"How to Train Your Dragon 2" Movie Review

How to Train Your Dragon 2 (2014)

Yeah yeah I know I'm late, and I usually don't get the chance to see movies past their weekend release, but I really wanted to see this one. I have anticipated the release of the movie all summer. The first film ranks as one of my favorite animated movies, and I was anticipating this 2nd installment to fall right in line.

Unlike the first film, this one started out a bit slower. I guess it's because I was already familiar with all the characters, so there wasn't much character development needed. The animation is beautifully dome throughout the movie, but the story doesn't really pick up until Hiccup's mother comes into the picture. When she arrives we get a chance to meet a few new characters and even more beautiful dragons (tell me you wasn't impressed with that Queen dragon...WoW!). I felt the story dragged for most of the film, but definitely picked up in the middle and kept my attention until the end. Can I tell you how much I love Toothless, and how much Toothless loves Hiccup. Toothless shines perfectly in the end, and has more than a few tricks up his sleeve. I was in awe of his power...amazing.

This movie is fun for the kids, although there is a moment of sadness which almost had me shed a tear :(. But all is well in the end. The kids will enjoy seeing their favorite dragons do some amazing things. This second installment, although slow at the beginning was very well done.

"Rio 2" Movie Review

 Rio 2 (2014)

The animated movies as of late have been hit or miss with me, with most of the trailers failing to capture my interest. But Rio 2!?...Yay! Not like we needed a Rio 2, since the first one was done so well, and a 2nd didn't seem necessary. But because I loved Rio so much...Yay anyway to this 2nd installment.

Although I enjoyed this movie, you could see that this 2nd installment was a push. The story for this movie was amped up, and is bigger and more over the top than the first. Not to say this is bad, but unfortunately it is obvious. However I still enjoyed all the new characters and the old ones alike. This installment had way more color and movement than the first, which is always more entertaining for the younger audiences. The choreographed music scenes were my favorite. During that musical blue macaw scene, I had to keep myself from getting up and busting a move...lol. That scene was so beautifully done. A few of my favorite new characters were Gabi (the poison frog) played wonderfully by Kristin Chenoweth, and Sangin (yeah I said sangin) Roberto played by Bruno Mars...wooooo! That boy can SANG!

 I still stand by my first statement in saying that this movie wasn't necessary, but that doesn't mean you want to miss it, especially if you have kids. They will definitely enjoy it, and the kid at heart in you will too.

Riddick Movie Review

 Riddick

Ok let me first start this review off by revealing that I am not a fan of this franchise. As a matter of fact this is the first movie out of the 3 that I have seen. So I have no background story for this 3rd installment, and this was the only one that actually interest me enough to pay money to see it. I am not the biggest fan of Vin Diesel, so although the trailer looked interesting, I wasn't expecting to be overly thrilled.

Well all I have to say is the first 15min of Riddick was exhausting...geesh. I think they packed the opening scenes with way too much stuff and by the end of the movie I was totally feeling like Riddick's survival rate is a little unbelievable and ridiculous. But I'm guessing this is who his character is?

Vin Diesel was the same old Vin Diesel, delivering his lines in the same way he delivers all his lines in movies. There is really nothing exceptional about him as an actor. Luckily for him he is surrounded by people who can actually act. I enjoyed the co-stars more than Riddick, even his pet hyenia...lol. Doll had to be my favorite character. She kept doing things I would never expect her to do, making the movie fun. The action sequences with Riddick weren't that spectacular to me, but most you who are fans will find entertaining. The ending was predictable and lame, setting things up for another film...eh.

I am not a Riddick fan, and I am still not a Riddick fan. I didn't hate this movie, but I can't say I will be stepping into the theater to see another one of these films. It was the sub characters that carried this movie in my opinion, but I'm sure a true Riddick fan would beg to differ. The good thing is that I got what I expected, and maybe even a little more