Displaying items by tag: Idris Elba

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3

Jim Carrey, voices of: Ben Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaughnassy, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves. James Marsden, Tikka Sumpter, Kristyn Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, Tom Butler.

Directed by Jeff Fowler.

Audiences, younger audiences, will get their money’s worth, and their expectations worth, as they enjoy this third adventure on the computer games hero, Sonic, the Hedgehog.

Sonic, Voiced by Ben Schwartz, featured in the previous two films, and all films directed by Jeff Fowler. Sonic found two further accomplices in the second film, Knuckles and Tails, voiced by Idris Elba and Colleen O’ Shaughnassy. They are quite engaging characters, Knuckles very solemn and principled, Tails, friendly with the lighter touch. So, what will they get up to this time?

The initial answer to the question: what could be better than Sonic and Jim Carrey returning as Dr Robotnik? – Two Sonics and two Dr Robotniks. And, Jim Carrey, who tends to steal every show, obviously enjoyed himself in the previous two films and even more clearly, enjoys being Dr Robotnik and his newly discovered grandfather - equally moustachioed, grandfather’s white. (And, for adult fans and their memories of Jim Carrey’s films, plenty of his antics, over the top, plenty of improvised dialogue, and a reminder that it is 30 years ago that he began to make his mark!)

This time, the three friends, benign aliens, who with their great friends from the other films, Tom and Maddie (James Marsden and Tikka Sumpter). And then authority intervenes, But, frozen for 50 years, another alien hedgehog has now been released, Shadow (voiced by, of all people, Keanu Reeves). And not only is there the grim Shadow, speedily wreaking disaster wherever he rushes, but grandfather Robotnik also appears, daring his grandson, doing a double act in sinister behaviour – except that the original doctor about Nick has made peace with Sonic and his friends.

With the Sega computer games’ background, all kinds of action, no matter how impossible they might seem, ranging from Tokyo to America’s Middle West, they happen. Lots of fast action, always on the move, challenge to the goodies, the dire actions of the baddies, including resurrecting a huge spaceship and grandfather Robotnik’s vengeful ambition to destroy earth and all humans.

But, right from the beginning, there is a fair deal of moralising, about good behaviour, integrity from the heart, Sonic and his competitiveness, his ambitions in leading the team, that it is his team, he has to learn that revenge is no worthy motivation.

So, a family film combination, endearing characters for the youngsters, Jim Carrey for the parents and grandparents accompanying the youngsters, lots of colourful action and dangers, but always script lines enhancing the moral point of view.

THE HARDER THEY FALL

US, 2021, 139 minutes, Colour.

Jonathan Majors, Idris Elba, Regina King, LaKeith Stanfield, Zazie Beeta, Delroy Lindo, Dion Cole, Michael Beach, R.J. Cyler, Edi Gatghegi, DeWanda Wise, Damon Wayans Jr, Danielle Deadwyler,

Directed by Jeymes Samuel.

The strong Western, using the various conventions of the American West, outlaws, violence, rivalries and politics. What makes it more significance is that it is a film which focuses on African-American characters in the West, very few white characters to be seen. And, as been written Jeymes Samuel, a British writer, producer, director, but also a songwriter and musician. And music featuring significantly throughout this film.

There is a very strong opening, in version of a home, parents and their child, the death of the parents, the leader of the troop, the carving the boy’s forehead – and moving 20 years forward.

The star of the film is Jonathan Majors as the boy growing up, leader of his own group, involved in robberies, but also a journey of vengeance, and his relationships with various members of his group.

The other central character of the film is Idris Elba as the gunfighter who carved the boy, was freed from prison, involved in money dealings, taking over a town, ousting the Mayor, and his followers. And, at the end, quite a revelation about the relationship of the two men.

There is a very strong cast indeed, a range of key actors, African-Americans. There are significant male actors like Delroy Lindo, LaKeith Stanfield, Damon Wayans Jr. But, it is even stronger, the African-American women, Regina King, Danielle Deadwyler, Zazie Beetz.

With seeing as a western, is a picture of the characters in the white American West, playing on the conventions, heroes and villains, and ambiguities of characters and behaviour.

1. The title, in the context of the West?
2. The settings, the western locations, action?
3. The cast, African-American cast? Africans Americans in the 19^th century West?
4. Nat Love story, as a child, parents, the attack, their deaths, the carving on his forehead, the passing of 20 years, his new life, associates, killing Cortez? The robbery? The news about Rufus block? Nat and his relationship with Mary Field?
5. The portrait of the supporting characters, in themselves, their Association with Nat Love, with Rufus Buck? Loyalties, betrayals, shootouts?
6. Rufus Buck, at the opening, 20 years later, prison, pardon, the stolen money, his relationship with Trudy Smith, Cherokee Bill, the escape from the train? Killing the corrupt guards?
7. Redwood City, wily escape, the mayor, buck whipping him? Escape and the money?
8. Marshall Reeves, the arrest, capturing Love, the issues of revenge? The relationship with Cuffee? Mary, the proposal, the refusal? The buying of the saloon?
9. The action, the to-ing and fro-ing, between Nat story, Rufus Buck’s story, the deals, the love for Cuffee?
10. The wagon, the friends and betrayals, the money, the shootouts? Tesco’s death?
11. The confrontation between the women, their fighting?
12. Rufus Buck, with Love, the revelation about their father, his abuse, their being half-brothers, the shooting of the revenge? That killing Buck?
13. The end, Marshall Reeves, in control, Cuffee in support? The grave? The death of Buck, the freedom for Nat Love?