How To Train Your Dragon 2

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$$

THE VIEW


"Now you know where I get my dramatic flair."

A very well thought out and imaginative story to compliment the first. Fun, funny and a lot of adventure, just about all the attributes you come to expect from a franchise like this. My level of interest stayed the same throughout the entire movie… relatively high.  The introduction of new characters seemed seamless in the grand scheme of all the new plots and subplots seemingly being developed all at once….Whew!  There was a lot going on.

   If you are given a choice see this one in 3D, do it!  The flight scenes were created strictly for it.  See my tags below for the A-list of voice talents that brought the script to life.  Honestly, I can not think of one negative thing about the movie.

   I wasn’t blown away like I was with the first one but even still I was satisfied. I do hope they make another one. I feel more story is possible but if they want to leave it here, I would understand.

   Worth your dollar.

letter grade:  B+

Rio 2

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$$

THE VIEWING

 "I am going to the Amazon. Yay."

    Rio 2 was a very nice compliment to the original.  The story was very intriguing. The humor, music and colors were still vivid and fun.  The overall feeling felt like authentic Brazil. Last but not least the new villains met along the way are instant Hall of Famers.  Gabi is one of my new favorite villains.  She is the ultimate second in command antagonist.  Hopelessly in love with the main villain there is nothing that she won’t do for love.  That by itself is worth the price of admission.  Nevertheless we are treated to an extraordinary adventure with the Blu crew.

     Even more value for the buck we are treated to a bonus film called Almost Home.  Although Steve Martin’s character Captain Smek shined, this Dreamworks short was ‘cute’ but ultimately disposable.  

    If I had a gripe it would be that I thought the film ended too abruptly. I dunno… maybe something got cut in the editing room.  Maybe it simply was an excellent script all the way up to but not including the end… or just maybe I wanted more.  

This movie is definitely worth your buck and even the extra dollar(s) for 3D

letter grade:  B

Despicable Me 2

THE PITCH

WORTH

$$$$

THE VIEWING

" Just because everybody hates it doesn't mean it's not good. "

Better than the first in my estimate…. but that's me.  There is this ‘like it, love it or hate it’ air about this sequel.  So, in order to help you judge whether or not YOU want to see this movie allow me to first offer a deeper insight into my tastes and expectations.  

    Firstly, those minions don’t have as much of a grip on me than they have on the rest of the world.  My sister and niece think that they are just the funniest little things in yellow since the dancing banana  

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 Having said that, I really liked their [minions] existence in the sequel.  It was meaningful and flavorful.  A powerful combination that could either make or break any movie.

    I’m a big Steve Carell fan and he was at his best.  Playing the voice of Gru he [Steve] has a unique talent for making his audience feel for him even when he’s being a butt.  He’s especially talented for situation relationship comedy, which worked here.  If fact, those were the funniest moments of the movie to me!  

     Some say the music was better in the first one, I don’t know about that… I really enjoyed the music in this one.  Plus I enjoyed the villain more so here than in the original.  I thought the movie, as a whole, was slightly funnier than the first.

  All in all there’s enough here to keep the kids interested and a lot of adult humor to keep us glued to the screen.  Worth Watching.

letter grade: B+