By Markus Tschiedert
The animated film “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” actually made it to number 1 in the German cinema charts. Behind them are “Fast & Furious 10” and “Arielle, the mermaid”.
However, this week’s special effects extravaganza “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” could shake that. The metallic giants from space are so strong that otherwise only low-budget films like “Memory of Water” and “The Adults” dare to enter the race this week.
“Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” – Mate battle with robots
Optimus Primal, Cheetor, Wheeljack and Arcee in the new Transformers adventure Photo: Paramount via AP
THE STORY: New York 1994: An Army veteran (Anthony Ramos) and an archaeologist (Dominique Fishback) team up with the Autobots, alien robots who can transform into vehicles. You must find a key that could initiate the end of the world. A war breaks out between the Autobots and kindreds on Earth.
THE STARS: Anthony Ramos is not only a singer in musicals, but also an actor. So far he has mostly been seen as a supporting actor in “Godzilla II” or “A Star Is Born”. Dominique Fishback is currently also starring in the Amazon series “Bee Swarm”.
THE DIRECTOR: The first “Transformers” films were all directed by Michael Bay, who now only acts as a producer. After all, his successor Steven Caple Jr. has already directed “Creed 2”.
BG RATING: You should already be familiar with the “Transformers” in order to be able to get fully involved here. While it’s the usual beat-to-break Invasion battle, new characters come into play, such as a mechanical King Kong. A purely visual spectacle without any deeper meaning, for which a lot of popcorn is suitable (128 min., free from the age of 12).
“Memory of Water” – future without water
Noria (Saga Sarkola) not only knows the secret water sources, she also discovers other secrets about the rare elixir of life water Photo: Real Fiction
THE STORY: In the near future, water has become so scarce that only so-called tea masters have access to secret springs. When her father dies, Noria (Saga Sarkola) is put in charge of this task. However, she uncovers a secret and has more and more doubts about the system of water rations, which is determined by a military dictatorship.
THE STARS: Saga Sarkola has previously starred in the Finnish-Swedish series Blood Ties. She recently shot Ondskan with Gustaf Skarsgård. Mimosa Willamo, who can currently be seen in cinemas in “Sisu”, plays her friend Sanja here.
THE DIRECTOR: Born in Helsinki, Saara Saarela has already directed 21 films. These include the comedy “Grenzgänger” and the drama “Kalte Rache”.
BZ rating: The German-Finnish co-production based on the novel “The Taste of Water” by Emmi Itäranta was created with few resources. So the whole thing takes place in a desolate stone desert, which isn’t really new. This creates the right dystopia, but unfortunately it serves little in terms of dramaturgy. A sci-fi drama that just isn’t captivating enough (100 mins, 12+).
The special film: “The Adults”
Eric (Michael Cera) not only meets his sisters in his hometown, but also has to deal with his alter ego Photo: Universal
THE STORY: Eric (Michael Cera) only wants to be in his old hometown for a very short time. But meeting his sisters Rachel (Hannah Gross) and Maggie (Sophia Lillis) doesn’t go as expected. So Eric keeps putting off his departure because he also wants to prove himself to his buddies as a poker ace. But that also goes wrong.
THE STARS: Michael Cera was already in front of the camera at the age of eight. First for commercials, then in youth films like “Superbad” and “Juno”. Sophia Lillis last appeared in the fantasy comedy Dungeons & Dragons, and before that she was a cast member in the Stephen King remake of It.
THE DIRECTOR: After Bad Fever and Person to Person, The Adults is only Dustin Guy Defa’s 3rd feature film. The film ran in the ‘Encounters’ section at this year’s Berlinale.
BZ rating: This is about coming to terms with childhood and the realization that you are now an adult. Profound and at the same time lightly staged, a wonderful and forgiving balancing act succeeds (91 min., free from the age of 12).
Cinema for kids: “Mavka – Guardian of the Forest”
THE STORY: Mavka has just been appointed guardian of the forest when she meets the human Lukash. Instead of punishing the intruder, she falls in love with him, which forest spirits are forbidden to do. In the human village, on the other hand, Kalyna stirs up hatred against the forest spirits. She wants to start a war to get the wood for her sawmill.
THE STARS: In the German dubbing, Mavka is spoken by Kirstin Hesse. The actress (“Robert Zimmermann wonders about love”) also appears as a singer as Kirstin Hall. Louis Friedemann (“The weather in closed rooms”) speaks Lukash.
THE DIRECTORS: Oleh Malamuzh already realized the cartoon “Mila & Ruslan” in 2018. It is Oleksandra Ruban’s directorial debut.
BZ rating: “Mavka” is a Ukrainian animated film that started before the war of aggression and has finally been completed. In terms of tricks, the work can certainly measure up to Disney role models. The plot remains simple and wants to please children in particular (99 min., free from the age of 6).