A villain eventually comes into focus in the second half, and it’s here where the film takes a tumble.

Dark Phoenix is like Smokey and the Bandit 3, when even Burt Reynolds knew enough was enough and bailed before filming got underway.

Even if it doesn’t soar as high as one would like, Rocketman is still a better movie than Bohemian Rhapsody, which suffered in part from its PG-13 designation. Rocketman is a solid R, more in line for this sort of warts-and-all picture.

By providing the former Fresh Prince with fresh material, Will Smith is able to escape the inevitable comparisons by fashioning a Genie that doesn’t always instantly bring to mind Robin Williams’ stamped trademark on the part.

The finished product doesn’t resemble an R-rated film made by adults as much as an R-rated film made by teenagers who think it would be cool to pepper their project with as much profanity and as many gory interludes as possible.

Peele is never able to integrate the sociopolitical horrors with the cinematic horrors as brilliantly as he did in Get Out — consequently, the more fantastical aspects of Us require a lot of hard swallowing and ultimately generate more questions than answers.

The plotting isn’t the film’s strongest suit. But the attention to characterization makes up for it, particularly Danvers’ journey toward becoming a formidable female who ultimately realizes that she doesn’t need to answer to anyone.

THE 10 BEST 1. THE FAVOURITE The best film of 2018. The climactic comeuppance and abrupt ending could both be stronger, but otherwise, this outrageous period piece — basically All […]