THE GREAT WALL – AFJ MOVIE REVIEW

Starring: Matt Damon, Tian Jing, Willem Dafoe, Andy Lau, Pedro Pascal
Written by: Carlo Bernard (screenplay), Doug Miro (screenplay)
Directed by: Yimou Zhang
Run Time: 1h 43 minutes
Rated: PG-13

There was a moment when you first saw the trailer for The Great Wall that you were intrigued. Then you probably rolled your eyes back in your head the second you saw that Matt Damon was leading this fantasy film. If not, that is what happened in my case. The realm of possibilities that it could still be good hung around for me. Why not Matt Damon? The Great Wall has the possibility to change cinema. Not in the way James Cameron said Avatar was going to (did it, btw?). For The Great Wall has an American movie star, a Chinese director, and features a story wrapped in a foreign mythology. Obviously, Legendary Entertainment is trying to capitalize on an American movie star starring in a foreign film, for the largest audience in the world. So now we have to ask, did it work? 
Box office numbers and dollars aside, yes. Well, almost. 
Find out how Matt Damon and Yimou Zhang faired against The Movie Lord here on Action Figure Junkies.com. 

THE LEGO BATMAN MOVIE – AFJ MOVIE REVIEW

Starring: Will Arnett, Jenny Slate, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Cera, Zach Galifianakis, Rosario Dawson, Channing Tatum, Billy Dee Williams
Directed by: Chris McKayWritten by: Seth Grahame-Smith, Chris McKennaStudio: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Run Time: 1h 44min

SPOILER FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has been 3 years since the Lego Movie changed the way we see “Lego movies”. Hopefully, some of us have seen the way we view toys differently as well since that film came out. It has been a long drought, but thankfully the powers that be did not rush a Lego Movie sequel to capitalize on the hype. Instead, they launched a spin-off movie, featuring their version of Batman (again played by Will Arnett), from the Lego Movie, into his own feature film. Is it worth the wait? Yes, and everything is still awesome.

It is hinted at, in the Lego Movie, that this incarnation of the Dark Knight is every bit of a loner as his other multi-media counterparts. What this Batman wasn’t afraid to hide was the love he had for himself and how awesome he felt he was. That really isn’t your typical Batman story that any medium would tackle. Being a Lego Movie, the reins are off and we are allowed to see just how full of himself this Batman is.

Full review on Action Figure Junkies.com

RETRO REVIEW: The LEGO MOVIE (2014)

Starring: Chris Pratt,  Liam Neeson, Will Arnett, Elizabeth Banks, Craig Berry, Nick Offerman, Channing Tatum, Alison Brie, Charlie Day, Anthony Daniels, Will Ferrell, Morgan Freeman, Jonah Hill, Cobie SmuldersWritten By: Phil Lord, Christopher MillerDirected By: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Rated: PGDistributor: Warner BrothersOriginal Year of release: 2014Run Time: 100 Minutes

My history with LEGO has never been too extensive. The reason for that is how expensive they are. Trust me, if I had the money I would fill the house with them. There is a poetry and ease to create something out of these tiny bricks. I know a few people who would consider themselves to be Master Builders, a term used, loosely, for those that love to build LEGO sets. With all those pieces at their disposal, I have asked many LEGO fans the following question: Once you get them together, do you pull it apart and build something original? The answer every time has been “no”. So, imagine my surprise when that very question laid at the heart of The LEGO Movie.

Check out the retro review on the Sci-Fi Movie Page.com. 

JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK – AFJ MOVIE REVIEW

Starring: Matt Ryan, Camilla Luddington, Jason O’Mara, Ray Chase, Rosario Dawson, Jerry O’Connell, Alfred Molina, Roger Cross, Fred Tatasciore, Nicholas TurturroDirected by: Jay Oliva
Written by: J.M. DeMatteis, Ernie AltbackerStudio: Warner Brothers Animation, DC Entertainment
Rating: R
Run Time: 1h 15min

To start, Kevin Conroy is not Batman in this film. This Justice League story follows the current cast of James O’Mara (Batman), Rosario Dawson (Wonder Woman), and Jerry O’Connell (Superman). It is rated R, so not really one for the kiddies. There also isn’t nearly enough Swamp Thing in it. Finally, I hope you know more than the average viewer about one John Constantine (Matt Ryan).

Justice League Dark is a bit of a quagmire for the the DC Universe animated films. It features only one of the primary Justice League members, Batman, and introduces a whole new cast of characters. For the most part, we are introduced to these new members with a quick backstory or origin. What was severely lacking was a light shined upon our lead character, John Constantine.

Read the full review on Action Figure Junkies.com.