Skip to main content

Red Sparrow (2018)

Red Sparrow is about a Russian ballerina who must work for her government. Her mission: to get information out of an American who has a mole in the Russian administration.

Directed by Francis Lawrence, the same man who brought you The Hunger Games and I am Legend, Lawrence does a great job with the flow of the film. For films that are thrillers and mysteries, the problem is having the audience figure out the ending before the climax. The way the film is edited and used allows a smart audience member to be tricked into thinking it is one person when it was someone else the entire time. Great direction.

This, other than Mother! is the hardest role I believe that Jennifer Lawrence has ever done. She has a pretty trying and rather quick transition from ballerina to Jason Bourne, Black Widow, completely-awesome heroine. She is smart and willing to go the distance to make sure that she and her mother are happy. I can't really go into more details without spoiling her character. Just know she does a great job being vulnerable and awesome at different times.

Joel Edgerton does a better performance than I was expecting. The last time I saw him was in Bright and I wasn't impressed. He was really great in The Gift. He plays a predictable but also smart government agent who makes a big mistake in the beginning but is needed to keep the cover of his mole.

This film was the best I've seen Jeremy Irons since Die Hard with a Vengence. He can convey so much with just his face it's really remarkable even if he's not in the film that much compared to the other two.

Result: A- (One of the best movies so far this year. That's not saying much but it is in theaters now.)
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Michael (2026)

Michael is directed by Antoine Fuqua , known for Training Day and The Equalizer 2 , and this film clearly carries his stylistic fingerprints. It aims to capture the life and legacy of Michael Jackson through a more personal lens, balancing spectacle with intimate character moments. While Fuqua brings a strong visual identity and some powerful sequences, the film struggles with pacing. The editing feels bloated at times, with certain stretches lingering longer than they should, which disrupts the overall flow. Jaafar Jackson , making his debut and known primarily for being the nephew of Michael Jackson , takes on the monumental task of portraying his late uncle. He does an impressive job embodying both the physicality and presence, capturing the voice, movement, and charisma in a way that feels authentic rather than imitative. It is a performance that carries the film and makes it easy to stay invested even when the structure falters. Colman Domingo , known for Rustin and Euphoria...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Devil Wears Prada 2 (2026)

The Devil Wears Prada 2 is written by Aline Brosh McKenna , known for The Devil Wears Prada and Cruella , and continues the story with a noticeably different tone. The film leans heavily into a more modern studio approach, with its themes and messaging pushed front and center. Structurally, it falls into a repetitive pattern of “problem, solution, move on,” creating a chain of predictable moments that feel more like checkpoints than a natural progression. The result is a story that lacks subtlety and rarely trusts the audience to engage without being guided at every turn. Meryl Streep , known for The Iron Lady and Kramer vs. Kramer , returns as Miranda Priestly and once again delivers a commanding performance. She slips back into the role effortlessly, bringing the same sharp presence and control that defined the original. Even when the material around her falters, she remains consistently engaging and reminds you why the character worked so well to begin with. Anne Hathaway , kno...
Post a Comment
Read more

Exit 8 (2026)

Exit 8 is directed by Genki Kawamura , who is best known as the producer of Your Name. , though his work as a director may be less familiar. The film leans into a minimalist premise, building tension through repetition and unease rather than large set pieces. It succeeds in creating an atmosphere that keeps you alert, with a structure that slowly reveals its rules and stakes. While the story ultimately comes together in a satisfying way, the journey there can feel a bit too restrained to stay consistently engaging. Kazunari Ninomiya , known for Gantz and Letters from Iwo Jima , carries much of the film on his own. His performance fits the tone well, grounded and reactive in a way that matches the film’s quiet tension. He does a solid job making small moments feel important, though the script doesn’t always give him enough variety to fully showcase his range. Still, he keeps the film watchable even when the pacing slows. Overall, Exit 8 is a well-constructed film that nails its ten...
Post a Comment
Read more