Liam Dearden

Welsh Film Reviewer | Words: @CoastalHMedia | @IFScritics Member | My Letterboxd: 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🍿🎟

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

Christopher Nolan’s #TheOdyssey transforms Homer’s immortal poem into a monumental epic of gods, monsters, and men, yet at its heart, it remains painfully human. This is a story about karma, Zeus’ Law, and the truth that every choice demands a reckoning. Defying the gods, Nolan reminds us, is often just defying our own humanity. We are all our own Trojan horses. It is an astonishing achievement, a triumphant and spectacular epic, and perhaps the crowning cinematic achievement of one of the greatest filmmakers of our time.

The scope is simply staggering. Everything Nolan has pursued has led to this: a colossal achievement that somehow balances breathtaking spectacle with profound intimacy. The Polyphemus cave sequence was breathtaking on an EPIC SCALE and Circe’s chapter is nightmare fuel and terrifying, several moments had my jaw on the floor and my heart pounding in my chest. Hoyte van Hoytema‘s cinematography is divine, Ludwig Göransson’s score shook the walls of the cinema , and the practical craftsmanship makes every frame feel carved from myth itself.

Matt Damon carries Odysseus with immense gravitas, revealing the weary soul beneath the legend, while Anne Hathaway is breathtaking as Penelope, particularly in the film’s devastating latter half, embodying love, patience, and heartbreak with remarkable emotional depth. Tom Holland is a revelation as Telemachus, his coming-of-age journey feeling like the arrival of a new leading man before our eyes. But despite the film’s astonishingly stacked ensemble, everyone leaves an indelible mark, Robert Pattinson, Himesh Patel, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o and Elliot Page all standout but it is Samantha Morton’s haunting and unforgettable turn as Circe, alongside John Leguizamo’s presence, that lingers long after the credits roll.

But amid all the grandeur, one moment broke me completely: Argos. The old dog waiting faithfully for his master which reminded me that home is not a place, it is those who still wait for us. @odysseymovie echoes the great Hollywood epics of old while feeling unlike anything I’ve ever seen. Monumental in scale, breathtaking in execution, and profoundly human at its core. It Took my breath away….⚔️🏛️ @UniversalPics @universaluk

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

#ToyStory5 plays out less like a standard sequel and more like an old friend quietly taking your hand, pulling you close, and reminding you not to let go of what truly matters. Seeing Woody and the gang back together on screen is pure, wholesome nostalgia, a comforting anchor In @Pixar’s gentle, profound rebellion against the digital noise. A beautiful reminder of our own humanity, and a timely parable about how technology is shifting the landscape of childhood and pulling kids away from the sacred space of traditional playtime. The film mirrors the chaotic, high-energy humor we love, punctuated by Conan O'Brien, who delivers a genuinely scene-stealing performance as Smartypants, injecting a brilliant, witty spark into the chaos. #ToyStory

By finally stepping into the long-overdue spotlight, Cusack’s Jessie carries a narrative that aches with the nostalgic, heartbreaking beauty of Toy Story 2. At its heart, this is a story about the stubborn survival of genuine connection, a vital defense of tangible love, identity and friendship in a world that keeps trying to pull us into the virtual void. It made me laugh, it swept me up in its spectacular animation, and then, without warning, it quietly broke my heart. And just as the emotions peak, Randy Newman’s score lands with precision, knowing exactly where the fractures are. And yes, there were tears.

Ultimately, it is a film about being seen, being remembered, and the hope that even if moments pass, they still mattered. It is a sentiment the filmmakers cement beautifully toward the end of the main credits with a quiet, devastating dedication:

“Dedicated to our loved ones, past and present, who were there for us at the right time. You mattered.” @toystory

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

Believe what you’ve herd: #TheSheepDetectives is an absolute shear delight. 🐑🔍 A cozy Ewe-dunnit
that feels like Agatha Christie wandered onto a farm and started solving murders with Sheep, in this new breed of mystery. A woolly suspicious murder is committed that blends the heartfelt charm of Babe with the clever ensemble mystery fun of Knives Out and it works Baa-rilliantly. It's Baa-utiful, heartfelt, witty, and Ram-bunctiously entertaining, It made me laugh, tear up, and smile from ear to ear. thanks to Craig Mazin’s excellent screenplay and Kyle Balda’s direction. Beneath all the laughs and sheep puns is a surprisingly moving story about family, acceptance, mortality, belonging, and the power of remembering the people we love and holding onto memories. The warmth, & unexpected emotional depth really sneaks up on ewe. They just don’t make crowd-pleasing talking-animal adventures like this anymore.

Led by an Un-bleat-able flock of suspects and a fantastic voice cast that gave each sheep their own distinct personality, alongside the legendary Ewe Jackman, this murder most fleecey completely won me over. One of the year’s most unexpectedly charming mysteries, I urge ewe and your families to flock to the nearest cinema immediately.
@SonyPicturesUK @AmazonMGMStudio

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

#TheDevilWearsPrada2 is a Fun, Fierce, Fabulously Chic Statement Piece. 👠✨

Honouring everything I loved about the original while evolving with the times yet beneath the hemlines and headlines lay something surprisingly sharp and timely, a reflection on the decline of print media, the dismantling of journalism, and the corporatisation of creativity. The crisis of newspapers, magazines, cultural labour, and writing as a paid profession is the engine here and it resonated deeply. It’s those people that are still fighting to keep those ethical values alive that make returning to these characters feel so worth it. Hathaway, Streep, Blunt, and Tucci slip back into their ICONIC roles as if no time has passed yet each finds something new to say. The chemistry is effortless, the nostalgia delicious, and the subtle nods are perfectly judged. They SERVE in every single frame.

Runway remains RENOWNED, now in the Digital World ensuring the couture & clothes are not just outfits, but characters in their own right. Add the cameos, the soundtrack(GAGA), the glossy glamour, and you have pure cinematic indulgence with real substance underneath. I had the biggest smile on my face the entire time and teared up. Sharp, stylish, witty, sassy, sentimental, and so quotable. It’s glitz and glamour with something meaningful to say. I’m so, So glad to be back in this world!! @20thcentury Worth. The. Wait.

That’s all.

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

It takes a threesome to be some… Wild and Hopps, and Hopps and Wild, and Gary and Nibbles reporting for duty 🐾

#Zootopia2 is FUR-ociously funny and PAWS-itively heartwarming, and paws-down pulls you right back into the magic, charm, and big beating heart that made Judy & Nick’s world so special. living up to the first movie’s legacy, surpassing it, expands the world in ways that feel clever, bold, and thematically rich. Bursting with animal puns, visual gags, and Easter eggs stacked higher than a giraffe but underneath all that is a genuinely tender story about telling someone they matter. About how differences don’t divide us, they make us stronger. That message hit me right in the heart, just like the original did.

#zootropolis2 is a buddy-cop crime caper with twists that slither in when you least expect them, thrilling, chilling, and wildly fun. Judy & Nick’s dynamic gets pushed to new heights, and the new characters are a whole zoo-load of charm. Ke Huy Quan is an unexpected delight, and Bateman + Goodwin, their chemistry is still unmatched. My personal highlight, Fortune Feimster as Nibbles Maplestick. The stakes are bigger, the world is broader, and the final mind-blowing reveal reframes the first film through a whole new lens. With Gorgeous animation, fully alive characters, and a mystery that keeps its claws hidden until the very second. Massive congratulations to the cast, crew, and everyone at @DisneyAnimation for a film made by everyone at Disney Animation, They proved once again we’re better ZOOgether. 🐾💙 thank you @thejaredbush 🦊🐰🐍🦫

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

. @jonmchu returns with an emotionally timely and deeply resonant conclusion that expands every spell conjured by the first film. #WickedForGood is a thrillifying darker but hopeful curtain call that carries our two leads into far more complex and vulnerable places while still delivering the soaring excitement I felt in Part One. What begins as spectacle evolves into something more somber, bittersweet, and profoundly human, culminating in a climax that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera bring to life with staggering grace and power.

If Part One was about choice, Part Two confronts the consequences. Living in our own bubbles, the seductive danger of propaganda, ostracisation, and the peril of trusting those who wield influence with cruel intent. #Wicked For Good urges us to look behind the curtain, to question the narrative, and to ask ourselves, once we finally see the truth, what do we do with it? How do we respond. The more grounded tone gives both Erivo and Grande the space to deliver their most emotionally resonant work across this two-part saga.

Their performances illuminate the cost of innocence lost and the bravery it takes to stand firm in what you believe while protecting those you love. Cynthia soars through the sky and through every note of No Good Deed, which is simply breathtaking shaping Elphaba into a force of strength, empathy, and resolve. Ariana deepens Glinda with remarkable maturity yet still radiant, but undeniably transformed. Her portrayal of grief and acceptance during Girl in the Bubble felt wholeheartedly intimate becoming the films spiritual anchor. Jonathan Bailey is exceptional. “As Long As You’re Mine” becomes a thunderclap of longing. Goldblum,Yeoh, Bode and especially Ethan Slater continue to be wickedly wonderful. From production design to costumes to hair and makeup, the craftsmanship is sublime. You feel the artistry in every stitch, every texture, every brick of the Yellow Brick Road.

I HAVE BEEN CHANGED.. FOR GOOD!
#WickedMovie @wickedmovie

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

Stepping back into the grandeur of #DowntonAbbey was purely bittersweet and heartfelt as elegance meets the big screen for one grand farewell. It’s delightful lavish escapism as we enter the 1930s with a profound embrace of the changing times fuelled by scandal whilst celebrating the beauty of legacy, love, and a family holding onto the past while bravely facing the future. Saying goodbye is never easy, but #DowntonAbbeyTheGrandFinale ensures that every moment wether full of drama, laughter, heartbreak, and grace, becomes a deep sense of closure, both for the characters and for the audience like myself who have walked alongside them for over a decade. Thank you for this unforgettable chapter @DowntonAbbey tears were shed 🥹🎩

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

Twenty-two years after Freaky Friday (2003) blessed us with studded belts, chunky highlights, and Jamie Lee Curtis absolutely shredding on guitar, Disney delivers #FreakierFriday a freakquel that’s hilarious, heartfelt, and packed with chaotic body-swap shenanigans. Lindsay Lohan & Jamie Lee Curtis slip back into Anna & Tess like no time has passed their comedic chemistry still unmatched, their swap performances absolute perfection. 💜💚🎸🎵✨

While Julia Butters & Sophia Hammons bring a new generation into the mix and surprising emotional depth leaning into themes of messy but beautiful mother-daughter relationships, family bonds, sisterhood, sacrifice, and the bittersweet reality of how perspective shifts with age all while keeping the laughs constant with sharp physical comedy, Pink Slip callbacks, fashion-forward fits, and perfect cameos (yes, heartthrob Chad Michael Murray), it’s nostalgia done right. NEED Manny Jacinto in more Romcom leading roles!! Director Nisha Ganatra and the writers clearly get what made the original work, absurd body-swap hijinks grounded by genuine emotional connection turning the volume up!

It’s the FREAKIEST Feel-good family film You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll immediately call your mum! @Disney

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

WE HAVE LIFT OFF…

Marvel Studios has ignited a bold new era with #TheFantasticFour: First Steps, a stunning, retro-futuristic space-age epic that soars as both a cinematic spectacle and a heartfelt homage to Jack Kirby’s legacy. Directed by Matt Shakman, this is the definitive portrayal of Marvel’s First Family a blast of vibrant 60s wonder, cosmic stakes, and emotional depth that finally delivers the #FantasticFour film I’ve longed for.

Heart, wonderment & science collide in a story about FAMILY filtered through the golden haze of a NASA-era dream/comic book come alive. MVP Vanessa Kirby is transcendent as Sue Storm the heart, soul, and strength of the team powered by a mother’s love, as is Pedro Pascal whose performance is so cerebral stretching far beyond science to hold his family together. Joseph Quinn ignites bringing fiery charisma and Ebon Moss-Bachrach grounds it all with vulnerability. Ralph Ineson’s Galactus is IMMENSE devouring the screen, Equally unforgettable is Julia Garner’s Ethereal Shalla-Bal/Silver Surfer

ⒽⒺⓇⒷⒾⒺ is a standout 💙🤍

And through it all, Michael Giacchino’s transcendent, retro-futuristic score fuels the rocket sweeping, brassy, and interstellar his MCU magnum opus, wrapped in glowing miniatures and rich practical effects. The Fantastic Four: First steps is a vibrant burst of 1960s futurism, a mid-century Modern masterpiece that dares to dream like the space race once did, First Steps is both a love letter to the past and a launchpad into the future…

[Daniel Mazz @DanielMazz1]

Thanks so much @DisneyStudios for my #SnowWhite 4K Blu-ray! This film was fantastic @rachelzegler was amazing & shined throughout. You can check out my full unboxing/review below. I highly recommend getting this Blu-ray, especially for the extras🍎 4 ⭐️
https://t.co/5BNSu1Jm5I

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

After #Superman, I'm begging @DCOfficial @JamesGunn & cinemas everywhere: we NEED a dog-friendly screening. I want to bring my own #Krypto to witness the hope, heart & heroism on screen. Here’s my own Supergirl giving her best heroic pose, proudly modelling her League of Super-Pets cape 🐕‍🦺🦸‍♀️💥 This film is vibrant, emotional & powerful a true love letter to Superman's legacy & the dawn of a new DC. Krypto isn't just a scene-stealer-he's the soul. The bond between him and Clark had me tearing up. This is Superman for a new generation-bright, bold, and full of humanity.
Let us bring our super-dogs. Let them feel the hope too! #SupermanMovie

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

James Gunn’s #Superman marks the dawn of a bold new era for DC Studios. A love letter that speaks from the heart to the legacy, the mythos, and the soul of who Superman truly is. Packed with emotion, action, wit, and genuine soul ultimately becoming a soaring, sincere return to what makes the Man of Steel matter. It’s vibrant, character-driven, and steeped in hope and humility leaping from the panels of a comic book and a Saturday-morning cartoon brought to life in episodic fashion! #SupermanMovie

David Corenswet IS Superman, a generational performance that is earnest, inspiring, and deeply human. His Superman believes in people, even when the world doesn’t believe in itself. It’s a portrayal that reminds me that doing good, even when it’s hard, is heroic. Rachel Brosnahan’s #LoisLane is sharp, grounded, and magnetic her chemistry with Clark is lightning in a bottle I especially loved the journalistic back-and-forth throughout the Daily Planet.

Nicholas Hoult delivers a chilling, intelligent #LexLuthor calculating yet charismatic, with a simmering intensity of a man driven by ideology and fear of the unknown trying to outmatch a god. Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific is a standout as are Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell as Pa and Ma Kent whom brought me to tears, grounding Superman’s story with love and heart. But as a dog lover, it’s #krypto who holds the film together. loyal, fierce, funny, unforgettable! LOOK UP! 🔥🐾@JamesGunn @Superman

[Daniel Mazz @DanielMazz1]

I loved chatting with Samantha Lorraine Jacob Rodriguez, Mariana Garzón Toro & Acston Luca Porto. The stars of Dora and The Search For Sol Dorado. We had fun talking all things car chases, slime, bugs, stunts & more!
Interview is out now https://t.co/GDXlhnodlV #doratheexplorer

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

#JurassicWorldRebirth is a jaw-dropping, nerve-shredding nostalgic return to form and a bold leap forward — this is Koepp & Edwards’ thunderous love letter to Spielberg’s legacy and to the Blockbusters of the ’90s channeling the DNA of Jurassic Park and Jaws
balancing adventure, horror, and emotional depth delivering raw wonder and white-knuckle terror in equal measure! Visually stunning flirting with genre, part survival thriller, part sci-fi horror, part sweeping adventure

The dinosaurs are more terrifying than ever, grounded, instinct-driven, and gloriously real, Dolores captured my heart. Animatronics, practical FX, film grain = pure cinematic magic! That T-Rex raft sequence? An all-timer. Visceral, suspenseful, unforgettable. The human story is refreshingly strong, as Rebirth builds character organically amidst the chaos. Scarlett Johansson commands the screen with grit and emotional weight. Jonathan Bailey’s Loomis and his Slutty little glasses are a revelation, charming, intense, the heart of the expedition. Mahershala Ali is the steady soul of the film! Alongside Audrina Miranda.

Dino DNA pulses through every frame as #JurassicWorld Rebirth is more than a blockbuster it’s a resurrection of everything that made us fall in love with dinosaurs in the first place, recapturing the primal thrill of discovery, the heart-stopping terror of survival, and the quiet beauty of creatures long gone from our world @universaluk @JurassicWorld

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

✨👽@Pixar’s #Elio is a galactic out-of-this-world misadventure with its gravity rooted in Earth. A wondrous, whimsical, and wildly heartfelt galactic odyssey that launches into the stars while exploring the most human need of all: to belong. A macrocosmic marvel that speaks to the struggles of identity, grief, and the courage it takes to connect — even across galaxies becoming a shimmering tale of loneliness, self-worth, and the emotional supernova that ignites when you finally find your people. 🛸🪐

The Communiverse dazzles with visually stunning, sensational animation & surreal sci-fi splendour, while Rob Simonsen’s score soars. Among the film’s many celestial delights is the friendship between these two kindred spirits. Yonas Kibreab captures Elio’s wonder and loneliness with heartfelt sincerity, while Remy Edgerly gives Glordon quirky charm and wisdom. Together, they create a cosmic duo that’s as emotionally rich as it is otherworldly.

#ElioMovie hit me in a way I didn’t expect not just as a beautiful film, but as something deeply personal. Warm, weird, & wonderfully original & one of Pixar’s best, this starry-eyed misfit story reminds us that being uniquely YOU is the most cosmic act of courage there is. An Extraterrestrial coming-of-age story for anyone who’s ever felt out of orbit. 🪐 💙

[Daniel Mazz @DanielMazz1]

#CruelMusicalUK Is A thrilling, emotional night full of clever choreography, standout performances & some unforgettable cast interaction that made it even more special!Check out my 🌟🌟🌟🌟 review below! @CruelMusicalUK #CruelIntentionsMusical

https://t.co/uELWofLdiY

[Daniel Mazz @DanielMazz1]

Fantastic 4⭐️@CruelMusicalUK was amazing. The cast were stunning & had beautiful voices @TheWillCallan brought confidence & vulnerability @NicSarahMyers was badass & powerful in their roles. #CruelMusicalUK made me laugh & get emotional. I loved the outfits/shoes. A must see show

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

Thor Almighty — the dragons return, and they’ve never looked more magnificent. In a sea of soulless reboots, Dean DeBlois’#HowToTrainYourDragon (2025) soars above the rest — not a remake, but a rebirth. With fire in its veins, sky beneath its wings, and heart in every frame, this live-action adaptation reforges the legend with mythic scale and soul-stirring beauty. It’s Berk as you’ve never seen it — tactile, thunderous, and true. For every misfit who ever wished they could ride a Night Fury… this one’s for you. ⚔️🐉” @HTTYDragon @universaluk

Read my full review Here: https://t.co/pgcPqJeE5M A tribute to Cowell’s legacy, DeBlois’ vision, and the timeless magic of dragons. #HTTYD

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

#HowToTrainYourDragon is a magestic rebirth in flame and flight. Dean DeBlois returns to soar once more, delivering a gorgeous reimagining capturing the heart, soul, and wind-swept wonder of the original while blazing its own path. From the moment I stepped back onto the Isle of Berk, it felt like coming home. Mason Thames is Hiccup trading tools for trust, fear for flight. Nico Parker breathes new fire into Astrid & Gerard Butler returns with a thunderous and tender performance as Stoick, a chieftain with an axe in one hand and an unspoken ache for his son in the other. ⚔️🛡️🔥

The human-dragon bond still hits with Mjölnir-force emotion. And yes—Toothless is still adorable. #HTTYD is Visually stunning, emotionally rich, and forged with dragonfire-level passion in every frame — from the jaw-dropping VFX and world-expanding production design to John Powell’s soaring, thunderous score, reworked with reverence and power. The test flight scene I shed multiple tears. At its core, this tale remains a powerful fable of fathers and sons, of misfits and monsters, of love, loss, and finding strength in what sets us apart. It’s cinema at its most precious!!🐉🥹

[Liam Dearden @liamdearden]

Meega, nala kwishta! #LiloAndStitch is PURE CHAOTIC JOY — a heartfelt, surf-soaked rollercoaster ride that honours everything I loved about the 2002 classic while deepening its themes of grief, sisterhood, kuleana, and Ohana. Maia Kealoha is a breakout star as Lilo, full of wonder and raw emotion, while Sydney Agudong’s Nani brings the fire and love of a big sister doing her best. Their bond is the emotional engine of the film — messy, beautiful, and real. 🌺💙

Stitch is still the adorable menace we remember, a little rage monster with a big heart, voiced once again by the icon Chris Sanders. 626 is back in full chaotic force and stealing every scene! Cute. Fluffy. Destructive. Billy Magnussen’s comedic timing as Pleakley is genius, his physical comedy is top-tier, and his fashion? Alien-chic excellence. Every moment he’s on screen is pure joy alongside Hannah Waddingham who commands the screen as the Grand Councilwoman. Tia Carrere returns in a new role full of heart, joined by other original cast who spark nostalgia.

The island vibes are real — vibrant cinematography, a soul-soaked soundtrack, and cultural authenticity that makes Hawaiʻi feel like a living, breathing character in the story. @DFLEISCHERCAMP guides this out-of-this-world adventure with care, heart, and just the right amount of chaos. He captures what made the original special — and adds new emotional waves for longtime fans and first-timers alike.