I have three very different movies to review. I will be talking about "Detective Pikachu", "Long Shot", and "The Intruder". Before I get started, I'd like to give a shoutout to the Free Gamer's Alliance YouTube channel. Their videos cover everything from walkthroughs, glitches, easter eggs, and various amusing video game related content, all of which is delivered with some colorful commentary while they have buckets of fun doing it. Here is the link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC03E6K3QHRMp7Vs0S6wHm6Q
Lets start this off with "The Intruder." Here is the trailer:
- nothing
- The acting in this movie is so cartoonish on everyone's part that it becomes impossible to take any of the characters seriously.
- The soundtrack is really bizarre. Song choices don't make sense with any of the scenes and some of them come off cheap.
- There are a lot of really predictable attempts at jump scares that are about as ineffective as they come.
- There are so many major jumps in logic that they will make you eyes roll.
- The characters are written in such a way that it becomes impossible to root for anyone. They either come off as huge assholes or breathtakingly stupid.
- The big "twist" is incredibly predictable.
- This movie has a really grimy vibe throughout. It won't creep you out but it will just make you leave the theater feeling kind of dirty.
"The Intruder" takes a potentially interesting premise and manages to fail everything. It is more than just a waste of time. It is what I would refer to as cinematic punishment. I would advise skipping this one.
Next up is "Long Shot." Here is the trailer:
- Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen are absolutely phenomenal in this movie. They had so much chemistry and felt so authentic the entire time.
- The pacing is really good. The movie never feels like it is dragging on longer than it should.
- This movie has a lot of heart and it will make the audience feel a variety of things.
- The soundtrack is incredible and the music works really well with every scene.
- Finally, there are a lot of great laugh out loud funny movies. This movie also contains one of the single funniest scenes I have seen all year.
- The plot does feel rather formulaic and predictable.
For me, "Long Shot" is one of this year most pleasant cinematic surprises. It was charming, funny, and all around a joy to watch. I would absolutely recommend seeing this movie.
Finally, it is time to talk about "Detective Pikachu." Here is the trailer:
- Ryan Reynolds is without question the star of this movie. His comedic timing works perfectly with the cuteness of Pikachu. He is the main thing that prevents this movie from being a total dumpster fire.
- There are some really good actions scenes.
- For the most part, the Pokemon look really good.
- The pacing is rough. This movie feels about an hour longer than it actually is.
- There is one Pokemon that is not Pikachu that looks super weird when it's mouth is moving.
- Kathryn Newton's performance is so over the top and unbelievable that it felt like it was coming out of an episode of "Hannah Montana."
- There are several attempts at "twists" that are either super predictable, eye-roll inducing, or both.
- Finally, the plot is so convoluted and nonsensical that you may find yourself giving up on trying to make sense of it halfway through the movie.
"Detective Pikachu" is a fairly watchable movie largely due to Ryan Reynolds doing his thing but the movie falls flat on almost every other level. I would say this is worth watching if you are a die-hard Pokemon fan who will enjoy the fanservice or if you have really young children. If not, I would say wait for Netflix at best.
Thanks for reading everyone! As usual, feel free to leave a comment but please be advised that if you are going to read any potential comments that spoilers may be present.