On this page: BOONIE BEARS: GUARDIAN CODE | BREAKING INFINITY | MEDUSA DELUXE

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Because it's largely set on this junkyard island, the film has a clanky metallic vibe, playing on the interaction between the characters' skin, fur or steel. While some of the animation looks cheap and cheerful, other sequences are dazzlingly well-designed with light, textures and vivid hues. This adds interest to a story that veers wildly from one contrived event to the next, shifting from heroics to villainy as things build to a series of cataclysmic climaxes.

As the title suggests, the central theme revolves around protective instincts that swirl through the various characters, even without needing to be written into their programming code. Briar and Bramble need to learn that their mother wouldn't have abandoned them by choice, and along the way they are put through the wringer emotionally. Meanwhile, the "team up to save your friends" message becomes comically absurd in the mass destruction of the rock-n-roll finale. But there's plenty of eye-catching, over-the-top entertainment along the way.

themes, violence

22.May.23

With his action-hero physicality, Bishop has terrific screen presence, and his earnest confusion offers an involving path into the story. This gives him an open-faced honesty, so he's easy to root for, even if his connections with the people around him never quite come into focus due to the structure. Cunningham has plenty of brainy charm, even if Emma is never terribly convincing as Liam's love interest. And both Josef and Phillips add some quirks to their more traditional genre-style roles.

Discussions about the effects and possibilities around time travel and the dangers of messing around with quantum states add some intriguing textures, even if they tend to remain on the surface. And as the overall story begins to reveal itself, there are a few rather unsurprising twists and turns, including the emergence of a villainous masterplan. So even though there isn't enough complexity in the cast or situations to properly bring this to life, this is entertaining escapism.

themes, language, violence

24.May.23

The approach also allows the larger-than-life characters to remain unusually authentic even with their exaggerated comical touches. Each actor has stand-out moments that are peppered throughout the spiralling narrative, building sympathy with the audience and revealing deeper yearnings. Pasqualino has the most over-the-top drama queen role, but caps it with a likeable spark. Ali gets to play some startlingly earthy scenes along the way, then take a starring role in the closing credits musical extravaganza. And Perkins steals the show with sheer bravado.

Through all of this, gossip is whispered that casts doubt on each character, providing both vivid back-stories and conjecture about whodunit. But Hardiman continually resists the usual structures, leading the audience headlong into a series of unexpected events and revelations. So while the filmmaking is technically breathtaking, its the deeper character moments that will linger, including a subversive comment on the competitive issues any artist faces.

themes, language, violence

25.May.23