Displaying items by tag: Chris Pratt

THE SUPER MARIO GALAXY MOVIE

US/France/Japan, 2026, 98 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Donald Glover, Brie Larson, Benny Safdie, Kevin Michael Richardson, Keegan-Michael Key, AnyaTaylor-Joy, Jack Black, Luis Guzman, Issa Rae, Glen Powell.

Directed by Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic, Pierre Leduc.

For 40 years the Super Mario Bros and entertained generations all around the world. They are identified with Nintendo and computer and video games. There was a live-action feature in the 1990s, not well received or reviewed, starring Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo.

However, the games and the programs developed, with special appeal to younger players and audiences, and, as the years pass, happy memories of now adults and parents. 2023 saw the first feature length animated version of Super Mario action.

The present film serves as something of a movie icon worldwide with its immediate success on release, breaking records, audiences flocking to see it, millions of dollars.

One might say that the production is hyper-spectacular, the range of animation figures, humans, creatures, spacecraft, castles and builders, action in space.

While the two brothers, plumbers in their overalls, are ordinary characters, Mario forceful, Luigi of less effective, they are presented as ordinary heroes in extraordinary galaxy adventures and rescues. But, there is a strong female presence, especially in Princess Peach, definitely coming to the rescue. The three are voiced by Chris Pratt, Charlie Day and Anya Taylor-Joy. And, for so many of the multi-varied characters, a wonderful array of voices which adult audiences will be enjoying, Glenn Powell, Jack Black, Brie Larson…

And, while there are heroics, there is also the money, and ambitions for not only world power but Galaxy power. Ambitious Bowser at one stage says to his son, in Jack Black’s voice, “I want to stand on the ashes of the world…” (And, at the time of its release in early 2026, Donald Trump was offering similar sentiments about Iran.)

So, excitement for the younger audiences, experiencing it in the cinema, experiencing the big wide screen and heightened sound, an invitation to come to the cinema more often. Extraordinary the way that animation films have developed over recent decades.

But, adults accompanying the children might find that this one is more than enough for them, Super Mario comedy and drama all over the galaxies.

MERCY

US, 2026, 100 minutes, Colour.

Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Kali Reis, Annabel Wallis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers, Jeff Pierre, Rafi Gavron..

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov.

A surprising film. And some grim surprises about the future.

It is 2029. And, throughout the film, it is clearly signed that it is the second week of August of that year. Which means that we are in the near future, the vision of society here, of AI and its use and influence, may be only around the corner.

We are in Los Angeles, crime rising. The authorities have instituted what is called the Mercy Court, a way of dealing rapidly with the accused, the judge an artificial intelligence creation, here played perfectly by Rebecca Ferguson, with all the AI information at fingertips or the utterance of a single word.

Which raises the first question for the audience about how the authorities have so much information about individuals, groups, social media entries expertly stored and so quickly available, issues of ethics, issues of privacy which pervade the whole film.

In fact, the main part of the film is court case at Mercy, a detective, with alcoholism problems, Chris Raven, played effectively by Chris Pratt, accused of murdering his wife. But, he has no memory of the event. The clock is running. His trial will last 90 minutes and he has to prove his innocence, the judge programmed only to assess facts and evidence rather than work on any feelings or hunches, despite the accused’s arguments. This process takes place in a vast Mercy building, the judge on screen, the detective bound in a chair.

The visible countdown and a statistic visualised of the probability of the accused’s guilt always in view, there is a time tension throughout the film. As it emerges, it is a murder mystery with quite some complexity. There is detection work to be done. There are witnesses to be questioned. And they are all made available instantly, on screen, their lives, episodes, social media clips, the judge’s interrogation, and Chris Raven intervening.

What emerges is quite a complex plot, and conspiracy to murder with unforeseen implications. And, while the main action takes place in the rarefied atmosphere of the Mercy Court, there is a huge chase sequence, a truck with chemicals, police and the pursuit through the city, the killer with a hostage…

The screenplay has been devised to keep audience attention with the trial, the mystery, the complexities in the solution, some twists and surprises.

But, all the while, the film is challenging audiences about how much they agree with the philosophy of the Mercy Court, the availability so much private material at the beck and call of authorities, justice and ethical issues, and the role of the individual in this kind of society which, as the visuals continue remind us, is set in August 2029.

1. The title, the court, mercy and justice?
2. The 2029 setting, the second week of August? Science fiction, futuristic science-fiction, the very near future?
3. The background of social media, artificial intelligence, storage of information, instead of easy access, information, visuals, episodes, data exploration? The future, the realities, the ethics, use and abuse?
4. The American city, Urban, the streets, industry, homes, police, police action? The musical score?
5. The court, and innovation for justice, dramatics and AI, her being programmed, justice and truth, evidence, not taking into account circumstances, emotions…?
6. The basic situation, Chris Raven, his career as police and Detective expert, partnership with Jack? The first case for Mercy, the criminal and his condemnation? The visual file on him? Raven accused of killing his wife, the evidence, is being brought to justice, to Mercy, 90 minutes trial before judgement and possible execution?
7. Chris Raven, and his work, his drinking, of drinking, secretly, concealing the drink, his relationship with his wife, with his daughter? With his friend, Rob Nelson? The circumstances of his wife’s death, his being drunk, arrested? The situation in the Mercy building, vast, in the chair, the screen with Judge Maddox? The range of technology at disposal, the ability of something it, momentary delays, the range, files, visuals? The preceding of the case?
8. Patrick is a suspect, work as a chef, his being interrogated, arrested, the pursuit, his testimony about Raven’s wife, neglected, his alibi, there assessment of his guilt or innocence?
9. His wife, her work, the connections, the gradual revealing of the situation, the chemicals, access, money? Rob Nelson is boss, his testimony? Charles Holt, his work, his testimony?
10. The party, Nelson driving people to the party, people going home, analyse? Everybody turning up for work?
11. The pace of the trial, the focus on the clock, Judge Maddox and her listening, allowing information, summoning it?
12. The further complexities, Raven’s daughter, alienation, the discussions, the door ajar, somebody hiding in the house?
13. The unfolding of the plot, the chemical, smuggled, payments, presumptions about drugs, information about explosives, the testimony Charles Holt? The discoveries about Rob Nelson, his lying, the photo, the two hearts, the revelation of his brother, the orphanage, the condemned killer by Mercy, the buildup to the motivation of revenge?
14. The unfolding of the plot, the wife, her knowledge, the threats, the meetings, her being killed? Nelson, the truck, taking Raven’s daughter?
15. The visuals of the pursuit of the truck, the crashes, having an action sequence in a confined scenario?
16. The resolution, the pursuit, the truck, crashes, the danger to his daughter, Nelson and the explanation, the motivations, the visuals of the initial arrest, the consequences?
17. The device of Raven and the visual percentages of guilt, going down, but keeping connected to get information, the appeal to Judge Maddox, the issue of the facts, evidence, the human element, hunches?
18. The resolution of the case, Raven free, the visuals of Jack, the gradual revelation of her involvement, wanting a successful outcome, her manipulation, the arrest, the gun, her arrest?
19. The film as a police action thriller, detection, court case, mystery, science fiction and anticipating and fearing the future, AI?

THE ELECTRIC STATE

US, 2025, 125 minutes, Colour.

Chris Pratt, Millie Bobby Brown, Woody Norman, Jason Alexander, Giancarlo Esposito, Ann Russo, Greg Cromer, Stanley Tucci, Holly Hunter, voices of: Woody Harrelson, Ke Huy Quan, Alan Tudyk, Anthony Mackie, Jenny Slate, Brian Cox, Hank Azariah, Colman Domingo, Kurt Loder.

Directed by Anthony Russo, Joe Russo.

There were high expectations for this big-budget action fantasy adventure, set in an alternate world in the 1990s. It was directed by the Russo Brothers who had moved from smaller popular films to three Captain America superhero epics and then to two Avengers adventures, Avengers Endgame registering the highest box office.

Then came this ambitious fantasy adventure, based on the graphic images by Simon Stalenhag, adapted by the Russo Bros regular writers for the Marvel Universe films. And a very strong cast of character actors led by Chris Pratt and Millie Bobby Brown and including Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Holly Hunter, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Colman Domingo…

However, reviews were unfavourable and the film was not popular. However, there is much to appeal to audiences who like imaginative, futuristic fantasy adventures.

1. The status of the film, the budget, the cast, the directors? Based on an illustrated novel? Pull critical response?
2. The 1990s, the title, an alternate world history, humans versus robots? The title?
3. The American cities, the war, the deserts and outposts? The musical score?
4. Ethan Skate as hero and villain, his technology an empire, the robots, taking over the consciousness of human minds, the reaction of the humans, many living and vegetative life, rising up against the robots, the human victory, robots to the Exclusion Zone?
5. 1994, Michelle, history of the crash and her parents, in foster homes, Ted and his lazy life, Michelle at school, not using AI technology for her work?
6. Cosmo, the sense in robot, the TV character, Michelle’s brother, Christopher and his delight with Cosmo? Cosmo programmed with gestures, sounds, controlled by Christopher’s consciousness?
7. The sense of mission, the encounter with Keats, his history, his character, offhand, soldier? The visit to Dr Amherst and his declaration the Christopher was dead?
8. The adventure, the journey, the trek through the desert, Keats and is exploitations? The Exclusion Zone, home of the robot, Mr Peanut? Characters and voices?
9. The confrontation with Skate, his character, presumptions, using Christopher and his mind and consciousness, the impact for humans, robots?
10. The pursuit of Christopher, Col Bradbury, the deadly mission, candle Bradbury and is disillusioned with Skate, changing his attitude?
11. Michelle, PC at the robots, the confrontation with skate’s Army? The role of Bradbury?
12. Christopher, the explanation, his wanting to be disconnected, Michelle disconnecting? The further attacks, the attack on Herman, the smaller version?
13. The aftermath, Christopher dying, Skate and his loss of control, arrest? Michelle and her explanation of what it happened? And the possibility of humans and robots and the Exclusion Zone in the future?

THE GARFIELD MOVIE

US, 2024, 101 minutes, Colour.

Voices of: Chris Pratt, Samuel L.Jackson, Hannah Waddingham, Ving Rhames, Nicholas Hoult, Cecily Strong, Harvey Guillen, Snoop Dogg.

Directed by Mark Dindal.

Garfield the cat.

Once upon a time, the 1970s, Jim Davis created the cartoon, soon on television, computer games, Garfield. Then upon a time, 20 years ago, two feature films with Bill Murray as the voice of Garfield. Now upon a time, 2024, a big budget animated feature with a strong voice cast led by Chris Pratt as Garfield.

Garfield has been described as “greedy, but with a heart of gold”. On the evidence of this film, “gluttonous” (and the fastest gluttony we have ever seen on screen) would be more appropriate. And, as regards the heart of gold, this is not immediately evident, Garfield being very smug and self-satisfied – though, a bit of a spoiler, he is finally redeemed, glimpses of his potential heart of gold.

The story does go back to Garfield when little, abandoned by his street-cat father, Vic (Samuel L.Jackson), and the hungry little creature plaintive at the Italian restaurant window where his about-to-be strong friend, Jon (Nicholas Hoult) is having a lonely meal, opens the window, in comes Garfield and the pizza immediately and instantly munched! The beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Jon and his engaging little dog, Odie, have long been popular in the cartoons. Jon, is the most tolerant of owners, and Odie the most generous of friends, setting up Garfield with heaps (understatement) of food, comfortable armchair, watching Catflix, not a care in the world.

Where could this story possibly go – actually, into quite a lot of action and plot, the story Vic and his entanglement with a British vanity ring cat, Jinx (Hannah Waddingham), a plot to steal a milk truck, a tough police chief called Marge Malone (Cecily Strong), a bull in love (Ving Rhames) and Jinx’s thugs. In fact, plenty of action, the truck getaway, police pursuit, and everyone on a train hurtling towards a bridge.

The emotional key to the story is Garfield’s resentment towards his father leaving, his discovering more of the truth about Vic, reconciliation and happiness – and plenty of food with Jon discovering that he had paid thousands of dollars for drones with food to repel the enemy on the train!

(Which means that this reviewer enjoyed a lot more of Garfield than anticipated!)