Author: Natalie Teasdale

I want to share with other movie fans those amazing films that get under your skin and stay with you for days: the scary ones, the funny ones; the ones that get you thinking. With a background in creative writing, photography, psychology and neuroscience, I’ll be focusing on dialogue, what makes a great story, if the film has beautiful creative cinematography, the soundtrack and any movie that successfully scratches the surface of our existence. My aim is to always be searching for that ultimate movie, to share what I’ve found to be interesting (whether it be a great soundtrack, a great director or links to other information of interest) and to give an honest review without too much fluff. BAppSci in Psychology/Psychophysiology; Grad Dip Creative Arts and Post Grad Dip in Creative Writing. Founder of GoMovieReviews.

Blinded By The Light

Rated: PGBlinded By The Light

Directed by: Gurinder Chadha O. B. E, Paul Mayeda Berges

Written by: Gurinder Chadha O.B.E, Paul Mayeda Berges,

Based on the book, ‘Greetings from Bury Park (2007)’ written by: Sarfraz Manzoor

Produced by: Gurinder Chadha O.B.E, Jane Barclay, Jamal Daniel

Executive Producer: Paul Mayeda Berges

Starring: Viveik Kalra, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Ganatra, Hayley Atwell, Aaron Phagura, Nell Williams, David Hayman, Dean Charles Chapman, Tara Divina, Rob Brydon MBE and Jeff Mirza.

‘Tell the world something it needs to hear.’  That’s what Javed’s (Viveik Kalra) English teacher (Hayley Atwell) tells him.

And Javed has plenty to say being a Pakistani growing up in Luten in the 80s.

He writes poems in his diary.  He just doesn’t think anyone’s ever going to understand him.  Until Roops (Aaron Phagura) lends him two cassette tapes of The Boss himself: Bruce Springsteen.

I walked into, Blinded By The Light thinking there was going to be more comedy; and there’s some funny moments with the 80s style used well like the revelation of a hideous t-shirt described part Princess Diana and part Tina Turner…

But this is 80s England, with Thatcher in the midst of her third term, millions out of jobs and racism rampant.

It’s hard enough being a teenager without seeing some racist bastard pissing through the mail slot of the front door or spitting in your face.

The film’s also about family; the authoritative father, the trying to break away from all the expectations of parents and living in a home that has very different rules and expectations than the other kids in school.

I got reflective.  And a little teary, I admit.

I was never exposed to The Boss growing up and never chose to seek out his music.  Now, I seem to be coming across him a lot (see, Thunder Road).

The more I come across this guy, the more I realise the effect he’s had on people’s lives.

I grew up in the country.  I know what it feels like to be trapped, to feel so weak you want ‘to burn down the town’

And like this expression, Blinded By The Light uses the music and especially the lyrics of Bruce Springsteen to give voice to Javed.

It’s like the music is speaking, just to him.  Saying, singing everything he’s feeling so Javed sings the words to the girl he has a crush on (Nell Williams), to the people in his way as he runs with his mate and fellow fan, Roops from the school after they’ve set Springsteen playing over the school sound system, because yes, this is a musical, but it’s a hybrid of a musical because instead of using Springsteen just as a soundtrack, Javed sings Springsteen’s lyrics like a dialogue to say how he’s feeling instead of just, saying how he’s feeling.

So I guess, yeah it’s a musical.

It sounds like it would look stupid (the storm scene and discovery of Dancing in the Dark more like theatre than film), yet Viveik Kalra as Javed is such a sweetie, he gets away with it.  And I appreciated the text on screen to show the lyrics to make sure the message was understood by the audience.  I admit I didn’t realise Springsteen was so deep:

Blow away the dreams that tear you apart Blow away the dreams that break your heart

Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted

The dogs on Main Street howl

‘Cause they understand

If I could take one moment into my hands Mister I ain’t a boy, no I’m a man

And I believe in a promised land.

I feel like there are a lot of these musical hybrid films around lately and I wasn’t completely convinced about The Boss obsession would make such a difference to a person’s life.  That’s my cynicism speaking.  Because the film is based on the true story and novel, ‘Greetings from Bury Park’ written by Sarfraz Manzoor.

Springsteen has read the book.  After meeting Manzoor he said he loved the book and was happy for the film to be made.  Seriously, what a legend.

Gemini Man

Rated: MGemini Man

Directed by: Ang Lee

Screenplay by: David Benioff, Billy Ray and Darren Lemke

Story by: Darren Lemke and David Benioff

Produced by: Jerry Bruckheimer, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Don Granger

Executive Produced by: Chad Oman, Mike Stenson, Guo Guangchang, Brian Bell, Don Murphy

Starring: Will Smith, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Clive Owen and Benedict Wong.

Viewed in 3D+ (120 FPS)

After 72 kills, Henry Brogen (Will Smith) feels like his soul hurts.

It’s time to retire from the DIA and find something else he’s good at.  Something where he feels like he can look in the mirror again.

But when he finds there are complications to his last assignment, Clay Verris (Clive Owens), head of the shadow group who turn soldiers into killers, AKA Gemini, isn’t going to make retirement an option: soldiers who grow old and discover they have a conscience are no longer viable. Clay stating: ‘Mutts like Henry were born to be collateral damage.’

Clay had planned ahead, cloning the best in the business so when Henry outlasts his use, there will be someone to take his place: Junior.

With Agent Danny Zakarweski (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) by his side, Henry fights for his life against the only adversary good enough to stand a chance at beating him – his younger self.

From Belgium to Colombia to Hungry, director Ang Lee has set up some amazing shots featuring motor bike acrobatics, intense fight scenes and explosions, all good action while leaving the violence implied (hence the M rating rather than the MA15+).

But the real point of difference is the tech.  Not only is Junior a computer-generated creation (by Weta Digital), the whole film is shot in 3D at 120 frames per second (instead of the usual 60).

That extra resolution isn’t a gimic either.  I have never watched anything so clear, so pristine.

I was glad the bloody was kept to a minimum as it would have been too much.

Instead, Ang Lee uses the tech to show shots underwater, looking up, and spits of sparks off helmets as bullets ricotte, as kerosene tins blow and to see those fight scenes between Henry and his clone so you feel like you’re right there with them.

What surprised me was how that clarity left no room for discord or error in the acting.  There is absolutely no where to hide so any false expression or off-key moment would have shouted through the screen.

Instead we get Mary Elizabeth Winstead as the very likeable side-kick, Agent Danny; and Clive Owens as the fierce villain, Verris.

And Will is at his finest here, his sincerity coming through clear, his skill as a killer shot coming through like his role as Deadshot in Suicide Squad.

The more I see this guy, the more I like him.

It has to be said some of the humour felt like filler for the dialogue.  Just a bit – more, I’m-happy-go-lucky in a tight spot and that’s funny, rather than, jokey jokes.  If you get what I mean.  Which probably fit the tone of the film which gets borderline soft cheese with that added bit of drama.

But I enjoyed the film.  And really got into the  visual difference on screen.

Ang even goes so far as to include a scene that shows a set used as a military exercise, shooting and explosions, to show the difference between fake and his actual movie that looked more genuine and authentic.  Tricky stuff!

The whole film is filled with tricky that successfully leads to an entertaining movie.

Hustlers

Rated: MA15+Hustlers

Written and Directed by: Lorene Scarfaria

Inspired by the Article Published in New York Magazine, “The Hustlers at Scores”, Written by, Jessica Pressler

Produced by: Jennifer Lopez, Benny Medina, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay

Executive Producers: Robert Simonds, Adam Fogelson, Megan Ellison, Alex Brown, Pamela Thur

Starring: Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Mercedes Ruehl, Cardi B, Lizzo, Mette Towley, Madeline Brewer and Trace Lysette.

Destiny (Costance Wu) – definitely a stripper name – is the new girl.

She’s followed the green brick road, all the way to the city.

She’s got some moves, but nothing like Ramona (Jennifer Lopez) who has Wall Street guys throwing fists full of cash on to the stage as she performs moves like the carousel, fireman, front hook, ankle-hook, and stag (It has to be noted Jennifer Lopez had to train for six months to be able to pull-off the pole dancing moves in this film which says something about the athleticism required to be a good stripper…).

Destiny could learn a thing or two from Ramona.

And literally taking Destiny under the cover of her fur jacket, together they make a bodacious, money-making partnership – until the dreaded financial crash on September 29, 2008.

When all the money disappears, the girls have gotta get creative.  Cut a few corners.

They gotta hustle those Wall Street guys, clean out their bank accounts by any means possible; and then, keep them coming back.

It’s a fun ride watching these guys get fleeced.  But also a little sickening, demonstrated by youngest member of the crew, Annabelle and her puking whenever things get real, or even just a little stressful.

It’s a world of hustle or be hustled.  A world based on the true story written by Jessica Pressler, in her article, “The Hustlers at Scores”.

We see the reality of stripping, the behind the curtain in the dressing room moments where being sexy for a living doesn’t necessarily mean there’s always sex – one stripper admitting she hasn’t had sex for two years, while another introduces the girls to her new boyfriend, a pink vibrator.

And sure it’s about the money, about the shopping, but also about Destiny not wanting to rely on anyone and wanting to look after her Grandmother.  And Ramona wanting to look after her daughter, to give her everything – she even admits that motherhood is a mental illness that will make you do anything for your child.

It’s all anyone wants.

And in America, where those who hustle get rewarded, where banks who rip off the little people get let off because they’re too big to fall – stripping, stealing, hustling sure beats making minimum wage.

Director and writer Lorene Scarfaria doesn’t let the whole stripper thing get in the way of a good drama or try too hard with the sexy stuff.  It’s more about the tongue-in-cheek humour and friendship between Destiny and Ramona and following a path to get what you want not realising how dark that path is.  It’s survival.  It’s all dark.

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark

Rated: MScary Stories To Tell In The Dark

Directed by: André Øvredal

Written by: Dan Hageman & Kevin Hageman

Screen story by: Guillermo Del Toro and Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan

Based on the series by: Alvin Schwartz

Produced by: Guillermo Del Toro, p.g.a., Sean Daniel, p.g.a., Jason F. Brown, p.g.a., J. Miles Dale, p.g.a., Elizabeth Grave, p.g.a.

Executive Producers: Peter Luo, Joshua Long, Roberto Grande

Starring: Zoe Colletti, Michael Garza, Gabriel Rush, Austin Abrams, Dean Norris, Gil Bellows, and Lorraine Toussaint.

“Sarah Bellows, tell us a story.”

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark pieces together the fabled fiction of Alvin Schwartz (who wrote the series), where screen story writer Guillermo Del Toro (along with Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan) hang the film on the idea that: “Stories can hurt, and stories can heal”.

Set in 1968 where, ‘If it’s in the newspaper it has to be right,’ but really there’s a lot wrong, like the Vietnam War and the fact Stella’s (Zoe Colletti) mum has left her with her dad (Dean Norris); Stella’s only friends in the world, Chuck (Austin Abrams) and Auggie (Gabriel Rush).

But having buddies makes life easier to live until they decide to show new-kid-in-town Ramón (Michael Garza) the Mill Valley haunted house. On Halloween.

The story of the haunted house being the young daughter, Sarah Bellows was a child killer.  That she killed the children of Mill Valley who listened to her scary stories on the other side of the wall of her locked room.

Her family hid Sarah away because they said there was something very wrong with Sarah.

So when Stella finds Sarah’s book of scary stories in the haunted house, she thinks it’s a good idea to take it home to read.  She’s a writer too.

Then new stories start appearing in the book.  New scary stories like, ‘Who took my toe?’.  It’s worse than it sounds.  Particularly when the stories start coming true.

Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark feels like one of those coming-of-age movies but really, it’s a scare-fest with body parts that come to life and bugs crawling out of empty eye-sockets.

The monsters are impressive with director, André Øvredal not holding back on the nightmarish imagery, while adding subtle details like the skin chewed around Stella’s fingernail.

I was absorbed and surprised as monsters came to life in cornfields and glaring red-lit corridors… But then the film became a crusade.

The story still holds and hey, it had to go somewhere; but I just couldn’t put myself into the shoes of Stella because there didn’t seem to be any fight or build to the strength of her character.  How did this kid suddenly get to be so strong?

Ad Astra

Rated: MAd Astra

Directed by: James Gray

Written by: James Gray & Ethan Gross

Produced by: Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, p.g.a., Jeremy Kleiner, p.g.a., James Gray, p.g.a., Anthony Katagas, p.g.a., Rodrigo Teixeira, p.g.a., Arnon Milchan

Starring: Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland.

‘I will not be vulnerable,’ says Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) in a monologue that threads the story of the film together; it’s a voice that measures the thought processing behind those blue eyes with green specks.  A thought-process hidden, because the person Roy shows to others is a performance, ‘my eye always on the exit.’

Set in the near future, Ad Astra is a mystery set in space, the story based in commercialised space travel to the moon, to rockets that blast toward the human inhabitants of Mars, to go further, for Roy to reach Neptune in search of his father who began the Lima Project thirty years before; his father’s purpose: to find evidence of extra-terrestrial life.

Instead of science fiction and the practicalities of space travel or even the exploration of physics to understand human existence, Ad Astra, at its heart, is a drama.

There was plenty of opportunity to get technical, but the film skips over the science behind the impending disaster from outer space so the story jumps while the movement in space is slow and calculated.

So although there’s a disturbing beauty to the tense moments of guns fired from space rovers and visually stunning scenes of a reflection of darkness across the orange visor of a helmet that looks like a faceless being, I felt like the story was missing the factual backbone to hold up the idea of the mysterious father figure who has dedicated his life to science and space exploration.

Ad Astra is not a journey into space but for Roy to find his way back to humanity.

The story circles around to give some satisfaction, to be able to, Let go.

And there’s so much going for the film with the build of tension with the low vibrating soundtrack of a siren; with those crime thriller moments set in space with the slow danger of being in an environment with toxic air, without gravity – in a place no other living Being has ever been found.

But for me, those amazing moments of suspense combined with the beauty of space on the big screen would have been so much more astounding if the story dug just a bit deeper into the physics of the environment – that would have made the film more believable while adding that extra layer to the drama of the story.

Still, an interesting change in pace that adds a mysterious twist to the thriller genre.

Rambo: Last Blood

Rated: R18+Rambo: Last Blood

Directed by: Adrian Grunberg

Screenplay by: Matthew Cirulnick & Sylvester Stallone

Story by: Sylvester Stallone

Based on: The Character Created by: David Morrell

Produced by: Avi Lerner, Kevin King Templeton, Yariv Lerner, Les Weldon

Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Paz Vega, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Adrianna Barraza, Yvette Monreal, Genie Kim aka Yenah Han, Joaquin Cosio, and Oscar Jaenada.

Rambo: Last Blood isn’t the past coming back to haunt – although Rambo is now suffering from severe PTSD – this final instalment (the sixth in the series) is more a classic revenge film with lots of blood and guts and yes, there’s a broken bone through the skin moment for all those fans who remember, First Blood.  A moment I’ll never forget from way back in 1982.

Here, we have the opening on a big storm, a big man, on a big horse.  It doesn’t take long to realise there’s going to be some kitschy moments in this action flick; the dramatic moments highlighted by the over-emotive soundtrack (to make up for the drama completely missing the mark, again and again).  It never works.

And when there’s a, ‘Hey mister – thanks,’ in the first ten minutes, there’s always cause for concern.

Yet, Last Blood wasn’t all bad.

Coming home to the ranch we have Maria (Adriana Barraza) – the grandmother of sweet-but-growing-up and Rambo’s niece, Gabrielle (Yvette Monreal) – who gives the tone of the film some warmth with gems like, ‘You’re not in the war anymore.  Only in your head.’

And the travelling to Mexico changes the pace of the film where Rambo meets some super bad-ass guys leading to hammer wielding Rambo action that sits up and gets the adrenaline running through the old fella’s veins again.

Sylvester returning as John Rambo looks more monster than man, the visage used as a mask while he’s ‘just trying to keep a lid on it,’ the ‘it’ his soul-destroying rage.

‘You like digging and you’re a little crazy,’ says his niece but really adopted daughter, Gabrielle.  She gets it.

Instead of heading into cheesy territory, the film gets bloody with some dark nasty moments involving forced prostitution and drugs and of course, revenge.

It’s all just so serious, Rambo is so serious that there’s moments I just had to laugh to relieve the tension.  But it wasn’t even tension, more that Rambo was acting traumatised but not quite hitting the right tone.

So, some of the film worked with some surprising action.  And some of the dramatic didn’t, ultimately leaving a feeling of the film being self-indulgent.

Dora And The Lost City Of Gold

Rated: PGDora And The Lost City Of Gold

Directed by: James Bobin

Story by: Tom Wheeler and Nicholas Stoller

Screenplay by: Nicholas Stoller and Matthew Robinson

Produced by: Kristin Burr p. g. a.

Executive Produced by: Julia Pistor, Eugenio Derbez, John G. Scotti

Starring: Isabela Moner, Eugenio Derbez, Michael Peña, Eva Longoria, Adriana Barraza, Temuera Morrison, Jeff Wahlberg, Nicholas Coombe, Madeleine Madden, and Danny Trejo.

A good fun peppy adventure teen-movie.

It’s hard not to at least have come across Dora the Explorer at some stage – I remember waking up with a self-inflicted sore head on Boxing Day or Christmas morning to a painfully cheery voice as a young nephew watched an excited Dora exclaiming Spanish words on TV.

So, I wondered what a movie adaptation would make of a little girl teaching Spanish – can you say, Dora The Explorer not the cartoon version but human?

Yet the film immediately charms by referencing Dora’s teaching behaviour with Dora’s parents (Michael Peña and Eva Longoria) looking around confused, trying to figure out who Dora is actually speaking to – ‘She’ll grow out of it.’ Says archaeologist, professor dad (Michael Peña hilarious in this role).

So I felt the adaptation had something going for it if the writers have turned the film into a meta conversation while having at laugh at itself.

And Isabela Moner as Dora was well-cast as the warm-hearted teen who has learnt everything she knows about life from the jungle.

But it’s time for Dora to find friends her own age (and species); it’s time, for Dora to move to the city and start High School.

This is a film aimed at a younger audience as peppy Dora fights to be herself while also trying to fit in.

But it’s a kid movie made with sophistication, with montages of polaroids depicting Dora’s journey as a cut-out aeroplane moves across a map, the film reverting from live people to cartoon characters, the continued self-referencing – ‘Let’s make a song out of it!’.  And the soundtrack was pretty cool as well.

What I really liked about the film is how the teen-learning-life-lessons turns into an adventure movie.

It took a while to get going, my nephew telling it how it is asking, ‘Why is she called Dora The Explorer if she’s not exploring?”

Then, the search for Parapatas (The Lost City Of Gold) heats up.

So instead of trying too hard with the jokes (that didn’t always hit the mark, for me, anyway), there’s more clever and adventure while solving ‘jungle puzzles’ and making friends, flipping the film from teen, to cute (see Mr Boots, so obviously an animated puppet, yet still very entertaining), to cartoon Dora, to full action adventure – mind altering spores included.

So the film brings the adults on-side while keeping the kids entertained with the rest of it.

I’m not saying the film was mind blowing, but in the end, I had some fun watching this one.

Bangla

Rated: MBangla

Directed by: Phaim Bhuiyan

Screenplay by: Phaim Bhuiyan, Picciarelli Vanessa

Produced by: Domenico Procacci, Annamaria Morelli

Starring: Carlotta Antonelli, Phaim Bhuiyan, Nasima Akhter

Winner of the Nastro d’Argento for Best Comedy 2019

Winner of Best First Feature, Golden Globes Italy, 2019

Italian and Bengali with English subtitles

The national language, Bengali, is the only official language of Bangladesh according to the third article of the Constitution of Bangladesh.

Phaim (Phaim Bhuiyan) is a twenty-two-year old born in Italy but his parents are still expecting him to behave like a Bangledeshi Muslim meaning: no pork, no alcohol and no sex before marriage.

So while perving at underwear adverts and trying not to look but really looking at a couple pashing on the bus, all he can do is ask, how much punishment is he in for by just thinking about getting it on before marriage?

When he meets the wild and beautiful blue-haired Asia (Carlotta Antonelli), what’s he supposed to do when kissing Asia feels like a compulsion?  Like resisting is fighting against gravity?

Yeah, OK, sounds a bit familiar, the culture clash and expected romance…But director and star, Phaim Bhuiyan has gotten the tone just right with this Italian rom-com.

Rather than dwelling on the obvious, Bangla is more about the conversations Phaim has with himself and the camera.

We also get funny moments as the film addresses Phaim living in Rome in the multiethnic Torpignattara neighbourhood, as he works as a museum steward and playing in a band.  The band, of course, playing Bangledeshi favourites.

When discussing the idea of going out with an Italian girl, his mate tells him, ‘Italian girls smell like pork.’

But in the end that feeling Phaim has means, ‘You’re in love.’

‘Cool.’

The straight-forward dialogue of Phaim and Asia when they first meet is classic.

The back-and-forth and instant connection between the two transends the two cultures because of its simplicity.

And it’s sweet seeing the two, arm-in-arm, Phaim edging away until hitting a tree because no matter how attracted he is to this Italian girl, he can’t do anything about it.

But she tries.  While he tries not to.  It works.

And the tone of the film has a lot to do with not just the writing but the spot-on editing and cut from shot to scene with Phiam firmly in control of the film without being selfish with it.

I liked it.  More than I thought I would.

More cool and sweet than romantic and funny – a classic Italian film for release as part of the Lavazza Italian Film Festival 2019.

#ItalianFF

Good Boys

Rated: MA15+Good Boys

Directed by: Gene Stupnitsky

Written by: Lee Eisenberg & Gene Stupnitsky

Produced by: Lee Eisenberg, p.ga, Evan Goldberg, p. g. a., Seth Rogen, p.g.a., James Weaver, p.g.a

Executive Producers: Josh Fagen, Brady Fujikawa, John Powers Middleton

Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Keith L Williams, Brady Noon, Molly Gordon, Lil Rel Howery, Midori Francis and Will Forte.

‘Beanbag boys for life.’

That’s how it is when you’re twelve.

There are tears flowing while dancing to, ‘Walking on Sunshine’ – yep, remember the enthusiasm in music class before it got embarrassing?

And Sunday cycling?

And when your mum’s your best friend??

When Max (Jacob Tremblay) gets invited by the cool kids to a kissing party, or course he’s not going without his mates, Thor (Brady Noon) and Lucas (Keith L. Williams): Beanbag Boys, for, Life!

But they don’t know how to kiss either.

So what do they do?

First, they decide it’s a good idea to type ‘PORN’ into a computer.  Then decide it’s a better idea to spy on the nympho (meaning she has sex on land and the sea) next door with Max’s dad’s (Will Forte) precious, ‘Never-to-be-touched-because-it’s-not-a-toy.  It’s for work’ – drone.

Only for the drone to inevitably be destroyed.  Leading the boys on an adventure taking them further from home than they’ve ever been: miles.

The humour in Good Boys feels surprisingly like new territory.

It’s a comedy with some coming-of-age stuff that’s mostly about approaching teen kids’ interpretation of the adult world.  Or misinterpretation.

That’s what makes the film so sweet and funny and good.  It shows the innocence of kids growing up that somehow feels new.

Writing duo, Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, state, ‘we felt like we could find kids in this age group to say outrageous things…and that could make people lean forward a bit […] The idea of an R-rated movie starring children just made us laugh.”

So the comedy is based on seeing kids cuss and misinterpret adult stuff like anal beads, sex swings and proving you’re hard by sipping beer:

One sip, you already feel it;

Two sips, you’re tough;

If you sip four, you’ve broken the record.  You’re an alcoholic.  Cool.

It all seems so silly written down.  But seeing the kids say and do and misinterpret over and over again is hilarious because they’re so earnest.

The film really captures how kids are at that age.

Funnily enough, I drank a beer pre-screening of course prompting that dreaded, absolutely necessary toilet run.  What I noticed on the way back to my seat was the smiles on everyone’s faces in the audience.

This isn’t a film that gets heavy or tries to convey any message.  It’s just a funny comedy with some clever jokes played with sincerity from some well-cast kids: good fun.

Abominable

Rated: GAbominable

Written and Directed by: Jill Culton

Produced by: Suzanne Buirgy

Producer: Peilin Chou

Executive Producers: Tim Johnson, Frank Zhu, Li Ruigang

Starring: Chloe Bennet, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Albert Tsai, Eddie Izzard, Sarah Paulson, Tsai Chin, Michelle Wong.

Yi (Chloe Bennet) lives in an apartment in a busy Chinese city with her mum and grandma.

She keeps herself busy; too busy to play with her neighbour, all braces and squeaky-voiced, Peng (Albert Tsai), and Jin (Tenzing Norgay Trainor) who is typically teen self-obsessed.

Because if she stops for a moment, then she’ll remember her dad is gone.

The only time Yi allows herself to remember her dad is when playing violin.  And that’s when she meets Everest – up on the rooftop where the yeti is hiding from the people who had captured him and kept him in a cage.

On the run from the bug-eyed and rich explorer Burnish (Eddie Izzard) and zoologist Dr. Zara (Sarah Paulson), the trio decide to take Everest back home.  Back to the Himalayas.  And so the adventure begins.

The DreamWorks Animation team have outdone themselves, the trailer for Abominable not translating just how majestic the film is on the big screen.  There were so many times I said, ‘Amazing’ and ‘Wow’ from watching the trio of kids and yeti ride a wave of yellow blossoms to see raindrops fall to the earth to unfurl into flowers.  And not just a few times, the film is just one wonderful moment after another.

It’s the detail and captured behaviour in those details of even the small characters that delights – ‘You just darted Dave!’ from a gun-for-hire; and the grandmother captured so well with her constant, ‘that’s what I say’.

And there’s an intricate story here about family and grief but also about the magic of nature where, ‘It’s amazing how small you feel, just looking up.’

Where there are those who appreciate nature and those who want to cut it down and take it home.

‘I own that yeti,’ says the brutish Burnish.

And the yeti, Everest was not abominable but adorable with his underbite and puppy-like behaviour.

I love that furry critter!

And so did my nephews who enjoyed the film just as much as I did; one asking if I was OK at one point because I was a little teary with the sweetness of it all.  I even got a hug.

Funny and sweet and beautifully realised, Abominable is a real treat.