Marvelous Monday in 2016 posts once a month, on the second Monday of the month.
2016 is a pretty huge year for superhero fans, at least if you follow the films. WB/DC has Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in March and Suicide Squad in August. Marvel Studios has Captain America: Civil War in May and Doctor Strange in November. But we mustn’t forget Fox who has a couple of their own superhero films – including the very first superhero film of 2016. Today is all about Deadpool! Continue reading “Marvelous Monday #48 – Get Ready For Deadpool!”→
I’m finally back with Box Office Predictions! In this special New Year’s Day post I’ll be predicting the top 5 biggest opening weekends of 2016, and I’ll probably fail completely when it’s all said and done. But I’m saying there’s a chance I’ll be right about some of the picks here. Have a look! Continue reading “Box Office Predictions – Biggest Opening Weekends of 2016”→
20th Century Fox – Theatrical Release Poster – The Martian
The following is a review of The Martian, a Ridley Scott film.
In 2011, Andy Weir self-published his first ever novel, The Martian. The Martian was envisioned as a very realistic science fiction novel, and it eventually became quite a hit. Then, in 2013, 20th Century Fox optioned the film rights, with Drew Goddard announced as the scriptwriter, and, later, Ridley Scott was announced as the director. One now hoped that Goddard’s talent and Scott’s experience could make The Martian a solid film. Thankfully, it is much more than that – The Martian is one of the best films of 2015. Continue reading “REVIEW: The Martian (2015)”→
While Marvel Studios are about to make Taika Waititi the director of Thor: Ragnarok, Fox is trying to strengthen their X-Men Universe. However, while comic book-savvy people are super excited for Deadpool and X-Men: Apocalypse, I do sense that Channing Tatum’s Gambit isn’t really getting the same love. Recently the director, Rupert Wyatt, left the project – so let’s try to name a few replacements! Continue reading “Marvelous Monday #38 – Getting Gambit A Director”→
The following is a review of 20th Century Fox’s Fantastic Four (2015)
Fantastic Four is the updated Marvel Comics origin story about its First Family – the Storm-siblings, the incredibly intelligent Reed Richards, and the strong-willed Ben Grimm. Together they team up to defend Earth and its citizens. But before becoming a team, they changed in more ways than one. Does the newest 20th Century Fox superhero film live up to its title? Sadly, no.
However, it did start quite well. This film is loosely based on the 2004 Marvel Comics reboot, Ultimate Fantastic Four, and you definitely see its roots if you’re familiar with the ‘source material.’ Reed Richards is a child prodigy, who is ultimately invited to study and work in the Baxter Building, and he is aided by his good friend, Ben Grimm, who, in spite of his involvement in Reed’s school project, has no real attachment to the Baxter Building.
In fact, I loved this part. There was a certain Batman Begins-feel to the film, and everything worked for quite a while. There can be no doubt, the best character in this film is Reed Richards – as he should be. Also, while I was afraid of what tone Fox was going with, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the film was less grim than the trailer made it out to be.
It is not that the film was perfect for the first hour, or so, but it ran rather smoothly. Sure, the dialogue was a bit wonky and cheesy at times – but it didn’t really hurt the film in its first half. But then things started to fall apart. I can tell you that there is a handful of comic book movie sins in this film – but no sin is bigger than the one they commit at its halfway point. Reed Richards’ reasoning for using the Quantum Gate is extremely dodgy and out of character.
After having reached the point of no return, you start to notice the film’s clear errors. The look of the ‘other dimension’ is not done well, Kate Mara is wearing what looks to be a wig for half of her scenes, and the pacing is awful. When I started to think about the villain, then the film started to be upsetting.
Victor Von Doom (Not ‘Domashev’; apparently, they chose to keep the original name after fan backlash) is obviously the villain. And I’m not just saying that because I know of the comic books. The film hits you over the head with the obvious fact that Toby Kebbell’s character is the villain. He is referred to as ‘Dr. Doom’ sarcastically – as well as ‘Adolf’ (no, I’m not kidding). Sadly, Doom is a forgettable character and his look is awful. Doom should not look like a silver-and-green mannequin.
Josh Trank, Simon Kinberg, and Jeremy Slater had a great plan for this film, but while they handled Mr. Fantastic and the first half of the film amazingly, they ultimately fall short. In the end, the pacing of the final act is what kills this film. The big battle is rushed, the villain is wasted, and Marvel’s First Family doesn’t really live up to its name. An awful reboot for the Fantastic Four.
Final Score: 4.9 out of 10 – Though promising at first, Fantastic Four completely falls apart in the poorly paced final act.
This week’s Marvelous Monday focuses on the potential of the newest Marvel Comics-based superhero flick coming this summer. Fantastic Four is the last superhero film of 2015. But this isn’t a Marvel Studios film. No, this is one of Fox’s attempts at a stronger superhero universe. The film has had a lot of problems in the press: rumors and comments about the script, Dr. Doom, and the director have stopped the hype-train somewhat. So, today we need to make up our minds: What are the dos and don’ts for the returning Mister Fantastic-led franchise? Continue reading “Marvelous Monday #29 – Dos and Don’ts for Fox’s Fantastic Four”→
This week’s topic is based on some rumors I heard last week. That perhaps Marvel Studios and 20th Century Fox could make a deal after Marvel’s Phase Three. This could perhaps lead to an Avengers vs. X-Men storyline, and could give us the Illuminati storyline that Hickman focused on in his New Avengers run (2013-2015). But here’s the thing, I don’t really want that to happen. Here’s why. Continue reading “Marvelous Monday #26 – X-Men and the Fox Ownership”→
For the uninitiated: This is a new weekly feature on the blog wherein I, I’m Jeffrey Rex, discuss all things Marvel. Now that I’ve reached six posts on this feature, this will be the only introduction to the feature.
Enjoy it while it lasts. Superhero-Hype that is. Be prepared for somewhat of a darker post this week – it is truly grim at times.
Now, I’m not going to kick off this post by spelling doom for my fellow nerds and geeks out there, but the laymen have caught onto us. They figured out just how well it’s working, and soon people will realize how Marvel, Sony, Fox and Warner Bros. have no reason to stop pitching new ideas – they have no reason to stop creating, filming, writing new superhero films.
Sure, I’m preaching to the choir – you know how many films are coming out. And so far it hasn’t really been a problem – but do you know why? Because we’ve only had two problematic years for comic book movies. In 2013 no mainstream superhero movie was loved by all comic book readers. I liked Iron Man 3, but I’m in the minority – Man of Steel wasn’t a success and Thor: The Dark World was… Well it was Thor: The Dark World. A dark twist on a universe that was so well painted in the Branagh-Thor. Wait, I’m in the minority on that one, too? Yikes. But I digress. 2014 was extremely successful. Guardians of the Galaxy was the biggest hit of the summer, some say the year, Days of Future Past was well-liked – and critics loved Captain America: The Winter Soldier. But in 2015 and beyond, too many of our nerd dreams are coming true.
In 2015 we are seeing new iterations of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Terminator, Avengers, Fantastic Four – heck, even Ant-Man‘s getting a film. But, sadly, this is killing the mainstream audience – we’re testing their patience. 11 beloved nerd-films are to be released in 2016 – a year that may finally burst the superhero bubble. But here are my questions – can it be avoided? Will it kill the entire genre? And which films will be the ones we’ll forever blame for this?
Here we go, the trailer for Josh Trank and Fox’ Fantastic Four is finally out. Today I’m trying something new, trying to give my thoughts about the trailer – saying what it shows, but also giving my opinion. Remember how I liked the Ant-Man trailer? I’m going to give similar pros/cons for this one. So without further ado….
Now this is a teaser trailer, so keep that in mind. But the first thing that comes to mind when watching it, is how similar the feel of the trailer – the sound – the look – is to Interstellar. Now, trailers tend to copy off of something – and they’ve definitely gone for a Nolan-feel. But a property like the Fantastic Four should be able to stand on its own with a trailer – without going full-Nolan.
I'm Jeffrey Rex 