Tag Archives: Lucy Liu

Red One

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Vampire Owl: So, you are telling me that we are not the true red ones.

Vampire Bat: We always wear black. You know that already.

Vampire Owl: We do have the red borders on clothing.

Vampire Bat: It is just a symbolism of blood.

Vampire Owl: So, we are not that much into bloody colours.

Vampire Bat: Any blood on clothing can lead to suspicion.

Vampire Owl: Well, everyone knows that we are vampires.

Vampire Bat: It is not about knowing; it is about providing proof.

Vampire Owl: There would be enough proof available from the CCTVs.

Vampire Bat: Well, those could be staged as it would be over in a flash.

[Gets an oreo shake and three cups of Vagamon tea].

What is the movie about? :: MORA (Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority) has almost always existed as a secret military organization meant to keep the balance between humanity and mythological creatures, thus keeping both worlds safe and without making itself known to mankind. As part of the organization, Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson), Head of North Pole security for Saint Nicholas a.k.a. Santa Claus (J K Simmons) for quite a long time. After serving for long as the strongest member of the team and an expert in his field, Callum decides to quite after this final Christmas journey though. But things do not go that easy as Santa is kidnapped by an unknown group of soldiers who are able to bypass the security measures of his building with ease. Callum lets the director of MORA, Zoe Harlow (Lucy Liu) know about the same, and the group is put on full alert, understanding the alarming situation where there would be no Christmas at least for one year.

So, what happens with the events here as we just keep looking? :: The question remains why one would want to abduct Santa Claus, and the names of the usual suspects come into the picture before any other investigation. It is discovered that the top-secret location of Santa’s abode was leaked by Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), a hacker and bounty hunter, divorced and non-believer, who would do anything for money. After a tracker is placing on him, Jack is forced to team up with a reluctant Callum due to unforeseen circumstances. He points them to the broker and middleman Ted (Nick Kroll) who provides them the name of the winter witch Gryla (Kiernan Shipka), who wishes to punish everyone who has been evil in one way or the other, which would mean almost all of humanity. They ask for help from Santa’s estranged brother and Gryla’s former lover Krampus (Kristofer Hivju), but he is not interested. With the winter witch only getting more powerful and Santa getting weaker, what all paths can lead to saving the man in trouble?

The defence of Red One :: Red One keeps on with the Santa Claus side of Christmas which is never short of opportunities. There are some fine action sequences with some visual splendour that goes on and on throughout its run. The main characters keep making things interesting as the movie progresses, and we find their teaming up to be an interesting one without second thoughts. There is some humour that is added here and there, and with the two main characters around, that was always going to happen at regular intervals. The addition of Chris Evans becomes the fine twist in itself, as we usually find Chris Pratt, Ryan Reynolds, Seann William Scott or someone doing similar works, especially after Captain America model came up – this remains a welcome change when we look at it. The idea of Santa Claus being kidnapped and the celebration of Christmas itself being canceled is one idea that keeps us going for it. With more hype in this part of the world, it could have surely achieved more and made a lasting impact due to its quality of making itself.

The claws of flaw :: The movie could have used some magic of Christmas to add to its strength, instead of going in a predictable saving the word from evil witch mode. It instead chooses to go for the safe path with the least intervention of religion and mythology, seemingly to satisfy that group which has the least interest in these types of movies. One keeps wondering why the film hesitates to take any part of the religious and spiritual side when the same could brought on with the right morals and never compromising on the overall quality. You have a Santa Claus and you have the Rock defending him, with the Captain America turned new character with special skills, and the limitations still seem to apply. There seems to be the feeling that all of these would be enough to make this a blockbuster with Christmas around the corner. Maybe there was the idea of thinking too much about one’s own existence in a world of too many movies.

The performers of the soul :: Dwayne Johnson a.k.a. the Rock once again has one side in control in that kind of a role which he has never been tired of doing. He plays the strong defender and bodyguard of Santa Claus to perfection as one would expect him to do. His status as an entertainer is further asserted here. Chris Evans becomes the reluctant hero who is not that interested in saving people or the world, very much unlike the Captain America roles he had been playing until Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. He switches his style really well around here. On other days, you would think about many other actors playing this kind of role, but this time, we have fine change that surprises. Lucy Liu has less to do, but the performance here is done with some fine conviction. Kiernan Shipka evil villain also remains an effective one – we are never really short of some more witches on the scene, and with the presence of the darker side of magic, they always make things more effectively terrifying. J K Simmons makes a fine Santa Claus in between.

How it finishes :: You expect more for the Christmas season, especially with such a grand cast involved in the proceedings. But the movie never really raises its level, despite having some fine moments around. Its quality as entertainer and as something interesting for children would never be questioned though, and we see the fun around. The movie keeps reminding us about the Christmas spirit throughout the December. There was always chance for more, but we are glad to watch some fine Christmas entertainment. You will have the choice to watch something else, and if you are watching this one for a Christmas, there is more chance that you will opt for this one instead of any other. The Rock during Christmas season is more and more happiness, whether it is in the WWE ring or in a movie. You have those electrifying moments, whether with Santa Claus, or with the Undertaker, Triple H or Stone Cold Steve Austin. This one is presently available on Amazon Prime Video, and among the choices, this one shines with the Christmas fun out of nowhere.

Release date: 15th November 2024
Running time: 123 minutes
Directed by: Jake Kasdan
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J K Simmons, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Reinaldo Faberlle, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, Wesley Kimmel, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Marc Evan Jackson. Jenna Kanell, Gursharn Arya, Jon Rudnitsky

<<< Click here to go to the previous review.

@ Cemetery Watch
✠ The Vampire Bat.

Shazam II

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Vampire Owl: Shazam has not been on the list of our favourite superheroes.

Vampire Bat: But it is surely on the funny list.

Vampire Owl: You mean to say that there is another list?

Vampire Bat: Yes, we have to separate the comic side from the serious.

Vampire Owl: So, you mean to say that all superheroes are not considered on the same list?

Vampire Bat: No two superheroes are the same.

Vampire Owl: Not when we consider a few from different comics.

Vampire Bat: You mean to talk about Marvel’s parallels in DC.

Vampire Owl: Well, there are exceptions.

Vampire Bat: I would work on those exceptions.

[Gets a chocolate brownie and three cups of green apple tea].

What is the movie about? :: Billy Batson a.k.a Shazam (Zachary Levi and Asher Angel) is trying to keep his family of superheroes going, but it seems that everyone wishes to go on their way as they have grown up. Billy is further worried about being thrown out of the family when he turns eighteen, and his elder foster sister, Mary Bromfield (Grace Caroline Currey) feels that the day will come rather soon. It is then that the Wizard (Djimon Hounsou) provides Billy with a warning that the “Daughters of Atlas” are coming to get them. Hespera (Helen Mirren), Kalypso (Lucy Liu) and Anthea (Rachel Zegler), the three daughters of the titan have decided to unleash their wrath on humans. They would steal the wizard’s broken staff from the Acropolis Museum in Athens and take it to the Wizard who is already imprisoned by them. They forcibly use the powers of the wizard to fix the staff and reactivate its powers with a grand plan to bring back the world of the gods.

So, what happens with the events here as we just keep looking? :: The daughters manage to capture Freddy Freeman (Jack Dylan Grazer) and trap everyone in the city within an indestructible forcefield created out of godly magic. They imprison Freddy along with the Wizard in the realm of gods. Billy makes an attempt to negotiate with the sisters, while Anthea gives tips to the Wizard and Freddy to escape from captivity. Back home, the battle sees more members of the Shazam family losing their power, and Hespera is captured by them to negotiate another more even deal. But it is revealed that she allowed herself to be captured so that she could steal something from their lair. This would help her to make their world greater than ever, and at the same time, destroy the other worlds including that of humans. Can the remaining members of the Shazam family manage to stop the daughters, or will there be chaos unleashed? Will the Wizard finally believe that she should not have given the power to Billy who has almost no true wisdom?

The defence of Shazam II: Fury of the Gods :: The attempt to keep the funny side alive has worked again for the DC Extended Universe, and we see this world colliding with another, as we see the connection more than once. The movie’s best new addition might be Rachel Zegler, and the idea of the family that runs through, maybe even more than Fast and Furious franchise. The action sequences are nicely done, and we see the aerial battles with all the effectiveness. The different worlds are created well with the special effects, and this can be said with those location with derive power from the settings. The film keeps us going and whenever it seems to lose some strength, something stronger always comes up and adds to the occasion. The movie serves as a reminder that DC has come up above Marvel after the end of the greatest superheroes like Captain America and Iron Man, while the darker heroes of this side have more to prove, and even bring some of the best villains around.

The claws of flaw :: The childish side which is present in this movie never really leaves us – the silliness could have been kept to the minimum as some points seem to be not maintaining a certain amount of quality. The lack of seriousness at some points feels to be rather strange, even though not that ridiculous as we have seen in Deadpool and its sequel. The deviation that the movie takes from the other films of DC Extended Universe works only at times. Some of the moments travel too far away from the core and seems to favour an animated movie, and the lightness of this particular flick often becomes rather too much. The magic could always look better and bring a more stylish spectacle, something which Doctor Strange has perfected so well. This movie could have also used some support from Black Adam, as The Rock would make things eternally grand.

The performers of the soul :: Zachary Levi manages the humour in this sequel with ease, and the emotional side also comes strong with him around. The work here becomes a fine extension of what he did in the first movie. Jack Dylan Grazer’s work is to be remembered next, and remains something that rises to the occasion with the humour as well as the emotional elements. Grace Caroline Currey who was earlier credited as Grace Fulton with the previous movie continues to have a memorable impact here. Rachel Zegler brings a great amount of charm to the movie, and her avatar remains a truly memorable one with an emotional touch as much as the magic that surrounds her. Lucy Liu becomes the villain that catches our attention more while Helen Mirren also contributes effectively to the process. Djimon Hounsou’s work remains notable as the one wizard who keeps the magic alive. The cameo from Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman will stay with us for a long time too, but the earlier moments had left us thinking if that was to come at all.

How it finishes :: Shazam II: Fury of the Gods takes the deviation from the other superheroes of the franchise very seriously, and could have even used Black Adam around here. There are many interesting moments here, and the emotional side is also working, with messages that work with effectiveness. The entertaining side stays strong, and we know that there is always something bigger to come, and it could manage to be better than the earlier movie with ease. The messages stay strong and about family and the underdogs, we know how it manages to go as expected. This is another movie which keeps DC flying high enough, even though not as much as it could have managed. This one manages to be interesting for both adults and kids, as the action or the funny side never shows up alone. Marvel could not have achieved such balance with such material after Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: End Game – maybe with the looks, but not with the rest.

Release date: 17th March 2023
Running time: 130 minutes
Directed by: David F Sandberg
Starring: Zachary Levi, Asher Angel, Jack Dylan Grazer, Rachel Zegler, Adam Brody, Ross Butler, D. J. Cotrona, Grace Caroline Currey, Meagan Good, Lucy Liu, Djimon Hounsou, Helen Mirren

<<< Click here to go to the previous review.

@ Cemetery Watch
✠ The Vampire Bat.

Kung Fu Panda 3

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Vampire Owl: You remember the secret which I had told you earlier, don’t you?

Vampire Bat: Everything you talk about sounds like a secret. Which one exactly are we talking about here?

Vampire Owl: That the Vampire Panda is actually Kung Fu Panda?

Vampire Bat: It was not a case of secret being revealed. It made no sense.

Vampire Owl: Dude, they are both the same. You can see them do Kung Fu in the same way.

Vampire Bat: But the Kung Fu Panda has more fat.

Vampire Owl: He has hidden them all using Kung Fu magic.

Vampire Bat: You mean to say that he is a wizard who knows Kung Fu.

Vampire Owl: It is exactly what I am talking about. This movie should have even more clues about him.

Vampire Bat: I am having more clues about you.

[Gets three cups of masala tea with Kerala samosa].

What is the movie about? :: Master Oogway (Randall Duk Kim), as he passes through the spiritual realm, meets Kai (J.K. Simmons) who had defeated all the Kung fu masters in the realm, and had taken their chi, or life force, making him stronger than he had ever been in the land of the living. Oogway also gives in, providing him with his chi, but does warns him that the great dragon warrior will stop him one day. Meanwhile, Po (Jack Black) is once again not having the best of times as the dragon warrior. Taking over the role of Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) with kung fu training go all wrong, and he decides to question himself as the one whom the world claims that he is. Master Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Master Mantis (Seth Rogen), Master Crane (David Cross), Master Viper (Lucy Liu) and Master Monkey (Jackie Chan) are all there, but Po is still disappointed.

So, what happens next? :: He once again returns home to find solace in noodles as well as his adoptive father, Mr. Ping (James Hong). There he finds out that another panda, Li Shan (Bryan Cranston) has broken his record of eating dumplings. This unexpected visitor is recognized as Po’s biological father, and there is the father-son re-union much to the dismay of Ping who becomes afraid of losing his son, the one person whom he held close to heart more than anyone else. But this re-union is troubled as they are attacked by zombies who resemble the dead kung fu masters. These masters sent by Kai awakens the need for the dragon warrior to master chi, and to do the same, he will have to go to the secret panda village, as they have always been the experts in healing using the power of chi. But a long time has passed, and the enemy is nearby – can Po master the same in time to save everyone?

The defence of Kung Fu Panda 3 :: Just like the previous two movies, this one is also a movie that will appeal to everyone, from the little kids to people of any age as far as one can watch a movie on the screen. It is undoubtedly the movie that the fans of the franchise will love to watch, and it is the animated movie that one can go for, without thinking twice as the minimum guarantee is still there. The visuals are once again great, and the characters continue to have an impact on the viewers. This continues the legacy of kung fu on the animated screen, and as it was for the earlier movies, there is nothing much that can prevent another sequel from coming up. Kung Fu Panda 3 is indeed fun as expected, and delivers the messages to everyone – a feel-good animated movie that can provide lessons for life might be what the family audience wants to have, not just now, but for many years to come, in a complex situation with new generation of chaotic kids.

The claws of flaw :: The one problem with this flick is that this is the third movie of the franchise, and the protagonist has to go through the same thing again and again, with failures and disbelief followed by all the belief and success in the end. Our hero is the dragon warrior, and he still can’t believe it after so much has been done – we have to wonder how many more movies it will take him to really believe and keep the belief within him; maybe another person would have cost less to make believe. This one doesn’t live up-to the high standards the first two movies had, which might be why the flick had to go to the spirit world to bring the dead ones back. It is surprising that such a creative and successfully franchise doesn’t try to bring something different and something less predictable – maybe they just know that this is going to be a success with these characters and people who love them; maybe they are not done providing tablets of belief yet.

Soul exploration :: The tale of the dragon warrior has always been about making the viewers believing in themselves – it was best shown with the realisation that there is no secret ingredient as it is about the person himself to have faith and make things work. As Alice thinks about six impossible things before breakfast, Po has already had three, all of which he has accomplished – it took him only three movies to do the same; so the lesson remains there for all of us that the dragon warrior is just about being ourselves, and working hard to achieving our dreams which might be closer than we think that they are. Still, the best of the franchise will always be the first movie, which had gone on to become the highest grossing animated film of the year worldwide, and also the one animated movie that everyone mentioned more than any other in the last decade, along with Ice Age, Madagascar and Finding Nemo.

How it finishes :: There is something about Kung Fu Panda that will keep having the viewers watch more and more of it. I was not able to write about the first two movies as this blog didn’t exist when the two flick released, in 2008 and in 2011. This third movie took rather too long to release, and this five year gap might have affected its chances to do even better at the box-office. It should also be one of the reasons why this flick didn’t get that much of the collection as the earlier movies of the franchise. Unlike the 2010 movie, The Karate Kid which had kung fu instead of karate, this one sticks to teaching what is in the title, and even though so many award winning animated movies have come to the front, from Frozen, Inside Out and Big Hero 6 to even Zootopia and Moana in the last one year, Kung Fu Panda is the franchise that everyone will want to watch – lets not have that much of a gap between two movies of the series though.

Release date: 29th January 2016 (USA); 1st April 2016 (India)
Running time: 95 minutes
Directed by: Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Alessandro Carloni
Starring: Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie, J. K. Simmons, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, David Cross, James Hong, Kate Hudson, Randall Duk Kim

@ Cemetery Watch
✠ The Vampire Bat.