(trailer review) - Creed III

 

We are nearly there with the closer to the trilogy. Three movies starring Michael B. Jordan as Adonis Creed, the son of antagonist Apollo Creed from Rocky I & II. Ryan Coogler directed the first Creed movie and Steven Caple Jr. directed the second, but this third movie is Michael B. Jordan's director debut and this trailer looks a lot better than the last. Actually, let me take that back, this trailer had some juicy action shots and slow-motion I really enjoyed. Whilst the previous trailer for the movie was back in October of last year, it gave us the story and why this fight is going ahead, I feel this trailer gives us more of the emotion as to why the fight will need to go ahead.

This looks like Jonathan Majors is going to steal the show and every scene he is in. At this point, we know Adonis and his life, his wife and daughter, what he is doing and do we really care? Really? I guess to an extent we want to see how far he has come, what he is doing now and what the plan is, but it seems, the plan is to get punched in the face by his long-time friend who wants to pretty much take what he feels is owed to him. I loved a couple of the shots in this trailer and it could not just be me who noticed the little girl punching and thought of the future of the franchise going to Creed's daughter. This trailer is also nothing but chest pecs and abs, which is a demonstration of these actors' workout routines to get into real shape for this role. Let's just hope in the end, the film is just as good as those delts and traps!

Directed by Michael B. Jordan and starring Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Jonathan Majors, Wood Harris, Florian Munteanu & Phylicia Rashad.

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(file review) - Creed II

I was thinking, do I put the number “2” or the Roman Numerals “II”.  Considering this is based off of the Rocky Franchise (a franchise I haven’t seen all the way through – yeah I know), I thought I should continue this as they did and honour the Rocky Franchise.

Anyway, if you didn’t know, Creed is a spin-off movie based off the Rocky Franchise that stars (Michael B. Jordan) as Adonis, Apollo Creed’s son of whom died in the ring at the hands of Ivan Drago in Rocky IV (I almost typed the number).  So, where the first film is about Adonis making a name for himself and becoming the champion, this film is about Adonis, now the champion, is faced with the family who were responsible for his father’s death by fighting Ivan Drago’s son and centres on what both fighters are now fighting for, their motives and how ultimately, what it would mean if they were to lose.

Ryan Coogler is a great Director.  I am scared to watch Fruitvale Station as I heard and read that it is a brilliant film but very saddening, so I don’t want to cry my eyes out.  He then went on to direct Creed I and then Black Panther.  He is now 3 for 3 and was unable to direct Creed II due to filming Black Panther and prepping for Black Panther 2, so he was executive producer and brought on director friend, Steven Caple Jr. who has directed a few TV Series episodes and a few films.  As this is pretty much his first big budget movie at 50 million, I’ve got to say, although he is no Ryan Coogler, Steven Caple Jr’s directing is sound, smooth and splendid.

Whilst watching this film, Michael B and Tessa’s Chemistry is excellent, absolutely flawless. You believe they have been together a while, they love each other and that they are growing together.  Something to aspire to in a relationship soo raw.  You just like seeing them together and their relationship bloom.  As stated before the directing is sound and is a very smooth transition between the directors.  There isn’t a lot of long shots if any, like how Coogler has in both Creed I and Black Panther, so trying to identify any visual or directing tropes from Steven is still unidentifiable at this time, but with that said, I don’t see how Hollywood will not be asking him to come back to direct more movies as he knows Ryan and Ryan is a part of the Disney’s umbrella due to Black Panther, so it is fair to say that he could be asked to direct some Star Wars Mandalorian episodes to further build his credibility as a director (if needed – probably not due to this film), but with the character building and emotional scenes in this movie (I was close to tears in some parts – maybe due to personal reasons), Steven is a very capable director.  Visually, some of those shots, the fighting with the punches etc, I was holding myself as though I felt them too with a few exclaims.  Sound, Visuals, Acting, everything is superb; and the film runs as smooth as butter, in which I cannot stop reiterating.  Oh, and before I forget, it has a montage. Even Rocky has a montage.....montaaaaaaggggee.

If you can, go and watch it.  If you enjoyed the first one, you are bound to love this one, even if it isn’t directed by Ryan.  However, for me personally, I am very interested in seeing what else this guy Steven has up his sleeve.

(film review) - Ant-Man

People make me laugh. I mean, I'm not entirely sure what it is, as I have thought about it for a little while, but I can only assume, 'popularity/familiarity'. I'll explain several experiences I have been through recently.
Upon watching the trailers, for this film, I have heard from females (might I add) "Ant-Man? Really? No, not watching that?" When I ask, "why not?" and the reply was always "Ant-Man? It sounds stupid! Ant-Man? C'mon!? And he can communicate with Ants? Nope, this sounds stupid". I cannot remember the exact verbatim, but along these lines. I usually laugh it off and encourage them to watch it but, I don't know. However, these same people may love the hell out of a Spider-Man or even Batman? Maybe it is the fact that he communicates with ants or because he can shrink in size. Anyway, I digress. But what I want you to do is, go in with an open mind.

Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) is a father who has not been doing well in his life. Incredibly smart, a great thief, but has a daughter in which he is trying to connect with, but due to his problems being out of work and incarcerated on occasion, Scott needs to change his life around. Scott crosses paths with Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) who offers him a job. Being down on his luck, Scott wants to make a difference and to be there for his daughter and takes the job, but the main objective upon taking this job requires Scott to steal something in a daring heist which will hopefully be the life/game changer he has been waiting for. Well, hopefully.

The films ongoing theme is fathers and their daughters and with that said, this film is brilliant. Exercuted very well. For those who don't know the history behind this film, it was meant to be made and released several years ago. When I say several, I mean before Ironman 1. But this film has gone through soo many writers and when Edgar Wright (known for Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz & At World's End) left the project, most people thought the project was doomed. But I guess, 'In Marvel We Trust'? They haven't really failed us THAT bad, right? But due to Ant-Man having soo many issues, Story-Arcs and history of such marvel characters have been warped and twisted to servce the cinematic purpose, ie.e around Tony 'Ironman' Stark as it was really Hank Pym who created Ultron.

Michael Douglas on screen is great. The dynamics of the characters are fairly plausible too. With how the film was shot, could not have been shot any better as the cinematography is fascinating and engaging. When Ant-Man shrinks down to the size of an ant, that is when the film really shines. Interacting with the ants could have been silly and/or cheesy, but it works really well. With the ability to shrink and grow at will, laced with comedic elements, this film is a must see. Even Michael Peña who plays Luis, who is a friend of Scott Lang and is undeniably the funniest character in this film is evidently the character who will stand out to you more than anything. Some great dialogue, themes, scenes and quite a few laughs. If you don't laugh at least twice in this film, you are absolutely dead inside.

What you see in the trailer is not all of what you see in the film. The villain does seem like he is an after thought and the plot is similar to what we have seen before, but who cares? DC Fan Boys. You ought to enjoy this film. Well, at least if the trailer does something for you...then the film will definitely do something for you. Have a watch and enjoy!

(film review) - Dredd

I am the Law!!!

Do you remember that line? I'm sure it was in the trailer for the original Judge Dredd. Delivered by the blue or was it, grey!?! I think, grey-eyed Sylvester Stallone, way back when, in 1995 just before, well, you know, when things started going a bit bleak for the actor. I mean, Demolition Man was a great film and Cliffhanger also, but other than the Rambo's and Rocky's, what else was there?

I couldn't tell you how old I was when I watched the first Judge Dredd, but I remember watching it with my mum and thinking, this film is rubbish. At that time I thought, meh. I barely knew about the comic as I had read 1 or 2 but the film was very lackluster for me. How many years later, with what I believe to be not much hype around a brand new film based on the same character, which is not a sequel, but as a reboot for possibly a new franchise, (most likely, as they would like to do a Trilogy) one would wonder, is this reboot necessary or better yet, was it all worth it? Well, I'll put it simply. This Judge Dredd movie makes the previous Judge Dredd look like My Little Pony. I'll explain.

Dredd is set in a future where the earth has been destroyed and has become a irradiated waste land known as cursed earth. Population is high and on the east coast lies Mega-City One which inhabits 800 million residents and has a crime rate of 17,000 crimes a day. In way of law enforcement "Judges" police the city by being Judge, Jury & Executioner, on the spot. On a routine shift, Joseph Dredd (Karl Urban) is tasked with evaulating a rookie Judge, Cassandra Anderson (Olivia Thirlby) in becoming a Judge and investigate a 200-story slum tower block called "Peach Trees" where a ruthless drug lord Ma-Ma (Lena Headey) dwells who is responsible for the new drug sweeping the city called 'Slo-Mo', which slows the user's perception of time to 1% of normal time. Ma-Ma traps Judge Dredd and Anderson in the block and mark them for death in which both Judge Dredd and Anderson will need to now make a desperate attempt to bring Ma-Ma down and make it out alive.

Sounds like a horror story, right? Or better yet a computer game. It kinda reminds me of the Die Hard Triogy game which came out in 1996 where you had to work your way up the Nakatomi Plaza. I digress, but I'm sure you know what I mean. 200 levels until the end boss (drug kingpin) and 199 levels of enemies. Could you imagine how much sneaking around, bullets being fired, explosions, blood and gore there would be? Yes, this is THAT film. The 3D wasn't GREATLY in your face but it was decent enough and used effectively. I didn't get that funny feeling you (or just me) sometimes get between the eyes, but visually, I have no complaints. The cinematography is top-notch and even the slow-motion bit is used heavily, but not rinsed out to where you are bored of it. It's Stylish, it's bloody and it's also what Judge Dredd needed to be. The storyline is very linear and clear cut and the actors do a very good job. Karl Urban is a great actor and he seems to have nailed the Judge Dredd character as well as he nailed "Bones" from Star Trek. The posture, the mouth, the stubble, it's all there. If you like action, this film has your name all over it. And for me, what makes the film even more enjoyable is the simplicity of the storyline as well as the accuracy. You might not get that CLASSIC Sylverster Stallone 'I am the Law' line delivered the same way as he did, but then, didn't he take off his helmet!? And if you know Judge Dredd, Joseph never removes his helmet. Enjoy