Movie Review: Creed

While not deviating much from the standard boxing movie formula made popular by “Rocky,” this film does a good job of making a name for itself. Michael B. Jordan is strong in the lead role, although at times he keeps things a bit too close to the vest. It’s only late in the movie does he give a line of dialog that truly cuts to his motivation behind everything he does. Stallone is solid as he transitions into the role of mentor. He pulls of the weariness of a man who has fought his whole life and now has nothing much left to fight for. Tessa Thompson is the love interest. Her character has some interesting dimensions, and she does have some good chemistry with Jordan. While the training montages are usually the most entertaining parts of the “Rocky” films, these are surprisingly uninteresting. Between this and some predictable drama, the latter half of the film drags. There’s little fighting after the beginning of the film, so things just feel tedious for a while. The final fight gets things going and manages to get you emotionally invested in everything by the end.

*** out of *****

TV Review: Jessica Jones (Season 1)

**This review will include minor spoilers**

While not packing the superhero action and themes of the “Daredevil” TV series, “Jessica Jones” is quite entertaining thanks to its leading lady and primary villain. If you’re expecting the typical superhero saving the day storylines, you won’t get it. This show is more about a private investigator, who just happens to be able to be strong enough to rip a car door off its hinges.

While the heroes aren’t focused on being super, the villain is. His mind-control abilities are used in the most frightening and depraved ways possible. His obsession with Jessica, which creates her obsession with stopping him, is the plot of season one.

As far as the plot goes, it’s a creepy game of cat and mouse. There are some points where it seems to be spinning its wheels and there are some story points that never pay off, but the stakes are high enough to stay invested, even if much of Jessica’s plan is based on some shaky logic.

The cast is what makes this show work. Krysten Ritter is perfect as Jessica Jones. She makes the hard-drinking, foul-mouthed and anti-social Jessica likable. There’s a heart of a hero under all her baggage, and despite her bravado her vulnerability is always just below the surface. And even though she’s not afraid to use her super-strength, Jessica’s greatest asset is her mind. She’s very street smart and can bluff her way into and out of some tough spots.

The other star her is David Tennant as the villain Kilgrave. He is one of the most charming sociopath’s you’ll ever encounter. And as vile as he is, there’s just enough pain to allow you to almost feel sorry for him.

The rest of the cast is solid. Rachael Taylor as the best friend Trish and Mike Colter as the love interest Luke Cage both do their best to balance out Jessica’s self-pitying mentality.

Meanwhile, the rest of the characters are a mixed bag. The kooky upstairs neighbors feel out of place, while the drug addict Malcom falls in and out of the storyline. There’s an odd dynamic with the police officer Will Simpson, which only truly pans out for comic fans who recognize him as a version of the super-villain Nuke. And then there’s the almost pointless love-triangle/lesbian domestic drama that never truly pays off.

A solid season, with a fantastic villain. But the question is, where do they go for season two? Kilgrave gave Jessica a reason to focus everything she had to try to become the hero she hoped she could be. I don’t know what threat they can throw at her to continue that journey.

**** out of *****

Movie Review: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay- Part 2

After a slow start, some late suspense and action save this film from ending the “Hunger Games” franchise on a boring and drab note. I have never read any of the “Hunger Games” novels and have only seen each of the previous films once, so this review will reflect that. The film starts off a bit fine, but takes its time to get to the climax. There’s an odd story structure to the “Hunger Games” films, and they never follow the expected beats. Also, since the focus so heavily on Katniss, we tend to miss out on many of the more interesting visuals. For example, hovercrafts bombarding their targets or the big battle between the rebel army and Panem’s Peacekeepers are barely shown. While this does make this a more personal story, and reflects a somewhat realistic viewpoint of the characters involved in the war, it does so at the expensive of some potentially cool sci-fi visuals. We’re also promised multiple opportunities at some Hunger Games inspired carnage. However, most never really pan out. They do eventually set up the film’s most suspenseful, and action-packed, moment. When the climax finally arrives, it’s just not the big payoff that these four films should’ve led up to. Jennifer Lawrence has many strong moments throughout the film. Unfortunately, much of the cast has reduced roles and we lose some on the better character interactions that were established in the first films. Most sorely missed is the humor brought by Woody Harrelson’s Haymich, which would’ve lightened up a pretty dark film.

**1/2 out of *****