Transformers: Age of Extinction - 1 smile

Pros:

• Great CGI
• Stars Mark Wahlberg (he’s an upgrade from Shia Labeouf)
• It’s all about the robots
• Stanley Tucci is effective as the bad/good guy

Cons:

• Way too long  (2 hrs and 45 minutes)
• Story is crammed full of stuff that doesn’t need to be there (so there’s little plot cohesion)
• Little (if any) character development (but remember, it’s a Michael Bay movie)
• Nicola Peltz is no improvement as the Megan Fox replacement
• The dialogue is pretty cheesy
• The final confrontation is at least an hour long (and very loud)

Full of sound and fury signifying nothing. 6/27/14

Godzilla - 3 smiles

The most recent iteration of “Godzilla” honors not only the look and feel of the Big Green Lizard’s most famous outings but pays homage to his entire history. And that’s what makes this version the best of the remakes. It explicitly refers to the 1954 movie and calls the creature by his name. Godzilla is a force of nature and man is ineffectual against him. And Godzilla benefits from top caliber CGI, looking more real and less like a man in a suit. Although the movie is about Godzilla (and make no mistake, he is the hero), it’s not viewed from his perspective.

The movie takes its time with the reveal (which is too long), keeping Godzilla mostly hidden until about midway through the movie. The early scenes transpire 15 years in the past in Japan, where unexplained tremors are threatening the integrity of a nuclear power plant. The husband and wife team of Joe and Sandra Brody (Bryan Cranston and Juliette Binoche) are tasked with investigating the situation and preventing a disaster. Later, in the present day, Brodys’ now-adult son, Ford (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), finds himself in the same part of the world facing a similar situation. But this time, a huge insect-like creature, mutated by radiation, rises up and wreaks havoc before going in search of its mate. And an unknown creature, attracted by the activity, begins to make its way toward the action. Las Vegas, Hawaii and San Francisco end up as sites of destruction as Godzilla fights the creatures. “Godzilla” delivers everything expected of it, especially if you’re a fan of the original Godzilla movies. 5/16/14

How to Train Your Dragon 2 - 3 1/2 smiles

It’s a good thing that writer/director Dean DeBlois didn’t fall into the sequel trap and make a retread of the original. Instead, he elected to move into darker, more serious territory and expand the scope of the world. And although there are bits that feel extraneous, the production as a whole comes across more like an organic extension of the original tale than something tacked on purely to draw a lucrative box office. The movie opens five years after the events in the first film. The Viking hamlet’s culture has changed by this time with dragons not only being welcomed in the village but becoming beloved pets as well. Stoick (voiced by Gerard Butler) still rules although he is trying to convince his reluctant son, Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), to take over the post of chief. Hiccup doesn’t think of himself as a leader of men and would prefer flying around with his dragon, Toothless, practicing aerial maneuvers and mapping new territories. His girlfriend, Astrid (America Ferrera), thinks he underestimates himself. While exploring the world, Hiccup discovers a group of ‘dragon catchers’ who inform him that a warlord named Drago (Djimon Hounsou) is assembling an army of dragons to conquer the world. Against the strict orders of his father, Hiccup decides to search for Drago, convinced that a civilized conversation will convince Drago to desist. Things don’t go as planned, however, and Hiccup is waylaid by the fierce dragon rider Valka (Cate Blanchett), whose identity, once revealed, changes the young man’s priorities.

“How to Train Your Dragon 2 has things to say about loyalty, friendship and family. This is a coming-of-age story for Hiccup, who is forced by circumstances to evolve as a character. And the tone is darker than the original, which was essentially light-hearted fantasy/adventure. This sequel takes some chances with ideas about mortality. The movie is visually interesting and the new ‘Alpha’ dragons look appropriately menacing. The level of violence in “How to Train Your Dragon 2,” which includes war and death, may be too much for the youngest children. It is, nonetheless, great entertainment for families. 6/15/14

Edge of Tomorrow - 3 1/2 smiles

“Edge of Tomorrow” is a version of Groundhog Day, where the central character must relive a specific day and in doing so, becomes a better man, or, in this case, becomes a better warrior and a better man. And because the script is good and the two leads effective, “Edge of Tomorrow” offers a satisfying cinematic experience. The movie uses a faux news montage to set up the story. Earth has been invaded by extra-terrestrials dubbed ‘mimics’ and all of Europe is in enemy hands. After losing battle after battle, the United Defense Forces have finally scored a victory at Verdun. Emboldened by the army’s success, General Brigham (Brendan Gleeson) has decided on an all-out assault led by war hero and media darling, Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt). To ‘sell’ the attack to the populace, Brigham enlists the talents of army publicist Major William Cage (Tom Cruise), who he intends to send to the front lines with a camera crew. Cage, unwilling to put his life on the line, refuses the direct order and ends up being busted in rank on trumped up charges, thrown into an infantry unit and sent into the thick of the fighting. When set upon by a member of a special mimic subspecies, Cage uses an explosive to destroy the creature. In the process, he kills himself … then awakens back at the beginning of his ordeal and has to endure the entire day another time. He dies again, is reborn again and the cycle persists. Each time Cage is able to use his memories of the battle to survive longer, until he eventually contacts Rita and learns that she knows something about his situation.

To keep the audience from getting bored watching the same scene over and over, director Doug Liman borrows some of the tricks from Groundhog Day – showing just enough of a scene to make it clear we’re in another iteration of the loop, then skipping ahead to the point when things start to change. The main thrust of the movie focuses on Cage’s use of his immortality/time-reset ability to locate the aliens’ brain and find a way to win the war. In addition, the relationship between Cage and Rita develops, but more on his part because each time they meet, her interaction with Cage is reset. She doesn’t know him, but he becomes familiar with her to the point where he develops deep feelings. And you see the gradual development of Cage from callow, self-serving wimp to all-out action hero, illustrating Cruise’s depth as an actor. The one in a different situation is Emily Blunt, whose kick-ass interpretation of Rita recalls Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley and Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor. She is credible as the Hero of Verdun. “Edge of Tomorrow” offers plenty of action that never becomes repetitive. It’s definitely a fun summer popcorn movie. 6/6/14

Maleficent - 3 smiles

Angelina Jolie gives a forceful and nuanced performance as Maleficent, but Sharlto Copley is absolutely miscast as the king. "Maleficent" reveals how events transformed the title character from a happy, optimistic young fairy into one of Disney's most recognizable villains. As a girl, Maleficent (Isobelle Molloy) meets and befriends a young human named Stefan (Michael Higgins). The two share a close friendship that develops into love as the years pass. However, Stefan's ambition seduces him to the dark side. He disappears from Maleficent's life for a while as he strives to ingratiate himself with the current king. When he returns to Maleficent (now played by Copely), his goal is to drug her, cut off her wings and take them back to the king to prove his worthiness to be the new king. Bitter and broken hearted, Maleficent (Jolie) plots her revenge when she hears of the christening of King Stefan's daughter. And we already know the curse she gives to the young Aurora.

"Maleficent" offers two twists to the Sleeping Beauty tale we're familiar with. The first is to make Maleficent's actions explicable. Her deeds aren't the product of inherent evil, but result from Stefan's despicable act. The film also postulates a mother-daughter relationship between Maleficent and Aurora (Elle Fanning). During the period when the princess is living in the forest with three other fairies, Maleficent visits her regularly and they become close, so close, in fact, that Maleficent regrets her curse and tries to reverse it. Angelina Jolie is the driving force in the movie and she dominates every scene she's in. Elle Fanning is delightful as the naive Aurora, but Copely not only doesn't look or sound like a king but he overacts. The scenes where he slowly goes insane are heavy handed and detract from the rest of the story. The visuals are powerful and imaginative and "Maleficent" is enjoyable summer fare. 6/2/14