(film review) - Captain America: Brave New World

It has taken me a minute to finally sit down and write this review while I wrap my head around everything that has been going on in this movie and the TV show. I am sure some of you are wondering, well, it's a simple yes or no question as to whether you like the movie or not, and yes, that is correct, and yes, yes I did like the movie, but the movie is not without any flaws. There were reports that the movie was not testing well, so they had to reshoot scenes and make changes to the storyline. Sometimes I feel that hearing these things can paint the movie in a negative light with the fans who follow this type of information, which allows them to make their own unfair judgements, but with that said, you still should go into a movie you are interested in with an open mind. Something I did and well, the few problems I found with the movie were that there was not a real arc for the hero (main character), was it even a Captain America movie? and Disney are too "Gun-shy" rather than simply pulling the trigger on storylines and ideas. I'll explain.

The Captain America: Brave New World story picks up in either two places (depending on where you are with the MCU) after 'Avengers: End Game' or after 'The Falcon and The Winter Soldier' TV show (the storyline is after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but if the last thing you remember is, Steve Rogers giving the shield to Sam Wilson, then it should be no surprise to you that Sam is the new Captain America). An organisation by the name of 'The Serpent Society' is known to have stolen something from Japan, a material which comes from the former celestial being in the Indian Ocean now known as Celestial Island. Sam Wilson is tasked to recapture it, but after the successful mission and at the president's ball, Sam's friend, former Captain America (when Steve Rogers was on ice) Isaiah Bradley goes "rogue" and takes a shot at the now, president Thaddeus 'Thunderbolt' Ross which brings into question, what possessed Isaiah to do this, why and who is behind it all.

First off, this is a passable movie. I enjoyed it and found it entertaining, but the film falls short in many places. The storyline is fine, but it did not strike me as a Captain America movie. Having a member of the Serpent Society was fine, but that particular part of the storyline was lacklustre because they could have dug deeper into that with something a bit more compelling. They could have tied the serpent society to Hydra and the events of The Winter Soldier as fallout from that event, that would have been great if written well. The brains behind the mystery of the attempted assassination did not 1. belong in this movie, 2. serve as a great foil for Captain America. Isaiah Bradley was wasted. Isaiah Bradley has a Great backstory, only briefly touched on in the TV show 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier', but Disney/Marvel did not want to go deeper and left it very surface-level. There are so many more untapped storylines there. They could have gone into the politics behind it all, all those years ago, that are still on the surface today and still presenting a problem. Some may say it is political, but is it? It would have been nice to see some flashbacks with Isaiah as well, that would have been great to see on film and for him to also suit up as an old man Cap, essentially. The long and short of the negatives is that the main villain should not have been used, the storyline was only ok but could have been better if they went deeper into the politics of a black man being Captain America. All that surface-level stuff is not cutting it. Thinking about it now, 'Doctor Strange: Multiverse of Madness' was also surface level. 'Thor: Love and Thunder' (everything to do with Gorr) was also surface level. I am starting to think that Marvel is losing their identity and forgetting where they came from. They used to take risks, but it seems the more money these films make, the more money they spend to make more, and take fewer and fewer risks.

So what was good? Well, like I said, the movie was good, serviceable and entertaining, I enjoyed it. The main villain should have looked better, but I liked what they did with them, more creepy than anything. The Hulk of it all was not too bad and allowed for a more savage rendition of a character we love and is known for in the earlier MCU films. All the characters were good and played their parts well. I did not like the Red Room participant in this one, until I did. And Anthony, as usual delivered a great performance along with Harrison. Harrison was dialled all the way in and he was not phoning it in at all. Even his story-arc was pretty decent over the many films the character has been in. Even the sidekick from the TV show was ok. Other side characters were decent/good, but it is just that, the film could have been better. Some of the dialogue was clunky and on top of a decent-than-excellent storyline, just makes you think, what happened? What were they going for with this initially?

Special effects, music, acting, it was all pretty good. I had not a single problem with the directing either as I feel Julius Onuh did a brilliant job. The fighting scenes were very good, and it allowed for The Falcon, now with a shield, to fight differently, unlike what we have seen him do before, which was great to see. Disney/Marvel seems to be dropping the ball on their political thrillers because if the movie were closer to The Winter Soldier, I can guarantee that people would be ranting and raving about this movie. It almost feels like the political thriller or something akin to The Winter Soldier is a one-and-done. They messed up with Secret Invasion and they messed up with this...But I guess we have to be thankful it was not close to the Secret Invasion TV show. We give thanks.

(trailer review) - Captain America: Brave New World

 

First of all, that first teaser trailer was quite delicious. We saw Sam Wilson, now with the title of 'Captain America' due to the events that took place at the end of 'Avengers: Endgame', but we now see Thaddeus Ross being played by Harrison Ford (RIP William Hurt) as the President of the United States. We see Isaisah Bradley as some kind of sleeper agent, now that he has been brought out into the light due to the events of Falcon and the Winter Soldier and it all seems to be orchestrated by some shadowy group pulling all the strings. A little like Hydra being deeply embedded into Shield and the government. 
This trailer on the other hand, not only gives us more of what we got before, but damn, the move-set from Sam Wilson the new Captain America, is on levels where it seems as though his upgrade and upgrades have enhanced his skillset to the point he thinks he can take on a Red Hulk? That aside, this trailer is awesome!

The first trailer was good but this one is so much better. We see Isiah Bradley in prison because it is likely after the events of him "attacking" the president and whilst it looks like Sam Wilson is trying to protect the president, it seems as though the president does not seem to care about the possible assassins or sleeper agents that might be around him because he can turn into a Red Hulk!? A Shadowy man in a hat looks like he is behind it all, but near the end, you actually see the hand in the sea which was from the Eternals movie. I feel like so many people have been crying about how the hand has not been mentioned in recent Marvel stories, so here it is. Let's see what this storyline is all about as this is definitely giving me a "who can you trust" vibe, something Secret Invasion should have done and Marvel thumbled that terribly. That Shockwave line, was amazing. Cutting the vehicle into two, was amazing. That aerial shot flying past the naval ships was amazing. Marvel needs to stick this landing as well as Thunderbolts and maybe, just maybe, the fans will come running back and all is forgiven...only if they stick this landing.

(film review) - Just Mercy

I didn't know anything about this movie or the true story this movie was based upon.  Thinking about it now, maybe I heard about a passion project Michael B. Jordan was interested in and was producing, but for the most part I either forgot or I just never knew.  This film carries soo much weight and off the back of Oscar Winning actors like Brie Larson and Jamie Foxx, Michael B. Jordan stood on the shoulders of giants and held his own.  I'll explain.

The year is 1989 and Harvard law graduate Bryan Stevenson (Michael B. Jordan) sets out to help fight for poor people who cannot afford legal representation.  He travels to Alabama and focuses on Deathrow inmates in which he meets Walter "Johnny D" McMillian, (Jamie Foxx) a man convicted of the murder of Ronda Morrison 3 years prior.  Noticing the inconsistencies among other  problems with Walter's case, Bryan gets a team together including Eva Ansley (Brie Larson) to fight for Walter only to be met by barriers, blockages and an undertone of racial hatred.  To make matters worse, when other cases do not go well for Bryan, he is left with not many options, but does everything he can to help seek justice for Walter, an already disheartened man waiting for his death knowing he will die in prison for a crime he did not commit.

I almost cried twice.  Just before I wrote this review, I saw something about Jamie Foxx telling Graham Norton that this movie was personal for him which made me think of the movie and had to fight back tears again.  As I said earlier, this movie is very weighty and packs a punch that struck a cord with me.  I could hear people in the cinema sobbing and I was almost apart of the wrecked crew.  I could relate to some of the things Walter was going through and I felt the anger.  Maybe nearly 3 times I was almost drawn to tears.

The acting.  The acting was phenomenal.  I mean, we cannot really expect anything less from Oscar winner Jamie.  I got, The Soloist vibes from him and if I'm honest, even though Brie Larson was great too, my hat comes off to Rob Morgan and Tim Blake Nelson.  It was like every character in this movie were played by actors who were on top of their game. Even O'Shea Jackson Jr. was really good, soo good I didn't even recognise him.  But Rob Morgan, Turk from the Netflix MCU and an officer in Ozark, his character and storyline was one of the smaller moments that had me.  He played his part soo well and his story was soo good.

Destin Daniel Cretton did such an amazing job with this movie that even a day later, the movie has stuck with me and also still upsets me due to knowing there are hundreds, if not, thousands of innocent people in prison and a huge majority of them on or have been through the Deathrow process having been innocent.  It is a good idea to stay for the after credits moments and information.

Sometimes I would go into the cinematography and the lighting and this and that, but if I'm honest, I loved everything about this movie from the clothing to the props used showing the passage of time.  Destin did an incredible job with Rob's scene and to have all those black people (I've never seen before) was a sight for sore eyes as not many of the actors were very well known and I loved that.  I mean, there ARE more black actors, acting.

I'd definitely say that even if you do not like legal or courtroom drama movies, you should still watch this with a box of tissues.  Not only is it true to life in every aspect of the movie, the movie also comes across as refreshing for the palette although it may weigh you down emotionally.

Go have a watch and support this great true story

(film review) - Angel Has Fallen

I'm a 'Die Hard' Fan!  So, I was in absolute shock and horror when I watched 'A Good Day to Die Hard'.  Although I enjoyed the movie (I probably somewhat felt compelled to, as John McClane is my favourite movie character), but 'Man Like...' Mike Banning showed us heroism at it's finest! Man like Mike was avoiding death and saving the day, just like John McClane would and refusing to die.  However, Olympus Has Fallen was the better "Die Hard" movie of 2013 and deep down, that really upset me.
The sequel to Olympus Has Fallen, London Has Fallen is easily forgettable.  All I can remember from it is that, they were in London...yeah, like 'no shit!', and not as good as the first and now a dying franchise because the sequel didn't live up to the original - not even close.
But Angel Has Fallen! This is a different film to the last one or better yet, has a better story and better action than the last one as it seems, the 'has Fallen' franchise has now found it's feet.  Angel Has Fallen could actually be the NEW 'Die Hard' movie...The 'Has Fallen' Franchise. What is going to fall next?  To be honest, if they made 'Kremlin Has Fallen' or something of that ilk where Man like Mike was vacation-ing or taking the President on a presidential trip somewhere to sign some papers for world peace or whatever and they get under attacked wherever the meeting is held up and Man like mike has to figure out a way to evade the terrorists and keep the president safe with nothing but action, action and more action accompanied with near death in nearly every action set piece and some cunning, I. WOULD. NOT. BE. MAD. AT. THAT. AT. ALL!

So, Man like Mike (Gerard Butler) is with the president (Morgan Freeman) whilst the president is on a fishing trip, however, the president comes underfire from drones.  As the President is placed into a comma from the incident and DNA from Man like Mike is found at the scene with the control panel for all the drones, Man like Mike is now an enemy of the state and he is a fugitive of the run doing the best he can to keep himself alive and prove his innocence.

Something we have all seen before, right? 'Enemy of the State', 'The Fugutive' so on and so forth, but none of them had Man like Mike - The John McClane of his franchise who will narrowly escape death and save the President at the same damn time.  This was a loud and entertaining movie.  I knew who the bad guys were and that is something they could probably work on like a Mission Impossible with some double/triple agent stuff for the future, but I hope they decide to do another 3 more before Man like Mike retires or dies in service.  Funny in places and a simple story we have all seen before but executed well.  If you like loud, boisterous all guns blazing type of action, kind of like the Fast and Furious Franchise or Die Hard Franchise, then you will like this.  Nick Nolte is a gem!

(film review) - Fantastic 4

I've been watching this develop from when they first announced it. I knew they were going to reboot it at some stage because the previous 2 didn't do that well and had they not rebooted the franchise, the rights would have went back to Marvel. With that said, Fox are having a decent time with X-Men due to First Class and Days of Future Past, but for Fox to keep a hold of their franchises, they will need to make a film every so often or reboot the franchise and do them well. This means, anything Mutant related belongs to Fox and Fox needs to come up with scorchers to keep them or break them up as much as they sensibly can and make great films which brings in money (spin-offs). Deadpool, Gambit and even X-Factor. A New Wolverine is coming but this is meant to be Hugh Jackman's last time. So unless they recast the role, Fox needs to pull more rabbits out of the hat. In Fantastic Four's case, Fox pulled out a Skunk.

Fantastic Four is about a man named Franklin Storm (Reg E. Cathey) who is looking into inter-dimentional travel with his student Viktor Von Doom (Toby Kebbell). He goes to a science fair with his daughter Sue Storm (Kate Mara) and finds a teenage Reed Richards (Miles Teller) along with his buddy Ben Grimm (Jamie Bell) who has somewhat cracked inter-dimentional travel when he was young but has found a way to complete the entire transition. Pleased with what he has seen, Franklin asks Reed to join him in completing a grander design in order to be the first to achieve such a feat. Reed accepted and once he enters the Baxter building and joins Viktor and Sue in the project, they decide to travel through the device only to re-enter earth horribly disfigured. However, once they hone their powers, Doom has his own plans and the team are required to band together to defeat him.

First of all, I'd like to say that this film is better than the first 2 put together, but it isn't a good film at all. The film tone-wise is great. Dark and horror-like for the first half of the film, but after that, the film seems choppy, rushed and just full of nonsense. The dialogue was boring and not very clever. The character's aren't very well developed or their back-stories at all. They had plenty of time to flesh them out. When Dr. Doom arrives, everything goes to sh*t. The special affects are standard, there are some inconsistencies and there is "logic" which makes no sense. There was barely any action and the "Boss Fight" is barely watchable. Again, I say, they had plenty of time to flesh things and plot points out. 

Don't get me wrong, the film wasn't absolutely garbage as I have seen some terrible films in my time, and some terrible superhero films, but this film just isn't good. The acting was perfectly fine, even the plot wasn't that terrible, but the cinematography and direction was appalling. For myself, the best bit in this film was when they came back and were all disfigured. That felt like a horror. It was dark, frightening and twisted, but that is the only redeeming thing about the film. Oh, and the throw away remark regarding Dr. Doom's name was excellent and the part in the woods was OK but just wasn't long enough.

This film lost its beat and travels at a ridiculous pace and kinda reminded me of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 at the end but as badly as that was done, this one is worse.

Watch with caution if you really like this from the trailers but to be honest, you are probably best to wait until it arrives on Netflix.

P.s...half of the things in the trailer aren't even in the film and the other half is is the film.

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