After July came up with hits like “Mission: Impossible 7: Dead Reckoning” and “Oppenheimer”, the cinema takes a smaller blockbuster breather in August. But that doesn’t mean that film fans now have to twiddle their thumbs without a vacation request being waved through: If you want to send your brain on vacation for at least two hours, you can give yourself “Meg 2: The Deep” – so once again Jason Statham (56) in the clinch Monster Shark and Co. As usual, Oscar winner Denzel Washington (68) is doing his “Equalizer” job for the third and last time. Johnny Depp fans who have remained loyal to their idol can look forward to his screen comeback. And fans of the world’s most famous bloodsucker can look forward to a gruesome struggle for survival on the high seas with “The Last Journey of the Demeter”.
As the leader of a research team, Jonas Taylor (Statham) undertakes a daring exploratory dive into the deepest depths of the ocean. But their journey ends in chaos when a ruthless mining company thwarts their mission and they find themselves in an unrelenting fight for survival. In a furious race against time, the protagonists are confronted with gigantic megs and ruthless environmental destroyers.
Assessment:
Jason Statham versus Mega-Monster – of course, the Oscar Academy may not get excited about that. But especially on hot summer days, over-the-top, stupid bombast can be just the right form of entertainment – especially in the moody company of a group of friends. Those who are not on vacation themselves can at least treat their brains to a two-hour break.
Very unusual events overtake the crew of the Demeter shortly after the beginning of the dangerous journey. The animals on board are cruelly killed and shortly thereafter the first crew members disappear without a trace. By the time the schooner reaches the shores of England, she is a ramshackle and dying wreck. There is no trace of the team…
Assessment:
The events on the Demeter feature only as a side note in Bram Stoker’s 1897 vampire bible “Dracula”. But what exactly happened on board the ship that the bloodsucker is secretly chartering to sail from the Transylvanian Carpathians to London – much to the detriment of the ignorant crew? Making an independent horror film out of this chilling crossing is a clever idea: the setting promises oppressive chamber drama horror, Dracula himself is also on board and the whole thing is even based on the original novel. Forecast: The most disturbing cruise since the “Dream Ship”.
Jeanne Vaubernier (Maïwenn, 47), an ambitious and socially aspiring commoner, skillfully uses her beguiling charms to escape her humble circumstances. Her lover, the wealthy Count du Barry, wants to introduce her to the king. He arranges a meeting about the influential Duke de Richelieu (Pierre Richard, 88). The meeting exceeds his expectations by far: between Louis XV (Depp) and Jeanne not only a passionate love flares up at first sight, but a deep affection develops, which should last until death.
Assessment:
Since the end of the sensational court case between him and his ex-wife Amber Heard (37), Depp has gradually made his way back to Hollywood. Strictly speaking, “Jeanne du Barry” may be a French feature film. Nevertheless, he and the previous reception by the public could mark Depp’s early renaissance in the dream factory. After the screening of the historical drama, the audience in Cannes celebrated him like a king with a seven-minute standing ovation…
Ever since he gave up his life as a government hitman, Robert McCall (Washington) has had a hard time coming to terms with all the terrible things he has done in the past. Yet he managed to find some solace in bringing justice to those who are oppressed. In the meantime, he feels surprisingly comfortable in his new home in southern Italy. However, it quickly turns out that his new friends there are controlled by the local gang bosses. When deaths ensue, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector and take on the mafia.
Assessment:
Having seen Denzel Washington in a sequel to “Equalizer” at all was a novelty for the world star in 2018 – until then he had not filmed a second part of any of his films. In the meantime, he puts so much heart and soul into the action series that he’s now even going into a third – but according to the title definitely last – round. What fans can count on once again: Denzel Washington with a license to be cool and plenty of justice with his fist.
