American Made

Drugs, planes and the CIA; sounds like the dulcet tones of 1970s America.

Barry Seal (Tom Cruise) leaves his comfortable TWA pilot life for a job with a little more spontaneity as he is recruited by the CIA to gather photographic evidence of the impending communist threat in central America. However, upon stopping for a refuel, Barry is offered a life-changing amount of money to begin working for the Medellin Cartel.

Based on a real story, this film investigates the political minefield of 1970s America, all whilst providing tear-jerking drama and intoxicating entertainment in the form of shock-worthy explosions and plot twists to puzzle even the greatest of minds.

Tom Cruise tunes into his character with his same intangible grinning enthusiasm as always, keeping the film lighthearted throughout, even when death seems imminent.

 

The Hitman’s Bodyguard

Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson acting alongside one another in the same film; need I say more.

As an unlikely relationship forms, bodyguard Micahel (Ryan Reynolds) and professional assassin Darius (Samuel L.Jackson) must protect one another as they are tasked with crossing several borders undetected, all whilst being hunted down by bad guys. 

Though admittedly this film began as a funny concept, the novelty soon where’s off as the comedic genius dies in spectacular style with the same old jokes becoming recycled rubbish, regurgitated into each scene, leaving little room for the much need innovation.

Despite the film lacking in the comedy department, the chemistry between Jackson and Reynolds is electrically infectious and will bring a smile to even the most reserved audience members.

Atomic Blonde

Badass, blonde and beautiful; in short, the perfect secret agent. And the best part? She’s a woman.

In 1980s Berlin, MI6 agent, Lorraine Broughton (Charlize Theron), is set an impossible mission; collect a dossier and bring down an espionage group before the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Director, David Leitch, responsible for such movies as V for Vendetta and The Bourne Legacy, injects a drive of action that is contagious, by creating a fast-paced atmosphere that sends electricity through the seats of its onlookers. With a 1980s backdrop, Leitch has excelled in directorial magnificence, using idyllic settings such as cult themed hotel rooms to frame the eerie danger of the plot.

Charlize Theron takes girl power to the next level as she steals the lead role in this film and absolutely smashes it out of the park. From her effortless control of the screen to taking on her own stunts, she manages to give even the one and only James Bond himself a run for his money.

Though wrought with violence and embedded with an excessive amount of vulgarity at times, this film is a visual pleasure and a step in the right direction for equal rights amongst men and women in the acting industry.

 

Unlocked

CIA films never get old, but they do, apparently, get longer.

London is in a terror crisis, and it’s up to CIA agent, Alice Racine, to save the day. But as is the case with so many crime thrillers, such matters are never made easy.

In a plot twist that’s sure to make even Donald Trump double take, conspiracy theories get a whole new meaning as central intelligence gets a little less, well, intelligent.

With a cast that boasts the likes of Michael Douglas and Orlando Bloom, you can only hope for good things, but, alas, that’s about as good as this film gets; safe to say these two will be having harsh words with their management teams.

Despite the best efforts of the script-writers, this film just cannot get it’s feet off the ground, with each anti-climatic scene following the next, it’s a wonder there were so many cinema goers left in their seat by the time the end-credits rolled.

 

Free Fire

Comedy, guns and violence; what more could you want?

In an abandoned factory where an arms deal goes down, two gangs meet to discuss the technicalities, but when shots are fired, all hell breaks loose as each member fights for their survival.

What is so remarkable about this film is it’s simplicity; the whole film remains in one setting, a setting which barely alters and yet remains the base throughout. Similarly, the characters commit to each of their roles without hesitation and with tremendous authority.

Though the film is nothing but a shoot-out, it still manages to entice interest despite its basic concept, perhaps due to the depth of characters and the comedy that provides room for the mostly fast-paced environment.

It is a film that goes nowhere, but has everyone hooked from the offset.

 

T2 Trainspotting

Renton, Sick Boy, Begbie and Spud are back and they’ve brought their heroin with them.

With the passing of twenty years, the infamous quartet seems less concerned about their latest drug fix and more about their relentlessly ageing lives.

Danny Boyle once again took the directorial reins, making this film not only gloriously picturesque, but full of violent drama. Boyle recreates the first person camera angles that were signatory of the original flick, to encompass his audience into Edinburgh life, making this revival just as trippy as its predecessor.

Despite the inevitable ageing of the cast, each character comes back as strong as ever and with a willingness to scrape at what is left of this much loved foursome.

With refreshing glimpses of their adolescence sprinkling the narrative in the form of flashbacks, you can’t help but applaud Boyle’s effort to reconcile his characters by showcasing them through two generations.

The stakes were set high for the next Trainspotting chapter, but despite the mounting pressure, this film highlights a production ability that most franchises lack; seamless accuracy.