Tag: Super Hero

AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM (2023)

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Directed By: James Wan

Written By: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick

Story By: James Wan, Jason Momoa, and Thomas Pa’a Sibbert

Based on the character AQUAMAN created By: Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger 

Cinematography: Don Burgess

Editor: Kirk Morris

Cast: Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Amber Heard, Randall Park, Nicole Kidman, Temuera Morrison, Dolph Lundgren, Martin Short, Indya Moore, John Rhys-Davies, Jani Zhao, Pilou Asbaek 

Black Manta seeks revenge on Aquaman for his father’s death. Wielding the Black Trident’s power, he becomes a formidable foe. To defend Atlantis, Aquaman forges an alliance with his imprisoned brother. They must protect the kingdom.

Luckily, this film isn’t as bad as it had been predicted or advertised. So what does work in its favor is that it feels kind of a bit like a retread of the first film as it has pretty much the same cast of characters who survived the first film, and essentially the same villain only this time who has managed to acquire more strength and power Through supernatural means partially being possessed, but still determined to take down Aquaman and Atlantis if he can.

Amber Heard who plays Aquaman’s wife in this film her role is either severely cut down from before or meant to just be a placeholder as a love interest. As she is barely in the film and is in an action or two, but really, given nothing to do and not too much importance.

The film plays more like a buddy comedy with Aquaman teaming up with his half-brother, who has been in prison and they learning and going through their differences to trust one another, and to join together, to save Atlantis, thus allowing his brother to get his honor back throughout.

This sequel like the first film has quite a bit of comedy. However in this film, the special effects are a little more distracting as they are not as impressive in fact, while watching the film, it feels like you’re watching a video game demo almost rather than a film. This is good when it comes to the action sequences when it tries to do the dialogue scenes it doesn’t quite fit as well.

If the film had maybe tried to give Aquaman a different villain, this film might have been worthwhile, but with it feeling like a retread, it kind of limits itself.

I am impressed that they managed to make Aquaman so dynamic on the big screen as before he had been either a minor character or more of a laughing stock at with his limited abilities and costumes in the past. 

This is a film where you can see the budget on screen, but somehow it limits itself which is a shame because there seem to be so many possibilities as you’re watching the film instead of what you get, which is ultimately disappointing.

This is a shame, as I was one of those who enjoyed the original way more than I expected to, but like the sequel to Shazam this film just feels like what you thought the first film was going to be it doesn’t improve, and in fact, it’s worse.

This is a shame, considering the impressive cast and Jason Momoa just looks like a badass superhero either way. 

Grade: C- 

X-MEN (2000)

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Directed By: Bryan Singer
Story By: Tom DeSanto & Bryan Singer
Written By: David Hayter 
Cinematography: Newton Thomas Sigel
Editor: Kevin Stitt, John Wright & Steven Rosenblum 

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Bruce Davison, Tyler Mane, Ray Park, 

In a world where mutants (evolved super-powered humans) exist and are discriminated against, two groups form for an inevitable clash: the supremacist Brotherhood, and the pacifist X-Men.

While it was one of the first Marvel movies and one of the bigger superhero series of films to come to the big screen. It seems like it is more remembered as the arrival of -actor Hugh Jackman as a leading man. As in the role he was rebellious and full of charm And swagger. Which pretty much saves the film. As he is also our guide into the world of the film. Even after being introduced ways in.

The film has plenty of special effects which are expected, but strangely feels bland not only now but even when seeing it in the theater after its opening weekend.

At first, I was a bit put off by grown adults running around in costumes. Thinking it would look silly. Sort of like a professional wrestler dressing the same In Real life and that being their personality. Luckily here it is more modern, stylish and leather. So not as bad as one might think.

Other than Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart is good in the film. The other scene stealers are Rebecca Romijn and the always excellent Ian McKellen.

As one of the first of its kind before the superhero movie boom took effect. Which this film is responsible for. It was exciting watching this film. As there are some expectations but also the feeling that the sky’s The limit. So you are ready for whatever it wants to throw. Here it is fantasy but also a harsh dose of reality. 

Anna Paquin as Rogue is at the center of the film. Though other than the opening the character and performance go more into the background. More as a damsel in distress and comes off as boring (a fate that would last throughout the franchise of the movies she appeared in) 

She Is supposed to Have this grand peer that in later films makes better characters and even here the villains are after badly. Then turn her more into an afterthought. Especially in comparison to the other films.

This is why Hugh Jackman’s character introduction into the mutant world being also the audience works better. Also as he doesn’t seem to be as ashamed of himself.

The film seems like director Bryan Singer was a little bit over his head and out of his element. As he was trying to create this fantastic world and bring it into reality but also on a certain budget. That would be doubled if not tripled in today’s film market. So the film at times feels like there is some cost cutting. When certain scenes feel like they should be more open and extravagant. This might be why the film feels like it never achieves a grandiosity you hope for, the later films filled in and that was more what they were all about. 

Bryan Singer usually has a cold and distant directing style that is more clinical. Which doesn’t always match the material here. As it is more a comic book film comes to life. Made more for adults, but it also seems drained of much fun and humor. Not to mention cramming a lot into one film.

Look at the character of sabretooth wolverine’s nemesis in the comic books. He is dealt with and almost soon forgotten. Treated more like an ineffectual henchman.

Other than magneto and mystique goes for the rest of the villains. Who never comes across as any true threat. Just more like distractions.

The film isn’t as grand or spectacular as you would think a film of this magnitude should be.

It’s strange Director Bryan Singer when he started his career made vivid thrillers and dramas that were filled with good performances and creepy nature. That seems to have avoided those types of films. Which of anything tended to show his strengths.

Then he started more to make big budgeted special effects loaded fantasy films that while good to passable show more of his weaknesses

As a director, he brings a certain prestige to his films, and maybe as a director who is distant and ambiguous that works. Especially when your film is more about special effects than characters and acting. 

Here He seems to try and mix the two which ends up not working as elegantly as hoped for. As a director, you are required to have a much more sly hand. Which isn’t here. As he never builds the characters before the effects. Here it seems the reverse.

Not to mention all the personal controversy he has had more recently. 

GRADE: C+

THUNDER FORCE (2021)

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Written & Directed By: Ben Falcone
Cinematography: Barry Peterson 
Editor: Tia Nolan 

Cast: Melissa McCarthy, Octavia Spencer, Bobby Cannavale, Jason Bateman, Pom Klementieff, Melissa Leo, Taylor Mosby, Kevin Dunn, Ben Falcone 

In a world terrorized by super-villains, one woman has developed the process to give superpowers to regular people. But when scientist Emily Stanton accidentally imbues her estranged best friend with incredible abilities, the two women must become the first superhero team. Now, it is up to Thunder Force to battle the super-powered Miscreants and save Chicago from the clutches of The King.

It seems with most new comedic vehicles that Melissa McCarthy makes it seem to drag down the quirky of her stock. What is more digressing is that usually, these films are her own creation with her writer-director husband Ben Falcone. 

For every BRIDESMAIDS, SPY or even THE HEAT. There is a LIFE OF THE PARTY or TAMMY. At least THE BOSS was somewhat entertaining.

The bright spots of this film are few in-between. As at least the film becomes fun when it comes to the scenes with her and Jason Bateman as they still obviously have chemistry from the forgettable Studio film IDENTITY THEFT.

Like that film, this seems to want to be a forced buddy comedy. Where we how for the best. While two different personalities are forced to work together. While the stench of corporate studio movie making and synergy is pretty obvious. 

It’s almost like an Adam Sandler Netflix film which you know most likely will be bad. If they keep serving you and you take a chance and instantly regret it usually. As you remember how good they can be no how many better films they made than the one you are forcing yourself to watch. Hoping for something salvageable amongst the wreck. 

The other bright spot of the film is anytime the film deals with the villains and their hierarchy. Which isn’t the sharpest writing but some of the funnier material. That could have easily been a sketch more than anything.

The problem isn’t that the film isn’t inspired, it just does nothing with the idea or ideas it has Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer are friends in real life and used to do improv shows together and were nominated on the same year for Best Supporting actress at the academy awards McCarthy for BRIDESMAIDS and SPENCER for THE HELP which she won for.

Other than that you wish they could have chosen a better project. As this film most of the time comes off as pretty flat. The jokes come off as simple and weak and while this is meant to be a spoof or take off of superheroes. Nothing seems quite Inspired and the film comes off as tame.

This could easily be a family film with how inoffensive it is. It’s Predictable and you wonder about the intelligence of most of the characters. Such as why a successful mayoral candidate doesn’t suspect a thing when the person she beat all Of a sudden wants to throw her a victory party. 

You Can tell where the film and story are going constantly and the deepest character development we get from McCarthy is that her loser character obsesses about classic rock band music. Even a character they introduce when they are kids and have a crush on Spencer who we see as an adult goes nowhere. 

The film is a major disappointment especially when it seemed to be aiming pretty high. Though comes off more not as anything made for the big screen but almost purposely meant to be on streaming or television as it’s scope and aim seem so narrow but try to aim for bigger and better 

Though to be fair it’s rare that there has been a successful superhero comedy. 

Grade: D