thewlisian_afer (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
thewlisian_afer) wrote2011-09-15 06:00 am
thewlisian_afer) wrote2011-09-15 06:00 am
[REVIEWS] Films: Superheroes
I've been meaning to watch First Class since it came out in theaters, and a couple of weeks ago I finally decided it was time to do it. I figured I might as well do an entire X-Men re-watch, including Origins, which I hadn't seen yet either. I started a movie review set with them and then realized there were three other Marvel movies I hadn't seen, which all tie in with The Avengers. So a superhero review set was born.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
This action-packed prequel to the popular X-Men films explores Marvel Comics character Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the events that influenced the mutant before the Weapon X program bonded his skeleton with the powerfully strong metal alloy adamantium. After the death of his girlfriend, Wolverine seeks vengeance against supervillain Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber). Ryan Reynolds, Danny Huston and Lynn Collins co-star.
I think I liked this one more than the average viewer. The same was true of the third X-Men movie. All I require from these movies is something fun to look at. I don't need witty writing or profound character development or heart-wrenching pathos. Give me something with explosions and chases and good sound editing, and I'm a happy movie-watcher. If I get more than that, that's excellent. But that's all I really need. And I got that here (and in the third movie). [Rating: 3.5 stars]
X-Men: First Class (2011)
In this exciting prequel to the X-Men series, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) -- the future Professor X and Magneto -- are best friends dedicated to harnessing their powers and promoting the education of fellow mutants during the turbulent 1960s. The duo works together to stop a powerful adversary that threatens mankind, but their ideological differences drive them apart and turn them into ferocious enemies.
I waited quite a long time before writing this review because I was afraid if I wrote it too soon, all I'd be able to do would be to type "SQUEEE!!!" with about three lines worth of E's. Turns out that's still just about all I feel I can say about it, even ten days later. New. Favorite. X-Men. Movie. Though, because I don't like giving entirely negative or positive reviews if I can help it, I have to point out that January Jones made me cringe a few times. She's ... not very good. :( [Rating: 4.5 stars]
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Edward Norton stars as Bruce Banner in this big-screen version of the classic comic-book tale about a doctor who searches for an antidote to his exotic condition, which causes him to transform into a hulking, green monster when under duress. Drawing closer to finding a remedy, Dr. Banner becomes sidetracked as he's pursued first by the military and then by a rival monster known as the Abomination. Liv Tyler, Tim Roth and William Hurt co-star.
I completely adored Lou Ferrigno and Stan Lee's cameos (though that's not a big surprise; very little makes me happier than Stan Lee cameos). And Tim Roth...? Well. I love Tim Roth. But this is another instance, like Origins, where I signed up for a comic book movie with fun action sequences, and that's what I got. Nothing special stood out as particularly negative, but nothing special stood out as particularly positive, either. And I'm okay with that. It was simply a fun way to spend a couple of hours. [Rating: 3.5 stars]
Thor (2011)
Kenneth Branagh directs this Marvel Comics-inspired action flick about the thunder god Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful warrior whose father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins) -- the king of Asgard -- forces him to live among humans on Earth and learn humility. Once there, he finds a friend (Natalie Portman), along with unexpected enemies sent from his world. Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgård and Rene Russo co-star.
This movie gets a solid "meh" from me. I liked all the various effects; Bifröst is my favorite part of the whole film. I also liked the Frost Giants. (I was ... kinda on their side. XD) There were a couple of lines/scenes that made me chuckle, but not many. I only particularly liked two individual characters (Sif and Heimdall). I do have to say, though, that Anthony Hopkins as Odin is some of the best casting ever. Spot on. The only real complaint I have about the movie is that the romance aspect was just ... flat. The development was weak and the screen chemistry was iffy at best. It felt forced and unrealistic and I just didn't buy it. [Rating: 3 stars]
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Marvel launches another super franchise with this action-packed origin story, which follows Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as he volunteers for a secret experiment during World War II. Transformed into a superhero named Captain America, Steve goes after the Axis. With his perfect physique and heightened reflexes -- and his sidekick, Bucky (Sebastian Stan) -- Steve battles the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), a super soldier created by Italian fascists.
Wow. I liked this one a lot more than I expected to. On one hand, I'd heard from several sources that it was the most boring of the films in the Marvel movieverse. On the other hand, a reliable resource said it was her favorite movie of the summer. So I went into this expecting to like it but not necessarily to be particularly impressed. Turns out, I loved it. It could have something to do with the fact that it was the next thing I watched right after Thor, but I got all the things I want from a comic book movie, plus great actors and a ton of characters that I really liked and cared about. I'll definitely be revisiting this one from time to time. [Rating: 4 stars]
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)
This action-packed prequel to the popular X-Men films explores Marvel Comics character Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) past and the events that influenced the mutant before the Weapon X program bonded his skeleton with the powerfully strong metal alloy adamantium. After the death of his girlfriend, Wolverine seeks vengeance against supervillain Victor Creed (Liev Schreiber). Ryan Reynolds, Danny Huston and Lynn Collins co-star.
I think I liked this one more than the average viewer. The same was true of the third X-Men movie. All I require from these movies is something fun to look at. I don't need witty writing or profound character development or heart-wrenching pathos. Give me something with explosions and chases and good sound editing, and I'm a happy movie-watcher. If I get more than that, that's excellent. But that's all I really need. And I got that here (and in the third movie). [Rating: 3.5 stars]
X-Men: First Class (2011)
In this exciting prequel to the X-Men series, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) -- the future Professor X and Magneto -- are best friends dedicated to harnessing their powers and promoting the education of fellow mutants during the turbulent 1960s. The duo works together to stop a powerful adversary that threatens mankind, but their ideological differences drive them apart and turn them into ferocious enemies.
I waited quite a long time before writing this review because I was afraid if I wrote it too soon, all I'd be able to do would be to type "SQUEEE!!!" with about three lines worth of E's. Turns out that's still just about all I feel I can say about it, even ten days later. New. Favorite. X-Men. Movie. Though, because I don't like giving entirely negative or positive reviews if I can help it, I have to point out that January Jones made me cringe a few times. She's ... not very good. :( [Rating: 4.5 stars]
The Incredible Hulk (2008)
Edward Norton stars as Bruce Banner in this big-screen version of the classic comic-book tale about a doctor who searches for an antidote to his exotic condition, which causes him to transform into a hulking, green monster when under duress. Drawing closer to finding a remedy, Dr. Banner becomes sidetracked as he's pursued first by the military and then by a rival monster known as the Abomination. Liv Tyler, Tim Roth and William Hurt co-star.
I completely adored Lou Ferrigno and Stan Lee's cameos (though that's not a big surprise; very little makes me happier than Stan Lee cameos). And Tim Roth...? Well. I love Tim Roth. But this is another instance, like Origins, where I signed up for a comic book movie with fun action sequences, and that's what I got. Nothing special stood out as particularly negative, but nothing special stood out as particularly positive, either. And I'm okay with that. It was simply a fun way to spend a couple of hours. [Rating: 3.5 stars]
Thor (2011)
Kenneth Branagh directs this Marvel Comics-inspired action flick about the thunder god Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful warrior whose father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins) -- the king of Asgard -- forces him to live among humans on Earth and learn humility. Once there, he finds a friend (Natalie Portman), along with unexpected enemies sent from his world. Kat Dennings, Stellan Skarsgård and Rene Russo co-star.
This movie gets a solid "meh" from me. I liked all the various effects; Bifröst is my favorite part of the whole film. I also liked the Frost Giants. (I was ... kinda on their side. XD) There were a couple of lines/scenes that made me chuckle, but not many. I only particularly liked two individual characters (Sif and Heimdall). I do have to say, though, that Anthony Hopkins as Odin is some of the best casting ever. Spot on. The only real complaint I have about the movie is that the romance aspect was just ... flat. The development was weak and the screen chemistry was iffy at best. It felt forced and unrealistic and I just didn't buy it. [Rating: 3 stars]
Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)
Marvel launches another super franchise with this action-packed origin story, which follows Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as he volunteers for a secret experiment during World War II. Transformed into a superhero named Captain America, Steve goes after the Axis. With his perfect physique and heightened reflexes -- and his sidekick, Bucky (Sebastian Stan) -- Steve battles the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), a super soldier created by Italian fascists.
Wow. I liked this one a lot more than I expected to. On one hand, I'd heard from several sources that it was the most boring of the films in the Marvel movieverse. On the other hand, a reliable resource said it was her favorite movie of the summer. So I went into this expecting to like it but not necessarily to be particularly impressed. Turns out, I loved it. It could have something to do with the fact that it was the next thing I watched right after Thor, but I got all the things I want from a comic book movie, plus great actors and a ton of characters that I really liked and cared about. I'll definitely be revisiting this one from time to time. [Rating: 4 stars]
no subject
I totally agree with "That. Cast." Holy crap. There was barely a moment where there wasn't an actor I've loved for ages on the screen. GAH. ♥
And Tommy Lee Jones was just perfect. jfc, I loved that character.
As for the Frankenstein line, WHY CAN'T IT BE CHEESY AND PERFECT AT THE SAME TIME? hee
no subject
I always forget how very little Stanley Tucci is in that movie. He is one of those actors I couldn't stop talking about after the movie was over, realized he was in there maybe 10 minutes, tops, and that's when I started doing my STANLEY TUCCI STANLEY TUCCI STANLEY TUCCI spaz. He is seriously amazing.
"I bought you dinner."
I'm the first to call out something for being too cheesy (you know this), but I think the way Fassbender played it was just so spot-on and actually kind of terrifying. I'm just astounded by how well he plays monsters.
no subject
Stanley Tucci is one of those actors who doesn't have to be there very long to make a big impression. From what I've seen of him, he chooses his roles well.