(film review) - The Flash

I took a little time to let this movie sit with me before I wrote the review for several reasons. I wanted to address the "so-called" 'elephant in the room' as well as the current state of affairs of the DC universe. I have been gathering my thoughts to try and explain this the best way I can, without going too deep and losing anyone who does not really care and to also give an explanation as to where we are going forward with DC. So first and foremost, this movie has been 9 years in the making. In those 9 years, since 2013, we had 'Man of Steel' to kick it all off, but 12 movies before this and out of those 12 movies, we had 2 that were excellent, 4 that were really good, 2 that were pretty much identical, but still very different in execution and 4 that were either just ok or trash. I have said this before and I will say it again, Warner Bros. the owners of Detective Comics aka DC spent a lot of time trying to chase the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so much so, they felt to deviate drastically and produce movies like 'Joker', which is not apart of the DCEU. The Batman came out also, which is also not part of the DCEU and both of these movies are great, but WB have no clue what they are doing. Also there has been controversy with studio heads at WB, bad decisions, reactive behaviour and all sorts of problems with directors and actors also in this time. When one director was "removed" from a project due to a personal family tragedy, another director took over and seemed to cut out storylines and dialogue from specific characters leading to another version of the same film being made with the original director because what we initially got, was not the vision the original director had. Lastly, Ezra Miller, whilst not very well known but a terrific actor, in the last few years has become known to the public due to a series of events and situations that have painted Ezra in a very bad light all in the lead up to the release of this movie. This movie has gone through various directors and undoubtedly, various reshoots to try and counter the problems and/or salvage what they have. So whilst you may be upset, disgruntled, or feel a type of way about Ezra in their personal life, their acting, skill as an actor and sheer ability to finesse this craft cannot be mistaken. Ezra, as an actor, as this character and in this movie is excellent which in turn makes this movie a very good watch. However, with not only a new DC universe on its way, not knowing if this movie ultimately connects with the past and/or future of DC, will definitely make one wonder if watching this movie is even necessary if you want the whole connectivity of it all. Whilst I cannot actually answer that question specifically, I will say, I do have some thoughts as to the direction DC could take.

Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) accidentally stumbles on time travel and decides to travel back in time to try and fix a very open wound he has surrounding the death of his mother and the incarceration of his father. Having asked for advice and given a warning not to travel back in time, Ezra travels back in time anyway not realising, not only has he travelled back in time, he has ultimately travelled into a separate universe where Zod attacks Earth looking for Kal-L. Barry must team up with the Batman (Michael Keaton) of that world along with the Kryptonian to battle Zod, defeat him and find a way back to his own universe and at the correct time.

I had fun with this movie. It was a great watch. A lot of laugh-out-loud moments as Ezra, at this point IS Barry Allen. We have seen Barry Allen portrayed in a few movies now and also in the 'Peacemaker' season one finale, but Ezra shines as Barry Allen. They are great, captivating, moving, emotional, not to mention playing two Barry Allens at different times in his life. Ezra is simply phenomenal and carries this entire movie acting against theirself and with Michael Keaton and Sasha Calle. This movie has been 9 years in the making and whilst the film does not look dated exactly or feel dated, I do feel from completion to release, there was a lot of time to iron out and polish the special effects. Whilst not terrible, some moments look weird, purposefully or not and it is possible, some things could have been re-thought. For example, the film starts off with a big action set piece involving a hospital. Some of the decisions made here for the movie do not work visually although it is a great scene. So as a viewer, you are left with the choice to accept it as it is or take umbridge over the look and quality of said scene. Personally, I did not mind, although I could understand why things looked the way they did visually AND take that on the chin and disregard the visuals simply for the playthrough rather than be bothered about it. Had they used the time to re-think this set piece, maybe they would have realised that some of the visuals here were not great and gone for something else. But I am sure they had more pressing matters of concern. Talking about the CGI, towards the end of the movie, there were some very heavy-handed decisions to either "serve" the fans, or pay homage. The problem is at this point in the movie, whilst everything is wrapping up, doing what they did ultimately felt a little weird and too outside the box and far-reaching rather than it feeling contained within the film. You could say, it felt unnatural. Without going into spoilers, if you are going to go in, go in. If you are going to try and do the distance, go all the way in and explore every avenue you can. That would make it feel more authentic, but in the end, it only raised more issues with what has happened over the years without providing any solutions or possibilities. Whilst one-moment kind of honoured that, for the most part, was great, but felt weird and also seemingly forced, especially when the majority of the audience are not aware of the why, so why?

The music, the acting, everything here was top-notch. Very serious in moments but also very funny. A very cool moment at the beginning of the movie was the "title" screen. It was so cleverly done and well executed. It was great to see some returning actors from previous movies and the Batman of it all, was simply great. Having grown up on Michael Keaton as Batman from the Batman 1989 movie followed by Batman Returns, a lot of people see Michael Keaton as their Batman, so hearing a cheer when he first shows up was amazing. Michael felt like he had never left the cowl as he slipped back into his rendition of Bruce Wayne and The Batman. With that said, the memorabilia was also great to see as well as some of the advances. You will see in the trailer, a room opens up and you see lots and lots of Batman suits, most of which are from the comics, but they ultimately told a story which was great. Sasha Calle is excellent. The way she portrayed her character left me wanting more from her in a spin-off with their own movie or simply anything else. All in all, the movie is just a really fun watch.

The problem with it all. When the film was completed and due for release, the world went into lockdown due to a global pandemic. However, problems for the movie started to come about when the lead star Ezra Miller kept getting into trouble due to their actions. Not only was the film completed, but DC were also going through a change due to a bunch of lacklustre movies and the audience not gravitating towards these movies. With word of a new DCU incoming by a former Disney-employed director who was fired, then rehired by Disney but ultimately got a job to head this new DC universe for Warner Bros, the audience are simply left in limbo. I saw the damage control to be, "this is a great movie" which it is, but why would they say differently with all the controversy surrounding Ezra, they need all the bums on seats they could possibly get and all the money. If the movie were to do well, regardless of Ezra continuing as Barry Allen or not, the former heroes such as Aquaman (who has a movie out next), Wonder Woman, etc, could all be apart of the DCU IF, navigated correctly. At a point, James Gunn said he has no need for Henry Cavill at present to play Superman and will be going with a new actor, which made me think, the doors are still open, kinda. If Barry Allen can transcend timelines and universes, surely we can have multiple Supermen like how we had different Batmen, correct? James can release all the films he likes and maybe in 15-20 years' time, have two Supermen in a movie and the old guard can resume their role "co-signing" the new guard. All in all, if you want to see this movie due to simply wanting to see a Flash movie, I would definitely say, you should get yourself to the cinema and watch it due to it being a great experience. If you want to know if there is any interconnectivity with other superheroes from Justice League and such, whilst we cannot be certain if it is all connected, they are there, but time will tell. If you want to see Ezra as a superb actor, then definitely go and watch it, otherwise...other than being a really good watch which is fun and enjoyable, there is a chance you may not want to watch it due to Ezra and their antics or the "lack of" position this movie has in the greater universe of it all, so if that is the case, I understand, but this is a really good movie.

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(trailer review) - The Flash

Yo! As I write this, I legit have tears streaming down my face. No, I am not crying, but would I call these joyful tears? Maybe. This trailer. This film. Ezra you absolute maniac Miller! How? What? Why? For those who do not know and are entirely unaware, Ezra, the lead star of this movie and the man who is playing Barry Allen aka The Flash, reprising his role from Justice League, has been in some hot water in recent years since the making and completion of this movie. It is tough to say if they will ever work again as an actor, let alone play The Flash again, but this movie looks phenomenal. Very action-heavy, very emotional and the cast, two Batmen and a Supergirl? I am in absolute shock-horror right now, I am hoping and praying for Ezra to find the help he needs and maybe, JUST maybe, when all things are back to a state of normalcy, perhaps someone will take a chance on them as they IS one of the best parts of Justice League (both versions) and they do come across as a very talented and gifted actor.

This trailer! Good lord! The different Flash suits, the different Batman suits, the Bat-Wing, the Bat-Cycle AND THE OLD-SCHOOL BATMOBILE!!! I think the scenes that really got me, were the General Zod moments and him coming to Earth and now it looks like the two Flashes are fighting with old-school Batman and possibly Supergirl to take him and his troops out. While Ezra seems to be playing two versions of Barry Allen, this trailer has definitely got me interested in something I really did not care for, until now. Plus that other Flash suit (the second time we see the Flash suit) also looks amazing. That original suit with barely any trimmings. Michael Keaton and his delivery of that iconic line, "...I am Batman". And is that Kara tumping OFF the face of Zod's general? She is brutal! Yeah, let this be as good as this trailer please WB, I believe we comic book movie watchers deserve something like this. Maybe, JUST maybe, if this film does well, we can get some kind of sequel and maybe this universe, however, it ends, we can have some of those older/other actors back, such as Henry, Ben and Gal, maybe even Dwayne.

Directed by Andy Muschietti and starring Ezra Miller, Sasha Calle, Michael Shannon, Ron Livingston, Maribel Verdú, Kiersey Clemons, Antje Traue & Michael Keaton

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(trailer review) - Bullet Train

 

It's funny. If you were to ask me "What are your favourite films?", I would probably cite 'The Royal Tenenbaums' before anything and likely stop there. It's not the only film I love, but it's always the first to come to mind. However, the Die Hard trilogy and Alien trilogy are also up there, but I wouldn't necessarily mention those. I say that to say this, this trailer reminds me of, 'Smoking Aces' a film I also love but completely forgot about and a film you are not likely to have remembered or seen...also 'Seven Psychopaths', a film I absolutely loved. I believe I even wrote a review on it a while back. Tone wise, this seems like the fit.

Brad Pitt, is someone who can do comedy and action pretty well, I think of Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but this trailer is just excellent through and through...and the cast. The cast! I'm going to check the cast list in a moment, but isn't that the voice of Scarlett Johansson? Is that Jamie Lee Curtis? I'm likely to be wrong and i'm going to have to freeze frame some of these scenes but I know that is Brian Tyree Henry who is absolutely doing amazing for himself and seeing Aaron Taylor-Johnson AGAIN in another unrecognisable role, I'm starting to wonder, has he been in other films and I never noticed him in it? Everyone after a suitcase and will kill for it on a bullet train. I am already sold on this trailer! Oh yeah, that was surely Zazie Beets too. I just hope this film is as great as the trailer or i'm going to be pretty disappointed.

Directed by David Leitch and starring Brad Pitt, Joey King, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon & Benito "Bad Bunny" Ocasio

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(trailer review) - Knives Out

So, basically, it's a Guess Who? or Who Done It? Murder mystery movie where someone gets murdered and we are trying to figure out who did it! From the top of my head, I cannot think off the top of my head if I can remember the last murder mystery film I've watched...maybe The Grand Budapest Hotel, if that is one.  But the acting looks incredible and some of these actors look like they are having a blast.  It would be nice to see some of these actors who are known for iconic characters to actually see them as somebody else and not whom they have embodied for many years.

Plus I like Rian Johnson, he needs a win after Star Wars: The Last Jedi. I liked it but it was problematic.

Directed By Rian Johnson and starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, LaKeith Stanfield, Don Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis and many more.

(film review) - Man of Steel

After seeing Man of Steel, I was left a little perplexed. I wasn't sure what to think overall about the whole film.
I did feel disappointed and I did feel the film could have been better. However, if I were to give this film a number out of 10 with 10 being really good and 1 being really bad, this film would get 7.5 and not 9 or 10 in what it seems everyone else seems to be giving it.

I can debate this all day! ALL DAMN DAY! But I won't. I will only explain my view of the film from what I experienced from the story and how it was delivered.

First of all, Everyone knows the story of Superman and there has been 5 films before this one. (No one rates the fourth Reeves one)

The chances are of the audience knowing Superman's abilities is very high anyway.

So, with that said, I'll keep this Sypnosis very brief. Jor-El has a child with his wife on a dying planet. He sends newborn child in a space capsule across the stars to the Sol System to land on Earth to live so that their race does not go completely extinct. Child grows up with installed values but before becoming a shining beacon of Hope, he must confront General Zod and his plans. Also being from Clark's home planet of Kyrpton, Clark is left with a choice to decide whether to side with the human's or to decide with his own.

My understanding is that the Director was not going to revisit all the same scenario's and stories from previous films. This film is purely about an alien trying to fit into a world who will "fear" him for being different. The film is also about Zod and why he is the way he is because he ISN'T necessarily a villain.

This film most importantly, IS NOT...and I repeat NOT a Clark Kent film. This story is not about Clark Kent being Superman. It's about Superman being an Alien. From when you understand that, you will understand the film.

The film has received mixed reviews and as I said before, 7.5 out of 10, I believe the film will raise to 8.5 for one simple reason. Should they do a sequel and this film is more about Clark Kent juggling his life of being Clark & Superman, then the previous film, Man of Steel would make more sense and give the film Justice. Kind of an odd way to look at grading this film, but I felt this film was not executed well.

Reason's why I didn't like the film is because there was too much chopping and changing and skipping bits. There was no character development whatsoever and Superman himself was kinda dry... However, the small bits of the clark kent story (shown as flashbacks) were good including the values which were installed into him making him the man that he is. The fighting goes without saying and the film on a whole was good. But if the director made the film longer and added more detail, I would have put this film on parr with Batman. It just wasn't delivered the way Batman was. The reason could be purely due to the rehashing of the story. It has been done again and again and AGAIN!!!

I would also like to add, the writers and Director wanted to make a Superman film we haven't seen before. One where people get to see Superman BEING Superman. We all wanna see Superman tump guys over (in which he can't do with humans). And this is THAT film, so this is why you will love the film as well as the origins explain in more detail.

By the way...I don't believe the other films previously explored how he discovered his strength, heat vision or Ice Breath. My understanding is, these came into knowledge as he got older but everyone has seen Smallville or know what it's about.

In conclusion, this is a good film. Like Batman Begins but a little different in delivery and has grand scale destruction with a lil love interest thrown in there. If you don't know with whom, you haven't been, reading, listening, watching, living.
Go See It!!!