Category: New Releases

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Created by the legendary Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Black Panther was the first African American superhero created. The character first appeared in Fantastic Four #52 in July 1966, debuting before the founding of the Black Panther Party. Given the time the character was created, it was considered a big deal having a colored person be a superhero. Overtime, Black Panther established himself as a mainstay in Marvel comics, leading to the possibility of a live-action movie. In the early 90s, Wesley Snipes was working with Columbia Pictures on one, but nothing came of it. While Snipes went on to do Blade, the Black Panther movie seemed to be left in development hell. With the MCU going strong, Chadwick Boseman was hired to play Black Panther and appear in Captain America: Civil War. Soon, Ryan Coogler of Creed fame to direct, and 2018 finally saw the release of Black Panther.

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After the death of his father, Prince T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) is set to become the new king of Wakanda. A small country in Africa, Wakanda is actually home to the world’s largest supply of Vibranium, the world’s strongest metal. Though they’ve remained hidden for years, people like Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis) have managed to steal some of their Vibranium. One day, a man named Eric “Killmonger” Stevens (Michael B Jordan) arrives wanting to challenge T’Challa to the throne. Turns out Stevens’ father was originally from Wakanda and planned to share some of their technology with the outside world. However, he was killed before he had the chance, and now Killmonger wants revenge and to take over Wakanda. Though he puts up a good fight, T’Challa is defeated and seemingly killed, making Killmonger king. With help from his sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) and ex-lover Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), T’Challa must stop Killmonger.

There was tons of buzz surrounding this movie since there hadn’t been a black superhero movie since Blade: Trinity. Given today’s PC culture, many people were dismissing anyone who said anything negative about the film as being “racist”. With that in mind, I did enjoy this film, though I did have some issues, none of which involve race. First off, I thought Chadwick Boseman was good in the lead, but he started off somewhat stoic and flat. Contrast that with Michael B Jordan, who absolutely dominated his scenes as Killmonger and was generally more interesting to watch. Eventually, it felt like Boseman was coming into his own, but he had a bit of a rocky start. The rest of the cast, including Nyong’o, Wright, Serkis, Martin Freeman, and Angela Bassett all do a great job. Many of them are given their own shining moments and they’re very memorable.

Coogler does a great job directing, though his signature style felt more prevalent in the Oakland 1992 scenes. Those moments reminded me of his style from Creed, while the rest seemed pretty similar to other MCU movies. The action sequences are well-shot and fun to watch, and there’s quite a bit of variety to the action scenes. There’s car chases, huge battles, close quarters action, aerial fights, and plenty more, each one delivering on the goods. One nitpick I have is that some scenes are slightly too dark, meaning the lighting is isn’t great at times. Granted, the later scenes where it’s dark are better since there’s more color and light, but it was somewhat distracting. Despite some criticisms I have, this is still an enjoyable watch and adds so much to the overall MCU. Overall, though slightly flawed, Black Panther is still a good time no matter your race.

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For those who’ve been keeping up with Avengers April, the Thor movies haven’t exactly gotten the best reviews from me. While Thor was decent enough, I found Thor: The Dark World to be pretty disappointing and easily the weakest entry. Apparently, I’m not the only one, as director Alan Taylor declined returning for a third film, citing creative differences. Jaimie Alexander was originally set to return as Sif, but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with her show Blindspot. After considering other directors, New Zealand filmmaker Taika Waititi was chosen after producing a “sizzle reel” for Marvel executives. Initially skeptical of doing big budget features, Waititi signed on feeling he’d be given full creative control, which he was. With him on board, the focus was shifted to be more fun and not as serious as the previous entries. Finally, towards the end of 2017, Thor: Ragnarok was released.

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After failing to locate the Infinity Stones, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is held prisoner by the demon Surtur (Clancy Brown). Surtur warns Thor of Ragnarok, the prophesied destruction of Asgard, and informs him of Odin’s absence, much to Thor’s shock. After escaping with Surtur’s skull, Thor returns to Asgard and finds Loki (Tom Hiddleston) has taken the throne. The two find Odin (Anthony Hopkins) in Norway, who warns them of the arrival of their sister, Hela (Cate Blanchett). After Odin fades, Hela arrives, destroys Mjolnir, and chases after Thor and Loki in the Bifröst. The brothers end up getting separated while Hela makes her way to Asgard and begins her reign of terror. Meanwhile, the two end up on the planet Sakaar, Thor being forced to fight and Loki sitting high on top. After reuniting with Bruce Banner/Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), Thor sets out to return to Asgard and stop Hela.

After Thor: The Dark World, I had pretty much given up hope on there ever being a good Thor movie. Once I saw the trailers for this, I got curious, and when I saw it in theaters, I loved it. Without a doubt, this is easily the best entry in the Thor series, in addition to being a great movie. Taika Waititi really helps to breathe new life into this series and gives it a dose of fun and levity. Not only does Chris Hemsworth use his natural charisma, but he gets a chance to show his comedic side. From the opening moments, you can tell that he’s having some fun with this and that sense of fun permeates. While the rest of the cast also does a great job, Cate Blanchett easily steals the show as Hela. She is having an absolute blast and owns every scene she’s in.

When the focus shifts over to Sakaar, that’s when the real fun begins and the film truly shines. From the wonderfully garish set design to all the colors on display, Sakaar has a look all its own. While Blanchett dominates her scenes on Asgard, Jeff Goldblum absolutely dominates his scenes on Sakaar with his signature Goldblum quirks. The soundtrack is great, too, mixing in techno with 80s-style synth music that sets it apart from typical superhero scores. Of course, the big song of the movie is The Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin, which works when used properly. Not only does Waititi do a great job directing, but he’s also fun as the rock creature Korg. This film is exactly what audiences wanted out of a Thor movie, and I wish we got this sooner. Overall, Thor: Ragnarok is an absolute blast from start to finish that surely won’t disappoint.

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In my review of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, I gave a general overview of the webslinger’s history. To bring readers up to speed on Spidey’s big screen journey, first was the Sam Raimi trilogy starring Tobey Maguire. After the third film, the series was rebooted with Marc Webb directing and Andrew Garfield as the Amazing Spider-Man. With the release of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, Sony was planning on creating their own shared universe. Not only were they planning further sequels, but they also wanted to do various spin-offs of other Spider-Man characters. Unfortunately, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 wasn’t received well critically and it was a box-office disappointment, so plans were scrapped. Eventually, Sony worked out a deal with Marvel for Spidey to appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After the character was introduced in Captain America: Civil War, the webslinger made his big screen comeback with Spider-Man: Homecoming.

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Following his excursion in Berlin, Peter Parker (Tom Holland) balances school life with being Spider-Man, becoming a New York favorite. Everyday, he leaves messages for Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) hoping that Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) may need him. In addition, Adrian Toomes (Michael Keaton) and his crew have been salvaging alien tech and designing powerful weapons. When Peter learns of Adrian, aka Vulture, he tries to stop him with help from his friend Ned (Jacob Batalon). Peter and Ned realize they’re in over their heads when they discover some of the alien tech Vulture is using. Despite being warned by Tony, Peter pursues further, only for Tony to take his suit from him for disobeying him. Though feeling helpless, when he learns Toomes plans to steal from Avengers Tower, Peter realizes he has to stop him. Without his advanced suit, Spider-Man has to prove himself and save the day.

Comparing this entry to the other Spider-Man films we’ve had, this is definitely one of the better versions released. Unlike the others, this one doesn’t go over Peter’s backstory since most people already know it by now. Each of the different Spider-Men had their strengths and weaknesses, Maguire being a better Peter, Garfield a better Spider-Man. However, Tom Holland is a perfect mix of both, not only playing a great Peter Parker, but an outstanding Spider-Man. Michael Keaton, known mostly for playing good guys, is surprisingly intense and even scary as the main villain. Like many great villains, we get to know his motivation and it’s one that many can relate to. The rest of the cast does a good job, particularly Batalon, Favreau, Downey, and even Marisa Tomei. I’m still never going to get over Aunt May looking so young compared to previous versions.

While this is certainly a superhero movie, at its heart, this is more of a coming-of-age story. Like any other teenager, Peter is reckless, slightly hotheaded, and feels like he knows more than everyone else around him. It’s only after his high-tech suit is taken away does he realize that it’s the person that makes the hero. As with the other MCU movies, this one retains the humor that’s come to define the series, and it works. Between Spidey’s various quips and some of the more physical gags, this film knows how to have fun. If there are any issues here, some jokes don’t land as well, and some scenes drag just slightly. It doesn’t have quite the dramatic punch of some entries, but it’s definitely better than others. Overall, Spider-Man: Homecoming is not only one of the best Spider-Man movies, but also one of the best MCU entries.

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Much like the titular characters, nobody was expecting Guardians of the Galaxy to be as good as it was. Not only was it a heartfelt story about misfits learning to work together, but it worked as great science-fiction fun. The film was both a massive critical and financial hit, so naturally a sequel was planned. Along with the original five guardians, several side characters from the first also returned, most prominently Michael Rooker as Yondu. In addition to the returning cast, the film would also see Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone joining the cast. James Gunn returned to write and direct, though Nicole Perlman didn’t return to pen the sequel. Unlike the previous film, this one would have fewer characters, though Gunn planned to introduce at least two new characters. Finally, in 2017, Marvel decided to start off the year with the release of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

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The Guardians have been hired by a race of gold people called the Sovereign to fight an interdimensional monster. After defeating the monster, the Sovereign leader Ayesha (Elizabeth Debicki) rewards them with Nebula (Karen Gillan), Gamora’s sister. Unfortunately, Rocket (Bradley Cooper) steals some valuable batteries from the Sovereign, prompting them to hunt the Guardians down. The Guardians manage to escape, but only barely as their ship crashes down on a remote planet. Upon landing, they’re greeted by a man named Ego (Kurt Russell), who claims to be Peter’s father. He takes Peter, Gamora, and Drax to his planet and explains that he’s a Celestial, a being with godlike powers. Because of this, Peter (Chris Pratt) has similar abilities, and he grows more and more attached to his father. However, Ego’s helper Mantis (Pom Klementieff) warns the others of his true plans, and The Guardians must stop him from total destruction.

While I loved the first Guardians of the Galaxy, I did have some issues with it, particularly its weak villain. Not only does this film have a much better villain, but it also expands on what made the original work. The characters, even the side characters, are greatly expanded upon and feel more like a dysfunctional family needing some guidance. The performances are terrific, with Russell and Rooker easily stealing the show with their legendary charisma and charms. Ego is a unique villain in that he initially doesn’t seem like the villain, but it’s eventually discovered he is. The dynamic between Russell and Pratt works really well, and the two actors have great chemistry together. The rest of The Guardians are given their moment to shine, and their relationships are greatly expanded upon. Plus, while originally a side character, Yondu is made much more significant here.

Like the first film, this one has an incredible 70s and 80s soundtrack that greatly compliments the film. In fact, one of the film’s main songs, Brandy by Looking Glass, plays an integral role in the plot. But what truly makes the film special is how it plays as more of a family drama that explores relationships. It has a message of realizing the thing you search for most is just right beside you all along. By the end of the film, each of the characters has grown stronger and become more of a family. Like before, this film is insanely funny and has some witty dialogue, but it also mixes in some dramatic moments. When Peter learns the truth about his father, it’s a gut-wrenching scene, and the last 15 minutes are a tear-jerker. Overall, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 improves on the original in every way.

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In 1963, comic book artist Steve Ditko had an idea for a new kind of superhero, a more mystical superhero. Working alongside Stan Lee, the two fleshed out the idea to create Doctor Strange, Master of the Mystic Arts. The character first appeared in Strange Tales #110, which is also where the idea for his name came from. Given his abilities as a sorcerer, Ditko took his character into some very strange directions, making Marvel look crazy. The character made his first live-action appearance in a made-for-TV movie in 1978 with Peter Hooten in the title role. After that, a movie version went through various stages of development hell since the mid-80s, bouncing between various studios. Hell, even Full Moon Features made their own Doctor Strange-eque movie, Doctor Mordrid, in the early 90s. Eventually, after years of going between studios, 2016 finally saw the release of Doctor Strange.

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Doctor Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a brilliant neurosurgeon whose hands are horribly damaged in a car crash. Fellow surgeon and former lover Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) tries helping, but Strange pushes her away to find a solution. Having gone nearly bankrupt, Strange gets a tip to visit Kamar-Taj and consult The Ancient One (Tilda Swinton). She ends up teaching him the ways of the mystic arts, showing to heal his spirit along with his body. Strange learns of the Sanctums, places that protect the planet from interdimensional threats and must be protected at all times. Soon, Strange comes across the Eye of Agamotto, an ancient object that allows the user to manipulate time. Before long, the London Sanctum is attacked by Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen), a sorcerer who plans to summon Dormammu. Strange ends up becoming the Sorcerer Supreme and must stop Kaecilius from summoning this ancient evil.

Much like Ant-Man, this is yet another filler MCU movie, though it’s definitely better and has more going for it. First thing to mention is Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, who not only looks the part but plays it well. His performance does feel like a repeat of Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark, but Cumberbatch makes it all his own. Rachel McAdams does a fine job, even if she doesn’t have much screen time, but certainly above standard love interest. Mads Mikkelsen makes for a good villain, though like many other MCU villains, there’s not much to him. Tilda Swinton is good, and much of the supporting cast, including Chiwetel Ejiofor and Benedict Wong help give some weight. Tying it back into Iron Man, this film is yet another redemption story, though not done quite as effectively. However, that could just be because the story’s been done several times before.

What really helps to set this film apart are the visuals, which are very mind-bending and insanely trippy. For those of you who like to “use substances” when seeing a movie, this might do the trick. Especially during the film’s climax, there are so many weird visuals, but it’s definitely unlike anything audiences have seen before. Scott Derrickson, whose mostly known for horror, does a decent directing job, especially given the material and the trippy visuals. Without going into spoilers, I will say that the way the villain is defeated is certainly unique. There is some interesting world-building here, and there are elements introduced that play into future films. The action sequences are fun, especially given how the use of magic opens up all sorts of possibilities. Overall, while not groundbreaking or life-changing, Doctor Strange is enjoyable to watch thanks to its lead, action, and visuals.

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In 2013, writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely began working on a script for a  third Captain America movie. While tying in elements from the previous films, they also used concepts from the controversial Marvel series, Civil War. Originally written by Mark Millar, the series was about the Avengers having to release their identities to the public. One faction opposed this, while the other didn’t, resulting in the titular civil war, which ended very unsatisfactory. The series was meant to be commentary on the Bush administration and politics of the time, but divided Marvel fans. After being impressed by positive test screenings of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Marvel decided to rehire the Russo brothers. In addition to the returning characters, this one would also introduce some new ones, making it a huge entry. To start off Phase 3 of the MCU, Marvel released Captain America: Civil War.

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Despite having saved the world numerous times, the governments of the world want to put The Avengers back in check. The United Nations put together the Sokovia Accords, which states that The Avengers will be controlled by an international panel. While Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) is in support, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) sees it as their freedoms being taken. Things escalate further when a bomb goes off in Vienna during a meeting to discuss the accords. Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) is blamed, and several people, including Prince T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) are after him. Given their past, Rogers tries to figure out how to reverse Barnes’ brainwashing, while Stark gathers his forces against them. Meanwhile, a mysterious person named Zemo (Daniel Brühl) is secretly pulling the strings and having Bucky commit acts of terrorism. It all leads to a massive showdown between Iron Man’s faction and Captain America’s faction.

For this entry, the Russo brothers really had the deck stacked against them: making a sequel and incorporate several characters. In lesser hands, this would’ve felt like a jumbled mess, but with the Russo’s, it works incredibly well. As a sequel to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, it serves as a great continuation that ties everything together. As an ensemble film akin to The Avengers, the brothers are able to perfectly balance several different characters together. Honestly, this works as a way better sequel to The Avengers than Avengers: Age of Ultron. Like that film, this one introduces new characters and elements to the series, but here it’s done more naturally. Chadwick Boseman is a welcome addition as Black Panther, and Tom Holland shows potential as the new Spider-Man. While this film is more serious, there’s also plenty of humor that’s mixed in well.

Of course, the real highlight is the climax, where several Marvel superheroes are pitted against one another. Not only is it awesome to see so many heroes together at once, but the action is handled incredibly well. Unlike most action-filled climaxes where it just drags, the action here is fluid and always engaging, even adding character development. It also helps that we’ve gotten to know these characters so well that we actually care about what’s happening. Eventually, this leads to moments where friendships are truly tested, truths are revealed, and The Avengers are seemingly disbanded. I won’t divulge too much so as to avoid spoilers, but let’s just say that this is another game changer. There’s honestly so much to talk about, it’s hard to say more without this review going on too long. Overall, Captain America: Civil War is easily one of the best entries in the MCU.

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[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=”{}”]In July of 2018, I reviewed the then-released Ant-Man and The Wasp, which I gave a fairly positive review. In that review, I gave a basic overview of Ant-Man’s history in comics, so I won’t have repeat that. Going into some production history, development of an Ant-Man movie began in 2006 with filmmaker Edgar Wright set to direct. Along with writer Joe Cornish, the two spent the next few years working on various drafts, completing three in 2011. After taking time off to work on The World’s End, Wright was set to go in October 2013. Unfortunately, he left the project in 2014 due to creative differences, and directing duties were handed to Peyton Reed. Wright received producing and writing credits, though star Paul Rudd and writer Adam McKay did some rewrites. After all was said and done, 2015 finally saw the release of Marvel’s Ant-Man.

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Synopsis

Former technician turned thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) has been released from prison and seeks to end his life of crime.  Unfortunately, his record prevents him from securing good employment, so he reluctantly goes on one last heist with his friend Luis (Michael Peña). They break into a home to steal from an old vault, but Scott finds a strange motorcycle suit instead. Curious, Scott tries on the suit and presses a button that causes him to shrink, much to his shock. After returning the suit and getting arrested, Scott is visited by Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), who let Scott steal it. It turns out that Pym’s old assistant, Darren Cross (Corey Stoll), is close to replicating Pym’s shrinking technology and weaponizing it. Much to the chagrin of his daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly), Pym trains Scott in how to become Ant-Man. With his new ant friends, Scott must stop Cross before he can wreak havoc.

Review

Given that Edgar Wright was the original director, part of me wonders what his original vision would’ve been like. Whether it would have been good or bad, it might have been a slight improvement over what we got. To be clear, this is by no means a terrible movie or a weak MCU entry. As a whole, this is definitely a filler movie that’s just okay, not bad but not great. Part of what makes it work is the above-average cast, especially Rudd, Douglas, and Lilly. Rudd’s inherent likability makes Scott a very relatable hero, and Douglas brings gravitas to the role. Lilly does a great job, and she has good chemistry with Rudd, even if the romance isn’t entirely there. Along with the typical superhero action, there are also elements of a heist film thrown in for good measure.

Pena and his crew are certainly the comic relief, and they can be slightly irritating, but in an endearing way. Though he’s a good actor, Corey Stoll is unfortunately another stereotypical superhero villain, always acting angry and cartoonishly ruthless. It may have been intentional to make some ridiculously evil, but it comes across as trying too hard. While Peyton Reed’s direction isn’t bad, the film lacks a distinct style of its own. It comes across as a very typical Marvel superhero movie, but it’s done relatively well for the most part. Admittedly, during the final fight between Ant-Man and Yellowjacket, some fun is had with them shrinking in size. The best way to sum up this movie is that it features fun moments within a fairly average superhero film. Overall, Ant-Man‘s strong cast and fun-size action help elevate the average material.

Buy Ant-Man from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4cy07g0.

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 Ant-Man (2015)

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[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=”{}”]Given how overwhelmingly successful The Avengers was, it was only natural that a sequel would be made. Joss Whedon returned to direct the sequel, though there were a few hurdles along the way. For one, Robert Downey Jr’s contract with Marvel was expiring, having signed a 4-picture-deal that ended after Iron Man 3. Luckily, they managed to renegotiate his contract, and Downey returned with much of the original cast returning as well. Not only would this introduce new characters to the series, but it would also lay the groundwork for future films. Also, with a budget of $365 million, it set a record for being the second most expensive film ever made. Whedon looked to sequels like The Empire Strikes Back and Godfather Part II for inspiration, making it bigger and darker. After three years of development, 2015 saw the release of Avengers: Age of Ultron.

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Synopsis

The film opens with The Avengers raiding a HYDRA base in Sokovia to retrieve the mind control staff Loki wielded. Once they’ve retrieved it, Stark (Robert Downey Jr) and Banner (Mark Ruffalo) discover an artificial intelligence living inside the staff. They decide to use it as the base of their “Ultron” program, which would be a global defense network. Unfortunately, Ultron becomes sentient, nearly wipes out JARVIS, and spread his mind across the globe to achieve peace through destruction. With a new form, Ultron (James Spader) recruits Pietro Maximoff (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen) for his plan. With Pietro’s superspeed and Wanda’s telekinesis, they manage to disband the Avengers, but soon learn of Ultron’s true intention: extinction. The Maximoffs helps The Avengers retrieve an artificial body Ultron had to create Vision (Paul Bettany) using JARVIS’ programming. With their new comrades, The Avengers must stop Ultron from wiping out humanity.

Review

While The Avengers was tons of fun and a big Hollywood blockbuster done right, this one is a step down. When the action gets going, there is fun to be had, but it lacks the same punch as the original. The returning cast all do their jobs well, and there is some decent character development going on. Probably the biggest surprise here is just how amazing the villain is, largely thanks to James Spader’s performance. His charisma and chilling voice make for a very sinister and memorable villain, one of the MCU’s best yet. Unfortunately, the rest of the film falls slightly flat, though it’s not a completely worthless film. After the first 30-40 minutes, the film comes to a near dead halt with almost nothing substantial happening. Newcomers Johnson and Olsen do a decent job as Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, though they’re not given much development.

Also, Whedon’s direction is fine, but watching this gives one the impression that he’s gotten tired by this point. With an almost two-and-a-half hour runtime and so much excess, it feels slightly overblown and needed to be dialed back. Given the budget, you can see the money on screen, but sometimes less is more, and that’s the case here. There’s some interesting character moments when Scarlet Witch manipulates the minds of The Avengers, but much of it is setup. So many moments here are devoted to setting up future movies rather than just being a good standalone movie. That said, the movie does pick up in the third act, with all The Avengers teaming up to fight Ultron. That’s the best way to sum this up: a largely underwhelming experience with some fun moments. Overall, Avengers: Age of Ultron has decent qualities, but is somewhat disappointing compared to the first.

Buy Avengers: Age of Ultron from Amazon: https://amzn.to/4lHlBeS.

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 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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