Gotta Catch them All!
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When Tim Goodman (Justice Smith) is informed of his detective father’s death, he travels to Ryme City, a place where Pokémon and humans live in harmony and meets his father’s Pokémon partner, Detective Pikachu (voiced by Ryan Reynolds). Sadly, Pikachu has lost his memory but is able to speak to Tim and is determined to help him find his father because he’s convinced Harry is still alive. 

​Their search takes them all over town, while befriending a young intern with aspirations of being a hard-hitting reporter someday. One lead sends them to philanthropist, Howard Clifford (Bill Nighy) who made the city great. He shares that Tim’s father, Harry Goodman was undercover trying to get answers about what was really going on with a sinister purple gas. 

​Antics abound as Tim must face his feelings for his father who withdrew into his job after the death of Tim’s mother. The team encounters strange mutated Pokémon and learn that the legendary Pokémon, Mew Two may be behind Harry’s disappearance. 

​A blend of live action and CGI, the characters come to life on the big screen. Based off the video game by the same name, Detective Pikachu is the first non-cartoon movie from the Pokémon franchise. Ryan Reynolds voices the character of Pikachu with much of the exuberation of his Deadpool character. It is as if he has no filter. He says whatever comes to mind. A fun twist brings the movie full circle and will have the adults hugging their children. 

​Filled with action and so many Pokémon, the movie will appeal to fans of the series and children. Even my favorite Jigglypuff has a small cameo. But if you aren’t familiar with the characters, much of the movie will be over your head. And there’s plenty of fun family movies coming out later this summer!

Spoiler Free Review
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After Thanos’ snap decimates half Earth’s population, the remaining Avengers must come to grips with their loss as they seek to find a way to reverse the outcome. Each of the Avengers deal with the loss of the team, family and world in a different way as they come to grips with not being able to save the world this time.

​After Infinity War, people left the theater in shock. They couldn’t believe their favorite characters were gone. But hope sprang up. The Avengers would find a way to bring everyone back. They would defeat Thanos.

​Endgame has a different feeling. Not one of shock but one of finality. As the last movie in this story arc which began with Ironman, Endgame feels like graduation or retirement day. You know you will see people again but it will never be the same. Everyone must go forward with their lives. With Stan Lee’s passing this past year, the movie becomes even more poignant as the characters of Ironman, Captain America, Thor, Black Widow, Hulk and Hawkeye finish the sweeping storyline.

​The movie hits all the right notes… nostalgia, sadness, hope and happiness. There are still pieces of humor thrown in, (usually by Ant Man or Thor) along with the history. 

​With great cameos from Joe Russo, Ken Jeong, and Taika Waititi, Endgame weaves together the past movies with this final one. The fact that there is no end credit scene (only a special sound clip at the very end) gives the movie even more of a final feeling, however, there is a feeling of where the next installment will go- into space and a hint at the future.

Sometimes it takes a monster to win the war…
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Half-human, half-demon Hellboy (David Harbour) battles the Blood Queen (Mila Jovovich) who is set to bring about the end of humanity as she makes the world safe for the monsters. Directed by his father, the head of a secret paranormal task force which keeps the monsters under wraps and protects the world.

​As Hellboy learns about his origins, he questions his place in the world and fears that he will be the key piece to end it. While he agrees with the concept of equality for monsters, he’s not willing to kill all the humans in order to achieve his dreams. Along with his longtime friend, Alice (Sasha Lane) and a shifter, Major Ben Diamio (Daniel Dae Kim), Hellboy battles the Blood Queen and her army of darkness.

​Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola (who also serves as producer) Hellboy follows the comics more closely than the previous movies by Del Toro. This is a complete reboot rather than in any way a sequel to the previous movies. Based in the horror genre rather than the superhero genre, graphic blood and violence fills the screen. People are literally torn apart as blood shoots everywhere. The monsters are ugly and might give some nightmares.

​The movie weaves in King Arthur and Merlin along with Baba Yaga (she’s a scary woman with an ax to grind against Hellboy) and features two after credit scenes which set up the movie for a sequel, although based on the fans’ reactions and the box office, I doubt it will ever be made.

​I don’t understand why filmmakers decide to rewrite a movie which was a popular one. It’s like in five years, doing another Iron Man movie but with a totally different actor and feel. This movie disappoints to all but the true comic fans. Although there is a touch of humor to it, the movie falls flat. I really hoped this would be a good movie because I enjoyed the first two movies but save your money for the upcoming Avengers: Endgame.

Family matters….
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Billy Batson (Asher Angel) is a troubled fourteen year old. Lost as a child, he longs to find his mother but when he runs afoul of child protective services, he is placed in a foster care home with a group of misfits who have created a family out of their differences.

​The last of ancient protectors must find a champion to wield his powers. He’s sought out so many people but they failed his tests until Billy comes along. Now when Billy says Shazam, he turns into an adult superhero (Zachary Levi).

​As Billy begins to understand his powers, he lets his newfound celebrity go to his head. When bad guy, Dr. Thaddeus Sivana (Mark Strong) comes after him and his family, Billy must find what is important to him in order to save everyone.

​Unlike superhero movies like Superman or Batman, Shazam is a family friendly movie, even for elementary kids. The message about family and heart resonates with the viewers, although some of the bad guys are a little frightening so be sure to know your child. No one wants nightmares.

​As a fan of the 1970’s TV series, I was nervous about how DC would showcase Shazam. I worried it would be too silly and while there is a lot of humor, it reminds me of a child-friendly Ant Man movie. The message isn’t overly pushed but it will remind you to hug your family a little tighter. 

​There are two after-credit sneak peeks you will want to stay for, as well as many nods to other movies from Annabelle, Big, and Batman to Aquaman. Shazam hits the right note of funny and heartwarming. A must see!

One spark can ignite a war.
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Ten years after aliens have taken over the world, an underground group of insurgents set out to bring them down and liberate Chicago, showing the world that they can also take back their cities.

​As a special policeman in charge of Chicago, William Mulligan (John Goodman) must stop the undercover group, Phoenix from attacking the extra-terrestrials who have taken over Chicago. Using the son of his former partner, William uncovers a larger plan to send a message to the rest of the world. 

​The Earth is rich in resources which the aliens are using up. They put the humans to work to dig out the new alien homes underground. Using clicks and squeaks only translators are able to understand these new creatures. The aliens are interesting in that they appear as long-legged insects at times. When they attack, their outer shell becomes sharp points like a porcupine. They can be killed when you remove their facemask because they can’t breathe. (Can you tell that the aliens were the best part?) With their advanced technology, the humans are implanted with bugs which allow them to be tracked and everyone is monitored. So much for a brave new world!

​This thriller keeps you guessing until the end but doesn’t have a great deal of action sequences like other movies like Transformers. The slow pacing leads to a long buildup but may have viewers asleep before the big reveal at the end. Trying to feel like a Cloverfield movie, Captive State just never hits the right notes. 

​Stay home rather than go to the movies for this one. The weirdness of the movie will have you scratching your head as you leave the theater, wondering what you just watched.

Higher. Further. Faster.
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Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) wakes up after a horrible event as a different person. Pieces of her past are missing but she’s determined to be the best Noble Hero Warrior she can be. But when she is captured by the enemy, Skrulls, those pieces begin to come together, leading her to make a life change.

​Captain Marvel is set in the mid-1990’s and tells the tale of the origin of one of the most powerful superhero in the universe. Carol was a pilot at a time when women weren’t allowed to fly in combat so she tests planes with a secret project. Viewers see glimpses throughout her life where she is forced to stand up and overcome people who put her down for her determination. With female writers and a female co-director, it wasn’t hard to see how empowering Captain Marvel would be. 

​Yet, the movie resonates for more than the strong female character. Captain Marvel comes out against war and nudges viewers that people aren’t always who you think they are. Sometimes evil can look perfectly innocent. 

​But Captain Marvel is also an origin movie for Marvel and The Avengers. We see Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) before the loss of his eye and Coulson (Clark Gregg) as a rookie, two people who play a big part in SHIELD and keeping the Earth safe. However, it’s a cat named Goose which steals the movie. And anyone with a cat at home can relate! 

​Featuring music from the 90’s, viewers will be tapping their feet along with the songs which draw them back to their own younger years. But like most Marvel movies, there are two after credit scenes and a Stan Lee cameo filmed prior to his death. Seeing him on the big screen as Marvel gives him his due was touching. Stan’s influence can’t be replicated. This is a movie which you will want to watch again and again to catch all the things you missed the first time.

Family can really be the death of you…
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In the final installment of the Medea movies, Tyler Perry once again dons the wig and dress, playing Madea, Joe, Brian and a new character, Heathrow. This time Madea and her cronies head off to celebrate a special anniversary when death and secrets get in the way.

​Madea puts herself in charge of the funeral, creating an event to rival Aretha’s show-stopping stunner. In addition, she sets out to comfort the family and provide the harsh reality she’s known for. While Joe and Heathrow set out to set the Me Too Movement back a decade.

​Reminiscent of the old Eddie Murphy movies where Eddie played all the characters, Madea’s outspokenness is just another reminder of Eddie’s Nutty Professor matriarch, Mama Klump. In the Nutty Professor, Eddie even played more characters in a single movie than Tyler Perry. 

​A Madea Family Funeral was shot in under a week and it shows. Some of the actors struggled with their lines or maybe they were hired for their looks not acting chops. Over the last decade, Medea has helped families come together, saved a family from the mob and gone to jail. Many fans are saying it’s time to hang up the dress. I agree. The dramatic moments went on too long and the jokes repeated…over and over.

​For fans of the movies, it’s nice to see Madea once more before she leaves us… but this movie is one to pass. Save the money and call your grandma instead.

​It’s hard to say goodbye…
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The final installment in the children’s movie-How to Train Your Dragon is one for the family. 

​Hiccup, now chieftain, sets out to find a place where humans and dragons can live in peace. But an evil hunter is out to derail his plans and kill Toothless. Relationships abound as Toothless (A Night Fury) finds a female Light Fury dragon and Hiccup faces questions about when he’ll marry Astrid. Both Hiccup and Toothless must make some tough decisions in order to find a happily ever after.

​Originally based off the children’s books by Cressida Cowell, How to Train Your Dragon is about a boy taught to hate dragons and a dragon who isn’t able to fly. Through the series, we see how the boy and dragon are more alike and become best friends—overcoming their handicaps. 

​The third movie features a more grown up set of characters (yes, they age) and touching storyline. Growing up is never easy. Sometimes pain comes with the happiness. This movie will have you dabbing at your eyes and cheering for the heroes as they battle. With the voices of Gerard Butler, Kit Harrington, F. Murray Abraham, Cate Blanchett and Craig Ferguson, the characters come to life.

​How to Train Your Dragon will be a hit with fans of the previous movies and the ending credits feature scenes from the first two movies, showing the relationship between Hiccup and Toothless. It also appeals to families with the crazy antics of the dragons who steal the movie, but not necessarily a teen or older audience. 

Isn’t it Romantic shines a spotlight on the commonalities of romantic comedies in a way that reminds us why this genre is well-liked.
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Disillusioned about love as a young girl, Natalie (Rebel Wilson) works in New York City as an architect. She’s shut herself off of love because she feels unworthy. When mugged, she hits her head and wakes up in a romantic comedy version of her life where things are cleaner, more spacious and comes complete with musical numbers. Now the wealthy businessman (Liam Hemsworth) she’s designing a parking structure for finds her beguiling and now her best friend and assistant is her top rival. But no matter how gorgeous and wealthy he is, Natalie realizes that there is still something missing from her life and sets out to make it right.

​With many songs and references to popular romantic comedies like Pretty Woman and When Harry Met Sally, Isn’t it Romantic is a sweet story of what is really important- loving yourself and how we often hide behind walls to keep our hearts safe. Rebel Wilson has a slapstick comedic style reminiscent of Carol Burnett and shines in this movie. Also serving as one of the producers, she was able to hand pick the people who starred in the movie alongside her.

​While the movie has it silly moments, it does fall flat in some areas. Many of the big scenes were already shown in the trailers so you aren’t as surprised during the movie. Also Rebel’s constant putdowns about her looks and low self-esteem can become grating. All of us have esteem issues and while those comments flow through our heads, we don’t spend as much time focusing on them as this movie portrays. Certainly appealing to the female audience, including a shirtless Hemsworth, Isn’t it Romantic does have its laugh-out-loud moments but isn’t one you’ll need to see on the big screen. Cute but not memorable. Enjoy it as a night out with your girlfriends but don’t spend the big bucks to see it. 

​Goonies meets Sword in the Stone… The Kid Who Would Be King is a remake with a few surprises.
Alex (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) is low man on the totem pole at a local school. Bullied by two older kids and fighting back to protect his friend, he doesn’t believe in magic until he stumbles upon the mythical sword in the stone, Excalibur. With the assistance of Merlin (Angus Imrie/Patrick Stewart) and his classmates, Alex must save the world from Arthur’s evil sister, Morgana.

​Like Arthur, Alex turns his enemies into his greatest allies as he battles flaming swords and animated dead who are out to steal Excalibur. But this movie is more than just a retelling. It reminds us that we are all bigger than who we believe we are and that everyone is capable of changing the world. 

​The Kid Who Would Be King weaves the ancient tale with modern references such as Lord of the Rings and Star Wars. This movie features real acting royalty- the actor playing Alex is the youngest son of actor, Andy Serkis (Black Panther, Lord of the Rings) but it’s Patrick Stewart who steals the movie. Merlin ages backwards but the young Merlin can become the older Merlin at certain times. Wild eyed and messy haired Patrick Stewart is a perfect mix of reverence and crazy. 

​Hollywood has a habit of remaking movies over and over again. Recent movies based on classics, King Arthur and Robin Hood, have bombed at the box office. While this movie was a blend of classic and modern retelling, it is one that will only appeal to a small audience and would be better to see once on cable or pay-per-view. With so many other exciting and interesting movies out there, this is one which isn’t worth the money to see. Save your money since your children will want to see the new Lego Movie but you can check this out once it’s on TV.