A bit underwhelming compared to the first two but still an enjoyable watch. It doesn't add anything to those first two movies and we only learn one new thing from the aliens and it's nothing big unfortunately. As a stand-alone entry I think it does the job, the setting and characters are interesting enough to take it to the finish line.

Lupita Nyong'o was perfect casting, she's great at facial expressions her eyes always say a lot in the silences. Her character is pretty interesting even though her circumstances do a disservice to the stakes of the movie. I still like her overall arc and the dynamic with Joseph Quinn's character are emotional. It's really all in the characters with this one because there's not much of a story beyond getting pizza. Frodo the cat is a weird addition, some of those scenes messed with the tone and took me out of the movie a couple times but in retrospect it adds a unique flavor and I love cats so why not.

Love the new setting in New York it's completely different from the first two and they used it fully. The action sequences are thrilling but it relies on jumpscares too much instead of tension. I think they overused water in this one, almost every scene has something to do with water to the point where they almost ridiculed the aliens. Really good-looking movie overall, great CGI, nice use of shadows, loved the thunderstorm part. Perfect ending! The shift in directors is felt heavily and I can't help but wonder why Krasinski didn't do this himself sinse it's his universe but I think Sarnoski did a decent job.