ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA
Released Friday 17 February
Synopsis: Ant-Man and the Wasp find themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that pushes them beyond the limits of what they thought was possible.
Cast: Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kathryn Newton and Jonathan Majors
Director: Peyton Reed
MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON
Released Friday 17 February
Synopsis: Marcel, a 1-inch-tall shell, lives with his grandmother, Connie, the only residents of their town after their neighbours’ sudden, mysterious disappearance. When discovered by a guest amongst the clutter of his Airbnb, the short film he posts online brings Marcel millions of passionate fans and a new hope of reuniting with his long-lost family.
Cast: Jenny Slate, Dean Fleischer Camp, Isabella Rossellini
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Cert: PG
Also released this week:
Kaguya-sama: Love is War – The First Kiss That Never EndsSony Pictures
Release date: Friday 17 February | Cert: 12A
THE SON Black Bear Productions
Release date: Friday 17 February | Cert: 15
FAB UK REVIEW:
The acting is way over the top in this film directed by Florian Zeller (who directed Anthony Hopkins last year to a Best Actor Oscar for ‘The Father’). In this film, Hugh Jackman hasn’t won any awards for his performance (though was nominated for Best Actor at the Golden Globe Awards – and lost out to a deserved Austin Butler for ‘Elvis’). You see, the problem with Jackman’s performance is that it is way over the top – it’s a masterclass in overacting to a point where you’d think he would’ve thought he was going to win win win, but alas, no.
Jackman (high flying lawyer Peter Miller) plays the divorced father of 17-year old son Nicholas (Zen McGrath – who is definitely not the best choice for this role – he is just not believable and not very good). Nicholas no longer wants to live with his mother (Laura Dern – excellent as always), he wants to move in with his father. However Peter has a new wife Beth (a very good Vanessa Kirby), and a new baby, basically Peter has a new life, and left his previous life behind. And to boot, Nicholas has baggage – he has no friends, is troubled, and is just not very likeable. So when he moves in with Peter and Beth, we know what’s going to happen – it’s not going to be very easy for them to raise him. But without giving too much away, Peter struggles to get his son to be involved in life, and to just be happy. But Peter has also been very distant with Nicholas, and it’s a cycle that repeats itself as Peter’s father (yes, Hopkins), was the same way with him. Fast forward to the last ten minutes which will make you want to suspend belief but then
the rug is pulled out from under us and we left watching Jackman give it all he has as an actor, but it’s just not credible, and you’ll feel cheated.
Kirby and Dern save the day, and the script (by Zeller) is credible, and Jackman does have his moments, but it’s not enough, especially the pivotal ending. Have a look at this on DVD if you’re a huge Jackman fan and want your emotions played with in a not very nice way.