Emmy says:
Wow. I really enjoyed this one. Phenomenal story line with tight dialogue, and brilliant staccato fight choreography. The music was so on point and really elevated the scenes. Would love a sequel. 10/10.

Jeff says:
Almost formulaic, but fun regardless. While we might have seen this sort of thing before (and it was produced by some of the same people as were involved in John Wick), that doesn’t stop it being an effective film. There are enough fresh angles here to make it worth your time – and the music is perfect. 10/10.

IMDb

Emmy says:
A really fun movie with so many great lines. The CGI for the game was wonderfully done. The soundtrack was very enjoyable, as was the character designs. Loved the depiction of streamers. 9/10.

Jeff says:
I honestly don’t know what to say about this film. IT IS SO GOOD. I don’t want to ruin surprises for people who haven’t seen all the trailers (which give too much away, as usual). Having said that, there is still so much in this film that I didn’t expect (in a good way). Ryan Reynolds was perfect in the lead role – and the rest of the cast were excellent. I know there’s a sequel planned, but I’m not sure how it can top this. 10/10.

IMDb

Emmy says:
I love the hyper-colour style of this movie, it’s such a visual feast. The look and feel is just like a comic book. With so much packed into the screen I feel like I missed half the movie and wonder just how much better this was in cinemas. Absolutely stunning, will have to watch again. 10/10.

Jeff says:
As I said out loud after the credits finished: an over-the-top CGI fest based on a kids cartoon isn’t entitled to give this many feels! This movie is spectacular in every sense of the word. I personally have the nostalgia for the original that means every time the cartoon theme is hinted at, I’m transported. I had already seen this movie once before, and that didn’t make it any less compelling – it meant I got emotional sooner! That opening is a brilliant example of how to weave action and back-story. Definitely under-rated when released, as it is now better understood. Movies With Mikey covered it very well here. Something I can come back to repeatedly. 10/10. Go Speed Racer, Go!

IMDb

Emmy says:
This was a delightful watch, full of great acting. The special effects are well crafted, the horror is realistic and the one or two jump scares are not at all telegraphed. No standard horror trope stupidity in this film which really adds to the enjoyment. Definitely worth a watch and there really isn’t much that can be said without spoilers. 9/10.

Jeff says:
Horror and comedy in one film is hard to pull off. This film manages admirably. I have to thank Ryan Hollinger for bringing this to our attention … and he’s right, you need to see this without having it spoiled for you. The action is worthy of a ‘bigger’ film and characters are well acted. Worth your time, definitely. 9/10.

IMDb

Emmy says:
This movie is filled with so many one liners that just made me laugh. Fun story jam packed with colourful characters. An uplifting watch. 8/10.

Jeff says:
I would say this movie had surprising heart, but since it’s from the same people who brought us the two regular LEGO Movies, it’s not surprising at all. Fantastic attention to detail with an incredible understanding of the deep law of Batman, DC and just ‘nerd’ pop culture in general. A fun ride, well crafted, and excellently acted by the voice talent. 9/10.

IMDb

Emmy says:
For a movie based in dialogue it just flew by, full of wit and philosophy. Great framing pushed the personal aspect and the characters were interesting. This was a lot of fun. 8/10.

Jeff says:
I never realised how much this movie could be useful in a philosophy lesson. Begging the question, straw man arguments, moving the goalposts … everything the lobbyists for the foulest corporations and political vested interests use to fool people into ignoring facts and science. Having said all that, this is a very entertaining film with surprising heart. While some critics objected to the lack of a redemption arc, I think this is more realistic and all the better for it. 9/10.

IMDb

Emmy says:
Very camp and kitschy movie, fun and predictable. The costumes are an amazing mess. 7/10.

Jeff says:
We’re often reminded of older movies by a reference or a comparison in something we’ve seen in YouTube. I can’t remember what brought this back to mind – except that it was a reference to something the director said in the excellent documentary This Film is Not Yet Rated. My opinion on representation is likely not really relevant here, but I feel that it has not aged well in that department. The satire is mild and the horrific nature of ‘conversion therapy’ is let off easy here, but for 1999 it was fairly bold. Still watchable over 20 years later. 7/10.

IMDb

Emmy says:
Great premise for the film, unfortunately I would have liked a broader picture of the impact on people and their coping strategies. The narrow band of crazy depicted left me feeling let down. Good acting and filming constrained by the script. 7/10.

Jeff says:
What to do when your little intern won’t let you sleep? Watch a film about how much worse it could be! An interesting premise, and a nicely contained human drama in the middle of a (presumably) world-wide disaster. Sadly, it didn’t really pay off as the ending was obvious (to us at least) very early and many of the story choices were too cliché, too easily ‘resolved’, or both. Not a bad little film, but could have been better. 7/10.

IMDb

Emmy says:
Creating a movie for a character that you know will survive the film but has died in the franchise has got to be difficult to make good. This movie is not good. I was not drawn in by the conceit of the plot nor did I become invested in the characters. Wonderful action scenes as always, just without the emotional punch. 6/10.

Jeff says:
Had this film been released in story order among the other films in the MCU, this might have worked better (not the least because some of the characters could have been used in the later – now previous – films). While I don’t think the ‘prequel’ (more like an extended flashback) was that deleterious to the story, the execution was souless. Lots of pretty visuals, but nothing below the surface. Not a fitting send-off for one of the underserved original (cinematic) Avengers. 7/10.

IMDb