There are a number of films whose sequel outperforms its original. For example, <I>Terminator 2: Judgement Day</i> and <I>Aliens</i>. When it comes to <I>Escape Room</i>, <I>Tournament of Champions</i> steps into that arena. However, readers, there is something to know. There are <B>TWO</b> versions of this film. The theatrical version's fantastic, but the alternate version, which is a different film altogether (!), introduces us to new characters, including Isabelle Fuhrman (<i>Orphan</i>, <I>The Hunger Games</i>) and offers a different story within. Both are incredible, but this review pertains to the theatrical version.
Taking place after the events of the first film, Ben and Zoe travel to New York City to unravel Minos' evil plans, but get caught up in a game themselves, this time with survivors from Minos' previous games. It's a smart setup with great execution. The action begins almost immediately, and then ends with a cliffhanger that can continue with characters from this film or just go in a new direction. There's great synergy between everyone who must band together to move through the "rooms", this time more enhanced, deadly, and well-designed. It's a fast-paced film whose success would've helped greenlight a third film, but was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic (it was a delayed theatrical release). My fingers crossed for a third film!
<B>Setup</b>: With our <A HREF="http://letterboxd.com/lgoled">LG OLED 55" Posé 4K Smart TV</A>, we enabled <B>Perfect Color</b> for the film because of the previous entry's use of color. This film's design, in regard to sets and colors, was absolutely incredible, and <B>Perfect Color</b> only made the movie-watching experience better.
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I will never understand the choice to make Bane talk like that.
This paved the way for Gosling becoming Ken. Sometimes I think I need a sequel to this, and other times I think, nah, let's not cheapen it.
After seeing <I>Escape Room</i> in 2019, I said that this would become the new <I>Saw</i> franchise, where we would expect a new film every year. While I was wrong, even though a (delayed) sequel (with <B>TWO</b> alternate versions) came out in 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic, it would've been nice to see it become something bigger as there are many creative ways to approach this. While we patiently await a third film, if it happens, the first film introduces us to the Minos Corporation's evil empire, bringing together a group of people to experience deadly escape rooms that are bigger and deadlier than anyone's imagination. Each room is impeccably curated, with hints to each person's past, which is revealed throughout the film, until Minos' intentions are revealed. Also, to find out that the film's budget was $9M is incredible as you would think it was 10x that.
<B>Setup</b>: I watched <I>Escape Room</i> with an LG OLED 55" Posé 4K Smart TV in <B>Perfect Color</b>. This mode was PERFECT as it allowed for many of the colorful scenes, including the billiards room, to stand out. My eyes thank you, LG. (<A HREF="http://letterboxd.com/lgoled">Check out the LG OLED Movie Club on Letterboxd</A>)
It's crazy that Macaulay Culkin made Home Alone and My Girl, and then his dad was like "He will be the lead in The Good Son or we will NOT make Home Alone 2!", so then he is weirdly the lead in this thriller, and then just back to the grind with Home Alone 2, Pagemaster, Getting Even with Dad, Richie Rich. I like The Good Son, so I'm glad, but weird choice from his dad.
Favorite (Not Necessarily Best) Four From Every Year Since Birth
Hmmmmm. I am conflicted. I was pretty invested, especially as they leaned into Jim the Villain, until all the ship action started. I didn't like the ending. Sometimes it was a little rom-com-ish, and I don't think that was the move. It looked cool in 3d. Pros and cons, I suppose.
When it ended, my son said it would be better if it had been maybe 15 minutes longer to allow for some more explanations, and I said, "WHAT?! IT'S ALREADY TWO AND A HALF HOURS!" So kudos to Inception for being 2.5 hours yet leaving a 14 year old wishing it had been 2.75 hours instead.
The visuals have aged really well.
If you go into The Materialists looking to have a good time watching a rom-com starring three loveable hotties, you will straight up not have a good time. If you go into The Materialists remember when you sobbed alone in your living room in the middle of the afternoon watching Past Lives, you will probably be pretty into it. I am the latter.
Really, Letterboxd, 2.5 stars?! You kill me, in a BAD way.
Favorite (Not Necessarily Best) Four From Every Year Since Birth
Edward Norton is so good, but the movie overall feels pretty icky.
This was the worst and most unnecessary sequel I've seen in a long time. Overly complicated plot, too many attempts at comedy that miss, just a lot of wild choices.
I was expecting Frendo to be spirit-like, similar to Jason Voorhees, not human (the townspeople), which brings me to this: Regarding Matt's death scene, when he was working out and stopped to drink a beer, the Frendo box appears on his workout bench. He turned away for maybe 5 seconds. How, if Frendo were human, did they not make a single sound and disappear?
Anyone else think the same?
