Animated Adventure – Matthew Liedke on Film

REVIEW: New ‘Avatar’ adventure offers fun reunion with lovable cast

Shame on Paramount for not putting this film in theaters.

While it was once set for release on the big screen, “Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender” was pushed to Paramount Plus as a streaming title. The movie, deserving a theatrical outing, picks up just over a decade after the original series from the 2000s ended. The flick picks up with Aang (Eric Nam) maintaining peace in the world while also trying to preserve Air Nomad culture.

On one of his travels, a series of events leads him to discovering another airbender, Tagah (Dave Bautista), who’s been frozen in ice for centuries. Upon awakening, Tagah informs Aang he knows a way to bring more airbenders back to the world. To make this happen, Aang recruits his old team to help. However, their journey becomes more perilous than originally thought.

REVIEW: Galactic ‘Mario’ sequel improves on predecessor

Nice of the Princess to invite us over for a sequel, eh Luigi?

Yes, like this film, I too can dig up references. This movie, a sequel to the 2023 flick, once again centers on the plumber Mario “Jumpman” Mario (Chris Pratt) and his taller green-clad brother (Charlie Day). The two have become full residents of the Mushroom Kingdom, ruled by the benevolent Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy), and help her by taking care of various issues.

Life is going fairly normal for the brothers and Peach, until an intergalactic threat emerges. It turns out the son of first film antagonist Bowser (Jack Black) has set out to build a planet busting weapon and break his dad out of prison. Because of the threat, the princess and the plumbers, as well as a new cosmic character have to stand in the way.

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REVIEW: Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ is an enjoyable mix of science and nature

Pixar has had a mixed track record in the 2020s, but fortunately, it’s new release is one of the better flicks from the animation studio.

The latest feature from the Disney affiliate centers on Mabel (Piper Curda), a college student who cares deeply about animals and nature. Her appreciation puts her at great odds with her city’s mayor, Jerry (Jon Hamm), who intends to develop a highway bypass. Doing so would mean the destruction of a natural area Mabel holds dear.

One night, when looking for solutions with few options left, she learns of a program at her college which has developed life-like robots, one of which looks like a beaver. The robots are controllable by humans with a neural link, and Mabel takes control of one to connect with animals and lead them in taking back there home under threat.

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