one of the most relevant characters.

In the end, The King of Staten Island employs a very well-known (and a bit overused) formula that goes on for way too long, but Judd Apatow balances it with a hilariously dark sense of humor, with the help of his co-writers, Pete Davidson and Dave Sirus. Most of the comedy really works, which helped to get through the least entertaining (and predictable) portions of the narrative. Davidson shines in a role that many addressed as "he's just playing himself", but I find him incredibly engaging and captivating to watch, even though I can't quite relate to his character. The emotional attachment to the protagonist is the major component that's either going to make you love this flick or spend a couple of hours just watching someone trying to figure out what to do with his life. The realistic dialogues (elevated by perfect editing) and the cast's phenomenal chemistry just tip the scale to the positive side. I definitely recommend it, but with the small warning that if you're not a fan of dark comedy, then it's better to skip this one.

Rating: B-

Directed by : Francine Maisler, Lisa Zeno Churgin, Seth Rogen, William Arnold, Lynn Kressel, Evan Goldberg, Brandon Trost, James Weaver, John Guleserian, Ted Gidlow

Produced by : Francine Maisler, Lisa Zeno Churgin, Seth Rogen, William Arnold, Lynn Kressel, Evan Goldberg, Brandon Trost, James Weaver, John Guleserian, Ted Gidlow

Starring : Seth Rogen, Sarah Snook, Maya Erskine, Jorma Taccone, Sean Whalen, Joanna Adler, Jeff Daniel Phillips, David Mattey, Geoffrey Cantor, Kevin O'Rourke

Company : Point Grey Pictures, Gravitational Productions, Warner Bros. Pictures, Sony Pictures

Release date(s) : 2020-08-06

Running time :90 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English, עִבְרִית

Budget : 

Storyline :

Directed by : Steven Soderbergh, Mark Isham, Shelly Johnson, Keanu Reeves, Ed Solomon, Ed Solomon, Scott Kroopf, Dean Parisot, Don Zimmerman, Alex Winter

Produced by : Steven Soderbergh, Mark Isham, Shelly Johnson, Keanu Reeves, Ed Solomon, Ed Solomon, Scott Kroopf, Dean Parisot, Don Zimmerman, Alex Winter

Starring : Keanu Reeves, Alex Winter, William Sadler, Samara Weaving, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Anthony Carrigan, Kid Cudi, Jayma Mays, Erinn Hayes, Hal Landon Jr.

Company : FGM Entertainment, Bloom, Endeavor Content, Hammerstone Studios, Lakeview Entertainment, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, TinRes Entertainment, Orion Pictures, Many Rivers Productions

Release date(s) : 2020-08-27

Running time :78 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget :  $25,000,000

Storyline :

Directed by : Brian Helgeland, Sheila Jaffe, Neil Spisak, Karen O'Hara, Edward Tise, Dan Webster, Neal H. Moritz, Patrick Loungway, Liza Richardson, Mark Wahlberg

Produced by : Brian Helgeland, Sheila Jaffe, Neil Spisak, Karen O'Hara, Edward Tise, Dan Webster, Neal H. Moritz, Patrick Loungway, Liza Richardson, Mark Wahlberg

Starring : Mark Wahlberg, Winston Duke, Alan Arkin, Iliza Shlesinger, Michael Gaston, Bokeem Woodbine, Marc Maron, James DuMont, Post Malone, Colleen Camp

Company : Film 44, Original Film, Closest to the Hole Productions, Leverage Entertainment

Release date(s) : 2020-03-06

Running time :110 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English, Español

Budget : 

Storyline : I'm so tired of Marky Mark, Jason Statham, Gerald Butler and all those old mfs doing the same "ex-cop/cop that takes on the corrupt on his own" movies. Don't watch this garbage.

Directed by : Nancy Nayor, Aaron Zigman, Andrea Marcellus, Nanda Rao, Lucy Hale, Jeff Castelluccio, Chris Riedell, Nick Riedell, Nicholas Bogner, Traci Hays

Produced by : Nancy Nayor, Aaron Zigman, Andrea Marcellus, Nanda Rao, Lucy Hale, Jeff Castelluccio, Chris Riedell, Nick Riedell, Nicholas Bogner, Traci Hays

Starring : Lucy Hale, Leonidas Gulaptis, Mindy Cohn, Jackie Cruz, Adhir Kalyan, Stephen Friedrich, Deborah S. Craig, Leah McKendrick, Constantine Maroulis, Shiva Kalaiselvan

Company : Vertical Entertainment, SPR Media, Affirmative Entertainment, CaliWood Pictures

Release date(s) : 2020-07-18

Running time :94 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget :  $6,100,000

Storyline :

Directed by : Theodore Shapiro, Justin Timberlake, Wallace Wolodarsky, Nick Fletcher, Glenn Berger, Glenn Berger, Jonathan Aibel, Jonathan Aibel, Maya Forbes, Gina Shay

Produced by : Theodore Shapiro, Justin Timberlake, Wallace Wolodarsky, Nick Fletcher, Glenn Berger, Glenn Berger, Jonathan Aibel, Jonathan Aibel, Maya Forbes, Gina Shay

Starring : Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, Ron Funches, Rachel Bloom, James Corden, Kelly Clarkson, Anderson .Paak, Sam Rockwell, George Clinton, Mary J. Blige

Company : DreamWorks Animation, Universal Pictures

Release date(s) : 2020-03-12

Running time :91 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget : 

Storyline : The 'Trolls' franchise could have been another cheap brand name recognition film, like 'The Grinch' or the upcoming 'Scoob!', but when you have a team that cares about the project at every level, you end up with not only a fun kid's film, but one with a powerful message.
- Chris dos Santos

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https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-trolls-world-tour-poppy-and-the-gang-are-back-and-rocking-harder-than-ever

Directed by : Amy Seimetz, Amy Seimetz, Ryan M. Price, Jay Keitel, Mondo Boys

Produced by : Amy Seimetz, Amy Seimetz, Ryan M. Price, Jay Keitel, Mondo Boys

Starring : Kate Lyn Sheil, Jane Adams, Josh Lucas, Chris Messina, Michelle Rodriguez, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Katie Aselton, Adam Wingard, Tunde Adebimpe, Jennifer Kim

Company : Rustic Films, Neon

Release date(s) : 2020-07-31

Running time :84 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget : 

Storyline :

Directed by : Sarah Bradshaw, Danny Elfman, Guillermo Navarro, Stephen Gaghan, Stephen Gaghan, Stephen Gaghan, Nick Moore, Craig Alpert, William M. Connor, Gary Tomkins

Produced by : Sarah Bradshaw, Danny Elfman, Guillermo Navarro, Stephen Gaghan, Stephen Gaghan, Stephen Gaghan, Nick Moore, Craig Alpert, William M. Connor, Gary Tomkins

Starring : Robert Downey Jr., Antonio Banderas, Michael Sheen, Jim Broadbent, Jessie Buckley, Harry Collett, Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Kumail Nanjiani

Company : Universal Pictures, Team Downey, Perfect World Pictures, RK films

Release date(s) : 2020-01-01

Running time :101 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English, Français

Budget :  $175,000,000

Storyline : If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @
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We have all watched the Dolittle movies starring Eddie Murphy. I'm not going to lie, I was never a fan of these films. Yes, they're purposefully dumb, innocent, and feature that basic level of comedy. They never annoyed me, but they also never did anything remarkably surprising. 2020's version of the known tale is the first post-MCU role of Robert Downey Jr., it boasts an A-list cast, and… it's one of the worst movies of the year, without a single doubt. A complete disaster in every area of filmmaking.

I don't even know where to start. Maybe with RDJ since he's the most significant negative surprise. I can't believe such a charismatic and now iconic actor like him could deliver a performance this awful. His Welsh (?) accent is not only a terrible choice character-wise, but I doubt that any children can understand what he's saying. RDJ acts like a baffling caricature of himself, not helping an already flawed film. The voice work from the remaining cast might be the only positive of the whole movie, but the CGI animals are way too unconvincing.

However, as always, the most impactful issues belong to the actual story. Instead of being an entertaining and fun adventure, it's an incredibly boring, nonsensical, structure-less journey into one of the most ridiculous third acts of cinema. Even placing myself in a child's mind, I don't think I would be able to enjoy this mess of a screenplay. Like I wrote above, not even the animals look great…

Certain characters possess these unknown relationships that the audience is supposed to care about, but no background is given to any of them. Tons of plot points lack a logical explanation. The entire narrative is void of any creativity or uniqueness whatsoever, looking simply like a lazy, unimaginative piece of work. The "young queen who falls gravely ill" is just a woman sleeping in bed, not looking ill at all, which proves that not even the makeup department was interested in making an effort.

But all of the issues above are nothing compared to the film's climax. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just write that I still can't believe what I witnessed. Around ninety minutes of build-up lead to the most shocking, hilarious, utterly absurd moment. The humor is a level below childish. Dozens of fart jokes (including one during the climax), over-the-top reactions, and I don't even know what else. Between Bloodshot, Fantasy Island, and The Grudge… Let the devil come and choose!

All in all, Dolittle is a massive fail at all levels. It was meant to be one of the worst movies of the year, and it undoubtedly accomplished this goal. From the surprisingly awful performance from Robert Downey Jr. to one of the most shockingly terrible climaxes in the history of cinema, Stephen Gaghan delivers a structure-less screenplay, filled with nonsensical narrative decisions, and featuring an extremely dull adventure. The CGI animals are far from being remotely impressive, the characters lack personality (bringing an A-list actor doesn't guarantee anything), and the comedy is so astonishingly basic that I doubt kids will laugh at some of the jokes, and they laugh at everything. With a budget of 175M (!!!), it's not understandable how and why a studio would waste this much money on such an obvious flop. The voice work from the cast is good… and it genuinely could have been worse. This is the closest I can get to a positive.

Rating: D-

Directed by : Jerry Bruckheimer, Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Mary Vernieu, Will Smith, Jon Billington, Barry H. Waldman, Barry H. Waldman, Dan Lebental, Lori Mazuer

Produced by : Jerry Bruckheimer, Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Mary Vernieu, Will Smith, Jon Billington, Barry H. Waldman, Barry H. Waldman, Dan Lebental, Lori Mazuer

Starring : Will Smith, Martin Lawrence, Paola Nuñez, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig, Charles Melton, Kate del Castillo, Nicky Jam, Joe Pantoliano, Theresa Randle

Company : Columbia Pictures, Platinum Dunes, 2.0 Entertainment, Don Simpson/Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Overbrook Entertainment

Release date(s) : 2020-01-15

Running time :124 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English, Español

Budget :  $90,000,000

Storyline : The list of what's wrong with 'Bad Boys For Life' is long and varied, but it's not all bad. There were some good lines, and the scenes where Mike and Marcus were together obviously shine in an otherwise dull film. Fans will also go nuts when a character from a previous 'Bad Boys' film makes a return cameo appearance. Look - 'Bad Boys 2' was one of those rare films where the sequel was better than the original, so there were a lot of high hopes riding on #3, especially given the exceptionally long period between drinks. But I'm afraid all those expectations have been crushed, and what's left is a mediocre offering that will go down as the third best 'Bad Boys' film... possibly until 'Bad Boys 4' arrives.
- Jess Fenton

Read Jess' full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-bad-boys-for-life-whatcha-gonna-do-when-theres-nothing-new
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I was never a big fan of the Bad Boys films. Firstly, I'm not too fond of Michael Bay as a director (as a producer, he's fine). The way he directs his action sequences is incredibly choppy, filled with questionable CGI, very hard to follow, and we all know his passion for exploding everything. Oh, and I can't forget about the constant product placement (amazing how in a brutal explosion, everything is destroyed except a gorgeous-looking Audi car that remains intact). Secondly, the storytelling always felt extremely generic and unsurprising. So, obviously, my expectations weren't very high…

Maybe that's why I enjoyed Bad Boys For Life way more than I anticipated. This movie should be a lesson to the Fast and Furious franchise. To make a mindless entertaining action flick, the lighthearted tone has to be well-established from the get-go. Despite the fact that the third act deals with absurd emotional twists worthy of a Mexican soap opera, the screenwriters are able to find just the right amount of harmless fun. I didn't watch a single clip before the film, and ten minutes in, I acknowledged that its goal was to simply be entertaining without taking itself too seriously.

Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah balance the more dramatic family issues with the ludicrous action very well. The latter sequences are much better than Bay's. The car chases, even when containing a few too many cuts, are relatively easy to follow, and they pack that necessary adrenaline rush. There are a few surprising shootouts that are filmed to make them look like one take, which definitely brings something pretty uncommon to this kind of formulaic action movies. Technically, I think both directors did an excellent job, especially considering that this was their debut feature film.

However, the story brings everything down. I believe Mexican soap operas might have better scripts. The dialogue reaches such a cringe-worthy level. Every essential plot information is given either through lazy character interactions or by that magical computer that every generic action movie possesses with which the main characters can basically know everything about everyone at the click of a few buttons. The comedy is quite hit-and-miss to me, a lot of the jokes didn't land, but some did make me chuckle. Overall, the screenplay is as cliche as it could be, and that last shot… I hate it. In the end, it's the cast who saves the boring narrative.

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence share fantastic chemistry, and their banter is always entertaining to watch, even if it isn't as hilarious as it could be. I liked Lawrence more than Smith, maybe due to the non-action, family comedy bits that worked seamlessly. Nevertheless, it's dumb fun, and it's plainly visible that the actors had a blast shooting this movie. The whole cast transfer the joy that they had on set to the screen, and it's pretty noticeable. Watching Alexander Ludwig (Dorn) outside Vikings is always a pleasure (I so wish that he gets more important roles in the future), and the whole AMMO team (Vannesa Hudgens, Charles Melton, Paola Nunez) is all compelling enough, even if the characters are two-dimensional.

It's simple: whether you enjoy the Bad Boys saga or not, this is undoubtedly the best installment of the franchise. If you go to the film theater with basic expectations of having fun, Bad Boys For Life gives you that, so I recommend it. It's a pure popcorn-entertainment action flick with recognizable actors who all share great chemistry. With Michael Bay out of the director helm, Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah deliver surprisingly good action sequences, considering this is their debut feature film. The formulaic, cliche, soap opera story is straight-up ridiculous at some points, and it carries such an aura of predictability that when it tries to introduce an emotional twist, it merely becomes absurd. The last shot feels like a call to Hollywood to make more sequels, which sort of ruins the whole "Bad Boys one last time" tagline… I'm extremely undecided on which side this review should fall, so I'll base my decision on the answer to the following question: "Am I going to (want to) see this movie again or another sequel?" Honestly… no.

Rating: C+
Another action packed movie for fans of bad boys.
You know what you're getting.

Directed by : Charles Roven, Ruth Lambert, Chris Columbus, Tony Cervone, Allison Abbate, Junkie XL, Richard Suckle, Eyal Podell, Pam Coats, Adam Sztykiel

Produced by : Charles Roven, Ruth Lambert, Chris Columbus, Tony Cervone, Allison Abbate, Junkie XL, Richard Suckle, Eyal Podell, Pam Coats, Adam Sztykiel

Starring : Don Messick, Frank Welker, Will Forte, Amanda Seyfried, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Isaacs, Gina Rodriguez, Zac Efron, Kiersey Clemons, Ken Jeong

Company : Warner Animation Group, Warner Bros. Pictures, Hanna-Barbera Productions

Release date(s) : 2020-07-08

Running time :94 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget : 

Storyline : I guess I can commend Warner Bros. for attempting to revitalise their Scooby-Doo brand and give parents something to show their kids while they've been stuck at home, but when there's a plethora of new and old (much, much better) kid's films, the best thing would be to Scooby-Dooby-do your kids a favour and skip this one.
- Ashley Teresa

Read Ashley's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-scoob-mystery-swapped-for-money-hungry-mayhem
If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @
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I was never the biggest fan of Scooby-Doo's animated cartoon when I was young. I enjoyed it like any other kid who enjoys almost everything, but it was never a show that made me nervously excited during the day, waiting for it to come on TV. I vividly remember getting pumped, knowing that a new episode of Dragon Ball Z or Timon & Pumba would broadcast on that particular day. I never felt that way with Scooby-Doo, and honestly, I don't know why. I was always curious about sci-fi and "what lies beyond", so maybe the fact that the goal of the show was to justify every single paranormal activity with some "guy in a mask" didn't really appeal to the kid in me...

Either way, I still liked the series, and my memory is filled with all of the show's classic signatures: the (double or even triple) un-masking of the villains, Scooby jumping to Shaggy's arms because they both got scared, the ridiculously large sandwiches, you name it. Ironically, the biggest compliment I can give the film also relates to its major flaw. For any fan of the show, these classic moments will provide high levels of nostalgia and entertainment, so anyone who comes looking for that will definitely get what they desire.

However, even though Scoob! is far from feeling like a corporate flick packed with product placement (looking at you, Sonic the Hedgehog), I can't help but feel that the studio was embarrassed by its own property. They try so hard to make this movie belong to 2020 that they completely forgot about what makes the show special for so many people. From the weirdly confusing song selection to the way too modern plot points, Scoob! 's narrative distinctly follows an Avengers-style plot (including an obvious allusion to Captain America holding his shield) focusing strongly on the superhero theme.

They didn't believe that Mystery Inc. and the (successful) formulaic story were enough to hold the target audience's attention, so they decided to borrow from one of the most entertaining and financially impactful genres of today, losing the essence of their own IP. Therefore, despite Scoob! having almost all of the cartoon's classic scenes, it still feels detached from the source material. In addition to this, if you're not a fan of Scooby-Doo and if you don't know anything about it, then don't expect this film to explain anything to you.

Fred, Velma, and Daphne get separated from Shaggy and Scooby early on (due to a hilariously dumb scene that only kids will accept), so almost no character development occurs within the first group of people. This movie focuses more on the pair's adventure and their relationship dynamics (which are explored in a cliche yet efficient manner), leaving 3/5 of the Mystery Inc. feeling left off. Actually, now that I think about it, Scoob! doesn't even have a mystery to solve!

In the cartoons, every episode is about discovering what or who's causing a specific paranormal event. This film basically follows that formula for the first fifteen minutes (which serve as an origin story of the gang) and then takes an entirely different path story-wise. I'm not going to complain about the plot's absurdity because it's undeniably a kids' movie, but these forced attempts to adapt Scooby-Doo to 2020 are what ruin the whole thing for me. The voice acting is great, though, and hearing Frank Welker interpret Scooby again is incredibly joyful.

All in all, Scoob! possesses almost all of the classic moments from the original cartoon, which will surely leave fans of the series satisfied and feeling that heartwarming nostalgia. In addition to this, the voice work is really good for the most part, especially from the legend, Frank Welker as Scooby. However, the studio hurts the film with countless attempts to adapt the formulaic yet successful screenplay that the show employed for decades into 2020. From the superhero-like plot to the lack of a central mystery, Tony Cervone finds himself in a writing mess (four screenwriters and three "story by" credits) from a company ashamed of its own product. If you're a hardcore fan of the animated show, this movie might leave you satisfied. But if you don't share a special connection with these characters and their classic adventures, or if you don't know anything about this franchise at all, Scoob! not only doesn't care to introduce or develop its characters, but it definitely isn't going to convert you.

Rating: C-
It was an okay Scooby-Doo movie for the kids. The animation looks great and for the most part the voice talents were good, especially Zac Efron as Fred was great, as were Gina Rodriguez and Amanda Seyfried as Velma and Daphne respectively. However, wasn't that thrilled with Will Forte's Shaggy (still think Matthew Lillard has been perfect thus far, I know they wanted a name, but doubt star power sells movies nowadays).

Anyway, it was a serviceable enough animated flick, personally I'm not a fan of the supernatural plots when it comes to the Scooby-Doo franchise, but fine for the family, so long as you're not an entrenched fan, I can see why some may hate this iteration. **3.25/5**

Directed by : Craig Brewer, David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein, Kenya Barris

Produced by : Craig Brewer, David Sheffield, Barry W. Blaustein, Kenya Barris

Starring : Eddie Murphy, James Earl Jones, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Shari Headley, Teyana Taylor, Michael Blackson, Louie Anderson, Paul Bates, Wesley Snipes

Company : Paramount

Release date(s) : 2020-12-17

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget : 

Storyline :

Directed by : Anna B. Sheppard, Will Ferrell, Will Ferrell, Paul Inglis, Paul Inglis, Allison Jones, David Dobkin, Danny Cohen, Adam McKay, Atli Örvarsson

Produced by : Anna B. Sheppard, Will Ferrell, Will Ferrell, Paul Inglis, Paul Inglis, Allison Jones, David Dobkin, Danny Cohen, Adam McKay, Atli Örvarsson

Starring : Rachel McAdams, Will Ferrell, Pierce Brosnan, Dan Stevens, Jamie Demetriou, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Melissanthi Mahut, Joi Johannsson, Björn Hlynur Haraldsson, Graham Norton

Company : Gary Sanchez Productions

Release date(s) : 2020-06-26

Running time :124 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :Íslenska, English

Budget : 

Storyline :

Directed by : Matthew Vaughn, Matthew Vaughn, Matthew Vaughn, Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman, Adam Bohling, Dave Gibbons, Mark Millar, David Reid, Gary Jopling

Produced by : Matthew Vaughn, Matthew Vaughn, Matthew Vaughn, Matthew Vaughn, Jane Goldman, Adam Bohling, Dave Gibbons, Mark Millar, David Reid, Gary Jopling

Starring : Harris Dickinson, Ralph Fiennes, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Gemma Arterton, Tom Hollander, Matthew Goode, Djimon Hounsou, Charles Dance, Daniel Brühl, Stanley Tucci

Company : Marv Films, 20th Century Studios

Release date(s) : 2020-09-16

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget : 

Storyline :

Directed by : Andrew Dickler, Allison Jones, Matt Friedman, Paul C. Warschilka, Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Dylan Sellers, Quyen Tran, Colin Wilkes

Produced by : Andrew Dickler, Allison Jones, Matt Friedman, Paul C. Warschilka, Akiva Schaffer, Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Dylan Sellers, Quyen Tran, Colin Wilkes

Starring : Andy Samberg, Cristin Milioti, J.K. Simmons, Peter Gallagher, Meredith Hagner, Camila Mendes, Tyler Hoechlin, Chris Pang, Jacqueline Obradors, June Squibb

Company : Limelight, Party Over Here, Neon, The Lonely Island, Culmination Productions

Release date(s) : 2020-08-20

Running time :90 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget : 

Storyline : If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @
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If you've been following me for a while, you know I'm not the biggest fan of rom-coms. It's not that I don't like the genre (I appreciate and enjoy every single one), but I find its movies tremendously difficult to *really* love. The massive majority follow the genre's formulas and cliches to such an extent that I rarely end up truly loving one of these films. Some are way too cheesy. Others are way too unrealistic and dream-like. But the aspect that throws me off the most is the lack of originality. I can't remember the last rom-com I watched that didn't borrow from countless other installments. I didn't know a thing about Palm Springs: no trailers, no knowledge of critics/audience's opinion, nothing... And I'm extremely happy about that!

I usually watch the main trailer for every film I review *after* I've seen the actual movie. I ignore all other trailers, clips, images, and so on. I do this so I can have some sort of knowledge regarding how far I can take my spoiler-free reviews. This way, I'm sure that I don't write about something I shouldn't. The official trailer for this film doesn't ruin the experience in any way, but it does tell its viewers the most relevant aspect of its screenplay. So, I could address it in this review, but I won't... because I enjoyed this movie a lot more, not knowing a thing about it than if I knew how it developed its story.

Therefore, I'll keep it really vague, and just write that Andy Siara's first feature-film screenplay can easily snatch a couple of nominations when the awards season comes around. This is a rom-com like no other due to its refreshingly unique concept. It's true that it's not an entirely new method of storytelling. Many other movies also employ this idea, but Siara holds so many surprises within his narrative and so few of the genre's common traits that the whole film is elevated by his outstanding writing.

It's one of the most entertaining movies of the year. With a short runtime and a fast pace, Palm Springs is constantly being genuinely fun, engaging, and even mysteriously intriguing. Its original plot makes the viewer think and remember previous lines that take a whole different meaning a few minutes later. There are no predictably dumb narrative decisions, and its characters escape the cheesy and forced relationships that these films usually insert them in. The dialogues are hilariously captivating. Almost every single plot point packs an emotional punch, a jaw-dropping revelation that never crossed the viewer's mind.

Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti share such great chemistry. Their characters are exceptionally developed, and their relationship feels incredibly real. I'm rarely that viewer who requires the main characters to be together, kiss, fall in love, and all that, but Nyles and Sarah are two wonderful protagonists I can definitely root for. Both carry an interesting "baggage", which is also explored at a deep level. They deal very differently with the "situation" that the story puts them in, and it's so much fun to watch them go through it and evolve as characters. Oh, and J.K. Simmons (Roy)... this man doesn't know how not to be utterly remarkable!

Max Barbakow (directorial debut) demonstrates his talents as well, by allowing Siara's screenplay to shine under impeccable direction. Tonally, it never loses its balance. It keeps its comedy pretty grounded, considering the craziness of its premise. It never relies on the genre's formulas, cliches, and cheesy outcomes. It really separates itself from the majority of modern rom-coms. I don't really have any flaws to point out... The ending does have a "just accept it" narrative component, and there are a couple of unnecessary scenes, but I'm nitpicking here.

I can't believe I'm going to write this, but Palm Springs is not only one of the best rom-coms I've ever seen, but it's also one of the best (if not *the* best) movies of 2020, so far. With the help of their first-time director (Max Barbakow), Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti spread their extraordinary chemistry all over the innovative, original narrative, written by the also debutant, Andy Siara. The latter is undoubtedly the main responsible for such an entertaining film. Siara takes an imaginative concept and develops it in the most captivating, fun, hilarious, and even intriguing way possible. A surprising screenplay packed with emotionally impactful plot points, revelations, and twists that keep the enjoyment levels extremely high. The two protagonists are exceptionally developed, as well as their compelling relationship. With a fast pace and a perfect balance of its tone, Palm Springs sets itself apart from the other movies of the genre, staying away from all of the cliches, formulas, and stereotypes associated with it. J.K. Simmons also lends his awesomeness because why not? Whether you're a fan of rom-coms or not, I definitely suggest giving this one a look. You won't be disappointed!

Rating: A
If you're looking for a wholesome heartwarming movie, This is the movie you're looking for.
Great watch, will watch again, and can recommend, especially for fans of "time shifting" tropes.

Time shifting is where your mind goes back in time, but not your body. Essentially everything resets like a save point, except your have all this knowledge.

"Time shifting" was made popular by "Groundhog's Day" and there have been several movies that mainly consist of dying / sleeping and repeating like a video game, and this isn't THAT different with a few exceptions that make all the difference in the experience.

Andy Samberg (Brooklyn Nine-Nine) finally steps up and shows everyone that he can do a somewhat serious role, and not just a straight man. Cristin Milioti (How I Met Your Mother) does an excellent job in her lead role, with a great supporting cast, to include J.K. Simmons (Cave Johnson) leading a wonderful supporting cast, except for Tyler Hoechlin (CW Superman: "Supergirl", "Flash", etc.), who I might just not like because he was Superman, but it's supposed to be an disliked character...so....good job?

The medium of the transfer being shown is an interesting option as we saw in the "Happy Death Day" movies, but it does allow for a reasoning of how it works, can it be broken / manipulated as opposed to divine will. Most importantly, it allows for more than just one subject being affected, which is really where it gets set apart.

The trope bleeds a little when you have multiple people trapped in the loop: you have multiple people trapped in a thing: you have multiple people trapped in a prison. When multiple people are trapped in a environment together, they tend to get a little strange, and we get that sort of thing a plenty. Because we have multiple story threads to follow, we're almost seeing 3 stories all overlapping, and the movie does a great job of showing those, whether or not their in chronological order, or happening at the same time.

Whether you see it as a prison break movie, or a time loop movie, this movie has a lot of fun in it, along with deep metaphysical philosophy, so there is something for everyone.

Directed by : Linda Cohen, Susan Cartsonis, Elissa Down, Michael Yezerski, Brent Emery, Michael Armbruster, Jane Moran, Amir Mokri, Suzanne McNeill Farwell, Barbara J. McCarthy

Produced by : Linda Cohen, Susan Cartsonis, Elissa Down, Michael Yezerski, Brent Emery, Michael Armbruster, Jane Moran, Amir Mokri, Suzanne McNeill Farwell, Barbara J. McCarthy

Starring : Sofia Carson, Wolfgang Novogratz, Donna Lynne Champlin, Enrico Colantoni, Dennis Andres, Rex Lee, Brandon Kyle Goodman, Eva Hauge, Lidya Jewett, Sadie Lapidus

Company : Resonate Entertainment, Bitter Boy Productions Ltd.

Release date(s) : 2020-06-19

Running time :107 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English, Türkçe

Budget : 

Storyline :

Directed by : Christopher Figg, Roger Lanser, Peter Carrodus, Dean Murphy, Dean Murphy, Dean Murphy, Robert Whitehouse, Ralph Moser, John Foreman, Nigel Odell

Produced by : Christopher Figg, Roger Lanser, Peter Carrodus, Dean Murphy, Dean Murphy, Dean Murphy, Robert Whitehouse, Ralph Moser, John Foreman, Nigel Odell

Starring : Paul Hogan, Shane Jacobson, John Cleese, Chevy Chase, Olivia Newton-John, Rachael Carpani, Jim Jefferies, Kerry Armstrong, Nate Torrence, Jacob Elordi

Company : Piccadilly Pictures, Kathy Morgan International, Salt Media & Entertainment, Clock Sounds Productions Pty

Release date(s) : 2020-07-17

Running time :88 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget : 

Storyline :

Directed by : Marlene Stewart, Beat Frutiger, Leslie E. Rollins, Josh McLaglen, Shawn Levy, Shawn Levy, Ryan Reynolds, Greg Berlanti, Matt Lieberman, Freddy Bouciegues

Produced by : Marlene Stewart, Beat Frutiger, Leslie E. Rollins, Josh McLaglen, Shawn Levy, Shawn Levy, Ryan Reynolds, Greg Berlanti, Matt Lieberman, Freddy Bouciegues

Starring : Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Taika Waititi, Joe Keery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Channing Tatum, Owen Burke, Kayla Caulfield, Camille Kostek, Michael Malvesti

Company : Berlanti Productions, 21 Laps Entertainment, Maximum Effort, 20th Century Studios

Release date(s) : 2020-12-09

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget : 

Storyline :

Directed by : Mychael Danna, Kori Rae, Shannon Mills, Juan Peralta, Jeff Danna, Pete Docter, Sharon Calahan, Shelley Roden, Dan Scanlon, Dan Scanlon

Produced by : Mychael Danna, Kori Rae, Shannon Mills, Juan Peralta, Jeff Danna, Pete Docter, Sharon Calahan, Shelley Roden, Dan Scanlon, Dan Scanlon

Starring : Tom Holland, Chris Pratt, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Octavia Spencer, Mel Rodriguez, Kyle Bornheimer, Lena Waithe, Ali Wong, Grey DeLisle, Tracey Ullman

Company : Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar

Release date(s) : 2020-02-29

Running time :102 Minutes

Country  : United States

Language :English

Budget :  $200,000,000

Storyline : If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @
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I always struggle to find reasons to dislike a Pixar film. One of the most annoying preconceived notions about genres is the one about animated movies. "They're for children, how can you enjoy stuff like that, you're so childish", people say. Little do they know that animated flicks have as much or more emotionally compelling narratives and characters than live-action films. The score is usually more important in the former genre, and the visuals always look stunning. The partnership Disney-Pixar is probably the best thing that could have happened to Hollywood.

Dan Scanlon delivered a surprisingly good sequel to Monsters Inc. back in 2013 with Monsters University. Making an efficient sequel twelve years after its original is a challenging task, and Scanlon succeed, so I had good expectations going in. Onward might not be one of Pixar's best movies, and I doubt that a lot of people will place it as one of their favorites when comparing with the studio's films of the same type. However, it still carries the trademark emotional narrative with relatable characters that Pixar always delivers.

I grew up with a father, mother, and two older brothers. Just with this information, I know that I'm luckier than a whole bunch of people all around the world. Onward focuses on the relationship between two siblings (Chris Pratt and Tom Holland), and I love their adventure together. It made me recall my childhood and the awesome moments I shared with my brothers. If you're a fan of Dungeons & Dragons or other quest-based games, the main plot's structure will definitely please you as it did me, but it's connected to my biggest gripe...

The concept is pretty neat, but its execution lacks a little bit of more... magic, as ironic as it might be. For example, Frozen II isn't about a "world full of magic", but Elsa (Idina Menzel) alone has more magical scenes than Onward in its entirety. In the former, the actual magic feels the screen with stunning animation and chill-inducing music. Onward feels like a diminished version of its true potential. While it's true that the world where the main characters live in has lost its overwhelming magic from the past, their adventure is filled with obstacles which they deal with... you guessed it, magic.

I don't want to sound like that guy who only wants "action for the sake of action". I hate when people dislike a movie simply because they didn't see enough stuff exploding or something. It's a bit about expectations and about what I know Pixar can do. Obviously, I'm expecting more from them now more than ever. It's not that the story isn't interesting or captivating because there's definitely an entertaining vibe throughout the whole runtime. It's well-paced, there's always something going on, and the humor is pitch-perfect. It's GOOD. Simple as that.

The voice acting is fantastic. Tom Holland and especially Chris Pratt really incorporate their characters' spirit, and it's almost palpable that the actors had tons of fun behind-the-scenes. Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Octavia Spencer are also quite good, but their characters' respective arcs aren't near as compelling as the primary narrative. Every moment I spent with them is every moment I wanted to go back to the brothers. However, the fun and entertainment never go away. The story never fails to be exciting, it just goes increases and decreases its level ever so slightly.

I saved the best for last. Even though the second act feels a tad repetitive, the ending is incredibly satisfying. Predictable? Yes. Will it be underwhelming/disappointing for some people? Surely. But it delivers the most beautiful of messages in the most emotional way possible, as Pixar always manages to do. A lot of nice, small morals are learned throughout the story, but the final one is absolutely perfect, and it left some tears in my eyes. The ending is heartfelt and genuine for everyone, but it will have a tremendous impact on families that lost a member way too soon.

All in all, the Disney-Pixar's partnership continues to provide the world with the best animated films of each year. Onward is the most recent success, even though it lacks a bit of magic and creativity when compared to the studio's movies of the same genre. Boasting a talented voice cast, the two brothers go on a fun, quest-based adventure that concludes with a wonderful, heartfelt message to every family out there. Some people might find the ending too predictable and underwhelming, but the climax is emotionally powerful, and it will unquestionably cause an impact on everyone (tissues, anyone?). Its second act feels a bit repetitive, but the entertainment never fades away. Hilarious and clever humor, compelling main characters, not-that-interesting secondary characters, and gorgeous animation as always. The end credits song is pretty cool too. Can't wait for Soul...

Rating: B+
Animation has such an important job. The messages I was talking about earlier are not just intended to teach kids things - we learn from them too. I think that's what made 'Onward' a little disappointing: I didn't come out having learned something new in the context of my adult life. Nonetheless, it's still a lovely allegorical tale that promotes brotherhood, adventure and generosity. Animation's got a big duty of shaping up future generations from a young age, and they can't always deliver the goods for all. With that, I sign off - eagerly awaiting Pixar's next drop where, fingers crossed, I get to discover something new too... don't forget the big kids, Pixar.
- Lily Meek

Read Lily's full article...
https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-onward-not-the-fairytale-pixar-film-we-wanted
Onward is a family quest that delights (Boom Bastia!) and pulls at your heartstrings along the unpredictable Path of Peril. There is a delicate balance between tear-jerking moments and comic relief that Pixar and Disney have been known to master throughout many of their films. If you can look past the Pixar and Disney blueprint of the missing family member tragedy you’ll find many successful attempts to modernize the film to relate to many ages and families.

Read the full review at FeaturedAnimation.com.
Unicorns, pixies, elves, and wizards have lost the magic of the past in “Onward,” a formulaic animated adventure from Pixar. Set in a suburban world of fantasy, the film tells the story of two teenage brothers who embark on a quest to find a magic gem that could hold the key to a little familial enchantment.

Ian (Tom Holland) and his older brother Barley (Chris Pratt) are still mourning the death of their father several years ago. Ian was just a baby when he died, and Barley barely has any memories of his dad. When mom (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) gives Ian a gift that his departed pop left for his 16th birthday, it turns out to be a wizard’s staff with instructions for a visitation spell that can bring the patriarch back for one day only. Something goes wrong, and the two siblings must set out on a danger-filled journey to find the missing piece of the puzzle before the sun sets.

Onscreen adventures are supposed to be exciting, but this one is considerably dull. The story feels very personal yet unfortunately sanitized for broader audience appeal. It works best when the story leans on the theme of reconnecting with your family, especially as the two brothers use their road trip as a way to bond over their differing ways of dealing with grief and regret. It’s poignant, and the film’s sincerity is a heartwarming reminder that we shouldn’t waste what precious time we have left.

The movie has a weird “Weekend at Bernie’s” vibe as the two teens drive around in a rock n’ roll van with the bottom half of their reanimated dad in tow. It’s not very funny, and the heavy themes of loss and the meaning of family will likely resonate with those who’ve lost a loved one and still yearn for one more day. It’s a strange film with and unsatisfying ending that doesn’t really pay off.

“Onward” doesn’t make the most of its solid premise, which is a real shame. The plot is repetitive and predictable; the story sentimental and drawn out. It’s one of the weakest films in the Pixar catalog, but it does meet the studio’s basic checklist for acceptable quality (great animation, good voice performances, mediocre story). It could benefit from a little extra sprinkling of magic.
Chock full of contrivances and just straight up contradictions, both which annoyed me to a pretty severe degree, but there was enough cutesy stuff in my lane to keep me from actively disliking it. Not a fan of the naming convention though.

_Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._