CinemaClown

From the pioneering animation studio behind some of the most visually striking & emotionally stirring stories comes a wonderful space (mis)adventure about a young boy trying to find out where he belongs. Crafted with intimacy and told with sincerity, Elio exhibits all the endearing qualities of an old-school Pixar gem and makes for an amusing, entertaining & heartwarming coming-of-age delight for viewers of all ages.

Directed by Domee Shi, Madeline Sharafian & Adrian Molina, the story follows the intergalactic adventure of a young kid who is mistakenly identified as Earth's ambassador by alien lifeforms trying to make contact. But beneath the sci-fi exterior, it is a simple tale of a lonely & alienated child looking for connection. Lighthearted on surface but riding high on emotions, there is also an earnestness to it that handles its themes with efficiency.

The build-up to the main plot is rather quick and doesn't have all the foundational layers paved properly but there is care & compassion evident in the storytelling that helps steer the narrative steadily. The luminescent design, sumptuous animation, fluid camerawork, soft lighting, affable characters, splendid score & excellent voice work help build a universe that's inviting to the eye while Pixar's magical charm & first-rate execution takes care of the rest.

Overall, Elio is another original, arresting & impressive offering from Pixar Animation Studios that may not have the groundbreaking highs of their finest outputs but still dazzles & delights with its emotional beats & reverberating heart. An ode to human's primal need for community and also a celebration of love, friendship & bonding that brings & binds us together, this radiant, resonant & richly-hued cosmic adventure is one of the better entries in Pixar canon. Don't miss it.

From the world of John Wick comes a gleefully violent & action-packed thrill ride that expands the lore & mythos of its fascinating universe some more while following the journey of an angel of death. Ballerina is short on plot & characterisation but it still makes up for that shortcoming with its consistent delivery of spectacular action set pieces and is neatly steered by a gripping showcase from its leading lady.

Directed by Len Wiseman, the story concerns an assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma who sets out to seek retribution against those responsible for her father's death. A bare-boned premise at best, what provides the picture its flowing juice is the non-stop carnage that unfolds from the very beginning while cameos from characters of the main franchise help keep the interest alive for the most part.

Still, the dull dialogues, lame connections, predictable twists & pacing issues do tend to pile up and if it wasn't for the grisly & groovy action choreography, mostly reshot by Chad Stahelski, it would've been quite a disaster. Ana de Armas proves her action prowess with a steely & strong input and expertly anchors the plot with her own feminine flair & ferocity. Also briefly appearing is Keanu Reeves who easily steals the show.

Overall, Ballerina has some wonderful surprises up its sleeve and packs a stronger punch than expected but the film as a whole still doesn't match the finesse of its remarkable predecessors. It does capture the look, feel & tone of the Wick universe with its slick set design, sophisticated camerawork, stylish attire, sharp lighting & the patented gun-fu segments but limitations in the narrative aspect prevent it from harnessing its full potential.

From the director of Prey comes a new nightmare in the iconic sci-fi action horror franchise, an animated anthology about three warriors from different times in human history, each becoming prey to the extraterrestrial trophy hunter. Predator: Killer of Killers adds to the lore & mythology of the saga with a lean, mean & action-packed entry that makes splendid use of the animation medium to tell its story and is a surprisingly impressive addition to the series.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane), this anthology film narrates three stories. The first one concerns a Viking raider on a bloody quest for revenge, second follows a ninja in feudal Japan and the third one features a WWII pilot investigating an otherworldly threat. The three segments then continue in a final showdown. Trachtenberg directs with verve & passion, the animation is slick and the designed world has a video-game quality to it yet it's riveting to look at.

The animation medium offers a canvas of limitless potential & creative tools, and the creators make the most of it as evident in the neat storytelling, sharp camerawork, smooth rendering & expertly choreographed moments of action. The film also doesn't hold back on the unflinching violence & primal savagery that the franchise is known for, and comes packed with brutal kills. The second half does lose the fierceness due to needless wit but the ride remains entertaining throughout.

Overall, Predator: Killer of Killers is by all means a welcome addition to the Predator series that expands the franchise mythos with its interesting take while delivering the expected carnage in satisfying doses, thus making for a gripping, thrilling & vicious offering. Trachtenberg yet again proves his understanding of the strengths & limitations of the saga, and effectively & efficiently utilises the available resources to give the fans what they came looking for. Surely amongst the better instalments in the series.