Talking Movies: Murder Mystery 2, The Batman and Toscana
Spling reviews Murder Mystery 2, The Batman and Toscana as broadcast on Talking Movies, Fine Music Radio. Listen to podcast.
TRANSCRIPT
Good morning – welcome to Talking Movies, I’m Spling…
This week, we’re talking about a crime comedy caper, an action crime thriller and a romance comedy drama.
Starting off with a film now on Netflix…
MURDER MYSTERY 2
Full-time detectives Nick and Audrey are invited to a lavish wedding only to find themselves at the centre of an international abduction.
Director: Jeremy Garelick
Stars: Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston and Mark Strong
Murder Mystery 2 is another hotchpotch of murder mystery hijinks as suggested by the 2 in its title, essentially blending the campy fun of Cluedo’s classic board game oddballs with Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego’s globetrotting. Unfortunately, in keeping with the original, this bumbling action crime comedy is content to coast, not really giving any supporting character enough back story or screen time to truly shine. Continually refocusing on Nick and Audrey to siphon star power and cute couple energy, Murder Mystery 2 is happy to pander to eye candy, get by on popcorn storytelling and wallow in its co-lead’s charms. Having enough flash to get the ball rolling, the inane dialogue and seemingly inconsequential action begins to fester as the rinse-and-repeat feel kicks in. As much as mindless fun has its place, Murder Mystery 2 is underwhelming, a pretty postcard from a faraway place that’s flimsy, unnecessary and doesn’t have all that much to say in spite of its colourful, picturesque and “wish you were here” sentiment. While it starts with promise, fueled by cheerful co-lead chemistry and holiday spirit, it’s probably a good thing you’re watching Murder Mystery 2 from the comfort of a couch. Ultimately, Murder Mystery 2 is what it is, more of the same, no one’s baby… a lethargic and lightweight distraction with a few chuckles, a campy effervescent charm and a few familiar faces.
A flimsy 4!
Moving on to a film on Showmax…
THE BATMAN
Batman joins the investigation into a serial killer who begins murdering Gotham’s key political figures.
Director: Matt Reeves
Stars: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz and Colin Farrell
One of the first things you’ll notice about The Batman is its fine cast, with Robert Pattinson surrounded by the likes of Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Andy Serkis and Peter Sarsgaard. His brooding emo performance connects quite seamlessly with Nirvana’s low-key ‘Something in the Way’ theme. Coming from the director of The Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy, this gritty and grim take on Gotham, falls somewhere between Batman Begins and The Joker. Reeves has crafted a dark Gotham with sleek cinematography and first class sound, mostly giving the franchise a fresh spin through its Seven-inspired detective genre twist. This foreboding superhero film is steeped in atmosphere and brandishes its mean streets style in a perpetual quest of cool. Yet, it’s undermined by invisible elements. Paul Dano doesn’t hold back but his mask, glasses and popularity obfuscate. The Batman has an over-reliance on Batman preconceptions that helps “get on with it” but undermines immersion as a standalone vehicle. While The Batman is sleek and even elegant, designed to swathe audiences in the dark dualities and grim mood of Gotham, it’s a stretch at over 3 hours. The seriousness of this slog adds gravity but the film’s pomp does transform grand into grandiose. In spite of its flaws, The Batman is still a handsomely mounted, stellar and tailored production with a moody aesthetic that will win enough fans over to sustain the franchise reboot.
A satisfactory 6!
And finally a film on Netflix…
TOSCANA
A Danish chef confronts his past and finds inspiration when he travels to Tuscany to sell his father’s estate.
Director: Mehdi Avaz
Anders Matthesen, Cristiana Dell’Anna and Lærke Winther
Toscana offers a fresh spin around the handling of the would-be romance, serving as a character portrait with romance and travelogue as secondary objectives. This unusual weighting makes Toscana about a man’s struggle with forgiveness as well as inspiration when it comes to falling in love with a local woman, a new menu and another country. Matthesen has a melancholy, reminiscent of Russell Crowe in the similarly poised A Good Year. Reliving painful memories, Theo finds catharsis and inspiration from the rustic restaurant and a new romance. Instead of cookie-cutter “romcom” formula, Toscana offers an earnest, realistic and even messy depiction of an unlikely relationship with a bittersweet undertone. This means some things remain unresolved and that may irk some audiences, especially in light of its ellipsis ending. Toscana isn’t exactly a feel good film but does effectively portray a soulful journey as Theo opens his eyes to the magic of the region and softens to the promise of a fresh start. There are a few moments that could have used more spit and polish but Toscana’s unconventional approach, unpredictable nature and bittersweet tone give the movie more substance than is typically expected with this kind of travel romance drama. While it’s far from exuberant and giddy, much like it’s lead in Matthesen, it amounts to a picturesque and entertaining film of many layers.
A satisfactory 6!
So just to wrap up…
MURDER MYSTERY 2… mindless, lethargic and lightweight, this stellar rinse-and-repeat caper is simply more colourful, goofy fun… A flimsy 4!
THE BATMAN… while grandiose and overlong, this stellar reboot is dark, brooding, sleek and epic… A satisfactory 6!
TOSCANA… while clumsy at times, it remains an earnest, entertaining, picturesque and soulful romance comedy drama… A satisfactory 6!
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And remember, Don’t WING it, SPL!NG it!
