REVIEW: SOLO-A STAR WARS STORY

4/5

Chewie...We're Young!

135 Mins. Starring: Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, Thandie Newton, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Joonas Suotamo, Jon Favreau & Paul Bettany. Director: Ron Howard.

When this writer was just a scruffy nerf herder of a kid all he wanted to do was act. And act up he did. Begging his mother to enrol him in the local drama school. "I want to be Harrison Ford mum"! Not the next Harrison Ford. But, "I want to be Harrison Ford mum"! The reason being nothing to do with 'Star Wars' or 'Indiana Jones', but actually because of one Dr. Richard Kimble, A.K.A., 'The Fugitive' is besides the point. Anyway...I digress. Now much to my 10 year old dismay over twenty years back, we cry 'Hail Caesar' today! As Alden Ehrenreich gets to be Harrison Ford...or more fittingly Han Solo. "Would that it were so simple"? Alden may have flubbed his lines for Ralph Fiennes, but he sticks to the script here with the compelling charisma of a rebels heart. Ehrenreich beating out the likes of 'Baby Driver' Ansel Elgort, 'Kingsman' Taron Egerton (my Sabacc cards were on him) and the 'Whiplash' of Miles Teller. Like Harrison did sci-fi genre, all-action crossover great Kurt Russell, Bill Murray(?) and the hoo-rah of Al Pacino for Han. For the latest solo 'Star Wars' story...erm...'Solo: A Star Wars Story' that's the real rogue one. After the menacing phantom of a new millennium trilogy tried to reawaken the force like 'A New Hope', but instead ended up as confused as a 'Last Jedi', we now have a new Millennium Falcon for you rebels waiting around as patient as carbonite. And for all the solo projects coming out (from frenemies like Lando to Bobba), just like 'Rogue One' (which was like immersing yourself in the epic 'Battlefront' of one of those 'Star Wars' video game platforms) this seems to be the best of all the new 'Star Wars' stories and series of trilogies coming out. Don't listen to the critics, it was a boring conversation anyway. It's not true. All of it. When it comes to this Solo, you really are going to have a good feeling about this. Hands or Han down. As on the up and up, this cocky and confident driver and flyer has the effervescent charisma of a young kid with his whole future ahead of him. And not the ember charm of an old rebel burnt out by the knowledge that the trick is to "assume everyone will betray you and you'll never be disappointed" as his criminal crew mentor puts it. But take it from us and trust us here that you won't be disappointed as 'Solo' goes it alone for a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away as Alden gets to shoot first. Sort of.

But boy is he a blast with the blaster. Armed to the standoff unclipped holster with that out of this world, space wild west, look and chapped feel of a futuristic western (from the saloon card games, to the train hijacks, to the duels) like 'Westworld' to 'Futureworld'. Even if we do have to see most of the epic establishing shots here from under and between the literal junk of his leather legs. C'mon I know he's supposed to be a sex symbol, but how many times do we have to see Hans solos? Still the 'Blue Jasmine' and 'Rules Don't Apply' (showing they really don't) actor more than fills the boots of Han. Striding in them with pride and a scene of poise, presence and place. Wrapped in a jacket that's so cool even Oscar Isaac's Poe Dameron wouldn't let John Boyega's Finn keep it, because who cares who it looks better on. It fits perfectly like Alden here when he isn't wearing a fur coat that will have his hair raising best friend roaringly wondering what...or who it's made of. With a usual begrudging at best Ford's furiously afforded blessing and standing on his own two as Solo, Ehrenreich is good...a little rough around the edges (but isn't he supposed to be), but good. Showing us that Han lives even after (SPOILER ALERT if you've been frozen in carbonite since late 2015) his own Vader wannabe all the way down to the lozenge worthy (or needed) son turned him into a jagged lightsaber shish kebab (word to the samurai of 'Deadpool') and tossed him into that same void half of Darth Maul is probably still falling down. This young Han has new hope and is more of an eager hero than his reluctant one of the future past who would rather let someone know in two words what most say in three. And this hope is jukebox elbow punched in a fast and furious 'Rush' to the finish line job by 'Willow' and 'Apollo 13' director Ron Howard. The one tasked with bringing this force of a franchise back to happy days. Building on the blocks of the 'LEGO Movies' pieces Phil Lord and Chris Miller, who where found in the cockpit of the Falcon with not a clue how to fly or where to take this thing next. But their original instruction manual blueprint still breathes through this ship, no matter their director to executive producing downsizing (see, 'Ant-Man': Edgar Wright. Despite these Disney franchises requirements, everyones vision still sees the light of day in some way). Howard's end is so good here that he may even be able to take on the dinos of his own daughter Bryce Dallas and the 'Fallen Kingdom' of her 'Jurassic World' with 'Infinity Wars' Chris Pratt next week. The heels are off! There's hope for 'Solo' after all. Just when everyone though it was all about yet to be seen in the 'Sicario' sequel 'Day Of The Soldado', Josh Brolin's Thanos war on Cable and himself in both the latest 'Avengers' and 'Deadpool' sequels. When really with a click of the fingers and a flip switch change of the gears it's the day of 'Solo' right now.

But it's just more than Han with his hands on the controls, clicking and flipping all the switches and pushing all the buttons of this millennium machine for you millennials. And young like Skywalker but with no Luke, this Falcon flyer needs to be taken under someone elses wing. And from 'Happy Days' to 'Cheers' how good is it to see Woody Harrelson in a 'Star Wars' movie?! Adding to his legendary fantasy franchise legacy like he did a cut above the constantly shaving, bald headed rest last year in the 'War For The Planet Of The Apes'. Or has done with the new chapters of 'The Hunger Games' series. Or is about to maybe in the Carnage he's rumoured to bring to the world of Marvel with 'Venom'. But the Oscar worthy 'Three Billboards' star has always been a natural born chameleon as much as he's naturally killed it with the hard work he's put into his multiple films at the multiplex at once. Sometimes you forget it's really him...or how much he's really done. And this is no exception, but exceptional. As Harrelson hustles a 'Star Wars' character for the ages and adds a legendary name to the character vault, like the Star Wars cinematic world adds a legendary name to their Hollywood canon. Woody's heard of a job and he's putting together a tight crew. Featuring right hand woman, no B.S., all about the jobs line of duty, Thandie Newton. Straight out of 'Westworld' and right into an epic train jacking, smash and dash scene of twisting and turning, up and down, dual tracking heights. 'Iron Man's' own M.C.U. birthright Happy Hogan director Jon Favreau himself (whose about to helm his own 'Star Wars' standalone T.V. reborn series) in creature critter form. And of course Chewie, played hair perfectly to the look by Wookie of the year, Joonas Suotamo. The Finnish, former big-man basketball pro player taking over from Peter Mayhew since J.J. Abrams took over from George Lucas with a slam dunk. They've all got to work for Paul Bettany's sinister face streaked in blood villain. The nice guy Vision of the Avengers showing just how versatile and vile this veteran can get. All whilst appearing so busy his character actually in appearance looks like he left the 'Infinity War' set so early they didn't finish taking off his Vision make-up off properly. From the loving scenes of Scarlet heart bewitching romance between all the wars of 'The Avengers', to these light saber dagger wielding, dark lord overtones of oblique evils. This Great Brit adds to his ever underrated legion of work (did you forget how harrowingly haunting he was in the 'Da Vinci Code'? You can bet Tom Hanks doesn't!). And you can bet on Bettany who razor sharp takes over from 'The Wire's' great Michael K. Williams' original big bad, who unfortunatly had to be cut amongst reshoots he couldn't make it back for. But for all the heist and hijinks, let's not forget 'Star Wars' is a love story like 'Me Before You'. And before Leia (Carrie Fisher we love you!), Hans princess was just as rogue as he was. And not to be confused with 'Rogue One' lookalike Felicity Jones, 'Game Of Thrones' atomic star, Emilia Clarke is a class of elegance and grace in 'Solo'. Armed also the strength of solidarity that made her a perfect Sarah Conner in a 'Terminator: Genysis' film that should have been as critically convincing. Like a British Scarlett Johansson at her Widow's peak, Clarke is on fire without the dragons and ignites this picture everytime she's on screen. But when he's not chatting up Emilia's heart here, Alden's Han is flirting with Lando over a game of cards like everyone else wishes they were. As Billy Dee Williams' Calrissian is class of his own played with equal Ehrenreich to Ford honor by Donald Glover. No not Danny's boy. This is Childish Gambino. The same one who voiced Spider-Man Miles Morales, prowlingly played his uncle in 'Homecoming' and gave us a 'Deadpool' cartoon even more R-rated than the Ryan Reynolds version that it was actually shut down before it even had a chance to be banned. The same one who gave us 'Atlanta' (the best and freshest show on television right now...that also fittingly gave us 'Deadpool 2' sidekick Domino) and the real America in his funkadelic, soulful 'Awaken My Love' real and raw rap follow-up and probably the most controversial and groundbreaking music video since before the old Kanye we miss spent a night in Trump Tower. And lets not forget the same one who figured out how to bring Matt Damon home from Mars when everyone else was tired of saving 'The Martian' again. But here the same lion and king whose about to voice no other but a live action Simba nails his Lando solo movie audition in one hand in this 'Solo' movie. Cape to fur coat and canary tailored exquisite, Esquire styled perfection of charisma. Hello, what do we have here? This charmer claims his Lando is pan sexual (which is a good job because now everyone and their momma fancies Glover right about the time that is his now...yep me too). Meaning he's probably f### your pots and pans if they had a heartbeat. He's even maybe got a thing going on with his own electric sheep dreaming and K2-SO humor rivalling android L3 (played with puncuation by fantastic 'Fleabag' actress Phoebe Waller-Bridge). You might want to buckle up baby. Because this is one Donald we could never hate thanks to his disarming charm and arresting emotion all nuanced in one take. His accented performance embodies all that scene or whole show stealing swaggers like Billy Dee. Glover wears Lando like a glove. Believe it. Because everything...you've heard about him...is true. All of it. And all for one and one for all. All the stars, stunts. All the set-pieces and set-up surprises. When it all comes down to all there is in 'Solo' one things for sure. You'll love this...I know! TIM DAVID HARVEY

Further Filming: 'Rogue One-A Star Wars Story', 'Star Wars-The Force Awakens', 'Star Wars-The Empire Strikes Back'.

REVIEW: DEADPOOL 2

4/5

The Cable Guy.

119 Mins. Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, Zazie Beetz, Julian Dennison, Brianna Hildebrand, Stefan Kapicic, Shiori Kutsuna, Leslie Uggams, Karan Soni, Bill Skarsgard, Terry Crews, Rob Delaney, T.J. Miller & Josh Brolin. Director: David Leitch.

"In time you will know what it feels like to lose. To feel so desper"...ahhh f###sickle! Wrong movie! Chimichanga's these timelines are confusing! And oh Canada is it any wonder? As Ryan Reynolds fourth wall and ball breaking, merc with a mouth that has probably kissed your mother is back for 'Deadpool 2'. But this time he's armed with a one-eyed Willie you Goonies. Wait...Josh Brolin? Didn't he just purple reign as the mad titan Thanos in grimace mo-cap for 'Avengers: Infinity War'? Can Stan Lee do that? Yet Yentil's after redeeming two Human Torches what more would you expect from the studio that turned Wolverine into a f###### tree kebab? Or a man who made quite the impression in 'Men In Black 3' convincingly playing a young Tommy Lee Jones, K? And in today's movie world with the ever expanding M.C.U's six degrees of superhero separation (play it with any films cast...go on...we'll wait) running out of Hollywood's biggest names to play all their heroes story arcs. Don't be DP 'Home Alone' aftershave slapped pose surprised that the Marvel machine are casting two-by-two Noah. As Brolin hits f### it, gives maximum effort with the chest expander and takes the 'Jonah Hex' off his superhero career like a DC Universe 'Green Lantern' (yours truly even signals a bat#### hilarious Batman reference to the man who almost donned the Dark Knight's cape). Forget being the star of the summer, reuniting with Benicio Del Toro's Collector character for the 'Sicario: Day Of The Soldado' sequel. This Cable guy is in two of the biggest movies of the year, this month. All now with one Mickey Mouse glove, Disney McDuck money signed check for who you may as well now call Mr. Marvel. As not only is a jacked up Josh, Marvel's biggest bad yet. He's also your Cable provider. We're sorry Keira Knightley may have range, but she didn't get the part this time. The flat top, 'Tokyo Ghoul:re' red eye (talk about a snap of the fingers), Terminator time travelling buckshot and Bucky Barnes arm goes to the mettle and brawn of Brolin. As he reunites with Marvel just weeks later for another 48 hours in Wade's world for Deadpool's number two straight outta main street. X gon give it to ya...again! Cue the music. Because this one sounds better than a crisp high-five.

TAXI! It's time to make sure you haven't left the stove on and call your friendly neighbourhood cabbie (the endearing Karan Soni returns with as much baggage in the trunk as...well someone with someone tied up in the trunk of their car (well...that's just lazy writing)) to hitch you a ride to your local theatre before this one vanishes. Because everyone may be watching the new Avengers film 'Infinity' times and beyond, but it's time for a real Marvel to go to war with Thanos...like...well himself. And armed with two guns and katanas like Wolverine in Japan, Deadpool is done playing with himself. It's time to see if he Stark plays well with other smooth criminals. Namely Josh Brolin who with a click of his dusty fingers goes from a barney with Barney, to an old man prospecting hobo with a shotgun. Vancity's finest, straight outta 'Hillside' Billy, Ryan Reynolds is back in the saucy, red and black leather number and cracking wiser, better than ever. As the smart ass chap in sex doll spandex has so many great one liners he could make Tony Stark's Iron Man look like Fun Bobby without the alcohol friends. Showing Hugh whose really the greatest showman. People magazines sexiest man alive all those years back, who here under the red hood looks like Krang from the Turtles popped out of that big lugs chest cavity, brings even more depth here to this comedy with more heart for a character whose own one can't stop. How's this for a 'Proposal'? The first 'Deadpool' was a rom-com people (and there's more sweet loving with 'Gotham''s crossover Morena Baccarin. Who in real life is actually married to Commissioner Gordon (cue the Anthony Mackie, "well...this is akward" gif)). And in regards to this hallmark sequel, family matters. Like the formidable fire of 'The Hunt For The Wilderpeople' actor Julian Dennison, who shows Marvel's NZ search for hilariously offbeat Kiwi talent didn't just end with that movie and 'Thor-Ragnarok' refreshing director Taika Waititi and his rocking Korg character. Time to print more pamphlets for the revolution....wanna come? And the pissing contest, cocksure Wade Wilson played by this heartthrob with Hollywood royalty on his arm and by his side (the real reason he'll never really regret putting on Hal Jordan's ring when it lead to a whole new one), shows the vulnerable half to his meta-human. In some enhanced acting, from a one of a kind industry talent who recently revealed in a significant stand of solidarity that will mean so much more that even a man like him too suffers from anxiety. Hats off to Reynolds too for his realest and raw performance of the disfigured anti-hero for hire from Hong Kong neon to the samurai swashbuckling of Tokyo, Japan that is still deliriously funny. The blades of Hannibal will always be king. So how about a trilogy trinity?

But X marks more than the D-spot (that's what it's called...right?!) in this force of a movie. What more could you want from a new anti X-Men team and family franchise of Marvel movies that will come from the X-Force across the chest, that's more than a little derivative from the symbol of 'Wonder Woman', all the way to Wakanda? Let alone all these new mutants. That collosal tin-can voiced by Stefan Kapicic behind all that CGI and mega Negasonic Teenage Warhead played brilliantly by Brianna Hildebrand (whose gone from Sinnead O'Conner to a punk rebel teen with an electric whip girlfriend played lovingly by Japanese/Australian Netflix's 'The Outsider' and 'Unforgiven' actress Shiori Kutsuna) are back. But there's even more to the deserted mansion than meets the ice cream this time. Even 'Empire's' returning and loving Leslie Uggams can see that and she never did find the cure for blindness between all that cocaine. You're going to love a sky-rocketing and diving team that features the old muscled spice and Bedlam of 'Brooklyn 99's' own 'Expendable' Terry Crews. Saving the day like his show alongside the Pennywise of 'It' himself, Bill Skarsgard and even more super surprises. Including new fan cosplay (don't forget the Vaseline) favourite Peter with the power and responsibility of type one...and two diabetes played by comedian Rob Delaney. But how about the lady lucky of the afro blown out, Zazie Beetz who has a "Holy S###" real life name even cooler than Negasonic Teenage Warhead? This wonder of a woman has bad guys falling all around her as the laid back, but never toppled Domino. Swagger stealing the whole show as luck would have it even if her amazing 'Atlanta' partner Donald Glover's own 'Deadpool' cartoon hasn't made it past the comic-book, geek approved cutting room floor. Although 'This Is America' people. We think the Childish Gambino whose about to perfectly play Lando in his own Solo 'Star Wars' movie, who was also seen prowling round on the Marvel 'Homecoming' Spider-Man set like his name was Morales again has a lot more going for his brighter than ever stardom spotlight right now. But in a class cast that even ups the ante like the energy of the first film here (like the villainous Francis of Ed Skrein. Who ended up being the hero of the hour last year that 'Hellboy' needed. Stepping aside and socking it to the whitewashing of cultural appropriation), you can't forget barman and best friend T.J. Miller of 'Ready Player One' fame. Not to be confused with departing director Tim Miller (our bad last review...that's what rewrites are for), here replaced by 'Atomic Blondes' peroxide powered David Leitch. The 'John Wick' stunt chereographer who makes this sequel like the one for the man who killed a man with a pencil (a f###### pencil. All because a man killed his dog...I mean who does that. A dog is for life. Disposable henchman are just for moviemaking Christmas), just as good as the first, making up for in epic excitement what the original does in originality. From the parody shows Canadian Celine, 'Titanic' themed Bond beginnings (the actually amazing 'Ashes' for a film that has some real emotion and soul too...inbetween all the Scoutmaster Kevin jokes) and self-aware in-jokes that don't just throw arrows at the sons of Martha. To the 'Atomic', amazing, M.C.U. out boxing, hand to metal arm combat action. From a prison break, escape plan that's truly a riot. To a fast and furious, curb crawling, armoured convoy lorry jack that even takes the concrete out of that bridge busting 'Die Hard 4.0' point for all you string-vests out there. But when it comes to ageing action-heroes. In this movie that has everything, even dusty suit Easter Eggs, it's Josh Brolin's Cable that really hooks you up. Spinal tapping and dialling it all the way up past eleven on some futuristic weaponry that breaks more lead than this half metal, all muscle man does arms. Dare we defy Thanos (a monster of a best-yet villain that even convinced us that he had a point in wiping out half the universe, to perfectly balance the other) by saying Brolin's laid down Cable anti-hero is even better? Because this gold standard, classic character has a gauntlet of power and the stones too. Travelling through time, albeit grounded in reality. With murder on his mind, but with so much soul in his space too. And with daddy needing to express some rage in the best post-credit scenes you've seen in this universe yet, every inch of this is so much more fun than a sandpaper dildo. No need to touch yourself tonight. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'Deadpool', 'Avengers: Infinity War', 'Green Lan...just f###### with you.