Movies To Watch: 'Megalopolis,' And 'The Wild Robot'

HOLLYWOOD, CA — This weekend, the cinematic world is beaming with excitement as it welcomes two of the most-anticipated movies of the year on the silver screen.

"Megalopolis," Francis Ford Coppola's first feature in 13 years, arrives with a story about the essence and vagaries of time in a metropolis that is on the verge of beyond repair. The film stars Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina, a famous architect and designer with a grand vision to rebuild the city in decline. Giancarlo Esposito plays the visionary's nemesis, while Nathalie Emmanuel plays Cesar's love interest.

Craving an animation movie for the entire family? In DreamWorks' "The Wild Robot," Lupita Nyong'o lends her voice to Roz, a robot who finds her mission in life after she crash-lands on an uninhabited island.

Check out what we thought of the two new releases below.

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Movies Out This Weekend

“Megalopolis”

Adam Driver, Giancarlo Esposito, Nathalie Emmanuel; directed by Francis Ford Coppola

Francis Ford Coppola — the filmmaker who has gifted the cinematic world with larger-than-life movies, including "Apocalypse Now," "The Godfather," "The Godfather Part II," "The Conversation" and "Bram’s Stoker Dracula" — comes roaring back with yet another masterpiece, his first feature in 13 years.

Reportedly, the 85-year-old legend spared no cost and spent roughly $120 million of his own personal wealth to ensure that “Megalopolis” materializes.

Set in a city called New Rome, "Megalopolis" presents a story about time pertaining to its essence and vagaries. Aptly, the movie begins with a large image of a city clock, evoking that time inherently marches forward day after day. But what if there were someone who could easily pause time and effectuate an orderly society that could resist any trend of degradation and uncertainty?

Enter Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver), a controversial Nobel-winning architect who has the supernatural powers to stop time as he devises a massive utopian makeover to a concoction of New York, Las Vegas and Roman Empire — a new place called Megalopolis.

At his will, time pauses, and everything freezes, such as automobiles, people, planes and any moving object. But he knows that his superpowers are limited and that eventually, time will have to resume once again, replete with New Rome’s unfortunate decline to entropy. For sure, Cesar can hardly wait for the rise of Megalopolis, which he can create by using a cryptic equipment called Megalon.

Resistance to Cesar’s ambitious futuristic project abounds, but no one seems to be more formidable than the non-impressed Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), New Rome’s partisan mayor who asserts that the entire project is costly. In addition, he believes that money be better spent on the creation of new jobs.

Indeed, the plot is based on the Catilinarian conspiracy of 63 B.C., which highlights the bellicose relationship between politician Lucius Sergius Catiline and his archenemy, consul Marcus Tullius Cicero.

Will Cesar finally triumph and build Megalopolis?

Interspersed with references to Shakespeare, Emerson, and Sapphic poetry, “Megalopolis” is quite unique in its exceptional form as it attempts to rebuild a crumbling city in ruins. The movie is undeniably oozing with incredible, unbridled creativity in an expansive landscape filled with unbounded ambitions and imaginations. However, at times, “Megalopolis” feels underwhelming in terms of cogency.

“The Wild Robot”

Lupita Nyong’o, Pedro Pascal, Kit Connor; directed by Chris Sanders

A story about love, parenting and redemption, Chris Sanders' "The Wild Robot," based on Peter Brown’s open-ended children's book series, arrives with wondrous feats of delightful, animated entertainment.

At the heart of the story is a good-natured robot named Roz (Lupita Nyong’o), the lone survivor of a cargo ship disaster. These days, she enjoys her time around a spectacular island that is full of amazing wildlife. Originally designed to be a people-pleaser, she longs to find a master whom she can serve. But where can she possibly find one in this uninhabited paradise?

Undeterred in her efforts, she is now even considering serving any animals like crustaceans and foxes. Along the way, she inadvertently shatters a goose nest, leaving only a single egg.

Feeling guilty and responsible for her actions, she decides to take care of it. When the egg hatches, she finally finds her path to redemption. Roz must now serve, protect and raise the gosling named Brightbill (Kit Connor).

She needs help, but no one else seems to care. Luckily, she crosses paths with goose Longneck (Bill Nighy) and falcon Thunderbolt (Ving Rhames), two compassionate animals who eventually decide to come to Roz’ aid.

Time flies and Brightbill seems to be growing fast. But can they both survive the unforgiving, harsh weather in sight?

“The Wild Robot” has a beating heart and a spunky soul, anchored by Nyong’o’s amazing voice talent. The Oscar-winning actress’ performance radiates with unforgettable gravitas, warmth and compassion. Plus, the animation is fantastical, a sumptuous visual feast from beginning to end.