PETER RABBIT Review  — 15:17 TO PARIS Review — A Clint Eastwood/James Corden Showdown

PETER RABBIT Review

You can feel just fine about hippity hopping to the theater with your children to see this part live action, part animated take on a beloved Beatrix Potter bunny tale.

The animation is terrific, and the plot is adorable, and those of you who are concerned about the bunnies coming off as “mean,” fear not. They’re more impish than naughty.

James Corden is delightful voicing Peter, and Daisy Ridley, Margot Robbie and Elizabeth Debicki are sweet as Flopsy, Mopsy and Cotten Tail,

But the standout is Domhnall Gleeson, who got his start as Bill Weasely in the Harry Potter films and has been in everything, including the new Star Wars franchise, ever since. Here he plays the rabbits’ nemesis, the young Mr. McGreggor. And Rose Byrne as Potter is  utterly charming.

Rated PG

1 Hour 33 Minutes

Get times and tickets at Fandango.com.

15:17 TO PARIS Review

At 87, Clint Eastwood is possibly savvier than he’s ever been. Not that 15:17 to Paris is his best film—far from it—but he took a very calculated risk in casting the real people who thwarted the terrorist on that train from Amsterdam to Paris, and regardless of whether they can act or not, who’s going to criticize selfless international heroes?

No, it’s the professionals who really let us down in this film. The script by Dorothy Blyskal is disappointing. The events leading up to the incident plod and ramble, and the declarations of faith are awkward rather than inspiring. These are regrettable missed opportunities, especially from Jenna Fischer and Judy Greer, who play the single moms of two of the heroes.

The editing by Blu Murray builds no sense of urgency or suspense, and Eastwood’s trademark one handed piano score is dull and treacly, rather than intense and driving. With more commitment and finesse, the script, score and editing could have compensated for the film’s other short comings, but alas, they did not. 

Still, there’s something to this uncharacteristically inept handling of a compelling story. I think it might do well among theater goers who are starving for films with a devote, heroic message.

Rated PG-13

2 Hours

15:17 TO PARIS Review — PETER RABBIT Review — A Clint Eastwood/James Corden Showdown

by Lisa Johnson Mandell