Epic effort by writer-director Miller, and a remarkable performance by the lead cast. As if it were any longer needed, Hemsworth proves himself to be the whole package with a fabulous mix of action and dramatic acting capabilities. Recently, the media labeled Tom Cruise as the last mega movie star. He certainly is and I'll always like him (who wouldn't?) despite his born-to-act vibe. Well, C.H. is at that level of stardom and bigger (no pun intended) for some. As for the wonderful Taylor-Joy, she's doing an amazing job but, nonetheless, she seems physically miscast in the wasteland setting where only the very fit and brutal may stand a chance for survival. The movie suffers from some unnecessarily long passages and dialogue, as well as from the choice of subdividing it into 4 chapters which gives it further pause, but the action scenes are stunning and creative and should earn it 4 points in entertainment. In line with the Mad-Max series, there's no sense of realism here - be that in the makeshift weapons and machinery, fighting logic, or character outfits - and you eventually let yourself accept that and submerge into the desert world.
Hilde D. 7/24

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A beaten path, but real
This has been tried many times and it will ever be: good person gets in harm's way somewhere in a bad place, tough guys are sent to the rescue. LGH is one successful example of it and, unless your mind has been blurred by some sort of prejudice or movie-critic infatuation, you'll notice it from the start. The story feels real, the settings are real, the dialogue is no-nonsense, all very well acted by a talented cast lead by Frank Grillo. The action is plenty and realistic, and the crew gets the balanced writing - again, if you're open to it - to show that they are actual people, perhaps action-enamored, perhaps without much other purpose, perhaps daring death, but people of honor and some compassion too, who happen to be the ones doing the deadly work that nobody wants to or will ever know about. If anything, the only weak link here is Andy Garcia, whom I love but whom is just hard to see as the menacing chief character he's portraying (I don't know why he keeps on trying these roles - I guess they're fun). There's no woke, and the typical self-absorbed and "good-doing" character (a journalist here) is written in without offending your intelligence. One last thing: my good wishes for the good people still living in Venezuela.
Kieran J. 1/25

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Very well made, could've been better
Fabulous, imaginative settings and perfected details is what you'd expect from Robert Eggers, and he delivers. The movie cannot, by default, be scary since you know what it is about, but you do get engulfed into the period story's dark romantic aura. 2 things could've been done better, I think. The main issue is the lead female cast where, despite L-R Depp's amazing performance, she feels miscast. There's insufficient contrast between the "beast" and the woman prey, as she appears also as a dark type and not particularly arousing. This contrast is well made up for, however, by the excellent N. Hoult in the lead male role. The second measure is for a touch of realism to have been applied to the count's persona to get you more engaged. For example, a glimpse of a servant in his ample, barren quarters would do. Nonetheless, this is a very well crafted work of art and entertainment, overall.
Hilde D. 3/25

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With high expectations, given the lead cast pairing and the fun premise of plot, the movie did deliver, albeit on the underwhelming side. Blunt's character feels ambiguous at times as out of place with her action-movie director role. Some goofy scenes further take away from the credibility of it all. The lead pair have decent chemistry, and the creative writing and solid number of stunts make this a good movie pick any day.
Rosalyn S. 8/24

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Glen Powell carries through a picture that otherwise brims with the DEI and predictable writing expected from such production names. Forces of nature are as fun to watch as ever in the big budget settings, nonetheless.
Gunter J. 11/24

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