Film Review: How To Train Your Dragon 2

How To Train Your Dragon 2   7.5/10
Director: Dean Deblois
Starring: Jay Baruchel, America Ferrera, Cate Blanchett
Plot: A new-found ice cave homes hundreds of new dragons, leading Hiccup and Toothless into a battle to protect the peace.

2010's How To Train Your Dragon seemed to take Dreamworks and cinemagoers by surprise. With an 8.2 IMDb rating, a 98% Rotten Tomatoes approval rating and $494 million at the worldwide box office, expectations for an animated sequel have rarely been so high.

Under the direction of Dean Deblois, who took the reins of the first film as well as Lilo & Stich, has created a sequel that's huge in scale. Firstly, the animation is flawless and miles ahead of recent releases. Just seeing Toothless fly up through the clouds is enough to convert both adults and children as fans. On that note, the humour is on-point and should appeal to all; it never feels desperate for a laugh and it doesn't talk down to its predominantly young audience. Likewise, the voice actors have been perfectly picked (both originals and newcomers)... The most noteworthy are Kristen Wiig as the frisky (yes, frisky) Ruffnut, as well as Cate Blanchett as Valka for the more emotional punches.

While there's emotion and humour, the action sequences are almost too good for an animation. You almost crave to see the final twenty minutes in live-action form. Although, it's an animation we've all come to see, and to generate battles on a Lord of the Rings scale in an animation is a true achievement.

The only criticism I have, which is difficult to pinpoint, is that it doesn't quite have that 'classic' feeling to it. Toy Story, Shrek, Finding Nemo and The Incredibles are all iconic, computer animated films which seem to have the edge on this series. Nevertheless, it doesn't take anything away from its unique idea and ambitious budget.

In Conclusion: masterfully animated, effortlessly voiced, surprisingly dramatic and stuffed to the brim with action. You'll rejoice with your old favourite's returning, and come to love a whole load of newcomers - both good and evil.

Bring on part three! 

Film Review: X-Men: Days of Future Past

X-Men: Days of Future Past    10/10
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence

Plot: Wolverine is sent back in time to prevent an event that threatens both humans and mutants.

It’s really quite remarkable that an X-Men film has yet to exceed the $500 million mark at the worldwide box office. While Marvel’s other antics such as Iron Man 3 zoom past the $1 billion mark, the likes of X-Men: First Class have underperformed somewhat. If Days of Future Past doesn’t surpass $500 million and contend with the $1 billion giants… it’ll be a shock.

It’s really quite simple to review this film because Bryan Singer has achieved everything so perfectly. To bring together the old and new cast, keep the story easy to follow and make it entertaining, is a fairly daunting and challenging feat. Thankfully, Singer doesn’t hold back as the action is mercilessly quick and the story zooms by at a lightning speed. It doesn’t feel rushed though, and each character has their own moment to shine (even if it’s only for a few minutes). Hugh Jackman, who is the nearest character to be classed as the ‘lead', actually feels a lot more crucial in this one. Film after film, Wolverine has been thrown into the mix and sometimes for little worth. Here though, he guides the film with ease and he's the proper leading man for the job.

The rest of the cast is equally impressive; James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender’s scenes are pure gold, as well as their counterparts, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique is given a far more prominent role here than in First Class. Her fight scenes and transformations never grow old, and whenever she’s not on-screen, you’re looking for an army general or government official to reveal themselves as her. Ellen Page and Halle Berry don't receive a huge amount of screen time but they’re fierce and every moment they have, they steal (Storm conjuring a… storm, never gets old). The surprising standouts though among the supporting cast and newcomers, are Evan Peters and Bingbing Fan (name of the year). Peters has a number of scene stealers as Quicksilver, with a slow-motion sequence unlike any other. Fan as Blink is just too cool to describe; you’ll be amazed as she throws teleportation doors left, right and centre – completely awesome.

In Conclusion: Days of Future Past is essentially flawless. It’s perfectly paced and it gives you just enough to whet your appetite for 2016. The entire cast is spot on and seeing each power play out on-screen is truly fantastic. It easily rivals and surpasses The Avengers by a long mile, as it doesn't slow and it doesn't hold back. Not only is this the best X-Men yet, it's a strong contender for the best superhero movie... ever (scratch that - it clearly is).