Tag Archives: Henry Cavill

Action, Adventure, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

ARGYLLE (2024): The Things I Liked… 

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Argylle (2024), Henry Cavill, Ariana DeBose, John Cena, Apple TV+
Argylle (2024), Henry Cavill, Ariana DeBose, John Cena, Apple TV+

Directed by Matthew Vaughn of Kingsman – The Secret Service (2014), Argylle, an action/adventure/comedy about a reclusive novelist whose espionage stories mirror real-world events stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, John Cena, Henri Cavill and more.

Based on the trailer and Sam Rockwell’s reputation, I’m unsurprised to confirm that I enjoyed his character Aidan the most. Especially when he’s first introduced to the audience during his ‘long hair phase’. I also appreciated the well-choreographed, colourful and fun fight sequence towards the end. 

As for the not-so-great things, there are a couple of instances where the less-than-stellar special effects proved distracting. The first is during the motorbike chase sequence in Greece. The second is in the skating sequence towards the end, a scene that first registered as fun and impressive but also started to read as quite ridiculous as it continued. A couple of continuity errors certainly didn’t help. 

My main issue with Argylle is that even though it features some good characters, great story elements, choreography and dialogue, there’s so much going on, including twists and turns, that all proved a tad too exhausting. As such, Argylle is one to watch only if you’re particularly curious. 

Happy Film Loving, 

G

Action, Thriller

ARGYLLE (2024): New Trailer Starring Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, John Cena, Sofia Boutella, Samuel L. Jackson, Duo Lipa…

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Argylle (2024), Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Universal Pictures
Argylle (2024), Bryce Dallas Howard, Sam Rockwell, Universal Pictures

Read my spoiler-free movie review of Argylle (2024).

Matthew Vaughn’s latest film is another fun-looking spy adventure. One that stars Sam Rockwell, Henry Cavill, Sofia Boutella, Samuel L. Jackson, Dua Lipa, Bryce Dallas Howard and many more.

I’m ready for all the fun things I’ve come to expect from a good Vaughn film (The Kingsman (2014), including inspiring fight choreography, music and fun dialogue.

Also, Jackson and Boutella together again in a Vaughn movie, plus Rockwell in a fun action film role are two things to get very excited about.

Lastly, it’s been a while since we had a cat as a key character in a movie. Perhaps this one will help save the day. I admit that for a second, I thought the cat was the real agent Argylle. Anyone else?

Rob Delaney, Jing Lusi, Ariana DeBose, Jason Fuchs, Bobby Holland Hanton, Stanley Morgan, Fiona Marr and Mark Bernard also star.

Argylle Release Dates: February 2nd, 2024 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Adventure, No Spoiler Reviews, Sci-Fi

MAN OF STEEL (2013): The Things I Liked…

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Man of Steel (2012), Henry Cavill, Warner Bros. Pictures
Man of Steel (2012), Henry Cavill, Warner Bros. Pictures

Three things I realised while watching director Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013): 

  1. Henry Cavill is a great Superman.
  2. Christopher Nolan, a.k.a ‘Inception (2010) and Tenet (2020) director Christopher Nolan’ wrote the script. Had I known this beforehand, I’d have watched the movie much sooner. Nolan’s involvement may also be why the musical score was so noticeably good. You know, as per most if not all Nolan films.
  3. This third point is a tad random buy here we go: To my (I want to say ‘expert’) eyes, Diane Lane and Paula Pattern (not in the movie) look as though they could be related. Do you see it?

I enjoyed most of what happens in Man of Steel, from the music, performances, very engaging story to the special effects and action. Yet I can’t deny that I did start to lose interest after the two-hour mark when there was still another twenty-three minutes remainig. 

Other things that stood out less positively include the fight sequence between Superman and General Zod (Michael Shannon) towards the end. It just wasn’t quite the exciting well-choreographed face-off I expected. Also, there’s a strange moment in the film when a military officer references Superman’s ‘hotness’/attractiveness. Instead of being funny, the dialogue felt more out of place.

I know it’s been seven years since this movie was released, which means you’ve probably seen it already, if not more than once. Nevertheless, I say Man of Steel is worth watching. Particularly because of Cavill and all the other positive points mentioned above. 

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Thriller

NIGHT HUNTER (2018): New Trailer From Alexandra Daddario, Stanley Tucci, Henry Cavill, Ben Kingsly…

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NOMIS (2018), Henry Cavill
NOMIS (2018), Henry Cavill

Night Hunter is the latest action/thriller, written/directed by David Raymond and starring Stanley Tucci, Henry Cavill, Alexandra Daddario and Ben Kingsley

At the centre of everything is a recently arrested troubled man who’s linked to years of female abductions and murders. Things don’t go smoothly when the police force and local vigilante begin a dangerous scheme involving the troubled man.

There’s definitely room in my heart for a great new thriller. I wonder if this will be the one. What I know for sure, based on impressive thrillers I’ve seen in the past, is that the psychopath really has to be convincing. No pressure, Brendan Fletcher.

Emma Tremblay, Brendan Fletcher, Eliana Jones, Mpho Koaho, Daniela Lavender and Carlyn Burchell also star.

Night Hunter Release Dates: September 6th, 2019 (US); September 13th, 2019 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Adventure, Thriller

MISSION – IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT (2018): The Things I Liked…

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Mission - Impossible - Fallout (2018), Rebecca Ferguson
Mission – Impossible – Fallout (2018), Rebecca Ferguson

I took a moment to remember how much fun I had watching Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation (2015), before sitting down to Tom Cruise’s latest movie, Mission: Impossible – Fallout.

The action sequences in Fallout are impressive, well-choreographed physical feats. You know, because it’s a Tom Cruise movie.

Yet, there was one moment at the beginning, in the scene with the plutonium, that felt too obvious as an action movie plot device. Specifically, due to its execution. Unfortunately, it was a moment that made me feel less enthused about the rest of the film. 

As the story progressed, I was adequately engaged, but concluded that I probably need to give this franchise a break. That way, when I return, some years from now, it will feel fresh and new again.

In comparison, I definitely had more fun with Rogue Nation. The good news is that Fallout is still a worthy movie. It’s likely telling that what stood out most to me about it is the truly great face Rebecca Ferguson has, rather than a specific, memorable scene or moment of dialogue.

Watch Mission: Impossible – Fallout because it’s good. Who knows, it may even be your favourite.

Happy Film Loving,

G