Wrath of Man

Wrath of Man is a 2021 crime thriller written and directed by Guy Ritchie, from a script he co-wrote with Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies. It is based on the 2004 French film Cash Truck, from Nicolas Boukhrief and Éric Besnard. It tells the story of a mysterious and stone faced cash truck security guard who surprised his coworkers during a heist in which he unexpectedly unleashes precision skills. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, his motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and deadly steps to settle a score.

The cast includes Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett, Laz Alonso, Raúl Castillo, Deobia Oparei, Eddie Marsan, and Scott Eastwood. Wrath of Man received a wide theatrical release on May 7th courtesy of MGM Studios.

THE GOOD

One thing is for sure, Guy Ritchie’s trademark style is undeniable. From his gritty in your face camera work, to his no BS and potentially offensive dialogue (some people, anyway), his films always stand out and feel true to his vision. Now since his debut film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998), he has delivered his fair share of even-keeled entertainment, including the 2019 Aladdin remake, but at his core films like Wrath of Man are where his talent truly shines through in my opinion.

Quite frankly, this is a return to old heist thrillers that have been watered down as of late, and that was a great thing for me. The most comparable film in recent memory would have to be Den of Thieves with Gerard Butler and Pablo Schreiber, with a less talented writer/director. They share a similar gritty feel but still have an immersive backstory to accompany the action. Plus plenty of shootouts and intense car chases, just what every heist thriller needs. Movies like this get me excited, which is probably why I’ve seen Den of Thieves at least 20 times, easily. It actually has a sequel in the works which I am excited for.

I really enjoyed all of the planning that went into the heists, sort of reminded me of the Ocean’s movies accounting for every single detail and potential variable. On the technical side of things, the soundtrack, cinematography, and score all work in sync and help drive the story while giving the film its much needed edge. I also liked how it jumped from the present to the past seamlessly as the story unraveled. Statham goes more John Wick in this movie and relies on the tried and true bullet to the face method as opposed to hand to hand combat, and I was more than okay with that. If there was ever a movie that requires you to eat wings and drinks beers, this is it.

The cast for Wrath of Man is similar to the Brooklyn Nets talent wise when it comes to crime thrillers, and that’s saying something. Jason Statham is the face of the film for obvious reasons, and he is amazing as always. Few directors can make a character as badass as Ritchie, and we all know that Statham needs little help in that department. He is the epitome of an alpha male, and if you are dealing with low testosterone levels, they’ll be up significantly after watching him take care of business.

I was very impressed with Scott Eastwood in his role and thought that he absolutely crushed it. It was great to see Josh Hartnett is a supporting role. Holt McCallany, the star of the Netflix series Mindhunter, was the perfect addition to the cast. I also have to give an honorable mention to Jeffrey Donovan, Laz Alonso from The Boys, and swiss army knife actor Eddie Marsan. Everyone came across as stone cold from top to bottom and more than held their own. Oh and needless to say I love a good Post Malone sighting, his scene had me laughing pretty good.

THE BAD

Wrath of Man delivered on what I was hoping for and left me with little to complain about, but that doesn’t mean some people won’t have some issues with the movie. In true Guy Ritchie fashion, the dialogue is often over-the-top insensitive and may offend some people especially considering todays climate. I wasn’t offended at all, which I suppose speaks to my own unresolved issues, but that is a discussion I should be having with my therapist. But seriously, Ritchie is unapologetic and stays true to his old-school filming style and I can’t get enough of it.

THE VERDICT

An unapologetically violent heist thriller that packs a punch and takes full advantage of a stacked cast, Guy Ritchie’s Wrath of Man is more than worth 2 hours of your time. I had an absolute blast watching this movie, and was reminded just how much I have missed watching Jason Statham kick ass during his Transporter days. I don’t care if we are talking about Death Race (which I will admit, I did enjoy), he always means business. With one of the most talented casts in recent memory and enough adrenaline to last you at least another 48 hours after the credits roll, this is a movie that warrants multiple viewings. See Wrath of Man on the big screen with the sound blaring and get your summer started off right.

TED TAKES RATING - 8.5/10

Wrath of Man is now playing in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Those Who Wish Me Dead

From director Taylor Sheridan, the man behind Sicario, Hell or High Water, Wind River, and Yellowstone, Those Who Wish Me Dead is a 2021 crime thriller that tells the story of a teenage murder witness who finds himself pursued by twin assassins in the Montana wilderness with a survival expert tasked with protecting him -- and a forest fire threatening to consume them all. The film is based on the novel from Michael Koryta. The cast includes Angelina Jolie, Jon Bernthal, Nicholas Hoult, Tyler Perry, Aidan Gillen, and Finn Little. The film is scheduled for a theatrical and HBO Max release on May 14th, 2021 from Warner Bros. Pictures.

THE GOOD

Taylor Sheridan is the man, end of story. Whether we are talking about Sicario, Hell or High Water, or Wind River, the former Son’s of Anarchy actor is easily one of my favorite writer/directors. If he is involved with a film you can rest assured it will pack a punch, and that is certainly the case here. Those Who Wish Me Dead is an exciting crime thriller set in the beautiful state of Montana.

I really enjoyed the story and thought it was paced well with plenty of depth. In true Taylor Sheridan fashion, the film has a gritty feel throughout and characters that you genuinely care about. I was on the edge of my seat and couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next. The score and cinematography are incredible as well, bringing rural Montana roaring to life.

The acting is next level from top to bottom, with fantastic performances from Angelina Jolie and Jon Bernthal. Bernthal has been a favorite of mine since his Walking Dead days and continues with the perfect role here. I also really enjoyed the complex characters Nicholas Hoult and Aidan Gillen played as the films primary antagonists. Young Australian actor Finn Little impressed me as well, and likely has a bright future ahead of him.

THE BAD

I don’t have much negative to say about Those Who Wish Me Dead, but if I wanted to nitpick I suppose I would point out the fact that after the conclusion viewers still have some questions about the backstory that drives the films narrative. I get that some people need all of the details and a nice little bow tied on at the end of a movie, but it doesn’t bother me that much. With that being said, this is based on a book and it is extremely difficult to fit everything in the movie version - one more reason to read the book, right? I will be picking it up soon myself.

THE VERDICT

Top-tier acting matched only by the incredible scenery and engaging storyline, Those Who Wish Me Dead is a crime thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. I still need to read the book, but I am a Taylor Sheridan Guy through and through. He just gets it when it comes to crime thrillers and always seems to work with the best actors.

You can catch Those Who Wish Me Dead on HBO Max, but if you are like and prefer the theater experience, it is well worth the price of admission.

TED TAKES RATING - 8/10

Those Who Wish Me Dead is now playing in theaters and available on HBO Max. Check out the trailer below.

Netflix To Debut Horror Film Series 'Fear Street' This Summer [TRAILER]

Three Movies. Three Weeks. One Killer Story.

In 1994, a group of teenagers discovers that the terrifying events that have haunted their town for generations ​may all be connected — and that they may be the next targets. Based on R.L. Stine’s best selling horror series, the trilogy follows the nightmare through Shadyside’s sinister history.

Watch the Fear Street Trilogy only on Netflix this July. Official teaser trailer below.

• Fear Street Part One: 1994 - July 2nd

• Fear Street Part Two: 1978 - July 9th

• Fear Street Part Three: 1666 - July 16th

Spiral

From director Darren Lynn Bousman, the man behind Saw II, III, and IV, Spiral is a 2021 horror thriller described as a re-imaging of the popular Saw franchise. The film tells the story of detective Zeke Banks and his rookie partner who take charge of an investigation into grisly murders that are eerily reminiscent of the city's gruesome past. Living in the shadow of his father and dealing with a checkered past, Zeke finds himself at the center of the killer's morbid game. The film stars Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Marisol Nichols, and Max Minghella. Spiral made it’s theatrical debut on May 14th courtesy of Lionsgate.

The Saw franchise entered our lives 17 years ago from a script by James Wan and Leigh Whannel, with Wan directing. A year later Darren Lynn Bousman took over the directors chair with Saw II, based on a script he co-wrote along with Whannel. Bousman went on to direct Saw III (2006) and Saw IV (2007), but stepped away from the franchise after that. He has returned with the newest entry Spiral, originally titled Spiral: From the Book of Saw, written by Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger, the two behind 2017’s Jigsaw.

THE GOOD

Love it or hate it, the Saw franchise always makes it a point to stick to its roots and I respect that. I have been a fan of the franchise since the original, and even though some of the sequels were a bit repetitive and started to lack backstory, I still enjoyed them. Now here we are in 2021, 5+ months removed from the nightmare year that was 2020 and we have another saw movie - perfect timing if you ask me. Spiral more or less starts from scratch within the same Saw Universe with the memory of the infamous serial killer John Kramer, known as The Jigsaw Killer, fresh in the minds of the public and law enforcement.

Before I get off track, I really enjoyed Spiral. It was packed full of nostalgia for fans of the franchise from the signature murder traps to the unique directing style thanks to Bousman’s return. The film carves out a brand new backstory with lots of depth and twists and turns which has been a trademark of the franchise for the earlier films, as well as the most recent entry Jigsaw. The cast has plenty of talent and recognizable faces, most notably Samuel L. Jackson and comedian/actor Chris Rock.

Jackson is great as always, and I actually thought they did a great job with Rock’s character. Once the film and the cast were announced I know we all had questions about the decision to put comedian first actor second Chris Rock in a lead role in a film like this, myself included, but I was pleased with the end result. He is not some stone cold Shaft like character in the detective world, and he retains his skillful delivery of hilarious one-liners. He had me laughing quite a bit especially earlier on. His character is actually a bright spot in the movie, and I for one am glad he was a part of it. Oh and Marisol Nichols (24, Riverdale) who plays Captain Angie Garza, is absolutely gorgeous. I also really liked Max Minghella from The Handmaid’s Tale who had a prominent role.

Hardcore Saw fans care about the trademark kills, and they can rest assured that they worked hard to make these feel fresh and new. First of all, they aren’t shy with the blood and gore that’s for damn sure. I won’t give anything away of course, but if you watched the trailer you’ll know that the mess on the train tracks is just the beginning. What I always enjoyed most about the Saw movies ever since the original were the predicaments the victims find themselves in. I mean I’d rather not find myself in a situation where I either cut off my own arm or die, but it did happen to James Franco in 127 Hours so I guess crazier things have happened. The thrill is on full display in Spiral and I was definitely on the edge of my seat and feeling real nervous at the right times. Either way, don’t piss off Jigsaw or anyone who idolizes him because you’ll end up having a really, really bad day.

I enjoyed the score and soundtrack which gave Spiral a hard-hitting feel right from the start, with an original song from 21 Savage and the music and score from Charlie Clouser, who also worked on Jigsaw. It had a concrete jungle feel to it which fit with the setting and premise of the film. The score and soundtrack are too often overlooked these days if you ask me, so it is always something I can appreciate.

THE BAD

All things considered I don’t have a ton of complaints about Spiral, but it certainly wasn’t perfect. With that being said, unlike many of the naïve and oblivious critics, I knew what to expect. Criticizing a Saw movie for having too much gore is like giving The Conjuring a bad rating for being too scary, it makes zero sense. Although the acting was easily one of the films strengths, it still proved to be a weakness at times. I really liked Chris Rock’s character but his delivery in some of the more dramatic scenes left something to be desired. His bread and butter is toeing the line of someone with thick skin and a propensity for vulgar humor, and they did stray from that more often than I would have preferred although it was necessary to drive the story. I also felt like most of the supporting cast was hit or miss.  

The story was absolutely a strength of the film as well, but I did feel like they missed out on a few opportunities to dig deeper into a fairly complex backstory. The twist is worth it in the end, but you can’t help but feel like certain aspects were rushed or not fully unpacked.

THE VERDICT

With a killer soundtrack, plenty of great one-liners thanks to Chris Rock, and enough gore to satisfy it’s loyal fanbase, Spiral is a more than worthy revival for a storied franchise. Whether you are a fan of the original films or not, as long as you can stomach the blood and gore I suggest you see this in theaters - it packs a punch. It brings enough for those looking for a good crime thriller, and the “predicaments” the victims found themselves in gave me chills more than a few times. I’m looking forward to the inevitable sequel.

TED TAKES RATING - 7/10

Spiral is now playing only in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Kevin Hart Stars In Upcoming Netflix Drama 'Fatherhood' [TRAILER]

Is Kevin Hart capable of taking on a dramatic role? You gon’ learn on June 18th!!

This Father's Day weekend, Kevin Hart stars in a heartwarming, funny and emotional true story about a widower taking on one of the toughest jobs in the world: fatherhood. Alfre Woodard, Lil Rel Howery, DeWanda Wise, Anthony Carrigan (HBO’s Barry), and Paul Reiser round out this all-star cast. I got chills watching this trailer and I am NOT ashamed to admit it, I can’t wait for this.

Fatherhood will be available to stream exclusively on Netflix June 18th. Watch the official trailer below.

Separation

Separation is a 2021 horror drama directed by William Brent Bell, from a screenplay by Nick Amadeus and Josh Braun. It tells the story of 8-year-old Jenny who is constantly caught in the middle of the feuding between her lawyer mother Maggie and artist father Jeff. She leads a lonely but imaginative life, surrounded by puppets called “Grisly Kin”, which are based on the works of her father. When Maggie is tragically killed in a hit-and-run, Jeff and Jenny try to piece together a new life.

The cast includes Rupert Friend, Mamie Gummer, Madeline Brewer, Violet McGraw, Simon Quarterman, and Brian Cox.

Separation released in theaters on April 30th from Open Road Films and Briarcliff Entertainment.

THE GOOD

First of all, Separation is rated R which seems to be oddly rare for horror movies these days. Secondly it doesn’t rely on jump scares, and for me that’s huge. I mean I enjoy a good jump scare as much as the next person, but at the end of the day they are cheap scares. Instead for the most part they take the less is more approach, having the monster barely creeping out from the shadows and that is what I like to see. Plus with a premise essentially built around creepy dolls, what’s not to love about that? The horror elements used were all pretty solid all things considered. From the genuinely creepy dolls reminiscent of Puppet Master, to the scary clown type figures, it was more than enough to scare your average horror fan. 

The premise of the film blurred the lines of reality and some other “darkness” allowing for a unique graphic novel feel at times which I liked. Separation also has a much deeper meaning than you’d expect, and serves as more of a cautionary tale for parents.

Brian Cox is great in this movie, but I mean he’s great in pretty much anything he is in. What I thought was funny about his role is he basically plays his Succession character, like to a tee. If this was a side story during the new season of Succession, he wouldn’t miss a beat. Maybe he filmed his scenes during his lunch breaks. I also really liked Violet McGraw, she was very convincing and I think she has a bright future ahead of her.

THE BAD

Separation has plenty to pick apart. My two biggest issues were the script and the acting, two extremely important elements of any successful movie. The script felt rushed from the start, and didn’t allow the characters or the story itself to build much of a foundation. You never feel truly invested or sympathetic to any of the characters really, except the daughter of course. I just felt like emotional investment was critical here and they definitely missed the mark on it. 

The acting was shaky pretty much throughout for one reason or another, but most glaring was Rupert Friend who I expected more from. I wouldn’t consider him to be an A-list actor but I still expected more from a recognizable name. He wasn’t awful, just not convincing with his character which proved to be a lasting issue.

THE VERDICT

If you struggle with attics full of creepy dolls or clowns crawling around looking like the sister from Pet Sematary, Separation starring Rupert Friend and Brian Cox will have you pulling the blanket up over your eyes more times than you’ll want to admit. Is it an instant horror classic? Unfortunately not even close, but it’s better than some of this other horror garbage that keeps getting released. The biggest thing missing is a sense of substance to help the family drama based narrative, or even just what felt more like a finished product. With a polished script and a few more hours with the acting coaches we may have had a fresh tomato on our hands, or at least one you’d still be willing to put on a sandwich.

TED TAKES RATING - 5.5/10

Separation is now playing only in theaters. Check out the trailer below.

Mortal Kombat

Mortal Kombat is a 2021 action thriller that tells the story of washed up MMA fighter Cole Young as he seeks out Earth's greatest champions in order to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe, and is based on the popular videogame franchise from the 90’s. It is directed by Simon McQuoid, and written by Greg Russo, Dave Callaham, and Oren Uziel. Writing credits also go to Ed Boon and John Tobias, the creators of the videogame.

I was born in 1984 (yes, I know I’m old), so to say that Mortal Kombat was a big part of my childhood would be an understatement. I’m a 90’s kid through and through, and damn proud of it too. My friends and I would spend hours mastering the finishing moves at the arcade, and when the cut scene was triggered, we just watched in pure awe. It was a truly magical time. 

The dream was always to have the movie version of the game and in 1995, that became a reality. And to be honest, I really liked it. I mean the soundtrack got me all kinds of fired up, and still does to this day. But it was far from perfect. I mean first of all, it was rated PG-13 (yawnnnnnnnn). So for years now we have been itching for a R-rated movie that could truly embody what Mortal Kombat is, and well, that day has come.

THE GOOD

If you’ve heard it once you’ve heard it 1000 times, video film adaptations are trash more often than not for one reason or another. Either they stray from the tried and true formula for ratings reasons or just try to get cute and things quickly fall apart. But rest assured, that didn’t happen here.  

First and foremost, Mortal Kombat is for the fans. End of story. And you know what, that’s how it should be. It is a simple recipe for success, if you are making a movie based on a video game franchise why wouldn’t you prioritize the people who made that videogame so successful in the first place? I mean it seems obvious. Is it an enjoyable movie for someone who has no idea about or ever even played the games? Sure it is. But more than anything else, this is a nostalgic origin story that builds up to the perfect setup for a sequel. Also as expected, the R-rating was absolutely key here. You just can’t put together a competent Mortal Kombat movie without the elements that made the games so great which is brutal over the top violence. I mean, it was the 90’s what can you do.

As one of the aforementioned fans, I really enjoyed this movie. It gave me everything I was hoping for and then some. From Kano’s one-liners to the raw power of Jax’s robotic arms causing a bit more than a permanent migraine, this is just pure fun. The writers ensure the characters feel authentic to the games from their trademark mannerisms, right down to their impulse control issues. I knew who each character was right away which brought on a nice comforting rush of nostalgia. 

I thought the casting choices were all pretty great. Lewis Tan, who takes on the lead role of Cole Young, is a pretty unknown actor which is a good thing in this case. You won’t have any predisposed notions of him playing any other roles, and I personally thought he did a really nice job here. The same goes for Jessica McNamee, who plays the role of Sonya Blade. It was also fitting that both actors are similar to me in age so they would have grown up with these games as well.

For those of you who watched HBO’s True Blood, Mehcad Brooks who plays Jax is easily one of the more recognizable characters and was perfect for the role. Love him or hate him, Australian actor Josh Lawson makes the biggest impact with a fantastic portrayal as the mouthy loose cannon, Kano. The humor he brings to the film is fantastic and provides a nice balance to the mandatory blood and gore. I also have to give a shoutout to Mileena played by Sisi Stringer, I loved what they did with her character. I wouldn’t mess with her.

The choreography and stunt work was top notch, making each fight scene feel as intimate and brutal as the last. I really liked how the environments played such a big part in some of the bigger fights, just like they do in the games. We jumped from one fight to the next without losing the feel of a progressing storyline which I thought was a nice touch. Oh and Sub-Zero vs Scorpion, that is EVERYTHING. I also have to say I was impressed with the fact that this is the directorial debut for Australia native Simon McQuoid. I think he did a nice job with it.

THE BAD

It’s not perfect, and for someone who grew up playing the games and has a very clear memory of the original 1995 film, a few things could’ve been included that weren’t but much of that is also personal preference. For example, I always think about the crazy fight in the woods between Scorpion and Johnny Cage. I just thought that was such a cool and iconic setting that felt like the games. But it’s hard to critique a movie that builds itself as an origin story, while still improving on the original in such a big way. Maybe we will get a taste of that in the sequel? Time will tell. Usually when they try rebuilding a franchise from the ground up like this, they are thinking at least 3 movies ahead as far as storyline.

There were times when I thought the film didn’t feel quite as gritty as I would have liked, but then I stop and remember that this is a movie based on a video game franchise from the 90’s about humans with “super abilities” fighting beings from another realm, and that sort of puts things in perspective. Or someone gets their head chopped off, that usually does the trick too. The acting is also mediocre at times, but not enough to be a real issue, plus most of the cast are unknowns.

Some people seem to have an issue with the story arc addition of Cole Young, who essentially becomes the centerpiece of the film. Mostly because he was not part of the videogames and was inserted for plot purposes, and I get that. But at the same time, I think the writers needed a jumping off point if they were going to build a fresh new franchise and I didn’t really have an issue with his character in general. He sort of had a Never Back Down vibe to him.

THE VERDICT

Catering to it’s fanbase with every catch phrase and signature finishing move, Mortal Kombat is a hefty dose of 90’s nostalgia and what should be a shiny new resurgence for the franchise. The joy I felt watching this movie is exactly why I love going to the theater, just good old fashioned unapologetic enjoyment. Full disclosure, as soon as I got home I hit the bench press in the basement pretty hard. I mean let’s be honest, you never know when you might get the call from Raiden. They also set things up perfectly for another movie, I just hope that comes to fruition unlike the recent Power Rangers reboot. Yes, I am still bitter. Assuming things go as planned, I can’t wait to see who they cast for the sequel.

TED TAKES RATING - 7.5/10

Mortal Kombat is now in theaters and available on HBO Max. Check out the trailer below.

Voyagers

Written and directed by Neil Burger, Voyagers is a 2021 sci-fi drama starring Tye Sheridan, Lily-Rose Depp, Fionn Whitehead, Chanté Adams, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Viveik Kalra, Archie Madekwe, Quintessa Swindell, Madison Hu, and Colin Farrell.

Set in the future, the film chronicles the odyssey of 30 young men and women who are sent deep into space on a multi-generational mission in search of a new home. The mission descends into madness, as the crew reverts to its most primal state, not knowing if the real threat they face is what's outside the ship or who they're becoming inside it. Voyagers made its debut only in theaters on April 9th, 2021, courtesy of Lionsgate.

THE GOOD

Voyagers is a story of self-preservation in the face of our primal needs as human beings. The unique element of the story is that after years and years, researchers finally find what they believe is a new and very much inhabitable planet. There is one catch catch though, it will take precisely 86 years aboard the ship to reach this new planet. Because of this, researchers realize that the people who climb aboard the ship will rely on their grandchildren to take the reigns. Realizing that it is against human nature to be stuck on a ship for an entire lifetime, they raise children in a lab setting in preparation for this mission. The plan is to leave once this new generation is old enough to successfully maintain the ship, with safeguards in place that essentially keep the crew from ever becoming truly “human”. As you can imagine, things do not go quite as they planned.

As a movie that seemed to more or less come out of nowhere, Voyagers is an enjoyable sci-fi drama with a fair amount of depth to the story. First and foremost, I appreciate the willingness to have a theatrical release instead of selling off to a streaming service because we need to re-ignite the movie theater industry. The premise feels fresh and thought provoking, the cast is a great mix of stars and young talent, and the “why” certainly hits home. I thought the reason for this “voyage” was well thought out and an easy concept for viewers to grasp. Voyagers is an example of science and social psychology climbing into the drivers seat in an attempt to preserve human life in the form of a newfound seemingly habitable planet. The movie kept me guessing, unsure as to whether it was more of a drama or if it would become more of a horror thriller, and that kept me engaged for the majority of the film.

The cast is anchored by the great Colin Farrell who delivers a fantastic performance as expected. Farrell may not get as much screen time as I would have preferred due to the story arch, but he makes the most of his screen time. I was looking forward to seeing my guy Tye Sheridan in a starring role again, he’s been fairly quiet since 2018’s Ready Player One. Ever since seeing 2012’s Mud I knew he was an up-and-coming star, and he does well here even holding up in the scenes he shares with Farrell. I also liked Lily-Rose Depp who was also in one of the lead roles. If you didn’t guess it already, she is the daughter of actor Johnny Depp. Lily-Rose is slowly building a solid acting career and her talent shows in Voyagers.

The technical elements are incredibly important in a sci-fi drama, and I think for the most part everything worked. The nice thing about this film is it relies more on the performances than it does CGI by a long shot, which kept the budget in check at a very reasonable estimated 29 million. I also thought the score helped to balance the bleak yet optimistic tone they were going for.

THE BAD

Voyagers has it’s issues keeping it from being one of those “wow, that’s crazy!” sci-fi dramas. At some point towards the more pivotal part of the story, things started to feel goofy, I guess is the best way to explain it. At this point the audience is sort of on edge, unsure as to what exactly is plaguing the crew as it relates to a tragedy aboard the ship, and it just gets a little weird. For me, I felt like the element of realism and drama started to trend in the direction the Divergent films, but not really in a good way. It was almost like we were teased with a horror thriller vibe, and it was ripped from our grasps just as we were getting comfortable. This all came as no real surprise to me as writer/director Neil Burger is the man behind 2014’s Divergent. Burger is a talented writer and director don’t get me wrong, but I think he made a mistake trying to blend the young adult genre into Voyagers and that directly impacted the overall effectiveness of the film. It really bummed me out because he was on such a great path initially.

I also had an issue with a few of the casting decisions coupled with some flawed writing. I was annoyed by Fionn Whitehead’s character, and I usually like him as an actor. He was great in Dunkirk. I feel like the writing fell flat at times and his character arc took the brunt of it. He was supposed to be the character we had mixed emotions about unsure whether we should support or despise him, but I just couldn’t stand him pretty much from the onset and that didn’t sit well with me. For the 2nd half of the movie I honestly just wanted someone to open the door and send him on a journey of no return. I also thought the supporting cast was fairly weak and undeveloped.

THE VERDICT

A sci-fi thriller more rooted in reality than we would like to admit, Voyagers reminds us just how far we are willing to go to preserve the future of humanity. I would have preferred a bit more depth to the script as it relates to overall character development as well as more Alien and less Divergent, but this is still an enjoyable and thought provoking experience with a satisfying conclusion. It just could have been much, much better.

TED TAKES RATING - 6.5/10

Voyagers is now playing only in theaters. Check out the trailer below.