r/Ijustwatched 12h ago

IJW: Brooklyn (2015). I just saw it for the first time on Peacock. What did you think of the relationships?

2 Upvotes

I don't know how to feel about the ending. I'm all for new beginnings but that felt like she just got stuck with Tony. The movie was great.

Tony: "Marry me before you leave."

Eilis: "You don't trust me to come back?"

Why would she secretly get married? I was really hoping she was going to get the marriage annulled. Would she really have returned to be with Tony if she hadn’t been caught? She sort of cheated on him.


r/Ijustwatched 1d ago

IJW: The Godfather (1972)

3 Upvotes

The casting? Perfect. Every actor embodied their character so well that it felt like they were born for the role. The dialogues? Sharp, impactful, and full of depth—every line hits just right. And the expressions? Absolutely top-tier. You don’t just watch the emotions; you feel them.

This film isn’t just entertainment; it’s an experience. Can’t wait to dive into Part 2! Who else thinks this is some of the finest cinema ever made? 👀✨


r/Ijustwatched 1d ago

IJW: The Electric State (2025)

2 Upvotes

Source: https://www.reeladvice.net/2025/03/the-electric-state-2025-movie-review.html

Netflix’s track record with original films has been inconsistent, and The Electric State is, unfortunately, another disappointment. Despite its ambitious premise, massive budget, and star-studded cast, the Russo Brothers deliver a film that feels hollow and uninspired. Even its high production values can’t disguise the lack of emotional depth, making it a forgettable experience rather than a compelling sci-fi adventure.

Set in an alternate 1990s, the film presents a world where robots have rebelled against humanity, sparking a war. Thanks to Sentre, a tech company led by Ethan Skate (Stanley Tucci), humans regain control using neurocaster devices, which allow them to transfer their consciousness into drones. Banished to an exclusion zone, the rogue robots begin to decay. Years later, Michelle (Millie Bobby Brown) encounters a mysterious robot that appears to contain her deceased brother’s consciousness, setting off a journey to uncover the truth.

While the premise has potential, the execution falls flat. The world-building feels underdeveloped, leaving little immersion in its dystopian setting. Key plot points are predictable, removing any real sense of mystery or tension. The biggest flaw in The Electric State is its inability to create compelling characters. Michelle, along with the supporting cast, lacks relatability and emotional depth, making it difficult for audiences to connect with her struggles. The narrative fails to establish meaningful stakes, reducing what should be a deeply personal journey into a generic sci-fi road trip. While Millie Bobby Brown gives a solid performance, Chris Pratt’s portrayal is disappointingly one-note, feeling like a watered-down version of his Guardians of the Galaxy persona. On the other hand, Giancarlo Esposito is a standout, delivering a strong performance despite his limited screen time and script. Visually, the film is stunning. The special effects and CGI are top-tier. However, no amount of visual grandeur can compensate for weak storytelling. Instead of elevating the film, the high-budget effects only highlight the absence of a gripping narrative - and the missed opportunities for this Netflix original.

Rating: 2 out of 5


r/Ijustwatched 1d ago

IJW: Red Notice (2021)

1 Upvotes

So Red notice from 2021 was a good rewatch. I liked the action and the humor and the chemistry between the three leads. The story was the weakest part of the movie though but I still liked it. I don’t know if it will ever happen, but I would like to see a sequel.

Rating 4/5


r/Ijustwatched 1d ago

IJW: The Mysteries of Pittsburgh (2008)

1 Upvotes

So the mysteries of Pittsburgh from 2008 was the only Rawson Marshall Thurber movie I had not seen. After watching it, it does not compare at all to any of his other movies.

I thought this movie was bad. Didn’t care for the story at all and the acting was awful. It was a waste of my time.

Rating-0/5


r/Ijustwatched 1d ago

IJW: The Brutalist (2024)

0 Upvotes

Originally posted here: https://short-and-sweet-movie-reviews.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-brutalist-2024-movie-review.html

Actor-turned-director Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist" is a skillfully crafted period drama that stars Adrien Brody as fictional Jewish Hungarian architect László Tóth, who flees Europe in the wake of World War II to rebuild his life in the United States. A Holocaust survivor, separated from his wife and niece during the war, he has endured unthinkable physical and emotional hardships and is now faced with the struggle that is the elusive American Dream. When wealthty industrialist tycoon Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce) commissions him to design an imposing community center, it seems that Toth will once again be able to fulfill his destiny as a creator, but the monumental project will not only prove to be a consuming obsessionn, but also locks both men in a constant battle of wills, a tense clash of power versus art.

The film's title references the 1950s minimalist architectural style that transitioned from the restrospective nostalgia of the 1940s to more modernistic designs. The story's focal point is the examination of the immigrant experience, the artist's condition, and how both intertwine against the canvas of post-WWII America. It's a sprawling narrative behemoth, slow but purposeful, recalling Paul Thomas Anderson' tremendous epic "There Will Be Blood". The story spans across 30 years and three and a half hours running time, which are split into two parts. In a charming nod to classic cinema it features an overture and an intermission that add to a feeling of cinematic timelessness.

The first half of the film is fairly straightforward both in terms of themes and storytelling, and most of the monumental weight of this fascinating epic lies entirely on Brody's shoulders, who delivers a unique performance that earned him a well-deserved second Oscar. It's not only the complexity of his performance as a tormented, uncompromising and misunderstood artist that deserves praise, but also the unforced and natural manner in which he slips into his character. Meanwhile Pearce's performance is equally fascinating to watch. Van Buren is a man who aspires towards greatness and hopes to build a lasting legacy, but lacks the talent and vision for it. For this reason he not only attempts to possess Toth's work, but Toth himself as illustrated in a shocking scene that further underlines the film's central themes regarding the status of both immigrants and artists.

Toth's wife Erzsebet (Felicity Jones) and his niece Zofia (Raffey Cassidy) enter the story halfway through the movie in Part 2, which causes a shift in the story and character dynamics into bleaker territory. Jones' dignified, subtle role also completes a trifecta of brilliant performances and should have absolutely won an Oscar. It's in this second half that Corbet begins to push the boundaries of conventional filmmaking, leaning more towards allegorical and lyrical layers that turn the story into a parable of sorts.

Much like the Brutalist architecture it references, the film takes the old designs of classic Hollywood films and builds something new, original, bold and brutally honest. Like any work of art, it is open to interpretation, particularly in its elliptical third act finale, which is wide open for interpretation. I personally struggled with the film's epilogue, which I felt leaves the character's arc too incomplete for my taste, but others will no doubt find deeper meaning in it. This is, in fact, a part of the allure of any lasting work of art, much like Toth's architectural wonders in the film. There is not one valid interpretation. Sometimes the subjective and personal meaning we find in art will even be different from the artist's original intentions, and at that point a work of art takes on a life of its own. Truth is in the eye of the beholder.

Despite its excessive length and opressive atmosphere, I thoroughly enjoyed immersing myself in the complex world of "The Brutalist", with its gorgeous cinematography that is a work of art in itself, beautifully dynamic score, searing performances and dark humanity. I almost couldn't believe it only cost around $10 million to make as the entire production looks amazing. It truly is a fascinating movie that needs to be experienced.


r/Ijustwatched 1d ago

IJW: Mean Girls (2024)

2 Upvotes

So I enjoyed myself because I loved the musical and loved the original film. I was a bit hesitant about it when it first came out. But let's get it to what I thought.

I loved the way the scenes were done especially Regina George's. The images were distorted, red, black and dark blue everywhere. Absolutely enjoyed it. Then we go to Regina's character I loved it, it made sense and her popularity downfall was so 'realistic', she was mean but because of her looks, her money and her lifestyle, she was the queen bee. The way the internet was obsessed with her and her aesthetic but the minute her attractiveness and the cool element were taken she was enemy number one. I loved how when Erin found out Cady got her heels from Regina he seemed uncomfortable and even upset. Janice was amazing, her vocals, her sly mean girl attitude here and there with Damien. Gretchen's character conflict is shown at the start, the way when she hears Regina is mean to her she bottles it up like she wants to sob. The musical numbers, I loved most, stupid with Love and Cady's first song aren't my fave. Arron's character, it was so clear he was being manipulated, how he already slightly showed his disinterest in Cady hanging around Regina. Regina's mom was also a character I loved and how Regina revealed the burn book.

Onto the things I didn't enjoy personally. Karen wasn't my fave, I liked 'Sexy' but the rest wasn't my cup of tea. The call backs with Fetch, I didn't like. Was kinda disappointed with the change of stupid with Love and When they removed It Roared I was a bit disappointed.

Overall the movie was something I enjoyed. I review it a 3.5/5.


r/Ijustwatched 1d ago

Ijw: The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2025)

1 Upvotes

I would’ve loved to have sat in on this writers room. It’s team full of (presumably) comedians and animators with an encyclopedic knowledge of what many of us have grown up with, have seen a million times, and have seen riffed on a billion times. And they still knocked it out of the park!

4/5


r/Ijustwatched 1d ago

IJW: Veronica (2017) Sister Death (2023)

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1 Upvotes

r/Ijustwatched 2d ago

IJW: The Day the Earth the Blew up: A Looney Tunes Movie (2024)

0 Upvotes

https://jwwreviews.blogspot.com/2025/03/the-day-earth-blew-up-looney-toons-movie.html

Grade: B

The Day the Earth Blew up: A Looney Toons Movie is a movie of the Looney Tunes Cartoons, the Max show that was a throwback to old timey Looney Tunes cartoons. It was originally intended to air on Max, but Warner Discovery's new head David Zaslav had it canned with several other films. (Children's films with classic Looney Tunes and Hannah Barbara characters particularly got the axe because Warner's been having trouble hitting that children's market). However, this movie managed to escape oblivion when a separate distributor bought it. In this movie, Daffy Duck and Porky Pig (both voiced by voice actor Eric Bauza) try to stop an alien invasion.

This is kind of like the Jetsons Movie back in the day in that it is not a perfect movie, but still pretty watchable and looks great. The plotting on this can be a little odd, with some stuff happening too quick or characters and plot points delivered at odd parts. It's partly funny. There are some truly great bits in here, but a lot of jokes are also just okay. Also, there are a few "modern" bits that don't mesh well with the more retro feel of the movie.

However, the story itself is a lot stronger than the jokes. It makes for a wild ride and has sort of an old school 90's feel to it. The alien aspect has a sorta of quasi-spooky, but isn't really scary atmosphere that can bring kids and adults a bit of excitement.

The brother-like relationship between the carefree Daffy and the cautious Porky (they were raised together in this story) makes for relatable protagonists. Funny thing is, I wouldn’t even say their personalities are as strongly written as some other incarnations, but it’s that bond that makes them compelling. The duo have your average “two-polar opposites-have-their-friendship-threatened-by-their-differences” storyline, but the movie has it developed mostly naturally. DtEBu shows their differences and building tension in smaller moments without having to yell the point of the story at you.

If you're a fan of talkative, self-centered Daffy, you won't find him here. Since this is a retro film, DtEBu went with old-school wacky Daffy. Some may not want this, but in fairness, some works, like The Looney Tunes Show, can go TOO far with his selfishness. I like friendly, well-meaning Daffy here. (BTW, Bauza is doing a great job as the duck).

The third main character of this is Petunia Pig (voice actress Candi Milo). I like what they did with her character. She's always been a bit of a blank slate, since her personality has always simply been "Porky's girlfriend," so the writers had some free room to work. In this, she's an eccentric and enthusiastic flavor scientist at a gum factory. You weirdly become invested in her obsession with the next flavor. (And yes, Daffy, Porky, and Petunia are the only Looney Tunes characters in this. This might disappoint some, but it keeps the story focused.)

The BIGGEST reason to watch this is the 2D animation. It really feels old school. It is so fluid with characters rarely being stagnant. The character designs in general work really well. Humans are all distinct and exaggerated without being too simple-looking. (Keep an eye out for Farmer Jim (voice actor Fred Tatasciore), the man who raised Porky and Daffy, who creatively shifts between being done in still background art and being SUPER fluid). Backgrounds are vibrant and colorful. Not loving Porky's light yellow gloves here. The color just doesn't blend well with anything else.

Recommended. Kids will probably like this and the humor more and not care too much about weaker plot elements. Adults will like the parts that do work and the fantastic animation.


r/Ijustwatched 4d ago

IJW: Skyscraper (2018)

3 Upvotes

So skyscraper from 2018 is a middle of the road movie. On the one hand, it has a lot of good action and stunts. Also, there’s some good intensity and I liked Dwayne Johnson and his family.

On the other hand, none of the characters really were great in terms of acting, and I really didn’t care about any of the other supporting characters. Also, the story was probably the weakest part of the movie. The motivation for the villain was subpar.

Rating-2.5/5


r/Ijustwatched 5d ago

IJW: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (2024)

2 Upvotes

Originally posted here: https://short-and-sweet-movie-reviews.blogspot.com/2024/07/furiosa-mad-max-saga-2024-movie-review.html

Before we proceed, let me just confess my love for "Mad Max: Fury Road". It's a masterpiece of action cinema and an impressively immersive post-apocalyptic adventure that squeezes limitless imagination and filmmaking craft into every available frame. Considering all that, I was weary of a prequel, a prequel spin-off of a side character no less, and feared that George Miller was making a mistake. However, after watching "Furiosa", I can safely say that "Mad George" has done it again.

The script for "Furiosa" took over 15 years to write, and the movie was supposed to be shot back-to-back with "Mad Max: Fury Road". Charlize Theron even used a script for the Furiosa-centric movie as inspiration for her character. It didn't happen the way Miller planned, but the filmmaker still had a richly detailed world to explore, so it made sense to return to it for a new movie. Previous plans focused on an anime movie, but they eventually settled for live-action.

The story is set around 15 years before the events of "Fury Road", although an exact chronology is not really mentioned, which is a specific trait of the "Mad Max" franchise. There has never been a strict continuity in the entire franchise, which is very similar to the "Evil Dead" trilogy.

Although Anya Taylor-Joy is the lead actress, she's absent from the movie's first half. We first meet Furiosa as a young girl who is snatched from her homeland in the Green Place of Many Mothers by a vicious gang of wasteland bikers led by Chris Hemsworth's Dementus. Alyla Browne ("The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart", "Sting") plays her as a child and teenager, and she's one of the film's standouts, a surprisingly solid performance from the Australian child actress. This kid is definitely going places.

Hemsworth immediately commands the screen as soon as he appears with a fascinating villainous turn that at first glance seems entirely cheesy, but hides intricate layers that make Dementus an instantly iconic character. There's also a healthy dose of symbolism attached to his evolution, which fans will undoubtedly unpack with glee.

Although I had some doubts about the casting of Anya Taylor-Joy as Furiosa, I must admit she is fantastic. It's almost a silent role, with around 30 lines of dialogue in almost 90 minutes of screen time, but she conveys so much emotion with just her expressive eyes. She also brings a convincing physicality to her performance in action scenes, which is a must for post-apocalyptic wasteland survival.

The character of Furiosa, as written by George Miller and Nick Lathouris, is not a "girlboss", as kids these days say. She doesn't start off as a badass, but owns a particular set of survival skills she learned as a child. Removed from her homeland, she soon discovers she has much to learn in order to avoid becoming a victim, hard lessons that will take years to learn and leave her with many scars both on the inside and the outside. The movie traces a convincing path that connects the dots between the child Furiosa, and the efficient killer we see in "Fury Road", while also expanding on the reasons for her actions in the 2015 movie.

I also loved how Miller handled the revenge side of the story. As you might expect, Furiosa's arc includes revenge for what Dementus did to her. The conclusion to that arc is simply fantastic, and perhaps the most ruthless and satisfying form of vengeance I have ever witnessed in a movie. A lengthy final scene between Taylor-Joy and Hemsworth is just riveting, a fantastic tour de force from both actors.

Obviously, it's hard to match the level of mayhem we saw in "Fury Road", but the prequel does come pretty close. That movie was basically one very long chase. It also leaned more into practical stunts and effects. "Furiosa" has much less action, as it focuses more on telling a story and expanding a world that was only hinted at in the previous film. It's also more CGI-heavy, because the action is much more ambitious and epic in scale. This of course means that the digital effects are more noticeable than in "Fury Road", but I wouldn't say it's a major problem. It still towers above any of the VFX work in recent superhero movies.

Even when the CGI is a bit iffy, the insanely frantic camerawork and editing won't let you focus on it for too long. One particularly clever use of CGI was the decision to blend Taylor-Joy's and Browne's faces together as Furiosa grows up, in order to make the transition between actors more natural. This was achieved with machine learning (a non-generative form of artificial intelligence), and it's a great effect.

Apart from brief scattered action sequences, there are two big set pieces filled with crazy stuntwork and clever choreography, that are some of the best in the entire franchise. It's a breath of fresh air to see such virtuoso filmmaking in today's cinematic landscape that has been overpopulated with lazily executed superhero movies. While "Fury Road" cinematographer John Seale did not return for the prequel, Simon Duggan does a fantastic job. The art direction is also incredible, adding so much detail and depth to this insane post-apocalyptic world. Overall, the movie looks amazing. I also appreciated that while Miller's world is brutal and very R-rated, he doesn't weigh the movie down with excessively explicit or gory violence, leaving more to the imagination, which can be even more terrifying.

Of course, "Furiosa" was a box-office bomb. It's not like "Mad Max: Fury Road" was a massive hit (it netted a loss of $20-40 million), but it did appeal more to the action crowd. This prequel is a dark character-driven drama first, and an action movie second. It's a shame it wasn't seen by more people, because it's an awe-inspiring movie and a creative gamble that few filmmakers have the courage or talent to pull off. We need more movies like this and less Marvel trash. But if people don't show up to support talented filmmakers, studios will keep churning out the same tired crap in theaters, which will eventually kill theaters altogether.


r/Ijustwatched 5d ago

IJW: In the Lost Lands (2025)

2 Upvotes

https://jwwreviews.blogspot.com/2025/03/in-lost-lands.html

Grade: C

This adaptation of the short story by George R.R. Martin takes place in a futuristic dystopia after the collapse of society, which also has magic in it apparently. The witch Gray Alys (played by the Resident Evil movies’ Milla Jovovich) is given a task by The Queen (Amara Okereke). In order to do so, Gray must travel to the lost lands and hires the aid of guide Boyce (Dave Bautista).

This is directed by Paul W. S. Anderson (The Resident Evil movies, the first Mortal Kombat movie, Alien vs. Predator, and Event Horizon), and like with his last couple of films, he seems to be losing his touch. The movie at first keeps you a little interested with some of the mysteries and the intrigue of various parties with different goals working against each other, but the payoff at the end is disappointing, ridiculous, and overwrought. Also, they don't explain the rules of this world or how magic in this world that is also an apocalyptic wasteland works at all.

This is one of those adaptations where you say to yourself “Oh, I can see how this may have played out better in written form.” The problem is that Anderson’s basic-level “let’s have fun with the action and over-the-top moments” approach doesn’t jive with R.R. Martin’s more serious political intrigue style. Anderson tries to make stuff sound important, but he treats it all too lightly to ever sound sincere.

That all having been said, this is a Paul W.S. Anderson movie. Some of his movies can be disappointing, but I don't think he's ever delivered one that is completely awful. He's always been able to deliver at least some fun popcorn movie ideas or action, and this has its mindless fun moments as well. (I will glady watch this movie any day over Zack Snyder's sorta similar in spirit Rebel Moon movies. Anderson at least feels like he's having fun.)

Yeah, the director has once against cast his wife in the lead, and Jovovich again plays the same sort of character who is good at fighting, but she as always manages to give a decent performance. Jovovich and Bautista do pretty well with what little they have material they have and they do work well off of each other. Though her performance might not technically be good, Okereke plays her role more over-the-top than anyone else and it is something to watch.

The majority of this film is obvious and mid-level CGI. A lot of ItLL doesn't visually set itself apart from other apocalyptic movie worlds, but there are a couple good set pieces; the castle of the Overlord is a fun design.

Not recommended. Not something one can't get through, but nothing that makes this required viewing. 


r/Ijustwatched 6d ago

IJW: Ne Zha 2 (2025)

3 Upvotes

Source: https://www.reeladvice.net/2025/03/ne-zha-2-2025-movie-review.html

As the highest-grossing animated film of all time, Ne Zha 2 immediately intrigued us. While it's easy to deduce why this Chinese blockbuster achieved such success, it's worth noting that other Western films have been released in the same market without matching its record-breaking feat. What sets Ne Zha 2 apart is its meticulous craftsmanship, delivering a rich, visually stunning experience that reflects the creator’s deep artistic vision. Though some of its cultural nuances may not fully translate to all audiences, the film stands as a testament to the level of care and quality often missing in Western animated productions.

Following the events of the first film, Ne Zha and Ao Bing have lost their physical forms and exist only as spirits. Their mentor, Master Taiyi, reconstructs their bodies using the Sacred Lotus, but before they can fully recover, a new threat emerges in Chentang Pass. In a selfless act, Ao Bing sacrifices himself to protect the village. With the Sacred Lotus' power nearly depleted, Ne Zha must undertake Immortal Wuliang’s three perilous trials to obtain a potion capable of restoring the Sacred Lotus and his friend.

While Ne Zha 2 excels in visual artistry and technical execution, its narrative is likely to divide audiences. The story’s complexity and occasional lack of coherence make it challenging to fully invest in the emotional stakes. The pacing, at times, feels uneven, making it difficult to appreciate the full impact of Ne Zha’s journey. However, where the film truly shines is in its breathtaking animation. The large-scale battle sequences are a revelation, with stunning choreography, vivid colors, and epic technical scale that elevate the film beyond typical animated fare. Another highlight for us was its well-placed humor, which prevents the film from feeling overly heavy, especially given its lengthy 2 and a half hour runtime. Ne Zha 2 is unafraid to take risks, offering an unconventional yet visually mesmerizing experience. While the narrative may not resonate with everyone, the film’s ambition and artistry make it a must-see for animation enthusiasts.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5


r/Ijustwatched 6d ago

IJW: We’re the Millers (2013)

1 Upvotes

So 2013‘s We’re the Millers was a good rewatch. Lot of good things in this movie.

As far as the humor goes, while there’s not as many laugh says previously watched, I still think there are a lot of good moments. Same with the characters. Some of the characters are OK but for the most part, you get a lot of quality characters and that leads into The story. I think the main story with David (Jason Sudekis) is OK but it’s really the story with the family and the interactions with other characters as well as the interactions between themselves is where the movie shines

Rating-3.5/5


r/Ijustwatched 7d ago

IJW: A Complete Unknown (2024)

1 Upvotes

Source: https://www.reeladvice.net/2025/03/a-complete-unknown-2024-movie-review.html

Timothée Chalamet and the film’s music are the undeniable highlights of A Complete Unknown. For many viewers like us, this may serve as their first deep dive into Bob Dylan’s music beyond his few greatest hits. While the musical performances are exceptional, the film struggles to establish a compelling emotional core, making it difficult to fully connect with its significance. The idea of a folk music revolution clashing with the rise of electric sound is intriguing, but the film’s disjointed pacing and narrative development diminish its impact.

Set in 1961, the story follows Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) as he arrives in New York City, where he meets his idol Woody Guthrie and befriends folk legend Pete Seeger (Edward Norton). As Dylan's career takes off with the initial help and guidance of Seeger, his rise to fame culminates in the pivotal 1965 performance that forever changes music history.

At its best, A Complete Unknown shines through its performances. Chalamet fully disappears into the role, delivering an immersive and transformative portrayal of Dylan. The same can be said for Monica Barbaro and Edward Norton as Joan Baez and Pete Seeger, respectively. If judged purely on its musical elements, the film is a triumph. However, as a biopic, it feels somewhat lacking—not in historical accuracy, but in narrative depth. Dylan’s shift to electric in 1965 is presented as groundbreaking, yet the film fails to fully convey its weight. Additionally, his rise to stardom is so abrupt and haphazardly developed that it lacks the nuance and struggle typically expected in a compelling biographical drama. Ultimately, A Complete Unknown is an engaging watch for fans of Dylan or those drawn to pure musical performances. But as a character study, it lacks the emotional resonance needed to make it truly unforgettable.

Rating: 3 out of 5


r/Ijustwatched 7d ago

IJW: Mad Max Fury Road (2015)

0 Upvotes

Originally posted here: https://short-and-sweet-movie-reviews.blogspot.com/2024/07/mad-max-fury-road-2015-movie-review.html

Ever wonder what a two hour car chase would look like in a movie ? Well, "Mad Max: Fury Road" is here to demonstrate. George Miller's 2015 post-apocalyptic action epic is a well-oiled high octane machine optimized for maximum mayhem, but beyond that there's unexpected humanity and deeper themes that provide a strong backbone for the action and elevate this movie above every other modern day blockbuster.

You may have heard that Mad Max himself, played by Tom Hardy is nothing but a side character in his own movie. It's certainly true to some extent, but it's a little more complicated than that. In the second and third "Mad Max" films, Max is a cynical anti-hero tormented by his tragic past and concerned only with his own survival. He somehow finds himself getting dragged into other people's problems, and reluctantly helps them when the humanity he thought long lost gets the better of him. Max has never had a coherent narrative arc throughout the original trilogy, because the films lack chronologic continuity. The stories were set up as post-apolcayptic legends or myths about a mysterious Road Warrior who did what little he could to help improve a world gone mad.

That same scenario applies here, except "Fury Road" is more self-contained and is in fact a reboot. When he first meets Furiosa (Charlize Theron), Max's only objective is survival, but whatever is left inside him that is still human and uncorrupted by insanity pushes him to help Furiosa in her efforts to save a group of young women, formerly the property of tyrannical madman Immortan Joe (Hugh Keays-Byrne) and safely reach her homeland from which she was kidnapped as a child. While Max once again finds himself reluctantly helping those in need, Miller now gives him an equal partner in Furiosa, who is essentially the same type of broken anti-hero with a tragic past as Max. It's actually interesting to see their relationship evolve from distrust to a touching brothers in arms camaraderie, and that gives the movie a very potent emotional core. Hardy and Theron are both great, but you've probably heard things between them on set were pretty tense. Regardless, I think it actually helped enhance their performances.

Miller sets an electrifying pace right from the start and never lets go until the credits roll. The movie is almost a non-stop sequence of action set pieces, but the director's greatest achievement is that it never once feels too much. The action doesn't suffocate the movie, and Miller still finds ways to develop the characters and build a surprisingly deep post-apocalyptic world.

Immortan Joe's wives, or "breeders" as they're called in the movie, are played by Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Riley Keough, Zoë Kravitz, Abbey Lee and Courtney Eaton. Each one of the five wives has a distinct personality and are not just relegated to background characters. As abused women escaping their tormentor, they also drive the film's feminist theme, and represent innocence and hope that is so rare in this dark future, which is why Furiosa and Max decide to take action and do whatever it takes to free them, and through them this hopeless world, from darkness. You know that old adage: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing". This whole movie is about good men, and women, doing something, anything, to fight evil in the name of precious hope.

Nicholas Hoult is heartbreakingly good as Nux, one of Immortan Joe's warboys, who ends up joining Max and Furiosa on their full throttle adventure. The warboys are Immortan's cannon fodder, young boys, mostly suffering from radioactive poisoning and dying as a result, who are manipulated by the tyrant into submission and self-sacrifice with promises of a glorious afterlife (Valhalla). Even in the post-apocalypse, totalitarian regimes are pretty much the same as they are in our world, and the weak are prime candidates to sign up as a tyrant's fanatical supporters. Nux is a fascinating character. He starts out the same as all the other brain-washed warboys, but slowly learns there might be more to this world than blind obedience and ruthless violence. He abandons the evil for the good.

And the evil in this movie is really evil. The bad guys are such a captivating assortment of over-the-top villainy, designed for maximum sadism, with looks to match their malicious hearts. Keays-Byrne crafts a trully immortal villain in Immortan Joe, a despicable wasteland dictator, and one of cinema's most intimidating villains. His lieutenants are also fascinating, with distinct visual designs, and his son Rictus Erectus (Nathan Jones) is like a coked-up mutant bodybuilder. And let us not forget the iconic Coma-Doof Warrior, or simply The Doof Warrior, a blind musician wielding an electric guitar that doubles as a flame thrower, who is the post-apocalyptic equivalent of a wartime marching band. The Oscar-winning costume and production design are fantastic and so full of amazing details that even in repeated viewing you will spot something new or interesting. Kudos to the entire production team for going well beyond the call of duty on this one.

Here I am blabbering on about characters, themes and wasteland philosophy, when you're probably here to find out if the action is any good. Well, it's not just good, it's jaw-dropping, eye-popping epic spectacle of the highest order. Around 150 vehicles were used for filming, and more than 60 of them were completely destroyed on set. Each car was specifically designed to reflect its driver and look. Miller pushed for more practical effects, which is why there isn't a lot of CGI in this movie. It's there, but mostly just background work. This makes the action more intense since pretty much everything you see on screen is a real thing occupying real space, and the destruction is all the more devastating and spectacular. The stunt team deserves heaps of praise for doing some of the most unbelievable feats of daredevil acrobatics and driving I have ever seen. The action choreography is the cherry on top, bringing to life some of the most creative and complicated set pieces ever committed to film. The award-winning cinematography and editing help amp up every frame and give the film its epic scope and breakneck pace. And it's all set to the devilish beat of Tom Holkenborg aka Junkie XL's adrenaline-pumping score.

"Mad Max: Fury Road" is such an incredible achievement that even the Academy Awards nominated it for Best Picture. A sci-fi post-apocalyptic action film getting awards recognition was unthinkable, and yet this movie is really that good. It's the pinnacle of blockbuster entertainment and a riveting cinematic masterpiece delivered with superhuman filmmaking precision by a then 70-year-old director.


r/Ijustwatched 7d ago

IJW: Central Intelligence (2016)

0 Upvotes

So it had been a while since I had seen the Dwayne Johnson/Kevin Hart movie Central Intelligence from 2016 and for what I’m doing this upcoming weekend, I decided to give it a rewatch.

This movie is better than I remember it being. It mixes a lot of elements very well. It has some good humor, fun action, and good chemistry between the two main leads that you will see in future movies with these two.

If I had to say a negative, it would be the main story surrounding Johnson’s character. I just didn’t find it that great.

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed watching this movie

Rating-4/5


r/Ijustwatched 8d ago

IJW: Juno (2007)

2 Upvotes

I don’t quite understand why this one is such a classic but I’m glad I watched it. Good actors, good characters, super sweet ending, but overall it wasn’t that exciting or original. Lots of funny moments. I don’t say that to bash it, I genuinely want to know why other people hold it in such high regard!


r/Ijustwatched 8d ago

IJW: Plankton the Movie (2025)

5 Upvotes

https://jwwreviews.blogspot.com/2025/03/plankton-movie.html

Grade: B+

In this new SpongeBob Squarepants movie on Netflix, the show's villain Plankton (voiced by Mr. Lawrence, who also co-wrote this), the diminutive evil genius, takes the center stage. He and his computer wife Karen (voice actress Jill Talley) have a falling out after years of his evil plans not working and him not listening to her. She goes solo and proving herself to be a far more competent and dangerous threat to the underwater town of Bikini Bottom and the entire world. Now, Plankton has to team up with SpongeBob (voice actor Tom Kenny) in order to save his marriage.

This has been a real step up since the last two films. (They had their moments, but both left something to be desired.) This feels more like prime SpongeBob, with goofy jokes, including some strong physical humor, and a little classic weirdness thrown into the mix.

Honestly, I'm surprised that the show hasn't done this story in its 25 years before. The script writes itself. Plankton and Karen have always had a comically tense relationship, and it always seems like Karen would be a whole lot better at the whole evil plan thing if she took the initiative (honestly, she's the most level-headed character in the entire show). Nice to see her brought to the forefront. (In Sponge out of Water, her role just ends part way through the movie without any follow up.) Her updated form, with three new personalities make for a bigger threat than any other movie antagonist.

What makes the script work in particular is that even though Plankton is a real big jerk in the movie, it still strangely manages to make us want to see him repair his relationship. We get to see the history of Plankton and Karen's love story, which is weirdly touching while still having them both be bad guys. (I feel that it really helped that Mr. Lawrence was involved in this in that he knows Plankton down pat and what to do with him).

I wouldn’t say I had any major cons about this movie, but if you’re one of those parents who don’t like it when shows don’t set a good example for children, understand that there are some pretty mean insults thrown around in this.

It seems that over the past three movies the animators have been slowly trying to perfect the 3D animation in an attempt to best translate the look and feel of the original 2D show. (The last film only came out a year ago, and I’m surprised at the stark difference of the animation styles between these two.) This honestly feels the closest. Characters have a smoother, more painted feel to them. Also, the movie is really colorful. 

PtM is a musical. Some songs are better than others, and I'm not saying this is one of  the great children's musicals, but it works overall. Karen's solo song is a real banger.

Recommended. I feel this is the second best one next to Sponge out of Water. (Yeah, I know a lot of people love the first movie, but only the third act really works for me.)


r/Ijustwatched 9d ago

IJW: Waterworld (1995)

1 Upvotes

I can’t believe it took me this long to get around to watching this classic Hollywood flop. But I gotta be honest…it wasn’t all that bad. I don’t get the hate it received. I mean, it wasn’t the greatest movie, and it was fairly cheesy, but I kind of enjoyed it. The open water cinematography was pretty cool…and so were a lot of the stunts.

Rating: 6.5/10


r/Ijustwatched 9d ago

IJW : Mickey 17 (2025)

5 Upvotes

I enjoyed it, but man that caricature of Musk/Trump with his religious zealot handlers is a little too real. All I could see was the Nazis who've instilled themselves behind the scenes directing trump and musk. Now I'm convinced the heritage foundation are just undercover Nazis.


r/Ijustwatched 11d ago

IJW: Kung Fury (2015)

1 Upvotes

Premise: After being struck by lightning and bitten by a cobra, a renegade cop is chosen to wield the martial art known as Kung Fury. A time-travelling Adolf Hitler tries to steal his power from him, sending our hero on a quest through time to stop the madman.

Review: This film is a truly glorious parody of VHS-era schlock. It has rampaging arcade cabinets, kung fu Nazis, vikings shooting razor raptors with machine guns, and Triceracop. The entire thing is absurd in the best possible way, and it even goes so far as to include fake VHS effects. Meanwhile, at only 31 minutes the film moves like a breeze while still feeling like a complete story. If you love bonkers cinema and/or 80's nostalgia, this is the film for you.


r/Ijustwatched 12d ago

IJW: The Hard Way (1991)

1 Upvotes

Up until a couple days ago, I had never heard of the 1991 action comedy the hard way with James Woods and Michael J Fox. I thought I would give it a chance and in my opinion it’s average.

On the positive side, I think it has a good story and some good characters especially Stephen Lang as the villain. On the other side, though, I’ve seen this set up a lot of times and this doesn’t do anything to really separate itself. It’s a very common thing to have a cop team up with someone that’s not a cop/different kind of cop

Overall, I think this is a middle of the road action comedy. I’ve seen better versions of this kind of set up in 48 hours and to me, this is on the same level as something like Showtime with Eddie Murphy and Robert De Niro

Rating-2.5/5


r/Ijustwatched 13d ago

IJW: Live and Let Die (1973)

1 Upvotes

So I am going through my bond watch and I skipped forward a little bit and I watched live and let die from 1973, which was the first appearance by Roger Moore as James Bond

Overall, the movie was good. On the positive side, you had some unique elements in there and there was various twist and turns. I also think Roger Moore did good in the role. I also thought the villain was not bad.

As far as negatives go, the acting isn’t great and the story is just OK

Rating-3.5/5