Tag: MCU Review

REVIEW: Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)

Theatrical Release Poster – Walt Disney Studios

The following is a review of Ant-Man and the Wasp — Directed by Peyton Reed.

When the first Ant-Man came out, it functioned as the epilogue to Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which, at that time, had just given us the jam-packed team-up film Avengers: Age of Ultron. Ant-Man was thus a refreshing solo film that acted as a palate cleanser of sorts.

Now, after Avengers: Infinity War’s ending blindsided audiences around the world, Ant-Man and the Wasp is here to act as the much needed lighthearted palate cleanser, and, just like with the first Ant-Man film, it is another good and fun Marvel movie. It is everything you expect it to be, and yet it doesn’t answer all of your questions. Continue reading “REVIEW: Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018)” →

REVIEW: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)

US Theatrical Release Poster – Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The following is a review of Thor: Ragnarok – Directed by Taika Waititi

Are you the kind of person whose idea of a good time is watching a Norse God beat up countless of faceless goons on a rainbow bridge while Led Zeppelin’s Immigrant Song plays? If that is a ‘yes,’ then there is a pretty good chance that you are going to fall in love with Thor: Ragnarok, which also includes a scene where the Hulk fights a supersized wolf. It sounds too good to be true. It isn’t. Continue reading “REVIEW: Thor: Ragnarok (2017)” →

REVIEW: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)

Teaser Poster – Columbia Pictures

The following is a review of Spider-Man: Homecoming – Directed by Jon Watts.

There is a great iconic comic book line that all movie lovers know these days. I am, of course, talking about the classic Uncle Ben quote: “With great power, comes great responsibility.” It is a line that was delivered well by Cliff Robertson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. However, it was also poorly paraphrased in the disappointing reboot — Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man.  Continue reading “REVIEW: Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017)” →

REVIEW: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017)

Theatrical Release Poster – Marvel Studios

The following is a review of Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 – Directed by James Gunn

The first Guardians of the Galaxy film was very special to me. It arrived at the right time for me and family. My Godmother had just passed away, and Guardians of the Galaxy was the first film we saw as a family since she had passed away. Guardians of the Galaxy made me laugh, it made me cry, and I, to this day, still think of it as one of my favorite films of all-time. It had a huge effect on me.

I, however, never expected Volume 2 to have as big an impact on me as James Gunn’s first Marvel film had and, honestly, it didn’t. But while Volume 2 isn’t as good as the original film, I still really loved it and it did make me emotional more than once. Continue reading “REVIEW: Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2 (2017)” →

REVIEW: Doctor Strange (2016)

Theatrical Release Poster - Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Theatrical Release Poster – Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

The following is a review of Doctor Strange. The reviewed film was seen in IMAX 3D.

At this point, people expect a lot from Marvel Studios. Doctor Strange is the fourteenth film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and most of these films have been pretty well-received. Still, Doctor Strange is a bit of a risk, seeing as it is introducing magic and beings from other dimensions to the universe.

While Doctor Strange has to introduce its own corner of the universe with just this film, Marvel Studios has been releasing these films in a smart way. Marvel Studios has, essentially, been preparing moviegoers for this kind of film with Thor, Ant-Man, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Continue reading “REVIEW: Doctor Strange (2016)” →

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.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Captain America: Civil War (2016)” →

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.

Continue reading “REVIEW: Marvel’s The Avengers (2012)” →

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)” →