THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently in theatres from writer/director Jon Favreau and Walt Disney Studios are the characters created by George Lucas, and from the series The Mandalorian comes the epic film THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU.

Mandalorian bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and Grogu are now working with the New Republic to track and capture Imperial warlords from a deck of cards held by Ward (Sigourney Weaver). Back from a mission, Ward wants the Mandalorian to go to the Hutt twins, who have information about the next warlord, Commander Coin (Jonny Coyne).

Once in front of the Hutt twins, they want to trade the information in exchange for the safe return of their nephew Rotta (voiced by Jeremy Allen White) on Shakari. Agreeing, Djarin and Grogu make their way to the planet only to discover that Rotta is revered in the fighting pits. Not believing that the Mandalorian is there to rescue him, things take a turn that puts Djarin, Grogu, and Rotta in a very dangerous situation. It is only when they escape that it comes to their attention that they just left the commander!

Now, Djarin and Grogu are in even more danger as the Hutts want him punished for not seeing their contract through. Leaving Grogu in the hands of Anzelians’ (Shirley Henderson), Djarin takes on the Hutt twins only to be hurt. Never fear, Grogu knows what to do, and when it's all said and done, the Hutts have no clue who they are up against. That’s what happens when you fight for good and have friends who have your back!

Pascal, as the Mandalorian, brings his small-screen persona to the big screen, and it works. The relationship between Djarin and Grogu has become stronger, especially since his little ward has learned many new abilities. Pascal continues to bring his character such growth and the conscience to not do things just for the sake of money. Even the moment of his helmet’s removal, it doesn’t change his reason for working with the New Republic. I don’t know how many more films or series that Pascal does, but he has cemented himself in this character.

Weaver as Ward is part of the New Republic and keeps sending the Mandalorian on missions to capture, if he can, Imperial warlords. I actually thought it was so cool to see Weaver take on such a strong role and to see her in the ‘air’ because there has never been a time when I didn’t think sitting in the seat of an X-wing wouldn’t be the coolest. Coyne as Commander Coin, although his role is small, set the pace for the story to move forward.

White as the voice of Rotta is a very interesting character in that he is the son of the deceased Jabba the Hutt. Nothing like his father, he is up against and Aunt and Uncle who want him to return home. The relationship that comes about between Djarin, Grogu, and Rotta is very cool to watch come to fruition. Henderson as the Anzelians’ is nothing short of hilarious. I love the way they talk and am thrilled they have a bigger role in the film.

Other cast include Hemky Madera as Commander Barro, Cullen Douglas as Prefect Nobah, Stephen Henderson as Gatori, Steve Blum as Garazeb Orrelios, Matthew Willig as Hogsbreth, Martin Scorsese as Hugo Durant.

Walt Disney Studios continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features, including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO, and SLEEPING BEAUTY, to name a few, is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently playing in theatres, please visit www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU is such a family film that, of course, I took the family! We had such a good time cheering, laughing, and awwwww’ing at our favorite cute little big-eared Grogu. The story starts immediately with where Djarin and Grogu are in their lives and what they are capable of as a pair. The Mandalorian makes it clear that he may be a bounty hunter, but there are still lines he doesn’t cross. Grogu is still full of mischief yet, as the story moves along, it is clear that what he has learned is of help to all.

For Star Wars fans, the film is filled with everything one would want to see in a two-hour film. Action, ships, space, planets, and creatures that are both memorably seasoned and characters that are new. There isn’t a moment that isn't worthy of being part of the Star Wars universe. Favreau has seen to that with the way he kept the film focused, cinematically beautiful, with a look and feel of every Star Wars film.

That is what is bringing audiences into theatres to see THE MANDALORIAN AND GROGU. It feels as if we never left the galaxy far, far away because it feels so near, near to our hearts.  

In the end – they are part of the New Republic!

Welcome Home FANTASTIC FOUR: First Steps

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to 4K Ultra HD, Bluray and DVD from director Matt Shakman and Marvel Studios based on the Stan Lee and Jack Kirby comic is the FANTASTIC 4: First Steps.

It has been a few years since Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby), Ben Grimm (Ebon Moss-Bachrach), and Johnny Storm (Joseph Quinn) went into space and came back with superpowers. Now Sue is expecting a child and Reed worries what that means as far as having powers. That celebration comes to a halt when a Silver Surfer (Julia Garner) arrives on Earth and announces its pending destruction by a being called Galactus (Ralph Ineson).

Immediately, the Fantastic 4 suit up and fly through space to meet Galactus face to face but instead hear the conditions for leaving Earth alone. Reed makes it clear that Galactus will not get what he wants as the team races back to their own planet. The press meet the returning ship and learn what Galactus wants. Reed immediately begins to search for mathematical answers while Johnny takes it upon himself to try and understand the language of the Silver Surfer.

Coming up with a plan, their only option is to give Galactus what he wants but Reed, Sue, Ben and Johnny aren’t going to exactly make it easy for a being trying to ruin their world. Trusting the Fantastic 4 to save them, the world believes in their heroes!

Pascal as Richards, aka Mr. Fantastic, is a man that thinks everything through mathematically and invents what he needs to not only take care of Sue but get his house in order. Pascal play his character with a stern seriousness but with one goal – to save his family. Watching Pascal hold a baby is probably going to cause women to lose their minds too but that’s a bonus. 

Kirby as Storm, aka Invisible Woman, is a woman surrounded by men and making it clear that she is just as vital as they are. Once they hear the demand of Galactus, Kirby’s Storm makes it clear that no alien is going to destroy what they’ve worked so hard for, family and protecting the planet. She gives her character strength and determination to use her superpowers for both.

Moss-Bachrach as Grimm, aka The Thing, is the one most changed in appearance by their first trip into space. His appearance is difficult for him to deal with, especially when someone has caught his eye. Grimm is so kind and sensitive but don’t take that for granted because when the world needs his strength, he handles whatever is in the way. Moss-Bachrach plays the character of Ritchie on the hit Hulu series The Bear so I was thrilled to learn he took on the role of Grimm.

Quinn as Storm, aka Human Torch, gets the chance to once again play a misunderstood character but he does it so well. Proving he is more than Storm’s brother and Richards relative, Quinn gives his character the behavior of a lover boy but there truly is more to him. The upcoming season of the Netflix hit Stranger Things proves that he is an actor that can handle such diverse roles and makes them his own.   

Garner as the Silver Surfer is the one who announces the destruction of Earth. The agent of destruction for Galactus, Garner gets the chance to play a character that has her own story to tell. Ineson as Galactus lends his voice to give the right amount of alien destructor   

Other cast include Sarah Niles as Lynne Nichols, Mark Gatiss as Ted Gilbert, and Natasha Lyonne as Rachel. Shout out to Paul Walter Hauser as Harvey Elder aka Mole Man for his humor and presence, I just loved it so much.

Bonus Features include Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, Featurettes: Meet the First Family, Fantastic Furturism, From Beyond and Below and Audio Commentary: Watch the film with audio commentary by director Matt Shakman and production designer Kasra Farahani.  

Marvel Studios has released sixteen films since 2008 in what is known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is built on a library of over eight thousand characters featured in a variety of media content for over seventy years. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.marvel.com.

THE FANTASTIC 4: First Steps at home is going to make Marvel fans so thrilled. The film itself is done with a comic book feel from the suits of the four and the couture of the population. That also includes the futuristic look of the spaceships and the alien nature of Galactus. I love the look of the Richards home as it reminded me of the 60s shows I watched when I was younger. The mash of all of this is, well, fantastic.

From the first scene to the last, there is action and intensity even if there are a few clunky moments. The MCU needed this film and giving it the sci-fi feel along with a remarkable cast means that these superheroes in blue and white are pretty darn good all around. The literal ‘first steps’ have been taken and we all know where they lead – to AVENGERS: Doomsday and that is going to be a blockbuster!

In the end – they will save the world as a family!

It is the Return of the GLADIATOR II

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres from director Ridley Scott and Paramount Pictures is the story of Rome, revelations and revenge with GLADIATOR II.

Versus (Paul Mescal) is a great warrior living in Numidia with family when the Romans come calling by sea lead by General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal). Versus is taken prisoner while vowing under his breath to kill Acacius, and is taken back to Rome where he is bought by Macrinus (Denzel Washington) to become a gladiator. Seeing something in Versus, he decides to use him against the two vicious and cruel Roman emperors.

Rome is being ruled by Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) and his brother Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). They are led by greed and personal gain rather than the people of Rome. General Acacius knows this and is becoming disgusted by it all. Returning home to his wife Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), he makes it clear that he no longer desires to live this way. Lucilla reaches out to others like Senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi) to find a way to stop the corruption of Rome.

Versus proves that he has what it takes to be a gladiator by consistently taking on challenges to the delight of Macrinus as the mental wheels turn as to how he can rise even further in power. Pleasing Emperor Geta, Macrinus continues his frightful climb to the top by using everyone and anyone around him, including Versus.

There are secrets floating around Rome but one that is especially powerful enough to take down Emperors and those devious enough to believe they should be leader. In the tunnels of the colosseum, Versus finds the truth and the strength to take on the corruption of Rome!

Mescal as Versus is taking on a role that carries the story of the film. That is a monumental task following Crowe’s 2000 GLADIATOR story. That being said, Mescal gives us a strong performance of a man who is on his own journey of vengeance.  Versus’ past is about to catch up with him in ways he could never have imagined. I truly enjoyed Mescal in this role and the final scenes, I believe, seal him as an actor that has a far reach, even back into the Roman era. I’m ready for GLADIATOR III if he is!

Pascal as Acacius is a man who follows the orders of the emperors, whether he likes it or not is another thing entirely. The horrors that happened in Numidia seem the final straw. Pascal is just such a presence on the screen and the brooding character looks for answers without realizing it is his wife that might hold the key to freeing Rome. Nielsen returns as Lucilla who has not forgotten the ideals her father Marcus Aurelius instilled in her. She also has not forgotten her family and love that it has cost her. Turning to those who still believe, Nielsen’s presence in the film brings the story full circle.

Quinn as Emperor Geta is clearly deranged and, at first, I didn’t realize it was Quinn! Blonde hair and psychopathic actions are what this half of the emperorship this actor plays marvelously. Geta is frightening, powerful, and downright insane and Quinn pours it on every second he is on screen. Hechinger is the other half of the Roman insanity as Emperor Caracalla and a monkey who seems to be the only thing Caracalla relates to. If insanity could look cool, then Hechinger brings that and so much more.

Washington as Macrinus gets the opportunity to have the most fun giving his role a huge amount of wicked, plotting and devious behavior. I swear that the times he is smiling is because of the way he seemed aimlessly free to be this character without boundaries. It is a stunning performance and I was all in!  Jacobi’s return as Gracchus had to be there as a reminder of what the promise was of the original story. He is still standing for that and makes it clear he is willing to do whatever it takes to free Rome.

Other cast include Tim McInnerny as Thraex, Alexander Karim as Ravi, Rory McCann as Tegula, Alec Utgoff as Darius and Yuval Gonen as Arishat with appearances by Matt Lucas, May Calamawy and Peter Mensah.  

Paramount Pictures is the longest operating and remaining major studio in Hollywood that has been on the ground floor of every major development in film. From the advent of motion pictures to the emergence of television, through the digital revolution, Paramount Pictures has been there. During our 100-year history, we have served as the production site for thousands of notable movies and television shows. For more please visit www.paramountstudios.com.

GLADIATOR II follows the same formula as its predecessor and it is well done. Instead of trying to reinvent the chariot wheels, Ridley reminds us from the moment the films starts where the story began leading up to Versus. I was completely wow’d by the beginning graphics and mentally applauded it all. Once the actors began their roles, I knew I was going to enjoy this film.

As a fan of this genre of film, films such as SPARTACUS (1960) with Kirk Douglas, I knew the bar would be high for any story that followed. In 2000, Russell Crowe proved that stories about gladiators during the Roman era can be just as amazing. Mescal has taken the reigns of this genre and did so spectacularly well. His castmates also brought the history thanks to Nielsen and Jacobi and the twisted rulers with Quinn, Hechinger and damn, Mr. Denzel Washington if you please.

The visuals are big, bold and stunning with special effects that are extremely cool. Yes, I am keeping things close to the vest because it is important so see the secrets, twists and visuals for yourself. The audience was cheering, making ‘ewwww’ faces, and shouting out which, and it must be said, seemed very colosseum like which actually made the film more fun to see.

GLADIATOR II takes the audience back to a violent time but, at the same time, captivates for its two hour and twenty-eight-minute running time. Trust me when I say, it certainly didn’t feel like it at all. That’s because of director Scott’s ability to tell this story, the casts keeping our attention from beginning to end and great special effects. This film is absolute entertainment!

In the end – strength and honor!