Movie Review: The 5th Wave (spoiler-free)

The 5th Wave (2016)
Directed By: J Blakeson
Written By: Susannah Grant, Akiva Goldsman, Jeff Pinkner
Cast: Maika Monroe, Liev Schreiber, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Maria Bello, Maggie Siff
Rating: PG-13 (for violence and destruction, some sci-fi thematic elements, language and brief teen partying)
Genre: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Runtime: 1 hr. 52 min.
Sony Pictures - Official Site
16-year-old Cassie Sullivan tries to survive in a world devastated by the waves of an alien invasion that has already decimated the population and knocked mankind back to the Stone Age.
After hearing such bad things about this movie I was a little hesitant, but my daughter read the book and really wanted to see it. It wasn't as bad as I was lead to believe. The beginning, when the world was being destroyed by an alien force, was dark, intense and well done. It was based on a young adult book, so the cast is full of pretty kids who look good even after running for their lives through the woods. And not really a spoiler, but all of their parents are dead.

There are some pretty good twists, if you don't think too hard...I kind of figured things out, but the big mystery is what the 5th wave will be. Pretty freaking clever of the aliens to think of it. This is pretty much a drama, but there are a few lighter moments.

When it comes to YA action movies, the writers tend to screw up the "love story." In the book, the love story happens over hundreds of pages and makes sense. In movies, short cuts are taken to get the romance aspect included. If they had just concentrated on the action and used a subtler touch with the romance, this would have gotten a better rating from me. But...they did try to include it and even my 14 year old daughter was rolling her eyes at how corny and awkward it was. And it didn't escape her attention that it was implied that the hero and heroine got "busy" in the back of a car. My daughter looked at me and said "She's only 16." The hero is at least 18...just saying...

The movie was entertaining and had its moments. The big action scenes are fun on a big screen and if you have teenagers who like these types of movies (and cute actors) then they will enjoy going. Adults...it is a good story, but wait for the DVD. And you might throw-up in your mouth a bit at the proclamation of love by the hero.

3.5 "glowing green" Sheep

SharonS

Kick Ass is well worth it!

Kick Ass, Directed by Matthew Vaughn was an intense movie that will surprise you with its intertwining heart felt stories. 

Who hasn't thought of being a super hero, I for one would pick my super power more along the line of Storm from X-Men. But this story is not about a boy waking up after being bitten by a freaky spider and using his powers to rid the world of evil doers. No, this is about a teenage male wanting to live out his childhood fantasies and finding quite a bit of trouble along the way.

Nicolas Cage plays a single father raising his preteen daughter in a nontraditional way, seeking out his revenge against a wealthy drug lord. Did not see this coming, the emotional part of this movie hit me hard in the chest. And being a parent myself I really did feel for his character, even though I did not agree with certain parts. Overall I was rooting Team Big Daddy!

Marketing for this movie to me emphasizes it as a "teenage comedy", and yes there is the typical puberty humor but mixed in with that grows a great story for self awareness and standing up for what you believe in. Even if it's crazy.

This movie brings the gore and plenty of darkness, so be warned ahead of time but don't let it stop you from seeing it. Somehow it all balances out in the movie. You might find yourself leaving the theater asking the question, what would I do?

Go see it!

KD