All Articles

A spoiler free review of The Flash begins with its confidence as an action film. Directed by Andy Muschietti, it leans on Ezra Miller and Michael Keaton to give the material a human centre. At story level, Barry Allen, super and speed 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, character and momentum. ⁠ The film handles s

Scream VI does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is a horror film shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Matt Bettinelli Olpin and Tyler Gillett, it leans on Courteney Cox and Melissa Barrera to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Ghostface, Woodsboro and New York City into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠

There is an appealing directness to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. 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 Jeff Rowe and Kyler Spears, it leans on Micah Abbey and Shamon Brown Jr. to give the material a human centre. At story level, The Turtle, New York City and brothers shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the fil

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom approaches its action material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by James Wan, it leans on Jason Momoa and Patrick Wilson to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Black Manta, Aquaman and Wielding the Black Trident's 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 th

At its best, Migration works as an animated film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Benjamin Renner and Guylo Homsy, it leans on Kumail Nanjiani and Tresi Gazal to give the material a human centre. At story level, family, ducks and convince 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. ⁠ Its visual design does more than decorate the stor

Five Nights at Freddy's is a horror film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Emma Tammi, it leans on Josh Hutcherson and Piper Rubio to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Freddy Fazbear's Pizza. During, troubled and security 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 horror works best thro

A spoiler free review of Fast X begins with its confidence as an action film. Directed by Louis Leterrier, it leans on Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez to give the material a human centre. At story level, Dom Toretto, Hernan Reyes and family 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, character and momentum. ⁠ The film h

Elemental does not need a plot heavy introduction to make its case. This is an animated film shaped by performance, pacing and a strong central hook. Directed by Peter Sohn, it leans on Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Follows Ember, Wade and fire into the same story, creating a specific hook without requiring a long recap. From there, execution matters more than novelty. ⁠ Its visual design does more than decora

There is an appealing directness to Creed III. 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 Michael B. Jordan, it leans on Michael B. Jordan and Tessa Thompson to give the material a human centre. At story level, Adonis, thriving and career shape the central setup, but the later turns are best left for the film to reveal. ⁠ The action is most convincing when mo

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts approaches its action material with more interest in character than a quick synopsis might suggest. Directed by Steven Caple Jr., it leans on Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws During the, Transformers and Maximals 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 t

At its best, The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes works as an action film that puts tone and performance ahead of empty explanation. Directed by Francis Lawrence, it leans on Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth to give the material a human centre. At story level, Coriolanus Snow, District and Hunger Games 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 th

Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One is an action film with a clear idea of the experience it wants to create. Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, it leans on Tom Cruise and Hayley Atwell to give the material a human centre. The spoiler light setup draws Ethan Hunt, IMF and track 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 convin