It’s the most wonderful time of the year: summer movie season starting with ‘Avengers: Endgame....
F.E
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: summer movie season starting with ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (released in April). But the rest of the slate of summer movies is just as intriguing as Avengers. This summer, we have the usual players: lots of superheroes, some recognisable monsters, and talking and singing animals. So no matter your particular niche, there’s probably a ‘summer movie’ for you, if you’re in the mood to spend a few hours in an air-conditioned theatre...
A big, vibrant, and spirit filled live-action remake of the animation classic, ‘Aladdin’ succeeds on the talents of its attractive, charismatic cast, starring Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Will Smith and Marwan Kenzari. This beloved Disney tale gets the live action treatment by director Guy Ritchie. The movie, set in the fictional city of Agrabah, still is about Aladdin. Ritchie wisely leans into the action of Aladdin, introducing us to the charming orphan and pickpocket - and his kleptomaniac monkey Abu - as he ducks, dives and parkours around the bustling markets and flat roofs of Agrabah. When Aladdin (Mena Massoud) discovers the genie (Will Smith) in the role in a brilliantly realised Cave Of Wonders, he is transformed into a prince to woo the headstrong and politically-minded Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott).
Great art direction, costume design and beautiful display of colour fill out an adventure fantasy that is as rousing as they come. It may not replace they legacy and memory of the 1992 animation classic, but ‘Aladdin’ circa 2019 will become a memorable film in its own right. The movie’s production bursts with candy colours and exquisite fabrics, moves fast with action, and delights with music. ‘Aladdin’ maintains the energetic pace and vibrancy from start to finish. Like a magical carpet ride, ‘Aladdin’ will take you to a whole new world of fantasy adventures, with charm and heart fit for the whole family.
In cinemas all over Pakistan
The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest, most global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization. While it doesn’t star the series mainstays Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones, the fourth ‘Men in Black’ movie does reunite Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth, who have already proven themselves to be perfect comedic action heroes. When aliens that can take the form of any human arrive on Earth, H and M embark on a globe-trotting adventure to save the agency — and ultimately the world — from their mischievous plans.
Directed by F. Gary Gray directs, the fourth installment of the ‘Men in Black’ franchise carries on the decades-old science fiction franchise with more extraterrestrial action, funky aliens, memory-zapping neutralisers and humour. ‘Men in Black: International’ feels like a natural evolution from ‘Men in Black III’. While it also contains the quirky sense of humour and brainy science fiction of the original movie, it infuses its own unique thematic elements into the series rather than simply copying what worked in 1997. One thing that makes this film stand out among its predecessors is that it stars the first-ever ‘woman in black’.
In cinemas all over Pakistan
Directed by Pixar vet Josh Cooley, ‘Toy Story 4’ is an emotionally rewarding film that joyfully reintroduces old friends alongside a new roster of engaging characters. The franchise sees Woody, Buzz, and the rest of the gang embarking on another toy-out-of-the-box adventure. Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang embark on a road trip with Bonnie and a new toy named Forky. The adventurous journey turns into an unexpected reunion as Woody’s slight detour leads him to his long-lost friend Bo Peep. As the story unfolds, we’re treated to all of the elements that we’ve come to expect, including a mission to rescue a missing or kidnapped toy, a climactic action sequence reuniting separated characters, There’s always been a lot going on in the ‘Toy Story’ world, but ‘4’ adds romance and some low-key horror to a stew that already included adventure, moral lessons and comedy. Toy Story 4 still orbits the ‘friendship is good’ universe established by the first Toy Story, but it reaches for much deeper meaning by asking what it means to live purposefully.
In cinemas all over Pakistan
Taking place after Avengers: Endgame, ‘Far From Home’ welcomes back Peter’s friends Ned, MJ, and Flash Thompson as they all travel to Europe over Summer vacation. On what was supposed to be a relaxing Euro vacation, the arachnid in tights instead spends his time spinning webs around the continent’s most famous sights, with Nick Fury along for the ride. Directed byJon Watts, this sequel is all about Spider-man (Tom Holland) attempting to save the world in the immediate aftermath of Endgame. Plus, it marks Jake Gyllenhaal’s first entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The 1994 animated feature lives again, reanimated in a more photorealistic style for the tastes of 2019. From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau’s all-new ‘The Lion King’ journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. The film stars the voices of Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, BeyoncŽ Knowles-Carter, and James Earl Jones reprising his original role as Mufasa. Simba, the son of Mufasa and the Prince of the Pride Lands, hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps. Mufasa’s brother, Scar, plots to betray Mufasa and take over the Pride Lands, forcing Simba into exile, where he meets Timon and Pumbaa. Simba has to make an alliance, and rebuild himself fully to take what is rightfully his.
The Lion King is scheduled to be released on July 19, 2019, which marks the 25th anniversary of the release of the original film.
‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ is Quentin Tarantino’s most affectionate movie since Jackie Brown (1997). His latest film is said to be a love letter to Hollywood circa 1969 as seen by an aging actor (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double (Brad Pitt). As a nostalgic reconstruction of a time gone by, Tarantino’s ninth film is pitch perfect. Other hallmarks remain (a groovy jukebox soundtrack, flashbacks, gratuitous shots of women’s feet) but the story is more intimate - a love letter to a bygone era. Like ‘The Lion King’,’ Once Upon A Time in Hollywood’ is a greatly anticipated film, especially after its recent debut at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival.
- Z.K
