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At Swim Two Birds
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Flann O'Brien's innovative metafictional work, whose unruly characters strike out their own paths in...
BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania (2023) in Movies
Mar 18, 2023
Middle of the Road Marvel
The good news for long-time, hard core Marvel Cinematic Universe fans is that the next “big bad” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been unleashed and we will now get to see “Kang The Conqueror” (in his permutations) battling our heroes for the foreseeable future.
The bad news is that for casual fans – and folks that are just plain tired of the MCU – things are going to get more complex and convoluted as the MCU heads deeper into the “Comic Bookiness” of their source material.
Such is the case with ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA, the 3rd standalone Ant Man film starring Paul Ruud, Evangeline Lilly and Michael Douglas. It is a very “Comic Bookie” film in that it takes the audience to the “Quantum Realm” and all the quirky characters and locations therein.
Director Peyton Reed (who helmed the previous 2 Ant-Man films) leans into this “Comic Bookieness” in that he accents the weird and bizarre and creates comic-book-like panels on the images on the screen. Consequently, this makes the film interesting to look at, but for the most part, there is not much substance under the surface.
For their part, Ruud, Lilly, Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer (returning from the 2nd Ant-Man film) and newcomer Kathryn Newton (taking over the role of Ruud’s daughter, Cassie) are game in what they are asked to work with and react to (mostly to a green screen with CGI filled in later) and they all are winning (enough) presences on screen to spend a very enjoyable time with.
Jonathan Majors is on-board as Kang the Conqueror (a version of him was seen at the end of the first season of the Disney+ series LOKI) and he brings his considerable acting chops, gravitas and weight to the proceedings. He is a force to be reckoned with which was apparent from almost the first time he commanded the screen in this film. It will be interesting to see where he takes things from here.
The problem with this film is that it is (mostly) style with very little substance. Necessarily, the plot drives a more dramatic, darker theme to this Ant-Man film than in previous outings and the film suffers because of it. One of the charms of the Ant-Man films is that Director Reed was able to lean into the inherent goofiness of Paul Ruud and the absurd idea of him being able to shrink. That quirkiness and sense of fun is gone – as are regular characters played in the past 2 films by the likes of Bobby Canavale, Judy Greer, Randall Park (who has a blink or you’ll miss him cameo) and (most egregiously) Michael Pena.
What they are replaced by are some quirky “Quantum Realm” characters – most of whom are CGI and are voiced by some very good voice performers – it just doesn’t hit the same, since the overall theme is darker. Katy M. O’Brian and William Jackson Harper (who is rounding into a very intriguing performer) bring gusto to their roles as a few members of the Quantum realm, which helps pick up the sagginess of this film, but not enough. Not even a Bill Murray appearance can elevate this film to something funner than it is.
All in all a “fine” entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – and one that will remind you very much that you are watching a film based on Comic Book characters – but it falls squarely in the middle of the MCU entries...a catalogue of which is becoming very deep (maybe too deep), indeed.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
The bad news is that for casual fans – and folks that are just plain tired of the MCU – things are going to get more complex and convoluted as the MCU heads deeper into the “Comic Bookiness” of their source material.
Such is the case with ANT-MAN AND THE WASP: QUANTUMANIA, the 3rd standalone Ant Man film starring Paul Ruud, Evangeline Lilly and Michael Douglas. It is a very “Comic Bookie” film in that it takes the audience to the “Quantum Realm” and all the quirky characters and locations therein.
Director Peyton Reed (who helmed the previous 2 Ant-Man films) leans into this “Comic Bookieness” in that he accents the weird and bizarre and creates comic-book-like panels on the images on the screen. Consequently, this makes the film interesting to look at, but for the most part, there is not much substance under the surface.
For their part, Ruud, Lilly, Douglas, Michelle Pfeiffer (returning from the 2nd Ant-Man film) and newcomer Kathryn Newton (taking over the role of Ruud’s daughter, Cassie) are game in what they are asked to work with and react to (mostly to a green screen with CGI filled in later) and they all are winning (enough) presences on screen to spend a very enjoyable time with.
Jonathan Majors is on-board as Kang the Conqueror (a version of him was seen at the end of the first season of the Disney+ series LOKI) and he brings his considerable acting chops, gravitas and weight to the proceedings. He is a force to be reckoned with which was apparent from almost the first time he commanded the screen in this film. It will be interesting to see where he takes things from here.
The problem with this film is that it is (mostly) style with very little substance. Necessarily, the plot drives a more dramatic, darker theme to this Ant-Man film than in previous outings and the film suffers because of it. One of the charms of the Ant-Man films is that Director Reed was able to lean into the inherent goofiness of Paul Ruud and the absurd idea of him being able to shrink. That quirkiness and sense of fun is gone – as are regular characters played in the past 2 films by the likes of Bobby Canavale, Judy Greer, Randall Park (who has a blink or you’ll miss him cameo) and (most egregiously) Michael Pena.
What they are replaced by are some quirky “Quantum Realm” characters – most of whom are CGI and are voiced by some very good voice performers – it just doesn’t hit the same, since the overall theme is darker. Katy M. O’Brian and William Jackson Harper (who is rounding into a very intriguing performer) bring gusto to their roles as a few members of the Quantum realm, which helps pick up the sagginess of this film, but not enough. Not even a Bill Murray appearance can elevate this film to something funner than it is.
All in all a “fine” entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe – and one that will remind you very much that you are watching a film based on Comic Book characters – but it falls squarely in the middle of the MCU entries...a catalogue of which is becoming very deep (maybe too deep), indeed.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Auburn (57 KP) rated The Dysasters (The Dysasters #1) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
I really loved the premise of this book. Science mixed with magic and what happens when you don't exactly know the problems that could arise. The action was abundant and exciting. I mean it starts with a tornado and people dying. If that isn't throwing you right into the middle of it.
The book includes artwork that is reminiscent of comic books and give you a sense of what the characters look like in the authors mind. It helped me picture a lot of things that weren't properly shown.
The ending was enjoyable and showed that not all family is blood.
If you liked any of the other books by these authors then definitely check it out.
The book includes artwork that is reminiscent of comic books and give you a sense of what the characters look like in the authors mind. It helped me picture a lot of things that weren't properly shown.
The ending was enjoyable and showed that not all family is blood.
If you liked any of the other books by these authors then definitely check it out.
Glen Banyard (13 KP) rated Avengers: Endgame (2019) in Movies
May 12, 2019
Several potential plot holes (1 more)
One bad error
End of the era
So to date I have seen this six times, pretty much done the cinema checklist, bring seen it in 2D, 3D,4DX and IMAX. It still never fails to get the emotions running at one scene for me.
It's it perfect? No, there are potential plot holes, and one very noticeable continuity error, however given for a film running 3 hours, you don't notice it pass at all.
I maybe bits as I have been a comic book geek for too many years, and even a bad Marvel movie is still pretty good, this though, a whole new level
It's it perfect? No, there are potential plot holes, and one very noticeable continuity error, however given for a film running 3 hours, you don't notice it pass at all.
I maybe bits as I have been a comic book geek for too many years, and even a bad Marvel movie is still pretty good, this though, a whole new level
Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) in Movies
Jun 10, 2019
The MCU was in full swing during the summer blockbuster season of 2011. Joe Johnston (Jurassic Park III, Jumanji) helmed this adaptation of the comic with his usual confidence. Chris Evans has now become a staple of the MCU and his origins story is definitely one of the most interesting.
The villains, well, they suffer here and are frankly a little ridiculous, but the special effects are on-point and it has a great score by Alan Silvestri. All in all, a pretty average first outing for the First Avenger, but one to build on with the two sequels that followed.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/04/21/the-entire-marvel-cinematic-universe-ranked/
The villains, well, they suffer here and are frankly a little ridiculous, but the special effects are on-point and it has a great score by Alan Silvestri. All in all, a pretty average first outing for the First Avenger, but one to build on with the two sequels that followed.
https://moviemetropolis.net/2018/04/21/the-entire-marvel-cinematic-universe-ranked/
Will (3 KP) rated Happy Death Day (2017) in Movies
Jan 20, 2018
Other films have tried to do the time loop plot, most successful was if course Groundhogs Day, which gets a pretty cute shout out in this film, but those other films did not have the cleverness of this film. By taking a horror plotline and injecting some dark humor and murder mystery, Happy Death Day becomes a refreshing, darkly comic, at times truly suspenseful horror film. The repeated day is done each new reset with a slightly different visual take, enough differences to keep it from being boring. The reveal of the killer was extremely shocking, at least to this reviewer. If you enjoy dark comedy and horror in the same movie I highly recommend this film
Darren DrRock Rogerson (4 KP) rated Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017) in Movies
Apr 2, 2018
Finally a decent Spiderman movie
Tom Holland is a spectacular Spiderman he is the closest to the comic version out of all the actors to portray the character. I was unsure about Michael Keaton as Toomes/Vulture at first but he was excellent. The addition of Tony Stark and Happy was a great idea but not necessarily needed, it feels they were added to get the bums on seats in case it failed. All in all, the action and thrills you expect from Marvel/Disney and then some. I loved the Sam Raimi trilogy, and i cant wait to see what Jon Watts can do with his incarnation of Spidey
AT (1676 KP) rated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) in Movies
Dec 27, 2018
I loved Into the Spider-verse! I must honestly say that it's one of the best Spiderman movies that I've seen since some older cartoon movies. I've never been a major Spiderman fan, and some of the more recent movies ruined it even more (thanks, Andrew Garfield). However, I really enjoyed watching this one! I do like Miles Morales and Spiderham a lot, so I'm sure that helps. Lol I loved how they did some parts of the animation so it looked like you were in a comic book. It made for a fun, nostalgic feeling. It's definitely worth seeing! There's an after-credit scene, too, so don't get up to leave right away.
Dean (6927 KP) rated Cold Pursuit (2019) in Movies
Dec 21, 2019 (Updated Dec 22, 2019)
Luke warm pursuit
This looked OK from the trailer, didn't realise it was a remake of a Norwegian film. It looked like it would have a decent amount of action with some humour.
In reality there is a bit of action, nothing amazing, mainly some shoot outs. The humour though just didn't hit the mark for me. I'm not sure if there were trying for a Tarantino type of angle or more comic book but it just falls flat largely. Another role for Liam Neeson like his last several roles of everyday guy turned badass all of a sudden.
So just average overall, check out @6 Underground (2019) instead for tons of action and laughs.
In reality there is a bit of action, nothing amazing, mainly some shoot outs. The humour though just didn't hit the mark for me. I'm not sure if there were trying for a Tarantino type of angle or more comic book but it just falls flat largely. Another role for Liam Neeson like his last several roles of everyday guy turned badass all of a sudden.
So just average overall, check out @6 Underground (2019) instead for tons of action and laughs.
Lost in the Woods: The Real Dirt on America's Wilderness Legends
Jim Motavalli and Arlen Schumer
Book
A funny and informative illustrated sendup of America's wilderness giants that puts to the test...