The Amateur: just released this weekend in theatres is Rami Malek in a this spy thriller that he executive produced. It is generally a basic revenge story. It also has underlying themes like “don’t just a book by its cover” or “be careful to not underestimate those for whom you don’t know very well”. Husband, Charlie (played by Malek) is married to Rachel Brosnahan and they are quite happy. Charlie is a guy who works in Data and Encryption for the CIA. His office is on the -5 floor of this offices in Virginia. His superiors think that they have a pretty good idea of his skillset.
Charlie’s wife flies to London for a conference while he stays back. He has never flown overseas before and he chooses to focus on some work items. At work he as been made privy to some documents that weren’t meant for his eyes, but they seem to implicate some of his superiors. He keeps that to himself. I give nothing away that the trailers don’t already that his wife is killed in London by a small group of mercenaries. She sadly was collateral damage as they needed an escape route. Charlie is infomed of this tragedy by his superiors while at work. Charlie is understandably very upset and uses his considerable skills and clearances to piece together what happened during the attack and the names and profiles of those responsible. Charlie wants action. He brings this to his superiors looking for action which unbelievably for him doesn’t come. The rest of the film shows Charlie’s training and efforts to hunt down those who had a hand in killing his wife. There were four of them. Laurence Fishburne gets involved as his operative commander and trainer.
This didn’t suck and I am glad that it didn’t. I was engaged and there were some good dramatic moments. I note that the trailer for this gives away more than it should. It does the movie a disservice. Malek plays the geeky introvert well but also is able to show a good range of emotion, including exacting vengeance using his skills. Caitriona Balfe from Outlander fame is involved too in helping Charlie out. There is more than a little Jason Bourne in the plot which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It moves along well. I found that the conclusion was not as satisfying as I had hoped that it would be (perhaps it is that idea that revenge and retribution would include physical pain and antguish on those who have caused that pain). Also is it completely believable that Charlie is able to wonder from place to place (London, Paris, Marseille, Istanbul, Madrid and Russia) and seem miraculously find the individual at the bar or cafe or shipping dock, all without speaking the various languages? But never mind. Despite this there is an open door potentially for a sequel, although I would think that any writer would be hard pressed to find another better motivation for Charlie than is already given here. Perhaps they lean more heavily in the John Wick franchise and get Charlie a cute dog. This was a fun evening out and entertaining.
Mufasa: The Lion King: In the wisdom of Disney, and a recent run of movies with a lack of innovation, there comes a prequel to the well established animated film The Lion King. Rather than a sequel following the offspring of Simba and Nala, they chose to tell a prequel about Simba’s father Mufasa (who was voiced by the late James Earl Jones). To say that this is “animated” is true, yet it is not the same animation from the original, but rather it is the more realistic looking computer animation with characters that then speak and dance. Disney gave a similar treatment with success for the re-telling of the prior animated film Jungle Book. Of course, Jon Favreau re-made the original Lion King in this format back in 2019.
In truth that’s not exactly accurate, since the beginning of this movie has Simba and Nala as well as their daughter cub Kiara, along with familiar comedy relief with Timon and Pumba, the meerkat and warthog. Rafiki is brought back to tell the tale of Mufasa while Simba and Nala are away from Kiara. The young cub gets the hear the tale of her long deceased grandfather Mufasa.
For me, what is disappointing is that there doesn’t seem to be any new ideas or stories to bring forward. Certainly Disney has been retreating over the Star Wars world with plenty of sequels and tangental stories. Later this Spring the almost doomed-to-fail live version of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is set for release. But that is review for another day. On point is me on a flight choosing to watch Mufasa when I do not need to have Disney + nor to pay in a theater. I am thankful for that. Overall I find the story a weak one where more parental death (it seems) leads a young Mufasa to be an orphan who during a flood is washed away to new lands where he is found by a young lion cub. He is saved but the King of this new pride, named Obasi, doesn’t believe in taking in strays. Obasi believes that strays are destined to betray the true leaders and royal bloodline. His son is named Taka and he through an act of charity allows Mufasa to be his new brother. Obasi also later states his belief in deceipt being part of any king’s arsenal, so there is not a great degree of integrity in this pride of lions. Soon enough, there is an outside danger of a group of pure white lions to this new pride. The story continues. For me, none of the songs are particularly memorable, unlike the original Lion King with the music from Hans Zimmer as well as Elton John and Tim Rice. Since the audience knows that Mufasa will be a father of Simba the suspense is set aside. The question becomes how does he overcome the larger and more powerful threat to him and his family. Mufasa gains some familiar friends along the way. The beginnings of the cast for the story of Simba are created, for example Zazu, who was originally voiced by Rowan Atkinson and then later John Oliver (now voiced by Preston Nyman). The original is a more superior product with better music and a better story. In truth, the story was Hamlet in its base, and this story doesn’t have the same pedigree in its beginnings. I cannot recommend this but for filling a couple of hours on a flight it can be useful. Incidentally, this was playing at the AVX screen at the local theatre and two tickets were $48!!! Just wow. I saw no perceptible difference from the AVX experience versus the other “normal” screens in the theatre. I can easily tell the difference with IMAX, but not AVX.
Your Friends and Neighbors: Apple has just released this new series, or at least the first couple of episodes. It stars Jon Hamm as Andrew Cooper, as well as Amanda Peet (who plays his ex-wife), and Olivia Munn among others. In it Hamm’s character seemingly has had a bad stretch of luck. His wife has left him, sleeping with the ex-NBA star neighbour, and taken half his wealth and house. Then he is approached by a 28yo young woman in a bar where he adeptly explains why any relationship with her and him (in his late 40s) would not work. There are consequences for him at work shortly thereafter in this encounter. This sets Cooper down a path where his high burn lifestyle needs to be fed by some additional income. He makes some questionable choices.
For me, I have little sympathy for his ex-wife, and she seems to feel that she has the right and ability to chastise Coop for the choices that he is making, and she doesn’t know about the latest activities by him. No one is lily white in this series, and they all have their own flaws. Hamm isn’t a great father, and his own moral compass is off when it comes to his business. With or without a non-compete agreement, presumably he would have the ability to get a job that would be close to the earning potential of the last job. Apparently he doesn’t see it that way. His former boss, played by former LA Law scumbag Arnie Becker (Corbin Bersen), has no loyalty nor sense of honour for a loyal employee. But much like American Beauty, where the outward appearances of these predominatly white, privilged, entitled assholes, we begin to see the decay in the underbelly with people without any sense of morals, ethics, or care for those around them. It is all about how much more can I acquire, and get ahead of those around me. There isn’t for me a lot of humour, so far anyway, save for the odd time where I shake my head at the choices being made in the situation that presents itself. I will stick with this for a few more episodes and see where it leads.
Mondays With Robbie 