Alex has written 5 reviews for films rated ★★½ during 2021.

  • Licence to Kill

    Licence to Kill

    ★★½

    License to Kill starts off very promisingly, but loses steam by the halfway point. First things first, Dalton is a very good Bond. He's more serious than most, but not without his fun moments. His kill one liners are pretty fun in an understated kind of way. Unfortunately, the supporting cast is pretty rough, and the second act of the film drags quite a bit. Some good action, but overall uninteresting.

  • Outlaw King

    Outlaw King

    ★★½

    This is a well crafted film that feels like it’s supposed to be about half an hour longer. What we are left with is pretty, but is basically just plot. Though we see Robert’s campaign, we never really learn much about who he is. It seems like a film on fast forward, which is a shame, as the story could have been great if allowed to breathe.

  • Candyman

    Candyman

    ★★½

    This film isn't bad so much as frustrating. There are so many good ideas present in this film that one sees how it could easily have been great. However, instead of picking one or two ideas to hone in on, the film tries to incorporate every single one of them, leading to a situation where none of them feel fully fleshed out.

    It's a shame because the filmmaking is very strong. Nia Dacosta has a wonderful eye for visuals and…

  • Terminator: Dark Fate

    Terminator: Dark Fate

    ★★½

    There is a lot that Terminator: Dark Fate gets right, and A LOT that it gets wrong. The greatest feat is the way the action is staged. The film takes advantage of its R-rating in order to deliver fights that have a real sense of impact. There's a clarity and a power to the action that's been missing from the series for a long time.

    However, the script is really bad. The dialogue has a few fun moments, but it…

  • True History of the Kelly Gang

    True History of the Kelly Gang

    ★★½

    The first half of this film is very strong. It very effectively depicts the harsh life in the wilds of Australia, and gives us an understanding of the desperation that the people of the time must have felt.

    Then the time jump happens. As effective and emotional as the story of Kelly’s childhood is, much of it is wasted by a messy, unfocused and poorly paced second half depicting Kelly as an adult. Any sense of flow and cause/effect is…