Tag Archives: MCU

Spider-Man No Way Home Film Review

20 Monday Dec 2021

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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!

About The Author

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

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

07 Tuesday Sep 2021

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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.

About The Author

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

Spider-Man Far From Home Film Review

05 Friday Jul 2019

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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!

Avengers Endgame Film Review

28 Sunday Apr 2019

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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, 22nd 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!

 

Captain Marvel Film Review

08 Friday Mar 2019

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Captain Marvel

Review by Paul Bowler

Get set for a cosmic thrill-ride as Captain Marvel blasts onto the big screen! Staring Brie Larson as Captain Marvel, this action packed addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe officially introduces Carol Danvers to cinema audiences

As a member of the elite military, Starforce, Captain Marvel charts the story of Carol Danvers as she becomes one of the Earth’s most powerful heroes after the Earth gets caught up in a galactic war between the Kree and Skrull Empires. With a mission to locate a secret device on Earth, Captain Marvel must embark on a path of personal rediscovery, while battling shape-shifting aliens led by Talos (Ben Mendelsohn), and being pursued by secretive US agents. Set in 1995, Captain Marvel propels Carol Danvers into a cosmic battle to save the Earth and offers a fresh new direction and insight into a previously unseen era of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

As well as heralding a new chapter in MCU lore, Captain Marvel also marks the debut of Brie Larson as the first female character to front a Marvel Studios movie, and of course the film has been eagerly anticipated by fans. Brie Larson is superb in the role of the intergalactic warrior, combining noble empathy and feisty fun in her quest to save Earth, solve the mystery of Project Pegasus, and ultimately harness the full potential of her powers.

Captain Marvel also has something of a tempestuous partnership with a much younger, and still two eyed, Nick Fury, brilliantly played as ever by Samuel L Jackson (his face digitally regressed to portray the younger Fury) , and fan favourite Clark Gregg returns as Phil Coulson.

Carol Danvers also makes a loyal friend during her training in the US air force, Maria (Lashana Lynch), there’s guidance from a mysterious character played by Annette Bening, Yon-Rogg (Jude Law) is a Starforce commander and Danvers’ mentor, we also have fellow soldiers Mini Erva (Gemma Chan) and Korath (Djimon Hounsou), Ronan The Accuser (Lee Pace) has yet to become the radical zealot we first saw in Guardians of the Galaxy, and there’s the loveable scene-stealing cat, Goose!

Directors and co-writers Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck bring an interesting new spin on the superhero origin movie. Sure, all the familiar tropes are there, but Boden and Fleck have crafted an engaging and fun mashup between the 90’s setting and the formative aspects of the MCU to deliver a thrilling stand-alone superhero adventure in its own right

With its stellar cast and fast-paced direction Captain Marvel is another sure-fire hit! Boasting stunning visual effects and epic set-pieces, Captain Marvel is a fantastic film, Brie Larson proves inspired casting and makes the role her own, and the movie even manages to ingratiate itself with April’s hotly anticipated Avengers: Endgame, so be sure to stay for the credits!

Marvels’ Ant Man and the Wasp New Official Trailer!

01 Tuesday May 2018

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Check out the Official Trailer for Marvel Studios’ Ant-Man and the Wasp!

From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink: Ant-Man and The Wasp. In the aftermath of Captain America: Civil War, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past.

Starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Peña and Michael Douglas, the film is released July 6 in the U.S. and August 3 in the UK.