“The Monkey”

(Dark Comedy/Horror: 1 hour, 38 minutes)

Starring: Theo James, Christian Convery and Colin O’Brien

Director: Osgood Perkins

Rated: R (Strong bloody violent content, gore, strong language throughout and sexual references.)

Movie Review:

“The Monkey” is a dark comedy written by director Osgood Perkins (“Longlegs,” 2024), which he based on famed author Stephen King’s 1980 short story. This horror entertains with the absurdity of numerous gruesome deaths. Multiple characters within this movie die from near-statistically impossible means caused by a toy monkey.

Twin brothers Bill and Hal Shelburn, both played Christian Convery, find a toy wind-up monkey in a box that belonged to their estranged father. Eventually, they both realize the monkey is an evil device that causes death. Think of the monkey as Pandora’s box. When it is wound up, the monkey begins beating his drums. Death occurs to anyone not turning the monkey’s key. The boys get rid of the monkey, but nearly 25 years later, odd occurrences in the town where they grew up begin to happen again. Now estranged adults, Hal and Bill (Theo James) must determine if the evil toy has returned.

Graphic gory deaths occur continuously throughout this feature’s runtime. It does this as forms of comedy and horror for thrills. Audiences may be amused but should not be happy with themselves for being so.

The movie is very much like the “Final Destination” movie series with the creepiness of Perkins’ “Longlegs” that starred Nicholas Cage as an occult serial killer who uses dolls to murder. If watching people die via horrific means is humorous, then “The Monkey” is your type of movie. Otherwise, the movie is repetitious to the point of exhaustion.

Grade: C+ (Interesting until they monkey around to the point of tediousness.)

 

“The Unbreakable Boy”

(Biographical drama/comedy: 1 hour, 49 minutes)

Starring: Zachary Levi, Meghann Fahy, Jacob Laval and Gavin Warren

Director: Jon Gunn

Rated: PG (Strong thematic material, alcohol abuse, language and violence)

Movie Review:

“Unbreakable Boy” is an attractive family movie for tweens and older. It deals with a family’s handling of a son with autism and his many medical emergencies. This drama would be a tearjerker, but producers include comedy to keep the movie light and entertaining.

The LeRettes, Scott (Levi), Teresa (Fahy), Austin (Laval) and Logan (Warren) are a family of four. The family’s lives center on Austin, who is autistic and has osteogenesis imperfecta, brittle-bone disease. Austin, affectionately known as ‘AuzMan,’ requires much attention from his parents. While they constantly cater to his needs, Austin maintains a happy life with his family. His spirit is unbreakable.

Audiences seeing families deal with autistic children are becoming more present in movies and television. This is especially noteworthy since more children are afflicted by autism.

The problem is this screenplay shifts its focus to Austin’s father’s alcoholism. Zachary Levi is affable in the role, but the movie should be “The Unbreakable Boy and his Broken Father.” The movie does not focus on how Austin deals with his autism. It focuses on how others relate to Austin.

“Unbreakable Boy” is a family movie based on an actual family. It is endearing via both dramatic and comedic scenes performed by likable actors. The comedy keeps all from being overly sentimental, which is good. Even during through moments, “Unbreakable Boy” is still inspirational.

Grade: B- (A good lad.)

 

“Ne Zha 2”

(Animation/Action/Fantasy: 2 hours, 24 minutes)

Starring: Joseph Cao, Han Mo, and Hao Chen

Director: Yu Yang

Rated: NR (Strong bloody violent content, language, gore and nudity)

Movie Review:

“Ne Zha 2” is the sequel to the 2019 film “Ne Zha” and is an adaptation of the 16th-century Chinese novel “Investiture of the Gods” by Xu Zhonglin. It is a seeming combination of watching several episodes of “Game of Thrones” mixed with anime combat scenes. However, this movie is far beyond anime with animation and an engaging story. This action movie is riveting for those searching for brilliant visuals and plenty of action scenes.

Nezha (Joseph Cao) is the reincarnation of the Demon Orb and son of Lord Li Jing (Hao Chen) and Lady Yin (Lü Qi), the governors of Chentang Pass. Ao Bing (Mo Han) is the reincarnation of the Spirit Pearl and a son of the Dragon King of the East Sea, Ao Guang (Yu Chen). A lightning strike destroys Nezha and Ao Bing’s physical bodies. Taiyi Zhenren (Zhang Jiaming), Nezha’s master, plans to use the Sacred Lotus to restore them to their bodies, but his plans are interrupted when Ao Guang’s forces attack Chentang Pass.

The story has plenty of subplots, yet one does not have to watch the prequel to follow this fantasy adventure. The characters are meaningful people. They showcase the differences between good and evil actions. They are well-developed and interesting beings, and care for their causes is natural.

The animation makes this movie most impressive. It is very easy to forget one is watching computer animation rather than the real object at points. This movie needs 3-D cinema treatment. It would be an even bigger spectacle.

“Ne Zha 2” has plenty of plot twists and character shifts. The movie is filled with talk and fight scenes, just like anime. Still, the animation and the story impress similarly to a live action production on a grand scale.

Grade: B (A good, entertaining fantasy epic.)