Tag: mark hamill

Batman: The Killing Joke (2016, dir. Sam Liu)

An origin story for The Joker, filtered through his attempts to show anyone can become like him if they have a single day traumatic enough. Okay expansion of the iconic Moore/Bolland graphic novel. Doesn’t add much except running time; for completists only, perhaps, though those unfamiliar with the book may appreciate it more.

Child’s Play (2019, dir. Lars Klevberg)

A smart-tech doll is reprogrammed to malfunction; it develops homicidal tendencies. Generally solid update/reboot of the series with a sense of the daftness of the premise. Works better in the moment than in retrospect, but nasty fun nevertheless, plus a couple of satirical touches.

Star Wars: Empire of Dreams (2004, dir. Edith Becker & Kevin Burns)

An uncritical though still fascinating documentary on the development and making of the original Star Wars trilogy, focusing on production problems with the first film. Plenty of detail here for fans. Though many of these stories have been often-told, they’re collected here in an engaging way. Fun for completists.

Star Wars [AKA Star Wars Episode 4: A New Hope] (1977, dir. George Lucas)

An orphaned farmhand finds he is the chosen one to lead an intergalactic rebellion. Splendid and modest SF/fairy story hybrid, unfairly weighed down by later expectations. In its own terms, a sprightly and successful adventure, nothing more.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi [AKA Episode VIII: The Last Jedi] (2017, dir. Rian Johnson)

The last remnants of the rebellion flee the First Order. Superior eighth instalment of the space opera, daring to ring a few changes on the template re-established by its predecessors while bringing new characters further to the fore.

Other opinions? Here’s Lemonsquirtle’s, and here’s Xussia’s.

 

Return of the Jedi (1983, dir. Richard Marquand)

The Rebel Alliance battles another Death Star. The last part of the original trilogy works hard to include something for everyone (all points from slavery to teddy bears) as well as to wrap up its soap-opera character arcs. For fans only, tho,