Archive · 19 Jun 2025
Film Reviews: 'The Life of Chuck', 'How to Train Your Dragon', & 'Ballerina'
This week's movies include the Stephen King adaptation, 'The Life of Chuck', the live-action remake of 'How to Train Your Dragon', and the John Wick spin-off 'Ballerina'.
'The Life of Chuck' tells a story of an ordinary man's life and death, which some found moving while others thought it was manipulative.
'How to Train Your Dragon' is a live-action version of the animated film, with many saying it doesn't do anything better than the original.
'Ballerina' follows an assassin seeking revenge, with its second half getting better.
The films showcase varying qualities.
Mike Flanagan's 'The Life of Chuck' is a new Stephen King adaptation, receiving mixed reviews.
The live-action 'How to Train Your Dragon' is criticized for not improving upon the original animated film.
The 'John Wick' spin-off 'Ballerina' stars Ana de Armas as an assassin seeking revenge.
'The Life of Chuck' is described as a tearjerker that explores life's value, but some found it manipulative.
'Ballerina's' second half is considered better due to reshoots, with Ana de Armas handling action scenes.
- Who
- Movie critics are reviewing 'The Life of Chuck', 'How to Train Your Dragon', and 'Ballerina'.
- What
- Reviews of the movies 'The Life of Chuck', 'How to Train Your Dragon', and 'Ballerina'.
- When
- The reviews are for movies recently released.
- Where
- N/A
- Why
- To provide insights on the movies' strengths and weaknesses for potential viewers.
Critics praising films
Critics disliking films
Sentimentality vs. Manipulation in The Life of Chuck
Critics praising films
The Life of Chuck is one of the year's best movies.
Critics disliking films
Some consider the film as manipulative, with a 'sub-Spielberg sentimentality'
Faithfulness vs. Creative differences in Dragon's approach
Critics praising films
How to Train Your Dragon's strong characters are fleshed out in new ways.
Critics disliking films
The new Dragon is 'content creation, not filmmaking'
Action vs. Storytelling in Ballerina
Critics praising films
Ballerina's action is 'absurd and thrilling and gorgeous'.
Critics disliking films
Suspense and storytelling craft are in short supply
- Movie Titles
- 'The Life of Chuck', 'How to Train Your Dragon', 'Ballerina'
- Directors
- Mike Flanagan, Dean DeBlois, Len Wiseman
- Starring (Ballerina)
- Ana de Armas
- Genre (How to Train Your Dragon)
- Live-Action
- Rating (The Life of Chuck, Ballerina)
- R
- Rating (How to Train Your Dragon)
- PG