Book Review: Contagious Thrills in “Vince Flynn - Lethal Agent” by Kyle Mills

As I finished the final pages of the new Mitch Rapp thriller “Lethal Agent,” I was thinking about what a versatile writer Kyle Mills has become in his career. 

It’s not an easy task to take up the mantle of literary franchises started by popular writers. As readers, we’ve sampled dismal attempts at this by various publishers the past 15 years. 

“Lethal Agent” is Mills’ fifth entry in Vince Flynn’s dependable Mitch Rapp saga, and it might be his most entertaining. 

This time out we find Rapp brandishing a crossbow(!) in Yemen — on the trail of a nefarious ISIS leader named Sayid Halabi. 

His hunt is sparked by events that unfolded in Mills’s 2017 novel “Enemy of the State.”

At the same time, a group of medical professionals with “Doctors Without Borders” are in a remote part of the country studying a deadly virus dubbed “YARS” that — if not quarantined and destroyed — has the potential to decimate populated areas of the world like wildfire. 

Halabi and a group of his followers visit the village, abduct the medical professionals, and force a French microbiologist (who studied at the Sorbonne) named Gabriel Bertrand to create anthrax — an opportunity for the leader to produce propaganda videos about a bio-weapon to strike fear in the U.S. 

A Mitch Rapp novel wouldn’t be a “political thriller” without the machinations of politicians stirring the pot. 

The United States is in the early stages of a presidential campaign. President Alexander is in the waning days of his time in the Oval Office. 

Sen. Christine Barnett and her cutthroat political adviser Kevin Gray see Halabi’s videos as an opportunity to discredit the Alexander administration and CIA Director Irene Kennedy, and boost Barnett’s own presidential ambitions. 

From there, Mills braids together a plot that globetrots from Yemen to Somalia to Southern California to Mexico to the corridors of power in Washington, D.C. 

The tightly wound narrative involves a drug cartel (led by Carlos Esparza) being manipulated to execute Halabi’s brutal plan and bring the virus to North America. 

At the center of it all is the ever-formidable operator Mitch Rapp. To quote a popular James Bond theme song, “nobody does it better.”

Our hero faces an existential crisis, ruminating about the future of operators like himself. The picture looks hazy as our hero laments the lack of “good ones” in the political class pulling the strings. 

(There is one particular “fish out of water” moment in “Lethal Agent” that sees Rapp moonlighting as a bodyguard, further illustratrating his crisis of being). 

At the end of the day, you need men and women in “white hats” traveling down a long tunnel to protect freedom. In that quest, Rapp must fight tooth and nail to stop the threat of a pandemic and pray the country he loves isn’t too far gone politically. 

I like a number of the ancillary details Mills includes in his Mitch Rapp novels. 

For example, Rapp lives in a custom home in a development west of Manassas, Virginia, that is filled exclusively with his special operator friends. (What other type of neighborhood could a man like Rapp live in?) 

In this novel, we learn about the neighborhood’s “shared barn” that houses livestock. 

While not being germane to the overall plot, this little detail helps fill in the tapestry of the world Mills is trying to weave. 

There is also a mention in the early stages of “Lethal Agent” about Rapp and his team wearing custom camouflage gear made by Charlie Wicker’s girlfriend. I honestly wondered what this custom pattern looked like the entire time I was reading the book. 

Also... I know I’m not supposed to quote the “advance reader copy” of “Lethal Agent,” but there is one quote that just felt so totally “apropos” of a Vince Flynn novel I had to include it: “Mitch Rapp sends his compliments, motherf@cker.”

The reason I was able to read “Lethal Agent” before its Sept. 24, 2019 release date is because I had the privilege of being selected as a “Mitch Rapp Ambassador.” Actually, my wife and I were both selected to be ambassadors (which, according the the Vince Flynn Twitter account, we’re the first husband and wife team to be selected). 

We received a copy of the novel along with a card congratulating participants on being selected. It's a fun perk for fans. 

This is the first time either of us have been an ambassador, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to read the book early and share our thoughts. 

The folks behind the Vince Flynn brand are top notch in every manner. Giving fans an opportunity to enjoy the latest Mitch Rapp novel in advance is the sort of thing that used to be reserved for media types and close confidants. 

When I started reading espionage thrillers 30 years ago, I never imagined I’d have the chance to receive an advance copy of a novel from an author I loved. 

Pretty cool times we’re living in. 

FUN FACT: Back in February, I submitted my guess for the title of the new Vince Flynn book. The Vince Flynn Twitter account revealed a few letters at the time, so I tried to come up with a name that would fit the number of letters and the letters revealed (think “Wheel of Fortune.”) 

So, for fun, I came up with “Danger Sauce: A Mitch Rapp Cookbook,” complete with a book cover mockup. You can see below what the result was. He ended up sharing a recipe on the official Vince Flynn blog, inspired by my title. 

“Lethal Agent” epitomizes the best the Mitch Rapp series has to offer. Mills gives readers a thrilling scenario with classic elements that will leave fans thirsting for more. 

If you'd like learn more about author Kyle Mills, Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp series, and how to become a "Mitch Rapp Ambassador," visit www.vinceflynn.com. 

Pre-order your copy of “Lethal Agent” here. 

Previous post: New "Star Wars: Episode IX" Footage Reveals "Dark Rey"... My Thoughts 

New “Star Wars: Episode IX” Footage Reveals “Dark Rey”... My Thoughts

There is a lot riding on “Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker” when it drops in theaters on Dec. 20. 

Not only will the film leave a lasting aftertaste in the mouths of fans as it regards the “Skywalker saga,” it will create a “vibe” surrounding future “Star Wars” efforts by Disney. 

There was significant hand wringing surrounding 2017’s “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (read my review) and 2018’s “Solo: A Star Wars Story” (read my review). 

This year’s D23 Expo revealed a number of interesting “Star Wars” nuggets. Most notable was the new programming on Disney+ — “The Mandalorian” series set to debut on Nov. 12 and an upcoming series on Obi-Wan Kenobi starring Ewan McGregor. 

Despite the fact that Disney’s new streaming service appeared to take center stage, the theatrical universe wasn’t left out of the festivities.  

While Disney didn’t unveil a new trailer for Episode IX (last April’s teaser is still the only official trailer), we did get what they refer to as a “special look”:

Let’s take a look at some of the images presented. 

First off, there are several scenes from the previous eight chapters in the “Skywalker Saga.”

This was shown to an auditorium of fans at the D23 Expo, so it’s not surprising that they’d stoke the nostalgia flames. 

The footage for “The Rise of Skywalker” (which starts at roughly the 1:14 mark) features Rey, Finn, Poe, and Chewbacca looking out at some desert festival. I don’t know what planet this is supposed to be, nor do I know what is being celebrated. 

Next we have a brief shot of Leia. I didn’t include the image. Per writer/director J.J. Abrams they wove unused footage from “The Force Awakens” into Episode IX. 

Then we get a shot of Resistance (maybe Rebel?) ships coming out of hyperspace. We see X-Wings, a Blockade Runner, Y-Wings, B-Wings, A-Wings, and another ship in the right of the frame I can’t identify.

Then we get a couple cool shots of rows and rows of Star Destroyers. Are we to assume they’re First Order ships? 

Or, do they signal the Emperor and Darth Vader have returned from some sort of netherworld for a galactic showdown? (A guy can dream, right?)

There is an image of Finn in the cockpit of a ship with a new character, Jannah. Not sure if she might be related to Finn, or to Lando Calrissian (who appears for the first time in this trilogy).

We see C-3PO with “red” eyes. The droid had a red arm in “The Force Awakens” so I guess the oddities continue. 

For some reason, I feel like I remember a Kenner “Star Wars” toy back in the 1970s that featured our favorite protocol droid with red-jeweled eyes. But a cursory Google search seems to indicate “no.” 

We then see some sort of laser bombarding a planet, and then things shift to Rey wielding her lightsaber in a forested area. It looks like she’s training. She’s also got some sort of red ribbon on her hand.

Kylo Ren is seen clomping away from his TIE Interceptor-looking ship. 

From there we see Rey and Kylo dueling on top of what could be the remnants of the Death Star from “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi.” Hard to say for sure. Let's just hope we get an epic lightsaber battle this time out. 

Emperor Palpatine has a voiceover during those two shots where he intones, “Your journey nears its end.” We also hear the sounds of Darth Vader’s respirator. 

By the way, Disney revealed a new one-sheet poster for “The Rise of Skywalker” at the D23 Expo that is inspired by this sequence. It's a lovely poster (I especially love the image of Palpatine in the background):

Then — just in time for Halloween costumes across the globe — we get the damn money shot!!

Rey looks like she’s gone all Sith, wearing a dark cloak and brandishing a dual-blade red lightsaber. 

The entire “Dark Rey” image could be a misdirect. Maybe she’s dreaming. Maybe it’s a vision. Maybe it’s a clone. 

That's pretty much where the trailer leaves us. We get the title card and that's it. 

The Rey character is one of my favorites, but her development was honestly lacking in “The Force Awakens” and “The Last Jedi.” 

In order to craft a satisfying conclusion, Abrams & Co. are going to have to come up with a finale that is both epic in scope, and brings the saga to a satisfying conclusion. 

Moviegoers saw such a film when “Avengers: Endgame” was released this summer. The question is whether Lucasfilm can create a movie that strikes a similar chord. 

Maybe that’s asking the impossible.  

That said, the filmmakers behind “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” need to finish strong. This new trilogy has to rise beyond being a “merchandising play” and show fans something that will give the story legs into the future. 

So far, the images we’ve seen from “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” look promising. Let’s hope the film holds true to that promise. 

Previous post: “Movie Review: ‘Angel Has Fallen’ — Lots of Cr@p Gets Blown Up”

Movie Review: “Angel Has Fallen” — Lots of Cr@p Gets Blown Up

Let’s just get this out of the way up front. I love the “... Has Fallen” movies that feature Gerard Butler as Secret Service agent Mike Banning. 

They are a throwback to action movies of the 1990s — a decade that, in my mind, was the best era in motion pictures. 

When I saw “Olympus Has Fallen” in 2013, I thought it was terrific. 

Sure, it owes a lot to “Die Hard” (which served as the model for basically every action movie in the 90s). For all intents and purposes, “Olympus” was a basically a theatrical adaptation of Vince Flynn’s novel “Transfer of Power” ( ...it’s not really an adaptation, but feels very similar). 

I also enjoyed the 2016 follow-up “London Has Fallen” (not quite as good as the first, but still fun). 

The plot of each movie is basically this: Something nefarious happens to the President of the United States, and Mike Banning must save the world. 

“Angel Has Fallen” is the latest entry in the series. 

The movie starts off with Banning spending time with former Army Ranger buddy Wade Jennings (Danny Huston).

(Don’t you just love movies where the lead characters have "former Army buddies"...?)

Jennings is the CEO of a group of “private security contractors” operating under the moniker Salient Global. The early moments of the film find Banning training at Salient’s Virginia facility.

As Banning and Jennings become reacquainted, we learn Salient is struggling to make a buck because of a federal government decision to curb the use of contractors in global hotspots. 

Banning is in line to be the head of the Secret Service. As such, Jennings hopes Banning can put in a good word for his firm with President Trumbull (Morgan Freeman). 

The story then shifts to the president on a fishing trip, with Banning and the rest of his Secret Service detail In tow. Trumbull has a “heart to heart” talk with Banning about his future. 

(I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the cool V-22 Ospreys featured at the beginning of this sequence — a plane I was first introduced to in Dale Brown’s 1990 thriller “Hammerheads”). 

Anyhow, the fishing trip is cut short when a “flock” of bat-like drones attack President Trumbull, Banning, and the rest of the agents. 

Banning isn’t harmed in the attack, and manages to save Trumbull’s life. But both men are severely injured in the attack and transported to the hospital (the president is in a coma). 

A crew of FBI investigators led by Agent Helen Thompson (Jada Pinkett Smith) arrives on the scene. The evidence they find leads them to believe Agent Banning is responsible for the drone strike. 

Yep, our hero is getting framed. 

While Banning is being moved from the hospital to a detention facility, the vehicle carrying him is ambushed. 

He escapes, and what ensues from there is a manhunt movie borrowing liberally from thrillers like 1993’s “The Fugitive” and 2007’s “Shooter” as Banning tries to clear his name, track down those responsible, and return to his wife and daughter.

Is it predictable? Yes. 

Is it ridiculous? Yes.

Did I have a great time watching it? Yes! 

“Angel Has Fallen” is a far superior sequel than 2016’s “London Has Fallen.” Not only does the film feature a more fully realized story, the characters are far more interesting. 

For example, the FBI agent Jada Pinkett Smith plays seems like she’s channeling her “inner Sam Gerard” (as played by Tommy Lee Jones in 1993’s “The Fugitive”).

I half expected her to bark, “What I want out of each and every one of you is a hard target search of every gas station, residence, warehouse, farmhouse, henhouse, outhouse and doghouse in that area.” 

We are also treated to Nick Nolte playing Mike Banning’s estranged father Clay. Clay Banning is an unhinged Vietnam veteran who lives off the grid and has a healthy disdain for the government. 

This character archetype was popular in 80s and 90s action movies. In this clip, we see what sort of “security measures” the grizzled tunnel rat has on his remote West Virginia property:

Nolte is surprisingly good in the role. He isn’t given a lot to work with, but he is one of the more compelling characters in the narrative, giving the testosterone-laden narrative some welcome moments of comic relief. 

I must say, I admire the fact that Butler is willing to be a true “action movie star” in an era where we don’t see a lot of pure “action movies” at the box office. 

The Mike Banning character is better developed in “Angel Has Fallen.” We learn early on the character has been suffering from headaches and insomnia. We also gain insights into his family, his past, and future aspirations. 

Like many fans, I love the way Banning is able to knock heads and deliver deadpan one liners. He reminds me of no-nonsense literary heroes like Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp and Brad Thor’s Scot Harvath. 

I’m glad Gerard Butler is willing to singlehandedly keep macho action movies alive. 

“Angel Has Fallen” is a fun time at the movies. If you are someone like me — who pines for the ball-busting action movies of yesteryear — you don’t have to look further than the latest entry in the Mike Banning series. 

Previous post: My Thoughts on "The Mandalorian" Trailer (New Disney+ Series) 

My Thoughts on “The Mandalorian” Trailer (New Disney+ Series)

Back in April, Lucasfilm unveiled some teaser footage for the new Disney+ streaming service series “The Mandalorian.” 

Unfortunately, Disney/Lucasfilm didn’t see fit to release that sizzle reel to the public (the only version available online is some rough-looking footage that an attendee recorded). 

The D23 Expo — touted as the “ultimate Disney fan event” (why am I not there?) — is upon us, and a proper trailer has finally been released. 

As I’m apt to do on this blog, I decided to take a look. (If you are interested in learning about the Disney+ streaming service, read my May 2019 post “Will Disney+ Be a Worthy Streaming Service?”)

The trailer starts off with a cool-looking shot of stormtrooper helmets skewered on sticks. The series takes place a few years after “Return of the Jedi” (the exact timeframe is up for debate on the interwebs):

We then get some establishing shots of the Mandalorian’s ship — called the Razor Crest. It has been suggested that this ship is from the Clone Wars era (and it is reminiscent of some of the ships seen in “Star Wars: Attack of the Clones”). 

Then Carl Weathers shows up. He plays Greef Carga. It seems that Weathers’s character is responsible for doling out bounties to bounty hunters like the Mandalorian. 

The next image that stood out to me was this one of an Ugnaught. Haven’t seen much of those creatures in the filmed SW universe since their debut in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back” in 1980:

The Ugnaught is apparently going to be voiced by actor Nick Nolte (fun fact: my wife and I attended the same Omaha high school as Nolte). 

Executive producer John Favreau (who also handled writing duties for the first season) has suggested the show is structured using some classic western motifs. This shot of fingers tickling a gun in a holster definitely has that look (a classic gunfighter showdown):

The trailer for “The Mandalorian” really doesn’t give away any salient plot points. That said, it does do a good job creating a mood for fans. The series looks more in tune with the original “Star Wars” trilogy.

This image of a speeder bike at night is awesome:

So is this image of an AT-ST:

Because this story takes place during the aftermath of the events in “Return of the Jedi,” it is hard to say what role any remaining Imperial interests will have in the series, but there are some images in the trailer — like this image of Deathtroopers:

During “The Mandalorian” panel at Star Wars Celebration, the show’s creators demonstrated their commitment to authenticity, and showed the VFX crew filming physical spaceship models for the effects shots. We see that come to fruition in this bit from the new trailer:

Those of you who grew up playing with “Star Wars” action figures in the 1970s and 80s might have had an IG-88 action figure (a bounty hunter featured in “The Empire Strikes Back”). I’ve always enjoyed that droid’s retro-looking vibe. 

I initially assumed the IG droid in the trailer was IG-88, but it is apparently a bounty hunter named “IG-11.” This scene of him in a gun battle is pretty sweet:

For me, though, the “money shot” in this trailer is one of various beings frozen in bricks of carbonite. 

Darth Vader and Boba Fett might’ve tested that procedure on Han Solo for the first time in Cloud City during the events in “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back,” but it appears the method has stuck around as a way to transport “bounties” across the galaxy. 

The series debuts on Disney’s upcoming Disney+ streaming service on Nov. 12. 

As I mentioned earlier, details are scant on this new series. The Mandalorian character is played by Pedro Pascal. 

I was in grade school when “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” was released. Boba Fett (a Mandalorian) was one of the more popular characters in the SW realm. His fate in “Jedi” seemed like a weak way to kill off the character, and fans have often wondered if the character actually lived. 

My assumption is the Mandalorian featured in the series is a fresh character, but time will tell. If it turned out to be Boba Fett, that could create some interesting narrative possibilities going forward. 

I mean, the character in "The Mandalorian" is reminiscent of the animated Boba Fett we saw in the "Star Wars Holiday Special" in 1978 (yes, I was alive then, and have fond memories watching it on TV):

For now, I’ll just savor this first trailer. I’m still not sure what to expect from Lucasfilm’s first live-action “Star Wars” series, but the early images look really good. 

Previous post: “Book Review: ‘Assassin’s Revenge’ By Ward Larsen

Book Review: “Assassin’s Revenge” By Ward Larsen

“You’re not telling me something, Anna. I want to know what it is. And I want to know right now...” — David Slaton in “Assassin’s Revenge”

I was honored to have the opportunity to read an early copy of author Ward Larsen’s latest David Slaton thriller “Assassin’s Revenge” — as part of the “Ward’s Dozen” (#Wards12) promo on Twitter. 

I love being introduced to writers I haven’t read before. 

“Assassin’s Revenge” is the sixth novel in Larsen’s thriller series featuring former Mossad kidon (assassin) David Slaton.

Slaton has been compared to Jason Bourne. The character definitely embues a Ludlum-esque sensibility from espionage thrillers of yore. I’d also compare him to contemporaries like Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon.  

At the beginning of “Assassin’s Revenge,” Slaton, his physician wife Christine, and two-and-a-half year old son Davy are in the midst of an “irregular lifestyle,” sailing the globe on their sailboat Sirius.  

When Slaton returns to a boat dock in Gibraltar — where his boat is moored — he finds his wife and son missing. Moreover, the vessel has disappeared.

Slaton finds the boat floating nearby, and soon receives a text message with bullet instructions telling the former kidon to travel to Vienna, Austria, and “do what you do best” (in order to secure the safe return of his family). His target is an Israeli named Paul Mordechai — a man who used to be with Mossad and has a story that is deeper than it seems on the surface.  

Slaton’s mission — and hunt for his family — sets into motion an exciting espionage thriller that jets our protagonist across the globe. 

Our hero must use his cunning intellect and bravado to find his family and stop a sinister plot against the United States. 

Ward weaves together multiple threads involving a physicist with the International Atomic Energy Agency named El-Masri, nefarious players in North Korea, and an ISIS terror group led by a former Iraqi naval officer named Boutros.

The author sprinkles in interesting anecdotes and factoids throughout his tight narrative. For example, in all my years of reading European-based spy thrillers, I never knew the “emergency phone number” in the EU was 112. 

I also enjoyed the descriptions of aircraft in the novel. Ward is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, and he includes some unique planes in “Assassin’s Revenge.”

When I was a kid, I spent a lot of my leisure time building model airplane kits (the Hawker Harrier, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F4U Corsair were my favorites). My parents took me to the Strategic Air Command Museum at an early age, and I was hooked. 

As Ward described a Y-5A in the novel — a variant of the Russian An-2 Colt — I had to pull out my old copy of “Jane’s World Aircraft Recognition Handbook” I’ve had since I was a kid. Sure enough, the old bird was in the well-worn pages:

There is also a “Top Gun” easter egg on page 356 I think readers will enjoy. 

At one point in the novel, Slaton finds himself in a church in Germany. While there, he notices stonework that has fallen into disrepair (Slaton has worked on masonry projects over the years). The reader gains insight into the character’s feelings on God as he deals with uncertainty regarding his missing wife and son.

“[Slaton] didn’t bother consigning to the usual and rarely kept bargain: Make this happen and I’ll commit to a life of goodness and devotion,” writes Ward. “No, he decided. God had heard that one before. He simply asked for help. It was the best he could do in that moment.” 

The sequence reminded me of a church-based scene in Mark Greaney’s thriller “Ballistic” (read my review) where his hero (Court Gentry) faces a similar moment of introspection regarding faith in the face of adversity. 

Moments like that help ground genre characters who can (at times) seem “superheroic” in their daring feats. 

I wish I had discovered the novels of Ward Larsen before receiving my advance copy of “Assassin’s Revenge.” The author’s prose is razor sharp, action sequences are exciting, and attention to detail very much appreciated. 

Ward also included some unexpected plot twists that left me truly surprised. 

I will definitely be diving into the rest of the David Slaton novels. 

“Assassin’s Revenge” is one of the top thrillers I’ve read this year. 

Highly recommended.

To learn more about Ward Larsen, visit his website at www.wardlarsen.com. 

Order your copy of "Assassin's Revenge" by Ward Larsen here. 

Previous post: “Movie Review: ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’”

Movie Review: "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood"

There is a scene in the early stages of Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” where Hollywood stuntman Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt) is repairing a damaged rooftop TV antenna for television star — and his best friend — Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio). 

Like many of the moments in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” the sequence involving the TV antenna is fairly inconsequential to the movie’s plot (some have argued the movie has no discernible plot), but it does allow for a fun flashback of Booth sparring with Bruce Lee on the set of “The Green Hornet.” 

It also symbolizes what this movie is all about — Tarantino’s unbridled nostalgia for an analog life lived outside the ether. In particular, the world of Hollywood in the late 1960s. 

I must admit, there are many times I’d like to live in a world as seen through the rearview mirror of a 1966 Cadillac DeVille. 

The movie’s primary focus is on the friendship between Booth and Dalton. 

Both men represent an era in entertainment that has changed by the time 1969 rolls around. 

Dalton is something of a has-been actor in the showbiz world. He is the former lead in the TV western “Bounty Law,” but has been relegated to guest star stints as the “heavy” in various TV series like “The F.B.I.” (there is a neat little sequence where Booth and Dalton watch the show, which was a real series that aired on ABC from 1965 to 1974). 

It’s no secret that Tarantino is something of a method writer/director. He even wrote five episodes of the fictional “Bounty Law” series so DiCaprio would know what the show is all about. 

Dalton has a lot of doubts about his future as a leading man in Hollywood. It is even suggested to Dalton that too much time spent playing “heavies” (villains) will cause the public (and entertainment industry) to forget his heroic persona built during “Bounty Law’s” run. 

DiCaprio brings a sincerity to the role of an aging Hollywood star from a bygone era. You really sense the character’s lack of confidence — not quite on the verge of a nervous breakdown, but veering that direction. 

It sounds like Dalton’s mental anguish might’ve been inspired by actor Pete Duel, who starred on 1960s series like “Gidget,” and committed suicide during his stint on the western “Alias Smith and Jones” (according to an interview with Tarantino and DiCaprio by “Vanity Fair”).

Most of Dalton’s self-doubt is played out during a guest stint on the western “Lancer.” 

It is during this sequence that the audience is treated to one of the best scenes in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” 

Dalton (in hippy-influenced makeup and western regalia) strikes up a conversation with his 9-year-old co-star Trudi (Julia Butters) who plays Maribella on “Lancer.”

The exchange between Dalton and the precocious Trudi (as the two are reading books) is terrific. She talks about the fact that actors won’t succeed 100% of the time, but “it’s the pursuit that’s meaningful.”

Tarantino’s movies are known for this sort of gentle conversation — small moments that tie together his films and make the whole greater than the sum of its parts. 

One of Tarantino’s best movie conversations took place with Vincent Vega (John Travolta) and Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman) in 1994’s “Pulp Fiction” over dinner at Jack Rabbit Slims. 

While the exchange between Dalton and Trudi doesn't achieve that level, it is an example of Tarantino’s keen ability to write conversations. 

The other main plot thread involves Sharon Tate, an up-and-coming actress who lives next door to Dalton. Tate is a real-life star (married to hot young director Roman Polanski during the events of “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”)

Dalton ponders the notion that his neighbors could help change the trajectory of his flagging career, hoping his next break is “one pool party away.” 

Tate is portrayed by Margot Robbie, and she is really lovely in the role. Unfortunately, her character isn’t given a lot to do. Part of me wonders if Tarantino pulled back out of respect for the late actress’s family. 

For those who don’t know, the real-life Sharon Tate was murdered in her home by members of the Manson Family in 1969. 

Charles Manson (Damon Herriman) shows up at the Tate house early in the film, looking for a record producer. 

There is another sequence where Booth picks up a hitchhiker (Margaret Qualley) and drives her to the Spahn Ranch — where the fictional “Bounty Law” was filmed, and where the Manson Family resides during the events of the movie.  

Ultimately, the narrative threads involving Manson and Tate aren’t particularly intriguing or well developed. Quite honestly, most of those plot points weren’t terribly germane to the overall plot. 

Therein lies the biggest flaw in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” The movie feels bloated and over done. It’s a problem that also plagued Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight.”

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” can also feel rather self-indulgent (for example, there were a number of sequences featuring characters driving around that seemingly served no purpose). 

If the movie had been 30 minutes shorter, it had the potential to be Tarantino’s best. 

There is a sequence at the Playboy Mansion that seems to serve little purpose other than showing how well Damian Lewis can play Steve McQueen. There are also certain scenes that felt like an excuse for Tarantino to give roles to his friends (including a husband-wife pair played by “Death Proof’s” Kurt Russell and Zoe Bell). 

That said, for those who are patient, the last 20 minutes of the movie has a pretty terrific payoff (and is pretty hilarious). 

I should note that the film has a beautiful production design. 

There are all sorts of pop culture cues strewn throughout, including a mural from the movie “Giant” (one of my dad’s favorite movies; I remember watching the double-VHS version with him when it was first released on home video). 

As the movie progressed, Dalton ends up overseas starring in “Spaghetti Westerns” (films that heavily influenced Tarantino’s films) and one of the movies he stars in is called “Nebraska Jim” (I’d love to have a poster for that fictional movie in my collection). 

Only Quentin Tarantino could find a way to toss in a mention of former NFL quarterback Joe Namath’s biker gang movie “C.C. & Company.” 

There are references to Tarantino’s fictional “Red Apple” brand cigarettes, a brand featured in a number of his films (be sure to stay through the end credits for a fun bit involving Rick Dalton with the cigarettes). 

“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is a mixed bag. While I thought the film was bloated — and would have benefitted from some judicious editing — there were a number of sequences I really enjoyed. And the 1960s vibe was terrific. 

In my mind, the focus of the film should have stayed on Dalton and Booth. 

I think Tarantino is generally given too much latitude when crafting movies. While I appreciate his enthusiasm for the material (and his former-video-store-clerk-fanboy sensibility) he has a problem self-editing — something seen all-too-often in his recent films. 

Less is more. Sometimes it’s better to employ a flamethrower in the editing room and come out with a taut, compelling narrative. 

Tarantino has talked about retiring after ten movies. “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” is his ninth. 

He has written a script for a “Star Trek” film. I’d like to see the director take a break from his typical meme, and lend his talents to a popular sci-fi franchise.

Sometimes the best films are born when filmmakers step out of their comfort zone and try something different. Such a move might give Tarantino's films a fresh veneer. 

If it can work for Rick Dalton, it can work for Quentin Tarantino. He’s just one pool party away... 

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