All Articles

Black Adam does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is an action film shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Jaume Collet Serra, it leans on Dwayne Johnson and Aldis Hodge to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Nearly, Egyptian and Black Adam into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Momentum is the film's main

There is an appealing directness to Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. It knows it is an animated film, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Joel Crawford and Januel Mercado, it leans on Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek to give the material a human centre. At story level, When Puss, Boots and Last Wish shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ Th

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 approaches its comedy material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Jeff Fowler, it leans on James Marsden and Jim Carrey to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws When Dr. Robotnik, Knuckles and Sonic into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. The film's first job is to make that setup feel worth following, and it establishes the necessary stakes effic

At its best, Thor: Love and Thunder works as a comedy that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Taika Waititi, it leans on Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman to give the material a human centre. At story level, Thor, Valkyrie and Korg shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. The result has a recognisable personality from the opening stretch. ⁠ The humour lands most consistently through character chemistry

The Batman is an action film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Matt Reeves, it leans on Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Gotham, Batman and sadistic into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. That is enough context to enter the film without spoiling the turns that give it shape. ⁠ The action is most convincing when movement serves the charact

A spoiler free review of Minions: The Rise of Gru begins with its confidence as an animated film. Directed by Kyle Balda and Brad Ableson, it leans on Steve Carell and Pierre Coffin to give the material a human centre. At story level, untold, story and twelve year old's shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. Those ingredients give the film a useful foundation, but the lasting impression depends on how well it balances mood, characte

Jurassic World: Dominion does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is an action film shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Colin Trevorrow, it leans on Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Four, Isla Nublar and Biosyn into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Momentum is the

There is an appealing directness to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. It knows it is an action film, understands the expectations attached to that label, and then looks for small ways to give the material its own voice. Directed by Sam Raimi, it leans on Benedict Cumberbatch and Elizabeth Olsen to give the material a human centre. At story level, Doctor Strange, Scarlet Witch and Wong shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever approaches its action material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Ryan Coogler, it leans on Letitia Wright and Lupita Nyong'o to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Wakanda, King T'Challa and people into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. The film's first job is to make that setup feel worth following, and it establishes the necessary

At its best, Avatar: The Way of Water works as an action film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by James Cameron, it leans on Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldaña to give the material a human centre. At story level, Jake Sully, Pandora. Once and Jake shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. The result has a recognisable personality from the opening stretch. ⁠ Momentum is the film's main advantage. The set

Top Gun: Maverick is an action film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Joseph Kosinski, it leans on Tom Cruise and Jennifer Connelly to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Maverick, Top Gun and story into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. That is enough context to enter the film without spoiling the turns that give it shape. ⁠ The action is most convincing when movement serves