“Sicario: Day of the Soldado” (Drama/Crime: 2 hours, 2 minutes)

Starring: Benicio Del Toro, Josh Brolin, Isabela Moner, Jeffrey Donovan and Catherine Keener

Director: Stefano Sollima

Rated: R (Violence, profanity, gore and drug content)

Movie Review: “Sicario: Day of the Soldado,” minus Emily Blunt, is the sequel to “Sicario” (Director Denis Villeneuve, 2015). Both movies easily hold one’s attention with violent scenes involving nice drama from its cast. 

“Day of the Soldado” is not as powerful as its prequel. It is more action-oriented. Additionally, its timely border security-themed plot makes it connect today’s issues in a compelling manner. 

The border of the United States and Mexico changes dramatically after Mexican cartels begin trafficking terrorists across the border. After United States government declares the cartels as terrorists, FBI Agent Matt Graver (Brolin) collaborates again with the Sicario Alejandro (Del Toro) to secure the southern border. The law-enforcement agent, the hitman and their team want to combat the cartels via getting the syndicates to wage war on each other.

“Day of the Soldado” is impressive. Again, it is not as dramatic as its prequel, but packs plenty of anxiety-driven moments that make it engagingly worthy.

The movie works basically because of the skills of Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin. Both are phenomenal; each offering a hardcore character, men trying to fight evil with immoral actions of their own. 

Stefano Sollima (“Suburra,” 2015) directs this latest script by talented writer Taylor Sheridan (“Sicario,” 2015; “Wind River,” 2017; “Hell or High Water,” 2016). Sheridan’s screenplays are always superior scripts. He makes the most of mainly strong male characters. Mainly a teleplay director, Sollima helms Sheridan’s screenplay with a solid execution.

“Sicario: Day of the Soldado” works as good cinema. It differs in a negative manner from its prequel some because the plot is often overtaken with lengthy action scenes that steal some of the movie’s dramatic efforts. Otherwise, this is a good movie with a timely narrative.

Grade: B (The day belongs to the soldiering hitman.)

“Uncle Drew” (Comedy/Sport: 1 hour, 43 minutes)

Starring: Kyrie Irving, Lil Rel Howery and Nick Kroll

Director: Charles Stone III

Rated: PG-13 (Suggestive material, violence, strong language and brief nudity)

Movie Review: Just having returned from a family reunion, the basketball stars of this comedy are reminiscent of several uncles. Every family has one or two crazy uncles. 

They appear to be one of the most brilliant men for about 11 minutes. Then, the crazy materializes. This is what makes them enjoyable to be around, their unexpected behavior. “Uncle Drew” has similar antics, even if the comedy appears repetitive and overacted.

Dax (Howery) goes into debt to enter his team in the Rucker Classic streetball tournament in Harlem with a large cash prize. The coach loses his team to his longtime rival (Nick Kroll), who acquires every player. 

A desperate Dax encounters the legendary myth, Uncle Drew (National Basketball Association’s pro Irving). Dax convinces Uncle Drew, a senior citizen in his 70s to return to the court one more time. Drew agrees on one condition. He wants his old squad (Shaquille O’Neal, Chris Webber, Reggie Miller, Nate Robinson and Lisa Leslie).

Charles Stone III (“Drumline,” 2002) directs this comedy based on a digital episodic series originated by Pepsi. The story has a good core narrative and it garners some laughs. Though, comedic bits are overdone, repetitive moments detract.

Tiffany Haddish, since “Girls Trip,” 2017, has been playing the same role. Here, she is part of the comic redundancy of “Uncle Drew.” Her character feels like something seen before. Also, jokes about Lil Rel Howery’s big head, which appears normal, and quips regarding his weight and short stature quickly become childish material repeated too often.

Grade: C+ (Uncle Drew scores points, but his coach and the coach’s girlfriend double dribble.)