LupitaNyongo – Credits Rolling

Dreamworks has been responsible for the release of many classic films. From Shrek to Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda, they have all been unique and full of vibrant animation. Their latest offering, The Wild Robot, follows ROZZUM unit 7134, or Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), that finds itself stranded on a deserted island. It must learn to adapt to its surroundings.

Animation styles have changed a lot over the years, but I have to say I have never seen anything quite like this before. The island backdrop looked like something out of a painting. It’s like you could see the brushstrokes of the water or of the trees. That combined with the vibrant colors made it feel so realistic.

The various characters we meet had sparkling personalities that leapt off the screen. Nyong’o was the perfect choice for Roz. The way in which her voice changed from being unsure to more confident as the film went on was executed well. Pedro Pascal was Fink, a cunning fox who ends up befriending Roz. His playful tone balanced Roz’s uncertainty and I really liked the friendship that formed between them. Kit Conner was Brightbill, a gosling that hatches in Roz’s hands and immediately believes it to be his mother. From the moment they met, my heart soared; they had such a sweet, genuine relationship that I really loved watching. And of course there was Bill Nighy as Longneck who played an integral part in Roz’s task. As usual he was full of wisdom. I only wish we’d had more of him!

When I first saw the trailer for this film, I’ll admit that I wasn’t interested in it. When the reviews started coming in and they were all glowing, I knew I had to see what all the fuss was about. This is officially my favorite film of the year. It ripped my heart out of my chest and stomped on it repeatedly, but I mean that in the best way possible! The way in which it was able to go from a light-hearted moment to something more emotionally driven was brilliant. The message of tolerance and unity as well was so spot on and so, so important.

I highly recommend checking out The Wild Robot. This is the type of film that touches you and leaves an impact long after you leave the theatre. It is also one that makes you want to be do better. I can’t wait to see it sweep at Awards season.

Rating: ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

“For our friend Chadwick Boseman.”

The world lost a superhero when Boseman passed away from cancer in the summer of 2020. Many wondered how the Black Panther franchise would carry on without him. Would he be recasted? Would they use old footage or digitalize him? We all waited in bated breath until finally the film was released this week. I can officially say that the work Ryan Coogler and the cast have done is phenomenal. From the very opening of the film where we see how Shuri (Letitia Wright), Queen Romanda (Angela Bassett), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and M’Baku (Winston Duke) are dealing with T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) death and beyond, I knew that this movie was going to be something special.

Everything about Wakanda Forever was stunning. The incredible landscapes and cinematography was like something of a dream. The special effects and fight sequences were upped a notch and kept me on my toes. And on top of that, the plot was intricate and entertaining. The way in which it’s all built up after the initial tragedy was handled well. I also loved the introduction of antagonist Namor (Tenoch Huerta). His backstory was super interesting and also different than anything we’d seen before. The fact that he was multilayered was something I appreciated a lot.

The performances here are out of this world. Wright takes the lead and she does a brilliant job. You feel her pain and anguish in Shuri missing her brother just as you feel her determination in defending her country. Her chemistry was palpable with everyone she shared the screen with. Alternatively, Bassett was another standout. I was actually left breathless during a couple of her scenes. It was great having Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) back in the mix along with newcomers Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) and Aneka (Michaela Coel).

I don’t think I can ever properly describe my feelings about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The emotion hit me like a ton of bricks and it didn’t let up for one moment. Complete with outstanding acting chops and a phenomenal story, I do believe that this is one of the best additions in the MCU so far.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥