Tag Archives: Melissa McCarthy

Animation, Family, Fantasy, No Spoiler Reviews

THE LITTLE MERMAID (2023): The Things I Liked…

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The trailer for the live-action remake of Disney’s The Little Mermaid didn’t do much for me. It simply looked okay. There’s a chance I’d have felt differently had the 1992 animated version been a favourite of mine.

Having now seen the remake, which stars Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy and Javier Bardem, there are two things I most enjoyed while watching director Rob Marshall’s take. The first is Bailey’s arresting rendition of the film’s main song, ‘Part of that World’. I loved it so much that as soon as I got home after the event, I searched and found a video of Bailey singing it live, which I then listened to several times a week for the following month.

The second most pleasant memory of Marshall’s film has to be the colourful audio-visual feast that is the scene where Sebastian the crab sings the song ‘Under the Sea’. The colourful special effects and beautiful choreography worked together perfectly, making said scene my absolute favourite in the entire film. Now I can’t wait to replay it once it’s available on Disney+.

It’s likely that you’ve heard something about the issues with Marshall’s movie. The main one is the incomplete visual effects, especially in a scene where Bailey’s likeness is missing from the animated mermaid body. Such an obvious error is certainly not something I’d have expected from Disney.

My second issue is how unfortunately immobile McCarthy’s upper face seemed to be during her scenes. Ursula is far too delightfully dramatic and fantastic a character for the full face not to be engaged while portraying her. 

The last two unfortunate occurrences are about the music. I did not enjoy Prince Eric’s singing. I also was not a fan of Scuttle the Seagull’s rather unpleasant rendition of something towards the end. 

Considering all the issues above, of course, The Little Mermaid has not unseated Cinderella (2015) as my favourite Disney live-action film. Yet, I say, give it a chance in the comfort of your own home. It may just be worth it for the aforementioned best bits. 

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Adventure, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

THUNDER FORCE (2021): It’s…

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Thunder Force (2021), Melissa McCarthy, Netflix
Thunder Force (2021), Melissa McCarthy, Netflix

Bridesmaids (2011), This Is 40 (2012) and Spy (2015) are my three favourite Melissa McCarthy movies. The Heat (2013), Tammy (2014) and The Boss (2016) are the ones I found most disappointing. 

The not-so-great news is that McCarthy’s latest Ben Falcone-written/directed comedy/action/adventure Thunder Force falls firmly at the bottom of the latter category.  

I honestly tried my very best to give Thunder Force, the story of estranged childhood best friends reuniting and ending up with superpowers a fair chance. It’s just unfortunate that the writing and pacing left me desperately wanting. 

What makes it worse is that I wasn’t even tired when I hit play to watch a hopefully fun comedy in the afternoon. Yet, twenty minutes in, I awoke from a rather pleasant impromptu nap. A situation I had feared might occur, especially after an unnecessarily long and unfunny exchange about salmon and a rock near the start of the movie. Nevertheless, I held on in desperate hope that things might turn around at any moment.

Things did not get better, not even a little bit. As such, after giving the movie one very last try, only to find myself waking up from my second nap in half an hour, I had to put an end to the madness.

Looking back, the most memorable parts of Thunder Force include the one brief moment involving rabbit-like teeth. And the other is the presence of Pom Klementieff as Laser. 

Thunder Force is a film you watch only if you absolutely must, because as a McCarthy fan, you’re much better off revisiting the first three movies I mentioned at the start of this post.

Happy Film Loving,

G

Action, Comedy, No Spoiler Reviews

SUPERINTELLIGENCE (2020): The Things I Liked…

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Superintelligence (2020), Melissa McCarthy, Warner Bros. Pictures
Superintelligence (2020), Melissa McCarthy, Warner Bros. Pictures

I enjoyed Superintelligence, the latest comedy from Melissa McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, Sam Richardson and Ben Falcone more than I expected to.

Directed by Falcone, the story of Carol (McCarthy), a woman who’s been selected for observation by the world’s first superintelligence that may or may not take over the world isn’t perfect. Yet, if you’re a fan of the talented film making team and some good dialogue delivered with perfect comic timing; plus, laughter that you can’t always see coming, then I say give Superintelligence a chance.

Besides the above-mentioned highlights, there’s also the chemistry between Carol and Cannavale’s George to enjoy. And James Corden’s character is quite fun. So much so, that don’t be surprised if, for a good portion of the film, you find yourself thinking: ‘Should this be what a future with a super-intelligent AI looks like? Because if it is I’m in!’

As for what I didn’t completely love about Falcone’s movie, there’s the use of several common movie-making/comedy cliche’s that made the story experience that little bit less special.

Furthermore, just when I became comfortable with the direction the story was going and the nature of the relationships, a semi-expected change happens that leads to a result that isn’t quite as satisfying as it could have been. Nevertheless, even though Superintelligence has no chance of taking the place of Spy (2015) as my favourite McCarthy film, I have no regrets about watching it.

Watch it if you’re curious and because the performances are fun.

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Comedy

SUPERINTELLIGENCE (2020): New Trailer Starring Melissa McCarthy, Brian Tyree Henry, James Corden, Bobby Cannavale…

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Superintelligence (2020), Melissa McCarthy, Warner Bros. Pictures
Superintelligence (2020), Melissa McCarthy, Warner Bros. Pictures

Read my spoiler-free movie review of  Superintelligence (2020).

Imagine your life being turned upside down because you’re selected for observation by the world’s first superintelligence, a form of artificial intelligence that may or may not take over the world.

In new action/comedy Superintelligence, that is the reality of Carol Peters (Melissa McCarthy), the most average person on Earth.

Directed by Ben Falcone; additional key cast includes James Corden, Bobby Cannavale and Jean Smart.

I’m hoping this is a good McCarthy movie because it’s good to see her back; along with Cannavale and Henry.

I’m now definitely trying to decide which famous person’s voice I’d like Superintelligence to adopt if I were in Carol’s shoes. Right now I’m thinking Kristen Bell, Angela Bassett, Phylicia Rashad or Vegan actor/influencer Tabitha Brown. Or perhaps, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Bradley Cooper and other males with great deep voices.

Who would be your ideal Superintelligence voice?

Sarah Baker, Jock McKissic, Karan Soni, Jwaundace Candece, Michael Beach, Usman Ally, Damon Jones, Jay Lay, Jenna Perusich, and Carolyn Trahan also star.

Superintelligence Release Dates: November 26th, 2020 (US)…

Happy Film Loving

G

Action, Crime, Drama

THE KITCHEN (2019): New Trailer From Tiffany Haddish, Melissa McCarthy, Elisabeth Moss, Domhnall Gleeson…

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The Kitchen (2019), Tiffany Haddish, Elisabeth Moss, Melissa McCarthy, Warner Bros. Pictures

Tiffany Haddish, Elisabeth Moss, Melissa MacCarthy and Domhnall Gleeson are the stars of new crime/drama The Kitchen.

Directed by Andrea Berloff, it’s the story of the wives of New York gangsters in Hell’s Kitchen in the 1970s, as they continue to operate their imprisoned husbands’ rackets.

I’m in for the Widows (2018) vibes. I’ll of course be comparing the two movies. Which will I like more? I look forward to finding out.

Common, Margo Martindale, James Badge Dale, Jeremy Bobb, Bill Camp and Brian d’Arcy James also star.

The Kitchen Release Dates: August 9th, 2019 (US); September 20th, 2019 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G