A aaah, March. We’ve moved past the first two months of 2022, where films were questionable at best and outright awful at worst. Will this month bring something worthwhile? Here’s a list of things I think might just do that:
Kicking things off with a bang, The Batman comes out swinging. Originally a vehicle for Ben Affleck’s older Batman, the film was retooled and recast, now starring Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader. Taking place during Batman’s second year of crime fighting, the story revolves around the Riddler (Paul Dano) as he kills off the elite citizens of Gotham. Clearly aiming for a darker and grittier take similar to Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, the film is mercifully unconnected to any other DC film storylines. It also stars an almost unrecognizable Colin Farrell as the Penguin. It releases in theaters on March 3.
Next is an animated comedy from Disney and Pixar titled Turning Red. Taking place in Toronto between 2002 and 2003, the story follows Mei, a 13-year-old who, coupled with the issues that already come with being a teenager, transforms into a red panda whenever she becomes excited or stressed. Directed by Domee Shi (who also created the Academy Award-winning short film Bao) this film will, somehow, be the first woman-directed feature film at Pixar. The voice cast has newcomer Rosalie Chaiang as well as veteran Sandra Oh. It looks to have all the charm and wonderful animation we’ve come to expect from Pixar. It comes to Disney Plus on March 11.
If you’re looking for action and comedy combined, Operation Fortune: Ruse de guerre should fit the bill. Directed by Guy Ritchie (Snatch), the film follows Jason Statham as Orson Fortune, a super spy tasked with taking down an arms broker (Hugh Grant). Aubrey Plaza, Josh Hartnett and Cary Elwes round out the cast. Another return to form in Ritchie’s more recent film outings, it’s nice to see him back to doing what he was born to do: a combo of comedy, crime and action with a dash of British flare and multiple storylines. Hopefully this one comes together as nicely as his older films when it releases on March 18.
For your romantic comedy filling, check out The Lost City. Starring Sandra Bullock as romance novelist Loretta Sage, the story finds her caught up in a kidnapping by Fairfax (Daniel Radcliffe) who believes the treasure from her book actually exists. Channing Tatum plays a dimwitted but well-meaning cover model who goes off to save her. The trailer provides some pretty funny jokes, so here’s hoping that wasn’t all of them! It releases on March 25.
Lastly, a bizarre one from A24 titled Everything Everywhere All At Once. It stars Michelle Yeoh (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) as Evelyn Wang, a woman who exists across multiple universes. The story followers her realization of this concept and the consquences that come with it. It looks to offer wonderful fight choreography, a truly original story, and A24’s penchant for making something no one else would dare to touch. It releases on March 25.
