Got another double review! Hopefully unlike last time their both winners.
I Play Rocky is a biographical drama based on the development of the classic 1976 movie Rocky. Production was done by FilmNation Entertainment, Baha Productions and Fireside Films and was distributed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. Peter Gamble wrote the screenplay and Peter Farrelly directed.
The story is, it's the early 1970s and actor Sylvester Stallone is struggling to pursue his dreams of being an actor. After encourage from his girlfriend Sasha, Sylvester writes the screenplay for a boxing film titled Rocky. There's gonna be many challenges to make this movie such as Sylvester fighting to be the starring role, budget, and some injuries. But Stallone along with his crew are determined to get this movie made.
Initial Reaction
I wanted to watch then later review this because the development of Rocky is very much like the movie. An underdog (in this case Stallone) trying to prove himself. Only it's with making a movie and not the boxing ring. So I thought it'd be fun to a moving being made about that development.
Cons
I've got nothing.
Middle Ground
It's the story. Before I get into the small problem let's go over the good. When watching the movie I did actually feel for the movie's portrayal of Stallone's journey. We see Stallone at his lowest. He doesn't have much money, he's taking acting jobs he probably doesn't even like, and at one point it gets so bad for the guy he has no choice but to sell he's dog because he sadly can't take care of the dog. But the journey doesn't simply end because he's script got approved and production begins. We see the chaos that was going when making the all-time classic boxing film. Having to work with a small budget, having to rework things on the fly, and their main star having to two through not one but two injuries. However you know how this is gonna end. But I don't really think that should be held against I Play Rocky. Being disappointed about seeing a film becoming the success you know it is is like being disappointed in watching a biopic about someone you know is long dead. Ya knew exactly how the story was gonna end. So while you know already know the ending, you can love seeing how exactly Stallone and his cast and crew were able to pull through despite everything being against them.
Pros
One pro is the humor. Despite a lot of serious moments there's also some jokes to lighten things up a bit. Like this one bit where producers Irwin and Robert are on the phone with United Artists executive Sandy to make Rocky so they trick him by saying Paramount is interested. That was pretty funny. Another great aspect is the pacing. The movie is two hours long but it didn't feel like it. I was surprised by how this movie goes by. But my biggest praise goes to Anthony Ippolito's performance as Sylvester Stallone. He hits all of Stallone's mannerisms. The way Stallone talks, the way Stallone walks, the way he captures Stallone stubbornness, he nailed it all. He's acting was very uncanny.
I Play Rocky is a very enjoyable film despite some predictability. So I say you should give it a watch whether you're a fan of Rocky or not.
My final rating is, Good.
Now on to our next movie.
The Cat in the Hat is a animated fantasy comedy movie loosely based on Dr. Seuss' children's book of the same name. It's also the second feature-length adaptation of the book the first being the 2003 live-action movie. Warner Bros. Animation was in charge of production while Warner Bros. Pictures was the distributor. Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja both wrote and directed.
The story is, The Cat in the Hat is an employee of the Institute for the Institution of Imagination and Inspiration aka The I.I.I., an otherworldly place populated by strange creatures who visit the human world to entertain children. The Cat recently causes off-the-chart chaos and his giving one last chance. So he's assigned to siblings Gabby and Sebastian who recently moved and are feeling resentful for having to leave behind their old home and friends. Now, The Cat must succeed his task to help these kids or he'll be fired.
Initial Reaction
I figured it was only natural that I go see this movie. After all I did review the live-action film so I might as well review the newer verison.
Cons
I've got nothing.
Middle Ground
One of two slight issues is the story. It still has The Cat helping out some rather sad kids. It also does have some pretty good emotional moments what with the story touching on things such moving and siblings bonds. However I think the filmmakers really shouldn't have made the story have such an epic adventure feel. Now I don't have a huge problem with the epic adventure, I just feel like it was too soon for that. They should've used the Dr. Seuss' original story as a way to introduce a new generation to The Cat in the Hat with much lower stakes to introduce the title character, The Things, the talking fish, and the chaotic destruction a proper intro. But by jumping right into the story we have now it feels like we jumped right into an Act Two. There's also the humor. Some jokes I actually did laugh at. Others not so much but I guess we can say those were more for the kids, or just jokes that didn't land their mark you can decide.
Pros
Now despite not by any means being a hater of the 2003 film, I do have to admit this movie is an improvement. Primarily because animation is better suited for Dr. Seuss than live-action. It also helps they didn't add a lot of humor clearly meant for adults and only adults. Speaking of animation, this movie looks great. The animation is lively and pure eye candy. There's such a great use beautiful colors. Not to mention but the animation is very close to Seuss' whimsical spirit. The last thing I'll praise is Bill Hader's performance as The Cat in the Hat. I'll admit I didn't have much faith in Hader. I just didn't think he's voice was gonna be right for the character. It did take time for me to get use to hearing his voice come out of The Cat in the Hat, but once that set in I realized he's pretty good. He brings a sense of energy to the role and can also be a little unhinged comedy very similar to Mike Myers. Only Hader is definitely more controlled than Myers.
The Cat in the Hat (2026) does have many enjoyable qualities. But I think if they every make a sequel the filmmakers should make the story much more lower stakes just like the actual sequel to the book.
My final rating is, Okay.
That's all for now. Come back on Saturday, Nov 14th, for my review of the newest David Leitch film, How to Rob a Bank. Until then, enjoy the rest of your day.
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