rdanielhoward Reviews

Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker (2019)

Look, I get it......

[8/10 · 20 December 2019]

You're a hard core Star Wars junkie. You collect the action figures and every other type of memorabilia. You own multiple costumes and find reasons to actually wear them. You speak Wookie. It's your thing. I respect that, and I get why this film isn't deep enough or consistent enough with the long term story lines to satisfy you. This review isn't for you. You're a separate category of human. It's all good.

For the rest of us who have grown up with the SW franchise (and who may even have sat in a theater back in the mid seventies, like I did), who have enjoyed the films, but haven't taken that last set of steps necessary to deeply integrate Jedi lore into our own lives on a regular basis, this film is *great.*

I cared about the characters.

The nods to the original films made me feel all the feels.

The effects were spectacular.

Several funny, if goofy, moments.

Story line was fairly easy to follow (we rewatched the previous film yesterday, so that helped).

Acting? Yeah. I was good with it. Oscar-worthy stuff? Well no, duh.....

A helluva lot of fun? Most definitely.

Set all expectations aside and just go see it. You'll have fun if you aren't a member of the aforementioned class of afficionados. 😜😜😜

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

What Might Have Been....and What May Yet Be.

[7/10 · 10 December 2005]

I went into this afternoon's matinée with mild expectations. After having recently finished the seven book CS Lewis series, I wondered-often aloud-whether or not it would be possible to truly capture the magic of Narnia on the big screen. Overall, I believe this film is a stunning attempt at relaying all of the wonder of Lewis' magical world, but it falls short of satisfying those of us who were completely entranced by the literary version of the story.

Down to the very last creature, every bit of acting was superb, particularly Lucy and the White Witch. Peter was not quite as regal as I had expected, but then again, what young boy who has been thrown into a mythical world by walking into a wardrobe really is regal? I was disappointed that he was never referred to as the High King, elevating his status above that of Edmund-although Edmund does acquiesce to his leadership after Aslan's "death." I had hoped to be captured by real visual majesty ala the LOTR Trilogy. I was disappointed. But there was enough magic present in this opening volley that I will return on opening day for any sequels-and I have a sense that whatever nitpicking concerns I have for this first film will be long forgotten as the series moves forward. I continue to anticipate great things.