By Robert Yaniz Jr.

In the latest Review Montage, we take a glimpse at the Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron collaboration Alita: Battle Angel, horror/comedy/sci-fi(?)/romance(!)/sequel Happy Death Day 2U and bid farewell to Hiccup and Toothless with How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.

Alita: Battle Angel

In the 1990s and early 2000s, Robert Rodriguez brought us memorable action extravaganzas like Desperado, From Dusk Till Dawn and Sin City. At the very least, his latest — based on the manga series Gunnm — is his best film in a long while. That being said, it’s just as frustrating as it is thrilling. Rosa Salazar is aces as the titular cyborg, but the supporting cast is somehow both underserved and overused. When the action sequences kick off, Alita is a true blast. But whenever the sci-fi spectacle gives way to character or *shudder* some kind of love story, it falls short.

Happy Death Day 2U

Some moviegoers/critics (this one included) shrugged off Happy Death Day as a ludicrous concept, a trifle not worth clearing the 90 minutes on our schedule to check it out. With this sequel’s release nigh, I finally gave writer/director Christopher Landon’s horror/comedy a shot and completely fell in love with Jessica Rothe’s committed performance and the devil-may-care way in which the film toyed with genres and their conventions. The sequel wisely doubles down on that, offering a storytelling cocktail that is way more intoxicating than expected. I’ll have another please.

How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World

The How to Train Your Dragon franchise is the rare animated series to attract as much (or even more) admiration from adults as from children. The first two installments feature breathtaking visuals, fun characters and so much heart. This third entry neatly ties up the trilogy, though it luxuriates a bit too much in the world it’s created. Nonetheless, anyone swept up in the unlikely, world-changing friendship between Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) and Toothless will want to bring a Kleenex or three with them to the theater. Best animated film series since Toy Story? You be the judge.

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