Popcorn Perspectives with Danny Minton
Week of March 30, 2020
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
Rated PG-13 for sci-fi violence and action
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 52%
Available on Disc, Paid Streaming and Disney+
The official final chapter of the Skywalker Saga got a pounding from critics, making it the worst reviewed of the nine films on Rotten Tomatoes, but audiences disagreed, not allowing critics to keep them away from seeing their heroes reach the finality of their struggle. In this ninth chapter, the emperor (who we thought we lost way back in Return of the Jedi, is back and stronger than ever as he prepares to launch an attack from a major fleet of star destroyers. With Rey believing she is the only one who can stop him, she sets off on a quest to discover his whereabouts, with Kylo Ren hot on her trail. Just like the last chapter, this one has a bit too much going on, making it somewhat hard to figure out. But while that might require folks to watch it a few times to fully get it (something fans don’t seem to mind doing in this universe), it doesn’t take away from either the ambitious storytelling or the fun and excitement. Just as most of us had hoped, the movie provides for an audacious and thrilling adventure that turns out surprisingly easy to enjoy. Could J.J. Abrams and crew made different choices that would have been more popular with the fans? Sure – but I’d rather see what the characters do – not what I want them to do. A-
Sonic the Hedgehog
Rated PG for action, some violence, rude humor and brief mild language
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 64%
Available March 31 on Paid Streaming. Available May 19 on Disc.
Getting a huge jump on its summer disc release, Sonic is getting a jump on home digital download this week. The story follows the lightening-fast space rodent from the Sega video game franchise as he, along with the help of his new-found Earth friend Tom (James Marsden), try to escape the clutches of the villainous Dr Robotnik (Jim Carrey) who wants to capture Sonic to use his powers to help him take over the world. The movie had a bit of a hiccup in production when fans were creeped out by the creature’s looks and the studio demanded a do-over. But with a much more cartoony-looking character, as well as Carey’s over-the-top villain, the movie turns out to be a mindless yet fun action-packed family film that at least the kids will enjoy while you take a short and much-needed break from your new homeschooling adventure. B-