Captain America 3: Civil War

Possibly the best film so far in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. You literally get everything a comic book feature length asks for. It has bone crunching fight scenes, explosions and even a little bit of romance.

Things all start when Crossbones, (The guy who had a fight with falcon in CA 2) is trying to steal a bio-hazardous weapon. The newly formed Avengers, Cap, Black Widow, Scarlet Witch and Falcon storm the building and managed to stop the weapon getting stolen. However, predictably there is a lot of collateral damage.

The world decide they have had enough and the United Nations want someone to be held accountable for all the damage the Avengers have done over the past years. They create the Sokovia Accords. Which is a registration for everyone who is ‘enhanced.’ Robert Downey Jnr plays a more downbeat Iron Man who is struggling to cope with the collateral loss he has caused. So he is more than willing to sign up. Cap on the other hand is worried about the agenda of some people, he believes that whilst they are signed up, they will be in someone else’s control which means they can be controlled and used for the wrong reasons. It all sounds very noble and patriotic, but it’s also a bit naïve really. 

  

But after one half of the group don’t sign up things become a bit tense. They are then made even worse, when Bucky Barnes is framed for an attack on the United Nations, which means everyone is after him. Cap is trying to help him, whilst the others are trying to hunt him down. Things hardly go swimmingly and the group find themselves at cross-roads as Cap and the Winter Soldier must escape. The fight scene between six heroes is something rather spectacular. The introduction of Spider-Man is brilliant and Tom Holland nails the character. Paul Rudd as Ant-Man also manages to bring humour to the whole thing and makes it a more entertaining boxing match. Both Cap and Iron Man have good points when it comes to choosing a side and whether or not they should sign, which hardly makes one side good and one side bad.

Despite the title being Civil War, there is still a protagonist in the film. Zemo is the man behind the scenes pulling the strings and setting the Avengers against each other. Who needs a big thumping villain when you can have Iron Man vs Captain America, Hawkeye vs Black Widow, Vision vs Scarlet Witch or Spider-Man vs Ant-Man.

Arguably Marvels best ever film. There I said it. As Marvel keep churning out more merchandise, more PlayStation games even an Thor gets a casino game, let’s just hope they keep making good films.  

My Rating: 9/10

Directors: Shane Black     Cast: Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jnr, Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Sebastian Stan 

Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice

Arguably one of the most hotly anticipated movies of the year. Batman V Superman has had almost a years’ worth of marketing and was billed as a blockbuster of epic proportions. Despite not getting massive critical acclaim, the film has amassed $700 million in it’s opening weeks.

What we really get from the film is exactly what the title says. We start with a flashback, showing the destruction of Metropolis by Superman and General Zod, we see Bruce Wayne running into the rubble before glimpsing Supe, giving him evils from a distance. Here his hate of Superman begins.

A rugged grey haired dark knight. Ben Affleck portrays a Batman rid of his morality and mercy, torturing and branding the criminals he puts away. Clark Kent on the other hand couldn't be less sure of what he should be doing. Half of Metropolis are blaming him for the destruction of the city and the other half calling him their saviour.

The motions are set in play for the two giants to do battle, but behind it all is the scheming Lex Luthor. Jesse Eisenberg plays a Mark Zuckerberg gone mad, t-shirts, basketball but at the end of it simply an evil mastermind. Eisenberg has been heavily slated for his portrayal of Luthor, and there is no doubting that he is a required taste. However, I think he does a reasonably good job.

It’s a rather gloomy film and in an era which DC and Marvel are facing off against each other, BVS is definitely loosing on the witticism front. The only joke that seems to be made, is a reference to the ‘Joker.’ DC comics are generally known to be darker, however, and this fits the setting of the film.

It’s in the final hour or so that the film really kicks off. Ben Affleck had his own personal battle with Henry Cavill before the film about who had the best physique and they both get an opportunity to show off. We see Bruce Wayne going nuts with weights and gearing up all his high tech weaponry. He then faces off against Superman in the slums of Gotham in an all crashing and bashing boxing match. The duel between the two, is really only the start though. After a quick kiss and make up the two match up with Wonder Woman to take on the marauding Doomsday who seems to have been thrown in as an excuse for more carnage.

BVS also managed to nicely set up the expanded universe which will see the Justice League introduced. They did in a few minutes what Marvel managed in a few years. Viewers got a glimpse at Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg. Wonder Woman had already made her presence felt and even helped out in the final scenes.  

With Batman spinoffs coming out just about everywhere, game, casino, TV will BVS be just another blotch on his cape or will it set up a bright future for the DC expanded universe?

My Rating: 8/10

Directors: Zack Snyder     Cast: Henry Cavill, Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jesse Eisenberg, Lawrence Fishburn, Amy Adams    

The Revenant

Alejandro Gonazalez Inarittue has caused a storm at this year’s Oscars with his epic ‘The Revenant.’ The film has been nominated for an astonishing 11 awards including the coveted best picture award. Shot only on location, is it fair to say that visually the audience witnesses something unique.

Based on a true American story. We follow Hugh Glass through the North Wilderness of Dakota and Montana, as he and his hunting party try to earn their crust collecting animal pelts. After a near miss with the Indian Arikara tribe, things go from bad to worse as Glass is savaged by a bear, breaking his leg.

Glass is soon abandoned in the woodlands of Dakota. The two men who were ordered to stay with him soon leave. He then faces a fight for his life, as he attempts to his avenge his son. In a fight against nature we see the power of human will, as he drags himself to safety. 

The film gives a very real view into the history of Indian tribes in America. Perfectly portraying how life was then. But where are the Arikara tribe today? To date they remain one of three officially recognised tribes in North Dakota, still living in the reserve Fort Berthold. Like many other Native American tribes, they soon followed into the gambling industry, building the 4 bears Casino in New Town.

As we celebrate the incredible movie that is 'The Revenant'. The Arikira tribe who feature in the film, have been on an enormous journey. It is quite astonishing when you think of Native Americans scalping people, to now being part of the casino industry and one growing at an astonishing economical rate.

A fantastic watch and well worth it's Oscar. Leo Di Caprio finally got that little golden award and takes his place in movie history!

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My Rating: 9/10

Directors: Alejandro Gonzalez Inarittue     Cast: Leonardo Di Caprio, Tom Hardy, Will Poulter, Dohmnall Gleeson, 

Wade's Word is back and giving you the ins and outs of Kick Ass 2

Kick Ass 2

Where do I begin with this! Undoubtedly a good laugh as some of the things you see just seem absurd. The film manages to goofy up comic book superheroes and cut down how serious and heavy some of those films are, just as the first Kick Ass did. I mean what super villain is called the 'Mother Fucker!'  The film carries on three years from the first Kick Ass and not too much has changed. Mindy Macready aka hit girl is carrying on from where she left off, a  15 year old girl battering drug dealers. Despite her heroic actions, her adoptive father Marcus wants her to sheath the double ended up blade. On the other hand Dave Lizewski aka Kick Ass can't seem to be able to live a normal life after jet packing up a sky scraper and shooting a drug lord with a bazooka! So he teams up with Justice-Forever, lead by the brilliant Colonel Stars and Stripes, played by an enigmatic Jim Carey.

The whole idea of Kick Ass 2 I feel was to escalate the first one, there are far more self righteous vigilantes who just want to do good and make a difference, as there are more hilarious over the top bad guys! Christopher Mintz-Plasse manages to bring a nerdy Mclovin style of performance, as you get the feeling he's not really cut out for it at the beginning still living with 'Mommy' however, as the film progresses, Mintz-Plasse becomes more obsessively evil.

The film is refreshingly different and although it's a little bit controversial, it has stayed true to the original comic books it was based on. Some of the scenes are purely golden and the really did have me in stitches. Despite Kick Ass 2 not quite living up to the brilliance of the first one, it's still a very watchable film!

My Rating: 7/10

Directors: Jeff Wadlow     Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Iain Glen, Jim Carrey, Lyndsy Fonseca, Morris Chestnut

Argo

Ben Afflecks first real film as a rookie director has seen his stock in Hollywood rise massively! After directing the Town (Which was horrific) he has made a smart, classy stylish movie and despite casting himself as the main character he hardly sets it up to make himself look good. Argo is a fantastic film, with some real nail biting moments that keep you from sitting still with tension!

The story of Argo is about an unorthodox CIA agent named Tony Mendez, who helps Americans vacate hostile foreign countries using all sorts of elaborate schemes. The film itself is based on Mendez own testimony, however, as with all spy films based on true events, it comes with a pinch of salt. The story itself is so unbelievable and compelling. It is an intriguing piece of declassified secret history about a CIA sponsored bogus film.

In 1979 six American officials managed to escaped the US embassy in Tehran (Iran) just before it was overrun by an Iranian mob! The Iranian's were angry as their former Shah and dictator who ran the country with an iron fist, had been given residence in the US. The six officials who managed to escape, take safety in the Canadian ambassadors home, where they are constantly on edge and can't leave the house. The CIA are set the task of getting them out!

Mendez manages to persuade his colleges to embark on a crazy scheme in which the CIA bankroll a fake Sci-fi movie called Argo. The idea behind this, being to take six Canadian passports and then pass the US officials off as a film crew scouting out possible movie locations for the film Argo. Mendez makes it look impossibly real, by getting a Hollywood producer (Alan Arkin) in on the act as well as a makeup technician (John Goodman.) He also makes them stage a fake script reading in an LA hotel. What Mendez essentially does is what a real producer would do in Hollywood despite the fact that that the movie is never going to be made. But that's what happens to most script's in Hollywood, they get kept in a dusty box.

The fact that the movie is well paced and uncomplicated makes it more enjoyable and realistic. Because the film is non-fiction, it just makes you think of the reality and you almost put yourself in their shoes, it makes the film more tense.

Argo won an array of awards at the BAFTAS and the Oscars, including the big one of best film. Ben Affleck and Alan Arkin were also nominated for their acting roles. The film is really very good and definitely deserved to be nominated, however, personally I would have gone for Django Unchained for best film!

My Rating: 8/10

Directors: Ben Affleck    Cast: Alan Arkin, Ben Affleck, Bryan Cranston, Christopher Denham, Clea DuVall, John Goodman, Kerry Bishe, Rory Cochrane, Scoot McNairy, Tate Donovan, Victor Garber

Silver Linings Play Book

When I first saw this advertised I thought it was going to be a boring romantic love story, a film similar to 'Dear John' or 'The LuckyOne' (I'm still owed at least 2 hours of my life back for watching those!) I also thought what is Bradley Cooper the star of 'The A-Team' and 'Limitless' doing in a film like this? I take it all back. It's somewhat of a rom-com, but is edgy and quirky dealing with mental health issues and depression. David O Russell is famously a temperamental director, but he has pulled a good one out of the bag with this rom-com that's almost not a rom-com but also not a chic-flick. It is a very likeable film, with a cast that makes you feel like you're in good hands and it should be a good film. (Rob DeNiro, Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence were all nominated for Oscars, only Jennifer Lawrence won)

Bradley Cooper plays the part of Pat, a recent divorcee who is coming to grasps with the fact he has bipolar. Pat is determined to prove to everyone he is getting his life back on track and desperate to prove to his ex wife that they are meant to be together. Sadly though it is clear to everyone this is not the case and you have to feel sorry for him. It is also plainly clear he will never get back with his wife. I can understand why Bradley Cooper was nominated for an Oscar for this part, he plays it perfectly, over enthusiastic, over confident and someone who will speak their mind no matter what the situation.

Jennifer Lawrence produces a performance beyond her years, it is hard to believe she is only 23, she starred in the teenage film 'The Hunger Games' last year playing a 19 year old. She plays Tiffany a widow to a local police officer, who now has issues with intimacy and trust. As well as loosing her job she has a few boundary issues after sleeping with everyone in her office! In the scene when Bradley Cooper hears this, his jaw practically hits the floor! It is obvious that the pair are meant to be together, the issues that they have mean that there is an equilibrium and they fit well.

The movie is a rom-com but slightly less com than rom, it is easy to guess what will happen, but then again it always is. It is a well paced enjoyable movie, there is also an obvious on screen chemistry between Lawrence and Cooper despite the 15 year age difference. Rob DeNiro also has his usual presence around him and his on screen relationship with Cooper is very good. 

 My Rating: 7/10

Directors: David O Russell    Cast: Anupam Kher, Bradley Cooper, Chris Tucker, Jacki Weaver, Jennifer Lawrence, Julia Stiles, Robert De Niro

Skyfall

Now this review is a little bit late, but that is partly due to the fact that I didn't jump on the Skyfall bandwagon straight away. After seeing the film I'm somewhat regretting it!

By far the best bond film of the Daniel Craig era, and possibly the best in the bond series 50 year tenure. 007 becomes more of a rugged and rogue spy in Skyfall, compared to the old days when you had Rodger Moore Cracking wise ones and Sean Connery coming out of a fight without a scratch on him. I feel as though the James Bond franchise has finally come to the right mix between extravagance and realism (You only have to think of the invisible car in Die Another Day). Daniel Craig has finally given us the perfect spy, and finally someone you believe who could be out in the 'field.' He still has the style and manner of a James bond and can still make those sarcy comments, but he also has the stacked upper body of someone who you believe would win a fight!

As good as Daniel Craig is as bond, Judi Dench also puts in a fantastic performance as the big one, 'M.' As you see the development of James Bond and how his spy character has changed slightly, M has done the same. In previous Bond films M has been too light hearted and we haven't seen enough of her, she has been too staged too scripted compared to the steely, unforgiving  M we have seen in the latest films. As the big don she manages to keep her thumb on the double-O boys, she treats them mean, to keep them keen and in return she is rewarded with passion and loyalty. Or complete resentment and hate in the case of the villain. Judi Dench captures this act perfectly. In one scene she is being slated by the Prime Minister, but shows no fear and manages to hold a cold iron stare.

The film kick-starts with an energetic chase scene in Turkey, involving the extravaganza of a bond film, where he tears through half a train without a seconds doubt! However, he ends up with a bullet in his chest and falling off a train, this pulls you into the film immediately before Adele enters with the credits.

With any bond film you need a good villain and Silva (Javier Bardem) more than lives up to the part. A former agent who worked under M, he puts in a chilling performance and moves away from the bond villains who were obsessed with money and power, stroking a pussy cat!

Skyfall all round was a fantastic film, energizing, emotional and British, it was great to see some traditional locations, in comparison to the films of old, where there was a secret volcano lair!

My Rating: 7.5/10

Directors: Sam Mendes    Cast: Albert Finney, Ben Whishaw, Berenice Marlohe, Dame Judi Dench, Daniel Craig, Helen McCrory, Javier Bardem, Judi Dench, Naomie Harris, Naomie Harris, Ola Rapace, Ralph Fiennes, Rory Kinnear