JR's Movie Reviews - AVENGERS: ENDGAME

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AVENGERS: ENDGAME

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (10 out of 10, Outstanding)
⭐️ HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ⭐️

"Epic In The Grandest Proportions"

A rare moment like this is an achievement in cinema. When everyone just have to see and cheer their favorite avenger for what is probably the final time, “Avengers: Endgame” just has to be celebrated. Box office and hype aside, “Avengers: Endgame” utilizes CGI at its finest while also creating its own unique story and identity based from the iconic Infinity Gauntlet saga. “Avengers: Endgame” is the best the Marvel Cinematic Universe has to offer. With such ambitious scale, my worry though is with the lack of the six iconic heroes on their future flicks, such feat by “Avengers: Endgame” might be hard to follow and even replicated. It is an experience you should not let go until it is still screening at your local cinema. You just have to be crazed to be part of the Endgame journey.

It’s been 10 years since we first saw Nick Fury initiate the Avenger Initiative through Iron Man. Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, and Hulk would be the first of the many that would be now known as the “Avenger.” They crossed paths with numerous villains and superheroes in an attempt to collect, hide, and protect the six Infinity Stones from being used for evil intent. Then came the mad titan Thanos creating his own version of saving the universe by snapping out half of all living creatures during the Infinity War. Now, the first six Avengers, filled with vengeance from devastation and trauma, make retribution to the fallen through the help of those who survived the snap by exploring the idea of time travel whilst reminiscing their past. Everything comes in full circle as they have that shot at the 1/14,000,605 chance to win not without a few sacrifices along the way. What an amazing way to give closure to the story arcs we have followed for years. Going to the past is also a trip to memory lane.

JR's Movie Reviews - DUMBO (2019)

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DUMBO

Year of Release: 2019

JR's Rating:  (7.1 out of 10, Slightly Good)

"I Feel Like A Kid Again"

(Note: I would avoid comparison with the original animated film. I treated the film as if I haven’t watched the animated classic.)

There’s nothing more vivid and ecstatic than the experience of being a kid again. That seems impossible with growth and aging but the idea of going to carnivals and amusement parks riding those roller coasters, seeing funny clowns and amazing magicians and playing games are contributory to the fun experience of what it was like being a child. “Dumbo” just amazes me with how it made me feel that same excitement, that ignorance of reality without forgetting that it sets up morals and values that are much needed in a more diverse and progressive world. It made me realize that our fantasies can be designed and devised without interfering the course and beauty of nature.

Surfacing from the old animated “Dumbo” classic, we get a live action version of the same on the large screen this 2019. Tim Burton does well on helming this version not without inputting his own weird and eclectic style in the process. Dumbo, the elephant, is astoundingly done making it feel like he’s real and existent with the actors. While the film does good on the many lessons for kids and adults alike such as animal protection and conservation, modern gender roles acceptance, and corporatism, the story feels rushed and sloppy due to how fast-paced every sequence goes. Dumbo’s story stands out but the empathy and necessity to attribute myself with the other main leads doesn’t really ascend due to how secondary they all feel. This movie could have polished itself more but it’s tearjerking scenes and significant (sometimes subliminal) messages are enough to be recommended for kids and adults who want to feel like a kid again.