MattCummings

Ballerina is the kind of movie made to pair with popcorn and soda. Just like these foods, Ballerina is enjoyable, goes down very easy and ultimately leaves you happy. While there is some world building, Ballerina is focused on the violence, and there's some great stuff here. You buy Ana DeArmas kicking ass, particularly in one sequence near the end that I guarantee you've never seen before in a movie. I also liked how the blended John Wick into the story, making sure Keanu Reeves never overshadows Eve. Overall, it's terrific and I'll see it again, and I'll make sure to pair it with my favorite concessions.

Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning isn't the best of the series (that's Rogue Nation/Fallout), but it's a fun time at the theatre, even though a number of factors might dissuade some from accepting this mission.

Partly a trip down memory lane, the film directly references events from previous films, but audiences need not have seen them to understand. One flashback in particular is simply brilliant in its reveal, answering a question that's bothered me for years. There's surprises at every turn, some of which were genuinely jaw-dropping.

And then there are the stunts, which I think one-up the BK and plane sequences from the previous films. Cruise is simply nuts, but it all makes for fantastic action, especially on a real IMAX screen. While there's a lot to love here, there are a few things that frankly are hard to figure out. The usually precocious Atwell is sidelined here, relegated to that of an Ilsa Faust. And speaking of, M:I8 sorely misses her. It wasn't the burgeoning relationship with Hunt that we miss, it's the grey she projected and how that impacted Hunt. Instead, we get a lot (too much?) of Cruise here, separated from his team, and one feels that vacuum. When they all do hook up, it's great. Even though The Entity is somewhat sidelined, it's still a menacing creature, ready to end the world in nuclear fire. Gabriel, seemingly The Entity's alter-ego, is good but not great, as is Paris whom I was hoping would become the team's version of John Wick. Not so here, but perhaps with future installments we might get lucky.

M:I8 is another win for Cruise/McQ, even though it overtly misses the deeper connections to MI:7. When it succeeds, it absolutely triumphs, delivering action sequences that could be the best of the series. Don't be scared by the runtime as it paced really well. Go see this in IMAX as I did, but don't partake in too many concessions. You're bound to miss something if nature calls.

Thunderbolts is a return to Marvel greatness; it's well-acted and written and isn't your typical smash-up Avengers movie, but a commentary on PTSD, mental illness and the loneliness that both bring on. This is mostly Yelena's story, as she struggles with the loss of her sister and how to reconnect with her father Red Guardian. Harbor is fabulous and his comedy is gold, especially when he and Bucky start to hang out. I also really liked Russell's extended story, but it's the whacky Pullman who really makes Bob shine. This is also his movie and his chemistry with Pugh is outstanding. I know it's crazy, but this is the best MCU movie since Endgame. It has something to say without being GOTG3 depressing, it's not glib as D&W, and just beats Shang-Chi and No Way Home. Stick around for 2 end credit scenes, especially the latter. Marvel has a hit on their hands, perfectly setting up Fantastic Four and reminding us that they still know how to make great superhero films.