If you checked in with last week’s edition of Movie Reviews 2025, you’ll know it was almost wall-to-wall horror. With the exception of the John Wick spin-off, Ballerina, all of the featured movies were horror-related titles.
This week it’s a completely different story. In fact, amongst the crop of new releases there’s not an ounce of horror in sight.
Instead there’s crime, action, comedy, and sci-fi. There’s also fantasy, via this week’s big cinema release, the live-action remake of How to Train Your Dragon.
The family-friendly offering hopes to entertain fans of the existing animated film series, and of course, make pots of cash for Universal Pictures like all those live-action remakes have done for Disney in recent years. The picture also caters to younger audiences, which is something many of last week’s films (Dangerous Animals, Clown in a Cornfield, The Ritual, etc) couldn’t do.
Joining How to Train Your Dragon this week are Our Times, and Deep Cover. Plus there are disc releases for the Hugh Jackman/Halle Berry/John Travolta movie, Swordfish, and classic crime thriller, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.
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In cinemas…
How to Train Your Dragon (2025)
First up this week is the live-action adventure movie, How to Train Your Dragon. Directed by Dean DeBlois, the movie is a remake of its 2010 namesake, and follows pretty much the same story as its predecessor.
In the movie, Vikings and dragons have been sworn enemies for years. That’s how it is, that’s how it’s been, and as far as everyone is concerned, that’s how it always will be.
Well, everyone except young Viking, Hiccup. He defies tradition when he befriends a dragon named Toothless, and comes to learn the true nature of dragons (i.e. they are not all bad eggs).
But can Hiccup change the perception of dragons and give the creatures a much needed image uplift? Well, if you’ve previously watched the animated version of this story, you’ll already know the answer.
Remakes are nothing new, they’ve been happening ever since the early days of cinema. In recent times it does appear we are getting more of them than usual, and the current flavour of the month seems to be remakes of animated movies.
Correction: Remakes of excellent animated movies. It’s one thing to remake a bad movie in an attempt to make it good, but the current trend is to take an already great movie and attempt to… erm… make it greater?
Of course, the real reason for the remakes of animated movies is because a.) they are recognisable (and proven) brand names, which studios are relying on more and more, and b.) they make money. Disney has done well off the back of its recent remakes (The Little Mermaid, Lilo & Stitch etc), so Universal Pictures is now trying its hand to see if it can achieve a similar degree of success.
And the likelihood is Universal will have a hit on its hands with How to Train Your Dragon. Because while this is another carbon copy remake, which does ultimately feel kind of pointless if you have watched the original film, it’s difficult to not call it at least likeable.
The action is plentiful, the drama is ever present, and the visuals stand up. The cast are also on good form.
However, while there are a number of plus points in How to Train Your Dragon, we are firmly in rinse and repeat territory. As such, if you don’t have a strong desire to revisit this live-action offering because you’ve seen it all before, then no one can blame you.
After all, it’s not just the characters and story that have been dusted off for another go around the Isle of Berk, the co-director of the original film, Dean DeBlois is back (this time as this film’s sole director), while composer John Powell also returns to provide the music. As for the cast, they are mostly new – Mason Thomas, Nico Parker, Nick Frost, etc – but even Gerard Butler is back, reprising the role of Hiccup’s father, Stoick, from the animated films.
So, the more things change, the more they stay the same. That said, Mason Thomas (The Black Phone) is excellent as Hiccup; the story still feels as strong as it did first time around; and the emotional resonance is firmly in place.
There are a couple of moments in the original which tug at the heart strings, and the good news is none of this is lost in the transition from animation to live-action. It’s also possible this one will hit you in the feels more than its predecessor did, so this is a positive.
This new version of How to Train Your Dragon also has great visuals. Toothless is adorbs, his fellow dragons are superbly realised, and the recreation of the Viking world looks marvellous.
There is a certain cartoon-ish flare to the film, somewhat reminiscent of the Asterix movies, but never to the point where it silly. How to Train Your Dragon retains a sense of realism, amongst the lashings of fantasy, and this is to DeBlois’ credit.
If you’re completely new to How to Train Your Dragon, or you perhaps have little ‘uns who weren’t born when the original debuted in 2010, then this remake will find you well. The movie is entertaining, there’s no doubt about it, and it certainly hasn’t been flung together at a whim.
However, it is mostly just a re-tread, and not much more. So, it’s fine, it’s safe, but take it as you find it.
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On disc…
Swordfish (2001)
Onto physical media now, which this week sees the release of the early ‘00s action-thriller, Swordfish on 4K UHD. Directed by Dominic Sena and starring Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, John Travolta, Don Cheadle, and Vinnie Jones, the film follows the story of an expert hacker who is enlisted to take part in a bank robbery.
In the movie, Stanley Jobson is recruited by Gabriel Shear to break into the Department of Defense. Gabriel offers to pay Stanley $10 million to insert a worm program into the system, to siphon $9.5 billion from the government’s slush fund.
Stanley agrees to take the job, but quickly begins to regret it when things get far more complicated than he could have ever imagined. Especially with FBI Agent J.T. Roberts tracking his every move.
Slick in its presentation, but a little bit all over the place in the story department, Swordfish is an action thriller you either run with, or you bypass completely. If the idea of a ‘00s computer hacker getting caught up in murky shenanigans doesn’t push your buttons, then this film probably isn’t for you; but if it does, then prepare to waggle your mouse with glee.
Swordfish is very much a movie of its time, and this means a big emphasis on futuristic cyber villainy; various scenes of Hugh Jackman typing furiously on a keyboard; and lots of over-the-top nonsense (Jackman rolling down a hill, Halle Berry flashing her boobs, an airborne bus, and so on).
Sound like something you want to spend your time and/or money on? Then enjoy or ignore accordingly.
The highlight of Swordfish is the bank robbery which tops and tails the film. The opening sequence, which introduces the robbery is energetic and engaging, while the finale which continues the robbery is completely preposterous in the best possible way.
The other highlight of the film is John Travolta’s hair/goatee beard combo. It’s awful, but impossible to take your eyes off.
Outside of this, the movie looks pretty, has frequent scenes of action, and there’s enough going on to keep things ticking along. Just ignore Don Cheadle’s facial hair or the fact Jackman is the least convincing hacker in history and there’s some fun to be had.
Released by Arrow Video the 4K edition of Swordfish includes a copy of the film on 4K UHD, alongside a wealth of special features. These features include a director’s commentary with Dominic Sena; new interviews with composer Paul Oakenfold and production designer Jeff Mann; a collection of featurettes; a music video; theatrical trailer; and two alternate endings.
In addition to the above, the set features a reversible sleeve, a double-sided poster, and an illustrated collector’s booklet with new writing on the movie. All of this retails for around £24.99 and is limited edition, so if you wish to grab a copy, don’t sit on it for too long.
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On disc…
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
Sticking with discs for this next offering (also from Arrow Video) leads onto the 1974 crime thriller, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. Directed by Joseph Sargent, and starring Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, Héctor Elizondo, and Earl Hindman, the movie focuses on a group of criminals who hijack a New York Subway car and hold the passengers for ransom.
Things get nasty when guns are pulled out, threats are made, and a demand for $1 million is issued. If the money is late, or anyone interferes with their demands, the hijackers will begin shooting the hostages, with no exceptions.
As the transit police rally round and attempt to resolve the situation safely and securely, Lieutenant Zachary Garber leads the operation. But with the clock ticking, and tensions mounting, can Garber save the day before blood is shed?
If you’re not familiar with The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, or you’ve only watched one of the remakes (a TV movie in ‘98, a Denzel Washington film in ‘09) then give this picture a watch. The original movie is one of the greatest action thrillers of the 1970s, period.
The Taking of Pelham One Two Three also has one of the greatest final scenes ever put on screen. No spoilers here, but it’s a real doozy!
And the same can be said for the cast, who bring something unique and special to the table. The hijackers played by Shaw, Balsam, Elizondo, and Hindman are suitably menacing, especially Shaw’s Mr. Blue, while Walter Matthau is excellent as Garber.
Outside of the key players, the film benefits from smart direction from Joseph Sargent; a suspenseful screenplay by Peter Stone (based on John Godey’s novel of the same name); and superb cinematography from Owen Roizman. Roizman shot some of the best-looking films of the ‘70s, including The French Connection (1971), and The Exorcist (1973), and he brings a gritty realism to Pelham.
All of this, along with plenty of tense sequences, great pacing, and a real sense of urgency, add to a marvellous movie. They don’t make films like this anymore, they just try and remake ‘em instead!
Should you wish to grab The Taking of Pelham One Two Three on disc, the film is available on two formats: limited edition 4K UHD, and limited edition Blu-ray. The first costs around £24.99, the second around £17.99.
In addition to a shiny disc with a copy of the film on it, your cash will also buy you a bunch of special features including audio commentary; bonus footage; a collection of documentaries; an image gallery; interviews; TV & radio spots; and trailers. Both releases also include a reversible sleeve, as well as a booklet.
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Now streaming…
Our Times (2025)
Over to Netflix now for the Mexican sci-fi drama, Our Times (aka Nuestros Tiempos). Directed by Chava Cartas, and starring Lucero, and Benny Ibarra, the movie follows the story of two time travelling physicists who jump from the 1960s to the present day.
In the movie, the year is 1966 and in Mexico, Dr Nora Cervantes and Dr Héctor Esquivel are physicists working on a secret project. Utilising funding from the local university, they are in the process of creating a time machine, which they believe will alter human history for the better.
After ironing out one final kink, the couple test out their machine, agreeing to jump no further than 15 minutes into the future. However, things don’t quite go to plan and they find themselves in 2025.
Having traveled forward 59 years, Nora and Héctor find the world around them has changed considerably. This is particularly notable for Nora, who sees how far women have progressed since the 1960s.
But while this is a refreshing development for Nora, it’s quite the change of pace for Héctor. And after being given a taste of what the future holds, will Nora be keen to return to the mindset and restrictions of the past, when the future offers so many new possibilities?
With a decent lead cast, a simple script, and a couple of timely comments about patriarchy, Our Timesis a watchable film. The story does what it suggests it will do; the staging is alright, no major problems here; and at 90-minutes in length, the run time is about right.
So, yeah, it’s alright and nothing particularly bad on these fronts. If you just want something easy to watch, Our Times fits the bill.
However, and I’m sorry to say this yet again, despite being perfectly OK for what it is, we are once again back in typical Netflix territory, with a film which is ‘fine, but forgettable’. You’ll watch Our Timestoday, but you’ll not remember it tomorrow.
Sure, Our Times has a couple of important points to put across, including a clear demonstration of mansplaining at a seminar, but without any real creative flare the whole thing falls considerably short in the impact department. Once the film has raised its central issues, it doesn’t really know where to go, so relies on an undercooked love story to get it over the finish line.
And unfortunately, unless a picture can find a way to create a new hook (see 2023’s Barbie for how to do it right), it all feels like a case of, ‘that’s great and all, but what else have you got for me?’ The answer here is: Not much, sorry.
So, watchable, yes; but it’s not a must-see movie by any stretch. Our Times is another case of Netflix operating at mid-level.
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Now streaming…
Deep Cover (2025)
And finally, in comedy, Deep Cover, Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed play the roles of three improv comedians, who are drafted in by the police to take part in an undercover job. In the movie, Howard plays improv teacher, Kat, Bloom and Mohammed her students, Marlon and Hugh, and all three are given the opportunity to help bust a counterfeiting ring.
After proving themselves out in the field, their police contact, Billings (Sean Bean) puts them on a new job. But can the trio maintain their cover as things begin to escalate?
Directed by Tom Kingsley, Deep Cover is a British comedy which is indeed British, but not quite as comical as it needs to be. There are a few laughs to be had, and Orlando Bloom is an absolute treat, but the film doesn’t quit hit the heights it’s aiming for.
The big sticking point is the script. The three leads do what they need to on screen, and there is some reliable support from Sean Bean, Paddy Considine, and Ian McShane, but the script simply doesn’t zing.
The film needs more gags. Actually, it just needs better gags.
There is definitely something here in the general premise, and Deep Cover isn’t without a few merits (the ‘intervention’ scene is amusing), but ultimately the film just doesn’t land as intended. Despite having three writers on the script, it needs another pass and possibly involvement from some improve comedians.
As with Our Times (above), Deep Cover is watchable, but not much more. However, should you wish to check it out, the film is now streaming on Amazon.
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Movie of the Week
Time for Movie of the Week, and this week it goes to the superb ‘70s action-thriller, The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. Not just because it’s the highest rated film in a week of mediocre releases, but because it is a thoroughly brilliant picture, with a great story and cast.
Despite being remade twice, this iteration of Pelham is still the best version of the story. So, if you’ve never checked it out, be sure to give it a go.
And if you like The Taking of Pelham One Two Three you may also like:
- Dirty Harry (1971) – Clint Eastwood tackles the psychotic Scorpio killer in this gritty ‘70s cop thriller from director Don Siegel.
- Dog Day Afternoon (1975) – Al Pacino and John Cazale star in this crime drama about bank robbers who find themselves in the midst of an unexpected hostage situation.
- Speed (1994) – Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock lead the way in this fast-paced action-thriller about a bomb, a bus, and a bunch of passengers who no doubt wish they had took the train.
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Forthcoming attractions
That’s your lot for this week, but coming soon Danny Boyle and Alex Garland re-team for 28 Years Later; there’s intergalactic adventure in Disney-Pixar’s Elio; and artificially intelligent robot, M3GAN returns in M3GAN 2.0. Plus, as the summer really begins to heat up, prepare yourself for Jurassic World: Rebirth, The Old Guard 2, Superman, I Know What You Did Last Summer, Smurfs, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps!
Alex
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