Ben Dares All

   I didn't see the first Wandering Earth (but you can bet that I saw it afterwards) but I liked this sequel liked it a lot!  This is actually a prequel, dealing with how Earth became a world engine and I love seeing how it all started     It's hard scifi and the beginning felt like a modern video game. It may be a bit long but I'm glad they kept everything in one movie instead of having a 10 episode mini series. I love the idea that the three plotlines never had their protagonists encounter each other (the traditional hero, the grieving father, the corporate leader or assistant).      I'd love it if more hard sci-fi media is offered in mainstream. The hard science is softened by touches of humanity and lightened by unexpected bursts of humor. Hope this pre Wandering Earth is as big as or even a bigger hit than the first one.

   The final part of the Guardians of the Galaxy and they call it Volume 3 to continue the cassette tape reference.    It's a a pretty emotional flick, drawing a lot of the sympathy from the flashbacks of Rocket's tragic origins.  Without it, well, Peter Quill's attempt to rekindle his romance with the alternate Gamora would have been center stage, except it was kind of one note.  Great idea though.  He needs to move on.    Nebula had a finale to her arc; a peaceful one.  Drax and Mantis' storylines were a little problematic since their relationship wasn't really defined and while Mantis has a future in the MCU, this is Drax's final hurrah.  We're left hanging.    Adam Warlock was sadly underutilized.  He had a new hook, being a mama's boy but it was squandered as they didn't properly follow up on it.    Anyhow, lots of emotion but great special effects and action.  The music was intrusive again but it ...