REVIEW: Captain America: Civil War (2016)

Civil War Poster
Theatrical Release Poster – Marvel Studios – Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The following is a spoiler-free review of Captain America: Civil War, a Anthony & Joe Russo film. The reviewed film was seen in IMAX 3D.

This is a spoiler-free review, and the review thus won’t go into anything else than what is in the trailers. If, however, I need to mention a location, plot-point, or a character that could spoil something in the film, then I’ll only hint at it.

I’ve wanted to see this story on the big screen for a very, very long time. It’s the one story I’ve always wanted them to make into a film, ever since I first read the comic book crossover from 2007 (Mark Millar’s Civil War). But to be perfectly honest with you, Captain America: Civil War is so much better than the comic book.

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Trailer Review: Marvel’s Doctor Strange (Teaser Trailer #1)

Our first look at Marvel’s Doctor Strange has hit the Web! The two-minute teaser trailer for Marvel’s Doctor Strange premiered last night on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC, and today I want to recap and review the solid teaser that might not blow you away, but definitely does let you peep through the keyhole and into the mind-bending universe of Doctor Strange.
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MCU Reviews (2008-2015) – Marvelous Monday #50

Marvelous Monday 2016

Marvelous Monday in 2016 posts once a month, on the second Monday of the month.

In anticipation for Captain America: Civil War, I decided to write reviews for every single Marvel Cinematic Universe-film from the first two phases. I already had four written reviews (Winter Soldier; Guardians of the Galaxy; Age of Ultron; Ant-Man), but I thought it was important for me to state my complete opinions on these films, like I did with the original Star Wars trilogy last year. So, over the last few weeks I’ve been writing full reviews for all films released in the M.C.U. so far, with the goal of finishing the reviews for you today, at the latest.
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REVIEW: Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)

Marvel's The Avengers - Poster
Release Poster – Marvel Studios – Disney

The following is a spoiler review of Marvel’s The Avengers, a Joss Whedon film. This review was written in early 2016.

Marvel’s The Avengers was and is a very special movie. For many this film was not unlike a religious experience. You finally saw that these mega-movie events were possible, and Marvel Studios had finally proven that their cinematic universe was built on solid ground, with a fantastically entertaining team at the center of it.

But there are some very noticeable problems with one of Marvel Studios’s very best films, and some of those problems really annoyed me when I rewatched it a third or fourth time. So, in this review I will be brutally honest, and therefore the review does include some spoilers. You have been warned.

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REVIEW: Iron Man 3 (2013)

Theatrical Release Poster – Marvel Studios – Disney

The following is a review of Iron Man 3, a Shane Black film. This review was written in early 2016.

Iron Man 3 might be the most controversial film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Most comic book fans aren’t all that pleased with the film, to say the least, but most critics enjoyed the experience. I wouldn’t really say that any crowd really loves the film, though. Now, why is that? Well, let’s just say that the marketing hurt the film, and the vision of the script wasn’t what fans were expecting.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Iron Man 3 (2013)”

RETRO REVIEW: Iron Man 2 (2010)

Theatrical Release Poster – Marvel Studios – Paramount Pictures

The following is a retro review of Iron Man 2, a Jon Favreau film. 

Jon Favreau returned to the Iron Man-franchise, with a sequel to the critically acclaimed original film from 2008. Marvel Studios was desperate to build the universe, and chose to start building their new empire within the sequel to Iron Man. But while easter eggs can be promising and exciting, studio-mandated easter eggs can ruin a film if they dictate too much of the plot.  Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Iron Man 2 (2010)”

RETRO REVIEW: Iron Man (2008)

Theatrical Release Poster – Marvel Studios – Paramount Pictures

The following is a retro review of Iron Man, a Jon Favreau film.

Jon Favreau’s Iron Man successfully kickstarted the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008. Few had expected that the film would be great – and nobody saw the greatness of the Marvel Cinematic Universe coming. Iron Man is one of the most groundbreaking superhero films of all-time, and is still one of the best in that genre.  Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: Iron Man (2008)”

REVIEW: Thor (2011)

Thor Poster

The following is a review of Thor, a Kenneth Branagh film.

Thor was the first film that really made it clear to me that Marvel Studios could make any hero character interesting and cool. What really made this film work was how they managed to add both humor and Shakespearian dialogue to a film about a Norse God. I absolutely love this film, though, I do realize that I might be one of the biggest fans of this film. Continue reading “REVIEW: Thor (2011)”

RETRO REVIEW: The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The Incredible Hulk Poster
Theatrical Release Poster – Marvel Studios – Universal Pictures

The following is a retro review of The Incredible Hulk, a Louis Leterrier film.

Five years after Ang Lee released his version of a Hulk-film, Marvel Studios decided to make a quasi-sequel/reboot of Bruce Banner’s adventures and make it a part of a newly planned franchise. But while The Incredible Hulk became the second film in a multi-billion dollar movie franchise, stuff behind the scenes would end up making this film the least important that Marvel Studios produced in the first phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Continue reading “RETRO REVIEW: The Incredible Hulk (2008)”

REVIEW: Deadpool (2016)

Deadpool Poster
International Release Poster – 20th Century Fox

The following is a review of Deadpool, a 20th Century Fox film.

This movie has been in development for over a decade. The character was almost scrapped completely due to X-Men Origins: Wolverine. The aforementioned Wolverine-movie drove Ryan Reynolds into the role of Hal Jordan in Green Lantern, which wasn’t a great superhero film either. Then something crazy happened. In mid-2014 test footage for a proposed Deadpool-film was leaked online. The fan reaction was insane, and it forced 20th Century Fox’s hands. Suddenly, Deadpool was a reality. And you know what? Somehow the end result is absolutely fantastic. It was worth the wait. Continue reading “REVIEW: Deadpool (2016)”