Andrew Hodgson

There is probably only so much you can do with the submarine genre, which may explain why some of the plot threads are familiar. There are hints of Red October and Crimson Tide throughout. Even a bit of Down Periscope with a sonar operators fantastical ability to identify virtually anything and everything he hears. Been dubbed in English may also not do this movie any favors either, though its still better than reading whilst you watch. Sticklers of military protocol will have plenty to roll their eyes at, the Capt ending a radio transmission with 'over and out' is almost unforgivable these days. And all manor of salutes are on display.....I didnt stay for the end titles but I am guessing there was zero military advisor involvement. Essentially it is entirely watchable if not too realistic. It brings nothing new to the genre and been a French movie there is a thoroughly surplus sex scene.

It's as intriguing as it is confusing and occasionally (quite often actually) frustratingly slow. Not sure if I watched it or endured it, but I did over a few nights. Hoping it would eventually make sense.....it doesn't. The actors are ok, the sets disturbingly dour and special effects passable. The score is quite well worked. It might have made a reasonably entertaining movie over 90 minutes or so but it's way too long as a series. If you are really out of options give it a try, just bear in mind it doesn't get any better than the first couple of episodes.

The movie starts on a battle field and rarely loses pace from that moment. The fight scenes are intriguing and beautifully shot, there is gore but its not over done. The (new) emperor played by Joaquin Phoenix is a frustration though out the movie....which was the intention. And you are suitably appeased when he finally gets his just deserts at the end....but no before he kills Maximus. Unfortunately meaning no sequel was possible. Crowe is at his brilliant best and this role could have been made just for him. I doubt he will top it ever. The casting is sublime. A benchmark for all 'sandal and sword' movies.

Australia occasionally produces some truly great movies, Mad Max, Crocodile Dundee et al.......this is not one of them! Wooden, almost comical acting is rife. Stages, costumes and special effects are right down there near the bottom. Yes, I like that some Aussie actors got to make some money in these hard times but crikey it is to watch. The plot is a well trodden one....back in time to save present day humanity. The planet is without trees and oxygen is a commodity (this may explain the acting). IF you have watched absolutely everything else on Netflix then you have little choice I guess. Or you could just go lay on your bed for an hour or so and dream something up better

Its not terrible and the special effects are really state of the art which is obviously where much of the budget went. Bit of a weird ending but i wont spoil it for you.

That so many fine actors can make such a silly movie is in itself an achievement. Leonardo plays an overly annoying bumbling professor, Streep plays the President ALSO in such an annoying way I could barely watch. Is this a comedy/satire or something else.....you cant work it out! I had to fast forward some areas as the scenes were absolutely absurd. This movie is not remotely funny....if that was the intention. The special effects are in most cases very well executed. Everything else is.....well.....I have never given a movie one star before put it that way

It's watchable but it's nothing special. Interesting premise that could have been developed into something more. Sound effects for the 'aliens' sound like a direct lift from 'War of the Worlds (Tom Cruise version) which at the conclusion make no sense at all. Special effects are few and far between and what there is feels very budget conscious. Lead Micheal Pena I like a lot and he does his best with what there is. I feel like he is best in movies where he doesn't have the burden of a lead role, more suited to a side kick or 2 I/C and that's by no means having a go at his ability. Slim pickings in the pay for view movie world at the moment so if you are running out of things to view....it's not total waste of your time.

Western with some horror is probably the best description. Watchable, Russell is polished as always with good supporting cast. Best to not examine the plot and how it plays out too closely. I mean a guy with badly broken tibia scales mountains and terrain the would test a Navy Seal! That aside it jogs along at a reasonable pace with the main characters history or background largely untouched. It does have some pretty graphic gore which even though I am a seasoned horror watcher was confronting enough for me to consider it long after the movie finished. Different enough in context and story.

I usually wouldn't watch this type of movie but I was intrigued by Eddie Murphy playing a serious role. This is a nicely put together movie with a strong cast who all deliver strong performances. Murphy is excellent as Mr. Church. This is a truly watchable movie that avoids getting too bogged down in the subject matter and progresses seamlessly enough. A worthy way to spend the 90 minutes or so it runs for.

Flawless CGI and sumptuous sets aside, I still often find myself struggling with Burnham as the lead. The cast is generally very strong though I am happy to see the departure (be it semi permanent) of Tilly who I found mostly annoying and almost comically inept....served the ship better as a first year Ensign but hasn't matured the role despite promotions and experience. PC and an all inclusive B story line abound which I am not convinced adds any quality and feels somewhat like box ticking and pandering. Still....the show is highly watchable and innovative in its story lines if a little slow in some episodes. Discovery does its best to address the franchise timeline....though this can become confusing and doesn't always seem to match up entirely. Fans will note that 'temporal anomalies' and 'time line' incursions rarely make for easily understandable outcomes or seamless franchise time lines. And so it is. The ship has the ability to appear anywhere in the know universe via the 'spore drive' The benefits of which are obvious to any Trekkie and certainly this has done away with endless hours at maximum warp or the often frustrating episodes of Voyager searching for dilithium and/or parts for the dark matter converter. Conclusions.....well as Spock would say...'We do not have enough information to support an accurate conclusion Captain' For the initiated then you must watch it and initially at least it requires some patience. For those not familiar with the franchise then it will need a great deal of patience. For the special effects alone it is worth the effort.