*Ready or Not 2: Here I Come* (2026).
A *huge* step down from the first movie. It unnecessarily expands the lore with an overly complicated agreement between several elite families. The characters aren't as interesting, only a couple of jokes work, and whereas the original performances felt natural and believable, here everything comes off as flat and stilted.
My rating: 55%.

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Quite a varied selection this week! Another Disney sequel, two cinema releases, and one miscellaneous film (or rather a two-episode miniseries) to bring it up to four.

102 Dalmatians — 1½ stars
Hoppers — 3 stars
Project Hail Mary — 4 stars
Battle Angel Alita (AKA Gunnm) — 3 stars

Also just out of view is the 1996 *101 Dalmatians*, which I rewatched to refresh my memory for the sequel. For the record, I give it 2½ stars.

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*Battle Angel Alita* [AKA just *Battle Angel*, AKA *Gunnm*] (1993).
This two-episode OVA is, I suspect, an extremely condensed adaptation of the manga. It rushes through the story at breakneck speed, just enough to convey the basic idea but not leave an emotional impact. Still, even if the rushed pacing renders the characters not overly engaging, the world itself is.
My rating: 65%.

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*Project Hail Mary* (2026).
A terrific sci-fi outing that cements Andy Weir and Drew Goddard as a winning combination.🙂 First it unfolds like a mystery as Ryland Grace pieces together what happened to him, then it becomes an innovative take on first contact. Both halves are smart, compelling and emotional, complete with amazing music.
My rating: 85%.

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*Hoppers* (2026).
The trailer made this look *awful*, but left out some crucial context that makes all the difference. I was never fully on board with the first half or Mabel's rather misguided goals, but the idea of interfering with nature leads to an outrageous second half that finally makes the movie.
My rating: 65%.

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I begin this week with one more Disney sequel.

*102 Dalmatians* (2000).
It ramps up the comedy much more than the first movie, but none of it works and it just becomes annoying. I'm not sure what's worse: the jokes themselves, the trite story, the exaggerated camerawork, the talking parrot escalating the animals' sapience, or the moments that blatantly defy common sense.
My rating: 25%.

If you're curious, I don't like the 1996 *101 Dalmatians* very much either.

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This week, I watched three pairs of live-action Disney movies.

George of the Jungle — 3½ stars
George of the Jungle 2 — 1 star
Hocus Pocus — 2 stars
Hocus Pocus 2 — 2 stars
Maleficent — 2 stars
Maleficent: Mistress of Evil — 2 stars

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