"The Fabelmans" stars Michelle Williams, Gabriel LaBelle, Paul Dano, Seth Rogen, and Judd Hirsch. Released on November 11, 2022, the film has a young man discovering a family secret during his journey to become a filmmaker. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg, who also directed films such as "Jaws", "Jurassic Park", "Saving Private Ryan", and "Ready Player One". The art of filmmaking brings out the best of us. It inspires us to pursue our path to make movies and see the world from a different perspective. The movies can also provide a sense of escapism from the real world and deliver incredible stories that stir various emotions. In other words, they showcase that there're more than just moving pictures on the screen, and no one knows it better than Mr. Steven Spielberg himself. Following his take on "West Side Story" last year, the filmmaker wasted no time getting his latest project into this year's Oscar race. Although, this movie, in particular, seems to be his most personal one yet compared to his other classics. The film happens to be a reflection of Spielberg's childhood and his path to becoming a film director, told through his and Tony Kushner's original screenplay. In short, it's based on a true story, but it's not actually based on a true story. I didn't know much about Spielberg's personal life since I prefer to mind my own business. All I know about him is that he has made plenty of fantastic movies. So I was curious to see how he portrays his life story through his fictional storytelling. With that said, let's see if the film can capture the hearts of many cinephiles and moviegoers. The story centers on Sammy Fabelman (LaBelle), a young boy inspired to make movies after his parents, Burt (Dano) and Mitzi (Williams), took him to see his first film. With the support of his parents and sisters, Sammy begins to film regularly. However, as his journey to become a filmmaker progresses, Sammy encounters many issues regarding his family that could damage his relationship with them, including Mitzi's shocking affair. There's no doubt that Hollywood loves movies that celebrate itself and filmmaking. That's basically one of the reasons they get free passes to the award ceremonies. "The Fabelmans" is another addition to that list this year, along with "Empire of Light", which I'm still waiting to see. I know it's already out, but it hasn't come to my closest cinema yet, so I'm still a little late seeing it. Until then, I might as well talk about Spielberg's journey into the world of filmmaking, which is sadly going by unnoticed. While it has gained numerous nominations at the Golden Globes and the Critics' Choice Awards, the movie hasn't been making enough money to recoup its $40 million budget. That would've made it the second consecutive box-office bomb for Spielberg, following last year's "West Side Story" remake. This is unfortunate because people are missing out on another fantastic movie from the acclaimed filmmaker. The movie is an overly charming and subtly moving coming-of-age drama reflecting Sammy's desire to be a filmmaker. However, it also offers something more than just the main character making home movies. "The Fabelmans" is also a poignant reflection of Sammy's struggles with his happy family drifting apart due to Mitzi's secret being exposed by his filmmaking. It's a heartwarming and sometimes sad depiction of following one's passion despite the hurt that comes with it, but it's also a touching tribute to filmmaking that only Spielberg understands. Regarding his direction, Steven Spielberg surrounds his movie with a sense of charm and merriment regarding the cast's chemistry and humor, which is enough for me to forgive its two-and-a-half-hour runtime. However, he also never forgets about the emotional weight of the drama that awaits the family, including Mitzi's affair and the anti-Semitic abuse from high school bully Chad Thomas (Oakes Fegley). All these elements are equally balanced to the point that it doesn't look awkward or inconsistent when transcending from one scene to the next. But the real icing on the cake is how Spielberg handles the topic of filmmaking and how it affects those around us. Spielberg relies on Janusz Kamiński's cinematography to gracefully capture the many emotions of watching a movie. Additionally, his screenplay, which he co-wrote with Tony Kushner, is sublime in exploring the realistic perspectives of filmmaking. When Sammy films and edits his movies, he sees them from an artist's perspective, similar to how Spielberg sees them. On the other hand, everyone else watches them for a more humane connection, to see how they appear on the screen and experience the emotion reflected in them. Many of us see film differently, whether it's from the perspective of the filmmaker, a movie enthusiast, or a regular moviegoer. "The Fabelmans" is a fitting portrayal that reminds me why I love movies and pays equal respect to those perspectives. Another strong element that made the movie great was its cast. Both Paul Dano and Michelle Williams were stunning in their roles as Burt and Mitzi. Michelle Williams has gotten plenty of attention this year with her acting nominations, and based on what I saw, she definitely deserved that praise. Williams successfully portrays a mother who's loving and supportive but also emotionally conflicted when her affair is revealed. As a result, it's one of the best performances I've seen from her. Gabriel LaBelle had the daunting task of carrying the movie following his supporting roles in films like the 2018 reboot of "Predator", and he accomplished it very well. LaBelle did a great job portraying Sammy through his charm and emotion, especially when he discovers his mom's secret while editing his camping trip movie. Seth Rogen and Judd Hirsch also delivered some terrific moments in their supporting roles as Bennie and Boris Schildkraut, respectively. In addition to the cinematography and editing, "The Fabelmans" also provided the magic touch through John Williams' musical score. Whether it's for a happy-go-lucky scene, a thrilling sequence, or an emotional altercation, Williams knows how to find the right music for its given tone. "The Fabelmans" is no exception, with Williams providing music that's sweet, down-to-earth, and consistently engaging. Considering that Spielberg and Williams worked exceptionally well together in their previous films, it's no surprise that the latter's music in the movie is outstanding to listen to. Overall, "The Fabelmans" is a brilliant and thoughtfully beautiful passion project from Steven Spielberg that celebrates the heart of film and the passion behind it. Not only does it work as a compelling and well-written coming-of-age journey, but it's also at its best when seen as a faithful reflection of how people view filmmaking as either an artist or an ordinary viewer. From its fantastic cast to Spielberg's direction and screenplay to Williams' magnificent score, the movie is another marvelous winner from one of the most inspiring filmmakers of all time. I genuinely believe Spielberg should be proud of himself for sharing his childhood through his originality. A childhood that led him to make some of the most iconic movies of all time and inspire other young filmmakers to follow in his footsteps. This film made me appreciate the art of filmmaking and the director even more, and I am grateful for how far he's come to be in that position. So if you like movies as much as I do, you don't want to miss out on this one. A
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"Avatar: The Way of Water" stars Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Cliff Curtis, Joel David Moore, and Kate Winslet. Released on December 16, 2022, the film has Jake Sully and Neytiri journeying beyond the regions of Pandora. The film is directed by James Cameron, who also directed films such as "The Terminator", "Aliens", "True Lies", and "Titanic". It is a sequel to the 2009 sci-fi film "Avatar", also directed by Cameron. If you're planning on going somewhere for your Christmas vacation, Mr. Cameron may have just the destination for you. The tail end of the 2000s ended up being one of the most important events in the film industry. The main reason was the arrival of James Cameron's "Avatar", an epic science fiction blockbuster about a tribe of tall blue aliens that set the box office on fire. With its groundbreaking visuals and ambitious 3D technology, the film became the highest-grossing film worldwide and has remained in that position since. Although it was overtaken by "Avengers: Endgame" a decade later, it eventually retook the top spot thanks to its 2021 Chinese re-release. Thirteen years later, the acclaimed filmmaker is back again to take his audiences back to the breathtaking world of Pandora despite some of them lacking any interest in it. It has been a long wait in-between the two movies regarding the delays, but after seeing the footage, it seemed like it would be worth the reward for our patience. With that said, let's return to Pandora and see if this long-awaited sequel is as ambitiously dazzling as its predecessor. The story takes place more than a decade after the first film. Jake Sully (Worthington) is living his new life in Pandora as the chief of the Omaticaya clan. He is also raising his family with his wife, Neytiri (Saldana). Their kids consist of their adopted teenage daughter Kiri (Weaver), Neteyam (Jamie Flatters), Lo'ak (Britain Dalton), Tuk (Trinity Jo-Li Bliss), and a human teenager named Spider (Jack Champion). Unfortunately, their tranquil life is eventually shattered by the return of the Resources Development Administration. Even worse, Colonel Miles Quaritch (Lang) and his allies have been resurrected by the RDA as Recombinants, avatars with human memories. Quaritch's quest to finish the RDA's mission and get revenge on Jake resulted in the Sully family evacuating their home. Afterwards, they come across the reef people clan of Metkayina led by Tonowari (Curtis) and his wife Ronal (Winslet). With the RDA closing in on their locations, the two families must put aside their differences to protect their homes. The first "Avatar" film was a cinematic experience unlike any other, with its mind-blowing visuals compensating for its flawed narrative. So much so that it couldn't be replicated with our smart televisions at home unless we have a home theater sound system and an 80-inch television. It may not leave much of a cultural impact compared to the other classics, but it did impact the movie-going experience for the right reasons. I really enjoyed the first film when it first came out, and I still enjoy it today, mainly due to its visual effects and entertaining story. So I was curious to see how its sequel expands the world introduced in its predecessor, which is considered a technical marvel by many. More importantly, I wanted to see if it could copy the success of its predecessor regarding its story and characters. After all, Cameron has other sequels on the way, so there's a lot riding on this one if they were to see the light of day. Like my experience with the first movie, I managed to see "The Way of Water" in 3D because I enjoyed watching its predecessor in that format. Since it serves as the film's selling point, it's only fair that I share my reaction to the 3D before I give my thoughts on the movie. Without delaying the inevitable any longer, here's my brief response: It looks great. Like "Avatar", "The Way of Water" uses the 3D immersion to its highest intent without making it look like a cheap gimmick. The best uses of its 3D are undoubtedly the underwater sequences, which make me feel like I was actually swimming with the Na'vi. Of course, there were also a few scenes that didn't look 3D-ish compared to the ones that did. Besides that, the film is another excellent example of how 3D movies should be, and we have James Cameron to thank for that. So what about the movie itself? Was it able to capitalize on the first film's success regarding its plot? Well, I can tell you this: if you liked "Avatar" for its thrilling sequences, visual effects, and likable characters, you'd surely like "The Way of Water" for those same reasons. I'm one of the people who enjoyed "Avatar", so that all checks out. It's ambitiously grand in its world-building and visuals and rightfully compelling in its story, emotion, and action sequences. Unfortunately, it also has some minor issues that kept it from being a vast improvement over its predecessor. Luckily, they didn't do too much damage to make it worse than Cameron's 2009 visual treat. The thing to know about the story is that it expands on the world of Pandora and the first film's themes. Both "Avatar" and its sequel serve as big-budget nature documentaries that share anti-war and environmental messages. We see the characters, mainly Jake and Neytiri, striving to protect their cultures and families from the violence and death caused by the RDA. However, in the case of the Sully family, it's easier said than done, as they were treated as outcasts by the Metkayina reef people due to their genetic human heritage. "The Way of Water" expands on these themes of acceptance and respecting others' differences through Jake's children, especially Lo'ak. While it does result in the story being similar to other films with familiar messages, including "Avatar", and a bit cluttered, the movie compensates by delivering a good amount of emotional weight into its characters. Another issue I've been dying to address since its confirmation is its runtime. "The Way of Water" is a beefy sci-fi epic that is surprisingly 30 minutes longer than its predecessor, resulting in it being three hours and 12 minutes long. That's nearly as long as Cameron's other epic masterpiece, "Titanic"! What a madman! A runtime like that can either make or break a film, depending on the story it's telling. As long as the plot keeps my attention and the pacing is suitable, its length hardly matters. I happened to love "The Batman" because of its exciting story despite it being as long as a televised football game. Thankfully, "The Way of Water" became another movie that offers decent pacing and an intriguing story to distract me from its length. Although, it does make me wish that it was 20 minutes shorter, so it doesn't leave me feeling mentally exhausted. Most of the main cast reprised their roles from the first film, including Worthington and Saldana as Jake and Neytiri, respectively. Additionally, it included a few new characters who'll likely serve their parts in future sequels. Unsurprisingly, they were all serviceable in their performances despite their characters falling prey to some of their formulaic traits. Sam Worthington makes a solid comeback in the movie business, thanks to his solid performance as Jake. I might even say he was a tad better here than he was in the first movie. Zoe Saldaña was also very good as Neytiri, even though she was a bit underused in some scenes. Although, her involvement in the final act was enough to make up for that. Then there's Sigourney Weaver, who plays Kiri in the sequel instead of reprising her role as Grace Augustine from its predecessor. Kiri makes for a fine addition to the cast regarding her arc, and Weaver did a good job distinguishing her voice to make herself sound like a teenage Na'vi. Stephen Lang also continues to do well in playing the biggest asshole in the sci-fi genre, Miles Quaritch. Seriously, that guy is a total D-bag, even in a Na'vi body. The young actors who portrayed Jake's kids (Flatters, Dalton, and Bliss) also did well with their performances, especially Bliss as Tuk. She's just so adorable. Another element I should give high praise to is the visual effects. We've repeatedly been saying that Cameron knows how to make great use of filmmaking technology and never fails to deliver what he promised. Cameron's other films like "Terminator 2" and "Avatar" have all succeeded because of their groundbreaking effects changing the way we see a movie. I'm happy to say that "The Way of Water" is another addition to that list. The CGI effects mark a stunning improvement over what "Avatar" delivered by showcasing the waters of Pandora and the film's creative creature designs. The visuals also work in making the Na'vi clans look and feel distinct from one another. However, the best CGI work comes from the film's underwater sequences. The filmmakers developed new technology to film performance capture underwater, which has never been done until now. The result is another breathtaking historical moment that James Cameron should be proud of. Through Cameron's direction and Russell Carpenter's cinematography, the movie displays its massive set pieces and visual splendor to its fullest, making for a beautiful experience worth seeing on the big screen. Everything about Pandora in "Avatar" was gorgeous and surreal, making it a great starting point for some world-building in its follow-ups. "The Way of Water" accomplished this daring task by making the waters of Pandora even more awe-inspiring with its production design and visual effects. It would be interesting to see what Cameron can come up with in the upcoming third installment. Additionally, Simon Franglen's musical score was good enough to match James Horner's score from the first movie, and the action scenes were thrilling and well-directed. Overall, "Avatar: The Way of Water" takes me back to the world of Pandora in more ways than one. While its screenplay fell short regarding its formulaic elements and runtime, the movie easily overshadows it with a blast of visual wonder, intriguing world-building, and thrilling action sequences. This is another sequel that provides more of the same as its predecessor but also puts enough care into them to make it stand alongside the first movie with pride. From its suitable cast to the awe-inspiring visual effects, the film is a remarkable feat that's worth the 13-year-long wait. With more sequels on the way, we can bet that our first trip back to Pandora won't be our last…unless the box office numbers say otherwise. B+"Aftersun" stars Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, Celia Rowlson-Hall, Brooklyn Toulson, Sally Messham, Spike Fearn, Harry Perdios, Ruby Thompson, Ethan James Smith, and Kayleigh Coleman. Released on October 21, 2022, the film has a father and his daughter spending summer vacation in Turkey. The film featured the directorial debut of Charlotte Wells. This week marks the start of another phase of this year's awards season, where the best movies compete to earn their spots in the big leagues. We've already got our possible contenders thanks to this year's National Board of Reviews via its top ten films of 2022. So far, I've seen half of the movies on that list, with several more coming to a theater (and streaming service) near me. Today, I'm continuing that mission to see all the films on that list with the latest directorial debut that's already earning some praise. Like what I did with "Minari", I took the opportunity to watch it via A24's Screening Room on its official website. If you haven't done so already, I recommend you check out the website so you can also take advantage of this. This film caught my attention when I realized it made the NBR's best films list and earned three Critics' Choice nominations. Of course, being a movie reviewer, I had to see why it earned that spot. So was it as fantastic and emotional as the critics want me to believe? Let's find out. The story centers on Sophie Paterson (Corio), a young girl who takes a summer vacation to Turkey with her father, Calum. During the holiday, Calum is experiencing signs of general detachment, which he tries to hide from Sophie. Years later, the older Sophie (Rowlson-Hall) reminisces about her time with Calum. This leads Sophie to discover that her loving father may have something to do with their separation. I've been interested in watching the movie, not just because of its rave reviews. It's also because it somehow reminds me of the relationship between my dad and sister. As far as I can remember, these two together bring out the best of both worlds for my family and me. They usually like to play around with each other, which is admittedly joyful, if not a tad over the top. My dad and sister may be crazy when they're together, but that's the reason why I loved them. "Aftersun" reflects on that relationship with a substantial amount of charm and tranquility, leading to something troubling or even devastating later on. The entire story is about a relaxed summer vacation involving Calum and Sophie hanging out in Turkey. While it may seem either relaxing or dull on paper, depending on how you feel about slice-of-life dramas, the movie offers much more than just a typical getaway. It also represents Calum internally struggling with his depression and financial issues. We see him attempting to hide his true emotions through Tai Chi and self-help books. However, their experience is captured through a video camera, which the adult Sophie uses to reflect on their trip. "Aftersun" doesn't rely too much on the heavy melodrama we've seen in other dramas. Instead, it uses tranquility and Gregory Oke's brilliant cinematography to display these challenging elements regarding the father/daughter relationship. The result is a sublime and subtly emotional experience that benefits from Charlotte Wells' handling of its underlying themes. After creating some short films in the Graduate Film program, Wells was faced with the challenge of using her movie knowledge to direct a feature film for indie powerhouse A24. Based on what I've seen, I thought she accomplished that test. Through her direction and screenplay, Wells crafted a well-defined portrait of a relationship between loved ones and its hidden secrets. It's very delicate, but it does take a bit to get to that point due to its pacing. Once it does, it transcends into something that leaves me something to think about regarding its message. After a good minute of processing, I was impressed by how Wells displayed it in her presentation and storytelling. Along with Charlotte Wells, the film benefited greatly from its talented cast. "Aftersun" marks the first time I've seen Paul Mescal in any film. Mescal has been in other movies, like "God's Creatures" and last year's Netflix drama "The Lost Daughter", but this film is my first exposure to the actor. All I can say about him is that he caught my attention and never lets me go until the final shot. Mescal delivered a riveting performance that has him manifesting as a caring father with troubling issues threatening to ruin his vacation. I was also impressed with the young Frankie Corio, who made a delightful first impression regarding her role as Sophie. Based on her performance, I can see why Corio got a nomination for Best Young Actor/Actress at this year's Critic's Choice Awards. The two main leads play a role in making the slice-of-life genre endearing and attention-grabbing, and they pulled it off effectively. Overall, "Aftersun" is a delicate, charming, and emotional reflection of a father/daughter relationship and the secrets that hide within it. This is another film that'll surely test people's patience regarding its structure and pacing. But once they give it a chance and brave through it, they'll be rewarded with a sweet and poignant visual poem that'll leave them speechless. From its great cast to Charlotte Wells' direction and script, the movie marks another great addition to the slice-of-life genre and a successful first chapter in the filmmaker's career as a director. A-“Disenchanted” stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Idina Menzel, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jayma Mays, Oscar Nunez, and Maya Rudolph. Released on Disney+ on November 18, 2022, the film has Giselle saving her family from a magic wish. The film was directed by Adam Shankman, who also directed films such as “The Wedding Planner”, “Bringing Down the House”, “Hairspray”, and “Rock of Ages”. It is a sequel to the 2007 film “Enchanted”. Disney has a recognizable trend of bringing classic fairy tales to life through the art of animation and storytelling. From “Snow White” to even “Frozen”, the studio has reimagined these iconic stories into beloved masterpieces filled with memorable princesses, light-hearted songs, and “happily ever afters”. In 2007, Disney celebrated this trend by releasing a unique movie that pays homage to and parodies the tropes seen in its animated treasures. That film was “Enchanted”, which centers on an animated princess surviving the modern world of New York City. With its combination of live-action and animation, the movie became a critical and commercial success, with people hailing it for its screenplay, songs, and Amy Adams’ performance as Giselle. As a result, a sequel became a no-brainer for the money-making studio. However, the follow-up took more than a decade to see the light of day. Now that it has finally arrived on Disney+, was it worth the wait? Let’s find out. The story is set ten years after the first movie, with Giselle (Adams) and Robert (Dempsey) living happily ever after with their daughter Morgan (Gabriella Baldacchino) and their newborn baby Sophia. However, their “happily ever after” means another chapter of their story as they move from Manhattan to the suburb of Monroeville, run by Malvina Monroe (Rudolph). Unfortunately, with the new environment and Morgan being a teenager, Giselle realizes that being a stepmother in real life is more challenging than she thought. Giselle eventually makes a wish that her life will be like a fairy tale. However, she gets more than what she bargained for when Monroeville becomes an actual fairy tale world, and Giselle is slowly transforming into a wicked stepmother. As a result, Morgan, along with Edward (Marsden) and Nancy (Menzel), must help Giselle break the curse before midnight. My experience with “Enchanted” is something that I would call “magical”. It gave me a bunch of nostalgic moments that hearken back to the days of watching classic Disney movies. But, more importantly, it’s also highly entertaining and consistently hilarious with its fairy tale satire. The film became one of my favorites to watch occasionally because it celebrates Disney’s tradition of providing fantastical fairy tale classics in a comical and heartwarming manner. So it’s unsurprising that I was both curious and concerned about its sequel, which represents life after “happily ever after” for Giselle. One of the things I enjoyed about “Enchanted” is that it resembles a familiar fairy tale story with enough modern twists to make itself unique. It delivers a fun and heartfelt take on the difference between reality and fantasy. “Disenchanted” expands on this difference by having Giselle face the next step of her new life in the real world: being a stepmother. If you grew up reading fairy tales, you’d know what they’re like. There’s definitely some intrigue in its concept since the first film is known for satirizing elements from specific fairy tales. Unfortunately, that intrigue quickly disappeared into an unoriginal plot that heavily relies on the formula it’s parodying. “Disenchanted” offers plenty of elements we’ve seen numerous times, including a family moving into a new environment and the strained relationship between parents and teenagers. The primary example is Giselle and Morgan, who struggle to adapt to suburban life outside New York. Additionally, Morgan (as a teenager) has difficulty accepting Giselle as a mother due to Giselle’s history and her being a stepmother. So when Monroeville is in danger of being a straight-up fairy tale, Giselle and Morgan must rely on each other to save their new home before Giselle becomes an evil stepmother forever. It’s easy to say that the story in “Disenchanted” is a noticeable downgrade from its predecessor. Not only did the plot constantly depend on its stale formula to carry the sequel, but it also lacked the wit and uniqueness that made the first movie memorable. Admittedly, there are a couple of amusing jokes that poke fun at the fairy tale elements and plenty of easter eggs relating to Disney’s animation library. So if you loved “Enchanted” for those reasons, you might get a kick out of what the sequel offered. It also has a heartfelt message about the power of motherly love that’ll resonate well with kids. However, they’re sadly not enough to grant its wish of having a refreshing screenplay. I also feel that the movie is 20 minutes too long despite the pacing being decent. Even with the flaws shown, the film delivered the usual charm and beauty the predecessor is known for regarding the direction and musical numbers. I didn’t mind Adam Shankman being the movie’s director instead of Kevin Lima since he’s no stranger to injecting energy and joy into musicals and comical scenarios. While I can’t say his direction is better than Lima’s, I can admit that Shankman knows how to make a film’s cliches tolerable. I also thought Shankman did a decent job making the musical numbers entertaining and lively. Another key element relating to its charm is the cast. Amy Adams made her mark in the acting business thanks to her portrayal of Giselle in “Enchanted”. The sequel sees Adams returning to that role fifteen years later, and I have to say that she still got it. The actress retained the cheerfulness and innocence that made Giselle a beloved and original Disney character. However, she’s also not afraid to be gleefully villainous when Giselle’s wicked side takes over. Patrick Dempsey and Gabriella Baldacchino were both decent as Robert and Morgan, respectively, and James Marsden continues to deliver solid laughs as Edward. Maya Rudolph also makes for another watchable antagonist regarding her performance as Monroe. But, of course, I can’t forget about the great Idina Menzel as Nancy, with her song “Love Power” being one of my highlights from her. Another thing I’d like to point out is the movie’s animation. Like the first film, “Disenchanted” includes a couple of Andalasia sequences that used 2D animation. I admired that the filmmakers decided to use traditional animation for the sequel instead of CGI because it’s part of its predecessor’s homage to the classic Disney Renaissance of the 1990s. Having it be CGI would’ve made it feel like a cheap shortcut despite the studio’s reliance on it in their recent movies. It shows that it’s okay to go back to the basics and relive the joy of watching old-school animation. The number of Andalasia scenes is pretty short, but the animation accompanying them is unsurprisingly gorgeous enough to compensate. It makes me wish that Disney would bring this style back for one of its future projects. Overall, “Disenchanted” has a good amount of heart and magic, but its narrative failed to cast a spell that’s as effective and iconic as its predecessor. It means well in its presentation and enjoyability, but regarding the storytelling quality, it’s far from an enchanting experience. Amy Adams is as delightful as ever as Giselle, and Shankman’s direction works well for its charm and musical numbers. Unfortunately, they couldn’t overshadow its formulaic plot, witless screenplay, and length. Like Disney’s direct-to-DVD sequels of years past, the movie shows that it’s best not to know what happens after its “happily ever after”. Fans of “Enchanted” will likely get some amusement out of it. Otherwise, there’s nothing too magical about this fairy tale follow-up that’s worth remembering. C"Devotion" stars Jonathan Majors, Glen Powell, Christina Jackson, Joe Jonas, Thomas Sadoski, and Daren Kagasoff. Released on November 23, 2022, the film has two elite fighter pilots fighting in the Korean War. The film was directed by J. D. Dillard, who also directed "Sleight" and "Sweetheart". It is based on the book by Adam Makos. There's no doubt that many stories depict someone's bravery and sacrifice during a specific part of history. However, we have barely scratched the surface of what we learned about the wars that occurred years ago. Along with the stories about heroism, some tales reflect on unlikely friendships that led people to change the course of the war. This story happens to be one of them. Thanksgiving is usually the time for us to spend quality time with our loved ones. However, this movie shows that it's also the time to honor the brave heroes who spent years defending our country, even though Veterans' Day was a couple of weeks ago. Better late than never, I guess. This is another Thanksgiving movie I reviewed late due to me spending the holiday with my family. I was interested in it because of my interest in war movies and appreciation towards Dillard's directorial debut, "Sleight". Unfortunately, I didn't find the time to watch it on opening weekend. Luckily, this weekend didn't have any new movies, so I used this opportunity to get a taste of this leftover. With that in mind, let's see if this latest war film is worth watching this holiday season. The story takes place during the Korean War in 1950. The United States is among the allied countries supporting South Korea, while China and the Soviet Union fight with North Korea. The movie is a true story centering on Jesse Brown (Majors), an African-American aviator in a predominantly white aviation community. While struggling with racial segregation, he finds a friend in fellow navy aviator Tom Hudner (Powell). Together, Brown and Hudner fight to make history in one of the most destructive conflicts of the modern era. I'm always a sucker for war movies, especially ones based on true events. Of course, you can say it's because of the thrilling high-stakes action scenes involving gun fights. However, it's also because of the characters' accomplishments during those darkest hours. Some were remembered for their impact on our culture. Others were overshadowed until they were brought into the spotlight. Combined with the exquisite filmmaking tools, these stories live on in our memories regarding the presentation and emotional impact. "Devotion" hopes to be another addition to that list by displaying Jesse Brown's remarkable journey in the Korean War. The only war movie I didn't like so far was Roland Emmerich's "Midway" three years ago due to its weak script and the lack of strong emotions. So I was hoping this film would offer something in the same vein as the other war classics like "Saving Private Ryan" and "1917" and not wind up like that emotionless bore. The movie is more along the lines of a drama set against the backdrop of the Korean War than a fast-paced action blockbuster. While there are several scenes involving aerial combat and war, the film focuses mainly on the friendship between Jesse and Tom. From their first encounter to Jesse's tragic death, the two men from different backgrounds bond in an all-white aviator community inside and outside the battlefield. This direction helps develop these characters before they get sent into a high-stakes battle in Korea, which is one of the reasons I enjoy these films. "Devotion" marks another addition to that category by providing a well-acted and touching tribute to the wingmen's friendship in history's forgotten war. Now, the question that's on my mind is how it fares compared to the other war classics. Well, for starters, it's not something that'll get a ton of awards this year regarding its storytelling. Despite the efforts made in its emotion, the film's story falters in some places when showcasing its commentary on racism in the aviator community. However, when it focuses on Jesse and Tom's friendship, the movie succeeds in providing charming, humorous, and, more importantly, touching moments. There were also times when the pacing felt slightly sluggish outside of its war sequences and the chemistry between the two actors. The film is around two hours and 18 minutes long, but it felt like it was at least two minutes longer. On the bright side, that's better than ten minutes. Despite those issues, the film's story is satisfying enough for me to forgive its straightforward formula. One main reason for its compelling drama scenes is the actors involved, who delivered strong performances to elevate the movie. Jonathan Majors continues to be a shining star in the film industry thanks to his stellar portrayal of Jesse Brown. His performance offers a blend of charisma and subtleness to make Jesse an endearing yet troubled reflection of the real-life aviator. The sequence where Jesse repeats the hurtful comments he heard to himself shows how impressively talented Majors is. Additionally, Glen Powell was surprisingly great as Tom Hudner, making the actor two for two this year regarding movies involving fighter pilots, with the other being "Top Gun: Maverick". Christina Jackson and Thomas Sadoski were also impressive in their roles of Daisy Brown and Dick Cevoli, respectively. The most interesting thing about the film is its director, J. D. Dillard. When I looked him up a while ago, I found that Dillard is the son of a naval aviator who also served in a white aviation community. So this idea was made with Dillard in mind, and rightfully so. Dillard's previous films were made on a small budget, with "Sleight" being the cheapest one, so this movie offers an opportunity for him to test his directorial skills with a much higher budget. For the most part, he managed to pass the test with flying colors. J. D. Dillard understands the community and the lone black aviator's perspective of it and provides an old-fashioned presentation that matches its thrilling action and heartfelt drama. In other words, he might be ready to tackle more big-budget movies like this. Overall, "Devotion" may not soar as high as the war classics from years past. However, it offers a representation of heroism and friendship that's touching and compelling enough to bypass a few narrative shortcomings. It also serves as an enjoyable showcase for the talented cast involved, with Majors and Powell being the main attractions. While its pacing and middling thematic depth may keep it from flying into awards territory, the movie succeeds in honoring the brave heroes of the Korean War and the comradeship that formed during that event. If you're into war films and are familiar with the story it's based on, the movie is worth checking out. B- |
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