2023 Summer Movie Season - Elemental: Review & Analysis

 

Pure Chemistry!!!! Pixar Delivers Big In Heartfelt Romantic Comedy !!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

Stop me if you've heard this before: So a girl meets this guy.

Story Description

In the bustling metropolis of Element City, citizens go about their daily lives sticking to the straight and narrow path that is before them. Ember (Leah Lewis) helps run her father’s diner in preparation for when she takes on the family business. Though she is happy to help add to the family legacy, she has always wondered what else is out there for her. Her world soon changes when she meets Wade (Mamoudou Athie), a shy and good-hearted guy from the water side of Element City. Dispute the rule of elements not mixing, Ember strikes up a friendship with Wade and opens up her eyes to the possibilities she never saw before. Together, they will discover that despite being from 2 worlds, there is more to each of them than what was initially perceived. 

Ember and Wade experience Element City in a whole
new way.

Film Review

From director Peter Sohn, Disney and Pixar takes audiences to a unique world filled with so much vibrancy both visually and narratively.  Serving as a romantic comedy ripe with heart, soul, and chemistry, Elemental aims to be the feel-good adventure of the summer. After traveling through element city with both Ember and Wade, Elemental reminded me why Pixar is one of the most treasured animation studios working today. For reasons unknown, a stigma against the studio has emerged with many people worried that they are losing their touch. Despite what has been said, Elemental shows that Pixar is still a consistent source of quality storytelling, visual artistry, and heartfelt emotional valor. Like all Pixar films, the look of the film is an essential element. What makes Pixar so great is their incredible ability to immerse you in the worlds they create making them feel real. Whether it's the Land of The Dead in Coco or Andy's backyard in Toy Story, Pixar makes it their mission to get you effectively visually invested. Elemental is no different. From the opening scene, the film presents a world brimming with vibrancy and a distinct visual language. Sure it makes for some great visual gags, but the imagination on display on screen made me happy and reminded me why Pixar is great at what they do. The film's visuals also are effectively used to tell its story at the highest level. This brings me to our two leads (be aware, some element puns might be on the horizon). Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie are such a joy to watch as Ember and Wade respectively. Lewis delivers an incredible performance as Ember as she gives the character such nuance and personality throughout. You emphasize with her and truly see through her fiery exterior to reveal someone afraid of vulnerability and connection. Athie is irresistibly lovable as Wade. He unbashfully wears his heart on his sleeve and is unafraid of showcasing how he feels. This makes for some of the film's most earnest and hilarious moments. He is the perfect counterbalance to Ember's closed-off and at times hostile attitude.

Wade in the water (Ba Dum Tss)

Over the course of the story, the connection between the two of them transforms them both making the romance "element" a strong point of the film. These two actors bring such humanity to their characters making them feel so real in this fictional world. With that in mind, Elemental does well in telling an engaging human story in a non-human setting. Loosely based on Peter Sohn's own family history, Elemental uses its visual language to have an authentic conversation about the power of connection and the struggles we face sacrificing for the generation before. The concept of "elements not mixing" shouldn't be subtle to anyone who has had to deal with racial discrimination in their lifetime especially moving from one country to the next. Being looked at as a threat when all you are trying to do is live your life. This shouldn't be surprising to anyone who has seen Zootopia for it tackled very similar thematic elements. Elemental follows that same formula but in its own unique way. Connection without fear and the courage to go after your dreams are key to the DNA of Elemental and make this film such a joy to watch. Overall, Elemental is definitely one of the most heartfelt and earnest films I have seen this year. It's overflowing with such heart and an irresistible sense of uplifting joy. Of all of the Pixar projects to release in the 2020s, this one ranks as one of the best. In what has already been a plentiful yet crowded year for animation, it's great to see that this animated romantic comedy has the right mix of everything that makes Pixar one of a kind.

Rating and Final Thoughts

With no shortage of heart, humor, and earnest emotional valor, Elemental is a Pixar standout 
that shows the studio has plenty of magic left. 

Round of applause for the summer's coolest and hottest couple

2023 Summer Movie Season - DC's The Flash: Review & Analysis

 

Flash In A Pan!!!! Film Starring DC's Speedster is An Emotionally Moving and Fun Marathon!!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

Ready for the run of a lifetime?

Story Description

Everyone has that moment where they think about an aspect of their life that they would change if they had the power to do so. The question is: If you had the chance to do it, would you? For Barry Allen (Ezra Miller), he is still grappling with the trauma of seeing his mother die in front of him. Now coming into his own as a hero, Barry discovers he actually may have an opportunity to regain what he’s lost. If he runs at a specific speed for an extended period of time, he can go back in time and save his mother from her deadly fate. It’s a risky move that can have unforeseen consequences. But for Barry, it’s worth the risk. After partaking in the risky maneuver, Barry discovers that while it may have given him something back, it may have unleashed something even worse. Now trapped in an alternate reality where all metahumans are either dead or imprisoned, Barry and his younger self must team with an alternative version of Bruce Wayne (Michael Keaton) and a Kryptonian that isn’t Clark Kent but a young woman with similar powers named Kara (Sasha Calle) to combat threats that threaten their world including Zod (Michael Shannon). Will Barry face the challenges before him or will his fear and desperation further throw the known multiverse into anarchy? 

Barry stands firm with his alternative self and Kara

Film Review

As one of the tumultuously troubling projects in the DC lineup, The Flash has had its fair share of attention, both good and bad, leading up to its release. Acting as both the end of the DCEU and the official reset point for the DC Universe as a whole, The Flash has an unreal amount of pressure around it to deliver a quality superhero adventure despite the baggage surrounding it. After seeing the film, It's truly a shame that the film is dripping in controversy because the movie itself is a fun and emotionally earnest experience. No one can deny the mountain of bad publicity that the folks (or person) involved have brought to this project. However, looking at the film as a whole, The Flash has so much going for it both narratively, action-wise and thematically. We might as well talk about performances and address the elephant in the room. Outside problems aside, our leading man Ezra Miller is a revelation in this movie. He is the complete package from start to finish. He effortlessly balances comedy, sorrow, regret, awkwardness, anger, desperation, and guilt in his dual role as both Barrys. You truly understand the weight of his trials and tribulations and you feel for him as he goes on this journey of learning to let go. It's one of the genuinely great performances in the DC cinematic lineup which makes all of the actor's troubles that much more frustrating.  

 

DOUBLE FLASH ATTACK!!!

A masterful performance that would have been a career-best if not for the dark cloud hovering overhead. Moving on to the supporting players. Sasha Calle is a standout in her role as Kara aka Supergirl. Despite her brief screen time, I'm impressed with the impact she made in making a character that refinds her sense of hope due to the actions of those around her. Here's hoping when the new era of DC films starts, she will be allowed to do more with this character and truly carve out a more defined identity for herself. Michael Keaton does well in his return as Bruce Wayne. There are plenty of moments of nostalgia as to be expected. There are moments however where he thematically adds great levity to scenes that tie perfectly into Barry's arc. Overall though, he is a fun nostalgia kick for the film from start to finish. An aspect of The Flash that I really loved was its emotionally earnest and thematically rich narrative. While the film offers plenty of action and comedy, the film's deeper message is what elevates this film from good to great. Barry's desperation to fix things is the result of not letting go of the trauma that ultimately defined him. In his attempts to change his fate and the fate of those around him, he creates a bigger mess and figuratively and literally loses himself. It's not until he comes to terms with what has happened to him that he truly becomes his better self. We are all the sum of our parts. Everything happens for a reason. The scars may remind us of our lowest moments, but they are essential in helping make us better. That message is one of the many aspects that put The Flash at the top of the list for DC films. A movie that delivers spectacle but offers something more to hold on to. In the grand scheme of it all, The Flash definitely ranks as one of the best DC films in recent years. It has everything you want in a film: action, humor, heart, emotion, and a message worth sharing. It's one of the most complete films I have seen this year and if this is truly the ending of the current DC era, this ends it on a positive note. No one truly knows what's next for the cinematic future of the DC universe, but despite the bumpy road and dark cloud surrounding it, this was a race worth running.

Rating and Final Thoughts

With all of the baggage and troubling aura surrounding the film, The Flash offers heart, humor,
action, and thematically powerful subtext to be one of the most complete films in the DC 
cinematic portfolio.

Ok, maestro, the floor is yours.

2023 Summer Movie Season - Transformers Rise of The Beasts: Review & Analysis

 

Till All Are One!!!! Latest Transformers Movie Offers Explosive Thrills, 90s Nostalgia, and Pure Summer Fun!!!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

A new era has awakened

Story Description

For the past decade, The Autobots, led by Optimus Prime (Peter Cullen), have defended their new planetary residence from the onslaught of the Decepticons. But a new threat has emerged that may be even more destructive than they’ve imagined. A new group of adversaries known as the Terrorcons have come to Earth to establish dominance and make way for the arrival of their overseer, the planet-devouring cybertronian behemoth Unicron. Faced with an enemy capable of wiping out life on a galactic scale, Optimus and the Autobots must seek allies in the form of a former military electronics expert named Noah (Anthony Ramos), a headstrong artifact researcher (Dominique Fishback), and the mysterious and once reclusive faction known as the Maximals led by Optimus Primal (Ron Perlman). Together, they aim to stop the impending destruction of their planet in a race against time to protect the life of all living beings.

Noah and Elena confront their fate as they find themselves 
caught in a war between the Autobots and Terrorcons

Film Review

Over a decade and a half removed from their live-action debut, the Transformers franchise has become one the more culturally divisive franchises in modern Hollywood. With earlier installments ranging from decent fun to insulting unbearable, the series has been at the bottom of a lot of people’s quality lists. Things started to shift in 2018 with the release of the critically acclaimed preboot Bumblebee. While the action was still exciting and engaging, the film represented a shift in how Paramount and Hasbro would approach its action franchise. A strong emphasis on the heart, character, story, as well as spectacle looked like the perfect rebranding for a series looking to finally take its universe seriously. With Transformers Rise of the Beasts, Director Steven Caple Jr aims to continue the momentum of the terrific 2018 film and show that the Transformers franchise has become something worth getting excited about again. After going into battle with the Autobots and the Maximals on this global adventure, Rise of The Beasts is a positive step for the franchise that offers an abundance of fun from start to finish. After seeing Bumblebee 5 years ago, I was excited about the prospect of this film building off the momentum of that tremendous preboot. Thankfully, Rise of The Beasts does that by delivering an action-packed summer romp that shares some of the strong qualities of that film despite some of the more recurring issues from the previous era still being present. On the positive side, the film is a hell of a lot of fun. Thinking back to some of the previous Transformers entries, Rise of The Beasts feels like an authentic Transformers adventure more so than any of the Michael Bay-led entries. Like Travis Knight with Bumblebee, Caple Jr has a love for the series and it shows in every frame of this movie. The nostalgia factor has never really been a defining element of the live-action Transformers films. But Caple Jr expertly captures the look and feel of the series of old and the 90s in such a pure way. From the clothes, the music, and the overall aura, this feels like an authentic Transformers adventure/90s throwback film in the best way possible. As for performances, there are quite a few standouts. Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback are a capable duo as Noah and Elena. Ramos' Noah is a character that you root for over the course of the story thanks to the film giving him an authentic arc. 

Maximals and Autobots Ready For Action

His motivations are pure and his wit is strong making him an engaging protagonist. Ramos continues to grow as a leading man and his future is looking brighter with every role he takes. Fishback is also fun to watch as Elena as she does a great job of being smart and capable despite the obstacles in her way. She plays off of Ramos well making for a fun tandem throughout the film. Voicewise, Peter Cullen is once again fantastic as Optimus Prime and really delivers in guiding Optimus in his journey to fighting for more than just his people. Pete Davidson is both hit and miss as Mirage. Cringey one moment and amusingly playful the next, Davidson manages to be both an asset and a burden to the film with his best moments coming in his progressive friendship with Noah. Ron Perlman and Michelle Yeoh are great additions to the film as Optimus Primal and Airazor. Perlman brings the same vocal gravitas as Cullen and Yeoh's softness oozes wisdom and understanding. Peter Dinklage could have done more as Scourge but he is still a solid antagonist despite his limited impact and screen presence. The main element that I loved about this film is its overall sense of joy that comes with being in this world with these chracters. The movie is possibly the most pure feeling summer movie so far this year. Loud and fast-paced action much like the previous era of films. What makes this movie feel different is that there is a sense of earnestness that comes with it. Part of that credit goes to Steven Caple Jr understanding of the value of just having a good time with these characters, their lore, and the settings. You can tell he's a fan of this series and wants to take it seriously in the sense of adding deep-cut references and moments that longtime fans will resonate with and new fans will be intrigued by. It is encouraging to see the studio give actual fans of the brand the keys to telling their own unique stories with characters they grew up with. When a director has a passion for the brand that the film is based on like this one and Bumblebee, the franchise benefits big time. All in all, Transformers Rise of the Beasts is a full-on roller coaster ride filled with adrenaline and earnest fun. Having a storyteller that understands the brand and takes it seriously in the right ways is such a welcome sight after over a decade of nonsensical chaos both action and storywise. The film invites people to have a good time and I for one had a blast from start to finish. If this is what the future looks like for the robots in disguise, a fresh and promising era is definitely on the horizon

Rating and Final Thoughts

Filled with fast action, solid heart, nostalgia, and pure 90s vibes, the latest installment of the Transformers
series continues toward a promising and expansive future.

Something is brewing it and its about darn time

2023 Summer Movie Season - Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse: Review & Analysis

 

Spidergeddon!!!!! Sequel To Into The SpiderVerse Is A Suprise and Shock Inducing Thrill Ride!!!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

Swingin to a beat all his own.

Story Description

Life as Spider-Man isn’t always easy. But Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is doing the best he can. One year after taking the mantle of New York’s webbed defender, Miles is trying his best to balance his hero duties and his non-hero responsibilities. Between stopping crime and trying to keep his identity secret from his parents, Miles is struggling to find a way to keep a foot in both worlds. When his old friend Gwen Stacy (Hailee Steinfeld) comes back for a visit, she invites him to join the SpiderForce, an elite group of multiple Spider-Man variants from across the multiverse that protects it from chaos. While Miles is excited about joining this spider fraternity, its founder, Miguel O’Hara (Oscar Isaac) isn’t sure if he is cut out to join their ranks. With a dangerous looming threat approaching and the pressure to conform to the status quo of being Spider-Man, Miles must confront what’s ahead and take the next step in establishing himself as his own hero without losing who he is in the process. 

Nothing like hanging out with close friends. Am I right?

Film Review

It’s been a long 6 years since Sony Pictures Animation gifted us with one of the greatest master classes in animation with Spider-Man Into The Spider-Verse. The film has become a cultural phenomenon and is highly regarded as one of the greatest superhero films of all time. Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse looks to up the ante with bigger stakes, unmatched visual flair, and frenetic action in the clear-cut most anticipated movie of 2023. After swinging through the multiverse with Miles Morales and company, Across The SpiderVerse is an exhilarating and frustrating experience in all the right ways. It is well known that Into The SpiderVerse is hailed as one of the most groundbreaking achievements in modern animation. Its frenetic fluidity and robust story made it an instant hit with fans the world over. Across The Spider-Verse ups the ante in regards to animation and scale while also throwing in some jaw-dropping curveballs that raise so many questions about this series' place in the larger Marvel Cinemascope. Before we dive into all of that, let's get the obvious things out of the way. Across The Spider-Verse is a full-on feast for the eyes. It takes the elements of its predecessor and builds on them in a variety of ways. New animation styles and even some surprisingly shocking elements blend seamlessly together creating an identity in line with its predecessor but still creating a feel all its own. This series of Spider-Man films has really gone out of its way to challenge the norms and create something wholly unique. It should put all other studios on notice when it comes to bringing new things to the table. Performances are great across the board. Shameik Moore's sophomore run as Miles Morales is just as endearing as the first as he really starts to come into his own with this character truly encapsulating this next phase of Miles' journey. 

Miles, Gwen, and Pavitr Leap into Action.

While Miles does get the spotlight in most parts of the film, It's Hailee Steinfeld Gwen Stacy that carries the majority of the film's narrative weight. You truly get a plethora of character development as Steinfeld’s performance truly nails the emotional toll of her journey and what she is struggling with throughout the course of the story. The same can be said for Jake Johnson as Peter B. Parker. His growth is evident since the first film as he takes on the father role both literally and figuratively in a great transition of his character. Additionally, the cast is full of standouts. Oscar Issac crushes it as Miguel O'Hara. From his intimidating aura to his stoic demeanor, Issac plays the role of perfectly of playing an antagonistic figure who isn't an antagonist. While we are on the subject of the antagonist, Jason Schwartzman’s performance as The Spot is a welcome addition to the world both visually and comedically. His character is quick-witted and funny but as he gets more powerful, he becomes more of a sinister threat. Knowing the role he will play in the continuing story, I look forward to witnessing his progression from C-list “villain of the week” to full-on large-scale adversary. Some additional standouts have to be Daniel Kaaluya's Spider-Punk and Karan Soni's Pavitr Prabhakar. Both brought a unique element to the film with their incredible wit and personalities making them so much fun to watch especially when interacting with Gwen and Miles. Other standout performances like Andy Samberg's Scarlet Spider, Issa Rae's Jessica Drew, and even a much more involved performance from Laura Velez’ Rio Morales round out an enormously talented cast that elevates this film in so many ways. This brings me to an aspect that I love about this film. Boldness.

2 Spider Variants Duke It Out Across The Multiverse.

I can't think of a film in years that really swung for the fences and added elements that made the story unique and so much bigger in hindsight when talking about scale. The fast-paced action is a highlight, especially the chase sequence involving Miles and the Spider Society. But its other elements, including some shocking ones that I did not see coming, really beg the question of how these Spider-Man films fit into a larger picture when talking about the cinematic landscape of Marvel films. There were a ton of connective tissues from "other established' stories that could potentially tie in this series with the larger Marvel heroverse. Some made for fun cameos while others raise some seriously intriguing questions. Regardless, to see Across The Spider-Verse truly swing for the fences and get nuts shows a fearlessness that isn't recklessly arrogant but boldly confident. How this chapter ends does have me shocked and a bit sad but also salivating for the inevitable next chapter of this story. Here's hoping it comes sooner rather than later. All in all, Spider-Man Across The Spider-Verse builds off of the first ones' incredible and game-changing formula and expands its universe in a way that makes it unique while still focusing on what made the first one special. The worst part about Miles' latest adventure is the feeling of longing that will come with the agonizing wait for the next chapter of this story. The pieces are in place and the upcoming "next part" could bring a whole new meaning to the words "Multiversal Madness".

Rating and Final Thoughts

A loaded and surprise-filled second chapter in the Spider-Verse saga. It's vibrant
new chracters, fast action, and shockingly bold surprises make the wait for the next part all the more unbearable. 

Point to someone who can't wait
for Beyond The Spider-Verse.

Re-Porter Blog 2023 Summer Movie Season - June Preview

 

Preview By Brandon Porter

Hello followers. June has arrived and man oh man are we in for a treat. Month 2 of this year's SMS is arguably one of the most loaded of the 2020s. Paramount, Pixar, Lucasfilm, WB, and Sony all offer conent that will make the movie theaters the ultimate summer hotspot for the next 3 days. There is a lot to cover so let's breakdown all of the madness in our June preview.

Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse
 (Sony Pictures Animation, June 2nd)

Tangled Webs

Miles Morales is starting to come into his own as New York's friendly neighborhood webslinger. Even though he knows he isn't the only Spider-Man out there, his next adventure will put him through the ultimate test of sacrifice and identity. As the concensus most anticipated film of 2023, Sony Pictures Animation returns to deliver audiences back into the Spider-Verse for Miles' next adventure alongside Peter B. Parker, Gwen Stacy, and the intense ringleader of the Spider-Force, Miguel O'Hara. Jump into the chaos of multiverse madness when Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse finally arrives in theaters tomorrow.

Latest Trailer

Transformers: Rise of The Beasts
(Paramount Pictures, June 9th)

Maximize and Mobilize

The battle between the cybertronian factions the Autobots and the Decepticons has spilled onto Earth and made the planet ground zero for the next wave explosive incursions. But an even bigger threat now approches that even Optimus Prime and his comrades may not truly be ready for. With a literal planet eating Cybertronian entity fast approching Optimus, 2 human allies, and the Autobots musts seek the aid of an ancient faction known as the Maximals to secure the future of not just their world but all living sentient beings. The latest film in the Transformers cinematic portfolio and a direct followup to 2018's Bumblebee, Steven Caple Jr brings the fan favorite factions form the Beast Wars TV series to life in the action packed thrill ride of the summer. Prepare to maximize and roll out when Transformers: Rise of The Beasts hits theaters on June 9th.

Latest Trailer

DC's The Flash
 (Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios, June 16th)

Enter The Flashpoint

Ever since that fateful day that saw Barry Allen witness the death of his mother, he's been haunted by the event and constantly wishes for things to be different. Or more specifically, a world where his mother is still with him. Determined to rewrite his past, Barry partakes in a risky manuver that has the potential to reunite him with his long dead mother. But he soon relizes that his desprate attempt to change the past may put everyone elses future in jeopardy. Andy Musihetti prepares to deliver the official reset button of the DC cinematic landscape that will usher in a new era of the franchise. With new and old faces appearing throughout, this high speed thrill ride will change the landscape of DC films forever. The past will reset the future when The Flash arrives in cinemas on June 16th.

Latest Trailer

Elemental 

(Walt Disney Pictures/Pixar Animation Studios, June 16th)

Hot Water

Element City is brimming with so much personality. Various elements living in harmony going about their everyday lives. One of the rules that some have is that it is suggested that "elements don't mix". Ember, the sprited daughter of a resturant owner is keen on living up to the family name until she meets the shy and timid Wade. Despite the fact that she's fire and he's water, they form a bond that will put everything they know about each other and their lives into question. Pixar's latest animated endeavor places moviegoers in the middle of the most unlikely love story. Director Peter Sonh promises plenty of chemistry in this one of a kind romantic comedy when Elemental arrives in theaters on June 16th

Latest Trailer

Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny
 (Lucasfilm/Walt Disney Studios, June 30th)

A Legend's Last Ride

For over 40 years, he has defined the action adventure genre. He has raided tombs, stormed temples, and battled forces both natural and supernatural. Now the man known as Indiana Jones dawns the iconic whip and hat one last time in his greatest and most harrowing adventure yet. The final chapter in the story of Henry Jones Jr sees Harrison Ford returning to one of his most iconic roles in the ultimate swan song for one of cinemas' greatest characters. Adventure calls once more when Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny arrives in theaters on June 30th

Latest Trailer

Believe me when I say that you'll be living inside a movie theater for the next month. Be on the lookout for the reviews for these movies and more in the coming weeks!!! Buckle up you guys. This is gonna be a wild ride!!!