Hello Tomorrow! REVIEW: Decent Retro-futuristic Satirical Drama

I'm just going to say it: Apple TV+ has been doing very well in terms of content over the past two years. It's not just the Best Picture Oscar they won last year, or the multiple Emmys received by "Ted Lasso", but they have consistently put out high-quality shows. The focus seems to be on quality over quantity, and I appreciate that. That's why I was intrigued to watch their new series "Hello Tomorrow!" after seeing the initial promotional photos, as it appeared to be my cup of tea. I wasn't entirely mistaken. I was able to watch the first three episodes, and the question is whether the rest of the show is worth watching.

Synopsis: "Follows a group of traveling salesmen hawking lunar timeshares."

From the very first shot of an old diner's neon lights shining at night with a classic jukebox song playing, it struck the right chords for me. "Hello Tomorrow!" is a retro-futuristic satirical drama that may have more style than substance, but still manages to convey an engaging cautionary tale with a talented cast. The narrative itself is not as compelling as the visuals, so I am not sure if it will buy all viewers and keep them hooked after three episodes. What I know is that it was enough for me to tune in next week to continue the journey because it's an interesting premise.

My favorite part of the series is the incredible retro-futuristic production design, which blends Art Deco and mid-century suburban vibes. It's mesmerizing to watch, especially for those who, like myself, are fans of the 1950s aesthetic. The issue, however, is that the drama involving the various supporting characters is not always as compelling as it should be, and the same can be said for the examination of door-to-door salesmen, suburban life, and the 1950s American Dream. Some elements fell short. Despite this, the show strikes a good balance between being serious and entertaining.

Billy Crudup is a talented man and he does enough to infuse some humanity into a lead character that isn't entirely likable. I'm eager to see where the show will go from here, and despite its flaws, I still enjoy watching it due to the visuals and atmosphere. For now, it has my attention. It may not be a massive success for Apple TV+, but I genuinely believe it's another testament to the quality and level of care they are putting into their series.

Initial Score: 7/10

The first 3 episodes of Hello Tomorrow! starts streaming on AppleTV+ this Friday

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania REVIEW: A Light Space Opera à la Marvel

Paul Rudd returns to fill the big shoes of Marvel's smallest superhero, Ant-Man, in his third solo movie, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. This film also marks the main introduction of the MCU's next big baddie, Kang, who is played by Jonathan Majors. For that reason, there has been a lot of anticipation about this movie after a somewhat uneven Phase 4 that wasn't as successful & cohesive as the previous standards set by Marvel. I've always enjoyed the Ant-Man films for their lighthearted nature and fun sense of spectacle, but I was feeling a bit of MCU fatigue going into this movie. Despite not being a complete success, I left the movie with renewed interest in the main storyline. Quantumania is overall a decent start for Phase 5 and it seems like we are going in the right direction.

This review contains no spoilers.

Synopsis: "Scott Lang and Hope Van Dyne, along with Hank Pym and Janet Van Dyne, explore the Quantum Realm, where they interact with strange creatures and embark on an adventure that goes beyond the limits of what they thought was possible."

"Quantumania" is a light & psychedelic space opera à la Marvel that starts Phase 5 on a mostly good note while keeping the spirit of the previous Ant-Man films. The introduction of Kang shifts the movie in full gear and doesn't disappoint thanks to Jonathan Majors. It takes a bit of time to get going and it took me some time to connect with the film, but once Kang arrives, it doesn't let go. I was pleased to see that Michael Douglas and Michelle Pfeiffer also had a lot to offer in this film. I'm always happy to see that their star is still shining bright.

Jonathan Majors is having the time of his life right now, and his stock continues to rise in Hollywood after receiving stellar reviews for his performance in the upcoming film "Magazine Dreams" and his role as the antagonist in "Creed III". He is introduced as a big threat in "Quantumania," as a man who has conquered space, time, and multiple worlds. This is going to be game-changing for the future of the MCU, and this is why he has a lot to carry on his shoulders as an actor. The good news is that he nailed it, and without getting into any details, people are going to be surprised when they meet him on the big screen.

The movie juggles between being a weird and quirky sci-fi psychedelic adventure through the Marvel cosmos, and a more serious challenge for Scott Lang, which can sometimes play against its favor. I've seen a lot of Star Wars comparaisons and they are legitimate. When it ended I was talking with my fellow critic/friend Shaurya Chawla and I said: "This felt like the Star Wars prequels to me". Take that as you will, but I don't mean it in a bad way necessarily. The problems with the Star Wars prequels is that they were sometimes too ambitious for their own good and I can see some of that in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

I'm giving it high praise for the special effects and the visual spectacle. It involves a plethora of kaleidoscopic sequences with bright colors and a high attention to details. I was able to catch the film in IMAX, but I did not see it in 3D and I'm curious how this will play out because it might improve the experience. I have a major complaint about the CGI, involving a beloved character that I won't mention in case you haven't seen it. This didn't really work for me, but the more I think about it, the more it falls into the "so bad it's good" category.

The first two Ant-Man films were described as palate-cleansing heist movies, but this one is a different breed of film. Despite still maintaining the energy and sense of humor that Paul Rudd is known for, the presence of Kang brings a different dimension. The chemistry between Scott and his daughter Cassie has always been a central piece of those films and Kathryn Newton did a good job taking over the role for her first time. I don't know if this beats the first Ant-Man in my book but it's a perfect companion to the previous two films to close the trilogy. I don't need to tell you to stick around until the end, both end-credit sequences were quite important and are part of the reason why I'm excited for the future.

Initial Score: 7/10

Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania opens in theaters on February 17th