Action

The Big 4 Review | An Uproarous, Action Packed Joy Ride

Timo Tjahjanto once again delivers an action extravaganza with a surprising amount of style, heart and gut busting comedy.

Published

6 months ago

December 17, 2022

Olly Dyche

Utterly bonkers and gloriously gory, The Big 4 offers a louder, more stylized and hilarious experience which vastly differs from director, Timo Tjahjanto’s previous Netflix action epic, The Night That Comes For Us. And whilst The Big 4 doesn’t achieve the brilliance nor does the action compare to that of The Night That Comes For Us, The Big 4 instead delivers more on its heart, comedy and odd, yet entertaining assortment of characters.

Four retired assassins spring back into action when they cross paths with a straight-arrowed cop determined to track down the elusive murderer that killed her father, only to learn that the murderer has a shared past with them all.

Timo Tjahjanto once again proves he is an action movie legend delivering another action extravaganza. With brutal choreography, expert direction and phenomenal physicality from its actors, The Big 4‘s action is among the best the year had to offer. However, The Big 4‘s action doesn’t quite compare to the gory, explosive and jaw dropping action from The Night That Comes For Us but is still nonetheless engaging and incredibly entertaining.

The Big 4‘s story is fairly simple and is nothing that we haven’t seen before, many times. However where The Big 4 shines above the rest is with its compelling and completely nuts characters, that provide a much needed and welcome heart to the flick. Each character is brilliantly kooky and stand out in their own ways, with each having totally different personalities and more importantly, talents.

Similarly, the film’s cast is great, selling the relationships with infectious chemistry, as well as elevating the films comedy. The films over the top characters would be nothing if it wasn’t for the brilliant cast bringing them to life. All without metioning the phenomenal physicality each actor brings to the fight scenes.

In terms of both of its action and comedy there is simply no holds bared in this relentless action packed joy ride. The action whilst still exciting, also offers many silly and comedic moments very remiscient of Jackie Chan’s action comedy style. Comedy-wise, The Big 4 is absolutely uproarous as the characters all hurl hilarious insults at each other. Sure, there aren’t many, if at all any clever, or uniquely written jokes, instead the comedy mostly comes from the cast its absurd characters and its action.

Ultimately, The Big 4 is simply KICK-ASS. Relishing in it ridiculous and bonkers nature, resulting in an incredibly entertaining and action packed flick. It’s characters and the relationships give the film a lot of heart and elevate its humour, and even though the action doesn’t quite compare to Tjahjanto’s The Night That Comes For Us, there is still plenty here to still make it memorable and a worthy addition to Tjahjanto’s filmography.

Courtesy of Netflix

FILM RATING

Related Topics:Action Comedy Netflix REVIEWS

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Olly Dyche

Olly Dyche is a British film critic and self proclaimed professional nerd. As a member of the International Film Society Critics, Olly has had much experience as a film critic and journalist. His passion for film has inspired him to do what he does best. That being, staying anti-social, watching any and every movie and TV show he can, as well as giving his "professional" opinions whether you ask for it or not. With his Cineworld Unlimited card (input cheeky plug here) you will most likely find Olly at his local Cineworld cinema, chomping down on some sweet (yeah, that's right sweet over salted baby) popcorn whilst soaking in the glorious visuals of the latest big screen release, most likely, a horror, comic book or Disney movie.

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Action

Five Reasons To Love ‘The Amazing Spider-Man 2’

Published

5 months ago

January 22, 2023

Richard Schertzer

Back in 2014, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 opened into theaters with a mixed reception from critics and audiences and has been deemed as the least desirable of the Spidey movies. In the film, Peter Parker (Andrew Garfield) must face off against another villain who has been given the name Electro. Moreover, our brave hero uncovers some bizarre mysteries surrounding his parents.

Many fans of the series view the film as an overcrowded mess, but I think it might be the most entertaining of all the Spidey films, until No Way Home arrived, and here are five reasons why that remains true.

Andrew Garfield

First and foremost, Garfield is always a delight to have in the Spidey outfit. His charisma and witty banter is almost what makes the film truly great. I have always said that he was the best Spider-Man and this movie proves it with his ability to elevate any scene from dull slog to a comedic venture.

Spidey, in this particular movie, embodies the hero in the original comics with his incessant need to make a fast-talking quip to one of his enemies. There is nothing better than a comic-book character sticking true to his essence and spirit of its source material.

Electro

Despite what many people say about the villains, Jamie Foxx as the supercharged baddie Electro proves to be a formidable opponent for the web-head, with his omnipotent powers and overly-powered nature. More than that, Max Dillon is depicted as a quiet, shy loner who is invisible to other people. He is essentially a nobody, until he falls into a vat of electrically-charged eels and becomes the sinister villain Electro.

To better understand a villain, you must understand their plight and Electro’s plight is that of a rags-to-riches success story and the visual effects are certainly something to marvel at.

Action Sequences

This article wouldn’t be complete if I decided not to talk about the exhilarating action that embodied the film. Whether we see Spidey chasing down a truck with Oscorp’s product or a massive fight inside a grid that seems like a colossal feat for any Marvel film, the film can take a lot of pride in its action sequences.

One can also never forget the massive and iconic battle sequence between Electro and Spidey in Time Square that seems impossible to be made.

Green Goblin

While he remains a secondary villain, Dane Dehaan’s Green Goblin is still noteworthy. Dehaan portrays Harry Osborne who is left with his dead father Norman’s life work and stumbles upon a Goblin serum that enhances his speed, strength, and intelligence.

His little spat with Spider-Man is certainly befitting for the dark, moody tone of the film and entertaining for plenty of comic fans with zippy action and certified intensity. In the end, he is also responsible for the death of Spidey’s girlfriend Gwen Stacy.

Gwen Stacy Death

Speaking of Gwen Stacy, this is the only Spidey film that features his love interest dying. As he battles the Green Goblin, Spidey attempts to hold on to Stacy, literally, by a thread in the clocktower. However, when the thread snaps, Spidey is able to snag her in mid-air but the whiplash of the fall snaps her neck, killing her.

What might be the saddest moment in any Spider-Man film, was brought to life in this extraordinary scene that silenced an entire generation of Spider-Man fans.

FILM RATING

Action

Anthony Hopkins to Lead Peacock Gladiator Drama ‘Those About to Die’

Published

5 months ago

January 19, 2023

Darian Scalamoni

Peacock is one of the streamers that has yet to break through in terms of their original content getting recognized for awards contention. One such series that might change that fate for the streaming service is Those About to Die and it’s starting to build out its cast. According to Variety, 2-time Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins (The Silence of the Lambs, The Father) is the first to join the drama series which comes from Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow). Saving Private Ryan screenwriter Robert Rodat will script the series.

Hopkins will play the character known as Emperor Vespasian in the series which is set in the world of gladiatorial battle. It will be an ensemble drama following many different Roman characters that will set forth for violent affairs in the arena among other complexities such as political power and corruption so expect a starry cast for this Peacock drama. Hopkins’ character is described as “despised by the Patricians jockeying for position in the Empire and looking to supplant his heirs to the throne the first chance they get. Vespasian became the Roman emperor after a ten-year civil war. We expect to get more casting news soon as the show will begin filming in Rome in March.

Anthony Hopkins is coming off a terrific performance in James Gray’s Armageddon Time in 2022 after winning his second Academy Award for his role in The Father the year prior. He’ll next voice a character in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon for Netflix and also will star in British drama One Life alongside Helena Bonham Carter and Jonathan Pryce. Emmerich is coming off directing the sci-fi disaster film, Moonfall in 2022.

FILM RATING

Action

‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Adds Oscar-Nominee William H. Macy

Published

5 months ago

January 12, 2023

Darian Scalamoni

The Planet of the Apes trilogy headlined by Andy Serkis from the 2010s can be argued as one of the best trilogies of all-time. The technological advances made from motion capture helped actors completely transform into the apes with their interactions with human characters making the story rawer and more emotional. Now, 20th Century Studios will jump back into the world of apes with their latest, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Deadline reports that William H. Macy (Shameless, Fargo) will round out the cast for the newest chapter of the franchise.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes place many years after the conclusion of War for the Planet of the Apes being led by an entirely new cast that includes Owen Teague, Freya Allan and Peter Macon. Details are currently unknown on whether Macy will be playing a human character or an ape. The film series has grossed almost $2 billion dollars for the studio so it’s no surprise that they’re aiming to make more Apes fims.

Macy is coming off his biggest role ever in Showtime’s series, Shameless for which he played Frank Gallagher and was nominated for 6 Emmy Awards for his performance over 11 seasons. Macy is also a former Oscar-nominee for his lead role in the Coen Brothers classic, Fargo. Since then, he’s amassed tons of parts including most recently in Hulu’s The Dropout and a guest spot on the ABC sitcom, The Conners. Macy will next appear in the film, Maybe I Do with Emma Roberts, Diane Keaton, Richard Gere and Susan Sarandon.

FILM RATING