Archive for 2018

By Nadia Ranaputri

Image source: IMDB

Directors: Bob Persichetti, Peter Ramsey, and Rodney Rothman
Cast: Shameik Moore, Jake Johnson, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali, Brian Tyree Henry, John Mulaney, Nicolas Cage, Liev Schreiber, Luna Lauren Velez.

Out of all the Marvel heroes, Spider-Man's story is perhaps one that's been told the most. The web-slinger has been a staple character in the Marvel universe, but it's for a good reason. Spider-Man is one of Marvel's most iconic characters, perhaps because he is also the most human of all the heroes. We know the basic origin: Peter Parker gets bitten by a radioactive spider, Uncle Ben dies, and who could forget the motto "with great power comes great responsibility." No matter how many ways the story would eventually go, his origin remains the same. Sony's repeated the origin of the web-slinger twice now with Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield in the title role, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, on the other hand, started fresh with Tom Holland as the web-slinger and ditched the familiar origin and goes straight to the already bitten Parker who's somehow in control of his powers by the time we meet him. So when Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse was brought into the picture, curiosity arises. What is the installment going to bring to the table? The answer is simple: a damn good story.

Basically, in this universe, there's only one Spider-Man, the infamous Peter Parker. But, as the film already suggests, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse won't be Parker's story first and foremost: it's Miles Morales' (voiced by Shameik Moore), a regular high school student in Brooklyn who is struggling to adapt in his prestigious school. He spends nights in his uncle's house instead of his dorm room, and is enthralled when one night, he gets the chance to showcase his art skills in an underground tunnel, oblivious to a radioactive spider that just so happens to be there. Having been bitten by this genetically altered spider, Miles has to adjust to this sudden change, though it takes him a while to realize what he was really going through ("I think I hit puberty!" Miles exclaims). To make matters even more complicated, Kingpin (Liev Schreiber) is secretly building a machine he calls the collider, that opens limitless portals to other dimensions. Because of this interdimensional machine, Miles meets another Peter Parker, miles different from the Parker he knows. This Parker, Peter B. Parker (Jake Johnson) to be exact; is much older and physically different from the Parker in Miles' universe. Turns out, he comes from another dimension, and he isn't the only Spider-Man to arrive in Miles' dimension.

The first thing that has to be mentioned is the animation. When those funky opening titles start to play, you know that you're in for quite the experience. It is fresh, fun, and seriously stunning. You can say that it is the closest you'll ever get to seeing 3D comic-book style animation in a feature length film. Into the Spider-Verse incorporates comic book visuals into 3D animation that brings actual comic book pages into life. It literally leaps off the page and onto the screen. Even the constant "yellow thought boxes" that a lot of our heroes have in the comics turn up here, and when there's a fight going on, you're seeing words like "whoosh" being flashed on the screen, just like how it is on the pages of a comic book. The setting of New York city is beautifully drawn on screen, like it's taking you by the hand and drawing it closer to the city that never sleeps, and the fight sequences are unlike any other, utilizing its animation to the level that live-action comic book movies won't be able to tackle as well as this, no matter how big of a budget the CGI is. It's a unique take on an animation, which really takes the film on a whole other level. Then there's the character introductions, which are simply put, super fun. Each of the character introductions are unique and nudges at how many of us have probably heard of Spider-Man's origins over and over again.

Image source: IMDB

For a film that is under two hours, Into the Spider-Verse takes advantage of its potentials and actually use it instead of just dropping it on the ground and never speak of it again. Just when you think you've had enough of the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man's origin story (seeing Uncle Ben die for the third time? No, thank you) Into the Spider-Verse reassures you that it isn't going to repeat that same storyline. But the film does poke fun at the previous iteration, specifically Raimi's Spider-Man, with a certain scene that a character refers to as a scene that "we don't talk about." It still however, has some great storytelling at hand here. The collision of our fellow Spider-Heroes could have lead to a disastrous mess of a story. Thankfully, the film knows exactly how to avoid that. Into the Spider-Verse excels in storytelling. On the surface, it may be your typical origin story where our hero first gets his powers and tries to figure out what to do with it. It is that essentially, but the film goes even further and take the story to a different route than normal. Essentially, it's Miles' story, but the film takes note to pay attention to other characters, emphasizing their roles in the story and their development as individuals and with Miles. Best of all, it does all that without feeling like it overstuffs itself. Every single part of it just works.

Miles Morales is a compelling main character and his arc is one of the best origin arcs in a superhero film. Miles has a slightly strained relationship with his father, he doesn't feel like he fits in with his prestigious school, and on top of that, he's thrust into the superhero world. His development from normal student trying to fit in with his life to sudden superhero is handled with so much care that he becomes a fully realized character that people can truly root for. He's not the type of hero that gets it right the first time, but that's exactly what makes him a great hero. And of course, he isn't the only Spider-Man in the universe (at least when you count dimensions beyond his). Introducing Peter B. Parker, Gwen Stacy, Spider-Noir, Peni Parker, and the most delightful of all, Peter Porker, aka Spider-Ham. This is where the film really excels in: the character building, particularly Peter B. Parker, who might come off as your usual wise-cracking web-slinger, just middle-aged and in the cusp of a mid-life crisis; but he too, is a fully realized character who's more than just a mere supporting character, but one whose arc is just as emotional as Miles Morales'. The film isn't shy of giving them vulnerabilities. These heroes aren't just people with special abilities, they feel very human, relatable at best. It also has some wit and humor that really does put a smile on your face, especially when you have a character like Peter Porker hitting a villain with a giant cartoonish hammer.

The film does a flaw though: the villain. As menacing as he is, Kingpin is overshadowed by our heroes to the point where he is simply just a villain that stands in the way of our heroes. Since this is an animated film that clocks in under two hours though, not everyone is going to get much of the spotlight to develop as a character, and the film sacrifices the development of the villains in favor of the heroes (which is not an entirely bad thing, to be honest). There is an exception for a certain Prowler here though. Kingpin may be the main villain, but Prowler is the one that steals the show. Overall, Into the Spider-Verse was more than just another superhero film filling the slot of the many superhero films that came out this year, it was a great film that brings something unique while also reminding us why we love heroes like Spider-Man. It brings me so much joy to see a Spider-Man story that entertains as much as it inspires. There's a line that a character says in the film: "It's a leap of faith, that's all it is." It isn't just a line directed at a character, it's directed at us, too. As superhero origins go, Into the Spider-Verse brings an innovative take on the Spider-Man story, especially when it comes to breaking the fourth wall by literally bringing the different dimensions that were originally very separate in the comics together in one film. You don't see that everyday in a superhero film, do you?

Image source: IMDB

Overall verdict: Into the Spider-Verse excels in nearly every single aspect, particularly the storytelling and character development. While we've seen Spider-Man's origin being repeated twice already, it's a pleasant surprise to see that since it takes the origin of a different Spider-Man, it goes on a completely new route. Miles Morales is a fully realized character whose arc is so well handled, and his development as an individual is spectacular. Alongside him are the other spider-heroes from different dimensions, but among them, it's Peter B. Parker that has as much of a development and an emotional arc as Miles. And that's what made this film special, it reminds us why Spider-Man is a beloved hero. Spider-Man is perhaps a superhero that feels the most human and the most relatable. No matter how many times he's fallen down, he would always rise up again, and this film doesn't shy away from the web-slinger's vulnerabilities. The only issue with the film is perhaps the main villain, but since this is an animated film clocking in just under two hours, not everyone gets the spotlight. Into the Spider-Verse chooses to develop its heroes more because that's who we're here for after all, and it delivers. Miles' journey throughout may seem like a typical hero's journey, but the film makes sure that it has so much more to it, and that's why it's exceptional.

Stars: 4.5/5

By Nadia Ranaputri

Image source: Screen Rant

Director: James Wan
Cast: Jason Momoa, Amber Heard, Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, Dolph Lundgren, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Nicole Kidman, Temuera Morrison.

If you look back at before the DCEU even began, the idea of having an Aquaman film had perhaps became a kind of fantasy that wouldn't see the light of day. Maybe it is a little ridiculous to have a superhero who can talk to sea animals and ride on dolphins, but over the years, the character has developed into one of the most interesting heroes in DC. If his future portrayals have proved anything, it's that he's more than just an Atlantean who talks to fish. Morning cartoons aside, Aquaman has been a staple character in many of DC's animated films. He was even a playable character in both Injustice games, and he was cool as hell. When Aquaman first made his live-action big screen debut in Justice League, I was a little skeptical at first, but curious to see how his portrayal in the DCEU would go. Turns out, he was one of the silver linings in an overall disappointing film. I was excited to see where the character goes to next. Thus, when James Wan was brought in to helm the story of the underwater superhero, it was clear that my hype for this went through the roof.

Aquaman starts off with the love story between Arthur's parents, one a lighthouse keeper named Thomas Curry (Temuera Morrison), and the other a Queen of an underwater nation of Atlantis, Queen Atlanna (Nicole Kidman). In the process, they have a son named Arthur, believed to soon be the one to unite the surface world and the sea. Eventually, Queen Atlanna is forced to abandon her family and return to Atlantis, leaving Arthur in the care of his father. Fast forward to a now adult Arthur Curry (Jason Momoa), dubbed as the Aquaman, who is on a mission to save fellow submarine crews from pirates out to hijack the ship. Turns out, he's been doing errands like this for a while, saving people from the dangers of the sea. He's then approached by Princess Mera (Amber Heard) who warns him that his half brother Orm (Patrick Wilson), the current king of Atlantis, is about to wage war on the surface world, and that Arthur must return to Atlantis and confront him to prevent Orm from doing so. Arthur first rejects the offer of confronting Orm, but reluctantly agrees when he comes upon Orm's first act of wrath on the surface. Together, Arthur and Mera journey to Atlantis, where they discover a clue leading to the lost trident that has the power to control the seas, which would bring prosperity to a true heir of the throne.

Jason Momoa nails Arthur Curry. He is undoubtedly one of the best parts of the films. The whole film rests on his shoulders, and he carries that weight effortlessly. It's not a masterful type of performance, but his portrayal of the superhero still has plenty of charm, enough for us to take a liking to his character and root for him. It's a much more grounded portrayal, giving us a whole film to see a different side of him than when he appeared in Justice League. Curry's journey consists of him redefining himself as an individual, to truly step out from the comfort of the surface world to face the dangers of the underwater world. Though it takes place after Justice League, it is very much an origin story of a hero whose two worlds are about to collide, and he has to venture to one world in order to save the other. Alongside Momoa is Amber Heard as Mera, whose chemistry with Momoa during banters are fun to watch, but when it comes to the more romantic driven stuff, it can lead to more of an eye-roll. On her own though, Mera is a fierce character who can prove her own alongside Arthur. The standouts however, are Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, and Dolph Lundgren as Curry's half-brother Orm, Curry's mentor Vulko, and King Nereus respectively. Wilson particularly makes for quite intriguing antagonist, though he can feel a little overdramatic at times, but Wilson makes it work with his performance.

Image source: IMDB

This is one of those times where IMAX is the way to go. Aquaman is a true visual feast for the eyes. Atlantis is a gorgeous underwater city with its own type of border patrol and a brimming city that brings modern technology and ancient architecture together in spectacular fashion. It's immersive, epic, and so well put together (especially with Rupert Gregson-Williams' excellent score) that it leaves you longing to head back to all its visual glory whenever the film journeys to the surface world. It's certainly an interesting look into the fact that the city and some its weapons are powered by the very thing that surrounds it: water. Even the ancient technology deemed to be ahead of its time, is powered by water. Also, since this is James Wan directing here, there's also some spectacular horror imagery, particularly a sequence in a deep sea area called the Trench with ravenous sea creatures lurking in the dark. And the underwater kingdoms that are shown throughout the film are some of the film's striking visuals. Seeing the many underwater kingdoms is definitely an intriguing aspect visually, and another aspect that I find to be most interesting in DC films is the lore. If there is one thing the DCEU thrives in, it's setting up the lore, both visual and story wise. Man of Steel and Wonder Woman's lore lecture on Krypton and Themyscira respectively was one of the film's best sequences, engaging us on the hero's home planet. Aquaman follows suit, bringing the lore of Atlantis to the big screen with an equally engaging manner as the lore from its predecessors.

The story on the other hand, is pretty solid, and it had an adventurous feel to it that is reminiscent of a classic sci-fi adventure. For a story that mostly takes place underwater, Aquaman has a couple of good moments that help propel the story. It has so much potential to go from there, but even when it does touch upon those potentials, there are some that aren't fully realized. There are things that are well-executed, but some that don't get the same treatment. While the pacing isn't all too bad, it's some aspects of the story that's the issue here. It's not generic, by all means (the classic sci-fi adventure approach is admittedly a nice touch); but some of it is predictable, yet it isn't something that fully takes you out from the experience. There's one very particular aspect in the film that is the most bothersome though, and that's due to the fact that it's something we've seen from other films before it. Not only that, but there are some arcs that seem too convenient, like the appearance of something suddenly solves everything, acting as a form of deus ex machina, if you will.

As for the action, it isn't something that's memorable overall, but it is admittedly fun and definitely enjoyable. The problem is not that it's a CGI overload (the fact that is spends too much time in the water is not one of them either. I mean, what else are they going to show besides the sea in a movie called Aquaman?) It just doesn't have much stake at play here. The direction of the action is impressive, especially since Wan is on the director's chair, and while it's still visually stunning (again, the visuals are film's forte) but there's not much tension to be had. While it's certainly fun, it's not something that makes you wonder about the fate of certain characters. It doesn't really raise the stakes very much, especially since certain sequences have trouble trying to balance its execution, leading to many things happening in a single action sequence without much of a cohesion. The Sicily chase sequence though, deserves a mention here. You've probably gotten a glimpse of it in the extended trailer of the film, and if you thought that scene was quite the ride, wait until you see the whole thing on screen; it is truly glorious.

Image source: Warner Bros, Collider

Another flaw with this film is rather a particular arc with Black Manta. Look, I was very excited to see Black Manta on the big screen. It certainly isn't easy to bring a character like him on screen, but when he first appeared in the Aquaman trailer, I was psyched because damn, he looked amazing. Unfortunately, other than how incredible he looks, the same couldn't be said for the character himself and his arc. It doesn't feel as if his arc was particularly earned, especially since the main antagonist here was really Orm, and not Black Manta. He has some enjoyable scenes, and his costume was undoubtedly great, but it honestly felt as if Black Manta didn't really belong here, not yet anyway. Black Manta has his motivations, yet it really didn't feel as engaging as the other arcs. It was too bland of an arc to follow, and his motivation doesn't feel like it earned to be there. He might fit right at home once he's given the chance to be the next main antagonist in future films, but here, he feels underdeveloped, as his arc doesn't feel fully formed alongside other arcs. He's perhaps a character who best shines when he's the lead antagonist, whose arc needs to take up the main story instead of merely being there to be one of Aquaman's obstacles.

Does it mean that Aquaman a terrible film? It certainly is not, and it's not even close to that. There are a lot of things to be liked from Aquaman. It juggles its arcs it much better fashion than Batman vs Superman and Justice League. It has the feel of a King Arthur story with the whole "Sword in the Stone" element (if you're wondering whether or not this is the story aspect I mentioned as an issue in the film, this is not the aspect I was talking about), but set underwater, which actually made for an interesting story. There are many interesting elements at play here, like the struggle to balance two worlds at once, a certain action that leads to consequences, and a motivation merely driven by vengeance. Some are well-executed, but some aren't, and some are things we can see from a mile away, or in other words, predictable at times. That doesn't mean that it makes the fun any lesser. Wan had stated many influences for Aquaman, one of them being Star Wars and Indiana Jones, and some of the influences from these films are present here. Aquaman packs a lot of adventure that sometimes reminds you of the films that Wan had stated to have influenced it; blending classic sci-fi adventure story with a modern superhero arc.

Image source: Screen Rant

Overall verdict: Aquaman is a truly fun ride with more things to like than dislike. Jason Momoa is a likeable lead as Arthur Curry, having a much more grounded portrayal than when we last saw him in Justice League, which is greatly appreciated. Amber Heard is fierce as Mera and manages to hold her own alongside Momoa. Patrick Wilson, Willem Dafoe, and Dolph Lundgren are some of the film's standouts, their performances adding gravitas to an otherwise overdramatic dialogue. The visuals are outstanding, giving us a glimpse of the underwater kingdom of Atlantis in spectacular fashion. The visuals are one of the film's big guns here, because it goes without saying that it is truly stunning and worth seeing its true glory in IMAX. The story isn't terrible, but I wish there was more to it than being quite predictable and sadly thin overall. While it packs some of that adventurous feel from films such as Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and King Arthur, it's hammered by other arcs that could either fall flat or dragged, particularly Black Manta; who I honestly thought should have been saved for another film. Despite the flaws, Aquaman is an enjoyable time, and like I said, it still has plenty to like and have fun with. It paved way to be great film, but it isn't quite there just yet.

Stars: 3.5/5

By Nadia Ranaputri

Image source: IMDB

Directors: Rich Moore and Phil Johnston
Cast: John C. Reilly, Sarah Silverman, Gal Gadot, Taraji P. Henson, Jack McBrayer, Jane Lynch, Alan Tudyk, Alfred Molina, Ed O'Neill.

"I don't think we're at Litwak's anymore," Wreck-It Ralph points out as he steps into the great unknown. "We certainly are not," Vanellope says. This great unknown they've just landed upon just so happens to be the internet. As in, the crazy vast land of websites. That's exactly what Ralph Breaks the Internet has brought to the table. As the sequel to Disney's 2012 animated film about an unlikely bond between an 8-bit bad guy and a cheery little racer, Ralph Breaks the Internet follows the fish-out-of-water premise in which characters explore the great unknown, a completely different world known as the internet. The internet is a fascinatingly crazy ride, but hey, this time you get to see what it's really like to step into the internet rather than just clicking webs on a computer.

Six years after the events of Wreck-It Ralph, the once video game outcasts Wreck-It Ralph and Vanellope von Schweetz live a seemingly perfect life in the Litwak Family Arcade. They do the same routine every day: go to work seperately in each of their arcade games and do their duties as video game characters by day, hang out in several other video games such as Tron and have a root beer drink off together by night. But when Vanellope longs for variation in her game Sugar Rush, specifically new tracks, Ralph tries to help her. Unfortunately, it doesn't go very well, as this frustrates a fellow gamer that leads a damaged steering wheel, causing Litwak to unplug Sugar Rush, leaving Vanellope and her fellow racers without a game. Luckily for them, Litwak just so happens to have a new installment to the arcade: Wi-Fi (one character calls it Die-Fi as a joke to how dangerous it could be) or in other words, the internet. Hoping to save Sugar Rush from fully perishing, Ralph and Vanellope venture to the internet in search of a new steering wheel. However, their venture to the internet isn't the end of their problems.

One of my earlier concerns whether or not a story about delving into the internet was a good idea. We had that with The Emoji Movie, and as unique of an idea as it is to have a film about Emojis (well, no one's ever done it, right?) it lacks in telling a good, decent even; story that justifies why it needed to exist. Well, you can rest easy, because Ralph Breaks the internet has a better story on hand. If you're going to sum up Ralph Breaks the Internet, it's a much more meaningful and joyful journey of the internet than The Emoji Movie. Yes, it has shameless product placement like Twitter, Amazon, Fandango, and eBay; but after all, it's the internet, right? It's a never-ending universe where a click could get you anywhere you please, and the film clearly wants to represent just how vast the crazy world of the internet is, but it is not ashamed to reflect on the reality of it, nor does it lose a sense of adventure. The way it's presented here is a bright and colorful world with satirical representations of things you always see on the internet, like figures using clickbait pop-ups that transport those who click to their "site", or virtual figures literally sending hearts to a leaf blower to a video.

Image source: IMDB

What's interesting here is that it illustrates the internet as an actual world that you can walk around in. When you click a website, it leads you to that designated website, but in Disney's illustration of the internet, a click leads people to be transported into a hovering shuttle that heads you to a website (represented as floating buildings in a city that never sleeps) you desire. It really does give you the idea that while the internet is full of wonders, it's also got its ridiculous aspects, like becoming an internet star by continuously making videos based on whatever happens to be trending or wicked online games with obstacles beyond anything Ralph has ever seen. And then there's the most advertised bit of the film, the Oh My Disney sequence that involves Disney properties from the Star Wars Stormtroopers and cameos from fellow Marvel characters (a certain talking twig is among them) become highlights of the film. The standout of the sequence is no doubt the princesses, among them Cinderella, Anna, Elsa, Pocahontas, and of course, Merida with her Scottish rambling that other princesses could barely understand. It is an obvious showcase of Disney properties, but that doesn't mean it makes the film less enjoyable. It's certainly a fun little dive on a virtual version of Disneyland without compromising the story it wants to tell.

But this film has bigger plans at hand than just the wonders of the internet. It wants to show us a darker side too, though it won't go too deep into that. It's merely a representation of it, as it is with the other wondrous bits of the internet. It does an excellent job in telling both the positive and the negative side, enough for it to create a sense of joy and sympathy. "First rule of the internet: do not read the comments," Ralph is informed when he finds that the internet has harsh things to say about him. Ralph Breaks the Internet is also poignant in developing the friendship between Ralph and Vanellope. In fact, the film revolves around their friendship as they discover the many wonders of the internet. There's issues of being overprotective of one person to the point where instead of actually protecting them, it only holds them back. It shows a heartfelt display of how any friendship will have to go through changes, that one person cannot share the same dream with the other. That's essentially what happens to our friendly neighborhood wrecker and his quirky race pal. Ralph becomes insecure when Vanellope realizes that there's more to life than just daily routines at the arcade; she's found something much more exciting than that. It's the film's core message that is delivered strongly, despite it being quite direct, especially since this is an animated Disney film after all.

Ralph Breaks the Internet does what every film does: provide a sense of both escapism from reality and a reflection of it. It is essentially what a film is supposed to do, and Ralph Breaks the Internet just proves that it is more than just exploring a new world, but also dealing with the possibility of change and as Ralph realizes, how a world such as the internet could bring the worst in people. As surface level is it is when it comes to the thing we know as the internet, it at least has a good story on hand that makes it more than just a fun dive into the internet. It may oversimplify or barely scratch the surface of what the internet really is, (again, this is a Disney film, do you really expect them to dive into the gritty bits of the internet?) but it is enough to give glimpses at just how vastly crazy it really is. In the end, for a story about an exploration of the internet, it has its moral messages. Children can learn that the strongest friendship comes from the ones that strive throughought the changes, no matter how painful it may be. The older can find a poignant message that they could even relate to because they might have already experienced the same thing. I certainly did, and that was one of the biggest reasons why I enjoyed this film, I resonated with it.

Image source: IMDB

Overall verdict: Ralph Breaks the Internet is certainly a joyful sequel to 2012's Wreck-It Ralph, putting two of the most unlikely friends into the bright and vast world of the internet. Disney's depiction of this cyber world is as expected, full of wonder. But while it's a whole new world, Ralph and Vanellope's friendship is put to the test once they come face to face with the internet, and it might even resonate with the audience, even if it is conveyed directly. The world of the internet is cettainly an interesting concept, but it isn't ashamed to jab at the internet itself. Whether it is becoming a star by making ridiculous videos, meeting Disney princesses and many of their other characters, or stepping inside an unpredictable online game, Ralph Breaks the Internet knows how to poke some lighthearted fun that puts a smile on your face, and it has plenty of heart to give around (metaphorically and literally). It might not hit as deep as Disney Pixar's Coco, but it sure gives enough to tug at our heartstrings while offering much of Disney's familiar joy and wonder.

Stars: 4.3/5

By Nadia Ranaputri

Image source: IMDB

Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Rami Malek, Lucy Boynton, Ben Hardy, Gwilym Lee, Joseph Mazzello, Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander, Mike Myers.

Believe it or not, the very first exposure I had to Queen was through Ella Enchanted, where Anne Hathaway belted out 'Somebody to Love' in a pub filled with giants. My then nine year old self upon watching the film at the time believed that it was the film's original song, which is silly considering that I then found out that it was a cover of the song that was originally sung by none other than Queen. To this day, Queen remains as one of the most iconic bands in history, their songs have hit the top of the charts several times and used in several films such as Ella Enchanted (Somebody to Love), Wayne's World (Bohemian Rhapsody), Shaun of the Dead ('Don't Stop Me Now' and 'You're My Best Friend'), and even had multiple songs covered by Glee. Queen is loved by the masses from one generation to another. Bryan Singer's new biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody, aims to tell the story of just how this band entered the music forray and the story of their eccentric frontrunner, Freddie Mercury; to the modern audience.

Bohemian Rhapsody starts off with the soon-to-be Queen front runner Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara) moving luggages in Heathrow Airport during the day. At night though, he visits a local pub and listens to a band he's been following, hoping to show some of his songs to them. Turns out, it's his lucky day, because the band's lead singer just so happens to abandon the band just after their performance, leaving the spot open to Freddie, who eagerly leaps to take the opportunity. As they begin playing in other local gigs, they begin to get recognized when music manager John Reid (Aiden Gillen) stumbles upon their recording booth. They begin to work with Reid and with the support of their label EMI (run by Ray Foster (Mike Myers), who's reluctant over the band's experimental delve in music), they begin their tour around the world, selling out shows, and becoming the band that everyone knows and loves. However, as their success rises, their personal issues follow suit, particularly Freddie, who's figuring out his sexual orientation, despite being happily in love with his partner Mary Austin (Lucy Boynton); and the media's eventual intrusion on his personal life.

Rami Malek is a star stunner as Freddie Mercury, fully embracing the frontman's enigmatic mannerisms and his passion in creating music. Malek not only nails Mercury's look, but his spontenaeous ways and every bit of how Mercury works on stage. Mercury's struts, flaunts, turns, and flicks are so intricately portrayed and Malek just dissolves into Mercury, getting almost every bit of the frontrunner's moves. At times, he's doe-eyed and curious, especially during his younger years, eagerly following a band he's fond of and willing to impress the remaining band members who just so happens to be Brian May and Roger Taylor when he finds that the band's lead singer had just quit. When he gets on stage, that's where he sheds that doe-eyed look and trades it for sharp turns and magnetic sway. You're instantly drawn into his portrayal with his every turn at the beat. And even when it comes to his more vulnerable moments, Malek just outshines every other actor in the room, making sure that Mercury's inner search for identity and struggle comes through on screen. Queen's other band members, Roger Taylor, Brian May, and John Deacon, played respectively by Ben Hardy, Gwilym Lee, and Joe Mazzello; all put impressive performances and create a genuine dynamic together with Malek, despite them not being as established as Malek's Freddie Mercury.

Image source: IMDB

The thing that really made Bohemian Rhapsody a gem is its artistic aspects. The recreation of Queen's musical numbers is spectacular to watch, especially if you're fond of Queen, you're likely to sing along and have a good time doing it. Each of the performances are captivating, capturing the essence of what made Queen's performances so iconic, especially with Malek brilliantly embodying Mercury's mannerisms on stage. The Live Aid performance gets a special mention here because it is really where the film takes the high road and gives Queen the performance of their lives. This is also where I admittedly shed tears in sheer delight of how amazing this sequence was recreated and the performances in it. And what also made it mesmerizing was its cinematography, which is really quite something, from the opening long shot of Freddie getting ready to enter the stage to the beat of 'Somebody to Love' that ends with a glide of the massive audience awaiting Queen's performance (which is actually one of my most favorite sequences of the film), to a wide shot of Queen performing the hell out of a show. It's visually appealing, and is the aspect apart from the performances that prevents the film from fully crashing down.

Spanning the 15 years of their rise to stardom and eventual success, Bohemian Rhapsody has the weight of cramming the many events that occur during those fifteen years, like who Freddie Mercury was before he was Freddie Mercury, how the band was brought together, how they got their band name Queen, and the struggles they had in making it in the music scene. It is suprisingly fast paced for a film that's more than two hours, but then again, it does have a lot to cover. For the first hour, the film is filled with quirky wit that does work most of the time, like the doe-eyed young Mercury belting out tunes in the parking lot in front of his future bandmates Brian May and Roger Taylor, his eccentric choice in fashion ("I've got to make an impression, darling," he confidently says when he's questioned about his clothing), the band mixing non-musical objects with their music, or Roger Taylor constantly having to repeat his high notes on the "Galileo" part in the 'Bohemian Rhapsody' song several times until the recording tape is nearly spent. But their dedication in showcasing their music to the world is relentless, from only playing in pubs to becoming one of the most iconic bands in history- from their music producer stating, "Mark my words, no one will play Queen," to the point where one of the characters say in the film, "When they hear Queen, ears perk up."

Bohemian Rhapsody manages to present the fact that despite their success, Queen has their issues as a band. There are scenes where they argue over whose song they want to use (one fairly hilarious scene being an argument about whether or not they want to use Roger Taylor's song 'I'm in Love with My Car' that leads to Taylor nearly throwing a coffee machine), and questioning some creative decisions regarding the songs. But at its center is Freddie Mercury's personal life, struggling with his sexuality and trying to keep anyone else besides the people closest to him from prying into anything other than his music. It is at most parts, executed well and also heartbreaking at some point, humanizing Queen's eccentric lead singer. This is mostly propelled by Malek's performances, who is effortless in portraying Mercury's struggles between his personal choices both in music and in his lifestyle. Mercury has personal issues that clashes alongside the media that constantly barges him with questions of interest regarding his sexuality, the focus merely on him than his band and their music. He throws lavish parties in his mansion, but cannot bring himself to face the fact that he'll eventually be alone at some point, asking his bandmates or his former partner Mary Austin to accompany him for dinner or for a drink when he spends the night alone.

Image source: IMDB

But when it comes to how Mercury's personal drama that surrounds him was executed during the second half of the film, that's where it gets most of its ups and downs. It's understandable that some things won't go into focus, but sometimes the film feels confused between wanting to focus on Mercury or Queen. It mainly focuses on the former, but that would mean the other members would have to take a back seat, though they're not fully shadowed by Mercury here. At some parts, it may feel underwhelming, mainly due to the pacing of each sequence (save for the Live Aid performance). Sometimes sudden developments are thrown at us without prior foundation as to why it was there, and it may take you aback for a second, particularly at the band's road to stardom and deep insight into their struggles as a band. It really jumps too swiftly from having the band do small gigs, and the next thing you know, they have a manager that's suddenly convinced to work with them by a single statement and sky-rocketting to instant fame. Some might be bothered by that, and to tell you the truth, I was slightly bothered by it too. It does affect the story and even if it does manage to show Mercury and Queen's struggles in a way that made them accessible to tug at heartstrings, it's everything else that surrounds them that prevents the film from hitting that sweet high note, the homerun that could have made it great.

Flaws aside, Bohemian Rhapsody was honestly very enjoyable, capturing some of Queen's essence as a band and their experimental music that would become much loved and iconic until today (though yes, there are some errors in the accurate depiction of for example, the era of a song's initial release). It's eccentricly magnetic in all the right ways, there's a big amount of wonderful chemistry between Malek, Hardy, Lee, and Mazzello. There's a brilliant scene where their music producer refuses to take risks with the band, and the band replies to this by stating that the name Queen serves as a mystery, that they could take any genre of music and incorporate it into theirs. It's scenes like those that really made Bohemian Rhapsody shine. It's captivating when the band starts to belt out the iconic tunes, but sometimes lacks when it comes to some part of the film's story execution, though I have to admit, it is still a damn good time. When walking out of this film, you're really going to leave with one thing in mind: that Queen and their lead singer Freddie Mercury will forever remain as icons for the ages. "You're a legend, Fred," Roger Taylor says. Mercury smiles and with the outmost fondness, says back, "We're all legends."

Image source: IMDB

Overall verdict: Bohemian Rhapsody thrives in visual appeal, recreating Queen's performances in spectacular fashion, led by Rami Malek's magnetic performance as Freddie Mercury. Malek stuns in embodying Queen's frontruner with his eccentric mannerisms on stage, drawing us to his performance. Ben Hardy, Gwilym Lee, and Joe Mazzello manages to stand alongside Malek fairly well, particularly when it came to the band's dynamic. Its striking cinematography is also where the film really shines through, capturing each performance, be it on stage or behind it. However, it does suffer in pacing that affects the story, making sudden developments happen that could take the audience aback for a second. Some things could have been explored more, but since it's cramming a story spanning 15 years, it is understandable that not everything is going go be delved further. Despite that, Bohemian Rhapsody really is a good time, and it's the kind of film that you'd sing your heart out shamelessly through every Queen song that plays throughout the film. It's not exactly a homerun, but it has every potential to be, and for nearly much of the parts, it does realize that.

Stars: 3.5/5

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By Nadia Ranaputri

Image source: IMDB

Director: Bradley Cooper
Cast: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliot, Dave Chapelle, Andrew Dice Clay, Anthony Ramos.

A Star is Born has had three previous remakes in the past, there's the original 1937 version, which led to remakes in 1954 and 1974. Each of the films contain a similar core story: an established figure in the entertainment industry who is overshadowed by an up and coming artist who eventually finds her way to the top, but it's executed in different ways to reflect on the background of the years they were released. In the 1937 film, it was a story between an aspiring actress played by Janet Gaynor and an already established actor played by Fredric March. By 1954, it was about an aspiring singer played by Judy Garland and a once infamous actor played by James Mason. The 1974 remake (the film that the 2018 version draws most of its inspiration from) also had an aspiring singer played by Barbra Streisand and a rock star played by Kris Kristofferson. Now, 44 years after the last rendition of the film, we have yet another remake of A Star is Born, this time with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

A Star is Born begins with well-established musician Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper), who on his way home from his concert, comes upon a drag bar unbeknownst to him, with an excuse that he needed another bottle of booze. He's in luck, because there, he meets aspiring singer Ally (Lady Gaga), a waitress turned occassional entertainer who turned heads with her performance of "La Vie En Rose" that immediately draws Jack to her. They spend the night together and by the next day, Ally is unexpectedly invited to sing with him on stage at his next concert. This leads them to pursue a romantic relationship and tour together on stage, which eventually helps Ally to rise to stardom, attracting a famous music producer and starting a solo act of her own. As Ally ascends her way to fame, Jack becomes aware of his descent from it, with his lifelong struggle of heavy drinking and passing out after concerts.

The main stars of the film, Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, are really the driving force of the film. They play off each other brilliantly. Cooper, on one hand, is given a heavy part as a talented musician who is struggling with alcohol addiction. Cooper's performance is one deserving of an Oscar nomination, because this is perhaps the best performance I have ever seen from him. To play someone with so much weight and complexity is no easy feat, and Cooper takes on the role as if he's prepared for it his whole life, all while tugging heartstrings at his most emotional moments. Lady Gaga as Ally, on the other hand, isn't as complex of a character as Jack, but still manages to shine alongside Cooper. In tense moments, Lady Gaga is a force to be reckoned with, especially when she's placed in the same room with Cooper. There is a great amount of genuine chemistry between the two that really shines through, tremendously helped by Cooper and Gaga's performances of course, though the more plot based aspects of the romance had slight issues (we'll get to that in a moment).

Image source: IMDB

As Cooper's first directorial debut, it is a stunner, and it's obvious that he has learned from his fellow directors of how they work behind the camera. Apart from his impressive vocals, his attention to detail and originality really shines through the screen, leaping with great potential. If you've read his interview with The New York Times, Cooper is fond of the fact that he is able to show a reflection of himself in the film, being both the director and the main lead. This is his take on the story, and it shows, very brilliantly, of his own personal take. With cinematographer Matthew Libatique, the film is resilient on raw emotions, keeping its shots fixtated on its actors, even during the musical numbers, as to give an intimate glimpse on the artists performing on stage. It remains that way during most of the emotional parts, especially when it's between Cooper and Gaga, which are brilliant and shows serious star power between two incredible performances.

A Star is Born isn't shy of showing how fame can change a person, particularly for Ally, as someone who started out being loved for her pureness and passion in her songs but isn't given enough freedom when drastically changed to someone she isn't. It plays some similar beats to Damien Chazelle's La La Land, where one of our protagonists strives for success in a career he/she wants to aim for, and in the process, there are struggles to be faced, and lots of ground to cover. When they do get successful however, it turns the tables on them in order to further turn their image into something that would allign with what is trending in the entire world. Just as Ryan Gosling's Sebastian in La La Land strives to bring authentic jazz back into the mainstream, Gaga's Ally does the same with the power of her soulful voice and original lyrics. Once they do reach the peak of their dreams, the industry tweaks their image in order to appeal to the mainstream audience. For Sebastian, it's trading authentic jazz for pop beats, and for Ally, it's her authentic solo singing style for catchy beats and backup dancers. It aims for the right amount of authenticity inside of the portrayal of an industry that is anything but.

It does however, slightly falter in Ally's arc during the second act. While Ally rises to stardom, it doesn't feel as emotionally packed as the beginning of her arc, which was one of the hightlights of the film. Perhaps it is the film's way of saying that as Ally rose to stardom, part of her authenticity and ability to say something for herself is stripped away. But this is also where Maine's arc of his eventual fall from stardom comes clashing in, and that's where most of that rawness and authenticity comes from during the second act. The fact is, Jack isn't jealous of her newfound stardom, he's sad that it has completely changed how she sends her form of art to the audience, continuously losing one of the things he loved her for in the first place: her ability to send soulful message through her booming voice and original lyrics.

One of those moments came when Ally decided to change something about her image (one of the characters claim that it was her own decision), which shocks Jack, who decides to hold his true reaction as to not make her upset about her decision. Jack is the character that is perhaps the most fleshed out, laying his downfall from his stardom while Ally rises to hers, and it's shown in a heartbreaking way, such as when at some point, Jack was expected to perform at a show, but is replaced at the last minute by a much younger singer. His response? He offers to play second fiddle by being the guitarist on the background.

Image source: IMDB

What held A Star is Born from being masterful however, is the pacing. It isn't too major, but sometimes the pacing feels off, as if there was something that needed to shown to further elaborate on a particular arc, but didn't. Sometimes the film picks up on a significant time jump, but you can't tell until it shows a sudden development that makes you wonder if you missed something. This mostly happens during the second act, where Ally rises to stardom, while Jack's career begins to go downhill. The first act sometimes suffers the same, though as said before, it is not something too major, it just needed to make some room for some arcs to be fleshed out more. While most of the first act is jam packed, some aspects of Jack and Ally's relationship felt as if it developed a little too quick to suddenly turn to a romance. Not that I didn't like their romance, it just needed to be a little more fleshed out to further develop their relationship in the beginning.

But there's a lot to be loved from A Star is Born, one of which are the musical numbers. The soundtrack is spectacular, and every single number packs a powerful beat. The decision for Cooper and Gaga to sing live during the filming itself instead of recording the songs prior to filming is a brilliant choice, and shows the amount of dedication into making the film as real as possible. Some comparisons could be drawn to big-screen musicals, particularly La La Land, in terms of portraying the struggles in making it big in show business, though other than that, they couldn't be any more different. What differentiates A Star is Born from other modern musicals is that it captures something that is emotionally raw, especially when it comes to what Jack and Ally would have to go through in the film. That's what made it shine. There is a line that Cooper's Jackson Maine says to Ally that to me, is the film's main message and driving force: "Talent comes everywhere, but having something to say and a way to say it so that people listen to it, that’s a whole other bag." To them, having something to say was through singing, but to us as the audience, it's through the film itself.

Image source: Culturess.com

Overall verdict: A Star is Born thrives in making something as authentic as possible, putting struggles of making it in show business as well as the incredible musical numbers that are wonderfully performed by Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga (Black Eyes, Shallow, and I'll Never Love Again are my personal favorites). The two leads have excellent chemistry, especially when it comes to the more emotional moments. The film's attempt in sending the message of the risks of trying to make it big in the entertainment industry is for the most part, well conveyed, but some aspects, particularly when it comes to Ally's arc; don't feel as emotionally packed when compared to the development of Jack's arc or the stuff that happens during the first and second act (though they have some minor pacing issues). Jack is probably the most fleshed out character of the two, drawing conplexities in his struggles with alcoholism that literally drove him to a breaking point sometime during the film which one of the film's most heartbreaking moments. Despite its issues, A Star is Born packs many emotional and heart-wrenching moments that are conveyed successfully.

Stars: 4/5

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