Kung Fu Panda 3 (2016)

Skadoosh! Everyone's favorite butt kicking panda, Po (Jack Black) is back, in the third feature of the Kung Fu Panda franchise. The sequel to 2011's Kung Fu Panda 2 is nothing short of mesmerizing and wonderful.

 It offers stunning artistry, special effects, and  clever, witty humor. As well as a fantastic supporting cast including: Angelina Jolie, Bryan Cranston, J.K Simmons, and Kate Hudson, while they voice the  roles of a master tigress, Po's father, the films antagonist and a girl panda, respectively.  The way the cast voices their characters and portrays them is very energetic and lively.

The director of the film does an absolutely wonderful job at  animating China, and interpreting Kung Fu in animal form. The art and overall color of the movie is very bold and stunning. 

   

To stick to the Chinese theme & culture a score was created by visionary composer  Hans Zimmer (Interstellar, Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice) to make the film more enjoyable on a higher note. He does a marvelous job at making a score that is  lively, yet dramatic, bold, yet beautiful. 

  

Kung Fu Panda 3 is definitely a work of art and a witty comedy, while also having a dramatic plot line. It does a fantastic job at catering to both children and adults. The Kung Fu Panda Franchise is one to remember. 

Batman Vs Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)

If I were a diehard D.C Comics fan, I'd be extremely hyped for the showdown between the great Batman and Superman. Then when it comes time to witness that epic brawl, you have high expectations, when I left the theater at the end of the movie I was utterly disappointed with this movie. Not because of the negative reaction from other movie critics, but because the film had several scenes in it that were unnecessary, boring, or just didn't fit in with the plot of the movie. I was thinking during these tedious moments, just when is the fight going to happen? The epic brawl does not even happen until first ninety minutes of the movie. The film's first half was setting up the war between the two heroes for that first ninety minutes.  Returning to helm the Kryptonian hero, Henry Cavill. Playing the Dark Knight this time around is Ben Affleck. Personally, I thought Cavill’s performance in his first portrayal as superman in “Man of Steel” was more exciting than this one. As for Affleck’s take on Batman, I prefer the legendary  Christian Bale over Affleck. While director Zack Snyder how to appease to fans of both crime fighters, I'd say that his approach is extremely uneventful and ungodly dreary without a doubt, bleak. The performances in this film had emotional intensity to some extent, but they lack in more of the conflict and solution surrounding the entire movie. Dawn of Justice does offer great supporting characters the chance to succeed. Diane Lane (The Outsiders) plays a wonderful Martha Kent. One of the films damsel-in distress’ and Superman's mortal mother. Also, Jesse Eisenberg and Amy Adams play the psychotic Lex Luthor and Superman's love interest Lois Lane. These roles were executed as often being a little too cheesy and weird. Dawn of Justice gives us a first look at the Gladiator-Warrior that is Wonder Woman. Played by Gal Gadot, she does an excellent job at assisting the other two at defeating evil and saving Metropolis and Gotham from its woe. I was aiming for high expectations when I saw this movie, because the trailers myself really excited to see this movie. I genuinely enjoy both Marvel and D.C Comics Movies alike, but I felt as if Dawn of Justice lacks in being a great action packed film like its fellow superhero movie predecessors.

Starring: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jeremy Irons, Diane Lane, Amy Adams, Holly Hunter,  with Lawrence Fishburne, and Jesse Eisenberg

Director: Zack Snyder

MPAA Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 2 Hours & 33 Minutes

Synopsis:
It's been nearly two years since Superman's (Henry Cavill) colossal battle with Zod (Michael Shannon) devastated the city of Metropolis. The loss of life and collateral damage left many feeling angry and helpless, including crime-fighting billionaire Bruce Wayne (Ben Affleck). Convinced that Superman is now a threat to humanity, Batman embarks on a personal vendetta to end his reign on Earth, while the conniving Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) launches his own crusade against the Man of Steel.


Rate: D