STACK J#165 Jul 2018

CINEMA

REVIEWS

JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM RELEASED: June 21 DIRECTOR: J.A. Bayona CAST: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Rafe Spall, Ted Levine RATING: M

SCREENING IN JULY 2018

A game changer for the dino-sized franchise.

The trailers promise a rescue mission to Isla Nublar to save the dinosaurs before the island’s now active volcano triggers an extinction level event. But that’s just for starters. To paraphrase Dr. Alan Grant from the original, you won’t have the slightest idea what to expect. Three years after the fall of the Jurassic World theme park, the fate of the dinosaurs is a matter for Congress – should they be allowed to continue to exist? Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum, returning in a glorified cameo) doesn’t think so, while animal activists – including Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) – lobby to have them relocated to a new sanctuary. Dinosaurs have rights, too!

Claire finds an ally in the late John Hammond’s business partner, Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell), who bankrolls the aforementioned rescue mission. Raptor whisperer Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) is also along for the ride in the hope of saving his buddy Blue, as are a bunch of military goons with a hidden agenda. To reveal more would spoil the surprises to follow – suffice to say, Fallen Kingdom makes a radical and totally bonkers detour that transforms it into another movie entirely. Splicing disaster film with monster movie and gothic mansion horror, this is the Indominus Rex of the franchise – a mean and unpredictable mongrel that’s like nothing that has existed in the series’ 25-year history. Some of the plot twists border on the ludicrous, and if you thought T. Rex looked incongruous on the streets of San Diego in The Lost World , you ain’t seen nothin’ yet! It may not be the best installment since the original, but director J.A. Bayona deserves credit for boldly delivering the most unconventional Jurassic film of them all, and also the most nightmarish; parents should think twice about taking their youngest to see this during the school holidays. Scott Hocking

Set before the events of Avengers: Infinity War and following on from Captain America: Civil War . Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is balancing the pressures of being both a superhero and a dad when he’s called upon for a critical new mission by Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) – AKA The Wasp – and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas). Marvel's next offering is buzzing into cinemas on July 5. (See page 10) ANT-MAN AND THE WASP

RELEASED: June 14 DIRECTOR: Brad Bird CAST: Holly Hunter, Craig T. Nelson, Samuel L. Jackson RATING: PG INCREDIBLES 2

Die Hard meets The Towering Inferno in the latest action extravaganza featuring Dwayne Johnson, who goes all John McClane on a bunch of terrorists. Get ready to Rock on July 12. SKYSCRAPER

Pixar has brought us an incredible sequel.

The first film focused on Bob – AKA Mr. Incredible – getting back in the game and trying to juggle his superhero life with his young family. The sequel flips the idea on its head. Though ‘supers’ are technically still outlawed, a tech tycoon wants to bring them back into the limelight. He proposes a small campaign to Mr. Incredible, his wife Helen (Elastigirl), and their close friend Lucius (Frozone), which would bring the supers back into public favour. However, he also believes Elastigirl would be the best candidate to begin the campaign, and so Bob is forced to stay at home and look after his family.

Incredibles 2 does a brilliant job of illustrating the many facets of the word ‘super’. Sure, the heroes are out there fighting crime, but there’s an argument to be made that those who look after the family at home and take care of the day-to-day stuff are equally heroic. Bob needs to re-learn maths to help out Dash; Violet is right in the middle of dealing with her first big crush on a boy at school; and Jack-Jack looks like he might be about to discover his own superpowers. Pixar’s franchise has grown up with its audience. The jokes are still as witty, albeit more culturally reflective; the family as loveable as ever, if a bit all over the place. And the positioning of Helen as the star of the show is testament to the animation company’s effortless application of inclusivity, which never feels forced. There’s just as much focus on Bob at home with the kids as there is Elastigirl out saving the world. Perfectly balanced, as all things should be.

Denzel returns as the avenger for the exploited and oppressed in director Antoine Fuqua's sequel to the 2014 action-thriller, based on the '80s TV series. Equalizing on July 19. (See page 14) THE EQUALIZER 2

The characters from the original return to the lovely Greek island of Kalokairi 10 years later. Expect more ABBA hits as well as a cameo by Mr. Bjorn Ulvaeus himself. How can you resist on July 19 . MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN

Just like the original, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy in Incredibles 2 , with

references and nods that target both parents and kids. And don’t be surprised if most of the people in the cinema are aged 20 – 25. They've been waiting 14 years for this one! Alesha Kolbe

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