auskooper Reviews

Kung Fu Panda 2 (2011)

Kung Fu Panda 2

[8/10 · 20 June 2024]

Kung Fu Panda 2 is the second film in the Kung Fu Panda franchise. It is about where Po came from and what happened to the other pandas. It also brings more of the concept of inner peace, of which is something everyone should strive for. That's kinda an extension of the first one, of which the first film is about believing in yourself that you can do something, then this one inner peace is believing you can achieve it.

I prefer the villain in this one as he has more of a personal connection to Po (as Tai Wan did have more of a connection to Master Shifu than Po, though Chen has more of one to Po). Po is clearly the character the series is most about and it seems better if the villain has more of a personal connection with him than another Kung Fu fighter.

Overall I do find it as good as the first.

Elizabeth (1998)

Elizabeth I

[8/10 · 20 June 2024]

Elizabeth is the film about the early reign of Queen Elizabeth I. It shows the point where she didn't want to marry because of her role as queen as she believes that she is married to her country. As well it showed her rocky relationship with her half sister Mary. It compared their two different views on Christianity (Mary's Catholicism vs Elizabeth's protestantism of which she shares with their father Henry VIII) I find the monarch is an important role in British history and Queens are important when it comes to women history (she would be the ruler of a country until the rest of theirs life). It is interesting to learn more about Queen Elizabeth I as often times the other Queen Elizabeth comes to mind (the second, of whom is the longest reigning British monarch and died about a year and a half ago). It's interesting to learn what came before her and what her name shake could be. Elizabeth I's reign mainly took place in the late 16th century (1500s) of which was 400 years ago and is before the United States was even a country. It's sure is interesting to learn about the British monarchy way back then.

Kung Fu Panda (2008)

He's known for Kung Fu Fighting

[8/10 · 19 June 2024]

Kung Fu Panda is a film from DreamWorks about Chinese culture. It takes place in China and about the well known Chinese bear the panda. It has the panda named Po obsessed with Kung Fu. He attempts to go into the event to see who's the dragon warrior and he ended up being the dragon warrior, though hardly nobody believed he was dragon warrior material. With that, it does bring in the theme of believing in yourself. You could do something if you simply believe you could do it. That theme and a bit of the cultural content and the PG rating makes it seem like a good film for younger audiences. I believe I have watched the first 3 Kung Fu Panda movies before but it likely been a while, so now I figured to rewatch them and review them with the fourth released earlier this year. I still like this film after rewatching years later.h.

Toy Story (1995)

A Classic in Computer Animation

[10/10 · 19 June 2024]

Toy Story is the first ever computer animated film and was an instant classic. It was one of the movies I grew up watching, so I have some nostalgia bias. It shows the evolution of kids' interest in toys from Western based toys like cowboy toys to space based toys like astronaut action figures.

The story involves a kid named Andy and his favorite toy Woody the Cowboy. Andy has a birthday party before he, his mom, and his toys move. Andy gets a Buzz Lightyear action figure and Buzz quickly becomes Andy's new favorite toy. Eventually, they get into the hands of Andy's not so good neighbor with a horrific imagination around the same the move is taking place.

I find this is the best film to compare to when you want to see how computer animation has evolved as it was the first film to be fully computer animated. I often like to compare the first Toy Story to the last (of which is the fourth when writing this review) to see how computer animation has evolved as both are part of the same franchise. It has been around 24 years since the release of the two films. When the fifth releases, I would then compare the first with it to see a little more accurate representation.

With Toy Story being a classic and a nostalgic film of mine, it'll be an easy recommendation of mine and an easy 10/10 for me.

Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

Welcome to the Next Level

[7/10 · 18 June 2024]

Jumanji The Next Level is the sequel to Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle, of which is a standalone sequel to Jumanji with Robin Williams. It continues the previous one's idea of them being transported into a video game. It does have two senior citizens in the cast and jokes around about how they may not understand modern technology/terminology. It as well brings them to the desert and artic based regions in the game. The humor is similar to the first, just they throw in the two old men and explores different areas and did more body swapping. I believe there could be more to explore with the game and it made money (around $850M in the box office), so there's some room for a sequel but I'm unsure about the main player cast for the sequel. The avatar cast would be able to return but I don't know about them bringing back the.

Luca (2021)

Brilliant Film

[8/10 · 18 June 2024]

Around a small town in 1950's Italy, there was a sea monster named Luca. Luca was confined to the sea by his parents but was always interested in the surface world. It was until he met someone by the name of Alberto when he came to the surface world. There, he realized he looks like a normal human when he's on land and a sea monster in water. He then tried to do all that he can to learn more about the human world with Alberto.

Luca is about the theme of acceptance. It has sea monsters not being accepted by humans at first and Luca helped change the fact. Though it doesn't seem as deep as other Pixar films and it's more of kids being kids. That helps show the uniqueness to Pixar films.

I find it similar to the Little Mermaid as both Ariel and Luca are both fascinated by the human world and a parent(s) don't want them to go as they said it would be too dangerous. It also seems similar to the Incredibles as superheroes became unaccepted and illegal and removed their special costumes to fit in and try to hide their powers. Luca has sea monsters being unaccepted in the human world and could look like normal humans when out of water and would have to try to not get wet. As well, sea monsters seem like a combination of Monsters Inc. And Finding Nemo. Monsters Inc as they are literally called sea MONSTERs (got the monster aspect) and has the aquatic theme of Finding Nemo. That's at least the two other Pixar films I could compare Luca to.

It goes along with some cultural experience as it's set in Italy. It goes along with Ratatouille based on France and Coco based on Mexico and its holiday Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I feel like not everyone who has or will watch Luca aren't necessarily from Italy or even have Italian heritage. In my opinion, it's good to learn more about different cultures because simply not everyone shares the same culture.

Overall, I did like Luca and would recommend.

Onward (I) (2020)

Onward We Go

[8/10 · 18 June 2024]

What if the world was filled with mythological creatures? What if they used modern day technology? Those are questions Disney Pixar's Onward attempts to answer. That ties into the typical Pixar theme of the overuse of technology. That themes brings something that's unnatural to these creatures to help show the point. It has creatures from various mythologies/folklores like elves, centaurs, and pixies and magic exists. Magic is what technology is compared to in the film. The film also takes some inspiration from dungeons and dragons.

The overall story follows two teenaged boys who attempt to revive their late father who was a wizard and the younger one didn't have a chance to meet. That leads them to go on an adventure to get a phoenix gem to fully revive him.

With the plot point about their father, it does have some emotional depth like typical Pixar films.

On how it ended, it shouldn't have a sequel. Maybe a prequel but nothing following the events of this film.

I like Onward like any Pixar film and would recommend it like any other one.

WALL·E (2008)

Another Pixar Classic

[9/10 · 17 June 2024]

Wall-E is a brilliant film about giving some emotion to robots. It takes place in a future where the Earth is so trashed that humans had to leave Earth. While in space, they have this Wall-E bot who's fascinated with human culture to clean up the trash. Eventually he met this sleek new, futuristic robot who was sent to Earth to search for any plant life on Earth. She acts as an opposite to Wall-E as he's rusty and representative of modern robotics and masculine and Eve is new, futuristic, and feminine. Their interactions with each other shows robots having emotions like love.

It also ties in the theme of technology and the overuse of it. In this future, humans are very dependent on technology and became kinda static and emotionless. It goes along with other Pixar films like Incredibles 2 and Onward that over usage of technology could be a bad thing. Wall-E shows it in a futuristic sense with humans not on Earth and likely have used it for hundreds of years.

For most of the first half of the film, there's hardly no talking. There's more talking in the second half.

I have grown up watching the film, so I do feel some nostalgia for it. With that, it is my favorite futuristic film and one of my favorite space based films.

Incredibles 2 (2018)

An Incredible Sequel

[8/10 · 17 June 2024]

Incredibles 2 is the sequel to the Incredibles with a massive 14 year gap between their releases. With that, it does show how computer animation has evolved since the release of the first Incredibles. The animation of this film seems a little more vivid and smooth.

It takes place right after the events of the first film and delves into Elastigirl taking the spotlight to help legalize superheroes. It ends on a note similar to that of the first, a thing that could be continued in a sequel. Better if we didn't have to wait as long for a third if it'll happen.

The villain, Screenslaver, doesn't seem to live up to the villain of the first one, Syndrome. The person who's pulling the strings with the Screenslaver doesn't seem to have the best plan at taking a second look at it. Syndrome does have a more logical plan in my opinion. The Screenslaver does a good job at tying in the theme of technology and the overuse of it.

Overall, I prefer the first one but this one is good as well.

The Incredibles (2004)

Incredible Superhero Film

[10/10 · 17 June 2024]

The Incredibles is Brad Bird's movie about a family of superheroes that's produced by Pixar. It has very deep storytelling like typical Pixar films. After some legal issues, these heroes who were looked up to like gods were then looked like outcasts, kinda like them being the Avengers and then turned to like how mutants are in Marvel (outcasted due to their mutations that give them powers). After some time, Mr. Incredible (the father) wanted to relive the glory days and took an offer that'll allow it after losing his job. Doing that, it gives the deepness and some darkness to the story. It does have themes that would be continued in the second like standing up for what you believe in/what's right, trust, and technology.

I find the Incredibles is one of my favorite Pixar movies, alongside Wall-E, Toy Story, Inside Out, Coco, and Soul. It definitely has the best villain in any Pixar film in Syndrome. He has brilliant setup/origins, goals, and plans and that makes him a top tier villain.

Jumanji (1995)

JUMANJI!

[8/10 · 16 June 2024]

Jumanji is the first film adaptation of the book of the same name with Robin Williams. It is pretty adventure packed and I prefer this one to the second one Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle. The main difference between the two is that this one is about a magical board game that brings the jungle to the real world and that makes it interesting and brings good conflict. Welcome to the Jungle has them being brought to the video game. Both seem interesting but the board game seems even more interesting. As well, I'm a Robin Williams fan and it seems hard to beat anything with him. I find the visuals good and the chaos that came with this pesky board game is what makes it such an excellent film. It really does a good job at expanding the action/adventure genre and I would definitely recommend.

Rocketman (I) (2019)

It's Been a Long, Long Time

[8/10 · 12 June 2024]

Rocketman is about how Elton John pushed through family issues and drug addiction and impacted the music industry. The film is about him telling his story through a group like alcoholics anonymous and told like a musical. A musical is fitting for a biopic about a musician. It's interesting to learn the story behind this legendary musician. It seems pretty historically accurate, more so than Bohemian Rhapsody, as Elton John was alive during the production and says it's accurate to how he felt. For Bohemian Rhapsody, Freddie Mercury wasn't alive during the production of Bohemian Rhapsody, so we didn't have his input for the film itself and how accurate it could be to his life. I like both Elton John's music and Queen's music but overall, I prefer this biopic. It's just way more emotionally powerful and like previously mentioned, seems more historically accurate. I like 70's and 80's music and like to learn more about the stories behind the musicians. This is a good film for that in my opinion. I don't really listen to modern music though I am gen Z and listen and relate to 70's and 80's music. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and I'm Still Standing is two of the most relatable songs I have and interesting to have actually seen the story behind the singer.

Krampus (I) (2015)

Krampus

[6/10 · 12 June 2024]

Krampus is a horror Christmas film about the creature of the same name. It started with a kid not having the best Christmas and accidentally summoned a creature that came and haunted his family. I felt like the real Krampus didn't quite get enough screentime. I felt he was relegated to last 20-30 minutes and wasn't able to live up to his full potential. Before then, I felt like it could be some stereotypical horror/Halloween related stuff. It is still Christmas at heart despite the horror aspects. I feel like I could learn more about Krampus but this felt like doesn't do a whole lot about him. After watching this, the only thing I know about him is that he is a Christmas creature but stuff like his intentions or characteristics still seem like a mystery to me. For me, it seems alright but could be a whole lot better.

The Losers (I) (2010)

The Losers

[6/10 · 10 June 2024]

The Losers is a action comedy film loosely based on the series of the same name in DC comics. It has 3 main cast members who later joined the more successful Marvel Cinematic Universe: Chris Evans (Captain America), Idris Elba (Heimdall), and Zoe Saldaña (Gamora). I find Chris Evans character in this film is similar to the first Marvel character he played: the Human Torch. They're both very witty characters and members of a team who's known as being doing stuff together. He's also like Captain America with not having crazy powers like Human Torch does in pyrokinesis or flight, seeming like a normal human being. What it seems like in the comics, the Losers deals with World War II soldiers like Captain America is a super soldier who fought in World War II, though it doesn't seem to have a lot of World War II references. It is interesting with Chris Evans having two roles in Marvel and one in DC and how all of them compare with each other. As well, Idris Elba also did two in marvel as well (Heimdall in the Thor franchise and played a different character in Ghost Rider Spirit of Vengeance), though Chris Evans' characters are more memorable.

More on my actual film itself, I find it is more focused on the action and comedy than actual story/plot. I prefer if something is focused a little more on the story but I still find that alright.

One Life (2023)

One Life

[8/10 · 9 June 2024]

One Life is about the story of Sir Nicholas "Nicky" Winton and one story about the perseverance though World War II. It shows Winton's story about rescuing Jews from Nazi occupied Czechia Slovakia and bringing them to England. It has him then reconnecting with his roots in World War II around 50 years after it happened. I find it is maybe a story not the most well known. I haven't heard of it before the film. It is definitely a film to help expand your knowledge of World War II. I get there could be a bunch of stuff revolving around World War II and the first World War doesn't get enough attention but I still find it still a good film anyway. I definitely like history and interested in learning more about World War II. This film definitely expanded on the fact. I do feel like World War I is often overshadowed by World War II, but still interested in learning more about WWII anyway. Overall, I would recommend this film.

Frida (2002)

Alright film about Hispanic History

[7/10 · 7 June 2024]

Frida is the film about late artist Frida Kahlo. It shows her complicated relationship with her husband Diego Rivera and their ties to the communist party. With that, it has quite a bit of sexual content and some bickering between characters. It does show the artwork of Kahlo she made throughout the years and when in her life it could be referencing. It also does a good job at bringing in some elements of her Mexican heritage, like skeletons associated with Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). It sure is a film that goes with Hispanic History and goes alongside the culture building that goes along with learning Spanish (though it definitely shouldn't be shown to younger audiences). I would definitely suggest this to people who are interested in learning more about Hispanic history and building the cultural background behind the Spanish language.

Get on Up (2014)

Get On Up

[8/10 · 6 June 2024]

Get On Up is a film about musician James Brown. It shows how he impacted music history and black history. It shows his poor upbringing and how he handled his musical career. It really shows how controlling he could be when it comes to his performances and how he pushed through life and trying to impact the world. I didn't know much about Brown before watching the film. I find that Chadwick Bozeman did a good job as Brown. I felt like I watched him as Brown and not Black Panther as a singer and not a king of a secretive African country and not a warrior/super.

Overall, I find this an alright film and satisfies me as someone who wants to know more about music history.

Glory (1989)

Glory

[7/10 · 3 June 2024]

Glory is a film about the first all black volunteer group of the Civil War and how they help impact the outcome of the war. It helps show black history and how it helped form the United States of America of today. I find that it is a good pick for black history if it's just for black history month or you to learn a little more about black history any time of the year. Or that you would like to learn more about the Civil War altogether. I feel like I learned something since I first heard about it. Overall, I find it an alright historical film and would recommend it. I haven't heard of that group until I have watched it. It definitely had taught me some stuff. Though it might be different for the people who are experts in the Civil War, they might not learn much and could see some of the inaccuracies.

Hulk (2003)

Hulk Review

[6/10 · 2 June 2024]

The main complaints I have about 2003's Hulk rely more on the technological difficulties of the time. I find that the Hulk from the MCU looks better. This Hulk looks action figure-like at times or even like a statue from a theme park. His green skin and purple pants seem too bright. As well, Absorbing Man would be better with more modern technology.

I find the characterization alright. It's definitely better than the Elektra film. Probably better if the villains would seem like bigger threats. It seems like the Absorbing Man issue was resolved a little too quickly

I feel like this would definitely be better if it was released today with modern CGI and keeps the same script. Maybe some changes to the script as well would make it better than just having better CGI.

Slender Man (I) (2018)

Slender Man

[6/10 · 2 June 2024]

Slender Man is the film about the famous creepypasta of the same name. With that, it is horror. I find it's more on the creepy/uncanny spectrum than scary. I didn't find it too scary, just somewhat creepy. I find it'll be better if it was rated R like many Slasher horror films and was longer. I find that would fit Slender Man's character with the real life Slender Man stabbings (an attempted murder with the kids who did it believed that doing that would appease Slender Man). As well, a common early trait of Slender Man is body mutilation. With that being said, it should've been rated R for blood/violence, thematic elements, and language, than the take we have that's PG-13 and has no blood. I find the film alright but would definitely be better if it honed more in on the blood/violence enough to get a R rating and a longer runtime (around 20 minutes or so) to help cover the versions of Slender Man to have been told through the years.

Elektra (2005)

Elektra

[5/10 · 1 June 2024]

Elektra is the spin-off of 2003's Daredevil. It seems to have completely no connection to Daredevil despite being a spin-off taking off after the events in it. That's my main complaint about it, just had no connections whatsoever besides the main character appears in both and is played by the same actress. As well, I find it'll be better if they opted to do an origin story for Elektra if they didn't plan to use Daredevil, as it'll be much easier to explain why it hardly referenced his film. As well, probably add another half hour as that'll develop some plot points.

I feel like it didn't do enough to further Elektra's character/story. It seems that she's the same character at the end as she was at the beginning with very little change. I feel like that would be fixed if it was an origin as she should seem to be a more developed character by the end.

I do find the action ok but like I previously mentioned, the story is flawed and has room for improvement.

Victor Frankenstein (2015)

Victor Frankenstein

[8/10 · 1 June 2024]

Victor Frankenstein is a film based on modern adaptations of Mary Shelly's novel Frankenstein. It is the first film to my recollection I have watched about Victor Frankistein and his creation that's not a Simpsons Treehouse of Horror that is pretty much a parody of it. I have read the original novel though. The inclusion of more modern takes of Frankenstein makes it where the film is different enough from the novel. I feel like it does a good job at carrying over its themes of scientific discovery and if and how we should limit it. The original novel focused a little more on the story of the monster, so I find that the novel is a little more detailed on that part.

The film has the genre of horror. I didn't find there wasn't really anything too scary. I guess the appearance of the monster and Frankenstein's other creation could frighten some people, but besides that, I didn't find anything too scary. Monsters are a staple of the horror genre and Frankenstein is a story known for its monster.

Overall, I liked Victor Frankenstein. Originally I searched Google about Victor Frankenstein as the scientist of the original book and found this film. Since then, I was interested in watching it and just finally did and was satisfied with it.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017)

Welcome to the Jungle, We got fun and games

[7/10 · 31 May 2024]

JUMANJI Welcome to the Jungle is the second film adaptation of the book Jumanji and is a stand-alone sequel to the 1995 film Jumanji with Robin Williams. This version turns the magical board game into a magical video game transporting the players into the game itself. With that, it is a film about children in the bodies of adults (the adults being their in-game avatars), the adults being famous people. The famous people include Dwayne "The Rock'' Johnson (wrestler turned actor who appeared in films like Scorpion King, DC League of Super Pets, and Black Adam), Kevin Hart (comedian and actor who often co-stars with The Rock), Jack Black (actor who did roles in School of Rock, Tropic Thunder, and the Super Mario Bros Movie), and Karen Gillan (Nebula in the MCU). With that, it is pretty much a comedy, though the humor could have some mild cheesiness.

It is way more of an action/adventure than Robin's version. It leans into the action even more that it is rated PG-13 rather than having the predecessor's PG rating. It also takes place in the jungle setting and the 1995 version has the jungle coming to the players' town and not them being brought to the jungle. I have watched the 1995 version before but it has been a little while since I had seen it but still, it seems hard to beat anything comical from Robin Williams.

Robin Hood (2010)

Robin Hood

[7/10 · 31 May 2024]

Robin Hood is a film starring Russell Crowe about the story of Robin Hood. It takes place in medieval England around a thousand years ago. It reminds me of Crowe's other film Gladiator as both have quite a bit of action and takes place a long time ago, though Gladiator takes place in the Roman Empire another 1000 years in the past, around 180 AD (Robin Hood takes place around the 1190's) Robin Hood shows King John's conflict between France and England. The film shows Robin Hood dealing with that conflict, not much of the part where he steals from the rich and gives to the poor.

Towards the beginning, it felt a little slow paced. The pacing does seem to quicken up a bit by the end Quite a few of the main cast I recognize for playing roles in Superhero films (both DC and Marvel). Russel Crowe would play in Man of Steel, Thor Love and Thunder, and the upcoming Kraven the Hunter. Cate Blachett would play Hela in Thor Ragnarok. Mark Strong would play in Green Lantern and Shazam!. Oscar Isaac would appear in X-Men Apocalypse, Moon Knight, and Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse.

A Beautiful Mind (2001)

A Beautiful Mind

[8/10 · 30 May 2024]

A Beautiful Mind is a film about nobel prize winner John Nash. It shows his life with schizophrenia and math/science. It shows a detailed view of how life could be like with schizophrenia and how serious it can be. It shows Nash and his hallucinations from his schizophrenia and him trying to live a normal life through it. I feel like it really does increase awareness of schizophrenia and help clear some misconceptions. It is based on a true story and that makes it seem accurate to actual schizophrenia. I find that Russel Crowe did an excellent job as Nash. I find Crowe an actor like Christain Bale; they're both pretty good at their roles though some of the films they're in might not be the best.

This film does delve into many subjects you would delve into in school. It is the story of a real mathematician, which ties into both history and math. It also ties into psychology with the character having schizophrenia.

I find it is a good film with Nash's schizophrenia made the story intense at times and made it where it's a good film increasing awareness of a particular disorder.