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This Week's Reviews: Are 'Fallout,' 'Civil War,' 'The Sympathizer,' 'Franklin' And 'Arcadian' Any Good?
Coming off of a week with a ton of home runs, we have even more grand slams this time round — according to critics, at least. April 2024 has been a crazy good month for people who love to sit and watch stuff, so why ever bother to go outside with this much on your television?
Here's a roundup of all the reviews heaping praise on the latest from Max and Apple TV, and for fans of sci-fi and horror.
'Civil War' (out April 12)
It's mourning again in America, and it's mesmerizingly, horribly gripping.
Manohla Dargis, New York Times
A staggering work, with a career-best performance from Dunst.
Chris Bumbray, JoBlo's Movie Network
Garland's sharpest, most visionary rendering yet of the world gone wrong.
This is a lean, cruel film about the ethics of photographing violence, a predicament any one of us could be in if we have a smartphone in our hand during a crisis.
Amy Nicholson, Washington Post
Raw and electrically presented, "Civil War" is an ugly odyssey and an audacious premonition.
Consensus: the reviews are overwhelmingly glowing, with many calling this a masterpiece. If you can stomach a war film, then this is apparently a must see.
'Fallout' (out now)
"Fallout" is one of the most confident, impressive video game adaptations ever made.
There's a lot to recommend with "Fallout."
Nicholas Quah, New York Magazine/Vulture
A slightly sluggish journey across a giddily realized world.
"Fallout" is a big, wicked, and totally rad video game adaptation and streaming's next big monster hit.
The tone, the visuals, the meticulous attention to the detail of the game world is a far cry from some other adaptations-which-will-not-be-named that try to completely blaze their own path. This is extraordinarily faithful to the games.
[I want] to watch more seasons of "Fallout" and invest in high-end computer equipment so that I can play every installment of the video game. And if that's not a win for Jonathan Nolan, Lisa Joy, and the rest of their brilliant team, I don't know what is.
Pramit Chatterjee, Digital Mafia Talkies
Consensus: we've seen the show, and it's the real deal. A treat for fans, and a whole new world for non-gamers. This show rules.
'The Sympathizer' (out April 14)
To put it simply, "The Sympathizer" is a future television classic.
"The Sympathizer" is loyal to Nguyen's ideas as well as his plot.
Like the book that inspired it (although not quite as stunning), "The Sympathizer" is an eye-opening call to action.
The series doubles as both a high-speed comedy and a dark, biting drama.
Truly transportive television, the kind of show that really does open your eyes to a new perspective on the world — and keeps you surprised the entire time.
Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence
Consensus: okay, for real, there is way too much top tier prestige TV coming out for us to keep up. There's no way this can be another banger in a long line of them so far in 2024 — but apparently it is.
'Franklin' (out April 12)
Amid all the pomp and polish, Douglas gives a pleasingly unaffected performance as Franklin.
It feels like the one thing a big-budget historical TV series should not: homework.
"Franklin" sometimes moves at a glacial pace, but it's still worth your valuable viewing time... primarily because of the sly and captivating performance by Michael Douglas as Benjamin Franklin.
Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times
I think this Ben Franklin is actually closer to the villain of the piece than the hero, and I only give a 10 percent chance that that was intentional.
Dan Fienberg, Hollywood Reporter
Consensus: seems pretty mid, right?
'Arcadian' (out April 12)
Playing like a cross between a poignant coming-of-age story and intense survival horror, "Arcadian's" ultimate appeal and magic lie in the inventive monster designs and the thrilling action set pieces they inspire.
Meagan Navarro, Bloody Disgusting
Perfectly blends several genres together to deliver an intense thriller, terrifying horror, and family drama filled with emotion. The creature design is equal parts unique and exciting, while the world sets itself up for sequels.
"Arcadian" is a damn good monster mash supported by plenty of sufficient enough establishing family dramatics.
It's the monsters that bring the big, delicious, funky thrills of "Arcadian..." But it's Cage and his onscreen kids who give the movie stakes and the emotional center that is required for a great monster movie, be it "Jaws" or "Alien."
Gripping, terrifying and heartfelt.
Brewer goes for broke and it pays off.
Bill Goodykoontz, Arizona Republic
Consensus: sounds like a fun time if you're into monsters and Nic Cage.