Capsule reviews for Dec. 20
Ben Schwartz leads the voice cast for SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 3. (Photo: Paramount)
The Count of Monte Cristo
Highlighted by some stirring action sequences, this sweeping French period piece provides some thrills even if it’s less successful at translating the narrative intrigue from the epic Alexandre Dumas novel. The titular hero is Edmond Dantes (Pierre Niney), who is framed and arrested on his wedding day, leading to 14 years on an island prison. When he hatches a daring escape, he re-emerges as the dashing Count of Monte Cristo to gain revenge on those who have wronged him. As things become more convoluted, the screenplay lacks the depth to match, although the film enchants with its visual flair plus old-fashioned swashbuckling and derring-do. (Not rated, 178 minutes).
Los Frikis
This gritty and evocative Cuban coming-of-age drama from directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz (The Peanut Butter Falcon) infuses an edgy tale of punk-rock rebellion with heartfelt humanity. In the early 1990s, Gustavo (Eros de la Puente) is a streetwise teenager who admires his hot-tempered older brother (Hector Medina) and his bandmates, who play rock music outlawed by the government. Out of desperation, they plan a misguided scheme to inject themselves with HIV in order to enjoy subsidized communal living at a sanitarium. The true-life film offers a harrowing glimpse into socioeconomic marginalization under the oppressive Castro regime, along with an energetic story of artistic freedom. (Not rated, 108 minutes).
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
By this time, the formula is entrenched for this cash-cow franchise based on the venerable video game — each installment needs to be bigger and faster than the last one, filling every frame with as much chaos as possible without regard for traditional standards of quality. However, this latest sequel is mostly a collection of recycled gags, from the slapstick hijinks involving the animated pint-sized hero and his friends to Jim Carrey’s mischievous mugging as villainous Dr. Robotnik. Sure, there’s a new evil hedgehog named Shadow (voiced by Keanu Reeves), although the outcome is never in doubt. Like its predecessors, the result is more exhausting than endearing. (Rated PG, 109 minutes).