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.
Thank the gods! This sequel is a wildly entertaining DC superhero romp that cocks a snoot at laborious universe building, instead favouring fast paced spectacle and character. We rejoin Billy Batson and his fellow foster kids learning how to juggle teenage life with a career as adult superheroes, they’re dubbed the Philadelphia fiascos by local…
Checking into the Steigenberger hotel in Bad Homburg is like taking a city break in an upmarket art gallery. This beautifully appointed hotel, with its art deco décor, is distinguished by a welcoming gallery from the Mapawlo Collection, and the huge paintings which line each floor. If your interests straddle luxury travel and art, this…
Tár and The Banshees of Inisherin were the big winners at the 43rd annual London Critics’ Circle Film Awards. Tár took three major awards at a star-studded ceremony at The May Fair Hotel, London, on Sunday night. Todd Field’s film was named Film of the Year, while Field and Cate Blanchett were named Director and…
The Luxe Review 
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.
Shazam! Fury of the Gods review: superhero sequel is a laugh out loud spandex spectacle
Thank the gods! This sequel is a wildly entertaining DC superhero romp that cocks a snoot at laborious universe building, instead favouring fast paced spectacle and character. We rejoin Billy Batson and his fellow foster kids learning how to juggle teenage life with a career as adult superheroes, they’re dubbed the Philadelphia fiascos by local…
Starry starry overnight stay: Steigenberger hotel, Bad Homburg Germany review
Checking into the Steigenberger hotel in Bad Homburg is like taking a city break in an upmarket art gallery. This beautifully appointed hotel, with its art deco décor, is distinguished by a welcoming gallery from the Mapawlo Collection, and the huge paintings which line each floor. If your interests straddle luxury travel and art, this…
London Critics’ Circle Film Awards 2023: Cate Blanchett and Tár take top honours
Tár and The Banshees of Inisherin were the big winners at the 43rd annual London Critics’ Circle Film Awards. Tár took three major awards at a star-studded ceremony at The May Fair Hotel, London, on Sunday night. Todd Field’s film was named Film of the Year, while Field and Cate Blanchett were named Director and…
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