Even if it isn’t the most creatively adventurous move, there is room in the world for these Disney trademark vehicles, the kind of retro family entertainments that everybody can pile into the minivan and get a few giggles out of. But, even with this relatively benign ambition and an admittedly top-flight cast, the jungle’s a bungle.
This Stillwater does, indeed, run deep. What initially appears to be a dramatic love story inspired by recent history is far more ambitious and complex. And revealing in ways we may not expect or even feel particularly good about.
Has anyone ever been as charismatic as Anthony Bourdain? The working chef erudite, seemingly lover of life brought us along on his cultural and culinary travels with what we thought was a special intimacy.
Don’t complain if someone in your family wants to watch this. Because this sequel truly is aimed for family business, bright and kid-friendly, but with enough meta jokes and classic rock songs to make it work for all ages.
There’s no fancy footwork here, unless you count the plays on the field, but, like the underdog football players it portrays, this little movie wins us over with old fashioned grit and heart.
Surprisingly, Jon M. Chu’s adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony award winning musical hits even deeper, debuting as it is, after this past year.
This is a movie that’s far more effective than its buzz. Because if this picture does anything (and yes, it does), it proves good, experienced actors can elevate even the most ordinary of scripts.
