The geekiest weekend

For some reason I look like I've pissed myself. I can assure you I hadn't. I think. Plus I had hair :(

The weekend of the 21st of February 2009 was quite possibly the geekiest time of my life. There's been a few contenders but that one is king.

I was in San Jose visiting two of my best friends Moloney & Iantha. I've been friends with Moloney since we were 5 and when they moved to California for work I went over to visit them. This was my third time over and this time we decided to go to Los Angeles for a few days. I was giddy as hell. We were going to see Hollywood. Lala land. The place were films were made. The weekend we were going was the weekend the Oscars were on too. This is why I remember the date so precisely. Sure you couldn't pick a better time to be there.

The first day there was fun. We landed at Long Beach Airport (previously known as John Wayne airport btw) and drove straight to Disneyland. Disneyland was class and I enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. Its a tiring bastard of a place though. Afterwards we got back to our hotel in Studio City (beside a porn studio no less) for a much needed kip. The next day was a big one. We were going to Universal studios for the day and that night we were going to a pre Oscar party hosted by none other than HBO. How we got an invite to that I'll go into later.

I was like a small child dosed up with caffeine the next morning. Raring to go. Buzzing actually. On the way I got my first glimpse of the Hollywood sign which was a massive disappointment. It was tiny. And then we were there. Universal studios. Home to so many of my favourite films. ET, Jaws, The Blues Brothers, Videodrome, Midnight Run, the numerous Universal Monster films and so on. We paid for the full pass which gave us a tour of the studio backlots as well as letting us go ahead of the queues. It was so worth the money.

We did the tour first. I went into extreme geek mode as we drove through a western main thoroughfare watching gunfights break out and stunt men falling from saloon roofs. There was Wild Bill playing cards in the saloon where he was shot by Jack McCall! Was that Doc Holliday? Why is he in Deadwood?? Who cares. Then all of a sudden we were looking at Norman Bates' creepy house that overlooked his motel. Marion Crane's Cadillac still idling outside as Norman carried her body into the boot. Seeing that house in the distance will never not be creepy. Hitchcock's classic had made sure of that.

Norm's gaff

Next up was a ripped apart suburb with a crashed plane alongside us. The tour guide informed us this was the crashed plane from War Of The Worlds and that this new part of the tour had been added after a fire had destroyed the King Kong and Back To The Future segment which was a pity. Numerous other film sets came and went like Backdraft, Jurassic Park, Earthquake and then all of a sudden we were passing through water. That famous 2 note movie theme kicked in. I WENT FULL NERD. The great white shark from Jaws was rushing towards us in all its shoddy animatronic glory. I loved it. Felt a bit high actually. Nothing else we saw that day compared to that moment. The model of Bruce the shark was ropey as hell but fuck it, that was cinematic history swimming by us and it doesn't get much cooler than that. Oh course in all my excitement I didn't snap a pic but it's good to live in the moment too.

No time for a flaming moe

A fool and a shark

The Waterworld show

That evening we headed to west Hollywood for the party. I always feel out of place at parties so you can imagine how I felt here. It was hosted by HBO though. HBO. The channel that made Oz, The Wire, The Sopranos, Rome, Deadwood. All my favourite shows. My friends had been invited by a work friend who's sister had made a documentary called The Final Inch (I think this is it anyway) that had been nominated for an Oscar. I'd never met these people before but when would I ever get a chance like this again. The star spotting started early. I was like a gibbering eejit. Got chatting straight away to Misha Collins ( Castiel from Supernatural) who was impressed that I remembered him from the 1st series of 24. 

Morgan Spurlock was there. Pamela Adlon was having a fag outside. Alexander Skarsgard who's star was on the rise after Generation Kill, the rapper Tone Loc who I knew from Heat and others long since lost to my memories. Then at the end of the night we found ourselves at a table with Danny Glover. I was sitting beside Roger Murtaugh. I was mad for a chat with him, to talk about movies and tell him how much I'd enjoyed his performances over the years. Now was my chance........and I failed miserably. A few garbled drunken platitudes went his way and I slunk away in shame. Oh well.

RIP River

Alright Hef

"Domino Motherfucker!"

The next day was a hungover spin around the city. Los Angeles and Hollywood especially is a shady looking kipshop but there's just something about driving through it that's exhilarating to a movie fan. After New York it's probably the most filmed city on earth and everywhere we went we recognised places from movies or from stories about celebrities. There's the Chateau Marmont where John Belushi died. The Pacific Dining Car. The hotel Barton Fink stayed in. There's Crenshaw Boulevard from Boyz N The Hood and Menace II Society. It's the beach from Baywatch. The Venice Beach Boardwalk. The pier from Falling Down. The football stadium where Bruce Willis danced a jig in The Last Boy Scout. The Viper Room where River Phoenix died. Grauman's Chinese Theatre and the Hollywood walk of fame were on the list too but annoyingly were off limits due to Oscar security so we fecked off into the Hills. There was the Playboy mansion. Annette Bening's gaff. Jack Nicholson's house which overlooked the Hollywood bowl. The former homes of Greer Garson, Lupe Valez, David O. Selznick, Theda Bara, Conrad Veidt & Ray Milland. We drove past them all, new and old. Everywhere you look in that town is cinema. Everywhere is steeped in it. I was in heaven.

It was a fine way to spend a few days.

Alpha

"Ah shit, I've no credit on my leap card, I'll have to pay cash."
"My phone charger cable is frayed."
"Quinoa again? Seriously."

We have little to moan about these days but we do it anyway. Technology and electricity keeps us safe and warm and aware. But it's turned us soft. We're a race of wimps. To misquote the Bull McCabe "We've lost touch with the land." Watching a film like Alpha will make you realise it pretty sharpish.

20,000 years ago, somewhere in Europe, a young man named Keda is preparing for his first big bison hunt. Himself, his father Tau and the other members of his tribe have travelled far from home in search of meat and fur. A reluctant Keda hesitates to draw blood during an attack and this hesitation sees him injured and presumed dead. During his recuperation he makes friends with an injured wolf and creates a relationship that will have a massive knock on effect on the future of mankind.

This one came out of nowhere with barely a trailer shown on on TV or a bus side poster to advertise it. That's a pity because it's a thoroughly entertaining and thrilling prehistoric drama that gives us a unique look at the dawn of civilisation. It takes cues from Jean Jacques Annaud's 1981 film Quest For Fire and the 2016 video game Far Cry : Primal but it's very much its own beast. It's use of primitive language lends it an atmospheric veneer and help it soar over other films set in the same time period such as 10,000 BC or those horrible 1960's films featuring Racquel Welch as a furry bikini wearing cave woman. The language is used sparingly but some great facial acting from Kodie Smith- McPhee as Keda and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson as his father Tau helps ground the film and give it a beating heart. That heart is felt in the scenes between Keda and the wolf too. Fear giving way to wary and tentative trust and then friendship. The small moments are a joy in between the harsher stuff.

Director Albert Hughes burst onto the scene in 1993 with his brother Allen and their blistering debut Menace II Society. Another film about a young man trying to find his way in a violent and dangerous landscape. With Alpha he's made his first family friendly film but don't let the 12 certificate fool you. Life in the Upper Paleolithic era was deadly and unforgiving. Kill or be killed. Hughes doesn't shy away from what Keda has to do to survive and animal lovers out there won't appreciate what they see onscreen. But what will be appreciated by all is the beauty of the age depicted. A time before smog and pylons, roads and bridges. Clear skies, beautiful untarnished landscapes, pristine snow, nature at it's purest. The many overhead shots of Keda show just how dwarved by it all he is though.

Smith-McPhee carries the film confidently. He does as much emoting with his eyes as his dialogue. His scrawny lanky physique will have you fearing for him throughout and the moments where the darker sides of nature come sniffing around will have you chewing the knuckles off yourself. Thankfully his believable and touching relationship with his canine bud will give you some reason to relax. Some. The constant threat of danger still lurks around every corner and gives the movie an impetus which makes the time fly by. Some of the more far fetched aspects of the story will make you roll your eyes though and at times you wouldn't be blamed for wondering if Keda is somehow invincible. Survival thrillers do tend to over egg the dramatic moments at times and I suppose a bit of silliness will always be preferable to endless scenes of someone slogging along. 

If this makes it to your local cinema it's well worth a watch. It's rare to see a film like this break through and even rarer to see a subtitled one make it to multiplexes. That crossed with fine direction and acting and beautiful cinematography all combine to make it a film that won't disappoint.

The Bond movies ranked.

The Guardian ranked the Bond films lately in a list that, quite frankly, sucked. It included the two dreadful non canon movies, 1967's Casino Royale and the Thunderball remake, Never Say Never Again which are two films that don't belong anywhere near a Bond list. Plus it ranked Spectre highly and didn't have the godawful Diamonds Are Forever where it belonged ie the bottom of the list. And that just won't do.

Ranked from worst to best of course.

Diamonds Are Forever

Dreadful. Shameful. A lot of early Bonds have aged badly but this one is septic. And i wont even mention Connery's hair.

View To A Kill

The film where a blimp sneaks up on a woman. A blimp!! It has a good ending and Walken was a fine bad guy but this one just sucks and Moore is WAY too old for Bond.

Spectre

Literally the only good scene in this film

A massive disappointment. Tried for a mix of Craig grittiness and Moore silliness and failed at both. Plus it's boring as fuck.

Moonraker

A fun first half is ruined by a truly brutal second half that tries to be Star Wars and dies on it's arse in doing so. Plus a pigeon does a double take at one stage. Oh no.

Die Another Day

One of the best opening segments of any Bond film. The rest though, nahhhh. Not even Halle Berry can save this one. Plus the CGI. Oh jesus the CGI. 

Thunderball

A boring Bond film. One thing Bond should never be is boring and a good underwater battle scene aside this is snoozeville.

Quantum Of Solace

An interesting failure. The baddie sucks and director Marc Forster's attempt to go arty is an oh dear god no moment but there's some very cool action stuff.

The Man With The Golden Gun

The attempt to jump on the early 70's chop socky bandwagon is embarrassing but Christopher Lee's Scaramanga is a class baddie and the more surreal moments are cool.

The World Is Not Enough

The first female main baddie of the series played by Sophie Marceau is a damp squib but there's lot of fun to be had here. Plus Q's final appearance is a lovely moment.

Dr No

The first film is fun but it's too dull in places and the best guy is pretty shitty. But Honey Ryder and Bond's viciousness save it. Plus it has a dragon. Sort of.

On Her Majesty's Secret Service

An intriguing film that doesn't really feel like Bond at all. Definitely the most romantic of the series and some great ski action & that famous song help cover for Lazenby's shabbiness.

Tomorrow Never Dies

A shite bad guy but a deadly Bond film. Michelle Yeoh is a truly excellent sidekick and Brosnan has settled perfectly into the role.

Skyfall

M finally gets in on the action. A super baddie. A bit of Bond backstory. Injokes by the tonne and a Scottish shootout up there with the best in the series.

For Your Eyes Only

Moore's most grounded Bond film. The bookends are cringeworthy but the stuff in between is class especially the mountain based climax.

Octopussy

The most entertaining opening segment of them all. That blazingly silly chase through the market place. Mishka & Grishka. Tarzan roar. Clown faced nuclear prevention. 2 hrs of fun.

The Living Daylights

The Dalton debut is a bit too serious in parts but exploding milk bottles, Jeroen Krabbé and a deadly Afghanistan set ending kick it high up the list. Fantastic tune too.

From Russia With Love

The film where Bond started to take form. Cool gadgets, globe hopping action, vicious henchmen & women and the best fight scene in the series.

Goldeneye

Brosnan's debut rocks. That opening jump. Xenia Onatopp. A perfect blend of action and humour and that tank chase.

Casino Royale

An amazing reboot. Brilliant action, Eva Green, a killer song and Craig in blistering form on his 007 debut.

Live And Let Die

The only Bond film to imho, successfully jump on a bandwagon, here doing it with Blaxploitation. The opening scene in New Orleans is a top 3 fave Bond moment and Moore makes a great start.

Goldfinger

The quintessential Bond movie. The gadgets, the best double entendre in the series, the best henchman of all and a gold plated Jill Masterson.

Licence To Kill

The moment grit replaced campiness. A vicious film with a wicked Timothy Dalton on fire as Bond. Plus a cracking bad guy and the best Bond theme of all of them.

You Only Live Twice

The best Connery film. Nails the music, the action, the exotic locales and the ending which is an action extravaganza. Plus little Nelly is awesome.

The Spy Who Loves Me

The perfect Bond movie. Moore at his sauvest. A Bond woman who rocks. A baddie with a brilliantly outlandish scheme. Jaws. Plus a submarine car. What's not to love.

Blackkklansman

Two cops are standing in a room talking about the Ku Klux Klan. One argues they are a bunch of ill informed, disorganised idiots. The other counters that they are an insidious organisation. That not taking them seriously will normalise them, cause other people to not take them seriously, let them take hold and gain power until one day...one day they get one of their own in the oval office. A suggestion that is met with a disbelieving scoff......

It's 1972 and Ron Stallworth (John David Washington) has just become the first African American cop in the town of Colorado Springs. One day he takes a chance on a newspaper advertisement and becomes the first African American Ku Klux Klan member in North America. Over the phone he sells himself as a prime example of a pure white America while fellow cop Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver) plays the part of Ron at klan meetings. Between them they plot to get to the man behind the klan, the grand wizard David Duke.

This was a powerful watch. One that's both an eye opening history lesson and a damning indictment of modern day America for letting itself get to the state it's in now. On top of that it's a genuinely hilarious film (keep your eye out for a brilliant Wire in-joke) but one that will send you out of the cinema feeling like you've been kicked in the head. Spike Lee is on mighty form here and it's great to see him back and with that fire in his belly that's been missing for far too long. It's a righteously angry film, a polemic that takes potshots at Trump, US government policy, the police, Hollywood's own acceptance of racism and even blaxploitation films themselves for the harmful stereotypes they perpetuated.

It's humour comes from the absurdity of it all. Ron's afro juxtaposed against a room full of redneck buzzcuts, David Duke's unwavering belief that he can recognise a black voice on the phone while unknowingly chatting to Ron over the phone. Klan members that are one strand of DNA away from pond life shouting about racial superiority and so much more. Proper belly laugh stuff until the realisation of what you are laughing about stops you in your tracks and the fear kicks in. The awareness that people still genuinely think like this. A cosy moment between a klan member and his wife in bed becomes both ridiculous and petrifying when you hear what she has to say. Knowing dialogue like the oval office line mentioned earlier slaps you in the face after you laugh at it. Lee shows amazing skill in cutting back and forth between the laughs and the sobering stuff. Everytime it happens it jolts you out of your complacency. 

This happens the characters in the film too. Ron leans more towards blue than black and is forced to ask himself hard questions about his own identity while Flip, who is Jewish, is forced to confront a part of himself he never had much time for while undercover with people who if they knew the truth about him would kill him. It's a film that forces it's characters and it's audience to think about who they really are. Are you a racist, do you harbour racist thoughts, if you hear racism will you ignore it or call it out. If you aren't part of the solution you are part of the problem. Lee is a film maker who has never been afraid of shouting at his audience. Do The Right Thing, Jungle Fever, Clockers, Malcolm X, When The Levees Broke and now this. Films and documentaries that cut right into the dark heart of the American dream. This isn't a film that should be ignored. 

John David Washington is excellent as the lead and while he may look and sound startlingly like his father Denzel at times, happily he brings his own vitality to the role and the moments where you feel he wants to burst from his cop skin are electrifiying. Adam Driver as Flip is great too. Driver's a really interesting actor and his inner turmoil here fills the film with nervous energy and is the catalyst for the film's tenser moments, especially one scene in a basement with a gun and a lie detector test. Laura Harrier as student activist Patrice is good but not as well served by the script as others probably because she's a fictional amalgamation of early 70's activists. Corey Hawkins gets a blistering cameo as Kwame Ture and a late appearance by an ancient Harry Belafonte as an elder statesman of the civil rights movement will break your heart. Topher Grace as David Duke though, oh jesus he's a hateful bastard and 60 seconds of screen time while blow away all That 70's Show memories fast. 

Go see this. Go see it now. It's the film you didn't realise you needed. It's a film that will play on your mind when you watch that orange prick blather on again and again on the 6pm news. It's a timely reminder of the state of the world and how it got to this position. It's a vital, intelligent, hilarious and ultimately terrifying watch. 

11 films on TV this week worth your time

Bone Tomahawk   Sat   25/8   Film4 @ 23.20

A sheriff of a frontier town leads a posse of men into the desert to rescue townfolk who have been kidnapped. Quite what they have been kidnapped by is another matter. S. Craig Zahler's horror/western is a hell of a watch. But be warned, there's one scene of violence in here that will give you nightmares for weeks. The cast though is second to none. Kurt Russel, Richard Jenkins and Patrick Wilson are all in super form.

The Farthest   Sun   26/8   RTE2 @ 18.10

40 years ago the twin voyager probes were sent on a journey into deep space and are still travelling now. Their missions were to explore our solar system and hold information in case of contact with extra terrestrial life. This Irish made documentary is a look at a stunning human achievement. A look at the good we are capable of. It will wow you with what could be done with the technology of the time and may even bring a tear to your eye.

Mrs Miniver   Sun   26/8   TCM @ 08.10

Kay Miniver lives in a small village outside London with her family. Life is fine and they have all they need until World War 2 shatters their peaceful existence. A touching look at a troubled time when people struggled to stay civilised despite the chaos all around them. A beautifully acted look too with Greer Garson in top form as Mrs Miniver and Walter Pidgeon superb in support.

The Bank Job   Mon   TG4 @ 21.30

Statham. In a polo neck. In the 60's. Called Terry Leather. Bank Robberies. David Suchet. Cups of tea. Royal threesomes. Toyah from Coronation Street. Headbutts. Saffron Burrows. More cups of tea. Ham radio. A fun, tense and very entertaining thriller about a bank robbery in swinging 60's London. A different type of Jason Statham film but well worth a watch. Did i mention he's called Terry Leather. Best name ever.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist   Mon   27/8   BBC2 @ 22.30

A unique film here, a look at the root causes of religious fundamentalism and from the viewpoint of a young Muslim man instead of a US government agent. Riz Ahmed is excellent as Changez, a student from Pakistani who's love of America and all it offers changes dramatically after global events alter his world view. Compelling and well written stuff that will stay with you and make you think.


Starry Eyes   Mon   27/8   The Horror Channel @ 22.55

A young aspiring actress in Hollywood is willing to go to any lengths to ensure she becomes a star of the silver screen. A dark and twisted cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and greed. It's also a pretty damn effective little horror film that will probably leave you horrified when the credits role so be warned. It's nasty. Alex Esso in the lead is very good and someone to look out for in the future.

Odette   Tues   28/8   BBC2 @ 13.20

The true story of Odette Sansom, one of the unsung heroes of World War 2. A French woman and mother who joined the SOE and learned spycraft and espionage before falling foul of the nazi war machine. A gripping and tension packed watch about a side of history rarely mentioned lead by a fantastic Anna Neagle as Odette. Reliable old British faces such as Peter Ustinov and Trevor Howard are great back up.

A Fistful Of Dollars   Wed   29/8   ITV4 @ 22.00

Spaghetti western par excellence time. A mysterious stranger rides into a small desert town in search of work and soon enough his skill with a gun brings him to the notice of two rival gangs. The film that made Clint Eastwood a star still packs a brilliant punch 54 years after it was made. His coolness, the twisty turny storyline, sweat sodden cinematography and Ennio Morricone's soundtrack all combine to create something sublime.

Severance   Thur   30/8   The Horror Channel @ 21.00

Whilst on a team building retreat in the forests of Hungary, the employees of a weapons company start to notice weird goings on. OK, I know the fact that Danny Dyer is in this will put a lot of people off but if you can get over your hatred for him you'll find this to be a highly entertaining comedy/horror/thriller/satire that subverts it's cliches and tropes cleverly. Andy Nyman and Laura Harris also add to the fun. 

Strictly Ballroom   Fri   31/8   BBC2 @ 13.00

A competitive dancer with an unorthodox style and his new partner set out to shake things up in the world of Australian ballroom dancing. Baz Luhrmann's comedy drama sounds like silly fluff but it's actually a cracking watch and it's as tense and exciting in places as any thriller and has a climax that would make a stone smile. Paul Mercurio and Tara Morice are treat as the lead duo.

No Escape   Fri   31/8   RTE1 @ 22.25

Things are looking up when work brings Jack and Annie and their kids to South East Asia. But their new life is soon turned upside down when a violent political coup breaks out all around them. Ya, ok, it might be problematic in places but it's still a genuinely nerve wracking thriller that you'll watch from behind your pillow. Owen Wilson, Lake Bell and Pierce Brosnan all put in a good shift.

17 things I'd rather do than go see the pope.

Pushing my eye in until I feel something pop.

Getting in a ring with Katie Taylor and telling a god joke.

Watching Love Actually twice in a row.

Shitting myself in public after a lamb phaal and a feed of porter.

Touching a spider.

Getting spear tackled by Tana Umagu and Keven Mealamu.

Cleaning a bus station toilet bowl during stomach bug season.

Streaking across the Aviva on a cold day.

Attacking a wasps nest with a hurl.

Going to a Taylor Swift concert.

Growing and wearing a combover.

Getting kidney stones again.

Walking about in skinny jeans.

Spending 90 minutes in the company of Des Bishop.

Drinking a mug of warm bin juice.

Trying to give a cat a bath.

Running full pelt into a crotch high bollard.

All things I'd find preferable to seeing the pope.

The Spy Who Dumped Me

A taxi tears down the streets of a European city. The occupants are being chased by gun wielding men on motorcycles. Death is imminent but the Uber driver still finds time to boast about being a DJ and even does a front seat bop while the blonde American woman in the backseat claims to be an Austrian man named Mr Yang. Seconds the driver gets shot in the head. If this appeals to you then I think you'll find plenty to enjoy about The Spy Who Dumped Me.

Audrey is a woman scorned. She thinks her boyfriend Drew has given her the flick and she's not one bit happy about it so turns to her best friend Morgan for solace and comfort. Little does she realise Drew is a CIA operative on a mission in Europe and when his world collides with hers chaos ensues and a pan European adventure lies ahead.

It's far from perfect but I thoroughly enjoyed this. The title is a riff on Bond movies but happily this is way more enjoyable than the last outing in that franchise. Mila Kunis and Kate McKinnon as Audrey and Morgan make an excellent double act and play off each other perfectly. It's genuinely laugh out loud funny in places and is dotted with bruising and surprisingly violent action setpieces throughout. If you liked the 2015 Melissa McCarthy film Spy then this will be right up your street with it's similar blend of profane laughs, bloody action and close ups of male genitalia. There's an awful lot of knobs in films lately have ye noticed? Nudity should be equal opportunity of course but it's always a startling thing to see on a 30ft high cinema screen.

Comedy cocks aside this ticks all the boxes you'd expect to see in a spy film. Characters flitting from city to city, clandestine meetings, double talk, triple crosses, people claiming to be who they are not, interrogations, inter agency strife, ultra important usb sticks full of data. All the old tropes and cliches are rolled out. The Bourne/Bond similarities stretch to the more action packed scenes too. Vicious hand to hand scraps, murderous shootouts with civilians becoming collateral damage and of course the aforementioned car chases. You'd think this stuff would clash with the comedy but it all works quite well with the more absurd bits complimenting the laughs. And yes, there are some super laughs here. The world slowest car crash is a particular delight as is a meal with the most pretentious mansplainer in Europe and also a quick lesson on the art of proper lying that pays off throughout the film. Hint - always be abrupt.

Kunis and McKinnon make for a brilliant pair of leads. Kunis may be the bigger star but they get more or less equal screentime with plenty of moments for both to shine. McKinnon's Morgan (wait til you hear her full name) starts off a nuisance but by the end you'll be cheering for her and Kunis's 20 years in comedy stand to her here big time with her Audrey being very likable, relatable and funny. BTW, does she age at all? The chemistry between them really works too. It's always good when a screen friendship feels real and here it gives us a great impetus to care for the characters onscreen. Justin Theroux makes the most of a small role as Drew and his scrappy scenes will leave you wondering why he isn't a bigger name. Outlander star Sam Heughan looks the part as a smooth M16 agent but sadly Gillian Anderson is absolutely wasted as his boss. Her first appearance and Morgan's reaction to her is a hoot though.

It's not all successful of course. A lot of the quieter parts reek of that improv thing that American films love. It rarely works, always feels strained and tends to go on for far longer than it should. An appearance from someone involved in real life espionage feels embarrassingly crowbarred in and one big plot hole is totally overlooked in the rush to fit one last twist into proceedings. But tbh you'll probably be giggling too much and enjoying the interactions between the leads to care.

It's a messy film but it works. You'll laugh and you'll want the main characters to succeed and any film that can make you do that is doing something right. I hope it gets a sequel. It deserves one. I'd happily watch Audrey and Morgan in their very own franchise. The day of the solo male spy is done. It's time for something new.