“The Devil Wears Prada 2” wears its legacy well
I don’t watch many movies, but once in a while, a movie feels too famous to have missed. For me, that list included films like “Titanic,” “Forrest Gump” and “Interstellar.” “The Devil Wears Prada” eventually made the list, and I watched it a few years ago before I knew there would be a sequel. Even over 15 years after its release, I understood why it was so praised. When I heard there would be a sequel, I knew I had to see it.
The sequel picks up 20 years later, after Andy has built her own career in journalism. After losing her job at a newspaper, she is brought back to Runway and has to navigate the fashion industry from a different position than she did when she worked there previously.
I was prepared for the sequel to feel like a meaningless cash grab, but I was pleasantly surprised. It made plenty of clever jabs at modern media, but some elements did not land, especially the awkward attempts to make the movie feel current through forced slang and obvious references. Despite that, it was a strong continuation of the story and mostly felt realistic for where most of the characters would be two decades after the original plotline.
“Top Gun” flies back into theaters
“Top Gun” is my dad’s favorite movie of all time, so much so that it made him want to become a Navy pilot when he was younger. For more than 10 years, that was the future he imagined for himself, and he even joined the ROTC and was stationed on an aircraft carrier for a summer before deciding against that career. Because of this, the movie has always been more than just a movie in my family, and that made me curious about why it had such a lasting effect on my dad.
When the sequel came out in 2022, I saw both movies, and I completely understand why the original meant so much to him. The action, music and drama come together so well. When I heard they were both coming back to theaters for the 40th anniversary of the original, I knew I had to go with my dad and experience it on a big screen.
The 1986 movie is timeless. Despite the retro technology and outfits, it is still incredibly enjoyable, especially in theaters. The jet scenes felt louder, bigger and more intense, and being able to hear the planes flying all around me made the movie feel much more immersive than watching it at home.
Now, as a student pilot with a lot more knowledge about aviation, the plot holes were much easier to notice, but also the small, accurate details that I didn’t catch before. It succeeds because of its energy, characters and sense of excitement. “Top Gun” is a timeless, amazing movie, and seeing it in theaters made me appreciate it even more.
“Michael” moonwalks around controversy
I have grown up in a family that does not appreciate Michael Jackson as a person. For years, my mom worked with children who had been mistreated by adults, and seeing their trauma shaped the way she talked about him. She taught me and my siblings that harmful accusations should be taken seriously, not ignored because of fame or talent. Because of this, I went into the movie hoping it would be an honest retelling of his life.
The biopic follows Jackson from his childhood and time in the Jackson 5 up until around 1984, when he becomes fully established as a solo artist, meaning the movie ends before the abuse accusations against him take place. It spends most of its time focusing on performances, with so many recreations of them that they start to feel repetitive. At times, it goes through multiple songs from the same performance in a row. It feels like it is trying to stretch the story to avoid the controversial parts of his life. A biopic does not have to include every moment, but with such a complicated subject, leaving out that part of his legacy makes the movie feel incomplete.
That being said, Jaafar Jackson’s performance was incredible. As Jackson’s nephew, his resemblance to his uncle is uncanny, and he clearly captures his voice, walk, mannerisms and presence. The visuals are also strong, especially the recreated sets, costumes and choreography.
Overall, though, the movie feels watered down. It looks amazing and has strong performances, but it seems more interested in protecting Michael Jackson’s image than telling the full truth about his life.