In Review
Welcome to In Review! Check out the latest reviews across film, TV, theatre and so much more…
Film Review - Runt
If you’re into Aussie battlers, beautiful Australian scenery, cute speedy dogs, and blatantly crying your heart out in public then Runt is the film for you.
Film Review - Transformers One
From my formerly substantial experience with the Transformers fandom I can say that this will please them, and whether you choose to interpret that as an indictment on them is up to you!
Film Review - The Wild Robot
If you’re going to see one animated robot film this spring, check out The Wild Robot.
Film Review - Bookworm
Bookworm is a delightful ride that offers the humour, heart and thrills of the best old-fashioned adventure films, while remaining grounded and character-driven.
Film Review - Despicable Me 4
Despicable Me 4 is a statement to the world of cinema. It doesn’t matter how mediocre your film is, if it has Minions… the children will come.
Film Review - Inside Out 2
Inside Out 2 is another easy home run for Pixar, especially when it has a strong message that everyone can relate to.
Film Review - Robot Dreams
It’s a light summer breeze of a film clearly aimed to bring joy to both parents and kids whilst still telling a compelling story, so some kind of deep underlying metaphor is unnecessary. Just go have fun watching a cartoon dog and a robot roller-skate to Earth, Wind & Fire! Your brain deserves a break.
Film Review - Kung Fu Panda 4
As it is, Kung Fu Panda 4 is a worthy sequel and enjoyable film, even if it doesn’t quite live up to its potential.
Film Review - Migration
Migration is not trying to elevate the road trip comedy or be innovative for animation. Its goal is to entertain families and make kids smile. Movies need to do that more.
Film Review - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is made with passion and love for the franchise, offering a familiar but modern perspective about a group of kids who just want to fit in and throw ninja stars.
Film Review - Haunted Mansion
Offering up serviceable (if more than a tad messy) family fun, Haunted Mansion comes close to recapturing Disney's straight to home video glory, complete with a dance party finale.
Film Review - Elemental
Elemental shines is in its ability to gently guide you to realise the film’s crux yourself, and in the meantime, present you with vivid characters, fun antics and gorgeous animation along the way.
Film Review - The Little Mermaid
Rob Marshall’s The Little Mermaid truly feels like the culmination of Disney live-action remakes from the last few years. But this remake once again reminds us how unnecessary they are.
Film Review - The Super Mario Bros. Movie
Story comes second and spectacle takes centre stage in The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
Film Review - Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
What are you expecting from a Sony rendition of a decades old kid’s cartoon strip about a singing crocodile, adapted for the big screens for 2022 with Shawn Mendes taking the lead as the titular Lyle, the crocodile?
Film Review - Disney’s Strange World
Offering a slice of pulpy, moralistic sci-fi that feels like a throwback to before 2D animation had died, Strange World is good, lighthearted fun, gesturing gently at the hard-headed nature of father-son relationships.
MIFF 2022 Film Review - Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
How far can you take the idea of a talking shell who wears shoes and stands one inch off the ground? Well, with the help of many celebrity cameos, dozens of viral videos, and a documentary maker with too much time on his hands, apparently there’s no limit.
Film Review - Minions: The Rise of Gru
Set in the swingin’ 60’s, yet again following the hijinx of the minions after finally finding their purpose at the close of Minions, they immediately lose Gru again and retread the American countryside, this time to San Franbisco.
Film Review - My Sweet Monster
A “quirky and unique spin on the animated fairy tale genre” that is actually just as cliche as the rest of them.