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Captain Marvel (2019)
Captain Marvel (2019)
2019 | Action, Adventure
Good but nothing special
I feel a little let down by Captain Marvel. It isn't a bad film but neither was it up to the standard of other Marvel films. And I'm not entirely sure why.

Something about this felt a bit meh and lacklustre, especially the first half hour or so. And even when Nick Fury comes in, it still feels like there's something missing at times. Brie Larson is good and I do quite like her, Samuel L Jackson is great as a less serious rookie Fury and the rest of the supporting cast too are good. Although there could have been a little more Jude Law. The star of the show is definitely Goose by far, and this film would've been a lot worse off without him in it. I think the major issue with me is it seemed to be lacking in humour. And when there was jokes and one liners, the majority of these fell flat. It seemed to be lacking a bit if the usual Marvel pizzazz. The soundtrack is pretty good though.

My only other criticism is the weak excuse that has been put forward to explain her absence in the rest of the Marvel universe so far. I've never read any back story or comics etc so I dont know if it's it ties in with them, but it was a little disappointing.
  
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Erika (17788 KP) Mar 13, 2019

Initially, I thought the jokes falling flat may have been on purpose as part of her character... But now, after seeing it 2 more times, I'm thinking Larson just isn't funny (I don't like her at all).

Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
2018 | Action, Sci-Fi
Pretty much everything (2 more)
Paul Bettany
The banter (especially between Thor and the guardians)
Not enough Bucky (1 more)
Not enough Captain America
Amazing
I love the Marvel Universe, both comics, movies etc and this film was no exception.

For me, this was has probably been the best addition to the franchise yet. Going into it, I certainly didn’t expect the wide range of emotions I would go through, I went from laughing with rocket and the guardians to being right in the middle of the grief.

What I like about this movie was that the ending was not one you may have necessarily guessed would happen but that’s what makes it more exciting. Personally I can’t wait to see the next instalment.

My only problem was...there was not enough Bucky or Captain America, they are my two favourite characters and would like to have seen more of them.
  
Wonder Woman (2017)
Wonder Woman (2017)
2017 | Action, Fantasy, War
Not bad for an origin movie
Not a bad movie, did a good job of portraying the origins of Diana (if I'm gonna compare it to anything it would be a cross between the first movies of Captain America and Thor).
I could have used a more ominous villain, albeit the movie built well and provided reasoning for pretty much every plot choice.
Best DC movie of the current continuity with a view to building the franchise (still a way behind Marvel IMO despite having the more iconic characters).
All in all a solid and very enjoyable movie.
  
The Marvels (2022)
The Marvels (2022)
2022 | Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi
7
6.1 (8 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Fun. Lightweight Romp
If you, like many others, have opted out of the past few Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films and are, likewise, suffering from “SuperHero” fatigue but are now looking for a re-entry into the MCU, then THE MARVELS is the film for you, for unlike some previous MCU films, it does not take much in the way of previous knowledge to get into the flow of this (somewhat) lightweight, fun action comic-book flick.

Academy Award winner Brie Larson returns as Captain Marvel and is joined (literally) with Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris - who’s SuperHero Origin story can be found in the DisneyPlus TV Series WANDAVISION, but is summed up pretty quickly here, so you’ll get the drift) as well as young MS. MARVEL (Iman Vellani, who’s origin story is told in the DisnePlus TV Series MS. MARVEL but who’s story is summed pretty quickly - and pretty well - here). They join forces to fight a villain, Dar-Benn (Zawe Ashton) intent on inflicting revenge/punishment on Captain Marvel. Also along for the ride is good ol’ Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury (in his 15th appearance in an MCU vehicle). They all bounce around the scenarios with a winking knowledge - and earnestness - about what kind of movie they are making…and with which what tone they need to hit.

In the hands of Director Nia DaCosta (the 2020 remake of CANDYMAN), THE MARVELS moves along at a brisk pace, injecting some humor and decent (enough) action sequences and CGI mixed in with a clever segment or 2 (one scene set to a classic Musical Theater song is worth the price of admission in and of itself). There is enough light, breezy sequences and banter that the main word that comes out of this film is “fun”. DaCosta succeeds, very well, with fun in this film. Where she doesn’t succeed as well is in emotional heft. Captain Marvel is given a few “self reflective” moments and while Larson is a terrific actor and tries to succeed with these moments, they didn’t feel earned, so they fell flat. Unfortunately, the other characters are there to battle and throw off one-liners…and not much more.

Wisely, DaCosta limits this film to 1 hours and 45 minutes - the shortest MCU film to date - and this is a positive for she just “gets to it” and doesn’t linger on any of the moments that don’t work or would fall apart if anyone had anytime to think about them.

And, of course, the “extra scenes” (an MCU staple) set up 2 new franchises, so you want to stick around for them (but you don’t need to stick around to the end of the credits).

All-in-all - Ms. Marvel is a fun, lightweight romp that will entertain for the time you are in the cineplex. But not much more. But…isn’t that what going to the movies is all about?

Letter Grade: B+

7 1/2 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
  
Black Panther (2018)
Black Panther (2018)
2018 | Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Writing, dialogue, tone (0 more)
Pacing, Mirrored villain, (0 more)
Black Panther was a great movie with very few negatives to it. Marvel movies being what they are, there are definitely similarities to be drawn between BP and other recent MCU entries, mostly along the lines of Spider-Man: Homecoming and Thor: Ragnarok.

Ryan Coogler very adeptly introduces a brand new culture, a brand new nation, to the Marvel Universe, finally pulling back the veil on Wakanda itself after many hints and Easter eggs.


Fresh from his appearance in Captain America: Civil War, which is recapped very briefly in the beginning of the film, Black Panther comes home to be declared King after a quick action scene that shows Black Panther in action, shot VERY well while maintaining the Marvel humor shown in Ragnarok. "Don't freeze."


As the movie progresses and we're introduced to Michael B. Jordan's villain of the film, we are given an empathetic villain we can eventually sympathize with, albeit knowing full and well that he is still the bad guy who needs to be foiled.


Some character highlights of the film include Princess Shuri, a welcome addition to the MCU, the return of Ulysses Claue from Avengers: Age of Ultron and Everett Ross from Captain America: Civil War, and newcomer M'Baku, who was very tastefully adapted for the film without calling him Man-Ape.


The action scenes were well done, Wakanda showed cultural depth, the plot was well-developed and every scene that wasn't self-explained was eventually paid off later on.


This being a comic book film, it translated Wakanda well, and shows Marvel has found their groove. The distractions I have are few and far between, mostly just stemming from Killmonger's use of a Black Panther suit (Iron Monger, The Abomination, The Red Skull, and Kaecillius all come to mind as mirrored versions of the heroes) and some spotty pacing between some scenes.


Also.
Didn't expect it, didn't see it in trailers, so mild spoilers, but.
Battle Rhinos.
Awesome.
  
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David McK (3425 KP) rated Civil War in Books

Jan 28, 2019  
Civil War
Civil War
Mark Millar | 2007 | Fiction & Poetry
6
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
<edit in 2018: yep, it was subtitled such>

Apparently the next Captain America movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (the MCU) is to be subtitled 'Civil War'.

With that in mind, obviously they're taking this arc as their inspiration.

In this, and following a tragedy brought about by the actions of a group of young super-heroes, the government has decided to introduce the Superhero Registration Act, forcing all Super-heroes to reveal their secret identity or being branded outlaws.

this, of course, has the effect of splitting the Super-hero community down the middle: the 'for' side headed by the likes of Tony Stark (aka Iron Man), with the 'against' side led Steve Rodgers (a.k.a. Captain America). Both sides, also, eventually find themselves working hand-in-hand with the Super-villain community (is that a thing?) as they pursue their relevant agendas.

I have to say, it's an intriguing idea for a story: which side would you come down on? Would you be 'for', or 'against'?
  
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David McK (3425 KP) rated Civil War II in Books

Jan 28, 2019  
CW
Civil War II
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
The original Civil War storyline - which sees Captain America and Iron Man/Tony Stark come down on different side of the ethical debate over whether Super-powered individuals should be subject to governmental oversight - was adopted for the 2016 Marvel Cinematic Universe film 'Captain America: Civil War'.

I could very easily see this being adopted for a later film, after the as-yet-unfinished 'Infinity War'. Once again, we have a split in the super-hero community, this time brought about by the discovery of a new Inhuman who appears to be able to see the future -on the one hand, we have those who believe that they have to do whatever they can to stop those visions coming true (even if it means arresting the individual before the crime: hello, 'Minority Report'!) whilst on the other we have those that believe these are only potential futures, and that, well, the crime has to come before the punishment!
  
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
2011 | Action, Adventure
I love this film so much. I've seen it at least 3 times, I'm pretty sure more. Captain America is one of my favorite avengers and Chris Evans is my dream man. Not only do I love this film and this story, but I love the intricacy of the Marvel Cinematic Universe in general. I love Peggy, I think she's badass and strong and a fabulous woman. I love Bucky and what he means to Steve, I love it all.

More than anything, I love the ball that this film sets rolling when you watch the films in chronological order. I know Iron Man was the first film in the MCU, but Captain America was the first avenger. The best part about watching these films is watching them again and again and catching new things every time.

I genuinely think this is one of the best films ever and I don't think anybody could tell me different.