“The term "godawful" should be used sparingly in connection with motion pictures. With Angels & Demons, however, it seems oddly appropriate. Not only does this prequel-turned-sequel to The Da Vinci Code make its predecessor seem like a masterwork of pacing and plotting, but it may represent a nadir for director Ron Howard and is probably the worst instance of acting from star Tom Hanks since back in the days when he was struggling out from under the shadow of Bosom Buddies.” ShouldMayDoeSeemsUsedStarsTermActingStruggleWorstDirectorsAngelShadowConnectionsInstanceCodeDemonAppropriateTomsBuddyBosomsSequelsPredecessorsMotion PicturesPacingNadirDa Vinci Code Author:James Berardinelli
“With Batman&Robin, the fourth entry in the recent Batman movie series, the profitable franchise appears poised to take a nosedive. This film, which places yet another actor in the batsuit, has all the necessary hallmarks of a sorry sequel - pointless, plodding plotting; asinine action; clueless, comatose characterization; and dumb dialogue. Batman&Robin moves at a dizzying pace, yet goes absolutely nowhere.” ActionFilmMovingActorsSeriesSorryDialogueDumbPaceFourthProfitablePointlessEntrySequelsRobinsHallmarkCluelessCharacterizationBatman MovieComatose Author:James Berardinelli
“It's rare that the sequel to a good movie lives up to expectations. Such is the case with Die Hard 2, the somewhat-muddled but still entertaining return of Bruce Willis' John McClane. Fortunately, the original Die Hard was good enough that there's room for the second installment to be enjoyable while still not matching the pace or possessing the flair of its predecessor.” StillsHardEnoughDiesRoomsCasesReturnExpectationsOriginalsGood EnoughPaceEntertainingEnjoyablePossessingGood MovieSequelsPredecessorsMatchingFlair Author:James Berardinelli
