Review: Luca

A simple but entertaining story. Luca lives under the sea with his parents as a family of sea monsters, working every day herding fish, when the intrigue of fallen objects from the land above gets the better of him. So begins a classic fish-out-of-water story, with added Vespas. Sometimes there isn’t a whole lot to…

Review: Soul

Gorgeous Pixar movie with a neat little premise, but just lacks a little something… Aspiring Jazz pianist Joe Gardener is trapped teaching music lessons at a local High School, and just when his big break is around the corner… he dies. But when he rejects his fate and runs from the light, his soul finds…

Review: Onward

A surprisingly entertaining and mould-breaking experience from Pixar studios. In a world of monsters and magic, now progressed into a contemporary world with jobs, cars, and homes, two elven brothers have reconciled with the loss of their father. But the youngest, Ian, never knew his father, but a forgotten magic might be able to bring…

Review: Toy Story 4

If you are certain Toy Story should have remained a trilogy, this will probably not change your mind. Nine years ago, Bo Peep was taken away after Andy’s sister decided she didn’t need her anymore. Now Woody and the gang are with Bonnie, their new child, and Woody finds new purpose in caring for Forky, a…

Review: Incredibles 2

Much like the first film, Incredibles 2 is good but not stand-out. The Parr family, after their exploits against the villainous Syndrome, are still at odds using their powers for good in a world that rejects superheroes. But when a corporation looks to promote Elastigirl to restore the superhero public perception, Mr Incredible needs to…

Review: Coco

An absolutely stunning piece of animation. A bright, vibrant and heartfelt experience. It is Dia De Los Muetros, the Mexican Day of the Dead, when families celebrate lost loved ones and honour their memory. Miguel is torn; his love of music is not shared by his family, who after his great-grandmother’s fury after her husband…

Review: Cars 3

While the ending is punchy, the forgettable setup for this racer story is slow and predictable. Lightning McQueen finds himself outclassed by new and faster racers and threatened with retirement, he vows to be the one who decides when he’s done racing. The Cars franchise is probably the most brittle of the Pixar series and…

Review: Finding Dory (2D)

Finding Dory is like a metaphor for our lead character. Insane, dotty and full of slapstick comedy with just a dusting of heart string-pulling. After helping her friend Marlin rescue his son Nemo, the fish with short-term memory loss Dory begins to remember her past. Can she find her parents… somewhere out in the ocean?…

Review: Inside Out (2D)

Pixar elite director Pete Doctor returns with another colourful yet human experience with Inside Out. Riley, a young eleven year old girl, experiences the hardships of moving house with her parents, her emotions are running riot inside her mind. Literally. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear and Disgust are all present and failing to cope, especially when…

Review: Monsters University

Monsters University provides fun and some unexpected moments, but it doesn’t feel like one Pixar’s best, more like one of their safer bets. As the animation studio’s first prequel, the film goes back to see the humble beginnings of Mike and Sully’s friendship from 2001’s Monsters Inc. (yes, it was twelve years ago) as they…