ANT-MAN AND THE WASP QUANTUMANIA FILM REVIEW

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Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania

Review by Paul Bowler

Phase Five of the Marvel Cinematic Universe gets off to a confident start with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, as Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope Van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) are back to continue their adventures as the diminutive super-heroes Ant-Man and the Wasp. This time Lang and his extended family get caught up in an adventure into the mysterious Quantum Realm after Scott’s 18 year old daughter Cassie (Kathryn Newton) manages to send a signal into the mysterious subatomic realm. 

Ant-Man and Cassie, along with his partner the Wasp, and in-laws Hank Pam (Michael Douglas) and Janet Van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) find themselves in a bizarre world filled with micro-fauna, luminescent wildlife, and even stranger looking lifeforms! The familiar sci-fi trappings of this CGI heavy world looks like its been cut from the same cloth as something out of Star Trek or Star Wars, and there’s even a rebellion brewing against an oppressive all-powerful regime run by Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors).

Paul Rudd impresses once again in his role as Ant-Man, its perhaps ironic really how the smallest Avenger suddenly finds himself playing such a big role in shaping the future of the MCU in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Indeed, Rudd, Lilly, and Douglas once again make an engaging trio, Kathryn Newton is also great as Lang’s daughter, Cassie, but it is Michelle Pfeiffer who really stands out as Pym’s wife and Hope’s mother, Janet Van Dyne. Having previously been trapped in the Quantum Realm, Pfeiffer’s character is often right in the thick of the action, although she clearly knows a lot more about the Quantum Ream and its despot ruler than she initially lets on.

Its when hyper-powered Kang himself, brilliantly played by Jonathan Majors, enters the fray that Ant-Man and the Wasp:Quantumania really kicks into high gear, especially when he tries to use Cassie as leverage to get Scott to help him retrieve his power core. Ant-Man must endeavour to do everything in his power to help his family return home and stop Kang’s evil scheme. 

There are big action set-pieces galore and mind boggling subatomic world-building that is dazzling to behold. Franchise director Peyton Reed is an assured pair of hands that just about keeps this theequel on track, the complex narrative of Kang’s feature debut is compelling, but Ant-Man’s emotional family drama often gets lost in all the CGI mayhem. Kang’s henchman, M.O.D.O.K (Corey Stoll), is the films biggest stumbling block, and I’m sorry to say the MCU’s take on one of Marvel Comics most grotesque villains is a lamentable effort at best! The subtle charm and humour of the previous Ant-Man films is also somewhat lacking, and its a great shame fun key supporting characters from the first two films also sit this one out. 

This Ant-Man movie is essentially all about setting up Kang as the MCU’s next big-bad. There is still a very heartwarming story about family underneath all the CGI  spectacle, and it also does a good job of paving the way for the Kang Dynasty and the Multiverse Saga that will eventually culminate in Avengers: Secret Wars. Despite its slight flaws, Ant-Man and the Wasp Quantumania is still an exciting adventure, although one that’s not quite as fun as the previous Ant-Man films.

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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

BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER FILM REVIEW

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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

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

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

New Thor: Love and Thunder Trailer!

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Chris Hemsworth, Christian Bale, Marvel, Marvel Studios, MCU, Natalie Portman, Russell Crowe’, Thor, Thor Love and Thunder

Check out the brand new trailer for Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder! Marvel are keeping the hype building with the release of another poster and new official trailer for their upcoming Thor: Love and Thunder, and we also get our first proper look at Christian Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher.

This second exciting trailer also showcases some fun interactions between Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman, and a glimpse of Russell Crowe’s Zeus. I’m a big fan of the Thor movies, they are always loads of fun, and I’m really looking forward to Thor: Love and Thunder!

Marvel Studios’ Thor: Love and Thunder will be released in theaters July 8. 2022.

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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

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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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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

New Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Trailer

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Benedict Cumberbatch, Doctor Strange, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Doctor Strange in the multiverse of Madness trailer, Marvel, Marvel Studios, MCU, Sam Rami

Get ready for a new dimension of Strange! Marvel have released the brand new official trailer for Marvel Studios eagerly anticipated Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness., starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the Sorcerer Supreme. In this spellbinding sequel from Director Sam Rami the MCU will unlock the Multiverse and push the boundaries of reality further than anything we’ve seen before! Of all the new MCU movies in the pipeline Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is the one I’ve been looking forward to the most – especially as it has Sam Rami at the helm! This trailer was chock full of surprises as well as showcasing some of the incredible visual we can expect to see in this sequel.

The film will take us on a journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams. The film is directed by Sam Raimi, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Eric Hauserman Carroll and Jamie Christopher serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Michael Waldron. The sequel opens in theatres on May 6th.

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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 No Way Home Film Review

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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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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

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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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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

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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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Avengers Endgame Film Review

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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!

 

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Captain Marvel Film Review

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Avengers Endgame, Bire Larson, Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel film review, Captain Marvel Review, Carol Danvers, Kree, Marvel, Marvel Comics, MCU, Nick Fury, Samuel L Jackson, Skrull

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!

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