The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

Review #1832: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

Cast: 

Nicolas Cage (Nick Cage / Nicky Cage), Pedro Pascal (Javi Gutierrez), Sharon Horgan (Olivia Henson), Tiffany Haddish (Vivian, a CIA agent), Ike Barinholtz (Martin, a CIA agent), Alessandra Mastronardi (Gabriela), Jacob Scipio (Carlos), Neil Patrick Harris (Richard Fink), Lily Sheen (Addy Cage), and Paco León (Lucas Gutierrez) Directed by Tom Gormican.

Review: 

Would you be surprised to know that Nicolas Cage did not sign up to do this movie on the first time he was asked? It makes sense if you hear a premise like the one the script (written by Tom Gormican and Kevin Etten) has, which only seemed to mildly offend him. It was a letter written by Gormican that swayed Cage, however, one that showed an interest in Cage's earlier work that also happens to feature a younger CG creation of himself that confronts him from time to time (the Wild at Heart version, specifically) without being tied to his actual family life. Of course, as Cage as stated about himself, "I never had a career, I only have work." Cage has worked for forty years in television and film, as you already might know, one that has seen a distinct variety of movies (good and bad), so you don't need me to say that his "mega-acting" is quite an appeal to folks interested in the art of stars for actors. Cage also decided to serve as a co-producer on the film, which meant that he served as a sort of mediator between studio and director in the filmmaking process. Gormican had one previous directing credit to his name in That Awkward Moment (2014) and one other credit with the television series Ghosted (2017-18) as creator/producer.

Look, do you want to see a movie that features a sequin pillow of Nicolas Cage or not? It isn't quite the first film featuring a funhouse mirror portrayal of an actor played by themselves, as evidenced by Being John Malkovich (1999), but these two films are fairly distinct enough anyway. Sure, there are quite a few references to Cage present in this film, but it really is a fun time to see play out without just being a "Greatest Hits" album. Call it what you will, meta, surreal, odd, but I cannot lie that I had a really interesting time with this movie, even as someone who is only mildly familiar with all of the things that make its starring actor so compelling. Of course, it isn't just a love letter to one particular star, because it is an action comedy, it just happens to be one that has a good deal of heart and knowing sense of engagement in weirdness that is lifted by its main stars for a rewarding good time. It doesn't exactly sell every action beat, but it does at least sell the rest well enough anyway. Cage is playing a heightened version of himself, but it is a version that folks can appreciate because it is Cage playing Cage, and it is captivating to see how he goes through a mirror-house version of himself that has self awareness without sniveling desperation; the double of himself is a bit odd to see opposite him (of course, this isn't his first rodeo when it comes to doubles, as evidenced by Adaptation twenty years prior), but it does at least serve some sort of purpose in the end. Interestingly enough, Pascal follows along with resounding success, one with plenty of energy and chemistry to share with Cage in a portrayal of a devoted fan/action man #2 that makes for a handful of humorous moments together. Horgan serves as the calm medium for a few diverting scenes with Cage, while Haddish and Barinholtz take up a few moments as the other part of the film: setting up the action plot that (meta or not) is tacked on from a few too many action plot-points, which goes okay. The other actors do just fine in small gasps, although my amusement worked out best for the climax when it comes to one last little joke. The run-time of 107 minutes generally works out to its advantage in delivering a fairly creative role for Cage to chew on that does not underplay or overstay its welcome, which is generally what one should expect. As a whole, whether one is a Cage connoisseur or not, you will likely get exactly what you think you expect from a movie like this, one that is pretty good in the right places to make a decent day at the movies.

Overall, I give it 8 out of 10 stars.

Suicide Squad.

Review #828: Suicide Squad.

Cast
Will Smith (Floyd Lawton / Deadshot), Jared Leto (Joker), Margot Robbie (Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flag), Viola Davis (Amanda Waller), Jai Courtney (Digger Harkness / Captain Boomerang), Jay Hernandez (Chato Santana / El Diablo), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Waylon Jones / Killer Croc), Cara Delevingne (Dr. June Moone / Enchantress), Karen Fukuhara (Tatsu Yamashiro / Katana), Adam Beach (Christopher Weiss / Slipknot), Ike Barinholtz (Griggs), and Scott Eastwood (GQ Edwards) Directed by David Ayer (#694 - Fury)

Review
Earlier in the year (April Fool's Day to be exact), I saw DC's attempts at setting up the Justice League with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (#788), which was...divisive to say. For me, it was a bad muddled mess. Four months later, Suicide Squad attempts to try and bring some sort of humor. It's strange that this review comes nearly two years to the day of when I saw Guardians of the Galaxy (#626), which was also a movie about lesser known heroes as a group, though this one is with villains. So how does this movie hold up? It's as about as muddled as the movie itself. In a way, it's as if someone read the Wikipedia page on Guardians of the Galaxy being successful with a bunch of characters not well known to everyone while skimming through exactly why it was so successful.

Yes, there are parts where the film has humor and some semblance of fun. But by the end of it, one will wonder exactly was edited in and out of the movie, though unlike Dawn of Justice, this movie is marginally better at that department, as well as being a decent, if not flawed movie. Smith does a fantastic job, with a good edge of charisma inside a character devoted to shooting people. Robbie certainly has a good deal of energy to her and the character, which either can come off as right for the film or just a tiny bit grating. For me it was a bit of both, sometimes helping the movie out but also sometimes making the movie a bit annoying, with a costume that veers on being entirely ridiculous (Hot pants? Must hurt after a while). Kinnaman is the straight man in all this lunacy, and he does a fine job in a role that could have been just played with blandness, having some fine moments with Smith while also having some sort of personality. Davis plays her role with no semblance of fakery, completely making for a compelling character trying to wring all these powerful people to do something for her, which works. Courtney is fine, but his character doesn't really get much to do in terms of character development, which could also be said for Fukuhara as Katana, though the latter is slightly more interesting to watch, what with the sword and all. Hernandez is pretty decent, having a surprising turn of characterization near the end that makes the character more than just a fire breathing dude. Akinnuoye-Agbaje, for all the brief times he speaks, is okay. Delevinge does okay, but she isn't given much time until the climax to try and shine, though the main cast overshadows her for the most part. Lastly, there's Jared Leto as the Joker, resembling Macaulay Culkin mixed with Hot Topic...who is the weakest part of the film, for the brief amount of time he was in (probably less than 10 minutes), mainly because his scenes derail the momentum along with having no real sort of charisma, coming off as a wannabe Joker. The scenes with Joker and Harley Quinn sometimes work, but honestly they're less compelling than the scenes with the actual squad. I understand the dynamic between the two, but I also understand that I could just watch Batman: The Animated Series if I wanted to see that dynamic not distract from the actual film. It's strange that the Joker kinda just disappears right before the climax, though if you don't like the Joker, it probably helps.

The action scenes are sometimes fun, but other times it feels muddled in grey/blue, with about as much shooting as one would expect. The effects are also fine, if not sometimes a bit distracting (especially with Killer Croc). Honestly, the movie is muddled between action and quipping lines, seeming like it's trying to emulate Deadpool (#779) at points, but it's also accompanied by a plot that's kind of muddled between recruiting the group (taking around 20-30 minutes) and a climax that plods at times. The music cues that accompany the film in the beginning somewhat work but also seem to be shoehorned in. The group does have at least some chemistry together, in a strange sort of way, considering the nature of their mission. Near the end, it even flashbacks to an earlier scene in a weird way to explain something that probably could've just been explained in dialogue only. Honestly, it either should've gone entirely gritty or go for something a bit more organic, but for me it's an average movie, being the ultimate take it or leave it kind of film that will work for some, but exhaust others. There is a mid-credits scene, which is fairly decent (look, not all movies need a credits scene, but it's a nice little bonus). Experiencing it in a movie theater with a bunch of friends is probably the best way to take the movie in the long run. That, or not paying more than five/six bucks to see it.

Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.