Review: Transformers: The Last Knight (2017)

In simple terms - a fun film and pure popcorn cinema. However, it does lack the excitement and emotion of the 1, 3 and 4. Let me expand a little.

Transformers 5 is exciting - in parts. For great periods of this film it gets lost in establishing and explaining the story. One key thing as well, even though I did like the story, is the lack of actual Transformer action. There are moments here and there, but the main piece is at the end. At least with the other films, a lot of the action was more Transformer centric. In this one, it seems to be more about Cade Yeager. Now, yes, the human element should be prominent, but I think the balance was way off here. There are also a lot of human characters being juggled, at the expense of Transformer action.

Even though I was enjoying it, this one actually did feel a bit long. The major element though that hit me quite late in the film, is the lack of emotion in it. There are hints of it, but I realised towards the end that the absence of a central character is why it felt a bit empty to me.

Overall, it is impressively shot. There isn't many out there that can shoot action on the scale that Michael Bay can. I'm a major fan of his work, but here he seems to be focussing on bigger scale and in the process he lost sight of the emotional element to the added dimension in the story.

3/5

Review: Wonder Woman (2017)

Gal Gadot and Director Patty Jenkins deliver the goods - in a big way. Before Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, I didn't have a huge amount of interest in Wonder Woman. Sure, I've seen the Linda Carter tv show as a kid, but, to me it's always been about Batman and Superman.

In BvS, Gal Gadot just shined as Wonder Woman. She had the beauty, strength and screen presence to really make me sit up and take notice. Since then, I waited with great anticipation for her origin story.

As far as origin stories goes, this is top notch. It is right up there with the best including Spider-Man, Batman Begins, Iron Man and Man of Steel. As part of the DCEU, I would say I love it as much as MoS and BvS.

Jenkins and her crew bring to life a great story. The opening scenes in Themyscira are exciting and showcase the fighting skill of the amazon woman. The journey from there to London and into the battlefield adds greater depth to Diana as she discovers the bleak reality of men and their passion for war and terror. The fish out of water scenes are handled well. Not too comedic but enough to show you how sheltered the paradise has been from the outside world.

Gadot has been perfectly partnered with Chris Pine. Together, their chemistry sizzles. Pine himself is excellent as the hero that is not necessarily a superhero, but just a damn good man - perhaps an above average one.

Overall, the production is excellent. Perhaps some not so convincing CGI in some places, and some lulls in the pacing, but they're minor complaints. I look forward to Justice League even more now, and really do hope we see another solo Wonder Woman film.

4.5/5