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We had an interesting and diverse week at the movies for the last weekend in July. Below is a look at my take on the new films out this week. Keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps (Theaters)
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Julia Garner, and Ralph Ineson
Synopsis: Over the last 20 years, we’ve seen a few swings at bringing Marvel’s iconic Fantastic Four to the screen. It started when the rights were held by FOX, who launched a film in 2005. It received middling reviews, though it did earn a sequel. Then, in 2015, we got a new version. It had a strong cast, but it didn’t all come together. It seems every 10 years we get a new swing at bringing the heroes to life. So, it’s fitting, in 2025, the Fantastic Four have returned. This time as part of a new phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But will it be the shot in the arm needed before the Avengers return? The film is set on Earth 828, and we pick up four years after the space flight that changed the world forever. Reed Richards (Pascal), Sue Storm (Kirby), Johnny Storm (Quinn), and Ben Grimm (Moss-Bachrach) had their cells impacted by radiation, leading to some amazing powers. In the time since, they’ve become Earth’s protectors. As we begin, Sue discovers she’s pregnant. It’s an announcement that will change their lives, and it raises their celebrity profile. But before they can celebrate, The Silver Surfer (Garner) arrives to herald their doom. Galactus (Ineson) is coming, and he’ll devour the world. The Four head off to find Galactus and fight for Earth’s future. There, they find that he wants something, but it’s too steep a price. That leaves the Four to consider alternatives as they try to protect the Earth. This new film is a radical departure from previous attempts to bring the story to life. It sets the action in the 1960s, but an alternate world that feels like something out of The Jetsons. It works beautifully to set a tone and provide some rich visuals that feel apart from previous films and anything else in the MCU. The story is about a family, and family is the focus of the film. That works beautifully, too. These characters complement each other and world beautifully together. Director Matt Shakman delivers a story that explores this world and is crafted with humor, drama, and rich emotions. The action also works well, featuring some daring set pieces and a great climatic action sequence. The casting is strong, too. Pascal works as Richards, and I enjoyed Quinn’s energy as Johnny Storm. Moss-Bachrach has some beautiful moments as Grimm, who is the glue for this group. But the real MVP is Kirby. She’s magnificent as Sue Storm and the highlight of the film. I was skeptical about taking another swing at Fantastic Four, and the early trailers did little to quell those concerns. But this film is great. It’s an engaging ride with a crisp 115-minute run time. This is a great start to the new phase of the MCU and sets the stage for something really interesting with the next Avengers film.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for action/violence and some language.
Verdict: Four stars out of five

Happy Gilmore 2 (Netflix)
Starring: Adam Sandler, Christopher McDonald, and Benny Safdie
Synopsis: In 1996, Sandler gave the world one of his classic characters in the hockey player turned golfer Happy Gilmore. It’s a film that has endured with fans because of its comedy stylings. Now, nearly 30 years later, Happy Gilmore is back with another adventure. But time hasn’t treated the former star kindly. His wife, Virginia (Julie Bowen), championed his career and bore the couple’s five children. But her untimely death left him broken. He walked away from golf, struggled with drinking, and saw his fortune vanish. Now, he’s trying to get himself back on track for the sake of his daughter (Sunny Sandler). She needs money for a special private school, so Happy attempts to pull himself together and put his life and career back on track. But before he gets there, an energy drink creator (Safdie) tries to start a rival golf league, challenging the PGA. He wants Happy on his team, but Happy is committed to defending traditional golf. With the help of an old enemy turned friend, Shooter McGavin (McDonald), Happy sets out to prove the old ways are the best ways when it comes to golf. This film feels like a reel of some of Sandler’s greatest hits, including familiar gags and a bevy of guest stars. Some are actors, some are part of his typical reparatory of players, and some are athletes like Travis Kelce and the biggest stars of golf. It shows the power and appeal he still has as a creator. It’s also a showcase of his family, with his wife and daughters all appearing in the film, too. Doubtless many will enjoy this return to the world. I was never a huge fan of the original. It isn’t one of my favorite Sandler comedies of the era. So, I was dubious of this return. And yet, this is a fun and watchable adventure. It feels a bit better and a bit funnier than the first film. It’s well worth checking out for those who are fans of Sandler’s comedy.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for strong language, crude/sexual material, partial nudity and some thematic material.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

Oh, Hi! (Theaters)
Starring: Molly Gordon, Logan Lerman, Geraldine Viswanathan, and Josh Reynolds
Synopsis: We’re in a fun season for films. While the blockbuster-of-the week dominates at the Box Office, there are plenty of other options if you crave something a little different. One of those options in Oh, Hi!, a new comedy from Molly Gordon and Sophie Brooks. The ladies co-wrote the film, with Brooks directing and Gordon taking the starring role. No matter what you think you might be in for based on the trailer, this quickly turns into something else. And yet, it remains delightful in a crazy and endearing sort of way. The film follows Iris (Gordon) and Isaac (Lerman) on a weekend getaway. The couple seem to enjoy being together and they are stopping along the way to engage in a variety of couple things. Once on site, it’s clear they have a spark. This seems to be a simple, romantic getaway. But eventually, Iris discovers she and Isaac aren’t on the same page when it comes to their relationship and the future. Determined to change that, or at least give it a real shot, she makes a decision. It locks her into a certain path that spirals away from her quickly. When her friend, Max (Viswanathan), arrives to offer support they quickly go into problem-solving mode. The same goes for Max’s boyfriend Kenny (Josh Reynolds), who is at first shocked by what he finds but quickly joins the ladies in trying to come up with a solution. If that all sounds cryptic, it is. There is a twist involving the plot of this film that I won’t ruin here. Suffice to say, how you feel about the twist and the mayhem that ensues, will likely govern how you feel about the film. If it works for you, so will the fun of these performances. If not, this might be a miss. Brooks and Gordon walk a fine line in the story and the crafting of this film. It relies heavily on Gordon’s Iris being so endearing you can’t help but root for her to succeed. That was the case for me. She was a delight on screen that really lifted this wacky story into something oddly compelling. But it’s a credit to the ensemble, too. I’ve long enjoyed the comedy stylings of Viswanathan, who plays a wild character here. She seems to be having fun in the part and that pops off screen. The same is true of Reynolds, who has some amazing moments opposite Lerman. Lerman has to, mostly, play the straight man here, and does well enough. This is a weird film that has a bit of an open-ended final act. That didn’t bother me as I enjoyed the ride for what it was and appreciate a bit of counter-programming the blockbusters of summer. If you’re looking for an off-beat comedy, this is for you.
Rating: Rated R for sexual content/some nudity, and language.
Verdict: Three stars out of five