Sci-fi dino actioner 65 snaps at the heels of the Jurassic Worldfranchise, like a feisty Compsognathus taking on a behemothic Bronti. Don’t go expecting a convoluted franchise wannabe though. This is a pacy, pulpy romp with a high concept premise.
Interstellar trucker Mills (played by Adam Driver) crash lands on a prehistoric planet, his ship derailed by a meteor strike. All but one of his cryo-stored passengers are killed in the collision, the only survivor is young Koa (Ariana Greenblatt).
Can the two of them traverse hostile, swampy terrain to their escape pod, which has landed atop a distant mountain after their ship split up on re-entry?
There’s no Planet of the Apes twist here. We’re told from the outset Driver has landed on Earth during the Cretaceous period…
There’s no Planet of the Apes twist here. We’re told from the outset Driver has landed on Earth during the Cretaceous period. Which means we get dinosaurs. And what’s not to love about dinosaurs?
There’s been some debate as to whether he’s been thrown back in time. Nope. It’s made clear that the film is set 65 million years ago. Back then, human-like civilisations were hoofing around the cosmos. I’ve watched enough Ancient Aliens to know this makes perfect sense.
Tight and economical, 65 feels like it might have been conceived by Charles H. Schneer and Ray Harryhausen, back in the day. Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the writing team behind A Quiet Place, the story bolts along, clocking in at just over 90 minutes.
In fact the film is in such a hurry, plot points are repeatedly introduced and then forgotten. But, hey, dinosaurs and spaceships! Sam Raimi produces.
The various creatures are suitably ferocious, seemingly a mix of physical and CGI, fact and fiction – the smaller dinos are mean and snappy, the T-Rex particularly gnarly. The sound design is consistently strong, with plenty of immersive effects that place those beasties overhead and behind.
65 is rated 12A in the UK. This strikes me as harsh. Go see it with kids.
65 is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, and stars Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt and Chloe Coleman. Rated 12A, 93 minutes.
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release. A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…
Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…
The Macallan has unveiled a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky to mark the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. The release continues the whisky maker’s creative partnership with the Bond franchise, following its James Bond 60th Anniversary bottling in 2022. Crafted by The Macallan Whisky Maker Russell Greig, the expression takes inspiration from Bond’s…
Sci-fi dino actioner 65 snaps at the heels of the Jurassic World franchise, like a feisty Compsognathus taking on a behemothic Bronti. Don’t go expecting a convoluted franchise wannabe though. This is a pacy, pulpy romp with a high concept premise.
Interstellar trucker Mills (played by Adam Driver) crash lands on a prehistoric planet, his ship derailed by a meteor strike. All but one of his cryo-stored passengers are killed in the collision, the only survivor is young Koa (Ariana Greenblatt).
Can the two of them traverse hostile, swampy terrain to their escape pod, which has landed atop a distant mountain after their ship split up on re-entry?
There’s no Planet of the Apes twist here. We’re told from the outset Driver has landed on Earth during the Cretaceous period. Which means we get dinosaurs. And what’s not to love about dinosaurs?
There’s been some debate as to whether he’s been thrown back in time. Nope. It’s made clear that the film is set 65 million years ago. Back then, human-like civilisations were hoofing around the cosmos. I’ve watched enough Ancient Aliens to know this makes perfect sense.
Tight and economical, 65 feels like it might have been conceived by Charles H. Schneer and Ray Harryhausen, back in the day. Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, the writing team behind A Quiet Place, the story bolts along, clocking in at just over 90 minutes.
In fact the film is in such a hurry, plot points are repeatedly introduced and then forgotten. But, hey, dinosaurs and spaceships! Sam Raimi produces.
The various creatures are suitably ferocious, seemingly a mix of physical and CGI, fact and fiction – the smaller dinos are mean and snappy, the T-Rex particularly gnarly. The sound design is consistently strong, with plenty of immersive effects that place those beasties overhead and behind.
65 is rated 12A in the UK. This strikes me as harsh. Go see it with kids.
65 is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, and stars Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt and Chloe Coleman. Rated 12A, 93 minutes.
Karen Gillan fronts Compass Box Hedonism 2026 limited edition Scotch whisky
Actor Karen Gillan has been unveiled as The Muse for Scotch whiskymaker Compass Box, gracing the label art for the company’s upcoming 2026 Hedonism release. A fan favourite in blockbuster franchises such as Doctor Who (Amy Pond), Guardians of the Galaxy (Nebula) and Jumanji (Ruby Roundhouse), Gillan has become one of Scotland’s most recognisable international…
Celebrity-founded Brother’s Bond Bourbon makes UK debut with starry four-grain whiskey range
Brother’s Bond Bourbon has launched in the UK, bringing its premium four-grain American whiskey portfolio to British shelves for the first time. Founded in 2020, the celebrity-fuelled brand has been making waves Stateside with accessible yet layered bourbon and rye, distinguished by hands-on blending, careful barrel selection, and a commitment to regenerative agriculture. Co-founders Ian…
Licensed to thrill: The Macallan marks Diamonds Are Forever with 55th anniversary Bond whisky
The Macallan has unveiled a new limited-edition single malt Scotch whisky to mark the 55th anniversary of Diamonds Are Forever. The release continues the whisky maker’s creative partnership with the Bond franchise, following its James Bond 60th Anniversary bottling in 2022. Crafted by The Macallan Whisky Maker Russell Greig, the expression takes inspiration from Bond’s…
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