Abdul Shabazz

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**Spoiler Alert** I purchased a ticket to watch this movie in theaters. Unfortunately, I overslept. The film arrived on Amazon Prime for purchase only at 19.99 USD. I didn't go through with the purchase, however when I revisited the purchase options five weeks later, hoping for a 5.99 USD rental option, I found the film available in UHD still only for purchase -- but now available for 12.99 USD. I decided to put my money down and initiate the purchase. I considered it a fair price considering I wanted to see this in theaters and actually paid 25.00 USD to view it in IMAX. A few issues I have with the story... 1. Lazy writing: When Noa discovers Proximus Caesar is still alive and was not drowned in the military bunker, it seems obvious for the audience to fear for Noa because Proximus clearly intends to hurl him over the cliff's edge right? No! Proximus merely kicks him hard and Noa lands at his feet. Well why isn't Noa hurled to his fate, beyond the ledge? Because! Then the story would end and that's not what the writer intends!! This is lazy writing. 2. Regarding the character of Mae -- Noa pretty much sums it up: The more you speak the more I distrust you. Mae's character is a military commander's dream: The dedicated soldier that booby-traps the ordinance and then blows it up so the savages don't get their hands on the technology. Really could have cut this part of her story arc out of the story. 3. If you've been called an ape, had your religious beliefs displayed in an offensive manner, or had accusations of an intolerable natural body odor, congratulations! You are in the minority!! And for the rest of us that haven't your complaints will be categorized with the likes of those who've decried sightings of the Boogeyman and magic unicorns. For goodness sakes, the film is called Kingdom of the Apes! If you didn't think some bigot somewhere within the executive power structure would not use the opportunity to employ every veiled allusion they could contrive, is laughable. In an act of veiled solidarity with the (alleged!) victims of these magic unicorns... and because I've already purchased the movie ticket, and the FBI and the ATF is not likely to trace the ill-gotten funds to the radical militia group that intends to use the funds to terrorize the victims of other magic unicorns... whatever, Karyn; (sigh) I AbdulShabazz hereby award the film only 1 star :) :) :) 15-AUG-2024 1847 H

Oscar Nomination for Best Screenplay, without a doubt! People may confuse the requirement of a good story with one that is impactful, and this screenplay has a ton of impact. There are scenes in the film that are chilling, and saddening, but one thing the screenplay is not is false. Every scene in the film although this may spark intense debate is really accurate and true to life to how most people would react in these situations, after factoring in their past life experiences. Most issues people will have with the film are attributed to the director, Alex Garland, and his poor taste or lack of it. Otherwise, the sound design, cinematography, and screenplay are spot-on! Hopefully, the Academy Awards Committee will read this post, and go see the film.

I can't bring myself to watch it. I'm a tremendous fan of Jeffrey Wright, since his role in Syrianna, and the James Bond film: No Time to Die.He even played the voice of Isaac in the smash video game -- The Last of Us: Part 2. But a film about a character, dissatisfied with stereotypical minority characterizations and similar tropes, that are then portrayed in the film... ? Somehow feel the jokes on me.

Better than part one, but still over-hyped... I sat through the entire 2 hour movie and I did not sense any areas where the film's pace seems to let down.However, at the same time, the film fails to build itself to epic proportions: The film's score, cinematography, acting,SFX, and set direction are fine; the issue is the script or screenplay.The writer(s) does a poor job of establishing the outward arcs that the characters each desire, aside from the plot, and the inner struggles they face at any moment, followed by their strategy for overcoming these obstacles, thus revealing their character. Actions reveal character. However we don't know their momentary motivations, and so their actions seemed pre-planned, predestined, and mechanical, with us out of the loop, watching these strategic moves without any context or proper stakes, revealed in each moment, for us to wonder how we would handle the situation. Paul Atreides -- does he change? How?? Do we care? No, not really.

A bit thin *** Spoiler Alert *** I'm glad to see Joaquin Phoenix in what I call these Elizabethan-era action-dramas. I think these almost Shakespearean-style films are where he shines. He gets to focus on a singular plot and flesh out the character. Unfortunately the characters are drawn a bit thin. The relationship between Napoleon (Joaquin Phoenix) and Josephine (Vanessa Kirby) is one-dimensional and uninspiring. Why would an actress campaign to play that role? Although they have interesting casual exchanges most of these scenes could have been cut from the film with no adverse affect on the film's pace. Although the battle sequences were historically accurate and visually compelling they didn't carry the energy of the film like they should have. These battles defined his character and revealed it to the entire world to see. It was a bit disappointing the engagements were by-the-numbers engage the enemy, win or retreat. I would have appreciated a bit more banter between he and the soldiers and his opposing generals. Excellent cinematography and a decent though not exceptional film score.

I wanted to give it more stars but... *** SPOILER ALERT *** Fine performances by Cillian Murphy (J. Robert Oppenheimer), Matt Damon (General Leslie Groves) , and Robert Downey JR. (Lewis Strauss), whom later is revealed as the film's arch-antagonist. I've been a fan of Cillian Murphy since his 2007 film Sunshine. And I've just recently discovered his full Irish name is pronounced Kil-ee-un Mur-fee, which was a nice surprise, and would not at all be surprised if he received an Oscar nom and even an Oscar for this role. Because he brings a profound humanity to the character. Cillian's character is not an enigma with dozens of layers which must be peeled away in order to reach the underlying humanity which powers him. What you see is what you get; unlike with Robert Downey's character, Lewis Strauss -- The man is so kind and self-effacing on the surface that you almost never realize the hardened unforgiving inner nature he keeps hidden away if you were not to bear witness of this yourself. Robert Downey Jr. definitely deserves an Oscar nom for his nearly perfect portrayal of such a complex individual. Emily Blunt (his alcoholic wife, Kitty Oppenheimer) also has an incredibly strong performance overall in the film, with the exception of her performance in the final act when she testifies in Robert Oppenheimer's defense for his not actually being a Communist. Deep in the throws of alcoholism in this scene she has a profound three minutes of clarity and expounds a coherent well-thought out treatise -- dismissing the premise for questioning of her husband's motives. This was intended to be a crowd pleaser. But... This comes across to me as very nearly psychotic because there is almost no visible presence of the woman we've watched the entire first two and a half hours of the film. Erm. Yikes. Her best scene without any doubt is after Robert Oppenheimer flees to the isolation of the woods after the death of his mistress. Emily Blunt pursues and beckons him to be strong. For his family and his country. Get yourself together. In this moment she is so strong. Hey, Mr. Nolan, more of these scenes please. I've always wanted to know what it feels like to be given the power of Prometheus. To be given the ability to single-handedly bless your nation with the strength to vanquish anyone that opposed them for the remainder of yours and your children's lives... And the fact that even a mere demonstration of a weapon of such destructive power could irreversibly and eventually burn away the troposphere protecting humanity to the point to this day its true effects are classified; and yet powerful enough a demonstration--every other nation would strive for the next ninety-nine years to attain the knowledge of being able to build and wield such a weapon... To this day, taxpayers are blamed, and told the process is reversible. In reality it is BS. Oppenheimer knew it the day he talked to Einstein while he skipped stones across the pond on the Strauss university campus: A nation will use whatever is in their arsenal.

*** SPOILER ALERT *** I certainly understand the negative reviews for this movie, which essentially advertises a 2022 iPhone 15 upgrade when in fact the customer receives an iPhone 14 but with a USB type C port. Yes, a type C usb port is what the people want but don't be deceived -- ...this is not a new iPhone. The film trailers advertises the cast of The Justice League but then the B crew steps in to carry the entire film. So I have to pay again later for a feature you promised to deliver to me now, hopefully to see the cast I paid to see fully together in an action film?? Those are my opinions in regard to that subject matter. And now for my opinion of the film: I love the idea of a new cast! It's great to see new talent get their opportunity to prove what they can do on film. Unfortunately, this is a high-stakes film. So if they misstep, they are unlikely to receive other opportunities to play pivotal roles in other high budget films: Michael Keaton (as Bruce Wayne) is the quintessential new age batman whom was cast during the era of Chistopher Reeves -- when action sequences took a back seat to on an onscreen presence whom could carry the gravitas and legacy of its character across an entire franchise. Enter Ezra Miller (as Barry Allen)! After all, this is his franchise. So as the flash does he succeed? Will fans want to see his interpretation of the character across multiple films? I'd have to say no. Although the writers do a proper job of completing his life with the nuance and complexity required to keep us interested throughout an entire film, Ezra's take on the character just doesn't have enough inner struggle empathy and depth for me to want to see how everything turns out for him. Other notable mentions: Ron Livingston (Harry Allen) and Maribel Verdú (Nora Allen) as his parents are wonderfully drawn with touching moments between Barry Allen and each of them. Together they do an excellent job of completing his world and showing the instigating events which drive Ezra's actions throughout the film. Michael Shannon (General Zod), truly great in a difficult bad guy role to pull off without coming across as too cartoony or one dimensional. Sasha Calle (Supergirl?), is great in action sequences and truly convincing though it seems at moments the character is too big for her to handle. As an example of this I refer to her exchange with General Zod and his betrayal of her and her people and the ethos of Krypton: She is angered to violence when he reveals he has destroyed the young child superman, and she is shocked again when he injures her, stabbing her through the chest and taking what remains of Krypton's DNA out of her. However this is not the correct reaction! The correct reaction is betrayal, not the communication of shock. After all, this is what General Zod is doing: he is betraying the ethos of Krypton's people which is to provide safety and hope for those all across the universe, hence the "S" on hers and superman's chest. Huge missed opportunity there. Overall, very young actors with a momentous task whom I hope to see onscreen again as they develop their craft and hopefully become the top leading actors and actresses of tomorrow. 4/5