Category: Avengers April

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” column_structure=”2_3,1_3″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]While not as famous as Iron Man, Captain America, or Thor, the Guardians of the Galaxy have a long history. Created by comic writers Arnold Drake, Roy Thomas, and Stan Lee, the team debuted in Marvel Super-Heroes #18 in 1969. While they had some success in the 70s, they eventually faded out until being revived in 1989 by Tom DeFalco. Eventually, writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning created a new Guardians of the Galaxy team in 2008. Eventually, screenwriter Nicole Perlman penned a script in 2009 for a potential film, and Kevin Feige mentioned it in 2010. It was soon announced as being in development in 2012 with Saint Louis native James Gunn co-writing and directing. Given its outlandish premise, upon hearing about, most people balked at how ridiculous it seemed. Despite the odds, audiences in 2014 were treated to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy.

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Synopsis

On a remote and desolate planet, Earth-born smuggler Peter “Star Lord” Quill (Chris Pratt) finds a mysterious orb hidden away. After outrunning the Ravagers, space pirates led by Yondu (Michael Rooker), Quill travels to planet Xandar to collect payment. Soon, he encounters huntress Gamora (Zoe Saldana), the loud-mouthed Rocket Racoon (Bradley Cooper), and his tree friend Groot (Vin Diesel). The four are arrested and sent to a far off space prison, where they meet Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista). They reluctantly agree to work together to escape the prison and learn more about the orb they carry. Meanwhile, the fanatical Ronan the Accuser (Lee Pace) is ordered by the mad titan Thanos (Josh Brolin) to retrieve it. Turns out the orb contains an Infinity Stone, an ingot with enough power to wipe out an entire planet. This unlikely team must band together and stop Ronan from using the stone.

Review

Like most people before this movie came out, I was skeptical about it, thinking it was going to bomb hard. Granted, given that it was made by James Gunn, whose credits include Slither and Super, it had some good potential. What we got was something completely unexpected: a fun sci-fi romp with tons of humor and a lot of heart. The first thing to mention is how great the characters are, each one given their own unique quirks and personalities. Peter is snarky, Gamora is ruthless, Drax is hilariously literal, Rocket is loud and wild, and Groot is, well, Groot. Each is given a moment to shine, and it’s fun to see them group as a team. Not only that, but this movie has a surprising amount of heart, given some of the more emotional scenes. Because we love the characters so much, we actually care about the action.

The action is also a lot of fun, reminiscent of sci-fi epics of the 70s and 80s. Think Star Wars crossed with Flash Gordon with some Last Starfighter thrown in for good measure. Some of the action highlights include the prison escape, the fight with Ronan’s forces, and an air battle on Xandar. Probably the one thing that drags this movie down is the villain, Ronan, who acts like any other stereotypical villain. Not saying Lee Pace does a bad job in the role, but there’s not much to the character. That said, it’s fun seeing this epic supervillain pitted against such outrageous and out-there characters. Also, special mention to the soundtrack, which includes 70s artists like David Bowie, Blue Swede, and The Raspberries. This, along with the characters and action, make Guardians of the Galaxy an enjoyable experience.

Buy Guardians of the Galaxy from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jivy0B.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” column_structure=”2_3,1_3″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Following the release of The Avengers, things were starting to turn sour for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Iron Man 3 was decent, Thor: The Dark World was a step down from what came before. They needed something to really shake up the status quo, something to reignite interest in the MCU. Even before the release of Captain America: The First Avenger, plans were in motion for a sequel. Marvel made an odd choice for director: Anthony and Joe Russo, who previously directed You, Me, and Dupree. For the sequel, the writers took inspiration from 70s political thrillers like Three Days of the Condor. What no one would’ve expected was just how much this film would affect the MCU as a whole. So, in 2014, three years after the original, we were given Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Be forewarned: there will be spoilers here if you haven’t seen it.

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Synopsis

Following the attack on New York, Captain America (Chris Evans) is working with SHIELD on various missions. HIs most recent mission has him and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) on board a SHIELD vessel to rescue hostages. However, Cap gets frustrated when Widow goes off to recover SHIELD intelligence from the computers, potentially endangering the mission. Returning home, Cap visits SHIELD headquarters to confront Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson), only to be shown a new project. Dubbed Project: Insight, the project involves three new helecarries designed to eliminate targets before a possible threat occurs. Fury gets suspicious when he can’t access the recovered data and asks friend/superior Alexander Pierce (Robert Redford) to delay. This leads to him, Cap, and Widow being targeted by SHIELD, who they find has actually been under HYDRA control. With the mysterious Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) on their tail, they have to bring SHIELD/HYDRA down.

Review

I’ll be honest: after being disappointed by the last Thor movie, I was starting to lose hope in the MCU. But when this came out, my hope in the series was rejuvenated as this is a fantastic movie. For starters, the performances are fantastic all-around, especially from Evans, Johansson, Jackson, Stan, and legendary actor Robert Redford. You really get to know these characters more than ever, and you find yourself becoming more attached to them. The plot is expertly crafted as well, with several twists and turns you won’t see coming. I’m not kidding when I say that this entry really shakes up the foundation of the series. Some may be shocked and disappointed by the massive changes, but I personally welcome anything to keep things fresh. Not only is this a great superhero movie, but it also works as an intriguing political/conspiracy thriller.

The action sequences are very well-handled, the fight choreography is on point, and the way it’s filmed is fantastic. You really feel every punch and every hit being inflicted, and they’re very intense and suspenseful. However, the movie can get somewhat bogged down by all the conspiracy and intrigue going on. Granted, the characters are so endearing and the plot is engaging enough to keep audiences invested. At slightly under two and half hours long, the movie actually moves at a fairly brisk pace. In between all the intense action sequences, there’s plenty of character and plot development to keep things moving. While not quite on par with The Avengers, this is the shot in the arm the series needed. Overall, Captain America: The Winter Soldier is a fantastic combination of a superhero adventure and a conspiracy thriller.

Buy Captain America: The Winter Soldier from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Gdqxrj.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” column_structure=”2_3,1_3″][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]While critics and audiences were divided on the first Thor, it was financially successful enough to warrant a sequel. After The Avengers was released, plans were in motion for the sequel to be the follow-up to Iron Man 3. However, original director Kenneth Branagh would not return for the sequel, but instead directing duties would go to Alan Taylor. Taylor’s previous credits include TV shows like Game of Thrones, Mad Men, and Boardwalk Empire. However, before Taylor came on, the film was originally to be directed by Patty Jenkins, then known for directing Monster. Ultimately, she left citing “creative differences”, and this almost led Portman to quit, but she stayed due to contractual obligations. Much of the original cast would be returning, save for Joshua Dallas as Fandral, who was replaced by Zachary Levi. So, just a few months after Iron Man 3, we have Thor: The Dark World.

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Synopsis

For his crimes, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) is imprisoned on Asgard while Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and his comrades repair the damage. On Earth, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is continuing her research in London when her intern Darci (Kat Dennings) drops by. Turns out strange portals have been opening up around the area, and Jane accidentally falls into one. She’s teleported to a strange world and taken over by The Aether, a powerful weapon capable of creating dark matter. With The Aether awakened, the ruler of the dark elves Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) sets out to retrieve it. After Thor brings Jane to Asgard, the dark elves attack, leading Odin (Anthony Hopkins) to lockdown Asgard. Thor makes an unlikely alliance with Loki to take Jane off-world somewhere to keep her safe and remove The Aether. The dark elves catch wind of this, and it’s up to Thor to stop them.

Review

I’m just going to come right out and say it: this is the weakest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While Thor had its problems, it at least had some more good qualities to balance the weaker ones. Here, it’s like they took the weaker elements of the first one and just amplified them rather than improving them. For instance, many of the human characters, especially annoying characters like Darci, are given more screen time and more annoying. Even before I mentioned Portman almost quitting, you can tell from what her performance that she’s had enough of this. I’ve complained before about the slower scenes dragging the other movies down, but it’s much worse here. The pacing here is so slow and dull that it’s pretty easy to lose interest in what’s happening pretty quickly. From a storytelling perspective, it’s just very uninteresting.

Even many of the fantastical elements are pointless, especially the villain, who’s so cliche, it doesn’t matter. This movie has plenty of good actors, like Anthony Hopkins, Renee Russo, and Stellan Skarsgard, but they’re completed wasted. If I can say any positives, I will say that many of the visuals have some creativity to them. Also, the charisma of Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston combined makes the viewing worthwhile and is easily the best part. Honestly, I felt there was way better chemistry between Hemsworth and Hiddleston than there was between Hemsworth and Portman. Again, that could be due to Portman not really caring, but it’s pretty telling when your central romance is uninteresting. As negative as I’m sounding, I do want to love this film, but I just can’t. While not one of the worst superhero movies, Thor: The Dark World is a blemish on an otherwise excellent series.

Buy Thor: The Dark World from Amazon: https://amzn.to/42QSyxO.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ theme_builder_area=”post_content” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” type=”4_4″ theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_video _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” theme_builder_area=”post_content” src=”https://youtu.be/U69iWWAqzaU” hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]With the overwhelming success of The Avengers, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was firmly established as a cinematic powerhouse. Given the success, Marvel decided to launch Phase 2, starting with another Iron Man sequel, but done quite differently. For one, while he returned to play Happy Hogan, Jon Favreau opted not to return to direct the sequel. Instead, directing duties were handed to famous screenwriter Shane Black, who previously worked with Downey on Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. In fact, it was Robert Downey Jr who recommended Black to Marvel given their previous experience. Also, around this time, Disney had just acquired Marvel, but they had to pay original distributor Paramount for the rights. Given that Disney earlier acquired Lucasfilm and its properties, including Star Wars, it was expected there’d be rights issues. So, just one year after The Avengers, we got Iron Man 3.

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Synopsis

Following the attack on New York, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is experiencing PTSD from what he went through. This has led him to spend less time with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and more time building suits. Pepper is visited by Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), who has a new project called Extremis that has potential. At the same time, a terrorist known as The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) has been responsible for numerous bombings. One such bombing nearly claims the life of Tony’s friend Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), leading Tony to challenge The Mandarin. Unfortunately, this leads to Tony’s house being blown up and him flying off to another part of the country. While searching for answers on the bombings, Tony starts to learn more and more about who The Mandarin really is. Who is The Mandarin, and what is he ultimately after?

Review

After how somewhat underwhelming Iron Man 2 was, this is an improvement, though still not as good as the first. Like before, the performances are all-around great, especially from Downey, who really gets to show off his acting chops. Given the trauma the character has faced, Downey really conveys just how broken Tony is and how affected he’s become. Also, Guy Pearce, while somewhat laughable in appearance at first, makes for a pretty decent villain. Plus, Ben Kingsley, though somewhat wasted, still turns in a solid performance, being both unnerving and even funny. Also, because of my love of character actors, it’s great to see William Sadler and Miguel Ferrer pop up here. Like before, this movie has some great action sequences, though it’s interesting how many of them don’t involve the suit. Some may be disappointed by this, but I actually think it’s a welcome change of pace.

Given this film was co-written by Shane Black, it should come as no surprise that the dialogue is very humorous. One major highlight is the back-and-forths between Downey Jr and Ty Simpkins as a very bright kid. Without giving away too much, I know one major complaint audiences had was a certain misdirection given. Let’s just say that certain characters aren’t what they seem, and while I get the frustration, I didn’t mind it. That being said, this movie does have some of the same issues as before, namely the pacing. There are several points where large stretches go by without much happening, definitely more a slow burn. Admittedly, it’s handled fairly well since there’s more character development and the performances keep it engaging. Overall, Iron Man 3 is a step above the previous entry, though only slightly above being middle of the road.

Buy Iron Man 3 from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jrE0dA.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/HlOJ6kDGUrI” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]Since the release of Iron Man, the MCU was ultimately leading to a team-up of Earth’s mightiest heroes: The Avengers. Debuting in The Avengers #1 in 1963, the initial team included Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Ant-Man, and the Wasp. Captain America was introduced later on, having been frozen in ice, and many more would soon join the team. Much like the comics, producer Kevin Feige imagined the series as having individual movies leading up to a crossover event. From 2008-2011, each of the films had little post-credits scenes that hinted at an eventual crossover. Finally, in 2012, Joss Whedon was brought on board to helm this crossover event, bringing all the established heroes together. While Edward Norton was replaced by Mark Ruffalo, all the other cast members returned for an ultimate showdown. Audiences got to witness that ultimate showdown with the release of the 2012 film, The Avengers.

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Synopsis

SHIELD has recently acquired the Tesseract, a strange cube-like object contained unknown and unlimited power. Loki (Tom Hiddleston) comes equipped with a mind-controlling spear, takes control of several agents, and steals the Tesseract. Agent Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) moves forward with his Avengers initiative: to bring a team of extraordinary people together. He recruits Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Captain America (Chris Evans), and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) for starters. However, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) steps in, saying that Loki must face Asgardian justice, and ends up joining alongside the Avengers. Lastly, there’s Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, (Scarlett Johansson), but things don’t start off great initially. They manage to capture Loki, but this leads to the team almost splitting up and SHIELD being nearly crippled. Once Loki summons his army known as the Chitauri, they must put aside their differences and learn to work together.

Review

While some of today’s audience might not understand, there was tons of hype well before this movie was even announced. Nothing like this had been done before: a series of individual superhero movies leading up to one big event movie. Luckily, not only did it work, but it turned out to be one of the best modern-day blockbusters ever made. By this point, we had gotten to know these characters well enough to get attached to them and actually care. What makes this movie work so well is that each of the main heroes is given their moment to shine. It never feels like one hero dominates the movie, but instead like equal time is given to each one. There’s some great character building, such as the feud between Rogers and Stark, and the relationship between Romanoff and Banner. It all builds to an exciting climax of superheroes fighting aliens.

If there are any negatives to the film, they’re very minor and border on being nitpicks. The movie does feel slightly longer than it really is, though it’s never boring or uninteresting. Also, there’s quite a few gaps where it feels like not much is happening, and you’re waiting for more action. While Joss Whedon’s direction isn’t terrible, it does feel homogenized compared to the styles of the other films. I think what throws me off is how all the other movies are in widescreen, whereas this is more fullscreen. Not that stuff is being cut out from the sides, but it feels slightly overcrowded and busy at times. But like I said, those are very minor complaints for what is, I feel, a phenomenal summer blockbuster. The Avengers is everything a huge blockbuster should be: fun, entertaining, heartfelt, engaging, and memorable.

Buy The Avengers from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4jgQ55m.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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Where to watch The Avengers (2012)

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Of the mainline Avengers, Captain America is probably the oldest, having first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 in 1941. Created by cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, the character was designed to be a patriotic superhero. His first comic probably has one of the most iconic covers ever: featuring Captain America punching Hitler in the face! While the character was very popular during the war, the years following the war saw the character decline in popularity. Once Marvel comics was established in the 60s, Captain America was brought back as one of the original Avengers. Since then, he’s remained one of Marvel’s most recognizable characters and has spanned countless generations. There were made-for-TV movies in the 70s, plus a movie from the early 90s meant for theaters but released direct-to-video. Eventually, the character made it to the big screen with Captain America: The First Avenger.

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Synopsis

At the height of WWII, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) wants to join the army but can’t due to physical problems. That is, until his patriotism catches the attention of Dr. Erskine (Stanley Tucci), who can help Rogers enlist. Erskine is working on a super soldier serum and he wants Rogers as the prime candidate. While Colonel Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones) is skeptical, the experiment works, though Erskine is killed and the serum is destroyed. With his new abilities, Rogers is initially enlisted merely for entertainment, but Agent Carter (Hayley Atwell) knows he wants more. Steve learns of several POWs being held captive by Johann Schmidt (Hugo Weaving) and sets out to rescue them. Schmidt, aka Red Skull, and his partner Dr. Zola (Toby Jones) are harnessing a strange power source for their army. With his new howling commandos, Rogers, aka Captain America, sets off to stop Red Skull for good.

Review

After entries like Iron Man 2 and Thor proved somewhat underwhelming, this more than makes up for it. This is a fantastic WWII-era superhero movie that has some fantastic performances and a fun 40’s era pulp style. It’s not surprise that director Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III) was hired given his work on The Rocketeer. Much like that film, this one has that same aesthetic of an old wartime film with a somewhat modern feel. In addition, the cast is terrific, especially Chris Evans, who you immediately identify with given his situation. While the CGI used to make him shorter and skinny is slightly dodgy, his performance makes up for it. In addition, you also have great performances from Hayley Atwell, veteran Tommy Lee Jones, and a very sinister Hugo Weaving. Everyone plays their parts incredibly well, and even the smaller characters are memorable.

If I do have any complaints, one would be the somewhat excessive use of montage. I understand that you want to convey a lot in a short amount of time, but it feels like padding. Something tells me there were several scenes left on the cutting room floor, and the montages make up for that. Also, from a story perspective, it’s somewhat ridiculous that they would take a bonafide super-soldier and make him an entertainer. It’s that old cliche of “authority figure doesn’t understand, but the good guy does, but no one listens to him.” Plus, the beginning of the movie kind of spoils the end of the movie, so there’s no suspense. That said, the characters, style, and action more than compensate for the some of the movie’s problems. While it has some flaws, Captain America: The First Avenger is a fantastic WWII-era superhero movie for our inner patriot.

‘MERICA!

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Most superheroes tend to be humans either gifted with superpowers or with enough resources to make themselves stronger. But, in 1962, Stan Lee, along with Jack Kirby and Larry Lieber, decided to create a superhero from a god. Since most people knew of the Greek and Roman gods, Lee decided to base the character on Norse gods. So, The Mighty Thor debuted in Journey into Mystery #83 in August 1962, and became another Marvel household name. Interestingly, plans for a Thor movie date back to the early 90s, with Sam Raimi wanting to direct. Over the years, the film went into various stages of development hell, with the rights going to various studios. Eventually, Paramount acquired the rights, director Kenneth Branagh was hired to helm the project, and Chris Hemsworth would play Thor. So, three years after Iron Man kickstarted the MCU, we have Thor.

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In the far-off realm of Asgard, the god Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is set to become the new king. That is until a group of frost giants invade and attempt to make off with a powerful weapon. Believing this an act of war, Thor travels to the home of the frost giants accompanied by his friends. Unfortunately, this breaks the truce between Asgard and the frost giants, so Odin (Anthony Hopkins) strips Thor of his powers. Meanwhile, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) is conducting research on star patterns when she runs into Thor with her car. As Thor stumbles around Earth trying to reclaim his power, his brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) takes over the throne. In addition to Thor, his hammer Mjolnir has landed on Earth, and SHIELD is investigating the phenomenon. Thor must learn what it means to be a true king and reclaim his power before it’s too late.

When I decided to revisit the MCU, this was one of the entries I was looking forward to the least. While this movie has its flaws, I’m happy to say it’s not nearly as bad as I remember. Starting off, much like Robert Downey Jr with Iron Man, Chris Hemsworth is perfect casting as Thor. His charisma literally flies off the screen, and he’s also very sympathetic in many of the more dramatic scenes. Tom Hiddleston as Loki is probably one of the best villains the MCU has had, largely thanks to his performance. While not as over-the-top as in the later films, you can tell Hiddleston is having fun in the role. The rest of the Asgardian cast does a fine job, even if they’re not given much screen time. Speaking of Asgard, the production design is breathtaking, and Kenneth Branagh’s direction is top notch.

Unfortunately, while this movie is enjoyable, there’s also a lot that drags this movie down. For one, while the regular human cast is ok, they’re very underwhelming compared to the Asgardian cast. Natalie Portman and Stellan Skarsgard are decent, but Kat Dennings can get pretty annoying, especially with her sitcom-like dialogue. Also, while the scenes on Asgard are visually stunning and interesting, the scenes on Earth are just hohum. The movie tries to set up a romance between Hemsworth and Portman, but they don’t seem to have much chemistry. If anything, I more so bought Hemsworth and Jaimie Alexander as Lady Sif as a couple. In the end, this movie is a bit of a mess, but it’s still has some enjoyable moments. Overall, Thor is very middle of the road, not amazing but not terrible either. It’s better than the sequel, but that’s for another time.

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With the success of Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk in 2008, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was born. While there weren’t any new entries the following year, a follow-up to Iron Man was released in 2010. Many of the same people from the original returned for the sequel, including director Jon Favreau and the original cast. However, in between movies, Terrence Howard, who played James Rhodes, was replaced with Don Cheadle. It’s unclear what led to the recasting, but sources say that it was due to a pay dispute. However, there are also sources claiming that Howard and Favreau did not get along on set. Regardless, given how successful the first film was, it was only inevitable that a sequel was in the works. So, two years after the original, Jon Favreau and company treated audiences to Iron Man 2.

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Synopsis

Six months after the events of the original, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is on top of the world. He’s considered an international hero thanks to his Iron Man suit, and he’s ushered in a new era of peace. However, not everyone feels that way about him, particularly Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), who has a personal grudge with Stark. At the same time, the US government is demanding that Tony turn over the Iron Man technology to the military. On top of that, the palladium core keeping Tony’s chest arc reactor is slowly killing him. Soon, Ivan attacks Tony using similar technology, which makes everyone doubt if Iron Man can save them or not. This catches the attention of rival weapons manufacturer Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), who partners with Ivan to bring down Stark. All the while, agents from SHIELD are keeping a watchful eye on Iron Man.

Review

Given how amazing the first film was, naturally this sequel had some pretty big shoes to fill. For the most part, this movie does succeed in continuing what made the first film work. The returning cast, especially Downey Jr, still deliver solid performances, and the new cast works just as well here. While Terrence Howard is missed, Don Cheadle is a good replacement and he works well with Downey Jr. Mickey Rourke makes for a very intimidating villain, and Sam Rockwell has some pretty funny moments. Scarlett Johansson is good as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, but it feels like she hasn’t quite nailed the character yet. She comes across a bit too stoic at times and just seems to be trying to hard to be serious. Going back to Downey Jr, he once again shows how he really was perfect casting for Tony Stark.

However, as good as this movie is, it doesn’t quite reach the same heights as the first one. After the first 30-40 minutes of the movie, there’s a huge stretch where not much happens. It isn’t until about an hour and twenty minutes in that another action sequence happens. Much of the in-between time is spent with Tony trying to find a suitable replacement for his palladium core. It does help to advance the overall story, but the scenes tend to drag out and grind to a halt. Also, once Sam Rockwell enters the fray, Mickey Rourke takes a backseat as the villain. Not that Sam Rockwell is bad, but they introduce Mickey Rourke as this powerful adversary and he doesn’t do much. Despite these problems, Iron Man 2 is still an enjoyable time thanks to strong performances and fun action.

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Where to watch Iron Man 2 (2010)

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After finding success with The Fantastic Four, comic creators Stan Lee and Jack Kirby worked on a new unconventional hero. Inspired by the 1931 versions of Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, they created a sympathetic yet monstrous character. Dubbed “The Incredible Hulk”, he first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1 in May 1962 and was a massive hit. Interestingly enough, the Hulk was originally supposed to be grey, but due to a printing error was turned green. When Marvel adapted their characters to television in the 70s, they struck gold with the Hulk TV series. Starring Bill Bixby as David Banner and Lou Ferrigno as the Hulk, the show ran for five seasons. Then in 2003, famed director Ang Lee brought the character to the big screen with mixed results. Five years later, after Iron Man, it was decided to add The Incredible Hulk to the MCU.

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After a science experiment gone wrong, Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) is on the run from the US government. His experiments doused with toxic gamma radiation, and he’s been searching for a cure, but without much luck. Unfortunately, he doesn’t stay hidden for long as General Ross (William Hurt) tracks him down to Brazil. In addition to the general, a highly-trained soldier named Emil Blonsky (Tim Roth) is after him, but for different reasons. Turns out Bruce’s experiments caused him to transform into a hulking beast whenever he gets angry. While trying to find a cure, Bruce meets back up with an old flame, Elizabeth Ross (Liv Tyler). Wanting to take on this Hulk, Blonsky wants to undergo the same experiments as Bruce, to become even stronger. Unfortunately, things go wrong and Blonsky turns into a giant abomination that only the Hulk can stop.

While I have seen the 2003 version of the Hulk, it’s been so long that I honestly don’t remember much. That being said, this version is definitely an improvement over the Ang Lee version, though still not quite there. The first thing to mention is the cast, who all do a fairly good job in their roles. Edward Norton makes for a very likable lead, and he has great chemistry with Liv Tyler. Tim Roth also does a great job as the obsessed Blonsky, determined to get his shot at the Hulk. William Hurt, while not giving an amazing Oscar-worthy performance, still does fine as the stern general. Also, for the most part, much of the CGI holds up here, and it is visually stunning. Director Louis Leterrier really takes advantage of the shooting locations and has tons of sweeping camera shots.

While we don’t see much of the Hulk until 50 minutes in, it’s still cool when he shows up. Though the action sequences aren’t as memorable as those in Iron Man, there are still some stand-out moments. The biggest action sequences are probably the fight against the military at the college, and the final battle with Abomination. But this movie is more focused on character development than straight-up action, which is welcome but also somewhat disappointing. While the more character-driven scenes aren’t bad and the acting is strong, those scenes tend to drag the movie down. Also, this movies sets up some loose ends that’re never touched upon in any of the subsequent films. Regardless, this is still fairly entertaining early entry and well worth revisiting, even if it is slightly rocky. Overall, while it has its problems, The Incredible Hulk packs enough punch to keep superhero fans entertained.

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[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https://youtu.be/0IVb8XnBg0c” _builder_version=”4.17.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][/et_pb_video][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ z_index_tablet=”500″ global_colors_info=”{}”]The 1960’s were a time of counter-culture revolution and young people being upset at what the government was doing. With this in mind, comics writer Stan Lee decided to create a superhero that would be the antithesis of this. Taking inspiration from industrialist Howard Hughes, Lee created Anthony “Tony” Stark, who was a multi-billionaire, weapons manufacturer, and womanizer. The idea was to create a character that would be everything the readers hated, and yet still be likable. With scripter Larry Lieber, and artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby, Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, was born. He first appeared in Tales of Suspense #39 in May 1963, and quickly became one of Marvel’s most popular characters. So, when Kevin Feige decided to create a shared cinematic universe, the first character to be adapted was Iron Man. Cut to 2008, when Jon Favreau directed the first Marvel Cinematic Universe entry, Iron Man.

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Synopsis

While in Afghanistan for a weapons demonstration, weapons manufacturer Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is attacked and captured by terrorists. He’s held captive with local doctor Yinsen (Shaun Toub) and ordered to build weapons for the terrorists. Seeing that the terrorists are using weapons his company made, Tony instead to build a suit of armor to escape. With help from Yinsen, he’s able to complete the suit and escape, but at the cost of Yinsen’s life. Once he returns home, Tony decides to stop manufacturing weapons and instead focus on refining his armored suit. With his new suit, Tony decides to go and destroy all of the weapons caches the terrorists have. Unfortunately, this doesn’t settle well for his business partner Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges), who’s been supplying weapons to the terrorists. Stane manages to build his own suit, and Tony has to stop him before it’s too late.

Review

While on the surface it seems like a giant explosion fest, there’s a much deeper story going on here. When he first meet Tony, he’s self-centered, egotistical, irresponsible, and doesn’t seem to care about anyone other than himself. After his experience in Afghanistan, he returns a changed man who wants to undo his past mistakes. It’s a classic story of redemption that anyone can relate to, helped by Robert Downey Jr’s fantastic performance. Not only is he very charismatic and funny, he also sells the more emotional scenes and really shows his skills. It also helps that he’s supported by a great cast, including Jeff Bridges, Terrence Howard, and Gwyneth Paltrow. For someone who’s known for playing heroes and chill guys, Bridges is surprisingly intense and frightening as the villain. Paltrow is also quite good here, and she has great chemistry with Downey Jr.

Of course, a superhero movie wouldn’t be much without some thrilling action, and this one has it in spades. From Tony fighting off terrorists with his initial suit to the final battle with Iron Monger, it’s fun to watch. What helps is that we get to know the character so well that we actually care about the action. Admittedly, the final battle does go into CGI-overkill, but even still, because the characters are well-developed that it’s ok. At the end of the day, this movie shows that even the most self-centered people can change for the better. As the start to a major cinematic universe, this was the best way to get things started. Honestly, other than some dated 2008 references, this movie still holds up even in 2019. Overall, Iron Man works thanks to a strong lead performance, exciting action, and a well-developed story.

Buy Iron Man from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3GfIupq.

Disclosure: The above link is an affiliate link, which means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

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