Film Reviews

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER FILM REVIEW

16 Wednesday Nov 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Film Reviews

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Black Panther, Black Panther Wakanda Forever, Black Panther Wakanda Forever Review, Chadwick Boseman, Ironheart, Letitia Wright, Marvel, MCU, Namor, Ryan Coogler, Wakanda, Wakanda Forever review

Review by Paul Bowler

The tragic loss of lead actor Chadwick Boseman, who died of cancer in August 2020 aged just 43, brings an added sense of poignancy to Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Writer-director Ryan Coogler’s sequel to his 2018 smash hit Black Panther is both a sombre tribute to the death of the Oscar nominated star and an epic-scale superhero movie that builds on the original film’s powerful themes of colonisation, vengeance and forgiveness.

Ryan Coogler’s screenplay co-written with Joe Robert Cole (who also co-wrote Black Panther with Coogler), makes the passing of Chadwick Boseman an integral part of Wakanda Forever. Opening with the heart-rending death of Chadwick’s King T’ Challa unfolding off-screen while his scientist sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) desperately seeks a cure for the unnamed malady that has struck him down, the raw emotion conveyed by Wright’s performance and Shuri mother Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) in these tragic moments are deeply heart-felt and movingly real. Following the emotive funeral sequence, events return to Wakanda a year later.

However, Wakanda is now a nation adrift without either its king or his iconic alter ego Black Panther, and the Wakandans must find a way to embrace the next chapter of their great nation. As Shuri and Queen Ranonda struggle with their grief, M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) unite as the world powers set their gaze on Wakanda for a share in the nations rights to their precious metal resource vibranium following King T’Challa’s death. With the interventions of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), Everett Ross (Martin Freeman), Dominique Thorn as MIT student Riri Williams/Ironheart and Michaela Coel as Wakandan warrior Aneka a new path slowly begins to emerge for the kingdom of Wakanda.

The political turmoil and intrigue is stoked further by the introduction a flying Mayan merman called Namor (Tenoch Huerta) who emerges from the ocean depths of his kingdom to wage war on the surface world. Much like Wakanda, Namor’s civilisation has its own rich culture and technologies built on the previous recourse vibranium. He fears the forces the surface world will seek to overthrow and colonise his people as the Spanish conquistadors did his ancestors. Namor then proposes an ultimatum for Ramonda and Shuri, to either join him in his war against the surface dwellers or Wakanda will become his enemy.

It is this moral conflict and quandary that drives the narrative of Wakanda Forever and places Shuri front and centre at the heart of the action. Given the film has a veritable plethora of main and supporting characters, Letitia Wright very much takes the lead here in Wakanda Forever and gives an outstanding performance as Shuri. The film does feel a tad overlong though, the pace drags a tad in the mid-section, but things soon pick up once Namor make his presence felt and everything builds to a satisfying showdown on barge in the Atlantic.

While not quite in the same league as the original film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever manages to respectfully address the passing of Chadwick Boseman and weave some intriguing foreshadowing into what future the MCU may hold. Amidst all the action, spectacle and world building at its core it is Basset’s and Wright’s standout performances that really ground the film and keep everything on an even keel. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever may not be the most spectacular Marvel movie, but it is certainly a deeply moving one on which to close Phase Four of the MCU.

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Hi, I’m Paul Bowler, blogger and reviewer of films, TV shows, and comic books. I’m a Sci-Fi geek, a big fan of Doctor Who, Star Trek, movies, Sci-Fi, Horror, Comic Books, and all things PS4.You can follow me on Twitter @paul_bowler,or at my website, Sci-Fi Jubilee, and on YouTube and Facebook

Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness Film Review

09 Monday May 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Film Reviews

≈ 18 Comments

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Benedict Cumberbatch, Doctor Strange, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Doctor Strange in The Multiverse of Madness review, Marvel, MCU, Sam Rami, Scarlet Witch, The Illuminati

Doctor Strange inThe Multiverse of Madness

Review by Paul Bowler

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sends Phase Four of the MCU well and truly spiralling into the Multiverse with a plot that is sometimes as equally astonishing as it is bewildering. Benedict Cumberbatch returns as Marvel’s erstwhile Master of the Mystic Arts in this hotly anticipated first solo sequel to 2016’s Doctor Strange. Having dabbled with a forbidden spell in Spider-Man No Way Home (2021) Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness sees Stephen Strange pushing the boundaries of reality ever further, with mystical allies old and new at his side, as he embarks on a mind-bending voyage across the alternate realms of the Multiverse where he must confront a deadly new adversary!

Wracked by unsettling dreams of the Multiverse its a decidedly uncomfortable Doctor Strange that attends the wedding of his ex-girlfriend Christine (Rachel McAdams), where the lovelorn Sorcerer also gets berated by a melancholy guest with an axe to grind (played by Michal Stuhibarg). Fortunately Evil Dead director Sam Raimi doesn’t dwell on the reminiscing for long and he quickly up’s the anti with a giant one-eyed demonic cephalopod that’s running amok in NYC chasing a young teenage girl called America Chavez (Xochit Gormez) – who incidentally has the uncanny ability to travel between the dimensions of the Multiverse.

With help from the incumbent Sorcerer Supreme, Wong (Benedict Wong), Strange rescues America, and seeks out help from the Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen). However, Wander is still haunted by the idyllic life and children she created in Westview (Wanda Vision), and in her despair she’s become corrupted by a demonic spell book – the Darkhold.

Wanda wants America Chavez’s power to traverse the Multiverse and reunite with the life and children she’s lost. Strange and Chavez escape into the Multiverse, where even greater dangers await in the bizarre realms of these mysterious alternative realities. Benedict Cumberbatch is on fine form once again as Doctor Strange, who runs a gauntlet of emotions throughout the film as he struggles with heartbreak and the consequences of the choices and sacrifices he’s had to make. Cumberbatch also gets to play numerous alternate versions of Doctor Strange: including a defender Strange, a sinister corrupted Strange, and even a zombie Strange at one point!

Michale Waldron’s script makes great uses of the Multiverse concept, offering us fascinating glimpses into alternate words and radically different versions of some familiar characters. The introduction of Earth 838’s Illuminati to the MCU is a masterstroke in itself that gives us the Sorcerer Supreme Modo (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Captain Carter (Peggy Atwell), Captain Marvel (Lashana Lynch), Black Bolt (Anson Mount), Reed Richards (John Krasinski) and the welcome return of Patrick Stewart as Professor X! It is their Doctor Strange who was the catalyst for the mystical incursions throughout reality, and his fate becomes on the many narrative threads that drive the plot. Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch gone bad is another revelation and almost steals the film out from under everyone with her towering performance, Olsen’s emotive portrayal as Wanda is central to the plot, and her characters journey comes full circle in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Sam Raimi brings a devilish sense of manic energy to the movie. Its perhaps not surprising then to see that nearly every character in the film is either dabbling in the black arts or wrestling with the consequence of their actions. Raimi of course was responsible for igniting our love of superhero movies with the hugely popular 2002 Spider-Man film, he brings the same flair for action and adventure to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as well, and a quite few nods to his Evil Dead horror roots as well – especially during the creepy Dreamwalking sequences. Raimi’s frequent collaborator Bruce Campbell even shows up as a pizza vendor for a couple of fun interludes too!

The visual effects are suitably impressive and bring a dynamic synergy to this otherworldly mystical adventure. From the titanic face-off at Karmar-Taj, along with Doctor Strange and America’s kaleidoscopic multidimensional journey between worlds, right through to Wanda’s scene stealing showdown with the Illuminati and Stephen Strange squaring off against a corrupt version of himself the pace of the film hardly gives you time for breath before the next big event crashes across the screen. The final act races to a thrilling collusion, delivering epic action, redemption and setting up momentous new developments for the future. It’s this same pace that is simultaneously the movies greatest strength and its greatest weakness. MCU and comic book fans are sure to get swept along with the sheer spectacle and be totally blown away by it all, however the uninitiated might be left completely baffled by the frenetic plot and onslaught of alternative versions of so many characters.

This current era of superhero films has become something of a roller coaster ride of crossover movies at the moment. They are hugely entertaining, especially when done as well as this, but the novelty could wear a bit thin if the MCU keeps returning to the well with the concept. Minor quibbles aside Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is still a spellbinding adventure and brilliant fun! With great performances all round, Raimi’s assured direction, impressive score and gorgeous cinema photography the films epic scale more than makes up for any slight inconsistencies in the plot. Needless to say, don’t forget to stick around for those post credit scenes as well!

Images Belong Marvel Studios/Disney

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The Batman Film Review

07 Monday Mar 2022

Posted by Paul Bowler in DC Comics, Film Reviews

≈ 43 Comments

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Alfred, Bat Cave, Batmobile, Catwoman, DC Comics, Gotham, Matt Reeves, Penguin, Riddler, Robert Pattinson, The Batman, The Batman film review, The Batman review

The Batman

Review by Paul Bowler

The Caped Crusader is back In director Matt Reeves The Batman, with Twilight’s Robert Pattinson donning the cape and cowl in what has arguably become one the most hotly anticipated film of the year. The Batman has a dark, crime thriller horror vibe about it, one that often feel more akin to David Fincher’s Seven, and subsequently it elevates this gritty superhero fable into a hugely compelling character study of the Dark Knight. Set against the corrupt backdrop of a crime riddled Gotham City, the gloriously atmospheric film noir aesthetic of this Dark Knight’s world is indeed a cut above anything we’ve seen before in the genre.

Taking place two decades after the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne, and two years into Bruce Wayne’s all-consuming Bat-fuelled Gotham project, the city is now caught in the grip of a puzzle obsessed serial killer, the Riddler (Paul Dano). He’s a maniac with a penchant for murdering the elite of Gotham along with their reputations, and is just the catalyst Patterson’s emo incarnation of the Batman needs to finally step into the light and assist the GCPD’s James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright) – much to the chagrin of Gordon’s colleagues.

Matt Reeves and co-writer Peter Craig’s powerful take on Batman’s early career cleverly utilises the oft overlooked trait of Batman being comicdoms worlds greatest detective as the template for one of Batman’s darkest of cinematic outings ever, and the film is all the richer for it. Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight is an intense, deeply driven vigilante, he may have the bullet proof Bat-suit, but he’s got none of the usual high-tech gadgets and gizmos of his glossier cinematic predecessors. Indeed, Pattinson’s performance as Wayne / Batman is both mesmerising and unflinching as a Batman who is totally focused on his war on crime and hell-bent on instilling fear in criminals. He has yet to earn the trust of Gotham or Gordon, the reclusive Bruce Wayne’s only real ally is his loyal butler Alfred (brilliantly played by Andy Serkis), and this fledgling Batman’s inexperience often sees him taking nearly as much punishment as he dishes out.

Batman’s detective work crucially finds him crossing paths with Zoe Kravitz’s sultry femme fatal Selina Kyle, a.k.a Catwoman, who is conducting her own personal investigation which also brings her into conflict with Batman’s mission to solve the Riddler’s diabolical puzzles. Their tangled love story and alliance of connivence never truly convinces, but the sizzling chemistry between Pattinson and Kravitz is fuelled even further by the intensity of the dynamic between their alter-egos.

The Batman features a number of key villains from the Dark Knight’s ominous rogues gallery, with a virtually unrecognisable Colin Farrell under a mass of prosthetic make up as nightclub boss, the Penguin, Paul Dano’s blood curdling turn as Edward Nashton / the Riddler leads to some truly chilling scenes, and John Turturro proves to be an unexpectedly pivotal player in The Batman’s story as Carmine Falcone.

Greig Fraser’s stunning cinema photography makes the films grimy rain-swept depiction of Gotham perhaps the biggest scene stealer of all. The spectacle of Wayne Tower and the urban gothic of the new Bat-Cave are just some of the films many standout settings. The city feels almost like a character in its own right here, as Reeves stylish direction brings a graphic novel sense of scale and awe to the production, together with a mix of atmospheric locations and fantastic special effects, to make this noir-infused comic book crime caper come to life on the screen in a way that is as menacing as it is breathtaking. Reeves uses the action sparingly, but in incredibly effective ways. Fight sequences are relentlessly brutal, there’s an incredible car chase featuring the Batmobile and a death defying leap from a skyscraper amongst The Batman’s many blockbusting big-action set-pieces to enjoy.

At just under three hours, this first solo Batman movie in a decade is the longest Batman movie ever made. The hard-boiled noir influences and striking visual style are to die for, as is that new Batmobile, and it is only the somewhat overloaded final act that holds the film back from achieving absolute perfection. Pattinson defies all expectations and totally makes the role of the Dark Knight his own as well. This epic superhero movie may have been beset by pandemic related delays but Matt Reeves The Batman has certainly turned out to be well worth the wait, and is everything you could want from a Batman movie.

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Spider-Man No Way Home Film Review

20 Monday Dec 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Film Reviews

≈ 14 Comments

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Doctor Octopus, Doctor Strange, Electro, Green Goblin, Marvel, MCU, Multiverse, Sandman, Spider-Man, Spider-Man No Way Home, Spider-Man No Way Home Review, Spiderman No Way Home Review, The Lizard, Tom Holland

Spider-Man No Way Home

Review by Paul Bowler

The Multiverse explodes into the MCU in Spider-Man No Way Home as the webslingers world collides with the narrative of the Avengers movies and the plots of the five previous Spider-Man movies that starred Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Spider-Man No Way Home also contains more Easter eggs, secrets and cameos than any superhero film we’ve seen to date. Tom Holland’s third solo outing as Spider-Man also manages to side-step the curse of the over cluttered threquel to be an action packed, emotional roller coaster ride that more than lives up to the hype.

After a brief recap of Spider-Man being unmasked at the end of the previous film, Spider-Man No Way Home sees Holland’s young superhero struggling to protect Aunt May (Maria Tomie), his girlfriend MJ (Zendaya), best pal Ned (Jacob Batalon) and Tony Stark’s former chauffeur Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) from the media swarm that has descended on his life thanks to J. Jonah Jamerson (JK Simmons) broadcasts claiming that Spider-Man murdered Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal).

To protect those he loves Peter seeks out Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) at his Sanctum Sanctorum to ask him to cast a spell that could make the world forget his secret identity. But when the magic goes awry the multiverse is breached, summoning every villain who knew his identity in the other dimensions and Spider-Man movies – Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe, Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), Electro (Jamie Fox), Lizard (Rhys Ifans) and Sandman (Thomas Haden) – to converge on NCY in the MCU reality.

Director Jon Watts, who has been behind the camera since Holland began his solo adventures in Spider-Man Homecoming after his scene-stealing debut in Captain America Civil War, keeps the huge scope and scale of Spider-Man No Way Home on track along with returning screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers. Highlights include a spellbinding chase between Spider-Man and Doctor Strange across the dimensions that echoes Christopher Nolan’s Inception, Spider-Man battles the rogues gallery of his deadliest foes, and there’s a thrilling showdown at the Statue of Liberty. But it is the films underlying themes of second chances what really drives the narrative of the movie the most as Peter Parker is put through the emotional wringer, the same is true for the multitude of returning villains as well, and even the core ethos of great power and responsibility that is the cornerstone of Spider-Man’s legacy gets powerfully reworked in the most unexpected way.

Tom Holland gives his best performance by far as Peter Parker / Spider-Man, the supporting cast are brilliant as well, and script is chock full of fun moments and clever call-backs to enjoy too. Oh and be sure to stay for those credits as well! To say any more about Spider-Man No Way Home would totally ruin the thrills and surprises it holds. I’d been really looking forward to seeing this film and I throughly enjoyed it. Suffice to say, if you’ve been a fan of the MCU and the many different eras of the Spider-Man films you are going to be totally blown away by the fan-pleasing moments this action-packed movie delivers!

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Dune (2021) Film Review

25 Monday Oct 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Film Reviews

≈ 23 Comments

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Arrakis, Baron Harkonnen, Denis Villeneuve, Dune, Dune 2021, Dune 2021 Film review, Dune Film Review, Dune Part 1, Frank Herbert, Fremen, Paul Atreides, Sandworms, Timothee Chalamet

Dune (2021) Film Review

Review by Paul Bowler.

Denis Villeneuve’s ambitious adaptation of Frank Herbert’s classic sci-fi novel, Dune, is finally here. Dune: Part One, follows the mythical emotional coming of age journey of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet), a gifted young man born to face a destiny beyond anything he could’ve imagined on one of the most dangerous planets in the universe. When treachery strikes, Paul faces a battle for survival on the harsh desert world of Arrakis as the fate of the future, his family and his people hangs in the balance.

Right from the first scene of Dune: Part One it becomes clear that French-Canadian director of Blade Runner 2049 Denis Villeneuve has taken the rich narrative of Frank Herbert’s epic 1965 sci-fi novel – which many have long considered unfilmable – and masterfully captured the essence of Herbert’s work in a way that beautifully presents the intricate universe of Dune with its fascinating ensemble of characters, political power-struggles, intrigue and mysticism. The film is the first in a two part adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune, with a screenplay by Jon Spaihts, Villeneuve and Eric Roth that effectively covers the first half of the first book.

Unlike David Lynch’s Dune, which was a disastrous and unfathomable flop that bombed at the box office 1984, David Villeneuve’s Dune manages to avoid the narrative pitfalls and correct many of that earlier film’s worst mistakes. The plot of Dune: Part One is far more cohesive as a result.

Villeneuve wisely gives the characters and sweeping subtexts of Herbert’s novel room to breath, the special effects are breathtaking and the score by Hans Zimmer is magnificent. Fans of the book are sure to love every moment of Villeneuve’s thoughtful and respectful adaptation. Newbies might find the pace of the first hour a bit slow, but the sheer scope and scale of the film, along with its incredible visuals, effortless draws you in as Paul Atreides embarks on epic journey of discovery.

Once again, Dune: Part One sees the action unfold on the planet Arrakis, a commodity-rich world, where gargantuan sandworms lurk beneath the desert plains and the blue-eyed Fremen are locked in guerrilla warfare with their colonial oppressors from the ruthless House Harkonnen. Now the emperor has decreed that Barron Haekonnen (Stellan Skarsagard) must relinquish his governance over Arrakis to make way for the House of Atreides to take over, and ensure the further procurement of Melange, or spice as it is know, the priceless substance that can extend human vitality and is essential to maintain interstellar travel. The Atreides leader, Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), seeks to make a treaty with the Fremen, but before his radical plans can be implemented, the bloated Baron Harkonnen and his hulking nephew Glossu Rabban (Dave Bautista) launch a devastating attack to seize back control of Arrakis.

Caught in the crossfire of the Harkonnen’s coup is Leto’s young son and heir, Paul (the perfectly cast Timothee Chalamet), and his mystical mother Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), who is also an acolyte of the Bene Gesserit sisterhood, and both mother and son possess enhanced Jedi-like physical and mental abilities. They manage to escape the carnage and with some help from Paul’s sword-master mentor and friend, Duncan Idaho (Jason Momoa) along the way, Paul and his mother make the dangerous journey across sandworm territory to reach the Fremen, where Paul finally encounters the mysterious girl from his dreams, Chani (Zendaya). A ritual duel and haunting revelations await as Paul becomes further entwined with the Fremens’ messianic prophecies.

David Villeneuve’s Dune is mesmerising blend of intergalactic political intrigue, mystery, sci-fi monster action and adventure. Every moment of the 155-minute run time is well spent on melding characterisation and plot with accomplished ease, and although the ending is a bit abrupt it sets the stage nicely for the next chapter of Paul Atreides’ mission. Of course on the films release it wasn’t certain whether we’d actually get a part two and find out if Paul really is “The One”. Fortunately the film performed well at the box office (making $40 million during its opening weekend), and on 26th October 2021 Legendary, Warner Bros and director Denis Villeneuve confirmed that Dune: Part Two has now been officially green lit with a release date of October 20th 2023. Villeneuve’s inspired directorial vision and the films dazzling cinematography has brought Frank Herbert’s Dune to life on the big screen in the most spellbinding way imaginable. An awe-inspiring movie in its own right, Dune: Part One is everything fans could’ve hoped for, and more!

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No Time to Die Film Review

05 Tuesday Oct 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Film Reviews

≈ 17 Comments

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007, Bond, Bond 25, Daniel Craig, James Bond, No Time To Die, No Time to Die film review

No Time To Die Film Review

Review by Paul Bowler.

No Time to Die, Daniel Craig’s final outing as the worlds most famous super-spy is finally with us at last, and it looks set to be 007’s most blockbusting adventure yet! As well as being the milestone 25th film in the Bond franchise, which began with Dr No in 1962, No Time To Die is also purportedly one of the most expensive Bond movie every made.

Picking after the events of Spectre (2015), where Blofield (Christopher Waltz) was captured and Bond had wandered off into the sunset with love-interest Dr Madeleine Swann, played by French star Lea Seydoux, No Time to Die finds that Bond and Madeleine have started a new life together in Italy. Although Bond’s left his spy days with MI6 behind him, Madeleine is still harbouring secrets of her own, and Bond’s own troubled past eventually makes them go their separate ways.

Five years on and Bond is in Jamaica, retired and drowning his sorrows, that is until his old CIA contact Felix Leiter (Jeffery Wright) seeks his help. Christopher Waltz’s sinister Blofield may be behind bars, but he’s not without influence, and his nefarious henchmen on the outside are still eager to do his bidding – namely Primo (Dali Benssalah).

There’s also a new nemesis in the form of Safin, brilliantly played by Rami Malek, a deadly psychopath with his own agenda who also shares a past with Bond’s lover Madeleine. Bond reunites with M, played by Ralph Fiennes, along with old colleagues Ben Wishaw’s trusty quartermaster Q, Naomie Harris as Moneypenny, and some new faces including the fearless and funny Cuban CIA agent Paloma, played by Ana de Armas, and Lashana Lynch as new double-oh-agent Nomi who stepped up to the plate when Bond was out of the frame. With new working practices at MI6 to contend with, Bond must learn to adapt as he struggles with his role in the ever changing asymmetric world of modern warfare and high-tech espionage, whilst dealing with the return of Madeleine, and finding a way to stop his enemies from unleashing a deadly bioweapon on the world.

The multi-layered storyline brings this era of Bond full circle in a plethora of action, gadgets, intrigue and glamour. Daniel Craig gives one of his most powerful performances yet as 007 runs a gauntlet of brutal action, frenetic chases and emotional turmoil that will no doubt galvanise his legacy as one of the best Bond’s of all. He’s ably supported by a superb cast, who each get their moment in the spotlight, and Director Cary Joji Fukunaga stylishly orchestrates the international scope of the globe-trotting narrative, rich characterisation and the big action set-pieces with consummate ease. Add to that the rousing score by Hans Zimmer and a terrific theme tune written by Grammy winner Billie Eillsh and you have a movie that is sure to be everything that fans could’ve hoped for in Daniel Craig’s swansong as Bond.

No Tine to Die features some stunning locales, including those filmed in the hillside city of Matera in Italy, the Caribbean where Bond tries to escape his life at MI6, and an exciting chase in Norway. Filming also took place on the Faroe Islands, along with scenes short in the UK at the 19th century Ardverikie Estate and Cairngorms in Scotland, and London. There’s the usual quota of stunts, fights and shoot-outs to leave you shaken and stirred, including a fantastic sequence with the iconic Austin Martin where Bond and Madeleine are attacked and pursued by their enemies, there’s a dramatic chase across a frozen lake as well, and even a record breaking explosion for one particular stunt.

The pandemic might have seen the film pushed back three times from its original 2020 release date, but its been well worth the wait. At just over two hours and 43 minutes long, its a film with a lot of ground to cover as it races into its thrilling final act, but the story never drags, and the exciting break-neck action ensures No Time to Die brings Daniel Craig’s era as Bond to a close in fine style.

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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Film Review

07 Tuesday Sep 2021

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Film Reviews

≈ 20 Comments

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and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and the Legend of the Ten Rings review, Martial Arts, Marvel, Marvel Comics, MCU, Phase Four, Shan-Chi, Simu Liu

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Review by Paul Bowler

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a spectacular new Asian led chapter in the next phase of Marvel’s highly anticipated wave of post Endgame movies, and also a much needed breath of fresh air for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Staring actor and stuntman Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who post blip is using the alias of Shaun while working as a hotel valet in San Francisco, together with his best friend Katy (Awkwafina). When they are suddenly attacked by the deadly Razor Fist (Florian Munteanu) and his henchmen, Shang-Chi has no choice but to reveal his true identity and return home to face the demons of his past, including his father, Wenwu (Tony Leung), who just happens to be the centuries old super-villain leader of the Ten Rings organisation!

Director Destin Daniel Cretton stylishly blends the superhero fantasy and martial arts action. The frenetic fight sequences are beautifully choreographed, with Simu Liu performing many of his own stunts, and as origin stories go Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a great addition to the MCU line-up. The saga of the Ten Rings, the mystical weapons that grant their owner great power and immortality, is intricately woven into the narrative, and Shang-Chi’s fears his that estranged sister Xu Xialing (Meng’er Zhang) will also be targeted sees him race to Macau with Katy to find Xialing.

The plot hardly pauses for a moment from the outset. Highlights included a Jacky Chan like sequence on a skyscraper swathed in bamboo scaffolding, there’s a cage fight between Wong (Benedict Wong) and the Abomination (voice by Tim Roth), a daring Speed-style chase unfolds through the streets of San Francisco, and a bombastic finale of epic proportions round off Shang-Chi’s MCU debut in fine style.

Simu Liu effortlessly makes the role Shang-Chi his own, while Awkwafina’s scene stealing turn as Chi’s comic sidekick ensures there’s plenty of fun moments interspaced between the frenetic action. There’s some father son angst that gives the plot added depth, sacrifices are also made, and everything builds to a fittingly spectacular – if somewhat CGI heavy – climatic mystical showdown. The supporting cast is excellent as well, although I felt the addition of Sir Ben Kingsley’s character Trevor Slattery (the faux Mandarin from Iron Man 3) was a little bit superfluous.

As Marvel Studios first film with an Asian director and a predominately Asian cast, Shan-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a fine exploration and representation of Asian culture, and a visually impressive and exciting MCU film on every level. There are plenty of Easter eggs and MCU references to past movies and future Phase Four projects to enjoy as well. This film may not be as game changing as Black Panther, but it was way more fun than Black Widow! Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ring is a good all-round action-adventure film in its own right, the dazzling martial arts fight sequences will blow yu away, and the post credit scenes (featuring some fan pleasing cameos) bring the character of Shang-Chi even further into the wider mythology of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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Spider-Man Far From Home Film Review

05 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Film Reviews

≈ 16 Comments

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Jake Gyllenhaal, Marvel, Marvel Comics, MCU, Mysterio, Peter Parker, Spider-Man, Spider-Man Far From Home, Spider-Man Far From Home film review, Spiderman Far From Home film review, Tom Holland

Spider-Man Far From Home

Review by Paul Bowler.

Tom Holland returns as Peter Parker in Spider-Man Far From home, the next chapter in Marvel’s web-spinning Spider-Man film series. Serving as a coda of sorts to this year’s blockbusting smash hit Avengers Endgame; Spider-Man Far From Home is a fun filled blend of high-school romcom, spy drama, and dazzling superhero action.

After cleverly addressing the events and aftermath of the last two Avengers films, Spider-Man far From Home quickly gets under way as Peter Parker (Tom Holland) joins his friends Ned (Jacob Batalon), MJ (Zendaya), and the rest of the classmates on a European vacation. However, Peter’s plan to take a break from all the super heroics are soon thrown into turmoil when Spider-Man’s recruited by Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson) and teamed up with the dimension-travelling Mysterio (Jake Gyllenhaal) who is wracked by guilt because he failed to save his own world.

Together Spider-Man and Mysterio must confront the mysterious elemental creatures that have begun appearing and unleashing havoc across the continent. Peter Parker’s quest takes him across Europe battling elementals, but soon a new threat emerges, and only the friendly neighbourhood Spider-Man can save the day!

It’s a good job Aunt May (Marisa Tomel), now in the know about her nephew’s superhero alter-ego, decided to pack his Spidey-suit for him as there’s no rest for Spider-Man on this vacation! Tom Holland is on fine form once again as the wall-crawling hero, with Peter’s anguish over Tony Stark’s death in Avengers Endgame brining extra emotional depth to the role. Reunited with his pals from Spider-Man Homecoming for this European vacation, Peter also plans to confess his love for MJ, brilliantly played by pop star Zendaya, and it is the fizzing chemistry between Peter and MJ that provides the movie’s warm emotional core.

Of course with Spider-Man themes of great power and responsibility are never far away, and screenwriters Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, and director Jon Watts skilfully craft further angst for Peter Parker by having Nick Fury see him as a kind of replacement for the late Tony Stark as the worlds most prominent superhero. Fury gives Peter a special pair of computerised glasses as well – equipped with an AI which Stark had intended for his successor to have – which only compounds the internal conflict further whilst also reiterating the fallout from Avengers Infinity War and Endgame. It creates an interesting and somewhat fraught dynamic between Fury and Spider-Man as Iron Man’s legacy proves a daunting prospect for the teenager, something that Peter’s not sure he even wants, or is capable of living up too as all he really wants is to do is live as normal a life as he possibly can given his extraordinary life now as Spider-Man.

Jake Gyllenhaal is also really good as Quentin Beck, AKA, Mysterio, who Peter initially sees as a similar kind of mentor figure like he did Stark. Beck claims to have come from an alternative Earth, he’s here to help stop the Elementals from destroying this world like they did his. I’ve always been a big fan of Mysterio in the comics and I was thrilled to see the character handled so well in this movie. Mysterio’s abilities look spectacular, Gyllenhaal makes the role his own, and his distinctive costume with its cloudy domed helmet looks great.

Amidst all the fun, romance, and big action set-pieces, director Jon Watts keeps Spider-Man Far From Home on an even keel. The added weight of recent events in the MCU’s continuity slots in well with the films quirky spy caper narrative, and there’s even a smattering of darker themes such as big corporate manipulation and fake news. With our amazing Spider-Man donning a number of old and new Spidey suits as his adventures take him across Europe, the callbacks to previous movies come thick and fast, and the overall geeky sense of fun is sure to delight fans. Other familiar characters also return, including Cobie Smulders as Maria Hill, and Jon Favreau as Happy Hogan.

With its great cast, crisp direction, and spectacular action Spider-Man Far From Home is sure to get your Spider Sense tingling! Brilliant fun from beginning to end, Spider-Man Far From Home provides a fitting epilogue to Avengers Endgame, and paves the way for a potentially bold new era for Spider-Man. Needless to say, this is a Marvel movie, so be sure to stay right through the credits where one of the films biggest secrets is waiting to be revealed!

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Godzilla King of the Monsters Film Review

05 Wednesday Jun 2019

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Film Reviews

≈ 14 Comments

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Godzilla, Godzilla King of the Monster, Godzilla King of the Monsters Film Review, Godzilla King of the Monsters Movie Review, Godzilla King of the Monsters review

Godzilla King of the Monsters

Review by Paul Bowler.

The monster mayhem abounds on an epic scale in Godzilla King of the Monsters! After their previous encounter with Godzilla the ultra secret Monarch organization has continued its research into the ancient Titans. Now eco-terrorists are determined to awaken these sleeping beasts. Soon Mothra, Rodan and the terrifying three-headed Ghidorah are unleashed and Monarch must seek out Godzilla once more to save the world!

Set some five years after Gareth Edwards’ Godzilla (2014), Godzilla King of the Monsters, directed by Michael Dougherty, and written by Michael Dougherty and Zach Shields (story by Max Borenstein, Michael Dougherty, and Zach Shields), is the latest instalment of the Warner Bros / Legendary Pictures’ Monsterverse film series

Featuring a strong cast Godzilla King of the Monsters fast-paced script introduces Monarch scientist Dr Emma Russell (Emma Farmiga) and her daughter Madison (Stranger Things’ brilliant Millie Bobby Brown) as they witness the hatching of the giant moth creature Mothra. Using a device called the ORCA, which emits signals that can influence a Titans behaviour; they are able to calm Mothra. But Emma and her daughter are then captured by a group of eco-terrorists, led by Alan Jonah (played with a suitably villainous flair by Game of Thrones star Charles Dance), who intend to use the ORCA to awaken the Titans to further their own agenda.

The Monarch scientists and soldiers, who include Chief Warrant Officer Jackson Barnes (O’Shea Jackson Jr), with Ziyi Zhang as Dr Ilene Chen and Dr Ling, Bradley Whitford as Dr Rick Stanton, Colonel Diane Foster (Aisha Hinds), and a returning Dr Serizawa (Ken Watanabe) and Dr Vivienne Graham (Sally Hawkins) from 2014‘s Godzilla, seek out Emma’s ex husband, Dr Mark Russell (Kyle Candler) – who created the ORCA with his wife – to help them in their search for Emma and Madison. Of course their quest also involves tracking down Godzilla as well, but when Ghidorah is revived all hell breaks loose, and the epic battle of the monsters which follows quickly spills out across the entire world as Godzilla roars into action!

Sure the script is a bit flimsy in places. Indeed, the characterization is even flimsier at times, but at its core Godzilla King of the Monsters is still monstrously good fun. However, the broken family unit of Emma, Mark and Madison (having been ripped apart by a terrible tragedy) are cleverly placed front and centre as the plot unfolds, and they offer a much need focal point amidst all the monster action, sci-fi jargon, clunky humour, and military gung-ho bravado.

Needless to say despite some of the scripts weaknesses, it’s the monsters were here for right? Well, as a big Godzilla fan that’s what I sure as hell was looking forward to, and I’m happy to say that in this respect Godzilla King of the Monsters delivered on ever level. The kaiju action is spectacular! Godzilla is especially impressive and powerful, Mothra looks beautiful, Rodan is as savage as hell, and the three-headed Ghidorah is a magnificent spectacle to behold. The CGI battle sequences are well orchestrated, we get right into the heart of the action, and the final showdown will simply blow you away!

With its spectacular effects, fantastic monster battles, and thrilling action Godzilla King of the Monsters left this Godzilla fan feeling very happy indeed. While it’s not without its faults, as Hollywood remakes go Godzilla King of the Monsters eclipses its predecessors, and delivers the monster action with breathtaking style.

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Avengers Endgame Film Review

28 Sunday Apr 2019

Posted by Paul Bowler in All, Film Reviews

≈ 35 Comments

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Avengers, Avengers Endgame, Avengers Endgame film review, Avengers Endgame review, Marvel, MCU, Thanos

Avengers Endgame

Review by Paul Bowler.

Avengers Endgame explodes onto the big screen in the wake of Avengers Infinity War’s devastating cliff-hanger from last year which saw fifty per cent of the MUC’s heroes turned to dust by cosmic super-villain Josh Brolin’s Thanos.. This spectacular, 22^nd instalment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, and written by Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeelyand, brings the saga to a shattering conclusion – and yes Avengers Endgame is every bit the triumphantly bombastic finale we could’ve ever hoped for!

The 　surviving Avengers are back, with the classic trinity of Robert Downey Jnr., Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth returning as Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor, along with Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner / Hulk and Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow, and a wealth of other surviving MCU heroes including Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton, Don Cheadle as James Rhodes / War Machine, Karen Gillan as Nebula, and Paul Rudd as Scott Lang / Ant-Man to name just a few of the films star-studded ensemble cast uniting to avenge their fallen comrades by striking back to defeat the　all-powerful Thanos and save the universe.

This time though the Avengers will have Brie Larson’s cosmic powered Captain Marvel fighting alongside them! Captain Marvel certainly brings a fresh new dynamic to the team. Captain Marvel’s presence somewhat redresses the slight gender imbalance in the Avengers team line-up, she’s a major powerhouse in her own right, and has a mischievous no-nonsense attitude and slight disdain for following orders.

Josh Brolin remains as compelling and powerful in the role of Thanos. The Mad Titan is confident to the extreme, sure in his power, and as ruthlessly intelligent as ever. As villains go in the MCU, Thanos is one of the most well written and developed so far, and Avengers Endgame delivers a spectacular showdown between the Avengers and their intergalactic arch-enemy.

Anthony Russo and Joe Russo have weaved their spellbinding magic again with Avengers Endgame. If you thought Infinity War was epic in scope and scale, well you better buckle up, because you ain’t seen nothing yet! Avengers Endgame is packed with awesome action-set-pieces, jaw-dropping CGI, and plenty of glorious character moments for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes as they dust themselves off and take the fight to Thanos.

With its three hour run time of thrills, action, and shock surprises, Avengers Endgame will have you on the edge of your seat as the plot twists and turns through a myriad of plot threads that skilfully encompasses the entirety of the MCU amidst all the spectacle.

To say more could end up risking spoiling this incredible cinematic event. So, suffice to say Avengers Endgame provides an emotionally charged finale to the current MCU film series, its also brilliant fun, and one of the most epically action-packed superhero movies ever!