AustinOswald

Good Fortune boasts impeccable casting, a hysterical script, and more heart than most films dare to offer. Its sharp wit and understated dialogue shine throughout, delivering moments of genuine introspection without ever feeling heavy-handed.

In an era saturated with existentialist films, Good Fortune distinguishes itself by refusing to take life-or itself-too seriously. It invites viewers to step back, laugh in the face of adversity, and find levity in the chaos.

At first glance, the characters may appear two-dimensional or overly familiar. But as the story unfolds, it becomes clear how meticulously Aziz crafted each one. They're fresh yet layered, revealing unexpected depth and nuance as the film progresses. His thoughtful storytelling-something I've long admired-elevates the narrative and spares it from becoming just another formulaic life-swap tale.

The writing, while subtle, often serves the story well, keeping it grounded and cohesive. Still, I found myself wishing it had taken more risks. The film hints at satire-touching on corporate greed and the plight of the working class-but these themes feel underdeveloped. Aziz introduces these ideas but stops short of provoking real conversation or emphasizing their weight. There's no call to action, only a quiet resignation, as if the challenge was too great to fully confront.

That said, Aziz excels in prioritizing the existential elements that make his characters feel relatable. He navigates a familiar plot structure with finesse, infusing it with sharp humor, a seasoned and well established cast that understands the power of good timing, and a charming simplicity that makes the film feel both intimate and universal.

Obviously, when discussing remakes of any kind, the topic can get a bit hairy. There are those that believe remakes are an attempt to replace the original film. Then, there are those, myself included, that believe remakes are simply meant to pay tribute to and introduce the franchise to a new audience that may not be as familiar with it.

No matter how you look at it, when you have a franchise with a cult following of devoted fans, especially those as intensely loyal as 'How To Train Your Dragon' fans, one starts to hold their breath hoping that the remake won't disappoint.

This film is a great example of a remake that does justice in paying tribute to the original source material as well as introducing a few new scenes and lines of dialogue to help build further background. While no remake is perfect, this film does its absolute best to maintain the charm and appeal of its predecessor. That being said, there are always personal preferences that come about when reviewing a film.

In the case of this remake, I wish the acting, especially involving some of the smaller background characters, was more finely tuned. The pacing of the overall story was just fine, but I wish the director and/or editors allowed more time for these side characters to shine and their quippy jokes to be heard.

Say what you will about the casting for these characters, but I think they were all fine choices. The only exception being that Mason Thames might've been a bit too handsome to play Hiccup.

I absolutely loved seeing Gerard Butler reprise his role as Stoick! His intense yet sportive nature brought so much color to the film. Nick Frost (Gobber), Julian Dennison (Fishlegs), and Gabriel Howell (Snotlout) were also standouts. They gave a whole new life to their characters without shying away from their intended personalities.

As for the overall look of the film, there were times where I felt the green screen could have been blended better with the subject. However, the sets and sweeping landscape shots were incredibly picturesque and gorgeous, so I must compliment the location scouting team.

The CGI team also did phenomenal! The dragons all looked so hyper realistic that, at times, I found myself questioning if the dragons were real, only to remember that dragons don't actually exist. This, as well as the revamped musical score, were the highlights of this film for me.

As a massive fan of this franchise, seeing this reimagining do justice to the original filled me with immense pride and satisfaction. While it did not best the original, it was a respectable tribute.