In theaters this week
Published 7:47 am Friday, July 20, 2018
Can’t decide what to see this weekend?
Bowling Green Daily News film critic Micheal Compton is here to tell you the best – and worst – now playing at your local cineplex.
Ant-Man and the Wasp (B)
For everyone who needs a breather following the events of “Avengers: Infinity War,” the latest Marvel Universe entry proves to be the perfect escape.
The follow-up to the 2015 film that introduced audiences to Ant-Man builds on the fun of the original, a charming bit of escapism that expands the world while maintaining the formula that made the first film such a success. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas, Franklin Drive-In)
Deadpool 2 (B-)
More is less in this the follow-up to the highly entertaining 2016 debut of the wise-cracking Marvel Comics anti-hero played delightfully by Ryan Reynolds.
The sequel sticks to the same formula that made the original such a success, but it throws even more shtick into the mix – resulting in a film with plenty of laughs that also proves to be quite exhausting. (Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10)
The Equalizer 2 (C)
the follow-up to the ugly 2014 film that, at least for me, was a low point for Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua manages to at least tone down most of the ugliness, but still winds up being nothing more than your run-of-the-mill action movie. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
The First Purge (B-)
The fourth installment of the horror franchise continues the trend of improving the series with each film – with a prequel that manages to create some intriguing social commentary within the subtext of all the violence and mayhem. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (C)
The latest installment of the animated franchise does a good job playing to its target audience, but it really doesn’t have enough sustained moments to keep parents interested as well. The result is a well-meaning family film that likely won’t have the broad appeal that is intended. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Incredibles 2 (B)
This Pixar sequel isn’t quite up to par with the 2004 original, but it is still a lot of fun – especially when it finds its stride in a thrilling second hour. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas, Franklin Drive-In)
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (C-)
Big, loud and kind of dumb – that is the best way to describe the fifth installment of the popular franchise and follow-up to the 2015 reboot.
While that 2015 film found its stride in the second half to deliver at least a mildly entertaining thrill ride, “Fallen Kingdom” stumbles from the start and can’t recover – a pale retread of everything we have seen before in this franchise. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (B)
This follow-up to the 2008 hit is pretty much the exact same movie as the first film with one major exception – it’s actually good.
Thanks to some cleverly crafted musical numbers and the addition to the cast of the delightful Lily James, “Here We Go Again” manages to make the second dose of ABBA songs much more palatable – a fun and fluffy little musical concoction that can melt even the most jaded of hearts. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Uncle Drew (C)
A few laughs here and there aren’t enough to sustain this feature film based on a Pepsi web commercial. Kyrie Irving, Shaquile O’Neal and Chris Webber are the highlights, with the talented Tiffany Haddish and Nick Kroll pretty much wasted. (Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10)
Sicario; Day of the Soldado (C)
The follow-up to one of 2015’s best films is well crafted, but feels like an unneeded sequel that lacks the same emotional center that made the first film so successful (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12)
Skyscraper (C-)
Dwayne Johnson tries to channel his inner Bruce Willis in this “Die Hard” rip-off that lacks any of the fun or charm of the film it so liberally borrows from. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10, Highland Cinemas)
Tag (B-)
A good cast helps make this a likable comedy based on a true story of a group of friends that have been playing the same game of tag for 30 years. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Highland Cinemas)
Unfriended: Dark Web (not reviewed at this time)
(Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12)
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (A)
Director Morgan Neville’s followup to his Academy Award winning documentary “20 Feet From Stardom” is another award-worthy endeavor, with Neville exploring the life of the iconic children’s television host Fred Rogers.
Using interviews with the people who knew him best and archival footage that allows Rogers to tell his own story, Neville has crafted a fascinating look at the man who was a part of so many children’s lives. (Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12)