On this episode of Justice & Doom Movie Reviews from The HMC Network, hosts Sarah Mason and Jake Essoe review INCREDIBLES 2 and the Netflix original film, OPEN HOUSE.
It's been 14 years since writer/director and two time Oscar winner (INCREDIBLES, RATATOUILLE), Brad Bird introduced the world to the Incredibles yet somehow, Jack-Jack is still a baby. It's a tough time for everyone's favorite super hero family, the world has outlawed super heroes, the family is unaware of Jack-Jack's (Eli Fucile) powers, Dash (Huck Milner)is sparring with Violet (Sarah Vowell) who has boy problems, and Bob/Mr. Incredible (Craig T. Nelson) takes on a new role as Mr. Mom when Helen/Elastigirl (Holly Hunter) is tasked with the super hero PR campaign. When a new villain emerges, Elastigirl must reach out (sorry, too easy), to her family, their super buddy, Lucius/Frozone (Samuel L. Jackson) and new friends to save the day. Edna (Brad Bird) is back, but if you blink you might miss her too-short cameo.
If you think it's been too long for this sequel to make a big impact, think again. INCREDIBLES 2 broke records with the highest grossing opening weekend for an animated film, of all time. Possibly to the dismay of many fan theories circulating chatrooms, Bird chose not to age the kids, instead focusing on what each of their powers means in the context of family dynamics. It worked, INCREDIBLES 2 explores familia themes in, yes, a somewhat cliched way, yet adding a richer layer to the story of both animation and super heroes. As sequels are, the wow factor isn't there as it was for the first film. But the action, for an animated film is exciting and its charm and levity will remove any eye rolls you may have had over the story's predictable outcome. Much Justice. Go see it at the theaters. It's exactly the kinda fun, escapism we want from a summer movie.
The Netflix original film, THE OPEN HOUSE, now streaming, stars Dylan Minnette (13 Reasons Why) and Piercey Dalton (THE ORCHARD), as the Naomi and Logan Wallace, a mother and son who's recent tragedy forces them to take refuge at Naomi's sister's cabin which is up for sale. After an open house, they discover they may not be alone in the house. As strange occurrences turn creepy, and dangerous, they must stick together to survive.
THE OPEN HOUSE from writers/directors, Matt Angel and Suzanne Coote, feels like a first feature directorial debut, which it apparently is. The film tricks you into believing it will have a super cool, didn't see coming outcome with a slow build and some interesting, albeit, film school style character development. Then it takes an abrupt turn away from thriller to boogie man horror leaving you completely unsatisfied and confused. All of the character quirks introduced go nowhere. This film does not know what it wants to be when it grows up. We give it Doom. The very few jump scares are not worth the frustration you'll feel at the end.
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