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Will Smith and Martin Lawrence are back as officers Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett called to action to clear the name of their beloved former captain. As it turns out multiple branches of the Miami law enforcement are inundated with rats and ne’er-do-wells, it’s time to clean house, may the hijinks ensue. Directed by the Belgian duo Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, this formulaic buddy cop adventure packs in plenty of call backs and cameos from the last 29 years, and, manages to bring the fun and adventure just as audiences have come to expect. While no real stretches in screenwriting and action sequencing have been made, Adil and Bilall have definitely been taking solid notes from previous Bad Boys (1995) Director, Michael Bay, with a few modernized twists to boot, nice. As for Smith and Lawrence, the chemistry and magic is still present, they’re entertainers through and through, solid. It should also be noted, near the top of the list of producers in this franchise remains, of course, the blockbuster maker, Jerry Bruckheimer, say what you will but his formula for cinematic hits works. Running just shy of two hours this romp is rated R for ridiculous, it’s fun, enjoy the show.

In the post apocalyptic wasteland a fierce warrior, Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy), is forged by the impossible sink or swim circumstances she’s forced into by two warlords of the desert, Dr. Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) and Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme). Now, trained by the best defensive driver known, Praetorian Jack (Tom Burke), Furiosa is further armed with the skills and tools necessary to seek vengeance for family lost. Written by George Miller and Nick Lathouris and Directed by Miller this well equipped prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) brings fans of the franchise back to dirty and dustier times where the wrestlings between Gas Town, Bullet Town, and the Citadel dominate the wasteland casting civility to the side, familiar themes and concepts. To that end Miller isn’t exactly mining new ore in this latest exercise, but rather, offering an examination to Furiosa’s origin; which Taylor-Joy triumphantly receives and delivers, the steely, shiny, and chrome gaze is strong in this one. So, it’s big, it’s loud, and it’s brash, but it’s also long with a runtime of two hours and twenty eight minutes, but Miller just has to have one more car chase, one more explosion, and one more conversation that seemingly was already punctuated. And, sadly, for a director who historically has embraced the chaos and splendor of practical effects, Miller’s opting for CGI and digital artistry this go round seems diminished by comparison. No doubt budget, safety, and wilder imagination top the list of rationales for this move, but the change is definitely noticeable as end credits roll and practical scenes from Fury Road are played back, a fun but unfortunate juxtaposition reminding the viewer what could have been. Regardless, blockbuster season is officially in effect this weekend. Boom. Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is rated R.

Director Paul Crowder takes the public behind the scenes, into the boardroom, and up to the skies for an in depth look at the operations, training, and performance of Navy and Marine’s elite flying team The Blue Angels. Examining the team and support staff’s constant aim and pursuit for perfection, this visually sharp piece serves to inform as much as entertain in its attempt to enlighten the viewer to the organization’s totality, its rich history, and how the Blue Angels are continuing to adapt and inspire new generations of pilots and aviation enthusiasts. And, while a case could be made to show how the entire film serves as recruitment piece for the U.S. Navy, there’s also a balance of material showing the dangers, physical rigor, and mental challenges that serve to illustrate beyond the basics of six pilots flying in really fast jets. As it turns out, in fact, the jets are really just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. And, backed by some of Hollywood’s biggest names, Producer J.J. Abrams, Executive Music Director Hans Zimmer, and Arial Director of Photography Michael FitzMaurice, the film comes with a degree of polish that should be experienced in IMAX for the full intended effect. Running just over 90 minutes, this flight exercise is sufficiently timed, if anything even just a shade long, but who’s counting? As we near Memorial Day Weekend, this is one way to reflect on the armed services in a lighter manner. The Blue Angels is rated G.