Good movie – A MOVIE A DAY

Venom – 2018

Score: 7,5/10

I have said it many times and I have to say it again, boy do movie critics suck ass! Venom was simply trashed by almost all the critics, I was expecting it to be terrible. And yet, not only it isn’t terrible, it is a bloody good movie. It was a very nice surprise for me and I have to say it proved it at the box office. Of course, it’s not perfect, it does have problems, but overall it is an enjoyable experience and I definitely recommend it to everyone!

The story is an origin story so it does come with the drawbacks of that. There is some filler, there is a lot of character development early on and it does go off the rails at times. I will not say the story in itself was bad, because it was actually enjoyable for me, but I have to say that there are a lot of really infuriating moments that are not explained. I mean come on, he is on top of a tree surrounded by security personnel on an island and you just cut to him arriving at his apartment? A symbiote just has a vacation for 6 months in Malaysia doing nothing? And I could go on… Seriously? This is the best you could Sony?

The characters are interesting, although I have to say there are a lot of clichés here. The only thing I am going to complain about is that I’ve seen it all before in countless other Marvel movies. I get that these are film based on comic books and there is sort of a formula when it comes to those, but seriously, try to do something different in the future or it risks becoming very stale. Despite that, the performances from Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Scott Haze and Reid Scott are amazing.

One of the highlights here is the banter between Eddie Brock and Venom. It is by far the best thing about this movie and the relationship they develop is actually pretty intense and fell thought out. It’s no wonder that Sony jokingly marketed the DVD release as a romantic comedy between Brock and Venom. They gel well together, they complement each other and on more than one occasion they are funny as hell. Without those comments on the background, a lot of the action scenes would have been very boring…

There are also flaws here, this is not a perfect film. The first big problem with it is that it waits far too long to introduce Venom. The first third of the movie is full of backstory and personal stuff about the main character, and while I get that we get to know him that way, I really felt it was over the top. I mean come on Sony, I wanted to see a movie about a superhero symbiote that does badass things, not Tom Hardy drinking whisky in a bar and complaining about how life has unfairly treated him… Seriously… Oh, not to mention the other small problems in the story department, like weird jumps between scenes, weird transitions and stuff like that…

In conclusion, Venom is definitely a must see film. Even though it maybe lacks a little bit on the story side compared to other Marvel inspired movies, it is still great and will manage to make you laugh and feel invested in what happens. Venom might not be everyone’s cup of tea when it comes to superheroes, but he is done justice here and personally, I can’t wait till the sequel comes out and we get to see more of our symbiote friend. Until then, always remember, without arms, legs and a face, you will just be an armless, legless, faceless thing that rolls on the street… Like a turd… In the wind… :)))))

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – 2018

Score: 7,5/10

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is exactly what is has to be in order to appeal to its core audience and that makes it a fun and entertaining movie even for adults. It is not complicated, it’s simple and goofy and it gets straight to the point. I found it actually better than the second one in the series and even on par with the original, and that is by no means a weak feat. You should definitely see this one as it will make you feel like a kid again.

The story is simple, full of the usual clichés and tropes. I guess it doesn’t matter so much for this type of movie though, so that is why I chose not to focus too much on it for the final score. The action flows, the motives make sense to a certain degree. The only problem I found story wise is that it gets unnecessarily complicated, especially toward the middle part. It goes off in all directions and it focuses on too many side plots and quests that end up nowhere. Cut all that filler out and you actually have a decent line of story progression.

The characters are the ones that we are already used too. They don’t seem different at all from the previous two movies, and this lack of development starts to bother the viewers towards the end. Also I have to mention that the villain seemed very weak and clichéd to me and it could have been done better. Nevertheless, the actors do a nice job and I have to give it to Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, David Spade, Steve Buscemi, Keegan-Michael Key, Molly Shannon, Fran Drescher, Kathryn Hahn, Jim Gaffigan, Mel Brooks, Asher Blinkoff, Sadie Sandler and Genndy Tartakovsky.

The most important thing about a comedy is of course how well the jokes land. So, do they land here? Personally, I laughed out loud on a couple of times and the overall feeling I had was that of having fun. So yes, from my point of view, the humor in the movie works. Sure, there are some missteps here, there are mistakes, but overall it clicks, it makes you care about the characters. And also, since this is a movie targeted to kids, I have to mention that the humor also works for adults, which is always a bonus when you take your children out to see something. It’s not groundbreaking, but it works, which is honestly most that you can expect from a third installment of a franchise like this.

This series still has some juice left into it, but they do have to shake it up in a serious way if they want to keep going, because it is starting to get repetitive. It feels like most of the jokes and the situations the characters end up in are taken straight from the first two movies, and while that might not bother the young audiences so much, it most definitely will start to affect the box office results at some point. So while yes, this series still works and it has a certain appeal for the public, they do need to come up with improvements if they want to go on.

In conclusion, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is exactly as advertised, an animated comedy they you will not remember, but that will manage to entertain you over its 97 minutes. Don’t expect it to leave you mind blown, but do expect to laugh and have a great time. It is one movie that I really enjoyed and in a cinema world that is getting more complicated and obsessed with politics and deeper meaning, this one was definitely a breath of fresh air! You can’t go wrong with this one! 🙂

Top 10 Best Movies of 2018

10. Hereditary

Many people called this one as the best Horror movie of 2018. I liked it, it’s right up there, a great experience and one that you will be sure to want to watch more than once. This one is truly a masterpiece and you should not skip it.

9. Blockers

Blockers is hands down one of the best comedies of the year and it will definitely make you laugh all the way to the end. It is a great movie, it is light and it manages to be realistic and to portrait every single of its characters as it should. The film doesn’t try to be more than it is and this makes the experience relaxing for the viewers. I had fun and I never had the impression that this one tried to be more than just a comedy. In the context of today’s world, in which movies are more and more interested in making statements, seeing a comedy interested only in making people laugh is a welcomed breath of fresh air!

8. A Quiet Place

A Quiet Place is definitely worth seeing. It is the “Get Out” of 2018, a horror movie that manages to break all the patterns and impress everybody, critics and audiences alike. I am very pleased that this one did so amazingly well at the box office and I hope that this will teach Hollywood that yes, horror movies still work as long as the idea behind them is amazing and as long as they are done well. A great movie, one that we will all remember for a long time and one that will truly and utterly leave you… you guessed it, speechless…

7. Black Panther

Marvel can do no wrong! Its official now, and I can’t tell it loud enough. Black Panther is so different from anything that I have ever seen before from Marvel, and yet it manages to be at the same high level we are used to. You have to watch this movie, you just have to watch it, and trust me, you will not regret it. The story is powerful, the visuals are amazing, everything clicks, you are invested in the characters and overall, even if like me you had reservations going in, you can’t come out of this one without a huge smile on your face.

6. Deadpool 2

Deadpool 2 is definitely a must watch. You will laugh, you will care about everything that happens and you will want more in the end. A lot more. Because this is the only problem with the Deadpool franchise, that we don’t have more of it.

5. Bohemian Rhapsody

We have all listened the great songs, we have all felt the emotion. Now we get to see the story behind the songs and trust me, it is truly a story worth seeing. This is by far a must see and one of the best movies of the year.

4. Red Sparrow

Wow, now this is what I call a spy movie! It is simply amazing, brutal, energizing, it offers you the distinct feeling of claustrophobia and the uneasiness that this genre was once famous for. Red Sparrow is a journey into a world of secrets, a world of violence, a world devoid of emotions, a world that you will never be able to fully comprehend. Backed up by amazing acting, especially from its lead, this is one of the best movies of the year so far and you should definitely watch it, especially given the current political context. Not as reality, but as a perfectly paced story that takes place in a universe that exists, no matter how much we wished it hadn’t!

3. Ready Player One

Ready Player One is an amazing movie about a future that can actually happen. It has good acting, amazing action scenes, great visuals and enough Meta references to satisfy even the biggest fan boys. It is a gamer’s dream and it has enough humor and flashy lights to not disappoint non gamers. A great effort from a great director and one that will definitely stand the test of time.

2. Padmaavat

Padmaavat is a must see. It is one of the biggest surprises of 2018 for me and it will definitely resist the test of time, in the same manner that the story it’s telling did. You will be amazed, you will be fascinated and you will want to see it again almost immediately to discover things that you missed. It is historic, it is about love turning into war and about a clash between good and evil, a clash of principles and honor. Padmaavat is exactly what an epic period drama should be!

1. Avengers: Infinity War

Avengers: Infinity War is THE MOVIE. For superhero fans, for movie fans, for anybody. If you live on this planet, you have to watch this film. And if you want the experience to be complete, before you watch this, take all the movies that have previously appeared in the MCU and watch them. You will understand everything that is going on and you will be amazed at the details and hidden meanings that fill up this universe. This one will remain in history as one of the best, if not the best, superhero movies of all time.

Top 10 Drama Movies of 2018

10. Roma

Aflonso Cuaron is a legendary director and with Roma, he offers us another example of his genius. It is truly a masterpiece and one that you will enjoy from start to finish… Brilliant movie!

9. 12 Strong

12 Strong is a typical war movie about how great and amazing the US troops are. And since they actually are, I can honestly say that I enjoy these types of movies very much. This one is typical in a lot of ways and doesn’t manage to have that wow factor, but still, as an overall experience, I can say it is enjoyable. Not great but not bad and definitely a must see for any fan of military warfare. Also, those guns man, those guns look amazing… I really feel the need for some PUBG right now if you know what I mean.

8. Bird Box

The idea behind this movie is novel, interesting and it really managed to captivate audiences all around the world. It would be higher on the list but unfortunately, the outcome of the challenge craze that followed it can’t be ignored…

7. Mary Queen of Scots

Who doesn’t like history… This period has been done over and over and yet I discovered that there is still a lot left to enjoy and to appreciate… A great movie and one that does justice to the period it’s exploring.

6. First Man

I know, I know, Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong sounds a little bit far fetched… And yet the movie works, it grips you, it makes you want them to succeed, it makes you get involved… And that is the most important thing when it comes to a good drama.

5. A Star is Born

Great movie, amazing performances by the actors and one that will surely stand the test of time. The romance is powerful, the story flows and my God Lady Gaga is so cute when she is not dressed up as a lunatic :))))

4. Love, Simon

Wow! I didn’t expect this movie to be so nice, so full of joy, full of life and enjoyable. Love, Simon is a beautiful teen comedy-drama that manages to make you care about what happens without transforming into a pedantic exercise in politics. It is one of the few movies that have tackled issues like this without transforming into a liberal pool of stupidity, and this is why I highly enjoyed it and I am recommending it to everybody. It is simple, it is direct, it is funny to the core and it never goes over the top. If you want to relax with a romantic comedy, than this is the perfect choice.

3. Bohemian Rhapsody

2. Red Sparrow

1. Padmaavat

Top 10 Horror Movies of 2018

10. The Nun

The Nun is worth seeing if you are a fan of this franchise or if you really like horror movies. In fact, regardless of the reasons, you should check this one out, because it was a big box office success and that means there are elements here that people all over the world appreciated.

9. The Cloverfield Paradox

The Cloverfield Paradox is worth a watch, but don’t try too hard to fit it into the context of the franchise. That will just leave you confused and it will end up actually annoying you in the end. Watch it as a standalone movie and it can actually be fun, gripping in parts and engaging.

8. Insidious: The Last Key

You should only see Insidious: The Last Key if you are a big fan of horror movies or if you have followed this series. It can offer huge fans of the franchise some backstory, some context, even a satisfying resolution.

7. Unsane

Unsane is weird, and if you are in the right mood for it, it can be one of the most interesting experiences of 2018. Definitely a must see if you are a fan of the horror genre…

6. Halloween

This franchise keeps going and I can honestly say it is a well done reboot. If not for anything else, watch it for the iconic theme song… That never gets old…

5. The First Purge

As usual with this franchise, while it’s not the most amazing movie out there, it has a certain appeal and it makes you think about things and question what you would do in a situation like that. Definitely worth it!

4. Truth of Dare

Truth or Dare is definitely a movie worth seeing. Especially if you are a horror fan, you should not miss this. It might not be as scary as other films, but it has a certain atmosphere that will leave you shivering when you really think about things. So see it and enjoy one of the most fun games in the world.

3. Annihilation

Annihilation is truly a weird one. It’s weird because of its subject and the visual style and everything that happens on screen and it’s also weird because it ended up losing money and being rejected by audiences despite high praises from critics. Personally, I found it to be an interesting one, powerful, engaging in parts and different from what I usually watch.

2. Hereditary

Many people called this one as the best Horror movie of 2018. I liked it, it’s right up there, but for me, the winner was clear. Nevertheless, this is truly a masterpiece and you should not skip it.

1. A Quiet Place

Deadpool 2 – 2018

Score: 10/10

What can I say about Deadpool 2? I mean it was exactly what I expected and more. It was one of those very few movies about which I expect a 10 out of 10 even before seeing them. And it did not disappoint. If you liked the first one, you will love this, because it is just more of the same and actually more over the top. Some say that it’s formulaic, but heck, if the formula works, why change it? I loved this movie and I can say that you will also love it. It doesn’t matter if you like superhero movies or comic books, you will love Deadpool 2 because it is just that type of movie that nobody can hate…

The story is interesting and it makes sense. I think this is the main positive thing I can say about the story, that it makes sense and it doesn’t seem forced or artificially inflated. You understand everything that happens, it seems logical and it leads to some very rational outcomes. That is rare in a superhero movie and that offers a very good platform for the characters to manifest themselves and for the sheer humor and gull of this movie to explode, delighting the audience. This is not a complex tale that you have to struggle to comprehend, this is a straightforward narrative that leaves room for the actual movie to impress.

The characters are great. They are developed, they are powerful and they manage to make you care about their lives and about what their outcomes are. Every single actor does a great job and you relate to almost all of the decisions. Nothing seems forced, everything flows in a natural and engaging way. I have to praise all the performances here from a stellar cast. Great job to Ryan Reynolds, Josh Brolin, Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz, T. J. Miller, Brianna Hildebrand and Jack Kesy.

The humor is the main quality of this franchise and the second installment duly delivers. The jokes are funny, powerful, there is a lot of meaning to be found, a lot of references. In short, if you are familiar with pop culture and comic books and superhero movies, this one is an absolute treat. I was laughing out loud in many moments and I can honestly say that its 119 minutes just flew bye. Ryan Reynolds was born for this role and he embodies the character to perfection. And by going full on meta, the movie opens the door for every type of audience. You simply can’t watch this without appreciating at least some of the jokes and this is why this is one of the funniest super hero movies I have ever seen.

It is a superhero movie, so we do have to talk about the special effects and the CGI. The movie isn’t focused too much on the fights, and that is a good thing. The banter is what’s important here and the characters interacting is by far the most interesting thing about it. Putting that aside, what special effects and CGI we do get are done amazingly well and you will be fully immersed into the experience. I wonder if future instalments under Disney will feature more imposing fight scenes and special effects… For me, what we got here was a perfect bland between action and humor that manages to leave almost all the viewers in awe.

In conclusion, Deadpool 2 is definitely a must watch. You will laugh, you will care about everything that happens and you will want more in the end. A lot more. Because this is the only problem with the Deadpool franchise, that we don’t have more of it. I seriously hope they will make a lot more movies with the character and also X-Force. I am wondering how Disney will be able to incorporate this franchise into the MCU, but since they have not done wrong up until this point, I do feel optimistic. So go watch this one and never forget, keep your pants dry, your dreams wet, and remember, hugs not drugs! 😛

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – 2018

Score: 8/10

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is exactly what it is supposed to be. It’s big, it’s loud, it’s funny, it has you on the edge of your seat! It’s the perfect example of what a summer blockbuster should be and it manages to tick almost all the boxes needed to be a huge success. The box office results speak for that and you have to see this movie, you just have to see it. You will actually root for the dinosaurs towards the end (that’s a first for a Jurassic Park movie) and you will be satisfied with the progression of the characters. This one is truly a refreshing surprise for me and I can honestly say it deserved its success!

The story is interesting, especially towards the end, because for the first time we get to see the dinosaurs in the real world. The sequel, slated for 2021, will be the first Jurassic movie that will take place in the openness of the world instead of a controlled environment and I can’t wait to see what new possibilities that will open. It is a nice stepping stone on the journey to a different type of movie and it manages to be entertaining and emotional as well. Could it have been different? For sure! But for now, I am happy with what we got and I just hope that this is just the first step towards something even better!

The characters are good, developed, engaging and, most importantly, relatable. You understand their motivations and whether you agree with them or not, you are invested. This is a great achievement of the film, that it manages to make you care about every single character. An amazing job here by the cast, and I have to praise Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rafe Spall, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda, James Cromwell, Toby Jones, Ted Levine, B. D. Wong, Isabella Sermon, Geraldine Chaplin and Jeff Goldblum for their performances.

Now, you are probably wondering why just an 8 if it’s so great. Well, the movie is good, but the problem is that we have seen most of it before. And while that worked for the first installation of this new series, it is simply starting to become stale and boring the second time around. I get it, there is always a kid who likes dinosaurs, there is always a bigger dinosaur taken out by a smaller one… It’s always the same and I swear I felt at times that I was watching previous movies. It still worked here but it’s the last time. For the sequel, come up with something new please or the fans will simply not show up anymore… And trust me on that, we won’t…

As CGI and special effects go, this one nails it! I loved the design of the dinosaurs, the world felt real and engaging and there was an air of majestic beauty surrounding most of the scenes. I did want more outside action, as the last part of the movie felt a little bit stuffy and dark, but nevertheless, as a whole, the effects work and they are a definite improvement on previous instalments. Couple that with the witty banter from the two leads and with the amazing musical score and you get the perfect recipe for a blockbuster that has managed to fascinate audiences all around the world.

In conclusion, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is definitely a must see. I am sure it will end the year in the top 5 highest grossing movies of 2018 and that is exactly where it deserves to be. It was hugely popular and rightly so, because it brings some of the excitement of the first movies back to the big screen. If they manage to fix some of the errors and they stop repeating every theme over and over, I can honestly see this series producing at least another trilogy. And while some critics find that idea repulsing, if you are a normal and honest human being, you can’t say that you are not excited about it! So let’s see what the future holds in regards to our ancient friends and in the meantime, does anybody know of a place where I can buy a Blue of my own? 😀 Seriously, I need one, I really do… 😛

Annihilation – 2018

Score: 6/10

Annihilation is truly a weird one. It’s weird because of its subject and the visual style and everything that happens on screen and it’s also weird because it ended up losing money and being rejected by audiences despite high praises from critics. Personally, I found it to be an interesting one, powerful, engaging in parts and different from what I usually watch. But, and there is a big but here, the biggest problem I found in this one is the pacing. Everything happens so slow, basically it’s a festival of clichés and boring bumper stickers that come together and offer absolutely nothing in the end. Nothing happens, nothing worthwhile anyway, and you start and end in basically the exact same spot. And not even the best visuals in the world can save a movie that just goes around in circles…

The story is interesting as a concept, but poorly executed. The Shimmer could have been amazing, it could have been one of the best sci-fi concepts in a while. And yet it ends up just promising and promising and never delivering. You expect so many things to happen, you expect to understand why and how and yet you only get teaser after teaser. Don‘t get me wrong, I like teasers as much as the next guy, but all that teasing has to capitalize at some point or my liking will turn to disappointment. And that is what happens here, disappointment and an overall sense of pointlessness…

The characters are boring. There are a lot of good actors here that are simply not helped by the script. The movie tries so hard to make you care about them, it gives them all deep backstories, it makes them meditate about life and choices and what not. And yet everything seems just forced, shallow and most damaging, everything seems unrealistic. Considering the circumstances, the performances are okish, but still, I have to feel a little bit sorry for Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny, Oscar Isaac, Benedict Wong and Sonoya Mizuno.

The visuals are amazing! They are by far the best thing about this movie and they will make you really believe that you are visiting another world, something magical and complex and almost impossible to understand. Especially towards the end, the visuals manage to express very well something different, something that is truly impossible to understand for a human being. That is a great achievement and I have to say that from the visual point, this one was one of the most engaging sci-fi horrors I have ever seen…

The film was definitely too deep for its own good. Or let me say it better, the film tried to be too deep for its own good. And this is why it didn’t appeal to audiences, this is why it failed at the box office… Because it tries so hard to make you think about things, it tries so hard to make you wonder about humanity. I didn’t feel what the movie wanted me to feel and because it was so focused on that, it ended up taking all my fun away. I get what the directors wanted to achieve here, but that’s not how you do it…

In conclusion, Annihilation is definitely a movie you should check out, because it is weird, it is different, it is something you don’t get too see very often. But don’t expect it to be more than something weird, don’t expect it to be offer you real and palpable emotions. It has promise, it had the potential to be truly great, but unfortunately it fails to capitalize on its interesting premise. It is all about conceptualization of principles but without any actual consequences. Everything that happens seems to happen in vain and just for the sake of it… Oh, and governments all around the world, if you are sending teams after teams of people into a place and none return, than maybe, just maybe, you shouldn’t send any more? Just sayin…

I Can Only Imagine – 2018

Score: 6/10

I can’t say I am an expert in Christian movies. I haven’t seen many and the ones I did see I found to be overly preachy and pedantic. I felt that they were trying to force me to think in a certain way and I hate that about a movie, whatever the subject is. But I Can Only Imagine does not do that, at least not in a disturbing way. Sure, it’s a movie about faith and yes, it is focused on that, but it’s actually engaging, relatable and it has a powerful message. It has many flaws yes, but I have to say I was surprised by this one and I truly recommend it to you. You will understand how you can channel the negative energies in your life towards something positive and the fact that it’s based on a real story adds even more weight to it…

The story is based on real events so there is not much I can say here. I just think that it missed the mark with creating emotional moments. I mean hell, the trailer managed to be more emotional than the movie, and if you don’t relate to seeing a relationship between a father and a son becoming better, there isn’t much of anything else here. So while I did enjoy the movie and the story, I would have wanted a little bit more glamour, I wanted more moments filled with actual emotion that could have made me care about more than just the relationship between father and son. I think there was a huge missed opportunity here…

The characters are interesting, but something is missing. It’s weird, but I couldn’t really relate with anybody besides the main character and his father. I don’t know why, but I just felt that all the other characters were off and they missed the mark with transmitting emotion. So I am torn… I have to praise J. Michael Finley and Dennis Quaid and at the same time say that I expected more from Tanya Clarke, Cloris Leachman, Madeline Carroll, Taegen Burns, Trace Adkins, Priscilla Shirer, Nicole DuPort, Jake B. Miller and Mark Furze.

I know the movie follows reality and everything actually happened, but unfortunately, most of the times, reality is really boring. And because of this, the movie does become tedious in certain points. There are parts where I was thinking about just skipping ahead, because it felt like the action was going in circles. Nevertheless, this is how things happen and I can’t be too upset when a movie sticks with the facts. Maybe it was not a story for a full movie, maybe it could have been done better, but alas, this is what we got and it’s ok…

Another thing I disliked here is that it all seemed so predictable. I guess this is in theme with the movies ideas, like destiny and everything is set already in stone, but still, I think I wanted a little bit more, I wanted to be surprised, at least a little. Unfortunately, after the first 10 minutes I was already sure about the ending and I was 100% confirmed. You can see everything coming, you can anticipate every decision before it actually happens and that makes the ride a little less thrilling than it could have been…

In conclusion, I Can Only Imagine is a good enough movie to see and you will definitely get some emotion out of it. Depending on your personal experiences, this one might make you cry towards the end, or it might make you remember the good moments, or the bad… Nevertheless, you will feel something while watching this and I think that alone is enough in order to warrant a recommendation from me. It’s not the best movie out there, it could have been better, it could have been more powerful. But considering the small budget and its subject, it manages to reach its audience and offer a good experience. Oh, and never forget, if you’re seven and a girl tells you she will love you at some point, you can take that to the bank! 😛

The Commuter – 2018

Score: 9/10

Liam Neeson still has it. I mean I wasn’t expecting it, seriously, but The Commuter is one hell of a movie. It’s fast paced, it has an interesting story, it is powerful, realistic and it makes you ask questions about yourself and about your life. It is one of the best action thrillers I have seen in 2018 and it is definitely one to check out. You will enjoy it from start to finish and you will be captivated towards the end, simply captivated by the intricate and complex story. It is a great example of how you can do an amazing movie without a huge budget and one that I hope will be recreated more often in the future.

The story is interesting, powerful, and it manages to surprise the audience on more than one occasion. There are clichés here yes, and some of them are very obvious, especially the end scene. But despite those, the movie works, it has an air of freshness about it and it manages to entertain you, which I think is the only duty of a film. You will be entertained watching this and that is due in a large part to the good story.

The characters are powerful, interesting and they integrate very well into the story. You get the feeling that something is off, and then you can search for the clues. I was very happy at the end to discover that I had noticed some of the most important things along the way and this movie offers you a lot in that sense, because everything is about details. Big names in the cast here, and they all do a great job, so I have to congratulate Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Jonathan Banks, Sam Neill, Elizabeth McGovern, Killian Scott, Shazad Latif, Andy Nyman, Clara Lago, Roland Møller, Florence Pugh and Dean-Charles Chapman.

The action scenes are a highlight here and I think we are starting to see a positive trend. I don’t know how to better explain it, but the action is gritty, realistic, everything happens in a normal way if I can call it that. Especially the fight scenes are this way, brutal, powerful and yet not going over the top how we were used to by action movies in the past. You get the distinct impression that real people are fighting and I can say I like it. Yes, I also like amazing action that pushes my suspension of disbelief to the limit, but I think that should be reserved to superhero and fantastic movies and not to thrillers like this. For these types of films I prefer combat I can relate to and that doesn’t make me roll my eyes in disbelief. So great job on that front movie, great job!

The one thing that prevented me from giving this a perfect score are the little absurdities in the plot. They are not big ones, and they don’t hurt the overall quality at all, but if you are picky and you are used to noticing stuff like this, they will not fly under your radar. Some of the things happen out of the blue, with no possible explanation and no logical reason. I mean seriously, I see the wedding ring on the wife’s finger at the start and then 6 hours later it’s in the train to scare Liam Neeson?! Not to mention conversations that last 5 minutes and end exactly when the train pulls into a station, a murder that is committed at the exact second needed in order for it to be witnessed and so on. They piled up and they became annoying so this is why it’s only a 9 out of 10…

In conclusion, The Commuter is definitely a must see for any fan of action. Liam Neeson still kicks ass, the rest of the cast is more than up to the task, and the story, with all its little shortcomings, will manage to fascinate you and to keep you glued to your seat. It is a very good movie done right and the time will simply fly by while watching it. Don’t miss it and remember, if somebody offers you money in order to do “a little thing”, always ask what that little thing is before accepting. I mean seriously, government conspiracies and all that shit, you never know when one happens :)))))