Movie Review Archives

Science Fiction Worth Watching: Independence Daysaster Movie Review

Movie Review, Science Fiction Books, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / April 10, 2026

A B-Movie That’s Surprisingly Fun

Independence Daysaster. If this reminds you of a more famous movie title, you’re not mistaken, and you also wouldn’t be wrong in then assuming that the plot is similar. As a B-level movie goes, this one is better than most. The special effects are above average. The acting is decent, though some of it is just average, and the plot is interesting. While it has echoes of its more famous version, it’s also very much its own thing.

What was extra fun for me was it being set in Oregon. I will validate that it looked very much like Oregon. They named the town Moose Ridge, though, and moose don’t live in Oregon. Still, that’s not as egregious as the assumptions in The Crater Lake Monster, where Oregon somehow ended up between LA and Las Vegas.

The explosions weren’t as spectacular as in the more well-known version, but they were well done and there were quite a lot. The alien ships were cool, and the story was fun. Again, better than usual for this grade of movie.

If you want to sit back and enjoy an alien invasion, this one isn’t at all disappointing. For that reason, I give it a one beer rating. One is enough to enjoy this one. It’s streaming free on YouTube.

Here’s the trailer:

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Godzilla: King of the Monsters Movie Review

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / March 20, 2026

Netflix is acquiring the MonsterVerse movies in a truly baffling order, so I ended up watching Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire first. I loved both of them, which made me more than happy to circle back to Godzilla: King of the Monsters. As someone who genuinely loves monster movies, this felt like coming home.

And wow—this movie delivers on monsters. If you like giant creatures smashing things, you will be very happy here. There are a lot of monsters, and they’re not just cool, they’re intense. The cinematography is outstanding, the scale is enormous, and the action is nearly nonstop. Even better, the action isn’t just repetitive punch-smash-repeat. It’s layered: one huge problem leads to another, then another, then somehow an even worse one. By the time you think things couldn’t possibly get more chaotic… oops, here comes problem number five.

No, this isn’t a movie that’s heavy on plot—but the plot that is there is actually pretty interesting. And having already seen where the franchise goes, I can say it pays off in a big way later on. The acting is solid, though the human cast is mostly tasked with looking terrified and screaming convincingly. They do that very well. Importantly, the movie never forgets where the focus should be: on the monsters. As it should be.

Overall, Godzilla: King of the Monsters is exactly what a monster movie ought to be—loud, epic, visually stunning, and unapologetically massive. Very well done.

Rating: Gets the beer is optional rating 🍿🦖

And here is the remix of the Blue Oyster Cult song, Godzilla, for your listening pleasure…

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The Maze Runner Movie Review

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / February 13, 2026

The Maze Runner is an interesting and engaging film with strong performances and compelling characters. The central premise—a group of boys trapped inside a massive, shifting maze—is immediately intriguing, and the tension and mystery carry the story forward. On a scene-by-scene level, the film is effective.

Where it falters, for me, is in providing context. I kept searching for the underlying framework of the story: the why and the what. I’m open to being dropped into a mystery with limited information, but I need that mystery to eventually resolve into meaning. Without that core understanding, the events never fully coalesced into something emotionally grounded.

The maze itself is compelling, and the acting remains solid throughout. However, by the end of the film, I was still unsure what the story was actually about or what was real within its world. The final reveal gestures toward explanation, only to pull back again, leaving the central motivation frustratingly vague.

As a result, the ending left me asking not “What happens next?” but “Why should I care?” Without a clear narrative foundation, the mystery doesn’t deepen—it dissipates. The Maze Runner succeeds at atmosphere and momentum, but withholds too much meaning to fully land as a standalone story.

Because I was left so wanting at the end, I have to give it a rating of 2.5 beers. I don’t think drinking 2.5 beers would leave me less confused, but hey, it’s beer.

Have you seen this one? I know there’s a book, but I haven’t read it. Maybe I’d be less confused if I had.

Here’s the trailer:

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Spectral: Science Fiction Movie Review

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / January 16, 2026

Sci-fi suspense that hooks you without overthinking it.

Spectral is a good, entertaining ride. The movie centers on a mysterious force killing people. At first, the “spectral” nature of the foe made me think of Predator, but the story quickly took a completely different path.

The film is well-acted with a strong ensemble cast, and the story hangs together in a logical, coherent way. The special effects are impressive, and what the foe actually turns out to be is fascinating and unlike anything I’ve seen before. That twist really caught my attention.

Spectral is suspenseful, full of action, and even dips into interesting ethical debates about science versus the reality of funding research. And if you’re paying attention, there’s a nod to a classic sci-fi trope — “reversing the polarity” — which is always fun to spot.

If you’re looking for a mind-blowing, twist-filled plot, this isn’t it. It’s fairly predictable, but the execution makes the story feel fresh enough to keep you engaged. So, I give it a one-beer rating. One is more than enough to have a good time watching Spectral.

Here’s the trailer:

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Movie Review: Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark

Movie Review / M Pax / October 17, 2025

Starring Christopher Judd, Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark delivers exactly what you’d expect from a film with that title—plus a few unexpected gems.

I went into this one hoping Judd would drop a signature “Indeed” at some point. Sadly, no dice. Had he done it, this movie might’ve earned a bonus half-beer deduction. Even without it, though, this film is still packed with sharky fun.

The Asylum knows what its audience wants: destruction, mayhem, and ridiculous chaos. And on that front, they absolutely deliver. There were several moments where I laughed out loud at the sheer absurdity—and I mean that in the best possible way. Sharky shenanigans? Top tier.

Now, I won’t spoil the major twist that reeled this beer rating down from a 2.5 to a very enjoyable 1.5. But I will mention one minor spoiler (last warning!). When the megalodon batted a torpedo back at a submarine like a boss? Fabulous. Just one of many gloriously over-the-top moments.

If you’re a fan of the disaster-shark genre—and let’s be honest, who isn’t—you’re going to enjoy this one. Ridiculous in the best way, Mega Shark vs. Mecha Shark is a solid 1.5 beer movie. Pop a cold one and dive in.

Here’s the trailer:

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Sci-Fi Worth Watching: Star Trek’s Section 31 Movie review

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / September 27, 2025

Section 31 is a fun romp through the grittier side of Star Trek, led by the always-splendid Michelle Yeoh. I enjoy seeing a rougher edge to the usually polished Trek universe, and this movie scratches that itch.

There’s an interesting team of misfits working together to stop a dangerous weapon, which gave it a Guardians of the Galaxy vibe—minus the edgy soundtrack. The opening offered some insight into Georgiou’s character, but the plot missed the mark with the arc involving San, the boy from her past. After all the damage she inflicted, his burning hatred felt right. His change of heart later on seemed far too fast and not quite earned. I also would have liked more about why Georgiou started to change in the mirror universe. I know she changed some upon encountering Discovery, but I still think more insight into Georgiou is needed for this change.

While there’s a lot to like about the plot and the twist on the usual Trek story, the movie still ultimately fell back into familiar territory: once again, the fate of the galaxy was at stake. I wish they’d raise different stakes now and then instead of always going so big.

Spoilers Ahead!
If you don’t want spoilers, stop reading now.

First, the arc with San: the beginning showed Georgiou as cold-hearted and ruthless, and San’s hate rang true. His sudden turnaround and rekindled love with her felt forced and unearned.

Second, the Hunger Games-style contest among children? It felt too familiar, like borrowed territory rather than a fresh idea. I honestly expected young Georgiou to laugh it off as a tall tale she’d heard. It didn’t quite fit.

The mole intrigue was fun, but the plot kept distracting itself . I rolled with it because, in my opinion, a movie’s first job is to be fun—but still, when they somehow survived after the explosion and came back into focus… I definitely rolled my eyes.

As for the ending: while sappy and hokey, it was fine. But after such an edgy beginning, I wished the tone had matched better from start to finish. I think Georgiou sacrificing herself for one universe—or finding a way to repair the mirror universe—would have made for a stronger, more satisfying redemption arc.

Still, if you want a gritty, action-filled Star Trek adventure with plenty of Michelle Yeoh badassery, Section 31 delivers. I’d say one beer is enough to have fun with this one.

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