With James Gunn’s long-awaited “Superman” now arriving in theaters everywhere, I am eager to find out if this iteration of the Man of Steel will have any opening credits. And if it does, what will the music to them sound like? The score for the 2025 film is credited to John Murphy and David Fleming, and they both have quite a legacy to live up to which makes the challenge given to them all the more daunting.
Look, it is still impossible to top Richard Donner’s “Superman: The Movie” which brought this symbol of hope to an iconic high, but it will be even harder to top that classic’s opening credits which remain some of the best ever created. Being hurtled to the edges of outer space as the titles stretched out towards the audience was ever so thrilling to me as a youngster, and it has been said that they cost more money to make than most movies back in the day.
And yes, all the visuals were elevated by the opening theme composed by John Williams, a man who has composed so many iconic musical cues and probably still has a couple more left in him. It remains one of my favorite movie themes of all time, let alone one of favorites of Williams’. All of this comes together to create an exhilarating opening to what has long become one of the greatest superhero movies ever made. While this opening could have been “Superman: The Movie’s” peak, something which can result in what I call premature cinematic ejaculation, it instead sets you up and makes clear you are about to watch one of the most entertaining motion pictures you could ever hope to see.
These titles were created by Richard Greenberg of R/Greenberg and Associates (R/GA), and they proved to be his breakthrough into show business. I have included a link for an interview with Greenberg from the Art of the Title website down below in which he describes this opening’s creation, and it can tell you much more than I can in this article.
And, of course, please feel free to watch the high-definition edition of the “Superman: The Movie” opening titles down below.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
Back in 2005 (I realize I’m aging myself by opening with that), I used to go to the movie theater just about every weekend to see the latest releases with my best friend at the time. For some reason, “Constantine” did not find its way onto our radar. I also skipped the film during my weekly visits to Blockbuster Video and Hollywood Video. At the time, I was an avid viewer of Ebert and Roeper, formerly Siskel and Ebert, and Roger Ebert named it one of the worst films of 2005. I imagine this had a lot to do with me ignoring the film because growing up, their weekly review program was something I took to heart. When I heard “Constantine” was being released on 4K in honor of its 20th anniversary, I figured it was finally time to sit down and check out the film for myself.
“Constantine” follows the character of John Constantine, played by Keanu Reeves, and he’s an expert in the occult. He believes there is a “balance” happening in the world between the souls of those who are walking the earth. Essentially, their souls are up for grabs. In his mind, it is up to him to make sure the evil souls are where they belong in hell, and the good souls stay on the straight and narrow. If John can perform enough good deeds, he hopes he can save his own soul because he has lung cancer and doesn’t have a lot of time left on this earth. However, he has a complicated past, so it might be too little, too late for him.
John meets a detective named Angela Dodson (Rachel Weisz) who is looking for answers after her twin sister’s suicide. Angela knows her sister did not commit suicide, and she believes something sinister is at play with her death. This falls back in line with John’s thinking, which is that the souls on earth are being influenced by evil bidders who are looking to bring them to hell. Because Angela’s family is religious, she is concerned her sister will not be able to make it to heaven because of her suicide.
On the surface, I liked the concept of “Constantine” as it reminded me of the films in “The Conjuring” universe with its views on demons and the occult. It also had a mystery element as well, which appealed to me. I wanted to know the answers to some of the questions raised in the film. I thought the first hour was captivating, intriguing and intense. I was interested in seeing how it was all going to play out, and I was along for the ride. Somewhere along the way in the latter half, it started to really lose my interest and also my patience with its story.
One of the biggest issues with the film is its lead actor, Keanu Reeves. I found his performance and the writing of his character to be silly and goofy. He has these terrible one-liners which are painfully unfunny, and he also delivers his lines in such a morose and blasé way. It really took me out of the film at times. The Shia LaBeouf cab-driver character was also completely unnecessary and added nothing to the film. I did think Rachel Weisz gave a really good performance here as she is smart, tough and driven. She is looking for answers when it comes to her sister, and she is not interested in playing any games. Weisz gives a serious and committed performance.
I would have liked it if they had written John Constantine’s character with the same level of seriousness and intelligence. I’m not against some comedic relief in a supernatural film like this, but it felt like he was Freddy Krueger with some of the silliness he was reading on screen. I really didn’t like it, and it made me wonder how this film would have turned out if they had hired an actor like Brad Pitt for this role as he can play cocky, charismatic and funny without trying too hard. Reeves needs the right role in order to show off his acting chops, and I didn’t think this film was in his wheelhouse. He seemed unaffected by a lot of what was happening on screen.
Another issue is when the demons come out to play. They are not that interesting as sparring partners for our main characters. I found them to be rather lackluster in terms of how they were written, and how they came across on screen. Tilda Swinton is a terrific actress, and I wish she had more to do and say here. Peter Stormare is over-the-top in a very uneven way, and I didn’t connect with his performance. Overall, this is a film with some thought-provoking ideas, and it’s directed with terrific style by Francis Lawrence, but the screenplay is wildly uneven. It needed a better performance from its leading man or a different leading man all together.
* * out of * * * *
4K Info: “Constantine” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. There is an insert inside, which includes a digital copy of the film as well. The film has a running time of 121 minutes and is rated R for violence and demonic images.
4K Video Info: The film is treated to a Dolby Vision transfer, and it’s simply stunning. I haven’t seen the film in any other format as this was my first time watching it, but I found the color palette to be bold when it needed to be, and also dark when the material was shot at night. The image is clean, crisp and vivid.
4K Audio Info: There is also a really solid Dolby Atmos track included here too with subtitles in English, Spanish and French. This is a soundtrack that is consistent and level throughout the duration of this movie.
Special Features:
NEW Feature – Two Decades of Damnation
Audio Commentary featuring Francis Lawrence and Akiva Goldsman
Audio Commentary featuring Kevin Brodbin and Frank A. Cappello
Channeling Constantine
Conjuring Constantine
Director’s Confessional
Collision with Evil
Holy Relics
Shotgun Shootout
Hellscape
Visualizing Vermin
Warrior Wings
Unholy Abduction
Demon Face
Constantine’s Cosmology
Foresight: The Power of Pre-Visualization
A Writer’s Vision
Deleted Scenes + Alternate Ending
Should You Buy It?
It seems as though this film has gained a cult following in the twenty years since it has been released, which shows the importance of physical media. While I don’t think it’s as bad as the late, great Roger Ebert said it was in his initial review, I also don’t think it’s a cult classic either. I fall somewhere in the middle with “Constantine.” I wanted to like it, and I was enjoying the hell out of it for the first sixty minutes of its running time, but it lost me in the second half. I wanted to see a satisfying resolution to what was presented in the first half. This film looks and sounds great on 4K, and they even introduced a new special feature here as well, which I’m sure is going to make fans very happy. For now, I’d recommend you check it out first if you haven’t seen it before, and then decide if you want to buy it. You can rent it on many digital platforms for the low price of $3.99 and then, if you do like it, you can pick up the 4K. If you are a fan of this film and have been waiting for its 4K release for a long time, you have an awesome looking slipcover version, or you can pick up the 4K Steelbook instead.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
“Joker: Folie à Deux” is an ambitious film to say the least. It’s a musical, a courtroom drama, a character study, a love story, and a thriller all-in-one. Before I even put the film in my 4K player, I was well aware of how poorly it was received by critics and audiences alike. I was also well aware that some people considered it a misunderstood masterpiece. I tend to fall somewhere in the middle with “Joker: Folie à Deux,” as I thought there were individual moments in the film which were powerful, well-acted and intense. There were also moments where I was shaking my head and wondering what the hell was going on, and why they decided to go in this particular direction. Overall, it’s a mixed bag, but I would say there is more bad than good in here.
I was a big fan of 2019’s “Joker” which surprised me, as I’m not usually a fan of comic book films. I liked it because it didn’t feel like a comic book movie, and it was more of a character study. I know film critics and fans like to criticize and call it a “Taxi Driver” rip-off, but I thought it was an impressive film with a standout performance from Joaquin Phoenix. I was excited to watch the sequel, even with all the negative press it had received, because I thought the character was interesting, layered and complex. I wanted to see what they would do next with Arthur Fleck/Joker and what he’s been up to since we last visited him.
When “Joker: Folie à Deux” opens up, we see Arthur adjusting to life in Arkham State Hospital. He’s become a local celebrity because of the TV movie on his life, and the guards and fellow patients alike are fascinated by him. While in the heavily guarded hospital, he’s awaiting trial for the five murders he committed. Arthur’s lawyer, Maryanne Stewart, played by Catherine Keener, is not exactly sure what to make of him. Her case is going to center around the fact that she believes Arthur suffers from dissociative identity disorder, which means his Joker persona is responsible for the murders. I found this part of the film to be the most intriguing, especially when Arthur is interviewed by a reporter, played by Steve Coogan.
One day, Arthur meets Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga), and it is love at first sight. They connect over their love of music, and she’s also a fan of Arthur. She tells Arthur she’s watched the TV movie about his life twenty times and reveals they have a lot in common. Arthur is smitten with Lee, and they hit it off right away. This gives him new life as he prepares for his upcoming trial. He trusts anything that comes out of Lee’s mouth and believes she knows what is best for him. His lawyer, on the other hand, is looking out for Arthur’s best interests and warns him to keep his guard up.
Let’s start with the positives—”Joker: Folie à Deux” has a lot of big ideas. I enjoyed the exploration of mental health. I thought the way they presented it was done in a way that was compelling and multifaceted. I also liked the way the film dealt with how society becomes obsessed with fame and how villains and killers are worshipped by the public. I thought the film had a terrific cast. The performances were nuanced and believable. All of this made this sequel even more frustrating because there are true moments of brilliance on screen from the actors and the people behind the scenes.
Whenever the film started to get interesting or capture my attention, it would seem to have a moment where it felt like the director and the screenwriter were messing with the audience. It was almost as if we entered another film. I didn’t understand why they didn’t have the conviction and nerve to just make this a straight-up sequel without all of the random musical scenes and gimmicks. I have nothing against musicals, but these scenes made me lose my focus because they didn’t add to the story and instead took away from what was happening on screen. Again, I felt like the director and the screenwriter were just messing with the audience and playing games.
Overall, I can’t recommend “Joker: Folie à Deux” because the film is all over-the-place and wildly inconsistent. It’s even more infuriating because, like I stated previously, there are some really, really powerful and well-acted scenes throughout. However, they are not in the film nearly enough to recommend it. Lady Gaga, for example, is great, but she doesn’t have enough screen time. I was hoping she would have just as Phoenix did, but she’s in and out of this film far too often. This is one of the most disappointing films of 2024. I didn’t hate it, but I sure was disappointed by it.
* ½ out of * * * *
4K Info: “Joker: Folie à Deux” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It also comes with a digital copy of the film. The film has a running-time of 138 minutes and is rated R for some strong violence, language throughout, some sexuality, and brief full nudity.
4K Video Info: Much like 2019’s “Joker,” this is a top-notch visual experience. It is crystal clear from start-to-finish. The film also has deep blacks which really set the moody and atmospheric tone of what unfolds. From a visual standpoint, this film gets an A. The Dolby Vision transfer is perfect.
4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track is also perfect. This is a theatrical movie in every sense of the word, and the audio is perfect. It’s perfect for your at-home theater set-up. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish and French.
Special Features:
Everything Must Go (Four Part Longform Documentary)
– Can I Have a Cigarette?
– Finding Lee
– A Hundred Films in One
– King of Nothing
The Character of Music
Live! With The Joker
Colors Of Madness
Crafted With Class
Should You Buy It?
This is going to be a hard pass from me unless you loved the film and thought it was brilliant. I know John Waters and Quentin Tarantino have praised it, and it has been a source of controversy in the film community. Overall, I didn’t think it was great, and I also didn’t think it was one of the worst films of the year either. I think it’s below average, but it’s watchable, despite its lengthy running time. Joaquin Phoenix gives another top-flight performance as Arthur Fleck, and it’s hard to keep your eyes off him on screen. As mentioned earlier, I wish they would have given Lady Gaga more to do, as I thought she was fantastic when she was on-screen. Overall, I’d say watch it on Max and see how you feel about it. If you do like it, you will be very happy with this 4K release.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
After spending too much time watching its critic and audience scores sink like stones on Rotten Tomatoes, I took the time to check out “Joker: Folie a Deux” at my local movie theater. Regardless of its horrific reception and the fact it is now one of the biggest box office bombs of 2024, I had to see it for myself as, and I am in agreement with Tony Farinella, the original was one of the very best movies of 2019. Surely it could not be as bad as many were making it out to be, and perhaps its Cinemascore grade of a D might prove to be a badge of honor. And perhaps it may be a misunderstood masterpiece which will only grow in stature like other box office debacles have in the past. Anything is possible.
Well, in the meantime, I have to be honest and say “Joker: Folie a Deux” is a tremendous disappointment. In its attempt to retain the anarchic spirit of its predecessor, it instead becomes a miserable and lifeless spectacle which many have described as being inert. This reminds me of some dialogue uttered by Hal Williams in “Private Benjamin:”
“Beware, there are mine fields out there. Most of them are inert. However, some are ert.”
Well, this sequel could use way more of those ert moments.
We catch up with Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) two years after the murders he committed, and he is in custody at Arkham State Hospital, the place where all DC Comic villains end up residing in at some point. While he awaits trial where he is expected to answer for his crimes, his lawyer Maryanne Stewart (Catherine Keener) looks to prove he suffers from dissociative identity disorder and that his alter ego of Joker is far more responsible for the heinous acts he has committed.
While passing by a musical therapy session, Arthur catches the eye of Harleen “Lee” Quinzel (Lady Gaga), a patient who becomes instantly smitten with him. From there, these two form an unshakeable bond as they revel in one another’s chaos and fight against a society which seems infinitely determined to break them down in any and every way. But can this love affair survive the legal ramifications Arthur may have to answer to?
The big question many have about “Joker: Folie a Deux,” as I do, is this: is this sequel really a musical? Ever since the commercial failure of Steven Spielberg’s remake of “West Side Story” and the underperformance of the movie version of “In the Heights,” Hollywood has been shy about declaring any of its upcoming releases as being anything resembling a music video, let alone a musical. I can easily imagine a conversation between a film buff and a movie executive sounding something like this:
“Is this film a musical or not?”
“Well… it has music in it…”
When it comes down to it, “Joker: Folie a Deux” has a number of musical moments where Arthur and Harleen sing and dance to such tunes as “What the World Needs Now is Love,” “For Once in My Life,” “If My Friends Could See Me Now” and “That’s Entertainment” among others. Some are rehearsed to where the actors are not expected to be as well-rehearsed as the average Broadway actor, and others prove to be more theatrical in ways I expect from someone like Lady Gaga. Regardless, I felt this sequel did not engage the musical form in any kind of enthralling manner. It’s like it wanted a musical, and then it didn’t want to be as it went straight into a courtroom drama which simply regurgitated the events of the previous film.
This is a real shame as there is a lot to admire about “Joker: Folie a Deux.” The cinematography by Lawrence Sher is truly Oscar worthy, the production design by Mark Friedberg is impressive, and Hildur Guðnadóttir, who won an Oscar for her work on the previous film, gives this installment strong musical compositions. As for the actors, Joaquin Phoenix remains one of the best working in movies today, Lady Gaga remains an amazing talent, and we get terrific performances from infinitely reliable actors like Catherine Keener, Brendan Gleeson, Steve Coogan and Zazie Beetz throughout.
And let us never forget Leigh Gill who returns as Gary Puddles, Arthur’s former clown co-worker whose life he spared despite very brutal, not to mention horrifically bloody, circumstances. Seeing Gary testifying against Arthur is quite painful as he is testifying against a former friend and one who was always kind to him when no one else was proves to be moving and painful, and also one of the few moments this sequel has with any kind of invigorating emotion.
But as “Joker: Folie a Deux” reaches its final act, I became completely bewildered at what unfolded before me. We watch Arthur Fleck, decked out in his Joker makeup, apologize for his murderous actions to where he renounces his Joker persona. The problem is, “Joker” dealt with all the forces and a cruel, unforgiving Gotham city which turned Arthur into the menace he became to where it acted as an indictment of a society which renders his mental health a minute concern. By that film’s end, Arthur has fully embraced his alter ego to where his former life is just a memory, and he no longer feels any shame forced on him. But here, it is almost like the first film is treated like a joke when it never should have been.
Todd Phillips described the first “Joker” film as being an origin story, but not the origin story of this particular villainous DC Comics character. To him, these two films were based on an idea of this character not actually being the Joker, but instead being an inspiration for the Joker. This is an interesting idea, but he doesn’t do a good job of communicating this idea to us. Instead, I came out of it feeling like the rug was ripped out from under me, and its conclusion left me feeling as emotionally wrung out as the one from “Alien 3” did, and that one made me want to shoot myself.
I don’t know; perhaps time will be kind to “Joker: Folie a Deux.” It was released the same year as Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis” and, like that one, received a terrible critical and commercial reception. It pains me to think this will be the last time in a while where a filmmaker will have unchecked power when making such a big-budgeted motion picture. While Coppola has the excuse of self-financing his passion project, Phillips is not so lucky as a major film studio backed him on this one, thinking they had another billion dollar hit on their hands. This feels like an implication that future movies like this one will be rendered more formulaic and safer in the process. That sucks, doesn’t it?
For what it is worth, “Alien 3” has grown on me a lot since its theatrical release, and maybe this one will too. Then again, it doesn’t have Marc Maron whose character survived the last one. Could the man with the WTF podcast have saved this one? Okay, that’s wishful thinking,
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
I’ve never quite understood the appeal of Jason Momoa as an actor. I’ve never walked away from a movie of his and been impressed or blown away by his performance. He has the look of a movie star, but he doesn’t really stand out in his film roles. He’s merely just a buff dude on screen. Of course, we have seen jacked up actors in the past such as Dwayne Johnson, John Cena and Dave Bautista, but they have charisma, personality and charm. Momoa, on the other hand, strikes me as someone who is trying way too hard to be funny. He’s not a very natural actor. He has screen presence, but when he’s asked to dive deep into a character, it falls flat.
I have not seen 2018’s “Aquaman,” which was also directed by James Wan, the man behind such films as “Saw,” “Insidious,” “The Conjuring,” “Furious 7” and “Malignant.” I’m a big fan of his directorial style, and I think he brings a lot to the table from a visual perspective. Because of this, I went into “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” with some hope he would be able to make an interesting, unique and outside-the-box superhero film. Sadly, he can’t even save this clunker. I really don’t think it would have mattered if I had seen the original or not.
This sequel takes place four years after the first film, and we see that Aquaman (Jason Momoa) has become the king of the Atlantis. He’s now married to Mera (Amber Heard) and has a child with her as well. He’s struggling to adapt to parenthood while also dealing with the responsibilities of being king. There are some truly cringe-worthy gags where their child is constantly peeing in the mouth of Aquaman. Even worse, Momoa sells it with these weird and contrived faces which only makes it even more unfunny. He also must contend with David Kane /Black Manta (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) who is looking to avenge the death of his father. David Kane’s scientist sidekick is played by Randall Park in a thankless and one-note role. He’s basically a scared geek.
In order to make sure that David Kane doesn’t cause any further damage, Aquaman must enlist the help of his brother, Orm, played by Patrick Wilson. From here, the film turns into a bromance action flick with Wilson and Momoa bouncing one-liners off one another. At times, the film is too silly and stupid with its attempts at humor. During other scenes, it is deadly serious. This is a film in search of a tone, and it never really finds one. Wilson is great and dependable as usual, but even he can’t make it work with the uninteresting and bland Momoa. Overall, this film was a complete mess from the word go.
I know there has been a lot of drama surrounding the film’s production and the usage of Amber Heard in the story. She’s barely in the film, and it seems odd at times that Aquaman’s wife would have such a minor role in his life, especially considering they share a child together. I understand they wanted to focus on the two brothers and their whacky relationship together, but it would have been nice to have a bit of an emotional tone to the proceedings. When Heard does appear, it feels forced and out of place because the writing doesn’t give her a whole to do.
The stakes just don’t seem very high in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.” The film is also doomed because it doesn’t have a charming or engaging leading man. The story feels very, very thin. This feels like a sequel which was only made for the money based on the fact they made very little attempt to really do anything out of the ordinary with Aquaman. I understand they couldn’t change actors as Momoa was in the first film, but I did leave this sequel wondering what it would have been like if Wilson was paired with someone other than Momoa who is not a natural comedic actor. While Momoa seems quite pleased with himself, his jokes fall flatter than four o’ clock.
I want to go back to the story of this movie again, as this is where the majority of the issues are in addition to Momoa’s dead on arrival performance. There is an outline for a good movie here. I would have liked to have seen more of with Aquaman attempting to juggle life at home and also life at sea. There is too much time spent at sea, and it turns into a full-blown action film. The action scenes would have been effective if the story took its time to really build up the relationship between Aquaman and Mera. They rush through all of that, and they go straight to the comedic relationship between Aquaman and Orm. When the jokes on the page are not funny, the actors are doomed.
I did like the film’s message about everyone doing their part and sticking together to make the world a better place. However, it doesn’t really resonate or land on screen when we have been dealing with bad comedy, mindless action scenes and a plot which moves at a glacial pace. This is a prime example of a movie that really did not need to be made in the first place. I understand it made money, but from a quality perspective, this film was what I call a “watch movie.” I kept checking my watch over and over again, and I couldn’t wait for it to be over.
* out of * * * *
4K Info: “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” is released on a single-disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It has a running time of 124 minutes and is rated PG-13 for some language and sci-fi violence. There is a digital copy of the film included with this release as well.
Video Info: The Dolby Vision transfer on this film is simply breathtaking. It’s a visual feast for the eyes. I only wish the film was as good as its Dolby Vision transfer.
Audio Info: The same can be said for the Dolby Atmos audio track. It’s sharp, vivid and very impressive.
Special Features:
Atlantean Blood Is Thicker Than Water
Should You Buy It?
Unless you are a completist and enjoyed the first “Aquaman,” I don’t see any reason why you should add this film to your collection. It really was a disappointment, especially considering the director behind it. That being said, when he doesn’t have a great leading man or a great screenplay in front of him, there is only so much he can do. The 4K transfer looks out of this world, and it was the only thing that kept me glued to the screen. After a certain point, I was more immersed in the visuals than the story or the action, which says a lot about the final product. This film is really a dumpster fire. I’m glad I watched it, as I had interest in checking out what James Wan would do in this universe, but I have zero interest in revisiting it or checking out the first film. This film is strictly for people who enjoyed the first film. It will not win over any new fans, and it will probably even frustrate fans of the original.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
For those of you who keep up with my reviews on this website, you are familiar with my feelings on most superhero films. It is not my favorite genre, but I’m always willing to give it a try and hope for the best. It hasn’t happened in a while, which is why I was so pleased to be completely enamored with “Blue Beetle.” I went into the film knowing absolutely nothing about it, and it ended up being one of the more enjoyable viewing experiences I’ve had this year. When you sit down to watch a movie, you truly never know what is going to transpire on screen. It’s the beauty of cinema.
Prior to seeing “Blue Beetle,” I had never even heard of this character in any shape or form. After watching this movie, I hope to see more of this character, especially if he’s played by the uber-talented Xolo Maridueña, who is terrific on “Cobra Kai.” However, after the low box office numbers, I wonder if it’s a realistic expectation.
Maridueña stars as Jaime Reyes, a recent college graduate with a degree in pre-law, who returns home to Palmera City to discover a plethora of problems for his family. They are struggling to keep their heads above water as the father had a heart attack, recently lost his job, and they are about to lose their family home. However, he believes if they stick together, they can find a way to make it work.
Family is at the heart of “Blue Beetle,” and the film has a big old heart attached to it which I absolutely adored. This is a family of fun, eccentric and entertaining characters. You have the wise-cracking sister, Milagro, played wonderfully by Belissa Escobedo. You have the tough, no-nonsense Nana Reyes played by Adriana Barraza. There is also the pot-smoking conspiracy theorist Uncle Rudy played by George Lopez. All of these characters are unique and fun in their own way. They feel like a real family as the chemistry between all of the characters on screen is off-the-charts.
When Jaime discovers that jobs are hard to come by after college, he gets one with his sister working for the CEO of Kord Industries, Victoria Kord (Susan Sarandon), at their mansion. After Jaime and Milagro end up losing their jobs when they are caught eavesdropping on a conversation between Victoria and her niece, Jenny (Bruna Marquezine), Jaime must figure out what to do next. Jenny was impressed by the way Jaime stuck up for her and might have a job opportunity for him. When he goes to meet up with her, she hands him the Scarab, an artifact which holds special powers. She tells him not to open it, but when his family opens it for him, he soon finds out that his life will never be the same again.
With this Scarab, it chooses you, you don’t choose it. It has chosen Jaime, and he has to figure out how to handle the responsibilities which come with it. He’s also dealing with a nosey family, a newly developing crush on Jenny, and having to fight off Victoria who wants to have the Scarab to create a series of One-Man Army Corps. He also learns that Jenny’s father was Ted Kord, a vigilante named Blue Beetle who left the family company because they were more interested in creating mayhem instead of working for the greater good. Victoria is also not pleased she was overlooked by her father in favor of her brother when it came time to take over Kord Industries.
“Blue Beetle” is a film I was able to follow with relative ease, which is a huge accomplishment considering I didn’t know anything about it or the character as previously mentioned. I do believe a comic book movie should be able to stand on its own two feet for first-time viewers and long-time fans. This film does this for first-time viewers, and I imagine fans of the “Blue Beetle” comic will not be disappointed. I was also quite pleased to see the film really lean into the ethnic dynamics of the family. It’s rare to see a film which is almost entirely composed of Latino actors. Even though I’m an Italian-American, I felt as though the film was accessible to everyone. Although, I imagine you will enjoy it even more if you are Latino as some of the jokes and TV shows they reference will be more in your wheelhouse.
This film is about 15-20 minutes too long, but it is never boring or uninteresting. Some of the scenes involving lasers, blades and various high-flying actions can be a little repetitive, but I thought the special effects looked terrific and they were still fun to watch. This is one of the best superhero movies I’ve seen in a while. As a matter of fact, it’s my favorite superhero movie I’ve seen since 2022’s “The Batman.” It has so much going for it: the cast, the love story, the backstory, the acting, and the fact it wears its big heart on its sleeve.
I like when my superhero movies are grounded in reality with a sense of wonder, and “Blue Beetle” knows all of the right notes to hit. Maridueña is perfect at getting his ass kicked and being a likable underdog to root for, as we have seen in this film and also in “Cobra Kai.” He’s incredibly likable, and he has the emotional elements of the character down pat along with the physical transformation as well. The family is hilarious, and I loved spending time with them. This is a fun superhero movie with a tremendous sense of humor. I really enjoyed “Blue Beetle,” and I hope it finds a second home with this physical media release.
* * * ½ out of * * * *
4K Info: “Blue Beetle” is released on a single 4K disc from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It has a running time of 127 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of action and violence, language and some suggestive references. It comes with a digital copy of the film as well.
4K Video/Audio Info: Once again, we are treated to a tremendous Dolby Vision transfer. I loved the look of this movie on 4K. It has a gorgeous blue hue throughout, and when the suit lights up, it looks absolutely incredible. It’s an eye-popping transfer. The Dolby Atmos soundtrack also brings the film to life in your home theater. Subtitles are included in English, Spanish and French.
Special Features:
“Generations: Blue Beetle” – 4-part documentary
Told in distinct chapters, explore the journeys of actors and filmmakers bringing “Blue Beetle” to the big screen for the first time ever. Audiences will be immersed in the POV of filmmakers who showcase their experiences on set and in their creative studios making the story of this DC character a reality.
Nana Knows Best – featurette
Witness Nana’s transformation from an adorable ‘abuelita’ into a machine gun-wielding revolutionary, and stop in for a few of her most fun moments on set throughout production.
Scarab Vision – 2-part featurette
Xolo Maridueña hosts this series of scene study walk throughs that showcases how the scarab works and the role it plays in some of Blue Beetle’s most epic moments.
Should You Buy It?
I can’t tell you how pleased I was with “Blue Beetle” both as a film and as a 4K release with tremendous visuals and a powerful Dolby Atmos soundtrack. One of the greatest joys of being a film reviewer is when you are completely caught off guard by a movie in the best possible way. You go into most movies with an open mind and open heart, but certain movies you are more excited to watch and review than others. As soon as I finished this one, I couldn’t wait to write this review and spread the word to those who have not seen it to check it out. It’s a film which deserves a lot more attention than it has received so far. This is the kind of superhero film I truly enjoy and want more of in the future. The 4K was released on Halloween, and I think the Best Buy steelbook looks really, really cool. If you can pick that up, I’d recommend it. If not, the 4K slipcover is really good as well.
Do yourself a favor and check out “Blue Beetle.” It’s one of the most pleasant surprises of 2023.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
In order to be direct with the readers, I must admit two things before reviewing “The Flash” – I’m not at all familiar with the drama surrounding Ezra Miller and his off-screen antics. I’m also not at familiar with “The Flash.” Because of these reasons, I was able to go into the film fairly fresh, which is how I like to go into most movies. The less I know about a movie or a character, the better. I believe a film should be able to stand on its own two feet for the diehard fans along with the newbies. When the movie accomplishes that tricky tightrope act, it has done its job.
Ezra Miller stars as Barry Allen/The Flash. He’s just trying to get his energy for the day with a sandwich when he must help save a hospital, specifically the maternity ward, as babies are flying out of the window along with a nurse and a dog. Barry even says to himself that he feels like the janitor of the Justice League. Meanwhile, he shows up late to his job at a research center, where his coworkers are none too pleased with his track record for being tardy. After work, he sees an old friend from college, Iris West (Kiersey Clemons). She’s a reporter who wants to find out how Barry feels about his father’s upcoming trial for the murder of his mother. Barry maintains that his father is innocent. This sets him on a mission to try to go back in time using his lightning speed and change the past.
If he can change the past, his father will not be in prison and his mother will still be alive. Batman (Ben Affleck) warns The Flash about the consequences of messing with the past. He says their past made them who they are, and they need to grow from it. The Flash, however, believes he can right a wrong and is determined to change past events. When he goes back into his childhood home, he sees his mother, father, and a different version of himself. He meets up with the second version of himself and tries to explain what he’s trying to do and how they are going to do it.
“The Flash” had a great opening sequence which was fun, exciting, and really well-done by director Andy Muschietti (“It” and “It Chapter Two”). I thought the film was establishing a really good baseline of humor and emotion, especially in the scene with Barry talking to his father (Ron Livingston) on the phone. I could feel the connection between Barry and his mother and what an important relationship this was to him. It’s the emotional core of the movie. Who amongst us has not wanted to go back in time and fix the past? However, the middle of the movie is really bogged down with action sequences, Michael Keaton looking bored as Batman, and the film lost its way in the multiverse. It ends on a high note with the emotion and heart from the start of the movie. At that point, we were two hours plus into this movie, so it was too little, too late.
Miller is entertaining in small doses here, but when there are two of him, he overplays it a little bit and tries way too hard to be funny. Less is more with the multiverse angle in the film. The second version of Barry is incredibly grating, annoying and cumbersome to spend time with as an audience member. When the first part of him is grounded in some form of reality, it’s really good. Overall, it’s a mixed bag with his performance. The film loves nostalgia with cameos and callbacks throughout the film, but it didn’t work for me because it felt like they were trying to be a little too cutesy. Overall, there is a good film in here somewhere, but it really lost its way in the middle. Once it regained its footing, it was far too late.
* ½ out of * * * *
4K Info: “The Flash” is released on a single disc 4K from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The film has a running time of 144 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence and action, some strong language, and partial nudity. It comes with a digital code for the film as well.
Video/Audio Info: The film comes with a Dolby Vision transfer and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. I’m sad to report, this is not one of the better transfers I’ve seen for a new film. It didn’t stand out in any way, really. It looks very lifeless and run-of-the-mill. The audio was solid, but the visual look of the film left a lot to be desired.
Special Features:
“The Flash: Escape the Midnight Circus” podcast – Six-part original scripted audio series featuring Max Greenfield as The Flash
“The Flash: Escape the Midnight Circus” Behind the Scenes
Deleted Scenes
Saving Supergirl – featurette
The Bat Chase – featurette
Battling Zod – featurette
Fighting Dark Flash – featurette
The Flash: The Saga of the Scarlet Speedster – featurette
Making the Flash: Worlds Collide – featurette
Let’s Get Nuts: Batman Returns, Again – featurette
Supergirl: Last Daughter of Krypton – featurette
Flashpoint: Introducing the Multiverse – featurette
Should You Buy It?
I had high hopes for this film as I’m a big fan of director Andy Muschietti, and I thought he would bring a unique visual flair to it. I also felt as though the film would do what I wish more superhero films would do, which is incorporate comedy and emotion with some fun action sequences. Instead, it goes off the rails for a good chunk, and it doesn’t stick with what works in the beginning and end of the film. It also completely forgets about the love story between Iris and Barry, which was moving in a really good direction. For the most part, this was a pretty dull and uninteresting viewing experience. The 4K transfer also leaves a lot to be desired. There are plenty of special features here, so if you did enjoy the film, you will have a lot to go through if you pick this disc up. If you did like the film, I’d suggest waiting for it to drop down in price a little bit, as the 4K transfer doesn’t make this a must-own right away. I wish it would have included the Blu-ray, as I would have liked to have seen the difference between the two formats. Overall, if you haven’t seen this film, you aren’t missing anything. If you did see it and liked it, you have the special features going for you, but the visuals are truly underwhelming.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit Correspondent, Tony Farinella.
Your enjoyment level for “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” will depend on how funny or clever you find its main protagonist, played by Zachary Levi. Personally speaking, he is an actor I’ve never been a fan of, especially in these films. I found his performance incredibly irritating, silly and annoying. I understand he’s trying to portray a silly high schooler as an adult who is learning how to be mature and deal with his new superpowers. However, I just found his performance to be very grating after a while. He’s very over the top. I’m all for a superhero film where they have some fun as it doesn’t have to be so dark and dreary throughout. There is room for every type of superhero film out there, and I fully respect and get that. However, he is not the right actor for balancing the goofy scenes along with the more serious action sequences.
Our film opens up in a museum in Athens, Greece where two of the three daughters of the Titan Atlas break in to steal the Wizard’s broken staff from the previous film. Billy Batson (Zachary Levi) is trying to keep his family together as he’s about to turn eighteen and is worried he will be thrown out of the house as his foster parents, Victor and Rosa Vasquez (Cooper Andrews and Marta Milans), are struggling to keep it all together financially. He’s also suffering from a case of imposter syndrome. In essence, he’s insecure and also struggling to figure out his place in the world. Can he keep his “Shazamily” of foster siblings together, as they are maturing and developing their own interests and unique personalities?
However, he has to act fast as two of the daughters of the Titan Atlas, played by Helen Mirren and Lucy Liu, have captured his brother Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) along with a newly repaired Wizard staff. Early on, they are also dealing with controversy for their crime fighting methods in Philadelphia. In fact, they are now known as The Philly Fiascos thanks to some of their mishaps, even though their hearts were in the right place. As mentioned previously, the family has a lot on its mind. For Freddy Freeman, before he was captured, he had a crush on a girl named Anne, played by Rachel Zegler. Pedro Peña (Jovan Armand) is keeping a secret he’s not sure he’s ready to share with the world quite yet.
Darla Dudley (Faithe Herman) is trying to accept growing up while still being a kid at heart. Eugene Choi (Ian Chen) is preoccupied, and Mary Bromfield (Grace Caroline Currey) wants to get into college and is focusing on her studies. They must come together as a family and put their individual interests aside in order to conquer The Three Daughters of the Titan Atlas. They work better when they are together, but it is important they get on the same page and focus on the task at hand. From here on out, we get a lot of explosions, special effects, bad jokes, and a big finale. The film was never boring and it kept my attention for its over two-hour running time. However, it just fell flat for me because of Levi’s performance and just the fact that the film lost its sense of direction near the end and went all over the map.
I’m completely aware that sequels are part of Hollywood when a film is successful, especially when we are talking about a superhero film. People will flock to them. There is a built-in audience already. The “Shazam!” films have been directed by David F. Sandberg, and I was a huge fan of his previous two films: “Lights Out” and “Annabelle: Creation.” The film looks really good, as he has a keen visual sense. However, I didn’t feel the heart of the film as much as I would have liked, and it’s a big problem here. I liked it better than the first one, but when the lead actor is such a ham on screen and so phony and fake with his line readings and performance, it really takes you out of the story. I liked everyone else and thought they did a really good job, but once it becomes a bloated mess and Billy Batson turns into a one-line machine, the film just didn’t work for me. If you liked the first one, you will like the second one. If you didn’t, there isn’t anything here that is going to change your mind or convert you to this character and this franchise.
* * out of * * * *
4K Info: “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” is released on a two-disc 4K and Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. It has a running time of 130 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of action, violence and language. The film comes with a digital copy to be redeemed as well.
Video Info: We are treated to a beautiful Dolby Vision transfer here that really stands out and pops. The film looks beautiful on 4K, especially the action sequences. Even though they can be overdone and unnecessary at times, I can admit when they look beautiful. My issue is more of the fact they don’t hold as much weight when the emotional heart of the film isn’t present. The darks set the mood when it needs to, and the film is also filled with color and light when it calls for it.
Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track is also really, really good here. With a film that relies heavily on action, you worry about the film being so loud that it takes you out of the film. Here, thanks to the Dolby Atmos track, it’s never too loud or soft. It’s perfect throughout the entire duration of the film.
Special Features:
SHAZAM! Let’s Make a Sequel – featurette
The Rock of Eternity: Decked Out – featurette
The Shazamily Reunion – featurette
The Zac Effect – featurette
The Sisterhood of the Daughters of Atlas – featurette
Pay By Play: Scene Breakdown – featurettes
Ben Franklin bridge collapse
Rooftop battle of the gods
Unicorn ride in Philadelphia
Epic showdown at the baseball stadium
The Mythology of Shazam! – featurette
Director’s Audio Commentary with David F. Sandberg
Deleted Scenes, Alternate & Extended Scenes
Should You Buy It?
As a 4K disc, it looks and sounds out of this world. I’m a big fan of what Warner Brothers does with its 4K releases. They really place a high importance on giving their big screen movies a proper release on 4K with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. There are also a lot of special features here, so if you enjoy “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” you will enjoy this disc and its special features. If I’m grading this movie overall, it’s just average. It was watchable and entertaining at times, but it’s a film I have no interest in rewatching, and I don’t think it will have great repeat value. There are rare moments where the heart of the film is on display, and I liked those moments. The main struggle here is the balance between comedy, action and drama. The film doesn’t quite pull this task off successfully during its over two-hour running time. When it does, it’s good fun. When it doesn’t, it’s very bland and uninteresting. This is a film in search of a tone. If you are a fan of this franchise, you will be happy with the 4K release. If you are watching this for the first time or didn’t enjoy the first one, this sequel is not going to win you over.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
I always make sure to preface my review of any superhero film by informing the reader that I go into these films as a novice. I do not know anything about the backstories, the characters, or if it’s true to its source material. However, I am a firm believer that if a film is good, it can be enjoyed without an audience member knowing anything about the superhero. It should be able to stand on its own merits. There is no denying the movie star appeal of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, but I do have serious questions about some of the film roles he has picked for himself. He has proven both in wrestling and in certain films like “Central Intelligence” that he has a charisma very few can match. He is an authentic human being who is filled with charm for days, and I would like to see more of that in his future projects. This film, though, called for a different type of performance out of him.
“Black Adam” is initially set in 2600 B.C. where a crown was created by Ahk-Ton of Kahndaq in order to give him the powers of a demon. The film then moves to the present day, and it shows Kahndaq in a state of distress at the hands of Intergang, a crime syndicate that doesn’t like to play by the rules. Adrianna Tomaz (Sarah Shahi) is looking to obtain the Crown of Sabbac, and she has enlisted the help of her brother, Karim (Mohammed Amer), along with their associates Samir (James Cusati-Moyer) and Ishmael (Marwan Kenzari). It should be noted she has good intentions for the Crown. Once Adrianna gets her hands on the crown, she awakens Teth-Adam (Dwayne Johnson) from a lengthy slumber. She is under the impression that he is the hero of Kahndaq after he saves her from Intergang. Government officials from America, however, believe Teth-Adam is dangerous and not a hero, and they bring in the Justice Society to make sure he will not inflict any harm on anyone.
The Justice Society consists of Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), Doctor Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell) and Atom Smasher (Noah Centineo). However, Adrianna’s son, Amon (Bodhi Sabongui), believes there is good inside of Teth-Adam as, after all, he saved his mother from Intergang. There might be some darkness and a past to Teth-Adam, but Amon believes if Teth-Adam can come up with a cool catchphrase and harness his powers for the right cause, he can be a really special superhero. There is a past with Teth-Adam, one which still haunts him to this day, and he is a complex character with an interesting backstory and more layers than one would expect.
I found the story of “Black Adam” interesting, layered and geared more toward adults than children. I cannot imagine this is the kind of superhero film that will appeal to many children. The first half does a good job of laying out the stakes, allowing the characters to develop, and letting us spend time with them where we get to know them. This is a more restrained performance from Johnson. As soon as you find out his backstory and what happened to him in his past, you understand why. This is not the Dwayne Johnson we are used to seeing in his other films, and he gives a solid and understated performance. He has to express a lot of emotions throughout the film, and he does a great job with that. Sarah Shahi is really, really good here and shows just the right amount of powerful vulnerability and humanity throughout.
With the Justice Society, the standout performer was clearly Aldis Hodge. I have been enjoying his work for a while now, and he holds his own with Johnson and even steals a few scenes. I felt like Pierce Brosnan was not given a whole lot to do with his role as Doctor Fate, but he does come across as wise and insightful with his performance. He is an observer of what’s going on and trying to come to terms with what he knows is going to happen because he’s aware of when people are going to die. The younger actors, Quintessa Swindell and Noah Centineo, are very, very effective, but again, they are not given enough screen time to really shine and show off their acting chops. I liked what I saw from them, but I wanted to see more.
Overall, “Black Adam” is an entertaining superhero film with a dark backstory that I enjoyed. The special effects, action, and pacing are lacking, however, and they hold the film back. I wish they had a tighter script as the last forty-five minutes are really lagging and keep everything from ending on the right note. I see elements of a really, really good superhero film here, but they don’t all come together. There are actors, moments, and scenes where I said to myself, “Now, this is working. Let’s stay here.” Other times, I was thinking to myself, “This is sound and fury, signifying nothing.” It is an average film but with good to great signs of life sprinkled throughout its running time.
* * out of * * * *
4K Info: “Black Adam” is being released on a two-disc 4K/Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The set also comes with a digital copy of the film. It has a running time of 125 minutes and is rated PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, intense action, and some language.
4K Video Info: We do get Dolby Vision here, but I have to say, I was pretty let down with the visuals of this film. Don’t get me wrong, it is very clear and crisp, but it doesn’t quite pop like it should. I understand the film is called “Black Adam,” and it’s supposed to have muted and hushed tones, but there is a way where you can use these to create an interesting 4K transfer with great visuals. I thought it looked just OK. There was not anything which really impressed me or stood out.
4K Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track brings the power. It really enhances the action scenes without being too loud or overpowering to where it is distracting and you are reaching for your remote to turn the volume down on your soundbar.
Special Features:
The History of Black Adam
Who is The Justice Society?
From Soul to Screen
Black Adam: A Flawed Hero
Black Adam: New Tech in an Old World
Black Adam: Taking Flight
Kahndaq: Designing a Nation
The Rock of Eternity
Costumes make the hero
Black Adam: A new type of action
Should You Buy It?
I do not think “Black Adam” as a film or as a 4K disc is something you need to add to your collection at its current price. It was entertaining for two hours, but it did not reinvent the wheel or leave me with any lasting impressions which stayed with me after the credits rolled. I did not hate it nor did I love it. It was an entertaining superhero film which, of course, is fine, but I think fans are looking for something a little more than just “fine.” There are some good special features here, though. I was disappointed with how the film looked on 4K, as I was expecting an impressive and powerful transfer. It is just OK as well. The audio is really good, as I mentioned earlier. I can see what they were going for here and what their intentions were, but the pacing and the special effects really stop this film dead in its tracks. I recommend you check it out on HBO Max, but I would not add it to your collection.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The following review was written by Ultimate Rabbit correspondent, Tony Farinella.
“DC League of Super-Pets” is a film which, on paper, sounded like it would be an enjoyable and entertaining animated film for families to enjoy on a rainy day. I was especially drawn to the cast of the film, which features such actors as Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski, Natasha Lyonne, Keanu Reeves and Olivia Wilde. However, this feels more like a 10 to 15 animated short than it does a feature length film. There isn’t a lot of material for the actors to work with here as far as the story is concerned. It also appears that some of the actors are phoning in their voice performances.
The film opens up by introducing the audience to Superman (John Krasinski) and his best friend, Krypto, a Labrador Retriever, voiced by Dwayne Johnson. They do everything together, including their daily walk-o’clock. Krypto, however, is starting to become jealous when he notices that Superman is spending an awful lot of time with Lois Lane (Olivia Wilde), and worries he will be left behind. After all, who is Krypto going to watch The Great British Bake off with? He’s feeling left out and drowns his sorrows with ice cream and Taylor Swift songs to deal with the pain. Meanwhile, Superman is hoping to get a buddy for Krypto, so he doesn’t depend on him so much.
While looking for a friend for Bark Kent (Krypto’s day-to-day dog persona), he stumbles into a shelter with a variety of animals, such as a boxer named Ace (Kevin Hart), PB, a potbellied pig, voiced by Vanessa Bayer, a turtle voiced by Natasha Lyonne, and a red squirrel voiced by Diego Luna. The one bad egg in the bunch is a hairless Guinea pig named Lulu, who has been under the guidance of Lex Luthor (Marc Maron). She was a test subject at LexCorp, and now has evil powers of her own, which help her capture The Justice League. It is up to all of the animals to work together in order to save The Justice League and stop Lulu. They now have superpowers of their own which they must harness for good in order to restore peace.
This should have been a film which hit just the right notes in terms of appealing to young kids and also having some adult humor as well. There is adult humor here, but it feels very on-the-nose and not at all natural or organic. All of the flying around mixed with the superhero powers makes the film feel very tedious to sit through at times. There is a story behind Ace becoming a shelter dog that adds some layers to his character, and there are also individual moments in the film which are funny and work within the structure of the film.
Overall, though, I can’t imagine too many kids getting all of the adult jokes which are forced into ‘DC League of Super-Pets” periodically. I also can’t picture parents or adults enjoying the stuff intended for kids. The film ends at around 95 minutes even though it has a 105-minute running time. It still felt too long, and I found myself clock-watching. It’s a case of a film where they thought as long as they had the right voice actors and the DC name attached to it with pets, they were good to go. They didn’t take the time to actually craft a script which was worthwhile, interesting or well-developed. They got lazy when it came time to putting the screenplay together.
I had high hopes for this one, but in the end it fell flat. What is most frustrating about “DC League of Super-Pets” is the potential that can be seen here for a good movie. There are some backstories and relatable moments which work quite well, but they are not consistent enough throughout the course of the film. It’s an example of an average movie with good scenes sprinkled throughout. There is a good movie waiting to come out, but it never fully gets on track because of mediocre writing, lackluster voice work and a very lazy plot. This is a film with a ton of potential which could have been one of the better animated films of the year, but is instead instantly forgettable. It’s truly a shame, as this is one of the best casts I’ve ever seen for an animated film. They should have utilized this cast and gave them interesting things to say in a comedic fashion. Kevin Hart is subdued and for good reason (when you discover his character’s backstory), but no one really stands out here. Kate McKinnon even seems to be reaching here.
* * out of * * * *
4K/Blu-ray Info: “DC League of Super-Pets” is being released on a two-disc 4K/Blu-ray combo pack from Warner Brothers Home Entertainment. The film is rated PG for action, mild violence, language and rude humor. It has a running time of 105 minutes. It also comes with a digital copy of the film.
Video Info: The 4K of the film is very bright and colorful. I will say this—the 4K looks simply stunning with its vivid colors. Certain animated films really pop on 4K HDR, and this is one of them.
Audio Info: The Dolby Atmos track is also on point throughout the film, as it never gets too high or too low, even during the action scenes. It’s just right. Subtitles are included in Canadian French, English and Latin Spanish.
Special Features:
How to Draw Krypto
Behind the Super Voices
Super-Pets Animation 101
Find the Easter Eggs
The World of Super-Pets
Deleted Scenes
Should You Buy It?
I think it’s safe to say from reading my review that the answer is no. I felt very bored and disinterested while watching “DC League of Super-Pets.” As stated in my review, the plot is run-of-the-mill and the characters are so underdeveloped. I love animals, as my wife and I have four of our own. I know they are animated here, but still; they can be cute and funny in animated form. Another problem with this film is you know certain actors are voicing the parts. When you can clearly notice their voices, that’s a problem. It means they haven’t really allowed themselves to get into character fully. Instead, they are simply reading lines right in front of them without any change to their delivery or speech. This is an average film. It’s a one and done film for me. For everyone else? I can’t recommend you check it out, even as a rental. The film looks and sounds great, but that isn’t enough to make it worth watching or owning.
**Disclaimer** I received a copy of this film from Warner Brothers to review for free. The opinions and statements in the review are mine and mine alone.
The Ultimate Rabbit 