Ross_A_Hall Reviews

S.W.A.T.: Firefight (2011 Video)

OK straight to video rubbish

[3/10 · 7 October 2022]

Robert Patrick is a complicated actor. When he's good he's really good. Rest of the time he dials it in for the straight-to-video market. This is the latter.

Simple plot: LA SWAT team sergeant gets sent to Detroit to train & certify the local SWAT. There's a bit of tension, a sacking, then it all goes pear shaped when a "hostage situation" goes wrong. Now the team sergeant is being hunted by a shady individual who / may not be CIA black ops or something.

This could have been a decent film. It had the elements necessary: the outsider trying to bring a team together, the team learning something about themselves. A menacing antagonist ready to "do what it takes" to extract revenge. Love interest. Tension with the boss.

Sadly, either the script or the leads couldn't be bothered to turn up for work. The performances are wooden, the protagonist SWAT leader makes rookie mistakes and the set pieces are laughable.

If all you want is 90 minutes of downtime in front of a less-than-middling action flick you don't have to think about, this is probably going to be OK. Otherwise I'd scroll past.

The Matrix Resurrections (I) (2021)

Started well, then went downhill fast

[4/10 · 22 September 2022]

We're back in the world of Thomas Anderson, top video games designer, who built his career on a trio of games called "The Matrix". It sets up a nice play where he questions whether what he's experiencing is real, or some psychotic break. Reeves, not known for his acting breadth, even manages to make his apparent breakdown engaging.

Had the film stayed in the realms of "is it all a dream" it might have been saved. Unfortunately it decides to re-work old ideas, throw in "fan favourite" characters and replace plot and character with mayhem and destruction.

There are fights, wire-work and a lot of shooting. Reeves waves his arms around a bit and Carrie-Ann Moss rides a motorbike (sans PVC). Jessica Henwick runs around a lot and has blue hair. Neil Patrick-Harris, who seemed useful in the first hour, is later revealed to be woefully miscast. Whether Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was trying to channel his inner Lawrence Fishburne remains a mystery. Jonathan Groff as the reborn Smith is just "nice".

By the time the final credits rolled I'd all but lost interest.

For all its faults, the original trilogy ended in a reasonably satisfying way. This felt like a money grab attempt at breathing new life into a concluded story that should never have escaped the realms of a fanfiction website.

The Gray Man (2022)

OK action film that suffers from Blade Runner

[7/10 · 7 September 2022]

It's not a bad film. It's fairly standard action movie stuff with the con-cum-assassin uncovering corruption and going on the run. There's the psychotic sent to hunt him down. And the attractive side-kick with kick-ass moves. Cue a lot of running about, explosions etc.

Small problem.

Ryan Gosling's performance is a copy-paste from K in Blade Runner. He's detached and cold, almost like he dialled it in.

It's not helped by him sharing his K side-kick in Ana da Armas. Although she does get more to do.

High-light is Chris Evans, who appears to thoroughly enjoy his role.

Overall it's a completely forgettable movie that's entertaining while you watch it, but you probably won't go back for a second helping.

Gotham (2014–2019)

Should have been much shorter

[4/10 · 6 September 2022]

Another origin story for the Batman Universe. This time we have the lens on Jim Gordon and we watch his rise, fall, rise, rise, fall and rise again.

Unfortunately this yo-yo effect only highlights what many of these shows seem to suffer from: brevity.

In order to stretch over 100 episodes and 5 series, countless combinations of alliances have to be formed and broken. You have to ask how good a cop Gordon really was as he's betrayed by Penguin for the 10,000th time.

And that's the problem. Gordon doesn't come across with any hint he deserves to be a future commissioner. The character doesn't evolve and learn. He's still making the same mistakes he was making in series 1, episode 1.

There are some strong and entertaining characters around. Penguin and Ed Nigma stand out, as well as the prototype Joker, Jeremiah Valeska. Barbara Gordon could have done with more fleshing out. Selina Kyle, as the pre-Catwoman Catwoman is about the best developed of the female characters.

The rest of the cast suffer poor writing or bad acting.

Of course, looming over this is the shadow of Batman. Handled as deftly as a man in boxing gloves doing heart surgery, even the class of Sean Pertwee can't save it.

So what we're left with is five series of increasingly repetitive and absurd situations as the writers struggle. Had it been considerably shorter and far better thought through, it could have been interesting. Instead it was relegated to the "happened to be on" slot while I got on with other things.

Dracula (2020)

Interesting, if patchy, take on an old legend

[7/10 · 6 September 2022]

This is definitely out of the "Sherlock" toolkit of how to rework a much loved, well trodden story. Characters and stories all jumbled up to create something familiar enough to be reassuring, different enough to keep us guessing.

Three stories, each focused on a different location or time, that stand together and yet bring us towards a satisfying conclusion.

The first is based around the Castle, and treads a path that echoes Coppola. Harker tells his tale to a nun - Agathe Van Helsing - a twist on the old nemesis. Gatiss throws visual references to the "greats" who played the Count - Oldman, Lee and Lugosi. Then comes by far the more interesting of the trio, set aboard the Demeter on her way to Whitby, and played out as a "whodunnit" that keeps the tension flowing. Finally we're in modern London in perhaps the weakest of the three. If history has taught us anything, it is perhaps that Dracula does film well in contemporary settings.

The acting is a little hit-or-miss. Claes Bang, while he has the physicality of The Count, sometimes lets his delivery slip. The quips and "in-jokes" are badly written and don't suit the character. On the other hand, Dolly Wells is consistently excellent.

Overall it was an enjoyable trio of films. I'd strongly suggest leaving any expectation of seeing a "faithful" rendition at the door, and instead enjoy what might best be described as a high quality fanflick.

The Hunt (II) (2020)

Fun, candyfloss movie

[7/10 · 23 August 2022]

The basic premise is a bunch of "elites" kidnap a cohort of "rednecks" to hunt in a mysterious "mansion". We've seen the setup before, and there are few surprises in that regard.

While those films are often earnest action films, this is a more light-hearted approach. It cracks along at a reasonable pace, throwing one ridiculous situation at the view after another, sometimes with humour, sometimes gore.

There is a deeper "message" buried in here about political polarisation. I say buried, because unlike some other movies I can think of on Netflix, it doesn't ram them down your throat, and you can enjoy the ride.

Oh, and by the end you'll see the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare in a whole new light!

I Am Not Okay with This (2020)

Quirky comedy that's not a superhero teen comedy drama

[9/10 · 14 July 2022]

It's billed as a comedy, and there are some funny moments in it. There's also a lot of pathos, teen angst and some great performances.

Short version is a young woman has a lot on her plate: father who killer herself, dysfunctional mother, emerging sexuality - oh, and super powers.

Each episode is 20-odd minutes and zips along at a fair place. There's nothing that doesn't move the story forwards, even if you don't think it does at the time it happens.

A brilliant show that I hope we get to see more of.

Dune (2021)

Visually stunning, contemplative, let down by the end

[8/10 · 29 June 2022]

Dune is an epic tale that deserves an epic treatment, which Denis Villeneuve delivers. Again he has brought a quiet, contemplative air to the "Chosen One" narrative so often found in literature and film.

The film moves along at a slow pace that never feels it because the long pause are filled with visual treats, or allow you to absorb the scene just past. Villeneuve has made full use of the near 3 hour runtime to let the tale unfold, the characters to develop and politics to surface.

Performances are excellent all round. Timothée Chalamet plays the maturing teenager well, while Zendaya has clearly set up her character for part two. The CGI blends in nicely and never demands attention.

The only let down is the end. Part two is on its way, although had it not been greenlit it would not have been satisfactory. Without it, the last 20 minutes would be a plodding ascent to mediocrity that will no doubt seem more suitable when the films can be seen back-to-back.

The Ripper (2020)

Starts well, then loses steam

[5/10 · 29 June 2022]

At the start we have interviews with those directly affected by the killings: be they coppers investigating or the kids of those who were murdered. All looks good for a decent dig into the prolific serial killer, the investigation and its legacy.

Then it slips into a formulaic "and then this happened" without any real context or exploration. Occasional flashes of brilliance are promised (the index cards!) but then wasted because we're on to the next "event" in the investigation.

There's no examination of why Sutcliffe did what he did. No look at the police failures beyond "It's all down to misogyny" offered by some talking heads. The hoaxer gets a mention, but again no closure (nor is the redemption of those who identified the area where "Jack" came from mentioned: within a couple of weeks they were raising doubts it was genuine).

On balance it was good to hear the voices of the survivors and families, good too to hear from some of the officers. Ultimately it added nothing new, and didn't really do what we already know justice.

Upgrade (2018)

Neat cyberpunk movie

[9/10 · 12 February 2022]

There are some familiar cyberpunk tropes in this: from the technophobe antagonist to implants to story lines that loop back on one another. Add into the mix Logan Marshall-Green playing the unwitting action hero to perfection, and some neat camera work, and it's a tidy film.

Basic plot: technophobe mechanic Logan is married to high-flying tech exec. She gets killed in a hit-and-run that leaves him paraplegic. Along comes tech genius with an offer he can't refuse that leads to revenge, murder and an AI chip talking to him that no one else can hear. Add in a cop who has more questions than answers, and a few augmented humans more than happy to try and murder him.

It's enjoyable sci-fi that doesn't try too hard to be more than what it is. Understated at times, Logan holds the whole thing together nicely, while Simon Maiden's calm tones as the neverseen voice in Logan's head offers a nice foil.

21 Bridges (2019)

An OK action flick that doesn't deserve its hype

[6/10 · 12 February 2022]

A familiar plotline: criminals cut down local police, cop with a dodgy reputation goes on the hunt. New partner, FBI arguments, improbable gunfights, "go take it to the Mayor" standoffs and a mildly satisfying twist at the end.

Mixed in we have Chadwick Boseman, who spends most of the time brooding and reading his lines. Sienna Miller has an accent from somewhere unrecognisable. Taylor Kitsch does his best to method act "PTSD suffering soldier driven to crime".

The highlight is Stephen James as the main antagonist, who rises to the challenge of playing someone way out of his depth brilliantly and is the only character in this who seems to evolve.

Otherwise it's an entertaining enough movie if you're after something to put on in the background, or don't want to be particularly taxed.

The Little Things (2021)

Sort of OKish

[6/10 · 5 February 2022]

It's the usual "serial killer outfoxes police detective until seasoned older cop steps in with words of wisdom" plot. We've seen it a hundred times before, and as hard as everyone tries to make their version "special" it rarely achieves it. Which means everything is depending on the leads.

And what leads we have. The always watchable Denzel Washington takes front of stage as the seasoned older cop, who returns to his old haunt after something mysterious prompted him to leave. Rami Malek tries his best to do a believable "cop with a home life but can't catch a serial killer." Jared Leto plays Jared Leto.

It plods along OK. There aren't many twists and not a lot of meaningful interaction between the leads. A few times Denzel looks bored, probably reflecting my own attitude at that point in time. Tension is lacking.

Apparently the script's been knocking about since 1993, and if we're totally honest there's probably a reason why it wasn't picked up.

Snowpiercer (2020–2024)

Entertaining without being taxing

[8/10 · 28 January 2022]

Forget the film, this is a decent bit of entertainment in its own right.

It starts with a "Murder on a train" set-up, then spreads its wings wider. Along the way there are snippets of life on a train, a lot of clunky references to the class system and interesting diversions into sex, life and relationships in a closed environment.

It has its problems: some of the characters are two dimensional, the CGI is rubbish in places and plots can plod a little. But it works in the same way Battlestar Galactica does.

Worth watching.

No Time to Die (2021)

Not a Bond film.

[4/10 · 1 January 2022]

The last outing for Daniel Craig's 007 is a disappointment. Somewhere along the line, someone decided to "explore the character of Bond", rather than give us the usual knockabout fun. The result is overlong and unsatisfying.

The basic premise is Bond has retired after a falling out with Madeleine Swan (she from Spectre). He gets dragged back into the fray by Felix Leiter after a bio weapon gets pinched from an "off-the-books" site somewhere in a London office block. A fair amount of running around, shooting at things, driving quickly and a reunion with Ms Swan follows. Apparently all this mayhem is driven by this outing's villain - Rami Malek.

Malek's performance should be the driver for Bond's actions, instead of which he's a barely there annoyance. If Malek had the sinister presence of Waltz's Blofeld, or the determination of Bardem's Silva, or any ounce of evil in his performance it would help. Sadly what we get is Mr Robot's Elliot Alderson with a dodgy accent and a lot of mumbling.

An abundance of gun fights, fist fights and Aston Martins can't help rescue this (and the Nokia reshoots don't help). Lashana Lynch, as the 007 successor, is a rare high-light. Sadly even she ends up being shafted by the script writers.

Ignore the fact it's supposed to be a Bond film and it might be OK. As an addition to the franchise, this is probably best forgotten about.

Army of the Dead (2021)

Brainless entertainment

[8/10 · 30 October 2021]

We've seen it all before - ragtag team dropped into hellish environment to achieve a mission with a clock counting down. And there's Zombies - some fast and intelligent, others slow cannon fodder for the gruesome headshots.

It all works in a predictable, yet entertaining way. As long as you don't demand too much from it.

Despite the gorgeous cinematography, the film isn't high art and doesn't add anything to the genre.

What it does do is let you get carried along for a couple of hours of zombie fun.

My only gripe was with the way Tig was added to the film grated in a few points. I know there were issues with the originally cast actor, and that she had to be kept separate due to Covid. Even so, in most of her scenes it feels like she's in a different film entirely.

Dele (2018)

Fun way to spend 45 minutes

[7/10 · 29 October 2021]

Think "Person of Interest" with a lighter tone and you're halfway there.

It's decent "caper TV", with a new challenge each episode, duly solved in vaguely believable ways with a knowing smile.

Another Life (2019–2021)

Conflicted sci-fi drama

[6/10 · 29 October 2021]

It took me two attempts to watch this series. The first time out I made it to episode 3 before I gave up. The constant bickering, scowling and "come on, really?" disbelief at character decisions got annoying.

A year later, series 2 comes out and I decided to give it another go. It was worth it. Sort of.

First, let's deal with what's not great. The acting's OK to a point, though no one seems to be challenged. Sackoff does her best not to be Starbuck and fails. A lot of the other characters feel like they were pulled in off the millennial stereotype catalogue. Samuel Anderson does well as William, the AI.

Second, there are a fair few "suspend disbelief" moments. Obeying orders appears to be optional. "Mission comes first" is a mantra not always followed. Scientists are experts in all of science, not just their specialism.

Finally, the tension they're trying to build with the aliens behind the artefacts doesn't quite work.

There's a lot to like though. It's episodic, so storylines tend to exist within a single episode and give you closure. There is consistency within the story arc too, so while individuals might give you "why did they do that?" moments the story moves along nicely. It quite nicely paced too.

My suggestion is stick with it. The initial bickering is there for a reason and while it's not hard sci-fi, it's half-decent entertainment.

Birds of Prey (2020)

If you thought Suicide Squad was bad...

[1/10 · 29 October 2021]

This is worse. From the "oops, my accent slipped again and did we learn nothing from Blade Runner" voice over to some woeful overacting, it's just awful.

I'm not sure whether the director aimed for zany and missed, or the whole thing got mangled somewhere in production. Either way, a poor script, hammy acting and dreadful design lets the whole thing down.

To be honest, I made it halfway through before I gave up.

First Man (2018)

Generally dull picture of an unpleasant man

[3/10 · 9 August 2021]

Aside from the launch of the Gemini aircraft, this is a dull, plodding biopic that treads familiar territory without adding anything. Gosling plays Armstrong as an emotionally detached, and often unpleasant, individual. We learn little of his growth as an astronaut, or why he was chosen to command Apollo 11. In place of character development were treated to long silences, mumbling repetition of well known transcripts and an attempt to inject a family life that's as deftly handled as trimming the edges off sandwiches with a chain saw.

Even the final "landing on the moon" sequence was dragged out and robbed of all drama. Seriously, we've seen countless CGI moon surfaces. Lingering on another one added nothing.

Perhaps the problem is Armstrong himself. He seems to be somewhat uninteresting as a historical figure beyond his achievement putting his foot on the moon.

If you're interested in the Apollo Program there are far better and more entertaining documentaries than this lacklustre biopic.

Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021)

Worth sitting through (but thanks for the breaks!)

[9/10 · 25 June 2021]

This is an entertaining and more complete film than what hit the cinemas. It benefits from the additional length, giving time to allow characters to develop and evolve. The action is sharper, even if the sequences are longer, and Snyder can indulge in some of his cinematic prowess. There are some beautiful shots.

It's split into "parts", perhaps echoing its miniseries origins. They're useful though if you need "a break".

My only complaint is the epilogue. It drags a little and seems to set up a multiverse that we're unlikely to see given Afleck is hanging up his cape.

The Fall (I) (2013–2016)

An drama of diminishing returns

[4/10 · 29 August 2020]

The first series of this drama is a taut, suspenseful addition to the cop vs serial killer genre. Boosted by strong leads, it brings the viewer into a world of secrets, betrayals and fundamental character flaws. The second series drags, weighed down by desperately trying to fill 6 hours of TV. The final is dire, little more than an extended episode of Holby City with some police procedural elements thrown in. Cliche after cliche builds and subplots are left hanging.

Gillian Anderson does her best, but ultimately her character comes across as a slightly more preachy version of Prime Suspect's Jane Tennison. Somehow monumental lapses of judgement and appalling conflicts of interest are brushed under the carpet until believability is lost. I found myself wondering at times whether her character had first been written as male, with a few speeches and an awkward scene or two added when it was decided to cast Anderson.

Jamie Dornan's never been the strongest of actors, but he does well with what he's given. Again cliches abound and while he does his best Hannibal impression he never quite pulls it off.

If this had been condensed into a single series with the writing tightened up it would have been a great drama. As it stands, it's a cliche ridden mess after the first series. Sadly the use of a cliffhanger means just watching that one series won't give you the conclusion The Fall so desperately deserved.

Extraction (2020)

One for the running around shooting at things fans

[8/10 · 21 August 2020]

It's standard fare - mercenary with past goes rescues kids and along ways confronts betrayal and personal demons.

There are action scenes, long shots and plenty of blood, gore and close-up fighting. Guns run out of ammunition, people lose more blood than is healthy and knives fly around.

Somehow all of this chaos sort of comes together. It doesn't try to be more than it is, and is all the better for it. Hemsworth does a decent job with what he's given and the supporting cast props him up well.

If you're looking for high drama and twist-and-turn thriller, this won't be for you. If you just want to be entertained with a solid action film it'll do the trick.

The Old Guard (2020)

It's OK for what it is

[5/10 · 1 August 2020]

This has the look and feel of something put together by the numbers. There's a comedy British CEO megalomaniac villain (minus the comedy), a tough-as-nails lead harbouring secrets, PTSD etc, and a newbie who has to learn the ropes and save the day.

It's competently put together. The performances are acceptable rather than outstanding. The action sequences are OK. Chiwetel Ejiofor does the best he can with a subpar script and Charlize Theron's sharp haircut distracts.

Probably a film for a quiet weekend when you've something else to do and need some background noise you can dip in and out of.

Giri/Haji (2019)

Excellent storytelling

[9/10 · 3 June 2020]

Oh look, you might cry, a Japanese out of the water in London gangster TV show. Yakuza. Schoolgirl in lesbian romance. Etc.

Yes, there are some common tropes in this series, but not a single one is wasted. It weaves a tale of brothers on different sides of the law looking for one another. The cinematography and story telling is clearly inspired at points by Mr Robot. Things happen that don't make sense and are quickly explained with often humorous flashbacks and backstories. All of this populated by characters that are compelling, relatable and you find yourself hoping will make it through to the end. No matter how obnoxious they seem at the start.

It's an entertaining series. My only caveat would be this is not something for a single sitting. Watch an episode, enjoy it and look forward to seeing the next one a day or two later.

Code 8 (2019)

It's OK

[6/10 · 17 April 2020]

A passable drama. It centres around a few well known trump - basically good person with dying mother looking for a way to help pay the medical bills, hooks up with criminal gang.

The USP here is the "good person" has a super power in a world where such things are frowned upon. Cue a couple of set pieces, some earnest acting and everyone doing the best they can with what they've been given.

It's OK for an afternoon drama, but that's about it. If you need something in the background this is probably going to be satisfying enough.