Movies

Suicide Squad

Finally had the chance to catch up on this.  (The James Gunn version.  The David Ayer one sucks.)  Gunn’s irreverence is perfect for this movie, and his attitude shines through the whole movie.  Highlights include:

1. Margot Robbie as Harley.  I don’t care what else she does, this will forever be her iconic role in my book.  I can’t imagine a more perfect casting.  As with the Birds of Prey movie, she has a wonderful solo fight scene.  And everything else with her never fails to entertain.

2. Ratcatcher 2 adds some nice heart to the film, somehow avoiding sentimentality.  Taika Waititi as her father is a sweet cameo.

3. The cameos in general.  Everyone must have had a blast filming this.  

4. Sylvester Stallone as King Shark.  Any more and it would have gotten old, but he’s in this for the perfect amount.

5. Somehow making Starro the Conquerer the big bad work?  Impressive.

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: Yes

Would buy on DVD: No

Rating: Pretty good

Matrix Resurrections

Wow.  I went into this with zero expectations.  It could have sucked or rocked, and I was going to watch it either way.  

Whatever I expected, this wasn’t it - A super meta commentary on the original trilogy tied up in an epic love story.  Kudos to director Lana Wachowski for coming up with something totally original and off of the beaten path.  It’s fair to say that no one else could have ever come up with this.  

What was good:

1. Jessica Henwick as Bugs.  Between this, Colleen Wing, and a minor minor role in Force Awakens, her geek cred keeps getting stronger.  I’m so happy she took this part instead of whatever she was up for in Shang-Chi.  This is the far better showcase.

2. Keanu Reeves has evolved into someone who’s always awesome to see on screen.

3. Good to see Carrie-Anne Moss again in her signature role.

4. All the meta stuff at the beginning.  It definitely makes the brain work.

5. I still don’t buy Neo and Trinity as this transcendent love couple, but I respect the sentiment.  It’s also sweet to see Trinity on the same power level as Neo at the end.

What was meh:

1. The action’s a major letdown, especially considering how genre-defining it was in the original.  I mean, it’s really disappointing.  

2. Jonathan Groff didn’t suck as the new Agent Smith, but I still don’t see the point of the character in the movie aside from nostalgia.

3. I love NPH, but not sure if he’s the right actor for The Analyst.

Regret watching: No

Would watch again: Yes

Would buy on DVD: Yes, I think.

Rating: Pretty good