The Journalix reviews the latest and greatest films to come to DVD! The latest releases include the long awaited sequel to one of the biggest Disney movies of all-time with Frozen 2. All your favourite characters are back, with another outstanding soundtrack to support it. Also, we look at gang culture in London with the notorious Blue Story and Playing With Fire, starring John Cena.
FROZEN 2
Frozen 2 has finally landed and rather tha na sequel you should think of this as “Part 2”. Yes, there wasn’t much else to wrap up from the first movie, and equally this expands on the story and themes in a way that is almost unneccary. But – the quality from the first film does not drop one bit. The music is just as catchy, whether you like it or not, children and wannabe stars of the stage will be singing this down your ear until the end of time. The animation kicks on a notch. I saw a trailer for this at a Dolby Cinema and honestly, the scene where Elsa steps into the sea is one of the most perfect pieces of animation I’ve ever witnessed. And the humour is here in spades too. Olaf might be a bit more sillier than cute on this occasion, but he’ll warm your heart just like he did first time around.
In this film they attempt to answer a longstanding question – why does Elsa possess magical powers? Together with Olaf, Anna, Kristoff and Sven, the group set off on an unforgettable journey, with fun for all the family.
BLUE STORY
Next up, the film that made headlines for all the wrong reasons, Blue Story. Best friends Timmy (Stephen Odubola) and Marco (Micheal Ward) go to the same high school in Peckham but live in neighbouring London boroughs. When Marco’s beaten up by one of Timmy’s primary school friends the two boys wind up on rival sides of a never-ending cycle of postcode gang war in which there are no winners… only victims.
This is a very gritty film and deals with some very heavy topics. There were accusations that this film was glorifying gang warfare but far from it. The film constantly reminds the viewer that there is an alternative choice, whilst at the same time brilliantly shows how innocent people get caught up in these matters. I was really impressed by the directorial style which created the uneasy feeling that something sinister could be around the corner at any moment. At the same time the party scene is one you want to be a part of. A vibrant young community constantly battling the elements within.
PLAYING WITH FIRE
When firefighter Jake Carson (WWE star John Cena) and his team rescue three siblings in the path of a wildfire, they quickly realize that no amount of training could have prepared them for their most challenging job yet – babysitting. While trying to locate the children’s parents, the firefighters have their lives, jobs and even their fire station turned upside down and learn that kids – much like fires – are wild and full of surprises.
“JOHN CENA DESERVES AN OSCAR NOD”
This is one for the younger crowd. Maybe from 7 to 16 year olds? Toilet humour and slapstick comedy on steriods after drinking a slush puppy and eating 3 bags of rainbow drops. But luckily, I watched this with a 7 year old who laughed his head off throughout, thought the baby was cute rather than annoying and now thinks John Cena deserves an Oscar nod. To be fair, the supporting cast is strong with John Leguizamo (Romeo & Juliet, ER), Keegan-Michael Key (Parks and Recreation, Toy Story 4) and Judy Greer (Ant-Man, Jurassic World) as the love interest. The special effects are great too and the story doesn’t need much explaining, so no Pixar-style trauma once it’s over. But just be careful your kids don’t set fire to the curtains, for a laugh…
Now you’ve read our verdicts for Frozen 2, Blue Story and Playing With Fire check out even more movie reviews: