Review: THE AMAZING SPIDERMAN

            I will confess; I was not a fan of Raimi’s Spiderman trilogy. The first movie was all right; the second movie – despite the critical acclaim – felt too much like a telenovela that I couldn't properly enjoy; and the third movie… well, we can all agree that movie was an incomprehensible mess of CGI and not much more. Comparisons between the old and the new are inevitable - it has only been five years since the Spiderman 3 fiasco - but I will try to avoid them and speak for The Amazing Spiderman as a stand-alone film.

           With that in mind, The Amazing Spiderman is a highly enjoyable film. You feel a sense of déjà-vu through out it, not necessarily because it is a rebooted Spiderman, but because since then, we have grown accustomed to the origin story of superheros. In effect, "been-there-seen-that" is the best way to describe The Amazing Spiderman. But think about all the things you've done and seen and enjoyed more the second time; I bet there are quite a few instances. The Amazing Spiderman is like that. You have seen it but are thankful that enough has changed that you can still enjoy. More attention has placed to detail, and the back-story is extended and made deeper, and best of all, Peter Parker is actually interesting even before he becomes Spiderman. Against all odds there are still some refreshing moments in the film.

Review: THE AVENGERS

So, by now it's safe to say that half the world (and then some) has seen The Avengers. And it is easy to see why: up until now every superhero movie has tried to bank-off audience’s inner child and repressed id. Broad emotions and large explosions are fun to watch; it is the same root emotion with which children bash action figures, have snowball fights, and play with NERF guns. However, no film has yet captured the childish enjoyment of bashing action figures against each other in the way The Avengers does. Long awaited, since Samuel L. Jackson’s cameo at the end of Iron Man, The Avengers assembles a good array of Marvel characters into one film: Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Nick Fury; it gives them a worthy villain: Loki and the Chitauri, and then proceeds to wreck havoc over a CGI Midtown Manhattan. What more can we ask for?

Review: THOR

            One of the biggest problems with The Hulk movies has been that it is really hard to take a big green dude with purple shorts seriously. Making a movie about a hammer-wielding Norse god who is prone to shouting “I AM THOR! THE THUNDER GOD!” and taking it seriously is perhaps even a bigger challenge. But unlike the Hulk movies, the filmmakers chose to embrace the absurdity of the movie’s premise and play along. The result is a movie filled with Viking pleasing, bashing fun that lacks the raping part of “raping and pillaging” in order to keep it PG-13. In other words, a brilliant kick off for this summer’s line of blockbusters.

 

On Reboots and Why Warner/DC Should Not Try to Copy Marvel.

            Earlier this week it was confirmed in the LA Times that THE DARK KNIGHT RISES will be the final chapter in Nolan’s adaptation of the Batman story. I can understand why many fans are very displeased with this decision; Nolan’s vision of Batman is so epic we all want more of it. However there are a few advantages to this. First and foremost, The Dark Knight was so overwhelmingly awesome that there is no way any subsequent sequel will ever meet expectations. It might still be really good, but it won’t be The Dark Knight. Secondly it is the first time a definitive end has been announced for any superhero helmed by a single director, so it is going to be very interesting seeing some closure. Yes, Raimi’s Spiderman had an ending and he helmed all three. But, lets face it, those were not Raimi films in the same sense the Dark Knight is a Nolan film and there had been talks of making a fourth fifth and sixth installment with or without Raimi afterwards. Ultimately Marvel chose to reboot the Spiderman franchise so it can tie it to its new Avengers assembly of movies. Warner/DC has announced its intentions to reboot the Batman franchise after The Dark Knight Rises so it can tie it in to a series of films that will lead to a Justice League movie in a few years. Monkey see monkey do.

New Images from CAPTAIN AMERICA

Watch these images move on the big screen July 22nd! (Though why a movie called Captain America doesn't come out July 4th is beyond me)

New Thor Trailer Surfaces

The first Thor trailer actually raised my hopes that Marvel was going to deliver another good pre-Avengers installment. At the very least it would be the one decent superhero flick this summer, since Green Latern looks like shit and we really don't need another X Men after X3 and Wolverine. But alas a new trailer has surfaced and this no longer seems as hopeful. I'll let you guys watch and have your say:

New Spidey Movie Officially Baptized

A few weeks ago we got the first glimpse of the new Spiderman costume Andrew Garfield will be sporting in the reboot. That pic gave us a hint of what Garfield would look like as Peter Parker but the full costume was not revealed; it was missing the mask and the web-slingers. The full costume was revealed today as well as the official title of the film. Lo and behold the new Spiderman movie's official title will be:

The Amazing Spiderman.

Studios must think we are stupid if they believe that to be news. Unlike real news, everyone saw this coming. The new costume is much more interesting. Here is a pic of what Spidey will look like in the reboot:

Thankfully the studio decided to drop the huge bug eyes of the design of Ultimate Spiderman. That would have looked ridiculous; I have to say web-slinger aside I like this costume better than the classically inspired one of the Raimi films. It still doesn't look like something a high-schooler would be able to make, but I would take someone wearing this costume much more seriously than someone in tight red spandex.

What do you think?

The First Avenger Trailer Surfaces

The Trailer for Marvel's next Superhero flick, Captain America the First Avenger, surfaces.



At least it looks better than The Green Lantern, although expectations for that one are not being set anywhere near what one can call high. But I don't know; it fails to surprise me in the way the Thor trailer did. Certainly looking forward much more for that one.

Thor Comic-Con Trailer

Jesus.

Review: IRON MAN 2

Like its predecessor, Iron Man 2 delivers the finest form of entertainment within the confines of a very limiting genre. The first Iron Man was a strict superhero origin story that managed to stand out above the rest thanks to Robert Downey Jr.’s quirky acting. This time Iron Man 2 presents the superhero sequel formula with unprecedented elegance.

EDITORIAL: Marvel's Movie Magic: Is Everyone On The Same Page?

Marvel comics is easily the most successful company that ever went from making comic books, to then producing movies about them. In the past few years alone we have seen amazing movies such as Spiderman 1&2, Iron Man, X-men 1&2, Blade 1&2, and The Punisher (among others).

But like any film 'series' they have also had their less popular films, Ghostrider, Hulk, X3, Spiderman 3, Daredevil, and Fantastic Four (among others).

But that seems to be a good track record. Now, here is my problem.

Marvel does not seem to treat film as different art from the art of comic books. This is their downfall, because the two forms of expression are very different. Here are the two comic book tenants, that I think should not apply to their film counterparts.

1. When an artist leaves... get a new artist! The character will change a bit, but everyone knows that it is the same guy.

When a characters artist changes in a comic book, people either like or dislike the new designs, but eventually they get over it and keep reading. The art may have changed, but the character is the same and it is good enough for the readers.

In a film though, if an actor leaves and is recast after making one popular film already as the character, people will have a lot more trouble accepting the new actor in the sequel.

In Iron Man, Terrance Howard played Jim Rhodes, Tony Starks best friend, with many hints that he will return as another hero in the sequel. Ironically, he won't. Well, Rhodes will, but Howard has been recast with Don Cheadle.

Edward Norton already said he will not be reprising his role as Bruce Banner in the upcoming avengers movie, making one wonder how they will recast a lead character with out everyone complaining about continuity.

Back in 2004, The Punisher was played by Thomas Jane, and now in the sequel, he is being played by Ray Stevenson. Once again, the lead actor quit and someone new came on.

Now, sure, if it was animated, nobody would care. Lots of people can do the same character voices, and pull of the character convincingly, but when it is a full actor who must bring his character to life, every actor will do it differently. I can guarantee that each of these new actors will not play the character in the same way as the first actor originated the role.

Bringing me to...

2. Don't make a film with a sequel in mind.

Why? Because unexpected stuff may happen! If any of these films were made to be standalone films, then there would not be an issue. If they just planned on making a Hulk movie, and then later the producer said "let's make a sequel", and the lead actor said 'I don't want to...' then they could just drop the film and move on to the next one... because face it... Marvel has tons of characters, and would probably love to make a film for each and every one.

But... if you really want to make a sequel... then you need to GUARANTEE that all the original actors (unless they are incapacitated) will be in it. How? By outlining how long you want the franchise to run and then getting all the actors to sign 'multiple film agreements' before starting the first film.

I like Marvel films, but I wish each one didn't have to be it's own trilogy. The first (and usually the second) ones are usually great, but by the third they just push the stuff way to far in a bad direction. I don't want Spiderman 4 after seeing Spiderman 3, as much as I loved the first two, and I don't want to see an avengers movie with half a cast from the prequel, and half 'all new replacements'.

What do you think?

Marvel's Thor to have a Classical feel?

Breaking News!

For those of you who are fans of this blog, you know that we loves ourselves some comic book goodness. One of the next installments of Marvel's new and improved movies is going to be Thor. Though the title actor is still yet to be determined (Come on Triple H!), the topic of director has recently been brought back up because Kenneth Branagh has been talking to the studio about doing it.

This announcement comes as a welcome shock. Not only as an actor, but as a director is Mr. Branagh well versed in the classical "sauce" as some may put it so we can't wait to see how Shakespearean Thor will turn out.


-Mark

Recapping Marvel's Summer 'Block Busters'

Summer is over, and everyone is back to school and back to work (even though business does not take a summer break), so I think a short re-cap of the MARVEL films that were anticipated should be discussed and see if they live up to what they we're expected to be.



IRON MAN

Robert Downey Jr. plays the newest Marvel Comics hero to hit the big screen - IRON MAN. Downey Jr. gives a fantastic performance as the new hero, surprising many, and setting a new standard for the Marvel films. Also, this film is the first film produces entirely by the new Marvel Studios.

The plot was nicely handled, and the change of Jarvis from a human to a robot system was well received. Jeff Bridges played a good villain who had reason for his motives, and Gwenyth Paltrow and Downey Jr. had fantastic chemistry that made the man and woman relationship fun and believable, with out the tacky standard of 'love story'. Samuel L Jackson after the credits was a good nod to the character of Nick Fury, and indeed a nice touch.

Even so... the Video Game was terrible, and one of the worst that has been made in years.

But- Did IRON MAN live up to its expectations? ABSOLUTELY


The Incredible Hulk



A few years ago, Ang Lee directed a film called 'HULK' starring Eric Bana, that wasn't exactly a hit. It went far too deep into an existential journey of family reconciliation, loss, acceptance, and hulk dogs. But - just because that one wasn't a hit, does not mean that this one is awesome by default.

Here are the problems with it. The Hulk is never running away from the action, as the Hulk is normally supposed to do. He has no idea who this villain is, why he is fighting him or if he should be. Also, the action was weak, his head was too small, and there was an absurdly weak love story. One fantastic shot, however, was of him and Liv Tyler sitting on some rocks in the canyon in the rain at night. That was good filmmaking. However, the rest is just a cat and mouse, pointless chase that ends with a lame and weak outcome.

Norton did a good job with his performance as Bruce Banner/ Hulk, and Tim Roth did a nice job as well, it's nice to see him on the big screen again. However it is a shame that most story and character development were glazed over. But- apparently 70 minutes of footage were cut, and I will certainly re-judge the movie when I have a chance to check out the DVD and see it in what should be its fullest form.

Even so... The Video Game was fantastic. Lots of fun, roaming the cities in a free-form world, doing things the Hulk does that are fun in games but don't satisfy at all in movie form.

But - Did THE INCREDIBLE HULK live up to its expectations? NOT AT ALL




With a reboot of 'The Punisher' franchise coming soon, as well as sequels to most previous Marvel films, and more avengers movies on the way, it looks like Marvel has a chance to make some more good things on the grill. Lets hope they don't get spoiled with the success of Iron Man and think anything they do is golden. Movies take work to make them good. Even if you already wrote the storyboard 50 years ago.

Review: IRON MAN

Lets have a quick chat about Iron Man, eh?

To take a moderatly unknown superhero and create a new franchise is a grand idea that should be tried more often. Iron Man is exactly that. By taking a superhero that everyone and their mothers do not know all about, creates the chance for a story that can thrill and achieve great heights with out everyone whining that it does not flawlessly follow the comic book story arch.