Film Review:dungeons & dragons :honour among thieves

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOUR AMONG THIEVES

Credit: eOne

If you are excepting a live-action big screen re-telling of the popular 80s cartoon, you’ll be sadly disappointed, as was I. This does, however, have its moments delivering a fun but forgettable famil

y adventure perfect for the Easter holidays. When a professional thief (Chris Pine) is separated from his daughter after a heist goes wrong, he begins an epic journey to reunite with her, including breaking out of prison, and confronting former allies turned enemies. The cast are what makes this adventure fun, with Chris Pine and Michelle Rodriguez leading the line well. Regé-Jean Page is excellent as a princely warrior who takes on everything in a quite literal sense, resulting in some funny set-pieces. But it’s Hugh Grant who steals his scenes as a scampish rogue who double-crosses his former allies. I have no idea why any of these people made this film, but its mildly enjoyable all the same.

Film Review:CREED III

CREED III

Credit: Warner Bros

After the underwhelming Creed II, I was nervous going into Creed III. I’m a lifelong ‘Rocky’ fan and love the entire franchise, which has now stretched to 9 movies. Thankfully those initial fears were unfounded, because Creed III is a fantastic boxing drama full of tension, action, and genuine gravitas. 

Michael B. Jordan marks his directorial debut with this film, as well as starring in this third instalment of Adonis Creed’s life, and he delivers on all counts. When a face from his past returns, Adonis finds that he must return to the ring to challenge his demons head on. Tessa Thompson is excellent and Jonathan Majors continues his meteoric rise in this engaging sequel. Let’s hope we get a Creed IV soon too.

Film Review:Champions

 

CHAMPIONS

Credit: Universal

Based on the Spanish film Campeones, Champions is a hilarious and heartfelt sports movie that really delivers a feel-good win. After a spat with his friend and boss Phil Perretti (Ernie Hudson) that results in his contract termination, minor-league basketball coach Marcus (Woody Harrelson) spirals and soon finds himself with a DUI offence.

In court, the judge offers him a simple choice – do some time behind bars or community service in the form of coaching a local youth team with intellectual disabilities. So, Marcus takes charge of the team, known as ‘The Friends’ and looks to take them to the play-off spots for the Special Olympics. The story is an engaging and gripping underdog tale of success and emotional growth, that is packed full of good gags and entertaining set-pieces. A slam-dunk success.

 

Film Review: John Wick

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4

Credit: Lionsgate

After a brilliant first film and two energetic but forgettable sequels, Chapter 4 now arrives and offers up even more insane action, stupendous stunts and a cooler than cool Keanu commanding the screen once again. 

John Wick may have found a way to topple the High Table, but first he’ll have to face off against a new adversary who has a wide plethora of assassins at their disposal. This film is a marker for incredible set-pieces and has an even broader scope that travels the world, with Paris a nice setting for a lot of the carnage. Reeves continues to shine, as do the series regulars like Ian McShane, Lance Reddick and Lawrence Fishburne

Film review: SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS

SHAZAM! FURY OF THE GODS

Credit: Warner Bros

It’s been a long wait, but we finally return to the magical world of Shazam! Billy Batson (Asher Angel) has his work cut out for him keeping his foster siblings together as a school and life balance gets in the way of them spending much time together. 

 

That’s not to say that he doesn’t transform into Shazam! (Zachary Levi) at every opportunity he gets, but its getting harder to keep his family close by. Crime doesn’t care though, and a mystical trio of Gods named the Daughters of Atlas (including Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu) have arrived on earth, hell bent on reclaiming their mystical powers from Shazam and his family. With a brilliant cast and lots of laughs, this is a great family blockbuster.