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12/5 Movie Trip
Paul McGuire Grimes, creator of Paul’s Trip to the Movies, gives us his review of “Is this Thing On?” and “Zootopia” – both out in theaters.
IS THIS THING ON? (in theaters)
Bradley Cooper has proven himself as a director with A Star is Born and Maestro. His third film, Is This Thing On?, is smaller in scale, but still packs an emotional punch. Cooper co-wrote the film with Will Arnett and Mark Chappell, and its loosely based on a true story. Will Arnett and Laura Dern star as Alex and Tess Novak who have made the decision to get a divorce after decades of being married together. They’ve lost the fun and have been drifting apart over the last few years. They’ve lost their own identities along the way and are facing those quintessential mid-life crisis questions that arise. Alex uses his new free to time to try his hand at stand-up comedy. He sees an open mic night and decides to share his life being newly divorced as his stand-up act. Meanwhile, Tess is a former Olympic volleyball player and is now interested in getting back to the sport coaching the next generation. The film has a terrific supporting cast with Ciaran Hinds and Christine Ebersole as Alex’s parents and Bradley Cooper, Andra Day, Sean Hayes, and Scott Icenogle as their friend group.
–Is This Thing On? acts as a great showcase for both Bradley Cooper and Will Arnett who have been friends for decades. Cooper wanted to show off Arnett’s skills as an actor that audiences haven’t really had a chance to see yet.
-Will Arnett is a funny actor who can do over-the-top characters, but he strips away all of those tendances in a dramatic role. It’s really rewarding to see him drop his usual act and be vulnerable as an actor. He gives a career-best performance never mugging too hard or working too hard for a laugh
-Despite this being about stand-up, this isn’t an overly funny movie. It has its moments like when Christine Ebersole pops in as his mom. She’s an absolute scene stealer.
-Bradley Cooper’s first two movies as a director and writer were bigger in scope, and he’s now trying something far more intimate. It’s shot with a lot of close-ups like we’re sitting in and possibly eavesdropping in on the vulnerable, emotional weight of Alex and Tess’ divorce.
-There’s a slice of life approach to how their family accepts this new chapter. It felt authentic in its sporadic thought process. We’re watching Alex and Tess heal and respond in the moment to something that’s big and overwhelming. Alex and Tess wrestle in the confusion, the public triggers, the new unknown and determine what it means for the kids.
-Bradley Cooper allows space for the uncomfortable silence; there are pauses and unsaid feelings that ring out.
-Laura Dern won the Oscar a few years ago for Marriage Story, which also dealt with divorce. Is This Thing On? feels far more hopeful than that film did. Will Arnett and Bradley Cooper give these characters grace and there’s a sense of hope that both will find happiness in their new norm.
RATING: 4 out of 5 TICKET STUBS
ZOOTOPIA 2 (in theaters)
Zootopia 2 is a worthy sequel with enough laughs and action to keep the whole family entertained. The first Zootopia came out in 2016, and the new film does a quick recap at the beginning to set the stage and remind us of the unlikely duo of plucky Judy Hopps (Ginnifer Goodwin) and the sly fox Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman). They’re now official partners at the police squad but are not taken seriously despite their heroic efforts. At a recent smuggling bust, Judy spots a snakeskin left behind which raises her ears as snakes have been forbidden in Zootopia for years. Judy and Nick sneak their way into the Zootopia Centennial Gala hosted by the corrupt Lynxley family. In the family’s possession is an ancient book detailing the town’s weather walls. That is until Gary De’Snake (Ke Huy Quan) slithers his way in and steals it during the gala. Judy and Nick’s quick action and insightful thought process takes them on a big adventure exposing the truth behind the book and the real reason why Gary would be after the prized artifact. The sequel welcomes the always-funny Fortune Feimster to the cast voicing a beaver named Nibbles Maplestick. She’s a podcaster who knows her way around the reptile population, Andy Samberg as Pawbert Lynxley, and Quinta Brunson as Dr. Fuzzby who is a therapist working with Judy and Nick on their issues.
–Zootopia 2 is once again directed by Byron Howard and Jared Bush who made the first one along with has also made other recent Disney hits like Moana and Encanto.
-The writers utilize the classic buddy action tropes with Judy being the play by the books cop and Nick Wilde as the cop who plays by his own rules. Sometimes this formula feels tired, but under the creative mind of Howard and Bush, they’ve managed to make a sequel that feels fun, fresh, and just as clever as the first.
-They’ve done the sneaky thing of adding in real world issues into mix about racism, tolerance and the benefits of accepting everyone and working toward a common goal. These larger themes were apparent in the first film, and I’m glad they’ve held true to that in the sequel.
-The writing and design of the film is just as witty as you want it to be. There are so many animal puns and clever word play from character names to a catering company called Amoose Bouche. It’s so jampacked that it will probably take a few viewings to spot all the references, easter eggs, and jokes.
-There are twists and turns and plenty of action scenes testing Judy and Nick every step of the way. You really feel like every member of the creative team pulled out all the stops to make this as funny and high stakes as possible, not just for kids, but for the adults.
-Byron Howard and Jared Bush have a smart sequel on their hands as they’ve retained everything we loved about the first film without feeling like it’s a total rehash.
RATING: 4 out of 5 TICKET STUBS
