HONEST FILM REVIEWS
ACTION FILMS
THE BEEKEEPER (USA 2024) Directed by David Ayer
(G) It has been some time since I enjoyed a good Jason Statham action flick - something that brought the same mindless popcorn entertainment like his classics such as The Transporter Trilogy, Safe, Wild Card and others - and I have to say, The Beekeeper gave me just what I wanted! While it won't win any awards and absolutely should not be taken seriously, the film is a non-stop ride of hard-hitting action, typical Statham humour, and OTT situations, and I can't wait to see it again! (3.5/5) George @invincibleasia
(A) The main problem of The Beekeeper is its structure and tone that's frequently inconsistent, from Statham's no-nonsense rampages to the antagonists that he faces, it's almost as if they are two completely different films mashed together and as a result, no ones a winner. And for the action we do get, its effect and appeal wears off quite quickly when the majority of antagonists are whimpering millennials quivering behind powerless old men in suits! (1/5) Adam @secondviewing
END OF DAYS (USA 1999) Directed by Peter Hyams
I remember catching this upon its release back in 1999 when I lived in Toronto, and while it wasn't quite perfect, there was definitely something pretty friggin cool about End Of Days that kept drawing me back. I mean, it's hard to not enjoy an Arnold Schwarzenegger flick at the best of times – and I'm not being bias just because we share birthdays – but this was also a very different role for the big man; it was dark, it was violent, and it had some pretty serious moments of horror throughout it. Directed by Peter Hyams, who was behind some great titles including Outland, Stay Tuned, Timecop, and Sudden Death, the film can be simply put as Arnie versus Satan, but is a little smarter than that and features the star as a suicidal ex-cop who now works for an elite security firm. But after the Devil arrives in New York in search of a bride before the turn of the century, the tough-as-nails protector must step up his game and put a stop to his nightmare threat!
This was Arnie's first film after the disastrous Batman & Robin, which was probably what resulted in him going in for heart surgery straight after filming, so End Of Days was a great come-back project that allowed him to deliver some serious drama, tough action, and emotional moments. Hyams does a great job directing – although Arnie actually didn't approve – and delivers one of his more enjoyable works of the 90s. He also pulls together a great supporting cast with the great Gabrielle Byrne starring as the Devil himself, along with Kevin Pollock, Miriam Margoyles, Carol Pounder and Udo Kier among others; all of whom deliver some memorable performances. But what I love most about End Of Days is that it avoids being too 90s in style – a period of Hollywood movies that I wasn't a huge fan of – and keeps its audience focused with its supernatural darkness, violent action, and effective horror. Overall though, this has been one massively underrated piece from Arnie's better days, and still proves to be as highly entertaining today than it was when I first caught it almost 25 years ago! (4/5) George @invincibleasia