Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989)

7/10

Starring

Keanu Reeves

Alex Winter

Directed by Stephen Herek

The movie may have been made in 1989, but it’s such a ’90s drink—way too loaded with alcohol. What that means is, for its runtime, this movie makes you forget all your misery and gets you drunk on funny, unbelievable stupidity. It features two of the most ridiculous friends you can imagine, yet makes them so cool and fun that it’s hard not to enjoy the film.
The funny part for me was seeing Keanu Reeves—the Matrix guy, John Wick—acting as a total goof in this movie when he was much younger.

I loved Bill and Ted when I was younger and even watched the two seasons of the animated series, which weren’t as exciting as this first movie. Another thing that made this movie cool is the story, which is as bogus as they come. These two dimwits are the ones who will save the world, and the only way that can happen is if they stay together. Then there’s George Carlin, the dude who has to set them on the path to international stardom.

The movie is about two high school students who are about to flunk history. What Bill (Alex Winter) and Ted (Keanu Reeves) don’t know is that their rock band, Wyld Stallyns, will release music that makes the world a better place.

In the future—2688, to be exact—humanity has reached a utopia thanks to their music, and the only way this can happen is if Bill and Ted don’t get split up. And that can only happen if they pass their history exam. The future of humanity now rests in the hands of Rufus (George Carlin), a time traveler from the future whose sole job is to help these two pass their history test.
He travels back in time and meets them.

The movie borrows ideas from Doctor Who, as our two high school heroes travel through time in a phone booth. Unlike Doctor Who, though, the booth isn’t bigger on the inside, and it’s hilarious to see them cram themselves into it for their travels.

The actors did a solid job playing their goofy roles, but the characters themselves don’t have much depth. The movie leans more on style than substance, riding on its playful energy rather than delivering a strong story.

One last thing about this movie: you’ll really appreciate it after seeing the sequel. There’s such a thing as too much Bill and Ted, which the sequel and the animated series proved. Their antics in the sequel just made this first movie more enjoyable and classier to watch. 
If you haven’t seen Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure, well, you’re missing something so stupid and illiterate that it ends up being funny and cool.

How To Train Your Dragon (2010)

How To Train Your Dragon (2010)

7/10

Starring the voices of

Jay Baruchel

Gerard Butler

Craig Ferguson

America Ferrera

Jonah Hill

Directed by Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois

Here’s an animation that no one saw coming. This DreamWorks adaptation, loosely based on the book of the same name by Cressida Cowell, was a stunner. It was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Academy Awards but lost to Toy Story 3 (2010). It stands out in memory as one of the best things to see in 2010, just because the plot is very different.

What makes this animation so good is the way the screenwriters crafted the journey. We get to see the young lead, Hiccup, try to tame a dragon. The comedy in his trials and the intelligence he brings to the table make his life fun to watch and the animation truly memorable.
Being both a critical and commercial success, this movie spawned two sequels, which were not as amazing as this first one. In 2014, we had How to Train Your Dragon 2 and five years later, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, to complete a trilogy.

Hiccup is a Viking, and his father is the chief of their hometown, Berk. The village is regularly attacked by dragons that raid livestock and destroy buildings. The people of Berk are dragon hunters, but Hiccup isn’t allowed to join the hunt because, compared to the other men, he’s considered too small and weak.

Hiccup is a blacksmith’s apprentice, and he uses this opportunity to create machines to catch and kill dragons. One day, he manages to shoot down a Night Fury, but no one believes him. He decides to go look for it and finds the creature trapped. Instead of killing the dragon, Hiccup sets it free because he can’t bring himself to take its life.

The next time Hiccup returns to the spot where he freed the Night Fury, he finds the dragon still there. During their earlier encounter, Hiccup had torn the dragon’s tail fin, leaving it unable to fly. Hiccup designs a prosthetic fin that works with him in control, allowing him to mount the dragon.

The chief puts Hiccup to the test, challenging him to fight and kill a dragon in front of everyone. Hiccup subdues the dragon without violence, trying to prove that dragons are peaceful creatures. His father isn’t convinced, and that, ladies and gentlemen, is when the animation truly takes flight.

To find out what happens next, you’ll have to take the time to watch this movie—and I beg you, see the whole trilogy. They’re worth owning.

How To Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World (2019)

How To Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World (2019)

6/10

Starring the voices of

Jay Baruchel

America Ferrera

Cate Blanchett

Craig Ferguson

Directed by Dean DeBlois

How to Train Your Dragon 3 is the final installment in the How to Train Your Dragon movie franchise. This animation follows the tale of Hiccup and his Night Fury, Toothless, as they try to save all the dragons they can find and help them live peacefully.

This DreamWorks animation is loosely based on a book series of the same name, and it blows my mind how well the story and animation come together to create another memorable journey. Every movie in this franchise has been great, delivering a tale worth seeing for both kids and adults alike.

Here, we see Hiccup still living on the adventurous side of life, with his mother by his side now, trying to lead his team without relying too much on the dragons. With Toothless (the Night Fury) now an alpha, it’s easier to control the dragons, but Hiccup and his crew are finding it hard to master missions on their own.

The animation focuses mostly on Hiccup this time, as the new chief following his father’s death in How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014). He’s trying to figure out the best way to handle the current situation. The situation? His raids have been successful, and he’s saved many dragons. The downside? Berk, where he and the other Vikings live, is now overflowing with dragons, and chaos is brewing.

Hiccup needs to find them a new home—a place where they’ll be safe from humans and have enough space to roam free.

On the other side, there are the people losing their dragons to Hiccup. They’ve called in a man named Grimmel for help. Grimmel has made it his life’s mission to kill every Night Fury in existence, and upon learning that Hiccup has one, he jumps at the chance to help these sailors by capturing and killing Toothless. He uses a White Fury (a female Night Fury) that these men have captured, hoping it will lure Toothless away and leave Hiccup vulnerable.

The plan isn’t a complete success, but Grimmel makes it difficult for Toothless to remain loyal to Hiccup. Toothless now has a love interest he cares for and wants to keep by his side.

The story isn’t as strong as the previous films, and the villain doesn’t have the same presence as past antagonists. It also leans a bit too much on nostalgia, which takes away from deeper storytelling.

The animation is cool, and every movie in this trilogy delivers on the highs. How to Train Your Dragon consistently hits it out of the park, with each film being both critically and financially successful. You won’t regret watching the final movie in this series.

How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

How To Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

7/10

Starring the voices of

Jay Baruchel

Cate Blanchett

Gerard Butler

Craig Ferguson

America Ferrera

Directed by Dean DeBlois

How to Train Your Dragon 2 is fun, classy, and delivers one shocking excitement after another. The movie kicks off five years after the first How to Train Your Dragon, and the story leads us to meet Hiccup’s mom, encounter an Alpha dragon, and watch Toothless challenge it. That’s just a taste of the fun waiting for you when you sit down to watch this movie.

Everything about this movie is what you’re looking for in a fun time at the movies. It delivers class, and the animation is a step up from the first film. Crafted by Dean DeBlois, who made this sequel with the hope of turning the story into a trilogy, I beg you to take the time to watch these movies back-to-back. It’ll make for a fun evening with the kids.

This DreamWorks animation is loosely based on a book series of the same name, and the story picks up when Hiccup is now twenty. He and Toothless have grown even closer and seem inseparable. On top of that, the city of Berk is now filled with dragons, as the people have come to welcome these creatures. Hiccup and Toothless continue to explore new lands and chart their journeys.

Hiccup is being groomed by his father to succeed him as chief, something Hiccup doesn’t feel ready for. Meanwhile, there’s a man named Drago, a chief who wants to dominate the Vikings. He’s using his dragons to take down anyone who refuses to pledge loyalty to him.

Drago is about to attack Berk when Hiccup tries to find him and reason with him. His search leads him to Valka, a dragon rider who, like Hiccup, has spent years rescuing and protecting dragons. She lives in a nest with an Alpha dragon, a Bewilderbeast—a creature that can hypnotize any adult dragon within reach of its call, forcing them to obey.

Drago and Hiccup’s father track Hiccup to the nest, and a battle breaks out, resulting in a tragic loss. Drago arrives with his own Bewilderbeast, defeats the Alpha, and makes his Bewilderbeast the new Alpha. Now, with Drago able to control the other dragons and Hiccup separated from Toothless, how will they stop the chaos Drago is unleashing?

How to Train Your Dragon 2 expands the world and raises the stakes, but it’s not without its flaws. The pacing feels off, with some plot points rushed while others drag. It’s visually stunning and ambitious, but the story doesn’t always balance its darker tone with the heart that made the first film so memorable.

This animation is worth every moment, and I highly recommend taking the time to watch it. Enjoy the class this film delivers. A third installment, How to Train Your Dragon 3: The Hidden World, was released in 2019.

Isn’t It Romantic (2019)

Isn’t It Romantic (2019)

5/10

Starring

Rebel Wilson

Liam Hemsworth

Adam DeVine

Priyanka Chopra

Directed by Todd Strauss-Schulson

Isn’t It Romantic? The answer to that question is, “No, it isn’t.”

There’s nothing funny or romantic about this rom-com about a woman who, while in a hospital bed, falls into a universe where everything in her life is different.
This movie is supposed to be about a woman finding her voice, discovering her self-esteem, and learning what love is all about. Instead, we get a world turned upside down and a promise that everything will make sense if we keep watching. But the writers forgot to make any sense of what we saw. The plot is not even empowering, she has to first go into another world to be accepted, then we have to watch to the end for some twist.

The movie’s plot follows Natalie (Rebel Wilson), who grew up being told romance isn’t real. She was taught to forget the idea that anything she saw on TV could happen to her. She took that to heart and grew up avoiding attachments. On top of that, she’s timid and gets pushed around at work, even though she’s a senior staff member.

After a long day at the office, Natalie is mugged on the subway. She struggles with the mugger and manages to escape, only to knock herself unconscious by clumsily walking head-first into a steel girder. Natalie wakes up in the hospital and immediately notices that things are different. She leaves the hospital to find her world has changed: her apartment is now bigger and cleaner, she has new friends, and old friends have turned into enemies.

A billionaire who barely noticed her in her previous life is now head over heels for her and will do anything to win her over. Soon, Natalie realizes she’s living in a romantic movie-style life. She plays along but can’t wait to get back to her real life.

The movie’s idea sounds good on paper, but it’s a complete eyesore on screen. The biggest criticism is how the actors interact with each other—it’s done so distastefully that only Rebel Wilson seems to be having fun. She doesn’t seem to care what the others are doing or what they’re on. Probably weed, because you’d have to be on something to make this movie.

In the end, the movie throws in a dance number, which just adds to the lameness it has in store for you—if you’re brave enough to watch it.

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

Mary Poppins Returns (2018)

7/10

Starring

Emily Blunt

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Ben Whishaw

Emily Mortimer

Julie Walters

Dick Van Dyke

Directed by Rob Marshall

After decades in development hell, Disney has finally given us a Mary Poppins sequel.
Since its release in 1964, Walt Disney attempted to produce a sequel but faced issues with the original writer, P. L. Travers. Fifty-five years later, those issues have been ironed out, and we, the audience, are just grateful.

Like the previous film, the musical numbers are catchy and easy to get lost in.

This musical fantasy film is amazing, and I enjoyed the ride. I only wish more of the cast from the 1964 film—who are still alive—had made a cameo (Dick Van Dyke did, though). The movie was so good that it received widespread praise and accolades, earning numerous nominations at the Oscars, BAFTAs, Golden Globes, Critics’ Choice Awards, and more. Sadly, it lost out in many categories.
Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins was an absolute delight. I went into this movie thinking no one could match Julie Andrews’ performance, but Emily matched it in her own way. She reshaped the character to fit her personality while staying true to its essence.

The movie’s plot now focuses on the much older Jane and Michael Banks.
Michael is now the owner of the Banks home from the first film, and he’s in financial trouble. He took out a loan from the bank where his father worked in the first movie, and now the bank is threatening to foreclose on the house.

Michael lives in the house with his three children, and Jane is staying over to help him find some important documents that could save their childhood home.

During their search, they find the kite that played a key role in the first film’s ending. Michael tosses it aside, but his youngest son, George, starts playing with it. The wind carries George away, and Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda), who recognizes the wind’s significance, watches as Mary Poppins arrives. She greets the children, who are surprised she knows their names, and takes them home.

Michael and Jane immediately recognize Mary Poppins, and she announces she’s going to be their new nanny (though we’re left to wonder who she’s really there to take care of). From there, we’re sent on a magical ride while also trying to save the Banks’ home.

The writers did something amazing—they wove in glimpses of the past to appeal to older fans while using Mary Poppins’ magic to win over new ones. The result is a fun, magical ride for the whole family.
The movie didn’t rely too heavily on nostalgia from the original, and for that, I give the director and Disney as much credit as I can spare to keep writing this review.

Lastly, Lin-Manuel Miranda (Jack) vs. Dick Van Dyke (Bert). For me, both portray very different characters, so comparing their roles as Mary Poppins’ co-anchors, I’d say that while Miranda nailed the accent, I still prefer Dick Van Dyke’s goofiness.

Mary Poppins Returns has the charm of the original, but doesn’t quite stand on its own. The story feels too familiar, following the same structure without bringing much new to the table. The songs sound great, but aren’t as memorable as the first film. I also feel it leans too much on nostalgia, at the cost of originality. Fantastic movie, but does not have the magic that made the original timeless.

So here’s a sequel that’s very well done and fun to watch. You can line it up for viewing after watching the original Mary Poppins (1964).

Liberty Stand Still (2002)

Liberty Stand Still (2002)

3/10

Starring

Linda Fiorentino

Wesley Snipes

Directed by Karl Skogland

I remember seeing Liberty Stand Still when I was much younger, and I thought it was just a Phone Booth rip-off—except instead of a phone booth, this time we had a hot dog stand.
The movie wasn’t that great, and I can see why many people didn’t like it. Because of the bad reviews, it never made it to theaters and was released straight to video. It lacked the jolt of thrill needed to make it worth watching more than once.

What was mostly missing in this movie was the energetic charisma in the leads’ performances. It felt like they were way too comfortable having a gun pointed at them. You’d expect someone with a sniper rifle aimed at them—and who’s already been shot at—to react differently, but that’s not what this movie delivers.
Liberty (played by Linda Fiorentino) was oddly calm and confident with a rifle pointed at her. Joe (Wesley Snipes) was an annoying character with a boring voice, making him hard to root for. His motive might have been more grounded, but the movie tried too hard to be believable and ended up failing to be enjoyable. What it really lacked was the simplicity of Phone Booth.

Liberty is a gun salesperson in an arranged marriage, with a nice boyfriend on the side. She’s not exactly proud of her life, as you’ll see as the movie progresses, but she’s made peace with it.
She and her husband run a company that manufactures guns, and they don’t care whose hands the guns end up in, as long as the buyer can pay.

Joe lost his daughter to one of these guns, and he wants revenge—not just for himself, but to show the world the dangers of guns. His plan is to hold Liberty hostage and force her to make his statement to the American public. The problem is, the movie doesn’t take the time to make that statement or argument believable. Instead, it tries to suck us into the characters’ lives, which, at that point, were pretty boring. The writer didn’t seem to understand what a movie twist is supposed to do.

Twists are supposed to make you go, “Wow!” If you’re like me, watching with the ability to skip back, you’d want to rewind and see how everything added up to that point. If you’re in a cinema, loose ends in your memory get tied up.
The twist in this movie was so pathetic, and the delivery lacked so much enthusiasm, that even if you missed it, it wouldn’t have affected the movie’s outcome.

I can’t, in good faith, tell you to give Liberty Stand Still a try. I’d rather leave it in the memory of movies I saw way back when.