The Herald - The Herald Magazine
A dazzling romp that leaves the heart wanting
Edgin is incarcerated with Holga in the giant panopticon of Revel’s End on charges of grand larceny and skulduggery. A daring prison break shepherds Edgin and Holga to the seemingly impenetrable vault of Castle Never and a hare-brained heist that harnesses the combined talents of sorcerer Simon, shapeshifting tiefling druid Doric (Sophia Lillis) and dreamy paladin Xenk (Rege-Jean Page). In their way stands menacing Red Wizard Sofina (Daisy Head), who specialised in the school of necromancy.
Shot on location in the UK and Ireland, the film is an entertaining and imaginative jape that aims bigger than Daley and Goldstein can ultimately deliver. Pine sparks a pleasingly antagonistic relationship with Page while Rodriguez performs most of the heavy lifting when it comes to on-screen fisticuffs.
Ray Chan’s impressive production design dazzles the eyes but the heart goes wanting.
7/10
MUMMIES (U)
SPANISH filmmaker Juan Jesus Garcia Galocha, who was art director on Tad The Lost Explorer And The Secret Of King Midas, makes his directorial debut with an animated adventure co-written by Jordi Gasull and Javier Barreira. Emmy Awardwinning
screenwriter Ricky Roxburgh collaborated with the duo on the English-language translation.
The Pharaoh (voiced by Sean Bean) presides over a secret afterlife for Egyptian mummies, hidden from human eyes beneath the shifting sands of the ancient pyramids.
In this subterranean world, the noble ruler looks forward to his daughter Princess Nefer (Eleanor Tomlinson) finding true love and ascending the throne with the Royal Family’s treasured ring on her finger.
Ambitious archaeologist
Lord Carnaby (voiced by Hugh Bonneville) and his henchmen steal the fabled heirloom and spirit it away to the Carnaby Museum in London.
Nefer gives chase along with charioteer Thut (Joe Thomas), his younger brother Sekhem (Santiago Winder) and their pet baby crocodile.
Far from home and the rituals of the Egyptian court, the interlopers adapt quickly to the strange customs of the west.
7/10
GOD’S CREATURES (15)
A mother’s unconditional love knows no bounds in a tense Irish drama written by Shane Crowley and directed by Saela Davis and Anna Rose Holmer.
Eileen (Emily Watson) is thrilled when her estranged son Brian (Paul Mescal) returns from Australia to their close-knit fishing village.
For the first time in years, the hard-working clan is together, including Eileen’s husband Con, daughter Erin and her baby boy.
The return of the prodigal son isn’t greeted with so much enthusiasm by Con or by Eileen’s co-worker Sarah (Aisling Franciosi) at the seafood processing plant.
When shocking allegations are levelled at Brian, Eileen is asked to provide an alibi. Her decision to lie for Brian has dire repercussions for the family and the wider community.