The Cinematic Review-verse

Photo Courtesy of imdb.com Despicable Me 3 was  another well-intended feat by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment. Gru (Steve Carell) goes up against Balthazar Bratt (Trey Parker, Co creator of South Park), while taking the family to reconcile with his long-lost twin brother, Dru (also Carell). Let's also not forget the amusing power of the Minions. Combining computer animation with a heartwarming image of family, action, and comedy, and popular music by the respected Pharrell Williams, this movie shows that the cast and crew of Despicable Me have not lost their touch and keep making things laughable. I would completely recommend this film.

Photo Courtesy of imdb.com With numerous new characters, previously unused footage, excellent soundtrack, and a heartwarming message about not giving up, Disney/Pixar's Cars 3 truly brings a rush for the audience like racing should! In this film, Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) is under the threat of being put out of racing entirely when a generation of high- tech race cars come onto the track, led by Jackson Storm (voiced by Armie Hammer). But like Rocky after losing to Clubber Lang, through retraining and getting back the ferocity and energy he always had in him, McQueen can show that he's no washed-up racer, but someone who will not quit on what he loves. The crew of the Cars franchise did a major improvement on this one. This time, it's not all  about being the fastest, it's about who's taking the lap. It was filled with adrenaline and passion and I was very happy to see most of the original cast again. 9/10

Photo Courtesy of dvdreleasedates.com 10/10. Gal Gadot showed agility and excellence for womanhood in this DC Extended Universe film. Through adventure, bravery, and courage, the ABCs of a superhero, in my opinion,  Wonder Woman was an excellent example of one of the first superheroines. Set long before the events of Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice , Diana, Princess of Themyscira (Gadot), leaves home and joins forces with Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) to save the world from a threat that is worsening: World War I. All the while, she learns what it means to be human and takes on the courageous role of a superhero as Wonder Woman. With the song "To Be Human" performed by Sia, a thriving score by Rupert Gregson-Williams, and a great selection of cast members ranging from Danny Huston to David Thewlis, Wonder Woman will leave audiences feeling, in a word, wondrous. 

Courtesy of imdb.com 9/10 overall. While combining major action scenes with amazing beach babes and a happy ending for most of the main male and female characters, Baywatch was an overall sensation and great way to kick off the summer with Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron! In this adaptation of the NBC-turned-syndicated television series, Mitch Buchannon (Johnson) leads an elite team of lifeguards of a Florida beach (Efron, Alexandra Daddario, Jon Bass, Kelly Rohrbach, and Ilfenesh Hadera) to try and save their beach from being closed down and under the control of a corrupt businesswoman running a secret drug ring (Priyanka Chopra). By filming intense rescue scenes, wild partying, and occasional explosions, the cast and crew of Baywatch proved that excitement comes from being on land and watching and protecting citizens from any dangers in the sea. It was summertime excellence in almost every kind of way they could put it, and I was grateful to see it.

Photo Courtesy of imdb.com Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was an excellent combination of action, humor, and entertainment for me today. The film revolves around Peter Quill/ Star-Lord continuing to discover his heritage, while a mutinous group of Ravagers and an ensemble of bounty hunters, royals, and other aliens come to wreak havoc across the Cosmos. With amazing visual effects, an all cast of reprisals and new additions, classic rock and pop music, and a great piece of direction courtesy of one James Gunn, it was bigger and just enough to match the first Guardians film 3 years ago. A- for all the performance. Marvel, keep up the good work.

The Fate of The Furious was an excellent eighth edition to the fast-paced and furious-fueled franchise. Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson led an amazing ensemble cast, the explosions were lethal, the plot and technology blew my mind, the jokes were comical, this franchise truly HAS gone fast for 16 years, and t his time, a cyberterrorist named Cipher (Charlize Theron) comes into Dom's (Diesel) civil life and coerces him into betraying his family on a threat that will plunge the world into darkness. But, his family will not stand for this and will bring back the Dominic Toretto they know and we love. Sill, it wasn't that easy to watch a film without Paul Walker as Brian O'Conner, but I loved watching it anyway. I can't wait for who knows what comes next for the crew!

Photo Courtesy of traileraddicts.com Logan  was a spectacular yet tragic ending for Hugh Jackman's 17 years as Wolverine. Even with Professor X, he's still confronting his own demons and finding what it truly means to be an immortal hero. Combined with all the language, violence, and drama, Logan is an action-packed, shock-and-awe, kind of movie, and I love it. Set long after X-Men: Days of Future Past, Logan is now older, weary, and his adamantium is poisoning his body, leading him to finally wither and pass away. But, he must bring back the fight for one final time when enemies from his past come to attack him, an older Professor Xavier, and what may be left of the mutants. While trying to savor his health, he must also deal with the needs of a clone of his (Dafne Keen). With robust action, excellent new casting additions, effective makeup and visuals, and a superb score by Marco Beltrami, this film really brought a fitting ending for Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.