There’s something so gratifying about a saga with an emotional finish. DreamWorks Animation may not hold the influence of Disney or Pixar, but they’ve given us some pretty beloved animated franchises including Shrek, Madagascar, and Kung Fu Panda. This fantasy series, inspired by Cressida Cowell’s books, is among DreamWorks’ very best. It all started back in 2010 with the first production. The sequel arrived in 2014. Now we have The Hidden World, the third (and allegedly final) entry in the trilogy. All three of these movies have been directed by Canadian animator, Dean DeBlois (Lilo & Stich). Executive producer Chris Sanders was a co-director on the first. DeBlois has really shepherded this adventure about a callow youth and his maturation into adulthood.
This is the personal evolution of Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III (Jay Baruchel) or just Hiccup to his friends. The series has comprised a very affecting character arc. His ability to buddy up with a supposedly dangerous dragon, teaches his fellow citizens from Berk that these creatures are not the enemy. In fact, they can be allies. Hiccup’s friendship with his pet Toothless, a mysterious dark breed called a Night Fury, has developed into a deeply moving relationship that has changed his worldview. Hiccup has gone from a gangly Viking teen afraid to kill dragons to a gangly adult that confidently befriends them. It may be your classic “from zero to hero” transformation, but gosh darn it, I completely bought into this young man’s odyssey. He was 15 years old in the first picture with a major jump to age 20 in the second. That episode ended with Hiccup taking over as Chieftain of the town of Berk and Toothless becoming the Alpha Dragon. Only one year has passed when The Hidden World begins. Hiccup has been struggling in his new role. He and his friends continue to rescue the misunderstood beasts. He leads a community where dragons now outnumber the people. They coexist in perfect harmony. Toothless gets a love interest in the form of a white female known as the Light Fury. Little do they know that she is being used as bait by a ruthless hunter named Grimmel the Grisly (F. Murray Abraham) who still firmly believes dragons must be exterminated.
How to Train Your Dragon has always presented an impressive spectacle along with John Powell’s atmospheric score. Like a painting, the use of shadow, texture, light, elevates the visual tableau. Head of layout is cinematographer Gil Zimmerman with the legendary Roger Deakins consulting on the imagery. The chronicle is filled with breathtaking images of dragons taking flight. The best passages have no dialogue whatsoever. Come for the dragons. Luxuriate in the gorgeous surroundings. The narrative manages to expand the scope of their world when evil Grimmel forces the Berkians to emigrate to a place called Caldera — the “hidden world” of the film’s title. A memorable dance where Toothless courts his lady dragon is an absolute highlight. The mood is fairly serious, although there’s room for humor. The tenacious Ruffnut (Kristen Wiig) annoying her captors is a delight. The brash Snotlout (Jonah Hill) trying to flirt with Hiccup’s mother Valka (Cate Blanchett) is chuckle-worthy. The chemistry between Hiccup and Astrid (America Ferrera), his betrothed fiancée, isn’t particularly captivating, but that’s a minor quibble. This is a story about growing up. It’s about humans, sure, but it’s also about dragons and it’s that bond between the two that make this trilogy so touching. The ending is a satisfying – though bittersweet, – conclusion to a poignant trilogy.
02-21-19
Volunteers from a German nonprofit called Sea-Watch conduct rescue missions in the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya. Many of these North African refugees are fleeing to Europe to escape barbarous conditions at a human trafficking prison. It’s not entirely clear that their life, after being rescued, will be great. However, at least they are alive in a much better place than before. The superior cinematography and music are definitely at a higher level than the other submissions. The visual spectacle of these unsafe vessels overcrowded to the point that people are literally hanging off the sides, is something you won’t soon forget.
Rather disturbing tale of two boys’ (Félix Grenier and Alexandre Perreault) game of one-upmanship. Their back and forth play culminates in a shocking event at an open pit mine. The story ultimately devolves into terrorizing consequences. It’s one of those portraits detailing behavior that critics conveniently describe as “toxic masculinity”. That assessment is far too facile. There’s a lot more at work here that begs deep contemplation. I was shook.
Alita: Battle Angel is an immersive sci-fi fantasy that plunges the viewer into an imaginary world. I really enjoyed this production, but no amount of complicated exposition can disguise the fact that it’s essentially a cyberpunk update of 1975’s Rollerball. It certainly doesn’t start out that way. It’s the future (naturally) – 2563 to be exact and a cyberphysician (Christoph Waltz) who repairs people with android parts discovers the discarded remains of a female robot in a junkyard. He takes the head, which houses a still active brain, back to his laboratory and rebuilds her. He names her Alita, after his deceased daughter. She is of youthful age and this only cements the fatherly attachment he forms to her well being.
If ever there was a shortcut to a “fast” film review, it would be one question, Did you enjoy 2014’s The Lego Movie? If so, then you should appreciate The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. This one was also written by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, although directing chores are now in the hands of Mike Mitchell (Trolls). It’s another adventure that centers on Emmet (Chris Pratt) and Lucy/Wyldstyle (Elizabeth Banks) who must defend their beloved city. Mysterious invaders have turned Bricksburg into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Batman (Will Arnett), Princess Unikitty (Alison Brie) Benny the Spaceman (Charlie Day) and MetalBeard (Nick Offerman) have all returned in this outing. They, in addition to Lucy, are taken prisoner by a masked general named Sweet Mayhem (Stephanie Beatriz). Not a traditional Lego, but rather an intergalactic mini-doll who reports to the enigmatic Queen Watevra Wa-Nabi (Tiffany Haddish). Phonetically her name sounds like “Whatever-I-Want-To-Be” and that makes sense because she’s an alien queen of constantly shifting shapes. Still always the plucky spirit, it’s up to Emmet to rescue his friends.
Fast Film Reviews 