Dog’s Movie House: See “IF” And “Furiosa” Before They’re Gone!

Let’s start with “IF” which is short for “Imaginary Friends,” in which a young girl named Bea (the excellent Callee Fleming, while dealing with both the death of her mother and the hospitalization of her father (director John Krasinski), discovers an unusual man named Cal (Ryan Reynolds). Cal lives in the top floor of her grandmother’s apartment building and is charge of. . .get this. . .placing abandoned imaginary friends with new children (the original children having grown up, you know). Bea joins Cal and with the power of her imagination, begins to realize that helping Cal may be the perfect way to heal herself of the grief she’s been feeling since the death of her mother.

“IF” is a gentle film that adroitly explores grief and healing without feeling cynical or forced. Clearly Krasinski is not interested in building another franchise and, as a result, invests all of his considerable talent into crafting this stand-alone story. There is a sense of wonder and whimsy at work here not seen in a film in some time. Krasinski, who also wrote the script, shows his a lot more than the guy who created “A Quiet Place.” If the film doesn’t really always make sense in terms of the details of imaginary friends (how come only Bea and Cal can see them, why is it so difficult for them to find other children, etc.) that’s by design. It all has to do with Bea’s journey through a tough time and how she copes with adversity.

The cast is uniformly excellent, with Fleming effortlessly carrying the movie on her young shoulders. Reynolds, Krasinski and the great Fiona Shaw (as Bea’s grandmother) are all terrific, with Shaw’s scene in which she dances for the first time since childhood a true Kleenex moment. The voice cast is also impressive, with Steve Carell leading the way as the purple beast oddly named Blue. Other talent such as Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Awkwafina, George Clooney, and others lending their talents to the various animated imaginary friends. The effects are fine (certainly better then it’s horror themed counterpart, “Imaginary”) and the combination of character and design fully immerse you in this amazing world. Although not burning up the box office right now, I think “IF” is going to become an enduring family classic that will make the rounds on television for decades to come. 4 1/2 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer!

Next we have “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” a prequel set several years before the events of “Mad Max: Fury Road” and tells the origin of the warrior called Furiosa (played in “Fury Road” by the incomperable Charlize Theron). In this story Furiosa is captured as a child from her bountiful home known as the Green Place by a marauding horde led by the vicious Dementus (a delightfully evil Chris Hemsworth). In order to get back to the Green Place and avenge the death of her mother, Furiosa aligns herself with the ruler of the Citidel, Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme) and finds a mentor in driver Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke). Now a young adult and an accomplished driver and fighter herself, Furiosa (now played by the remarkable Anya Taylor-Joy) puts a plan into action to take down Dementus and his minions as well as making her way back home.

While not as propulsive as “Fury Road” “Furiosa” is still an outstanding action film, fleshing out the world of “Fury Road” through a different lense. Taylor-Joy does a fantastic job of channeling Theron’s anger and determination as a younger version of Furiosa. Miller (who co-wrote the script) directs the film like a man half his age, with more energy and vigor than most accomplished action directors working today. (A run with the Citadel tanker and an ambush in Gastown are among the highlights.) Some of the sequences require a little more CG enhancement than in the previous film, but Miller and his scenarists are able to convincingly meld the two elements into an action packed spectacular!

Taylor-Joy is, of course, fantastic, but Hemsworth is the true star here. Vicious, intelligent yet unpredictable and prone to long, hilarious monologues about his opinions on human nature, Hemsworth really makes the role of Dementus his own. It is the greatest compliment to say the “Furiosa” is elevated everytime he’s onscreen. Burke also does good work as Praetorian Jack, a man who’s demeanor and talent with serve as inspirations to Furiosa as she continues to grow.

“Furiosa” is a movie that is meant to be seen in a big theater. It’s action packed, yet has enough character development to allow for emotional investment in the story. See this film at the theater while it’s still playing. . .it’s definitely one of the better flicks out there right now! 4 1/2 Out Of 5 On Kendog’s Barkometer! So Sayeth The Kendog!

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