Genre: Action, adventure, comedy, drama

Rated: 16

Directed by: Jake Schreier

Written by: Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo, Kurt Busiek

Starring: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Julia Louis-Dreyfus

B-vengers

Marvel continues to reform the comic book movie industry. There is every reason to do so, because in order to remain relevant and interesting for the audience, a change of the old formula is inevitable. While the current releases cannot match the success of the previous era, there is a strong sense of innovation on the side of the studio. With Thunderbolts, they have succeeded in offering something new to fans of the genre by using honest self-reflection as a source of inspiration, but with a much more mature approach and a serious tone.

Yelena (Florence Pugh) from The Black Widow is struggling to find her place in the world. Since her sister’s death, she’s been running errands for the O.X.E. group with no purpose. Her latest mission brings her into conflict with former members of the organisation. She soon discovers that the fate she’s been assigned by her employer is different from the one they agreed upon. With his newfound „allies”, he must stop their former boss, Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), while also confronting his own past. In the maelstrom of events, Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan), also pays his respects, playing a special role in this chaotic situation.

Underneath the clichéd comic-book movie surface, Thunderbolts is a cathartic work that is mostly aimed at adults. Not because of the foul language of the heroes or the violence. But mainly because the themes it deals with are important and valid ideas for people in their late 20s, early 30s or older. Scenes that radiate a depressive mood of burnout and futility are virtuously replaced by humorous and absurd sections. In contrast to the repetition of a global threat, the story is much more personal, focusing on psychological aspects.

Despite the trailers promoting the movie as Marvel’s Suicide squad, that’s not the case. Some of the jokes are a bit more heavy-handed, but Thunderbolts is a much more emotional, empathetic piece of work. The film doesn’t lie to itself, and there’s plenty of time for action-packed, fast-paced sequences, so those looking for more of the same old entertainment can find it.

As usual, there’s an extra scene after the credits, so we recommend you stay until the end of the screening. We’re looking forward to your comments on the film. On the comic book movie front, July promises to be an exciting month, with the Fantastic Four from Marvel and the new Superman from DC. If you liked our article, please share it with others. Watch lots of films and series. And if you’re in the mood for a tasty movie and series-watching snack, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Sci-fi, thriller, adventure, drama

Rated: 14

Directed by: Ariel Kleiman, Janus Metz, Alonso Ruispalacios

Written by: Tony Gilroy, George Lucas, Tom Bissell, Beau Willimon, Stephen Schiff, Dan Gilroy

Starring: Diego Luna, Stellan Skarsgård, Denise Gough, Genevieve O’Reilly

NOTE: This review refers to the first 3 episodes of the second season

The Star Wars universe expands further. In the time since the conclusion of the latest film trilogy, the creators have been characterized by a search for direction. Of the various stories, Mandalorian stands out for us, its western approach a familiar yet novel idea that quickly caught our imagination. Andor is an action-adventure for the older generation, mixed with some political thriller and drama.

The story continues to focus on the uprising against the Empire. Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) faces internal conflicts and dissension among the rebels. Confusion is also growing among the leading politicians. Luthen Rael (Stellan Skarsgård) is forced to make increasingly difficult decisions to keep his spy network, which he has built up at great cost, together. As a member of the Galactic Senate, Mon Mothma (Genevieve O’Reilly) faces the increasingly nerve-wracking challenge of maintaining a semblance of loyalty to the Empire while secretly aiding the rebels.

Everything comes together for a good Star Wars series: exciting storylines, complex characters, action-packed scenes. Andor ranks among the better productions. The visuals and tone are serious, full of tension, and realistic. We visit diverse locations in the galaxy far, far away, some of which may be familiar from previous films and series. Already in the first three episodes, the harsh jungles of Yavin 4 appear, along with the luxurious Chandrila, home to political intrigues, and the agricultural planet Mina-Rau. The music selection is sometimes unusual, even including electronic tracks, which otherwise sufficiently enhances the atmosphere.

The aforementioned down-to-earth approach, while fitting well with the basic theme of the series, takes away an important characteristic of Star Wars: mythicism. There is a complete lack of fairy-tale like mystery, such as the omnipresent Force. There are no epic heights, just ordinary people fighting for their lives against the Empire machine that is ready to crush everything. Since this is part of the concept, it is ultimately acceptable, but could have been smuggled in to a minimal degree.

The episodes of Andor‘s second season so far have only set the stage for what is to come, but it has given us a promising opening. We will certainly continue to watch the new episodes and recommend them to you.

What series have you seen since the third trilogy? Are you waiting for the Mandalorian movie? We want your opinions in the comments. If you liked our article, share it with others. Watch lots of films and series. And if you want a delicious snack for watching movies and series, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Comedy, adventure, action

Rated: 12

Directed by: Jared Hess

Written by: Chris Bowman, Hubbel Palmer, Neil Widener

Starring: Jason Momoa, Jack Black, Sebastian Hansen

The latest cinematic trend to adapt computer and console games is conquering the industry. It was only a matter of time before the Super Mario Bros and Sonic the Hedgehog movies were followed by Minecraft, which has sold more than 300 million copies since its release in 2011 and is now the best-selling video game in the world. So it’s no surprise that movie studios have seen the fantasy in it.

The story is really just an alibi for spending nearly two hours in the universe of virtual architecture. Steve’s (Jack Black) childhood dream comes true when he discovers mysterious building blocks in a mine that open a portal to the Overworld. In time, he becomes a master builder, moving routinely through the makers’ paradise. The complications begin when he discovers a portal to the Nether. He finds unexpected help from Garrett „The Garbage Man” (Jason Momoa), Dawn, the mobile zoo owner (Danielle Brooks), and Henry and Natalie, a pair of awkward siblings (Sebastian Hansen, Emma Myers). They must defend the Overworld from the unknown threat, supporting each other.

A Minecraft movie has all the must-see visual elements that are typical of the game. Whether it’s different raw materials, plants or mobs. The plot is also rolled forward by the crafting as the most important gameplay component. Some of the jokes can make you laugh, and there are a few well-done gags among them. If we were to make a checklist of what should not be missing, we would not have a sense of lack based on what we saw.

The story and the sketchiness of the characters somewhat spoil our impression of the film. There is no doubt that the visuals are impeccable in recreating the look of the game, but we have the feeling that everything else has been subordinated to this goal. The story is predictable from the first five minutes, with no unexpected twists or even some emotional tension. There are also a lot of exaggerated, not well-written jokes in the film. The cast is not very interesting either. True, they at least meet the expectation of running around on the set. Momoa and Black overact their roles throughout, and you can quickly become bored with them. But the smaller ones in the screening were fun, and that is what counts after all.

How did you like the film? Do you agree with the academy’s decisions? What was your personal favorite? We look forward to your answers in the comments. We’ll be back soon with another recommendation. In the meantime, watch lots of movies and series, and if you like our content, share it with others. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a delicious snack for movie and series nights, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Thriller, sci-fi

Rated: 16

Directed by: Aoife McArdle, Ben Stiller

Written by: Dan Ericson

Starring: Adam Scott, Britt Lower, Zach Cherry

After a three-year break, another successful series has returned to streaming to ensure that home entertainment fans are not left without content. The conclusion of the first season alone left a lot of questions unanswered, but the sequel has added even more twists to the already complex storyline of Severance.

Mark (Adam Scott) has no difficulty separating work and personal life, as he has a unique workplace where a surgical procedure has essentially done it for him. Part of his personality is working in the office, and when the shift is over, a part of him is activated that has nothing to do but enjoy his free time. There is no passage between the parts of the self, and no memory to disturb this artificial balance. One day, however, a grain of sand gets into the machinery.

Severance is a sophisticated sci-fi thriller that makes the most of its creative, thought-provoking premise. After two seasons, the plot remains exciting, even if the story moves forward slowly. All the main characters are very realistic and believable, and the dialogues between them do not have a ‘scripted’ feel at all. That is why, while watching the series, we were curious about the background mystery, the thriller thread, but getting to know the characters was even more enjoyable. The other big plus was the visuals. The monotonous, depressing, grey milieu of Lumon Industries was brilliantly created with the greenish-blue-white colour scheme, the uniform corridors reminiscent of a labyrinth, and the monochrome displays of the cathode-ray tube monitors. A coherent, well considered atmospheric design defines the whole series.

A common mistake in mystery series is to ask the audience too many questions at once, to obscure too many details. The more patient can remember what they have seen, but if they are frustrated in the short term by not understanding what is going on, they can easily lose their enthusiasm. This is the feeling we had with the second season. A more gentle dose of mystery would have made the episodes easier for us to enjoy. The previously mentioned strengths were enough to keep us going, but they will not be enough for the sequel.

Severance became even more complicated and mysterious for the second season. Its rating will depend largely on how much its viewers like watching something that prompts them to investigate. Those who like twisty, unpredictable stories may find it a real treat, while others may find it boring after a few episodes. Give it a try and see if you get lucky, and it meets your taste.

How did you like the film? Do you agree with the academy’s decisions? What was your personal favorite? We look forward to your answers in the comments. We’ll be back soon with another recommendation. In the meantime, watch lots of movies and series, and if you like our content, share it with others. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a delicious snack for movie and series nights, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Historical drama

Rated: 18

Directed by: Brady Corbet

Written by: Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold

Starring: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce

The Aesthetics of Concrete

On the first Sunday of March, the 97th Academy Awards took place, and they were not without surprises. While most people found The Brutalist and Emilia Perez to be the frontrunners, it was Anora that ultimately took home the award for Best Picture. The competition was tight, and overall, the awards were well-deserved. Among the winners, The brutalist became our favorite.

Hollywood continues to create great productions, but it is relatively rare to see ambitious projects like director Brady Corbet’s new work. The first thing everyone says about the film is its length. Indeed: at 3.5 (!) hours long, it will put most people off watching it. We sat down in front of it with similar feelings of disapproval, but our opinions on the subject have become more balanced. We have seen a lot of movies recently that we thought were completely unreasonable to cut to more than 2 hours. For example, the latest chapter in the Toretto clan, Fast X, stretched unnecessarily to nearly 150 minutes, but even Scorsese’s latest directorial effort, Killers of the Flower Moon, was needlessly stretched to 210 minutes. The brutalist, however, belongs to the lineage of grandiose stories spanning multiple decades, like Gone with the Wind, Ben-Hur, or even There Will Be Blood.

László Tóth (Adrien Brody), an architect, escapes the horrors of World War II from his homeland, Hungary, to the United States. The hope of a new life comes when a wealthy factory owner, Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), commissions him to build a grand community center. László gets the opportunity to recover from his traumas and, through his employer’s connections, reunite with his wife, Erzsébet (Felicity Jones), who remained in Europe, and his niece, Zsófia (Raffey Cassidy). However, in exchange for this generous offer, he must pay a heavy price.

The brutalist was awarded three Oscars, and each one was well-deserved. Adrien Brody has not been this powerfully present on screen since The Pianist. He portrays a man bearing the pain of the past, feeling alienated and escaping into addictions, with complete naturalness. Although Felicity Jones did not receive separate recognition, her performance is just as fantastic as Brody’s. She plays a supportive, strong woman who overcomes the horrors she faced with her emotional intelligence. The music provides a mechanical, monotonous background, but the main theme is rich in emotion. The cinematography and camera work are top-notch. It is almost unbelievable that despite the low budget, the film is full of such wonderfully visual scenes.

There are only a few negatives that we must mention. Mr. Van Buren could have received more attention. While Pearce performed admirably, his character deserved more development. This is mainly because key moments in the story are connected to him, and we did not get to know his personality and motivation thoroughly enough. The other problem is that Zsófia was almost entirely sidelined. With the presence of more experienced stars, there wasn’t enough opportunity to get to know her better.

Due to its extensive runtime, it is only shown in cinemas on a few occasions. If you have the time, feel free to attend a screening. It is an excellent drama with great performances, which is outstanding in both visual and musical aspects. Most copies include a 15-minute intermission, making it more comfortable to watch. For those who find this experience too much for one day, it will soon be available for streaming.

How did you like the film? Do you agree with the academy’s decisions? What was your personal favorite? We look forward to your answers in the comments. We’ll be back soon with another recommendation. In the meantime, watch lots of movies and series, and if you like our content, share it with others. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a delicious snack for movie and series nights, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Action, comedy

Rated: 14

Directed by: Seth Gordon

Written by: Seth Gordon, Brendan O’Brien

Starring: Cameron Diaz, Jamie Foxx, McKenna Roberts

When it comes to TV series, streaming providers offer us a wide range of quality content. It’s no secret that this year you can expect several recommendations for series on Cineblog. On the other hand, regarding movies, we have a slightly more challenging task, and there are generally two options. We can choose to catch up on those films we missed in the cinema. The other option is to look for current productions specifically made for the given platform. This is a much tougher nut to crack because far fewer of these original productions are made. For those who seek, they will find, and by searching through recent premieres, one can come across a few more promising pieces. This is how we found the recently released film, Back in Action, which is an action-comedy starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx.

The basic idea of the movie is similar to Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The difference is that Emily (Cameron Diaz) and Matt (Jamie Foxx) are not working against each other, but on the contrary: they are brought together by a common mission. As their cases become increasingly complicated, they decide to leave their former lives behind and choose a more relaxed civilian job and start a family instead of the thrill of espionage. All goes well, but after 15 years, their past catches up with them, and they must once again put to good use what they have learned from their previous missions. It’s not just their own safety at stake anymore. Their children are also in constant danger as they run.

Back in Action manages to come up with some good ideas in an area that we wouldn’t have thought of at first. It very wittily showcases the differences between generations. We had a good laugh at the jokes about „boomers,” and the parts depicting the difficulties in parent-child relationships. The chemistry between Diaz and Foxx is very good; they play together excellently. There are quite a few situations meant to be funny but end up being rather awkward. Although the story is really predictable and unimaginative, it overall offers pleasant moments.

A big advantage of the production is that London was chosen for it. European locations have made the James Bond and Bourne films special, and this is no exception. But the action sequences are often rushed, with a lot of editing. This makes it hard to follow what is happening during a close combat fight. In contrast to the story, more creativity is shown here, with the petrol station ambush and the chase along the Thames River being really memorable.

Back in action won’t be a cultural landmark, but it’s a good way to pass the time after a tiring day. Let’s hope that after a relatively long break, Cameron Diaz will take on more roles that will allow her to put her acting skills to better use.

What’s your opinion? Do you prefer watching series or movies on streaming platforms? We look forward to your responses in the comments. If you liked our article, please share our post with others. We will be back soon. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a delicious snack for movie and series nights, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Thriller, drama, action

Rated: 18

Written and directed by: Hwang Dong-hyuk

Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Tom Choi, Greg Chun

After more than three years, one of the most successful series from the streaming giant continues. Following the date set for the end of January review, we were surprised on the day of the launch, the last week of December, that all the episodes were available on the platform at the same time. After a month, most of you will probably come across our article as a way to recap, catch up on the prequels, and finish the second season. In any case, we’ll strive to be spoiler-free for those of you who still have a few twists and turns to go.

We had the bad feeling that the story was simply a repeat of the first stage, without any major changes. We are happy to say that the second season consistently carries the plot forward, while managing to remain as deep, exciting and provocative. Right from the first episode, we were treated to some very powerful scenes that immediately brought us back into the atmosphere of the series. What we couldn’t like, however, is that while the number of episodes makes this sequel a fair one, it doesn’t feel like a cohesive, separate, complete whole, or at most a half. Of course, the first season left some questions unanswered, but there we could still feel that a chapter had been closed. We now know that a third season is coming this year, so at least we don’t have to wait too long for the conclusion.

There are also new characters in the series. They have managed to present people in situations that have not been mentioned before, but who are authentic representatives of contemporary society. The creators didn’t forget the familiar characters too. They have been given additional layers and new challenges. In fact, they put even more emphasis on the relationship dynamics between the contestants, which made the final result even more meaningful.

The unique visuals and art design added as much to the success of Squid game as the pithy social commentary and the relentlessly tense, life-or-death children’s games for the big prize. We feel that no new elements have been introduced in this area, but the familiar visual stylistic cues such as the vibrant use of colour, the now iconic costumes and the emotive close-ups focusing on faces continue to do their part, and remain effective.

In the continuation of Squid Game, everything is included that originally captured our attention. However, due to its lack of development, it is challenging to judge its quality. This was further emphasized by the last episode, which felt more like a promising mid-season finale. In light of the previous episodes, we are extending our trust. For those eagerly wanting to see the next act, go ahead, but be prepared that instead of satisfaction, your curiosity for the forthcoming events will be even more piqued.

How did you like the second season? Are you looking forward to the next episodes? Share your thoughts in the comments below. If you liked our article, share it with others. We’ll be back soon, but in the meantime, watch lots of movies and series, and follow our recommendations on Cineblog. And if you’re craving a tasty snack for your movie and series marathons, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Animation, action, adventure

Rated: 12

Directed by: Jeff Fowler

Written by: Pat Casey, Josh Miller, John Whittington

Starring: Jim Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Keanu Reeves

For a film fan, the first months of the new year are the most important. It’s no different for the year 2025. The Oscars are less than two months away, and hopefully we’ll be packed with more and more great premieres until then. But before that happens, we have to recommend a great video game adaptation that debuted at the end of the year, the latest adventure of the lightning-fast blue hedgehog.

The story focuses on the introduction of a new character, Shadow, who looks very much like Sonic, but whose personality has been negatively affected by the loss of a significant companion. He is such a tough opponent that even the combined strength of our heroes is not enough to defeat him. Their only hope of winning is to team up with their greatest foe, Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). They’ll find that the fiercest fight is with their inner selves, not with one another.

Making hybrid animated films that combine computer-generated characters with live actors is a risky business. Without careful execution, it is easy to become confused and fragmented. Fortunately, there is no such thing here. It’s a very impressive movie, rich in dynamic scenes, true to the Sonic games.

Admittedly, each member of the trio can be described by one or two characteristics, but they complement each other well. Sonic, the funny, daring team leader, Tails, the cute and clever tech genius, and Knuckles, the hot-headed muscle-brain. But the creators made a very good decision and concentrated most of the attention on Shadow. As this is primarily a children’s film, they didn’t turn the drama up a level, but they still managed to talk about self-acceptance, dealing with loss and team spirit with enough sensitivity. Dr Robotnik is also more prominent, for which we cannot be grateful enough. Jim Carrey is in fantastic form, his every move making the audience laugh out loud. In addition, the story takes a direction that delivers all of this in double doses, but we won’t give away more than that. In the midst of the loud laughter, we felt both impressed and touched, as it brought back the childhood memories of Ace Ventura or Dumb and Dumber.

Sonic the hedgehog 3 has an exemplary sense of humour and action for youngsters, as well as for nostalgic parents in their thirties. Near perfect for a family programme, but unfortunately there is no rose without a thorn. The 110-minute runtime was felt by many children, and they were walking in and out of the screening. However, it says everything about the success of the film that on the way out, several little boys and girls asked „Mummy, are we coming to Sonic 4?”.

2024 was a particularly strong year on the animation front. Alongside The wild Robot and Inside out 2, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 was the best of the bunch for us. We can also heartily recommend the first two in the trilogy. Stay after the credits if you don’t want to miss an interesting extra scene.

We hope that as many of you as possible will watch this movie. If any of you have already seen it, please share your thoughts in the comments. By sharing our post, you can support our work. And if you’re looking for a delicious snack for movie and series nights, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Comedy, drama

Rated: 12

Directed by: Alexander Payne

Written by: David Hemingson

Starring: Paul Giamatti, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Dominic Sessa

Although Christmas has passed, the festive spirit fortunately does not disappear from one day to the other. If you’re planning to stay at home and watch movies until New Year’s Eve, we’ve got another streaming gem for you. The Holdovers was one of the best contenders in the 2024 Oscar line-up. It’s much more than an average Christmas movie, and it won’t leave you without some valuable thoughts.

The long-awaited winter break has arrived for teachers and students at Barton Academy. However, there are some who, for various reasons, will not be able to go home for the holidays. Tully (Dominic Sessa) is staying away from his family because his mother wants to honeymoon with her new husband. Mary (Da’Vine Joy Randolph) is mourning the loss of her son and insists on staying within the school walls until the New Year. And Professor Hunham (Paul Giamatti), the school’s stern and insufferable history teacher, is appointed by the headmaster himself to oversee the remaining students.

As good dramedy should be, The Holdovers offers the most in terms of detailed characterisation and dialogue between the participants. There is enough time for us to get to know each of them in depth. The personality-shaping moments in their past are gradually revealed. And when they disagree, the intentions and feelings of the opposing parties are fully understood. The creators are able and willing to deal with issues such as loneliness, regrets carried over decades, grief and mental illness. These are serious issues, but the film makes tasteful use of humour. You may not laugh loudly, but if you’re open to the sarcastic style, you’ll find plenty of moments of levity.

The story itself doesn’t have much to offer, but the second half of the film is much more eventful. There is more situation comedy and unexpected events. The visuals are deliberately old-fashioned. Of course, for a dialogue-driven creation we don’t want to complain, but we would have liked to see some more imaginative shots. The point is that the actors are all excellent. Paul Giamatti’s performance is commendable. Dominic Sessa has a bright future ahead if he is given similar opportunities to develop. Da’Vine Joy Randolph deservedly won the gold statue for Best Supporting Actress.

Experiences like The holdovers are sometimes much needed. It helps us recognise the constructive potential of community, the importance of gratitude, and that first impressions are not necessarily reliable indicators. As the famous saying goes: Don’t judge a book by its cover.

Have you seen the movie? If so, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. If not, we hope we’ve made you want to see it. All that remains is to thank you for your attention this year. We wish you a happy new year. You can still count on us in 2025 if you’re at a loss for cinema and streaming options. And if you’re in the mood for a tasty snack while watching a film or series, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Action, adventure, drama

Age limit: 12

Directed by: Jake Kasdan

Written by: Chris Morgan, Hiram Garcia

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, J.K. Simmons

Watching a film is a great hobby that can give you thousands of experiences. Whether it’s a heart-wrenching drama, a thought-provoking thriller or a historical film, the possibilities for cultured entertainment are almost endless. Red one is nothing of the sort, but it is a stunningly funny, imaginative family entertainment. It’s a popcorn movie in the truest sense of the word, bringing a smile to faces tired after a year’s hard work.

Dwayne Johnson plays Santa’s head of security, who ensures that the big beard can meet children who come to him with wishes in complete peace. But his protector is about to retire, disillusioned by the growing number of bad guys in the world. They agree to ‘one last job together’, but things go wrong. The Arctic base is mysteriously hacked and the children’s favourite gift-bringer is kidnapped. The only help they have is the infamous Jack O’Malley (Chris Evans), who can find anyone on the planet.

Can you feel that intense „B-movie” flavour as you read the synopsis? It was hard for us to sketch the story without an awkward half-smile. Still, beyond the silliness, The Red one takes a quite clever, satirical approach to the legends associated with Santa Claus and the questions most kids ask about the old red coat. How do you get presents to all the children in just one night? Where does he wrap and store the presents? Who is Krampus? In this aspect, it is very similar to the director’s previous work, the 2017 Jumanji sequel. There, the clichés of the video game world were the primary source of humour, and now the children’s tales of the man in red have been given a similarly witty reinterpretation. By the end of the film, we’d seen so many unique locations and strange creatures that for us, the Santa Claus mythos elaborated in the film had become a coherent whole.

The visuals are not anything like Avatar, to say the least. The characters could be described in about 2–3 sentences, yet they were easily memorable. Evans managed to play an excellent, quite irritating anti-hero. Since Knives out (2019), we think he’s well suited to these kinds of roles. And Johnson brings his usual good-hearted, decent, endearing character. They make a good pair together, making the most of their situations.

Although the story is quite simple and there are no big twists and turns, the jokes work quite well. The Red one is recommended for anyone looking for a relaxing entertainment in the wait for Christmas.

We hope we’ve inspired your curiosity about the film. If you’ve already seen it, we welcome your thoughts in the comments. If you liked our article, please share our post with others. And if you’re in the mood for a tasty movie and series-watching snack, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.

Genre: Action, adventure, drama

Age limit: 16

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Written by: David Scarpa, Peter Craig, David Franzoni

Starring: Paul Mescal, Connie Nielsen, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington

Panem et circenses

2024 cannot pass without a Ridley Scott movie. It’s long been rumoured that the director was making a sequel to one of his best-known works, and we had mixed feelings about it. We weren’t averse to seeing another tale from Rome’s less glorious era after all this time, and the casting of Pedro Pascal and Denzel Washington gave us further reason to be optimistic. However, the memory of last year’s Napoleon is still fresh in our minds, and while it was not without its spectacular scenes, it was otherwise a disappointment. We were also aware of the moderately negative reception of the film, but despite the scandal on social media, we tried not to be influenced about Gladiator 2.

The plot runs on two lines, which later connect in a very predictable way. Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), a Numidian warrior, loses everything and becomes enslaved after a clash with the Roman army. He regains his freedom in a gladiatorial contest in the Colosseum. Meanwhile, General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) grows increasingly disillusioned with the oppressive regime. But those who oppose him could find themselves in the infamous amphitheatre just as much as the defeated.

It would be unfair to judge solely in terms of historical authenticity. There are many characters inspired by real historical figures on screen, but they and the story are also fiction. It was not primarily the inaccuracies that bothered us, but the fact that the plot itself is rather boring. We are sure that after 30 minutes anyone can guess the outcome. Anyway, it’s worth rewatching the first part, because it’s not just small hints that are attached to the sequel.

We expected that the visuals would not be disappointing. The first impression was very convincing indeed. The film opens immediately with a battle scene, which sufficiently illustrated the harshness of the conquering campaigns. However, shortly afterwards, we were confronted with CGI animation that recalled the visuals of early 2000s console games.

The actors save the day. Paul Mescal in the lead role was a good choice, and apart from one rather overacted scene, he played the revenge-driven gladiator in an acceptable way all along. Pedro Pascal had a much harder job, as Accacius was the least complex character in the story. He was noticeably overshadowed. Denzel Washington, however, outshone them all. It’s true that he got the most rewarding role, but without his experience he could not have played Macrinus so well.

Gladiator 2 fits in perfectly among the mediocre sequels to films with long-standing fan bases, such as Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire or even Beverly Hills Cop 4. There’s nothing you don’t get from the first movie, which is also a visual feast after almost 25 years. It has its moments, it helps pass the time, but it doesn’t live up to the original. Not a Maximus experience, but not… Minimus.

What did you think of the film? What memories do you have of the first chapter? Leave your thoughts in the comments. If you liked our article, share it with others. You can expect our recommendations on both cinema and streaming fronts in December. And if you’re in the mood for a tasty movie and series-watching snack, POPZ popcorn is the best choice.