F9: The Fast Saga - 2/5

This movie is a tired retread of worn-out over-the-top melodrama. The action scenes are mindless fun, but the story is sub-par, even compared to other entries in the series. Surprisingly, driving a car to space is not the most unrealistic thing that happens in this movie, and the script goes out of its way to justify the logistics of it to the audience. What was more distracting to the story was the comic relief character’s meta commentary through-line about how none of the main characters in this franchise ever seem to get seriously injured.

Closest comparison: It’s the Fast and the Furious where they drive a car to space.

Setting: Action
Plot: Action
Tone: Action

Fate of the Furious - 3/5

This movie revels in its status as a dumb action flick, and doesn’t disappoint in delivering fun, vehicle-based, over-the-top action. And when it does deliver even moderate emotional payoff it hits much harder because it’s unexpected.

Closest comparison: It’s the next ratchet up in The Fast And The Furious series.

Setting: Super Hero
Plot: Espionage
Tone: Action

The Addams Family (2019) - 2/5

The first half of this movie is focused on introducing the Addams family and is pleasantly funny, with all the types of jokes and gags we’ve come to expect over the years. The second half of the movie is bland tripe, uninspired and providing a veneer of popular themes without a plot to support them. Even fans of the show will be disappointed by the portrayal of many characters individually and ultimately the family as a whole.

Closest comparison: It’s like Despicable Me by way of Tim Burton, but not by Tim Burton.

Setting: Pop Horror
Plot: Fish out of Water
Tone: Family Comedy