Movie Reviews: Snatched, The Wall, Frantz
"Snatched"
In this madcap comedy, a mother and daughter try to mend their contentious relationship by going on a vacation to South America, but they soon find themselves kidnapped, and hijinks ensue.
"Snatched" is the second feature film for Amy Schumer, who burst onto the scene with her hilarious and highly successful 2015 debut, Trainwreck. It’s also the first film in 15 years for Goldie Hawn (a national treasure), who’s been on hiatus ever since 2002’s The Banger Sisters. It’s wonderful to see Goldie Hawn back on the big screen, but she’s given precious little to do in a pretty lazy buddy comedy. Amy Schumer plays a version of the character she played in "Trainwreck," but one that’s more mean-spirited and less endearing. It’s certainly not awful—I laughed out loud a handful of times—but to call this a disappointing follow-up for Schumer would be an understatement.
Verdict: 2 out of 4 stars
"The Wall"
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and John Cena star as two American soldiers fighting to survive after a deadly Iraqi sniper pins them behind a crumbling wall. Doug Liman, who brought us such huge blockbusters as The Bourne Identity and Edge of Tomorrow, directs "The Wall"—a movie that’s small-scale in almost every conceivable way. "The Wall" is set in one location, and has only three characters, yet it’s far more gripping than most action films at the multiplex. The Wall is filled with contrivances, its characters are ill defined, and its politics are problematic. But, because it thrills and fulfills for the better part of its 80- minute running time, we can let bygones be bygones.
Verdict: 3 out of 4 stars
In the aftermath of WWI, a German widow grieving the death of her fiancé has her life upended after meeting a French soldier who claims to have known her fiancé. Like many of Francois Ozon’s films, this is a romantic, mysterious, morally complex melodrama with a rich female character at the center (played by wonderful newcomer Paula Beer). The mostly black and white photography is stunning—adding a melancholic and nostalgic dimension to a movie about post-war guilt and grief. "Frantz" never lives up to its full potential, but it’s still a strong piece of work that’s moving and thrilling in equal measure.
Verdict: 3.5 out of 4 stars