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BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Wonder Woman 1984 (2020) in Movies
Jan 10, 2021
Misses more than it hits
The first Gal Gadot-led WONDER WOMAN film (2017) is generally regarded by most (myself included) as the finest film in the DCEU and Gal Gadot’s portrayal of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman is the highlight of any DCEU film that she appears in, so it was with much (delayed) anticipation that a viewing of WONDER WOMAN 1984 (finally) took place.
It’s too bad that the filmmakers couldn’t take the time in the delay of this movie’s release to craft a better film.
WONDER WOMAN 1984 takes the titular character and places this ageless Supehero in the titular timeframe. What Director Patty Jenkins (who so wonderfully brought us the first Wonder Woman film) and the her co-script writer Geoff Johns and all of the others who crafted this film failed to do was to capitalize on their hero and this timeline.
After an opening scene that flashbacks to Diana Prince’s youth on her isolated island of Themyscira (a scene who’s sole purpose, it seems, is to shoehorn favorites Robin Wright and Connie Nielsen from the first film into this one). We then go to a fight in a 1980’s mall (in a clear homage to such fights as the ones in COMMANDO and TRUE LIES - action sequences, that I might add, that were done better by Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron). So back-to-back, this film starts off on unsure footing.
Enter Pedro Pascal’s main villain Maxwell Lord with the ability of a truly wonderful, memorable, villain to elevate the proceedings.
He does not.
Plain and simple, Pascal’s Maxwell Lord just doesn’t work as as a villain. He would have been a nice “secondary villain”.
Which is how I would recommend that Jenkins and Johns approach this character and film, for the secondary villain, Barbara Minerva/Cheetah worked better for me.
As portrayed by Kristen Wiig, we first encounter Minerva as a mousey, insecure co-worker of Diana Prince but slowly - over the course of the film - Minerva becomes stronger and more self-assured and when her transformation into Cheetah is complete, she is a viable opponent for Wonder Woman. And with Gadot’s strong (expected) portrayal of Diana/Wonder Woman the scenes of these 2 playing off each other - both physically and verbally - elevates this film above mediocrity.
As does the chemistry between Gadot and Chris Pine as Steve Trevor (from the first film). This relationship was one of the best parts of the first film, so the filmmakers had to figure out how to bring him back - and how they decided to do it was “fine” (with one issue I have that I can’t reveal but I also think a simple “tweak” in the storyline would have fixed). Because these 2 have such tremendous character - and because Pascal’s villain character is weak - this movie spends way too much time on Diana and Steve and this film loses it’s focus multiple times.
But…a few good action scenes would have saved things - but there aren’t really any. Certainly none that are as visually interesting, and emotionally satisfying, as the “no man’s land” scene in the first film.
This movie is “fine” and with the performances of Gadot, Pine and Wiig, they elevate the needle a little above “fine”. So I will give this movie about a point more than I (probably) should - which puts this film as one of the better films of the DCEU - which says more about the state of the DCEU than it does about this movie.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) - and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
It’s too bad that the filmmakers couldn’t take the time in the delay of this movie’s release to craft a better film.
WONDER WOMAN 1984 takes the titular character and places this ageless Supehero in the titular timeframe. What Director Patty Jenkins (who so wonderfully brought us the first Wonder Woman film) and the her co-script writer Geoff Johns and all of the others who crafted this film failed to do was to capitalize on their hero and this timeline.
After an opening scene that flashbacks to Diana Prince’s youth on her isolated island of Themyscira (a scene who’s sole purpose, it seems, is to shoehorn favorites Robin Wright and Connie Nielsen from the first film into this one). We then go to a fight in a 1980’s mall (in a clear homage to such fights as the ones in COMMANDO and TRUE LIES - action sequences, that I might add, that were done better by Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Cameron). So back-to-back, this film starts off on unsure footing.
Enter Pedro Pascal’s main villain Maxwell Lord with the ability of a truly wonderful, memorable, villain to elevate the proceedings.
He does not.
Plain and simple, Pascal’s Maxwell Lord just doesn’t work as as a villain. He would have been a nice “secondary villain”.
Which is how I would recommend that Jenkins and Johns approach this character and film, for the secondary villain, Barbara Minerva/Cheetah worked better for me.
As portrayed by Kristen Wiig, we first encounter Minerva as a mousey, insecure co-worker of Diana Prince but slowly - over the course of the film - Minerva becomes stronger and more self-assured and when her transformation into Cheetah is complete, she is a viable opponent for Wonder Woman. And with Gadot’s strong (expected) portrayal of Diana/Wonder Woman the scenes of these 2 playing off each other - both physically and verbally - elevates this film above mediocrity.
As does the chemistry between Gadot and Chris Pine as Steve Trevor (from the first film). This relationship was one of the best parts of the first film, so the filmmakers had to figure out how to bring him back - and how they decided to do it was “fine” (with one issue I have that I can’t reveal but I also think a simple “tweak” in the storyline would have fixed). Because these 2 have such tremendous character - and because Pascal’s villain character is weak - this movie spends way too much time on Diana and Steve and this film loses it’s focus multiple times.
But…a few good action scenes would have saved things - but there aren’t really any. Certainly none that are as visually interesting, and emotionally satisfying, as the “no man’s land” scene in the first film.
This movie is “fine” and with the performances of Gadot, Pine and Wiig, they elevate the needle a little above “fine”. So I will give this movie about a point more than I (probably) should - which puts this film as one of the better films of the DCEU - which says more about the state of the DCEU than it does about this movie.
Letter Grade: B
7 stars (out of 10) - and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Darren (1599 KP) rated Diamonds Are Forever (1971) in Movies
Nov 7, 2019
Characters – James Bond gets to finally take care of his arch nemesis Blofeld before going on his latest mission going undercover searching for diamonds, he shows us his usually swagger, getting the women along the way as he looks to solve this latest mystery. Tiffany Case is one of the connections in the chain of the diamond smuggling, the first one James makes contact with, she must learn the help along the way to get out alive. Blofeld is the old enemy that James gets to take care of early on, the man that has held James up from multiply other mission. We do get to meet plenty of people involved in the ring which only make James’s mission more difficult.
Performances – Sean Connery is back and back to his best in this outing as the iconic spy, it is great to have him back even if it is only for one last time. Jill St John is good as the Bond girl for the movie though offers nothing new for the series. Charles Gray keeps the role of Blofeld nicely giving us just what we need from the villain role.
Story – The story here shows James finally getting his hands on Blofeld before needing to head off on a new mission, one that gives him everything he wants, beautiful women, casinos and a villain he wants to stay ahead off. This story plays out just like one of the more famous ones in reverse which becomes very interesting to watch, it has everything you need for the latest adventure for Bond, a villain that is prepared for the intelligence of Bond and the world needing saving once again. This does feel like it has given the life back to the franchise which needed to be bought back from the weaker outings, the story is simple enough and continues to keep us watching along with Bond.
Action/Adventure – The action is good even if the fights are simple enough to show how Bond can beat most in combat. The adventure just takes Bond to new and old locations for his mission.
Settings – From Amsterdam to America, we get a much more knowledge set of locations with the bases being in locations which would make sense for a super villain to be hiding in.
Scene of the Movie – The base attack.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – They seem to be too friendly Bond and Blofeld.
Final Thoughts – For the Bond franchise this is a new feel to them, one that is more interesting and strong then the last few instalments.
Overall: Returning to what we want to see.
Performances – Sean Connery is back and back to his best in this outing as the iconic spy, it is great to have him back even if it is only for one last time. Jill St John is good as the Bond girl for the movie though offers nothing new for the series. Charles Gray keeps the role of Blofeld nicely giving us just what we need from the villain role.
Story – The story here shows James finally getting his hands on Blofeld before needing to head off on a new mission, one that gives him everything he wants, beautiful women, casinos and a villain he wants to stay ahead off. This story plays out just like one of the more famous ones in reverse which becomes very interesting to watch, it has everything you need for the latest adventure for Bond, a villain that is prepared for the intelligence of Bond and the world needing saving once again. This does feel like it has given the life back to the franchise which needed to be bought back from the weaker outings, the story is simple enough and continues to keep us watching along with Bond.
Action/Adventure – The action is good even if the fights are simple enough to show how Bond can beat most in combat. The adventure just takes Bond to new and old locations for his mission.
Settings – From Amsterdam to America, we get a much more knowledge set of locations with the bases being in locations which would make sense for a super villain to be hiding in.
Scene of the Movie – The base attack.
That Moment That Annoyed Me – They seem to be too friendly Bond and Blofeld.
Final Thoughts – For the Bond franchise this is a new feel to them, one that is more interesting and strong then the last few instalments.
Overall: Returning to what we want to see.
MRAMIUS (0 KP) rated Justice League (2017) in Movies
Dec 14, 2017
Ben Affleck (1 more)
Gal Gadot
Cgi (3 more)
Story
Villain
Too short
Why?
OK, to be fair I am not a massive reader of all things DC or Marvel, but in my youth I read enough good story's about Batman, Superman et al to know that this film should have been amazing. Instead someone just shoved a lesser known villian in a short story using some DC lore they had read and decided to misuse. Such an absolute waste of a great cast and potential. I wanted to love the movie, and even convinced my wife to watch it with me!
Willow (3 KP) rated Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) in Movies
Jan 5, 2018
Plot is easy to follow (1 more)
Humour throughout
Contains spoilers, click to show
As a self-confessed DC lover, I was surprised just how much I loved this film. The characters are believable, relatable and on the whole likable. Over the course of the movie you develop a kind of bond with the main characters, which adds tragedy to the end of the main story arch. The one complaint I have would be that Red Skull is Captain America's equivalent to Batman's Joker and to remove him from any following story arch seems like a waste of good material.
James Powers (11 KP) rated Wonder Woman (2017) in Movies
Jun 5, 2017
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.
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.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Witchfinder's Sister in Books
Jul 26, 2017
A dark stain on human history
The story of Matthew Hopkins' sister is gripping from start to finish, almost gut-wrenching knowing what's to come. The witch trials in Britain are rarely documented unlike the trials of Salem. Hence reading this historical fiction almost brought the disgrace to life. You have pure empathy for the sister Alice, who attempts throughout to thwart her brother's evil plans. But it raises the question of complicity and innocence and how far gone Alice had crossed the line. Matthew's character is purely psychopathic, and he truly is a villain in every sense. A fantastic, detailed read.
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated Psycho (1960) in Movies
Aug 9, 2017
Incredible cinematography (2 more)
Norman Bates is the ultimate villain
One of the first earl films to discuss mental illness
My favourite Hitchcock film
This Hitchcock film is astonishing for breaking boundaries. From being one of the first original horror movies, showing 'obscene' shower scenes, to discussing multiple personality disorder. From the first minute, the film is tense and the fact of what happens to the leading lady after 30 minutes is jaw-dropping. When Norman Bates is discovered, his final scene of becoming his mother is horrifying. One of the best Hitchcock films ever to have been made.
Dean (6927 KP) rated The Dark Knight Rises (2012) in Movies
Feb 3, 2018
A brilliant film and great ending....for now at least to this trilogy. Dark, gritty and brutal it doesn't feel like a comic book action hero film. It's more a harsh crime thriller! I thought Anne Hathaway was well cast as Catwoman as is Tom Hardy as Bane. The only problem I had was understanding everything Bane said through his face mask, at times the voice doesn't seem to match the villain? Only small minor gripes though, still I have to add The Dark Knight is still my favourite of the 3 with this a close second.
Cranky Dad UK (11 KP) rated Rango (2011) in Movies
Jul 22, 2018
Johnny Depp's voice acting (2 more)
The animation
Great humour and set pieces
Depp-Tastic
In a nut shell, Depp voices a Lizard who calls himself Rango, when fate strands him in the middle of nowhere.
Before long he uses his anonymity to his advantage, to ingratiate himself with the residents of a troubled town...
Depp is fantastic in this role, which is clearly written for him.
There are plenty of jokes and well crafted action scenes as well as a superbly realized villain.
If you enjoy well written animations, then this is for you.
It appeals to all ages and is heaps of fun.
Before long he uses his anonymity to his advantage, to ingratiate himself with the residents of a troubled town...
Depp is fantastic in this role, which is clearly written for him.
There are plenty of jokes and well crafted action scenes as well as a superbly realized villain.
If you enjoy well written animations, then this is for you.
It appeals to all ages and is heaps of fun.
