Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning; Serves up 2x tense stunt sequences, w/a greater emphasis on dramatic high stakes w/somber reverence for the series/characters as a whole. It’s great entertainment, but main stunts are so far removed from what we will experience, thrill is more detached; A-
 

Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One

Mission: Impossible-Dead Reckoning Part One; Nods to spy films over the years paired w/breathtaking stunts, fights & chases. Franchise continues to deliver by way of its returning cast gelling well w/new characters, who are great in this instalment. Pure fun w/high stakes; A-
 

Mission: Impossible - Fallout

Mission: Impossible - Fallout; Escalates nicely with intricately designed action set pieces beyond belief. New cast additions work well with series regulars. Humour, intensity, intrigue. Everything we’ve come to expect, amplified; A

Ready Player One

Ready Player One; This Spielberg guy knows how to pace a film and play in a future setting that feels familiar and possible. Deftly bounces between the virtual and real worlds with intensity while referencing childhood touchstones with great emotional resonance; B+

Star Trek Beyond

Star Trek Beyond; Entertaining for a non Trekkie. Shows influences from recent films GotG, Gravity, Inception, all for the better & fun; B

Ice Age: Collision Course

Ice Age: Collision Course; Not as bad as one would expect. Some good jokes touting science over deniers. Cast on auto pilot except Pegg; B-

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation

Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation; Pulse pounding action w/breath holding elements in spades.  Cast exceptionally well, esp. femme fatale; A-

The Boxtrolls

The Boxtrolls; European flavoured, wildly creative and fun, another brilliant original masterwork from Laika with great voice casting; A-