Action Reviews and Features | Little White Lies

Genre Action

Nude figure seated in wooden ring, arms outstretched, with ropes surrounding frame.
Review

Monkey Man review – a ferocious, rough-hewn directorial debut

by Kambole Campbell

Dev Patel emerges as a compelling action star in his directorial debut Monkey Man, a scrappy revenge tale set in a fictionalised Indian city where corruption is rife.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Massive, fur-covered creature with large, fierce expression in a misty, mountainous landscape.
Review

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire review – big, goofy fun

by David Jenkins

A surprisingly entertaining showdown sequel which opts for no funny stuff and doing the simple things well.

2
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Two men wearing casual clothing, one with a polka dot shirt, standing in front of palm leaves against a pink background.
Review

Road House review – our house is a very, very, very bland house

by Hannah Strong

Doug Liman directs Jake Gyllenhaal in this mirthless unnecessary reimagining of the 1989 Swayze classic.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Woman with long dark hair in a white tank top surrounded by green foliage.
Review

Madame Web review – did anyone involved in this film actually want to be there?

by Hannah Strong

Dakota Johnson delivers a remarkably disinterested performance as a clairvoyant superhero in this shoddy Spider-Man spin-off.

2
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Two people, a woman in a gold dress and a man in a green suit, embrace on a dance floor with a dark, dramatic background.
Review

Argylle review – I’ve had more fun at dental appointments

by Hannah Strong

Bryce Dallas Howard and Sam Rockwell attempt to add some charm to an utterly charmless script in Matthew Vaughn’s derivative spy comedy.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Animated ducks playing in a pond surrounded by autumn foliage.
Review

Migration review – A sorely underpowered duck tale

by David Jenkins

A ripe set-up in which a family of ducks migrate in the wrong direction is squandered in this haphazard and empty family animation.

3
Anticipation
3
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
A bearded man wearing a grey jacket and carrying a bag on a rural gravel path surrounded by lush greenery.
Review

The Beekeeper review – not enough bees

by Hannah Strong

David Ayer’s latest action thriller is an underwhelming story about a retired secret agent who swears revenge against a tech bro scam company.

2
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
2
In Retrospect
Ornate gold trident against dark blue background, with close-up of a person's eyes peering through the trident.
Review

Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom review – a superhero sequel that sinks

by David Jenkins

Aggressively unmemorable return to a garish CGI Atlantis in which Jason Momoa’s sub-aqua regent wards off another potential apocalypse.

2
Anticipation
1
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect
Gigantic sea monster with sharp teeth emerges from foaming waves, as a small ship is tossed in the turbulent waters.
Review

Godzilla Minus One review – Precision-tooled fun

by David Jenkins

Our atomic friend returns for a runout on the battered landscape of post-1945 Tokyo in Takashi Yamazaki’s stripped back action epic.

3
Anticipation
4
Enjoyment
3
In Retrospect
Woman in floral dress, armed soldier in background.
Review

The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes – lopsided prequel

by David Jenkins

Rachel Zegler and Tom Blyth head up this serviceable franchise prequel that divebombs into ignominy and obscurity during its protracted final act.

3
Anticipation
2
Enjoyment
1
In Retrospect