Showing posts with label Ant-Man. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ant-Man. Show all posts

Sunday, 11 June 2017

Movie Review - Captain America: Civil War

Captain America:

Civil War

2016



Marvel Studios / Vita-Ray Dutch Productions / Studio Babelsberg / Deluxe Digital Studios / Marvel Entertainment

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Netflix / Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment


8.5 / 10


Captain America: Civil War Poster

Just when the Avengers stories were getting stale and very familiar, writers Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely along with directors Anthony and Joe Russo bring us the best Avengers movie to date... except that it isn't since it's Capt's film.

Let's get this out of the way, this is loosely based on Mark Millar's opus though it could never reach the depths of characterisation or story in just the two and half hour runtime.  Though the story has been pared down to the minimum basics of the original, what we do get is very entertaining.  After the disastrous effects of Age Of Ultron the governments of the world are wanting to put a leash on the Avengers and all other heroes.  Not all of the heroes are accepting of this arrangement, especially Captain America who goes off on his own.

The only thing I would have liked in this film is a deeper look at the psychological effects the Sokovia Sanctions, which are addressed in the graphic novels.  This would have made it stronger and more accessible to adults.  They could have done this without changing the certification.

It was also nice to see the other newbies to the Marvel universe - Ant-Man, The Black Panther, and of course The Amazing Spiderman.  It was great seeing Spidey finally mixing it up in the with The Avengers and with the changing eye lenses in his costume and the best and most accurate portrayal yet, from Tom Holland - Awesome.  Though I'm not too sure about the upcoming Homecoming movie or the role Stark is to play in Peter Parkers costume.  The star of this film though has to be The Black Panther - Chadwick Boseman gives a brilliantly cool portrayal of the hero prince of Wakanda.

The rest of the cast give the performances we are used to from the rest of the series.

Thanks to the directors, the action is fast and furious, and thanks to Spidey and Ant-Man pretty funny.  The effects are superb, as always, and they don't overpower the story or the screen as with previous films - the fight scene on Ultron was too busy and confusing (and too short).  The pace is varied and creates a rollercoaster ride of a film which helps keep the emotions of the viewers fluctuating between excitement and the dramatic.  This is a well-constructed and crafted movie.

For me, this third instalment of the Captain America series is the best; and as I stated at the start it's also the best Avengers movie too.  If you've not started watching any of the Marvel Universe films yet then this is one to catch.  It works as a stand-alone movie as it references the previous films in a way that you don't need to see them to know what's happening here.  In regards to both Captain America and The Avengers, this is the only movie in each of the series which I will watch more than once, it is that enjoyable.




Monday, 29 May 2017

Movie Review - Ant-Man

Ant-Man

2015



Marvel Enterprises / Marvel Studios / Walt Disney Pictures

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures / Walt Disney Home Studios Home Entertainment


9.5 / 10


Ant-Man Poster

After watching Marvel's Avengers - Age Of Ultron and Guardians Of The Galaxy, of which I was a little less than bowled over by, I was hesitant to watch this film.  I knew this had the potential to be a brilliantly visual masterpiece - which it was.  It was also a well thought out story filled with interesting characters and well-shot scenes, both innovative and ingenious.

Marvel needed this film to breathe fresh air into its universe.

Though it's not the Hank Pym Ant-Man that I remembered out of the back pages of the Hulk comic of my youth it still held up to the comic's feel and atmosphere.

Writers, Edgar Wright, Joe Cornish, Adam McKay, and Paul Rudd create a good and solid story around this Ant-Man's origin and the threat which the Ant-Man tech could produce.  It could also be that the personality of Scott Lang (Ant-Man) is so steadfast and credible is that Paul Rudd who portrayed him also co-wrote the screenplay.  I've never been a great fan of Rudd's as I've found his previous work could either hit (Role-Models) or miss (Admission) - this is definitely some of his better work, and he adds quite a bit to the character and atmosphere of the movie.

Even the rest of the cast do a brilliant job with their characters.  I especially liked Bobby Cannavale as Paxton, Scott's ex-wife's new man... and cop!  He adds a nice dynamic to Scott's personal life as he loves Maggie and Cassie (Scott's ex and daughter) and tries to give Scott the benefit of the doubt, even though he's an ex-con.  Then there's Michael Pena who is outstanding as Luis.  It was nice to see Evangelina Lilly in a decent roll and she carried off the role of Pym's estranged daughter, Hope Van Dyne, admirably.  She should make a brilliant Wasp in the upcoming sequel.

The other star of this film is the Director, Peyton Reed, who seems to effortlessly weave CGI and reality together.  The scenes where Scott pops from miniature to actual size while fighting could have been so bad but thanks to the direction and the animators they're believable and very effective.  Reed is also good at switching pace to give his audience a rollercoaster ride of a movie.

The special effects are superb and seamless - respect due to all involved.  And it is truly wonderful that Thomas the Tank Engine is finally breaking into the big time.

This film is a must for all comic book and action movie lovers alike.  If you've not hopped into the Marvel universe yet this is one hell of a good place to start... though it may make the rest of the films look a little pale by comparison.  This is one film I will watch again... and again...