Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (2024)

6/10

Starring

Paul Rudd

Carrie Coon

Finn Wolfhard

Mckenna Grace

Kumail Nanjiani

 

Directed by Gil Kenan

 

It felt like this movie was rushed out, even though the last Ghostbuster movie was three years ago. Then it was a thrill to see a CGI of the late Harold Ramis (Egon Spengler). The film did a wonderful job when it came to comedy and science. The all-round guckingness of the cast members and the coming together of the crew to save the day, with the addition of the family of the Spenglers, was a nice job. Still, it felt like we just got over the first one and here is another.

As you would expect, the acting was cool. It was a wonderful job the cast did in the movie, but this new addition introduced more characters into the mix, and at times it felt crowded. There were too many people involved in stopping this bad guy that it just did not feel right.

The movie digressed a lot from the matter at hand, and the matter at hand was a creature called Garraka from thousands of years ago, who was trapped in an orb and kept there to save the world from his anger. Now, this creature is no ordinary ghost. The proton packs do not work on this creature, so trying to stop it will require certain skills from the descendant of the people who caught him thousands of years ago.

The movie starts with these new four (Gary, Callie Spengler with her two children Trevor and Phoebe) going about busting ghosts. If you are a fan of the Ghostbusters, you know in doing this, they are also making a mess of the city of New York, and everyone is not happy about it, especially the mayor.

Turns out, Phoebe Spengler was too young to be running around busting ghosts and needed to be benched, which did not go well with her. She was forced to make friends with a ghost in her loneliness.

On another note, the ghost tank in the firehouse is getting full, and they need to transfer the ghosts from there to a new, bigger tank. With all this happening, the orb in which Garraka was trapped was sold to Ray Stanz, who then took it to the company which Winston runs for them to extract the paranormal being in it. But when they tried, it caused so much chaos in the new lab, and almost caused the person working on it to lose a hand to frostbite.

But Garraka wanted out, and he is able to communicate with other ghosts from within the orb to help him get out, promising them anything they wanted.

As you would expect, he got out, and we watch the team, now united with the old team and with the new set of casts, try to stop Garraka and put him back into the orb.

I can say, the movie was not bad, but it still felt like it was too soon, and we have had enough of ghostbusting for a while. The combination of the nostalgic nods, the Spengler family integration, and the dynamic interplay between the new and old cast offered some bright moments, but the story didn’t always deliver the freshness needed to keep the audience thoroughly engaged. While it was enjoyable, it feels like a breather before the next installment would have made this experience more impactful.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (2024)

 

5/10

Starring

Rebecca Hall

Brian Tyree Henry

Dan Stevens

Kaylee Hottle

 

Directed by Adam Wingard

 

There must have been two reasons for this film to be like this:

1)      Many people must have clamoured for a film with monsters fighting from start to finish.

2)      The rights to the franchises were going to end and Universal had to make a film to keep it.

This was not a good film. The plot is so straightforward that you could watch it without sound and still understand everything. Monster fights dominate from start to finish, and since Godzilla and Kong are clearly the good guys, anyone opposing them is automatically the villain. Dialogue feels almost redundant, as most of it revolves around Godzilla absorbing radiation and Kong navigating the Hollow Earth, both preparing for an inevitable showdown.

Set three years after Godzilla vs Kong, the film follows Kong exploring Hollow Earth and encountering massive creatures that he quickly dominates. However, he soon comes across a smaller ape-like creature, and their confrontation leads him to a lair filled with others like himself. Here, he faces off against the leader—a sinister ape intent on breaking into the surface world and triggering an ice age. This villain wields control over a Godzilla-like creature, forcing Kong to retreat after a fierce battle.

There are also people living in the hollow earth. It is like a society which seems to have been around for ages, just as long as these monsters have. In this society, they have a prophecy that sees the only savior of the earth is Godzilla and a large butterfly creature working together. You can gather from them that this is not the first time Godzilla had to save the earth, and this is not the first time he had to work together with this creature to do it.

Meanwhile, Godzilla senses the rising threat and begins absorbing all forms of radiation to prepare for the fight. How Godzilla was able to sense this threat, and all the reasons he is absorbing, are not well put together. Although mentioned, I felt the movie could have given in to explaining more about the past battles, how these creatures work together. Anyway, it felt like a hole they could have addressed. So as Godzilla is gearing up for a fight, the humans are busy trying to wake the creature that will aid Godzilla in this fight.

The action sequences produce spectacle, but the film lacks balance, with too few moments of human connection or meaningful plot development. If your sole desire is to watch epic monster fights to save humanity, this movie delivers. Otherwise, it offers little substance and feels like an uninspired continuation of its predecessors.

Monkey Man (2024)

Monkey Man (2024)

 

7/10

Starring

Dev Patel

 

Directed by Dev Patel

 

This is Dev Patel’s directorial debut, and he also co-wrote the film. This action thriller follows the classic 80s revenge movie formula but with a modern twist. It doesn’t just focus on the intent for revenge but delves into the deeper reasons behind it. The idea that one man can orchestrate an elaborate plan with some luck and well-placed allies might seem far-fetched, but the film does a commendable job making it feel plausible, as long as you don’t overanalyze the things you see.

The film carries a political tone, with graphic scenes of violence that might not sit well with the Indian community in which it is set. It portrays Third World struggles with corruption, discrimination, and poverty, where individuals exploit spirituality and leadership roles to gain power. Corrupt officials, who should be enforcing checks, only fuel this cycle, amplifying the power of such opportunists.

The movie teases viewers with mild violence early on, leading you to wonder, “Is this what people find so extreme?” Then, at about thirty-seven minutes in, the intensity escalates, delivering moments that truly shock.

The story follows Kid/Bobby/Monkey Man (Dev Patel), who witnessed the massacre of his mother and village as a child. Haunted by the face of the man who robbed him of his family, he dedicates his life to revenge. The film begins with Kid donning a Monkey Man mask and getting beaten in a rigged underground fighting match to earn money. Once he saves enough, he sets his plan in motion. He starts by infiltrating the network of a woman who supplies girls and drugs to influential politicians. Rising through the ranks, he becomes a VIP server and, at his first chance, attempts to kill his target. However, the attempt fails, leaving him on the run halfway through the movie. The rest of the film focuses on his journey to regain focus and complete his long-awaited revenge.

Bringing this film to audiences was no small feat. Concerns about its reception in India delayed its release, with Netflix shelving it after acquiring it in 2021 due to fears of backlash. Thanks to Jordan Peele and Universal Pictures, this film finally saw the light of day. Despite its roots in 80s revenge storytelling, it stands out with cultural depth and a touch of class.

While it may not become a blockbuster for everyone, I assure you that it is an engaging watch. If you’re a fan of revenge thrillers with a unique cultural lens, this film will not disappoint.