Tag: mark hamill

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE; SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS – Review

Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke) and SpongeBob SquarePants (Tom Kenny) in The SpongeBob Movie: Search For SquarePants from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon.

And just what type of feature film has been at the top of the box office for the last couple of weekends? Oh, and it just became the biggest grossing flick of 2025 (we’ll see if that holds with the Nav’i arriving from Pandora this Friday). I’m talking about ZOOTOPIA 2, an animated feature film. And a sequel that could be part of another ongoing big franchise. That’s not too unusual for movies from the “mouse house” (and their Pixar partners), but rare for others. Sure, there’s DreamWorks with SHREK and ICE AGE from Blue Sky (actually now part of Disney). Well, there’s now Paramount Animation whose lil’ yellow, smilin’ hero is headlining his fourth big screen adventure, all since debuting on the Nickelodeon cable TV network way back in 1999. So let’s travel to Bikini Bottom via the multiplex for THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS. Whew, to paraphrase another seafarer and the poster, “we’re gonna’ need a bigger marquee”.

To start this tale of deep sea exploit, we’re treated to a prologue from a live-action pirate who tells us of the legend of the Flying Dutchman. Not to worry kids, we’re quickly reunited with our guy, Spongebob Squarepants (voice of Tom Kenny), who’s very excited at his pineapple home. Turns out he’s gotten taller, actually tall enough to ride the roller coaster at a nearby amusement park, Glove World. Yes, he’s a “big guy”! His BFF Patrick Star (Bill Fagerbakke) join him on this momentous trek. Ah, but the very dangerous-looking ride causes Bob to have a “change of heart”. Yup, he’s the “chicken of the sea”. The duo head back to the Crabby Patty diner, where the owner, Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) teases him with tales of his past “daring do” showing off his own “swashbuckler certificate”. Hoping to earn one of his own, Bob and Patrick go through a secret trap door, to Krabs’ old artifacts and “knick-knacks”. Somehow, the duo pass into an “ultra secret” section that has a portal to the pirate ship of the Flying Dutchman (Mark Hamill). It turns out that he’s tired of being a green ghost who must sail the seven seas for eternity. He has a chance to be human once more via a magical device that can only be activated by “the purest innocent”. Sounds like our “big guy” Bob. As they sail away, Krabs and Squidward (Roger Bumpass), head downstairs and try to follow the ship to rescue Bob and Patrick. Can the squabbling pair catch up to the Dutchman before Bob somehow sends the old pirate into the real world? And would Bob replace him as the captain of his ghostly vessel?

It’s amazing that the veteran voice ensemble (past 25 years already) can still bring such sprightly energy to the “core” cast of characters, particularly the gifted vocal styling of Mr. Kenny (Bill, Clancy, and Roger aren’t “phoning it in”, though they could). Now, with this outing, they’ve brought in a few more actors into their “play pen”. Hamill is the perfect craggy, cranky green pirate ghost, while Regina Hall make for an excellent “first mate/assistant” Barb. As good as they are, the visuals really have to sell this story. While the original TV series and the first feature were produced in glorious “hand-drawn” 2D-style “classic” animation (though I’m guessing some “flash” was in use), the producers have completely-embraced fully-rendered, rounded, textured 3D CGI tech. Happily none of the rubbery expressions and exaggerations are lost, as the artists really make the cast very expressive in their physicality, often recalling the “loonier” art of Bob Clampett (a “touchstone” in zany poses). And we even get some live-action actors and settings in the big finale, though they can’t compare with the eye-popping splendor of the undersea backdrops (what they can do with the sand and sea greenery). The only problem with this is the exhaustion from the manic “in your face” pacing, which was meant to keep kids engaged, but is so draining for over 90 minutes (maybe this would’ve worked better in a multipart TV miniseries). You really need some time to catch your breath, since there aren’t big musical numbers or any quiet interludes. Yes the visuals are superb (some “gross-out” close-ups feel like the handiwork of Spumco, the Ren & Stimpy studio, stalwart Vincent Waller), but it really begins to blend together by the third act. But the overall quality is maintained after all this time in the “briny deep” so that longtime fans (the original TV viewers can bring their kids and maybe grandkids) will get a nostalgic charge out of THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS. Oh, and the TMNT short that proceeds it is pretty clever, too.

2.5 Out of 4

THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS opens in theaters everywhere on Friday, December 19, 2025

Time To Return To Bikini Bottom! Check Out The Trailer For THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS

Check out the new trailer for THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS.

SpongeBob and his Bikini Bottom friends set sail in their biggest, all-new, can’t miss cinematic event ever…The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants. Desperate to be a big guy, SpongeBob sets out to prove his bravery to Mr. Krabs by following The Flying Dutchman – a mysterious swashbuckling ghost pirate – on a seafaring comedy-adventure that takes him to the deepest depths of the deep sea, where no Sponge has gone before.

Based on the Series “SpongeBob SquarePants” Created by Stephen Hillenburg, THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS opens in theaters December 19th.

https://www.spongebobmovie.com

The cast includes Tom Kenny, Clancy Brown, Rodger Bumpass, Bill Fagerbakke, Carolyn Lawrence, Mr. Lawrence, George Lopez, Isis “Ice Spice” Gaston, Arturo Castro, Sherry Cola with Regina Hall and Mark Hamill .

Directed by Derek Drymon, “THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SEARCH FOR SQUAREPANTS” is rated PG for rude humor, some thematic elements, and mild language.

The movie features ICE SPICE in her debut acting role and her new original track, “BIG GUY”!

THE NEW SINGLE WILL BE AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE TONIGHT. PRE-SAVE HERE!

Gary (Tom Kenny), Mr. Krabs (Clancy Brown) and Squidward (Rodger Bumpass) in The Spongebob Movie: Search For Squarepants from Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon.

THE LONG WALK Screening Participants Literally Walk The Walk – ON TREADMILLS!

Garrett Wareing as Stebbins, Roman Griffin Davis as Curley, Charlie Plummer as Barkovitch, Cooper Hoffman as Garraty, David Jonsson as McVries, Ben Wang as Olson, Joshua Odjick as Parker, Jordan Gonzalez as Harkness, and Tut Nyuot as Baker in The Long Walk. Photo Credit: Murray Close/Lionsgate

In the upcoming and highly anticipated film THE LONG WALK, the RULES OF THE WALK are:

  • Total participants: 50 
  • Required pace to maintain: 3 MPH 
  • If participants fall below the required pace, they will get a warning. If they are unable to reach the speed within 10 seconds, they will get an additional warning.
  • Total warnings: 3
    • Note: Participants are eliminated before a 4th warning is called.

On Saturday, Lionsgate held a special screening where for 1 hour and 48 minutes invited guests had to walk a treadmill, called the “treadmill elimination event,” in order to see THE LONG WALK, but with a few diabolical conditions…

via The Wrap: “if you don’t keep up a pace that’s faster than 3 mph, then you’ll have to leave the theater — even if the movie isn’t over.

“If they stop, they will be pulled from the screening and escorted out of the theater,” a press release for the activation reportedly reads. The screening will take place at the Culver Theater on Saturday, Aug. 30, where a theater house has replaced all of the seating with treadmills.“

News of this screening has been reported all over the place and the genius marketing for the event has made even non-horror fans want to check out the film.

There was also a ‘Biometrics Screening’ where the audience had their vital signs monitored while watching the movie. Heart rates went thru the roof!

From the highly anticipated adaptation of master storyteller Stephen King’s first-written novel (https://amzn.to/4mqMJ1z), and Francis Lawrence, the visionary director of The Hunger Games franchise films (Catching Fire, Mocking Jay – Pts. 1&2, and The Ballad of the Songbirds & Snakes), comes THE LONG WALK, an intense, chilling, and emotional thriller that challenges audiences to confront a haunting question: how far could you go?

Starring Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Garrett Wareing, Tut Nyuot, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Roman Griffin Davis, Jordan Gonzalez, Joshua Odjick, Josh Hamilton, with Judy Greer, and Mark Hamill.

THE LONG WALK is in theaters on September 12.

At San Diego Comic-Con last month, one of the film’s stars, Tut Nyuot, told Entertainment Weekly that filming the movie was not an easy feat — physically or mentally.

“We’re walking, we’re actually walking,” said Nyuot, who plays the competitor Arthur. “It’s something that I don’t think has ever been done, just constantly on the move. So mentally, just getting into that headspace and just staying locked in and treating every scene as if it’s new, ’cause we’re doing it so many times. We filmed one scene a day.”

Contributed by Michelle McCue and Melissa Thompson

THE WILD ROBOT – Review

Summer may be over, but 2024 isn’t finished with feature animation by a long shot. The “mouse house” has a big one lined up for Thanksgiving weekend in fact. Plus its sister company, Pixar, had a most surprising blockbuster a couple of months ago with INSIDE OUT 2. Now, one of the other big cartoon studios, Dreamworks, is releasing a real rarity: an original animated feature. Yes, it’s based on a beloved children’s book series, but it’s not been brought to “big screen life” before, as with this year’s new installments of franchise faves like Despicable Me, the Transformers, and Garfield. And its subject matter is also unique as it combines cute and cuddly critters with a futuristic mechanical being. But there are no humans to get it, hence its interaction with wildlife inspires its moniker, THE WILD ROBOT.

That title character is a service device from a big high-tech company named Universal (like its studio distributor) Dynamics. The product’s formal designation is ROZZUM unit 7184, or “Roz” for short (voice of Lupita Nyong’o). In the opening moments of the story we see Roz climbing out of its packaging crate, which has washed ashore after the cargo ship has run aground on an island full of animals. After trying to connect with a pack of frisky curious otters (“What is the task I can complete?”), Roz is seemingly under attack from all the different species of the nearby forest. Finally, Roz shuts down so that its computer system can take in all the different squeaks and growls and translate the many “languages”. When Roz reboots, the onslaught resumes until it must deal with the biggest aggressor, a surly brown bear named Thorn (Mark Hamill). The big chase ends as Roz crashes into a nest, leaving only one survivor, an unhatched egg…which is promptly scooped up by a hungry fox called Fink (Pedro Pascal). After Roz retrieves the egg, it cracks open revealing a wide-eyed baby goose. Fink explains that it has “imprinted” on Roz since it was the first thing the gosling saw when it opened its eyes. He thinks Roz is his “mommy”. The fox also shares that to survive, the mini-mallard will need to learn to feed itself, swim, and fly. Roz has a task at last, though time is running out. With Winter on the way “Brightbill” (Kit Connor) must join the flock on the southbound migration to survive. Can Fink and Roz get him “up to speed”? And what will happen when Roz’s “creators” track it down to the island?

Happily, the filmmakers have opted to recruit several excellent character actors rather than the usual “stunt” vocal casting of hot stand-ups and pop stars. Nyong’o imbues Roz with a plucky, overly pleasant accommodating tone (“Are you pleased with ny completion of the task?”), often giving the readings a “sing-songy” tone of artificial friendliness. Pascal brings a sly (natch’) rascal spirit to Fink the fox, making him endearing but never totally trustworthy. Connor makes Brightbill a teen straining to be a grown-up while still yearning for a connection to his mechanical mom. Speaking of moms, the movie’s biggest ‘scene-stealer” may be the snarky possum matriarch Pinktail given a sweet but surly spin by comedy icon Catherine O’Hara, bouncing right back from the Beetlejuice smash sequel. She scores big laughs and has us wanting much more, just like a great party guest who has to dash away early. The other major ‘bot role, Vontra, is acted by recent Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu, who issues the sweetest syrupy threats. Bill Nighy flies in for the role of elder mallard Longneck, the mentor who literally takes Brightbill under his wing. Another comic kingpin is the always entertaining Matt Berry, so great on the TV version of “What We Do in the Shadows”, as the haughty, determined Beaver Paddler who will not be deterred from his mission, though he’s got time for some great caustic insults. Oh, there is one true vocal vet in Hamill (the superb animated Joker on several shows and games), who gives Thorn an intimidating but often warm guttural growl.

The driving force behind this film is animation wizard Chris Sanders, the man who gave us LILO & STITCH, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON, and many other gems (he even did a recent live-action, with CGI, take on CALL OF THE WILD) Adapting the book series by Peter Brown, he utilizes all of his impressive art and storytelling skills to deliver a compelling modern fable full of insight into parenting while extolling kindness. And the world certainly needs a lot more of that. Sanders has guided an army of skilled craftspeople to give the film a bright, bouncy look, turning this island forest into a magical wonderland that often explodes with color (butterflies rest on the side of a tree before filling the screen in flight). The grass, the tree, and the caves all enhance the action and never detract from the terrific character design of the critters (who give entrancing physical performances). The most imaginative design may be that of Roz whose look invokes THE IRON GIANT (can it really be 25 years old), BB-88 of the last Star Wars trilogy, and Baymax from BIG HERO 6, while sporting some nifty new bits of wondrous gadgets. Its hands can detach are retrieve, while its arms and legs are extended elastic coils. It’s astounding how much emotion they can get from Roz’s volleyball-like noggin. Yes, we get a glimpse of a futuristic city along with some silent humans running from their computer screens, but the heart of the story is with Roz and her new pals, though the slapstick-filled chaos of the opening act may make it feel like any recent action-packed blockbuster. But then the pace slows a tad and begins to draw us in with its emotion and pathos. Now, here’s a film that is unabashedly made for the entire family, so be sure to travel via your local multiplex to the island home of Brightbill, Fink, Pinktail, and their guardian, THE WILD ROBOT. “Task completed”.

3.5 Out of 4

THE WILD ROBOT is now playing in theatres everywhere.

2nd Trailer For THE WILD ROBOT Is Fantastic!

Universal and DreamWorks Animation have unveiled the latest trailer for THE WILD ROBOT, a new adaptation of a literary sensation, Peter Brown’s beloved, award-winning, #1 New York Times bestseller.

The epic adventure follows the journey of a robot—ROZZUM unit 7134, “Roz” for short — that is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island and must learn to adapt to the harsh surroundings, gradually building relationships with the animals on the island and becoming the adoptive parent of an orphaned gosling. 

Check out the super cute trailer below and see the movie in theaters September 27.

I love this trailer… can’t wait to see this!

The film definitely looks to be among this year’s Oscar nominees for Best Animated Feature. DreamWorks has received 14 nomination for their previous films which include Shrek, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Shrek 2, Shark Tale, Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss in Boots, The Croods, How to Train Your Dragon 2, The Boss Baby, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. The studio has won three Academy Awards.

(from back center) Roz (Lupita N’yongo), and Brightbill (Kit Connor) in DreamWorks Animation’s Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders.

The Wild Robot stars Academy Award® winner Lupita Nyong’o (Us, The Black Panther franchise) as robot Roz; Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us, The Mandalorian) as fox Fink; Emmy winner Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek, Best in Show) as opossum Pinktail; Oscar® nominee Bill Nighy (Living, Love Actually) as goose Longneck; Kit Connor (Heartstopper, Rocketman) as gosling Brightbill and Oscar® nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All at Once, this summer’s The Fall Guy) as Vontra, a robot that will intersect with Roz’s life on the island. 

The film also features the voice talents of Emmy winning pop-culture icon Mark Hamill (Star Wars franchise, The Boy and the Heron), Matt Berry (What We Do in the Shadows, The SpongeBob Movie franchise) and Golden Globe winner and Emmy nominee Ving Rhames (Mission: Impossible films, Pulp Fiction). 

(from left) Roz (Lupita N’yongo), and Brightbill (Kit Connor) in DreamWorks Animation’s Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders.

A powerful story about the discovery of self, a thrilling examination of the bridge between technology and nature and a moving exploration of what it means to be alive and connected to all living things, The Wild Robot is written and directed by three-time Oscar® nominee Chris Sanders—the writer-director of DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon, The Croods, and Disney’s Lilo & Stitch—and is produced by Jeff Hermann (DreamWorks Animation’s The Boss Baby 2: Family Business; co-producer, Kung Fu Panda franchise). 

Peter Brown’s The Wild Robot, an illustrated middle-grade novel first published in 2016, became a phenomenon, rocketing to #1 on the New York Times bestseller list. The book has since inspired a trilogy that now includes The Wild Robot Escapes and The Wild Robot Protects. Brown’s work on the Wild Robot series and his other bestselling books have earned him a Caldecott Honor, a Horn Book Award, two E.B. White Awards, two E.B. White Honors, a Children’s Choice Award for Illustrator of the Year, two Irma Black Honors, a Golden Kite Award and a New York Times Best Illustrated Book Award.

(from left) Fink (Pedro Pascal), Roz (Lupita N’yongo), and Brightbill (Kit Connor) in DreamWorks Animation’s Wild Robot, directed by Chris Sanders.

Watch Bert Kreischer And Mark Hamill In Hilarious First Red-Band Trailer For THE MACHINE – Opens Memorial Day Weekend

Bert (Bert Kreischer) and Sponge (Martyn Ford) in Screen Gems THE MACHINE.

Hitting theaters on May 26 is the upcoming comedy THE MACHINE.

Set 23 years after the original story which inspired it, The Machine finds Bert Kreischer facing familial crisis and the arrival of his estranged father (Mark Hamill) when the ghost of his booze-soaked past arrives: a murderous mobster (Iva Babić) hellbent on kidnapping Bert back to the motherland to atone for his crimes. Together, he and his father must retrace the steps of his younger self (Jimmy Tatro) in the midst of a war between a sociopathic crime family while they attempt to find common ground.

Based on the breakout Bert Kreischer stand-up routine, check out the red-band trailer. Grab your tickets now for with a LIVE pre-show with Bert May 25! Website: http://www.TheMachine.Movie

Catch the very funny Kreischer on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/80238360

The cast includes Bert Kreischer, Mark Hamill, Jimmy Tatro, Iva Babić, Robert Maaser, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jessica Gabor, Rita Bernard Shaw, Nikola Đuričko, Oleg Taktarov, Amelie Villers, and Mercedes de la Cruz.

THE MACHINE is directed by Peter Atencio, with a screenplay by Kevin Biegel and Scotty Landes.

While serving as the director and executive producer of the hit sketch comedy tv series Key & Peele, Atencio was nominated for three prime-time Emmy awards, winning one for Best Variety Sketch series in 2016. He was nominated for an NAACP Image Award and won a Peabody Award and an American Comedy Award for best TV director for his work on the show.

After ending the series, Atencio transitioned with stars Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele to the world of feature films with 2016’s KEANU, an action comedy for Warner Bros. Next, he directed the Amazon Studios original series Jean-Claude Van Johnson, along with fellow executive producers Ridley Scott and creator Dave Callaham. He then transitioned to international television work, relocating to Prague to direct and showrun the action drama Whiskey Cavalier for Bill Lawrence’s Doozer Productions and Warner Bros. television. The show aired on ABC in the United States and internationally in over 60 countries. Atencio also directed an episode of Jordan’s Peele’s The Twilight Zone for CBS / Paramount Plus starring Ethan Embry and Billy Porter entitled “The Who of You.”

This film is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for the following reasons: strong violence, pervasive language, drug use and some sexual references.

(L to R) Bert (Bert Kreischer), Irina (Iva Babic) and Sponge (Martyn Ford) in Screen Gems THE MACHINE.
(L to R) Albert (Mark Hamill) and Bert (Bert Kreischer) in Screen Gems THE MACHINE.

Watch Mark Hamill Make Virtual Visit And Read To Kids At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles For 6th Annual Make March Matter Campaign

Master Luke Skywalker made a virtual visit from a galaxy far far away to some special kids.

Mark Hamill has jumped on board for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles 6th Annual Make March Matter Campaign (which raises funds for life-saving services directly helping over 600,000 children each year). 

Part of the campaign includes talent participating in a variety of ways from reading, visiting virtually, hosting fitness classes, and more. 

Mark Hamill visited patients virtually and read a special book, Darth Vader and Son, by Jeffrey Brown, to young patients at the hospital. He also had some fun doing the voices of Yoda, Darth Vader, and Joker. He brought his new rescue puppy, Molly, onto screen to join the fun!

Hamill said, “Virtually visiting young patients at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles was a remarkable and touching experience. My favorite part was reading a special book with them, Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown. They know more about Star Wars than I do! I really look forward to the day I can visit all the kids in person again.”

Check out the videos now!

Make March Matter is an annual fundraising campaign where notable talent along with top businesses and organizations across fashion, fitness, food, and more rally together to support the hospital throughout the month of March. Over the last five years, they have raised more than$7 million, worked with 260 partners, and hosted 139 events. 

Please visit www.makemarchmatter.org to learn more about Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Make March Matter campaign and for a complete list of participating partners. We hope you join us to shop, dine, workout, and more in the month of March and give back to the hospital that provides critical, life-saving services to over 600,000 young patients each year.

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER – Review

Or “Episode IX” for you hardcore completist fan(atics). Yes, it’s finally here, what the “Mouse House” is adamantly proclaiming is the last of the saga, while really the last of the new trilogy that began four years ago with THE FORCE AWAKENS. Still, this is the longest, most successful film franchise since 007, which began 15 years earlier and has, with next year’s entry, 25 official movies. We know there will be lots of stories set in the Star Wars universe for both the big and small screen, but this will probably mark the last mission for the Skywalker line. After the spin-off box office stumble of the young Han Solo prequel and the fan backlash around the previous “episode” can they get back on the horse…er, tauntaun and ride into the multiple sunsets? With a veteran director returning there’s a real flutter in the Force as the line at the multiplex starts to form for STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER.

After that familiar beloved title “burst”, fanfare, and “floating prologue”, we’re right in the thick of battle as Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), almost single-handedly takes down an army on a dark forest world. There he retrieves a Sith artifact that guides his spacecraft to the even darker planet Exegol, home of the still living, but damaged Emperor Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid). Now before you squawk “spoiler”, he’s in the TV spots and is listed on IMDB, so there, nyah! Anywho, he promises the use of his massive fleet of star cruisers, which he has dubbed the Final Order and each able to take out a planet if Ren will bring him “the girl”. Meanwhile, those “rebel scum” are on a mission aboard the Millenium Falcon. Chewbacca, Finn (John Boyega), and Poe (Oscar Isaac) transfer data to R2-D2, sent via a “mole” in the First Order. After a chase through an ice world, they return to the jungle HQ of the rebellion and report to their leader General Organa (Carrie Fisher). This new info sparks a new mission, but the team needs Rey (Daisy Ridley), who is away from the camp as she continues her Jedi training with the aid of droid BB-8. Sensing (via the Force) Ren’s involvement, she joins them. Their quest leads to a multitude of new worlds where they encounter an old friend, Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams) and make a new alliance with Jannah (Naomi Ackie). But they also meet up with an old enemy, General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson), and a new one, Kylo’s second in command General Pryde (Richard E. Grant). Before that final showdown, Rey will try and free Kylo of the “dark side” and bring back Ben, while she deals with her own internal conflict as memories flash in her mind that finally shine a light on her own hidden family history. But will she learn her “truth” before Palpatine captures her and ends the rebellion, once and for all?

While the last flick split up the “trio”, this time they work together through most of the story and really have chemistry for their last go-round. But the focus, once again, is Rey, who is given ferocity and compassion by the superb Ridley. She’s got a steely determination, always testing the boundaries of her new Jedi abilities (a new one is introduced here). But as she’s leaping over speeding vehicles, Ridley makes sure that she retains her humanity, as when a child gives her a gift during a brief lull between the action set pieces. But we also see her in conflict as she must fend off the dark forces that try to consume her. It’s a great finale for her character’s “arc”. And she has a great rapport with “the lads”. Poe is more of the wise guy scoundrel rather than the reckless jerk from the last flick (thankfully no face-slapping now). And there’s a hint at his “bad boy’ past giving him more of an edge, and Isaac has the charm to pull this off. Plus he still has that “bromance” with Finn, who Boyega imbues with a hardened grit as he tries to bury his own dirty past while beginning his future as a great battle leader. This doesn’t deter his snarky sense of humor, making Finn and Poe another classic action movie “buddy” duo (they’re deserving of a spin-off franchise). On the flip side of Rey is Kylo Ren, who Driver makes an often conflicted nemesis and not the titan of temper tantrums of previous films. He’s eager to serve his new master, but can’t quite set aside all of his sins. But he must put on a stern face, and a repaired mask/helmet in front of his aides. As for them, Gleeson and Grant compete for the most ruthless and cruel sneer (I give it to Grant).


As for the true vets, going back to ’77, Fisher gives a real somber gravitas to her scenes, whether embracing Rey or laying out a strategy to the rebel forces. It’s amazing that they had the foresight to shoot so much of her before the actress’s untimely passing. McDiarmid still brings a slithery reptilian evil to the cloaked, raspy Palpatine. On the other side, Williams still has that smooth swagger as the saga’s ” mac daddy”, maybe gran-daddy, as Lando. And Anthony Daniels gets the right balance of whimsy and affection (yes, this droid’s got a heart bigger than the Tinman’s) as C-3PO, interacting with R2-D2 as though they were a sweet old married couple. And yes, Mark Hamill is back, with a blue shimmer as he arrives in time for a needed lesson and a pep talk from the great beyond.

As I mentioned earlier, series vet J.J. Abrams does indeed return to direct (and contribute to the script with three other writers), making this a smoother space flight than his first time at the controls. Rather than seeming to remake A NEW HOPE, as many accused him of doing with AWAKENS, Abrams tries to build on the best elements of episodes five and six, but thankfully minus the cuddly critters of the last. Much of it whizzes by at neat light speed, but the story often gets bogged down by the Jedi “mystical mush”, with a watery showdown that feels unneeded and illogical. Some of these new “abilities” feel like plot devices and too many questions are brushed aside. Still, there’s lots of life left on these worlds, with thrilling battles and new BEMs (bug-eyed monsters). Yes, there are bits of CGI wizardry, but there are some great “practical” on set effects like the puppetry of a great new droid D-O and his mechanic Maz Kanata. And all the script misfires are forgiven by the nostalgia-packed final moments. Some may call it “fan service”, but it feels more like affectionate fan appreciation, much like the Marvel movies’ bonus bits and post-credits scenes. This makes for a very fond farewell, but we know there’s a chance we’ll run into some of these new “old” pals well after STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER, becuse like the Force, they’ll be with us…always.

3 Out of 4

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Final Trailer Hits

Stormtroopers, The Emperor and Chewbacca! This will be an epic final chapter.

Watch the final, exciting trailer for STAR WARS; THE RISE OF SKYWALKER that debuted during halftime of ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” NFL game between the New England Patriots and the New York Jets.

Lucasfilm and director J.J. Abrams join forces once again to take viewers on an epic journey to a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the riveting conclusion of the seminal Skywalker saga, where new legends will be born and the final battle for freedom is yet to come.

The film stars Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong’o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, with Ian McDiarmid and Billy Dee Williams

STAR WARS; THE RISE OF SKYWALKER is directed by J.J. Abrams and produced by Kathleen Kennedy, Abrams and Michelle Rejwan. Callum Greene, Tommy Gormley and Jason McGatlin serve as executive producers. Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was written by J.J. Abrams & Chris Terrio.

Tickets to STAR WARS; THE RISE OF SKYWALKER are now available everywhere tickets are sold.

STAR WARS; THE RISE OF SKYWALKER releases in U.S. theaters on December 20.

John Boyega is Finn and Naomi Ackie is Jannah in STAR WARS; THE RISE OF SKYWALKER.
Scene from STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER
Daisy Ridley is Rey in STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

Mark Hamill in CORVETTE SUMMER Available on Blu-ray From Warner Archives

Great new for fans of Mark Hamill! CORVETTE SUMMER (1978) is available on Blu-ray From Warner Archives

A cherry Corvette Stingray. A gorgeous girl. And a summer in glittery Las Vegas. What more does a guy need for the wildest, weirdest, funniest, freakiest time of his life? Mark Hamill (Star Wars) and Annie Potts (Designing Women) make comedic and romantic sparks fly in a revved-up tale of car-brained Kenny (Hamill), who trails a Corvette that’s mysteriously boosted after his high-school shop class restores it to perfection. The trail leads to Fun Capital, USA, and a ditzy diversion (Potts) whose dream is to become…a hooker? This damsel in distress needs a white knight on a candy-apple, metal-flake, superior-mags, mercury-tubes steed – right, Kenny? Both are in for a summer they’ll never forget.

Well before Pee-wee had his big adventure seeking a stolen red bicycle, Mark Hamill set off on a cross-country trek in pursuit of a kidnapped customized red sports car. Hot off Star Wars, Hamill jumped straight into seventies hot rod reinvention in this movie quest adventure flavored by Corman flicks. Annie Potts co-stars as a wanna-be streetwalker who can’t make the cut. And the Stingray’s steak has more sizzle than ever in this ready-for-summer candy apple new master for 1080p HD Blu-ray – so strap in for the Car Wars you’ve been waiting for! 16×9 Widescreen