Whilst I've been spending the last week trying to get my average daily step total up to a less embarrassing number, I've somewhat neglected the cinema. I have even gone as far as signing up for a gym membership, and going twice in the first week (which is an improvement on the nine times I went in an entire year last time). Baby steps
From my sparse selection this week, I can offer you Ready Or Not 2 as a surprise sequel that is far better than it has any right to be. Picking up the plot directly from events in the first film (available to stream on Disney+), we find Grace (Samara Weaving) and her estranged sister Faith (Kathryn Newton) plunged straight back into the dangerous games of the family from which the former has just escaped. Even being holed up in hospital being questioned by police isn't safe, as a family empire that has the power to control world events doesn't struggle too much to get past hospital security. The Hunger Games style hide and seek game resumes, in a 'double or quits' battle to see who assumes a seat on the satanic High Council. Not playing is not an option, and survival till dawn is the key to success, as it was in the first film. In a John Wick style, absolutely everyone is out to kill you.
Expect splattered gore aplenty, inventive kills, and a fair few annoying characters who you're frankly quite happy to see dispatched. There is convincing sibling rivalry between Weaving and Newton, and the whole shebang was far better than I thought it was going to be. Look out for a superb scene involving Bonnie Tyler's Total Eclipse Of The Heart appearing during a peculiar fight scene on a dancefloor. It's devilishly good fun, and a good Friday night popcorn flick. Sometimes, in these tumultuous times, that's all you need.
Looking at the Box Office top five, the Super Mario Galaxy Movie sits comfortably at number one. There were some real super fans in our screening, and this certainly seemed to tick the boxes for them, especially the small extra scene after the credits. I can't remember that much about it almost a week on, but it took me back to simpler times playing Mario Kart on the Nintendo 64, and I enjoyed the retro platform scenes. There are a few jokes sprinkled in the script for the parents, but really this film knows its target market, and hits the bullseye, based on takings so far. No power-up needed!
At number two, Project Hail Mary, which the four astronauts on board Artemis II watched whilst in quarantine awaiting their space mission. There's a good mix of science and humour, and whilst Simon Mayo said he preferred the book in his recent Kermode & Mayo podcast review, I would give the film a near-perfect score. It's a lovely watch, and just what the world needs right now. Ryan Gosling's performance is out of this world.
