Pure Monkey Business..."Dawn of the Planet of the Apes"

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

PG-13

Starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell,

Directed by Matt Reeves

The Story:

Ten years after the last movie, which quite frankly, I barely remembered what happened, they recap that a simian virus swept through the globe and killed lots of people. As society attempts to rebuild, Caesar (Serkis) leads his band of merry apes in the forests outside of San Francisco as they live pretty peacefully. However, when the local population enters the area hoping to get power from the dam, a tenuous peace between the apes and people is about to devolve into all out war.

At least, by the next movie.

This movie was fine, and was watchable.

Just not a whole lot really happens until the final act, and it's like they were simply setting this movie up as the bridge to Conquest of the Planet of the Apes, or whatever it will be called.

The fragile peace between apes and mankind is of course shattered... but not by who you expect!

Gary Oldman shows up and collects a paycheck!

Seriously.

He's in the movie for about 5-7 minutes total.

Anyone could have played that part. I had 20 minutes free in 2013 or 2014, I could have done that.

:)

The visuals are amazing, as usual.

I'm sure I'll be around to watch the sequel.

And like this one, I'll probably have forgotten what happened previously.

:D

Final Grade: C / C+

Not Ready For AARP Just Yet..."The Equalizer"

The Equalizer (2014)

Rated R

Starring Denzel Washington, Chloe Grace Moretz

Directed by Antoine Fuqua

The Story:

Robert McCall (Washington) works at a local hardware store. However at night at a diner when he can't sleep, he reads quietly and strike up a conversation with a local call girl (Moretz). One night when she shows up the worse for wear, Robert makes a call on her employers. Things take a turn for the worse, and suddenly Robert is wanted by the Russian mob.

No good deed...

So, hands up anybody that remembers or actually watched the 80s television show of the same name starring Edward Woodward as Robert McCall.

Wow, that's not many hands.

That's okay, I barely watched any of it at all, but my dad loved the show. It was too slow and not much action.

I mean, here was this senior citizen out there fighting crime.

I believe he paved the way for Murder She Wrote and Matlock!

But I digress...

The movie amps up the action just a bit, but they keep the tension and drama building throughout.

I quite enjoyed this version of The Equalizer, and would be happy to see a sequel in the future if they so desired.

Final Grade: B

The Best Movie of 2015...So Far. "Big Hero 6"

Big Hero 6 (2014)

PG

Starring Scott Adsit, Ryan Potter, Daniel Henney, T.J. Miller, Jamie Chung, Damon Wayans Jr., Genesis Rodriguez, James Cromwell, Alan Tudyk

Directed by Don Hall and Chris Williams

The Story:

Hiro (Potter) is a engineering prodigy who isn't utilizing his talents the way his big brother (Henney) would like. So a chance meeting at the university opens Hiro's eyes to the cool things that his brother and his best friends make, including the healthcare robot, Baymax (Adsit). Sadly, tragedy strikes, and it sets Hiro on a course for vengeance, and he's bringing some friends along for the ride. Will Hiro cross the line, or will his true heroics shine through?

Based on a true... nah, just kidding.

It is based on a Marvel Comic, though one you've likely never heard of.

So that being said, make sure you stick around through the credits for the usual Marvel teaser at the end.

The great thing about this one, it feels like a great comic book movie and harkens back to The Incredibles as seeing superheroes on the screen and it works.

This one could overtake that film as the best animated superhero movie ever made as well.

Time will tell.

There are also the usual bits and pieces of "been there done that" in the film, but that's okay, because just like in a live action film, if you're going to borrow scenes/ideas, borrow from some great films.

Like Iron Giant.

:)

The other nifty aspect of these heroes, they don't have powers. They have abilities that they created in a lab which is far more realistic than you might think.

It's a great voice cast, and unlike most films, there really aren't any "stars" to overpower anything. Just some great voices bringing life to their characters.

Which brings us to Baymax.

Much like Leonard Nimoy brought life to an emotionless Vulcan and helped make him human, Adsit brings the robotic Baymax to life and makes him the heart and soul of the film.

Just go watch the film already, you'll be glad you did.

Tissues are optional, depending on your heartlessness level.

:)

Final Grade: A