Movie Review: My Girl 2

Movie Review: My Girl 2                                                                                                                           7-21-18

Two years ago, I reviewed an obscure live-action film called My Girl. It can be viewed here.

https://asateriale.blogspot.com/2016/07/movie-review-my-girl.html

Set two years after the original film, Vada is now 13 years old living with her father and pregnant stepmother (Jamie Lee Curtis). When one of Vada's teachers gives her an assignment about the life and achievements of someone she's never met, Vada chooses her late biological mother as the subject. Her research soon leads her to Los Angeles, to stay with Uncle Phil (Richard Masur), his likable girlfriend (Christine Ebersol), and her street smart son Nick (Austin O'Brien). Guided by Nick through the city of LA in search of clues to her late mother's history, Vada makes some surprising discoveries about not only her mother, but also herself as she confronts adolescence.

In my review of My Girl 1, I stated that that film was perfect for the summer. My Girl 2, however, takes place during the Spring.

Much like the original film, My Girl 2 showcases popular songs that are sprinkled throughout the film.

One thing to appreciate about My Girl 2 is the cinematography of California is gorgeous.

However, not everything about My Girl 2 fits well together: I feel Nick can be a bit unlikable and a bad role model.

In conclusion, My Girl 2 may not live up to the original, but it's definitely better than most live-action sequels I've seen, though not as good as the Star Wars, Indiana Jones, or Mighty Ducks sequels.

Rating: 3.25 stars out of 5.

I will talk about The Mighty Ducks some time in January.

Movie Review: The Son of Bigfoot

Movie Review: The Son of Bigfoot                                                                                        5-30-18

Preteen Adam Harrison is being bullied by his schoolmates for his long unruly hair and large feet. After discovering lost letters from his supposedly 'dead' father, Adam leaves home and discovers something big in the woods: His father is alive, and it's none other than the legendary Bigfoot! Adam also discovers that he can talk to animals, and befriends a bear named Wilbur, a squirrel named Tina, a woodpecker named Steve, and two raccoons named Trapper and Weecha. When a hair testing company captures Bigfoot, it's up to Adam and his animal friends to rescue him.

As some of you may or may not know, The Son of Bigfoot was produced by the same studio that did The Wild Life, a Belgian CGI film that retold the story of Robinson Crusoe through the eyes of the animals. The film got rather negative reviews when it was released in the US, and if you ask me, they look like they came from Blue Sky's Rio.

I don't hate The Wild Life like how other people do, but it does have decent animation for a European animated film.

Now what did I think of The Son of Bigfoot? Well, I actually enjoyed it! For starters, the animation, while not Disney or Pixar quality, puts lesser American CGI films like Free Birds, Norm of the North, and The Emoji Movie to shame.

The soundtrack, produced by the band Puggy, is also outstanding. Just listen to this song and tell me it doesn't sound awesome!

Where the Light Is - YouTube

If I were to complain about one thing, I feel the story is a bit weak, and some of the characters could've been fleshed out a bit more.

In conclusion, The Son of Bigfoot is both enjoyable and forgettable, but I would definitely choose it over the lesser animated films of 2017. I'm sorry that I keep saying this, but 2017 was a very rough year for animated movies.

Rating: 3 and a half stars out of 5.