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Travis Johnson

Travis Johnson is Australia's most prolific film critic

8

Critic

The Batman Review

Much as when Spider-Man finally turned up in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Matt Reeves’ The Batman smartly eschews retreading the caped crusader’s origin story, assuming correctly that after 80 years, almost everyone turning up for a Batman movie understands the lay of the land. We know who Bruce Wayne (Robert Pattinson) is, and why he dresses up as a bat to fight crime in the oppressive urban he...

7

Critic

Spider-Man: No Way Home Review

After the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home, the secret identity of our friendly neighbourhood etc etc (Tom Holland) has been plastered all over by newshound J. Jonah Jameson (J. K. Simmons), exposing Peter Parker to public vitriol and his friends and loved ones – girlfriend MJ (Zendaya), best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon), and Aunt May (Marisa Tomei) – to danger. What’s a webhead to do but seek ou...

8

Critic

Don’t Look Up Review

Two obscure astronomers, grad student Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence) and her supervisor, Dr Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio) detect a comet heading straight for Earth. The numbers are incontrovertible; it’s a planet killer, destined to wipe out humanity. They take the info to the authorities, only to smack up against indifference, disbelief, and political self-interest, chiefly from President ...

6

Critic

Jungle Cruise Review

Another Disney flick based on one of their theme park rides, Jungle Cruise is more Pirates of the Caribbean than Haunted Mansion, thank God, even if it’s not by much. Really, it’s more like one of the Pirates sequels. No, later than that. Which one had Javier Bardem? That’s the one. Which is fine, and so’s the film. It’ll be subjectively finer for you if you enjoy the stars an awful lot. The plot ...

7

Critic

Army of the Dead Review

After a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, the city is walled off and abandoned to the undead. While the displaced citizens hunker in rundown refugee camps outside the perimeter wall, a veritable army of the dead throngs the Strip. Not to worry, though: a quick tactical nuke will soon be taking care of the problem. That is rather inconvenient for billionaire Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada), as he has $200...

4

Critic

Penguin Bloom Review

Right off the bat it’s important to demarcate the actual life and experiences of Sam Bloom and family from the film based on them. Sam Bloom, a nurse and avid surfer, was in the grip of depression following an accident that rendered her paraplegic when her children adopted an orphaned magpie that they dubbed “Penguin”. The bird’s rehabilitation mirrored Sam’s own journey, and their shared story fo...

9

Critic

Nomadland Review

Director of The Rider and the upcoming Marvel tentpole Eternals (I am baffled, too) Chloe Zhao shines a light on some of the grimmer aspects of the United States’ ongoing economic desertification with her latest film. Nomadland inserts us into a growing subculture of modern day nomads, who drift from place to place in ramshackle RVs, picking up seasonal work where and when they can, telling their ...

7

Critic

Wonder Woman 1984 Review

Well, it’s the ‘80s, isn’t it? Certainly the production, the costuming, and the soundtrack won’t let you forget it. And being immortal, our gal – Gal Gadot, that is – is still around. Having saved the planet from descending into an eternity of conflict back in World War One, Wonder Woman is working at the Smithsonian by day under her civilian name of Diana Prince, and fighting crime by… well, not ...

9

Critic

Happiest Season Review

One fine day just prior to Christmas, Pittsburgh-based journo Harper (Mackenzie Davis) takes her girlfriend, Abby (Kristen Stewart) to her picturesque hometown to spend the holidays with her family. For her part, Abby aims to put a ring on it, even going so far as planning to ask Harper’s father, Ted (Victor Garber), for his blessing, much to the disgust of her gay BFF, John (Dan Levy). There’s a ...

3

Critic

Dirt Music Review

Tim Winton is hard to adapt for the screen. Do it right, as in Simon Baker’s 2017 feature directing debut, Breath, and you can wind up with something quite special, a thoughtful meditation on adolescence and loss, with a palpable sense of time and place. Do it wrong, as in Gregor Jordan’s take on Winton’s 2001 novel, Dirt Music, and you wind up with a soporific seaside soap opera. Yes, I’m proud o...

8

Critic

A Hidden Life Review

Philosopher filmmaker Terrence Malick specializes in making dense, cerebral, challenging films whose oblique narratives tend to frustrate viewers keyed to traditional storytelling, while delighting those who are open to his meditative, deeply spiritual musings on All of It. Still, even his most ardent admirers generally admit that 2017’s romantic drama Song to Song was a misfire, and so A Hidden L...

9

Critic

Little Women Review

Writer and director Greta Gerwig follows up her acclaimed solo directing debut, Ladybird, with this effervescent adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s beloved 1868 novel. Little Women follows the four March sisters – headstrong emerging writer, Jo (Saoirse Ronan); quiet, domestic Meg (Emma Watson); saintly Beth (Eliza Scanlen); and puckish, artful Amy (Florence Pugh) – as they grow to womanhood in Civ...

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