The motivation of the Grogu/Mandalorian connection is one of father and son. While the context of the new movie "The Mandalorian And Grogu" very much integrates that story in a very subtle but also feeling way, the reality is that the series could do it just as well. It is not that the film isn't cinematic. It ups the ante from the get-go, in many ways like "Solo" did. This a more mature and seasoned Mandalorian as well as Grogu. Director Jon Favreau knows this...and in writing this with Dave Filoni, he does understand his characters inherently.

Looking at the concept of "The Fantastic Four." the crux is the aspect of teamwork. A collection of close knit almost family (and pretty much family) is what binds them. Even in the previous iteration (with Jessica Alba and Chris Evans), the team itself tries to be wholesome...though this new version takes it a little farther.

The essense of epic is an idea not lost on Ridley Scott. In recent years, he has reapproached those opuses that have stood the test of time with varying degrees of success. With "Gladiator II", the heart and approach is in the right place. This is definitely a better outing than "Napoleon." He is anchored by great actors and they are up to the challenge.