Avatar: The Way Of Water (2022)

 

I rewatched the extended version of the first film just before watching this one. I highly recommend it, because Way Of The Water is a true sequel, with interwoven storylines from the first. 

The return to Nu’vi is another creative adventure. Are there ‘save the planet’ messages in spades? Yes, and I think that’s a good thing. Looking forward to the next film. 

Rating: B

Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (2003)

Whew, what a fun ride! Amazing special f/x with plenty of cool fight and chase scenes. Good times.

Rating: C+

San Andreas (2015)

Complete scientific lunacy paired with a nonsensical script. What can I say, I’m a sucker for disaster movies. This wasn’t a good one.

Rating: D

Red Dawn (2012)

Like the original, the premise is absolutely bonkers. There’s just no way North Korea, Russia, or any country can suddenly parachute into the US without us having advance notice. EMP device or otherwise. Secondly, no nation in their right mind would invade the US with troops on the ground, as there is nothing to be gained by it. As the movie alluded to in its opening montage, a real attack would be cyber, financial, terrorist, or missile.

So in this update, apparently the North Koreas and Russians have jointly invaded the US. Why? Who knows. My first thought was that this could simply be one long commercial for the NRA. Americans must have their guns to stem off a land based attack. It could happen. As the story progresses, we learn that the invading countries are concerned with our moral compass, and have expended untold resources (which they don’t have) in order to help us rebuild our culture to one more socially conscious? Seriously? A screenwriter actually wrote this crap?

The cast is pulled straight out of an episode of Dawson’s Creek. It was tough mustering any sympathy for whether they lived or died. We are asked to believe that these Ambercrombie dorks are supposed to save civilization after an afternoon of training in the woods.

Then out of nowhere comes a shoehorned Subway ad, further degrading the movie’s dignity. Subway is the absolute worst when it comes to product placement, bringing entire TV series to their knees with their flaccid six inch subs. But that’s not the point I’m trying to make. It’s that this movie was a war atrocity.

Rating: F

Avatar (2009)

Visually, it's unlike anything we've ever seen before. I saw it in 2D, as I'm yet to be convinced 3D makes the viewing experience better. Life in the new world James Cameron creates is fun and interesting. Certainly more exciting than the unplugged world within the film. Acting and story outside of Pandora are bland and wooden. Go see Avatar for what's over the rainbow, not below it.

Rating: B-

Tigerland (2000)

Performances are very well done, the directing is gritty and in your face. Nice little movie.

Rating: C+

Faster (2010)

It’s been ages since I saw Billy Bob in a role where he wasn’t playing a greasy deadbeat. I guess he’s through with acting. Faster sets the bar really low for revenge flicks. The barely there plot is an afterthought. The Rock is a one-act set piece that can be adequate given the right material. He didn’t shine in Faster.

Rating: D+