Movie Review - Apex

Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Genre: Action/ Thriller
Runtime: 95 minutes
Year: 2026
Starring: Charlize Theron, Taron Edgerton, Eric Bana
 
Description: A mountain climber (Charlize Theron) haunted by a fatal decision in Norway retreats to the Australian wilderness for isolation. Her journey turns into a desperate hunt when a deceptive local (Taron Edgerton) targets her as his next ritualistic prey in the bush.
 
Review: “Apex” is a thrilling survival thriller. Sasha is by herself in the wilderness of Australia, wanting some solitude. But a local starts hunting her, literally.

The film is just over 90 minutes and it’s a thrill ride. The story is simple yet original, but features some predictable plot twists. It has solid action and the tension is really present. It lacks depth, but somehow that isn't all that bothersome. We know just enough about Sasha to root for her.

I have to praise Charlize Theron for her physical commitment to the role and portrayal of the grieving, independent climber. Taron Edgerton shows a different side of himself. His performances sometimes balances on the edge of being too much, but he never crosses that line.

“Apex” is a cat-and-mouse game. The final half-hour is not as compelling as the rest, but it’s an exciting nail-biter of a thriller.

Rating: 3/ 5

20s Movie Review - Carry-On

Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Genre: Action/ Crime/ Thriller
Runtime: 119 minutes
Year: 2024
Starring: Taron Edgerton, Jason Bateman, Dean Norris, Theo Rossi, Sofia Carson, Logan Marshall-Green, Danielle Deadwyler

Description: A mysterious traveler (Jason Bateman) blackmails a young TSA agent (Taron Edgerton) into letting a dangerous package slip through security and onto a Christmas Eve flight.

Review: Director Jaume Collet-Serra does exactly what a good, fun action film should do: be engaging, exciting and entertaining. And that from the comfort of your own home, because it’s a Netflix-original.
The décor is an airport, where on Christmas Eve, young TSA agent Ethan has to deal with a mysterious traveler who demands that he let a suitcase pass through security without checking it. If not, his girlfriend Nora becomes a target.

This plot makes for a delightful, nail-biting, edge-of-your-seat exciting thriller. Full of twists (or credibility, but we’ll let that one pass), it’s the perfect film for a movie night. Just turn of your brain for two hours and enjoy this fun action thriller, because it’s one hell of a ride.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

Movie Reviews - Rocketman

Director: Dexter Fletcher
Genre: Drama/ Music
Runtime: 121 minutes
Year: 2019
Starring: Taron Edgerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard, Gemma Jones, Tate Donovan, Stephen Graham

Description: A musical fantasy about the fantastical human story of Elton John’s (Taron Edgerton) breakthrough years.

Review: In almost every article about this Elton John biopic “Rocketman”, it’s being comaired to “Bohemian Rhapsody”, which came out in 2018. This isn’t strange, since both films focus on a British singer of the same generation that are outstanding musicians, struggle with alcohol, drugs and homosexuality, who take on a stage name and have a flamboyant trademark. Both movies are named after their biggest hit. And Bryan Singer directed “Bohemian Rhapsody”, but initially was meant to be directed by Dexter Fletcher, now director of “Rocketman”.
Both movies are very different when it comes to style. “Bohemian Rhapsody” was a more conventional biopic, but “Rocketman” is a musical. Where Elton John tells his life story through song. It’s a logical choice, but not for a biopic about the titular musician. But it works really well. All songs were re-recorded for this film and everything was sung by leading man Taron Edgerton himself. Especially the first hour of the film is very strong, when eventually the story will follow a more conventional path as well. We see Elton in a toxic relationship with John Reid and he eventually can’t resist the alcohol, drugs and other men. His career isn’t only in danger, but also strong bonds he has with certain people. It’s the cliché part of a musical biopic.
Taron Edgerton is a good choice for Elton John. The young actor proofs that he is a capable singer and he can carry a movie. He doesn’t always sound like Elton John, but that’s not an issue. He did his own singing, which makes it more authentic and his acting is tremendous.
I was surprised by some heavy themes in the story. I didn’t know Elton John’s story at all and I was quite shocked about his past and everything he had to deal with in his life.

Rating: 3,5/ 5

10s Movie Review - Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Comedy
Runtime: 141 minutes
Year: 2017
Starring: Taron Edgerton, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges, Pedro Pascal, Michael gambon, Elton John

Description: When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman's journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the United States. These two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a common enemy.

Review: No lack of crazy characters in “Kingsman: The Golden Circle”. Like “Kingsman: The Secret Service” there are some ‘larger then life’ villains that threaten the planet with a idiotic and far fetched plan. Not Samuel L. Jackson this time, but Julianne Moore, who is hiding in the jungle of Cambodia and is a major drug lord.
If you didn’t like the first film, you won’t like “Kingsman: The Golden Circle”. The characters and situation shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Matthew Vaughns film is a spy parody with a more serious tone.
Eggsy and Merlin join hands with their American ‘brothers in arms’, who call themselves The Statesman. They hide in a distillery and all the agents have codenames of an acoholic beverage.
With the Kingsman being on new territory, doesn’t mean a completely different film. Vaughns keeps the ingredients and feel. And again has some amazing choreographed fight scenes, which are accompanied with a cool soundtrack.
The characters don’t develop the way they did in the first film. And although the chemistry between Eggsy and Harry isn’t completely gone, it’s a lot less interesting this time around. But both Colin Firth and Taron Edgerton deliver a strong performance.
Jeff Bridges and Channing Tatum don’t have a lot to do in this film, which is a shame. Because they scene that they do have, are so fun.
The film has a fresh, energetic style that doesn’t easily bore you. And the entertainment level is endless. But where “Kingsman: The Secret Service” was a surprise to everyone, this second installment just doesn’t do that. It’s fun and it is good, but not as good as the first film.

Rating: 3,5/ 5