PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie (2023)

PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is an animated family movie based on the TV show of the same name.

Turns out this is the second PAW Patrol movie. Written and directed by Cal Brunker, who returns from the first film. He also wrote and directed the underappreciated Escape from Planet Earth. Regarding children's movies, it was pretty safe and played to the rulebook when creating a modern movie for 2023. Although you don't expect much from the film, the target audience is still learning how to speak. My 1 year old loved it.

There are some voice actors that you might recognize, James Marsden, Kristen Bell, North West, and Taraji P. Henson. The rest are the typical cast of the PAW Patrol. There's not much to really critique as each person brought the typical performance for this type of movie. I hardly even noticed any of the actors with the exception of Henson.

It entertained my kid, but I wouldn't say it had a lot for the adult audience to enjoy like the '90s and '00s Disney and Illumination films would have done. Result: C

Comments

Hamnet (2025)

Hamnet (2025) is directed by Chloé Zhao , known for Nomadland and The Rider , and produced by Steven Spielberg , whose legacy includes Schindler’s List and Saving Private Ryan . Zhao’s quiet, human-centered style blends unexpectedly well with Spielberg’s sweeping emotional sensibilities. The result is a film that is intimate yet cinematic, grounded yet overwhelming in its emotional impact. It is easy to see why many are calling it a frontrunner. The writing, pacing, and visual storytelling come together with remarkable precision. Jessie Buckley , known for I'm Thinking of Ending Things and Women Talking , delivers the best performance of her career. She is raw, expressive, and heartbreakingly human. Every scene she’s in is layered with emotion, and she elevates the material far beyond what even great writing could accomplish. Her portrayal is the emotional anchor of the film. Paul Mescal , known for Aftersun and Gladiator II , is equally powerful. While his performance in G...

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (2025)

Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere (2025) is written and directed by Scott Cooper , known for Crazy Heart and Hostiles . Cooper brings his usual grounded, character-focused direction to this film, capturing both the grit and quiet poetry of Bruce Springsteen’s life and music. Even for those who aren’t fans of “The Boss,” the film works as an emotional drama about artistry, loss, and self-reflection. Jeremy Allen White , best known for The Bear and The Iron Claw , disappears into his portrayal. At times, he’s nearly unrecognizable in both appearance and delivery. White manages to balance intensity with vulnerability, showing a man who’s haunted yet deeply passionate. It’s a masterclass in subtle expression, with his ability to communicate emotion without words being one of the film’s greatest strengths. Odessa Young , known for Shirley and Mothering Sunday , is radiant. She lights up every scene she’s in and brings warmth to a film that could have easily been too brooding. Her c...

Lilo & Stitch (2025)

Lilo & Stitch (2025) is the live-action adaptation of the animated Disney classic. Directed by Dean Fleischer Camp , best known for Marcel the Shell with Shoes On , this adaptation brings surprising heart and care to the beloved animated original. The casting is where this film truly excels. It's weird to think that he has no upcoming movies after this. Perhaps he's stuck in negotiations. Sydney Agudong is a perfect Nani. Not just because she’s from Hawai‘i, but because she balances the character’s stressed responsibility with quiet strength. This is her breakout role, and I'm stoked for her future movies. It's too bad she hasn't been cast in anything worthwhile yet. Maia Kealoha , as Lilo, could’ve derailed the whole thing if she missed the mark, but she doesn’t. She brings emotional gravity and mischief in just the right balance. She'll be in an upcoming movie that has an all-star cast called The Wrecking Crew . So look forward to that. Tia Carrere , w...

Movies, Film, and Chili

Search This Blog