Walters Week That Was - Day of the Cortado (iced only please)

Its WEEK 2 of Walters Week That Was!
So while my cohosts are out there probably having fun, drinking margaritas, enjoying barbecues and the beach (this is all assumption mind you, I actually have NO IDEA what they are doing while our show is on summer break)
I am out here in the trenches (figuratively), enjoying the cool air conditioning of the the theatre and watching some movies (literally)

Short week for me though what with the incoming holiday (which for those keeping score is my #3 favorite holiday of the year and this requires preparations).

So since youre here and want that sweet sweet satisfaction of your favorite contrarians opinion on what hes seen this week...here....we....go.

SICARIO 2: DAY OF THE SOLDADO
Directed by: Stefano Sollima

Now, if you follow me on twitter (and if youre reading this you probably do, and if not, well get on that Im bloody entertaining) youll remember I had tweeted that I was supposed to be talking about this particular film with The Insession Film Podcast.

However due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasnt able to get in on that action.
That doesnt mean though that you will be deprived though!

So, we need to wind the clock back all the way First Time Watchers episode 304.
When the initial teaser trailer dropped for this one I was immediately against it.
It looked hack to say the least

"Were going to war"
"With who?"
"Everyone."

Really?
REALLY??!!!

I mean, the whole trailer just looked, so...generic.
Helicopters.
The above dialogue.
The pacing.

Then they released a second trailer, one that gave a little more context into what was going on...and that actually changed my mind.
Basically it was an expanded trailer but now I had the realization "oh i get it now! Alejandro is going to be protecting this girl from Graver" and seeing how badass each of these characters were in the first, I was suddenly on board.

I LOVED the first Sicario.
I love Taylor Sheridans work (up until this point the dude was batting 1000 with me)

But this...this is something else.

Fuck me was I bored out of my sugar skull and guns with this film.
So slow.
So mindless.
So all over the place.

I mean, I get what Graver is trying to do in terms of the story (start a war between two rival cartels) but outside of that the story flows like a Family fucking Circus cartoon

Its written so hamhandedly that the the writer and director shouldve just shown up at each theatre to shout at you the underlying theme and point of the movie.

Then theres the ending.
WHAT
THE
FUCK

I wouldve been totally ok with things just stopping in the desert.
BUT NOOOOOOOO.
Were going to keep going with these SLOW AS FUCKING HELL-ICOPTERS for some violent and one sided confrontation with some of the baddies on the road all to show that Graver is actually not as stone cold as we thought but whee happy ending?

AND THEN.
Alejandro...Alejandro...what in gods name are you thinking.
How the bloody fuck is this guy going to be a Sicario like you?
You sir, despite your size and general charisma and awesome, you can conceivably blend in and disappear.
This dude?
Tattoos up and down his arms, and on HIS FUCKING FACE?
How the hell is he going to be effective in being a hit man?
Hes going to get picked up and pointed out toot sweet.

WHY OH WHY could they not have made the sensible choice and have Isabel learn from him? (yknow kind of like how Mathilda learns from Leon in THE PROFESSIONAL)
That wouldve made way more sense.
NOPE.
Lets just set up the third movie.

Sheridan you can do better than this.

Verdict: NAY ALL THE WAY.

There is a silver lining to this story though.

As it turns out FX was running the first SICARIO so you best believe I sat my ass on that couch and watched it up.
Sure I couldve popped the bluray in there but I mean, its all the way over there...

But if you want to hear our thoughts on the original you should click this link!

And finally...

TAG
Directed by: Jeff Tomsic

When I saw the trailer for this I was in automatically, the premise looked like fun and I wouldnt have to expect too too much as it appeared to be a comedy and if you can get me laughing and having a good time, then its a win.

This movie delivers on a lot of fronts

The fact that they made Jerry Pierces character this superhuman badass is a joke in itself playing on Renners appearances in THE AVENGERS and THE BOURNE LEGACY and those action scenes are actually quite well done in terms of conveying what would normally be a big action set piece and turning it for comedic value.

This movie also has a lot of heart to it because at its core is this group of friends who just want to hang out and have fun for a while, let loose and just be totally themselves before they have to return to their responsibilities. Sure, you could make the "man baby" argument but I dont really think that this applies as for the most part the characters arent acting childish in the least so much as they really want to just enjoy the time they have together and tag Jerry before time expires.

The ending to this movie hits a home run in my book.

Maybe its because from what Ive seen up to this point with "im smarter than my audience" swerves (like HEREDITARY) that this was a great endcap to what was a rather fun ride for the 90 minutes I paid for.

The credit sequence at the end has actual footage of the group playing which also brought a smile to my face.

Is it worth seeing in theatres?
Id say so.
But this overall feels more like a Netflix rental when you just want something fun

Verdict: YAY.