Sicario: Day of the Soldado
Oh my! Where to begin!? First, “Sicario” literally means “hitman”. This is the second Sicario film. It is more intense than the first. There is more violence and action than the first edition. There is more tension and angst. The subject matter is a tough and grizzled combination of drug wars and human trafficking.
The cast is an A team of actors: Benicio del Toro, Josh Brolin, 16 year old Isabela Moner, Catherine Keener, Jeffrey Donovan, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Matthew Modine, and several more.
It is rated R for good reason. There is strong violence, grisly images, and language. It is not at all appropriate for children.
The genre is listed as Action, Drama, Mystery, Thriller, Crime with a whopping run time of 121 minutes. That said, we liked the movie even though it was sometimes difficult to watch.
Rating 
The First Purge
First…this is the Fourth film in the franchise. The first three were basically the same…society is deeply divided and damaged so the government decides a night of no laws will allow consequence free violence to “purge” itself of bad elements and everything will be rosy in the morning.
This rendition is a bit different. Without giving away the story for those who still want to see this film, this episode focuses on mercenaries and minorities to rid the country of everyone who is “unworthy”.
The core cast includes a dozen talented actors. Most noteworthy are Lex Scott Davis, Y’lan Noel, Marisa Tomei (in a horrid blond wig, what were they thinking?), Jovian Wade, Lauren Velez and Steve Harris in a really creepy role.
There is little doubt this edition is making a commentary on current social/political events. It’s intended to be the prequel, setting the stage for draconian changes to civilized society and greatness. Humm…no further comment.
It’s rated R for strong disturbing violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and drug use. It is listed as a Fantasy/Crime story running 1 hour 52 minutes.
Rating 
Ant-Man and the Wasp
Marvel Studios’ latest release is the second in its series and opened this weekend with box office revenues of $78 million.
Ant-Man and the Wasp team up to battle a powerful new enemy. The story is a quick paced, creative production with loads of twists, turns and surprises. Innovative special effects are core to the film’s appeal.
The cast includes several A list actors: Evangeline Lilly plays Hope Pym, Michael Douglas as her father, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Hannah-John-Kamen as Ghost, Michael Pena as Luis, and Michelle Pfeiffer as Wasp.
It’s also filled with lighthearted humor and great special effects. It carries a PG-13 rating for some sci-fi action and violence. It is suitable for children. The genre is listed as Action & Adventure, Comedy, Science Fiction & Fantasy. Run time is 1 hour, 58 minutes.
Rating
I was wondering if you would like Sicario or not. Not very lighthearted. Good review!
I was hedging on seeing Ant Man. I wasn’t too keen on the first movie but if you liked it, I guess that tips me over to the “go watch it” side!
Thanks for all the reviews! I look to your reviews first before I watch a film since I don’t look at as many as you do and I wait til the crowds die down before seeing a film.
So do I!!! Jim and John are my favorite movie critics, my own Siskel & Ebert!
However, regardless of what my favorite movie critics here say, I don’t watch horror or most sci fi movies as they are horror like to me. Carrie, Alien, The Exorcism and Jaws traumatized me for life!