F1 Review

F1

Release Date: 26th June 2025 - Australia

Production Companies

Apple Studios (present)

Warner Bros. Pictures (present)

Monolith Pictures

Jerry Bruckheimer Films

Plan B Entertainment

Dawn Apollo Films

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Action/Drama

Rating: M

Runtime: 156 minutes

Budget: $300,000,000

Box Office Gross: $466,117,154 (Worldwide - figure subject to change)

Plot Summary

Sonny Hayes, often called

"the greatest that never

was", was Formula 1's

most promising talent of

the 1990s until a near-

fatal accident on the track

threatened to end his

career. Now a freelance

racer-for-hire, he is

approached thirty years

later by his former

teammate, Ruben

Cervantes, who owns

a struggling Formula 1

team on the brink of

collapse. Ruben convinces

Sonny to return to Formula

1 for one final attempt

at saving the team and

becoming the best in the

world. He'll drive alongside

Joshua Pearce, the team's

rookie sensation, who is

determined to set his own

pace. However, as the

engines roar, Sonny's

dreams from his past come

back to haunt him. He

realises that, in Formula 1,

your teammate is your

fiercest competitor and

that you cannot travel the

road to redemption alone.

Cast

Brad Pitt - Sonny Hayes

Damson Idris - Joshua Pearce

Javier Bardem - Ruben Cervantes

Kerry Condon - Kate McKenna

Tobias Menzies - Peter Banning

Kim Bodnia - Kaspar Smolinski

Sarah Niles - Bernadette Pearce

Will Merrick - Nickleby

Joseph Balderrama - Rico Fazio

Abdul Salis - Dodge Dowda

Callie Cooke - Jodie

Samson Kayo - Cash

Simon Kunz - Don Cavendish

Liz Kingsman - Lisbeth Bampton

Simone Ashley - Herself (Cameo)

Ramona Von Pusch - Liesl

Smolinski

Barney Smith - Kaspar's Son

Poppy Smith - Kaspar's

Daughter

Luciano Bacheta - Luca Cortez

Rosie Dwyer - Pippa Leguin

Martin Brundle - Himself

David Croft - Himself

Leigh Diffey - Daytona Race Broadcaster

Shea Whigham - Chip Hart

Patrick Long - Himself (Cameo)

Will Redmond - Young Engineer

Michael Aaron Milligan - Strategy Director

Kyle Rankin - Cale Kelso

Rachel Walters - Molly,

Sonny's Assistant

Steven Sean Garland - BMW

Driver

Avis-Marie Barnes - Diner

Waitress

Will Buxton - Himself

Rachel Brookes - Herself

Natalie Pinkham - Herself

Maria Thoma - Presenter

Tom Clarkson - Las Vegas Press Conference Presenter

Martin Savage - Las Vegas FIA Race Director

Zoe Oedekerk - Las Vegas

Fun Loving Clubber

Tiësto - Himself

Elena Rivers - Supper Club Hostess

Nancy Carroll - Abu Dhabi

Corporate Executive #1

Ankur Bahl - Abu Dhabi

Corporate Executive #2

Mohammed Alkhoori - Abu Dhabi Trophy Presenter

Salwa Al Hadhrami - Abu

Dhabi Podium Dignitary

Sal Lopez - Baja Old Timer

Darius De La Cruz - Baja

Mechanic's Son

Gabriel Rivas - Baja

Teenage Grandson

Alexander Albion - Himself (Cameo)

Fernando Alonso - Himself

(Cameo)

Oliver Bearman - Himself (Cameo)

Valterri Bottas - Himself (Cameo)

Franco Colapinto - Himself

(Cameo)

Nyck de Vries - Himself

(Cameo)

Jack Doohan - Himself (Cameo)

Pierre Gasly - Himself (Cameo)

Zhou Guanyu - Himself (Cameo)

Lewis Hamilton - Himself (Cameo)

Nico Hülkenberg - Himself (Cameo)

Liam Lawson - Himself

(Cameo)

Charles Leclerc - Himself

(Cameo)

Kevin Magnussen - Himself

(Cameo)

Lando Norris - Himself (Cameo)

Esteban Ocon - Himself (Cameo)

Sergio Pérez - Himself (Cameo)

Oscar Piastri - Himself (Cameo)

Daniel Ricciardo - Himself (Cameo)

George Russell - Himself (Cameo)

Carlos Sainz Jr. - Himself (Cameo)

Logan Sargeant - Himself

(Cameo)

Lance Stroll - Himself (Cameo)

Yuki Tsunoda - Himself (Cameo)

Max Verstappen - Himself (Cameo)

Zak Brown - Himself (Cameo)

Christian Horner - Himself (Cameo)

Guenther Steiner - Himself (Cameo)

Lawrence Stroll - Himself (Cameo)

Frédéric Vasseur - Himself (Cameo)

James Vowles - Himself (Cameo)

Toto Wolff - Himself (Cameo)

Stefano Domenicali - Himself (Cameo)

Roscoe - Himself

Crew

Story/Producer/Director - Joseph Kosinski

Story/Writer - Ehren Kruger

Casting Directors - Lucy Bevan and

Emily Brockmann

Executive Producer/First Assistant Director -

Toby Hefferman

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Daniel Lupi

Executive Producers - Tim Bampton,

Stefano Domenicalli, Ian Holmes

and Toto Wolff

Producers - Dede Gardner, Lewis Hamilton,

Jeremy Kleiner, Chad Oman and Brad Pitt

Co-Producers - John K. Campbell,

Emily Cheung, Melissa Reid and Penni Thow

Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager - Ben Piltz

Production Designers - Ben Munro and

Mark Tildesley

Concept Artist - Charlie Cobb

Art Directors - Oliver Benson, Abe El Habashy,

Hugh McClelland, Timothy Moen and Ketan Waikar

Set Decorators - Reynan Castro Del Rosario,

Andrew McCarthy and Véronique Melery

Property Master: Las Vegas - Chris Call

Costume Designer - Julian Day

Hair and Makeup Designer - Denise Kum

Director of Photography - Claudio Miranda

Second Unit Director/Stunt Coordinator - Adam Kirley

Action Vehicles Supervisor - Graham Kelly

Supervising Stunt Coordinator - Gary Powell

Aerial Coordinator/Helicopter Pilot: USA - Kevin LaRosa II

Special Effects Supervisor - Keith Dawson

Special Effects Supervisor: USA - Elia P. Popov

Visual Effects On-Set Supervisor - Edward Price

Visual Effects Supervisor - Ryan Tudhope

Visual Effects Supervisors: Framestore -

Nicolas Chevallier and Robert Harrington

Supervisor: BLIND Ltd - Andrew Booth

Editors - Stephen Mirrione and Patrick J. Smith

Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer - Al Nelson

Supervising Sound Editor - Gwendolyn Yates Whittle

Re-Recording Mixers - Juan Peralta and

Gary A. Rizzo

Production Sound Mixer - Gareth John

Original Score - Hans Zimmer

Additional Score/Score Producer - Steve Mazzarro

Music Mixer - Alan Meyerson

Review

Hollywood is in danger of losing its audiences due to its recent reliance on remakes, reboots, cash-grab sequels, and unsuccessful attempts at creating franchises, which have threatened to undermine its standing. Thankfully, it's all about to change with the blockbuster release of F1, which embraces the classic storytelling conventions that Hollywood has forgotten. As you know, Formula One is the world's most popular motorsport. It has experienced a resurgence during the pandemic, thanks to the Netflix docuseries Drive to Survive. However, I was never a fan of this huge racing event, as I only watched the Supercar races at Mount Panorama.

Riding the wave of success from Top Gun: Maverick, Joseph Kosinski returns to deliver another thrilling spectacle in F1. Kosinski expressed interest in directing a racing film after the one about the 1966 Le Mans event, featuring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt, fell through due to budget concerns. That movie later became Ford v Ferrari, directed by James Mangold and starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale in the lead roles. His regular collaborators from the previous film, including writer Ehren Kruger and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, return to assist him with this latest outing, thus reassembling the dream team. But one question remains? Will this movie offer a cinematic experience similar to Kosinski's offering from 2022? The answer is yes.

While the film is similar to the director's previous movie, it reminds me of Days of Thunder, as both films fall under the description of "Top Gun on wheels." Interestingly, Bruckheimer and legendary composer Hans Zimmer worked on that film before F1. Unfortunately, the biggest issue within F1 is its plot, which relies on familiar narrative beats from other inspirational sports movies because it is formulaic and predictable. However, its complex character moments, depth, and themes of resilience, redemption, the pursuit of greatness, and the power of teamwork make up for it. Lewis Hamilton's involvement as a producer is evident, with his guidance playing a pivotal role in ensuring the authenticity of the racing scenes. This commitment to accuracy extended to even the subtle details, such as the gear changes made during cornering.

Acting legend Brad Pitt headlines the cast, lending his magnetic charm and effortless charisma as the veteran race driver Sonny Hayes. The two-time Oscar winner's passion for racing is evident in his character, whose enthusiasm for the sport is infectious. Like Tom Cruise before him, he is one of the last movie stars of his generation. Although he was 61, he still kept his rugged good looks for the part. Damson Idris excels as the overconfident young driver, Joshua Pearce, adding depth to the role with his precise facial expressions and an air of confidence that matches Sonny's. The chemistry between him and Pitt is explosive, with a "veteran versus rookie" dynamic that evokes the intensity of a high-speed race.

Javier Bardem shines as struggling team owner and former Formula 1 driver, Ruben Cervantes, a role that could have amounted to mere bravado. Kerry Condon steals the show as technical director Kate McKenna, who acts as the team's voice of reason. Additionally, the Irish actress shares romantic chemistry with Pitt on screen. Formula One fans will recognise Hamilton and his peers, such as Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lando Norris, in short cameo appearances during the off-track scenes.

The movie stands out for its consistently exhilarating racing scenes, which provide an adrenaline rush for racing fans and propel the narrative forward at top speed. Claudio Miranda's cinematography establishes the film's realistic visual style. Whereas the cockpit camerawork in Top Gun: Maverick is impressive, F1 takes it to the next level, delivering an immersive, high-impact viewing experience. The editing and sound design are top-notch, enhancing the racing sequences quite well, as do the film's striking visuals. Hans Zimmer, who incidentally composed the score for Rush, another Formula One movie, delivers a killer, heart-pounding, electric score featuring songs by Queen, Led Zeppelin, Ed Sheeran, and others.

Arguably, F1 is a full-throttle sensation for audiences that captures the visceral thrills of the motorsport and is close to dethroning Ford v Ferrari as the best racing movie. It's an absolute reminder of why I love popcorn movies. Whether you're into cars or not, this is a must-see film.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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The Flash Review

The Flash

Release Date: 13th June 2023 - Australia

Production Companies

Warner Bros. Pictures

DC Studios

Double Dream

The Disco Factory

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Action

Rating: M

Runtime: 145 minutes

Budget: $220,000,000

Box Office Gross: $268,533,313 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Worlds clash when the Flash uses his super speed to travel back in time and change

the past. But he finds himself

stuck in a reality where General Zod has returned, intent on wreaking havoc when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the present. Without another hero to turn to, the Flash tries to lure a different Batman out of retirement and rescue a captured Kryptonian - but not the Kryptonian he seeks.

Cast

Ezra Miller - Barry Allen/

The Flash

Ben Affleck - Bruce Wayne/

Batman

Michael Shannon - General Zod

Michael Keaton - Bruce Wayne/Batman

Jeremy Irons - Alfred Pennyworth

Sasha Calle - Supergirl

Kiersey Clemons - Iris West

Maribel Verdú - Nora Allen

Saoirse-Monica Jackson - Patty Spivot

Ian Loh - Little Barry

Antje Traue - Faora-Ul

Ruby Mancuso - Albert Desmond

Isabelle Bernardo - Iris

Ian Loh - Little Barry

Ron Livingston - Henry Allen

Antje Traue - Faora-UI

Gal Gadot - Diana Prince/Wonder Woman

Sean Rogers - Gary

Luke Brandon Field - Al

Falcone

Temuera Morrison - Thomas

Curry (Cameo)

Andy Muschetti - Hot Dog

Reporter (Cameo)

Nicolas Cage - Superman (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Jason Momoa - Arthur Curry

(Cameo) (Uncredited)

George Clooney - Bruce

Wayne (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau - Pizza Man (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Director - Andy Muschietti

The Flash Creators - Harry

Lambert and Gardner Fox

Barry Allen Version Creators - Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino

Superman Creators - Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster

Batman Creators - Bob Kane

and Bill Finger

Wonder Woman Creator - William Moulton Marston

Screen Story - John Francis Daley,

Jonathan Goldstein and Joby Harold

Screenplay - Christina Hodson

Executive Producers - Toby Emmerich,

Walter Hamada and Galen Vaisman

Executive Producer/Unit Production Manager -

Marianne Jenkins

Producer - Barbara Muschietti

and Michael Disco

Co-Producers - Michael Lerman

and Richard Mirisch

Co-Producer/First Assistant Director -

Michael Lerman

Production Designer - Paul D. Austerberry

Supervising Art Director - Jason Knox-Johnston

Art Directors - Julia Dehoff,

Steven Lawrence, Laura Mickiewicz,

Marco Anton Restivo and Adam Squires

Concept Artists - Dan Walker,

Julian Caldow and Magda Kusowska

Construction Manager - Ray Barrett

Set Decorator - Dominic Capon

Property Master - Terry Wood

Costume Designer - Alexandra Byrne

Costume Supervisor - Dan Grace

Costume Consultant - Bob Ringwood (Uncredited)

HOD Costume Modelling/Prop

Manufacturing - Pierre Bohanna

Makeup Designer - Victoria Down

Director of Photography - Henry Braham

Supervising Location Manager - Amanda Stevens

First Assistant Director - Michael Lerman

Second Unit Director - Robert Alonzo

Stunt Coordinator - Eunice Hurhart

Fight Coordinator - Mike Lambert

Special Effects Supervisor - Dominic Tuohy

Visual Effects Supervisor - John 'D.J.' Des Jardin

Visual Effects Supervisor: DNEG - Andrew Lockley

Visual Effects Supervisor: Weta FX - Kevin Andrew Smith

Visual Effects Producer - Tamara Watts Kent

Visual Effects Consultant - Emma Norton

Additional Visual Effects Supervisors - Bryan Hirota

and Jeremy Burns

On-Set Supervisor: DNEG - Thomas Proctor

Animation Supervisors: Weta FX - Simeon Duncombe

and David Clayton

CG/FX Supervisors: Weta FX - Alexia Cui,

Dana Peters and Imre Tuske

Visualization Supervisor: Day for Nite - Kyle Robinson

Editors - Jason Ballantine and Paul Machliss

Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer/

Additional Re-Recording Mixer - John Marquis

Supervising Sound Editor/Sound Designer -

Nancy Nugent

Sound Designer - Brandon Jones

Additional Sound Designers - Tobias Poppe

and Tim Walston

Re-Recording Mixers - Michael Keller

and Tim LeBlanc

Additional Re-Recording Mixer - John Marquis

Foley Artists - Alyson Dee Moore

and Chris Moriana

Music/Score Producer & Mixer - Benjamin Wallfisch

Music Supervisor - Kim Baum

Review

After numerous production delays and controversies (due to director changes, COVID-19, and Ezra Miller's legal problems), THE FLASH zooms into the big screen. However, it is the end of an era for the Snyderverse as a new age for the DC Movie Universe begins now, with James Gunn spearheading the development. Looking back, I've read a few comics of the Scarlet Speedster and watched the Justice League cartoons and the TV series. However, it's about time the Flash got his movie, which is what fans would want. Unfortunately, it's anything but a standalone big-screen adaptation.

The film suffered from several issues, including the abysmal quality of the CGI, a convoluted and messy plot, excessive fan service, and poor time logic. Even the third act is a non-stop action scene with less opportunity for the audience to relax. The problem with the movie was that it was more interested in mining nostalgia for other DC films than in adapting the titular character to the big screen, which slows down the film. While he has little experience with the superhero genre, having only done horror with the two chapters of It, director Andy Muschietti recaptures the sense of fun and energy that Zack Snyder's films of DCEU (especially Man of Steel and Batman v Superman) have been missing in the past several years.

Despite the ongoing turmoil and controversy that ended their acting career, I don't mind seeing Ezra Miller again as the Scarlet Speedster, even though the actor needs all the help they can get and does deserve a second chance. After 31 years, Michael Keaton returns as the legendary Caped Crusader, only as a much older alternate version. His performance adds a new layer of depth and nostalgia to the film, but sadly, his rendition has gone to waste. Sasha Calle didn't get a chance to shine as Supergirl, and her role didn't do anything to save this movie. The rest of the cast, such as Michael Shannon, returns as General Zod, who was underutilised.

While far from a satisfying send-off to the DC Extended Universe, THE FLASH remains an average film. Unfortunately, it wasn't the best of the DC movies, nor the best comic book film of all time. However, some DC fans can enjoy the movie on their nearest streaming platform and DVD/Blu-ray, while everyone else will see it only once.

Star rating: (5/10) Average

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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Review

Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Release Date: 26th December 2024 - Australia

Production Companies

Paramount Pictures (presents)

Sega Sammy Group (in association with)

Original Film

Blur Studio

Marza Animation Planet

Sega (based on the video game from)

Distribution

Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Family/Action/

Adventure/Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 110 minutes

Budget: $122,000,000

Box Office Gross: $492,162,604 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Sonic, Tails, and Knuckles

are up against a mysterious

new enemy with powers

beyond anything they

have ever faced, known as

Shadow the Hedgehog.

Outmatched in every way,

the trio must seek an

unlikely alliance with

Dr. Robotnik to stop

Shadow and protect the

planet, but the risks

increase when Robotnik

reunites with his long-

lost grandfather, Gerald

Robotnik, who appears

to have his sights on

Shadow.

Cast

Ben Schwartz - Sonic the Hedgehog (Voice)

Jim Carrey - Ivo Robotnik/Gerald Robotnik

Keanu Reeves - Shadow the Hedgehog (Voice)

Idris Elba - Knuckles the

Echidna (Voice)

Colleen O'Shaughnessey -

Miles "Tails" Prower (Voice)

James Marsden - Tom

Wachowski

Tika Sumpter - Maddie Wachowski

Natasha Rothwell - Rachel

Adam Pally - Wade

Shemar Moore - Randall

Lee Majoub - Agent Stone

Krysten Ritter - Director Rockwell

Alyla Browne - Maria

Tom Butler - Commander Walters

Jorma Taccone - Kyle

Lancebottom

Sofia Pernas - Gabriella

Cristo Fernández - Pablo/Juan

James Wolk - Young Walters

Brett Tutor - Prison Guard

Richard Sutton - G.U.N. HQ Security Guard

Will Austin - G.U.N. Heli Pilot

Bola Okun - Military Man

Reggie Banigo - Rockwell's Assistant

Barry Calvert - 70s G.U.N. Soldier

Brendan Murphy - Robotnik

Proxy

Toru Nakahara - Japanese

News Reporter

Crew

Executive Producer/Director - Jeff Fowler

Story/Screenplay - Pat Casey

and Josh Miller

Screenplay - John Whittington

Executive Producers - Tommy Gormley, Tim Miller, Haruki Satomi and Shuji Utsumi

Producers - Neal H. Moritz,

Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara

and Hitoshi Okuno

Co-Producers - Tyson

Hesse, Dmitri M. Johnson,

Andrew Riach, Nicole Monter,

Dan Jevons and Matt Gustafson

Co-Producer/Second Unit Director/Visual Effects Supervisor - Ged Wright

Casting Directors - Sophie Holland, Janelle Scuderi and Tricia Wood

Production Designer - Luke Freeborn

Artistic Consultant - Jim Carrey

Sonic Character Supervisor:

Sega - Takashi Iizuka

Supervising Art Director - Tom Still

Senior Art Directors - Su Whitaker

and Joe Howard

Art Directors - Claire Fleming,

Sarah Ginn and Laura Miller

Construction Manager - Ray Barrett

Set Decorator - Anna-Lynch Robinson

Costume Designer - Eleanor Baker

Costume FX Designer - Pierre Bohanna

Prosthetics Makeup Designer - Mark Coulier

Digital Makeup Designer - Bill Corso

Director of Photography - Brandon Trost

Supervising Location Manager -

Christian McWilliams

Second Unit Director - Peter Lyons Collister

Stunt Coordinator - Eunice Huthart

Fight Choreographer - Mike Lambert

Special Effects Coordinator - Sarah Pearce

Special Effects Supervisor - Hayley J. Williams

Visual Effects Supervisor: Lola VFX -

Edson Williams

Visual Effects Producer - Paul V. Molles

Senior Animation Supervisor - Clement Yip

Editor - Al LeVine

Supervising Sound Editors/Sound Designers -

Erik Aadahl and Ethan Van der Ryn

Sound Designer - Darren Maynard

Production Sound Mixer - Paul Munro

Re-Recording Mixers - Ron Bartlett and

Anna Behlmer

Music - Tom Holkenborg

Review

It is the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. What better way to cap off this year than watching the fireworks and SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3? Let me tell you, each movie of the franchise improves as the speedy blue hedgehog always wins the race. SONIC 3 builds on the success of its predecessors, reducing the excess baggage and concentrating more on the well-known Sega characters. For example, the human characters (minus two Robotniks) have less screen time, the pacing is much tighter, and the pop-cultural references are minimal. Not to mention, there are no useless subplots like the wedding in Sonic 2.

Added to the inclusion in the film series is Sonic's rival, Shadow, whose dark past propels the plot forward and has already appeared in the mid-credits scene of the second instalment. The introduction of this character deepens the film, turning it into an emotional rollercoaster as it examines themes of grief, vengeance, and redemption. Interestingly, the movie's director, Jeff Fowler, had previously worked on the animations for the 2005 platformer Shadow the Hedgehog, so he returns to his connections with Sega's gun-toting villainous hedgehog.

Unlike the earlier Sonic movies, which were family-friendly romps, SONIC 3 takes a darker tone, upping the stakes for Sonic and his friends. Whereas the first two instalments borrowed elements from the classic Mega Drive games, SONIC 3 owes much to the Dreamcast game Sonic Adventure 2. What makes SONIC 3 a more deliberate video game adaptation than its predecessors is the distinct duality it establishes between Sonic and Shadow. The film never ceases to amaze me with its awe-inspiring visuals and dynamic action scenes, culminating in a climax reminiscent of the battle scenes in Dragon Ball Z. The humour is well-balanced, with sufficient laughs for children and moments for adults. There are even Easter eggs and references to the games in the film that fans can recognise.

As always, Ben Schwartz shines as Sonic's voice, lending his boundless enthusiasm and charm to the blue hedgehog. Idris Elba and Colleen O'Shaughnessey deliver great performances as Knuckles and Tails. Individually, they contribute to the trio's chemistry. Keanu Reeves was an inspired choice to play Shadow. No one expected the legendary action star to play someone as dark and brooding with a tragic backstory and a thirst for revenge (similar to the titular character he portrayed in the John Wick series). That said, Reeves did an incredible job of bringing edginess to the character that perfectly captures his dark nature.

Remember what I said in my Sonic 2 review that Jim Carrey is considering retirement after he finishes playing Dr. Robotnik in the second instalment. He's back for the third time as Carrey pulls double duty in a dual role. Not only does the legendary comedian portray the wacky mad scientist, but Carrey also gets to play his even more sinister grandfather. While he outdoes himself as two generations of Eggman, he hasn't lost the quirkiness we've come to anticipate from Jim Carrey.

While a significant step up from the first two instalments, SONIC 3 is the best entry in the movie franchise and one of the better video game film adaptations. It features a compelling story, striking performances, and stunning visuals that will appeal to audiences of all ages. For those who have watched its predecessors, now is your chance to see the third outing.

Additionally, there are two post-credit scenes at the end of the film that fans should keep an eye out for. These scenes could hint at the upcoming Sonic the Hedgehog 4, scheduled for release in 2027. I can't wait to see the impending sequel when it'll be as good as the third instalment.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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Wicked Review

Wicked

Release Date: 3rd November 2024 - Australia (Sydney, premiere)

Production Companies

Universal Pictures (presents)

Marc Platt Productions

SKY Studios

Dentsu (presented in association with)

Distribution

Universal Pictures Australia

Genre: Fantasy/Musical

Rating: PG

Runtime: 160 minutes

Budget: $150,000,000

Box Office Gross: $756,235,166 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

Misunderstood but

rebellious Elphaba,

a girl born with green

skin, and Glinda, an

aristocratic girl born

to be popular, become

unlikely friends in the

magical land of Oz.

After meeting the

Wizard of Oz, their

friendship reaches a

breaking point as they

begin to fulfil their

destinies as Glinda the

Good and the Wicked

Witch of the West.

Cast

Cynthia Erivo - Elphaba

Ariana Grande - Galinda/

Glinda

Jeff Goldblum - The Wonderful

Wizard of Oz

Michelle Yeoh - Madame Morrible

Jonathan Bailey - Fiyero

Ethan Slater - Boq

Marissa Bode - Nessarose

Peter Dinklage - Dr. Dillamond (Voice)

Andy Nyman - Governor

Thropp

Courtney Mae-Briggs - Mrs

Thropp

Aaron Teoh Guan Ti - Avaric

Bowen Yang - Pfannee

Bronwyn James - ShenShen

Shaun Prendergast - Shiz President

Keala Settle - Mrs Coddle

Sharon D. Clarke - Dulcibear (Voice)

Jenna Boyd - Wolf Doctor (Voice)

Lexi Lancaster - Munchkinland Kid

Arlo Turner - Munchkinland Kid

Joey Unitt - Munchkinland Kid

Bea Ward - Munchkinland Kid

Dereke Oladele - Munchkinland Kid

Sienna-Rose Amer -

Munchkinland Kid

Tarik Frimpong -

Munchkinland Crier

James Dryden - No One

Mourns Munchkin

Malinda Parris - No One

Cries Munchkin

Noah Prempeh - The Good

Man Munchkin

Vicki Noon - Winkie Mother

Debbie Kurup - Winkie Mother

Jasmine McIvor - Winkie Mother

Hattie Ryan - Curious Munchkin

Kirsty Anne Shaw - Skeptical Munchkin

Karis Musongele - Young Elphaba

Cesily Collette Taylor - Young Nessarose

Jarlan Bogolubov - Munchkin

Bullie

Isaac Bishop - Munchkin Bullie

Adam James - Galinda's Popsicle

Alice Fearn - Galinda's Momsie

Clive Kneller - Emerald City Train Conductor

Michael McCorry Rose - 

Wiz-O-Mania Narrator

Idina Menzel - Wiz-O-Mania

Super Star (Cameo)

Kristin Chenoweth -

Wiz-O-Mania Super Star (Cameo)

Robin Berry - Palace Guard

Bobby Windebank - Shiz Security

Cherida Strallen - Shiz Librarian

Tom Kitely - Snow Leopard (Voice)

Elizabeth Dulau - Piebald Deer (Voice)

Kim Durham - Tamarin/Owl (Voice)

Jennifer Woodward - Birds (Voice)

Stephen Stanton - Fiyero's Horse (Voice)

Stephen Schwartz - Emerald

City Guard (Cameo) (Uncredited)

Crew

Director - Jon M. Chu

Based on the Musical

Book/Screenplay/Executive

Producer - Winnie Holzman

From the Novel - Gregory

Maguire

Based on Characters -

Frank Baum (Uncredited)

Executive Producers -

Dana Fox and Jared

LeBoff

Executive Producer/Unit

Production Manager - David Nicksay

Executive Producer/Music & Lyrics - Stephen Schwartz

Producer - David Stone

Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager - Joan Schneider

Production Designer - Nathan Crowley

Supervising Art Director - Ben Collins

Senior Art Directors - Rod McLean and Gavin Fitch

Art Directors - Roxana Alexandru,

Jordana Finkel Sarah Ginn, Rhys Ifan,

Hugh McClelland, Chris Peters,

Quinn Robinson and Luke Sanders

Set Decorator - Lee Sandales

Set Decoration Art Directors - Laura Ng

and Jo Ridler

Construction Consultant - Paul J. Hayes

Property Master - Jamie Wilkinson

Costume Designer - Paul Tazewell

Hair and Makeup Designer - Frances Hannon

Prosthetics Makeup Designer - Mark Coulier

Director of Photography - Alice Brooks

First Assistant Director - Jack Ravenscroft

Second Unit Director/Director of

Photography - Sam Renton

Choreographer - Christopher Scott

Stunt Coordinator - Jo McLaren

Special Effects Supervisor - Paul Corbould

Senior Floor Supervisor - Chris Corbould

Visual Effects Supervisors - Pablo Helman

and Jonathan Fawkner

Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM - Anthony Smith

and Robert Weaver

Visual Effects Supervisor: Foy - Colin Strause

Visual Effects Producer - Kevin Elam

Visual Effects Producers: Foy - Greg Strause

and Marguax Mackay

Visual Effects Art Director - Gordon Champ

Visual Effects Art Director: ILM - Chris Voy

Animation Supervisors - David Shirl

and Dale Newton

CG Supervisors: ILM - Karin Cooper,

Michael Duong and Nick Pitt-Owen

Editor - Myron Kerstein

Supervising Sound Editor and Sound Design/

Re-Recording Mixer - John Marquis

Supervising Sound Editor and Sound Design -

Nancy Nugent Title

Sound Designers - Malte Bieler and

Tim Walston

Additional Sound Designers - Erick Ocampo

and Brandon Jones

Production Sound Mixer - Simon Hayes

Re-Recording Mixer - Andy Nelson

Music - John Powell

Executive Music Producer - Stephen Oremus

Music Producer - Greg Wells

Music Supervisor - Maggie Rodford

Review

I've heard of WICKED but have never seen the original musical. It's because I only attend live musicals sometimes. I didn't read Gregory Maguire's book either because I was unaware of its existence until then. There's something wicked about this movie that the title primarily suggests otherwise. Oz fans have been waiting for this film adaptation since its official announcement in 2012. However, splitting this two-hour musical into two parts has left them sceptical. It's similar to how they split DUNE into two movies. I've watched a few of its trailers. One was a LEGO version, and I needed clarification that this was the actual film. Fortunately, I was relieved that it wasn't, but I had second thoughts about the movie until a friend convinced me to see it with him. Nevertheless, I decided to go ahead with it.

Incidentally, this film does it better than the other attempts to revive the land of Oz (minus Oz the Great and Powerful). It perfectly honours the original 1939 The Wizard of Oz film and the 2003 musical while having its own identity. Having worked on Step Up 2: The Streets and In the Heights, director Jon M. Chu knows what it takes to fill the screen with awe-inspiring choreography and the momentum needed to shift between intimate moments in each number. Taking full advantage of the story's fantasy elements beyond what the stage musical could do, the film is a pure fantasy experience, transforming it from a stage musical to a Hollywood blockbuster.

While there have been some recent symbolic interpretations of Baum's original book, the themes of fascism and racism in WICKED are deliberate and explicit. At 160 minutes, WICKED is almost too long, especially considering this is the first part, but it isn't tedious. It only covers the first half of the stage musical but introduces copious amounts of material to expand on the story. There are many references to the classic film for Oz fans, with a few cameos that feel less like fan service and more like a logical expansion.

Cynthia Erivo is the heart and soul of the movie, giving a magnificent, heart-wrenching performance as Elphaba. Ariana Grande is more impressive in her acting than in her singing as Glinda. However, the magical chemistry between those two leads is unlimited. Michelle Yeoh, Jonathan Bailey, and Jeff Goldblum are excellent in their supporting roles, particularly the latter as the mysterious Wizard. Peter Dinklage is the perfect choice for the role of the wailing Dr Dillamond, adding weight to the film's examination of discrimination and social injustice.

The costumes, set design, and other visual aspects are fascinating as they bring the story to life. The songs are the film's undisputed high point and are very lively and enjoyable to listen to at times. They had this musical theatre flair, which was very much in tune with the movie. The film's standout moment, "Defying Gravity," is a showstopper.

From its dazzling spectacles to its beautiful scenery, costumes, strong cast, and spectacular visuals, WICKED is a spellbinding movie that defies gravity to enchant viewers with an immersive experience. I'm looking forward to the second part, which won't be in until next year.

Star rating: (9/10) Excellent Movie

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Transformers One Review

Transformers One

Release Date: 11th September 2024 - Australia (Sydney)

Production Companies

Paramount Animation (presents)

Hasbro Entertainment (presents)

New Republic Pictures (in association with)

Di Bonaventura Pictures

Tom DeSanto/Don Murphy Production

Bay Films

Distribution

Paramount Pictures Australia

Genre: Animation/Family/

Sci-Fi/Action

Rating: PG

Runtime: 104 minutes

Budget: $147,000,000

Box Office Gross: $129,364,141 (Worldwide)

Plot Summary

In this untold origin story,

long before they were

archenemies, Optimus

Prime and Megatron were

once known as Orion Pax

and D-16. They were best

friends who were close as

brothers. Ultimately, their

relationship will forever

change the future of

Cybertron.

Voice Cast

Chris Hemsworth - Orion Pax/Optimus Prime

Brian Tyree Henry - D-16/

Megatron

Scarlet Johansson - Elita-1

Keegan-Michael Key - B-127

Steve Buscemi - Starscream

Laurence Fishburne - Alpha Trion

Jon Hamm - Sentinel Prime

Isaac C. Singleton Jr. - Darkwing

Vanessa Liguori - Airachnid

Jason Konopisos-Alvarez - Shockwave/Guard 2

Jon Bailey - Soundwave

Evan Michael Lee - Jazz

James Remar - Zeta Prime

Steve Blum - Announcer Bot/Guard 1

Jinny Chung - Chromia/Arcee

Josh Cooley - Control Room Guys/PA System/Skywarp

Dillon Bryan - Injured Racer

Crew

Director - Josh Cooley

Story/Screenplay - Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari

Screenplay - Eric Pearson

Executive Producers - Olivier Dumont, B.J. Farmer, Bradley J. Fischer, Zev Foreman, Greg Mooradian, Matt Quigg and Steven Spielberg

Producers - Michael Bay,

Mark Vahradian, Don

Murphy, Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Aaron Dem and Tom DeSanto

Co-Producer - Cyrus Shaki-Khan

Head of Story - Bobby Rubio

Production Designer - Jason William Scheier

Art Director - Gerald de Jesus

Character Designers - Amy Beth Christenson,

Evan Whitefield and Chris Voy

Head of Cinematography - Christopher Batty

Visual Effects Supervisors: ILM -

Frazier Churchill and Alex Prichard

Visual Effects Producers: ILM - Fiona Chilton,

Corinne Tong, Dan Cortez and Rosalind Stratton

Animation Supervisors: ILM - Stephen King,

Kim Odi, Rob Coleman and Rick O'Connor

Layout Leads: ILM - Joshua Cordes

and Marcus Bain

Creature Supervisors: ILM - Evan Jacobson,

Zehn Yang Lee and Eric Wong

Editor - Lynn Hobson

Sound Design & Supervision - Scott Martin Gershin

Re-Recording Mixers - Juan Peralta

and Michael Semanick

Music/Score Mixer - Brian Tyler

Review

Hello, everyone. Since I returned from Fremantle, WA, I have not written a single critique in the past few months, opting instead to post obituaries and update my reviews. I haven't spent as much time reviewing as I used to, mainly because I've run out of ideas and couldn't concentrate. Fortunately, I watched the latest release of TRANSFORMERS ONE in cinemas near the end of September and a few others before, so I resumed blogging for this special occasion.

Forty years have passed since the beginning of Transformers, which started as a Hasbro toy line, a comic book, and a cartoon series before it morphed into a global franchise. The live-action Michael Bay movies (excluding a few, such as 2007's Transformers and the prequel/reboot Bumblebee) are a mixed bag among audiences and fans, with each entry making more profit at the box office. Unfortunately, the series declined throughout the decades, beginning with 2017's Transformers: The Last Knight and ending with 2023's Rise of the Beasts, the latter of which became its lowest-grossing feature to date.

In the wake of the animated Spider-Man movies and the recent animated TMNT movie, Paramount and Hasbro saw a golden opportunity to reinvigorate the Transformers film franchise and reconnect with its animated roots. The franchise has not had an animated feature for decades, not since the original in 1986. However, TRANSFORMERS ONE boasts a Pixar-like 3D animation style that takes it to the next level, immersing you back into the world of Cybertron as you've never seen it before. Mind you, it was in the early concept stage back in 2015. Almost a decade later, the movie came out, which was phenomenal. Honestly, I liked it. It's a welcome change from the live-action movies, which lack the core elements that make a good Transformers movie, which is precisely why it needed it in the first place.

What makes TRANSFORMERS ONE so much better than the live-action Transformers movies is that it focuses on the iconic robots, as there are no humans in this story, which is part of its back-to-basics approach. The storyline is clever and engaging as the writers become familiar with the world of Transformers and incorporate it into a character-driven narrative with resonant themes of friendship, trust, loyalty, and regret. It explores the origins of what life once was in Cybertron before the war and the early friendship between Optimus Prime and Megatron (known as Orion Pax and D-16 in this movie) before they became lifelong adversaries, which is what the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan should have showed as much in the Star Wars prequel trilogy. You can't help but feel choked up by the ending of the relationship between the two characters in this movie because it is tragic.

I liked all the easter eggs they sprinkled into the film. Other than the main characters, I recognise several Transformers names. There are plenty of references that older Transformers fans remember, including a hint of Stan Bush from the original film and a little nod to the GoBots in TRANSFORMERS ONE. Director Josh Cooley is no stranger to toys, as his experience with Toy Story 4 for Pixar has taught him everything. He has proven that he can do no wrong, as he knows how to treat a franchise with respect.

The voice cast is incredible. Chris Hemsworth is a surprisingly good casting choice as a young Optimus Prime. However, many fans were apprehensive about Hemsworth taking over the role from the legendary Peter Cullen, considering that the Australian actor has an unrecognisable voice that doesn't match the distinctive guttural delivery that Cullen has. Fortunately, Hemsworth pours his roguish charm into the younger version of his character and makes it his own before developing into the authoritative baritone that people love to hear in Optimus Prime's dialogue. Brian Tyree Henry was terrific as D-16/Megatron. He shines on the fury and rage we come to expect from the evil Decepticon leader. Keegan Michael-Key had a lot of comic energy when playing B-127, a.k.a. Bumblebee. Unlike the previous films, where he barely spoke, it's nice to see him given more personality and dialogue. Scarlett Johansson delivers serious spunk in Elita-1, capturing her stern, exasperated mannerisms and driven emotions. Jon Hamm is excellent as Sentinel Prime.

The character designs are a throwback to the original G1 figures, with just enough facial detail added to prevent them from falling into the uncanny valley. Cybertron's surface is familiar, with shimmering formations that change over time and fascinating creatures. The 3D animation is sleek, stunning, and imaginative, courtesy of Industrial Light & Magic, the same visual effects house that worked on the Michael Bay live-action movies. The action sequences were exciting and fast-paced, which kept me enthralled. Brian Tyler's score is superb, which is ironic since he is familiar with the franchise, having co-composed the music for the Transformers: Prime animated TV series.

Action-packed, beautifully animated, humorous, and heartfelt, TRANSFORMERS ONE reignites the spark that the live-action Transformers movies have been missing and is the best film in the franchise. While it does not feel like it's pandering to young kids despite being marketed as such, it's suitable for Transformers fans of all ages. The best way to celebrate the legacy of the Transformers, this film is more than meets the eye. So, roll out to theatres before you miss it. Until then, till all are one.

Star rating: (10/10) Best Movie Ever

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