I recently saw The Fate of the Furious in theaters so I wanted to watch other movies starring cast members of the Furious franchise. After writing about Captain Ron and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (Kurt Russell) and Prometheus (Charlize Theron), I wanted to share about 4 more that I recently viewed for the first time. They include Brick Mansions (Paul Walker), Blitz (Jason Statham and Luke Evans), The Game Plan (Dwayne Johnson), and Annapolis (Tyrese Gibson, Jordana Brewster, and director Justin Lin).

2014, PG, 1h 30m

Distributor – Relativity, Budget – $28 million

IMDB – 5.7

Brick Mansions is an English language remake of District 13 (2004 from France). Luc Besson (The Fifth Element, Léon the Professional) co-wrote and produced both versions, and both starred David Belle. Heavily demonstrating Parkour, David is the stand out in each because of the action scenes. Either paired with Cyril Raffaelli (Live Free or Die Hard, often credited as a fight/stunt coordinator) or in Brick Mansions with Paul Walker (Running Scared is my personal favorite of his). Paul is an undercover cop (again) who reluctantly pairs with David to stop a crime lord, (RZA, a founding member of the Wu-Tang Clan). I liked the transitions and overhead establishing shots in the film, gives you a real feel for where you are and makes the city a character. Parkour is brilliantly demonstrated and most fight scenes have moments slowed down to let you really appreciate the action. I am a fan when it is done like this, when it does not slow done the overall pace of the fight scene, and become it’s own spectacle. The secondary characters stood out with over the top performances, but the 2 leads took until the third act before they started to cut loose and have fun. Brick Mansions moves along quickly, providing plenty of action thrills in the 90 minute run time, complimenting the Parkour with car chases, gunfire, and explosions.

2011, 14A, 1h 37m

Distributor – Millennium Entertainment

IMDB – 6.2

Blitz is a British made film based on a novel written by Ken Bruen (the series had 7 books, Blitz being part 4). The exciting opening titles and music do not fit the heavy tone of the rest of the film. This movies tries to be decidedly more Luther (tv show with Idris Elba) than Hot Fuzz (2007 with Simon Pegg) but still sprinkles some cheeky moments, usually at the hands (or mutterings and often crude) of lead Jason Statham. He has far more lines to work with compared to his typical speak with a fist type, which is good because the film relies on the characters. Jason is surrounded by a solid offering of fellow UK actors like Paddy Considine (wrote and directed the award decorated Tyrannosaur in 2011, his directing debut), and Aidan Gillen (Petyr ‘Littlefinger’ Baelish from tv show Game of Thrones) who made a disturbing killer and did not hold back from pushing the extents of his character’s villainy. Luke Evans, (also seen in 2011 with Henry Cavill in Immortals as the god Zeus) and Mark Rylance, (who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor 4 years later in Bridge of Spies with Tom Hanks), round out the cast. The run time does not allow for many plot twists, but that is fine because the highlight of the film is the gritty, often unkind, realism of exploring who these cops are and the toll it takes on them chasing down the baddies.

2007, G, 1h 50m

Distributor – Buena Vista, Budget – $22 million

IMDB – 6.2

The Game Plan is a family friendly live action Disney film that banks on star Dwayne Johnson’s charisma, which he has no shortage of. He would work again with Disney in Race to Witch Mountain (2009) and Moana (2016), all taking advantage of his charm, physique, humor, and singing. While the plot can be easily summarized by not so family friendly guy learns a lesson and grows (also Dwayne’s last film credit as the Rock), it is fun getting there especially watching the young Madison Pettis outsmart, tease, and steal scenes from Dwayne. The music, as with nearly every Disney film, helps accentuate the current feelings of the scene and keep the pace rolling along. The other football players on the team were compassionate and funny, and I wanted to see more of their interactions with each other, but the film is about the father/daughter dynamic. Gags like the bath bubbles, food processor, and every time the bulldog was on screen were over the top, but well executed for this production. Comparing himself often in the film to Elvis Presley (an idea of Dwayne’s who also provided much of the memorabilia in the film), and his playing football, something he had done in University was balanced well with his daughter’s ballet sequences, which is a balance in Disney films I have always appreciated. The film has easy going laughs, great production design, and plenty of heart.

2006, PG, 1h 48m

Distributor – Buena Vista, Budget – $26 million

IMDB – 5.8

Annapolis, named after the city in Maryland where the United States has a naval academy, was directed by Justin Lin (he would next direct The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, also in 2006, and continue on with parts 4-6). James Franco was the lead in the film, a ship builder (following in his father’s footsteps) who dreams of being in the navy, and wrestles the whole film with taking the next step in his maturity. Tyrese Gibson plays one of his instructors, who while made to be an antagonist in the film, does not demonstrate reasons to be, other than being battle hardened and wanting his trainees to be the best and be safe. Jordana Brewster plays a less hardened instructor, however is far more critical and more helpful in James’ growth. The film is primarily set in the academy, not in a war zone (other than the boxing scenes), which helps emphasize the learning and growing message of the film. While portraying the academy and the navy in a fairly positive light (however deemed not accurate), this film was not made with the support of the Department of the Navy or the Department of Defence, and did not fare well at the box office (it came in 4th opening weekend, quite behind Big Momma’s House 2 with Martin Lawrence). The film tried to imitate elements of Full Metal Jacket (1987 Stanley Kubrick), used multiple montages, and relied heavily on James Franco.