The Return of the Pink Panther 1975 by AverageMansReviews

The Return of the Pink Panther 1975 by AverageMansReviews

Previous instalment: Inspector Clouseau 1968 Link https://averagemansreviews2017.blogspot.com/2026/08/inspector-clouseau-1968-by.html

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful/drugs/shooting/rainbow rainbow community element/animal cruelty/animal waste/medical

He is back!: Chief Inspector Charles Dreyfus [Herbert Lom:] he is the individual that Clouseau reports to as he is his senior, but he despises Clouseau with such passion it gives him twitchy eyes, but not only that he has been told by his senior to basically promote Clouseau back to his original rank of Inspector, so Police Officer/Inspector/other Jacques Clouseau/other characters [Peter Sellers:] is our clumsy French person of the law, but yet again has to solve the case of a stolen The Pink Panther diamond, and yes at some point or another we have Cato Fong [Burt Kwouk:] as a martial arts training; but highly skilled martial artist anyway/training partner and servant to Clouseau.

Generally speaking: the art in the opening credits of this film are lots of fun as for an example we have The Pink Panther tap-dancing with a cane and top hat and the animated those in of Inspector Clouseau is in this opening sequence as well, the storyline/script in theory makes sense as in it is pretty much as I have already said it; but in practice I have to be completely honest in its execution; it is so ugly to the point where I was falling asleep for a little in sections and the person that I watch some of this content with; basically asked me; what is going on? The problem here is or the problems are; there are some sections of this film that I really elongated, so as it relates to the framework; you will experience just long scenes/sequences were you will feel there are things going on, but accompanied with this weird silence; I quick side note at some points we get storyteller or a Clouseau breaking-the-fourth-wall or/and for Chief Inspector Dreyfus or other a bit of comedy [in a restaurant,] but I digress; which coinciding in this is the pacing reflects that also be it separately or together; so has found that this nicely when everything is in sync it is good, but when it isn't; it makes this film really hard work to watch and it goes on for 113 minutes which on watching this film it feels slightly longer than that and I will be discussing this component again at some points, as it really impacts this title on various levels.

Comedy, action and art; I can't tell too much about this skit; Police Officer gets into this somewhat difficult conversation with his individual playing his instrument on the street for money with a monkey; basically he enquires to have you got a licence to do that on the street? The man said no, it escalates to the point where the man has no control over the monkey as they lived together and this man is actually blind [meanwhile there are things happening in this building behind this conversation in this scene which Clouseau misses until it is too late,] strangely enough this is not the only animal Clouseau has problems with in this film as much later on we have one of the flying variety, Clouseau vs. Fong is always a good source of fun as they now and again in this instalment go head-to-head and it has to be said the slow motion effects are strangely they really high-quality as they really show care and detail of when these effects are used; it really does put the late 90s, 2000 and early 2010s usage of slow motion effects to shame really as these decades just used this effect to death and of a very low quality, in this point in history as I said, they really took time and effort to use the special effect properly and consequently the outcome is much of a better quality even though it is much older and the art; such as set designs, wardrobe and accessories; such as for this one locations; we are in this disco; it is a vibrant and I pointed out that Clouseau looked like one of The Beatles; the person that I watch some of this content with; said Ringo Starr; so I will go with that assessment.

Character developments and performances; the returning characters in the plot section of this content have been nicely progressed and really beginning to find their feet in particular Inspector Clouseau as they have all returned; these performances in particular are an asset to this title in a big way; to be a little bit more specific Sellers; but in a masterclass of just trying to keep everything going; being highly highly skilled and fluent performer that he is; in a nutshell making being clumsy and clueless from time to time seem fluently natural and effortlessly, don't get me wrong the rest of the cast did a solid job; but this title really needed a driving force behind it and the returning characters, yet again predominately Sellers did that with seemingly I hasten to add very little effort.

This film receives: 5/10, is mixed; it was somewhat difficult to mark this project on its clearly long-term issues which I have already discussed, but at the same time I needed to work out that mark that would reflect Sellers or predominantly Sellers hard work [because all the names I have mentioned in the opening section contribute something positive,] but predominantly it down to Sellers hard work, grit and determination to essentially put this film on his back and carry it, because without him this film would have absolutely collapsed and any awards he got accredited he truly did earn them and there is an ongoing sequence in the closing credits; this film also has some awards accredited to its name; such as 2 Winners Evening Standard British Film Awards 1977 Evening Standard British Film Award Best Comedy Blake Edwards and Best Actor Peter Sellers and 5 Nominees which includes but not limited to Grammy Awards 1976 Grammy Album of Best Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special Henry Mancini and Writers Guild of America, USA WGA Award (Screen) Best Comedy Written Directly for the Screen Frank Waldman Blake Edwards

 

George and Mildred 1980 by AverageMansReviews

George and Mildred 1980 by AverageMansReviews

Background and journey of: George & Mildred Roper [Brian Murphy and Mildred Roper:] began life in the British sitcom known as Man About the House; 1973-1976; 6 Series; 39 Episodes, then spin-off George & Mildred get their own TV show entitled George & Mildred: 1976-1979; 5 Series; 38 Episodes and then we have this movie in 1980.

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/shooting/vehicle crashing

Anniversary: briefly; we meet husband-and-wife George/another character's name & Mildred Roper [Brian Murphy and Yootha Joyce:] in a nutshell it turns out that George had forgotten it was their anniversary, so Mildred has decided that they are going to spend some time at a expensive hotel for some time and George is paying and this is what happened on their anniversary.

Generally speaking: the storyline/script is excellently designed to incorporate; the comedy style of; George accidentally getting trapped in his own car, consequently bringing the character developments of; mistaken identity into play and without giving too much away eventually going home blissfully unaware of the situation/situations going on around them and right at the end Mildred breaking-the-fourth-wall; to indicate; see you around and we will be fine, so based on everything I have just said; the framework and pacing of this 93 minutes film is good as there is always something happening somewhere.

Character developments, comedy and action; because of George's mistaken identity with the wrong sort of people, they rig the roulette wheel so he can't lose, but on finding out they had been talking to the wrong guy; they switch off and let the roulette wheel as normal; consequently George loses everything or much later on this hitman eventually exhausts trying to shoot at his targets.

Character developments and performances; these are either very good and reliable character types and consequently performances or really defined as it relates to George & Mildred; because as I made reference to earlier Murphy and/or Joyce have been working together for some years at this point and it shows as their chemistry and fluency comes across as very natural; as if they had been married for years themselves; but there is good cameraderie throughout this cast to get this project done in a enthusiastic manner.

This film receives: 8/10, this film is excellent; eventually I decided to award this mark, based on the fact it doesn't claim to be anything other than what it is... which is a long-term married couple leaning towards the old section of life, trying to celebrate their anniversary with either individually things happen or in some way or another consequently things happen around.

 

Chappie 2015 by AverageMansReviews

Chappie 2015 by AverageMansReviews

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/robotics/transformation/child abuse/torture/shooting/stabbing/medical, I will also be using censored adult language references in this content

Well this film shows the ethics usage of AI is wrong: briefly; basically in this futuristic world, but let's be honest with one another, if we're not careful it will be our future; where this robot creator Deon Wilson [Dev Patel:] he is a worker/programmer for Tetravaal and against the wishes of the company he gives Number22/Chappie [Voiced by: Sharlto Copley:] he is a broken down police robot that has a limited life span, that has now been given the program of essentially eventually independent thought, starting from infancy and on top of that emotions and feelings so in essence he becomes a sentence being, so this is his story.

Generally speaking: storyline/script and character developments; this entire section/entire film has aged like milk; it really has based on the concept of where we are now with AI and even back then of 2015 with this movie this entire script very crassly shows why AI by and large is a bad idea and yes I have seen better film like Bicentennial Man 1999 movie starring Robin Williams as Andrew Martin: that in a nutshell goes from being android over many years and then being human, but in this case with Chappie; as soon as he understands and becomes for all intents and purposes cognitively aware he is a being, consequently the ageing process becomes a factor meaning; if he believes he is a sentient being experiencing fear, hatred and anger, consequently child abuse, torture, dismemberment and everything else becomes a massive problem; because it opens the door to rights and privileges as well as a being and not forgetting that including being set on fire, because we as humans learn to deal with things such as emotions over many years in short called growing, but in this film we are expecting a machine to grow up in such a small amount of time around people that want to screw its head up and yes I am including his maker and the ones that want to harm him.

This is such an ugly and uncomfortable film to watch, where this mechanical being essentially shows us that AI, should never and I repeat never get to this level of understanding including but not limited to also including the great debate about abortions where for me especially people in the US need to get their head around this; abortions are to get rid of cells in the body and up to a certain point there is no life, you may be thinking what does that have to do with this film? Now if you are not brain cells to understand in theory we are talking about Chappie/potentially a unwanted baby being essentially screwed up by a vast majority of people that should be protected and nurtured from the world he finds himself in, and for those that have the simplistic mind of abortion are wrong? Are you going to specifically help with raising a child that isn't yours and do that every time a child is born... No!... Then shut the hell up! Or are you going to allow a child to be born to two drug addicts to be abused which on top of that is more than likely going to have medical issues due to their parents drug addicts?... No, then again shut the hell up! With possibly the child in question having medical issues with having quite possibly a miserable life due to probably being a vegetable.

By the way just for the record; to keep this crystal clear; I am pro-choice on this subject matter, but back to this movie as you can read already this film isn't a pleasant watch to say at the very least, the framework and pacing of this 120 minutes film is in a strange turn of events very much irrelevant, because you have all this subject matter going on or being unravelled, that consequently everything just feel really agonisingly slow and torturous

Art, character developments and action; 22/Chappie is an excellent design, but also on the other hand [this is not the only time I will make a reference like this;] as soon as you make him have traits of human, his pain and suffering regardless if he is a mechanical robot in his character developments, he is still a much child so in theory it becomes child abuse... so well done you ignorant mother fudgers, so obviously and consequently I have no interest in these generic action sequences; to be broadly honest I have someone got fired for green lighting this film, usually I would clarify myself by saying, it is never a good for someone to lose their job, but in this rare occasion I am not going to be so polite, for all I care they can join the unemployment line with this.

Character developments, performances and voice performances; minus everything I have already said about the character developments and what is left is the generic poor excuse for character developments and likewise performances, the only one that in my opinion can walk away from the project/dumpster fire with their head held high is Sharlto Copley voice of: Number 22/Chappie, he by far gives this lead character a three-dimensional being which is excellent for him, but I do realise on the other hand it also opens the door to everything else that we have been discussing in this content, which I am not criticising Copley for that, I am quite clearly just pointing out it just drills home slightly a bit more than what it already does with a very disgusting and likewise uncomfortable impact.

This film receives: 1/10, this film is poor; as I have made it abundantly clear by now, I despise this film with a passion and furthermore I am absolutely delighted that the sequel and any future project/projects were scrapped. This film also has some awards accredited to its name such as 3 Nominees World Soundtrack Awards 2015 World Soundtrack Award Film Composer of the Year Hans Zimmer Shared with: Interstellar, Visual Effects Society Awards 2016 VES Award Outstanding Animated Performance in a Photoreal Feature Earl Fast Chris Harvey Mark Wendell Robert Bourgeault Chappie and Behind the Voice Actors Awards 2016 BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a Feature Film Sharlto Copley As the voice of "Chappie".

In-depth Predictions/Other elements for NXT Heatwave 2026 by AverageMansReviews

In-depth Predictions/Other elements for  NXT Heatwave 2026 by AverageMansReviews

The Vanity Project's: Brad Baylor & Ricky Smokes vs. Champs Myles Borne & Tavion Heights; Tag Team Match for the NXT Tag Team Championship: it should be new due to interference from Jackson Drake to make it a night narrative of is Borne going to be fit for later on tonight?

Kelani Jordan vs. Champ Kendal Grey; Singles Match for the NXT Women's Championship: I am just going to go with no new champion here

Jaida Parker vs. Nattie; Submission Match: simply put you don't bet against the Queen of The Dungeon

Kali Armstrong vs. WWE Women's North American Champ Zaria vs. WWE Women's Speed Champ Wren Sinclair; Winner Takes All Triple Threat Match to unify the NXT Women's North American Championship and the WWE Women's Speed Championship: they probably want to continue with the idea of making her an unstoppable force.

Jackson Drake [with Myka Lockwood] vs. Champ Myles Borne; Singles Match for the Men's North American Championship: now if they follow this narrative fluently, it should be a case of taking these championships Borne, with keeping him looking strong as in he had a long night, a valiant night but his body gave up on him.

Grayson Waller vs. Cruz Montana vs. Zilla Fatu vs. Champ Tony D'Angelo; Fatal Four-Way Match for the NXT Championship: I fully expect him to be on the main roster right around Mania season, so they are going to sling shot him from right out of the gate, this is technically the only Bloodline member I am interested in as I have only caught some of his work outside of this promotion online now and again and even though he is relatively young; 26 years old, because of his lineage he is raw but also ready to go, so you should absolutely spend some time on this brand.

 

In-depth Predictions/Other elements for AEW All In 2026 by AverageMansReviews

In-depth Predictions/Other elements for AEW All In 2026 by AverageMansReviews

Just a heads up: so I don't have to keep repeating myself, I'm guessing the reason why there hasn't been much happening lately, is because they want to do a reset of sorts and my selection is will reflect that.

Men's Casino Gauntlet match for a future AEW World Championship Match: MJF is my pick as he needs to be around the main event picture.

The NJPW World Television Champion Konosuke Takeshita vs. the Don Callis Family's: Kazuchika Okada [with Don Callis] vs. Champ the Don Callis Family's: Kyle Fletcher [with Don Callis;] Three-Way Match for the AEW International Championship: I can see him pulling something out of the bag when no one else is looking that kind of conclusion

The Brawling Birds': Alex Windsor & Jamie Hayter vs. Champs Divine Dominion's: Megan Bayne & Lena Kross: Tag Team Match for the AEW Women's World Tag Team Championship: I really like the British team here to win

Nigel McGuinness vs. Champ The Death Riders': Jon Moxley [with Marina Shafir;]Continental Challenge Cup final for the AEW Continental Championship: hopefully Moxley will retain here

The Young Bucks': Matt & Nick Jackson vs. Champs Cope and Cage's: Adam Copeland & Christian Cage; Tag Team Match for the AEW World Tag Team Championships: don't be too surprised if the brothers turn heel and attack the champions to set up a rematch at AEW All Out.

Darby Allin vs. Champ the Don Callis Family's; Kevin Knight [with Don Callis] Falls Count Anywhere Match for the AEW TNT Championship: I am ready to see this again

Mercedes Moné vs. Champ Willow Nightingale; Singles Match for the AEW Women's World Championship: let's just accept that this is going to happen either here or sooner or later, but probably here, I have heard little bits and pieces to suggest that we may or may not get Dr. Britt Baker DMD back, so hypothetically if this was to happen this would be an interesting feud, so if you has a surprise return here or not we will have our response either way.

The Death Riders': Will Ospreay vs. Champ Kenny Omega; Singles Match for the AEW World Championship: a slight interference from the Death Riders which Osprey didn't want in a nutshell to set up a rematch at AEW All Out.

 

Pay-Per-View Rewind of: WWF/WWE Royal Rumble 24/01/1993 Match 2 Part 2 by AverageMansReviews - Spoiler Alarm!

Pay-Per-View Rewind of: WWF/WWE Royal Rumble 24/01/1993 Match 2 Part 2 by AverageMansReviews - Spoiler Alarm!

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects

Match/Stipulations: Marty Jannetty vs. Champ "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels: Singles Match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship [with Sensational Sherri as an overseer of the match neutral space of the ring.]

Match Attributes:

Match Quality: 7/10

Match Slot Storyline: 10/10

Crowd Participation: 10/10

On Commentary: Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Wiesel" 10/10

Satisfying Conclusion: 10/10

Recommend Watch: 10/10

Match Total: 57/60 - this match/match slot is top-notch entertainment

Comments: as you can tell this match slot is/was a lot of entertaining fun, they went with if you were or had been watching wrestling from this time in history this will make perfect sense and if you weren't you just have to go with it. They went with the outlay of a flight/wrestling style as this feud in a nutshell Michaels turned on Jannetty and now Jannetty wants revenge. I know Jannetty takes a dive through the ring ropes and probably doesn't appear his feet off the ring as he dives through, we as the viewing audience can't see this as his feet are out of the screenshot, but we can hear something, but because this was back in time where they didn't have a lot of space to do this kind of wrestling I am not going to be too harsh here. Obviously these two commentators do a fantastic job bringing us the action and everything else. But and yet again if you are not from this time of history you will have to take my word for it. Monsoon as an ex-professional wrestler has always been wrestling as a professional sport which it is; so when he became a commentator he just carried on legitimising it as a sport before anything else, which I am not criticising that in the slightest in fact it is legendary. But consequently you do get moments of real gems from time to time; where he does point out and I am paraphrasing here; but you will get the gist of it. Heman put over on commentary that Michaels is smart for working on a body part of the left shoulder, which Monsoon points out Jannetty basically to the best of his knowledge is not a southpaw would Heenan essentially confirms he is.

Basic Results: "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels retains his WWE Intercontinental Championship here.

Basic walk-through of this event:

* Sensational Sherri running off to the back, with  Monsoon [and at some point Heenan] talking about this incident on commentary, with Sherri being far from happy with what is just taking place, with "Mean" Gene Okerlund trying to calm down the situation, with Michaels' theme music playing "Sexy Boy featuring Sensational Sherri" with competitor and champion still in the ring but eventually heading to the back quickly followed by Jannetty and referee Joey Marella as Michaels wants a word with Sherri with  Okerlund and his microphone still there, but even before anything of substance is heard here comes Jannetty to continue the fight where referees and officials had to break up this once tag team partner now enemies.

* Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Wiesel": Commentary on-screen talking about this turn of events.

* Howard Finkel/The Finkel: Ring announcer saying the stipulation and the competitors

 

Pay-Per-View Rewind of: WWF/WWE Royal Rumble 24/01/1993 Match 2 Part 2 by AverageMansReviews

Pay-Per-View Rewind of: WWF/WWE Royal Rumble 24/01/1993 Match 2 Part 2 by AverageMansReviews

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects

Match/Stipulations: Marty Jannetty vs. Champ “The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels: Singles Match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship [with Sensational Sherri as an overseer of the match neutral space around the ring.]

Match Attributes:

Match Quality: 7/10

Match Slot Storyline: 10/10

Crowd Participation: 10/10

On Commentary: Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Wiesel" 10/10

Satisfying Conclusion: 10/10

Recommend Watch: 10/10

Match Total: 57/60 - this match/match slot is top-notch entertainment

Comments: all I can put here is: as you can see this match slot is highly successful and if you want to know anymore please head over to the Spoiler Alarm Version

 

Pay-Per-View Rewind of: WWF/WWE Royal Rumble 24/01/1993 Match 1 Part 1 by AverageMansReviews - Spoiler Alarm!

Pay-Per-View Rewind of: WWF/WWE Royal Rumble 24/01/1993 Match 1 Part 1 by AverageMansReviews - Spoiler Alarm!

On rotation/Warning: let's head for the landscape of the WWE; I have seen a compilation of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Wiesel" let's just say in fine form mocking, I will state here and now right at the beginning of this content, I have no idea if this is Heenan or he is being fed these lines and I will be putting some rough descriptions in; the spoiler alarm version at some point or/and points. Warning there are flashing effects/colourful effects

Basic walk-through of this event:

* Gorilla Monsoon: Commentary welcomes us to this event as he is a part of our commentary team at some time on-screen; alongside Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Wiesel." With them discussing things, but being interrupted by the opening match/match slot

* Howard Finkel/The Finkel: Ring announcer saying the stipulation and competitors

Match/Stipulation:  The Beverly Brothers: Beau & Blake vs. The Steiner Brothers: Rick & Scott Steiner: Tag Team Match

Match Attributes:

Match Quality: 7/10

Match Slot Storyline: 7/10

Crowd Participation: 10/10

On Commentary: Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Wiesel" 8/10

Satisfying Conclusion: 7/10

Recommend Watch: 7/10

Match Total: 46/60 - this match/match slot is excellent

Comments: so it begins Heenan enquirers to why is he wearing ear muffs? [Rickand his head gear] Monsoon informs Heenan; they have this back and forth, then Monsoon questions if there was a tag between the Beverly Brother which there wasn't at this time, the referee, which it looks like Bill Alfonso should have really called out on that. But as a professional Heenan doesn't need an invitation to make something out of it. Then a little later the Beverly's decided to do a tag to make the already one in the ring legal. Now I am not a professional wrestler; but I have to say the Frankenstein looks stiff as in there is a thud on the mat, as if he'd just got slightly spiked, I feel comfortable suggesting slightly based on I have seen this particular sequence many times now, on top of that you have Monsoon selling basically he has just been dropped on his head, now based on a little bit of research meaning I watched a compilation of this move/including different locations of the move and in some occasions this move came out like this. But as it relates to here and now it is slightly uncomfortable viewing, but to finish this on a higher; the crowd are hot tonight so all wrestlers have to do is wrestle and the crowd will go for it.

Basic Results: The Steiner Brothers: Rick & Scott Steiner pick up the W.

Basic walk-through of this event:

* Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Wiesel": Commentary talking about what they have just seen with  The Steiner Brothers: Rick & Scott Steiner's theme music of "Pride of Michigan." Our commentary team appear on-screen Monsoon begins the build up to our next match.

*Video package voiced by "Mean" Gene Okerlund: Interviewer Jannetty and the WWE Intercontinental Champion Michaels and including that infamous and legendary The Barbershop with Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake segment

* Howard Finkel/The Finkel: Ring announcer saying the stipulations, introducing Sensational Sherry [neutral overseer] and then the competitors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pay-Per-View Rewind of: WWF/WWE Royal Rumble 24/01/1993 Match 1 Part 1 by AverageMansReviews

Pay-Per-View Rewind of: WWF/WWE Royal Rumble 24/01/1993 Match 1 Part 1 by AverageMansReviews

On rotation/Warning: let's head for the landscape of WWE; I have seen a compilation of Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Wiesel" let's just say in fine form mocking, I will state here and now right at the beginning of this content, I have no idea if this is Heenan or he is being fed these lines and I will be putting some rough descriptions in; the spoiler alarm version at some point or/and points. Warning there is flashing effects/colourful effects

Match/Stipulation:  The Beverly Brothers: Beau & Blake vs. The Steiner Brothers: Rick & Scott Steiner: Tag Team Match

Match Attributes:

Match Quality: 7/10

Match Slot Storyline: 7/10

Crowd Participation: 10/10

On Commentary: Gorilla Monsoon & Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/"Wiesel" 8/10

Satisfying Conclusion: 7/10

Recommend Watch: 7/10

Match Total: 46/60 - this match/match slot is excellent

Comments: this is a mostly strong start to this event, if you want to know anymore please head over to the Spoiler Alarm Version

The Gentlemen Thief 2026 by AverageMansReviews

The Gentlemen Thief 2026 by AverageMansReviews

Previous instalment: High Roller 2025 Link https://averagemansreviews2017.blogspot.com/2026/08/higher-roller-2025-by-averagemansreviews.html

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/shooting/vehicle hit/vehicle crash

We are back with the Goddard Brothers: we meet Shawn [Lukas Haas:] as he needs Mason [John Travolta:] a retired criminal that really doesn't want to go back to a life of crime, but his brother needs his help, maybe the promise of just a holiday will persuade him.

Generally speaking: the storyline/script is very much of the heist variety and outlay, so with that being said there is some exposition character developments now and again from different angles and perspectives, so the framework and pacing of this 97 minutes film is designed to follow that outlay

Art, action, character developments and comedy; the location designs are of a very high standard, the main piece of art looks nice what it is and yes if you're wondering I am somewhat struggling for bits and pieces to talk about, the transport break sequence from prison and the heists including but not limited to explosions these are all reliably good; but there is one scene sequence that offers quite a lot; it is where we have these two brothers playing a game of chess; where if one wins goes on holiday with his brother, but if the other wins he has to leave his brother alone; of what we see of the chess set; it looks like a very sturdy set, they discuss things and there is a comical sprinkling in the air as this result happens; on reflection this is the most highest quality action sequence based on the fact it incorporates so many different little bits and pieces and makes it layered

Character developments and performances; and character developments and performances are by and large solid versions of what they were going for here, but as I referenced earlier, because the storyline goes from different perspectives and angles; the character developments may be solid versions, but eventually they became formulaic and a little bit annoying what were this exposition re-cap thing at the end or near to the end of this film, I mean yes it serves the purpose, but at the same time as a viewer consequently my viewing experience, I do have the right to find this a little bit annoying as well and for now all I can say is... Travolta stole the show/film this is one of those occasions where, you would hate to think where this film would have ended up without him, I will discuss this again momentarily.

This film receives: 5/10, this film is mixed; it tries to be a mixture between the Oceans and the Fast & Furious franchises, but the extreme budget version, don't get me wrong I am happy I have seen this film, but would I choose to watch it again no, Travolta definitely shows that he still has the talents and skills to pull off a clean cut and next level performance, as whenever he is on-screen he is just a maestro that keeps things going and I have just realised/found out this is the third title of a franchise; the other titles are Cash Out 2024 and then High Rollers 2025.

 

Higher Roller 2025 by AverageMansReviews

Higher Roller 2025 by AverageMansReviews

Previously instalment: Cash Out 2024 Link https://averagemansreviews2017.blogspot.com/2026/08/cash-out-2024-by-averagemansreviews.html

Review Time

Warning: there is flashing effects/colourful effects/shooting/stabbing/impaling/burning/torture/disfigurement/cutting/vehicle hit/vehicle crash/reference to domestic abuse

We interrupt this very important wedding for important developments: briefly; this is a story of revenge as Mason Goddard/other characters [John Travolta:] with his crew do this job or the person he loves will pay the ultimate price.

Generally speaking: the storyline/script is a good reliable, the framework and pacing including comedy of this 101 sequel is mostly good, as when this film feels and looks lively and bouncy it can invite to have the smallest bits of comedy now and again, but sadly this enthusiastic nature doesn't last forever and when this film begins to slow down it may as well drive off a cliff as it never returns to what it was, in fact it just gets progressively worse and consequently costs this film marks.

Action and art; I am speculating here because I have no proof, but at the same time I think I am okay to resemble that in the opening action sequence they must have spent a pretty penny on the best action sequence that this sequel has to offer; in the form of a black Ops operation with vehicle chasing sequence with black chopper it is excellent fun and also we get a poker sequence with the usual elegance which is accompanied with high stakes poker, but yet again we have this pivot camera gliding; if I didn't like it the first time in the first instalment, what makes you think I am going to like it in this sequel?!

Character developments and performances; the character developments are solid versions of what they are meant to be, but there is one piece of character development that is best described as how it looks as if it is an afterthought and very shoehorned in at the last moment, as until it is made known we have seen no signs of it in the slightest... but it is somewhat crucial character developments and I have to say this is really lazy character developments and as they used the method of sweep it under the carpet even know this individual does right by another... they should really talk about it; so this is all pretty poor character developments really and on top of that we have the re-casting of Amelia Decker from Kristin Davis to Gina Gershon; which works much better, but yet again Travolta shows or continue to show in this franchise that he still has much to offer the film industry and is very much the driving force behind the sequel

This film receives: 4/10, this film is mixed; it is very much like the Oceans franchise or something to that effect, this film was going to get given something noticeably higher... that was before roughly around comfortably into the second half where I have already indicated it begins to slow down and then everything just jumped off a cliff minus broadly speaking the performances, so it very much ends up with this mark, there is an extra bit of in loving memory and this film has 1 Winner award to its name in the form of IFFA Awards 2025 Best Actor in Leading Role Best Actor John Travolta.