Category: Action

Dark Phoenix (2019)

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Originally created by the legendary duo Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the superhero group the X-Men debuted in September 1963. A group of mutants who each have their own unique powers, the series was seen as commentary on social prejudice. While the series had its highs and lows, the characters proved popular enough to spawn movies, TV shows, cartoons, etc. Released in 2000, the first X-Men proved to be a massive success and led to a long running franchise. Much like the comics, the film franchise saw its own highs and lows, but it still proved to be successful. In addition to the main films, there were spin-offs focused on the popular character Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman. There were also the Deadpool films, and eventually the various spin-offs crossed over with the main series with various results. After several years, here comes the supposed last X-Men movie, Dark Phoenix.

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Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) receives a distress call from the President about the Endeavor space shuttle being critically damaged. In response, he sends a team of X-Men led by Raven/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) to rescue the crew. They manage to save the crew, but Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) ends up absorbing the energy of a solar flare. She survives, and the energy she absorbed has increased her powers, but also made her unstable, accidentally attacking her friends. After learning the truth about a childhood incident and accidentally killing Raven, she seeks help from Magneto (Michael Fassbender). At the same time, an alien named Vuk (Jessica Chastain) is seeking the power that Jean absorbed and confronts her. Magneto soon learns what Jean did and vows to exact revenge along with Beast/Hank McCoy (Nicholas Hoult). With friendships strained and Jean’s power becoming unstable, things will never be the same.

While some entries are certainly better than others, I’ve generally been happy with the X-Men movies and have few complaints. Many of the recent entries, like X-Men: First Class, The Wolverine, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Logan, are phenomenal. However, after the mediocrity of X-Men: Apocalypse, and the delayed release of this and New Mutants, I started losing faith. Though this isn’t as bad as critics are saying, I do agree that Dark Phoenix is a pretty big letdown. One positive of the film is that the cast, for the most part, does a great job despite the material. Sophie Turner, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Nicholas Hoult particularly stand out, while Tye Sheridan and Evan Peters are wasted. Speaking of, while she does the best she can, Jessica Chastain is completely wasted as a one-dimensional villain. Like I said, the cast is generally strong despite the weak material.

The other positive I’ll give this is that, while few and far between, the action sequences are fun and exciting. Though it was part of the reshoots, the train sequence is the highlight of the film, highlighting the mutants’ powers. Unfortunately, that’s where many of the positives I have end, as this movie is a pretty disappointing mess all around. While the actors do a good job, there’s not much given to their characters and have the vaguest character development. Also, when there aren’t any action sequences, much of the film is delivering exposition and explaining things, dragging things down. These do lead to some good character moments, like Beast confronting Xavier over his actions, but these don’t help much. Since this is supposed to be the finale, it feels more like X-Men: Apocalypse Part Two than a grand epic. Overall, Dark Phoenix isn’t terrible, but it does majorly disappoint.

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June 9, 2019
John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019)

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Ever since the release of John Wick, a series of films revolving around the formerly retired assassin was being planned. Even before the John Wick: Chapter 2, plans were already being set in motion for a third installment. Luckily for the filmmakers, not only was the sequel critically acclaimed, but the film also made over $170 million worldwide. Given how the last film ended (minor spoilers ahead), they certainly have a lot on their plate. For this installment, original director Chad Stahelski returned along with original writer Derek Kolstad, plus new and returning cast members. According to star Keanu Reeves, the title is taken from a Latin phrase, “Si vis pacem, para bellum.” The phrase means, “If you want peace, prepare for war”, which is appropriate given what happens. So, without further delay, here’s my review of the highly anticipated sequel, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.

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After the end of the last film, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is marked excommunicado and is on the run. Every hitman and assassin in New York City is after him and wanting to get that $14 million bounty. Going to the New York Public Library, Wick grabs a crucifix and marker, and seeks help from an old friend. Said friend is The Director (Anjelica Huston), who accepts his crucifix as a “ticket” to send him off to Casablanca. Meanwhile, for giving Wick an hour’s head start, an Adjudicator (Asia Kate Dillon) is sent to confront Winston (Ian McShane). At the same time, she’s sent to confront the Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne), who gave Wick the gun. In Casablanca, Wick meets Sofia (Halle Berry), a former hitman that reluctantly helps Wick find someone who can help him. It’s a fight for survival as Wick seeks to confront the High Table.

Even though I had problems with John Wick: Chapter 2, I still enjoyed it and was excited for the follow-up. Given how the last film ended, it really got me excited to see how they’d follow up on it. Not only does this installment live up to that, but it exceeds all expectations I had and is phenomenal. As with before, the cast still does an excellent job, particularly Reeves, McShane, Fishburne, and Lance Reddick amongst others. Halle Berry, who previously didn’t do well in action roles, is awesome here, fighting alongside Reeves and dominating her scenes. Anjelica Huston does well in her limited screen time, and Mark Dacascos makes for a good opponent against Reeves. As with before, the fight scenes are incredibly well-choreographed, and there’s a nice variety to the action sequences. There’s gunfights, fistfights, knife fights, motorcycle chases, and even a chase involving a horse.

Honestly, there isn’t much that’s wrong here, but this movie does have a few flaws that slightly hinder its enjoyment. For one, Asia Kate Dillon, when compared to Michael Nyqvist and Riccardo Scamarcio,is weak as the villain. She’s pretty flat, and her over annunciation of words makes it seem like she’s trying to hard. It doesn’t help either when she shares scenes with Fishburne, McShane, and Huston, all of whom are giving their all. Also, while there’s much more world-building, some of it can be confusing and can be a bit overwhelming. Otherwise, this is still a fantastic action film with a great visual style and awesome action set pieces. Without going into spoilers, the last few minutes set up an epic war for the next installment. Overall, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum is yet another awesome entry is an already awesome action franchise.

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May 19, 2019
John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)

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Much like its title character, the first John Wick came from nowhere and was a force to be reckoned with. The action-packed tale of revenge was both a critical and financial hit, and was considered one of 2014’s best films. Naturally, a sequel was bound to happen, and luckily everyone involved with the original were more than willing to return. Derek Kolstad returned as screenwriter, and Chad Stahelski returned to direct, and Keanu Reeves returned to the title role. Much of the original cast returned, with some new additions to the cast to make a bigger and better sequel. While this was being filmed, former co-director David Leitch went on to direct Atomic Blonde and Deadpool 2. As with any sequel, there’s a lot of pressure to live up to the quality of the original. After being in development for roughly two years, John Wick: Chapter 2 was finally released.

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After the events of the first film, John Wick (Keanu Reeves) gets his car back, though not without some trouble. He returns home to enjoy retirement with his new dog when he’s visited by crime boss Santino D’Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio). Turns out he helped Wick retire, but in exchange, Wick would have to complete a task for D’Antonio. Their agreement was solidified with a “Marker”, which Continental owner Winston (Ian McShane) reminds Wick must be fulfilled. After his house burns down, Wick agrees to the task: travel to Rome and kill Santino’s sister Gianna (Claudia Gerini). While Wick manages to complete the task, Santino puts out a contract on him to maintain his innocence. Along Gianna’s bodyguard Cassian (Common) and Santino’s mute enforcer Ares (Ruby Rose), Wick is on the run trying to survive. With help from The Bowery King (Laurence Fishburne), Wick must find Santino and stop the contract.

Though not as fresh as the original, John Wick: Chapter 2 still succeeds for the same reasons the original did. Keanu Reeves still excels in the title role, delivering the same level of intensity and emotion to the character. Ian McShane, who had a supporting role in the first film, is expanded upon here and plays a vital part. Many of the newcomers to this series also stand out, particularly Scamarcio, Gerini, Common, Rose, and Fishburne. While not as intense as Nyqvist, Scamarcio is still fun as the villain, though he comes off a bit petulant. Ruby Rose, even without any lines, easily goes toe-to-toe with Reeves, and even has some funny bits using sign language. Common also has great scenes with Reeves, and FIshburne is fun as a boisterous underground mob boss. In a way, he’s almost a homeless version of his Morpheus character from The Matrix.

Unfortunately, as much as I loved this film and highly recommend it, there are some issues I have here. In the first film, the story had a more personal connection, namely that it was centered around Wick’s revenge. Here, the reason why Wick gets back into the fray is because he’s forced into it, losing that personal connection. Also, whereas Wick was smart and sensible before, much of what happens to Wick here is somewhat his fault. Granted, that does end up making him a stronger character, showing him recovering from losing so much. Plus, the events of this film do tie in with the next, much like the original did with this film. Honestly, many of my gripes don’t take away from how well-crafted and action-packed this entry is. Overall, John Wick: Chapter 2 continues what makes this series stand out and proves modern action can work.

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May 15, 2019
John Wick (2014)

[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=”{}”]Since he was teenager, Derek Kolstad had been working on screenplays hoping to one day make it in the industry. While he was struggling in Hollywood, a script he had written called Scorn caught the attention of Keanu Reeves. He was so impressed he brought it to Chad Stahelski and David Leitch, the stunt coordinators on The Matrix series. The two were interested in becoming directors after doing stunt work on films like The Crow, Blade, and Fight Club. After being impressed with the quality of the script and seeing Reeves’ enthusiasm, the two agreed to direct the film. While this was going on, Kolstad continued refining the script with additional input from Stahelski, Leitch, and Reeves. The directors offered their own story changes, while Reeves suggested changing the title to the main character’s name. So with that, 2014 saw the release of the neo-noir action film, John Wick.

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Synopsis

John Wick (Keanu Reeves) is a former hitman who retired after the death of his wife Helen (Bridget Moynahan). Following her death, John receives a package his wife sent him prior to her death: a puppy named Daisy. Though reluctant at first, he starts to grow quite fond of the dog and accepts it as his companion. One day, his super sweet ride catches the attention of Iosef (Alfie Allen), who tries and fails to buy it. Upset by this, Iosef and his friends break into John’s house, kill his dog, and steal his car. Word gets back to Iosef’s father Viggo (Michael Nyqvist), who scorns his soon for pissing off the wrong person. Fueled by anger and rage, John suits up and sets out to exact revenge on Iosef. That won’t be easy as Viggo sends his own men and several hitmen to stop John from killing his son.

Review

In an era where the action genre is dominated by quick-cuts and weakened violence, this is what the genre needed. The story, which is a simple revenge tale, works well thanks to its simplicity and moves at a good pace. Keanu Reeves is awesome as John Wick, adding a layer of intensity to the part, while adding some emotional moments. Alfie Allen works as a villain you love to hate, and Michael Nyqvist is intimidating as the ruthless crime boss. Willem Dafoe is also memorable as an old friend of Wick’s who saves him despite being hired by Viggo. Adrianne Palicki is fun as a hitwoman who tries to kill Wick and easily goes toe-to-toe with John Wick. Noteworthy character actors like Dean Winters, Ian McShane, David Patrick Kelly, and John Leguizamo also have their moments to shine. Honestly, there isn’t a single bad performance here, each one just as memorable.

Given their background as stuntmen, Stahelski and Leitch film the action with a style and fluidity that makes it dynamic. You really feel every punch, every gunshot, and every other hit the characters take because it all feels so real. The movie takes time out to flesh out the story and characters, but knows when to return to the action. There’s some interesting world-building here that offers more opportunities for future installments, but doesn’t distract from the main story. Honestly, there isn’t much that’s wrong with this movie, as it’s easily one of the best action films in years. Probably the only complaint one could have is that, as memorable as they are, there’s not much to the villains. Even still, this is a fantastic modern action film that’ll satisfy anyone who’s been disappointed at other recent entries. Overall, John Wick proves that modern-day action films can still work.

Buy John Wick from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3YxfjDB.

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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May 14, 2019
Avengers: Endgame (2019)

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It’s amazing to think that it’s been over a decade since Iron Man kickstarted the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While superhero movies existed well before 2008, no one would’ve expected an interconnected universe of superhero movies could be done. But long-time producer Kevin Feige took a chance on a cinematic universe and it proved to be immensely successful. People forget that when The Avengers came out in 2012, audiences had never seen anything like it before. As is tradition, each of the MCU movies have had a post-credits scene teasing future installments. Since The Avengers, the arrival of the Mad Titan Thanos has been hinted at and foreshadowed going on six years. All that build-up led to what seemed like a massive undertaking, Avengers: Infinity War, but that was only part one. After a year of speculation and rumors, part two has finally been released, titled Avengers: Endgame.

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Following the events of Avengers: Infinity War, half of the universe’s population has been snapped out of existence. The remaining heroes are trying to deal with many of their fellow Avengers and loved ones gone in different ways. Many of them have disbanded to try and find hope, while others are working to cope with the massive loss. Meanwhile, Thanos (Josh Brolin) has retired to a garden in a far off region of space having accomplished his mission. With hope seeming lost, the remaining Avengers hatch a plan to track down Thanos and retrieve the Infinity Gauntlet. However, things don’t quite work out the way they want it to, and it may require some additional planning. Eventually, some of the heroes that were thought lost come back together to help the Avengers find a solution. With so much hanging in the balance, the Avengers must undo the damage Thanos caused.

I know that I’ve been very vague with summarizing the plot, but that’s only because I’m trying to avoid spoilers. I’ll do my best to remain spoiler free throughout this review, but I can’t make any promises. That being said, I can honestly say that, with no hyperbole, this movie is phenomenal and a vastly entertaining ride. The first hour really shows how defeated the characters are, and just how hopeless the situation is. It’s interesting to see how these events have affected these characters, some working towards a solution, and others turning bad. Every single character goes through their own massive arcs, and even some less-developed characters are given more development. For instance, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye is given more of a character arc here than he has before. There’s also quite a few twists and turns that audiences will not see coming, so prepare for the feels.

Of course, while audiences go into superhero movies for the great characters, they also want massive and epic superhero action. Without giving too much away, the final hour delivers on the superhero action and then some on a massive scale. While many people criticize when a movie adds fan service, this one has fan service that feels earned and heartfelt. The fan service here feels like the filmmakers really wanted to give the fans a shoutout and deliver the goods. There are so many cheer-worthy moments in this last act, your hands will be sore from all the applause. Of course, as amazing as this is, the movie isn’t entirely perfect, as there are some flaws, namely the pacing. While the three-hour runtime goes by fairly quickly, there are a few dragging moments that could’ve been shortened. Despite those flaws, Avengers: Endgame is a satisfying conclusion to a huge series.

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April 27, 2019
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)

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Ever since the release of The Avengers, the series has been teasing the arrival of a major villain: Thanos. Known as the Mad Titan, Thanos was created by writer-artist Jim Starlin and debuted in The Invincible Iron Man #55. Considered one of the strongest villains in Marvel history, Thanos has been a looming threat throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While mostly staying in the background or just being mentioned, Thanos has always been there, watching over the galaxy. Not only has Thanos appeared in numerous post-credit scenes, but they’ve hinted at his appearance with the Infinity Stones. Each of the stones controls different aspects of existence and the universe: Time, Power, Mind, Space, Reality, and Soul. Following the successful Captain America sequels, the Russo Brothers were tasked with bringing nearly all the Marvel heroes together. 2018 saw the release of this massive crossover event titled Avengers: Infinity War.

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Having taken the Power Stone, Thanos (Josh Brolin) has attacked a ship carrying the remaining population of Asgard. After killing Heimdall (Idris Elba) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston), Thanos takes the Space Stone, leaving Thor (Chris Hemsworth) to die. Back on Earth, Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) has returned to warn the Avengers of Thanos’ arrival. As Thanos searches the galaxy for the remaining Infinity Stones, the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy form separate teams. Thor, Rocket (Bradley Cooper), and Groot (Vin Diesel) venture to forge a weapon capable of killing Thanos, the Storm Breaker. Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr), Spider-Man (Tom Holland), and the remaining Guardians go off to face Thanos head on. Captain America (Chris Evans), Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and Falcon (Anthony Mackie) travel to Wakanda to help Vision (Paul Bettany). It’s a race against time to stop Thanos from wiping out half of the universe’s population.

Given that this was set up for over a decade, Avengers: Infinity War is, no pun intended, a marvel. It’s a real testament to the Russo brothers how well they can balance several characters in one film so well. Every single one of them does a great job, and each is given their own moment to shine. However, the real spotlight is on Josh Brolin, who embraces the character and gives him a lot of depth. What makes Thanos such a unique villain is how he truly believes that what he’s doing is right. Plus, he has moments where you can tell he’s not necessarily evil, making certain choices he deeply regrets. As dark and dire as the film overall is, they manage to inject the right amount of humor in. Thankfully, most of the humor doesn’t feel out of place and flows nicely with the hard hitting drama.

Speaking of the drama, when the movie gets more serious, it’s very impactful and you really feel for these characters. Of course, most people go into superhero movies wanting huge action sequences, and this film more than delivers on that. There’s a massive action sequences at least every fifteen minutes or so, each one just as thrilling as the last. What makes these scenes work is the great camerawork, the well-done fight choreography, and Alan Silvestri’s epic score. Given the stakes presented here, you genuinely get worried that a character you love might not survive to the end. Without going into spoilers, this movie has quite a few moments that come out of nowhere and will surprise you. My only complaint is that sometimes the action can get slightly excessive and some surprises are pretty easy to see. Even still, Avengers: Infinity War is something truly special and worth watching.

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April 24, 2019
Black Panther (2018)

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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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April 23, 2019
Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

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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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April 23, 2019
Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

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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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April 23, 2019
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)

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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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April 23, 2019