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Dune: Part Two (2024)
A Superb Narrative That Eventually Loses Rhythm
By Ian Chandler - March 11, 2024
Dune: Part Two is a largely remarkable sci-fi spectacle that benefits greatly from the buildup of its fantastic predecessor. Continuing almost directly after the first part, the film reinvites viewers to the atmospheric, entrancing world of Arrakis in the shoes of Paul, now accompanied with the Fremen. Also complementing the film is the score. This soundtrack, composed by Hans Zimmer, enhances the film's overall mood; even so, it is not a particularly memorable one. The cinematography is one of the picture's greatest highlights, providing stunning visuals that are certainly going to be on display for those 8K televisions on sale. The first act is mysterious and tense. The set pieces and plot points are both otherworldly and eerie. It glues one's eyes to the screen, and refuses to let them go.
Character development is a large focus throughout the film and the world of Arrakis is further explored. Timothee Chalamet is talented in the lead role, giving in convincing emotion without going overboard. Zendaya plays the role of Chani, though her portrayal here is similar to another character she played, Michelle Watson. Several other A-list actors light the screen as well. Austin Butler in particular does a phenomenal job as an incredibly frightening villain. Stellan Skarsgård's talent as the Baron also returns, with the same sinister energy found in the preceding film. The remaining actors do a well job at their roles, but are lacking in screen time to give too much of an impression.
With the above-average acting, the appropriate score, and the exceptional cinematography, the first two hours are excellent! The last thirty minutes, unfortunately, are a weak point. The pacing is thrice in speed and unspecified aspects feel lazier than they should. This was also a problem in its 1965 source material, and it is a shame to see no improvement in the movie released nearly sixty years after. It is no dealbreaker; even so, it does hamper the film's overall quality by no small margin.
Dune: Part Two - 74/100
The film is ambitious, atmospheric, and well-acted, but its third act goes at the speed of a bullet train.
Five Nights at Freddy's (2023)
Fazbear and Friends Fail to Fright
Written by Ian Chandler - November 2, 2023
Almost a decade after the first "Five Nights at Freddy's" video-game won the attention of the internet, Scott Cawthon finally adapts his beloved horror franchise into a motion picture. Fantasy and fun come to life with its impressive practical effects and even more impressive budget. Even so, the film gets lost when translated from its spooky, but tween friendly games. It, most fatally, completely forgets its most famous trademarks: suspense and jump scares. It should not be expected to be a work of art, but at the very least, the screenplay should not leave all of the heavy-lifting to the production team.
As mentioned previously, those who produced the visual aspects of "Five Nights at Freddy's" are exceptional on ensuring that the pizzeria is how a fan would imagine it. It's dark, dusty, but also colorful. The technology in the abandoned pizzeria is appropriately dated. Additionally, in an industry so reliant on the use of CGI, it was refreshing to see Freddy and his pals as real animatronics. So much love and care were put into the world Scott Cawthon created that it stings a bit more that the film's other elements are as empty as an animatronics' endoskeleton.
The plot is not as bad as it could have been, but it still never feels polished, nor fresh. It features an upsetting story about a sad protagonist, with tragedies brought up throughout. It is accurate in many ways to the plot of the third game; unfortunately, plot points are brought up repeatably without much progression in order to satisfy the nearly two-hour runtime. When plot elements demand for more substance, they are sidelined for the recurring objective put in place, resulting in an abrupt ending overall and a lack of resolution for certain parts that happen near the end. Characters during the first two acts are serviceable with some good acting, most notably from Josh Hutcherson. When the second act starts to close, the dialogue becomes increasingly wooden and the actors try their best to combat the lackluster script by conveying emotion in the tired phrases given to them.
Despite the forgettable plot and uneven characters, a horror film can usually stand on two feet if it provides what they promise: suspense. This, strangely, is where the movie is at its weakest. There is not a second where one's heartrate rises, nor is there a moment to cling on to the seat in fear. The animatronics, furthermore, are too expressive compared to their video-game counterparts; this results in impressive facial movements, but a less impressive method of intimidation. Part of what made the games creepy was their lack of visual movement and their corpse-like faces. The violent sequences, however, are creative, given the fact it is appropriately aimed at younger teenagers. Gore is obscured with clever shadows, impacts are reasonably cut at the last second to not only censor, but also to keep it from appearing cheesy. When it does not remember to cut at the right time, the result is usually very silly; which could possibly be the point when regarding its 1980s theme.
"Five Nights at Freddy's," almost seems purposeful in its lack of creepiness as tonal inconsistencies emerge as an enormous problem. About halfway in, the film turns from a slightly unsettling adventure into a tone reminiscent of a bubbly montage found in many Chuck-e-Cheese home videos. It's inorganic, and any suggestion of a spine-chilling blockbuster evaporates at this point. It almost suggests that multiple drafts of the film were sloppily merged together. It attempts to tread back to perilous moments later on, but interest in the unfinished plot is alarmingly small by the time it gets there.
With all of that said, "Five Nights at Freddy's" is better than any movie about a point-and-click game has any right to be. It is simply bothersome that it could have been drastically more enjoyable had the plot added more depth and the atmosphere remain similar to its source material. It is about guaranteed that the film will receive an endless supply of sequels, with a spark of hope that it only goes up from here. This first entry, however, does not make a good impression for the franchise going forward. If the screenwriter were to be changed for a more experienced one, improvements could be of large proportions.
Five Nights at Freddy's - 56/100
"Five Nights at Freddy's" may have the fantasy going for it, but the removal of scares and fun prevent it from truly coming to life.
Sound of Freedom (2023)
A Thematic Take on the Syndicates from Hell
Written by Ian Chandler - August 11, 2023
"Sound of Freedom," distributed by Angel Studios, is a thriller that focuses on one of the cruelest crimes in modern society: child sex trafficking. The film smartly tells its story in full while removing anything that could be explicit; even so, it is still incredibly disturbing. The film is stuffed with tension, emotion, and hope. The cast play their roles pretty well; its leads are the only characters who shine, however. Even though it may look like a religious film on the surface, it really asks for everyone, with whatever beliefs they have, to unite and acknowledge an admittedly suppressed issue.
Jim Caviezel, the film's star, does a wonderful job playing the disturbed, but passionate Special Agent Tim Ballard. Ballard never looks genuinely happy for the majority of the film. His face constantly reflects despair and agony while he searches for the abducted, abused children. Despite the challenges he faces, he maintains his determination to bring the unfortunate youth back to their homes. Even though Ballard's character is properly explored, most of the cast appear mostly as Ballard's helpers more than characters of their own. If the supporting characters were more prominent, the film's grounded and realistic structure would hold even stronger.
The film itself never allows the audience to relax. Shortly after the company logos leave, Sound of Freedom provides a horrifying opening and keeps the unsettling tone for the remainder of its over two-hour runtime. It also includes real footage of some of the crimes depicted in the film, reminding some viewers that this is not just some twisted work of fiction. Even though the subject matter is difficult to watch, Sound of Freedom cleverly executes the plot points with powerful cut-aways instead of filming the story's vulgar spots, a mistake Cuties did. This also permits the film to be exposed to a younger demographic able to handle it.
The production is outstanding for Sound of Freedom's reported $14 million budget, boasting multiple locations, exceptional cinematography, and a fitting score. Every frame is beneficial to the picture's attempt to remain bleak as it uses cold, muted colors for interior shots. Even so, exterior scenes are vibrant and do not heavily alter what the locations should actually look like. The score may not be memorable, but it mostly does a decent job at matching the vibe the movie desires. Though, about one or two tracks are more upbeat and energetic, which sticks out in the wrong ways.
Sound of Freedom, overall, is not fun. It is a movie-translation of a story that regards minors falling victim to rape, with many not still not receiving their deserved rescue. The picture does end on a hopeful note, only for it to be shot down once the sickening facts appear before the credits. For the film, a feel-good conclusion would undermine its message, so a glum ending is quite necessary. Despite that no one asked for this film, it is advised that everyone should see it. Dialogue regarding religion take a distant back seat to make the required room for Sound of Freedom's indelible, but often undiscussed topic.
Sound of Freedom - 85/100
Sound of Freedom successfully translates its concerning subject into Hollywood form, although it limits growth for the story's secondary characters.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023)
Shell of a Time!
Written by Ian Chandler - August 5, 2023
After thirty-three years' worth of attempts to put these iconic characters on the big screen, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem manages to be the first one that could be considered good. The film, directed by Seth Rogen, is overwhelmingly zany and focuses primarily on the teenage aspect of its four leading characters. Furthermore, the voice cast for the turtles are, in fact, teenagers. This breathes new life into the nearly four-decade old franchise that typically relied on young adults to voice 15-year-olds. What also keeps it fresh is its choppy but expressive art direction. From its lovable stars to its strong emphasis on lighthearted fun, there is much to enjoy in these turtles' latest outing.
The movie's visual presentation can be described as a mixture of comic book art and graffiti. It features a well-balanced mix of muted colors and very vibrant ones, rendering every frame pleasing to look at. Much like Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse, the film's frame-rate is inconsistent but used effectively. Where its animation is inferior to Spider-man in some spots, it improves on the style in other ways; the action sequences are, without a doubt, better. Where it was messy, confusing, and frustrating to tell what was going on in the third act of Spider-man: Into the Spider-verse, TMNT's high octane sequences are much easier to follow. This is mainly thanks to less frequent camera cuts and its backgrounds not being extremely flashy.
The cast and characters are tremendously joyful and are what ultimately breathes life into this animated picture. The teenaged turtles still carry their expected personalities from previous work; even so, they do not feel drastically different from each other since they all have a common goal: acceptance. They work really well as a team and use their strengths in ways that feel organic to the situations in front of them. Villain characters are also delightful, boasting whacky personalities from all of them. Superfly, the main antagonist, is wonderful. He is voiced by Ice Cube, who is one of those famous people that I haven't the slightest blot about; despite this, it would be pleasant to see him do more voice acting in animated films. He must have had a gleeful time at the recording booth as he is arguably the most entertaining cast member in the movie. It now will be hard to imagine Superfly without him. Supporting characters, like April O' Neil, are also good in the film; however, some are a bit underexplored. A sequel is in the works, so proper development for a few characters could be a possibility.
The humor is a mixed bag. Instead of providing jokes for all ages to enjoy simultaneously, it chooses one audience over the other in certain scenes. For adult audiences, there are fun pop culture references that fit in with the teenage aspect the film strongly focuses on. Parents will relate with Splinter, a protective rat who is unsettled by his sons' rebellious behavior. Children will be laughing in the theater too; but the humor will not play well with the older crowd. There are plenty of bathroom gags and an extensive sequence of someone regurgitating. These are as unfunny as they sound.
The plot is extremely simple, and that is likely for the better. It is very easy to follow and root for the turtles as they clash with a simple, but often funny antagonist. The basic story also allows the film to center its attention on more appropriate features, such as the dynamic of its four stars. It never derails and it permits a breezy viewing, which is especially important for those who are in elementary school. With all of these elements in the mix, Mutant Mayhem is the summer's second kids' flick that ends up as a winner.
TMNT: Mutant Mayhem - 74/100
Mutant Mayhem focuses on the most important ingredients for providing an entertaining trip to the movies, despite some of its occasional, unamusing gags.
Barbie (2023)
Fantastic Concept, Plastic Execution
Written by Ian Chandler - July 21, 2023
MILD spoilers ahead.
"Barbie," directed by Greta Gerwig, is one of the most bizarre films in recent memory. A popular toy tailored at young girls gets a chance at being one of the year's best films. Its whimsical, funny marketing alongside its promising cast would suggest such. Unfortunately, the film botches that opportunity, but still has some fun moments. Even though it is not as funny as many other comedies, the film manages to stay in one's head after leaving the theater.
From its colorful presentation to its glowing characters, Barbie's opening proposes that the movie will be roaringly entertaining. The music is great, the narration pokes fun at the Barbie brand, and the events are overly silly. Margot Robbie does a superb job at capturing the zany but stiff expressions one would expect from Barbie. Accompanying her is the equally funny Ken, who is played by Ryan Gosling. The two are fun to watch and their adventure appears to be one enjoyable time!
Despite the promising opening, the film, like cheap plastic, breaks apart very quickly. Once Barbie and Ken go to the real world, the jokes are lazy and subplots are underexplored. The picture's demographic is also confusing. What looked like a kids' film with humor adults can enjoy ends up giving discomforting questions parents have to discuss with their children. (For example, what a penis or a vagina means.) The sporadic sexual humor lacks a proper set up which makes for a lackluster punchline, resulting in cringey moments that, at the moment, raise questions for who this film is tailored for.
"Barbie" also suffers from being a mostly directionless film, as its plot is unfocused but its message is very prominent. It sets up around three plotlines that were likely pitched individually and crams them all into one story with none of these concepts receiving their proper conclusions. It makes for a frustrating ending. The moral is also confusing and seems to spark more of a negative message than a positive one. Instead of the conflicts being resolved where everyone lives in harmony, it is a tug-o-war on which sex has the right to be selfish. It may make some viewers, especially impressionable children, think lower of both sexes or believe their gender is superior or inferior to the other. It may also cause some unnecessary dispute on the internet.
How characters grow is another misstep from Gerwig. Many characters do not develop gradually, but abruptly. Barbie, Ken, and two other leading characters are almost unrecognizable to their third-act counterparts. It is difficult to root for any of them as they all aim to achieve their selfish desires instead of coming up with a plan where everyone is happy. If the characters were likable and the overall message was less overboard, it could have matched the quality its marketing advised.
Even if it is a bit of a disappointment, there were some laugh-out-loud moments. Fourth-wall breaking jokes were well placed and parodies of other films or events were a joy. The production and music almost make up for the aimless story as it stays true to the brand but also makes the newer ideas feel fresh and organic. The choreography in some sequences is exceptional and, like its presentation, reinstates how fun Barbie and friends can be when it treats itself as a lighthearted comedy. It really could have been great if it were to stay in one direction.
Barbie - 65/100
Barbie is a colorful, occasionally brilliant, but misguided comedy.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)
Insane Trains and Automobiles
Written by Ian Chandler - July 28, 2023
Following the release of "Mission Impossible: Fallout," the franchise had met its peak in both stunt work and characters. Five years later, Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie, and the rest of the production team try their best to take the series to new heights. The film is also the longest in the franchise's 27-year run, and that is meant in a positive manner. The cinematography, choreography, and practical stunts are what one should expect from the franchise since "Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol." Even if nothing is necessarily groundbreaking, they still manage to set up some astronomically exciting action sequences.
The plot is not anything remarkable; though, that is to be expected and appropriate for the franchise. Ethan and his gang are found in multiple predicaments throughout their "impossible" mission and it is up to them to overcome the challenges. New characters are introduced and are a welcome addition to the long-running series. What's also welcome is the constant, but overly fun action. Usually, these types of scenes in films become repetitive very quickly and derail from the plot; but, with "Dead Reckoning," the sequences are creative, organic to the basic story, and avoid being tiresome thanks to some quirky, humorous situations and superb choreography. Even better is the shockingly minimal use of CGI. The characters go to actual places and fight against real people using authentic stunts, which is massively more entertaining than several polygons clashing in an unexciting, colorless world.
"Mission: Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part 1," like its predecessor, requires the audience to have watched every Mission Impossible film (except for the second one) in order to fully enjoy it. Benji (Pegg), Luther (Rhames) and Ilsa (Ferguson) return as Ethan Hunt's team members, though they are not as prominent in this entry due to the film attempting to fit a large quantity of characters in it. For the most part, it succeeds; but when it doesn't, one may ask where a particular character went for about 20-30 minutes. Even though the film nears the three- hour runtime, it feels like one of the shorter ones. The action may be seamless with the one-page storyline, but some character moments, mainly regarding supporting characters, are a tad bit underdeveloped. A little polish on those moments would help the film's smaller characters shine and remind viewers that they still play a part in the grand scheme of this enormous mission.
It may not be the best Mission: Impossible film, but it is plays as if it is the ultimate Mission: Impossible film. There are far more stunts in this entry and the action could not be much more intense. The film's biggest stunt is not as impressive as "Ghost Protocol's" skyscraper scene or "Fallout's" HALO jump, but it still is a fantastic one that scratches heads and warrants the question of how it was pulled off. Newly introduced characters may steal the spotlight from its older ones, but the movie almost succeeds at juggling all of them in its ginormous spectacle. Even more absurd is that this fun, if exhausting picture ultimately leads to a potentially larger second part.
Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part 1 - 86/100
The film is relentlessly exciting with its creative action scenes and lovable characters, even if it occasionally struggles to squeeze them all at once.
Oppenheimer (2023)
Triumphant, Tragic, and Explosive
Written by Ian Chandler - July 21, 2023
Film director Christopher Nolan's "Oppenheimer" is one of his most ambitious projects yet. From the fact that it is not a sci-fi thriller to it being Nolan's first R-rated picture in over two decades, "Oppenheimer" is quite experimental for Christopher Nolan, who happens to be a very experimental filmmaker. Even so, the film has plenty of his trademark methods, including a strange, but effective way of playing with time itself. Even more impressive is his commitment to minimizing VFX shots and shooting every frame using expensive IMAX film. Though many will not have the pleasure to see it in its 70mm glory, it is still great to see a modern motion picture sticking with it. Additionally, the film manages to feel just as massive in scope despite being a gripping drama rather than an action-packed thriller.
J. Robert Oppenheimer, played by Cillian Murphy, is a complex character who expresses so many emotions in the film without going overboard. His behavior is never extreme, with that said, he can be considered the most emotional person on the Manhattan project. Speaking of the Manhattan project, the film achieves something not often seen in movies: the lead character does not get all of the credit for the mission. No, he does not figure out every formula needed for the A-bomb. No, he is not responsible for the idea of a hydrogen bomb. He works with other fellow scientists as a team to create a devastating weapon in desperate times. This includes strong performances from Matt Damon, Alden Ehrenreich, Kenneth Branagh, and more. The blood-pumping "Trinity" test is impressive as a piece of storytelling, a representation of history, and as a sequence of stellar practical effects.
His scientific projects are not the only aspects showcased in "Oppenheimer." His relationships with Jean Tatlock (Florence Pugh) and Kitty (Emily Blunt) are explored several times throughout the film. Tatlock's complicated story with Oppenheimer is interesting, but in some ways distracting. Not to be prude here, but some interactions could be seen as needlessly edgy instead of fascinating due to the decision of the characters' nude bodies being shown for an extensive period. Not only does it encourage immodest behavior from the audience, but it also will distract many from the film as it is an adult drama that happens to contain two scenes that are gratuitous and uncomfortable. It would be preferable for Nolan to focus more on Tatlock's dialogue than her breasts. A removal for the explicit content does not mean that Oppenheimer's sexual life should be removed entirely, as it is important to his character later on. The film, simply put, would feel more mature if it were to be less vulgar; perhaps shoulders and up would keep the tension alive without making some of the viewers feel like perverts. Finally, this wouldn't be so distracting if it weren't for the fact that the rest of the film is at a PG-13 level. Kitty's relationship with Oppenheimer is a more gripping story and a better showcase of an independent woman from the 1940s. She's hot-tempered, but strong in her opinions, especially in the film's final hour. Emily Blunt's performance as the character is a solid one, and just about matches Murphy's excellent performance as the film's protagonist.
"Oppenheimer's" score, composed by Ludwig Göransson, is atmospheric and wonderful. Emphasizing on the violin and intensifying the bass levels, the soundtrack enhances the weight of Oppenheimer's actions, emotions, and the events surrounding him. The score alone warrants the film to be seen in theaters, preferably those with the best sound equipment. "Ground Zero" and "Can You Hear the Music" in particular were the ones that stood out to me. Göransson has cemented himself to be among the greatest film composers such as Hans Zimmer and Thomas Newman.
A major part of the film happens to be about shifting perspectives, which is told by changing between black-and-white and color. It is best to experience its purpose upon viewing the film instead of reading it from a review. If one is quite rusty with their WWII history, the film may be a bit daunting to follow; however, if one is aware about the basics, such as when mentioned U. S. presidents were in office, then the rapidly changing time-periods should not be a problem to keep track of. Robert Downy Jr. May have played his best performance yet as Lewis Strauss. If this review were to provide more details about his character, it may damper the mystery and complexity of his story before one decides to view it for themselves.
"Oppenheimer" shines not only as a historical biopic, but also as a tense thriller. There is no action (thankfully), but there is constant suspense as well as several characters to care about in this film. If one is a fan of WWII history, a fan of Nolan's filmography, and a fan of cinema, "Oppenheimer" is a wonderful picture that will please them immensely. Please see Oppenheimer's story on how he transformed from a brilliant scientist to a disturbed embodiment of "death, the destroyer of worlds."
Oppenheimer - 89/100
Oppenheimer is a gripping biopic that keeps one interested throughout its three-hour runtime, despite being plagued by occasional, needlessly vulgar scenes.
Miss Barton's Famous Cakes (2019)
An atmospheric dessert for fans of noir films!
"Miss Barton's Famous Cakes," is a tense short film that centers around a woman who makes superb cakes for many to enjoy. However, she is told something unnerving from two detectives that pay her a visit. The cinematography is wonderful, treating shadows as if it's a character itself. Tense moments are where it shines the most. It also uses a 4:3 aspect ratio, enhancing the 1940s vibe. The acting is solid as well, most notably LaVera's performance as Miss Barton. The score is icing on the noir cake; it is moody and sprinkles some "old school" sounds in there. If I mention much else, it may sour this sweet tribute to a genre that has faded from many peoples' radar. Watch it. It's only 13 minutes in duration; but, it's enough to satisfy the cravings several have for this type of filmmaking...
Glass Onion (2022)
Fun, Funny, and Clever! But one problem.
(No spoilers for first paragraph) Glass Onion is the highly anticipated sequel to Knives out, which released three years back in 2019. This layered mystery has interesting updates to the whodunnit formula that keeps things fresh. What shines the most about it, however, is its humor. It was quite hard not to smile every 5 minutes due to its rather silly yet engaging dialogue from Benoit Blanc. Now, I found his accent jarring as always; with that said, his presence on the screen was always welcome. The whole theater was laughing at some of the hilarious, yet not over-the-top jokes the film frequently dished out. It did feel like a downgrade from its predecessor when regarding cinematography and the aspect ratio. That's a small nitpick, but it was enough to give Glass Onion this cheap feeling. I would say, overall, that the film is my second favorite of the year, with Top Gun taking the top spot. Part of the reason for that is...
(I have this tagged as spoilers, as I would kinda consider the following below as such; I am aware that ANY analysis of the mystery itself, even if nothing critical is said, may be considered spoilers. So, I'm warning you now.)
...the whodunnit was a bit predictable. I guessed the both the culprit and how the execution was done shortly after the actual mystery begun. Knives Out had this issue too. There are some other plot points that were far trickier; with that said, I wish the big reveal was not so underwhelming.
Bullet Train (2022)
Fun, silly, but the third act hinders it.
Bullet Train is a 2022 action comedy starring Brad Pitt as Ladybug, who is an unlucky assassin that gets involved into a complicated mess alongside other killers. The first two acts are very fun, funny, and interesting. All of the assassins are developed pretty well and they all have different motives. It's virtually a whodunit for a large portion of the film too. Though its final 20 minutes are not great. The film's last sequence is a non-stop gore fest that feels generic and lacks the fun of the previous 100 minutes. It's a fun time at the movies, but it should have been trimmed.
Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
How did they do it!?
They somehow made a movie, a sequel to a 36-year old film mind you, that was consistently amazing and fun! The film is packed with real stunts, fantastic writing, great dialogue, and no "cheap" moments. If I said anything else, I'd spoil the movie. Get some friends, eat some popcorn, sit back and watch one of the greatest films of the 21st century.
No Time to Die (2021)
A View to a Thrill
No Time to Die is a very solid Bond film, albeit, depressing at times. Jokes are present, but the tone for the most part is dead serious. Lynch turned out to be an enjoyable character and didn't feel forced for the sake of diversity. Ana de Aramas was underused, but was a very good side character. The villain is severely underdeveloped unfortunately. It's worth a trip to the cinema and the three hour runtime goes by pretty fast if you ask me.
Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins (2021)
Some pacing problems, but really fun take on the character.
Snake Eyes is the latest attempt at a G. I. Joe film, and does a pretty good job at giving a fresh take to the protagonist. However, it needed an extra 30 minutes to really flesh it out. Some elements happened way too fast and others were nonsensical. But not all is bad. Some old favorites are present, Storm Shadow steals the show, character development actually exists, cinematography is beautiful, and the acting is solid. I recommended if you are a fan of Snake Eyes, but not if you are a hardcore one.