Avengers: Infinity War

Posted on May 12, 2018 by Craig M

Viewed – 09 May 2018 Cinema

Do I suffer from comic-book movie fatigue? To a degree yes. I still enjoy some super-hero smack down action but have felt underwhelmed by recent fare both through over-familiarity with the concept and the desire for something different and a little deeper. So we come to this epic instalment where it seems Marvel is throwing everything at the viewer for the ultimate battle against what appears to be the ultimate foe – Thanos. Hinted at and foreshadowed in previous movies, the intergalactic megalomaniac, played by Josh Brolin is finally out to claim the fabled Infinity Stones, of which if he claims all six will give him ultimate power over life and death in the universe.

So the stakes are immensely high and it’s up to a disbanded Avengers (Iron Man, Captain America, The Hulk, Scarlet Witch, Black Widow etc) and any friends they can pull into their ranks (including Spider Man) to stop this powerhouse of a villain. In a movie like this it would be easy to go lazy and just fill the run time with fight after fight, which we get in spectacular fashion … but what takes this to another level is the depth to the characterisation I wasn’t expecting and even though it’s crowded with ego’s butting heads, somehow many of the characters get time to have their moment and stand out individually. Despite such a serious situation it also throws in moments of decent humour, especially with the inclusion of the Guardians of the Galaxy, with the scenes between Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Chris Pratt’s Star Lord proving particularly funny.

So we come to the central figure here, the long awaited and somewhat hyped appearance of Thanos, and Josh Brolin brings a surprising amount of pathos and grit to the character that makes him the closest Marvel has got to the level of Heath Ledger’s Joker. He really is that good, and in a movie with many surprises and bold plot developments, he elevates the movie into the realm of classic status. The fact the movie takes risks with a very familiar formula, especially in it’s closing moments just has to be applauded also. This is the best Avengers movie yet and could possibly be the best Marvel movie. So simply put, you have to see this one.

Verdict: 5 /5

Movie preview 2015

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Craig M

With 2014 finally in the memory banks, I am of course looking to the year ahead for my movie fix and wonder just what will excite, delight and entertain in 2015? Listed below are just a few of the movies I am most looking forward to, with a few words on how I hope they’ll turn out…

Kingsman: The Secret Service

January

Mathew Vaughan’s attempt to inject some much needed cool into the Brit spy thriller and considering he was responsible for the excellent Kick-Ass, I’m very hopeful of this one.

Ex Machina

January

Directing debut of writer & novelist Alex Garland, with an intelligent look at artificial intelligence, a reclusive genius and a realist look at cyborg-technology. Trust me, it looks cool.

Avengers: Age Of Ultron

April

I really enjoyed the first Marvel Avengers Assemble, and any follow up seems essential viewing. Maybe the whole Marvel comic book thing is getting tired, but hey, one last outing for Iron Man, Thor, The Hulk and Black Widow has gotta be worth seeing.

Mad Max: Fury Road

May

Tom Hardy seems perfect casting as Max, but the post-apocalyptic setting is very tired and director George Miller, who made the first movie way back in 1979 – has he still got it? Could go either way this one.

Jurassic World

June

No Spielberg? Hmm, ok. I’m on the fence about this, but the original Jurassic Park is still a classic and if they can capture even a bit of that movie’s wonder and scale, then I’m in. Chris Pratt, hot off Guardians Of The Galaxy seems a good fit.

Crimson Peak

October

After the luke warm offering of 2013’s Pacific Rim, it’s good to see director Guillermo Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth) go back to his routes in this creepy looking horror. Casting of Alice In Wonderland’s Mia Wasikowska seems a great choice as is the gothic spooky mansion setting.

Mission Impossible 5

December

Can this series do any wrong? Not after Ghost Protocol it can’t I’d say and despite an ageing Tom Cruise, this is pretty much guaranteed to wow us again with some amazing stunts.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens

December

Although the recent prequels were rather hit and miss (mostly miss) I’m very open minded by what wonder-kid J J Abrahms can bring to the party. Star Wars is now also in the hands of Disney who seem to have the Midas touch of late, so this has to be good, right?

So those are for me, the big hitters of 2015 but I’m sure there will be many surprises and disappointments along the way. I’m curious about The Man From U.N.C.L.E. movie and there’s still a lot I didn’t get to see in 2014 that I need to catch up on, like Hunger Games: Mocking Jay Part 1 (and Part 2 when it arrives) as well as Exodus Gods & Kings and Birdman. There are also probably some I haven’t even been made aware of yet that could turn out to be great. We’ll wait and see.

Thor: The Dark World

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Craig M

Viewed – 21 November 2013 Cinema

Big special effects blockbusters are an easy type of movie to like – they have plenty of action, larger than life characters and are usually a great deal of fun. The onslaught of the comic book super hero has quickly become a genre of it’s own with such big hitters as the Iron Man series and Avengers Assemble being personal favourites. Here we have the follow up to the highly entertaining Thor with beefcake Chris Hemsworth (Snow White and the Huntsman) reprising his role as the mighty Norse God, who comes to the aid of earth-bound scientist Natalie Portman when she becomes infected by a deadly virus known as the aether – an ancient weapon created by the Dark Elves centuries ago in an attempt to turn the various realms into permanent darkness.

Of course this rather convoluted and throw-away plot is merely an excuse to watch Thor bash and hammer his foes and see buildings get demolished. I liked how we get a lot more of Asgard this time around, even if Thor’s siblings are mostly forgotten about but for the boo-hiss of Loki, everyone’s favourite grinning villain (or is he?) from the first film and Avengers. Yes he’s getting a bit over-used but Tom Hiddleston does a fine job, paring with Thor so well he pretty much stole the show for me. Add to this a tired looking Anthony Hopkins returning as Odin, Thor’s dad, as well as appearances from Rene Russo (remember her?) and Idris Elba – making this easy to watch and get caught up in.

Less can be said for the mostly clichéd villain (with an unrecognisable Christopher Eccleston as lead baddie Malekith under the sort of makeup these kind of characters ALWAYS have). Yet a large portion of the story being set in London was welcome, and the action and general banter between the characters decent – with some fun jokes and cameos along the way (was that Captain America?). Ultimately though Thor 2 is a rather by-the-numbers sequel and lacks some of the heart of the original, bringing nothing new to what is already becoming very familiar territory. But you’ll still find me in line for Thor 3. Weird huh?

Verdict: 3 /5

Thor

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Craig M

Viewed – 09 May 2011 Cinema

I was not majorly familiar with the comic as a kid, not like I was say Spider-Man or X-Men etc. Also when it comes to my comic book taste, I’m more of a DC guy. Just how I roll. That being said, and from looking at the trailer, this looked fun. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is the air to the throne of Asgard, a mythical world in another dimension ruled over by Odin (Anthony Hopkins). But on the day of his coronation, Thor’s party is gate crashed by a group of Ice demons from a neighbouring world, provoking Thor and his closest warrior-friends to invade their land and start a war. This doesn’t go down well with Odin, and so Thor is cast out, stripped of his powers and sent to earth (naturally).